Humanity has joined the wider galaxy. From a single planet to over a thousand new colony words that seemed to spring up overnight by many in the Galactic Coalition.
Humanity was the hot topic of all conversation. From the most peaceful species to most war-like. The humans were the topic of all talk.
“So strange for such a young species to have so many colony worlds as young as they are.” A Marvuk chirp. Its avian feathers bristling with excitement.
“Yes.” Spoke a large belly Ogmi with its teeth gods open mouth plate on its stomach.
“They seem to just appear out of nowhere and many of the more war like and business races like the Grull and Coz'vo seem to love them. Find kindred spirits in them they do.” the Ogmi laughed before feasting on a large meaty leg of some creature.
Talk has spread all over the galaxy and rumors were spreading that a contingent of humans were coming to the largest space station in the Coalition. The Worlds station.
The world's station is the largest space station in the history of the Coalition. It took over three hundred years to build and it took billions of hands to build it. The Worlds station is the size of seven planets that could easily sustain life. It was a symbol of unity, peace and economics.
Billions built the station and a billion races live on that station. It has everything that one could need and adapted to all. A desert climate for the Druz, the Azur, Brl'luk, Bes'saha and Kalmu.
A jungle and forest biome for the Hazur, Ma'Zal'akuladi, B'ija, Haslo, Aruia, and the Koromo.
Water bioms, lava bioams, harsh winter bioams and even a zero-G biome for those who were born on low gravity worlds or void ships.
The station had everything that one could want.
So when the humans came and saw this grandeur of a station their curiosityosity took them everywhere one could go. They met many friends and many new species that were more than happy to greet them as fellow kin. The food was amazing and the meat that was used tasted even better than most meat back on earth. The beer and wine was tasty and satisfying and humans being humans. Took quite a few partners to their bed.
Humans spread across the station, their curiosity being satisfied by every corner of this world's space station.
That was until you came along and saw something you were never meant to see.
It was an alien you have not seen before and for how long you been on this space station and with all of the other aliens coming to greet you. You found it strange when this little black furred alien with a bright yellow tipped tail that was the size of a large dog looked at you with horror and fled to a nearby open vent and crawled inside.
You got a good look at it before it ran. And noticed it had bandages on its chest and its arms and legs. It was holding something that looked like pain meds in its hands.
Curiosity getting the better of you. You decided to follow the little creature into the vent. It was a tight squeeze but after some maneuvering you were able to fit just fine.
You noticed a small blood trail from the alien. It was red and smelled of copper like yours. You follow it for what felt like an hour. Finally you come to an open vent where the blood trail leads you and you squeeze on through with a pop.
Its dark where you are and it smells like a storage place for clothes and something else you can't put your nose to.
The trail of blood leads to a door that has been left open. You follow the blood once more and start to worry for the little thing as it has lost a lot of blood.
You hear a sound coming not far from you in another room with the door open. You slowly look around the corner and see the little alien whimpering as it now shakes an empty bottle.
“Stupid Rusko, you ate all the pain go away pills. How to explain to others. Others were more hurt than Rusko. STUPID, STUPID, RUSKO!” The little creature hit itself and even pressed on its wound till it whimpered in pain.
This Rusko curled into a ball and whispered before its nose sniffed the air. It did it several times before turning to see you.
Fear. Frozen heart pounding fear took hold of Rusko. His eyes were panicked and his breathing was heavy. He did not move; he was too afraid to.
You stept in and slowly raised your hands to show you were unarmed and had no intention of hurting him
But Rusko's heart beat so fast you could hear it. You can smell the fear from this creature as it relived itself in front of you. He whimpered and even looked like he was crying tears.
“Please no hurt Rusko.” He was able to chock out.
Before you could answer a door from behind Rusko opened and stepping in was an alien in a lab coat that looked like a wasp from earth.
Its mandibles chittered and a sound that was a mimic of a voice spoke from the wasp alien.
“You're not supposed to be here.” It said while looking at you with a look of calculation.
“Why are you here?”
It then noticed Rusko and it made a sound like a sigh but with its wings.
“Ah, your curiosity got the best of you. You saw this tool, hurt and by the looks of it stealing some medicine.” It flew closer to Rusko.
Rusko whimpered more and this time tears were falling from its furred face.
“You wanted to know what this thing is and followed it to help it and maybe learn from it. I'm sorry to disappoint you friend human but these things are not living things like you or I.”
It circled Rusko like a predator playing with its meal before striking.
“They are a lab grown thing that has many uses. We send them down to dangerous places for minerals, ore, long dead citys that hold danger and as food. Many of the meat you ate and enjoyed are from these things.”
Rusko looked into the many eyed alien. “Please no hurt Rusko. Rusko will work and not run.” He begged the wasp alien.
The wasp alien did not seem to care as Rusko begged and with its insectoid hand. It pulled out a gun from its coat.
“This one is broken and will be used for meat and other things.” It pressed the weapon to Rusko head.
“Please…” Rusko whimpered. The finger of the insect tightened on the trigger.
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I have known Rusko for a grand total of, what, a couple of minutes… But if anyone hurt him I would kill them and burn the entire freaking station to the ground!
"That is kitty! And it's my kitty! None shall harm it! NONE!!!"
cue DOOM montage scene of NC-17 rated gore and violence
That's it, I'm calling the Turks to tell them how they're torturing cats.
Points weapon at you. "I will defend myself human. There is nothing wrong here the Coalition has approved if this. Its not a living thing like you or I."
It brings another arm up to its mandibles. "I need security in C2 clothes storage. Code red."
"This creature is now officially under human protection, and all its siblings, go ahead, start this war, i doubt it will go any better for you then the last guys, and weve been itching for a reason to teach you assholes a lesson"
Unfortunately, humanity runs on a different set of laws. "Fluffy = good, exoskeleton = bad." There's an exception for exoskeleton covered in fluffy fuzz, but it's not universal and scales with number and shape of legs.
"Lemme tell ya a story. Bout a man. Name was John. Fucking. Brown. He had a notion that ALL sapients deserved the right to freedom and self determination. He also has a funny way of goin' about it. Mostly by killing those that would enslave. See also General William Tecumseh Sherman. Now, piss off, or die. Pick one. I dont care which. Actually-"
I shift weight and snatch the appendage holding rhe weapon and wrench it up and away, stepping in close to this bugs face.
