Escape from Grace - Chapter 7

            Surprisingly, the remainder of the day passed in peace within the Mauraug outpost.  Suufit stayed distant from the other four sapients, perhaps preferring to be left alone with its misappropriated rations or else anxious about mishandling its duties.  Evgeny left Wallace asleep, his rest reinforced by a light dose of sedative.  Luuboh interspersed visits to the patient among its usual custodial duties.  Gaalet and Evgeny worked in uneasy partnership, eased by necessity due to Soloth’s orders.  The constraints of potential engineering options provided a common ground that helped both sapients ignore their differences.

            Tension was evident in all those left behind.  Wallace woke frequently and tossed fitfully even when asleep.  Gaalet and Evgeny stayed riveted to their task, taking their supper at the worktable.  In addition to serving that meal, Luuboh found excuses to check up on them regularly.  Suufit wandered back and forth from the outside guard position to the storeroom inside.  As night fell, the stench of two species’ stale sweat had overwhelmed the air filters. 

Finally, the tinkerers’ work began to show results.  The communication system was capable of receiving and separating signals from increasingly distant sources.  Transmission was likely possible, as well, but the refugees could not yet risk being detected.  Gaalet and Evgeny agreed they were ready to link the makeshift comm to the outpost’s main generator and antenna. 

They enlisted Luuboh to snake a connecting cable to the generator room through the vent passage.  Gaalet pulled privilege to monitor the comm itself, leaving Evgeny employed as the relay between rooms.  Suufit bestirred itself when it noticed the increase in activity.  It hovered near the workroom, watching Gaalet tweak components before full power was applied. 

The initial test was anticlimactic.  The set pulled down only static and unintelligible fragments.  If there were any distant signals making their way through the ionosphere, from ships or broadcasting satellites, the comm system was failing to resolve them.  If the closer Apostates were talking between themselves, then the comm was failing even further.   More likely, all three sources were absent or temporarily silent. 

Suufit grunted derisively and turned back to resume its slow raid of the larder.  Gaalet, unconcerned by this null result, continued to tune the comm, increasing its resolution and searching the spectrum for potential messages.  Evgeny quietly made his way back to the workroom and eavesdropped upon the monomaniacal Mauraug.  He could hear Luuboh working its way back through the vent tunnel to rejoin them.  If nothing further happened, Luuboh would be shortly obliged to take its turn at guard duty outside.

A spike in one frequency caught Gaalet’s attention, and it switched the comm rapidly to that channel.  It took a few seconds more to select the correct decoding frame before the message’s content became available.  Fortunately, the system was designed to record, translate, and play back any significantly patterned stream.  No data was lost.  The decoding process was simplified by a reasonable guess: given the strength and directionality of the signal, Gaalet knew it must come from one of the Apostate ships.  As it had assumed, the communication was in Mauraug, using a familiar algorithm.  They caught an announcement followed by its responses:

“Monitoring detects two incoming ships.  They could arrive in five hours local.  Do we intercept or end operations?”

“Prepare to leave.  Load anything useful.  We depart in two.”

“Kaasech acknowledges.”

“Tennak acknowledges.”

Gaalet muttered to itself, “Rescue?  Or worse trouble?”

Evgeny agreed, unasked, “I know what you mean, but it is an opportunity.  The Apostates are running away, which leaves us a window to get into the settlements!  Hopefully, the new arrival is actually a rescue or will lead to one.”

Gaalet did not respond but continued to stare at the comm station, fiddling with its controls as before.  Evgeny was initially irritated about being ignored, then remembered Luuboh’s explanation about Gaalet’s social disability.  Likely the Mauraug had heard him well enough but was uncomfortable discussing the issue further. 

Evgeny’s comment did, however, draw the attention of the other two Mauraug.  Suufit and Luuboh approached the workshop at the same time.

The oversized second-in-command stepped well into Evgeny’s personal space and leaned into the Human’s face, demanding: “What was that?  The Apostates are leaving?"

Evgeny responded evenly, “It seems so.  Their communications say they saw incoming ships and have decided to flee rather than fight back."

“How do you know they were Apostates speaking?”  Suufit challenged him.

Evgeny wished he could look to Gaalet for backup.  He would have to support his claims alone.  “It was a strong signal… nearby and within this atmosphere.  The speech was Mauraug.  Gaalet decoded it fast.  I assume it was a familiar encryption.  Who else would be having that conversation?”

“Gaalet bash’Rubesh, is it correct?” Suufit asked directly.  The ‘graceful’ Mauraug kept its face turned away but blew out a breath in confirmation.

“So?” Suufit continued reluctantly, “You can tell Soloth when it returns.  It can scout Gorash’Bond next and see if the Apostates have departed.  Keep listening.”

Evgeny stared in incredulous anger.  Did this sapient’s sloth match its gluttony?  They needed to notify Soloth now, not the next day.  He was tempted to let Suufit return to its gorging and then sneak out at the next opportunity.  Luuboh might even help him escape, perhaps even join him.  They might reach Soloth at the Terran cache site if they walked fast.

There were several problems with that plan, foremost of which was abandoning the wounded Wallace to Suufit and Gaalet.  Their care would be minimal at best and outright abusive at worst.  Evgeny (and possibly Luuboh) would also have to travel without supplies, particularly since Suufit was stationed firmly in front of the rations.  Even if he tried to drag Wallace along, Evgeny could not procure medications to help his confederate travel faster or without pain.  Worse yet, if he arrived without Suufit or Gaalet to confirm his words, having left without Suufit’s permission, Soloth might not even listen to him.

Evgeny would have to risk an argument with Suufit.  He had to wager that when presented with all the information and a clear plan, the self-centered Mauraug would at least understand the inherent danger to itself from not informing Soloth sooner. 

Evgeny spoke up, catching Suufit in the midst of turning away.  “We need to call Soloth, ourselves, as soon as possible.  The Apostates are leaving because other ships are on the way.  There will be a three hour gap, two hours from now, when no ships are near Locust IV.  If we notify the scouts now, they might be able to reach New Gethsemane within that time.”

The Dominant Mauraug turned back on the outspoken Human with a predictable flare of outrage.  Its toes clenched the sandstone floor and its lips curled back.  When Suufit spoke, it used a tone of mockery that seemed excessive for addressing a genuinely insignificant subordinate.

“Such a clever little brother.  Only here two days and already advising its betters.  Soloth may indulge your whining, but I will not.  I will not risk our safety on your recommendation,” it sneered. 

Its next comment was directed to Gaalet: “We will send a message only if I decide it is necessary.  We are not under attack right now.  I intend to keep it that way.” 

Turning back to Evgeny, Suufit stepped further forward and shoved him roughly at his shoulder.  “Get out of the way.  Go back to scrubbing floors with Luuboh.  Or see if the other infant needs its medicine.  If you trouble me again, you will have to share its sickbed.”

Evgeny’s temper persuaded him toward its preferred response: conflict.  A fight was clearly necessary.  He would have to overcome Suufit in order to overrule its authority.

He retorted, “‘I will beat you up.’  You sound like Soloth.  You cannot think of an original threat.”

Suufit’s fur rose noticeably and its eyes narrowed.  It paused longer this time, obviously surprised to hear clear defiance from the ‘small’ Human.  Evgeny’s taunt was actually inaccurate.  In the time Suufit took to respond, Soloth already would have thrown Evgeny across the room.

Instead, the bulky beta howled further threats: “I can crush you if I choose.  I do not need Soloth’s permission to kill an inferior challenging above its position.  You are obviously insane and dangerous.  Abase yourself now and I will only break your arm.” 

