DAY 2
The privilege of choice...
Ulannajirak was a bit taken aback by the granting of this privilege by the young lord, along with his identity of the adult
Thrakhra. Looking at the glorious gem in his hand, which symbolizes the status of nobility, his mood could not be calmed for a long time. All he could think of at once was that Thrakhra's identity would give him a fair amount of autonomy in his upcoming life on the front lines, while being free from some shackles.
However, another remark made to him by his master earlier disturbed him even more.
What did white maned grand master mean when he said that even......
that kind of situation was taken into account? He clenched his paws around the gem and took a deep breath.
The target area to which Ulannajirak was sent this time was called Gemini Sector by humans, an interesting name meaning twin cubs. This is obviously much better than going to Repleetah. In fact, the victory or defeat of that place called Repleetah is probably no longer relevant to the war. All those who go there to fight may just be fighting for the sake of the battle itself. Both sides are just fighting to prove something, but maybe no one can prove anything. In contrast, the place called Gemini by humans is more or less interesting. Ulannajirak knew that it was also a wild zone for humans, a paradise for adventurers even at the earlier days of the war, and still was, to some extent.
Will it be an adventure?
Ulannajirak waked up from the dream. He dreamed of something that happened before leaving the homeworld. He found himself literally holding the gem, which now had a warmth to it.
He freshened up, changed into his formal attire, and wore the symbol of status, the gem, in a proper manner. If that Security Officer Dik'alekibak saw the gem yesterday, maybe the unpleasantness wouldn't have happened? Ulannajirak decided to make it a habit to wear the gem in time after surgery. For him, being a decent adult
Thrakhra was still something need learning.
Adjutant Akrah was quite punctual. Ulannajirak politely greeted her. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the female adjutant led Ullannajirak to the captain's room.
The door to the captain's room was open and Adjutant Akrah made a gesture of invitation as Ulannajirak stepped in.
Standing in the middle of the captain's room is a medium-sized Kilrathi officer wearing a very neat uniform and shiny polished shoulder epaulettes. His mane was very neatly groomed, although it also had some mottled stray colors.
Ulannajirak stepped forward, bowed with his paws together.
A polite smile appeared on the captain's face. He took a few steps forward and bowed to Ulannajirak, "I put your honorable
hrai's claws on my throat,
Kal Ulannajirak, our honored guest."
[1]
Ulannajirak responded in a standard tone politely, "I retract my claws and offer you some modest gifts from our homeworld to honorable Captain
Khak." With that, he handed over the delicate package that he had prepared, "A token of our appreciation, please kindly accept this
akrah equipment."
[1]
The captain took the gift with both paws, placed it in his uniform, and then also handed Ulannajirak a wrapped item, "I offer
Kal Ulannajirak a piece of gold-made
Birha [2] tree leave."
[1]
Ulannajirak carefully took the gift,
Birha tree… It is a kind of beautiful plant, he thought silently.
There are many of them on Ghorah Khar. And now that planet has rebelled against the Empire and stands with the humans.
Then Ulannajirak raised his head, showed his throat
[3] to the captain, "My blood warms at the sight of thee, Captain. "
Captain
Khak kept the polite smile still on his face, "My blood warms at the sight of thee, Doctor. It is a great honor for me and all the crew here to have two distinguished guests at the same time to work together for the victory of the Empire."
Ulannajirak also smiled, "I dare not accept the honor. It is also my honor to have the privilege to serve the Empire for his great victory."
The two were seated separately according to their identities of host and guest.
"Speaking of which, I'm really ashamed to say that I bothered
Kal Ulannajirak to operate on the XO. of this ship when
Kal Ulannajirak was just boarding yesterday. " Captain
Khak continues, "But it was really an emergency situation. And, if it weren't for Doctor Ulannajirak excellent medical skills, XO. Githaldega's fate would have been unpredictable."
