Experiment
'We have been waiting for you'? Was that it? Was that all the greeting they were going to get, after three thousand years of suffering? Radittsu's hands clenched into fists as he growled almost silently and eyed the two small fullmoons currently in the sky from behind his visor. Zha'haabron glanced over his shoulder, eyes haunted, and shook his head very slightly.
**Remain calm, please, zkai'da…**
*But…*
**Please**
The Saiyan subsided, still growling. Zha'haabron inclined his head.
"Greetings."
The zhaneer smiled thinly, glancing over his shoulder as another, larger vessel approached silently, then turning back to the visitors.
"Come with me."
The transport was roomy and comfortable; they would have enjoyed the ride if it hadn't been for their taciturn guide. After a few minutes of travelling along a broad roadway between graceful buildings - at least, they all assumed they were buildings - Zha'haabron asked the zhaneer his name. The golden eyes had regarded him coolly.
"You may call me Gil'lalran."
The Ssii'iin had nodded and started to introduce his party, but the zhaneer had lifted a hand to stop him.
"We know who you are."
Ti'ani glanced at Le'leen - they were all annoyed by the treatment the Ssii'iin was being accorded - but before they could say anything Ra'vahn stalked to Gil'lalran's side and tugged on a handful of bright hair. As the zhaneer stiffened and glared at him with fury and disbelief, the hybrid folded his arms across his chest and glowered up into golden eyes, his own narrowed.
"Are all zhaneer as rude as you? 'Cause if so, I'm glad I'm not one!"
The zhaneer stared, speechless, then regarded Zha'haabron, eyes cold.
"Keep the child under control, or I cannot answer for the consequences."
Ti'ani and Le'leen stepped forward to stand one on either side of the prince, eyes intent on Gil'lalran, a faint amethyst nimbus of ki growing around their bodies - but the Ssii'iin raised a hand.
**Hold. They have caused us no harm. Let us refrain from action until we know more of them - and why they are treating us so**
Reluctantly the three hybrids returned to their seats, and the vessel continued on in silence, finally passing through a filmy flickering blue force-field into an area - a building, apparently - that rose upwards from the ground like a great fountain. Here the craft stopped, and Gil'lalran gestured to them curtly to exit then glided over to a central column, glancing over his shoulder imperiously.
"Follow."
A shadowy ellipse appeared in the filmy fabric of the wall, and the zhaneer stepped through, not bothering to check if they were following. But Zha'haabron loped through, and the rest accompanied him…
There was no sensation of movement, yet when they stepped out of the short corridor they were high up in the building, in what appeared to be a room constructed of rippling water. The zhaneer turned to them.
"Wait here. Another will join you shortly."
He moved backwards slightly, disappearing through the 'wall' before anyone could speak.
Kiraz dived after him, slamming into the wall with an audible thud. It might look like flowing water, but it was as hard as rock. He thumped a fist against it then turned to Radittsu.
"Fucking wonderful…"
The big Saiyan frowned, directed the guards to scrutinize the walls of the room for any opening, then gathered everyone else together in the apparent centre of the space and dropped to sit on the floor.
Which adjusted itself into a comfortable cushion before he landed. Eyes wide, the rest also sat, to find the same thing happen.
"Fascinating!" 'sel patted the floor beside him, curious about its slightly elastic and faintly furry texture. "I wonder how it does that? And can it configure itself for any sort of furniture?"
Beside him Pirum was making notes on her portable scriber: she frowned at the zn'hre.
"Well, with a little luck we'll find out later…"
Ra'vahn was pacing, his tail whipping the air behind him, growling.
"Papa, maazi, I don't like this…"
"Neither do we." 'zhasaan was huddled in 'miiron's arms, shivering, with Le'leen standing guard over them both. "This doesn't feel right, papa."
Zha'haabron glanced at Zaheen: the Hyou-jin was taking readings from one of the monitors she carried in the pouches on her body harness. She regarded him sombrely.
