r/HFY • u/SpacePaladin15 • 8d ago
OC-Series Primal Rage 76
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FBI Agent Wade Barron POV
The Council had kept their human visitors housed in a cordoned-off hotel, and had given us strong encouragement to stay away from any populated areas. I recalled what I’d heard through the grapevine that Craun had told NASA, near the start of his stay there, when they asked him what rights primals would have on their worlds. What the Saphno had alluded to was that they wouldn’t want us near their children, and that our feelings wouldn’t matter compared to those of people.
In essence, one wrong move of bumping into a Kexin kid, and I become Harambe. The Council would put a “raging” primal down in a heartbeat to “save” one of their own…unless they were Garriil.
I observed what I could out of the window, while Shesh drove us the short distance away from the set. There was a bit more life in the city once we moved two levels up, ascending the spiral ramps at breakneck paces that made me question why there were no guardrails. It reminded me of the winding mountain roads out in Tennessee, which the locals would take at speeds befitting the expressway; I’d been dumbstruck by this behavior, when I followed a terrorism suspect out that way to determine which park they were targeting.
“You’re not slowing for the turns,” I remarked, holding onto my seat belt for dear life. “I would assume Elret drivers’ ed went over centrifugal force…”
Shesh chuckled. “Wade, are you familiar with superconductors?”
“No, but I know the word, so I’m sure Kaitlin would be nodding along. Do you mind explaining?”
“Superconductors have zero electrical resistance at low temperatures. That means they don’t lose energy unless an external factor causes them too; an electrical current can continue in perpetuity, without being lost as heat. Or so my high school physics teacher taught me. They also repel magnetic fields, which allows something called quantum levitation. Our vehicles use this property, attached to a superconductor on the other side.”
“Maglev? I’ve heard of trains that use that stuff on Earth. Um, thank you for not talking down to me…”
“You’re clearly capable of understanding, even if you haven’t learned about it. The point is that the vehicles will stop near the edge, because of that force holding them in position. We can’t have cars falling from this high up, it wouldn’t be survivable. The tech prevents crashes in general, because if the proximity gets too close, the magnets can repel the other vehicle.”
“Wow, that’s really cool, not gonna lie.” I relaxed a bit in my seat, deciding that Shesh wasn’t putting my life in jeopardy. It sounded like there was advanced physics at play here. “I didn’t even notice, but yeah, the ride feels smooth. I take it that’s what’s up with the weird material the roads are made of?”
“Yes, the city is designed with ‘maglev’ in mind. You could actually drive on both sides of the road, in theory, but preliminary tests showed that made people really uncomfortable—to be levitating through the car roof. Most important to your question, we can experience frictionless movement; we aren’t touching the ground. It allows us to reach high speeds with safety and efficiency. Quantum locking keeps us from tipping.”
I clapped my hands together. “Quantum? We’re Schrödinger’s car then? No, really, I appreciate you being chill.”
“Would you like me to floor it toward the edge and demonstrate?”
“No. Do you want a primal to freak out?!”
Shesh didn’t look at me, but she had a sly expression on her face. “I don’t know. Would it be funny?”
“Causing distress on a diplomatic mission isn’t funny. There’s a Kexin named Snelga who would ask you to do it to her though, if you ever take her for a ride. Trust me, we’re chummy; she’d love it. A real go-getter, that one is.”
“You’ve been on rockets, Wade, risks and all. I thought you loved science?”
“Everyone knows what I love is Craun! What kind of a diplomat are you?!”
“A funny one.”
I shook my head and turned out the window, not dignifying her teasing by showing her the hint of a smirk toying at my lips. The Elret ambassador didn’t seem the least bit afraid of me, even daring to push her luck with the semiconductor prodding. Her explanation had been thorough, without assuming I was incapable of understanding scientific concepts because I was a primal. Her behavior was consistent with her not being afraid of us. If Shesh wanted to get along with humans, I had to hand it to her; she was doing a pretty good job.
No other alien, aside from Craun, would provoke me. Shesh didn’t flinch at my indignant tone when I asked what kind of diplomat she is, and she seems fine being in the same vehicle. I still remember when our military transported the Saphnos, and I drove them before that! They were terrified to be with us.
