Make sure you read Amanda's companion sequence, Exile, in conjuction with this sequence.
Forsaken
"So how'd you manage to wangle that?"
"Easy when you know how…"
Merica smirked and wrapped his tail around Jagung's slim hips. Kelapa sighed, crossing her arms.
The two were out of uniform and into casual wear, Merica sleek and dangerous in tight black leather, his bondmate adorable in soft pale green silk that allowed shadowy hints of the slender supple body beneath it to show through as he moved. She wondered, idly, if he'd wear something so - tantalizing - if Merica hadn't been there to make sure everyone else kept their hands off…
Jagung grinned.
"Hijau was feeling generous. He said we were owed the extra down-time for having to put up with Nappa for so long."
"When are you off?"
"This afternoon." Grey-green eyes closed as he leaned back into his lover's embrace, sighing happily. "A whole hundred days…"
The pair were heading home to Rumput for the season - and for once assured of a welcome. Gelaga was dead - murdered half a year ago by an unknown (but much celebrated) assailant - and Merica's younger brother Serendah had taken over. He was proving a lot more popular than his father.
It would have been nice, Kelapa thought to herself for a moment, to return to Pankuzu. Then again, all her friends were here, in the Guard (or - she swallowed hard and slid a finger under her armour to stroke the golden chain, suddenly desperately missing Mahrayne - offworld right now); and her only family was her father, with whom she had an uneasy relationship. There really wasn't much point her going home.
"Do we have time for a drink before you leave?"
Jagung inclined his head.
"Aren't you on duty?"
"For the next five minutes…"
"We'll wait."
They stopped a little distance from the first of the lower slopes, close to the gulley that 'zhasaan had insisted marked the start of the right way to reach the peak, made camp there and - eventually - managed to get the excited children to sleep.
Then 'zhasaan woke before dawn the following morning, and proceeded to wake everyone else…
Radittsu groaned and reached for the water jug, grunting in annoyance on finding it empty. 'haabron took it from him and made his way, half-asleep, to the supply vehicle for a refill: by the time he returned everyone was awake - including Zha'haabron, who was clutching his belly, his face contorted, as the hostlings kicked and squirmed irritably, and despite Radittsu's best *efforts* refusing to be soothed. Vinas hovered at the king's side, monitor to hand: the Feeodoreean frowned, and Radittsu regarded him anxiously.
"Hn."
"What's wrong?"
Vinas smiled tightly at the Saiyan.
"Nothing to worry about. I think his majesty should take a couple of days rest though. I'd recommend we wait here for you - instead of immediately returning to the enclave, I mean."
Both Radittsu and Ti'aasaan frowned.
"Would that be safe?"
"It certainly won't do any harm. And I'd prefer him not to face the stress of the journey right now."
"But what if…"
"We are fully prepared for any eventuality."
Zha'haabron caught his bondmate's hand.
"I would prefer to wait."
Radittsu gazed worriedly down into the pale face. The king was exhausted and in considerable pain.
*Are you sure?*
**I will feel comforted knowing you are within reach - and the rest would be welcome**
Radittsu growled quietly.
*You've over-extended yourself, haven't you? I knew you should have stayed with Ish'nadris…*
Zha'haabron sighed and closed his eyes.
**Please, zk'vissin, I'm too tired for this right now**
The Saiyan nodded reluctantly.
"Very well. You will *call* if you need me."
Zha'haabron winced as a hostling kicked particularly hard, as if in emphasis.
"Of course."
Zh'lata and Gh'veen - Zh'leet had remained at the royal enclave to care for 'tiisaan and 'viirel - had prepared firstmeal meal for the family. The hostlings tucked in happily, excited about the day, while Radittsu and Leteetza made sure everyone knew what was to happen.