“You will have to kill me… if you can.  Otherwise, I will still notify Soloth of your error.  I will enjoy watching it punish you.  It will be my revenge.  Make that call now, and I will not mention this conversation to anyone else.  I do not need to humiliate you.”

Evgeny misjudged his opponent’s personal restraint.  His last comment enraged Suufit too far.  The Mauraug swung a heavy arm toward Evgeny’s head. 

Though his emotional reflexes had been poor, Evgeny’s other faculties anticipated a violent response.  He sidestepped into the workroom.  Suufit not only missed its blow, it smashed its hand into the dividing archway between them.  It bellowed in pain and heightened fury. 

Gaalet scrambled away, trying to pull the comm system out of reach.  Tethered by the power cable leading out of the room, there was only so far the linked equipment could go. 

Evgeny realized he was in an advantageous position.  If Suufit recognized the hazard of endangering the comm system, it might be limited in its options to strike back.  Its anger already put it off balance.  Its overeating would slow it down and limit its endurance, not to mention making certain target areas more vulnerable to attack. 

All these advantages only opened a path to victory.  They did not offset Evgeny’s literal weakness: his relative physical strength.  Suufit could finish the fight with one well-placed strike or a successful grab and pull.  Once out of his corner, Evgeny could be smothered or crushed by Suufit’s bulk. 

Luuboh had disappeared.  While unlikely that it would assist either side, it might have wanted to witness the conflict.  Then again, it might prefer to stay out of harm’s way, both immediately during the brawl and shortly afterward, should Suufit have unspent rage remaining.  Gaalet certainly would have preferred to be elsewhere.

Evgeny was temporarily irrational enough not to share that urge.  The present danger was a welcome change from the previous days’ tense tedium.  He grinned in Human humor, not coincidentally reproducing one element of the Mauraug threat display.

Suufit worsened its position by overinterpreting Evgeny’s expression, overreacting to what it took as mockery.  It snarled and lunged forward into the workroom.  Carefully arranged wires and fasteners went flying as it bumped the table with its hip.

“Come on then, you fat idiot!” Evgeny taunted in earnest.  He would have preferred less simple insults, but his command of Mauraug was limited.  No surprise that Defense had avoided teaching trainees Mauraug vulgarities.

The childish barb worked well enough.  Suufit dove at Evgeny, attempting to trap him against the far wall.  Instead, the smaller Human simultaneously sidestepped, ducked, and put out a leg against Soloth’s foremost, supporting ankle.  It took most of Evgeny’s available strength, but he had judged the forces correctly.  Suufit’s foot shot out from beneath it, leaving its upper body with no support.  The heavy Mauraug fell forward, cracking its knees on the stone floor and dropping its head hard against the edge of Gaalet’s thin cot.

This injury alone was insufficient to put Suufit down.  Its anger drove it to try and rise.  As it put out its hands to push up from the bed frame, Evgeny stood.  He then leapt as high as the ceiling allowed, falling with knees bent and aimed for Suufit’s back.  He had to hope that some of the Mauraug’s internal organs were still organic and located in their original positions. 

This appeared to be the case.  At the least, Suufit did not have the benefit of Soloth’s reinforced spine.  Its back bent at an agonizing angle as Evgeny landed squarely below its ribcage.  It also lost its grip on the bed frame, and its head snapped back down to bounce against the mattress. 

With a horrifying retch, Suufit belched and then vomited up its ill-gotten gorge.  As much as he wanted to escape the disgusting sight – and smell – Evgeny remained astride the Mauraug’s heaving bulk.  He was merciful enough to let Suufit finish gagging.  Its abused body had rendered it unable to continue fighting for a few seconds.  However, when the eruptions stopped and Suufit started to show signs of recovery, Evgeny pushed again.

“Your judgment is poor.  You are unwise, Suufit bash’Topith.  Admit I am Dominant, both in mind and body.  Otherwise, your punishment continues.”

Suufit started to object, but its retort was cut off by literal bile.  It coughed and choked through another bout of vomiting.   Evgeny goaded by digging in his knees, punishing the thought of resistance even if the deed had been aborted.

“Gaalet bash’Rubesh is witness.  You cannot overcome me.  Should I call Luuboh bash’Gaulig to witness, also?”

Suufit managed to spit out, “No.  I yield.  Make the cursed…”  It was cut off again by heaving.

Not yet content to give up his physical position, Evgeny called over his shoulder to Gaalet, “Call Soloth.  Repeat exactly what we heard.  The Apostates may mistake it for their own message.  Let me hear any orders Soloth gives in response.”

To Evgeny’s relief, Gaalet did not offer its own challenge to his newly assumed authority.  It complied, broadcasting on the frequency Soloth had previously indicated to reach its own compad.  Gaalet relayed the Apostate message with nearly perfect conformity. 

There was no reply at first, leaving the three of them suspended in increasing physical and mental discomfort.  Almost a minute later, Soloth’s response grumbled through the speakers: “Message received.  Continue listening.  Wait for orders.”

Evgeny had hoped for a more active response from the Mauraug commander.  At the least, Soloth should be heading north at full speed.  Possibly, it was doing so but wanted to avoid broadcasting its location.  Evgeny actually wished it would have them abandon the outpost and join the scouting party.  His desire to check for survivors was surfacing from its enforced submersion.  He needed to know if his father and mother still lived. 

Likely the Mauraug also had family, friends, or at least colleagues they hoped to find alive.  Any individual’s survival was improbable, but not equally improbable.  Evgeny had reason to think his parents were slightly more likely to survive than most others.  The group's locations were also skewed toward New Gethsemane at the moment.  That was two points in favor of checking the Human settlement first.

Then Evgeny had a further revelation.  Soloth led by virtue of control over the only safe haven left on Locust IV following the Apostate attack.  It was Dominant over that site’s inhabitants by virtue of already being commander at the outpost.  If the Apostates were genuinely vacating the planet now, the need for a bolt hole was considerably reduced.  If Evgeny cared to gamble on the certainty of their enemy’s departure, he might make a case for disregarding Soloth’s authority.  He had given his submission only while he was in Mauraug territory.  No one said he had to stay there.

Granted, even if the Apostates did leave, deserting the outpost might still be problematic.  If the Apostates had stolen all the food supplies from both settlements, then this base was the only source of sustenance left.  Technically, his stolen Dominance gave Evgeny access to the storeroom’s ration supply, but abusing that privilege - as Suufit had - might force the Mauraug beta into a new confrontation.  For that matter, running away might prompt Suufit to recruit Gaalet and Luuboh to stop him… and once again, Wallace would be either a hostage or a millstone depending on whether Evgeny left him or brought him along. 

There was no good solution.  Therefore, Evgeny started thinking about evil solutions.

Climbing down from Suufit’s back, Evgeny stood a few feet away and prepared for a second round should his opponent choose to revisit their challenge.  Instead, Suufit remained prone, only adjusting itself into a slightly less uncomfortable position.  It breathed shallowly, trying to steady its bruised nerves.

“Get up,” Evgeny ordered, testing his newly won authority, “Go to the bunk room and clean up.  I assume you do not want another challenge right away, so obey me for now.  Rest and think about your mistakes.”

Suufit stared hatred at him, but indeed did not want to risk further pain so soon.  It staggered from the workroom and across the central area toward its bunk.  Evgeny could not see or hear a sign of Luuboh’s presence; the omega continued to keep itself conveniently absent.

This absence was convenient not only for Luuboh, but also Evgeny.  As his last gambit, Evgeny turned to Gaalet.

