elstrom99 | The Communicator, Chapter 12 (Reply)

Chirrup! Chirrup!

"Godesses, Hourna. Have my crew no sense of the hours?"

Chirrup! Chirrup!

Brevix grumbled then spoke more loudly, "Go away! Check with me during normal hours."

A muffled voice responded "Skipper, it's Nautewlus. And Two. This really can't wait!"

"Two?"

"Clone 02CI31549. The one we call 'Boris'".

"Give me a moment," Brevix grumbled, then reached for the knee-length tunic he had been lounging in and only recently shed at Hourna's insistence. "I'll be back," then more loudly "Go to the office, I'll be right there."

A few moments found him leaving back against his desk as Nautewlus and Boris entered the room.

"Make it quick. I was busy. Boris? My eyes are up here Clone, not below my waist."

"So I see. Sir." Brevix wasn't sure what it was he was detecting in Boris's voice, but he wasn't sure he liked it. "We felt it important to come immediately with this information. We've got a lead on a small group of the Drragh. They were reported with great frequency from about the time of the Drragh ship's disappearance until about a month or two... er, Drragh months, that is... ago."

"Which ones?"

"Shyarcha, Vhrachuggha, Manchyarka and Takshaka."

"Please don't tell me the earthers in that area killed or tried to kill them?"

"No sir. In fact, it seems the first two were, and perhaps still are, regarded rather highly. They appear to be considered either protectors or familiars to local deities."

"Just where do we find these particular Drragh?"

"Most recently, sir, they were reported in a region of Earth known as India, though they seem to have been active throughout all of that region... a region earthers refer to as Southeast Asia."

"I see. And you say the first two... what about the others?"

"Manchyarka, whom they have named Manasa, is only listed as a sister to Vhrachuggha, whome they name as Vasuki..."

"Vasuki?"

"Yes sir. You know, if you'd stop interrupting, I could get this report finished and you could get back to your... business."

"Clone, we may be lax on discipline here, but there ARE limits." Brevix's normally blue skin was turning a decided shade of purple.

"Well, anyhow, Takshaka is the one name they got right. And he may have not been seen as so friendly. We aren't finding a lot of information about him, other than he was feared due to his venom."

"Are you finished? I'd hate to interrupt again."

"Uh, yes, sir. Sorry sir."

"Very well. Nautewlus, let the watch officer know about this, and the coordinates. Let's go find these four."

"Yes sir." Nautewlus glanced at Boris and noticed him leering at the skipper.

"So, the clones have a bit of attitude do they?" Brevix jumped at the sound of his lover's voice so close behind him.

Boris, too, it seemed had been a little too focused for he jumped and made as though to leave.

"Not so fast, clone. Might you be the one who was so curious about riding the Skipper?"

Nautewlus made a quick retreat, letting the door slide shut behind her as she fled. Boris seemed to shrink into himself before nodding.

"You seemed awfully brave a little while ago. What? Didn't think we'd call you on it?"

"I.. I... I'm sorry. Yes, I assume that was me. Hiram has a big mouth." The last sentence was mumbled, but not so quietly that Brevix, who was enjoying the exchange, didn't hear.

"Your report better bear fruit, Boris. Because if it doesn't, the vat you came from can take you back. Get out."

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