They'd seen plants on the lower slopes yesterday, strange leafy shrubs unlike anything they'd found so far, and they planned to take Jeice and Zha'haarak to a small, sheltered grove a little way up, so that the subo could spend some time 're-charging' ki. (Zha'haarak insisted on going with him to keep him company - although Leteetza was pretty certain they also both wanted to make love. It would be the first time they'd done so out of doors…) A couple of guards - shr'en'an and Saiyan - would stay with them (at a discreet distance, of course). Zha'haabron would remain in or near their vehicle, Zh'lata and Gh'veen in attendance, with his own guard and Vinas and his team nearby. Everyone else was heading up into the mountains: the Saiyans decided they'd start off walking, since the lower slopes were shallow, and fly once the going got hard. This met with general approval, and Radittsu grinned at the children as the meal finished.
"Right - everyone into bodysuits."
'raadiin pouted.
"But dadda, it's not cold…"
"It will be, once we start climbing."
*You sure you're going to be all right?*
Zha'haabron frowned at the big Saiyan.
**You're trembling…**
Radittsu held him a little more tightly and growled.
*It's called 'worry', baka. I really wish you were back with Ish'nadris, warm and safe and comfortable.*
**And with you three days journey from me. I'd rather be here. It's not that uncongenial**
The Saiyan kissed his neck. There was absolutely no use arguing with Zha'haabron once he'd made up his mind. And he did have a point - it would take Radittsu seconds to return to the camp if needed, whereas even flying at top speed it would take him over a day to get back to Ish'nadris' enclave. He sighed.
*You *call* me if the slightest thing worries you, or if you're in too much pain, understand?*
The king slid cool hands down his back under his mane and ruffled the fur at the base of his tail, raising a different sort of shiver. Radittsu glanced at the rest of the family, all at different stages of readiness for their expedition, and quietly pulled his bondmate into one of the side 'rooms' of the massive vehicle.
They had time. And it would be good for the hostlings. And Zha'haabron. And himself…
Half an hour later they exited the room to find everyone finally ready. Ti'aasaan smirked at his Ssii'iin.
**Feeling better now?**
Zha'haabron raised an elegant eyebrow and did not deign to answer.
An hour's leisurely trek along shallow gulleys, sandy-floored to start with but changing to gravel once they'd climbed a little way, had brought them out onto gentle slopes covered with the fragrantly-flowered mossy plant: instinctively the R'ren'nkhk'ians used ki to raise themselves just far enough from the ground that they didn't damage the herbage underfoot. The Saiyans had been intrigued.
"Why're you doing that?" Kiraz demanded. 'raadiin had glared at him.
"You don't crush plants."
The prince had stared at him.
"Why not?"
'haabron had answered, tugging Kobis up to join him.
"Because plants are very rare. You've seen most of R'ren'nkh'ia is desert. Growing things are precious - we need to look after them."
To Saiyans, from a world where the vegetation ran riot if left unchecked, it was a novel idea - but made sense on such an arid planet. Radittsu lifted Jeice onto his shoulder, then tucked an arm around Zha'haarak's waist, lifting them all a little above the ground and carrying them past the first swathes of greenery until they reached slightly steeper and more rocky ground a little higher up.
After another hour they reached the grove they'd spotted earlier. Zha'haarak had stared, eyes wide.
"This is beautiful! I didn't know such places existed on our world…"
And even Leteetza agreed it was a pleasant spot, a secluded little hollow, shaded by shrubs with gnarled, twisted branches and small, shiny, tough blue-green leaves. More of the mossy plant covered the ground, only here it was a much brighter green…
They soon found out why. There was a tiny, shallow pool - well, at only half a handspan deep it couldn't really be called a pool - of cool water in the centre of the hollow, sheltered by gently rounded rocks. It was the first open water they'd seen onworld.
'leesaan was intensely curious, wanting to know how and why. Ti'aasaan had chuckled.
"It's probably from an underground spring. I've never seen one this high above ground though - they're usually underground and difficult to get at. Not to mention scarce!"
Jeice was grinning widely, almost visibly soaking up ki from the surrounding plants already. Radittsu smirked at him.
"Looks like you'll be all right."
The subo nodded.
"Oh, yes indeed, Raditts'-sama!"
