Chapter 2: Rules

Chapter 2: Rules

"Yes?" Guard prompted again, impatience coloring his mental voice enough to have Security straightening their stances throughout the entire center.

"Yes, we have a list of requirements laid out from the native species of this world. Our report comes directly from the exploration team who have been made welcome on the surface. They have sent up the biologic officer to help with the most important demand of us."

Guard waited for the officer to detail the demand only to find the other flushed with no words coming from him mentally or physically. All of the room seemed to be holding its breath. What demand could these humans have made which was so stressful? What could the Zen refuse them if they were being offered safe haven on this world after the loss of their own?" 

"They want to control us."

Feet scuffed the deck as officers shifted from foot to foot and the tangy scent of anxiety began to taint the air.

Guard looked at Reader out of habit, eyes falling to the other's mouth to see him biting at his lips in an effort to say less. 

Reader had many tells for Guard. All those in Security did everything possible to avoid looking at the keeper of Records. His bloodline was known to record everything they ever witnessed to be passed down to the next of their bloodline for all time. 

None of these wanted to be the source of a permanent record for whatever accords had been granted to the humans.

"Speak. Now."

Guard kept a sharp eye on the reaction to hearing his voice in the Security center. It was a female officer who stepped forward to offer her voice next. Her eyes were trained on the door Reader and Guard had entered through. No one wanted to make eye contact with Records.

"We have been given a full accounting of human biology. Negotiations have concluded our people will be welcomed in one of the largest free nations of the world. Called The United States of America, this is a land made up of many free cities who unite under a common capital with a common leader. They have three provisions they request be fulfilled for us to be granted the status of 'New American.' Would you like me to continue?"

"No, by all means, stop speaking now. The three provisions necessary to the acceptance of our people are unimportant."

Guard managed to broadcast the thought only to Reader and was grateful for his own prowess with his mental voice. 

Reader cleared his throat before encouraging, "These three provisions are---?"

"Rule 1: Zen will take human form and live as humans while on Earth. Zen have been given full access to human biology as it is known to humanity. Zen will be treated as humans while in human form, afforded all rights of other humans, expected to follow the same governing laws as humans, and be protected as citizens of The United States of America as if they are humans by birthright."

"They don't want us using another form to suppress them,"  Reader surmised to Guard quietly, "We will not be allowed to use our own nature under this accordance."

Zen were not a static species. Their greatest gift came in their ability to adapt to any terrain or situation courtesy of their body's unique attributes. Even the youngest of Zen was encouraged to try as many forms as they pleased---what would their young be like if they were told to hold themselves hostage in only one shape for the entirety of their lives?

Guard nodded, "Continue, please."

"Rule 2: Zen will take a human name and register with their human government. Identification issued to Zen will grant them all the same rights and privileges of any other human dwelling in The United States of America."

Names were not to important to Zen. They tended to address one another by designation of traits. Guard saw no reason to balk at a request so simple and gestured for her to issue the last requirement of their people.

"Rule 3: Zen will find paid employment or volunteer for unpaid work to help their country. In accordance, Zen will be paid the same as any human employee or given the appropriate respect due any human volunteer. Until Zen are able to be fully self-sustaining, The United States of America will provide supplemental aid to Zen citizens as a show of good faith for honoring the laws of their new country."

Guard waved at the officer to retake her position among Security. She had given him all she knew of the situation. 

"Would we be granted the right to use our gifts within the privacy of Zen establishments or dwellings?"

No one answered Reader and the stink of anxiety rose to an unmistakable level. 

"We have not been told. Who has been taught the human biology?"

A male Zen stepped forward, stating, "I have been given human biology schema."

Reader extended a hand, palm up, long fingers spread to welcome the touch of the Security officer.

Guard glared at the male, but made no attempt to prevent him from touching Reader. 

Their kind transferred biological knowledge through touch. He did not want this strange Zen touching Reader, but it was necessary for one of them to receive the knowledge of this new species. Reader was better at interpreting information than Guard. He would have to tolerate the exchange though it would be Reader who would grant him the knowledge in the privacy of their berth.

None of Security were to be touching Guard. 

"Thank you. I understand the information we are to be briefed on is available via any screen on the knowledge nexus?"

Nods of assent met his question and Guard felt better knowing they had the information they would need in a way outside of the large gathering in the center.  

"I will go learn. Please attend your duties as you must."

Reader sent a whisper of thought to Guard, "I will be waiting in our berth. Take as long as you need with them here. They are frightened. They need your calm. They need your reassurances. They need you."

"You don't need me?"

"I always need you. I live for you, remember?" 

Guard bowed in respect to Reader as the last of Records left Security to return to the privacy of their berth where he would learn all there was to be learned from a screen regarding these 'humans'. If he had any luck at all, Reader would have already found a way to make knowledge simple enough for Guard to understand in one discussion. 

Zen had met many species throughout their many sun-circles voyaging into the reaches of the universe. Biology tended to be simpler than many would presume when it was transferred through their natural talent. Guard could not think of any species they had been unable to replicate. Humanity would be no different.

Guard only hoped he and his kind would be able to tolerate the form. His thoughts strayed to Reader processing the new form alone in their berth. Would his heart brother already be in a human form when Guard reached him? What would he look like in this form? Would he still be lean with innate elegance? Would he still be Reader? 

Neither of them had ever taken a form inaccessible to the other. Guard felt uncomfortable thinking of Reader in a body he would have to learn from nothing. 

Their known bodies often reacted unnaturally to one another. Would Guard be able to control this human form around Reader? 

He hoped the answer would be yes because the idea of offending Reader, losing him from his life, was more intolerable than thinking of their world being only so much interstellar dust behind them.