“I am flattered,“ Ulannajirak slightly waves his paw, “It is a divine blessing on XO. Githaldega from the Gods.“ Ulannajirak felt another wave of tension. That XO.'s injury yesterday was indeed serious. In retrospect, he really had to thank the gods for blessing that patient and allowing the opportunity to bring patient back.
"Doctor, you are too modest. I will instruct the military doctors on my ship to seek more advice from you and improve their medical knowledge, as to better serve the Empire." Captain
Khak smiles again. “If you have any requirements, we will try our best to cooperate. So now can I invite doctor to
Kal Hajjnah's lab? “
Ulannajirak stood up and bowed again. “Please lead the way, captain.“
Ulannajirak followed the captain through several passages. Along the way the ship's crew saluted them at attention. Ulannajirak saw that the ceilings above the heads of many of the ship's bunkers were not closed, with countless complex pipes exposed overhead. Kilrathi's ship's interior was designed with practicality and reliability as a priority, but such a scribbled layout still shows the ship's relatively humble status.
After several complicated staircases, they came to a metal gate. Adjutant Akela pressed a few buttons and the doors slowly opened. Ulannajirak's heart rippled once. It had been eight years, and this was the first time in such a long period that he was going to see that kil again.
The long and dark corridor behind gate was filled with complex smells. There were odors of Kilrathi people, mixed with some strong and unpleasant livestock smell. Of course, there is also scent of aliens. Looking far down the corridor, Ulannajirak saw a back. It was once a back he once knew very well. Ulannajirak's nose twitched slightly,
Yes, It is him.
“
Kal Hajjnah,“ Adjutant Akela called out towards the back of that Kilrathi. “
Kal Hajjnah?“
“Time to eat? Just put the food down, and go. Don't interrupt my thoughts…“ Absentmindedly, The Kilrathi sitting there replied while writing something.
This way of talking instantly evoked lots of memories of Ulannajirak… but he immediately collected his thoughts because it was not the right time.
“Well,
Kal Hajjnah,“ the captain cleared his throat, ”Sorry to bother, but please put aside your work for a while. “
Only when he heard the captain's voice did the kil look back. Ulannajirak saw the face that was once so familiar. Yes, eight years on, Hajjnah's mane was not as vibrant as it was then.
“
Kal Hajjnah,“ the captain smiles, ”I think there is little need for any introduction, right?“ He gestured to Ulannajirak, ”
Kal Ulannajirak is here to help you with your research for the Empire.“
Ulannajirak looked at Hajjnah, and the two looked at each other, and for a while no one spoke.
“Oh, sorry, I kinda have some military affairs to take care of here. Would both of you catch up first, please? I will invite you both to a banquet at noon. “ Captain
Khak looked at the two for a second, then turned and left. Adjutant Akrah gently closed the door from the outside.
Both of the two Kilrathi in the room said nothing for seconds. They just sized each other up.
Ulannajirak noticed that the dark mane that Hajjnah had in memory was now a little lighter in color. This makes the pattern less conspicuous than it was eight years ago. At the same time, Hajjnah's fur was not as shiny as it used to be. Time flies, Ulannajirak thought. He remembers the way Hajjnah looked eight years ago when boarding the shuttle as a young one without looking back. At that time Hajjnah’s stature was thin but well-proportioned, not like the slightly bloated and unexercised Kil in front today.
“It's been a long time, Brother Hajjnah.” Ulannajirak still decided to speak first, “My blood warms at the sight of thee.”
“It's really you, Ulannajirak.” Hajjnah slightly sniffed, “I thought they had gotten the name wrong, or there was someone with a same name.” Then he glanced sideways at Ulannajirak again, "You have really grown up, huh, though still not really tall."
Ulannajirak closed his eyes and shook his head, the kil before himself remained the same.
"I also heard that the Imperial logistics department were going to transmit a group of young cubs to that… what is the name then ...... Repleetah, if only they listened closely to me..." Hajjnah sneered, "and I was once a bit worried for you, because you almost fit the criteria precisely." Then he turned his head away, "It seems that
Gathica is really careful to take care of his own lone male cub."