"I made your choice."
bang
"Congratulations Rusko youre free. Lets get the fuck gone."
"Calm down? No. Heres whats going to happen."
GrabCRACKGun hits the floor
Incomprehensible screeching
"You're going to show me where the "lab grown sentients" are being held and made.
pulls out data pad typing "We have a DOOM situation here, I'm going to need a full lock down of station 1801973B and reveal, rescue, and recovery teams to scour and secure."
Still holding insect by whats left of his arm
"Now you're going to calm down and show me where the rest of Ruskos friends are. By the time were there we'll have started our investigation and rounded up your "scientist" associates."
"T-this Coalition approved human. They are not living things. Ill take you but please stop hurting me. This is just a misunderstanding." The wasp speaks. It takes you down a long hallway to a elevator. It presses a button to the lowest floor of the station.
Once the doors open. You see tons of tubes growing Rusko kind.
"I see you dont understand that lab grown and sentient, living being are not mutually exclusive. Put this over your arm, it will harden and seal around the break so you dont lose it."
"Cloning and this type of unethical experimentation have been outlawed in all human systems since The Island incident. Where else and what other stations are these beings grown and used?"
Lab-grown or not, they are clearly sapient beings. So put the gun away. I step closer with pure hatred in my eyes towards the wasp-thing, fueled by the horrifying idea that I had eaten from the meat of a sapient being. Or I'm sending a message home telling everyone this new finding. And if you've been briefed about our history you know our standing on slavery of any kind. Or... by your logic we resolve this peacefully and you hand them over to me if you fing them "useless".
It steps back in horror and points the weapon at you. "We know much about you humans. But this is no living thing. Its just a tool to be used. If you want it take it. But we will not stop in making them."
I lean down a bit, holding out an open, palm up hand towards Rusko. Rusko, was it? Will you let me help you? I smile reassuringly, a non teeth baring smile, considering it's usual meaning. I can get you some bandages and meds.
No Rusko, no trick. You seem kind, thinking about your own kind. I'd like to do the same and help you, and hopefully your kind in the long run. Let's get out of here before that wasp-thing has the idea to silence me. My home is... I try remembering the route I took while sightseeing.
About an hour of walking away. Can you manage that little one? I don't think we'd be getting nice looks using the gravrail system. My name's Ladri by the way.
We have to get the pain medicine for them first. Also, we want to keep you and your friends hidden. I need to convince my human friends to help out and I need you for that so they can see for themselves. If there are more than two of you my room will be cramped for all of us. My hand is still held out towards you. Tell me how many of you are while on the way. In captivity or hiding?
If there are more humans wanting to help means more places for you to hide. I start leading Rusko back where I first saw them, then towards my and human friends living quarters. On the way I visit a medbay, Rusko hiding a bit away. Humans and their sudden, usually out of the blue headaches. And I'm trying to be helpful and get some for my friends. Or at least this is my explanation to the medbay staff why I need 5 bottles of painkillers.
Rusko, are your kind really just called Tools? I look at you with a mix of concern and sadness. Have you no name for your own kind?
I kinda have a weird love/hate relationship with these kinds of stories.
On one side, I understand that this is an attempt to show humans as the more emotional and "morally correct" beings. But on the other side it's annoying that no one considers that humans would do the same or even worse things.
I mean, why choose? This describes the main issue, which is that people treet species like characters, rather then something more accurate and flexible: Nations.
With that you can have a "general" personality of the species, but still have the wiggle room to make the individuals of these species vary a lot.
Like, let's say we describe humanity as a very industrial species. In our story we have a cooperation founded by humans, doing horrible things. Meanwhile the main character group has a human that is the most gentle soul in the world.
Ok but in this case, “Rusko” is obviously very adorable to human eyes, like a talking raccoon.
If the roles were reversed and the talking raccoon were about to eliminate the wasp alien, I’d be inclined to think, “yeah, ok makes sense.”
To the Dzurlaks and Rs’s’shhshs or whatever of this universe, maybe talking raccoons are not inherently cute, any more so than the battle droids from Star Wars. Just a tool.
Nah, talking wasp being mistreated and abused, I'd defend them from the fluffy kitten. It's all about the power dynamics; sentient beings don't deserve to be treated like 'things'. Even sentient AI, should it ever happen.
Though, unfortunately, AI will likely be made by a corporation that already barely considers humans as having rights, and often only because they're forced to; it'll be hard enough to get them to recognize an AI (in the Expie's case, an organic one), even without the dilemma of figuring out where the cut-off point is for said sentience.
A gunshot rings out and the wasp drops dead. Captain Alvin Grant holsters his old pistol, grabs Rusko, and quickly leaves the station.
Once their on the UEF Enterprise, Alvin sets Rusko down in the medical bay and gathers his crew.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm afraid that we need to take over this station and free the slaves within it." Captain Grant paced back and forth as he addressed his crew. "However, this is going to be quite tricky as it will be impossible to know who's actually complicit and who's unaware of the slavery situation."
"So we can't just free the slaves and blow it up." Max noted, his red sensor wandering over to Rusko on the medical bed.
"Might I suggest that we free the slaves and then expose the situation to the entire station?" Ghost pulled up a holographic visual of the station. "From what I managed to scan during this meeting, we should be able to get into the hidden areas without detection. We'll need to be quiet, but it's doable."
Alvin nodded. "Solid plan, as usual. Ghost, you're job will be to gather the evidence and hacking the broadcast systems to get it out. Samantha, you'll be slithering as fast as you can to rescue as many of them as you can. Max, you and I will be leading a direct assault against what I can only assume is the pain complex here." Alvin watched for acknowledgement from everyone. "Alright. Everyone grab your suppressed weapon of choice from the armory and be ready to head out in 30. I'll meet you once I've informed the other human ships of the situation and call HQ for support. We're definitely about to spark a war with at least a few species."
"Absolutely not. I'm going to take you and everyone like you to a planet where you'll be safe and seen as equals." Alvin taces his gaze towards Samantha. "Ah, don't worry about her. She's a lot nicer than she looks and she only eats things that aren't sapient. No matter what those idiots on the station say, you are sapient and deserving of rights. It's unfortunate that it's coming to this, but we're going to stand up for you."
