Retreat

**Sweetheart? Do you need more furs?**
Zha'haarak pulled another soft, thick-furred hide over the little zn'hre as Zh'leet handed him a steaming beaker of glop: Ti'aasaan was shivering, despite being cuddled in a deep nest of furs between Ta'haarel and the hostlings who had come with them…

Zha'haabron had already awoken when Le'leen and 'zhasaan slipped into the suite. Rising, he beckoned them into one of the empty spare rooms, gesturing them to be seated, listening intently as the seer spoke of his dream. At the end he pulled his sireling to him, stroking the fine soft hair. 'zhasaan snuggled against him, glancing up worriedly.
**Is it important, papa?**
**I do not know - but we cannot afford not to give it credence. Make yourselves comfortable on the platform - call 'miiron through as well - while I contact Vejiita**

The Saiya-jin-no-Ou had not been happy to be woken, and let the Ssii'iin know it in no uncertain terms. If he hadn't already been worried about the Karilun visit himself, he'd most likely have scoffed at the notion. As it was, after swearing imaginatively for several minutes he ordered a full Council meeting…

There were still a couple of council members who quietly mocked the talents of the zn'hre and hybrids, but the vast majority were at the very least willing to listen to what was said - after all, the aliens had proved to be right over and over again. Limau listened to Zha'haabron, then rose to his feet and turned to Vejiita.
      "What plans do you wish to make, Sire?"
      A hint of sullen irritation still underscoring his voice, the king frowned around the chamber, gaze settling on Zha'haabron.
      "Suggestions?"
      "We have two days before the Karilun arrive. It's cold season. Ordinarily I would suggest we move the weaker members of the families to R'ren'nkh'ia, but with the Karilun so close, and given the weather, and the fact that Radittsu-sama and I must remain here…" He frowned. "They must be taken to safety, out of the city. The zn'hre will need somewhere warm to stay."
      Vejiita nodded.
      "Where? The palace, the medlabs, R'ren'nkh'ian quarters in barracks and the Academy are the only places specifically designed to cater to your people's needs. In any quantity, anyway."
      Limau grimaced.
      "We are in the process of having the family home adapted, but work's halted for the season. And Kitaa is too cold."
      "What about the Hassinan?"
      Vejiita stared at Manzano: the diplomat shrugged his shoulders.
      "Kamome is far enough from Vejiitamachi that they should be safe. And the Hassinan know how to stay warm, even if they're not fond of the heat themselves."
      Zha'haabron nodded slowly.
      "It is not ideal - but it is a good suggestion." He inclined his head to the Saiya-jin-no-Ou. "If you will excuse me, I will contact Speaker Malum."

When Zha'haabron returned to the council chamber it was to find Leteetza there, and not very happy.
      "Ssii'iin, what the fuck is going on? His majesty says I have to take 'jiita and 'dittsu down to the Hassinan caves!"
      The zn'hre nodded: he hadn't considered it, but it was a wise move.
      "A precaution, little warrior. 'zhasaan has dreamed of an attack on the city, on the palace."
      "So Vejiita said. But my place is here, fighting with the rest of you - if it comes to fighting."
      He nodded, ignoring the king's glare.
      "But the children, and the zn'hre, need warriors to defend them. The Hassinan are not warriors."
      She frowned.
      "You're sending the hostlings to the caves?"
       "Those who cannot defend themselves, yes. I cannot go with them, nor can Rhoi'i'dat'hzziu, and we need someone who can protect them."
      She chewed her lip, then nodded reluctantly.
      "I see. Who else will be there - for defence, I mean."
      Zha'haabron regarded Vejiita, who folded his arms across his chest.
      "I leave that to you."
      The zn'hre inclined his head.
      "I would suggest Kakarotto and Ichigo. They guard the family already."
      Vejiita frowned, then nodded.
      "Tell them to make ready: I want the evacuation to start in an hour." He frowned. "I assume Malum did agree?"
      He was hardly going to object under the circumstances… The High King nodded.
      "As I closed the communication he was already waking his people to have them prepare."
      "Good… Very well. I suggest we all go and do the same."

