Primal Rage 51

FBI Agent Wade Barron POV

As UN diplomats prepared for negotiations of a formal alliance with the Saphno people, I thought it was critical to relay that Rauja’s promises of friendship were insincere. It wasn’t that I didn’t understand and even regret why, but I couldn’t leave humanity blind to the fact that they only wanted to weaponize us against the Ploax. They wouldn’t have our backs if the Council came knocking with consequences, and they certainly didn’t covet our friendship. Their ambassador would dare to show any disagreement with us.

I doubt the Saphnos will place any weight on promises made to a species they don’t consider to be people. They’ll stick to it so long as they need us…so long as we’re useful. No one will ever come to Earth for genuine friendship.

Rauja noticed my wandering eyes, looking apprehensive. “I’m so excited to be here with my brave protectors! And f-friends! Aren’t you happy to be here, Wade and Hazel? You…like us, because Saphnos are like Craun?” 

“We like the Saphnos, Rauja. No one will ever be quite like Craun, but you have a common story that we care about,” Hazel answered. 

“Why, that’s where you’re wrong, Haze.” I locked eyes with Marcia Livingston, the Alien Liaison, and fished for an excuse to break away from Rauja. “I think our dear ambassador is a carbon copy of Craun. Rauja, can I tell Marcia just how wonderful you are? I want to shout it from the rooftops, how we’re friends for life—two peas in a pod! You and me.”

“Y-yeah. Of course, tell everyone the happy news!” Rauja exclaimed.

Hazel glared at me, elbowing me in a subtle way. “Wade…”

“I need to speak to Marcia,” I explained in slow fashion, meeting my partner’s eyes. “I have pertinent information. It’s important that the diplomatic team understands our circumstances. Our happy circumstances, right?”

Her eyebrows knitted together, before she forced a smile and nodded. “I think we’ve all learned the importance of listening to whatever thoughts are bouncing around in your head. Go on then. I’ll stay back with Rauja and help her get settled.”

I tried to appear casual and maintain my smile, as I broke away from the Saphno ambassador. Hazel seemed to have gotten the message to distract Rauja, and a host of human diplomats were readily engaging the alien in vivacious conversation. I allowed myself, for a moment, to take in how professional, prepared, and matter-of-fact the representatives of our species were; we’d come a long way from Craun’s haphazard welcome. 

If only the rock people would, in earnest, let us be their friends! That’s the one thing we want, and it’s hard not to feel jaded by it all.

“You’re in charge of the negotiations, aren’t you? There’s something you need to know.” I lightly pressed a hand to Marcia’s elbow, guiding her to the far corner of the conference room. She looked back at me with evident concern. “The Saphnos couldn’t be less interested in being our allies. They’re using us because they need aid.”

Marcia relaxed a bit, the tension easing off of her face. “Yeah, we figured. I was worried you were about to tell me something worse.”

“You know they’re trying to string us along?”

“We’re more helpful than the Council. It’s not much, but it’s all we have going for us. Maybe, with enough time, they’ll give us a chance, but they have some things we need too. It’s in our best interest to play along and seem clueless, so they don’t suspect we can negotiate favorable terms.”

I shot a glance back at Rauja, noticing the diplomats were falling over themselves to fawn over her. “You don’t want them to think we have long-term ambitions of our own.”

“Exactly. If they think we’re animals, then they don’t think we can outmaneuver and outfox them. We’re using the Saphnos for tech…although we do want to help them. It’s complicated. We’re all frustrated, Wade, but we have to eat shit and smile if that’s what it takes to play catchup with the Council. This is how we get ourselves a fleet.”

“I see. Business as usual then?”

“Yep, I’d say a good poker face is in order. Let Rauja believe she has us hook, line, and sinker.”

The embers burning in my mind cooled, and I tried to remind myself of what I once told Craun: that cold, calculating rage was the most tactical, and thus the most dangerous, of them all. I could string Rauja along with a clear conscience, since it was what she’d tried to do to us first. Nobody wanted a primal’s friendship, and humanity couldn’t delude ourselves otherwise. This was what had to be done to bring back Finley and Kaitlin. I wouldn’t provoke the Saphno or rub her nose in her own lies any further.