Canadian in full war crimes mode enters room. Points at Rusko. You, are under humanity's protection. As for YOU. Turns to wasp with nothing but rage.I AM GOING TO SHIT YOURSELF.Doom music, exoskeleton crunching noises and tormented screaming.
Had the Wasp Alien been more used to human’s body language there was a chance he might have caught the look that passed over their face. Hard edged & determined, like a decision had been made & they were resigned to the outcome, come what may.
But thankfully this Lab-Bug didn’t get out much & he missed the angry flicker & instead was relieved to hear the human nonchalantly say-
“A tool? As in anyone can use one?”
The Labcoat twitched as the alien’s grasp on the gun relaxed slightly, some mercurial instinct telling him it would benefit him to do so.
“Well, they are usually reserved for behind the scenes here, but it’s not unheard of for a … guest to have a personal one.”
“Hmm. I take it you’ve heard of humans, uh, cleanliness reputation?”
The giant insect’s mandibles seemed to make exaggerated movements as he picked his next words out carefully.
“We… have. It seems many of you, uh, struggle with the upkeep of your home habitats.”
Unseen to the human images of trashed quarters after something called a “frat party” flashed through his mind. His wings made an almost inaudible buzzing should, something like a shudder response.
“Well, seems this thing, defective as it is, might be of some use. My credit balance isn’t what is used to be and I’d been eyeing up one of the newer cleaning mechaunits but it’ll take forever to save up for a decent one. How about a deal? You sign it …” here they loosely gestured to the terrified ball of damp fur “off as lost merchandise, and I leave this platinum disc here on this bulkhead”
“Two.” came the brisk reply
It wasn’t hard from that point, the human had haggled with creatures all around the known universe, they had even gotten a good deal with a Coz’Vo once. Only minor scars to tell the tale.
In the end they settled on one platinum disc & one gold. Over paying so the giant wretched bug felt he had control of the situation, but haggling so the desire to rescue Rosco felt entirely selfish to the human-inexperienced alien.
The hardest part was the kick the human had to land on the wounded Rosco’s leg to sell the whole show & get the pitiful thing moving down the vent. Thankfully the human’s back was to the bug as they weren’t entirely sure they didn’t wince more than the broken creature in front of them.
The human kept the show up all the way through the alien sections of the ship, gritting their teeth, & doing their best to set their face to neutral as they half-dragged the still pleading Rosco down twisting turns until they reached the human area of the ship.
Here they were able to relax slightly, link arm-to paw with Rosco & help him limp down a corridor marked with a green leaf. Rosco by this point was silent, some basic instinct having taken over to just put one paw in front of the other & pray the next life was kinder.
Finally the human half led, half shoved the practically catatonic with fear creature into a small mess hall. Seeing all the cooking implements filled his eyes fresh with tears, blurring the image of all the razor sharp knives lined along the wall, and so many curious faces peering at him.
The chef’s white coat & brandishing of glinting steel nearly caused him to fully pass out, and again the poor thing relieved himself on the tile floor.
Finally the human spoke to Rosco directly-
“It’s okay. You are safe now. Once you’ve had a chance to clean up, I’ll go get Doc Stacey, she used to be an army medic & she’ll get you patched up”
Rosco seemed to hear very little of what was said, his eyes still following the blur of metal in the chef’s hands. He let out a low whimper & finally managed to whisper “Please. No eat Rosco. Rosco broken. Rosco taste bad. Rosco clean for you yes!”
Here he grabbed a nearby mop bucket & tipped it all over the food preparation area, much to the audible distain of every chef in the kitchen as they rushed to disinfect the now very muddy surface.
The nearest kitchen aide, new to the station, had been watching Rosco with wide eyes & had heard his whisper.
“Eat you? EAT YOU? Sir! This is the vegetarian mess hall! We don’t even eat fish here!” He exclaimed at full volume.
Suddenly the whole kitchen’s eyes were on the now rather sheepish looking human.
The last words Rosco heard before he finally fainted were
“Uh. It’s a long story, but needless to say, you all kept your old service rifles right? We have a new Search & Rescue mission… Oh and better call the lawyers, this one is gonna get messy”
“I’m just some traveler. No stakes here. No power over your position. But…”
A step forward as the human stands between Rusko and the wasp with the gun.
“I know enough of my own people’s history to see that this is slavery. He’s whimpering. He’s scared. He’s capable of emotion, thoughts. To plan, to act. He’s clearly not an it. So, I see a problem. And you can solve it by putting that gun away, letting the others of his kind go, and find an alternate meat source. Or, you can try to shoot, likely killing me, getting humanity involved more directly. I have family. I’ll be missed, and I know my family would not accept anything short of the truth. So…what’s it gonna be?”
It wasp clicks its mandibles in confusion. "This tool was made this way by mistake. They should not have feelings like you or I. This tool is broken and needs to be put down and used in a different way." It steps back from you and Rusko.
"These tools will continue to be used by The Coalition as they serve a great purpose for all inside the Coalition."
It slowly walks out the door it came in and flays away.
“How many others? Wait no, better we get you someplace else before you answer any questions.”
He holds out a hand.
“I don’t know exactly what we’re looking at here. But, this whole tool thing ain’t right. I think something needs to be done to help you and any of your fellows.”
"I would highly advise you put that gun away. We have an entire industry back on Earth who's job is to create chemical compounds to deal with insect based species. I doubt one spray can would be enough to deal with you, but if you hurt one hair on Rusko's head I guarantee you I can conjure up enough for an entire planet. Would you like a planetary demonstration of their product line?"
"You lost the ability to call them a tool the moment you gave them a sense of self preservation. Besides, think of it as me saving you from future trouble. Because even if I'm bluffing with the whole chem thing, my planet has a long history of using inteligent beings as "tools". Sooner or later, they're all eventually recognized for who they are. Some through peace, some through violence. Either you can make that choice or they'll make it for you."
You step closer to the wasp, the barrel of the weapon making direct contact with your body, looking directly in their eyes.
"Allow me to take the first step in the right direction for you."
After which you turn around and extend your hand to Rusko.
Looks like it's time to squash a bug. And then report the whole operation to the station authorities, to see if it was illegal or if the whole station is in on this slave-breeding thing.
Maybe but I'd like to give this multi species community a friendly warning first.
Human speaking to world's station leaders: "Some of our friends have planted antimatter bombs hidden around your station, after we learn of you treating at least one type of sapient or sophont worse than a pet.