Hearing these words, Ulannajirak had a flash of irritated impulse in his heart, which made his mane shake a little, but he calmed down. Don't talk too much about
hrai matters in the Imperial fleet. “I am here by arrangement with our lord.” Ulannajirak stared at Hajjnah, “Also, I think your reference to my father with inappropriate tone.”
"Oh, I apologize if my recollection offended you. I should have asked, Kal
Gathica. His blood still flows well? And then waited for you to answer, His blood is thick
[4]." Hajjnah said this in a deliberately pretentious tone. "These things are below me though. Can the cliche help the Empire defeat the apes?" Then he turned and pointed to the information spread out on his desk, "What it will take to defeat those apes is my research." he sighs "They are barely worth my brilliance!"
Ulannajirak looked coldly at Hajjnah, "The lord has ordered me to assist you in your research."
Hajjnah made a growl of unsafistaction. "Really? Oh, I see your gem. Was it bestowed on you by the lord himself? Now, I understand your excitement, it's similar to when I got my piece eight years ago. Let me think about where did I leave it ......”
Ulannajirak frowned, "You leave the gem bestowed on you by our lord lying around?"
"As I said, I wholeheartedly research how to defeat apes, some other things I are not worthy of my attention." Hajjnah spread his paws and made an expression that he could not found the gem for now.
Ulannajirak’s mane bristled a bit. He stared at Hajjnah, "You really are a bit lacking in reverence, Hajjnah, just as what you did back then."
"Listen, cub! I repeat, it is not reverence that will enable us to defeat the apes, and it is certainly also not any of the old Kaga, the so-called warrior spirits, which is piled up with hordes of lives, that the antiquarians of the Empire are peddling, either!" Hajjnah growled with wide eyes, "knowledge, strategy, technology, these are the keys that will allow us to win!"
"And your arrival has delayed me for eight precious minutes, maybe more, if I'm going to re-continue what I thought. " Hajjnah continued, "So, if you are here to assist me, then do the following: open the door, leave from my room, and gently close the door behind you. You can do whatever you like, oh, you're old enough to have some Lair-mate fun, or if you're reserved, go to the medic and show the doctors here your healing skills and listen to these Kilrahra’s flatter."
Ulannajirak took a deep breath, "Hajjnah, I am obliged to do some review of your research. I've heard that your research project is about mind and emotion control. It's dangerous. "
"Oh, you've done some homework." Hajjnah put his paws on his back, "Presenting my commendation. For so many years, the empire has been using the clumsy fear brought about by the inefficient threat to oppress the prey, the apes are different, though inferior, we- I can take their minor strengths and add it to our own, anyone with even half a mind already knows our society is really outdated. The obtuse royal relatives cannot understand this on their own. They are just sending batch after batch of cubs to the front line to meet the ancestors."
Ulannajirak was startled, "Hajjnah, stop! Watch your words!" He lowered his voice, "It is Imperial Fleet here! Trouble comes from the mouth."
"Oh? Then you should leave quickly and give me less trouble. I am above such frivolities" Hajjnah sneered again.
"... I see…" Ulannajirak knew there was no point in staying here any longer now. "But at least, give me an outline of your current research. I can't do nothing."
Hajjnah, impatiently, made a few clicks on the computer. "Take it to your job." A reminder of file received pops up on Ulannajirak's portable terminal.
"I'll go back and analyze your research carefully," Ulannajirak turned toward the door, "and I'll be here to see you anytime if I find any problems." He opened the door, walked out of Hajjnah's research room, and closed the door.
Walking through the corridor full of various smells, Ulannajirak came to the metal gate of this research block. He just inputted the password he had memorized from Adjutant Akela. The metal door slowly opened.
But surprisingly, outside the door, Ulannajirak saw the cub he met yesterday, who was looking at him with astonishment, too.
