Copyright 2024 – Daemon D. Hart
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The Human Bearer
Xeus's large hand on his shoulder felt reassuring, but Riordan couldn't take it out of his head that Junior believed his daddy was sad for some reason.
"Is it only my imagination or you guys are no longer that stressed out about the possible traitor on the ship?" There had to be an explanation why Xeus was accompanying him instead of keeping watch on Xana.
"His Excellency has reached a conclusion. There is no such thing as a third traitor that had yet to be identified."
"Could you please elaborate? How exactly can he be sure?"
"Xenos are connected together in a way that makes us aware of each other, even at a substantial physical distance. His Excellency has perused the entire ship for many days now. No anomaly has been detected. Also, he found the witness and explored the memory. There is nothing there to warrant the belief that such a traitor exists."
"The witness?" Riordan felt his ears perking up at that word. "What witness?"
"The one whose identity you didn't want to disclose to us," Xeus said promptly.
Riordan didn't like the tingling of perspiration starting to gather along his spine. With his attunement to Xenos in general, he was feeling things more intensely. Something like a gut instinct on steroids. "What did you guys do to Kyle?"
"That is the name you gave the bot," Xeus said in an even voice. "One of your oddities."
"Right," Riordan mumbled. "I need to see Marn. Yes, His Excellency," he added in exasperation, when he noticed his daddy-in-law's deep frown. "I hope he didn't destroy my bot."
"He needed to take the machine apart--"
"Hold Junior, please," Riordan said and placed the boy in his granddaddy's arms. "I will be right back."
"Riordan," Xeus called out to him.
"I'll be quick," he promised and hurried down the hallway. Damn it, he couldn't have a moment of peace, could he?
The lizard guards in front of Marn's quarters appeared to recognize him, unlike other times. Day by day, he was growing to celebrity status. Or it all had to do with the consideration he had showed those guys from Xana's mom's planet. It could be that. He had no idea how a lizard species' attitude towards such things worked. But he might have to find out, because learning about possible allies was bound to help him in the long run.
"Is he in?" he asked, hoping he didn't sound too rude and would be allowed inside.
"Riordan Lei, please, walk right in," one of the guards said and they both moved to the side.
"Thank you."
Marn had a smile on his face that told him that he was expecting him. Had His Royal Chancellor read his fury on his way there, as he seemed to be capable of scanning the entire ship if he wanted to? Or maybe Xeus had just warned him, via their preferred way of communication.
"Your Excellency," Riordan said and even tried a short bow. "I believe you have my bot. Please, I want him back, and if possible, I want him back in one piece."
"Riordan," Marn said, his smile sly and growing broader. "You came for Kyle."
"Yes, that is his name. I know it's silly," Riordan said as he dug his nails into his palms, "but I'm an Earthian and weirdly quirky. You of all Xenos can understand me, right? `Cause you're so into learning about the human race and all." He babbled and trying to be polite while asking to have Kyle back was taxing on his nerves. This was bullshit, but if he wanted to get the right results, he needed to suck it up.
"I was a bit taken aback by your stubbornness not to let us know who gave you the information on the traitors threatening Xana. A bit disappointed, since I like to believe that we earned your trust."
"You can have all of it if you want it, but please, just hand me back my bot. He did nothing wrong."
"Save for tapping fraudulently into a Xeno conversation," Marn said and continued to smile.
Riordan felt his teeth grinding. "Well, let's call it a crime that prevented a bigger one. Also, if there's someone to blame, blame it on me. I fiddled with his circuits, made him believe he could be an international spy or something."
Marn laughed out loud, much to his disbelief. "You are, indeed, an entertaining being, Riordan. However, if I were to hold you responsible for the particulars of this bot, I would have to do the same with Xana. After all, he is the one who created a bot so susceptible to modifications."
Riordan's eyes grew wide. How come he had never thought about it? From the beginning, Xana had placed a bot in his household that could talk to a human. And that, as he had learned later, was highly unusual. No, not even that, it was unheard of on Xeno. He found himself incapable to speak at Marn's suggestion. The last thing he wanted was to get Xana in any sort of trouble.
