Finley had parked himself in the kitchen, firing up the stovetop that’d been left for him and digging pots and pans out of the cabinets. I wasn’t sure even he knew what he was fixing, especially when the ingredients in the refrigerator were entirely alien; a recipe book would go a long way, but I doubted the Kexin government would see that as part of his natural habitat. The primal nibbled on a few food items, and the sole seasoning that he recognized was salt. I allowed him to brood for several minutes, until the grains he’d thrown on the appliance were burning.
I sipped at my ammonia container, which I’d pulled from a separately-labeled carton of silicon-life fixings. “I take it you’re trying to cook as a distraction.”
“What?” The human’s head shook, as if he was jolted out of deep thoughts. Panic spread across his face, and he hurried to swipe the blackened food off of the stove. “Yeah, I am. I didn’t even see you there, Craun. I…I miss home.”
“I don’t know if it helps at all to hear this, but me too,” I sighed, sidling up beside him and staring into his green eyes. “Earth’s still there and everyone’s still alive. Life on Tolpia was snuffed out. It’s more than what kind of future you and I have; the Saphnos have no future, and I’m a walking reminder of that. I’m sorry for letting them take us, but…I couldn’t let humanity become like that. I could save your planet, maybe.”
“I can’t imagine how hard this all has been for you. You deserved so much better! I tried to be the best I could be, to give you everything. I…I wanted to help.”
“Do you still?”
The farmer’s fingers curled up, before he heaved a defeated sigh. “Look at me, Craun. I don’t know what I can do. They think I’m not a person, and none of the tech we have or shit I say makes a difference. You told me once I’d have to not be human, and your whole Council sees it the same way.”
“I changed my mind. There has to be a way to prove you’re different, at least to some people. It’s the same thing as when you got my story to Mia—we need to do that in reverse. Maybe I can find a way to help you, Finley! We need everyone to know the truth.”
Finley scoffed. “Mia. The reporter that plastered Elbi’s…y’know all over the front page?”
My words grinded to a halt in my throat, as I almost choked on the ammonia I was gulping down. Finley’s expression flashed with a sheepish remorse, when the lone response I afforded to him was a wordless stare; I found it shocking to have my sweet, beloved human throw that back at me in an argument. I’d never expected to hear such a biting, thoughtless, personal response. As it seemed, primals didn’t need to be violent to cause serious pain out of anger.
I know Finley’s under a lot of stress, but that topic is very sensitive—and I still hold him accountable. I don’t expect such flippant disregard from any person with higher reasoning abilities, anger or not.
“I’m sorry. Too far,” the farmer grunted, wincing and placing a hand atop mine. “I guess I just ain’t feeling very optimistic about reporters, and the kind of fair shake they’d give a primal. If they’d even interview an animal at all. I barely trusted the ones on Earth, but by all means, prove me wrong.”
“G-good. We’ll try. As long as we’re together.” I recovered from my appalled shock, deciding that Finley had failed to consider the impact of his words amid his bitterness. I could understand if, out of all times, he was struggling to think through his actions, after the Council kidnapped him for life and paraded him around in a cage. “There was something I wanted to talk to you about. I know you don’t trust the Council, and I thought it should be your decision.”
Finley’s lips tightened with concern. “This oughta be good. Let’s hear it.”
“It’s about Kaitlin. I’ve suspected that she’s…” I glanced over my shoulder, and lowered my voice. “That she’s a substance abuser. I’ve seen her sneaking pills, and now that she’s away from them, it’s glaring how much worse she’s gotten. I was thinking that she needs medical help, which she won’t ask for, but I also didn’t know if you’d want to risk destroying her standing with Snelga. The choice is yours.”
“Huh. I never noticed nothing wrong with her before, but she looked dead tired by the time we got here,” he murmured, stroking his chin in thought. “I don’t really care what the bastards think; I ain’t gonna let her die or pass on treatment, whatever their stigmas are. If you feel that it’s serious, then you shouldn’t waste a second to act. Her life is more valuable than being someone’s sweetie.”
“Okay. In that case, I’m going to solicit Snelga’s help. I know she’s a veterinarian, but that’s the only kind of medical professional you’re going to get treatment from.”
“Ain’t that lovely. Send her on in, but I’m not going back in a cage—and I’m gonna keep a close eye on her.”