The cub retracted his surprised expression. Once again, he got down on one knee and bowed to Ulannajirak. "
Kal Dcotor Ulannajirak, my blood warms at the sight of thee! And, thank you again for saving my father yesterday! Please accept the sincere thanks from the humble cub named Irgahra. "
Ulannajirak was happy yet secretly amused when he heard the cub's words full of sincere and awe. This long list of words seemed to have been secretly recited many times by the cub named Irgahra. Still, Ulannajirak nodded solemnly, "My blood warms at the sight of you, young warrior. Please arise."
Irgahra stood up carefully and stood with attention, "Reporting to Kal Doctor, I am the breeder and cleaner here."
Breeder and cleaner… Ulannajirak thought silently. That was a very low-class job in the Imperial fleet. Although from his appearance as well as the given name that means Tree People,
Irgahra was a Kilrahra of very ordinary origin with no doubt. However, Ulannajirak remembered that this cub should be the son of the XO. of this ship.
A ship's XO. let his own son to do such kind of jobs?
“Oh...“ Ulannajirak hesitated for a few seconds and then said, "Please do a good job."
“Yes,
Kal Doctor! I will not let
Kal Hajjnah down!“ replied Irgahra clearly.
Ulannajirak frowned slightly,
did Hajjnah ask this cub to do chores for him? Huh, this guy is really arrogant. Then he nodded and watched Igrahra walked through the metal gate and saluted again. The metal gate closed slowly.
Ulannajirak arrived at the medical bay. He decided to see how Igrahra's father, the ship's first officer named Githaldega, was recovering. The faint smell of disinfectant in the ward relaxed Ulannajirak. XO. Githaldega was sleeping. Ulannajirak looked at his monitoring data and then began reviewing the care records. In yesterday's blood challenge, XO. Githaldega was severely injured and lost a lot of blood, and it took Ulannajirak and the ship's medical staff a lot of effort to turn him around.
I don't know why the first officer of a ship has such a big conflict with the senior security officer. Ulannajirak shook his head gently. He fliped back to the beginning of the medical records.
XO. Githaldega as a veteran, served as a juvenile soldier even in the early days of the Empire-Terran Confederation War. A peasant by birth, he was born in ...... Ulannajirak secretly admired this warrior. To be able to struggle all the way from a junior soldier to the first officer of a ship was indeed remarkable. However, he also knew that this was almost the ceiling for most
Kilrahra warriors. Unless having some lucky chance in a battle or being valued by the nobility to take as a retainer, it would be very difficult for a commoner from the bottom to be promoted again. People like former Second Fleet Commander Admiral Nargth are, after all, a tiny minority
[5].
XO. Githaldega's birthplace looked familiar to Ulannajirak, who vaguely remembered the place as if he had heard it in a previous history class, but couldn't remember where it was at the moment.
Although it didn't show on the face, Ulannajirak was actually quite uncomfortable with the noon banquet. This was certainly not because the hospitality on a small
Kilrahra ship was a bit shabby both in terms of specifications and style, but because Ulannajirak had not been very comfortable with such occasions since his cubhood. Especially the Security Officer named Dik'alekibak, his attentiveness was completely different from before. Ulannajirak had some disdain in his heart, but still tried to put on a very happy face. Hajjnah was certainly absent, and Ulannajirak's mind had long since flown to that research outline. Fortunately, Captain Khak and Adjutant Akrah hosted the event appropriately so that the scene didn't look awkward.
The banquet ended. Ulannajirak politely but firmly rejected some females who offered to lay with him. Before leaving, parents had re-emphasized to their cub that he should never go near these people in the Imperial Fleet. Ulannajirak knew that many of these females were actually eyes and ears for Imperial Intelligence. He grew up hearing his father's stories of people who got into trouble for talking topics they shouldn't have said on the bed
[6].
Returning to the room and closing the door behind him, Ulannajirak took out his portable terminal and began reading the outline of Hajjnah's research. He was a little annoyed, since the so called outline was actually unorganized and messy, let alone most of what was here are the information he already knew, and Hajjnah didn't give out any of the critical data part at all.
Looks like I still have to go to him. Ulannajirak's throat gave a shuddering growl of discontent.