"I could indulge a little more in your convoluted human logic, but I have learned recently that it might be considered cruel."
"Being cruel might be your biggest perk," Riordan said lightly and then bit his tongue.
Marn laughed and then turned his head. "Kyle, I believe someone is here to see you."
Riordan felt his eyes almost popping out of their sockets at the sight of his good ol' friend rolling into the room from a side door. "Kyle, is it really you or is His Excellency having too much fun on my account?"
"Master Rio, it is I indeed," Kyle replied.
"And are you fine? Or did you get lobotomized as punishment?"
"No, quite the contrary," Kyle said. "I have several important upgrades installed, besides a couple of thousands small modifications. Do you wish me to list them?"
"Just the important bits," Riordan said slowly, still in too much shock over seeing his friend alive and well if he could say such a thing about a piece of machinery like Kyle. He had stormed in there, thinking that Marn would tell him how he broke the bot into pieces just to get the information out of him.
"I now have an enhanced system for listening in to Xeno conversations. My speech got improved by 20%, and I have a wide array of weapons." Kyle began to exemplify as his arm transformed several times under Riordan's astonished eyes into all sorts of things that did look like weapons although they were hard to name given their strange appearance. "I can also conceal my presence for short periods of time. His Excellency is still working on improving my cloaking device."
"Cloaking device," Riordan mumbled, not believing his eyes and ears. "Kyle, you're a spy!"
"I believe I am, Master Rio," Kyle replied, sounding just as cheerful. "I can now be even more useful than before."
Marn intervened at this point. "As you may well expect, Riordan, I cannot give you back your bot. He is beyond serving as a mere bodyguard or applying foot massages."
"I'm going to miss those," Riordan said and breathed out in relief. "So, my man, you got promoted." He nudged Kyle with his elbow.
"Yes, I now respond directly to His Excellency," Kyle replied.
"Okay, but don't forget your friends."
"I only have one friend, and that is you, Master Rio."
"Good to know, `cause I don't think I'd like to share you like that. It's enough that you're climbing the career ladder, leaving me behind."
"I am now in charge of the security of the ship," Kyle informed him. "I will never leave you behind."
"That's great to know. And good job impressing the big kahuna like this," he said under his breath, leaning forward, as if he didn't know Marn could hear every word.
"Now that you know I didn't destroy your friend, I believe it is time for Kyle to get to work. While you, Riordan, will stay a while. I know you have more things to tell me."
Right. He had favors to ask. Seeing how awesome it was to have Kyle in charge of the ship's security, he didn't know if he could afford to ask for more. Still, since he was already there, he could try.
He watched Kyle go and waved his friend goodbye. Since he made the mistake of turning his back at his host, he yelped when he noticed how close Marn was.
"You just came back from seeing your master."
Xenos had little to no idea about personal boundaries, but it wasn't like Riordan could insult his host by stepping back. So, pretending that it was totally normal to stare into His Excellency's eyes from this up-close, he opened his mouth.
"Actually, he's more like my husband than my master."
"Ah, the human term of spouse. I have learned about it quite a bit. I am glad you experience such attachment to Xana. It will serve the purpose well."
"What purpose?"
Marn used his sneaky tail to flick Riordan's robe upwards and then pushed between his butt cheeks.
"Hey," Riordan protested.
"I am merely inspecting you," Marn said, moving his tail around, making Riordan groan in the usual pleasure that came from the generously applied seth. "When are you going to carry Xana's next Xenolite?"
"Wow, straight to the point." Riordan let out a sigh of relief as the invading tail finally left his ass alone and withdrew.
"Undress and climb on the bed," Marn instructed him.
"Are you the ship's ob-gyn? On Earth, that's the kind of doctor that takes care of pregnancies and the like," he hurried to explain. It was as weird as it came to obey Marn's orders, but since he was the one pushing for favors, he needed to play along. As long as this was a medical examination, it was all fine, right?
Marn didn't reply and waited for him to get into position. Riordan grunted as his ass got penetrated again by the long tail.
