The Curse Of The Wereporg

6: Allies and Cuddles

SIX: Allies and Cuddles

Kylo was conflicted. He should still be fuming, consumed by rage at his predicament and raging at the treatment that had been meted out to him. But there was a part of him that had been relieved at being retrieved by Hux, being carried rather carefully to the General's quarters and treated...if not with affection, then at least with some consideration. Hux had taken the filthy porg directly into his fresher and had sluiced him down in the warm water before soaping him fastidiously clean. Shocked, Kylo had then been patted dry and placed on the table with a bowl of water and another bowl of what looked like fish. And before he could stop himself, he had wolfed the lot down, taken a huge drink and had curled up on Hux's chair. He fell asleep to the sounds of the fresher as the General had needed to remove the aroma of trash-encrusted porg.

When he woke, Hux had finished the shower that he had desperately required after carrying an incredibly mucky and smelly trash-covered porg and was gone-presumably back to work-but Kylo realised on inspection that his own data pad was resting on top of the table. So he had bounced up, his little legs pinwheeling and stubby wings flapping wildly and after he had landed very clumsily, he had activated the device, using the Force to carefully type in his queries.

First, he reviewed everything in the databanks on porgs-astonishingly little, though it echoed what Hux had said-and he ordered his next meals via the droid to ensure he did have food that was suitable for his current body and palatable. Then he researched everything he could on the planet, Valpanthus 3-and was interested to note that it had been subjected to a period of increased solar output coinciding with a meteor shower that had bathed the planet in novel viruses as well as higher than optimal radiation. The porgs were the highest form of life surviving the catastrophe and they had multiplied in the absence of any predators or any other threat. Considering things carefully, he used Hux's name to order an exobiologist to perform some scans and check if there was anything unusual about 'his' porg. He had copied Hux into the request so the General was aware-just in case.

Thankfully, the scientist had been an older female named Jairo Grantz and had been professional and respectful, entering after Hux had stalked into his own quarters, having been requested to give the scientist access at his convenience. Ignoring Hux's sulks, Kylo had been approached with care and had been reassured like a skittish wild animal, rather than a leader of the First Order. From his readings, he knew porgs were supposed to be curious and friendly towards humans...though his mind treacherously slid back to the creature that ambushed and attacked him...so he gave what he hoped what was an inoffensive chirp and allowed the scientist to scan him, measure him and take swabs from his feet, his mouth and a blood spot from his leg. She turned to Hux.

"You have a healthy male Porg there, sir," she said. "There were more viral particles in his bloodstream than usual and I will forward the report as soon as sequencing is available. He's deficient in protein and some trace elements-so I will recommend supplements. And those wounds need treatment-here is an ointment that should help him heal up." Hux clasped his hands behind his back and nodded.

"Thank you," he said neutrally. "I will modify his diet accordingly." She nodded and let herself out as Hux glared at Kylo. "I should be annoyed that you saw fit to pull me from the daily briefing but I am not sure I actually want to hear a detailed analysis of every single engine on this vessel in the domains efficiency, thrust differentials, maintenance and proposed upgrades. So someone has earned himself some bonus sardines!"

Kylo cast him the most offended look he could possibly manage, though his stomach rumbled embarrassingly at the word 'sardines'. He tried to mime pointing at the scientist, gesturing to himself and then bouncing up and down but Hux sighed.

"Yes, I know you are endeavouring to uncover the origin of your condition and I appreciate that this represents a step forward but..." And then he frowned. "Have you pooped anywhere, by the way?"