“Gaalet, I will take over monitoring duties now.  You will guard outside.  If you see Luuboh, notify it about the Apostates’ departure, Soloth’s orders, and my claim of Dominance.  Tell it to make Wallace Harmon ready to travel on short notice, if necessary.”

Evgeny’s reading of Gaalet proved correct.  The emotionally disabled Mauraug chose to obey without question, preferring to avoid confrontation in the currently uncertain situation.  It might have fought back if approached differently, but Evgeny’s solid assumption of command and clearly stated orders gave it an easy escape from distress.

Once Gaalet had exited the room, Evgeny plugged in earbuds and ‘monitor’ the comm system without making it audible to the others.  He then quickly located the components necessary for transmission and disconnected a small, inobvious, but vitally necessary wire.  Now, any attempted broadcast from the comm would fail, hopefully without anyone’s realization.

Evgeny counted out five long minutes under his breath.  He was already going to stretch credibility tight.  No reason to push it any further.  Then he spoke aloud into the microphone: “Understood.  We will depart immediately.” 

He did not need to speak loudly.  Sound carried easily in the tight quarters.  Evgeny, himself, could easily hear Suufit stirring in the other room.  Luuboh finally appeared, showing at the doorway.

“I heard your instructions earlier,” Luuboh confessed, “but have not had time to see to Wallace.  I will prepare it right away.” 

The small Mauraug turned away to attend to that matter.  Evgeny was nonplussed by its easy acceptance of the change in hierarchy.  He supposed that, from the bottom, it was used to seeing every set of hindquarters as interchangeable.  That, or Luuboh might be getting what it wanted: escape.  Outside of the outpost, in the wilds of an untamed planet, it was at least less compressed by a stack of superiors.  There were also fewer floors to scrub out there… though the need for its talents at shelter and food preparation was greater.  Luuboh’s value rose along with the difficulty of survival without it, hence its relative comfort in a Spartan outpost on a colony planet.  In the wilds, it would be even more indispensable. 

Evgeny continued to play through his ruse.  He next went up the stairs to the exit door and cycled the passage open.  There stood Gaalet, watching the landscape through viewports in the outer stone door. 

“Soloth called back,” he informed it, “We are to meet at New Gethsemane at our fastest speed.  Come collect supplies and prepare packs for four of us to carry, with food for a fifth distributed among us.”

At this order, Gaalet did balk: “Why me and not Luuboh?”

Evgeny snapped back, “Because it is busy with the medical care I ordered… which orders you failed to relay.  Because it can handle that duty and you cannot.  Because I told you to.  Do you have another foolish question?”

He was deliberately manipulating Gaalet now, implying failures the Mauraug had not committed, pressing it to either obey or argue each point with him.  Of course, any argument would count as a further misdeed.  Evgeny, unlike Suufit or Soloth, understood that an unspoken threat of punishment sometimes works better than a specific ultimatum, especially when the victim already wants to avoid trouble.

Gaalet dropped its gaze and its hands in surrender and turned to re-enter the outpost.  Evgeny followed and shadowed the Mauraug until it entered the supply room.  He then strode to the adjacent door. 

He did his best to loom in the doorway, which for him was oversized.  Suufit bash’Topith was inside, stretched out on its bunk, a sheet domed over its shivering gut.  It looked up as Evgeny stopped.

“No time for recovery.  You can walk.  Get up, dress, and get a pack from Gaalet.  Soloth orders us to meet it at New Gethsemane.  We only have a brief time to scavenge the area before others arrive.  It wants all available sapients present to search.”

Suufit stood, slowly but more steadily than before.  It rumbled, “I do not believe you.  This is too convenient for you.  You wanted to go there already.  Now you falsify your own orders.  I will stay here… with your beaten comrade.”

“Gaalet!” Suufit bellowed, “If you are wise, you will ignore this false but lucky Human.  It only Dominates for a moment.  If you follow it, you will suffer for your mistake.  Possibly, you will die.”

“Oh?” Evgeny asked in mockery, “Am I lucky, or are you unbalanced, in both mind and body?  I did not want to involve myself in Mauraug social arrangements, but you forced me to act.  Think about the wager you are proposing.  I was right before.  If you had remained Dominant, you would have suffered for failing Soloth.  Now, I am Dominant.  If you are right, and I am wrong, then by leaving you properly obey me… and the fault for disobeying Soloth is mine alone.  But if you are wrong, and stay, you disobey both me and Soloth… you will be twice doomed.”

Any decent diplomat should have been able to sweep aside this screen of slanted fast talk.  Evgeny was counting on Luuboh’s characterization of Suufit: a spoiled child of privilege, an embarrassment stuck on Locust IV and given a sinecure command.  If he was any sort of qualified politician, he could shut down Evgeny’s con.

Instead, Suufit only continued to resist out of surliness and wounded pride.  It shifted from foot to foot for a few seconds, unwilling to concede but also unable to form a stronger argument.  Finally, it flared its nostrils in evident disgust: at Evgeny, at itself, and at their relative positions.

“Your fault alone,” it begrudged.  “We go to the settlement and nowhere else… and if Soloth is not there, we return.”

“When you get the strength to challenge me again, you can set conditions,” Evgeny rebuked him loudly.  “For now, do as I say, quickly and without trouble.  ‘The truly Dominant never explains and never apologizes.’”

Suufit bent its head and lowered its shoulders as it turned to pick up its gear.  Then it turned and fixed Evgeny with a squinted eye.

“I do not recall that saying of Sha’Bahn,” Suufit mused.

Evgeny smiled back with condescension.  “That is because it comes from a Human Prophet: Sha’Nuuayn.”

Escape from Grace - Chapter 6

            The second day of captivity started much the same as the first.  Evgeny, Mikala, and Luuboh woke, washed, and cooked.  Soloth, Suufit, and Voshtig left immediately afterward to patrol.  The Humans began cleanup. 

That day, they had an opportunity to wash more thoroughly.  Luuboh and Gaalet stepped outside together, leaving Evgeny and Mikala alone in the outpost.  The two Humans each took a turn removing their clothing, scrubbing the garments in the sink with some soap, and giving themselves a thorough sponge bath.  The process helped as much for morale as for hygiene. 

                This was handled separately and with the courtesy of privacy.  Though Evgeny and Mikala had resigned themselves to intimate sleeping arrangements, they weren’t at the blasé level of military comrades.  Evgeny also hadn’t ruled out a romantic relationship, particularly given their similar pasts, professional paths, and lack of alternatives.  Such thoughts were a bit premature after only two days and a bit inappropriate given the circumstances, but present nonetheless.

                Mikala went first, by virtue of greater need.  Thus, Evgeny was forced to grab his still-damp clothing and dress rapidly when the Mauraug patrol returned early.

Voshtig entered the common room first, pushing a bound male Human before him.  Despite the man’s battered condition, Evgeny recognized him immediately: Wallace Harmon, his fellow Defense surveyor.  Wallace had been assigned the southern stretch of the Human-Mauraug border.  It was no surprise for him to be the next Human found in this region.  He had probably had similar thoughts to Evgeny’s, heading north and possibly a little east in hopes of meeting up with other survivors.

What was surprising was his condition.  Had he met with an accident?  More likely, the Mauraug were to blame.  Wallace had a noticeable limp as he staggered in ahead of Voshtig.  His thick arms were bound behind him with black nylon cord, familiar from the Defense supply kit.  His dark brown shirt was darkened further with blood, dripped from his broken nose and split lip.  More blood speckled his sandy hair.  He had bruises blooming on his pale cheeks as well.  He coughed weakly as he spotted Evgeny, preparatory to speaking.