“I’ll, um, do my best to persuade Snelga to see you without the restraints nonsense, but the Council don’t think you’re safe to be around. I can’t promise you anything. If it comes down to Kaitlin’s health…”
“Well duh, but that’s the absolute last resort! I…I can’t let them treat me like this, for the rest of my fucking life!”
“I’m not saying you should. I just want to be on the same page, and for you to understand I can’t do a whole lot. I’ll try to convince her, even though my word holds very little weight. That’s literally all I can do, Finley.”
“I…I know. You’ll do what’s best; I’m sure of it. If there’s anything I can do…”
“I’ll let you know. I’m going to speak to Snelga now.”
I shuffled past the slumbering Kaitlin, just in time to see the door creak open. The humans’ belongings, and my own, had passed inspection; they’d been delivered to the habitat, so at least they’d have some entertainment and accessories. Anything else that was needed would come from the Council. At the moment, it seemed that the dwelling was stocked up on toiletries and hygiene products, as well as towels and bedding. My beloved primals wouldn’t be deprived of the comforts of civilized living, which was a small victory.
Maybe I just need any reason to hold onto hope, but it’s an acknowledgement that humans are civilized and intelligent. They need the same things as us, so how different can they be? The seeds are there to start affecting change.
I tapped a finger against the intercom, hoping the Kexin veterinarian would hear me. “Snelga? Might I have a word? It’s about the health of the primals.”
“Go on then,” came the curt reply.
“Outside. Privately, where they can’t overhear.” I gave Kaitlin a friendly wave as she awoke, and she stared back in confusion. I couldn’t help but notice that she made a beeline for her bag, not bothering to hide the pills she was hurriedly downing. What happened when they ran out? “I’m not going anywhere. I know this place is packed with security, and I am logical.”
“Is it an emergency?”
“Yes, it’s about their survival. I have serious concerns. Please, humor me.”
“Very well.” Snelga offered a brief aside to a guard, who unlocked the door from the outside. The Kexin beckoned me off to the side, where she’d been monitoring security feeds. “If this is some attempt to con me, don’t bother. Even the animals know you’re a cheat and a liar.”
“I don’t need to lie: the evidence is on your security feeds. I can hear your disapproval for me ‘disturbing’ them. You care about the primals, don’t you?” I waited for the Kexin to signal the affirmative with the flick of an ear. “I do too. That’s why I was hoping that you’d help.”
“What is it that you want?” she demanded, with a skeptical expression.
“I want you simply to be a veterinarian, and treat a medical problem. Kaitlin…Kaitlin is hiding something. She’s, um, been sneaking pills and furtive about it for as long as I knew her; I think she was suffering from withdrawal. She needs help, but I doubt she’ll ask. I don’t want to see her in pain, or worse.”
Snelga seemed perplexed. “Kaitlin? Oh no—is she taking pills to increase her intelligence? Or to inhibit her anger? This is horrifying. Craun, what have you made her do to herself?!”
“This has nothing to do with any of that! There were plenty of brilliant humans at NASA, and Kaitlin was the only one harboring a secret. She wants you to like her more than anything, so she’d forgo the treatment she definitely needs; she could live a normal, happy life with your help. Please, just look her over and see that she’s not in danger.”
“Alright, but we’ll need some time to get the chains—and you’re going to put them on her. We can get Finley to move back into his cage, possibly, but I can’t treat Kaitlin through bars. Both options are at least better than sedating them; it’d be hard on their systems, especially if she has other substances in her blood.”
I gave her a pleading look. “Please, don’t make them do that. They’re very intelligent creatures; you’ve seen that. They understand that you’re here to help, and Finley asked me to bring you in to treat Kaitlin. They’re friendly and want to interact like any other person, and it’s…very damaging to them mentally to be bound and treated like they don’t have basic intelligence.”
“That primal—Kaitlin is really smart. I don’t want anything to happen to her, and I would like it if our interactions were fun. That said, she’s a primal. She’s enslaved by her rage, but I suppose as long as I don’t make her angry, she can behave. And they know I’m here to help, so…we should all be able to be comfortable. The sweeties have been through a lot.”