"I have never known them behave like this, my Ssii'iin. We've received nothing but courtesy from them, always."
"But that is on your own world. This is theirs…"
She shook her head, tail coiling behind her.
"All the same…"
All heads turned as a space opened in the wall and… something entered, a tray of beakers, a large flask of faintly purple liquid, and a plate of flatbreads balanced on its back. It settled itself beside the king, retracted its pseudopodia into its body and solidified into a softened square that served adequately as a table. Radittsu grunted.
"Heh. At least they're going to feed us."
He reached for a beaker, halting as Vinas caught his wrist.
"Let me confirm there is nothing… hazardous in the flask before you taste it."
Radittsu sighed, but stayed his hand, tempted to point out that it was almost impossible to poison a Saiyan but realising that Vinas might take that as a challenge once they returned home… The Feeodoreean's monitor showed nothing untoward in the liquid (which was a kind of mildly effervescent fruit juice as best he could tell) and Radittsu poured beakers for them all - including the guards, who'd been unable to find any openings in the wall. Zha'haabron frowned, and Radittsu wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
"Want to try a ki-blast?"
"Not yet."
Which was wise. Much as the group did not like being trapped - and the ever-flowing water effect of the walls was beginning to cause a measure of disorientation - using force at this stage would not be a good idea…
Luckily they did not have long to wait. Another zhaneer entered the room, bowing fractionally to Zha'haabron and gazing at the assembled visitors with a small smile.
"Greetings. I am Pre'halan. I trust you will excuse the delay. If you would care to come with me…"
Radittsu eyed his bondmate.
*Well, that's a little more courteous, at any rate…*
The zhaneer led them along another corridor and into a room that seemed identical to the one they had just left, then turned to them, graceful arms held wide.
"This domicile has been coded to your… 'patterns'. Speak what you want, aloud, and it will be configured for you." He eyed the king, head inclined. "Zha'haabron Ssii'iin, if you would come with me, all questions will be answered."
Blinking, the zn'hre rose to his feet - as did the rest of the group. Pre'halan shook his head.
"We require only the Ssii'iin at the present time. The rest of you will please wait here."
Radittsu growled.
"I'm coming too."
Pre'halan sighed.
"I regret that that will not be possible."
The big Saiyan snarled, his fists clenching: Zha'haabron turned to him, one elegant hand cupping his face.
**Please, zkai'da. Wait here. Look after the hostlings**
*But…*
**Zk'vissin, we do not wish to offend them. I will be fine**
Misgiving a massive weight in his mind, Radittsu subsided, watching with fear-bright eyes as his bondmate followed the zhaneer from the room.
The featureless, rippling walls, dull silence and lack of any sense of direction was disorientating, and the blue light was beginning to give Zha'haabron a headache. Pre'halan didn't speak, but at least he wasn't obviously hostile.
Some time later - the king couldn't tell how long, this place affected his time-sense as well - his guide ushered him into another featureless room, where three zhaneer were sitting in a semi-circle. Pre'halan inclined his head, gesturing to the king to stand before them.
**Zha'haabron Ssii'iin, my colleagues**
The left-hand zhaneer nodded, raising a hand - and Zha'haabron found himself unable to move. Eyed widening, he tried to speak, only to find that ability taken from him as well. The zhaneer regarded him dryly for a moment, then turned to his companions.
**Inferior mental abilities, it would seem**
They nodded, the one on the right frowning at the king.
**Physically similar…** He rose and drifted to Zha'haabron, pressing a hand to his chest: the zn'hre gritted his teeth. The touch burned, even through his bodysuit. The zhaneer closed his eyes, concentrating: Zha'haabron was somehow aware of tendrils of energy coiling through his body, a faint tingling pain at the very deepest level. Aware also of information - about him, his metabolism and physiology - passing from the one touching him to the others, and from them to yet others, unseen but somewhere close.