"You were reluctant before, so I must ask," Marn continued as if he wasn't playing with his so-called patient's butt, making him a bit too hard not to count. "Xana was upset that you didn't understand his need of you to carry more of his eggs."
Riordan was getting suspicious. "Just how much of what happens on this ship you know?"
"I like to say that everything, but it's not. I do not just happen to be the leader of our entire Xeno race, Riordan. I have trained my mind for decades to absorb and handle information that cannot be accessed and processed even by the oldest members of our society."
"Okay." Riordan took a deep breath as he felt Marn's tail digging deeper. "And if it helps to finish this weird examination faster, I am totally for carrying more of Xana's eggs. Only Xana's, though, just to be clear. Can you tell me what is that you're looking for exactly?"
"I am testing your capacity for carrying a higher number of eggs. It appears that two is your maximum. Your waist is small compared to your hips."
"Okay, that's still good. I mean, twins, right?" Riordan clenched his fists as Marn brushed against the most sensitive point in his ass, probably having no idea what he was doing. "Twins sound awesome."
"Yes. However, I am disappointed that Xana didn't impregnate you right away. I was expecting a new egg from him."
"Hey, have a little patience. The guy's barely out of his sick bed," Riordan protested meekly.
"Should I finish?" Marn asked.
"What?"
"As any human I have examined so far, and I assure you that there have been around a few hundreds, you experience intense pleasure while the capacity of your womb is inspected."
"Let's not finish that way," Riordan said hurriedly. "I so not want to cheat on Xana, but you guys with your wandering tails are making it really hard."
"Very well. It wouldn't be a bother for me. You can always tell me if you're in need, although I am sure that General Lei would never ignore such needs on your part."
"Yeah, you're all kind of perverts," Riordan said quickly. "Don't worry, Your Excellency, I will have Xana's egg as soon as he's back and he has one to transfer to me," he added in a more formal manner, something he sucked at. Still, he was trying. When in Rome, and all that.
Marn held the robe for him to get dressed, and Riordan grabbed it, aware of the amused look roaming over his naked ass.
"By the way, how come you're not getting a bearer for yourself, too? I mean, you had Tasha--"
"I am old, Riordan, even for a Xeno. I knew that when I accepted that fiery redhead into my household. That means that I won't produce an egg as it requires too much energy, energy that I'd better spend in the service of the entire species."
"Man, I gotta tell you, you did Tasha dirty," Riordan commented.
Marn laughed softly. "It was entertaining to have him. An excellent whore."
"Hey, that's not nice," Riordan protested.
Marn gave him a surprised look. "He enjoyed being called that."
"You made him fall for you, you know."
"I only prepared him so that I could give my hot-headed son a partner as soon as possible. Xer surprised me by having an egg ready before it was time. I had to act and do it as fast as possible. That was the solution."
Riordan shook his head. "You have one strange family, Your Excellency, not gonna lie. Do you think they're alright, though? I mean, I get it if it hurts to think--"
Marn straightened up. "It doesn't. If Xer is half the Xeno I raised him to be, to use an Earthian expression, he is fine, and so is his bearer. We will get to see them again, although he went against my direct orders."
"You're not going to punish them, right?" Riordan asked. "And Xeus tells me that Xenos can feel each other even at vast distances from one another. Do you feel Xer?"
Marn appeared thoughtful for a moment. "As faint as the beating of a heart. But I can't know for sure if it's not the melancholy of an old Xeno catching up with me, right?"
Riordan observed His Royal Chancellor slowly. He was one first class manipulator, usually, but his words seemed genuine and there was a bit of sadness easy to read in his eyes. "Let's not exaggerate. You're not that old."
A pleasant smile welcomed his words. "So you keep saying, Riordan. Do you offer your womb up for my new egg if I happen to have one?"
"No, no, let's draw the line somewhere," Riordan said and put up his hands. "But there are other bearers on this ship that would surely love the attention."
"Yes. And that is not the sort of power I'm willing to relinquish to any of the bearers on this ship."
"I see, you don't want some rando to get it into his head that he's some big deal if he carries your egg."