But just as the terminal was about to be closed, a strange line was reflected in Ulannajirak's eyes:
… After the change to the new breeder, the mental resistance values of newly enrolled subjects Gemini 1 and Gemini 2 were significantly lower, and the difference was statistically significant…
New breeder? The cub named Irgahra? Ulannajirak thought,
and what are subjects Gemini 1 and Gemini 2 newly enrolled?
He checked the document again. There was no more information.
Hajjnah named the experiments with the Terran name of this sector? Ulannajirak's heart fluttered with a hint of unease.
He couldn't have captured some humans here for experimentation, could he?
Ulannajirak stood up. He decided he'd better go and check it out himself.
However, another surprise to Ulannajirak was that the password he had remembered earlier was invalid now and he could not open the door to the experimental area. After repeating this several times, he realized that Hajjnah had likely changed the password to prevent himself from re-entering. Ulannajirak let out a low growl in his throat.
What to do now? After deliberating, Ulannajirak decided to go and ask Adjutant Akrah.
Adjutant Akrah came down from the bridge, still looking a picture of competence. She bowed decently and then asked, "My blood warms at the sight of thee,
Kal Ulannajirak. You said there was something you wanted to ask me in person, face to face?"
Ulannajirak returned the salute, then nodded, " My blood warms at the sight of thee, Adjutant Akrah. I need the gate code for the experimental area."
Adjutant Akrah pondered for a second, "This is the password that
Kal Hajjnah gave me earlier." She took out her terminal, pulled up a file, and showed it to Ulannajirak.
This is, of course, the password Ulannajirak saw earlier.
It seems that Hajjnah did not even tell the captain's team after changing the password. Ulannajirak was really a little angry, but he took care not to show it to Adjutant Akrah. "Then, could you ask
Kal Hajjnah for me?"
Hearing these words, a smile vaguely emerged on the female adjutant's face. "I understand,
Kal Ulannajirak, but it may not be until
Kal Hajjnah returns tonight or even tomorrow." Then Adjutant Akrah added, "
Kal Hajjnah went to the fleet flagship after the noon meal to confer with Fleet Command about some matters, and perhaps some other things. As is customary, he would not receive any communications during this process."
Hearing this, Ulannajirak frowned.
Hajjnah, he is simply....
Adjutant Akrah looked at Ulannajirak quietly, then nodded, "Please understand that
Kal Hajjnah always does not allow us to interrupt his research. I think
Kal Ulannajirak has seen it this morning. In fact, even those who are responsible for feeding the experimental animals and cleaning work on time twice a day are only allowed to work quietly without too much noise, let alone interrupt his thoughts at will." Then she smiles bitterly, "He discharged logisticians three times because of this."
Ulannajirak shook his head repeatedly.
Hajjnah, although the crew of this ship are Kilraha, you are not their lord and they are not our servants after all. Why do you be so rude?
However, he suddenly noticed something,
feeding and cleaning twice a day... It means…
Ulannajirak nodded, "Adjutant Akrah, again thank you very much for the help." Then he turned away.
Looking at Ulannajirak's back, Adjutant Akrah politely returned the salute, "
Kal Ulannajirak, as I said, at your service." His calm voice revealed an imperceptible hint of approval as well as subtlety.
Ulannajirak did not go to the lower deck to find Irgahra, not primarily because the lower decks of the Kilrahra ships were often cramped and crowded and filled with all kinds of strong odors, but mainly because his presence there was too conspicuous. He found an unobtrusive spot outside the experimental area and sat down, opened the terminal to continue reading and waited quietly.
Finally, the sound of footsteps came from the distance. It was Irgahra who had come to clean and feed on schedule. The cub spotted Ulannajirak sitting in the shadow and was stunned. He hurriedly dropped to one knee, "
Kal Ulannajirak… My blood warms at the… sight of thee…" There was clearly some panic in his tone.
Ulannajirak stood up and nodded. “Please arise, young warrior.”