Ultimately, we might still save Craun’s people out of this, so maybe what we did for him would wind up meaning something. The Ploax are monsters.

Rauja patted the empty chair next to her, paying me nervous attention as I walked back over to her. “Wade! My best friend! I saved you a seat right beside me.”

“Thanks,” I grunted, as Hazel mouthed, Are you happy? at me. “Happy for a seat at the table. I’ll listen to the terms you draw up. I wouldn’t want to interrupt.”

“I’m sure we can count on humanity, the friendliest…people, to be agreeable! And generous! This will be the perfect alliance, and the Saphnos are so glad that you want this. Your Project Iris was beautiful, and we want you to know we couldn’t wait to message you!”

Marcia slid into the seat across from Rauja, smiling. “That’s wonderful news. All we wanted was to be given this opportunity to make a case for ourselves and to sit at a table together, as equals would. Your support has really given us hope for the future—a mutual optimism about what comes next, in spite of the Council’s failings. Humanity hopes we can put you at ease, and that you’ve found your accommodations suitable. Please, anything we can do to improve your stay, let us know.”

“You’ve been very nice. Truly.” Rauja’s eye crystals fogged up a bit, as if the ambassador was remembering a Council visit where they were a lot less eager to help her. “Could you, um, refresh my memory on the finer details of what Craun promised you? I want to give you terms that match with your expectations!”

“To be frank, it’s more about what we promised Craun. We’re eager to help in whatever ways we can; you’ll find that we can live in peace and mutual compassion, but let me start with our first offer. We’d like to join your fight against the Ploax, in the hopes of stopping their callous, unthinkable genocide campaign targeted at the Saphnos. Our hearts and our forces are with you—if you wish for a primal’s battle abilities to be connected to you, of course. We’d be honored if the Saphnos would accept our aid.”

Visible shock flashed on the alien ambassador’s face, though she hurriedly mouthed a disbelieving agreement. I scrutinized Marcia and mulled over her strategy, before it dawned on me why she’d agreed with such quickness. Rauja had been hoping to “manipulate” us into promising our aid against the Ploax, but with humanity giving her what she wanted, we’d be able to take control of the negotiations. We’d also have the option to frame our wishes as what we needed to fight for them, without arousing suspicion. After all, those silly primals had just offered exactly what she was after freely. It might even endear us to her.

“We would be so grateful for your aid…and I’m sure that w-would form the backbone of a lasting alliance!” Rauja exclaimed, a hint of genuine thankfulness and guilt swirling in her eyes. “You’re so kind and eager to help, dearest humans, just like you were with Craun. What a tremendous ability to bond that I am honored to reciprocate! This is an agreement I’m proud and happy to sign, I really am!” 

Marcia grinned, clapping her hands together. “Oh, that’s wonderful, Ambassador Rauja! Thank you for giving us this opportunity, in spite of what we are. We’ll enshrine our friendship in writing then. Humanity will do whatever we can to help you survive, but right now, we, ah, don’t have much. Can I go over what we’ll need to get up to speed and fight the Ploax?”

“Of course! The Saphnos would be glad to…and it’s the least we can do. Your offer is very generous and selfless, you have no idea!”

“It’s our sincere honor. We just adore your people, and I hope you know that. Actually, there’s more we want to do to help, but let’s start with the most pressing action. The reason we haven’t already leapt to your defense, after hearing Craun’s story, is that we need ships. Furnishing us with technology and some working spacecraft…I’m ashamed to admit it, but it’s the only way we can stand with you. Please forgive our ineptitude.”

“No, primal! It’s okay.” Rauja patted the table with alarm, as Marcia made a show of slumping her head. “We figured you could use help, um, to support your right to exist too! You need to be able to stand up to the Council. We…don’t have many ships, but we’ll give you blueprints and a few FTL spacecraft to get you started.”

