Creative Commons Licence
YOUNGLING
A Terran Empire Story
by Ann Wilson
Copyright (C) 1992 by Ann Wilson
Unnamed world, 2559 CE
Joste was waiting in front of his desk when two guards brought thejust-captured human into his office. He found it hard to look at theman without becoming physically ill, and wondered briefly how theguards could tolerate touching him. Well, that was their job; his wasto question the man, and he found himself hoping the foul thing wouldresist, give him an excuse to use force.
It wasn't because the other was human, or because he was an enemy—Jostehad questioned prisoners before without having had the slightest desireto use physical persuasion—and the man looked no more repulsive thanany other human. Granted, he was dirty and his battledress was torn,but that was to be expected from someone who had been in combat. And,though he was bound, the man held himself proudly.
No, the revulsion wasn't caused by anything so straightforward. It waswhat the man had done— Joste's thoughts shied away from considerationof such obscenity, and he had to force them back. Simply endangeringfemales without dire need was enough to earn a dishonorable death; theywere so terribly few, less than a fourth of the Traiti race, cherishedfor themselves and honored for the young only they could bear—a thingthat happened less often than any could wish.
And this monster had actually led females into combat!
He brought himself under control; the grammar and harsh sounds ofImperial English were difficult enough without having to fight emotionat the same time. "Yourself identify," he growled.
"Major Horst Marguerre, Imperial Terran Marine Corps." It didn't lookat all good for him, Marguerre thought grimly. These huge gray-skinnedhumanoids were aggressive as hell—they were nicknamed Sharks as muchfor that as for the facial resemblance—and this one looked even lesswell-intentioned toward him than his guards did. "My ident code'sTERHE6-2063-4121. What're you doing with my wounded?"
"They are medical treatment receiving," Joste said. "Though therelittle chance for their recovery is, the physicians their best doingare." At least, he thought, the man had the decency to show concern—even if it had to be false concern—for the two survivors of hisraiding party, both of whom were female. "What your purpose was, herecoming?"
Marguerre didn't know what caused the loathing he could sense from thethree massive Traiti, but it was intense enough to frighten him inspite of almost a year's active combat. Still, fear or no fear, hewasn't about to tell them what they wanted to know. He shook his head."Sorry, that's all I'm allowed to say."
Then he winced as the one holding his shoulder and neck tightened thatgrip, and the one doing the questioning started to smile. This, to putit mildly, looked less and less like it was going to be a friendlyparty, and he was suddenly very thankful he'd been given theanti-interrogation conditioning before this mission. Not that he intendedto use it unless he had no other choice.
Good, Joste thought. The man was going to be stubborn. "You mine noware, Major, and you will much more say. When you have enough pain had,you will to me gladly speak." Slowly, almost luxuriously, he reachedfor the man, extending his claws.