37. Drasuk

37

Drasuk

"You aren't curious to know what a cowboy is, Drasuk?"

Of course I am, but I know she's baiting me, so I ignore her.

Judging by the sounds she made, she feels like she held some sort of victory over me. I liked that battle cry when I heard it from the trees. Much less so when used to taunt me.

"Alright, fine, Mister Grump Spines. Why don't you tell me some more about politics and let out some more of that manticorid fanboying ."

I'm not sure what that last word means, but her tone seems genuine, so I assume she wants to fill in some of the giant holes of ignorance.

It must be terrifying to know so little.

I clear my throat, then provide her with more context. "After the decline of the manticorid empire, the rest of the more intergalactic conflict-capable races started an arms race to annex as much territory as possible under their respective claims. The braceaaer were the first to take advantage, mostly due to the fortune of being from a resource-rich star system. They had secured dominion over the greater portion of their home galaxy. They were looking to expand."

"How long ago?"

"Two millennia of standard cycles."

"Any idea what that would be in based on Earth?"

"Not without calculations."

She grunts back. "Well, this place seems to have a shorter day cycle than back home."

"Stop being vague if you want an answer,"

"So grumpy. It's not like I have a watch," she grumbles, adding a few curse words. "I'd say about fifteen percent shorter, but I haven't seen many days for comparison."

After asking her how many days are in her solar year, I take a moment to calculate. "That means roughly 2500 years, but with a 200 year margin of error."

"That was some fast math, lizard brain. I'm impressed."

"Human brains are not so facile?"

"Well, it depends on the human. Mine is, though."

I glance over at her. "I assumed as much, since you seem to have a very high number of nanites."

"Really? What's the connection?"

"Processing efficiency and neuron pathways. But you wanted to know about politics, not bio-tech. The xarxisi were the main competitors of the braceaaer before the genali ultimately toppled them to become the dominant race in their own stretch of the universe. As far as I know, they are extinct."

"What about your people?"

"Draks only focused on conquering planets in the Tayden galaxy, but as clans instead of a united force. As such, we were limited to whatever sparsely spaced planets whichever clan could capture. We didn't have the same drive to dominate as the manticorid, or much interest in the sort of large bureaucracy it took, so we never formed an empire."

She makes a low hum, then asks another question. "What about now? Is it just the braceaaer and genali who are the biggest threats?"

"Recently, murmurs have started about an unmarked species rapidly expanding its reach in the Zedill galaxy. There was a bit of evidence a few cycles back to support the claim of their expansionist efforts. Nothing very revealing. Just feeds of the few probe ships that have been sent out to explore the galaxy, but apart from blurry images of ominous-looking orbital weapons unleashing attacks on different planets, not much media makes it back before the probes are destroyed by unseen elements. We can assume someone is making a move toward being a new overlord in the galaxy, but no one knows who that someone is or if they plan to expand."

Kira shudders. "I don't think I'm prepared for the types of wars that involve orbital weapons. I prefer knives and guns, but that makes me a dinosaur by Earth standards too, so I recognize I'm deluding myself."

"Well, at least you recognize it."

She flicks her middle digit at me but keeps walking. "They've mostly left you alone, or what?"

I let out a rumble. "They pick at the edges. The braceaaer were the first to be bold enough to take a swipe at us. The more radical clans of draks decided to band together to end the madness. It wasn't long before they backed away with apologies alongside a generous convoy of interstellar carriers filled with gifts and innovative tech."

"Fiery pit in the ground, yes. Way to be, man. "

From the sound of her voice, I think that was a compliment toward my species, but the words make no sense. As usual.

I haven't asked why depressions in the earth seem to have some sort of special meaning for her, but I'm still not interested enough to inquire.

"Another millennium and the genali started their own war, but unlike the braceaaer they employed pirate-like techniques to target choice, relatively isolated worlds. They never attack in force, just as bandits, and as you'd expect, any official communique for a cease and desist is moot given the certainty that all you'll get in return is a wet pile of lies."

"That tracks," she says, as opaque in her meaning as always.

Tracks what? I don't get a chance to ask before she continues.

"The genali seem particularly driven by greed."

"You are correct. When I was younger, I read a lot about the varying histories and philosophies of the different species we mapped back in the glory days. The one concept I have never really understood is the point of bloodletting over currency."

"What's not to understand, Drasuk?"

"Let me finish. I understand the concept of greed well enough. It is quantifiable as many concepts are, manifesting itself in different ways and to different severities across all sentient and sapient species."

"Alright, I'll bite."

"Bite what?"

"Forget it. You are being too literal again. I meant I'm ready to debate. What about food? How does it not make sense to be greedy about that?"

Do humans bite people they plan to debate? I eye her teeth, but they are just as blunt as always.

No threat there.

"It does make sense," I concede. "When in short supply of essentials, the need to preserve oneself can manifest as greed. It might be obstinate, but at least it is understandable."

"How about greed over land? Surely that is exactly what all your clans were when they claimed planets."

"This too I can appreciate. Your territory equals the area you can control. The subjugation of one's immediate environment is part and parcel of being a member of the intelligent species. It might be cruel, but it fits in with the way of things."

"Then you are contradicting yourself."

I scoff. "Don't be so limited. I am talking about currency. A literal fluid concept that is only as stable as your civilization. That is what makes little sense."

"I can't say I disagree."

"Exactly. Madness. Madness and then some."

"Well. Currency-related greed is pretty much the basis of every war I served in."

"Then your species likely has more insight into the actions of the genali than we do."

She stops abruptly and when I look at her face there is shock and anger there.

"What the fornicate, Drasuk? I can't believe you just..."

She lets out a strange growl and then picks up her pace, tromping through the forest in a rage.

I watch her go, confused by her reaction. I twitch my spines and follow her, my mind turning over the strange human's behavior.

Weren't we just having a philosophical debate? Where facts drive conversation?

A chilling thought worms its way into my mind: is she so sensitive to the deplorable social progress of her species she can't even bear simple comparisons? I contemplate catching up to apologize, hoping to put this awkwardness behind us. My pride holds me in place for a moment before I decide it is best.

I tip forward onto all fours and bound after her.

When I try to speak, however, she ignores me. We settle into a tense silence.

For a tenth of this world's sun cycle, Kira keeps up her brisk pace, her defiance fueling her steps. I fall behind again, hoping she'll burn through her anger so we can talk again.

She might speak utter nonsense most of the time, but she is still intelligent, clever even. I enjoy each exchange, I realize, even when it frustrates me.

I marvel at her stamina, wondering how such an aggressive species hasn't grown to join the league of planet-conquering races. Currency greed is a powerful motivator of technological progress, after all, even if it doesn't make sense to me.

There's no time to mull it over, though.

My nose twitches as I catch a stronger concentration of dry, acerbic scent. Braceaaer, and a lot of them.

Their stench has been all over the region and so I assumed we would encounter them soon enough.

I rush forward to catch up with Kira, my eyes scanning the surroundings. She's frozen mid step, her gaze fixed ahead. I follow her line of sight and see them—short, gray-green aliens with spindly limbs and aggressive facial features. The braceaaer see us, too, their expressions shifting to one of hostile intent.

Kira not-so-stealthily pulls out her gun and checks her clip, cussing under her breath.

"I'm low on ammo," she mutters.

"Stay back and cover me with whatever you have," I instruct, my voice a low growl. "I'll handle the rest."