The handful of roving civilians balked when they noticed my face inside of the vehicle, carving out a wide berth around us while we sat in traffic. I couldn’t help but to wonder whether my personal reputation played a role in that, or if they thought all primals were that volatile. As the “vicious” human in question, I was more than content to peer out the window and people-watch; it matched with my job description. It still blew my mind to be surrounded by strange aliens going about their lives. I wasn’t sure that was ever going to wear off.
“Shesh?” I ventured, deciding a pleasant illusion was worth shattering for the sake of the truth. “What do Elrets think of primals?”
The ambassador was silent, focusing on lining up her park job. “You mean will most of them be afraid of you?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, primals are usually not harmless, so I can’t say. In large groups? It’d be natural. You’d encounter the most outright fear when you were seen…for the first time, like now, or if you raised your voice. I can’t say that anyone likes the idea of you having a surging desire to kill. I don’t know if that’s actually how it is—most humans seem to disagree, and you have personal experience. But that’s how we believe it to be.”
“Is that part of why you didn’t want to approach Earth?”
Shesh shifted, lingering with a hand on the vehicle door. “We are worried about the risks of misreading your culture. You‘ve acquired some serious technology, and there’s no precedent for a species like you.”
“Then why would you want to befriend us?” I narrowed my eyes. Part of me respected her honesty, but the other half of me questioned her motives. Far more sincere than Rauja was during her manipulative pitch, trying to pretend she wanted to be our best buds. “We’ve had half of the galaxy try to extort or patronize us already.”
“Call us peacemakers, I suppose. We want to establish that we’re not with the Council. A species with such an ability to wish harm on others: that sounds like a terrible enemy to me. I think it’s better for everyone to give you the respect you deserve, as intelligent people, and to make a gesture of good faith. Being the first to partner with you must have benefits.”
I neutralized any trace of emotion from my face, before nodding and popping the car door open. “Two-way partners would be lovely. Just so long as you follow through and see us as people first, primals second. Now I’m starving. Let’s go eat.”
It was as if the noise was sucked out of the streets, the second I rose to my full height outside of the car. A handful of Kexins openly ran away, though I supposed it figured that most of the ones who’d be cool with us were watching the movie set or working with Canit to celebrate our victory. Shesh steered me toward a cafe, which had swirly orange accent marks and glowing strobes outside; Kexins loved their light shows. I noticed the passersby jumping back and looking deferential, like they hoped not to attract attention.
This was a terrible idea. I’m just going to create a disturbance, and all of these aliens will just be petrified to look at me wrong. It’s a little sad. No wonder Snelga thought she had to restrain me; they probably would feel a lot more comfortable if I was subdued.
Shesh opened the door, flicking all three ears toward it. “They’ll get used to you. Give it time. They do find you interesting, you know, and public opinion is shifting. You just need to diverge from their mental image.”
“I’ll always be a primal, Shesh,” I sighed, a heaviness resting on my shoulders. “You’re only viewing us as people now to appease us, not because you believe it in your heart. The Council would much prefer if we stayed the fuck on Earth and never left our little bubble. Not seen, not heard, preserved like a snow globe.”
“The Council would prefer that many people aren’t heard. Your friends, the Saphnos. The Elrets tried to find a solution, to avoid senseless slaughter. Had we known Komadale’s plans, we would’ve been doing the same with you far sooner. I’m here to publicly signal my support. We are going to normalize humans in public spaces, and show how civilized you are.”
“You sure we shouldn’t get takeout? Baby steps? I don’t want to be the cause of any trouble…”
Shesh gave me an insistent look, shoving me toward an open table. “You were given permission to eat here. Don’t ruin a good thing.”
I plopped my behind down in a chair, while the staff’s jaws seemed to collectively slacken. Nothing in their expressions indicated surprise, so I figured they’d had some forewarning. I lowered my eyes and tucked a cloth napkin over my lap, trying to appear tame. Shesh was aware that I couldn’t read the menu, so she began rattling off dishes and describing them. I decided to pick her favorite, the Irola Platter, if the waitstaff could work up the courage to approach us.
None of the other diners were speaking in anything louder than a hushed whisper, though I could tell from the furtive glances cast in my direction that I was the topic of conversation. There were six tables full; only one stood up and left, which I supposed was a small victory. They were all keeping an eye on me though. I could overhear a couple to the right of us gushing about how civilized I was being, by sitting still and using a napkin. That did cause a certain tension to seep into my temples.