I thought about contradicting the Kexin, but decided that since she agreed easily, it was a moot point. “Thank you. I promise, they’re safe, and you can communicate with them the same way as me. Kaitlin and Finley both deserve better than being dragged around like any old beast.”
“You almost talk like you care. You’re good.”
“I do care. I suppose I can’t convince you of that, any more than they can convince you they’re reasonable. Let’s just focus on what’s important to us both: helping Kaitlin. She’s remarkable.”
“Yes, she is a remarkable primal,” Snelga agreed, a hint of respect and admiration in her voice. “I…hope we can have productive interactions. I’ll grab my kit and take a look at her.”
The Kexin picked up her medical supplies, and exchanged words with the guard by the door. I overheard her saying that if the primals attacked her, she asked that they didn’t harm the animals, because it wasn’t their fault. Snelga—from her point of view—was willing to forfeit her life, just so that the Council guardsmen wouldn’t put the humans down? That was noble, though very misguided. I’d seen them control fury enough times to know that they wouldn’t attack her unless she did something to incite it.
Kaitlin perked her head up, smiling with joy as Snelga entered. “Hi! Please, make yourself at home. I’m still getting settled in around here, but can I bring you something to drink?”
“She’s here for you,” Finley grunted, from where he leaned against the archway with folded arms. He gave the veterinarian a grudging nod. “Thanks for not, um, putting us through that again. I’m just here to watch.”
“Watch…what, exactly? Finley, Craun, what’s going on?”
The Kexin eyed the confused human warily, creeping closer on rigid legs. “Your friends noticed you didn’t seem well. We’re all concerned for you. Would you be w-willing for me to give you a medical examination? I can help.”
Kaitlin’s expression fell, before it flashed with something resembling a nervous hope. “Wait, do you have a proper treatment? I don’t want to make it a big deal, but…”
“You know what’s wrong with you, sweetie? That’ll help me know a lot better whether I can fix it.” Snelga was blinking faster by the minute, frozen a few paces away from the primal. She seemed afraid to get too close. “We can do it nice and easy. Maybe just a quick examination: I don’t want to do anything to upset you.”
The NASA researcher gave a gentle smile. “It’s okay, Snelga. There’s nothing to be afraid of. We won’t hurt you.”
“What…how did you…so you can smell fear!”
“Ha, no. Your movements are stiffer than a board, and you’re avoiding eye contact. I promise, humans aren’t wild animals that’ll attack you at a moment’s notice. If you need a medical examination to understand what’s wrong with me, then by all means, go right ahead.”
“You already know what the issue is, Kaitlin? What’s the problem then?”
Kaitlin looked away, a deep frown creasing her face. “I have a…terminal, neurodegenerative disease called ALS.”
A shocked silence ensued as heavy emotions—horror and disbelief foremost among them—struck Finley and I, after hearing our friend state a grim prognosis in such a matter-of-fact way. I struggled to process it at all for the first few seconds, while the Kexin veterinarian also seemed surprised by the dying primal’s demeanor. Snelga and I both must’ve wondered how she could be so friendly and accepting in spite of it all, without lashing out; how Kaitlin was still trying to help others and not “impose” on others.
All of this time that Kaitlin was helping to solve my problems, she knew she was…she was suffering the whole time I’ve known her? But she was so happy to meet aliens! I never would’ve suspected her issues were anything so…horrible. No wonder she wants to make the most of the time she has left. I wish I’d known; I read her so wrong.
“Aw, sweetie. I’m really sorry to hear that.” The Kexin appeared distraught over the news, and she finally moved closer to grab Kaitlin’s hand for comfort. “This would typically be up to my discretion, but…would you like to be put down?”
Open shock slipped onto the primal scientist’s face at that question, and Finley and I both tensed up at the implication as well. If the Council believed that humans were mere animals, putting Kaitlin down to alleviate her suffering was exactly the sort of thing I feared might happen.
A/N - 44! Finley agrees with getting Kaitlin medical help without worrying about the Council’s opinion, and Craun begs Snelga to help without restraining the primals and causing distress. To everyone’s shock, Kaitlin confesses that she has ALS with a faint hope that the Council has a treatment, but instead, Snelga offers to have her be put down. What do you think of the euthanasia suggestion, and the fact Kaitlin was at least given a choice there? Is the Council deviating at all from how you expected them to treat humans?
As always, thank you for reading and supporting!