AN: I did it! Another update. Sorry for the lateness on this one. For those who haven't read my journal I posted a few weeks ago, I experienced burn-out. Now, I am back into writing, and here with another chapter.

Again, I've put this through Grammarly, so I apologise for any spelling or grammar throughout the story.


First Chapter: Act: I
Next Chapter: Act: XII
Previous Chapter: Act: X


***

SYNOPSIS:
Jason Sankowski did not expect to live an exciting life. Not even in a world where humans are considered a delicacy and hunted for food by the giants that roam the lands. Yet, upon arriving in a new city, to begin a new life, he is suddenly removed from his comfortable surroundings and thrust into a fight for survival.

***

“The Odyssey”
By MrNelg

Act: XI

{No!}

From within the Sciuridae's clutches, Jason rolled his eyes while the Prime Alpha let his head fall into his right hand. How long had this argument been going on now? By Jason's estimate, at least ten minutes and Tac was still refusing to budge from his stance.

{Please, Tac,} Hark said as he raised his head. {I have told you, I am more than willing to compensate you for your loss should Jay-Shun perish.} Jason said nothing. {Your Sapien has agreed to this arrangement; why are you stubborn?}

{Jay-sun's value is immeasurable. Mere monetary compensation won't replace what his skill represents.} 

Tac had been vocal in his opposition to this plan when revealed to him. At the time, Jason had suggested spying on the Rattus's through the laboratory's ventilation shaft. It was then that Hark informed him, the Rattus's had blocked it off. Their reasoning was to prevent their lab sapiens from escaping. The Prime Alpha had initially intended to spy on the Rattus's by listening at the shaft, but whatever the Rattus's used, muted all sounds. It convinced Hark that preventing their Sapien's from escaping wasn't their real motive.

On the other hand, Jason couldn't help but cringe at the news. You didn't need to be a chemist to know that working with chemicals within an enclosed space with no ventilation wasn't the smartest move. The Prime Alpha told him that they worked with the door open. Whenever they did this, it was to work on the Sapien scent substitute. During the nights, they shut the door tight, and that's when they worked on their secret project.

It was then that Jason came up with his idea. It was grasping at straws rather than an idea. Desperate to help his fellow Sapiens escape and join them, he proposed an immense gamble and – most likely - insane risk. Hark would add him to the Sapien's already in the Rattus's collection, and spy on them that way. Before he could elaborate on the details, however, Tac exploded. He abruptly scooped Jason up in his hands, cradling him to his chest protectively as he put his foot down and refused to budge.

Ten minutes later, and the situation hadn't changed. Jason turned from Tac to Hark and back again. There was one idea Jason could try. He would have to hope that the Prime Alpha wouldn't be offended.

{Sir,} Jason said to the Prime Alpha, {Would you mind if Tac and I had a private talk?} To his surprise – and relief – the Lupus nodded. He signalled to the mother, and the two of them walked outside. Considering the Prime Alpha didn't like secrets kept from him, maybe, he knew that Jason was trying to appeal to his old friend.

When the door closed, the Sciuridae listened with his ears, before shooting an incredulous stare towards Jason. {Jay-shun, how could you possibly agree to something like that?} Before Jason could answer, he continued. {How are you supposed to relay information back to Hark?} Again, he opened his mouth. {What if the experiments are fatal?} Tac cut in. Jason sighed and opened his mouth. {What if they eat you?}

{Stop!} Jason snapped, holding out both hands. Tac jerked his head back in surprise. Using the momentary pause in the Sciuridae's rant, Jason said, {First off, calm "the fuck” down!} He waited, and when Tac didn't respond, he continued. {Now, let's start from the top,} he said slowly. {I agreed to do this because I intend to help my fellow sapiens. The one condition I will ask Hark for, is to release them into your custody.} The Sciuridae blinked in surprise. {Think about it,} Jason said, pushing the initiative, {How much more successful would we be with five Sapiens?}

Looking into Tac's eyes, Jason could see the gears slowly turning. Of course, that plan was a lie, but what Tac didn't know, wouldn't hurt him. The only possible hitch with it was whether Hark would agree to it. He may have been looking for an excuse to confiscate those Sapien's for-.

