17. Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Bazium

Everyone knew what the alarm meant, so by the time he and Ari were back at the tent, most of the humans were already rushing to their enclosures. Carrying Andres and Lucia with Liz at his side, Norrium was jogging across the compound to his cottage.

“What do we do?” Ari asked, looking around at the empty tent and obvious signs of celebration.

Bazium tapped the display on one of the tent’s support struts. The side of the tent deployed so fast it slapped down on the ground with a loud smack.

“If the inspector doesn’t ask a specific question, we don’t explain,” Bazium said as he checked for anything suspicious outside the tent.

He wasn’t sure if the celebration would cause the Committee to look more critically at his facility or garner praise for providing enrichment for the humans, but better to be cautious. The important thing was that Nacium saw all the humans safely tucked away in their enclosures at this time of night.

“Should I hide in our cottage?” Ari asked.

Bazium debated for a submark, then sounded a negative rattle. “I need you at my side, especially if he asks unexpected questions to one of the humans. You’re very quick with witty responses, and that might help if we need to distract him or guide another human’s answers.”

“Aww, thanks Baz,” Ari said. “I know we’re in an emergency, but that was sweet to say.”

He didn’t understand how saying she was intelligent equated to candy, but it must be a positive because she sounded pleased. He filed away the word “sweet” to use later.

“We need to hurry,” he said. “Nacium is being held at the main entrance, but we don’t want to cause him to be suspicious.”

“He’s the one who decided to show up late at night when we were in the middle of the best party of my life,” Ari grumbled.

“Was it truly the best?” Bazium asked as they walked.

“My quincea?era was pretty great, but that was a long time ago,” Ari answered. “This was the best party of my adult life by far!”

Bazium made a mental note to ask her about this quincea?era later because they were at the main entrance, and he had to deal with Nacium. A public ground transport was there, with Nacium standing next to it talking to Valorium.

“Greetings Servant Citizen Nacium,” Bazium said with a smack to his chest. “I’m Bazium of the Lee Family within the Clan Tomok. Your visit is both a surprise and an honor.”

Nacium smacked his chest. “Greetings, Citizen Bazium. I swear to be unobtrusive and swift in my duties.”

The moment the formalities were done, Nacium turned his attention to Ari. He dropped to one knee as he dug something out of his belt pouch.

“Hello, human. This is for you,” he said, holding out a piece of candy.

“Oh, my favorite!” Ari said with a childish level of enthusiasm. She popped it in her mouth immediately, even though Bazium knew she was full from dinner. Nacium remained on his knee even after Ari took the candy from him.

“Isn’t it late for you to be awake? Did my visit disturb your sleep? Do you need to clutch or cling, little female?”

“Ari is my personal pet,” Bazium explained, drawing her back against him. Ari wrapped her arms around his waist and tucked herself tightly to his side. “In accordance with the laws, I will show you all the places humans are being kept. You’ll see they are well housed and cared for.”

Getting back to his feet, Nacium looked at Bazium. “I have no doubt I’ll find everything as it should be.”

“You do realize it’s late,” Bazium said.

“Not so very late,” Nacium said, refusing to be cowed by Bazium’s censure. “I’ve checked the data carefully and many humans are still awake at this time of the evening.” His eyes slid down to Ari. “Still, I’ll do my best to be quiet so as not to disturb those already at rest.”

Picking up Ari so Nacium wouldn’t be tempted to touch her, Bazium turned and led the servant citizen toward the nearest enclosures.

“You must be very important,” Ari said as they walked.

Nacium started purring as he walked at Bazium’s side. “Why would you say that?”

“Because you represent the Apogee Assembly,” Ari answered, her voice unnaturally childlike. “They’re the most important Talins, aren’t they?”

“Some would argue that our monarch and prime family are the most important,” Nacium said with an amused rumble. “But you’re correct, the Apogee Assembly is very powerful. I work for one of the committees dedicated to making sure all you humans are looked after.”

“That makes your job even more important!” Ari declared. “Thank you for keeping us safe.”

Bazium thought she was being too obvious with her admiration, but Nacium never stopped sounding a soothing rumble.

“I promise to make sure all of you are protected,” he said, making Bazium want to rattle with irritation. He worried that Ari’s fawning words were going to make Nacium a more determined inspector.

“Did you know all my family and friends are here?” Ari asked. “Master Baz brought us all here so we could stay together. And he found me more friends! We get to spend all day together, grooming each other’s manes and playing. It’s the best life. I worry for all the humans who don’t get to live with us and be so joyful.”

