Upon returning to the Grey Wings' habitat and stepping into the Great Information Nest, Gera was immediately struck by a force that sent him stumbling back two steps as a small form lunged into his arms.
He possessed remarkable strength—at least compared to other male Zerg of the same age.
The silver-grey cub’s tail wagged frantically, his previous timidity completely vanished. He clung to Gera, who had been away for quite some time, scrambling up his body with all four limbs, even using his tail to help maintain balance.
"Roxanne."
Before his departure, the Sub-King had entrusted the rescued cub to the care of the males working in the Great Information Nest. The ports of the River of Time were unsuitable for a larva of such a young age, so he hadn't been able to take the cub to Kamlan.
"Arthur gave him a name: Libel."
The word originated from an ancient linguistic system of the Old Earth, evolved from *Liberta*, meaning liberation from shackles.
"He hopes this larva will no longer fear the storms of fate—that he will be strong and free."
That was the rarest and most precious treasure in the world, far weightier than the affection gained through confinement and domestication. Freedom was an intangible thing, light as the wind, yet everyone who pursued it would spend their entire lives feeling the weight that accompanied it.
Thus, the little cub who had received the name Libel was passed from one pair of hands to another.
The males taught him the Common Tongue and how to use the Great Information Nest. En, meanwhile, would nudge the little guy until he squeaked, declaring without hesitation, "I’ll teach you how to fire a gun," "I’ll teach you how to man a cannon," and "I’ll teach you how to shoot down aircraft."
Gera and Sakti: "..."
Aside from some lessons that were clearly premature, it was, in a sense, a good thing. Originally, the Sub-King of the Grey Wings and Arthur had cared for this little male as a single cub; now, his upbringing team had suddenly expanded, and he had gained a whole crowd of foster parents.
"Why aren't you hissing at me this time?"
The Zerg-bothering Core Species squatted down, teasing the little fellow who was currently plastered onto Gera, and let out a chuckle at the sight of that small scaled tail acting as a comical support.
"You can't just play with other males' tails," the white Zerg warned him. He had seen the scenes where the unscrupulous Sakti had plucked at the Armed Species leaders until they were fuming, and he remembered how the man had initially treated his own tail like a stress toy.
At the time, he had thought it was some form of overture or solicitation for mating, only to realize later that this human in a Zerg’s skin simply lacked any such common sense. In Sakti's eyes, a tail was no different from a kitten’s paw pad.
"That’s harassment."
"Alright, I won't do it again."
Making the promise quickly and earnestly, the Core Species dropped to one knee to look Libel in the eye. "How have you been lately? Do you like it here?"
After observing for a moment, the silver-grey larva reached out his forelimbs and patted Sakti on the head.
"I like it," he answered solemnly, enunciating each word.
Gera smiled as he watched the interaction between the big one and the small one.
To his surprise, as soon as he turned his head, his restless partner leaned his entire weight against him, not forgetting to whisper an inquiry.
"Reporting in. In that case, may I touch Officer Roxanne’s tail?"
"You... ah...!"
Stunned by this sudden, rogue-like remark, the albino Zerg’s scales flushed red, the heat spreading from the tip of his slender tail all the way to the base of his wings.
"Don't say such things outside!"
Consequently, deprived of his cuddles, Sakti spent the time until after dinner acting like a lonely "empty-nest" Zerg.
As soon as they returned, a flood of pending matters rushed in, instantly bloating their information connectors. Even Clark was nowhere to be seen, having hurriedly picked up the cub before vanishing into his work.
Gera remained in the Great Information Nest, checking the operational status of the small information nests on the newly incorporated planets while simultaneously opening communications with Selin and Xiao.
Previously, they had asked the two to try and locate the remnants of the Short-wing Species, hoping to pull that nearly disintegrated tribe together and inform them that they could settle on the Energy Star.
However, the process was not going smoothly. Rescuing defeated members who were scattered and hiding in the vastness of the universe was an immense challenge. Fortunately, a large number of dispersed Zerg had already received the message and were beginning to seek asylum with Selin one after another.
After processing all the messages sent by the two Sub-Kings, the Core Species left a note for his allied brother: "They've been left to simmer long enough. Prepare for the meeting."
Now was the perfect opportunity.
The Grey Wings had reached an agreement with the Chela Species and the Flash-pattern Species regarding their affiliation. The Chela Species had been hooked by the trade zone like a fish on a line, while the Flash-pattern Species had their own little schemes; once they realized which tribe Gera belonged to, they had become incredibly solicitous.
The white male wanted to pull out that chair at the table; Clark wanted the Grey Wings to prosper forever; and Sakti wanted to ensure a lasting peace for humanity on top of both.
Three goals that should have been mutually contradictory had reached a point of unification.
