Hello Lovelies! Back with another chapter. Quick note, I have added dialogue over comm links. It is differentiated from spoken dialogue and character thoughts by / marks. Enjoy!
Chapter 16 – A Proposed Arrangement
Right after his acceptance, the pair visibly relaxed. The nuur'khu gently pushed the nuur'az forward out of its grasp and lowered its claws back to its sides. Its facial expression also changed to what Tyriks recognized as being called smiling, a representation of contentment. Instinctually, this perturbed him. He didn't like the idea that this made it so content as though he had fallen into some sort of trap. He would be very careful to monitor their movements while they spoke. He would have elicited an agreement from them in turn to not harm him or the Vandals, but he hardly trusted nuur'khu to honor such a thing.
The nuur'az floated up close to the creature's face as though they were communicating again. In response, the creature looked around the room and the nuur'az turned back toward him saying, "The female asks if she may peruse your lab while we converse. She is a very curious thing."
Tyriks scoffed internally. This pair thought him unintelligent enough to believe this request was nothing more than innocent curiosity. No, it was more likely an attempt to learn something advantageous. He was inclined to deny the request outright, but there was nothing of interest in his lab at the moment. He had just recently cleared it of most everything except a few innocuous items he was working on. "Touch nothing," he said, the threat once again evident if it disobeyed him.
When the female walked off leaving the nuur'az by itself, he was actually surprised. He waited a moment to see if the nuur'az was going to follow but it didn't. "Nuur'khu leaves you unattended. It fears not for your safety?" he asked, intrigued enough by this behavior to give voice to a question he may normally keep to himself.
The creature was surveying a disassembled helm fin lying on a shelf as though he hadn't spoken, nor did it seemingly reply, but nonetheless, the nuur'az gave him its answer. "The female says we have found the Fallen to be honorable thus far. She trusts that you, a noble Fallen Captain, will honor your word."
Tyriks did not know how to respond to that. His pride flared at the recognition bestowed upon his kind; they were honorable, he was honorable, and there was nothing more important than that. The nuur'az words perplexed him though as he didn't think nuur'khu would admit such a thing, preferring to insult and denigrate his kind. Ultimately, and quite unbidden, he felt slightly pleased by the compliment, which it most definitely was.
"Anyways," the nuur'az continued, "previously I said the female does not know what species she is. This is true. However, I know how that sounds, so I will start at the beginning of our story because I think it is a bit easier to understand. Two and a half years ago—oh, um, years are—"
"I understand this hu'in concept of time, Nuur'az," he interrupted, feeling slightly indignant that it thought him so ignorant as these lesser Vandals to which it must previously have explained this. However, he pushed the feeling aside since the less they knew, the more advantageous for him.
"Really? Well that is actually nice to hear. I mean, the way the Fallen perceive the passage of time is actually more correct than the human's linear model, but it's harder to relay certain concepts in conversation. When I first started conversing with the Vandal it was difficult to—" and it abruptly stopped speaking. The nuur'khu and nuur'az turned toward each other momentarily, before it spoke again although to whom it was addressing, he did not know. "Right, I'm rambling. So," it said turning to face him, "since you seem to need less explanation about Earth concepts than the Vandals, I am just going to assume you understand everything I am saying. If not, you can ask for clarification."
Tyriks didn't reply, but he once again found himself just a little bit pleased. The nuur'az apparently understood immediately following that exchange that he was more intelligent than the Vandals and was treating him accordingly. However, there was still reservation at the fact that this pair were quite intelligent themselves to pick up on slight implications. He was quick to note this and everything else he could glean from the pair. He was, after all, still trying to discern how he was going to destroy them.
"Back to my explanation, two and a half years ago I was searching for my nuur'khu on Mars and instead found the female. She is not of Earth nor is she awoken, and I could not determine what species she is, so I should have moved on to continue my search, but… I couldn't. I was drawn to her. I cannot explain it, but I chose to help her instead of finding my nuur'khu, and we have been together since. To clarify, when I say I chose to help her, it is because the female is wounded. Part of it is her inability to speak, but her mind does not work as it should, and we seek to fix this. I tell you this truthfully to emphasize that she is not a nuur'khu. Her motives are her own. We do not protect this planet, nor do we seek to destroy Fallen. In fact, the vanguard does not know of her existence and she prefers to keep it that way."
The nuur'az relayed the tale with such conviction it was hard to detect obvious untruths, but Tyriks was skeptical. This entire situation still seemed most likely an elaborate nuur'khu ruse, although for what purpose he still could not identify. "Understand, Nuur'az, I believe nothing you say. However, proof of your words I would consider."