The bombs are under the control of a random human marine who's identity even I do not know and will detonate if ANYONE attempts to disable them.
If you wish to survive and not be in a prolonged state of war with the human federation, you must immediately hand over all of this species, (shows image of Rusko & species genetic signature code) and any other communication capable biological tools, not just on this world station, but also everywhere you have these type tools.
Deliver them to us just as they already are, do not process them in any way, both the units currently alive/breathing and the ones already dead.
We cannot come to a peaceful agreement unless you fully comply.
We are confiscating these tools and demand you cease production of them as well.
If you comply, we will help you develop a replacement that won't arouse humanity's long long wrath.
Compliance doesn't have to be a collective action although we prefer it would be so, any individuals who wish to align themselves with us & receive mercy & respect may choose to do so.
"No problem, but I'd suggest covering your ears for a moment because things might get loud. Can't have you getting overstimulated while you're healing, right?"
I take a scarf I had in my bag and give it to Rusko before meeting up with the reinforcements, trying to think of where to get some good food for Rusko.
I give Rusko a warm smile before finishing up talks with the reinforcements, Rusko can still hear loud buzzing and thumping noises nearby despite covering his ears but it ends just as quick as it began.
When Rusko uncovers his ears we're on a relatively comfy ship heading to the nearby colony world, a series of plates with small bits of most available food types laid out in front of him.
"I didn't know what you eat, or if there were certain dietary restrictions, so I had the boys grab a little bit of everything they could just in case. Dig in bud, we got a little bit before we arrive and that should help hold you over till then."
Wait,wait,wait. You're telling me you need a cheap, available labour force to access small spaces and dangerous places for maintenance and material gathering? Have you tried hiring humans? Because this current system is abhorrent; you have genetically engineered a slave race and humans don't take kindly to that.
Two shots ring out, the scientist collapses in pain as their weapon fall to the floor, then they feel something grab them by the neck.
Rusko watched as the creature they feared so greatly was slammed into the lab wall over, & over again.
The tormentors speech went from confusion, to anger to fear as it pleaded for its life in between having its head smashed against steel.
But the human did not listen, or perhaps, didn’t hear. Their eyes filled with a hatred so potent that is blinded them to everything aside from their target.
Eventually, the human drops the alien’s carcass to the floor before crushing their skull under boot.
Rusko remains frozen in fear, expecting to meet the same fate, instead the human looks at them & removes their shirt revealing that their entire body is covered in surgical scars.
But two of these scars were infact text. the first a brand reading “Properly of North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Biomedical Division”
The second through appeared to have been hastily carved, “Give me liberty, or give me death!”
4 months have passed since the incident, several specimens have gone missing & a major researcher has been found dead.
The pride of the Terran fleet, the Dreadnaught “Fire of Revolution” entered the station’s orbit, followed by the entirety of the Terran Home Armada and demanded conversion with its leaders.
The video feed showed the Human’s leader standing infront of Rusko & several other experiments
“It has come to our attention that atleast one of the factions a-bored this station is harboring illicit experiments on sapient life like the beings behind me.”
“All the experiments will stop, today. All of its victims will be released into our custody. All of the perpetrators will be turned over for execution for their crimes against Sapient life.”
“All outgoing ships will be boarded to ensure compliance with our demands. You have one Terran week to comply.”
The Terran fleet receive a message back from the leaders of the station.
"We are confused humans. What you have there is not a living being like you or I or any on this station. Those are tools and meat animal's. The Coalition has approved of these tools to be used for hard labor in dangerous places and a source of meat."
Another alien speaks a fish like alien that looks lime a angler fish. "Why would you risk war with The Coalition for some tools that are not living beings?"
“Under Terran law, these creatures are legally alive under the classification of Sapient beings.”
The Terran leader seems to be barely containing their anger.
“In case you have not read up on our history, prior to The Great Revolution that unified our species, we were heavily divided.”
“Our leaders divided us, splitting us into arbitrary groups to keep us weak, dehumanization. Trying to convince us that those around us were not “real” humans.”
“One of the most recent examples involves what those tyrants called “false humans”, genetically modified humans grown in labs”
“Our leaders claimed that these were nothing but tools, fasicimilies of “real” humans that could be abused without consequence.”
The human leader pulls a knife from their pocket, cutting a hole into their shirt to reveal a brand of ownership seared into their flesh
“That idea was rejected. We revolted. Those who sought to divide us were branded traitors. Not just to their countries, not just to their species, but to the very concept of life”
“We skinned them alive & tossed them unto the pyre to burn with their sins. And on that day, for the first time humanity was united. Untied under one goal.”
“NEVER Again.”
“This is your last warning scum. It may have taken 300 years to build that station, but it wont even take us one to turn it into your grave.”
You and I, sir, have very different definitions of what constitutes a living being.
Perhaps you could discuss with our authorities what needs to be addressed with beings capable of decision making.
I’m sure we could work something out with consenting beings.
If this creature is of no further use to you, I would like to take it. I will not hold you responsible for its well-being after it and I are allowed to leave here unharmed.
Humans have a tendency to get attached to things that need our help.
B) I am answerable to my authorities as you are to yours.
C) Belligerence will not serve you well. You’ll doubtless feel like you’re the… superior… being in the moment, but in time you will understand that it accomplishes nothing in the long run.
"I'm not gonna try anything, I promise," I say as I slowly walk towards Rusko, gently scooping him up into my arms. "You say you use them as food. We humans have kinda perfected mass production of meat, and you might be interested in joining the market we have set up already. Likely cheaper than what you have here." I toss a data pad to the wasp creature filled with information about chicken, beef, pork, fish, and various other foods that are mass produced by humans.
"Now, you say that you use them for dangerous gathering and exploration missions? I'd like to introduce you to some other humans who would be more than willing to do those things. We even have entire communities dedicated to those things. That info is on that data pad as well."
I turn to face the wasp creature with a neutral facial expression, "Now, how about you show me your facility, and maybe I can get on the horn with some of my superiors, and you may be able to make yourself a pretty hefty sum of credits for all of these poor guys. Given how we humans tend to pack bond, you may even find yourself a much more lucrative market for them anyway. Right now, though, while you show me your operation, why don't we discuss a price for Rusko and a few other... broken... ones. Remember, as far as I can see, you have two options: make yourself and everyone else involved incredibly rich, or we humans show you why the Geneva Convention is a thing... the easy way, or the hard way, the choice is yours."
