Sentience 1: Storm Clouds Gathering (37 page)

“All right… slaves then… slaves are cheaper.”

“The keeping of slaves is
wrong
. Would you wish to be enslaved by someone else?”

“Of course not, but no one is strong enough to force slavery upon the Raknii. Is it not the right of the stronger to impose his will upon the weaker? It is the way of nature.”

“Is it?” asked Fraznal. “Besides rare colonies of insectoids, where in nature have you found slavery to be practiced by non-intelligent species?”

Drix thought about it, but could not immediately think of any examples. “Why do you say slavery is wrong?”

“Slavery degrades the quality of existence for the slave and the morals of the slave-holder.”

Morals! Morality? Are they related?
“Explain your reasoning, if you would please, Fraznal. I am particularly interested in your use of the word
morals
. What do you mean by,
morals?
” Drik asked excitedly.

“The word
morals
concerns the principles or rules of right conduct or the distinction between right and wrong. It has to do with whether a being is capable of conforming to the rules of right conduct — whether they have the ability and the willingness to restrain their actions to comply with a universal code of ethical conduct.”

“Ethical conduct,” mused Drix. “Please expand on what you mean by
ethical conduct
, if you wouldn’t mind.”

“Gladly. The word
ethics
refers to a philosophy dealing with
values
relating to individual conduct, in respect to the rightness and wrongness of certain actions and to the goodness and badness of the motives and ends of those actions.”

“The Trakaan have a written code of conduct then?” asked Drix.

“Most assuredly. It is the hallmark of all civilized beings,” answered Fraznal. “Do not the Raknii have such a code amongst yourselves?”

“Yes, but it applies only to our race. It does not apply to prey.”

“Prey. Is that how you see us, then?”

“The Raknii regards all life, other than ourselves, as prey,” said Drix.

“Ah, no wonder your morals are so stunted then. You see no value in any intelligence besides your own.”

“You believe there is
value
to be had from input from other species, then?”

“Have the Raknii not learned valuable lessons from merely observing the behavior of animals on your home world?”

“Of course.”

“If there are valuable lessons to be learned from mere, dumb animals, how much
more
then might be learned from sentient, conscious, intelligent beings of other species, if we but allow ourselves to communicate, and to recognize the sanctity of life of intelligent beings other than our own species?”

Drix hesitated. This was an incredibly
alien
concept. It had never occurred to any Rak to view prey —even intelligent prey, as anything other than mere objects to be exploited. To recognize other intelligent beings as something
other-than-prey
was totally foreign to the Raknii view of the universe. That might actually require the acceptance and respect for other intelligent species on a level similar to how the Raknii viewed others of their own kind.

Was this then, what Varq meant when he said
“Only in passing this test, may the Raknii mature and discover the concept of morality in how we relate to the rest of the universe and become civilized enough to remain part of it.”

“Master Fraznal, how would you define the word
civilized?
”

“A civilized being is one who has been brought out of a savage, uneducated, or rude state — elevated in both their social and private life. One who has become enlightened, refined with a well-organized and ordered advanced state of culture and social development that is easy to manage or control. But most important of all, it is a culture primarily characterized by tenderness, compassion, and sympathy for others and animals, especially for the suffering or distressed.”

Drix was stunned. Dolrak hypnotics had enabled Rak males to advance beyond their bestial, savage natures. Rak society was rigidly structured and relatively easy to control. But it was definitely NOT characterized by tenderness, compassion, and sympathy for others and animals, especially for the suffering or distressed. Was this then, what the Raknii needed to learn to avoid extinction?
Tenderness, compassion, and sympathy for others, especially for the suffering or distressed.

These were staggeringly alien concepts to the Raknii, at least for everyone outside one’s own pride and personal friendship groups.
How can I expect my entire race to learn these things, if I do not first not learn them for myself.
It had to start somewhere, and if he was to help change the Raknii and assist his people in avoiding extinction, he first had to change himself.

“Master Fraznal, you haven given me much to consider,” said Drix. “Yours was the first Trakaan residence I came upon after arriving at the spaceport. How was it I managed to find one so wise, on my very first attempt at contact, I wonder? Might I enquire what your regular vocation is?”

Fraznal looked at Drix for a long moment before replying, “I have not functioned in my normal vocation since the Raknii arrived and took over management of Troxia. We survive from funds saved over a lifetime of service, but I serve no current function at the present.”

“I take it you must have had a position with the Trakaan planetary government, then. Might I ask what your former specific function was prior to our arrival?

“I was Chief Administrator of this planet.”

Drix then explained to Fraznal the Raknii chain of command, revealing how there were only three Rak warriors of higher rank than Planet-Master Glet within this region of space: Region-Master Raan, himself and Sector-Master Dras.

“You are second in rank for this entire region of space then?” Fraznal asked.

"Correct.”

“I am honored that one of such exalted rank should grace my home with your presence then, Quadrant-Master.”

“The honor is mine, Chief Administrator.”

“No longer. My work on behalf of my people is done. I am simply an unemployed old Trakaan — just one amongst the billions of us here on this subjugated planet, vulnerable to the whims of our conquerors, as are all the others.”

“Perhaps your value to your people is not over, but merely changed, Chief Administrator. I have need of your wisdom. I need to learn of your ways... of how you see life and the universe. Might I enlist your aid to function as my teacher in these areas?”

“We have longed to open a meaningful dialog with the Raknii for generations now, but one cannot hold a conversation alone. What has occurred that has caused this lack of communications between our peoples to become a concern to the Raknii now?”

“It is my aim to help rescue my people from our own foolishness — to return them to our ancient ways when we were in harmony with nature, before we indulged in the shedding blood for amusement and recognition. It will be necessary for us to learn of these strange ways of thought you described. We need to become
civilized
, as you defined it,” answered Drix.