Evgeny spared him the effort by volunteering first, shouting in Mauraug:  “What the hell?  This is Wallace Harmon.  It is on Defense patrol, same as me.  What happened to it… and why is it restrained?”

Soloth cocked its head and opened its mouth to respond, but was preempted by Suufit's bluster: “Your comrade attacked us.  It is fortunate we spared its life.  Although I…”

Wallace himself managed to interject, in stilted Mauraug, “Spared life?  Dung!  Blew up cart…”

Both respondents were quieted by the other two Mauraug.  Voshtig shoved Wallace to the ground.  The Human narrowly avoided a concussion by catching himself on his shoulder.  Soloth dealt with Suufit by attempting to cuff the bigger Mauraug on its ear.  Suufit, alert to attack this time, raised an arm and blocked Soloth’s slap before the hand caught its head.  The force of the blow still rocked Suufit back and likely injured its wrist.  It staggered back, holding the wounded arm in its opposite hand.  The two rivals stared at one another for a long moment, weighing the options between escalation and surrender.

In the meantime, Evgeny darted forward to check on Wallace, who had not moved after landing on the floor.  The other man was only dazed from pain, breathing normally - if obstructed by blood and swelling - and conscious.  Evgeny turned Wallace onto his back, forcing him to lie painfully on his hands but otherwise helping to stabilize his shocked system. 

Mikala stepped forward into the room, seeming to lean upon one of the wooden chairs for support.  Evgeny recognized the stance: she now had a shield and weapon ready at hand.  If necessary, he could back her play by tripping up one of the three Mauraug.  Likely that would be Voshtig, if they took advantage of Soloth and Suufit brawling.

None of these contingencies were necessary, though.  Suufit submitted, lowering its eyes and stance.  This time, Soloth followed up with a backhand across the cringing subordinate’s nose.  Dark blood welled up and dripped from one broad nostril.

“I will ask if your input is required,” Soloth reminded Suufit.  It then turned to Wallace, catching Evgeny in the same glare.  “The same applies to you.  This new refugee fired upon us, that much is true.  We returned fire, but only its vehicle was damaged.  Most of its injuries came from jumping clear of the burning wreckage.  Any idea why your comrade would attack us?”

Wallace cleared his lungs and head enough to reply, “Thought you Apostates.”

Evgeny nodded, “I wouldn’t have been expecting a large, armed group of Mauraug myself, except that Mikala had advance knowledge.  If I had been alone and saw you three together, I might think you were with the raiders.”

Mikala tensed.  Evgeny could hear her chair rattle.  He hoped this information would earn Wallace some pardon, but he knew Mikala was upset at being identified as a spy.

Soloth flared its nostrils and smacked its lips in consideration.  “True, there is no way to tell a heretic by sight.”  It shot a peculiar knowing look at the other two Mauraug, both of whom shifted uncomfortably at its gaze.  It shifted its attention back to Wallace.

“You have two choices.  Submit, and your comrades can tend your wounds and include you in my terms of parole.  Defy or threaten further, and suffer further.  I do not murder; that is how you can tell me from an Apostate.  But I will make you regret disobedience.  Do I have your submission?”

Wallace stared blankly.  Evgeny was concerned about the man’s mental state until he realized Wallace hadn’t understood fully.  Not all of the Defense scouts had the same fluency in Mauraug.  Evgeny gave a clearer translation of the ultimatum, and Wallace grudgingly agreed.

“Untie it,” Soloth instructed Evgeny.  Evgeny lifted the other man into a chair and struggled with the knotted cord.  Eventually, he just pulled out a pocket knife and sliced through the nylon.  Wallace stretched his arms cautiously, rubbing his hands awake, all the while staring with bleary defiance at Soloth.

The Mauraug boss snorted and turned away from the Humans.  Addressing Voshtig, it instructed, “Take Suufit and Gaalet and make another patrol.  There may be others coming from either side.  Find them before they find us.”

This time, Voshtig bash’Kenet pushed back against its superior.  “Why are we bringing everyone here?  I do not question your wisdom in capturing these Humans, nor in maintaining our perimeter.  But every additional body increases our likelihood of being noticed and reduces the time left before we run out of food.  Why not send the refugees to some other site and let them draw away the enemy’s attention?”

“For now, I consider these Humans potential assets,” Soloth answered, generous with discussion for the moment, “If I am proven wrong, so much the worse for them.  Perhaps I will consider your plan if the cost of additional guests rises above their value.  However, I will decide when that balance has changed.”

Voshtig lowered its eyes and hands in assent. 

Evgeny risked seizing the moment to add, “You have not yet seen our real value.  Everyone is worried about having enough supplies, but we could add to the resource pool, not just take from it.  We are Defense, we are trained for the land and for combat.  Aside from scavenging, we could help with patrolling and raiding.  We might even dig up some resources the Apostates haven’t found.”

He had Soloth’s interest.  Unfortunately, he also had its hackles up.  “I did not ask you…”

“No, but you should have.  Apologies, but I am trying to help, not criticize.”  Evgeny was aware he was using Wallace’s injured body as a shield.  Otherwise, Soloth might have slapped or grabbed him after his second interruption. 

He pushed his luck once more: “I can understand not trusting us, especially after this... misunderstanding.  But we are being wasted, sitting around here.  If you put two Mauraug and one Human together on a patrol, what are we going to do alone?  You double your patrols and double your defenses, for the same cost.”

Soloth was quiet for a few seconds after Evgeny finished.  Then it spoke: “Done?”

Evgeny thought about it a moment, then agreed, “Done.  For now.”

Soloth snorted.  “I thought you should finish sticking your head out all the way before I take it off.  You are right, of course, but wrong in assuming I never considered these plans.  Unless you have more to offer, I cannot overlook your presumption.”

“More?  Of course there is more.  We are not inferior.  Wallace is hurt, but I think either Mikala or I could match any of your subordinates in a fight… not you, of course.  You are Dominant, no question.”

The implied challenge drew a yelp of protest from Mikala, but Soloth pursed its lips in amusement.  “Maybe we can test that, though a true challenge is not always physical and a fight will leave at least one party damaged, perhaps both.  I would rather not have anyone crippled… unless you force matters.  Anything else?”

Evgeny saw the trap too late.  Either he committed them to the service of the Mauraug or else consented to more severe punishment.  Either he offered up something of real, undisputable value, or else Soloth could no longer defend the Humans to its begrudging subordinates.  Soloth was restraining its urge to physically retaliate in order to call Evgeny out, demanding that he show his full hand.

To abuse the metaphor further, Evgeny flipped a hole card, gambling on an asset he had never confirmed but only inferred.  He turned to Mikala and said, “Go ahead, tell it.”

“What?” she answered, genuinely bewildered.

“About the cache,” Evgeny prompted. 

He had wondered where Mikala was going when they met, on a route aimed somewhere south of New Gethsemane.  His best guess was that the clandestine scout had an equally undisclosed fallback site somewhere outside of the settlement.  That site might be no more than a rock or copse where she would meet a contact.  It might be a campsite.  In those cases, Evgeny’s gamble would fail, painfully.  Alternately, some faction in New Gethsemane might have built a bunker or other shelter just like the Mauraug.  Mikala might indeed have a supply cache outside the settlement, in case of emergencies.  Either way, they might have a bargaining chip to play.