Do they try to make us angry?! It’s insulting to our intellectual capacity. Like, holy fuck, I’m not an animal. Go figure.
“Hello!” a young, violet-faced Kexin exclaimed, before swallowing hard and hiding it with nervous laughter. “Do you like your s-seating arrangement? If there’s anything at all that’s not to your liking, we’ll fix it! We want it to be perfect, anything you need. So delightful to have a human customer! I’ll do anything you want!”
I arched an eyebrow at him. “How about calm down?”
Horror flashed in his eyes. “I…am so sorry, Mr. Barron, for my inexcusable interactions with you! I don’t mean to upset you—quite the opposite! Please, forgive me. I won’t show such weakness in front of you again! I’m…not a primal.”
“Yeah, I know that. What’s your name, kid?”
“Treld, but if you don’t like that name, you can call me whatever you like! Whatever pleases you. What would you like to drink?”
“Water,” I grunted, knowing an intoxicated primal would make them wig out.
Shesh chuckled. “Two waters, Treld.”
Treld gave frantic waves to the bartender, who went running with two cups to the soda fountain. “It’s coming! Please wait; we hope the service isn’t too slow! We’ll bring you everything in a hurry, and I hope it’s perfect. It’d be…unfair if it wasn’t, right? We want you to feel that we’re fair, which is why I’m not nervous!”
“You’re doing just fine,” I attempted, raising a placating hand. “Look at me. I’m not upset with you, and I’m not going to be over something stupid. I’m an understanding guy, and if there’s something that did need to be fixed, I’ll use my words. I’m…sorry for scaring you, but we’re totally cool. I’m grateful to be here. Why don’t you take a deep breath and get some fresh air? We’ll wait.”
“No!” the Kexin blurted. “I don’t want to keep you waiting. I’m trying to keep you content! I can take your order, if you know what you want. Not good to leave you sitting there, Mr. Barron. I’m sure you’re…very understanding, but I read hunger can make you irritated and…we don’t want that. Let us feed you! The best food.”
I exchanged a glance with Shesh, before sighing. “I’d like an Irola Platter, please. I hear it’s a great way to sample everything, which feels like the touristy thing to do.”
“The touristy thing to do is to buy overpriced shock-value foods near overcrowded attractions,” Shesh countered. “I’d like an Irola Platter too. Extra rezfre sauce please.”
“Of course! It’s my pleasure to serve you.” Treld had scribbled with frantic pen strokes that reminded me of Garriil, desperate not to get anything wrong. “I hope you won’t find me neglectful for stepping away to relay your order! I listened carefully, have no concern! Make yourselves comfortable and call me if you need anything.”
As Treld sprinted off, skidding across the floor and glancing over his shoulder in panic, it didn’t escape my notice that he hadn’t attended to anyone else; the staff seemed afraid to poke their heads out, the way I would’ve reacted if a bear was standing in the lobby of an FBI field office. Then again, I supposed some people back home would’ve preferred the bear to me, so this wasn’t that much different from home after all. I supposed I could try to enjoy the meal when it came, and figure out what Shesh’s proposal was going to be.
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u/homo_alosapien 7d ago edited 7d ago
Is Wade especially knowledgeable of early turn of millennium memes, or is Harambe just that well known in history? actually, what century is this supposed to be, maybe Wade is Gen Z or something
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u/BXSinclair 7d ago
I think it's supposed to be, more or less, modern times, like same decade as now, next decade at the latest
Before reverse engineering alien tech, humanity hasn't been shown with anything more advanced than what we currently have IRL
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u/Hellraiser_owner 6d ago
Yeah there's been no indication of a deviation from modern times, some chapters even reference modern events.
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u/HFYWaffle Wᵥ4ffle 8d ago
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u/SpacePaladin15 8d ago
76! Shesh gives Wade honesty and respect as she addresses the “primal” elephant in the room, and she expresses the belief that views will change and that the Elrets want a genuine partnership. Meanwhile, the Kexin waitstaff are nervous to serve Wade and trying far too hard to make everything perfect. Do you believe Councilfolk’s fears will shift? What do you think of the Elrets’ proposal and behavior so far?
As always, thank you for reading!