Chapter 10 - Clandestine
Since the school campus venture between the host family's son and the Baklavaian, the scout slave recorded it all. Part of her did not want to report this given it was a different experience to witness. How the human spoke, proposed, and conducted himself in the entire confession/conversation was foreign. It contrasted greatly from how the Primusians conducted when forcing a communion to both her species as well as their own. But from witnessing it and becoming almost engrossed in watching, she felt herself almost experiencing the same sensations as Aerialus. The usage of holding hands to provide comfort and affirming verbal states gave a mild tingling sensation in her hands as well.
'...how...peciluar...' Fiona mentioned in her mind.
Inputting the last observation from the intergalactic bonding, she went back to observing the two. When they left the school grounds and were heading back to the host's home, the scout slave moved as well. Collecting all the surveillance gear into a backpack, she put it on. Checking herself to see if her earthling clothes fit in with the locals, she appeared to be like the students walking around. Given that she had only gone outside of the host's neighborhood based on the same frequency as Aerialus, walking amongst the humans was a mild suspenseful situation.
'...there...is so much...here,' the Baklavaian scout thought.
Keeping the two in her sights, her surroundings were trying to pull her attention away. The activities available in this metropolis, the sheer magnitude of people, the sounds of the hussle and bussle, and the vast ocean of blue on the horizon kept gnawing at her. As much as she felt she could easily go experience these things, that was a poly. Even though she was given order to observe her slave brethren, she too was not immune to the masters' regulations.
'Food held below a spiked weapon...' she said in her head. Refocusing her attention on the two, they were still within her sight. Holding the straps of her carryon, she headed in the same direction of her target.
'...that is what they want...what the master wants...a slip up...a breaking of rules...a deviation from what we are supposed to do.'
'Aerialus knows this as well as I...it is their game...to shower us with temptation...to make us falter.'
'And at the same time...they call the shots of when this...extended stay here is done.'
'There has to be another reason the masters want to be here,' Fiona pondered. Continuing to follow at a distance, she kept trying to figure out what was the real reason for the Primusians to stay on planet MW-3.
When the evening came around, the scout slave checked what time it was. Seeing that it was near when she would call in, she gathered her notes and observations. Moving herself to be more obscured in her tree hiding spot, she took a breath in and out. Feeling ready, she called in. Reaching the comms officer on the slave ship, she was routed to the Captain. After introductions, she gave her report.
"Ooohhh...they formed a communion huh," Olton repeated. His tone was neutral despite having a smirk on his face. Leaning back in his swivel command chair in his quarters, his scout slave answered.
[Yes sir]
"Interesting...hmmm."
'An intergalactic relationship...this is turning out to be a promising detour from returning back to our home planet,' the Captain thought forcing himself to not grin. 'There is...so much potential from this. But I must keep my image from letting both slaves have wiggle room...knowing the nature of both of them...they are skeptical of any action that is against what has been engrained in them.'
'But this is why...they are part of my selected slaves...to which I can use to follow my plans,' he mentally told himself. Feeling a little pleased, he shook his head to recollect himself.
"During this little...escapade...did the target leave the vicinity of the human male?"
[No sir. The human was with her for the duration they were outside of the family home] Fiona answered stoically.
"That's good...and did you...leave the boundaries of what was permitted slave?" he asked in a firm tone.
[Based on your orders sir, I have been within the permitted area for scouting] she said plainly.
"..." the commanding officer glanced at his monitors. Looking at the psychological hologram tied to the slave scout's psyche, he felt his smirk widen a little.
"Really?...you were very tempted to seek out...what the target has experienced."
[...yes sir...it is tempting. However, the consequences are greater if I do so]
"Awww...you are making it sound as if I will severely punish you...I'm not that cruel."
[Rules...are rules...sir] the female carefully. Trying to reply to his questions evenly without giving hint to any tension on her part was challenging. The aspect was she has seen what equipment Primusian's have to track the Baklavaians. It was effective in creating fear and having absolute control over any slave. Hearing a chuckle on the other end, he stopped then spoke with authority.
"I'm impressed slave...I see that your head is still screwed on firmly...continue with your duties."
[Yes sir]
"And do keep in mind slave...that we...are watching your activities...as well as the target's."
[...yes sir...] the Baklavaian replied after a moment or two of pause.
"Good! Thank you for your report! Until next time!" Olton said in a chipper voice.
Hitting the end transmission button, the holographic image of the call vanished. Sitting up straight and bringing his hands together, he stared at one of his desk monitors that was active. Seeing the readings state the current state of mind for the scout made him smirk. Knowing she would keep herself in compliance, she glanced over at the next one. Viewing Aerialus's status, his small, humored expression went back to neutral.
'Hmm,' he thought feeling ambivalent. Leaning back in his chair a little, he stared at the screen.