Jason inwardly shivered. He didn't want to think about it. (Five Sapien's working in unison would be very beneficial,) Tac muttered. Suddenly, he shook his head. {But it's not worth the risk. Four Sapien's are useless without you. How am I supposed to direct them when I can't communicate without you? I need you; I won't risk it!}

Jason stared at him, then asked, {I'm not always going to be here for you. I'm not saying that any of the Lupus's in this city will eat me, but I live in a city of giants. There are many ways I could die that don't involve getting eaten; Accident's happen. If there are more Sapien's helping you, there's more of a chance that you can continue your work, saving mammalian children, who wouldn't survive without our combined efforts.}

{But what if-?}

{You asked me once, to not only help you but trust you,} Jason snapped. {Now, I'm asking the same of you, Tac.} The Healer was silent. {I need to do this, Tac,} Jason said. {Back at the marketplace, I couldn't help all those Sapien's, who ended up inside a Predator's stomach. If I can save these four, it will go a long way to soothing my conscious.} He placed both hands on the Sciuridae's fingers. {Please, Tac, I ask you as a friend. Let me rescue those people.}

The Sciuridae turned away. Jason thought he wasn't going to agree. Then, he spoke softly. {Please, don't do anything stupid.}

+++

Jason sat on the floor of the cage, carpeted in surrexerunt petals. It had been Hark's idea. It turned out the nomad pack that one of his wives had wanted to ally with, had recently arrived in the city; The night he had his big wedding feast. Hark's plan was that Jason is a gift to him from their Prime Alpha. Since the Rattus's were aware that Hark was growing impatient with them, he would give Jason to them to speed their research along.

The job of relaying information would prove to be the easy part. When ever the Prime Alpha wanted a progress report, he would summon the Rattus's – all of them – to his throne room, to interrogate them about their activities. He'd already done this once when they received their first shipment of secret supplies from their unknown origin.

It turned out that the Prime Alpha had reverse engineered a key for the Rattus's unique lock. Jason was genuinely surprised, and when he questioned the Lupus about it, the mammalian smiled and answered that his pack members do more with their forging industry than create bronze from tin and copper. When Jason asked if they made the key, Hark lost some of his pride. {No, that was done by a Neovison engineer who is residing in the city at the moment.} He smiled slyly. {The Neovison's are an ingenious lot. They have two loves in life; Making things, and coin.}

When the Rattus's were before the Prime Alpha, the Prime Beta would sneak in and Jason could give her all the information he'd uncovered. To Jason's relief, Hark had agreed to his condition that all the Sapien's be released into Tac's custody when the operation was over. Though Jason suspected it was more to assist his Sciuridae friend with his medical work, rather than helping Jason.

The Prime Beta was a powerfully built female Lupus, who stood a full head above the Prime Alpha. She had dark-brown fur with a white streak that traced from her lower jaw, down her neck, chest, and vanished into her kilt. She also wore a cloak, and cloth wrappings covered her feet and hands. She had been waiting for the Prime Alpha, not too far away from Tac's house; with the cage. Together, they headed up the great stairs towards the library.

It wasn't long before they stood before the doors of the library. Hark beamed. {Within these halls, lie two-hundred years of pack history,} he told Jason. It was the last building one passed before arriving at the palace. Built into the mountain side like the palace; and just as imposing. The position of buildings up the mountainside singled their importance in the pack's social hierarchy. Large columns supported a frieze, decorated with a tympanum that – following from left to right - showed a struggle of sorts. Jason suspected it was an abridged history of the Prime Alpha's pack.

{Indeed,} Hark confirmed, beaming with pride. {While most mammalian's species would like to forget that they fought among themselves, we Lupus's are immensely proud of our past conquests.} Jason thought back to the banner's in the parlour of the palace, so he asked about that. Before answering, Hark grinned savagely. {Tell me, are you aware of what it means, for a Lupus, to bare their claws?} Jason shook his head. {At the very beginning of time, when mammalian's first stood upon their hind legs, the first weapons we used in combat, were our claws.} Jason nodded. 

One of the prime reasons why mammalian's had been so slow in technological advancements, was their natural abilities. Why build a spear, when claws and teeth are more than adequate. It was the herbivores, who lacked such biological weapons, who kick-started Mammalian weapons technology. 

{Although obsolete as a weapon, it's taken on a new term. Seen now as a sign of dominance, displaying claws before one's inferior, is done to put them back in line. When a Lupus of lower rank, unsheathed their claws before a Lupus of higher rank, it's a challenge to their position.} The grin grew wider. {Our flag displays unsheathed claws because we are a strong pack. It's not just a source of pride, but a display of power; the pack's power!}

The inside of the library was spacious and tall. Large wooden cases with square-shaped apertures were situated back-to-back, filled with both clay tablets and papyrus scrolls. There were rows of large wooden desks in the room's front section, at which Lupus's in dark green cloaks sat. To one side, sat a clay tablet, while they were busy inscribing its contents onto the papyrus before them. 