The zhaneer stepped back, pulling his hand away, and the king gasped: the burning heat was replaced by an icy cold that was even more painful.
**Strength, endurance…**
**Let us investigate the mind…**
Unseen fire engulfed him. He screamed silently - then knew nothing as the pain overcame him…
Radittsu was pacing, tail lashing, when the pain hit. He dropped to his knees, arms wrapped around his head, unable to cry out, unable to see the hostlings gathering around him, eyes wide with fear. Long moments later the pain began to recede, his vision cleared, and he found himself looking into Ti'ani's face. The hybrid's hands were pressed against the Saiyan's head.
"What…?"
"Does that help, Rad-san?"
He nodded, trembling: the pain was down to a bearable level, although he felt weak and nauseous.
"'bron…"
Ti'ani nodded, slowly withdrawing his hands but maintaining the *shield* he'd erected around the Saiyan.
"We have to find him, stop whatever they're doing. Can you trace him?"
The pain had felt as though it came from all sides - but underneath it was a tendril of awareness, of direction. Radittsu nodded, then struggled upright, glancing at the guards and indicating the hostlings and Zaheen.
"Guard them with your lives. Get them out of here and back to the spaceport. Have the shuttle pick you all up."
Amidst a rumble of annoyance from the children, who all wanted to go with Radittsu, Ra'vahn planted himself at his sire's side, grabbing hold of a hank of mane.
"I'm coming with you."
The Saiyan nodded reluctantly. Whatever had hurt his zkai'da was obviously more powerful than the king: they'd most likely need someone more powerful again to overcome it. Le'leen made to join his twin, but Radittsu waved him back.
"Stay here. Guard the family."
The hybrid would have objected, but his sibling shook his head.
"Rad-san is right, skai'tan. 'vahn and I should be able to handle it."
The big Saiyan had recovered enough to lift his sireling onto his shoulder, and was pointing towards the wall.
"That way."
There was no opening, but Ti'ani managed to ki-blast a way through the rigid fabric…
The building was huge, and confusing, with corridors leading off at strange angles. Ti'ani wondered if all zhaneer architecture was like this, or if this was some kind of reception centre for offworld visitors. Or maybe some other sort of facility, given how unsettling the place appeared to be, to them at any rate. Well, they could worry about that later, if they got a chance: right now they had to rescue the king and get back to the Hyou-jin cruiser as quickly as they could. Everything else could wait.
They moved in a straight line, Ti'ani simply blasting through the intervening walls, gradually having to increase the *shield* around Radittsu the closer they came to the Ssii'iin as the intensity increased: by the time they reached the final wall the big Saiyan was shaking with Zha'haabron's pain. 'vahn stroked his face.
"Soon be done, papa. Hold on just a little longer."
This last obstacle took more effort than the others, and Ti'ani was panting by the time the wall finally gave way and they stepped inside…
The king was still upright, though slumped and apparently unconscious. The three zhaneer showed no alarm whatsoever at the sight of the newcomers - with good reason, Radittsu realised a second later as he found himself gripped in some sort of force that held him frozen. He snarled at the zhaneer, muscle bulging as he tried to break free.
'vahn leapt down from his shoulder and flew towards the three.
"Let him go!"
For the first time the beautiful faces showed some emotion - alarm. The left-hand zhaneer raised a hand, brow furrowing as he focussed, but whatever was holding the king and Radittsu immobile obviously had no effect on 'vahn. Nor Ti'ani, who hovered in front of the bondmates, ki flickering around his hands, eyes cold.
"Let them both go. Now."
'vahn collided with the middle zhaneer, knocking him on his back, then kicked him in the face.
"Let my maazi go!!"
"Do it!" yelped the zhaneer, covering his face with his arms as 'vahn aimed another kick, his body glowing with a blue-purple nimbus as he gathered ki. Radittsu felt his body return to his control, and leapt forwards just in time to catch his bondmate as Zha'haabron crumpled to the floor. On his knees, the unconscious king limp in his arms, the Saiyan glowered up at the zhaneer, loathing and disgust in his eyes.
