Chapter 1: Arrival

Chapter 1: Arrival

A warm weight pushed Guard further into the berth; the smell of heat and clean male skin told him the identity of the other man before he even opened his eyes. Reader had a scent Guard would recognize anywhere. It was always Reader who captured his attention.

"Are you well? Your restraints seem to have failed."

Reader pushed his face into the curve of Guard's neck, his lips tickled as they moved with his words, "I loosed the restraints as soon as I felt the awakening mist. I've been waiting on you to recognize we've arrived. I thought you might be---harmed."

Injury during transit was rare, but it did happen. Guard could tell Reader was voicing his concern out of genuine feelings rather than interest in appearing more sincere than his capacity. 

"I never wake easy from stasis. I am well. We have made landing? It feels as if the gravity generators are still online."

Guard did not ask why Reader was vocalizing rather than using his mental voice as Zen preferred. They had known one another from the creche, nursed at the same breast, slept in the same cot. Reader did not have a strong mental voice; he had always preferred vocalization when they were in private.

Unfastening his own restraints, Guard steadied Reader with a hand on his lower back, pressing his friend's lean body closer to the solid wall of his own. He hoped they were still in orbit. Reader would need to remain with him in his berth if they had not landed. Guard knew he would be able to enjoy his friend's scent and sound for hours more in orbit whereas Reader would most likely choose to go his own way once Guardian was docked.

"Have you heard anything regarding our landing zone? Should I shift?"

There was room in the berth for a shift of form as the space only held the two of them when it was designed to keep three in stasis. 

Guard had chosen a Xuhelion form as his last preference because the heavy body was muscular enough to allow him to do his job as capital guard effectively against most other forms. He had no idea why Reader had chosen to bear the shape of an Ormali. The best guess he could make was for the elegant hands and the speed of the lithe body while in motion.

"I don't know. I can't hear anyone except you."

"Stasis can cause problems for some. You hear fine. It is a side effect from the journey. Nothing more."

Reader caught Guard's eyes as he smiled sadly, "Of course. It's temporary. I'm sure my mental voice will improve as I adjust."

"Yes. It will. Let me concentrate for a moment."

Reader sagged back into Guard's embrace as Guard reached out with his mind to touch their Zen brethren. He learned they had traveled many years with all their kind in stasis. Only the exploration team had been awakened during each ten sun-circle cycle. Everyone seemed to disagree on how many cycles the explorers had experienced, but all minds were certain they were orbiting a suitable new home.

"These are a new species on this world. They're called 'humans.' We have been in orbit for almost a full sun-circle. Year. Their people are offering us the ability to land. We need to go to the security chambers. I need to know what provisions everyone is arguing over."

Reader nodded against his chest before straightening. His posture was perfect and Guard admired his poise for a moment before palming open the berth door. Guard followed Reader with little of the grace his friend showed. His boots made solid thunks against the deck flooring as they made their way to the lifts to go up to Security.

"I should stay in the berth. You know this?"

"You should stay with me. I know that."

"Security may argue with you when we arrive."

Reader had a mild voice in every form. Humor colored his words whereas every thought Guard projected was clouded by a stubborn refusal to accept any answer other than his own. 

"Security will not argue with me for you. I am Guard of the Capital Guard and you are Reader of Records. Your place is with me."

Guard was surprised to see Reader's shoulders lower slightly -almost as if he were relaxing more- at the statement. 

How could he think anyone would argue Reader belonged in any place other than with Guard? They were brothers of their heart. All their lives had been spent orbiting each other in their own miniature universe. Guard would never tolerate anyone to take Reader from him.

"My place is with you," Reader agreed quietly before darting a glance at Guard, "We remain together on this world? Pact?"

Guard stilled at the request. 

Pacts were sacred vows among the Zen. No one broke a pact without the reason falling to death or disaster. Guard and Reader had made a pact to always choose each other when a choice was to be made for companionship. Reader had thought their pact did not apply when it came time to load Guardian.

Guard knew he would not be in the lift moving to consult with Security were Reader not at his side.

There was no universe Guard wished to live in where Reader did not also live.

"Pact. Reader remains with Guard. Guard remains with Reader. Always."

Reader reached over to trail the back of his hand over Guard's face before letting his arm fall back to his side. Guard breathed deep to trap his friend's scent in his nose as long as possible. If their two forms had been more compatible, Guard knew he would have exhibited physical signs of more than friendship.

Thankfully, Ormali and Xuhelion were not physically compatible which allowed Guard to keep those traitorous thoughts to himself a little longer.

The lift opened onto the deck where Security could be heard bustling about. Guard bowed slightly and gestured Reader to proceed him onto the deck.

"You are Reader of Records. I am Guard. I am your Guard. Take the room as if they are blessed by your presence. They won't question you if they feel you belong. Remind yourself you belong."

"I am Reader and you are Guard. We are together because we are meant to be together. Together we are complete. Apart we are not. Yes. I understand."

Guard hoped Reader held the certainty close to his chest as they entered the Security center. 

They would have to brazen their way through this encounter or else their pact to remain together might be revoked before it had even been used on the world below them.

"Guard has brought me, Reader, to be instructed on the details of our descent. You may begin immediately. I will keep record."

Glances were exchanged in the center as Security tried to make their understanding of Zen policies work alongside the appearance of Records. 

So much separated Reader from the heavy forms of Security. Guard knew they were criticizing his vocalization, his slim build, his elegant hands, his lack of fighting prowess, and especially his bloodline connection to Records which was the peaceful cornerstone of Zen culture. 

They would not accept Reader were he to slip in any way. 

Supporting Reader fully, Guard sent out a sharp mental prod, "We do have a full ground report? Yes? What provisions are the native species demanding? Records cannot keep anything accurately if we cannot accurately report what we have learned. I'm not in the habit of wasting my efforts. Are you?"