FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

After the interrogation, Tyra was dragged into a holding cell. Less prison, more observation unit. The wall that met the main hallway was a massive transparent thing, which could easily darken if those outside of it didn’t want to be seen by the creature inside. A small intercomm on the side allowed communication between the two sides, and the hulking door on the side next to that. The door had a slot in the front, allowing objects to be dropped into and out of it.

A small cot and toiletries were Tyra’s only comforts. The humans did, at the very least, raise the humidity in the cell, which was a nice change of pace from the drier air of the rest of the ship. As far as she could tell, this was the first this section had ever been used. The other observation units were vacant. Unsurprising. She could only hope Joshua had something a little better, but whatever human holding cell they had was likely no more extravagant.

The guards posted to Tyra would occasionally glance inside, gawking. A mixture of disgust and curiosity plagued their expression, at least when they weren’t bantering with one another. She was unsure if they were unaware she could understand them. More likely that they didn’t care, as it would have been incredibly poor leadership to not inform them of that little detail. Tyra simply spent her time resting, thinking, and occasionally being interrupted by the few outside.

It was ridiculous, but Tyra spent much time imagining a grand escape. Even if that was near impossible. Her room lacked any sort of paneling, and the air that filtered in was divvied up by several smaller vents that she’d have trouble sticking a hand into. No, the one way in or out was that large door. They would likely take her out of it at some point again, but with the troop of guards at the ready, and the restraints she’d be put under, it was unlikely she’d have any luck there.

“I hear the red’s all blood. Like, they smear it on themselves,” one guard said.

“No way, you woulda smelled that when they walked it in here,” the other replied.

“Still, bet you they do that.”

“I’unno. Seems like a lotta blood to go through. They’d probably just tear out the guts.”

Tyra found some amusement in their cluelessness as she lay on her cot, even if some of that misunderstanding helped to fuel the gears of war. Easier to paint your enemy as evil if the populace thought they bathed in blood. Unsanitary, really.

Her thoughts eventually drowned out the two again, wondering where Joshua was and how he was doing. Probably enjoying himself, at least to a small degree. Seeing as how he was human, he was likely to receive a warmer welcome than Tyra. Or, maybe, seeing as how she was such a special asset now, she was getting a better deal than him. Difficult to say.

Out of all the fates, perhaps this was the least painful. Being asset was better than being dead, correct? Only, it meant that her existence was simply relegated back to its start. Remaining in one room, existing to feed a war machine, no matter how little. Seems as though this pathway led to the very place she longed to escape.

But, she had some hope now, didn’t she? A partner to strive for.

“There’s the rangoon,” a voice said. Someone new.

Tyra tilted her head slightly, allowing her eyes to focus on the new figure in the window. He was an older man, and based on his garb, he was the captain of the ship. Yes, that made sense, his voice was familiar, though its eagerness betrayed his age. Slicked back hair and a wide smile gave him more of an appearance of a soap opera protagonist, the ones that humans loved so much.

“I’m very happy to make your acquaintance, Tyra,” he said. “Seeing as how names are more necessary now, I’ll introduce myself as Captain Vaughan. I would shake your hand, but I doubt that would go over well, would it?”

The interviewer, Jemima, stepped by his side and turned off the intercomm. The two began to talk among one another and occasionally glancing at Tyra. Unfortunately, she had never figured out how to properly understand the way human lips move, and thus, couldn’t eavesdrop. The captain, however, never dropped his stupid grin, so it must have been something that was greatly pleasing to him.

Eventually, the intercomm came back on and one of the guards handed over a sealed packet of what looked like meat. The captain placed it in the item exchange within the door and slid it shut.

“Enjoy! Plenty more grass fed cow where that came from. Just keep being a polite guest,” he said.

With that, he was off, not even stopping for Tyra to respond. She did feel a hollow ache in her gut, even if she wasn’t hungry. So she stood up and took the deceptive gift.

“We appreciate your forwardness, Tyra,” Jemima said. “I will attempt to gain you any amount of comfort as a result.”

Tyra paused and looked at her. “That’s awfully kind, isn’t it? Yet, I wonder if you do this out of the good of your own moral standing, or simply hoping to goad more information out of me.”

“Ease up, bug head, the lady’s being nice to you,” one of the guards said, stepping into view. He knocked against the glass with the butt of his gun, leaving Tyra completely unfazed.

“That sort of response won’t be necessary,” Jemima said.