Bazium should’ve had more faith in Ari. With that little speech, she’d neatly outlined what Nacium’s expectations should be. He would find everyone here happy but should be worried that humans not on the Lee Family compound might not be as content.

She was brilliant!

“Don’t cause yourself anxiety, Ari,” Nacium said. “I’ll be extra diligent with other owners.”

“That’s good,” Ari said. “You can always bring the humans here. We have lots of room for everyone to play!”

Ari

To her relief, the inspection went well and quickly. Ari couldn’t wait to see Nacium get back into his ground transport and leave. She was tired of being a cheerful and chatty human. Her face hurt from forcing herself to smile, and the inside of her cheek was sore from where she’d bitten it several times to keep from saying what she was actually thinking.

After this was all over, she should be given an award for acting!

“As you can see, we’ll be finished with the extra enclosures soon,” Baz said as they circled around the construction near Zuri and Kasium’s cottage. It was the last place they needed to show Nacium and then they could escort him back to the front entrance.

“The humans don’t seem to mind being housed several to an enclosure,” Nacium commented. “I read that they often sleep three or four to a nest.”

“They only tend to do that when they’re anxious or in a new place,” Bazium lied smoothly. “As they grow more comfortable and secure here, some might want nests and enclosures of their own.”

“That’s not in the literature. I need to make note to have it added,” Nacium said, unclipping his Ident and speaking into it quickly and quietly.

Ari bit her cheek again.

As if sensing her annoyance, Baz tightened his hold on her briefly before speaking again. “We also expect to find more humans, and we want to be prepared for that.”

“I’d call you greedy if it wasn’t for your adoption program,” Nacium said, reclipping his Ident. “I can see why you’d want the humans to spend time here first. With so many other humans, it would make a potentially traumatic experience far easier. Tell me, where are the cubs housed?”

“As you must know, the youngest isn’t here,” Bazium said. “That small family was adopted and is thriving under their new owners’ care.”

“Yes, yes,” Nacium answered with an impatient rattle. “But there are other cubs. Andres, Lucia, Tamsin, Royal…”

As Nacium listed all the kids under ten from memory, Ari noticed movement behind him. Keeping her smile in place, she watched with growing horror as Zuri and Kasium came into view. Both looked happy and relaxed, with Zuri looking like she’d been thoroughly sexed up!

Under any other circumstance, Ari would’ve cheered and maybe teased them a little for taking so long to get together, but their timing couldn't have been worse!

After enjoying each other’s “company” they must’ve decided to join the celebration and see if there was any food left in the tent. Normally it wouldn’t be a problem, especially at this time of night, but to a Talin’s heightened sense of smell, they probably reeked of sex and each other.

They were probably too distracted to notice the alarm that went off earlier, and now they were walking the shortest route to the tent and would pass right by Nacium! He’d have to be a complete idiot not to notice if they got close.

“I swear I could eat an entire crop of seed pods!” Zuri declared with a light laugh.

“What’s this?” Nacium asked as he turned to see who was talking.

With Nacium’s back turned, Ari waved widely to get the couple’s attention. Kasium saw her waving, then noticed Nacium, while Zuri was chattering about all the things she wanted to eat.

“There’s food in the cottage,” he said and tried to turn Zuri around.

She wasn’t having it and dug in her heels with a frown. “But I want to see everyone!”

Ari wiggled violently in Baz’s arms, and he was forced to place her on the ground before she got free and dropped with a lot less grace.

Holding out her arms, she sprinted to Zuri. “You’re awake! I’m so happy!” she shouted and grabbed the startled woman into a bear hug. She put her mouth right next to Zuri’s ear. “An inspector from the Committee of Pet Welfare is here. Did you guys shower before coming out here?”

Zuri caught on quickly and hugged her back before declaring loudly. “Ari, I haven’t seen you in marks!” Then whispered, “All I did was a quick spot wash. I’m dirty as fuck!”

“In both mind and body, I bet,” Ari quipped back, making Zuri snort out a laugh despite the tense situation. “Maybe you can pretend to suddenly be afraid of the dark or something. But do it fast and get back to the cottage.”

Ari could hear Baz and Nacium approaching, so she let go of Zuri and stepped back to give the woman acting room.

“I don’t feel good,” Zuri declared and swooned slowly to give Kasium plenty of time to catch her.

“Healer Kasium, you need to take that human to the infirmary immediately!” Baz ordered with the whooshing-snap of a decisive rattle.

