Rebellion

Kyuri stared at her screen, fingers gripping the edge of her desk so tightly her knuckles were white, a combination of elation and fear chilling her spine.
      "Sir…?"
      Radittsu had been on the other side of the main office, briefing the primary special squad, but Kyuri's quiet voice filtered easily through the hubbub. The Royal Liaison glanced over his shoulder with a frown.
      Kyuri looked up from her monitor, eyes wide, face taut.
      "Sir, I think I've found them…"

Radittsu peered over the female's shoulder, glowering at the screen. Quite how she'd run the lead to ground he'd never know, but there it was. Lord Gulrot. Hereditary ruler of the tiny island of Mondai and close personal friend of Anzu. Obviously Anzu's fate had not proved a sufficient deterrent.
      Radittsu turned to the special squad, who pulled themselves to attention.
      "I want this done quietly. I want them all. Let none of them escape."
      Ten salutes answered him. He glanced at Kyuri, and Hijau hovering nearby.
      "Monitor them. Alert me to any changes - anything at all."
      They nodded; Hijau briefly touched Radittsu's arm.
      *Good hunting, aijin.*
      The big male smirked humourlessly, saluted, and led the squad from Guard HQ…

Ti'aasaan's hands were clenched tightly together as Hijau - hurt and dripping with exhaustion - shoved a hand through his mane and tried to smile. The fight had been tougher than anyone had anticipated, and he'd headed the supplementary squad that had been called in as backup.
      "First, everyone has survived. Some are hurt, but we all live."
      Za'rayne swallowed.
      "Papa…? Maazi…?"
      The captain touched the hybrid's mane gently.
      "They will be fine. Rad-san has broken ribs, but has been tended to. The Ssii'iin wasn't too badly hurt."
      Zha'haarak was fighting back tears.
      "Why… why did he risk himself in the first place?"
      "He was needed, zkai'da, to *scan* the minds of the captives, to ensure we'd caught them all. We thought we were prepared for them to have Warui-jin guards…"
      "How many were there?"
      "Only two - but they caught us by surprise…"
      The assembled hybrids eyed each other. Ti'ani growled angrily.
      "We should have been there, Hi'ijaa. We could have helped."
      The Saiyan dropped wearily onto a floor cushion, to be immediately embraced by his bondmate.
      "If we had had time to summon you, believe me, your help would have been welcome."
      "When can maazi and papa come home?"
      Hijau managed a small smile at 'vahn.
      "As soon as Vinas has checked them and says they can. Though I think they'll both want to make sure this whole mess is ended first…"

*You should be resting…*
      **So should you** Zha'haabron replied brusquely, glowering at his bondmate. Trying to protect his zkai'da, Radittsu had got himself caught between a couple of Katsusei-jin guards: he could hardly move under the strapping the medical team had wrapped tightly around his broken ribs.
      The Saiyan shook his head carefully.
      "Didn't do any real damage." Like puncture a lung or assorted other internal organs… He gazed at the king, trying to hide his dismay at the sight of the burned and blistered skin: Zha'haabron had ripped off what was left of the top half of his bodysuit to prevent it sticking to raw flesh, and the wounds glistened under the temporary dressing the biotechs had applied, at his insistence, while he finished the task at hand. "Zkai'da - surely you should be at the medcentre?"
      "Later. First I will be sure that we have broken the conspiracy."
      The cells were half-full of Lord Gulrot's associates, Saiyan and alien both. The squad had been very thorough indeed. And now Zha'haabron had prepared himself to *read* them all, to make sure no conspirators still walked free. Radittsu wasn't happy about it, but understood the king's determination. They were all so very tired of living with the uncertainty, the extra security the situation had demanded…
      Zha'haabron limped to the first of the cells, attended by Sasa and Fasulye, both looking decidedly the worse for wear. Gulrot glared defiantly at him from his position ki-fettered to the opposite wall.
      "I will tell you nothing, bastard lizard…"
      Zha'haabron eyed him with loathing for a moment, then hissed and grabbed a fistful of his mane.
      "What makes you think you have any choice in the matter, Saiyan?"
      And before Gulrot could say anything further, a bright *blade* seared into his mind…

