Copyright 2025 – Daemon D. Hart
Please consider make a donation to Nifty! This site is unique on the net and deserves your support.
The Human Bearer
After seeing Florent today and his little encounter with Huno Sedar, Riordan's head was a nest of thoughts. On the one hand, he couldn't help thinking that Kanto had to remain alive for Florent's sake and not only. Although he disagreed with the guy on how he chose to deal with the problem of having a Xeno empath on the ship in the person of little Dario, Riordan had to admit to himself that there was some solid truth in the high commander's reasoning. Dario would have had it rough on the ship. Junior would have been his friend and protector, but having a good part of the ship against him couldn't have made for a happy childhood. There could have been bullying, and not from other Xenolites. Riordan snorted. Bullying was a nice term; those crazy assholes had tried to destroy Drato only to deal with their fear of a Xeno empath their own way. It still baffled him why they were so scared of a little boy who had the abilities apparently reserved only to humans. He would have to ask Xana about it.
Of course, one thing he couldn't ignore was Dario's transformation into a human boy with two legs. That could have been worse in some Xenos' eyes. He pondered over it. A Xenolite turning into a human, when Xenos believed Earthians to be good for nothing else but serve as breeding stock, couldn't be good. Would they see it like the sort of thing that would taint their species? As far as Riordan saw it, such an event could mark an important turning point in the evolution of Xeno as a species. Would other Xenolites grow legs overnight? If that happened, the ship would be soon in an upheaval of great proportions. That was, again, something he wanted to speak to Xana about.
His husband was unusually late. What Florent had told him, that Xana's position as the Royal Chancellor was precarious at the moment had filled him with a new fear. Now, more than ever, he wished one of the older guys, be it Marn or Xeus Sr. would be in good enough a shape to lead the Xeno race instead of his husband. It had nothing to do with his believing in Xana's abilities, but more with how selfish he felt when it came to his Xeno master. Huno was right about one thing; his relationship with Xana was special, and he wanted to protect it. He very much preferred that Xana was just a counselor like others, and not the big person in charge. And now, being as young as he was compared to other Xenos who could have been in his position was a sword that could cut both ways. On the one hand, it helped him maintain a certain openness to the new challenges his race had to face, but on the other, the rest of his brethren could simply judge him for the smallest mistake by blaming it all on his lack of experience.
Last, he needed to convince Xana to grant Florent an audience. The young empath was correct in saying that he needed to plead for Kanto's life in person. Also, seeing how Florent was pregnant, that would surely mellow Xana out regarding Kanto's fate. For now, these were all the cards he saw on the table. Florent hadn't told him where Kanto was held, after all, and Riordan couldn't hold it against him. He even had to admit that he sometimes took decisions on the fly, and the current situation wasn't the kind to offer ideal conditions for being reckless.
He sighed and turned from one side to another. His belly had grown big – bigger and bigger by the day, or so it felt – and it was still a mystery to him that he could move around so nimbly with the extra burden. That seth was amazing. Xana fed him that daily, and he did feel stronger. He put a hand over his belly, hoping that his silent lullaby could reach the little ones inside. With Junior, everything had been new. Now, these two had a chance to be born in normal conditions, and Riordan wished that for them.
"Junior," he called his eldest, who was engaged in a game of chess with Kyle. Adamant as he was about learning about all sorts of things Earthian, Junior had recently picked that game up. Kyle was happy to oblige, and under the stern warning of the Xenolite about not letting him win on purpose, he proved to be quite the opponent.
"Yes, dada," Junior replied without moving his focused look from Kyle's screen.
"Tell me more about your brother and sister."
"Just a little more," Junior said as his small hand hovered, bent on moving the next piece.
"You take your time, honey bunny," Riordan said with a smile.
He rolled on his back and watched the ceiling. The snake deity had showed him such an incredible view that time. Was that place Tanez? How old would they all be when they reached it? And how was it possible for a small ship like the one Drato had got to reach that faraway planet? Kanto must have known what he was doing when putting his fellow Xeno along with his family on that space vessel. Still, Riordan couldn't help but worry. Maybe he should have asked Florent about his ability to reach a ship rapidly putting distance between it and Tu'lek.
Junior surprised him by jumping on the bed. He was growing so fast, Riordan just couldn't get his head around that. His boy wrapped his arms around his dada's belly and put his ear against it, as if he could listen to his siblings like that.
"I beat Kyle," Junior announced proudly.
"Wow, that's great. I'm sure Kyle is already thinking up new strategies for the next game."
"He can do that," Junior said. "But I'm sure I can beat him again. What do you want to know, dada?"