Hark must have seen him, because he said, {With all the coin we have accumulated from our tin trade, as well as our victories on the battlefield, it has allowed us to afford many luxuries; papyrus being one of them.} His expression turned sentimental. {Although they hold knowledge, they also tell of our past conquests and victories.} As he said that last word, there was a slight flicker of excitement within his eyes. Jason suspected they contained his accomplishments.

{If you don't mind me asking, sir, but if Lupus's don't fight amongst themselves, who do you fight?}

{On our eastern borders are the Lynx's. North, are the Neovison's, and to the north-west, lie the Scrofa; That tribe has always been our biggest threat.} His left hand stroked along his enormous gut, pulling back the fur. Along the skin, Jason could see a faded scar that stretched diagonally. Hark looked down at his stomach, and his excitement dimmed with a heavy sigh. {You know, I wasn't born with this. Once, I had a physique that set every female's tail wagging. My tactical skill on the battlefield, unmatched; my unbridled fury in the heat of combat frightened all. Now...} he trailed off, not as if he weren't able to finish his sentence, but rather, unable to admit what he'd become. Instead, he said, {That's what happens when you never lose. No one wants to fight you.} For the first time, Jason saw the sadness in the Lupus's eyes. {All my enemies are too cowardly to challenge me. Instead, they just strengthen their defences and cower behind their borders; not daring to move.} He was silent for a moment. {I never believed it possible, that victory could be more tortuous than defeat.}

There was a long moment of silence before Hark handed Jason over to the Prime Beta; Then he was gone. The Prime Beta started through the library. The walls and ceilings were carved out of the rock, leaving very little to distinguish between the two; giving the illusion of halls stretching forever. As they moved, a glint on the ceiling caught his eye. Turning towards it, Jason saw that scattered here and there, where exposed deposits of iron ore. Jason was amazed. At first, he couldn't help but ponder if the Lupus knew what it was. He understood, if they did, then there would be miners, not scholars in here.

Travelling further back into the library, they reached a small, open space. So much so that Jason didn't even realise that it contained no shelves or tables, until they left the cases behind. Two guards stood side-by-side. Peering out from between the bars, Jason could see a trapdoor at their feet. 

The guards stiffened as the Prime Beta knelt by the trap door and banged on it. A rapid scurrying sound was audible before the trap door flung open, revealing a somewhat irritated Rattus. {Yes?} he snapped. Before the Prime Beta could even open her mouth, he spied Jason, and his eyes bulged in surprise.

{A pack of nomads arrived last night, bearing gifts for the Prime Alpha; this included,} she said, holding up Jason's cage. {He wants to know if one more subject might hurry your research along.}

The Rattus just stared back at Jason, before turning to the Prime Beta; his expression unreadable. {I – I heard that a nomad pack arrived,} he said, turning back to Jason. {I...} he trailed off and just stood there for a moment. {I'll be back,} he suddenly snapped, before shooting down. Jason craned his head to listen, as the Rattus began chatting excitedly down below, but he was too soft and too far away for Jason to hear.

Suddenly, he was back. {We'll take it!} he cried. The Prime Beta handed over the cage, and the Rattus eagerly snatched it from her. Jason saw that male was hanging on, somewhat precariously, to a solitary rope. It swayed back and forth as he held onto it with one hand, and the cage with the other. The Rattus retreated, slamming the trapdoor behind him and bracing the cage against his chest with one arm. He then hurried back down the rope and into the basement.

It was dark. Two oil lamps were burning, but they were on the tables, where papyrus scrolls, various forms of cloth, clay jars and bowls lay. Over in one corner, stood stacks of clay jars along with pots. In the opposite corner lay a nest of sorts: bedrolls, sacks, a large water-skin, saucepans and cook pots. In the centre of the room, sat three large rectangular tables, arranged in a 'U' shape. Within the centre, hung an avian cage, suspended by a rope that was attached to the ceiling. Inside, Jason could make out four figures; all huddled in a circle.

[Alright, let's get a look at it,] a female voice said, as the Rattus handed Jason over her. The female brought his cage up to her face and studied him thoughtfully. [Prepare it for examination,] she said. Before Jason could even process what she'd said, she placed the cage down on the table and opened the door. Fingers wrapped around his body and hauling him out, set him down on what looked like a cutting board.

