Transposition
Part Three
Radittz ducked swiftly and caught the beaker he'd knocked off the bench just before it hit the floor.
Unfortunately, in doing so his mane brushed another five off the opposite bench. He winced as they shattered, and glanced at Sulu, his expression a weird mix of sullen and woeful.
"S'mim'sen... I am sorry."
Sulu sighed and shook his head. It wasn't Radittz' fault. He wasn't clumsy - given his size he actually moved with a surprising degree of grace - he was just too big!
It was a problem everywhere he went. He only had to enter a room for it to feel crowded. Things - and people - seemed suddenly very fragile when he was around. And that mane just made everything worse. Sulu had suggested tying it back (he hadn't summoned up the courage to suggest cutting it), only to be met by a blank stare and an even blanker refusal. He hadn't yet broken anything vital, but Sulu was afraid it was only a matter of time. But they couldn't keep the poor creature cooped up in his quarters all the time...
Sulu gave up the delicate pollination experiment he'd been conducting and regarded the Saiyan thoughtfully. What he needed was somewhere - expansive - to stretch out, relax, and work off some energy: Sulu was uneasily aware of the increasing tension in the powerful body. He may come from a high gravity world, but that physique wasn't kept in such near-perfect condition by sitting at a computer all day. He was obviously used to action - and was missing it badly.
Sulu checked their current location, came to a decision, rose from his stool and beckoned to Radittz.
"Come with me."
They made it to the bridge without knocking anyone over or denting any doors. A few heads turned, but not as many as on their first visit there. Sulu grinned to himself as he remembered...
That had been three weeks ago, while Radittz was still acting like a prisoner of war, refusing to co-operate with his 'captors', refusing (as he was still refusing even now) to exchange his bodysuit for a Star Fleet coverall, refusing to even try to learn Standard. Although Sulu suspected, even then, that he was actually taking in a lot more than he let on. At any rate, he'd picked up the language surprisingly quickly once Sulu had pointed out, in nihongo, that he'd be a lot better off, and his needs more easily catered to, if he could communicate with them all...
After two days of fairly intensive tuition the Saiyan was fluent enough in Standard to make himself understood, even if his grammar left a lot to be desired, and in the process of teaching the helmsman had learned a few things about his student. That he was a warrior almost went without saying, but his mention of serving under Furiizaa, scion of the militaristic and ever-expanding Cold Empire, both puzzled and alarmed Sulu. Reporting to Kirk and Spock, later, hadn't led to any enlightenment: the Federation database had no reference to Furiizaa, Cold, or Saiyan.
"From another galaxy, perhaps?" The captain took a sip of his coffee. Spock frowned.
"Or a thus-far undiscovered part of our own."
"I think we should alert Star Fleet to a possible threat, at any rate, sir. From what I've gathered from Radittz, he's not considered a particularly powerful warrior in this Furiizaa's forces."
Kirk's eyebrows rose. "Do you believe him?"
Sulu nodded, slowly. "I think so. I guess he could be exaggerating, but... I get the feeling he's basically honest."
Spock fixed him with a steely expression. "Star Fleet is not run on 'feelings', Lieutenant."
Sulu reddened slightly. "I know sir. But..."
Kirk smiled. "You like him, don't you?"
Sulu opened his mouth to object - and then stopped as he realised that yes, actually, he did like the big man. Although he couldn't have said exactly why...
"Uh, yes sir."
"Good. I want you to see if we can come to a deal with him. If he gives us his word of honour - assuming he knows what honour is - that he will not cause any damage or injure anyone, I'll release him into your custody while he's with us. His access to the ship will be restricted, of course, but at least he'll be out of the brig. Do you think he'll agree to it?"
"I think so, sir. I don't think he liked serving under Furiizaa - I got the impression he'd been forced to, somehow."
"Then see what you can do. Report to me in two days time."
At first Radittz had been very suspicious of the bargain - which Sulu found quite understandable. He'd asked if the 'ki-suppressing fetters' (by which Sulu assumed he meant the wristbands) would be removed as part of the deal, but the helmsman wasn't authorised to go that far, which Radittz had - reluctantly - accepted. It took them both a little while to establish exactly what the other understood by 'honour', but finally the big man had given his word to take no hostile action against the ship or its personnel (no doubt encouraged by Sulu's pointing out that even when 'freed' he'd be under constant and continual surveillance, that his life was dependant on the continued safety and smooth running of the starship, and that even if he tried to escape he didn't understand their technology and would probably kill himself in the attempt), and Sulu was able to conduct him to quarters adjoining his own. They were too small, of course, but at least he'd sleep comfortably: the purser had joined two normal sized beds together to make one that allowed him to stretch out and turn over without landing on the floor.
Sulu had been relieved of all other duties, and was able to spend time teaching the Saiyan - which he found himself enjoying. And slowly, as Radittz came to trust him (the incredible significance of which he didn't realise until later) the big man told him more about himself and his people. Sulu found it a very alarming story and at the end of every report urged the captain to ensure that the Federation didn't underestimate the danger the Cold Empire represented...