It took Zha'haabron four hours to *interrogate* them all, and at the end he was upright, albeit unsteadily, by will-power alone. Radittsu longed to support him, wrap an arm around the slim waist regardless of his own injuries, but didn't dare: the king had to appear strong.
      Vejiita was waiting in the main office, arms folded across his chest, drumming his fingers impatiently on one bicep. As the zn'hre collapsed into a chair and gripped his pounding head, the Saiya-jin-no-Ou glowered at him.
      "Well?"
      "We have them all."
      "You're certain?"
      Pain-filled golden eyes gazed up at the Saiyan.
      "I'm sure."
      "And the Warui-jin?"
      "Gulrot knew of only the two he employed. Since they were killed in the fight, I cannot *scan* them - but Gulrot believes that there are no others here."
      Vejiita frowned.
      "Your opinion?"
      Zha'haabron rubbed a hand over his eyes, energy flagging.
      "I can't be certain - but it's a logical assumption. They seem to be mercenaries; without a cause to fight, there is no reason for them to be here."
      His injuries had obviously affected the zn'hre's mind, Vejiita reflected. He could think of several very good reasons for the Warui-jin to be onworld… he eyed Radittsu, despite his discomfort standing as ever behind his bondmate.
      "Get him to the medcentre. Then I want a proper report within the next two hours."
      Radittsu saluted, then pulled the high king to his feet.
      *Let me carry you…*
      **I do not require your assistance**
      Growling his frustration, the big Saiyan followed the stumbling zn'hre out of HQ, hovering closely in case he fell.

Vejiita turned to Kyuri.
      "The zn'hre and the hybrids can detect the Warui-jin, can't they?"
      She nodded.
      "Yes sire - though some are more… perceptive than others. We know that Ti'ani and Le'leen are able to detect them easily; the visual 'screen' the Warui-jin use doesn't seem to affect them at all. We assume that Ra'vahn and Za'rayne will have the same abilities, but we haven't been able to confirm that." She shrugged. "They've had no chance to try." For which we are heartily grateful, she added mentally, remembering Hijau and Kelapa's reactions to the remorseless, pitiless aliens, their complete disregard for life.
      The king nodded.
      "They're about to. I want the city searched - and then I want the rest of the planet searched."
      Kyuri blinked.
      "Uh, sire…?"
      Vejiita glared at her.
      "It's quite simple. I want you to organise a search of the city - special squad guards with a hybrid or zn'hre to each group. Once we're sure there are no Warui-jin here, I want the rest of the planet searched as well. And zn'hre posted permanently to the spaceport, to check all arrivals. I will have no Warui-jin here."
      He obviously had no idea of the difficulties involved in such an operation. But then again, he didn't need to - that was the Guard's job. And no doubt the diplomatic corps would be only too glad to help, it would make things easier for them in the long run. She saluted.
      "Sire."
      "Within fifteen days."
      She blinked. Well, that should be possible. It would mean roping in most of the zn'hre currently onworld … then there'd be the problems of ensuring their safety… But with Radittsu and Hijau helping - and the Ssii'iin, if he was well enough …
      They all wanted an end to the situation. The hostlings had already volunteered to help, she knew from 'raadiin.
      "Leave it with us, sire."

"That should feel more comfortable, your majesty."
      Zha'haabron carefully pulled himself to his feet, stretching slightly. The thin layer of DNA-rich pseudo-skin covering the raw patches on his back and ribs, hands and neck held, forming a thin protective layer over the raw flesh. He nodded.
      "Thank you, Vinas."
      "You need to rest, to allow yourself to heal."
      The king smiled humourlessly.
      "I will certainly consider it."
      Vinas sighed: that meant he would do no such thing.
      "Very well, your majesty. It is, of course, your choice…"
      Radittsu smirked tiredly.
      "I'll try to make sure he does, Vinas-sama."
      *Sir? I'm sorry to intrude…*
      The Saiyan frowned.
      *What is it, Kyuri?*
      *I need you and Hijau here. We have orders from his majesty…*
      Radittsu eyed his bondmate.
      "I have to get back to HQ."
      "I will come with you."
      The Saiyan stroked his bruised face.
      "I'd rather you went back to the palace. The family will want to know all's well."
      Zha'haabron hesitated for a moment, then nodded. He had to admit, if only to himself, that the headache that was almost blinding him would make it difficult for him to be effective right now.
      "Very well."
      Radittsu hid his self-satisfaction. If he could just get Zha'haabron to rest, even if only for a few hours…
      "Shall I come back with you?"
      The zn'hre eyed him dryly.
      "I think I can manage. You had better get to HQ."
      The Saiyan debated insisting - but the mood Zha'haabron was in right now, it was better to let him have his own way. Besides, Kyuri had sounded - anxious…
      "I will see you later. Sleep if you can."

