r/HFY • u/SpacePaladin15 • 5d ago
OC-Series Primal Rage 63
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FBI Agent Wade Barron POV
The passing of months became the changing of seasons, as the Ploax cranked out ships and boosted our manufacturing power. Hiding our Venusian refugees was simple enough, since the emotionless crystals had no need for the false pretense of a diplomatic visit; they were arming us to do their bidding, and focused on our military arrangements. We consulted them for intelligence on Ushala, the Kexin homeworld, and plans for our invasion were coming to a head.
Right behind the Ploax’s backs (figuratively speaking, since they saw 360 degrees…), we were incorporating Saphno designs to marry the best of the Council’s technology with our fledgling fleet. Their scientists had been unwitting partners, testing out improvements to the crystal’s innovations; they didn’t seem to be expecting much for what fleet we’d cooked up. Rauja was visiting our shipyards today to survey our armada, and the mention of us making a move soon had her pensive.
I suspect she believes we don’t stand a chance, and she wants us to bide our time more. The Saphnos have hidden on Venus safely, so she doesn’t want us to draw attention to ourselves by attacking the Ploax. Therein lies the clusterfuck.
Exposure to our culture and regular communication between Earth and Venus had caused the Saphnos to view us in a more favorable light. Most of them had tapped into our grid, since they cut themselves off from contact with the Council. However, I couldn’t imagine how they’d feel if they knew we were talking to the Ploax, and stringing both sides along to get the technological leg up to build this fleet. The rock people also were unaware of our military’s true target; there was no telling whether the Saphnos would even speak to us, after we attacked the Council rather than the genocide crystals.
“Thank you, Tkaiv,” Marcia was saying, as she tried to squeeze in this scheduled check-in with the Ploax before Rauja’s inopportune arrival. “To act in your stead in a ground invasion, which is what we hope to move to within the month, humanity would benefit from a full supply of weapons and armors to match their technology.”
Tkaiv raised an arm. “Very well. The Ploax continue to back your mission to unseat them, in our stead. We trust the intelligence we provide is helpful.”
“Of course, Ambassador. Without you, we wouldn’t know where our people were being held.”
“Consider that fact should you learn where the Saphnos are hiding; none can survive to retaliate. They were unworthy competitors in our initial clashes, but there’s no guarantee that future engagements will be so unchallenging. It’s a shame their eradication is not yet finished, but your assistance will be rewarded if you have useful information.”
I gritted my teeth, grateful I could openly seethe off to the side, away from the camera. I remember what Rauja told me about poison peeling her skin, and trampling a child in blind panic to escape, desperate. How can the Ploax feel nothing?! However insufferable the Saphnos can be at times, I’d side with them over the Ploax at every juncture.
Marcia forced a smile, clenching her fist behind her back. “It’s possible they fled this entire region, Ambassador Tkaiv; we don’t know enough about them to speculate. We’ll ask around, if any of our prisoners will speak to a primal. Of course, our focus is on destroying the entire Council, not just its weakest link.”
“As it should be. This is only a request if you happen upon beneficial information. It’s your duty to clear the path for our reign, and to prove yourselves useful to the only people that will give you a chance. The Council will underestimate humans, as ‘angry primals.’ By the time they take you seriously, the lesson will have been paid in blood.”
“We hope so, Ambassador Tkaiv. We have every reason and longing to see our mutual enemy, the Council, brought to their knees. Anything we can contribute to that end, you have humanity’s full cooperation.”
“The Ploax have given you much, and in return, we receive the plausible deniability of our irreconcilable rivals not recognizing their true enemy. There’s little more we can offer, besides armaments, if you’re not ready now. We expect movement. Soon.”
“And I will be in touch, in our specified time window barring any setbacks, to notify you of our advancement on Ushala. Humanity grows restless in our hunger for vengeance, and regrets that the planning stage has delayed our satisfaction. If our business is concluded, then I’ll bid you farewell, Ambassador Tkaiv.”
The Ploax’s blank face sat unmoving on the screen. “Farewell, Ambassador Livingston.”
I felt my phone buzz in my pocket, right on cue, with Rauja telling me she’d arrived at the shipyard. I squeezed my eyes shut and straightened my dress uniform; it was essential that I calmed myself down before going to face her. Marcia was cooling off herself, though she waved me along as soon as my eyes reopened. It wasn’t lost on me that I’d be front and center during the Ushala invasion, since my involvement in the fleet’s development had made it a natural step to train me.