Fear pumped throughout Jason's body, and he started to struggle. His actions only served to agitate the Rattus as the mammalian tightened his grip on Jason. With his free hand, the Rattus secured the top half of Jason's body with a leather strap, and then the lower half with another. The mammalian stepped away, just as the female Rattus approached him; with a small knife. Jason's eyes widened with terror. 

“No!” he shouted as she brought the knife down. She artfully hooked it under his shirt and sliced it up the middle. Then she turned it about and drew a neat little cut down the centre of his pants. The blade came alarmingly close to his crotch. She put down the knife and picked up a red pen. Using the tip, she tugged and pulled, until he was completely naked.

[It's a male,] she observed, before turning to write something down with the pen on a piece of papyrus. [Put it on the wheel,] she said. Jason turned his head as the Rattus placed something on the table with a loud, 'thunk.' It was a running wheel of curious design. It was open on one side, while closed on the other. The closed-end held a crank, while the open end, had a cage door. She loosened the leather straps and snatched him up, forcing him within.

Once inside, the door was closed, and slowly spun the wheel. Jason almost face-planted, but he managed to keep his balance. One of the Rattus's was moving the crank, causing the wheel to turn. He was walking, but gradually, the speed increased. He was soon jogging. Looking out the door, he could see the female Rattus scrutinising him. She ordered the pace increased, forcing him to move faster, working up a sweat. She sniffed the air, and Jason almost faltered as he saw her shudder.

[This one's scent is stronger than the others,] one of the Rattu's commented. [I can smell it back here.]

[It's a male,] the female responded. [Their sweat glands produce a more intense aroma.] Jason had no idea how long he was supposed to keep this up. He kept on jogging for what felt like hours, sweat pouring off his body until he began to stumble. When he nearly face planted, he heard the female say, [okay, that's enough.]

The door opened, and she snatched him up. A small rag covered his whole body and started wiping him down. When he was dry, the female Rattus stuffed her nose into the rag and inhaled. She mumbled something unintelligible, before handing the rag off to one of her comrades. She was walking towards the cage now.

[Guess what, my little test subjects,] she said, [I have a male for you.] Then, she opened the door and dumped him inside; shutting it behind him.

“Are you okay?” Jason blinked as hands were around him.

He was slow to respond, having not been so used to hearing the Sapien tongue after so long. “Yeah, I'm fine,” he said, “just exhausted after...” His words trailed off. That was a woman's voice. He looked up to find himself staring into a pair of bright, blue eyes. He blinked. Those eyes sat in a smooth, dark brown face with long, raven hair tied up in a ponytail. Then he saw the woman with short, blond hair behind her. Who was sitting next to a tall redhead, with shoulder-length hair. Just opposite the woman talking to him, was a brunette who had the most hair, almost reaching her knees.

The cage had surrexerunt flowers woven through the bars, while rags covered the floor. He just stared back at all of them while they smiled back at him. The dark-skinned woman before him waved a hand in front of his face. “Hey, are you okay?” He blinked back at her again.

“Yeah, I mean... yeah!” he said, turning from one pretty face to the next. All four were roughly his age too, and naked. He found himself staring at their breasts before his eyes bulged, and he turned away in embarrassment. 

“I don't see what the big deal is,” he heard the dark-skinned woman say. “You're naked too.” Jason didn't know how to respond. He'd been living among mammalian's for so long, that he'd taken nudity for granted. Yet, when confronted with Sapien nudity, he had returned to social norms.

“I know, it's just... I feel averting my eyes would be the gentlemanly thing to do.” There was slight giggling from the others.

“You are quite alright, Mr...?”

“Jason.”

“Don't be so embarrassed, Jason,” the dark-skinned woman said. “I'm Angelina Tresca.” She pointed to the blond-haired woman. “This is Emily Cunningham.” She pointed to the tall redhead. “She's Ann Goebel, and this,” she indicated to the brunette, “is Katie Hotchkiss.” Her face saddened. “There were six of us, but not long after the Lutrinae gave us to the Rattus's, they gave Amanda and Betty over to the Vulpus's.” All the girls shivered. Jason's own shiver died, as what she said, caused his brow to furrow.

“Wait a minute; Jason, right?” Ann asked. “Are you the same Jason who could speak the mammalian's language?” All eyes were now serious, as he could see recollection in them. He had spoken the mammalian's tongue in front of everyone when the Meles first captured them, and at the auction. He nodded, and surprised exclamations were his response.

“Whoa, does that mean you can understand them?” Katie asked, thumbing towards the Rattus's. Again, Jason nodded.