"What kind of fucking monsters are you!? We came here to discover the zn'hre's heritage and you treat us like animals…"
"But that is what you are."
'vahn had flown back to cuddle against his maazi, glaring over his shoulder at the zhaneer.
"Then I'd rather be an animal. At least we don't hurt our guests. Unless they hurt us first."
Radittsu dragged himself to his feet.
"We're leaving."
The right-hand zhaneer stood.
"But if you leave, your questions will not be answered."
"Better that than put up with you barbarians…"
Apparently the epithet stung, if the zhaneer's expression was anything to go by. The centre-most alien, his face bruising from the hybrid's kicks, raised his hands.
"You have proved yourselves worthy of our attention. Now we may offer our hospitality."
Radittsu gaped.
"What…?"
The zhaneer approached confidently, pausing before him and eyeing Zha'haabron.
"An interesting hybridisation. As are your own offspring." He glanced down at 'vahn, a small smile on his lips. "I will have someone escort you back to your quarters." At his words part of the wall rippled, and a new zhaneer entered, this one in a relatively simple bodysuit rather than the elaborate robes his people seemed to favour. "This is Ta'haarel. He will… minister to your needs."
Ta'haarel gave the impression of being quite a lot younger than the others. He knelt down beside 'vahn, gazing at both hybrids, smiling, his bright golden eyes shining.
"Hello. I'm very pleased to meet you."
Radittsu watched helplessly. What the fuck was going on here? First they torture Zha'haabron, now they seemed to be trying to make friends… he shook his head.
"I want to go back to the ship."
Ta'haarel rose gracefully to his feet.
"Perhaps later, Ssii'iir Rhoi'i'dat'hzziu. For now, the Ssii'iin needs attention." Was there a tiny spark of anger in his eyes as he glanced quickly at his fellow zhaneer? Ti'ani risked the quickest and lightest of all scans, his eyes widening at what he found. He'd have to tell Rad-san - but later, when they were out of this horrible chamber and away from these… these… h'k'vierch. He laid a hand on the Saiyan's arm.
*Trust him, dadda.*
Radittsu stared.
"How do you know my name?"
Ta'haarel gently stroked Zha'haabron's hair.
"The Ssii'iin *told* us." He closed his eyes briefly, sadly. "He *told* us everything…"
The young zhaneer led them back along a straight corridor that they would all swear hadn't existed before. There was no sign of any damage, either. Ti'ani frowned at Ta'haarel.
"Do the walls move?"
The zhaneer nodded.
"The material is semi-organic and semi-sentient. It heals itself, and can be configured in any way we want." He smiled. "As you'll see when we return to your suite…"
… which now resembled their suite at home on Vejiita-sei, although everything was blue. And the rest of the group were still there, to Radittsu's consternation. As he laid his bondmate down on the sleeping platform so Vinas could examine him, the Saiyan glared at the guard.
"I gave you an order!"
They bowed their heads, but Kinu interrupted before they could respond.
"They tried to obey, Raditts-sama. But something stopped them - stopped everyone but me and 'jau and 'leen."
Ta'haarel sighed.
"It has alarmed my superiors, this ability your hybrids have to be not affected by zhaneer mental talents." He watched as the Feeodoreean ran his hand-held monitor over the king's body, expression sad. "He is strong. He should recover soon."
Vinas' voice was coldly furious.
"What did they do? And why?"
"They… examined him."
The Feeodoreean stared up into the golden eyes, his own narrowed.
"Was it entirely necessary to cause such damage?"
Radittsu paled and took his bondmate's hand.
"What's wrong?"
"It is the equivalent of taking a high ki-blast to the whole body. Neural processes have been disrupted, he has internal bruising, minor haemorrhages - he will heal, Raditts-sama, but it will take several days, and I don't want him moved until he has recovered."