“Would you really? Oh, thank you! I’d started to believe we wouldn’t get any kindness from aliens; you’re a gem among the Council! Truly open-minded friends—we treasure our alliance already. There’s nothing we won’t do and no lengths we won’t go to. We won’t forget this!”

“The feeling is mutual, Ambassador Livingston. You’ve been very gracious, and I can’t compliment your manners and politeness enough. I didn’t expect how…good of a friend I’d find! Craun chose well.”

“We’d be honored to meet more people who have a lot to offer us. The more Saphnos that would give a chance, the stronger our alliance will become! Perhaps your scientists would be willing to share knowledge with NASA? To work alongside us, as friends do? I know if anyone can help primals, it’d be your best and brightest!”

“Our people are your people, united. I have to propose this and find volunteers, but I’m sure it’s no issue. It’s n-not a huge ask. I can tell them how safe it is to visit you!”

Marcia nodded to me and Hazel. “I hope the security agents we provided have been helpful. We take personal responsibility for your safety. If there’s any way that we could have some backing from the Saphnos with the Council, that our anger doesn’t define us, that would be important. After all, we don’t want to tend them off again after…last time. Humanity must focus on the Ploax to give your people the best chance.”

“Of course,” Rauja murmured. “Not that they listen to us. I do hardly care if they punish us for contacting you. It’s…prohibited, as you might already be aware.”

“Yes, we are, and it saddens us to know how much you fear and demonize humans. We’ve come together to welcome you, and that I hope speaks volumes about our intent. Can I offer you something else, since you’re sending people to work alongside us?”

“You’ve…already given so much. What did you have in mind?”

Marcia passed her a binder, which was translated to Saphno script. “We’d like to host Saphno refugees on our neighboring planet, Venus, which seems suitable to silicon life. We’ll give you a safe haven where you won’t be turned over to the Ploax without a shred of resistance. You could co-lead the settlement construction in conjunction with humanity. Also, you’d be near us but separate enough to not worry about primal interactions.”

“Wow. That’s r-really nice, and I’m sure it would bring us closer! It’s such a good thing that I reached out to you. Is that all of the terms you’d like to place in the treaty? You’ve done a great job, Marcia!”

“We have just one more request. Access to Saphno manufacturing infrastructure so we can mass-produce ships for our joint protection efforts. We need the means to take what you’re kindly giving us and build upon it.”

Rauja’s demeanor became nervous and pensive, and I wondered for a second if she’d seen through our asks. Marcia had done an excellent job “Paperclipping” Saphno scientists and getting a few spaceships to get us off the ground, but we didn’t have the means to produce the fleet we needed to go after Kaitlin or tackle any military engagements. To be an equal, we needed not just the same technology but the same quantities of this. This was the most important of all of our conditions, yet we couldn’t afford for her to back out of the treaty now.

I can’t help but feel a little sorry for Rauja, since she seems so surprised that we’re willing to help. I don’t think that’s just because we’re primals, but rather because she’s used to her pleas falling on deaf ears.

“My very g-good friends,” Rauja began, and I pieced together that she was fearful of incurring our wrath from telling us no. “That is simply not possible.”

Marcia pursed her lips. “Ambassador, I’m telling you quite frankly that we need this help to have any real chance of contending with the Ploax. We can’t be of use to you without a helping hand on the readiness front. Access to your manufacturing is an absolute necessity.”

“That might be, but we’re…simply unable. I…can’t give you what we no longer have. The Ploax have taken all of our worlds, and we have very few holdings left. If we had the ability to print out a fleet, we would’ve done that for ourselves. We’ve lost everything; please forgive me! Please tell me you still want to be allies!”

Rauja’s words bore the ring of truth, and in spite of myself, I felt my heart break a little more for the plight of the Saphno people. I was glad they’d have a place to hunker down on Venus, since they needed a helping hand as sorely as we did. If only they’d recognize our friendship in earnest, we wouldn’t have to lure them into handing over useful technology and assets. It was the ambassador’s fault for assuming we had no deceptive and perceptive abilities of our own, but still…I didn’t want to kick her while she was down.

