Coeus?

“Walefish has a lot of fat, while thunder-sharks are very meaty. Normally I eat only stuff without shells. Eating clams or shellfish is normally not my thing, too hard to chew. But once I bit a fresh Zeen and I guess it's the closest thing to what the dry minds call a cracker.

Though you shouldn't wait for too long when they fall into the water. They tend to bloat up like a globe-fish once the water soaks through their skin.”

-Nig's opinion on various foods.

***Sol, Aether***

***Cyla***

“Gideon, you've been hiding yourself from the world for three days. All you do is attend the meetings of the elders.” I try to get a glimpse at Gideon's working screen, but all there is to it are the blueprints for a new ship.

“And I repeat again, it's not because of the ship. I've work to do, places to be and people to talk to.” He answers with the same monotone voice as he always does.

I sigh and sit on his lap, trying to distract him. “I liked the Coeus too, but it was just a ship. If you can save even one human life for it then it was worth the cost. Shouldn't there be better things to pay attention to?”

He hesitates with his answer, so that means that he has to think. “That's really not the problem. There are the Drazi-”

“Who are currently rapidly dying out since a certain virus was released. The SDF confirmed that all their population seems to be infected and prognosticated that their first wave won't even reach Sol before they are all dead.” I interrupt to make the discussion short.

I feel Gideon nodding behind me. “Yes, but that doesn't mean that we don't have to deal with the fallout from the other alien species. At least there seem to many parties who don't really care how the virus came to be. Though almost all species are investigating the dead Drazi worlds. All that counts is that the Drazi are mostly gone, though I have no doubt that there might be an isolated population here and there. But that doesn't matter. As soon as the Drazi start spreading once more I am sure that they will catch the virus again.”

“How is that?” I ask, but then I raise a hand. “No, wait. I think I get it on my own. You think that one of those investigating species will take it upon themselves to infect the Drazi again, should they ever show their faces again.”

“I am very sure of that. That's how uncontrolled democracy works. And the alliance of species is nothing but an uncontrolled democracy. I am just glad that Sadina somehow managed to make the virus look natural.” He answers.

Nina's voice interrupts our discussion. “The former me got her hands on a Drazi corpse. There are enough viruses inside a healthy human body and the Drazi are no different. Even a little sample is enough to almost assuredly infect you with the common cold and that's just one example. There are also hundreds of pathogens hidden inside an animal's genome. All you have to do is to analyse the DNA.”

“Okay, let's say that I buy the story. What else are you working on?” I ask.

“Most importantly, the second Coeus. And secondly a way to deal with the Zeen. We shouldn't forget that they still are the puppeteers behind the Drazi. Just because we took away one puppet doesn't mean that they are out of the game. I am working on that too.” He interacts with the interface by making a gesture and something like a mind-map appears.

I study the plan and notice that it mainly involves paying a lot of money to many shady characters. “Gideon, are you sure about this? I don't think that you should use your money like that.”

This time he can't hide how upset he is. “I see no better way to use my money.”

I bite on my lower lip. “Gideon, you hired an alien hit-man...”

“Do you think I paid too much? I admit that I don't even know what a Vantue is, but I was assured that he is the best at his job.”

***Galactic Centre, Gathering-Station***

***Ayo***

“Why am I here?” I try to get off the handcuffs which chain me to the chair, but the damn things don't even buck. Last night I went to sleep, dreaming nice dreams about killing my brother, and then I wake up and am here in this dark storeroom!

“Don't worry, we weren't paid to kill you.”

Then I register the Binary in front of me. They bob their heads in amusement and switch on the light. “The complete opposite is the case. We are protecting you to ensure that you aren't in the way, or get targeted by accident. Zeen are easily confused with their siblings. Not even their own species can discern between brothers.”

I draw my attention away from the handcuffs and try to think of a Binary with enough power and influence to abduct me. “KaaHud?”

“We are honoured. For a local crime-lord to be known by one of the station's administrators.” One of the Binary bows to me while the other remains indifferent.

“Why should you want to protect me!?” My thoughts race, but I can't think of a reason for this turn of events.

“I don't want to do anything aside from doing my job.” KaaHud corrects me. “Your brother is about to die.”

“What?” No! My plans! “I have to kill him myself!”

Both of the two parts of the Binary nod in unison. “Yes, about that. I was told to give you a message from the Mages. They said that time is up and they aren't willing to wait any longer. That's why your brother will die tonight. Don't worry, I know that it is common practice among the Zeen to kill their siblings to replace them without anyone's knowledge. The strategy works perfectly fine for your race, but that's not what we need in this situation.”

One of the Binary raises a hand to stop me from interrupting it. “Let us finish to give you a head-start instead of asking meaningless questions. Abducting you in this manner is just to show you that we have the means and to have a little chat. Call it a demonstration. We know what you intend to do. Our client equipped us with various tools and the knowledge to control the most important systems of this station. I must say that their abilities in regards to spying and breaking security systems are outstanding. Probably that shouldn't be a surprise with a species which values their secrecy so highly.”

The Binary pauses for a moment, but starts speaking again shortly afterwards. “You see, a while ago we got a very generous offer to work as free agents for our client. He tasked us with assessing the political situation and to influence it to his advantage. Since then we've been working very hard to please our client and that includes getting your cooperation. The first thing we need from you is getting over your personal vendetta with your brother.”