Back at the suite a tired Radittsu was trying to cope with angry, miserable and anxious hostlings; he looked up gratefully when Zha'haabron arrived back.
      *I am very glad to see you…*
      The High King smiled briefly, then faced the family, all business.
      "Only those of you who are too young or have no combat abilities will be going - with the exception of Korena, 'nippu and 'jau." He glanced at the little female. "We need you to help guard your siblings and friends, because most of the guard has to stay here."
      Korena had been about to object, noisily, but calmed at the zn'hre's words. 'nippu looked very grave: the brat always took his responsibilities so seriously.
      "Can Kome come too?"
      Zha'haabron had to think for a moment, then smiled. Kome, 'nippu's little sister, the one with the mane like her uncle.
      "Of course she can." He glanced at Ti'aasaan and Zha'haarak. Both of them looked nervous and worried - they knew their bondmates wouldn't be going with them. "The shuttles will commence leaving in an hour. Please start making ready. Warm clothing and precious personal possessions should take precedence when packing."
      There was a stir as everyone scattered to comply. Zha'haabron sat with Ti'aasaan and Zha'haarak, taking their hands.
      "It may be nothing at all. But we cannot discount 'zhasaan's forevisions. You must be safe." He glanced over his shoulder as Hijau and Zorun arrived together and headed straight for their mates, smiling gently as he stood. Both Saiyans would be staying in Vejiitamachi, and the thought of the separation was *aching* in the bonds already.
      With luck it would be a false alarm…

The shuttle landed as close as possible to the cliff entrance to the Hassinan enclave, and the refugees were met by Hassinan bearing heavy fur mantles against the blustering winds and swirling snow, swathing zn'hre and hurrying them down to the caves: the Saiyans in the party provided ki-shields as best they could. Malum, Mahrayne close behind him, stood waiting to welcome them into a small, cosy chamber, already heated and padded with heavy furs. He raised his hands slightly.
      "It is an honour to offer help to the Alliance."
      Zha'haarak inclined his head.
      "We thank you for your forbearance - and trust we won't inconvenience you too badly." He managed a smile, pulling his fur further around his shoulders. "We have every hope it is nothing but a false alarm."
      "Indeed, we all hope that. But in the meantime, let us see what we can do to make you comfortable."

It was astonishing how sullen 'dittsu could be when he didn't get his own way, thought Ti'aasaan tiredly. He'd been saying the same thing over and over again for an hour now…
      "I want to go and help mama."
      "I know, young one, but mama wants you to stay here, to help look after us."
      'dittsu kicked moodily at the wall.
      "Shouldn't be here at all. Should be home, helping papa and Z'abron defend the city."
      'jiita glowered at him.
      "You're too young. And not strong enough yet."
      "Am so!"
      "You're not nearly as strong as Ti'ani or Le'leen or 'vahn or …"
      Buahan growled at them, cutting short the brewing argument.
      "Stop it, both of you! Tia-chan's tired and cold, and so is Zhak-chan, and the hostlings are upset. Stop making it worse!"
      Grumbling to himself, 'dittsu settled down at the door to the cave to 'keep watch' with 'rena. Huh. Fucking babysitting…
      Kinu, 'jau as ever at his shoulder, had made his way to his mother, and was currently sitting at her side, eyes worried.
      "You see, we just don't know enough about them. We know what Zaheen has told us, and that's worried the Ssii'iin, though he's trying not to let the little ones know it. And no-one can understand why they're only sending one ship. That just doesn't make any sense."
      Pirum - who was sitting behind the warmly-wrapped but shivering 'selaan, cuddling him (to help keep him warm, she'd explained ingenuously at her sister's alarmed and suspicious look) - inclined her head.
      "Unless they have some kind of secret weapon… maybe some kind of biological agent they want to spread over the planet, to wipe us all out. They'd maybe only need one ship for that. Then they could claim Vejiitasei for themselves."
      'sel frowned, trying to speak through gritted teeth.
      "H… how could they devise s… something that would attack all of us…s? Too many aliens...s here."
      Pirum chewed her lip, then reluctantly agreed.
      "I suppose so… What do you think, then?"
      He closed his eyes and snuggled further down into his fur.
      "I th… think I want to be w… warm back h… home…"
       Pirum rolled her eyes and pulled him closer, then looked up as Lento entered. The young male bowed briefly, glancing at Mahrayne as if asking permission before speaking, then knelt before 'selaan.
      "Your highness, didn't Zha'tiisaan come with you?"
      'sel eyed him curiously, then shook his head.
      "No - they all s… stayed in the Academy…"