Radittsu frowned, hand rubbing unconsciously at his aching ribs.
      "Is he serious?"
      Kyuri nodded. Hijau was yanking hard on a hank of his mane.
      "Fifteen days. He wants the entire planet searched in fifteen days."
      "Yes."
      "It's not possible!"
      Radittsu shoved a hand through his mane.
      "Since when has that mattered?" He sighed. "It is possible. Not easy, but it can be done." He seated himself carefully, trying not to move his upper body any more than necessary. "We know that the zn'hre can sense the Warui-jin, and the hybrids can see them. We have - what? forty? - nitorine-trained warriors now. Ti'ani, Le'leen, 'vahn and Za'rayne are all fully-trained; 'raadiin, 'jiisa and Fa'saayen are still onworld. Of the other zn'hre hostlings, I think we'll have to forget 'tiisaan, 'miiron and 'zhasaan, but the rest are quite capable of helping out."
      Hijau stared.
      "Rad-san - you're talking about risking the brats?"
      The Royal Liaison glowered at the Captain.
      "No more than if the Warui-jin were left to wander at will. If we can make sure there are none left on world, we'll all be safer. The brats will all be accompanied by special squad warriors."
      Hijau shook his head - but resignedly. After all, the king had ordered it…

Zh'leet had stared at her Ssii'iin in absolute horror as he staggered into the family's apartments, supported him over to the sleeping platform - where a fearful Zha'haarak and Ti'aasaan helped to settle him - and hurried to pour a huge beaker of freshly made glop. Zha'haabron had impatiently brushed off the exclamations of concern and anger, and rubbed his hands over his face.
      "I am perfectly all right." He glared up as Zh'leet snorted disbelievingly, then sighed, shoulders slumping. "Very well. I will be perfectly all right in a few days."
      Zha'haarak hugged his sibling very gently.
      "Can we do anything for your comfort?"
      Zha'haabron kissed his cheek.
      "Thank you, sweetheart, but at the moment I simply need time to heal."
      "Then you must rest."
      Zha'haarak carefully pushed the king down, to lie on his side so as to put as little weight as possible on the burns, then sat beside him, stroking his hair and face soothingly. Within a surprisingly short time he had fallen asleep, much to Zh'leet's satisfaction.
      He was still sleeping when Radittsu returned. The Saiyan gazed fondly at his bondmate, ignoring Zh'leet's quiet fussing over his ribs, and settled himself carefully behind his zn'hre, one hand lightly touching a shoulder, the other buried in soft, silky hair. Discussion about the Warui-jin purge could wait until the main evening meal.

Zha'haabron frowned.
      "I am not… happy about this."
      Which was hardly surprising, thought Radittsu sardonically. He nodded.
      "I can't say I like the idea myself. But it makes sense.
      "It places the hostlings in danger."
      "Less than if the Warui-jin are allowed free rein."
      'raadiin's eyes were gleaming.
      "Yes, papa! Let's get rid of them once and for all!"
      Wearily, Zha'haabron eyed Radittsu and Hijau.
      "What do you have planned…?"

Leteetza was furious, but unable to change Vejiita's mind. The children were all eager to help, even 'tiisaan and Ti'zheenan's hostlings, though there Zha'haabron had to decline; this was hardly work for artists. And it was Le'leen who'd come up with the idea of asking 'zhasaan if he could *see* anything that might help them: the young dreamer had gazed at his machii wide-eyed, then settled into a trance, held gently in the hybrid's arms, as he *searched* his memories of the family's immediate future… Le'leen watched soft golden eyes drift open as 'zhasaan sighed and nestled more closely into his embrace, murmuring the locations of three Warui-jin, one on Mondai, the other two in hiding in Vejiitamachi. Startled but pleased, the hybrid had *relayed* the information to his sire, who had the special squads visit these localities first.
      'zhasaan's insight had been correct. At Zha'haabron's request, the squad had tried to take a Warui alive - the Ssii'iin was hoping to *scan* one of them, to see if he could find out more about them - but two had fought so fiercely they'd been forced to kill them to prevent damage to the city, and the other had killed himself rather than be captured.
      The little zn'hre insisted that there were no others onworld, but the Guard still had to carry out the Saiya-jin-no-Ou's orders… Rather to everyone's surprise, it was a straightforward if exhausting operation, completed within the fifteen days. Flying over the planet, guarded by special squad warriors, the zn'hre and hybrids had watched and *scanned*, searching for the anomalous ki that marked Warui-jin presence - but 'zhasaan had been right. There were no other Warui-jin onworld.
      Vejiita was sceptical, of course. Zha'haabron - still in pain as new skin grew slowly, his patience frayed as the stresses of the Warui-jin hunt and anxiety about the forthcoming expedition to Zhane simmered at the back of his mind - had pointed out, bluntly, that there was little use in having the ability to trace the aliens if you weren't prepared to trust to it.
      The Saiya-jin-no-Ou had agreed - then quietly issued standing orders to the Guard for the special squads to maintain a state of alert for the foreseeable future…