Mikala caught on to Evgeny’s meaning and did some calculating of her own.  She answered slowly, in Terran standard, “I have no earthly idea what you are talking about...  Cache of what?” 

Her exaggerated denial matched the phrasing from a popular comedy movie.  The choice of expression signaled clearly enough to Evgeny that she was playing along, pretending to deceive in order to convince Soloth that her eventual confession was the truth.  They just had to hope that the Mauraug were not fans of Terran humor.  Unfortunately, Evgeny wasn’t sure if she was lying about lying.  Maybe there wasn’t any cache… but they were certainly going to pretend there was.

“Come on!” Evgeny prompted, “The secret Defense cache, the one you were going to visit when we met!  This is no time to keep secrets.”

Soloth looked blandly at the ‘arguing’ Humans, its brows arched.  Wallace, struggling to hold himself upright in the oversized Mauraug chair, gave them a bleary look of confusion. 

“Okay, fine,” Mikala shouted with convincing exasperation, “It’s not like I can get there without help anyway.  Besides, there’s only enough for one person, and someone is probably already there, guarding the spot and using everything up.”

Soloth was drawn in enough to ask, in their language, “What spot?”

Mikala answered directly, against protocol, “South of New Gethsemane.  There’s a secondary survey site where the settlement could have been.  Same aquifer, similar arable land, but rougher and with less access to mineral resources.  There’s a hut left over from one of the early survey visits, pretty well overgrown.  Covert stocked it with supplies in case a fallback position was needed.  Like I said, it’s probably in use, just like this place… if the Apostates didn’t find it, of course.”

She had gotten talkative very abruptly.  Either she had a lot of real information to share or was making up a story with impressive speed. 

Evgeny filled in the rest in Mauraug, stealing the conversation back in case Soloth took offense to being lectured by a ‘subordinate’. 

He added, “Going there might draw attention.  So it is an unknown asset with unknown risks.  Still, like I said, here is proof that we can contribute, if that is what it takes to get respect.”

Soloth answered facing Evgeny, speaking Mauraug again: “Coordinates.  I will forgive this omission when it gives the location.  I will scout the site and retrieve its contents… if any.”

“You will need to take Mikala, in case the site is held against you,” Evgeny offered, “unless you want another wasteful conflict.”  He gestured toward Wallace to emphasize his point. 

“Are you dictating me terms?” Soloth spat.  It grasped one of the metal stools on its side of the common table.  “Perhaps you need a reminder who decides matters here.”

Evgeny came perilously close to shouting down the authority-obsessed Mauraug, but controlled his own temper well enough to manage the situation.  He dropped the volume of his voice and increased the pitch, and spoke while looking at Soloth’s chin rather than eyes. 

“No.  I am providing information useful to all of our survival.  This is information you did not know to request.  At first, I was disputing your subordinate’s argument that we would be better used as decoys.  Now, I am making sure my argument is proven valid.  You are not sure you can trust us.  I am trying to fix that.  Please listen.”

“I have listened,” Soloth grumbled with unexpected surliness, “but I decide how to proceed.  When I speak, all must listen.  Any dispute there?”  It looked around the room, starting with Evgeny.  When that Human nodded assent, Soloth continued to scan around the room, staring down Suufit and Voshtig, then Mikala and finally Wallace.  Each lowered their eyes and gave appropriate gestures of confirmation.

Soloth gave orders rapidly, as if to confirm its decisiveness.  “I, Karech, and Voshtig will go with… Meke’laa… to this facility and claim whatever we find there.  Suufit, Gaalet and Luuboh will remain here with the other two Humans.”

To Evgeny directly, Soloth commanded, “Treat your comrade’s injuries.  Luuboh will help.  We do not need any dependents here, that much is true.  After that, report to Gaalet.  It should be ready to modify the communications array to expand our reception.  I want to know if the Apostate ships are speaking to one another.”

Evgeny allowed himself an inward smirk.  Matilda could have answered that question readily using only his compad.  The compad already contained a sophisticated communications array, including an amplifying receiver and decryption software.  Matilda could use these miniaturized resources to their maximum effect.  Instead, Gaalet had wasted two days trying to cobble together the necessary interfaces between various components to handle the same tasks secondhand. 

The only advantage of the larger, higher powered system was its greater range.  Granted, that could be useful for advance warning if new ships arrived in the system.  Even so, patching Matilda into the same system would give them that advantage plus flexibility plus a means to reach any intelligent satellites that might have survived.  The Mauraug were once again wasting resources due to their prejudices.

“Understood,” was all Evgeny said aloud.  They were making progress, albeit slowly.  Wallace’s arrival, however rough, was an asset in Evgeny’s favor.  Soloth had apparently taken his offering at face value, without making an issue of the source of that knowledge.  Implicit in the order to work with Gaalet was an acknowledgement that Evgeny was technically capable.  He could build on that confidence and continue to demonstrate his other skills.  Hopefully, by the time the group had to take action, Soloth would not waste its Human associates as perceived inferiors.

There were two major hazards ahead.  The first was the group of other Mauraug.  From what he had learned from Luuboh, Evgeny felt confident both he and Mikala could supplant Gaalet and Karech.  Their intellectual limitations had to be evident to Soloth, and neither seemed particularly physically adept, possessing no more than the usual advantages of greater Mauraug body mass compared to the Humans. 

Wallace would be limited if a physical showdown became necessary.  Fortunately, Evgeny’s initial inspection had found no broken bones or deep cuts.  There were some serious bruises, broken cartilage in his nose, and several lacerations… probably from shrapnel.  Evgeny wasn’t sure if the other man’s knee was only sprained or torn more severely.  He wasn’t going to be sprinting anytime soon, either way.  Still, he might be able to maneuver well enough with a support wrap, and they could repair a sprain in a day or two with proper medication.

The equation became more complex when Evgeny considered opposition from Suufit or Voshtig.  Both lacked mental handicaps – if not emotional ones – and both had sufficient physical power to make short work of a Human opponent.  Suufit might be slowed by its additional weight, but it would also be more difficult to injure.  Voshtig’s cybernetic arm was a built-in weapon by itself. 

Politics might be the only arena where Evgeny could supplant those two.  He could easily prove himself a more reliable lieutenant than the fractious Suufit.  Unless he was being misled, he had also picked up on a current of distrust between Soloth and Voshtig.  The trouble was, playing on interpersonal stresses took much longer than other strategies.  For now, he would have to remain vigilant and hope for an opening he could exploit.

Evgeny also wished he could confer with Mikala privately and coordinate their strategies.  Even in their shared room, at night, there was no door and at least one Mauraug awake at all times.  Now, Soloth was cleverly separating them.  Hopefully, Mikala was forming her own ideas about how to proceed.  Evgeny also had to hope her plans would converge with his own.  So far, they had supported one another admirably. 

Soloth continued, sparing them no more time for thought.  “Karech!” it called.  The summoned Mauraug entered the common room from the bunk area.  Even if it had been spending its downtime sleeping, the commotion in the adjoining chamber had undoubtedly woken it.  Either way, it was already dressed in a default black jumpsuit.

“Arm and prepare for travel,” Soloth advised Karech, “Meet me and Voshtig in the entryway.  We will take both runners.” 

“Suufit,” Soloth continued, turning to look at its subject, “I will take a compad.  Gaalet can reach me if necessary but only if necessary.  You are in authority here until I return.  Maintain watch, but otherwise the schedule is your own… conserve energy, huh?” 

The implied insult was not missed.  Suufit flared its nostrils in reaction, but avoided comment otherwise.

