Copyright 2024 – Daemon D. Hart
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The Human Bearer
His mind was still reeling after Marn's revelations regarding the future of the ship and what lay beyond their landing on Tanez. Only now he recalled with astonishing precision what Xana had told him about his father. That he had been sent to explore the vast expanse of the universe in search of something important. Of course, there had been talk about it, the general being the one in charge of discovering Tanez. And since Xana's dad had chosen to come back, that meant that, at least, they knew where they were heading. It wouldn't hurt to talk to daddy-in-law a bit about that topic. If only to put his mind at ease that they did have a home they were traveling to.
Xeus must have read his state of mind from the moment he was inside because he placed Junior in the water tank to let him play and waited.
"Just for the sake of knowing, have you been aware of Marn's plan? All this let's get big and strong in numbers plan? And if yes, since when?"
"Since His Royal Chancellor understood what a great divide the inclusion of human bearers in our society will provoke."
"But you were gone for most of Xana's life. And twenty years ago, we weren't that many, right?"
"No, but His Excellency has the ability needed to project the future of the species with great accuracy. Earthians are fragile. We can't simply impregnate them and leave them to deal with bringing the eggs to term on their own on their planets. Your fragility has made you dependent on us, and also created the conditions for our attachment towards you."
"Well, I'm glad that you don't call it weakness anymore. And I guess I've proved myself. Just as others have done. We're not that fragile, after all."
"Indeed." Xeus gave him a cursory look. "I expect many Xenolites from Xana and you."
"That's the only thing on your mind," Riordan mumbled, feeling a bit annoyed at being reminded that. "You know, I'm not that crazy comfortable to know that we'd basically be responsible for creating an army. And if there's going to be a war, not all of our children will survive. Give it to me straight."
"It's basic understanding, yes. But you forget something, Riordan. His Royal Chancellor praises your intelligence, but I also notice that you have a natural stubbornness that prevents you from seeing the whole picture."
"And what's that? No matter how I look at things, some of these Xenolites will die before their time because they were made to be soldiers." He looked at Junior, playing in the tank, not a care weighing down on him. Riordan wanted his and Xana's boy to be happy and live a long life. Xenos against other Xenos, that couldn't be good or happen without losses on both sides – or who knew how many.
"If our forces are overwhelming, the others will not challenge us," Xeus replied calmly. "Xenos are well aware of the importance of the survival of the species."
"Not so much when they're called Gamni Gafilos or any other name of that scumbag's allies. They weren't so keen on that survival part. They basically drowned the planet and plenty of bearers and Xenolites. They even killed their own."
"They thought they had a chance of winning," Xeus went on, unperturbed. "And we do have anomalies among us. They do happen, as it is the case with most species."
"Just great." Riordan sighed and pushed his hair back in an exasperated gesture. "How are we to know that some scumbags of Gamni Gafilos's kind didn't infiltrate the other ships? And who's in charge of them? Some generals? Guys like Marn? Diplomats?"
"Not an easy thing to tell. I believe that you know a bit now about our young Xeus's future." The general appeared keen on changing the topic for a change.
"Yeah. Our boy is going to be the greatest Xeno warrior that has ever lived or something along those lines," Riordan said quickly. "But, for now, he's just a little kid, and one who scared the hell out of me today. He just slipped from my arms and ignored me." If anyone from his life before had ever told him that he would end up complaining about that sort of stuff, he would have called that guy nuts. Yet, it felt good to dish out like that. He doubted grandpa would punish Junior for his behavior since it appeared that the older Xeno liked it best when the Xenolite was acting like his species.
"You will not be able to control him for long," Xeus said. "Do not worry. That is why Xenolites start studying for their destinies from such a young age. I was surprised to learn of Earthians' long childhoods, but it does explain your propensity for wanting to keep Junior close to you."
"He could have gotten hurt," Riordan argued for a little more. "There were two adults fighting, and anything could go wrong."
"They heal fast," Xeus said. "I recommend you to stop thinking of Junior as an Earthian child. We do not share the fragility of your species, as I keep reminding you. But he will be disciplined. I heard His Royal Chancellor talking about a crèche, where you want to raise Xenolites as human babies."
"Yes. Are you against it?"
"No," Xeus said shortly.
Riordan would have liked to hear his daddy-in-law elaborate a little on that topic, but nothing followed. After that crazy day, he was bone tired and wanted to rest a bit. Still, he had questions to ask, and he wouldn't sleep that well if he didn't learn as much as he could about the conflict that had broken out earlier, causing the Xenolites on the ship to run amok and away from their parents.
"Do you happen to know what that fight was all about?"
"A bearer," Xeus replied. "A natural reason for a conflict of the kind."
"And do you happen to know who the bearer in question is?"
Xeus appeared to hesitate, but Riordan kept staring at him. "Yes. The same pleasant face joined by a rotten personality Xana had chosen to replace you in his foolishness."
"Jasno."
"Yes."