The cub still kept his salute, “Again, thanks to
Kal Ulannajirak for saving my father. Your kindness is something we will never forget.“ When he spoke, he did not look at Ulannajirak with his eyes.
Ulannajirak felt a little strange of this. Although it is normal to be thankful three times for something like this. But this cub was clearly a bit flustered, even not like the last time.
"Irgahra, can you open the gate for me? I have something to do here.“ Ulannajirak still decided to say it straight.
"Ah..." Irgahra grimaced, "Of course ...... at your service, but ...... but ......"
Ulannajirak frowned slightly, "What's the problem? I have business to attend to."
Irgahra bowed his head, "Of course at your command ...... just ...... just ......"
"Oh, I see. Ulannajirak laughed, then turned away, “I will not look at the new password."
I wonder how Hajjnah has threatened the cub earlier.
Irgahra walked up and entered the password. Ulannajirak turned his back. From the sound, the password was definitely much longer than before. In his heart, he had a secret disdain for Hajjnah again.
“Please,
Kal Ulannajirak...“ Irgahra stood next to the slowly opening door, hanging his head, waiting for the
Kal coming.
The light in the corridor was the same, not bright. Ulannajirak looked at Hajjnah's room at the end of one side, which appeared to be unlit. It seemed to be locked from the hint of the door lock.
Irgahra was nervous, "
Kal doctor, I don't have access to
Kal Hajjnah's room either. In fact, even when he was there, I was only allowed to enter and clean when he was dining." As he spoke, the cub's head hung down and his ears perked up, as if ready to receive a scolding.
Ulannajirak nodded, "I see. So could you tell me here ...... how you usually keep the animals?"
Hearing such a response from Ulannajirak, Irgahra showed some slight surprise, and then he bowed and said in a respectful tone, "I come in here two to three times a day to feed these animals according to their habits, clean the cages, and ...... some other chores."
Ulannajirak nodded, "In that case, you must have learned the habits of these animals," he then continued, "show me them in turn."
"At
Kal’s service. " Irgahra replied humbly.
This time it was Ulannajirak's turn to be a little surprised, Irgahra was like a museum curator, very knowledgeable about these creatures from various imperial colony worlds. He was not only familiar with their origin and habits, but even some individual differences that were not recorded in the regular books.
In addition, Ulannajirak noticed one thing, these animals behaved calmly and tamely in the presence of Irgahra. Although some of the more aggressive or sensitive animals were very alert after sensing the arrival of a stranger, they were quickly calmed by Irgahra's reassurance.
It's easy to subdue prey, but it takes extra talent to tame them. Ulannajirak thought silently. He had a praise for this humble looking Kilrahra cub. However, on second thought, Ulannajirak then realized that such a talent was actually not valued in the mainstream of traditional Imperial values. For the vast majority of cubs of Kilrahra origin, the only way to improve their status is basically to accumulate battle achievements.
Now, it was the end of the corridor, and Ulannajirak saw the last locked door.
“Is this room also the residence of experimental animals?” Ulannajirak turned to Irgahra. He cared a lot about Gemini 1 and Gemini 2 as mentioned in Hajjnah's records. Although Irgahra's previous presentation apparently did not mention the number, Ulannajirak felt that those two experimental subjects were definitely not among the previous animals.
"Yes..." There was some hesitation in Irgahra's tone, "Does
Kal going to see them too?"
"Why not?" Ulannajirak looked at Irgahra, "Is there something special about them?"
"Uh ......" Irgahra lowered his head, then raised head slightly, "So, would I be so bold as to request
Kal Ulannajirak to wait a moment while I go inside ...... and clean up a bit?"
"That's fine," Ulannajirak felt a little amused at the cub's cautious look, "but didn't you say you cleaned two to three times a day? Did you slack off this morning?"
"
Kal's subordinate dares not!" Irgahra immediately knelt down on one knee, "It's just that, these two animals are rather special ...... I need to confirm again."
Irgahra's response almost confirmed Ulannajirak's suspicions.
The two…they must be Gemini 1 and Gemini 2. So, are they human? He nodded his head in permission.