“Let us move,” Soloth concluded.  Its sudden drive to action made sense to Evgeny.  Their enforced idleness at the outpost was wearing on everyone.  Soloth was capitalizing on the disruption as much to provide a distraction as to accomplish other practical goals.  It actually did not matter – at least not right now – whether there was a treasure under the X Mikala and Evgeny had drawn. 

Evgeny moved first, helping Wallace to his feet and turning him toward their shared bunk.  The wounded man could probably use some prone rest.  Mikala waited where she was until the last moment.  She and Evgeny exchanged a meaningful look, although it was unlikely either had received the full text of the message intended by the other.  Mostly, their expressions both reduced to: be smart, don’t antagonize, and you owe me big when we get out of this mess.

The Mauraug turned and exited as a group.  Suufit would likely be going to inform Gaalet and Luuboh of the new arrangements and schedule.  Soloth and Voshtig departed to prepare the runner carts.  Karech stepped back into the bunkhouse to retrieve its firearm and then stopped in the storeroom to collect supplies for the expedition.  Once it was done, it gestured to Mikala.  Having no other personal equipment to collect, she followed.

“See you tomorrow,” Evgeny called through the doorway at her back. 

Mikala turned around briefly to retort, “Sure.  Out and back.  No problems.”  Her sarcasm covered either nerves or anger, maybe both.  Evgeny could not be sure how much she resented him forcing matters. 

Then she was gone, following Karech outside.

Luuboh entered shortly afterward.  It joined Evgeny in looking over Wallace, who was roused from an exhausted daze.  The third Human had fallen quiet during the conversation.  Evgeny had assumed Wallace’s silence was intentional, possibly tactful.  Now, he found himself concerned about the other man’s lethargy.  Shock was still a possibility, along with blood loss, internal injuries, or other unsuspected damage.

Lacking a full medical scanner, not to mention first-hand knowledge of Human anatomy, Luuboh’s diagnosis had to rely on simpler tools, basic logic, and Evgeny’s feedback.  They quickly ruled out broken bones and found no other swelling indicating immediately serious harm.  When Evgeny checked their patient’s eyes, Wallace grimaced at him comically.

“Nurse Koko has a pretty gentle touch,” Wallace joked quietly, in his native American English. 

As relieved as he was to get a response, Evgeny frowned back at his colleague.  “This is Luuboh.  It speaks good Terran Standard and has been very hospitable, so behave.”

“I assume that was a ‘gorilla’ joke?”  Luuboh asked over its shoulder as it reviewed screening results from the blood sample it had dabbed from Wallace’s split lip.  “Glucose levels should be above 1 gram per… liter, correct?”

“You’re ahead of me there,” Evgeny admitted. 

“Likely it’s low,” Wallace confirmed, “I’ve been running hard on low rations the last two days.”

Luuboh nodded, “High ketones as well.  No surprise you are fatigued.  Water and electrolytes tonight.  Wait until morning to eat.”

“He’s weak after only two days.  Soloth may call we three prisoners, but you’re all prisoners with us… at risk of starvation,” Evgeny grumbled.  “We can’t sit still forever.  Pretty soon all of us will be too tired to fight if that becomes necessary.”

“Do you think Soloth bash’Soloth is unaware of this?”  Luuboh asked, pinching its nostrils shut in aggravation.  It was the first sign of pique Evgeny had seen in the normally placid omega.  “You react to crisis with schemes; it reacts with demands and threats.  Different responses but the same goal.  The problem is not our leader but its followers.  Their fear…”

Luuboh cut its tirade short as the outer door opened again.  Heavy footsteps warned of Suufit’s return.  The oversized Mauraug stood in the common room’s doorway for a long moment, looking around as if uncertain what to do next.

It settled on the storeroom.  Stopping before entering, it turned abruptly and fixed Luuboh with a jut-jawed stare.

“I am taking my fair share,” it grunted loudly enough for all to hear, although speaking in Mauraug.  “Make up the difference however you want… from the Humans’ rations or your own, if you feel charitable.  Any complaints to Soloth and you will be mopping up your own blood.” 

Luuboh only bowed its head in response and returned to Wallace, pointedly re-checking a dressing it had already secured.  It risked a sideways glance at Evgeny, who grimaced in acknowledgement, giving a fair impression of the Mauraug expression of disgust.  He then nodded and stood back.

“I agree with your diagnosis, Luuboh,” he said aloud in Terran standard, “I’ll work out a suitable treatment.”

Escape from Grace - Chapter 5

                Evgeny expected the first day of their captivity to be the worst.  In retrospect, that first day, under the supervision of Luuboh bash’Gaulig, was actually rather pleasant. 

                Their quarters were necessarily cramped.  Evgeny and Mikala were expected to share the single bunk formerly used by Luuboh.  While the bunk was somewhat smaller than preferred for a Maraug, it was still manageable for two Humans… provided they were on friendly terms.  The two Humans in question had just met that day for the first time as adults, if not the first time ever.  They were understandably uncomfortable about sleeping together, even in just the literal sense.  Worse, given the stifling heat of the Mauraug environment, staying fully clothed was not a healthy option.  They might have slept in separate shifts, except that only seven hours was allotted for their rest period. 

                Before they slept, Luuboh showed them around, gave them a crash course in the use of the cooking and sanitary facilities, ran through the ground rules ‘for their safety’, and enlisted them as kitchen drudges while it prepared the evening meal.  It also calculated out their dietary requirements and produced vitamin tablets to supplement the nutrients they would not receive from their share of the Mauraug rations.  The Humans ate separately, in the kitchen, while the Mauraug gathered in the central room and were served by Luuboh. 

                This precaution was more practical than mandatory.  Luuboh advised that by staying out of sight, the Humans would avoid provoking further comments about their presence, which would in turn reduce the potential challenges to Soloth’s decision.  Perhaps later, when the fact of the Human presence was more accepted, they could share public space with their cohabitants. 

                Still, when the meal was done, the dishes were washed, and the Humans in question emerged to prepare for bed, there were several Mauraug doing the same.  No incidents occurred.  For the most part, the familiar crew – Cyclopean Karech, ‘Graceful’ Gaalet, and ‘Centurion’ Voshtig – ignored Evgeny and Mikala entirely.  Even Suufit was silent, though it did grace them with a sneer in passing.  Soloth bash’Soloth had exited the outpost after dinner, presumably to take up a turn at sentry duty. 

                As he entered their room with Mikala, Evgeny found two dilemmas to solve.  First, how would she handle their forced proximity?  Second, where was he going to hide Matilda?  The memory bead containing his A.I.’s essential code had been transferred by gravity to his waist, resting where his shirt met his belt.  Now, Evgeny needed to transfer the centimeter-wide crystalline sphere somewhere out of sight but also within close reach.  He had already considered and rejected swallowing the device.  Such spy novel stuff might be possible and not even too harmful, but the risk of losing his dearest friend to the chemical toilets was too great.  Putting it in a pocket or shoe ran the risk of the Mauraug confiscating that clothing and either discovering or discarding the bead. 

                Finally, Evgeny settled on the least bad plan, hiding the bead in a spot least likely to be disturbed: the bed itself.  The bunk was constructed from metal alloy tubes slid together and locked in place with cotter pins.  Evgeny palmed the memory bead, popped off one of the end caps of the ‘bedposts’, and dropped the bead into the hollow space.  Retrieval would be as easy as lifting the bed and popping off the opposite cap.  Easy was perhaps an exaggeration; if seen, the act would be suspicious.  Still, that was a future problem.  As long as they weren’t chased out of the bunker without warning, Evgeny should be able to find an unobserved moment to retrieve Matilda.