The guard scoffed and returned to his spot.

“If I were to say it were for my own moral code,” Jemima said, “it’s unlikely you would believe it anyways, am I correct?”

Tyra tore open the package of food. “Most likely, but I have been proven wrong about humans before. Perhaps you might reinforce the dismissal of my old biases. Unlike your guards.” She plucked out a piece of flesh. “May I ask about Joshua’s status?”

“Joshua is currently in a similar arrangement to yours. That is all I can say on the matter.”

“Unharmed I presume?”

“Yes. It wouldn’t serve any purpose to harm him or you.”

“I’ve found sentient beings don’t need much in the way of a logical purpose to do something.”

“We can at least attempt to hold ourselves to some semblance of order, and I can vouch for it being currently upheld.”

“Then I suppose I will have to accept that answer.”

Tyra returned to her cot and began to pick away at the flesh given to her. She watched Jemima depart, leaving Tyra back in silence, with only the low hum of the ship vibrating through her. No doubt, the guards would eventually begin their chatter again about some utterly inane topic.

_

“We would like to ask you about your activities during your resupply aboard the Lithovespan station,” Jemima said.

“I don’t see why not,” Tyra replied.

They were once again in the interrogation room. As much as Tyra loathed the cold, stale air, she did find it a small reprieve from the box she spent most of her day in now. The winding hallways that wormed through the ship were slowly becoming familiar to her. She couldn’t quite tell the time, but the human work cycle did give her a vague idea of how it all operated.

“You mentioned a threat. What was the nature of it?”

“Yes, a trade of sorts. I receive supplies, and in turn, I don’t reveal the entirety of the Vesperratus war efforts.”

“And was the emergency signal you sent from the station part of that? I assume relations fell through”

Tyra turned her head. “I sent no such signal.” Her horns stirred. “My gamble was set aside elsewhere. Then that would imply the spiteful operator within sent it. I see now.”

“You mean to say the cybernetic unit purposefully chose to reveal itself to any nearby ships?”

Cybernetic, yes, that made sense now. What reason was there to staff a whole complement of soldiers when one demented brain could oversee the operation? Its sour words were likely due in part to its pained existence. Tyra hoped they tore it out of its containment, still shrieking in electric tones.

“Yes, and I wonder what you were doing nearby.”

Jemima straightened her posture. “Irrelevant at the moment.”

“You must be aware of some stations, I presume. You simply need to find their exact locations. I see. You’ve crawled farther on the war efforts than I expected.”

“I would like to talk about this gamble of yours. From the way you described it, it seemed as though this crucial bit of info would turn a tide of war.”

“Oh, yes. I imagine you are…” Tyra rubbed her mandibles together. “What was the human saying? Bursting at the cracks?”

“I don’t believe so. Not entirely.”

“Perhaps I am confusing it for a Vesper term. In any case, you are eager for that, aren’t you?”

Jemima was good at appearing entirely stoic, but the smaller shifts in her body language betrayed that. Her brow lightly tightening, fist nearly balling. Yes, this was what she wanted. Tyra chuckled.

“I’m afraid that is not information I have memorized. It’s entirely within the ship. The designations and locations of every Vesperratus station along the front lines.”

“And you would use this information so easily? You do realize its severity, don’t you?”

Tyra nodded. “Even if I weren’t aware, I would have quickly gained an appreciation for its grandiosity once you latched onto it.”

Jemima tapped away at her computer. “That’s essentially betrayal of your entire race.”

“You sound very much like the Vesperratus.” Tyra shook her head. “There have always been traitors in war. Both on my planet and on yours. I am not special.”

“Yes, but traitors are quite rare in this war of…”

“Biological supremacy? Ownership of the stars? Innate hatred?”

“I would have said survival.”

“All of the above, then,” Tyra replied. “But I understand your confusion. Why would I trade the safety of my species for the sake of my selfish desires? The question is your answer. I am a selfish creature and I do not care for either side. Joshua and I are the only scraps that matter.”

“Then, may I ask, what is the ideal outcome?”

Tyra paused and stared directly at Jemima. “Ideally, you both die.”

Jemima looked at Tyra for a moment before glancing down at her computer again. “Noted.” She looked back up. “You do realize that may paint you as a hostile element?”

“There is little hostility I can offer now, trapped as I am. I gain little from biting the hand that feeds.” Tyra clacked her mandibles together. “That one is certainly a human saying.”