"Then we'll leave you here. Let the guards know when you want to return and they'll fly you back." He grinned widely at Zha'haarak. "Have fun, won't you…"
They were a good five hours into the trek before the younger hostlings started to complain they were tired, which amazed Leteetza as she'd expected it much sooner: apparently the sheer novelty of the activity had kept them going so far. Although she had to admit that the climb was proving extremely interesting and distracting, with more and different types of plants, strange insects, even some unfamiliar and rather pretty lizards, their bright reds and oranges most unexpected on the pale grey and sandy-coloured slopes. And the view was amazing: they were already higher than the hostlings had ever been, even flying, and to be able to see so far without their feet leaving the ground… The children's eyes were enormous. And the sun was very bright, but, as they realised when they stopped for a rest and a snack, the air was cooler than on the ground, and smelt different too, fresher somehow.
Leteetza spoke to Radittsu and Ti'aasaan while the brats were munching.
"Do we know where we're stopping for the night?"
The captain pointed.
"'zhasaan says there's a cave up there, about another four hours easy climbing. That's probably the best place."
"Four hours!? D'you think they'll last that long?"
He smirked.
"There's enough of us to carry them all, when they get really tired."
Leteetza regarded him narrowly.
"You're treating this as some kind of endurance training, aren't you?"
He quirked an eyebrow.
"It's a good exercise. Gives us some idea of just what they're capable of doing."
She sighed and glanced at their guards.
"Uhuh. Well, you're right, there are enough of us to carry the whole lot of them. But," she growled, glaring at the big male, "when I say it's time to carry them, you do it, no arguments, understand? I'm with them all the time - I can tell when they've had enough."
He chuckled and ruffled her mane, earning himself a snarl.
"Of course, maazi."
She grimaced.
"Gods' forbid. Once was quite enough."
'haavok and 'honee were the first to give in, whining that they were tired, 'teetza… The Saiyan grinned - she'd been betting on either the terrible twosome, or delicate 'fallon, being first - and picked them up, only to be faced by a mutinous Le'leen, demanding that he wanted his maazi to carry him. Sighing, she handed the little zn'hre over to Radittsu and lifted her own offspring, holding a hand out to Ti'ani, who was walking hand in hand with Buahan.
"You want a ride too, brat?"
He inclined his head, then shook it.
"I'm all right, maazi. For a little while."
Blinking in amused amazement, Leteetza swung 'fallon, who was obviously flagging but plodding on determinedly, into her other arm. He smiled up at her gratefully and snuggled into her mane. Ti'aasaan moved to her side.
"I can take 'fallon for you."
She stroked his cheek with her tail.
"That's all right, little 'un. I'd imagine 'miiron will be next to fall by the wayside: if you could carry him for a little while that would be a help. As long as it doesn't tire you out." she added. "Vinas will flay me alive if I let you come to any harm!"
Ti'aasaan chuckled.
"I promise I'll say if it gets too much."
By the time the cave entrance came in sight, only Kobis and 'haabron, and Kiraz and 'raadiin, were still on foot, and they were almost staggering with exhaustion and the unaccustomed exercise. Leteetza was impressed. Even she was feeling tired!
As the guards pulled thermo-blankets and groundsheets from backpacks, set glowstones alight to provide light and warmth against the cooling mountain air, and hauled out foodpacks, the children still on their feet slumped to the floor of the cave, panting, but grinning at the Saiyans proudly.
"We did it, 'teetza!"
She bent to kiss the top of 'raadiin's head.
"You certainly did. Well done, all of you! I'll be very sure to tell your papas."
Beaming, all four of them snuggled together, happily accepting the food the guards handed out. The other children slid from the various adults carrying them and crawled under the blankets, sleepy but still too excited to be ready to bed down, happily digging into the sparse but tasty and nutritious Saiyan military rations that Radittsu thought would be most appropriate for the expedition. They talked in murmurs about everything they'd seen, everything they'd done, and all the things they thought might happen tomorrow…
And half an hour later they were all sound asleep, cuddled together, warm and content. Leteetza gazed at them fondly, then startled slightly as Radittsu wrapped his arms around her from behind and kissed her neck.