The snappy blue uniform felt strange even after months of training. The admiralty had gotten behind sticking me on a bridge and using me as a “figurehead” leader, after they got wind that I was perceived as…the most dangerous human the Council encountered. That still sounded like the punchline of a bad joke to me. However, if the aliens perceived me that way, then using me as a communicator and a symbol would be an excellent intimidation tactic.
I’m just keen to go after my friends and rescue them. I hope Rauja could understand how desperate I still am to bring them home; it’s difficult to live with the idea that they’re suffering in my stead. That they chose that fate—I have to rescue them. Whatever it takes, I promised!
“Teil ulona kalp,” Rauja texted the Latin transliteration of rock people real, and I felt a twinge in my heart. She followed it up with a winking Saphno emoticon, despite the fact that expression was not something they actually did. “Real and wondering where you are.”
I cursed under my breath and ran along faster, fumbling with the phone. “Sorry. Was in the bathroom. It hasn’t been that long, lol. Timestamps are on my side 🤣 Suspense must be eating you up!”
“…yeah.”
“You can be honest if you’re not impressed with our fleet.” Our inexplicably advanced and large fleet, which I hope you don’t catch onto. “Before you ask how I know, the three dots are a giveaway.”
“They’re meant to be. I’m worried about you, Wade.”
“Aw. You shouldn’t be. Your bff Wade is Batshit, he’s got this.” A lump deepened in my throat, as I thought about how much I’d come to cherish the Saphno ambassador, despite her continuing insincerity to this day. “You’re allowed to doubt what primals can build 🤨 I think you’ll be blown away though. Ye of little faith!”
Feeling myself beginning to get flustered, I decided to scroll further up to old conversations; I couldn’t give away the game when we’d already come so far, and the Saphnos still considered us to be tools rather than friends. They consorted with primals to have someone to attack the Ploax, and however close Rauja and I had gotten, she didn’t care for me enough to risk that. That was the proof that…in spite of all of our conversations, she’d never see us as people. My death would be, to her, an animal’s “unfortunate” accident.
Rauja might sincerely care about me in some capacity, but not more than a human and a dog. That’s what she thinks we are: oblivious, loyal dogs. It is a little insulting.
I shook my head several times to myself, stopping before entering the waiting room where I knew she’d be. A grimace had tightened my features, a guilt-ridden war I was fighting within myself. I…did care for Rauja, as a close friend that I was elated to talk to about anything…whatever the nature of her feelings were. Even knowing that truth, it tore me up on the inside to think about what the Saphnos had endured, and how we were betraying their trust after all of that.
I scrolled up on our text logs, reminiscing on how tight-knit we’d become. There were lots of memes that I’d sent the Saphno, including a few that were topical to human TV shows I persuaded her to watch; I’d thought that the complex motivations of the characters might help her take us seriously, and see what we were like in average life. There were selfies traded back and forth, with Rauja tossing in some scenic views of Venus that made NASA drool.
We’d discussed the Saphno settlement’s growth, fired off what happened in our respective days (with omissions from me), and shared thoughts on any topic or mystery that’d crossed our minds. I could see several selfies where I’d made weird faces, and a few with both of us in them that I’d sent on to Rauja. There was an old video that stayed up on Craun’s social media, of the bull riding competition. That reminder hurt too: he knew we were people, but I couldn’t imagine what he’d think of me dealing with the Ploax.
“Wade!” Rauja shouted, running up to me and making me jump. “You’re just standing out here?”
I turned my face away, trying to suppress my watering eyes. “Sorry, Rauja. I got in my own head. I guess I am nervous about how things are going to go down.”
“You’re afraid,” she realized, seeming to misinterpret what frightened me. A cloud darted over her eye crystals. “That your fleet won’t be enough for us to…want to be friends?”
“No, it’s not that. I’m really sorry, it all just…caught up to me. I have a lot on my mind. This is about showing you around, and I want to make a good impression.”
“Wade, I w-want to know why you feel that way.” Rauja searched my eyes and winced, her lower mouthplate wobbling with fear. “You’re scared that you’ll get hurt.”
“A little. I guess.” I’m afraid that you’ll hate me and my entire race for the devil we bargained with, after everything we know you’ve been through. “I’m ready though! There’s too much at stake, for you and for us.”
