Pop-ex (Population Exchange)

Learning About Vlon

Tiger's view

I turn and run to my quarters. I have never ran on this ship, except in the exercise room. But I suddenly need to be by Jorman.

I burst into my quarters, trying to catch my breath.

Valor and Jorman are still on the couch, but have turned around to watch the doorway. Jorman is laughing. "See, I told you." He exclaims between laughter.

"You really ran here?" Valor states between his own laughter.

I walk to the counter and grab an orange. Then I whip around and throw it at Valor, hitting him in the arm.

Valor cries out in a moment of pain and starts rubbing the spot I hit.

Jorman laughs harder. When he gets his laughter under control he nudges Valor.

Valor states, "Wasn't it awesome when Vlon broke the nose of that warrior?"

"The chest kick was my favorite part." Jorman says with a grin.

I can't help myself, I reply, "But the knee punch and subsequent knee to the head was pure genius."

"Vlon must really love fighting." Valor exclaims.

Jorman and I shake our heads.

Valor looks at me. "Why do you say no?"

I answer, "Each of those moves was designed to end the fight as soon as possible, make the opponent quit. Someone who loves fighting would have dragged it out."

Valor turns to Jorman. "Tell us about other fights Vlon has been in."

Jorman grins. "Well, I wasn't there for this one. But, this kid, Daynar, stole something from Vlon. Skit was friends with him, but still admitted to Vlon that Daynar took it. Vlon went to Daynar's quarters and got his dad to give it back. Daynar got into trouble and wasn't happy about it. Instead of coming after Vlon, he went after Skit."

Valor gives a this is getting good chuckle. I sit down on the chair by the couch.

Jorman continues, "Skit ran. Daynar chased him. Vlon saw them and ran after. Daynar was known for being fast. Even with the lead he originally had, Daynar was about to grab when Vlon grabbed him and threw him against the nearest wall."

"How bloody did Vlon make him?" Valor asks excitedly.

Jorman laughs. "Vlon pinned Daynar to the wall, and yelled at him that if Daynar had a problem he needed to deal with Vlon. Then Daynar's parents showed up. The dad asked Vlon if Vlon thought that Vlon was too old to be beating up on Daynar. Vlon threw Daynar to his dad and replied, 'Not when he's trying to beat up my little brother for what I did.' And then Vlon turned and walked away with Skit."

Valor shakes his head. "Not even a single punch."

"Vlon knew that a single punch could hurt Daynar, badly." Jorman explains, "Not because he was younger, but because his species isn't built like a Warvian, plus Vlon had been training for a few space years. Daynar knew his species was no match for a Warvian, even untrained, that's why he took the cowardly route and went after Skit."

Valor laughs. "Skit is a big man, bigger than Vlon."

Jorman informs him, "He is now. When he left last space year he was almost as big as Vlon, and had just gotten stronger. The whole thing with Daynar was when I was a baby. Skit was just like any other Nyrarian boy. His Hulgarian genetics didn't start showing until a little over two space years ago. People were starting to wonder if mom was confused about who his dad is, until he got a growth spurt and got a significant increase in bulk."

"So, Hulgarians are stronger than Warvians?" Valor asks.

Jorman shrugs his shoulders. "They can be, but Warvians seem built for battle."

"Not everything is about strength, or genetics." I inform them, "There's a lot of factors that go into a fight."

Jorman nods his head and adds, "Vlon's empathic ability gives Vlon an edge."

"But, Vlon had to shut that off to prepare for the fight." I say sadly.

Jorman shakes his head and explains, "Vlon had to shut down personal vibration connection lines, and the open line to the universal vibrations. When Vlon enters the fight arena Vlon will still be able to tune into the opposing warrior's vibrations."

I sigh a breath of relief.

Valor asks, "Will we get to watch the fight?"

I nod my head. "I think it's important that we are."

Jorman declares, "Of course it's important. Vlon needs to know we're all supporting, we're becoming family after all."

I look at Jorman. My confusion must be evident on my face, or maybe it's his Nyrarian empathic skills, but either way, he becomes nervous for a moment.

Jorman clears his throat. "When the space twin ceremony is completed: Valor and I will be recognized the same as twins born to the same mom. That will make you and Vlon extended family to each other, kind of like in-laws."

I feel like there's something more, something he's not telling me. I inquire, "What if Vlon loses?"

Jorman shakes his head. "We can't let that happen. Vlon will become property of Vloncar, and will never get the chance for freedom again. I'm prepared to send all my strength to Vlon if that's what it takes. I'm not that strong yet, but it could make the difference."

"How do you do that?" I ask, completely amazed at the idea.

"Normally it's easy, but because Vlon has the connections shut down I'll have to force the connection open before I can imagine my strength as a removable energy, and push it through the connection to Vlon." Jorman answers as if it's the most logical thing in the universe.

I smile at him and ask, "Can't that be dangerous to you?"

Jorman nods his head slowly as he says, "I could die if I give too much, but Vlon has always taken care of me, sacrificed for me. The least I can do is make sure Vlon doesn't end up Vloncar's property."

"Didn't your mom take care of you?" Valor asks.

Jorman laughs. "Mom birthed me, and then practically handed me off to Vlon. The only time mom took care of me was because Vlon and the others were busy. Soon as I could walk Vlon had to take me with when they all left. Thankfully the woman who cared for Skit was willing to watch after me as well while Vlon did fight training. A large portion of the ship was in on keeping Vlon's training going, and a secret from mom. As we all got older I was allowed to tag along when Vlon was learning from the other crew members, and I started learning what I could from them. I did best in engineering, since it's my favorite subject."

"We'll do everything we can to make sure Vlon comes home with us." I assure Jorman as I cross the few feet between us, and grab him into a brotherly hug.