"Proof? I'm not sure we have any."
"Captain?" interrupted the lesser Vandal, another nervous arm flick accompanying the word.
"Speak," he replied, the anger at the interruption evident in his tone.
"Female attacked nuur'khu previously. Spared me from them, after nuur'khu killed Dregs."
That… was interesting. "This is accurate, yes?" he asked the nuur'az, requiring confirmation.
"Yes. The female launched an attack that distracted the other nuur'khu long enough for the Vandal to escape."
"For what purpose?"
"She didn't want him to die."
For the first time since the creature had made its presence known, Tyriks had a moment of doubt in his plan. There was no proof of their words despite the new piece of information from the Vandal; however, the idea that it had intentionally helped a Fallen was curious. "Why you are here?" he asked as the question occurred to him. The pair and the Vandals had been interacting secretly for many moments and he was curious why it had entered the home caves or shown itself after it had been able to bypass their defenses undetected. If this was a nuur'khu plan to get information from the Fallen or scope out their lair, it could have gleaned much more by staying hidden.
"We are here to seek an agreement."
"Another agreement. You seek much," he growled.
"Yes, and this one would be ongoing."
"Explain."
"As you are aware, the female has been interacting with that Vandal for some time. She wishes to continue these interactions; however, she knows keeping them secret is not an option. Eventually they would be discovered and both herself and the Vandal endangered by it. So, she wants access to the Vandal and in return, we offer information."
Tyriks did not know what he expected the agreement to be, but it certainly was not this. Besides the fact that it was hard for him to believe their only desire was to interact with the Vandal, he did not see any gain for the Fallen and he stated as much. "This trade offers no value. This creature is unknown. There is no basis to think the information is useful."
The creature finished its observations and returned to the Vandal's side, much too closely for his liking. Unlike him, the lesser Vandal was not perturbed by its proximity, and he wondered how the pair had manipulated this Fallen to this degree. Although, he thought distastefully as he realized the obvious answer; males would do much for a chance at mating and these spawned Fallen were so ignorant they did not balk at the idea of mating outside their own species.
"The female says in exchange for the ongoing agreement that she may interact with the Vandal whenever she desires, we will truthfully provide you with any information you ask of us and…" but its words trailed off as though it did not wish to continue. "And we will allow you to study us."
"What means this?" Tyriks understood the term, but he highly doubted they were offering to let him dissect them, so he needed clarification.
"So, an additional provision of the agreement would be that we must not come to any harm by you or any member of your crew. If you were to agree to that, we would allow you to study us by examining, scanning, observing, or whatever else you may think of to do to us as we would not have to fear for our safety. In turn, we would also agree not to intentionally harm any member of your crew and to be clear, we only added the last part because we figured you would prefer it officially stated as part of the agreement. We have no intention of harming any Fallen to begin with. If you choose not to make this arrangement, then we will leave and cease all interactions with your crew. The female intends to make this offer to other crews until she finds one that is agreeable."
This pair were even more crafty than he had originally thought for their word choice was not random. First, they had differentiated the criteria for the Fallen and themselves regarding harm with the word 'intentionally'. If any member of his crew harmed them intentional or not, then his honor would be tarnished, but the same may not be said of them if it was accidental.
Additionally, they had carefully crafted this agreement to incite multiple feelings within him. They knew what they offered, to study them, and the nuur'az in particular, was of great value to the Fallen. They actively sought nuur'az for this exact purpose and no Fallen had successfully brought one in alive. If genuine, this would be a boon to himself, his crew, and House Devils; he would have the favor of his leadership.
Lastly, they had also ignited his competitive drive and his pride. If he passed on this opportunity, then another crew may take advantage of it. If it turned out well, he would look foolish, and Tyriks had never been that. The choice then was, what option was riskier?
It was not a decision easily made. He needed more moments to consider this and preferably, he would consult the Servitor. Eventually he said as much, "Moments are required for consideration. You will wait here until a decision is made."
"Understandable. We will wait," replied the nuur'az.
He turned to leave the lab but paused at a quiet trill from one of the Vandals. "Speak," he said, irritation returning.
"We should depart, yes?" asked the reaver.
"No. Your fate needs deciding as well," he growled. He had not forgotten that the Vandals were the reason he was in this situation. In fact, thinking better of it, the pair easily manipulated them; they could not be left alone within the lair.
