The Dawning of Fate

The soft padding of feet draws my attention as Echo ambles into the cookery with the ugly beast she calls a dog right behind her. It still amazes me how such a tiny human domesticated this large creature. If humans keep these creatures as pets often on Terra then they must not be as completely deficient as I believed.

“So, what’s on the agenda for today?” She asks, biting into the ripe fruit. The way her lips close around it has my mind drifting back to the way I mouth mated her last moon and my haju begins to swell. Vrat, what is this female doing to me? Has it truly been that long since I have bedded a female that my body must react like a sapling?

“Today we will begin your studies,” I tell her as I extend one claw and slice the meat. Her ginger eyebrows furrow.

“What studies?”

“Until you return to your home, you must learn how to survive in this world. This includes which laws not to break, how to buy food, earn credits, and a general understanding of how to interact with certain species. I will not deceive you, this will be hard. Not only are you female, but you may very well be the rarest species on this planet or any planet other than Terra. You must watch your back at all times,” I inform her.

She nods and lets out a shaky breath. I can sense the dread rolling off of her in waves. If I could do this for her, I would. Of course, she is safe and cared for while she is under my protection, but one day she may choose to leave and I will not force her to stay.

“So where do we start?”

After the morning meal is finished, Echo and I return to the library. The beast rushes in before us and starts scratching at one of the chairs. I growl under my breath.

“Thunder, down! Bad boy!” Echo scolds while pointing her finger to the floor. The animal actually listens, folds its tail between its legs, and walks toward her. I laugh incredulously and shake my head. Unbelievable.

“We will start with the laws today. When we return to the market, you’ll learn how to buy food, what foods to buy, how to negotiate with merchants, things like that. Have a seat,” I motion towards one of the desks before leaving her to find the book I am looking for. Once found, I return and sit in the chair across from her.

“How am I meant to read this if it’s not in English?”

This “English” must be her native language. I take the miniature black device and attach it to the cover of the book before sliding it to her. She looks at me in confusion before opening the book. Her eyebrows crinkle momentarily before her eyes alight in awe.

“But how?”

“This device works in tandem with your language transplant. The original words of the book are still written in whatever language it was but the device allows the reader to see the words in a way that they understand,” I explain.

“You aliens have it all figured out. Do you have something I can write with?” I nod and retrieve it for her.

I begin guiding her through the most important laws in the book and she scribbles on the skin paper that I have given her in words I can not comprehend. I also show her the sections in the book where these laws are written for validation.

“So this Interplanetary Counsel is sort of like the government of space?” I nod. “And they allow each planet to govern their people?” I nod once more. “Then what exactly is their purpose?”

“The Counsel disputes major diplomatic issues. Also, if someone wants to register a planet and build a society there, they must apply through the IC and exceed all of the requirements. The governing body is usually fair in their judgments and allows the central government of each planet to dispute their issues. ”

“Yet, they still allow slavery,” She mumbles. The grim comment threw me for a moment. The tone in her voice signifies someone who bears the burden of many.

“Why do you say this?” I find myself asking.

“I’ve always wanted to come to space, see other worlds, and learn about different species. For some reason, I thought it’d be different. But that was all the delusions of a lonely girl wishing for change. On Earth, my people, people with skin the color of mine, have fought decades upon decades against violence, hatred, and bondage just for being who we are. So imagine my surprise when I get to the place I thought things would be different and it’s more of the same.” The salty water is leaking from her eyes again but she wipes them away with ardor. Thunder pads over and rests his head in her lap, nudging her hand. She smiles sadly and scratches his head.

I can not fathom the need to cause such pain because of something as insignificant as color. This is the reality from which she comes. One of loneliness, cruelty, and pain. I do not know much about Terra, but I do not wish to visit such a place of dread and I do not wish for her to return. Here, she will know only happiness. Here, she will know not distress or pain because I am here.

“I won’t pretend to know your suffering, but I will share with you my own if you wish.” She looks at me with glassy eyes and motions for me to continue.

“Many lunars ago, I was held against my will, enslaved by my own people on Tumeria, and forced to commit heinous acts. We were held in an encampment and coerced into fighting each other for the entertainment of others. They’d put on entire shows to parade around the violence. I was forced to slaughter my brothers and sisters, my people. Every night, I see their faces. I see myself surrounded by the bodies of those who I’ve ripped from their loved ones. Flax sand running ripe with crimson blood.”

“I’m so sorry,” I hear her voice say in the haze of my memories. “How did you escape?”