*Shall we?*
She hesitated.
*What about Zha'haabron? He'll feel it - how will he cope…*
The big male chuckled.
*For once the timing is damn near perfect. Hijau will be with Zorun very soon: Zha'haarak is with Zha'haabron, and if I'm with you… We'll all be happy.*
*Except Jeice. And Ti'aasaan.*
Radittsu slid broad hands into her bodysuit, fondling her nipples and nipping lightly at her neck.
*I'll fuck Ti'aasaan when we get back. Jeice is more than happy to make love to Zha'haarak and have the Ssii'iin fuck him, if Zha'haabron needs the release.* He chuckled dryly. *Ye gods, it's complicated! If only the zn'hre could make love without conceiving…* He sighed and slid a hand down to Leteetza's groin as the little warrior shivered against him, heat growing low in her belly. *There's something I've always wanted to try…*
Puzzled and a little wary, she let him lead her out of the cave and up the slope above it, standing quietly as he efficiently stripped off their bodysuits. Moments later, naked in the final golden rays of the setting sun, he pulled her to him, hands under her buttocks as she wrapped her legs around his waist and sank slowly down onto his erection.
Relishing the feel of him inside her again, it was some moments before she realised he'd risen from the ground, heading slowly and steadily upwards.
*Radittsu? What…?*
*Shhh…*
Her head rolled backwards as his mouth descended on hers, and his tail wrapped around her back and over her shoulder to tease and caress her nipples, and she forgot everything except the joy of coupling with him, suspended between the mountain and the stars.
To the adults' surprise, the brats woke next morning in high spirits, only complaining a little about stiff and aching muscles, and ready for today's adventure. Ti'aasaan, languidly content after Radittsu's 'attentions' last night, stretched and beamed around the cave.
"So what are we doing today?"
Leteetza grinned.
"First we're having firstmeal. Then we're heading upwards to see if we can find 'zhasaan's peak."
There were a few wry grimaces from the guards at that - most of them thought the whole enterprise a complete waste of time and energy - but they had their orders…
But in fact the peak was exactly where he'd said it would be. Radittsu stared at the distinctive shape the hostling had described in such detail, then stared at 'zhasaan.
"You were right, brat."
The zn'hre nodded gravely.
"I know."
They soared closer, following the high, cold, vertiginous slopes - and then 'zhasaan pointed.
"It's over there."
Veering and heading in the direction he'd indicated, 'zhasaan led the way to another hollow carved out of the mountain. Only this one was very different from the green, living vale lower down…
It looked - strange. There was something there that didn't fit, somehow, with the surrounding grey and glittering rock. It filled half the hollow, a shallow curve in the mountainside. It looked… it didn't glitter. And it was too smooth, quite different from the rock around it.
They landed upslope from the object, warily, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. Well, more suspicious than - whatever this thing was. If there was such a thing.
A murmured word from Radittsu and the guards formed a protective barrier between the children - and Ti'aasaan - and the object in the depression. Leteetza and the big male approached carefully.
But nothing moved. There was no scent, except for the cold scent of the mountain itself. They stood beside it, looking up at it. At close quarters it obviously wasn't comprised of rock. Pitted and scoured and scorched as it was, it was not a natural phenomenon. Under the weathering, it was almost shiny.
Radittsu glanced at Leteetza.
"What the fuck is it?"
Leteetza carefully touched the bright material, frowning.
"It feels like - some sort of ceramic… Wait here - I'm going to take a look."
She rose swiftly and hovered over the depression, her eyes following the curves of the object. After a few minutes she landed again, looking dazed.
"I think it's a spacecraft."
Radittsu blinked.
"A what?"
She shrugged helplessly.
"It looks like a spacecraft. Go and check for yourself."
Frowning at her, he also rose and carefully traced the circumference, landing again and shaking his head.
"I think you're right. What the fuck is it doing here?"
Leteetza shrugged.