After a week Sulu had requested, and received, permission for Radittz to visit the bridge. As the big man stood beside the command chair, frowning at the viewscreen, he'd seemed to dwarf everyone else - something the captain had obviously not been very happy about. Sulu had hurried the Saiyan over to Uhura's station in an attempt to lighten the suddenly tense atmosphere. The communications officer had gaped up at the imposing figure.
"Hell..." She bit off the squeaked greeting and took a deep breath, lowering her voice an octave and trying again. "Hello Radittz."
He gave her a brief glance and a grunt, apparently more interested in her console than the woman herself - which fact Sulu filed away for later investigation. The Saiyan turned to the helmsman.
"This for communication? How works?"
Sulu hesitated a little too long. "Uh, it's a bit technical..."
Radittz smirked. "Not want tell me? Understand." He gazed around the bridge. "Small. Small for running big ship."
"Was Furiizaa's bigger?"
"About same. Maybe little bigger." He pointed to the helm and navigation consoles. "Your place?"
Sulu frowned - Radittz was either excellent at guessing or a lot brighter than he'd let on. He'd have to be a little more careful how much information he let slip.
"Yes. At least, one of them is."
"Hn." His gaze fell on Kirk. "You are controller?"
"I'm the captain." Kirk said coolly. "I command the ship."
"What I said - controller." Although from the dismissive way he said it, Sulu guessed that his notion of a controller was rather different from what the rest of them understood by 'captain'. He'd have to talk to Radittz about that before the big man riled Kirk any further.
McCoy had made certain he was present, and was keeping a wary eye on the Saiyan. Radittz glowered at him, then grinned mirthlessly.
"Know you. You are... isha?"
He glanced at Sulu, who nodded. "Doctor. Doctor McCoy."
The Saiyan stared as if memorising his face. McCoy glared back. Before Radittz could take the glare as a challenge, Sulu intervened. They'd been on the bridge long enough anyway - you could have cut the atmosphere with a tantou.
"Are you hungry yet?"
The distraction worked. The Saiyan grinned. It had become something of a joke between them: Radittz was always hungry, and could eat prodigious amounts of food without batting an eyelid.
"Lunchtime?"
Sulu smiled and turned to Kirk. "If we have your permission, sir..?"
Kirk smiled back, coldly. "Of course, Mr Sulu."
The afternoon was taken up in trying to impress upon the Saiyan what an important man the captain was, and that McCoy was not a warrior and didn't understand warrior ways, and that both should be treated with respect...
And now they were back on the bridge. Radittz was now much more fluent in Standard, and understood the captain's status (although Sulu was pretty certain he wasn't exactly impressed with Kirk). He'd also become something of an object of fascination to many of the females (and a few of the males) in the crew, although so far all attempts to capture his attention had come to nothing. Sulu couldn't quite understand why: according to Dr McCoy, Saiyans were close enough to human to interbreed, should they so wish, and they'd assumed he had a normal sex drive - although perhaps that was the wrong assumption. Still, if the captain OKed his request, he might be able to get the big man to relax enough to ask more personal questions than he'd so far dared.
"Sir, I'd like to request permission to take Radittz on shore leave on Golpagoth 5."
Kirk considered the request. If nothing else it would get the big ape off his ship for a while - the Saiyan made him feel distinctly uneasy. He glanced at Spock, who nodded slightly, then turned to Sulu.
"Very well, Mr Sulu. We're due to re-supply at Starbase 16 anyway, and the crew is owed three weeks R&R. We'll pick you up on the way back. However, I want you armed, and you will report in every six hours - sooner if you run into any problems." His gaze flickered to Radittz then back to his officer. "Of any kind."
Radittz flashed the captain his best smirk.
"Arig'to, sencho."
Sulu winced. Radittz had recently developed the habit of speaking nihongo when he wanted to annoy people - McCoy and Kirk, primarily. The helmsman spoke before either of them could show their annoyance.
"You'll like Golpagoth, Radittz. It's a lot like my home. And there are lots of big game animals - you can hunt as much as you like." He grinned. "You can even hunt at night if you want: there are two moons."
He frowned as Radittz' eyes widened at this last: he wasn't sure he liked the sudden, swiftly suppressed smirk that flashed onto the Saiyan's face.
"It sounds good, Sulu. How soon may we go?"
"We will make orbit around the planet in 3.87 hours at our current speed." Spock was frowning at the Saiyan: he'd caught the smirk as well, and was obviously wondering what it signified. Sulu nodded.
"Gives us time to get a camping pack together. Thank you, captain."
Kirk watched him, a hint of concern in his eyes.
"Take care, Mr Sulu. Keep your communicator with you."
Radittz had been unconscious the first time he'd been through the transporter: this time he was awake, and as they materialised on a grassy hillside he staggered slightly to keep his balance and stared at Sulu, his eyes huge.
"K'so!!"
Sulu grinned. "You don't have anything like that, huh?"
"No." His eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "What is the range of it?"
"Not far." Sulu had managed to convince himself to lie to the Saiyan, where Federation tech was concerned, by reassuring himself it wasn't really lying - simply disinformation. "From just outside the atmosphere."