“It still casts doubt on anything you might say.”

“You may believe it. Or you may not. It’s not as though I can bring proof into reality. Joshua would likely agree with what I say, and I’m certain your bias toward humans would allow you to more readily believe his words.” Tyra leaned back into her chair. “I merely exist now, waiting for what demands you have next.”

“Would you be willing to indulge us in a request, then? That would allow us to better cement you as a beneficial factor.”

“An asset.”

“If that is the term you wish to use,” Jemima replied.

“I would like to see Joshua for any return of favors.”

“We’ll consider such an agreement after you help us in this way.” Jemima folded her hands, it seemed almost like pleading. “It requires no exertion on your part. You simply talk to one individual.”

“So be it. Let us talk.”

Jemima nodded and stood up, strolling out of the room. The guard at the door remained stationary. They must have been bringing this potential talking partner to her. Tyra had little choice except to wait, but considering the nature of the ship, she had a guess at who it might be.

The door eventually opened again, and in stepped several guards. Following them was another bound Vesper. Male. Despite being in a sat position herself, Tyra could tell he was at least a head taller than her. One horn blatantly bulged larger than the other, with an appropriate shoulder blade protruding. He was quite masculine, right down to his darker toned chitin and eyes. He quietly sat down in front of Tyra, examining her. The black jumpsuit with blue markings denoted him as a soldier, and the hints of lighter blues suggested something even higher in the ranks.

The two stared at one another for a few moments. Tyra expected him to speak first, but he was likely operating on some sort of self-imposed silence. No doubt, he was a warrior, and this whole situation was beyond shameful.

“I greet you,” Tyra said, flapping her horns. It was still odd speaking in her original language. It seemed like an echo now.

“Do you greet me, or do the expansionists?” he replied.

“I’ll be damned, he can talk,” one of the guards said.

“This is arranged via their request,” Tyra started, “but I am speaking on my own terms.”

“There is little to discuss, and even less I would like to say,” he replied.

“Then what, do you suppose, they brought you here for?”

“To gloat, perhaps. To see the weakened flesh before them give up and scream for mercy. It will not come, and I will not offer them the chance to feast upon it. Or they seek out knowledge to turn the tide away from their deaths. No matter. They will suffer, in time. See how they hover around me now, bearing twisted faces of joy?”

Indeed, a few of the armed personnel around them were smiling. This must have been a personal victory for them.

“Go on,” a guard started, “ask him about his ship. We want to know if there were any more like it.”

“It seems they want to discuss the vessel you served on,” Tyra said. “And if there were any similar models.”

“You understand their words?” he asked, tilting his head.

“That was my function as a researcher, I understand the expansionists for the sake of their destruction.”

“The way you smell suggests something else. As if something were seared into your body. You must have spent time with them. A sizable amount. How long have you remained in their grasp?”

“Days, perhaps.”

“No. It seems much longer than that,” he said.

“Irrelevant. Tell me of your ship.”

“You seem keen to follow their orders.”

“I am keen to regain what little I have of this physical existence. Much like you, I failed in my initial assault on an expansionist ship. Elaborate on your vessel.”

The male’s horns raised. “I failed, but not so simply as you!” His jaws snapped. “Once you’ve been rendered unconscious by the bare void sea, and plucked from its impending death by these reproachable creatures, then you can consider us equals.”

“I do not consider us equals. I consider myself above you,” Tyra replied. “The vessel, please.”

“You would do anything to please your new masters.”

“I would tear out your throat if it would satiate them for even a moment. You are an obstacle to my existence in this moment.”

“A shame you are a researcher.” He croaked in amusement. “You would have made an excellent front-line soldier, eager to kill. It almost comes as a surprise that you are not dead already, wound up on a table for them to dissect.” The Vesper’s horns eased back. “Your words are wasted on me, I will not speak.”

Tyra’s horns braced forward. There was an instinctual urge to ram her head into him, jamming her horns right through the small gaps in his chitin. He didn’t return the display, calmly remaining in his seat as he stared at her.

“What a strange creature you are. You still carry our mindset proudly but refuse to swear allegiance to anything except yourself,” he said.

“I am able to think beyond the confines of the world provided to me,” Tyra replied. “To carve my path as I desire, without the tumorous growth that is the rest of your kind.”

“A violent creature such as you? You speak to the first of your species in what must have been a long span of time, and here you are, threatening him for a shred of freedom. That growth is still inside you. Perhaps you’ve shifted your allegiance, but you are very much of us, an exemplary survivor.”