“And what if I can't do that?” I ask, trying to keep my voice in check. To a Zeen having control over his outer appearance is everything. What's inside is a secondary matter.

“Then I would be very sad and change my plans. The latter includes making you disappear along with your brother.” KaaHud shrugs his shoulders in perfect synchronisation.

“You wouldn't dare to do that. I am a Zeen!” I try to put as much force as possible into my voice, but KaaHud is totally unimpressed.

“There was a time when that held a lot of meaning. But I am always on the side of who is paying me good money while holding the best promise to be on the winning side at the same time. Don't get me wrong. I would never hope for an open confrontation between the Zeen and the Mages, but when I look at the teleportation nodes and other recent events I am very eager to please my client.

Not only because he is paying me more than a generous sum to do good work. Do you know that they completely eradicated the ships you guys sent after them?” Both Binary tilt their heads in perfect synchronisation.

I feel like the floor was just pulled out from under me. “No. How would you know that? The battle must have taken place just a few days ago. The message must take months to arrive... oh. I made a grave mistake. I thought I had more time, but their diplomats will bring this to light much sooner than I expected. No, they have to give me more time to take my brother's position.”

“I think you figured it out. The Mages were so friendly as to grant me exclusive access to their new intergalactic news network. They are intending to open it to all the species later on. A way to communicate almost instantaneously between two points.” One of the Binary picks his nose, which is perfectly fine to do in front of strangers. At least in their culture. “I hate to break it to you, but your plan has to be accelerated. That means that you can't stick the knife into your brother yourself. Then you have to make the right reports to the right people. I think you already prophesied that the Drazi will fail, so that alone will boost your reputation sufficiently.”

I look at the ground. Maybe I can deal with the fact that I don't get to kill my brother myself, but a kill has no meaning if you can't take the prize. “That alone won't help. I need much more to change the politics of our government. Assessing a single event correctly will be seen as luck. If I want people to listen to me, then I must be seen as an expert on the species in question.”

“An expert, hmmm.” KaaHud grumbles, but then he nods. “Who says that you can't be an expert. I've had a long time to get used to my client and I am sure that he would be delighted to give you a little warning ahead of time regarding their actions. We will simply make you an expert. Better to say that we will make you the expert. What do you say?”

What can I say? “I am in.”

“Perfect!” KaaHud claps his hands together and gestures for the door. “I was sure that I would manage to convince a reasonable fellow like you, so I organized a friend to keep you company. While we wait until the deed is done you can have fun with each other. She will also be the one to give you an alibi. Just in case. I doubt that there will be a mentionable investigation. After all it will look like an accident.”

The door opens and a certain mermaid steps into the room. “Hi”

“You!” I kept my temper in check as long as possible. But too much is too much! “What is this betrayal! Not you of all people!”

Zeil walks closer and runs a hand over my cheek, then she sits down onto my right leg. “Sorry, Hon. But I always told you that I have many clients. Sometimes there are loyalty conflicts, but since you took the offer everything is fine now, isn't it? I promise you to make up for it.”

I slump down and try not to drown in self pity. “At least tell me how you intend to kill my brother. There can't be any mistake. Killing siblings may be normal among my species, but being found out is just embarrassing and lowers the status. It cannot be traced back to me. Not under any circumstances!”

“Oh, that's easy. You should have had the idea yourself. Your brother likes to take a walk along the railway which is running above the aquatic area. Though it's a little strange for a Zeen to do that. Isn't water poisonous to you?” The Binary asks.

“Not really. Just too much of it. And it is no wonder that he likes that. We were born on the south coast of our planet's main continent. There you could always smell the salt from the ocean in the air. Walking along that railway probably feels like you are at home. Especially with the huge heating lights right above you.” I ponder.

“Aaah... that's why.” The Binary nods in understanding. “No matter. Just a few hours ago there was a storm simulation for the oceanic lifeforms. The walkway will still be a little slick from the water and one of the other passengers will slip, pushing your brother over the balustrade. And down into the ocean he goes. It will be a terrible, terrible accident! If the fall doesn't kill him outright. Twenty feet make water very hard on impact. Then there is all that water in case he survives and the fact that Zeen can't swim. And no help nor land in sight for over a kilometre in all directions.”

Why didn't I think of this! But no. “What if one of the intelligent ocean dwellers notices him and comes to the rescue!? Being submerged in water won't kill him instantly. He will survive long enough for help to arrive.”

Zeil nods and makes a dismissive gesture. “Aw, you know that I am very friendly with most of the oceanic species. The Nig are always inviting me to dance for them. They like the slow swaying motions of my hips, though I think it's nothing sexual for them. One of my admirers happens to be a teacher and he was so friendly to have his school of youngsters patrol the area at exactly the right time.”

“Baby Nig are completely different from the adults. The old ones are all formula and logic, but the babies have no brain at all. Just claws, teeth and a belly that's never full. Cute as long as you don't have to deal with the whole swarm. Of course my friend will do his best to protect the foolish dry thinker who stepped into the wrong element. But it is hard for a single adult to keep hundred babies in check. He has just twenty arms after all. That leaves about eighty hungry mouths with sharp teeth and tentacles with three centimetre long claws.”

Zeil bares her teeth at me and snaps them together while making a clawing motion with her left hand. “They may get digestive disorders afterwards. I don't think that Zeen is on their normal menu. Maybe I should get them something that's easy on the belly. Just as a small apology.”

Why do I have this sudden urge to save my brother? This is just wrong!

.