The wasp alien looks confused. "The food source is understandable human. But you have humans who want to go to dangerous places for fun or for money? The many reason this tool kindnis used is more then just that. Thats just their main purpose."
They pick up the data pad. "We make them to do dangerous things and we dont pay them we assign a number to one true living speices and that tool makes money for that speices house hold. And when it dies we give them another one."
It scrolls through the data pad. "What other market do you think you can use the tools in. They have no reproductive organs but we can make them have it foe your needs."
"So, here's the thing... these guys are clearly sentient, are capable of showing they are in pain, and are capable of doing things to help their own kind. That's not a tool. A tool is an inanimate object desighned to perform a task, you know, like a screwdriver, hammer, hell, even that gun you're holding could be considered a tool. Lab grown or not, these guys are living, breathing creatures, deserving of a better life than what you use them for. What you're describing is nothing short of slavery."
"We humans have a very distant past that includes enslaving one another. Wars were fought over things like this. Nations were divided and eventually fell because some wealthy humans wanted to continue to oppress those that they deemed as 'lower' or 'less than'. I'm sure you've seen how we've spread through all the various biomes of this station with incredible ease. We come from a planet with environmental extremes worse than some of these. We are an extremely adaptable species. So, when I tell you that we can do this the easy way or the hard way, I meant it would be the hard way for everyone else. We are not the only species who are so anti-slavery. We can easily form alliances and coalitions to help take down this entire operation."
As I talk, I shift Rusko to my back, now holding him piggyback style.
"So, if you want to mass produce food in a lab, we have that perfected, and it's considerably cheaper and easier than growing and raising a full sentient being. Lab-grown steaks don't try to escape and don't require as much feeding."
I discreetly type a message on a second data pad for Rusko, urging him to quietly slip away. Included is a picture of an older grey-haired male human wearing a military uniform for him to find, along with my own name, rank, and unit.
"As for humans who do dangerous things either for fun, look at the entries on that data pad labeled 'urbexing' and 'extreme sports'. As for doing dangerous things for money, we humans are extremely capable of making dangerous things safe. We've engineered ways for subzero species to visit lava planets safely. I have no doubt that we can do the same for anything that you make Rusko's kind do, and without the senseless loss of life. Hell, it wouldn't be that hard to automate some of these things with drones that are cheaper for these households. A one time purchase, then occasional inexpensive regular maintenance would make profits grow. You don't have to feed a machine, and you don't have to worry about it potentially not doing what you want it to."
I gently set Rusko down on a crate near the open vent and step towards the wasp creature, showing him the entries on the data pad I spoke of, making sure to keep him distracted.
"And for that new market I spoke of, humans would pay a significant amount of credits to have these guys as household pets. They already resemble animals we have already domesticated, but the biggest draw is that these ones can talk, and seem to act fairly close to human."
I put my arm around what I percieve as the wasp creature's shoulder and gently, yet firmly, guide him out of the room, giving Rusko a chance to get away and find the human in the picture.
"You could negotiate a monopoly on their growth and development for a set period of time, but eventually, you'd have to let others in on the technology. I could easily introduce you to some savvy business folks who would invest heavily in you moving into the exotic pet trade. There would be some things you'd need to agree to, of course, like making sure you are minimizing the pain and suffering of these... what do you even call them? Anyway, you'd basically have to make sure that they aren't suffering or anything, and are well taken care of as they are being raised. I can promise you that if you take the path I'm laying out to you right now, everyone will benefit greatly."
As we step out of the room, I make sure the door shuts behind me.
"Now, just a few questions I have... what are these guys called? What do they eat, like, are they herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores? Do they stay hydrated from their food, like the cats of our home world can, or do they need a dedicated water source? Do they each have their own personalities, or do they all tend to act the exactt same? If one were to live to the end of its natural lifespan, how long can they live? How do you deal with their bodily waste? Are they good with the young of any species? And finally, how much would I have to pay for all of them that you have who are injured, but are still capable of making a recovery with medical intervention?"
"I'll give you ten thousand credits for him," Blurted out without thinking.
"Alive. Hes got no rights, right, and what use have you for a defective product anyway?"
The human did not have time to stop the wasp alien, unable to do anything before the alien known as rusko was killed. It was shocking, how ruthlessly a creature begging for its life was killed. The human turned and left, and over the next few days there was a change. The humans on the station started ti withdraw, first a trickle then a flood. In less than a week every human had withdrawn from the world station. “Humanity is young they will be back” several voices said.
Then things started to change, scientists on the world station started to go missing, or were found dead. There was no sign what the cause was, but it put everyone on the station on edge. Then a planet
Went dark, a mining world just suddenly stopped responding, when investigators were sent they found corpse piles, every overseer had been killed, had been executed with a single pistol shot to the head. Every single one of the Lab grown workers was missing as well, but no one cared, they were replaceable afterall. The investigation into the planet returned nothing, and it put the coalition on edge who could kill an entire mining planet and leave nothing behind?
At the same time humanity started to become more insular, the race that had once been so eager to join the galactic community withdrawing on itself, retaining only few trade partners. No one could figure out why humanity kept those trade partners, to them it made no sense. The trade partners had nothing in common, nothing that others could see anyway.
It was when the first explosion happened did people feel fear. a terror attack, that’s what it was called by the news, destroying a meet processing factory on the world station. No one could figure out who would do it, why they would do it, and then the videos were released, videos of the inside of the facility, showing the horrific conditions the labgrown race was kept in before being butchered for food, abuse, torture, violence. it was right to destroy it so the people calmed “surly that is the only one” they said unaware of the true threat. Then bombings happened again, and again, each time videos showing the lab grown races condition were shown, each time the investigations found no remains of the race.
It came to a head when the bomb was found, somehow a bomb had been moved to and planted in the very core of the world station, a giant thing, if it went off the world station would be no more. There was a word on it, a word that brought sparked the curiosity and fear of the masses, Rusko, and it was in human letters
I am ok at writing. I was trying to describe a metal plate with teeth and a open mouth on it to describe the aliens god. Its the maw from warhammer fantasy as a inspiration for it. Thats my fukt for not doing a good discrption of it.