"I have no idea. And it doesn't look like any I've ever seen. But I think it's been here a long time." She pointed to a small, smoothly jagged gap, one of many in the surface of the vessel. "See the weathering? It's so cold and still here it would have taken a very long time for that to happen, I think."
Radittsu was gaping, eyes wide.
"Where the fuck did it come from?"
She grinned.
"Let's go in and see if we can find out…"
The landing had obviously been rough: the craft was canted at a steep angle, and several large jagged holes had been torn in the hull. Overall it was roughly circular, smaller than their own interstellar craft, but not by much. They scrambled carefully into what looked like a corridor, using ki to help them stay upright against the sloping floor, and cautiously moved forwards, alert for movement or signs of any kind of mechanical or electrical activity. But there were none. The craft appeared to be dead.
Initial check over, they climbed back out and gestured to the guards, children and Ti'aasaan to come closer, then ushered them into the ship.
The hostlings had wanted to split up and explore, but the Saiyans insisted they all stay together, at least until they were absolutely sure it was safe - and in any case, although the ship wasn't that large, they didn't want to risk anyone getting lost. Or injured: they couldn't be certain that there weren't hazards in the chambers they hadn't yet checked…
The corridors were high, more than high enough for Radittsu to stand easily upright, and rounded, somehow reminiscent of the corridors in the enclaves: large oval doors to either side presumably opened into rooms, but by tacit agreement they made their way further into the ship, seeking the control centre. Exploration could come later.
The control room was in the centre of the craft, a small, half-spherical, surprisingly uncluttered chamber on some sort of gyroscopic bearing - stepping into it brought them abruptly onto level ground again. There were what had once obviously been working consoles at intervals around its circumference: the seats before them were designed for beings very similar to Saiyans, going by their appearance. Right in the centre of the room was a dais with a small instrument panel inset into the base. And before anyone could stop him 'zhasaan had pressed one of the buttons on the panel.
And the dais flickered as light spread upwards from the base and a figure appeared, a hologram, but beautifully realistic, every feature clear and sharp and solid. Oh, the technology that could produce such a thing, and keep it working even after all this time...!
The figure was tall and slender, had pale blue skin, and a cloud of vibrant emerald hair. Its golden eyes were vast. It looked a little like Zha'haabron.
And as they gaped it smiled gently, its arms held out in welcome, and began to speak in a low, rich voice.
The only word they could understand was 'Zha'zhasaan'…
Leteetza glanced quickly at Radittsu, unwilling to take her eyes off the mesmerising image for more than a second.
"I guess Jeice was right, then."
"Huh?"
"The desert he danced for them isn't the one here."
"What do you mean?"
"The zn'hre aren't from R'ren'nkh'ia …"
**Maazi!**
It was Ti'ani and Le'leen, and they *sounded* terrified. Leaving Radittsu and the rest of the guard to protect the hostlings she raced to find the hybrids, closely followed by 'haabron and Kobis.
The pair were in one of the side rooms, huddled together and trembling with fear. Leteetza scooped them up and held them tightly as they buried their faces in her mane - then frowned and moved further into the room to see what had frightened them so badly.
There were what looked like medical examination tables, but domed over by silicate, along one wall. And on closer inspection they contained bodies.
Dead bodies, she assumed, going by their shrivelled, wizened appearance. But the dried skin still held a tinge of blue, and the few strands of hair that remained attached to the scalps were green.
Time to think about this later - for now she wanted the brats away from the corpses. Wrapping her tail around Kobis and 'haabron, who stood cuddled together, very pale, breathlessly staring at the bodies, she hustled them all back to the control room.
Ti'aasaan was standing with his eyes closed, concentrating on the hologram's voice. After a while he shook his head, frustrated.
"There are sounds I think I recognise, but I can't pin them down. I think this is a sort of formal R'ren'nkh'ia-go, though. We need the Ssii'iin here to make sense of it."
Radittsu scowled.
"Too risky."
Leteetza glared at him.
"Do you think he'd ever forgive you if you didn't let him see this?"