“Do you know what they want with us?” Angelina asked in a whisper. 

“That's what-,” Jason was about to explain his mission, but hesitated. Throughout his journey, he'd understood he now saw mammalians differently. On the other hand, these girls were just like him when first captured; hostile to all mammalians. They had no idea what he'd experienced. His travels; saving the lives of two predators. Glitch. There was no way they would understand; No way of telling how they would react. “That's what I'm trying to figure out since they got me,” he said. “While their native tongue is one I'm familiar with, there seems to be more to our purpose than they've been letting on. What have you guys noticed?” 

“They've been doing a lot of work with cloth and chemicals,” Angelina said. “About two weeks ago, they stopped their experiments with the cloth and moved on with their work on surrexerunt flowers.” Jason's brow furrowed again.

“Ever since we got here, they've worked on the flowers, but only at night,” Katie piped up. “From what we can decipher, those experiments appear to be their priority.” She turned in the direction of the Rattus's. “I can't tell you all the chemicals they're using, but I can smell a great deal of glyphosate.” She smiled proudly. “I worked in synthetic chemicals-,” She simply closed her mouth and nodded. Jason suspected she was about to say, 'before I was captured.' That seemed to sullen everyone's good cheer.

“It's alright,” Jason reassured. “Let's not focus on the problems of the past. Do any of you guys have a plan of escape?” Everyone grinned as Angelina nodded towards the stacks of clay jars along with pots in the corner.

“We have a radio,” she said triumphantly. 

Jason's jaw dropped, and before he could ask how, Emily shyly raised her hand. “I worked in air traffic control. When the tree came down, I salvaged a portable radio to get in contact with the city, but they caught me.” Her smile grew. “I managed to keep in on me, making calls every night, radioing our position back to New Kaleth.” She sighed. “They were unable to mount a rescue mission in time, because...” she trailed off. Jason nodded in understanding. New Kaleth was on the edge of Sapien territory, and the Geomyidea destroyed the only airship port in the region.

“You mean you still have it?” She nodded. He looked at everyone's nakedness, then asked, “how did you manage to keep it?”

“They didn't destroy our clothes when they took them,” Angelina answered. “They stored them away.” She cast a surreptitious glance the pots. “They stored everything we had in that pot. Every time we busted out, we would use it to make calls to the Leviathan.” Jason's brow furrowed once more. “That's the exploration airship that's in the region,” Angelina said triumphantly.

“An... airship?” Jason was stunned. “But I didn't think-,” he shut up as he remembered his time crossing the Emerald Sea. As far as he knew, exploration airships were only capable of crossing the Lesser Sea. There had been an airship crossing the Emerald Sea in the direction of the High Continent. 

“It's brand new,” Angelina explained. “It was only launched about a month and a half ago.” Jason could only gape. Had technology advanced that far already? He really should pay more attention to the newsreels. “The point being is that we've been escaping so that we can stay in contact with them.” She leaned forward as she whispered conspiratorially, “They'll be within avian reach in twenty-four hours.” All exploration airships kept a contingent of avians on board for scouting and transportation. “The only problem is getting out of here,” Angelina explained. “We can escape from the cage, but it's getting those monsters, to leave this stupid hole that's proving to be the problem.” She indicated towards the clay pot that held all their belongings. “Every time we've gotten out, it's to contact the Leviathan, and make preparations for our escape.” She tilted her head towards a section of the wall. Sliding his eyes in that direction, Jason saw a small, square hole in the wall, stuffed tight with rags. “That's a ventilation shaft. They blocked it off when they first arrived, but it's nothing we can't handle. It seems more to prevent sound from escaping, rather than preventing ours.” Again, her head tilted towards the clay pot. “We've constructed a grappling hook and rope, using the many clothes they have, and a bronze pin from the leader's brooch.”

“Wait! Leader?” She nodded, then indicated with her head towards the female Rattus. “Their leader is a guy.” She shook her head.

“That's what they want everyone to think,” Angelina said. “She's calling the shots around here. The male who is supposed to be their leader; he's a front. She stands back, giving small hand, tail and ear gestures to everyone else.” Jason knew about that. The Rattus's were the only known mammalian's to have sign language. From what little sapiens knew, it was an ancient form of visual code, taught to the wealthy class and known only as 'The Sign.' “Watch out for her.” Jason cast a sidelong glance at her. She was examining a sheet of papyrus, not too far away. “Everyone calls her *.” It sounded like a serpentes hissing. The sound she made saying her name; it sounded like she was saying 'Ssith.'