'...given the aspect of forming a bond with the human male...makes sense it would elevate her emotional state.'
'With her performance so far...she will stay in line to what I have ordered...and what is expected.'
'As long as she does not stray to that...mysterious neighbor again, all things should go according to my plans.'
"...?" the Captain reacted to a messaging notification. Blinking and looking at the control board on his desk, the blue light was flashing. Engaging the switch, he leaned closer to the panel.
"This is Captain Olton."
[Captain...we have obtained our first volunteers] a Primusian soldier reported. There were sounds of heavy and soft footsteps followed by various voices in the background.
'...the money bags...start growing...' the high ranking officer told himself in his head.
"Very well. Escort them to the level with no Baklavaians...give them the...welcoming treatment."
[Aye aye sir]
"...heh heh..." Olton chuckled after turning the microphone off. Pushing himself back into his chair, he began to stroke his beard. Smirking at no one, his mind began to drift in the possible ways he would generate more asset value from the volunteers he has onboard.
After a week of the recent relationship development, the scout slave makes logs of the host family activities and does daily reports to the master. As to any changes to what the couple do, there was very little differences. The human male would still go to his site of learning. The parents still proceeded to their jobs respectively. Both the human named Sue and Aerialus would continue their escorted outings through the city.
Overall, the communion was held favorably within the household. In Fiona's observations, Aerialus seemed to be in a positive state of mind. The acceptance of being a part of the human family and the addition of forming a bond with the son only elevated her self-esteem. Even when the Baklavaian was left alone at home, her emotional and psychological state was happier than when she first started. One could make a case that she became more motivated to work and do her daily duties around the household.
Feeling a bit of envy from seeing Aerialus gaining those experiences, the slave scout began to ponder on the outcomes from it. An intergalactic bonding of two alien races would cause issues. Especially if one race owns another to which there was no Primusian regulation on who a Baklavaian can communion with. Glancing to the house adjacent to the target's, Fiona thought the interest in the mysterious neighbor would wane. It did not which seemed to irk the Captain based on how he spoke from the last report call she gave.
'...must mean he will seek the Primusian counsel...' the scout slave assumed. Not knowing if that will mean good or bad news, she went back to observing Aerialus. Occasionally, she would watch the neighbor's house to see if anything happened that would show the unknown individual residing inside.
[Captain...you summon us again for our guidance?] one of the Primusian councilman asked. Three holographic images of bureaucratic individuals were projected above a table. On the other side of the table and standing at parade rest was the leader of the slave ship.
"Yes...I wish to discuss the developments that has occurred with one of my slaves. It is regarding the communion between the slave and a habitant of MW-3," Olton informed.
[A communion occurred?] a woman spoke among the three officials. [When did this occur?]
"It has been one Earth week or 7 full rotations of the planet councilor."
[Why such the long pause to inform us Captain? This is...irregular]
"That it is," he agreed with a small head nod.
[...] the figures stared at the officer thinking he would continue. He did not. After a couple of moments of silence, the middle official cleared his throat before speaking.
[I must ask Captain. Do you not object to this...intergalactic affair? It will cause problems if the human engages further with your slave. Especially if the slave forms an Earthling legal bond. Once that is formed and documented, it will become troublesome to...detain the slave]
"I can understand your concerns gentlemen and madam," the leader agreed with a blink. "However, how the communion is developing...does not strike me of worry. That is not my seeking of your...guidance."
[This should be of a concern to you Captain Olton. It seems your slave is trying to find a way out of your grasp. The dealing with MW-3 politics and legal work is not...friendly to our policies and master-slave society] the other male councilor emphasized. Thinking that would change the tone of the discussion, the ship commander was not fazed.
"...I hear you councilor...I would appreciate the precaution if I was an idiot," Olton smirked and narrowed his eyes at the one that spoke. "Please do not assume that all ship leaders are just peons of our race."
[...then what are you seeking Captain? Hopefully it is not to waste the council's time with this dribble]
"Ah...I finally get to speak...how kind of you," the high rank officer responded with mild amusement. "The slave's relationship and development with the host family is not my concern. It is their neighbor."
[...] the three stared in silence for a couple of moments. Despite the holographic images showing them not moving, there were glitch movements near their mouths. Olton could vaguely hear murmurs in the background. All it did was resisting to smile bigger harder. The female Primusian cleared her throat.
[...this neighbor...is someone you have mentioned before. Yes?]
"That I have."
[Has this Earthling done something other than staying hidden in its establishment or traversing to its place of labor?]
"To my scout's accounts...no."
[As we have told you before Captain Olton, we cannot take action when the individual has not cause concern. Merely attracting the attention of your slave when she stays in line of written rules is not grounds for removal] the middle councilor informed.