After a few moments passed, Irgahra widely opened the door of the room open and stood by it, "
Kal Ulannajirak, please come in."
This time, Ulannajirak immediately confirmed from the smell emanating from the room that there were humans living in it. He sighed silently, it was true.
Ulannajirak noticed that Irgahra had kept the place particularly clean, even beyond the standard of housing for animals. And after crossing a corner door, Ulannajirak finally saw it - the two humans.
The two humans were both cubs, dressed in simple slave garments made of monochrome fabric, sitting silently in the corner behind the field barrier. Silver collars was worn around their necks
[7]. Although the two cubs were dressed almost identically, Ulannajirak was able to identify them by his experience that they are a male and a female.
Ulannajirak examines the two human cubs. They looked thin even in the standard of Terran kids, but were cleanly dressed and had no strange odor other than their own judging from the smell coming from the ventilation holes.
Looks like Irgahra is taking good care of them.
The two human cubs bowed their heads in silence. Ulannajirak walked in slowly, crouching slowly outside the field barrier to make himself appear less tall.
"Hey, " Ulannajirak called the two human cubs in Terran language, with soft tones, "Take it easy, I am not hurting you."
One of the cubs, probably the male one, looked up slightly at Ulannajirak, and then lowered his head again. Ulannajirak switched to a different language, this time with a dialect mix of multiple races’ languages, a common accent in those gray areas of the Imperial border
[7]. This time, both cubs raised their heads, but still remained silent.
"Didn't you hear? Salute
Kal Ulannajirak now!“ Irgahra commanded, also in this language, with a low growl in his throat. However, Ulannajirak noticed out of the corner of his eye that despite the menacing tone, Irgahra nodded his head in a very covert manner.
The two cubs stood up, then both got down on one knee, "
Kal Ulannajirak, our master."
Ulannajirak was slightly surprised. The two cubs were pronouncing his name very accurately. He knew his name, bestowed on by the old lord, which means a combination of a leafy tree from his homeworld and a kind of herb tea used for ceremony
[4], was a little long thus was usually not easy to pronounce for slaves of other species.
“Arise.“ Ulannajirak indicates that the two cubs are ready to stand up. This time he saw Irgahra nodded again.
Ulannajirak turned to Irgahra, "Turn off the field shield. I could talk to them closer."
Irgahra was stunned for a moment, then bowed, "As
Kal commanded." He went to the outer room, brought a cushion and laid it respectfully on the floor, "Please sit down,
Kal. I am turning off the shield right now."
Ulannajirak looked at Irgahra, then sat down. He assumed a relaxed pose. Irgahra then pressed the switch to turn off the field.
As the shield disappeared, Irgahra stepped forward, standing on the side between Ulannajirak and human.
Ulannajirak smiled, "Irgahra, you are very responsible, but isn’t it a little over worried? Such human cubs - let me be blunt - are unlikely to pose any threat to us at all. Or… do you have something else in mind? "
"Eh…" Irgahra was momentarily speechless with this question.
Ulannajirak turns back to the two human cubs, "Like I said, take it easy, I have no intention of hurting you." Then he looked at Irgahra again, "No need to be worried."
“Well…“ Ulannajirak asked with his soft tone again, ”What are your names, Terran kids?“
“…“ The male cub looks at Ulannajirak, then Irgahra who nodded slightly once more, answered, ”Romulus.“
Hearing this name, Ulannajirak smiled. He knew it was the name of a legendary figure in human culture. “Then you are…?“ He turns to the female cub.
”… Remus.” The female cub answered quietly.
Sure enough...... Ulannajirak looked at the two human cubs, who appeared to be from the same litter. "Where are you from?"
"I don't know..." The male cub named Romulus replied with her head lowered.