                One problem solved, Evgeny found that the other problem had solved itself.  While he undressed and secreted the memory bead, Mikala had stripped down to undergarments and settled into the far side of the bed.  She was halfway asleep before Evgeny could even bring up the question.  In a t-shirt and undershorts, he stretched out on the opposite side of the bed, careful not to bump or disturb his bunkmate.  It took him longer to relax, but eventually Evgeny also submitted to exhaustion.

                They were woken by an earthquake.  The tremors turned out to be Luuboh bash’Gaulig shaking the bedframe. 

                It greeted them: “Time to rise!  Breakfast is expected.  You have… two tenths of an hour for grooming.  Then come to the galley.”

Evgeny heard most of this, though he was inferring portions of the beginning and end sentences.  At the start, he wasn’t entirely awake.  At the end, he was distracted by warm pressure against his side.  Mikala woke also with a start, pulling her arm off his chest and rolling away.  Apparently, they had been more comfortable together while asleep. 

He decided to ignore the matter to spare them further embarrassment.  Rising from the bed, Evgeny retrieved his clothing and pulled everything back on.  He had a spare for everything except boots, but laundry was eventually going to become an issue.  The clothing-optional Mauraug could manage without a washing machine, but Humans would at least have to rinse and dry their garments to avoid health problems, not to mention problems with physical and olfactory comfort. 

Mikala was in worse shape.  She had only the jumpsuit she had been wearing and the underwear beneath.  From its looks, it had already been worn for several days straight.  Granted, the camouflage suit was designed to be worn continuously and for extended periods, but it was noticeably approaching its limits. 

The stockroom near the outpost’s entrance contained stacks of Mauraug-sized utility jumpsuits.  In a pinch, they might be able to resize one for one or both Humans.  It was still a bit early to start requisitioning gear from… hm, whoever was designated quartermaster here.  Maybe that was Luuboh, again.

The small Mauraug certainly seemed to have multiple skills to go with its multiple roles.  It was a competent cook, not to mention capable teacher, even across species, cultures, and languages.  It started its trainees as sous-chefs for dinner, giving them tips about Mauraug culinary preferences, indicating the best use of the limited ingredients and equipment available, and warning them away from items that might be unsafe for Human consumption. 

Once the Humans rubbed down their faces and hair in the galley sink, Luuboh was ready for further lessons.  Today, it began by pointing out that the galley concealed the other exit point for the outpost: a wide tunnel in the ceiling, covered by a dense mesh grating.  The passage doubled as ventilation duct and utility tunnel, linking the outpost’s water and power lines to a remote chamber containing its battery, water pump and well, air exchanger and heater, and the base’s own runner cart.  There were various tactical advantages and disadvantages, Luuboh acknowledged, but the real reason for this arrangement was that the base had been excavated backward, from its rear utility room forward.  The surrounding sandstone effectively hid the project from most observation until it was complete and occupied.

Evgeny wasn’t sure why the Mauraug omega was sharing so much information as they worked.  Maybe it was just happy to have someone to talk to and was focusing on topics it thought might keep them interested.  Mikala was indeed interested and spared Evgeny the task of maintaining conversation.  She offered insights and asked questions to get Luuboh to elaborate on its description.  She admitted to a professional interest in the steps taken by the Mauraug for their own defense.  She wisely avoided confessing that the outpost had been noticed and was under observation. 

It was possible that Luuboh was trying to draw out such information from them.  Playing friendly and drawing out secrets from the captive Humans might earn it some favor from its superiors.  At this point, though, there wasn’t much to give away.  Both settlements were gone, the colonization program nearly reset to zero, possibly even worse if this incident endangered the original negotiated Collective treaty.  Unless they admitted to some major violation that would negate the Human claims on Locust IV, there wasn’t much Evgeny or Mikala could share that would give the Mauraug any advantage.

Their remaining secrets were Mikala's spying and Matilda's existence.  Luuboh wasn’t getting that information no matter how chummy it acted.

Whatever the reason, it was nice to interact with a Mauraug without being threatened, bullied, belittled, or dismissed.  They got through breakfast with no incident, cleaned up, spent another hour wiping down the common room floor as promised, and then gathered tools to take outside.

Voshtig bash’Kenet was on guard duty as they exited, led by Luuboh.  It still had its handgun, now holstered.  It scrutinized the three sapients as they emerged but did little else beyond reminding Luuboh, “You are responsible if they escape.”

Luuboh lowered its eyes and responded clearly and without inflection, “I am aware.  Thank you.”

That exchange held nothing useful for Evgeny.  He was hoping to get a sense of relationships between the Mauraug – who might be allied, who might harbor positive or negative feelings toward whom – before having to challenge one or more of the group.  He couldn’t tell if Voshtig and Luuboh were friendly, neutral, or possibly coldly hostile.  The layering of differing Mauraug emotional markers, unfamiliar language, and cultural standards, plus unknown personal histories, made interpretation challenging.  Well, sometimes.  Sometimes the situation was obvious, as with Soloth and Suufit: leader and hostile challenger.

Voshtig triggered the outer door with the electronic key, held in its artificial hand.  The hinged panel – metal on this side, sandstone on the outer – swung upward again, dousing them in sunlight.  It actually wasn’t too painful an adjustment, given the intensity of Mauraug artificial lighting, but Evgeny felt like he could feel the additional radiation output by the star.  It was almost as warm outside as indoors.

They would need to spend some time outdoors.  A radio array was hidden among the rubble above the outpost and needed some maintenance and calibration.  They would be replacing one part and testing the connections, which could take most of an hour.  While they were out, Luuboh also intended to have them check the outpost’s perimeter, making sure the far door wasn’t exposed but the vents remained open.  It was make-work, but gave an excuse to get out of the cramped bunker.

Luuboh was true to its word, standing back and letting the Humans take care of the labor.  Evgeny was only generally familiar with the technology involved.  Mikala helped by translating some of the instructions and parts from Mauraug to their Terran equivalents.  Between the two of them, they made it through a successful test of the radio array, meeting Luuboh’s satisfaction.  The tour of the perimeter was just a casual kilometer-circumference walk, with key points identified and checked off.  After that, there was no further reason to risk detection, and they reluctantly returned to the underground.

Soloth, Suufit, and Karech were absent most of the day.  Evgeny deduced that they must be out on patrol, likely making use of his appropriated runner cart.  Since their scans the previous day had borne fruit, the Mauraug were likely watching more carefully for other Humans now.  The duty assignments left Gaalet behind.  It chose to spend its downtime in the workroom, continuing to tinker with equipment. 

Since there was no formal midday meal, they were left to their own devices.  Luuboh issued snacks from the Humans’ own rations, ensuring that they were at least kept healthy if not sated.  In return, it continued to engage them in casual-seeming but occasionally pointed conversation.  It brought up their families, asking if they had tried to contact or search New Gethsemane.  Evgeny walked through the official response he had given Soloth earlier.  Luuboh commiserated at their assumed loss, stating that it also had parents in Gorash’Bond, presumed dead.  It then wandered into gossip, noting that Soloth had lost its dominant parent, named Kavach.

Evgeny took the bait: “I thought Soloth’s dominant parent was also named Soloth.”

Luuboh rolled its lips and scrunched its eyes, a sly grin.  “Oh, no, it renamed itself for itself.  It’s rare but not impossible, when a parent dies.  It’s vulgar, though, a complete rejection of one’s lineage.  I’m not sure there’s a Human equivalent.”