"Everything you can tell me," Riordan said, so happy that he had someone who could help him get in touch with his babies in this manner. "When you were in my belly, I saw you in my dreams. Your siblings seem to be quieter than you were." Or maybe their mommy had so many things on his mind that moments of calm and silence were too few and far between.
"That's because they have each other," Junior explained. "Twins weren't common on Xeno, says Kyle."
"I know. Maybe it happens now because we're in space," he offered.
"That's not it," Junior said, sure of the truth of his words. "It's because we have to grow stronger."
"Strength in numbers," Riordan confirmed. "Tanez must be a big planet." He didn't say anything about what Marn thought; that there would be conflict in their future, and all the Xenolites would turn into warriors. He preferred the challenges that awaited them to be of a different kind.
"My brother and sister like to build things," Junior continued. "It's everything they think about. But they are very smart. I hope they will play with me."
"I will tell them to play with you," Riordan said and caressed his son's head. "How do they look? Can you say?"
"Close your eyes, dada, and think of them." Junior took one of his hands and placed it on top of the large belly beneath.
That wasn't hard. This time, he knew he had to be on Tanez, but the two Xenos that slithered their way towards him, while he was sitting by a waterfall, taking in the astonishing beauty of the place, were not as young as the Xenolites he'd seen so far. They were, clearly, a boy and a girl, and as they moved closer through the rocks and grass, he could tell that they were around the age twelve, compared to human children.
The boy had his hair cut short and his eyes were trained on his parent with keen attention. He was a version of Xana, not only younger, but sterner too, despite his age. He smiled, however, when they were close enough. The girl had long hair, an odd yet attractive combination of black and platinum blond strands. She shared her brother's sternness, as well as his reaction upon being close to her parent.
They were silent and when they reached Riordan, they wrapped their long skinny arms around him, pressing their heads against his shoulders. A sensation of profound peace overwhelmed him, making him sleepy.
"They don't talk much, do they?" he asked out loud, without opening his eyes.
"That's because they think speech is not enough for how fast they think."
"Oh damn, they're two nerds, aren't they?" Riordan laughed.
"Describe nerd, dada."
He did it in his mind, and Junior guffawed as a result. "They are nerds," he said with satisfaction. "I am not a nerd, right, dada?"
"No, you are cool. But even if your brother and sister are nerds, that doesn't mean that they're not cool, too."
"I'm the coolest, though," Junior declared.
Riordan opened his eyes, interrupting the vision as his son moved. He caressed Junior's black hair. "I love you, honey bunny," he said, taken over by emotion. He felt a lot more confident in the future now that he had seen how serene his children were.
As a response, Junior cuddled under his arm. Then, as they were both about to fall asleep, Junior added, "We will meet them soon, dada."
Did that mean that his time to give birth was approaching? He was happy to hear that. With all the tension caused by the latest events on the ship, it would be a well-deserved reprieve of happiness for their family.
The morning came too fast, and it took Riordan a few good moments to realize that Xana hadn't been there at all. Nonetheless, he needed to check.
"Kyle," he called out, "has Xana been here? Even if briefly?"
"No. His Royal Chancellor has been in the same meeting throughout the night."
"What sort of meeting?"
"He's seeing his counselors to debate what to do about the high commander."
"Oh, damn," Riordan whispered. "I suppose that all the others are against letting Kanto live. And Xana must convince them that the guy deserves to be left breathing. Am I right?"
"Not even I can hack into a meeting like this."
"Hmm," Riordan let out as he remembered something. "One time, I happened to crash one of these parties."
"You did, Master Rio? Maybe you should try again."
"I suppose that it only happens if Xana allows it... so it's a long shot," he said.
Junior was happily playing in his tank, so there were no worries there that the kid might happen to listen in to things that could be too harsh for his young mind. Riordan willed himself to relax and thought of Xana and where he must be right now. He still had no proper grasp on doing this, so it was all a sort of trial and error thing.
Nonetheless, it was worth a try. He had slept so well after his very short and imagined encounter with his kids in the future, courtesy of Junior's ability to create such a connection. The twins were giving him such a feeling of peace that it helped him now, as he worried about the opposition Xana had to face because of no other than his bearer.
A hum of phrases thrown together at random reached him first. And then, everything became clear.
His ability to run this ship is undeniable.
He recognized Xana's voice, calm and collected. After twenty-four hours in the same meeting, it was incredible that he could still sound like nothing bothered him.
How can we trust him when he sided with that traitor?
Calling Drato Menor a traitor is uncalled for, Counselor.
So they thought Drato was on the wrong side, while they were in the right. But who gave them that right?
One might think that you are unfit for taking such an important decision, Your Excellency. We should just call for a vote.