“
Kal Ulannajirak,“ Irgahra said, ”In response to
Kal‘s question, can I answer for them?“
Ulannajirak turned to him, “Yes?“
“As far as I know, the ape cubs were ordered by
Kal Hajjnah from the slave market. Most likely they were born there, so they are really unaware of where they come from…“ Irgahra paused for a second, ”He is not refusing to answer
Kal doctor.“
“I know,“ Ulannajirak nodded,
but why are you in such a hurry? He looked at Irgahra's cautious demeanor and finally understood the point to all of these.
"I'll say it again, I won't hurt them, no matter what they say, so you can rest assured. Is that OK?" Ulannajirak looks at Irgahra.
“Are you from the same litter?” Ulannajirak asked, but then he knew it might cause a confusion, “I mean, are you two twins?“
The two human cubs glanced at each other, then nodded silently.
“Well ......” Ulannajirak couldn't think of how to continue the conversation for a while. There are many things to ask, but none of them seem appropriate right now. “It's time for you to feed them, right?” Finally he turned to Irgahra, “What do they eat regularly?”
"Some mixed plant leaves and stems, and seeds, according to the instruction," Irgahra replied, "There were also seizures of what apes call canned fruit."
Ulannajirak frowned, “You prepare it, and I will have a check.” Then he stood up, "lead the way."
Under the watchful eye of Ulannajirak, Irgahra prepared food for the human cubs. This process was followed by a constant frown from Ulannajirak, who finally sighed at the mixed plant debris in the vessel, "Which instruction told you to make this? Is it from Ha…
Kal Hajjnah?"
"No.." Irgahra sensed Ulannajirak's displeasure, "
Kal Hajjnah did not have specific instructions, I just experimented on my own based on the information I found out ......."
Ulannajirak shook his head, "I tell you, humans are not pure herbivores, so basically they eat meat too, especially these young cubs that are growing. Get some lean meat, and eggs. Also bring me the heater."
As Irgahra watched in amazement, Ulannajirak began preparing food for the two human pups. And finally, with the heater in place, the rich smell of protein wafted out. "That's fine." Ulannajirak nodded, "You can take it and feed them now."
Looking at the human cubs who were wolfing down the food, Ulannajirak showed an expression of satisfaction. He looked at the jaw-dropping Irgahra and said, "This way they will develop better."
In one eight minutes, the two cubs ate all the food. "Now you can go and look after the other animals", Ulannajirak said, getting up from his cushion and preparing to leave. He knew he needed to think about what to do next, and it would take time.
"
Kal…
Kal Ulannajirak…" Suddenly, the female cub named Remus spoke. Ulannajirak looked back at her.
“
Shra…” In a low but very clear voice, the little one uttered a Kilrathi word, meaning “gratitude”, although the word sounding strange, lisping and high-pitched
[4].
Ulannajirak froze for a moment, then smiled and turned to Irgahra, "You taught them?"
"...... Ah, yes," Irgahra was a bit overwhelmed, "they should show reverence to
Kal ......"
"Then I'll go back first," Ulannajirak paused, "and be sure to let me know in time if
Kal Hajjnah is planning to do any ...... harmful experiments on them." Then he looked seriously and earnestly at the surprised Kilrahra teenager, "Be sure to remember."
Irgahra got down on one knee, "At your service,
Kal doctor."
Lying in his room, Ulannajirak couldn't help but smile as he thought back on what had just happened. He knew that the reason the Kilrahra teenager named Irgahra was initially so worried that he would hurt the two humans was definitely not just because he was afraid of taking responsibility. From all his actions, the teenager had somehow developed emotions to the two human cubs. Ulannajirak was very sure of this speculation because ......
You are the same as me of that year, Irgahra.
* Thanks to
@tarsus for revising the lines of Hajjnah, and @Bonk for naming the human twins.
* Thanks to @Ash's Boomstick for point out some mistakes in wording expressions!
[1]
Price of Freedom, Chapter Eight
[2]
Freedom Flight, Chapter One
[3]
Action Stations, Chapter Four
[4]
Action Stations, Chapter Five
[5]
Action Stations, Chapter Four
[6]
Action Stations, Chapter Seven
[7]
Action Stations, Chapter Eight