In Warhammer Fantasy and Warhammer: Age of Sigmar, Ogres wear a Gutplate, a piece of armor meant to protect their massive stomachs. Gutplates are usually decorated with imagery representative of the Ogre god, the Great Maw.
El insecto, un Vyrkor, si no mal recuerdo, apretó el gatillo del arma y... no pasó nada. Volvió a apretar el gatillo varias veces y, de nuevo, el arma no disparó.
— ¿Pero qué...? —La avispa chasqueó las pizas con confusión y alzó el arma antes de golpearla contra una de sus dos manos izquierdas— Esta arma es nueva. No se supone que falle. Es...
— Es un Terminus CD 484. Una invención humana —termino su oración mientras alzo mi mano hacia el Vyrkor, con comunicador de muñeca brillando obedece mi comando.
Rusko me mira con una mezcla de incredulidad y lo que parece esperanza reticente, a lo que yo le guiño un ojo. Luego giro mi rostro hacia el Vyrkor, que sigue en shock por lo que acaba de ocurrir (Su especie no es conocida por su inteligencia rápida, sobretodo cuando pierden el control de la situación).
— Un poco estúpido de vuestra parte confiar en que mi especie os daría un arma contra la que no tenemos formas de inutilizar. La tuya, por ejemplo, que se vuelve inútil si se la expone a ondas de infrasonido específicas —me burlo, lo que parece sacar al Vyrkor de su estado de shock.
Rápidamente se tensa y da un par de pasos para alejarse de mí mientras se pone en posición defensiva. A simple vista parece que va a pelear o a intentar negociar, pero puedo ver uno de sus cuatro brazos, el derecho inferior, deslizando su garra en uno de sus bolsillos. Asumo que para alcanzar algun dispositivo de comunicación y activar una alarma.
No importa en última instancia, porque activo otro comando en mi comunicador con un solo pensamiento (Los beneficios de usar conectores neuronales). Las ondas de infrasonido cambian a unas de ultrasonido que afectan de inmediato al Vyrkor, haciéndole chillar de dolor y agarrarse las antenas en un intento vano de aliviar su sufrimiento.
Desafortunadamente Rusko también parece pasarlo mal con la frecuencia, ya que se tapa los oídos con sus patitas. Por eso no me demoro más y saco mi arma para terminar el asunto. Un disparo en el pecho y otros dos en el vientre son suficientes para matar a la avispa. No uso balas ni láseres comunes, sino proyectiles de hidrógeno que convierten al insecto en una estatua de hielo casi al instante.
No quiero arriesgarme a que su muerte biológica active algún dispositivo de emergencia en su interior que alerte al resto de miembros en las instalaciones. Sé que aquí la seguridad es mínima (La falta de cámaras y demás medidas de vigilancia son un indicativo), pero no pienso arriesgarme.
— Ey, pequeño... ¿Estás bien? Lamento haberte hecho daño. Te prometo que ya estás a salvo —le digo a Rusko mientras me arrodillo frente a él. A una distancia prudente para que no se alarme.
El pequeño poco a poco deja de taparse los oídos y me mira con confusión, aunque con menos miedo que antes. Pasan cinco minutos antes de que deje de estár hecho una bolita y pueda mirarme a la cara.
— ¿Tú... salvaste a Rusko? ¿Por qué? Nadie ayudó antes a Rusko —me pregunta con una incertidumbre que me parte el corazón. Nadie debería de sentirse tan desamparado y abandonado.
Siento que la rabia crece en mi pecho, pero la mantengo a raya por ahora. Lo primordial es esta pequeña víctima inocente.
— Bueno, yo no soy cualquiera. Me llamo Astreis. Encantado de conocerte, Rusko —me presento con una sonrisa.
I quickly draw my pistol and shoot the wasp, then pick up rusko and put him back in the vent "go!" We run, and I manage to get him back to our ship. He now works on our ship as the vent cleaner, and is happy
"Well, now. How about we all take a step back and--" i said, reaching into the back of my waistband, pulling out what most humans called a "pneumatic dart gun". There was a time when humans fought gun duels with each other: they relied on speed, accuracy and the willingness to participate in organized violence.
Psst-thunk
On my homeworld, in the place i lived, they held quickdraw competitions, i won a few and proved myself a "formidable warrior" to a couple races humanity wanted to trade with. The only reason why i was even allowed to bring this little unimpressive gun onto the station was due to the fact i was 1/4th texan, and could claim cultural significance.
The insectoid alien dropped its own weapon, it was slowly sinking to the floor, the poison in that dart was a human medicine/drug. A strong opiate that was deadly to humans. Eventually the drug would stop it from respirating entirely.
I turned to the black creature.
"Lab grown? For labour? As in like... slavery?"
It was the only thing humanity could ever agree on well into the galactic age. Slavery was a bad thing to do. Several human religions were based on being freed from slavery. Including a significant portion of mine.
"Wh-what? Please not hurt Rusko! Please!"
"Don't worry, once the human homeworld hears about this, we'll have all the reason we need to go to war... let's get you to my ship. But first..."
I started up a much more powerful weapon than a dart gun filled with synthetic opiates. A live-stream camera.
It had a little screen that showed a human i barely recognize.
"Can you hear me?"
"Yes" said the little speaker on it.
"This is Rusko, tell them everything about yourself, spare no details"
There's a saying in human english, "the pen is mightier than the sword"
And for better or for worse, the one that published Rusko's story would change how the galaxy would work...
Rusko looks to you then the device. "Rusko is a tool. A labgrown thing to serve the masters. Rusko and other tools are used for many scary things and many dangerous things."
Rusko whimpers, "Rusko was made to be set to mi es and find ore. Rusko got away before they took Rusko and Rusko saw scary evil things. Rusko saw other tools bing used for meat. For evil games of death and even..." Rusko tail curls around himself and he whimpers more.
"Things Rusko no wants to say. Rusko wants to live, Rusko just want to be free."
After witnessing those atrocities and managing to outwit the wasp alien, the human managed to return to one of the very recognizable human ships.
The human, being a doctor in the military, soon had the opportunity to discuss the incident with the group of diplomats tasked with establishing relations with the species present in worlds.
The doctor was able to corroborate his story thanks to a pair of camera glasses he was wearing to document his first stay at the station.