“Well, there are name changes,” Mikala offered, “but there are many reasons to do that, including marriage.  You’re saying Soloth cut itself off from its family… why?  Out of grief?”

“Out of spite,” Luuboh corrected her.  “Its parent brought them here.  Some family issue on the home world, I heard.  Now that parent is dead and Soloth rules a ruin.  It is declaring its parent a fool, not worthy to name a child.”

Evgeny understood the omega’s amusement now.  Soloth was giving one final ‘screw you’ to the dead.  He shared some of the same resentment, but not enough to divorce himself from his father’s name.  Ben Lerner had not been a fool, just driven and willful.  He had given Evgeny no option other than to follow along, but had done his best to find his son a meaningful place within the colony.  His wife Ondrea, Evgeny’s mother, had also emigrated willingly.  What was the story with Soloth’s subordinate parent?  Deceased?  Separated?  Luuboh’s revelations hinted that there was more to the story.

This was fascinating but of limited practical use.  It helped Evgeny understand the Mauraug leader a bit better, perhaps even sympathize with its anger and violent temper.  It didn’t give him much to use against Soloth directly, though.  Even if he could push against that rage enough to unbalance Soloth, even if he toppled the leader, its second-in-command would be the only one to profit.  That new boss probably wouldn’t be any friendlier to the Humans, especially not after a provocation.  Soloth had made it clear it was their benefactor, and its subordinates were the ‘bad cops’ it was keeping in check.

Well, Luuboh was undermining that strategy.  Even if its courtesy was equally an act, it was useful to have on their side.  As they continued their conversation, Evgeny tried to trade back interesting but practically useless trivia about his own associates.  He got Luuboh to laugh at his retelling of Peter Tomkins’ attempts to domesticate crabdog larvae.  Apparently, the carapaced scavengers were born mean or at least had minimal social needs.  Peter's experiment had resulted in some nasty bites and a handful of overfed, hostile juvenile crabdogs.

In return, Luuboh explained Suufit’s appearance and poor temper.  The portly Mauraug had been born with a natural genetic disadvantage: a slow metabolism and larger body frame.  Its parents had been low status and thus low in income.  Ironically, it suffered from an autoimmune disorder that rapidly destroyed portions of its gastro-intestinal tract during its childhood.  It lost weight rapidly, nearly dying from malnutrition.  The necessary repairs had bankrupted its family to keep it alive. 

It had become a conscript in the Mauraug military in order to help repay those debts.  Fortunately, it prospered and moved up the ranks, improving its income and internal hardware.  Luuboh wasn’t sure if it ever repaid its parents for their sacrifices, but Suufit definitely harbored mental scars from its early life.  It overate, with increasing noticeability.  It refused both dietary and emotional counseling.  Eventually, this led to it being reassigned to a ‘command’ post on Locust IV, in charge of colony security.  Technically, Suufit outranked Soloth, but in a separate office that no longer existed.  There had been an early scuffle in which Soloth demonstrated that its authority over the outpost extended to Dominance over anyone residing there.  Hence the current tensions.  If Suufit had been healthier or cleverer, it might have successfully pulled rank.  It probably still watched Soloth for signs of weakness to exploit. 

Luuboh knew most of this from review of Suufit’s medical files.  It had access to these records for all personnel by dint of being de facto medic for the outpost crew, in the absence of any other trained medical staff.  Its knowledge was, like its other skills, learned by necessity of survival.  It kept itself valuable and thus alive.  About itself, Luuboh would only admit that it was assigned to the outpost first, in exactly the same roles it now held: majordomo, handyman, and so forth.  It even predated Soloth, having been the technician that ran the original wiring into the excavated bunker. 

“For once, my size was valuable,” Luuboh joked with no obvious trace of bitterness.  Still, it seemed to have tapped into a need for cathartic release.  It went on to explain that all the outpost staff were deeply flawed in one way or another.  Luuboh's 'handicaps' were obvious, as were Suufit's, but the others hid their troubles with somewhat more success.  Still, the signs were there, and it was no coincidence they had all been assigned as far from Gorash'Bond as possible. 

Soloth was rebellious even before this attack, repeatedly challenging its parent and superiors.  Giving it command of a remote outpost was an obvious attempt to manage its aggression, a punishment couched as a promotion.  Gaalet was socially limited, suffering from what Humans would term autism.  It also had congenitally weak bones, avoiding abuse for its frailty through reinforcement lacing and prosthetic replacement when necessary.  Its odd gait was the result of an imperfect pelvic reconstruction.  Karech hadn't only been missing an eye when born, it literally had only half a brain.  Infantile plasticity had made up for most of that loss, but it was still intellectually limited.  The languishing of Mauraug cognitive research had failed that particular individual; a similarly malformed human infant might have received stimulating implants that would ensure the full development of its remaining lobe. 

The only one of the group - which Evgeny now mentally labeled the 'Dirty Half-Dozen' - that stumped Luuboh was Voshtig.  It had a weak arm and shoulder which were replaced, nothing remarkable among Mauraug.  No intellectual, emotional, or social deficits were indicated in its files, not even a correctional demerit.  Its culture, including its dress, came from a lesser, minority cultural group on the home world, but again, that was no particular handicap, just the occasional source of ethnic jokes.  Perhaps it was an anomaly, assigned to the outpost for no other reason than bureaucracy.  Perhaps there was something more sinister concealed in its past...

By this point, they had whiled away the afternoon.  It would soon be time for the patrol to return.  After that came supper.  Luuboh put them to work changing linens and sweeping up before the ‘masters’ got home.  Then they went to work on the meal, which mostly involved reconstituting and then cooking down various dried meats and vegetables. 

Luuboh had a small cache of spices, some relatable to Human equivalents, but others unique and occasionally weird.  One reminded Evgeny of a blend of chocolate and coffee and was in fact a roasted and ground root rather than seed.  It might have been popular with Humans if not for its high content of a carcinogenic toxin.  Another, a greasy wax, was safe enough, but wholly repugnant: it stank of ketones and esters, like a corpse marinated in tropical fruit.  Luuboh actually appeared dismayed at their repulsion, explaining that the spice was a major component of his native culture’s signature cuisine.  The smell reminded it of home.

For anything the Humans would be consuming, they avoided both the unsafe and unpleasant spices, along with other problem ingredients.  This was practical courtesy: no point in enduring alien presences just to poison them to death at dinner. 

Evgeny was aware that he and Mikala had to be smelling strongly now, sweating particularly hard in the doubly heated galley.  Their hair hung limply.  Mikala had wrapped her hair into an even tighter bun compared to its previous bound tail.  At least there was good plumbing and they could wash regularly, although a full bath would require careful timing or a total abandonment of modesty.

Then dinner was done, and served, and cleared away, and cleaned up afterward.  That ended their second day.  Since Soloth had not returned Evgeny’s compad or offered up a spare, there was nothing to read, no distraction to keep them awake into the night.  After retiring to their room, Mikala stripped again to her underclothes, giving Evgeny a defiant glare.  He shrugged in response and did the same, sitting on the edge of the bed.  Mikala went through a basic callisthenic routine, which he belatedly joined.  It just made sense.  They needed to stay healthy, not to mention strong and limber.  Their work had not been physically challenging, not yet anyway.  If they were going to hope to face down a Mauraug, they needed to be at their peak.  It was reassuring that some of the Mauraug were evidently not at their best.  Still, Soloth and Voshtig could literally rip either of them in half.

On the next day, the odds tipped in the Humans’ favor.  Not surprisingly, this raised new problems with the Mauraug.