"I can't say I'm surprised." Riordan noticed how Xeus seemed to grow restless. Probably the big Xeno needed a bit of action too, and since Riordan didn't want to be told to undress and present his holes, it was for the better if he remained alone with Junior. "Father, if you're busy, have places to be and all that, you can go. I'll be fine with this little punk. Now, I know what to expect from him."
Xeus nodded in what appeared a polite gesture, so Riordan felt compelled to answer in kind.
Riordan woke up some time later because Junior obviously believed that his parent had slept enough.
"What is it, honey bunny?" Riordan asked, his voice groggy with sleep.
"Dada, are you still mad?"
"No. You just scared me, that's all."
"Are you a great warrior?"
"Not exactly. I mean, I've done my fair share of fighting." Riordan stopped abruptly. Most of that fighting, he had done to bring back Junior, and that was one memory he didn't want to revisit. Especially not when his little one could read his mind.
"I heard grandsire and you. I'm going to be strong and beat everyone."
"Well, it's not all as glamorous as people make it out to be." Riordan straightened up and allowed Junior to sneak under his arm. He was so big already. But his big round eyes were still full of innocence and wonder. A part of his baby belonged to him in ways that he didn't belong to the Xeno race, regardless of what others might say.
"Were you a big warrior on Earth?"
"No. I was... well, pretty much, a good-for-nothing."
"I don't understand. What is good-for-nothing?"
"You're too young for us to have this conversation. But how come you can speak so many words?"
"Grandsire says that it's because of daddy. He understands speech very well, better than most Xenos."
"I'd like to say differently, because I recall certain occasions during which he didn't understand me very well."
"But he understands you now. Daddy is very handsome, isn't he, dada?"
Riordan caressed the dark-haired head and kissed Junior on the forehead. "He definitely is."
"But you're more beautiful." Junior let out a sigh as he cuddled against Riordan's side. "Because you have legs."
Ah, damn it. That uncomfortable conversation he needed to have with the little one on the topic of legs. Well, no moment like the present, Riordan decided.
"Junior, baby, about that. Your grandpa thinks I should talk to you, and I do too, although I want to believe that you should be a little kid for a while longer."
The boy's round dark eyes stared at him in question.
"You are a Xeno, and Xenos don't have legs. Only humans do."
"But I am yours too," Junior argued. "I came from your belly."
Well, it looked like Junior wouldn't be easy to convince with the help of stork stories. Riordan focused, trying to find the right words to reach the level of understanding of a young Xenolite. Definitely a lot smarter than an Earthian kid his age, and that only complicated things.
"Yes. You came from an egg that was inside me," Riordan said cautiously. "But the egg came from your daddy. It is the same for all the Xenolites on the ship."
"I look like you," Junior said stubbornly. "Everyone says so. So why can't I have legs too?"
"I don't think the answer is an easy one, and I'm no specialist in biology and Xeno anatomy. Honey bunny," Riordan said and caressed the boy's head, "it's of no use of wanting something you can't have. Especially when you have such a beautiful tail. You can't have both. And trust me, legs are not that great to have. I'm slower than all of you. I don't swim that well. Sometimes, I even trip and can easily break my nose."
"I can have both. I will," Junior said and pouted, crossing his arms as seemed to be his habit when something wasn't to his liking.
"You really are stubborn. It runs in the family, I guess. You'll grow up, and you'll see the superiority of a Xeno tail. You'll be convinced then."
Junior's eyes were beautifully clear when they stared at him. "I see my legs."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Like this." Junior closed his eyes, squeezing them shut. "When I sleep."
Was Junior dreaming of having legs? Riordan didn't know what to make of that. He could only hope that this strange obsession would fade away with age, as he had just told the boy. Grandpa would be a bit disappointed about the lack of success on that front, but that only meant that they would have to try harder.
Or get Junior interested in other things.
"Hey, do you know that you're going to get to play with Dario almost every day?"
Junior's face lit up. "Really, dada?"
"Yes. His mommy Cario is putting together this crèche, which is a place where you will get to meet other Xenolites like you and play with them."
"I like Dario." Junior seemed unimpressed by the promise of having others nearby, save for his friend. "He doesn't know how to speak like me, but I will teach him."
"Don't force it on him. You're a faster learner."
"He will speak," Junior said, sure of himself. "He wants to speak. Only that he can't just yet."
Cario was trying to get Dario to use his voice more, so there was no lack of trying there. However, Riordan believed that it wasn't an easy task to convince Junior that he couldn't do this or that. He wanted legs and he would have them, and his Xenolite friend would have to put his mind into learning how to talk as long as Junior was in charge.
Not only a warrior, but a leader too. Riordan had never seen one in the making, and now he was getting a front seat. To say that he was in awe of this child was an understatement.
"Don't ever run from me like that," Riordan said, as he remembered that he was supposed to scold Junior, at least a little.
"But they were fighting, and I have to learn how to beat everyone," Junior argued.