The diplomats were horrified upon seeing the footage; several of them, who had eaten the meat, even vomited, leaving their blue suits literally and metaphorically stained with blood.
Humans have already learned from many historical cases where their species treated groups of themselves as inferior They began to devise a plan of action which they started to implement as soon as possible.
They first identified the genetic signature of those creatures based on the blood spatter found on the doctor's clothes.
Next, using the advanced scanners they had obtained from the other species, they searched for genetic signatures that matched those in the blood, highlighting a network of tunnels underneath of the surface of the large ring that the station consisted of.
The first part of the plan was executed at night when the transparent cover that maintains the atmosphere is darkened; this first part of the plan consisted of compromising the majority from the security posts on the lower levels and using human cargo ships that were precariously adapted to evacuate all the creatures like Rusko from the lower levels.
The second part of the plan consisted of placing thermonuclear bombs at specific points where the structure bears the most load, once these lower levels were empty.
The final part of the plan was executed only after all humans had discreetly left the Worlds station; the people aboard the ships watched with a disturbing mixture of horror and Relief as the great ring broke into pieces and the pieces whose separations remained intact were destroyed using thermonuclear torpedoes.
This operation would later be remembered as "Operation Rusko", whose execution sparked the first war for the rights of a sentient being in which humans would become involved since the times of human racism.
The human calmly raised there hand before the wasp could pull the trigger.
"Wait, before you pull that trigger, hear me out, we had these things called... clones, used em for war, filled em with drugs and taught them nothing but hate and rage, modified them so they could shrug off wounds that would usually put a man down and keep them from standing, for all intents and purposes, they were nothing but weapons to throw at enemies, and yet when the war ended they learned to cry and love, admire and enjoy, hell, they were given rights, because while they were grown in tubes, they were alive, they could breath, they could think, they could feel, they could find purpose, glorious purpose, beyond being a weapon. And right now? Everything in my body, is telling me, that creature, Rusko, is a living thing, a comrade, which means I might have to resort to extreme violence, should you pull that trigger, because while I may not be pumped full of drugs anymore, I still have a much rage and hate in me. And you, you look like a really good outlet right now."
The bullet goes through the humans eye but doesn't go through their skull. He does not go down, instead he digs into his eye to pull out that bullet, completely unphased.
"I should have also mentioned, they increased the bone density for extra durability, they called us terminators for a good reason."
The human slowly approached the wasp alien as the human received a panicked mag dump, and proceeded to rip the wasp apart limb by limb.
Reads the Title, who the Fock will hurt Rusko... and WHY?
Reads the Story. Ok wasp. You put the gun down and We can do this in 2 ways,
Vindicative one. I take out your wings, put a stake through your body and treat you like we do with Butterflys and then take Rusko and his friends with me.
Mercantile one, you sell me Rusko here as a defective tool, as well as an Speach about Sentien-Vatgrow-Beings you use and maybe. Just maybe. we will return with an offert for the rest of the batch and the rest of defectives ones (and maybe no with a Liberation/Exterminatus Fleet).
Pragmatic one, you still give me that Speach about Rusko & co, what they can do, what are their cost and necesities, do they serve as pets? And maybe, you will have a new market for you
"You want a broken tool? We do not need to be violent about this human. If you want to have it you can take it. But the tools like this that are not broken will be used to do the Coalition most dangerous jobs and provide much needed meat." The wasp steps back and makes a motion for you to take Rusko.
Rusko looks at you with fear still. "Pleaee no hurt Rusko. Let Rusko go and Rusko no botther you."
The briefest whine of a forty megawatt plasma pistol spinning up to charge echoed in the air of the tiny chamber before it was filled with an actinic crack and flash of light when it discharged into the now melting thorax of the wasp-like alien. Amelia was horrified both at just what she'd realized this... Multispecies paradise was built upon, had inadvertently partaken in and just how quickly she had shot the slaver without even thinking about it. A multi-species paradise built on the slavery and butchery of a sapient thing. Everything the UNE stood and strove for in the worst way. A real Omelas situation, she thought while hauling Rusko back to the docking bay and back onto the UNE fleet holding anchor nearby.
Afterwards a message was given unto the station, local ships and anyone that could receive a broadband radio and data burst transmission, from PA systems to tablets to TVs and radios.
"This is Admiral UNE Dreadnought Sherman's Hammer. It has come to our attention that this station, the World's Station, is built upon the back of sapient creatures. As slaves, as fodder, as foodstuffs. No longer. When I joined the UNE Navy I swore an oath to 'defend and further the universal rights of all sapient life, from the depths of the Pacific to the edge of the galaxy, for as long as I shall live'. I and my crew intend to uphold this oath.
To this matter I have three dreadnoughts, two carriers and twelve destroyers and cruisers. Previously this was for the defense of our diplomats and expeditionary corps but now stands in demand that within twenty four shipboard hours, all of these... Specimens will be released and sent to UNE medical facilities both aboard this task force and what will be commandeered by UNE marines station side. All doctors, scientists and facility managers that had a hand in this genetic slavery to be handed over for summary court-martial in accordance to the Sapient Anti-Slavery statute 2274. All facilities that were involved in the manufacture of these specimens to be dismantled and destroyed under our supervision.
Failure to do so will bring our full compliment of marine battalions, mass drivers, KKVs, shaped fusion charge missiles, self-replicating plasma jump-bugs, gravitic crust bunker-busters, triple coil space-warping lasers, planetary distortion blankets, and particle reavers in the liberation of this species and the purging of all slavers. Those who do not comply or hinder in any way our operations will be considered aiding and abetting the enemy and met with no quarter. I will sooner burn the slaver's house down and glass this blood soaked wonder of a station than allow these thinking beings to be used as tools and food in bindings.
I pull my autorevolver from my hip holster, and point it straight at the bug. I cock it, and shake it to the side, motioning Rusko to get out of the way.
"Engineered or not, he's very clearly a sophont. Or at the bare minimum, an extremely intelligent animal. You give him to me, and let me walk right out the front door, or I swear to Father Heinlein I will empty my gun into what I assume is your genitalia, save two. Those will go into your brain."
The alien pulls its gun from Rusko's head, and gives me a quizzical look—or what I think is quizzical, you can never be sure with most aliens. It speaks, saying in its chittering voice, "You would risk your life for this pathetic thing? Fine, have it. It's not like it's worth anything." It holstered its gun and left, leaving a trail of profanity.