“Niscus. Tumerians are a greedy species. We could have all that we need but that will not be enough. As a sapling, we are taught to take what we want.”

“So, you guys are an entire species of bullies.”

I chuckle and nod. “Sadly, yes. What is now a trade outpost was once a beautiful blue orb filled with beauty and life until the Tumerian government decided that Tumeria needed more resources. I know not if there were negotiations of any kind, but Tumeria waged war on Niscus and the people of the Xoid. Us slaves were forced to fight. The war lasted for 4 lunars and many lives were lost. But what suffered the most is Niscus. An entire half of the planet remains uninhabitable. When the war was done, Tumerian society was in shambles. My brothers and I used that to our advantage and escaped from the shackles that bound us.”

I look up and find Echo leaking, again. I do not like it when she does this. It obscures her beautiful features. I wish only to bring her smiles and laughter. A deep, resonant feeling starts to expand in my chest. I do not know this feeling. This need to protect her is unfamiliar, unchartered territory. I have never told another person that story. Why did I feel the need to share it with her?

She rests her hand on mine. “Life has not been kind to you Azandum, but for all it has taken, it will return to you in plenty.” Echo looks at me with profound knowledge behind her eyes before she blinks rapidly and snatches her hand back.

“I-I’m sorry. I don’t know where that came from,” she apologizes while looking away with creased eyebrows.

We continue going through the laws until she has written down the most important ones. Once I announce that that will be all for today, I exit the room and travel further into the dark expanse until I reach the ship parked far inside the tunnel beneath my home. Sliding my hand along its smooth surface, I walk to the entrance, open it, and step inside. An influx of memories bombards my mind from all the journeys I have taken. Walking over to the command center, I power it on but not the engines. My eyes adjust to the change as bright lights flood the area. Scrolling through the communication logs, I find the name I am looking for and contact him.

The golden face projects in front of me a moment later. “Azandum? My friend, is it you?” The shock is to be expected.

“Gutark, I am glad to see you in good health, old friend.”

He nods. “It has been so many lunars since we last spoke. I assume this is not a courtesy call?”

“Sadly, it is not. If you can, I would like it if you could find out some information for me?”

“Tell me,” he responds immediately.

“I need you to find out what you can about anyone who has recently purchased a Terran.”

The red eyes on his head grow wide with surprise. “A Terran, truly? That’s serious business Azandum.”

I nod. “I understand if you can not. I do not wish to put you in any danger.”

Gutark shakes his head firmly. “No, I will see what I can sniff out and get back to you when I can.” I express my thanks and end the call.

Once I get back above ground, I do not find Echo inside the house. Walking outdoors, I spot her sitting in the garden studying the plants and flowers. A book and the skin paper lie in front of her as she scribbles things down. Thunder appears to be eating something he has caught during his hunting. Suddenly her eyes light up with excitement and she pulls two plants from the ground and is on her way back to the house. Her tiny feet stop in their tracks when she spots me. A shy smile dances across her lips as she glances back and forth from the plants to me.

“I’ll plant some more,” she says, drawing her lip between her teeth. I fight the urge to take that lip in between my own teeth.

“You seem fairly excited about these,” I incline my head towards the lilac and blush flowers in her hand.

“This is lavender,” she says, holding out the lilac plant. “And this one is rosemary. The book doesn’t call them that but that’s what they’re called where I’m from.” She continues talking as she walks past me and into the cookery. I’m left to follow.

“These two plants are companionable back on Earth because they both love well-drained soil so the ph levels are probably somewhere between 6.0 and 7.3.” I watch in amusement as she rambles on about alkaline and acidity and a bunch of other things that I have no idea about. I can tell she’s pleased with her findings. Echo begins to separate the colorful leaves from the stems.

“If I may interrupt?”

She glances over at me and laughs, embarrassed. “Sorry, I got carried away.”

I shake my head. “No, I enjoyed listening to you but I do have one question. What exactly are you doing?”

“Oh, I’m going to make this into an oil and then I’m going to add it to the soap to use as shampoo.”

“Shampoo? This word does not translate.”

“It’s like soap but for your hair. What do you use when you wash your hair? It is very soft.” She asks, going back to her task. I started to ask how she came to that conclusion but I stopped myself as I recall the events better left unsaid.

“Water? My hair has always felt the way it does.”

“Wow, wings and silky hair? Watch out Loki, I may have found your competition.”

Competition? Whoever this Loki is, I will challenge him for her affections and present her with his head.