The Flare

Raxtar

Chapter 4

“Kill someone?” Salona was unable to mask her surprise.

“It’s not technically a someone, Salona. It is a human.” He flitted his hand away as if swatting a small insect.

A human was still a life form, Salona thought. Wasn’t it? She could not imagine such an act, let alone succeeding.

“But…”

“Salona, humans are an infestation. If they are allowed into the ISC they will contaminate all others involved. I cannot allow that.” It was no secret Geb was adamantly opposed to humans joining the International Space Council.

“I can’t…” The limitless impossibilities of the task stacked heavily on her shoulders, terrifying her.

Geb’s sinister laugh made Salona shiver despite the hot room. He is enjoying this, she thought. Reveling in her discomfort. Geb had always enjoyed making her uncomfortable but this was a new level.

“That is why this is the Raxtar.” Geb smiled coldly as he said the word. The Raxtar was an extreme quest of impossible odds. Few were known to survive their quest.

“What value do you place on your family’s honor, Salona? The task must be as important to us as your honor is to you.” Geb stood from his desk, moved to his side table, and poured himself a glass of Nilgiri. He slowly sipped the rare Naronian intoxicant which cost several thousand Naros per ounce. The average worker in the algae fields earned one thousand Naros per cycle. The value of the drink appalled her.

“I realize my family’s honor is compromised.” Salona cradled her head in her hands, frustration overtaking her. “Commander, I don’t understand. Tell me how to make it start, tell me how to make the flare burn and whatever it is, I’ll do it.” Salona begged him to tell her how she could make this end, make it so she could take her husbands, and become a mother. She was not ready to admit defeat.

Geb, put his glass down and sat down in front of her, cradling her hands in his. “Dear Salona. I know you believe this is unfair. And truth be told, it is. It is terribly, horribly unfair.” Geb crooned, his voice eerily soft.

Salona’s head slammed up, eyes wide with shock. What was he saying? If he felt this way, why was this happening? Salona’s insides railed against the injustice.

“How could it not be unfair?” He continued, stroking her hair. “You have been sheltered your whole life, not exposed to the hard realities of Naron.”

Geb stood, taking another sip of Nilgiri. He smiled gently at her.

Geb’s eyes hardened, his mouth thinned into a hard line. “I hate to tell you the truth of your circumstances is not relevant. Anyone who leads you to believe otherwise is deluding you.” The hope that she would wake up from this nightmare which had consumed her quickly fled.

Anger roiled up, causing the dam of pent up emotion inside Salona’s chest to burst. “But I’m innocent!” she screamed.

Geb slapped her firmly across the jaw. Salona regretted her outburst immediately. She closed her eyes and lowered her head, staring at her hands as her cheek throbbed.

“This is the real world, where the comfort of a delusion will do you nothing. In the real world your innocence doesn’t matter, only the perception of your innocence. In the real world honor isn’t an entitlement; it must be deigned upon you. Don’t fool yourself into believing the truth is reality.”

The anger still seethed inside her. She felt so powerless.

Geb stood, pouring himself another drink. “You will go to the Andromeda Galaxy, to a Denaaran space station under the guise of preparing it for a summit. This task should only require moderate stealth. It is there you will find this human. And kill him. After he is dead, you simply have to wait for us to retrieve you.” Geb looked at Salona, compassion in his eyes. “I realize this goes against your nature, child, but it is for the good of our people, I assure you.”

“For the good of our people, or just you, Commander?” Salona spat out, knowing her words were foolish and may earn her another blow.

  Geb merely laughed in response. "Once again, you allow yourself the comfort of a delusion." Geb slugged back more Niljiri, not tasting the drink. "I am our people. Naron is my responsibility, my burden, and my boon. What affects one affects the other."

"You talk to me in riddles," Salona said, not meeting his eyes.

"Then I will make myself plain. The good of our people is directly influenced by my happiness." Geb straightened the sleeves of his tunic, pulling a small piece of lint from his arm. "The Naronian council advises me, but I am the final word on this planet. So, by working for my good, you are working for the good of your people." Geb's voice hardened, "For the good of your father."

Salona shivered at his veiled threat.

"By orders of the ISC the space station is to be inhabited by yourself and a human to prepare it for larger delegations from each planet. The Denaarans, in their foolishness, believe the humans to be good candidates for the council. Potential is the word they use. Personally, I don't understand their fascination, and I intend to protect the integrity of the ISC."

Salona did not know about humans other than their relatively young presence in the intergalactic community. Such things were not important for females to learn. But her brother, Leinad, talked about them constantly, fascinated with their short lifespan and senseless acts of passion. An ambitious species, they had managed to escape the confines of their world and develop colonies on their moon before being contacted by other species. No other species, other than the Denaarans, could credit themselves with such independence. Even the Naronians were bound to their planet prior to the intervention of the ISC.

“Sir, what threat could such a species pose to the ISC?”  Salona asked, perplexed.

The look on Geb’s face would serve as a warning to most. But Salona was past caring about walking on tip toes around Geb. She wanted answers. “If I’m to take the life of another being, risk my life and honor in the process, I want to know why.”

Geb sat down at his desk, folding his hands together as if talking to a confused child. “You have a pet riki, correct?”

“Yes, Dex. But what…”

Geb held up one hand to silence her. “Before he reached an age where you could alter his s*x organs, what was he like?”

Salona blushed, remembering how her pet would push himself up against objects for stimulation, his poor little body shivering out of control. And the relief she felt when her father brought him home, altered, and completely docile.

“I can see you do,” Geb smiled. “Humans are a lot like an unaltered riki, mating with anything and everyone with no discrepancy. Especially the males. When this happens, approximately half their mental functioning ceases to work for a significant length of time.”

This was news to Salona. Leinad apparently did not know about this-or most likely, chose to spare his sister the details.

Geb’s face became serious. “Could you imagine, Salona, what would happen if one of them got to Naron?”

“But what if he tries to…to me?” Salona stuttered, unable to get the words out.

 “That seems like sufficient motive for killing, don’t you think?” Geb smiled, calling the guards to take her away.

Salona was appropriately appalled. Geb wanted her to incite this human into a frenzy and then kill him. How was such a thing done? And how was she supposed to accomplish it? She certainly would not ask the Commander for help. Or her father. The only person she knew had any knowledge of humans and Earth was her brother, Leinad. He would have to do, she thought. 

Salona still did not understand how human mating rituals endangered the safety of Naron. But she could imagine. What if the men on her planet became infected such urges? With so few females on the planet it would lead to disaster.

Geb went to his desk, opened a drawer, and removed something small. “Take these, they may come in useful.” He handed her two small capsules.

“What…?”

“It’s poison, my dear. Use it wisely.” He smirked before turning away.

Guards came and took hold of Salona’s arms, guiding her from the room.

“You know what to do, Salona.” Geb eyed her as he spoke. “Use those on that human, or use them on yourself.”