Marcia lowered her eyes, blinking hard. “Of course—forgive me for being insensitive. We’ll figure it out, together. We’ll find another way to source the ships. Let us draft the agreement, and you can take it back to your people for review tomorrow?”

“Yes, please! Thank you. I’m sorry for failing you,” Rauja whimpered.

I placed a hand on her shoulder. “The Saphnos didn’t fail anyone. The entire galaxy failed you.”

“Humans are the only ones who didn’t. I’m…so sorry, Wade. May I step out? I need a moment.”

“You can go wherever you like. I’ll keep you company from a distance,” Hazel replied.

“I can tag along too,” I began to say, before noticing Marcia giving me a purposeful look. Did she want to speak with me? “…actually, some girl time might be a good thing. You look like you could use some space, Rauja, and I respect that. I’m here if you need me.”

The Saphno stood up, wiping sand away from her stony cheeks. “Thank you. I’m glad we came to an agreement.”

“We are ecstatic as well! Take care.” Marcia waited for Rauja to step out of the room and ensured that she was out of earshot, before exhaling heavily. “What I’m about to suggest doesn’t leave this room. The Council isn’t going to help us, so that only leaves one party that could manufacture ships for us.”

I stared into her stormy eyes, then sucked in a sharp breath. “What? No! Tell me your plan B isn’t what the fuck I think it is.”

“At least we can feel good about trying to use the Ploax for technology. You know it’s the best bet, since the UN was already considering attempting diplomacy; that’s all we can do, without a fleet. We turn Project Iris on them and see if there’s any room to make a Faustian bargain.”

“Rauja—the Saphnos—will never agree to talk to the Ploax! Humans don’t want to cozy up to them either.”

“Like we didn’t want to fight the Council? It’d be useful to temporarily have the Ploax in our pocket, and to play them like a fiddle. To at least know what they’re thinking and what their position on primals is. When we get FTL ships from the Saphnos, we should send a diplomat to the Ploax. We have to try something, Wade.”

“I mean, in the grand scheme of things, I don’t disagree. The Ploax are…the only box left unchecked.” I sucked in a sharp breath, shaking my head. I can’t imagine what Craun would think of this, after everything he told me about what the Ploax did to him. “You’ll need security who’s intimately familiar with aliens. I’ll go. If this is what we have to do, then owning up to it myself is the only way I could ever face Craun.”

“That was what I hoped to hear you say. Of course, you understand the sensitivity of this arrangement, and that the Saphnos can’t know what we’re doing behind their backs. You also understand the inherent risk and that if anything happens to you…”

“You can’t do anything more to rescue me than I can do for Finley and Kaitlin. I assume no one will ever know I even went.”

Marcia arched an eyebrow. “No one will ever know we went. I’m going with you. Playing both sides isn’t pretty, but it’s the sacrifice we’ll make for all mankind.”

“It’s the only way to save our people, and make the Council see us.”

“Exactly. Perhaps one day our alliance with the Saphnos will be genuine, but for right now, we have to make the moves for our own survival. Whatever it takes.”

My heart was heavy as we waited for Rauja to return, not daring to speak on the subject any further. I had no idea what the Ploax might be like, but it could make my time with Snelga a picnic by comparison; this could backfire against humanity in horrific fashion. However, Marcia was right that we had no other moves to obtain the needed manufacturing power. It fell on me to pretend nothing was amiss, and to keep the Saphno ambassador believing we were clueless, hapless, friendly primals.

A/N - 51! Marcia gives Rauja everything she wants and flips the table, but humanity faces the harsh realization that the Saphnos don’t have any manufacturing to give us for our ships. Forced to look for other solutions, Marcia suggests going to the Ploax and trying to get a hold on their technology behind the Saphnos’ back. What do you think of the idea of consorting with the Ploax? How do you feel about how thoroughly Rauja was played?

As always, thank you for reading and supporting!