Tyra snapped her mandibles shut, horns still flaring.

“Whatever biological bias I hold does not control me. I have shed our peoples and looked beyond them. Certainly, I have spent longer with the expansionists, you were correct. I’ve grown to cherish one, and he is the only being I hold any allegiance to. Were I asked to exchange you for him, I would do so within seconds.”

The soldier before her turned his head, he exuded some sadness into the air. “You are ill. It’s pitiable. These creatures hold no goodwill, not to us, not to each other. The only reason they have banded together is to destroy us, and once they have done so, they will turn inward and let a cancer play along their insides. Whatever potential mate you claim to love will eventually seek out your death all the same. Your biology simply aches for a partner you can no longer have, due to your cowardice and sedition.”

“Then I will satiate it. Divulge more about your ship,” she replied.

“Nothing you or the expansionists say will pry info from me. I am a walking husk, and I make it my goal to inflict whatever damage a corpse is capable of doing now.”

“He refuses to talk,” Tyra said in plain English, staring at him.

One of the guards chuckled. “But we got a hell of a show out of it. Not often we get to see two bugs go at it. What about you fellas, you good to pull him out?”

There was a round of agreements and nods, with sparse chuckling tossed in. This might have been for their own amusement more than anything. Tyra might have found it disgusting, but she could summon no goodwill for the creature in front of her. She wanted to throttle any words out of him.

The guards nudged the Vesper out of his seat and he stood up. His gaze remained on Tyra.

“You follow a path of bloodshed. It is inescapable,” he said. “They would not consider you an ally for a moment. You are an asset.”

“Alright, big guy, let’s get you back in the cage, c’mon,” one of the guards replied, goading him on with a push of his rifle.

Tyra leaned back in her chair, horns refusing to settle down. The first chance afforded to her was squandered due to a Vesper’s refusal to speak. They were all so prideful and ignorant, hanging on to whatever remained of their past life. But maybe the humans found it amusing enough to pass on a good word for Tyra. In that moment she was less than an asset, merely entertainment for the rest of them to enjoy. But if that’s what role she had to play, Tyra would embrace it.

It didn’t take long for Jemima to return to the room. Tyra calmed herself, hoping her singular pathway to bargaining hadn’t soured. As usual, the human bore a blank expression. It was impressive how she could steel herself. Jemima sat down in front of Tyra.

“I’m glad you attempted to interrogate him,” Jemima said. “You were perhaps too aggressive with it, but that’s to be expected in your situation.”

“My apologies. Vespers only reciprocate in violence,” Tyra replied.

“Save for you, it seems.” Jemima glanced at Tyra, almost as if she were expecting some sort of response to that statement.

“Yes. Save for me,” Tyra replied.

It was a plain tactic, to see how far Tyra was willing to disregard her old life, to be willing to do anything for the humans. Just a little test. She knew it all too well. Jemima was no doubt ready to count the seconds it took for Tyra to respond, noting any hesitation. But of course, there was none.

The two then shifted to a conversation regarding everything Tyra knew. Controlled planets, broad strokes of scientific advancement, propaganda, morale, advancement of fleets. It was all likely outdated by now. Tyra realized she hadn’t really bothered counting any progression of time until she had stolen that reclaimer ship with Joshua. Those days seemed so distant now.

“And would you be willing to indulge my request, then?” Tyra asked.

“For a short time, yes,” Jemima said. “As you can imagine, the captain isn’t thrilled about your original deception. Or I should say, Joshua’s deception.”

“He bears a grudge proudly,” she replied.

“I believe I can arrange a meeting with Joshua, and perhaps more if you continue your streak of amicability.”

“Does this amicability perhaps sway your original thoughts about my future arrangements?”

Jemima tapped away at her pad. “You must understand that there is a berth of aggression that lies between humans and you. A string of assistance does not suddenly preclude you from that. Even if every single human on board were in agreement that you should be allowed to live freely or even in the confines with Joshua, other departments would question it.”

“In all senses,” Tyra said, “I am still a liability. A threat.”

“Essentially. I’m sure you had already gathered some of that.”

“Certainly, I did. Perhaps after spending time with Joshua, I was naive to think that so many minds could be changed.”

“You have my apologies.”

“A gift not many would share.”