Jason turned back to the others, and said, “I wouldn't have to worry about the Rattus's staying holed up in here. On my way over here, I listened to the Lupus's. They're angry over the Rattus's secretive project and are looking for answers. The Lupus leader plans to call all of them over to his palace for a talk, sometime tonight. When they leave, we can escape.” He saw the hopeful look in everyone's eyes.

“That's the best news we could have received, Jason,” Katie said as she hugged him. “I was on my way to New Kaleth to meet up with my family before all this happened.” She paused. “I have two boys. I know they weren't anywhere in the tree when it collapsed. My husband was keeping them at home, and I was going to surprise them.” She smiled. “Now, I know I can see them again.”

“We all have friends and family, waiting for us back home,” Angelina said as she looked at Katie; although it was to everyone that she spoke. “When they leave tonight, we'll have to send out a signal to the Leviathan, and let them know we are ready to escape.”

“How do you get a signal through all this rock?”

“We don't,” Emily answered. “Remember the grappling hook? It's easy to unplug enough of those rags to squeeze out, and up the shaft. Outside, it's the highest point on the mountain; higher than the palace. You can see the entrance from there. That's how we know when the Rattus's are returning so that we can get back down and hide all our stuff.” She thumbed her chest with pride. “During my compulsory militia service, I trained in tree climbing.” Angelina gave the nod, indicating she'd done this as well. Jason raised both eyebrows. Tree climbing was for militia who were to descend to rescue people who'd fallen to the ground. It was a tough job, and considered highly dangerous, as hanging in mid-air from a ladder left you vulnerable to snatching mammalian hands. “What did you do during your compulsory service?”

“Crows nest duty,” Jason answered. Everyone's eyes widened. Crows nest duty was a position, where they situated you atop of airships. Your job was to keep a look-out for large, avians of prey that might try to dive-bomb the zeppelin from above. It was a dangerous assignment, as one tiny slip of concentration, would see you falling to your doom. 

“Wow, you're braver than me,” Angelina confessed. “I'd never be able to build up the courage to do that, Mr Jason.” Jason smiled.

“It's Sankowski. Jason Sankowski.” 

Angelina opened her mouth to say something but froze. Suddenly, her eyes widened. “She's coming over here.” Jason turned, just in time to see the female Rattus, Ssith, unlock the cage. Then reaching in, wrapped her fingers around his torso, and lifted him out. She was grinning as she locked the door, and held him, in one hand just above the tabletop. Jason couldn't see any tools in her other hand. She didn't have any equipment.

Suddenly, she spoke. [So, at long last, we meet, Jah-shun Sank-cow-key.] Jason froze, as the blood drained from his face. She saw this, and her grin grew even more prominent. [Oh, yes, Jah-shun. I know who you are, and what you know how to do.]

Jason could only gape. Finally, he managed to say, [You... knew?] At the sound of his voice, her ears wiggled.

[Of course, I knew,] Ssith answered, then shrugged. [Well, from the very moment you arrived, we suspected something.] Looking behind her, Jason could now see the other Rattus's gathering around her. She indicated to the Rattus who'd taken Jason from the Prime Beta. [* here suspected who you were, but we weren't entirely sure. It would be too much of a coincidence. So I decided to put you with the other sapiens, and listen to what you'd say, and if you would reveal a specific name.]

[But... how?]

[A few nights ago, that fat * threw a banquet for the arrival of his new wife,] Ssith answered. [When he brought up our test subjects, she asked if she could eat some of them. If the * story he made up about getting you from the trading caravan were true, you'd be in her stomach, not my lab. That's how we knew the story was false. So we wondered why? Why was he giving us - and not his wife - this sapien? That can only mean one thing. He knows about your skill, and he's using you to spy on us.] Jason's eyes went wide. She must have seen this because she added with a smile, [we Rattus's don't like to brag, but we are the smartest mammalian's in the room.]

[So that was you at the market,] Jason snapped. At this, the Rattus's expression turned sheepish. She nodded reluctantly. [Why did you rush the dais?] Jason knew what the answer would be, but he wanted to hear it.