'raadiin was sulking. Ry hugged him understandingly.
      "I'm sorry, aijin. I know you wanted to fight them. Maybe next time…"
      "There won't be a next time, not if the royal ape has his way."
      "Which is good for 'tiisaan, and the Academy, and all the other non-warriors."
      "... I suppose so…"
      "And later, maybe, we'll be able to fight them on their own planet!"
      'raadiin cheered up a little at the thought.
      "That's true…"
      Ry nuzzled his neck.
      "And in the meantime, we have to sort out this thing with Ti'ani…"
      The zn'hre growled. The Saiyan nipped his ear.
      "You agreed, aijin."
      'raadiin hissed at him.
      "No I didn't! You fucked off and invited him here without waiting to find out how I felt about it!"
      Ry frowned, suddenly realising that the zn'hre was right - he hadn't asked. He sighed.
      "I'm sorry… But I really do think it needs to be discussed."
      "I don't want him to fuck me."
      Ry blinked. Was that why 'raadiin was afraid to see the hybrid?
      "He might not want that. What if he wants you to fuck him? Would you?"
      The zn'hre thought about it for a moment, then leaned back against the Saiyan.
      "I don't know."
      "You like him, though, don't you?"
      "… I… don't know…"
      Ry bit his lip. Had he made things worse by interfering? Then he shook his head. He was still convinced that the sooner Ti'ani and 'raadiin had resolved the situation, the better things would be for the hybrid. And therefore safer for everyone.
      Now he just had to convince 'raadiin of it. Nibbling at the side of the zn'hre's neck, he slid his hands down to the prince's groin, warm fingers teasing and fondling as 'raadiin groaned and squirmed in his lap…

Radittsu eyed the rough rounded stone-like thing in his hand.
      "Are you sure this isn't going to hurt?"
      Zha'haabron held his plait against the top of his head and glared back over his shoulder.
      "Will you please just do it…"
      Reluctantly, the Saiyan began to rub the washstone over the broad blue back before him, wincing as long strips of pallid pseudo-skin flaked off and dissolved under the warm water spray. But underneath, the new skin was cool and smooth and unscarred: Radittsu ran his fingertips from nape to buttock almost wonderingly.
      Zha'haabron shivered and turned to face his bondmate, eyes half-closed, smiling.
      "The sooner we finish this, the sooner we can make love."
      The Saiyan grinned widely and redoubled his efforts.

An hour later, relaxed and content and holding his zn'hre close, Radittsu kissed his claim mark and sighed.
      *Have you thought who you want to come to Zhane yet?*
      Zha'haabron stiffened in his arms - then deliberately loosened his body. Much as he would rather not, they had to talk about it. The refitted Hyou-jin starship was now on its way to Vejiitasei, and there were decisions that needed to be made.
      *I can come, now that the conspirators have been eliminated. Though I may have to stay on the ship - or inside, once we're there - because of the moons.*
      Zha'haabron nodded.
      **I know, zkai'da…** his *voice* tailed off. Radittsu hugged him tightly.
      *I know you're worried, beloved. Please don't be. If we get there and find they aren't interested, or don't want to know you, we'll come straight back. We don't have to stay. But it's only right that we try, for the children. For them to know their heritage.*
      The king pulled back slightly to gaze into solemn ebony eyes, then reached forward to brush a kiss over the warm mouth.
      **You know exactly what to say to persuade me, don't you?**
      *Only the truth, 'bron. Only ever the truth. I love you, and I don’t want you hurt - but I've also *felt* your dreams, your fears…*
      **They are a part of me. I cannot say that finding out the truth will change them**
      *I know - but at least you'll know…*
      Zha'haabron was silent for a moment. Then he sighed and buried his face in his bondmate's mane.
      **Thank you, zkai'da**
      Radittsu held him close. Tomorrow. They'd talk about the expedition tomorrow. There was plenty of time…