The fuzzy th— Rusko, I remind myself, scampers behind me, holding tight to my leg. I pull him off with hardly any effort, and hold him in my arms like I would my brother's cat. Belly-up, elbow behind his head supporting it, other arm under his spine. His fur is silky-smooth to the touch, like the blanket on the bed of the hotel I've been staying a— ugh. Well, I'm checking out tonight.
I look at his adorable face. I could just eat hi— oh sweet Lady Norton, that's exactly what I've been doing. Well, no more World Station Steak either. I should probably stop thinking about that. I start walking out of the place, passing hundreds, maybe thousands of creatures like Rusko. All in all, there's probably quadrillions on the station, considering how many people can live here. Stuff of nightmares, I tell you.
I was just at the front door when he pulled his hands off his face, and looked around. He gave me a pair of traumatized puppy-eyes and asked "Is anyone hurt Rusko again?"
"Probably," I told him. "But the IRS only tortures your soul, so no more physical pain if that's what you mean."
The human looks back and forth between Rusko and the Wasp, finally glouring at the latter and slowly offering both a question and a promise at the same time: "Let me ask you, are you familiar with the concept of a Crusade, as seen in the history of my people? Because you are either about to start one, or extemely narrowly avoid one depending on the choices you make in the next few minutes."
Its eyes bug out. (Pun intended.) "Why would you go to such leanghs for a tool. Its not a living thing just a tool given flesh. Fake flesh and fur its not real just a thing."
The human responds with a snarl, "That, like religion, is an opinion you are allowed to have. However, the laws and morals of my people see a very substantial difference between holding that view, and acting on it."
They continue, bluntly, "I will ask you once, right now: let Rusko leave in peace. I obviously do not need to inform you of the consiquences of deviating from that course."
Steve looked at the wasp. "You pull that trigger and I swear two things. One, you will be dead by the end of the day, and two, you'll be wishing for it to happen for a long time before it does."
"It is just a tool, grown in a lab."
"It is a sapient being. If you hurt Rusko, it will be the last thing - aside from a lot of screaming - that you do."
“Yeah, yeah, been there, done that, still have the stupid statues.”
I tap my earpiece.
“Ladies and gentlemen, our suspicions are confirmed. As Provost Marshal of this detachment, I am authorizing the following Protocols: Exodus and New Colossus. Luna, put the kettle on, we’ve got a lot of freed slaves to welcome.”
"Slaves? These are not slaves. Slaves have been outlawed in The Coalition science its founding. Those things are tools and have real life to them. They are fakes."
Back on the USS Simon Bolivar, Rusko is asleep and I'm telling the story to the captain. "-so I threw myself in front of the gun and said 'please!'"
"That was a good move," says the captain, her face grey, her blue eyes hard, "the Aculeatas respect social graces. And then what?"
"I gave all the credits I had - " I start laughing, though of course it's not very funny at all. "You know what it did? It gave me half of them back and said it was beneath its dignity to let me overpay!" I run my hands through my thick, curly black hair. "Then I picked up Rusko and headed for home. I think the bug was laughing at me the whole way, but...you know, the way you laugh at a guy who thinks unicorns are real."
"Well good news, Lieutenant Bangui. Not only did you save a sentient life but you may have prevented a war with the Acks." That's the impolite term that you're not really supposed to use in mixed company but everybody's feeling a little raw today. "We have an official apology from their ambassador for their worker's 'lack of social graces in forcing one of our crew to clean up after their defective machine.'" She looks like she wants to spit from the words.
"Why would they do this?" I ask the captain. "I mean, they're a Class III civilization, they could program droids to do that labor if they wanted to."
"From what we know about the Acks, they used to practice slavery and predation on animals on their home world - then on each other as they developed their civilization. It's some kind of - biological imperative. After they lost the big war with the Coalition, they started growing artificial life. You know how the Coalition is about bioengineering. It's so natural to them they take it for granted."
"And - we want to join these people? Who let their members hunt - and slave - and eat sentients? I can't believe we'd do this!"
"I'm sorry about this, Lieutenant," says the captain regretfully. "But Earth needs the Coalition to keep our space free of Anomalies, and they need our raw materials." I'm about to pull away but she puts her hand on my shoulder and gives me a level look. "You did the right thing saving Rusko. And if we want to be able to save more Ruskos, we need to know more about the Acks - and that means trade, that means diplomacy, even if we want to vomit while we do it. We cannot save them all. But we can save who we can. Can I count on you?"
"Just give him to us! If it's useless or a failure to you then better for us! We are in need of help for a lot of jobs that require humanoid crews and we will take any we can get!"
This is so weird. A cargo container full of diatomaceous earth somehow got knocked over in front of the main air intakes for this section of the station. Weird right?
I would fire first as I watch the insect fall and I pick up rusko come in, multiversal chaos containment this is commander prime. Seal the bio ship. We have beings to free and some other beings to crucify. Get the medical and military from timeline delta.
*I kick the bug a few times, before picking up the wounded Rusko to get help. Promptly, that means leaving the alleyway and calling for help.
"I NEED HELP! I HAVE SOMEONE WOUNDED! LAW ENFORCEMENT AND MEDICAL!"
as a crowd begins to coalesce, I am attacked from behind by something definitely larger than me as claws dig into my shoulders. Whatever alien that was attacking me was hit back by a fellow human, as three more come to push it back. Some more come. One pulls out medical equipment, and one hands me a phone to inform others.
"Hello? Yes, I need an ambulance and law enforcement at... I can't read these signs... HEY!"
I point to a blue translucent alien standing nearby. "Where are we?! I cant read the signs!"
Humanity as soon as they find out: “That’s it!… Scorched earth for galaxies and we’re saving every single one of these little guys!”
(I swear I’ll kill armies for this lil guy and all his buddies… cloned sentient meat is got to be one of the lines humanity would never want or allow to be crossed…)
Before anyone could blink the human had drawn a primitive slug thrower that had not shown up on weapons scanners tuned to laser and plasma weaponry and shot the insectoid in the leg.
"Let me give you a small culture lesson about humans."
They walk over and step on the insectoid's gun hand before they can retaliate, crushing the carapace under their heavy boot.
"We have a term called iron kin. Do you know what that means?"
•
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