"Exactly. You understand me very well, Riordan."
"That reminds me. Cario Hamen, you know, Drato Menor's bearer, wants to start a crèche so that we can get all our little ones together, you know, to play and interact, and all that stuff that helps with the development of kids."
"Xenolites are different from human children. They need to develop a strong sense of self."
"Yeah, okay, but they're still kids in their own way. I mean, Junior is crazy about Dario, Drato's and Cario's Xenolite. He wants a friend. Maybe even more."
"Junior does, I see," Marn said and seemed to consider the idea.
Riordan kept silent, not wanting to hear the word `no' so quickly. Cario depended on him to bring back some good news. Seeing how he'd had to go through getting railed by a snakeman's tail again with no relief, it was only normal to get something in return.
"Very well. Small groups at first. Xenolites can turn violent due to their nature, and I am not keen on sparing an adult Xeno from his usual duties to watch over them. You human bearers will not be able to control them if that happens."
"Oh, damn, I didn't know that. Junior is such a loving baby."
"Yes, but he is also strong, and emotions may run high when more Xenolites are put together. Like a human child, he may not know he's hurting others."
"We will have to educate them," Riordan replied matter-of-factly. "It's not impossible, right?"
"No. And I look forward to the results of such an endeavor. Now, let me know about the other thing you want to ask me as payment for having my tail exploring your womb."
Of course he'd know about it. Marn was a force to be reckoned with, and that's why he was in charge of everyone. Reading a mere human's mind was easy-peasy to him.
"About Ferix. He needs to learn about the human body," Riordan started.
"No."
"Hey, it's not fair. I know you're reading my mind like an open book, but still. The guy's right. He can't become a better doctor without practice."
"He's too young. He doesn't understand everything, although he believes he can."
"He says he won't get influenced in any way by the sight of a naked human butt," Riordan replied. "And why did you let him earn his coat, as he said, if you limit his ability to learn in such a manner?"
"Because his intellect is superior in every way, but his body is still governed by instincts," Marn said without showing the tiniest sign that he could be budged from his position on the matter. "He doesn't realize that the simple sight of a naked human butt, as you put it, will be enough to make his body and those instincts take over."
"You don't trust him," Riordan accused.
"I don't. Not when it concerns human bearers. I wouldn't want to have to explain to any Xeno on this ship while his bearer ended up getting impregnated by the youngest member of our crew."
"Don't tell me you think Ferix would make an egg as fast as snapping his fingers."
"But I do. I am well aware of my own son's certain escapades that put him dangerously close to the sight of naked human bodies. The need for having an egg of his own triggered soon after. We have rules, Riordan. I know that even you, on Earth, had them."
"Yes, that's true. Okay, I get it. Ferix will just have to wait a few more years. But how is he going to treat human bearers when the need arrives?"
"He won't. I am here and a few of the older Xenos, like General Lei, are perfectly capable of taking care of human bearers and their needs."
"Man, he's going to be so disappointed. And he's bored. That's never good for young dudes. They get up with all sorts of stuff because of boredom."
"Our young Ferix Baserat has to learn that patience is a virtue, as well. However, I will find something for him to do, a project worthy of his intellect. Satisfied, Riordan?"
"Yep, totally. I mean, thank you for saying yes' to Cario's idea. He's going to be all over the moon. By the way, did you ever inspect him the way you just did with me? Just checking, cause I wouldn't want to be the odd guy out."
Marn patted him on the head. "You are not, I assure you. And I remember Cario Hamen very well. He came to us following the formal path and graduated from the academy for bearers on Earth with the highest accolades available, as I was informed. A most exquisite womb. I will urge Drato Menor to ensure that he is bred again."
"Okay, but don't let him know I'm somehow responsible for that. He's quite a good friend."
"Yes, he knows how to make the right friends," Marn said enigmatically. "I would love to see him carrying a Xenolite again."
For a guy who didn't want to make another egg, Marn surely was so into pushing others to make more babies. Well, as long as it all turned out fine, Riordan thought, as he was guided out.
tbc
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