The Progenitors by J. E. Andrews

Author:J. E. Andrews [Andrews, J. E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: science fiction, conspiracy, alien culture, alien cat
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

- 4 -

I sat upon the cushions, robed and veiled, considering what we'd learned of events. For all the facts there was no reasonable conclusion to be had. My need was to make Scott safe. There was no doubt that he was still in danger and without conclusion, my path was tied to his.

Several Shymyra paced along the wall to take seats among the cushions around me.

Sifu entered through the main arch with the Warder. It was the usual creature, not that it had ever given the name of its species. We have learned that Warders are aloof, or perhaps arrogant, keeping details of themselves secret while operating as the cultural police of their civilization. Supposedly they worked as mediators between newfound civilizations or sentient cultures and the exploitative nature of their civilization… protecting the natives while gathering knowledge.

We didn't need protecting.

Its name was Sosshonos and had a humanoid appearance. Upon its wide shoulders was a single mobile head with one mouth orifice, two eyes and a cluster of sensory appendages across the crown of the head. It had no fur and the breathing orifices were situated in the neck, several to either side. From the shoulders, two powerful arms depended with each having two forearms at very articulated elbow joints. Each of those forearms had a hand of three fingers. Most times they were held closed together, non-threatening. Its chest and lower limbs were hidden beneath a single white garment and its lower legs were as the forelimbs so that it had two feet with three toes on each leg.

Sosshonos followed Sifu across the room and stopped before me. Sifu went to one side, to stand at the wall. The one predominate quality of these Warders we did not like was their mental powers. From the first contact they have tried to touch our thoughts. We could perceive their attempts but we could not be touched. It was a protection bred into us. They continued to probe, just as Sosshonos did now. Whether it was conscious or not, it was rude. Our mechanical sensors had long ago taken their measure, each new one that appeared. We had nothing to fear.

I left the Warder stand there as he studied me. I observed him, not for any purpose but to leave the beginning up to him.

"Greetings, Governor," it said after some time elapsed.

I nodded. The Shymyra became still, turning to watch him where before they'd seemed to take no notice. Sosshonos may have expected me to say something. We maintained no protocol for dealing with the Warders but to keep them ignorant.

I waited.

"There are various matters brought to my attention that I feel should be answered," it said when more time had elapsed.

None of us had moved to give any sign of impatience, we were not.

I gave another nod.

"The first matter I feel should be addressed is the destruction of a shuttlecraft and the reported loss of an aircar during the night. The shuttle was destroyed by your weapons, since you have given permission for landings I need to know why it was destroyed.

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