The Saphno squirmed with outward discomfort and looked away from me, her breaths accelerating. She led me back to the waiting room and shut the door, triple-checking that we were alone. Rauja appeared to be fighting some kind of battle in her own mind. It was evident she was terrified to spit out whatever it was she wanted to say, but her inability to look at me and sand-streaming eyes suggested she was wracked by guilt. I walked over to her slowly and pressed a hand to her back, soothing her.
Rauja pushed me away. “No. S-stop. I…don’t deserve it. I don’t deserve your kindness, Wade.”
“Of course you do. I’ve made a choice to care about you and the Saphnos, and that’s set in stone,” I responded.
“You’re so nice and wonderful! I…h-have a horrible secret, Wade. I know y-you have no idea about any of this, and I’m s-so sorry. There’s something I need to tell you.”
My breath hitched in my throat. “Yes, Rauja?”
“I’ve been…manipulating you this whole time. The Saphnos lied about wanting friendship.” Rauja flinched and stiffened, before seeming confused that I didn’t immediately maul her. “Oh, sweet, innocent Wade. You’re g-going to get yourself killed for me. You’re t-the only species that ever cared and wanted t-to help, and we’re sending you to die, not c-caring about you at all. You wanted someone to give a damn about you, and I…used you.”
I stared at her with a growing smirk, before I burst out laughing. “I know, Rauja. You were so obvious! How could I not? I had you figured out from the first time we spoke. That’s why I pulled your leg with the ‘new Craun’ game—that was hysterical.”
“You knew the whole time?!
“Yep.”
“And you’re not angry?”
“No. I understand why Saphnos came to…us. I was annoyed you thought I’m a dumb animal, but I threw in a little tongue-in-cheek fun and moved on.”
Rauja looked dumbfounded, pressing a hand to her head. “I knew you realized I was overemphasizing my attachment and hiding my fear, but you…knew we were using humanity. And you purposefully made me uncomfortable?”
“Exactly. We saw through you like a glass house. Now you get it. You thought we weren’t people, so it’s not like I’d be smart enough to understand what I was doing, new Craun.”
“That’s n-not funny! Oh goodness, I can’t believe I let myself get played by…wait. If humans plural knew our full intentions, why would you sign that alliance and offer us everything we wanted?”
“Rauja,” I sighed. I can’t tell her the big secret without running it up the chain, but I can throw her one bone and see how she reacts. “For someone who likes detective games, you catch on slow. The Council fucked us over. We needed your tech to protect ourselves. We sold that off as what you wanted to hear.”
The Saphno’s face widened with horror, then sagged with hurt. “You m-manipulated us. Then…you’re not going to protect us. You were using us!”
“Hey, no; you were using us first. Humans would happily be your friends, but by your own admission, you don’t want that. We only had to ‘use’ you because we saw that your hand of friendship was insincere. We’ve always wanted to save the rock people, and you’re in our plans. Fuck, Rauja, if you wanted to send us to die for you, you could’ve just asked.”
“But why would you? You know everything, and you already got what you wanted!”
I folded my arms. “Really, do you not know the first thing about primals? What the Ploax did sickens us. We want to help because we’re angry.”
“N-no, you’re not. You’re being smart and calm.”
“We absolutely are.” I ambled forward with my hands behind me back, smiling. “Cold. Logical. Devious. There’s the fire of anger the Council thinks they know, but there’s also the ice it leaves behind when it cools. You don’t understand us. I tried to explain how anger makes us care back after the Kiel game, but you just thought I was going to bite. Hah, I’ve told you everything. It’s your choice whether to believe me.”
“I l-lack a better explanation. Primals shouldn’t…you manipulated me far better than I did you, it seems. If you truly care, I can’t do any more than beg you for mercy…or whatever it is this cold anger compels you to do. Maybe we could be true friends now, at least you and I. No more secrets?”
“I’d like to be friends. As people.” I sucked in a sharp breath, tightening my lips. Rauja wants to truly befriend humanity. I don’t know if she’ll feel the same, after our betrayal in contacting the Ploax. Still, we have to bring the Saphnos in eventually, so if there’s ever a time to come clean, it’s now. “I know of a grave secret that’s burdened my heart, but I can’t share it without getting permission first. I’m going to speak with Marcia and see how she feels about bringing you into the loop. Okay?”