"I understood that the first time it was explained to me," the Primusian agreed then lifted his hands. Showing both palms up, it was like he was weighing two options.
"But the question that causes me concern...is why? Why does the slave feel drawn towards a stranger from another planet? Why go to the entrance of the stranger's home and seek an audience?"
"Better yet..." he continued and raised his left hand higher. "Why does this neighbor have particle readings seen in our galaxy...and not in this one?"
[You jest] the middle hologram stated with an unconvinced expression.
"Oh...but I differ councilors," the Captain grinned. Crossing his arms over his chest, he continued.
"In the report that my 2nd in command has submitted to you, it shows the readings that were picked during a few drop offs to where my slave is residing. We analyzed these to sample data in our ship's computer files...what we found were...quite striking similarities."
[...] the trio stared at the captain. All of them looked off to the side and observed something for a few moments. Their action only made Olton bare his teeth from still grinning.
'What a glorious sight...to throw off the snobs from above and witnessing their ignorance...fills my tar soul with delight,' the man said in his head. Seeing head movement looking at his direction, he closed his mouth. Taking a deep breath in and out to reset, he gazed back at the officials with a neutral expression.
[Upon our review Captain, it does seem peculiar to have foreign particles residing in the dwelling of an Earther] one agreed. Hearing another round of whispering from them, the middle councilor spoke.
[Given the developments you have presented to us Captain, we advise you and your crew to keep monitoring as you have been. We will review this matter amongst ourselves and come to an action plan on how to proceed forward]
"Very well...thank you for your time councilors."
[Until next time Captain] the female Primusian spoke.
"..." Olton chuckled after the projected images vanished. Giving a cruel smile to no one, he turned around. Exiting the room, he cackled to himself again.
When the video connection ended, the three officials in the large room turned toward each other. Sitting around a circular table, they powered down the electronics imbedded into the fixture. The bureaucratic Primusians stared at one another with intrigued and annoyed faces.
"If these reports are accurate, then there is something not human in that neighboring establishment," the lead of the three remarked. Putting his elbows on the counter, he clasped his hands under his chin.
"There have been many intergalactic species that have come and gone on this planet...it is possible that a race from our system lives there," the woman proposed.
"That would be feasible...however without approval from our system's administrator, not just anyone can leave and take residence on an inhabited alien rock."
"Hmm...it seems this has evolved into something more than we intended," the middle councilor indicated. "As of right now, we need more information. The Captain will continue to provide his reports as expected. However, we need our own source for validation as well."
"A scout of our own?"
"For the time being, yes. The unknown individual could be a threat or harmless for all we know. Until we receive more insight, we must proceed with caution."
"Normally we would just send troops to invade in these cases...why change now?" the other male questioned.
"We are not in our home turf...our rules and ways will rile the government here. I would like to avoid a public spectacle in which would tarnish our image."
"I agree...we must tread more carefully before we plan an attack and conquer."
"Very well. Assign a scout to the area where the Baklavaian slave resides. Its primary objective is to monitor the neighbor and take readings throughout the day. The second objective is to observe the slave and the other slave scout."
"Understood," the other two chimed with head nods.
Two weeks pass by after the meeting with the councilors. The relationship between Aerialus and Robert was growing slowly. To the Baklavaian, how communions were on MW-3 were not the same as she was taught on the slave ship by her people. It was not a form of ownership over another person. Instead, it was a branch off courtship. In talking with Sue about it, the mother seemed happy about them getting together.
In some ways, the explanation of a relationship had more freedom than a communion. Feeling relieved overall that it was not to what she thought Robert was asking, the alien female acknowledge that the development was pleasant. Despite not being positive if she sees a future with the human male given her circumstances, the deviant lifestyle and conditions made her happy. The mild increase in physical contact such as hugging and hand holding was a welcoming change. Despite doing the same thing with Sue, the contact with the younger male of the household was nice.
During the mid of the week and before the afternoon, Aerialus was doing the normal cleaning chores around the house. After dusting the living room, she migrated to the kitchen area. Only getting so far as to the counter next to the sink, she saw a few ornamental items. For whatever reason, her mind recalled to a week prior. It was when she was summoned to the slave trader ship for a check-in.
'At the time...my anxiety was going through my head over and over,' she thought. Picking one of the windowsill objects, she stared at it. Its glass like structure acted like a prism and shined colors if sunlight was striking it.
'About all the things I did...did I make a mistake?...did I break a rule?...did I do something that the masters thought I went passed the line of reason?'
'...and yet...' Aerialus continued. Gripping the object with her other hand, she gave it a small squeeze with both.
'Captain Olton...just talked to me...'
'Never asked followed up questions,' the woman thought. Putting the item back to where it was, she proceeded with her cleaning.
'Asked how was the communion was going with the human male...with a smile.'