"I'm sure His Excellency has plans about showing you some cartoons or movies or something. Also, I'm not raising a bully. Don't beat everyone."
That seemed to give the Xenolite pause. He frowned and scrunched up his nose. It had to be something his Xeno logic couldn't compute.
"Strength is nothing with discipline," Riordan continued. "You will win more hearts if you are kind and patient. You must use force only when you're threatened or someone you care about is in danger."
Junior's face pinched a little more.
"I'm using too many words for you," Riordan concluded for himself. "Just don't beat other children."
"Can I beat daddy? Or grandsire?"
Now that would even the field, Riordan thought and sighed. "Call him grandpa. He'll love it. And yes, you can take them on."
He could barely wait to see daddy-in-law's face upon hearing Junior calling him grandpa. They needed a bit of laughter around here.
Cario had apparently earned the right to house the crèche in a large room with multiple water tanks that must have been destined for another purpose. The other furniture in the room was made up of long benches, as the parents weren't expected to lounge on beds while tending to their kids.
What surprised Riordan more was the small number of toys that appeared very similar to what someone would find on Earth. Big boxes in several bright colors, a couple of dolls with big eyes – and two legs – and a small rocking seesaw.
"How?" he asked as he let Junior slip from his arms so that he could inspect all those strange items.
Cario grinned ear to ear. "These bots can do a lot of things if you know what to ask for."
"These are toys for human kids, though," Riordan pointed out.
"Well, let's just say that I made the mistake of telling Dario so many things about Earth that he became adamant about wanting the same kind of toys I had when I was little. Of course, I haven't said a word about my pony."
Dario and Junior were busy trying to figure out a way to use the rocking seesaw. The blond head immediately raised. He was, most likely, asking his mommy what a pony was. They were getting into serious trouble from day one. Somehow, some unsuspecting animals on Tanez would have to be named bunnies and ponies.
Riordan felt his heart squeezing painfully. When they got to Tanez, these kids might not need toys and animals to play with. They would all be as good as grownups, ready to fight. He wondered how much Cario knew. He didn't want to burden his friend with this sort of knowledge. Also, Riordan believed that Marn wouldn't be too happy to hear about him talking to other bearers about the big plan like that.
"Are others coming?" Riordan asked.
"Yes, several people more. Riordan, I hope you won't get mad, but Jasno also announced that he would like to be a part of this."
"But he doesn't have a kid. Wasn't this supposed to be about kids?" Riordan asked, annoyed already at the prospect of having to share the same air with that scumbag.
"He's expecting now. I don't know if you heard about it, but Jasno just received two eggs. From the Xenos fighting over him a few days ago. I'm happy for him. And for you."
"So they fought over nothing?" Riordan asked. "And why are you happy for me?" He didn't want to sound snappy, but it irked him that the asshole would be so close to Junior. He just didn't trust the fucker.
"His Excellency solved their conflict by putting Jasno with his ass up, to speak your language," Cario said with a small laugh. "And I'm happy for you, because with two Xenolites on the way, Jasno won't be interested in Xana anymore."
Riordan snorted. "As if that beauty queen could snatch my snakeman. Nope. Not a chance."
"True," Cario agreed and smiled. "Nonetheless, there will be less drama around, now that he's pregnant."
"Like someone else I know," Riordan said and grinned. "How are Drato's brats? Behaving?"
Cario touched his belly protectively. "If there's one good thing about Xeno pregnancies, it's that they don't kick you all the time. Not that I've ever experienced that firsthand, but I had three sisters back on Earth."
It had never occurred to him that some people had left dear ones back home. They weren't like him, a leaf in the wind.
"How did you manage to do that? You know, pull yourself away from your home, your family?"
Cario shrugged, but his eyes filled with melancholy for a moment. "I like to believe that people have the right to make choices. I do love my Earthian family still, but they needed the money, with the situation back home and all."
"Money? Right, we were supposed to get paid somehow for our Xeno pregnancy stint. Wait, and did you get it? The money? Like in advance?"
"Yes. You didn't ask for your share beforehand?"
"I thought I'd get to spend it when I got back. Damn, I was a schmuck. Now I don't need money anymore. And did you help your family with it? But I thought you had a pony, and that thriving moonshine business of your grandad."
"We had a lot of different things," Cario admitted. "We went to the best schools, all that jazz. But the war took a toll on all of us. My parents had lived the life before the Xeno invasion. After that, they just couldn't adjust to a life less, how should I say, comfortable. My sisters couldn't leave for Xeno to serve as bearers. So I took the plunge." He looked at his son with a new tender light in his eyes. "And I don't have that many regrets."
The doors behind them opened to allow access to newcomers. Riordan turned and his eyes met Jasno's right away. Why was the fucker smiling like he knew shit? Now that would be something for him to find out.
tbc
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The latest story added and ongoing is called The Scarred Bearer, a commissioned work written in the same universe as The Human Bearer.
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