"Hn." Radittz frowned, then his brow cleared as he lifted his head and sniffed. The black eyes glowed as he pointed to what looked to Sulu to be a faint brown smudge on a distant hill.
"Food!"
Then Radittz grinned, his eyes positively sparkling as he swung his gaze downwards to the valley below them. A broad, placid lake glittered there.
"Water!"
Before Sulu could react the big man had taken off at a fast run, leaving his companion far behind.
'Fast'? Fast wasn't in it - Radittz was a blur of speed. There was no way Sulu could ever hope to catch him.
"Radittz!" Not that he expected the Saiyan to hear him at that distance. But the big man skidded to a halt and waited, smirking, arms crossed over his broad chest, until the panting Sulu had caught up.
"Hn. Humans are so slow. How did you ever become your world's masters?"
"...brains..." Sulu managed to gasp out - before Radittz picked him up, tucked him under one arm and raced down the hillside again, only stopping when he reached the bank of the lake. Dropping Sulu quite gently onto the mossy turquoise grass, he'd stripped and dived in before Sulu could gather enough breath to object.
Shimatta! The helmsman grabbed his tricorder from his pack and pointed it at the lake: at least there were no hazardous species there, and the water was quite safe enough even to drink.
While he caught his breath, he stood waiting for Radittz to resurface. Three minutes later there was still no sign of the Saiyan. Sulu began to worry. After five minutes he was panicking... Radittz must be able to swim, or he wouldn't have dived in, he wasn't stupid... But what if the wristbands somehow made it impossible for him to float? Or the water had somehow got into the mechanism and short-circuited it, electrocuting him? Sulu had no idea how the things worked....
His tricorder reported Radittz' location as about a quarter of a mile from the bank and deep underwater. Sulu wrenched out of his uniform and dived in, heading for the approximate position at a fast crawl - then cried out as a pair of large hands caught his ankles and pulled him under and down, giving him no time to take a breath, and held him there. Struggling ever more weakly to free himself, lungs burning, the last thing he saw before blacking out was Radittz' grinning face...
Lips. On his. And a pain under his ribs as though he'd been punched, hard. A heavy weight of wet hair half-covering his body. Something firm and long and thin wrapped around his waist. But it was the lips that held his attention. Soft, sensual, caressing lips. Sealed to his...
... and blowing air into his lungs...
He spluttered and choked, and the lips pulled away. A strong arm behind his back lifted him upright, another around his chest held him there as the first was pulled away and a large hand slapped him resoundingly on the back. He coughed up the last of the water in his lungs, then rested his forehead on his knees as he sucked air back into his painful chest. Moments later he looked up, into Radittz' sardonic face. The Saiyan smirked.
"Humans. Fragile little things, aren't you?"
Sulu pressed his fingertips to his mouth, lips still tingling from what had felt like a kiss, even though he now realised it had only been simple mouth to mouth resuscitation.
"Why?" he managed to gasp. Radittz regarded him, one eyebrow raised.
"Why? Why what?"
"Why did you save my life?"
The big man shrugged. "Nearly ended it - by accident. Only fair that I should amend my mistake."
"Oh." Sulu felt somehow disappointed. It must have shown, because Radittz cupped his chin in a strong hand and raised the helmsman's face to his own.
"Besides, who would I share the hunt with?"
Sulu gazed into the wide dark eyes for a minute, then frowned. He'd got the impression that the Saiya-jin had no use for friendship, but what he saw in Radittz' face - there was feeling there, he was sure of it. He wasn't entirely certain what feeling, but...
Radittz had saved him. He hadn't needed to - it had been an accident, really: he'd had no idea how long humans could survive without oxygen. He could have let Sulu drown. Perhaps he did feel a measure of friendship for the human...
Then Radittz smirked.
"If I decide to kill you, I will choose the time and place myself. It will not be an accident."
Scratch that notion, thought Sulu to himself glumly. So much for friendship...
He wondered, for a moment, why it suddenly felt so important for Radittz to consider him a friend.
Then the Saiyan released his hold and stood, towering over the human, gazing down. Sulu swallowed. He was - impressive. All over. In every respect.
"Fish will have to be the meals for today. Wait here."
"I'm not going anywhere..." But the Saiyan had already dived back into the lake. Five minutes later he returned, a dozen squirming, silvery fish in his hands, none of them less than a metre in length. He threw them down on the bank, an expression of disgust on his face.
"A poor catch. It will have to suffice."
Sulu stared, open-mouthed. A poor catch?? "I'm sure it'll do. I only need one - you can have the rest."
Radittz had lain down beside Sulu, on his back, to let the sun dry him. He turned his head towards the helmsman, expression quizzical.
"Of course."
Sulu sighed. Of course. Well, it was going to be an interesting shore leave. A Radittz in the wild was a completely different creature to one caged on board a starship...
He ran his eyes appraisingly over the Saiyan's powerful, naked body, silently admiring. Radittz had closed his eyes, for the first time since Sulu had met him completely relaxed. And smiling.
It made him look very attractive, Sulu thought, pressing his fingers to his lips...
© 2001 (September) Joules Taylor Part Four