'He acknowledged that it will be cruel to the family when we have to travel back to Primive 5,' she said in her head. Finished with the kitchen counter, she began to wipe down the cabinets.
'...after leaving without feeling threatened or intimidated...something was not right in the ship.'
'There were...loud voices in the distance...but why? Any slave that raised their voices would have been beaten.'
'Also...the guards took me on a longer route than before,' the Baklavaian murmured mentally. Stopping at the stainless-steel finished refrigerator door, she began doing circular movements with the cleaning cloth on it.
'Normally we would pass by the holding areas...they took me through the maintenance hallway.'
'Just who or what are they hiding?'
"They wouldn't try taking..." Aerialus began. Shaking her head a couple of times, she gave a small, amused smile.
"They wouldn't be that daring to comment an act against this world's authorities. Other intergalactically races would press harsh punishments for breaking the treaty."
"Yes...I'm just thinking too much about..." she muttered then saw something.
In the reflection of the metal finish door, a faint ice blue light was seen. Blinking and darting herself around to face behind her, nothing was seen immediately. No one was at the backyard door. Nothing of that hue of color was seen in her close proximity. Turning her eyes only to the glass sliding door that lead to the yard behind the house, it showed a window of view of the shed and a parcel of the side fence.
'...h-hey...the blue light...is fading that way...is that the neighbor?' she wondered.
Getting out of her suspense state, she went to the back door. Unlocking it and opening it up, the sounds of outside were heard. Stepping out and closing the door, she turned toward where the shed and side fence were. It was the one that shared with the next door's house. Staring and listening without moving, there was no piercing color emitting anywhere. There was no sound of someone moving either.
'Maybe if I get close to the wooden barrier, I can hear something better...don't think the neighbor is that fast moving silently.'
Moving quietly as possible, Aerialus got in front of a portion of the fence. Putting her left ear to almost touching the weathered wood, she waited. Listening for a minute, only the sound of nature and traffic was heard. Waiting a bit longer, there still was not something that indicated movement or someone speaking. Pressing her lips together and looking at the stacked crates nearby, she decided to peer over. Climbing up carefully and putting her hands on the fence, she slowly peeked her head over the wooden barrier. Seeing the other side, she only scanned with her eyes.
'...how...can he move like that?' Fiona wondered. Seeing Aerialus at the fence and listening, she eventually went up to see over the barrier. While the slave scout knew that the neighbor was nowhere near the backyard, her scanners were not detecting anything in the house.
'It's like...he just disappeared.'
'Does he have something to block the scanners?' she wondered. Slightly moving her binoculars, she could not see any movement from the windows or surroundings.
'...that...doesn't make much sense...why would a natural habitant have that level of skill?'
'Maybe...a veteran warrior?' the female pondered.
Pushing her lower lip up into her upper one, she squinted to think if it was possible. Shaking her head in her mind, she looked back to the Baklavaian. Seeing her still looking around at a standstill, something caught her attention. Thinking it was something from within the house or yard, the other slave's head turned right and up. Seeing her tense up greatly, she carefully got back down. Turning around and heading back to the home, her face looked scared.
'...why would she...' Fiona thought. Slowly moving away from her target and slowly scanning, something reflected from the high trees two street blocks away. It was a faint blue light. Double checking to make sure nothing on her end could be seen from afar, she zoomed in on the area.
'There is another scout!?' she exclaimed tensely to herself. Becoming rigid and watching, the other reconnaissance person was not of her or Aerialus's kind. It was a Primusian.
'Why is there another?...is Aerialus and me being tracked?' the scout slave wondered in a small panic. About to continue with becoming more stressed, the other person slowly turned towards her direction. Biting her tongue to not flinch, the other person stopped and looked down only a couple of degrees. Seeing where its view was, Fiona blinked.
'...its target...is the neighbor?' she wondered confused. Forcing herself to calm down, she was only able to do so a little. Mentally noting what she would put into her report, she tried to get more intel on the 2nd scout.
'...why though...I thought the main interest for the masters were making sure...both me and Aerialus stay in line?'
'This doesn't make sense...which means...'
'The masters are plotting something,' Aerialus concluded in her head. Opening the sliding glass door, she entered the house. Closing it and sliding the drapes, she knew it wouldn't hide her from the scout in the towering vegetation.
'If there was a guard stationed to monitor my movements all this time...and to never been reprimanded from certain acts I have done...there something else going on.'
'Captain Olton has enough monitoring equipment to which he can detect if any slave is plotting something or is being untruthful,' she pondered. Forgoing more cleaning, her legs began to walk. Pacing through the kitchen, she exited it to enter the family room. Turning right and going back to the other opening, it led to the dining area that was adjacent to the kitchen.
'To send a scout...seems overkill if it is just for one slave.'
'I'm starting to doubt that the masters are only here to do...legal business.'