Zha'haabron had very nearly broken his own policy of non-interference in his sirelings' lives when he'd heard the news. None of the Academy's residents would leave. He'd come as close to arguing with Bri'seiyis as he'd ever done with any fellow zn'hre, but the songwright was adamant.
"We will be safe here, my Ssii'iin. We have an underground shelter, should it be needed, and Kelapa, Jagung and Merica-sama will be here, along with a thirty-strong squad of first-class Saiyan warriors. You do not need to worry. If there is any fighting - and I am inclined, despite Zha'zhasaan's dream, to believe it will not come to that - we are well-defended. Any attack will be focussed on the palace, not here. We are no threat to anyone."
And the only way he could be moved, Zha'haabron realised, would be to make it a direct royal order - and that he did not want to do. He determined to keep an eye on the Academy himself, should it be necessary…

Lento tried not to let his disappointment show, but it was hard. He'd hoped to see his zn'hre again, at least for a little while… 'sel smiled.
      "He *says* to tell you he misses…s you, and hopes you will v… visit Vejiitamachi again soon."
      The young Hassinan managed a smile.
      "Please will you let him know I am… feel the same?"
      "Of c… course…"

Leteetza stared grumpily out at the snow. She and her fellow Saiyan guards had opted to stay here, in the entrance chamber: it both saved them having to be underground and meant they would be closer to any action that might take place. It did nothing for her resentment at having to be here in the first place, although she fully understood the King's reasons for ordering it. She smirked tightly as Sasa offered her a bottle of ki-warmed firejoose.
"This had better not be a fucking false alarm…"

Vejiita, Zha'haabron, an impressive honour guard - all Saiyan given the blizzard conditions - and half the diplomatic corps had assembled to greet the Karilun ambassadors.
      Who were - interesting, the High King thought to himself as he eyed the visitors. Four legs, four arms, the lower pair ending in large, extremely vicious looking pincer-claws, the multi-facetted eyes giving them an alarming resemblance to some of the nastier members of Vejiitasei's insect life. Their speaking mouths were in what would be the neck in Saiyan or R'ren'nkh'ian - they found out later that their eating mouths, six or eight to each Karilun, were on the underside of the abdomen.
      They were armoured like slorthers, jointed metal-hard scales covering every part of them. Near perfect military creatures. Zha'haabron held on grimly to the hope that they had no ki-users amongst them.
      Relations were somewhat strained, not surprisingly. However, the one small ship they were expecting was all that landed, and it contained no surprises as far as they could tell, though they wouldn't be able to be certain until the Feeodoreeans had had a chance to sweep it with some of their new inventions, later. In the meantime…
      The banquet held in the Karilun's honour had been appreciated, it seemed, and protestations of good cheer and fellowship had been uttered, and now, in the early hours of the morning, a troubled Zha'haabron rose from the platform and stood looking out, unable to sleep. It had stopped snowing, and for a brief moment the sky was clear…
      "Oh fuck…"
      The dozing Radittsu jerked awake. … what…? His bondmate never swore… His eyes widened at the rigid tension in the strong blue body at the balcony door: pulling himself upright he limped to the king's side.
      "Zkai'da? What is… it…" His voice trailed away as above them, implacably, warship after warship shimmered into existence, black against the stars.