Supernova Blitz

Chapter 41: The Zarakyssn Queen Syretia

Captain Long meets Kane in the hangar bay, and sure enough, the huge Grodrrn is following her. His aura is very different though. Even compared to when he was on his own ship, Dzor is far more relaxed and calm. He doesn't say much, but it's clear he's following Long to protect her from something –most likely the Zarakyssn Queen- than as her servant or anything.

They all exchange greetings and thanks, and Long asks, "How much did Captain Dodge explain?"

"Just that you have the Queen, pretty much. And, that we're... keeping some of the Grodurns?"

Dzor replies gruffly, "I choose stay. End of discussion."

Long chuckles, saying gently, "He did. Primarily to protect Craw. He had his chance to betray us, and he hasn't. I'm thankful." She smiles up at him. The huge reptilian averts his eyes, and Kane watches a silently stunning display. He says nothing, though.

Long adds, "As for the Zarak Queen, she's in that hauler over there. She claims they want some sort of spiritual unity with all other beings in the universe, but after some prying, we found out it's not good for the non-Zarak race. She's semi-cooperative, but our biggest hurdle is how can we trust her? She turned herself in, essentially, because her hive mind link is gone for now, but we have no way of verifying it. With it, her fellow Queens can silently find her, and they can communicate. For now, we're jumping daily, but we can't keep this up. As much as I'd love to learn more, we need to survive first."

"Any reason to believe she might want to defect?"

Both Dzor and Long look at each other. They shake their heads, and Long replies, "She seems pretty devout in the Zarak belief system. There are some secrets, such as the name of her people's homeworld, which she guards. She is afraid that her status will be very low in the horde due to losing so many of her soldiers –all of them- because of her injury. She also claims she's curious, which is why she did it. Last important note, she has an egg. She's been taking care of it, which pretty much seems to be keeping it clean and rotating it to ensure its temperatures don't stagnate. She offered it to us as an olive branch. We don't intend to separate her, but we don't know what to do."

"Mind if I try talking with her Captain? Maybe she's less comfortable with Dzor present."

"I've been hoping you would. But, are you're sure you're okay? We can wait."

"I'm fine, Captain. Would you please watch the Princess?" He offers the incubator to her. However, Dzor reaches over her, taking the capsule surprisingly gently so he can inspect it. He states, "Hoomins hovv eensteencts to protect all offspreeng? Not joost own?" He listens closely to the pod.

Kane replies, "I suppose so, yes. Children can be taught anything. Doesn't matter what they are. I have no other children at the moment, so why not a princess?"

Dzor adds, "Your voice... Cave Queen spissies need stimoolashin?"

Kane scoffs and nods. "Yes, Yarjen. Wish we figured it out that faster."

"Seen before, boot wouldn't hovv nississarily known. I protect Craw egg. Boot, I grateful for hoomin help. I, een turn, hilp."

There's a quiet pause. Kane is the most surprised. The last time he specifically spoke to Dzor, the Baskylla Jardzen threatened to use Kane's spine as a backscratcher. But, that was admittedly a few weeks ago, and he's not Captain Long.

Long says softly, "Thank you, Jor."

He nods at her. Just as Kane's about to ask if there's anything else he needs to know, a shrill, buzzing shriek comes from the direction of the hauler.

Kane runs briskly as the Marines nearby circle up and aim at the Zarak hauler. One barks orders, but unless Kane missed something, the Queen doesn't understand.