The big male spluttered for a moment or two then growled.
"I'd better go and get him then, hadn't I?"
She grinned.
"I guess so. Don't worry, we'll wait for you…"
It took Radittsu a little over half an hour to return with Zha'haabron cradled tightly against him, and quite a bit of that time had been spent in making sure the king was dressed warmly enough to cope with the coldness at the peak. As the Saiyan lowered his beloved to the floor in the control room, 'zhasaan pressed the button again…
Leteetza, half the guards and most of the children ('leesaan, 'haabron and Kobis insisted on staying, and the king had absently agreed) had returned to the camp for the early evening meal - and Radittsu was beginning to worry. Zha'haabron had been sitting listening to the hologram's message, over and over again, making notes on a scriber, for most of the day, forgetting to eat, wholly focussed on trying to translate the message.
*Beloved? It's nearly time we made our way back…*
Zha'haabron glanced up, frowning.
**Another hour and I should have it finished. As much as I can do without a more detailed analysis of the language, at any rate**
*We can continue tomorrow…*
**I want to finish this today**
Radittsu sighed. Short of physically dragging the king away, he didn't have much choice but to comply. He opted for compromise.
*Very well. But only an hour…*
Zha'haabron was actually slightly less than an hour, finally leaning back with a sigh and rubbing his hand over his eyes.
"I believe I have enough for a rough paraphrase." He smiled tiredly at Ti'aasaan. "You were right, it is a version of formal R'ren'nkh'ia-go - an earlier version if the information I have here is correct."
"So what is it? Who is he? What's he saying?"
Zha'haabron shivered, suddenly feeling cold, and Radittsu quickly pulled him into a hug.
"We can talk about it later. I'm taking you back to camp." The Saiyan glanced at the little zn'hre. "Can you fly or do you want a guard to carry you?"
Ti'aasaan grinned.
"I can fly."
The atmosphere back at camp was simmering. As Radittsu landed with the king everyone - including the guards - hastened forwards, eager to know what had happened, what they'd learned. Radittsu snarled, ready to force them back, but Zha'haabron laid a cold hand on his chest.
**They should know, zk'vissin. They should all know about this**
Glowstones had been lit outside the main vehicle, as usual, and Radittsu lowered the king to a rug near to their warmth. Zha'haabron gazed around the assembly as everyone seated themselves, hostlings closest to him, guards further back and keeping a wary eye on the surrounding area.
The king smiled mirthlessly.
"You must understand that although the language spoken by the hologram," he began without preamble, "is a form of formal R'ren'nkh'ia-go, it's a very ancient form. I have not been able to translate it either exactly or fully, only enough to comprehend the essence of the message."
He paused for a moment, glancing at Radittsu. The Saiyan frowned, sure he could see tears in the beautiful golden eyes. Then Zha'haabron swallowed and inclined his head.
"They call their species the zhaneer. They were the crew of a scout ship returning home from an exploratory mission to a neighbouring system. Passing close to R'ren'nkh'ia, they were caught in the middle of a meteor shower, caused by a piece of space debris - a comet or large meteor, I can't make out the precise nature of the catastrophe - which hit and shattered the R'ren'nkh'ian moon…"
A startled murmur ran through the assembled company. Zha'haabron nodded.
"Yes. Apparently we once had a moon. But the craft was caught in the shower, and forced to land here. Crash-land, rather. The leader - Zha'zhasaan - ordered the rest of the crew into cryogenic capsules and rode out the crash. The world was fairly primitive, inhabited by saurian sentients, but he hoped to make contact, to find a way to effect repairs, at least to the communications array. He planned to set off from the ship, heading towards the nearest enclave."
The tears spilled over. Zha'haabron closed his eyes, struggling to speak.
"He never returned. His last message was a welcome to anyone who found the ship. A plea for help. 'Come and find us'…"
Midnight. The camp was quiet, everyone finally asleep. Some of them in a state of shock.