He was loath to make any other knowledgeable of the nuur'khu, but it was necessary. He needed Fallen in this room that he trusted. Tyriks commed Loksis, / You are needed immediately. / Fortuitously, he received a reply indicating he and the others had just returned from a hunt and were nearby. / Bring them. /
Tyriks hadn't told him the purpose because there was no way to do so without alarming them. However, he still needed to control the situation once they entered the room for the sight of a nuur'khu would set them off immediately. There was not much to be done about it, but perhaps curbing the creature would help. "The nuur'khu will need to be restrained."
"Why?" asked the nuur'az and he could hear the alarm in its voice.
"More guards arrive momentarily. You will not be left to unattended in the home caves. The agreement will not be broken accidently by their surprise."
"Okay. What would you like us to do?"
"All, move there," he said gesturing to the side of the lab outside the view of the door. He also did not want his private guard viewing them when it admitted the other Fallen. Once they had complied, he commanded, "You two, put it on its knees, restrain its arms. You," he said to the nuur'az," would be wise to hide behind your owner."
The Vandals did as he instructed, and the creature allowed it without reservation. He wasn't certain if they could control it should the need arise, but this was for show anyways. The nuur'az also reacted to his warning, but it paused near the nuur'khu face and turned to look at him. In an act of boldness, it stated, "I am not property. The female and I are partners," and then it was gone.
Tyriks would have replied, but his guard commed him. They were waiting outside. / Admit them. / The door slid open and Loksis walked in followed by the others in his hunting party. The door had barely closed behind them when a set of surprised and aggressive trills filled the room. Shock blades and pistols were torn from belts accompanied by shouts of, "Nuur'khu!"
He had anticipated this and before they could make any further moves, he ordered, "Enough." They all quieted, but the weapons did not lower, not that he expected them to. "There is much to discuss. Nuur'khu and I have an agreement," and he heard the quiet huffs at that. "No harm on either side for the moment. This includes the nuur'az," he finished to more stifled trills of surprise.
Tyriks waited for them to comply, but none moved. He did not blame them their reticence, but he would not be disobeyed. His subsequent low growl denoted that fact readily and all the weapons slowly lowered.
"Let it up," he said to the spawned Vandals. The creature must have understood the situation because once it was released, it moved carefully, returning to the innocuous movements it assumed whenever dealing with aggressive Fallen. Its eyes roamed the newcomers, but Tyriks felt a spike of curiosity when he noticed its gaze lingered on Vost in particular.
After a few moments, the nuur'az floated into view. The elder Vandals were able to restrain themselves at the sight of it outside of a few rogue arm flicks. "I must leave. You four will guard them. None leave. If they try or attack, destroy them. Otherwise, no harm shall come to them." He received arm flicks of acceptance from each of them and there was no doubt they would obey his orders.
Satisfied, Tyriks intended to depart, but he heard quiet chattering in the hu'in language that made him pause. It was rapid and seemed uneasy, but he did not understand it to know if this was accurate. A moment later, the nuur'az addressed him again, "Captain, do you know how long you will need to make a decision?"
He considered this but did not have an exact answer. "Perhaps two hu'in hours," he finally replied, using their terms so they would better understand.
"Okay, and are we just going to be staying in this room?"
"Why?" he asked, suspicious of these questions.
"Uh, well… the female asks because she wants to mate."
Tyriks was taken aback, his mandibles cringing with distaste at the remembrance of the Vandal's interactions with the creature. However, his reaction was mild compared with the trills and questions suddenly erupting from the elders all at once, "Female?" "Captain, there is a female?" "Who she seeks to mate?"
"Silence," he roared, irritated that the nuur'az decided to bring this up in this moment of all things. "Nuur'az, dissuade the creature of this notion."
"Hey, I'm with you. I told her it hardly seemed like the right time, but she is insistent. She says if you decide not to agree to our arrangement, she would like to mate the Vandal one last time."
The creature was staring at him, and if his knowledge of nuur'khu was anything to go by, the expression seemed obstinate. The nuur'az was correct; it would not be dissuaded and despite his disgust, the lesser Vandal did not feel the same. He saw it in the rogue arm flicks and the way it now stared at the creature instead of watching him. He was excited.
Reluctantly, he said, "You will remain here. Do as you must." He turned his attention to the elder Vandals on his way out. "No Fallen hears of what you see, Yes?"
Loksis stepped forward and replied, "Yes, Captain."
Tyriks gave an arm flick of approval and then walked out of his lab, mind working furiously around everything he had just learned in the last few moments.
Things… are getting interesting.
Fallen Language. Listed in order of appearance:
Nuur'khu – literally means lightbearers.
Nuur'az-literally means tool of light.