[To get our hands on you,] Ssith answered. [Once the guards lost control, the Vulpus's would rush the dais. The situation was on the brink. All it would take is one tiny push, and all * would break lose. So, we made sure that would happen.] The sight of the Procyon leader, crashing into the cages and sending them flying played over Jason's mind. [As predicted, they landed all over the place, breaking open. With Sapien's everywhere, the frenzy became uncontrollable chaos. Being so short and fleet-footed, no one noticed us, nor would they be concerned, and the Procyon's would've been more interested in recapturing all their sapiens.] She made a quick snatching motion with her hands. [A simple snatch and grab was the plan. Then, we'd high-tail it out of there before the dust would settle-,] her voice suddenly cut off as her expression turned dark. [But someone beat us to it,] she finally said.

Glitch. Jason smiled.

The Rattus turned on him suddenly. [That little Oryctolagus * grabbed you before we could.] As suddenly as Jason's grin appeared, it died.

[Wait, you knew?] Ssith gave him an unimpressed look.

[We Rattus's are fast, but sadly, one species on the Middle Continent are swifter than us.] She sounded like she was swallowing a bitter pill. [We may have been surprised by the revelation that you spoke trade, but that doesn't mean we didn't observe our surroundings. We Rattus's like to plan things thoroughly, plan against all possible scenario's. We pretended to participate in the auction, but we only gave bids we knew would be outbid. We used the opportunity to scope out every one; Note down every mammalian species.] Ssith's face became expressionless. [We saw a short, cloaked figure flee from the dais. We couldn't identify the race, but we knew they were fast. We had seen an Oryctolagus girl in the crowd, and so the answer presented its self.]

[Wait, planning? Planning what? Do you want to use me to access sapien technology too?]

[* no,] Ssith said, [that would lead to trouble for our species. When you revealed your ability to communicate, our line of thinking was different; sensible. Unlike those * who looked at you and started thinking of trade, we Rattus's looked at you and started thinking, why? Why do you know the mammalian tongue, but don't engage in diplomacy?] Her eyes narrowed. [It's because you use it to spy on us; like right now.] Despite his tiny features and Jason's cool-headedness, she must have seen something, because her eyes widened and her grin grew. [Oh yes,] she answered his unspoken question. [We knew that too. Why else would your people know such skill, and not use it unless for spying.] She chuckled. [I told you, Rattus's are the smartest mammalian's in the room.]

[But not everything went according to plan,] Jason smirked. The Rattus's good cheer evaporated.

[The Oryctolagus girl,] Ssith said through clenched teeth. [Once we realised you were gone, we enacted our back-up plan. We knew someone else might try to go for you, but she was too quick and well concealed. * quickly deduced that one of the guilds might be behind all this.] Jason recognised the name as the Rattus who was their frontman. [The only problem was who?] Her smirk returned. [Our stature and agility allow us to avoid all those big, clunky * easily. Once free of the market, we split up and searched the city, looking for any Oryctolagus's. * was the one who found her. He followed from a distance and saw her avoiding a search from the Cervidae soldiers, by showing a guild membership seal.] The smirk became a grin. [Then we informed the Vulpus and Lutrinae guilds of our discovery.]

Jason didn't know how to react to this news. On the one hand, the Rattus's were responsible for Glitch becoming the target of three guilds. Still, on the other hand, if they hadn't told everyone, those guild members wouldn't have been able to ambush the Cervidae in that little village, which in turn, allowed the both of them to escape during the confusion.

[What did you want with me?]

[To learn your tongue,] Ssith replied. [We don't like being on the back foot. The idea of your kind understanding us, while we can't understand you; it's unsettling. Anything we can do to level the playing field would be most assuring.] Her cheer turned to seriousness. [Not just that, but to uncover the extent of your knowledge about our society. Can you tell the other mammalian's how to understand 'The Sign?']

[Sign? What sign?] Ssith gave him a long and hard, expressionless look. 

[We will have that answer,] she replied. [You won't be staying here long. We will smuggle you out and return you to our homeland. Then, we will discover the truth.]

[If you know that I'm spying for Hark, how do you intend to explain my disappearance?] She leaned in uncomfortably close and grinned, making sure to display her incisors.

[Oh, I'd say working for so long, surrounded by sapiens...] she let her voice trail off, before licking her lips noisily. When she spoke, it sounded as though she were talking to someone else. [We're very sorry, but we are omnivorous, and we couldn't help ourselves. After all, it was just one sapien, and we have four to spare.]

[All we want is to be left alone,] Jason snarled. [Can't you monsters leave us alone?] She reared back, genuinely shocked.

[Monsters?] Her expression darkened. [You have some nerve. Your kind is vermin, you spread out, with no regard to the people living within the area. You infest it, and destroy anyone who was already there before.]