Zha'haabron slipped outside while the last of the hostlings were settled for sleep; after a few minutes Radittsu found him seated on a rock, gazing up at the mountains. Tears tracked silently down his face: worried, Radittsu wrapped arms and tail around him from behind.
*What's wrong, beloved?*
For a moment the king didn't reply. Then he turned into his bondmate's embrace, burying his face in the heavy mane.
**How far we have fallen**
Radittsu blinked.
*I… I don't understand…*
Zha'haabron turned and pointed upwards.
**That, that is our heritage, that is what we should be. And now we are nothing but mongrels, our bloodline diluted over the millennia. Our people - our true people - would despise us**
The Saiyan frowned.
*You're not making sense.*
Zha'haabron pushed himself upright angrily.
**The zhaneer - our people - were a space-faring race millennia ago, when R'ren'nkh'ia was still primitive. When your people were still primitive. Our legends speak of Zha'zhasaan as being the archetypal zn'hre, the founder of our type. We already know that the zn'hre have been slaves for thousands of years. Use what little intelligence you have, Saiyan!**
Radittsu blinked, suddenly feeling very cold. What the fuck was Zha'haabron trying to say? But the king was continuing, his thoughts, his shock, running away with him as he wrenched himself away from his bondmate and began to pace, his arms wrapped tightly around himself.
**You really don't understand, do you? Are you really that stupid?** Zha'haabron paused, grabbing Radittsu's chin, nails drawing blood. **They took him, and they raped him, and they made the zn'hre from his body. As the zn'hre have been forced to do ever since. They took something that sublime and dragged it down to their level.** Tears streaming down his face, Zha'haabron stared at his bondmate.
**We are an abomination. We should not exist**
Frightened, Radittsu reached for the king, only to be pushed back hard. He tried to break through the screaming barrier the king had wrapped around himself.
* Zha'zhasaan can hardly be blamed for trying to survive - or for what was done to him!*
But Zha'haabron was shaking, his distress palpable, a deep, deep misery coiling within him. Radittsu grabbed and held him tightly.
*Beloved, please!* He bit his lip as the hybrids, feeling their host's despair, began to squirm, *voicing* their discomfort and fear. *You mustn't feel this way…*
The king laid a hand on his belly, face tight with revulsion.
**They should not exist…**
The Saiyan froze - then pulled back and slapped Zha'haabron across the face with all his strength. The zn'hre dropped heavily to the ground and sat staring up at his bondmate, eyes wide and hand held to his bruising face. He'd never seen Radittsu so angry.
*How dare you say that! How fucking dare you!!*
Trembling with rage, unable to think coherently, the Saiyan took off before he could be tempted to hit his bondmate again…
Leteetza had watched the exchange, eyes wide and very aware of the scent of the High King's steadily growing self-hated. Tears in her own eyes as she saw Radittsu hit his beloved, not knowing what to do…
The captain took off, heading for the mountain peaks as Zha'haabron shook his head, rubbing at his face. Unsure as to how he would react, nevertheless she took a deep breath and made her way to his side, resigned. If he hurt her - well, Saiyans healed quickly.
"My Ssii'iin?"
Suffering golden eyes stared up at her. Greatly daring she laid a hand against his unbruised cheek.
"Can I help?"
He pulled away from her, averting his eyes. She crouched down in front of him.
"I need to know, Zha'haabron-sama. I need to know what I should tell your children."
His head came round slowly, eyes wide, and he stared at her for a moment - then… crumpled, curling up into a ball as he sobbed silently, desperately, for a past long dead and a life that should never have been.
Radittsu soared up the mountain, landing on the upper hull of the spacecraft. For a moment or two he stood shaking, gazing at the thing that had caused his beloved - caused himself - more grief than he thought he could bear.
It would only take a tiny ki blast to erase every last atom of it…
For long moments he was tempted.
Then he crouched down, biting back a sob. Zha'haabron would never forgive him. He'd never forgive himself.
For good or ill, they needed to unravel the true origins of the zn'hre.
The zhaneer…
© 2002 May 28th Joules Taylor