“Why?”

“To save us from extinction.”

“Extinction?” Fraznal snorted. “What power in the universe is it you fear, that could possibly drive your species to extinction?”

Drix hesitated, but then decided to reveal the Varq’s dark prophecy to the old Trakaan. He needed to gain this one’s trust, and to gain trust, he had to be willing to give trust. It took a while to make Fraznal understand the implications of the prophecy, with several questions and answers to make the old Trakaan understand the modern mindset, and the terrible
ultimate
predators that would cull the Rak as the Rak once culled the numbers of their herd beasts.

“We
know
how to hunt prey,” Drix said. “Now we must learn how to make, and live in peace, if we are to survive.”

“An
ultimate
predator, you say?”

“Yes, and I fear we may have already discovered them,” replied Drix.

“Daughter,” Fraznal called. “Bring me the star charts from my office, please.”

A few moments later, the diminutive Trakaan female entered, carrying a bulky container of star maps. “Thank you, daughter. Master Drix, would you like some more
Jla
juice?”

“Yes, please. It is quite good and utterly unlike anything I have ever tasted before. If I could trouble you for a bowl though, I would greatly appreciate it. My snout is quite unfit for drinking from a narrow-mouthed device such as this glass.”

“Oh, I am so sorry!” squealed the female, so distressed at her
faux pas
that she momentary forgot to be afraid of being in the same room with Drix. “I didn’t think of that.”

“It is quite all right. Think nothing of it.” replied Drix. “I truly mean you no harm. You really have no need to be afraid of me.”

The female looked down, shivering, “Your people hurt my people… killed my mother.”

“Yes, I am very sorry about that. I am trying to change that kind of behavior in my people. That’s one of the reasons I am here, seeking the wisdom of your father.”

The little female looked up tentatively, “Truly?”

“Truly. Your father is very wise, and there is much that I wish to learn from him.”

The female nodded and said, “That is well. I will fetch more
Jla
juice for you… in a bowl this time.”

“Thank you. Might I ask your name?”

The female hesitated, but then said, “I am called Tradma.”

“Thank you, Tradma.”

The female left and Fraznal began searching through the star charts in the case the female had brought him. He selected three and spread them out on the floor before Drix.

“Might the star system of these new aliens you’ve recently discovered be on one of these charts, Master Drix?”

Drix bent down to examine the three charts spread out before him. It took a few moments for him to discern the patterns on these Trakaan charts, not only because of the differences in the way they were drawn from the Rak standard, but also because their coloration and contrast was odd… probably due to differences in Trakaan and Raknii eye physiology. He studied all three carefully and picked one up for closer study.

“If I am reading this right, it
might
be this one.” Drix pointed to a star system noted near the lower right corner of the chart. “I would have to compare your charts to ours to be sure, though.”

Fraznal peered intently at the tiny Trakaan notations on the chart and said, “Please excuse me a moment, Master Drix. I must consult my computer.”

The elderly Trakaan turned and left the room. While he was gone, Tradma returned with another frosted glass of
Jla
juice for her father, and a bowl for Drix.

“The juice is thoroughly chilled. I apologize the bowl is not frosted. I will place several into our freezing unit for your next visit, if you will be returning.

“Thank you, Tradma, this is fine. I appreciate your hospitality.”

“You are unlike the others of your people we have encountered.”

Drix would have smiled, but refrained lest revealing his fangs frighten her. “I have been told that before. Many of my own people find me rather disconcerting.”

“I have never seen another of your people with your coloring. Is that what disconcerts them?”

“Among other things,” Drix replied. “But it is my peculiar way of thinking that truly frightens them.”

“You frighten the other predators of your kind?”

“Terribly.”

“Yet, you are gentle towards a Trakaan, like my father?”

“That, of itself, will frighten my people even more.”

“You are a very odd being, Master Drix.”

Drix could not hold it in, so he turned away as he burst into outright laughter. Tradma appeared startled, but did not back away, unsure what the quaking of Drix’ shoulders and upper body meant, but she did not finding it threatening. When he regained control, Drix turned back toward the female and said:

“That is the
least
that I have been called in my life, Tradma. I assure you.”

“That thing you turned away to do… was that laughter?”

“Yes, I have attempted to not smile, because the Raknii smile reveals our fangs and I did not wish to frighten you.”

“Laughter… from an invader. I had not thought such a thing possible. May I see your ‘smile,’ Master Drix?”

Drix smiled at her.

“Yes, that expression might easily have frightened me earlier, but now that I know it for what it actually is, there is no further need to turn away. I will recognize it for what it is next time,” said Tradma. “But I do appreciate your consideration of my feelings. I had not thought
that
possible either.”

Fraznal returned with what Drix interpreted as a grim expression on his relatively non-expressive face. Tradma beat a hasty retreat as her father reentered the room.

“If that really is the system where you discovered star-faring aliens, then you may have indeed found your
ultimate
predators,” said Fraznal.

“We are quite familiar with that species and have monitored their development for thousands of cycles. We were quite alarmed when it was first discovered they had achieved interstellar travel and had colonized planets that close to us. Shortly afterward, the Raknii began absorbing exorbitant amounts of our attention, so we rather forgot about them.”

“What can you tell me about them?” asked Drix.

“They are a complete enigma. They are a fragmented society, with an incredible variety of racial, religious and ideological differences. Some are peaceful and friendly, while others are incredibly cruel and vicious. I remember reading fantastic reports of a time almost two thousand cycles ago, before they achieved space travel, they waged a great war among themselves and millions died. Just twenty-one cycles later, they again waged yet another great war — even larger. Their entire home world was virtually at war, with terrible combat occurring all around the globe simultaneously, and many multiple millions more died. That war only ended when one of the combatants developed nuclear weapons… and used them.”