Denied. I will not end someone as accomplished as the high commander for the sake of panic and misplaced fears.
The other Xenos had to be in a frenzy over Xana's last words because all Riordan could hear were fragments of enraged conversation.
It is not often that you can take advantage of your position in this manner, Your Excellency. The Council will remember.
Let it be remembered. I am not abusing my position.
Marn Savier would have executed the high commander for disobedience.
Marn Savier is not here. I am. And I have been entrusted with this role. I will lead the Xeno race to the best of my abilities.
Wasn't Kanto Vai that insisted on you becoming our leader?
You must know better. You gave the high commander the mission of informing me of being chosen for the High Chancellor position.
Who's to say that you and he weren't already in cahoots?
"Damn, bro, chill with that poisonous tongue," Riordan murmured.
You trusted the high commander's abilities when you entrusted him with communicating your decision to me. That wasn't a decision he took by himself. Am I correct, Counselor?
I was against it. And not only me. And the high commander persuaded us—
Do you accuse Kanto Vai of manipulating your decision in any way? Counselor, that is a serious accusation. You must make sure that you have the necessary facts to support it.
No, I can't say—
Then don't say it at all. I have been listening to your complaints for a day and a night. The high commander will remain under supervision, but there will be no talk of execution again until new facts are brought to light. He acted in good conscience, even if he should have consulted his superiors first. And now, I assume that all of you would like to return home to your bearers.
Especially you, Your Excellency.
Is that an accusation, Counselor? Explain yourself.
It is a secret everyone knows. It is because of your bearer that you take such unnatural decisions.
And how do you know that? Do you have the habit of listening in to my private conversations with my bearer?
No, but it is a known fact that you treat him as special. That he has a certain affinity for the high commander—
Enough!
Even Riordan jolted at the harshness in Xana's voice. He wasn't using speech, but in his mind, that sounded loud and as a warning.
I will not have you speculate about my home life, Counselor. If you continue to fling such baseless accusations around, I will have no choice but to take measures.
Are you becoming a tyrant, Xana Lei?
Do I have to become one to have you respect me? It was your vote to have me as your leader, as well.
Not mine personally.
Then I am now addressing everyone present.
Riordan couldn't see his husband, but he could imagine him going against a full room of Xenos, bigger than life, determined to affirm himself.
Counselors, do you wish to relieve me of my position as Royal Chancellor? I do allow the vote.
Riordan waited with bated breath. There were again, fast to and fro's, exchanges that lasted less than a second, some angry comments here and there, arguments and murmurs.
What is your decision?
Another Xeno from the one before replied to Xana's question.
Your Excellency, you will continue to rule us. That is what the majority decided. But you are under close surveillance. Your decision to spare Kanto Vai's life goes against our principles. Xeno must prevail, no matter what our personal attachments may be. We didn't use to have such attachments before conquering Earth. Please, take what I say next as the worry of our society as a whole regarding the chances we are going through. Your bearer's influence on your decisions, even if not proven, is evident.
Duly noted, Counselor. This meeting is adjourned.
Riordan understood quickly that everyone left. Xana must have allowed him to hear those conversations as he reached out to him, but what did that mean? Had his husband wanted to have him see how his position was affected by his home life? Riordan couldn't help feeling guilty, but he wouldn't take back anything he'd said about Kanto and the entire situation. The high commander was many things, but a traitor wasn't among them.
He wished he could communicate with Florent as he saw fit so that he could let his friend know that his Xeno husband's life was spared for now. Close surveillance? What did that mean? Being the Royal Chancellor was no longer such an appealing position in their Xeno society. Riordan had felt like an outsider before, but now that sensation was stronger than ever. They weren't a big happy family, not exactly. Many Xenos didn't consider bearers more than the creatures they put their eggs in. Huno Sedar's request made a lot more sense now. But handling things of this nature appeared to request a lot more from Riordan than he had to give. He needed to show the Xenos on the ship that he wasn't some evil mastermind manipulating his owner. And on the other hand, he couldn't allow things to go on like this. What would their children think? The Xenolites that had been born from Earthian bearers were different from their parents. At least some of them were, and their attachment to those who had carried them in their bellies was different from what their sires had experienced. What would they feel upon realizing that their human parents were considered second-rate citizens and not even that?
Damn. He would have to turn into a diplomat. Overnight.
"Kyle, how long must I study to become good at this diplomacy thing?" he asked.
"Depending on the scope and purpose, Master Rio, it may take anywhere between three and elven years."
"As I thought. Well, I suppose I'll just have to learn it on the go."
tbc
Interested in reading ahead? You can do it here:
https://subscribestar.adult/daemon-d-hart
Or check out my other stories on Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/daemondhartauthor