Ta'haarel's shoulders relaxed. He'd been worried they'd leave right away, Ti'ani realised, and now had a legitimate reason to insist they stay.
"I am sorry."
'vahn glared at him - then slumped.
"s'not your fault, 'haarel."
The zhaneer looked almost tearfully happy at the hybrid's words.
"I do not approve of these brutal methods." His low voice lowered further. "There are a few of us who do not. But to make changes takes many, and there are not enough…"
'sel and 'nippu were watching intently, eager to ask questions, Pirum knew, but holding back until they had a chance to talk to the zhaneer by themselves. Kiraz seemed to have appointed himself their personal guard, by the way he was standing. Flattering, thought the Hassinan to herself, if perhaps a little presumptuous.
"Why did they behave so brutally?" Vinas asked. Ta'haarel hesitated, then lowered his head.
"You had best ask the Ssii'iin, when he recovers consciousness."
The comment caused a startled silence, then a barrage of questions, but the zhaneer refused - very politely - to answer. Finally they gave up, and began to think about settling down to rest, although they had no idea exactly what time it was… 'leesaan touched Ta'haarel's hand.
"Is it night-time yet?"
The zhaneer blinked, then smiled.
"Not quite. It is late afternoon. But you have all had a tiring day. We can talk tomorrow, and I will try to get permission to show you something of the city, if that would please you."
Radittsu nodded slowly, not liking the implication that they would be unable to do anything without 'permission'. Until his bondmate recovered, however, they had little choice than to do as Ta'haarel suggested.
"Are you going to sleep with us?"
The zhaneer gazed down at 'jau, then glanced at Radittsu.
"I had not considered it… would it be acceptable to you all?"
The Saiyan eyed the hostlings who, with the exception of Kiraz, were nodding, then the guards, who he already knew would rather have the zhaneer in sight - for use as a hostage if nothing else - and nodded acquiescence. Ta'haarel's eyes brightened.
"Thank you. Now, I understand you bathe before sleeping. I will be back in…" he frowned, trying to find a meaningful timescale and failing, "… one of our hours."
'nippu nodded: that was the equivalent of just under two Vejiita-sei hours, he quietly told Radittsu as Ta'haarel exited the 'suite'. The Saiyan rubbed a hand over his forehead and moved to sit beside his bondmate, eyeing Vinas worriedly.
"How is he?"
The Feeodoreean scowled.
"In a lot of pain. He will need to lie very still when he wakes, to give his body a chance to heal."
"I'll make sure he does."
"We all will, dadda." 'leesaan gazed down at his sire, biting his lip. The Ssii'iin was so pale and still… Radittsu stroked the hostling's hair reassuringly.
"He'll be fine. He's tough." He nodded towards the others - Ti'ani had opened the door to the bathing chamber and was beckoning everyone inside. "We all need to rest. Go join your siblings."
They'd lowered the lights and settled down, and most of the group were asleep - except for the allocated guards, and Radittsu, who sat watching over his zkai'da. He rested a hand very gently over Zha'haabron's chest as the king's eyes fluttered open.
*You're in the suite. Everyone is fine. How do you feel?*
Zha'haabron shifted very slightly, moaning quietly. Radittsu stroked his face.
*Don't move, beloved… Do you remember what happened?*
The king gazed up at him blankly for a moment, then his eyes filled with tears. Alarmed, the Saiyan lifted him very gently into his arms.
*What it it? What's wrong?*
**They knew**
The Saiyan stroked his bondmate's cheek, face taut with worry.
*Knew what, zkai'da?*
**They knew that Zha'zhasaan had crashed on R'ren'nkh'ia. They knew - and they left him there. To see what would happen**
Radittsu went completely cold. Zha'haabron choked back a sob.
**… they left him there…**
The Saiyan held his bondmate tightly as he wept, face grim.
They had a lot to ask Ta'haarel in the morning.
© 2004 January 18th Joules Taylor