They continued for a while longer still. Tyra thought on Jemima’s words. Her existence was being crushed, under the weight of a war she wanted no part of. But this arrangement was better than nothing at all, wasn’t it? Joshua would still be there for her, wouldn’t he?

“Thank you for your time, Tyra,” Jemima said.

Then came the imprisonment ritual. Tyra was taken with her shackles back to her cell as onlookers gawked at her. The restraints came off and she was allowed to settle into her cot, staring ahead at the empty containment in front of her.

“Cozy as a bug in a rug,” one of the guards said.

“They always looked more like crabs to me,” the other replied.

“Same thing. They’re crab bugs. Litho-vespan.”

“No idea what that means, man.”

She could at least do without their inane babble. Tyra realized then it was that their chatter was a hollow reminder of what Joshua was like. The way they spoke was almost like an insult in itself in that way. Tyra eased back onto the cot and tried to gather some rest, easing her strained body.

Minutes later, the entrance to the brig area opened. Tyra perked up as footsteps rang through the hallway. She looked over to find the captain standing there. Vaughan.

“Greetings again, Tyra,” he said. “As my own sign of good faith, I’ve brought your boyfriend along.”

One of the guards shook his head. Tyra perked up from her cot. She held firm in the off chance he was making a mockery of her. Vaughan motioned to someone out of sight, and in walked Joshua. He had been given a change of attire, a bright red jumpsuit, seemingly to denote him as a prisoner. Shackles kept his hands together.

Tyra ran over to the window.

“Joshua!” she said, horns flaring. “How are you, Joshua? Have you been safe? Healthy? Have you been fed?”

Joshua smiled, chuckling. “I’m doing fine, Tyra. I was gonna ask you the same, but I think the way you moved shows that you’re doing well.” He sighed. “I’m still happy to see you, though.”

Tyra laughed back, hand massaging the window. She wanted to touch him, feel that beat of his heart and the winding of his breath. The tips of her fingers dug into it now.

“As am I. The chatter between the others is getting taxing.”

“Yeah, I’ve been going through a bit of that myself,” he said. “But don’t worry about it, I’m good. I’m glad I get to—”

“Happy reunion, yes,” Vaughan said. “Back to his cell, please.”

“Hold on you fucking—” Joshua was dragged away, struggling in their grasp. “I love you, Tyra! Don’t forget that!”

“I love you, Joshua!” Tyra shouted.

Vaughan stepped where Joshua was standing mere seconds ago. He blinked and shook his head, blatantly confused at the display between them. Tyra’s hand tensed, digging into the window harder.

“Keep playing along and you get your dosage of human. And the beef, haven’t forgotten about that. It’s a simple exchange, don’t you think?”

“Very simple,” Tyra replied. “I would like to see him without the barrier.”

“Not sure I can allow that much. We can’t entirely trust you, now can we? Not a clue what you might try to pull.”

“That is all I want. All I ask for,” she said.

“As much as I’m the captain, we still have rules to follow, and allowing that kind of fraternization, with the enemy, is very much against those rules. What if I let him in there and you take him hostage?”

“I would not.” Tyra’s horns flared harder.

“Not something I want to risk. As much as I’m not a fan of him, I still can’t have you spilling his guts. But you should enjoy what you’ve got. It’s a lot better than the treatment of other Vespers.” He nodded. “Goodbye for now, Tyra.” Vaughan began walking away.

“Stop. Stop! Let me see Joshua! I’ve given you what you desired!” Her fist slammed into the window. “You cannot deny me this! Not now!” And again. Again. Again. Again. She hissed. “Give me Joshua!”

“Back off from the window!” one of the guards yelled, weapon raised.

Her nerves flared, but Tyra did not move, not at first. She menaced him with a glare before taking a step back, flexing her hand.

“That’s more like it. Now scuttle back to your bed.”

Tyra slowly walked backward, still staring. The guard shook his head and returned to his spot. She sat back down and looked at her hand. Pain simmered along its surface.

They were denying her happiness. The ability to embrace Joshua, to be with him always. All for the sake of fear and manipulation. Tyra was a violent creature, yes. They were right. The Vespers said it, the humans said it, and now, she had to realize that the only thing that held her back from accepting that fact was fear. That weakness made her submit to their desires.

It would be fine if she simply did what they desired, right? That was what she had thought.

Not even if she were to play along with all their whims would she be allowed to have him. She was trapped. Tyra had to accept that the only path that led to her freedom and Joshua’s would be a violent one. And not a single creature would go unpunished.