A large number of Armed Species were being recalled. Before the large-scale collective meeting could be held, the combat readiness of the core habitat star system needed to be elevated to the next level.
He would sweep away all obstacles to achieve the ending he desired.
Thus, when the male Zerg returned to their nest, Gera saw the black female Zerg waiting by the table, making revisions to a light screen.
The bills that had once been rejected by Clark were being adjusted one by one by Sakti, though he kept the very first clause untouched.
"Don't you think it's unrealistic?" Gera asked. His wings twitched slightly as he sat quietly beside him.
"Officer Roxanne, what is your definition of 'practical significance'?"
Sensing that the white Zerg was no longer angry from embarrassment, the Core Species twined his tail around the other's and smiled back with a question.
"Is it that the proposal itself has a further possibility of being realized?"
Ignoring the improper form of address, the male Zerg answered after some deliberation.
"And what is the foundation of realization?"
It felt like a return to the tutoring sessions from when they first met. Memories of the "mini-exams every seven days" suddenly attacked, causing Gera to instinctively sit up straight and listen carefully to the question.
"That the Zerg making the proposal... must be powerful themselves?"
"This isn't like dismantling a weapon; there's no standard procedure or standard answer. But your answer is very good."
Smiling as he pulled the other into his arms, Sakti slowly turned the light screen to an angle where they could both see clearly. "You have already become very powerful, Roxanne."
"When we describe strength, it isn't limited to a robust physique or outstanding combat power. Sometimes, it can refer to a certain indispensable importance."
"Since the passing of the King Zerg, no other Zerg has been able to fully unlock the permissions of the Great Information Nest, nor has any Zerg been able to use it to blockade an entire fleet."
"You hold the deep-space communication channels of all core genetic tribes and the original information database accumulated since the Age of the Swarm."
Slowly counting those achievements, Sakti traced symbols one by one onto the other's palm. "You have begun to involve yourself in the management and subsequent operation of the trade zone. If our trade with humans can be maintained long-term, this identity will bring you untold influence."
"You knew that a single male is weak and can be replaced at any time—that even the most excellent one cannot escape the fate of persecution. Therefore, you pulled your companions forward with you. You wove a net; even when you couldn't see the future clearly, you were already paving a path for it."
"So, in my eyes, it is realistic."
His golden-brown eyes looked over tenderly as he placed the floating light screen into Gera's hands. "From the moment I tried to take the Energy Star and we became partners; from the moment you reached out your hand to Xiao and every other male."
"Or from the moment Clark suppressed his own nature, and the human response pulled back the curtain on cooperation—it was destined to become reality."
"It *must* become reality."
"I saw the replies you made to the other two Sub-Kings." After a moment of silence, Gera spoke again. "Do you want to open a collective meeting for all the remaining core genetic tribes?"
"If you are to join and speak to those Sub-Kings, will you be afraid?"
Instead of answering directly, the Core Species gently stroked his partner's wings.
Coercive methods weren't applicable in every situation, but if the other was ready, Sakti would stand by Gera's side when the white Zerg pulled out that chair.
"A little bit afraid."
Admitting his feelings honestly, the male Zerg made no pretense before Sakti. He could speak of his fear, his weakness, and all his immature thoughts.
"But I won't hide."
"I want to try."
"This isn't just about me. I couldn't have made it this far on my own."
"Kata taught me basic survival skills; Selin and Xiao gave me support; and when they heard I was in trouble, all the males spontaneously rushed to the Great Information Nest to help me."
"I am with them."
Smiling, Gera pressed Sakti's hand against his own chest, letting him feel the heartbeat within.
"So I won't easily give up on any possibility. I want to try once, twice, even many times—it doesn't matter. Failure and pain are always better than giving up and numbness. Giving up means compromise; it means easily surrendering the right to survive that was so hard-won, and it means walking in the opposite direction of the future."
"I won't do that."
"Then you are ready." Holding his partner in his arms, the Core Species asked no more questions. He thought for a moment, then transferred a file to the other. "I asked the Sub-King of the Flash-pattern Species for some information regarding your kin. You can look at it when you're willing, or delete it if you don't want to see it."
The strong and solid support allowed the male Zerg, who had stiffened for a moment, to gradually relax. Gera remained silent as he carefully saved the file into his information connector.
"When we first met, you were a flickering little flame, as if you might go out at any moment. But now, you no longer fear any storm."
The black female Zerg gently patted the little male clinging to him; a pure white star had fallen into the crook of his arm.
"I have watched your growth all along the way."
"Gentle and powerful, like the morning star when the night is about to break."
"After you, is a long dawn."
"So it's okay to be afraid. I will walk with you to see the future you desire."
With fingers that felt slightly rough, Sakti slowly combed through the soft Zerg wings, his low voice carrying a hint of a smile.
"Just as you said to me, Roxanne."
"Never lose to fate."
***
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