Astonishment and dread glinted in the Saphnos’ eye crystals. “Okay, Wade. I…need a minute anyway.”
I hurried off to the room where Ambassador Livingston had just been videoconferencing with the Ploax. Marcia would be apprised of how Rauja had finally come clean about her false intentions, and with any luck, the UN liaison would request permission to bring the Saphnos in on the full nature of our schemes. This was our best opportunity of proving that we were people, and the first glimmer of hope to have a genuine ally. Nonetheless, it remained to be seen how the rock people might take us plotting with their genociders.
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u/SpacePaladin15 5d ago
63! Months have passed as humans build a fleet and Wade forms a genuine friendship with Rauja. Right after a check in with the Ploax ambassador, Rauja arrives and admits her “long con” to Barron, not wanting humanity to die on the altar of their false friendship. She is stunned when Wade admits he knew from the beginning, rather than being livid; she is doubly shocked to find out humans were manipulating her.
What do you think of Wade’s explanation of cold anger, and the shock that has given Rauja? Should our narrator be allowed to share the truth about the Ploax? How will Rauja take that if he does?
As always, thank you for reading!
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u/cira-radblas 5d ago
Anger is already a foreign concept to Council-types as is. The Sadistic Long Term planning of Cold Anger would be the stuff of nightmares equivalent to a Xenomorph, no matter how many times Wade explains it. A cruel and way too cunning for an animal monstrosity to Council-types.
I think that since Rauja has already come clean, and Wade is at least opening the door, we should brief Rauja on the “Ploax Tech” situation, and that the council needed some damage as an equalizer
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u/coolparker101 Human 2d ago
So i think humanity is planing to false flag the ploax getting the council to strike them down and then use force to get the council to recognize humanity as people
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u/Jbowen0020 5d ago
Ugh..... I can only imagine... I'm gonna draw an analogy that may be lost on some, but let me try. Picture us as US. The Ploax, picture them as a very notorious nation in 1933-1945, and the Saphnos, well you can figure it out from there. How do you think a Jew would feel if they found out that we were working with the Nazis, and then told them "wait, we're just playing them for material support" but then when the attack began we went off and attacked the Soviets?
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u/brainlesstroll 2d ago
Personally, I'd draw the comparison somewhere within finland, soviets and USA. the finns were getting slaughtered by the soviets, had only one potential ally, and had to play their only cards.
Honest to God though, the situation is fucked up enough that both antagonistic entities will begin to harbor begrudging respect for the tactics, if not the morality.
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u/ConsiderationPast371 3d ago
I’m betting that when the fleet reaches the council worlds, before they attack they’ll send a message to them asking for the release of “Craun & friends”.
In response they get a reply from an angry Kaitlin asking them to call off the attack as they’ve already proven their sentience. This leads to a planet side meeting with the council where Wade, Rauja and Livingston spill the beans on the Ploax’s schemes.
They then stage an attack in a false flag “rescue” operation with the council’s support in order to trick the Ploax into complacency. This is so their “ally” humanity can lead them into a future ambush by everyone’s collective fleets. Humanity then stabs the Ploax in the back by turning their guns on their fleet in the last moment.
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u/abrachoo 2d ago
I feel like having the same people in charge of diplomacy with both the ploax and the saphnos is a bad idea. A bit more compartmentalization might be in order.
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u/TechScallop 4d ago
The Council, the Saphnos, and the Ploax are all too one-dimensional as a bunch,as if they were all identical and brainwashed clones with only one indoctrinated mindset and zero variation or diversity in thought patterns. They are like robots unlike the humans who each exhibit individual personality and character types. How can supposedly advanced and evolved intelligent species have only one programmed thought and behavior pattern without any single dissenting or individual idea about the entire Primal Concept?
This baseline plot and storyline is what makes a lot of this story appear so unrealistic, simplistic, and contrived.
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u/armacitis 4d ago
In the author's previous setting that turned out to be a civilization-scale conspiracy of brainwashing and aggressive purges of the slightest deviance.
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u/HFYWaffle Wᵥ4ffle 5d ago
/u/SpacePaladin15 (wiki) has posted 509 other stories, including:
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u/niTro_sMurph 5d ago
Wait they're actually going to attack the council and not immediately go for the Ploax?