[We don't deliberately attack mammalian's,] Jason retorted. [We defend ourselves. From the moment we discovered “gun powder,” and “hot-air balloon’s” we've kept our distance.] Both fists slammed the table, knocking Jason off his feet.

[Lies!] she snarled.

[We can't afford to attack mammalian's,] Jason cried, scurrying as far away from Ssith as possible. As she reached for him, he stilled her with an outstretched hand. [Please, allow me to elaborate. We sapiens have a hypothetical scenario, called the Vulpus Factor.] That made her pause. Seeing that she was willing to listen, Jason continued. [You know how much the Vulpus love our taste? The term came into use when we, at last, could combine our flying machines with our thunder-staffs. The Council of Sixteen, our government, began to discuss the possibility, that the future would allow for offensive actions against mammalian's. A senator by the name of Samuel Beckett argued passionately against doing this. The crux of his argument centred around the speculative theory of using our new power projection capabilities to wipe out the Vulpus's. He stated that while it's possible to destroy one species of mammalian's, he said that it wasn't possible to wipe out all of them. You mammalian's are divided, but if we did destroy the Vulpus, how would you react to that?]

He paused and watched as the information sunk in. [You would start to think, 'If sapiens could annihilate the Vulpus, they could do the same to us.' It would unite all mammalians against the sapien race, and while it's possible to destroy one group of mammalians, we can't kill them all; We're not that powerful. All mammalians would unite under one banner, and they would quickly destroy us. Mammalians are just too big and numerous. Mr Beckett argued that mammalians would notice our growing power, and maintaining an offensive defence strategy was the safest path as we advance. Being powerful enough to prevent the mammalians from attacking us would discourage them from doing so, and it worked. With every passing generation, sapien raids have lessened and become more hazardous for those who try.] Ssith was silent.

[Then why did you kill my father?] she snarled through clenched teeth. Jason stared back at her.

[What?]

[You vermin destroyed everything I held dear!] she snarled with an accusing finger, almost skewering him with the unsheathed claw. [My family were lumber merchants, we were the best in the trade. But you pests moved into a forest my father was harvesting, and destroyed his business, house, and him!] She shouted that last word. [I lost everything because of you. And here you are, having the gall to lie to my face, that you aren't hostile?] She paused and waited for him to answer.

[I'm sure there's another side to this story-,]

[No, there is not!] Ssith roared. [You attacked us! You killed my father! You destroyed my family business which had existed for eighty-years; eighty years! Gone!] She slammed the table with a palm, sending a jolt up Jason's spine. [Just like that!]

[There is a reason-,]

[There is no reason!] Ssith interjected. [Sapien's are a threat to everyone.] Her hand swept over her work. [I will ensure that no child will lose their parents to you vermin ever again.] She leaned right up to his face, her muzzle nudging Jason in the chest. [You want to know what I'm doing here?]

[Ssith-?] The Rattus who was their pretend leader called out, but she silenced him with a sharp gesture that caused him to recoil in fear.

[We're creating a chemical, that can destroy your precious surrexerunt flowers. Without them, you will be helpless.] She grinned. [Especially to the Vulpus.] Jason felt his stomach lurch. [The Sapien scent? That's a front. We solved that problem weeks ago. We Rattus's understand that we aren't the strongest player on the battlefield. So, we adopted a strategy in which we would let our enemies destroy themselves. The predator species will want the surrexerunt poison we're making. And who better than the Vulpus to wipe you vermin out. Thus when they write about the downfall of your race, it will record them as your destroyers; Not the Rattus.] 

She seemed to calm down as she leaned away. [Besides, taking into account your 'Vulpus Factor,' you sapiens are continually evolving. Your existence is a danger to everyone.] Her voice was calm and rational. [Your technology has travelled from spears to thunder-staff with a speed no mammalian species could ever hope to match. Machines you invent one day, are obsolete within fifty-years.] She gave a resigned sigh. [Despite your size and helplessness, you sapiens are the superior being. History has proven that the strong will destroy the weak. Your Vulpus Factor protects us now, but... What will future generations of sapiens do when they are strong enough to take on all mammalians? All species are continually expanding with each generation. A growing population means more territory, more resources and that must come at the expense of the weak.] She paused. [Sapiens hate all mammalians. There will come a time when sapiens will have enough of us, and decide that it's at last, time to finish us all.] She was silent for half a minute. [When you see a serpentes poised to strike, you do not wait until it has struck to crush it.]

Jason stared in horror at her. [I told you, we Rattus's are the smartest mammalian's in the room.]



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