Kasium didn’t need to be told a second time. Holding Zuri close to his chest, he ran in the direction of the infirmary, leaving the area before Nacium could get too close. Ari was about to breathe out a sigh of relief when Nacium started to follow.

“We should make sure she recovers,” he announced. “I have an acquaintance within the Verta Clan I can contact if she needs more care than your infirmary can provide.”

Ari was out of ideas and desperate when she saw Rain, Cherish, and Royal peering out from around one of the inactive builder bots. She gestured for them to come over, hoping the addition of a few awake and interacting humans might distract Nacium from following up on Zuri.

“Kasium is a highly skilled healer,” Baz said, trying to get in front of Nacium and stop his progress. “Our presence in the infirmary might inhibit his effectiveness.”

Nacium started arguing with Baz as Ari watched Cherish lean over and whisper something to Royal. The little boy nodded his head then took off running for Nacium.

“Royal, come back!” Cherish yelled. She started running after her brother and then did a great job of tripping herself to the ground and started wailing. “Royal!”

Giggling, the little boy ran up to Nacium. “Hello! I’m Royal, and that’s my sister. She wants me to go to bed, but I need to measure things. Do you want to measure things with me?”

By the time Royal was done with his little speech, Nacium had dropped to his knees and was purring loudly. “You’re one of the cubs,” Nacium said, opening his arms.

Familiar with the gesture, Royal stepped into the embrace. He’d never known cruelty or unkindness from a Talin, so it didn’t occur to Royal to be afraid. Nacium’s purr got louder as he stood, hugging the little boy to his chest.

Turning to face Baz, he sounded a questioning rumble before going back to purring. “Why is this cub out at night?”

“That’s my fault,” Cherish said, stepping up to stand next to Nacium. “He loves to measure things with his multi-tech, and even though it was late, he wasn’t tired yet. I thought measuring a few things would wear him out, but he got away from me.”

“Both of you should’ve been locked in your enclosure,” Nacium stated, and Ari got a sinking feeling. They might have traded one trouble for another.

“I was escorting them,” Hesarium said, appearing out of the night. Ari jumped and hissed at his sudden appearance. “I stopped to fill a hole so no one would get a foot caught. These humans have such tiny feet, and they don’t pay attention to where they step. I asked Cherish to hold her brother. She did not, and now we are here.”

Nacium looked Hesarium up and down, then over at Cherish who’d managed to produce some nice crocodile tears.

“It’s all my fault. I love my brother so much, it’s hard to say no when he wants to do something,” she explained.

Nacium reached out and patted her on the head. “I can understand; humans have little capacity for will power. You’re not to blame.” He looked up at Hesarium, and Ari held her breath. “You wished to keep them safe from themselves. I’ve read this is an all-consuming task. I commend your dedication.”

Blowing out her breath, Ari sagged against Baz. Damn, that was close. Thanks to the quick thinking of first Cherish, then Hesarium, no one was going to get in trouble tonight.

Ari swore they’d run more drills in the future because this wouldn’t be the last inspection they’d have to suffer through.

“What shall we measure first?” Nacium said as he popped Royal onto one of his hip crests. Royal pulled out his newer multi-tech and handed it to Nacium as Cherish spoke up.

“He wanted to measure the machines,” she said, pointing to the builders nearby. “After that, he promised to go to bed.”

That last part was stated with a meaningful look at Royal, who shrugged. “Sure,” he said, then pulled out the older multi-tech that had belonged to his father.

They measured every part of the builder, declaring all densities appropriate and safe. Then they measured some of the building materials and a few of the stones in the pathways under their feet. Finally Royal got the hint from Cherish and agreed it was bedtime. It wasn’t only Royal who seemed disappointed that the density measuring session was over.

“You should have a density rod,” Nacium declared after setting Royal down and handing the boy back his multi-tech. “That way you can always know your measurements are perfectly calibrated. I’ll see that one is sent over tomorrow.”

Royal cheered even as Hesarium picked him up and started carrying him away with Cherish at his side.

Now that Nacium had gotten to interact with one of the children, Baz determinedly marched Nacium toward the entrance. Just as he started to fuss about checking in on Zuri, they received a message from Kasium saying she was fine and sleeping peacefully.

As Ari watched Nacium’s transport leave, she felt like they’d all performed a play where Nacium had been the audience. They’d pulled it off without him seeing what was really going on backstage.

“I hope you enjoyed tonight's performance of There’s Nothing To See Here ,” she murmured, relaxing against Baz’s bulk as she snorted at her own joke. “Don’t forget to leave a positive review on the platform of your choice.”