I always loved the idea of trying to make or find a redemption story for a Rynar, so here is my crack at it!
Original world and story belongs to Hetzer!~ Hetzer
Artwork done by fossa666 !~
As always criticism and the like is appreciated :3
For clarity, this story jumps between the telling of it to Director Olnith, and the reliving of the story from Shazike Raylu's perspective
"Welcome, please sit down. Full transparency here; this will be recorded for later viewing. I do hope that isn't an issue, Ms. Shazike." The black Viliti spoke as he leaned back from behind his metal desk. He was smiling politely at the grey lizard in front of him while awaiting her response. Across the table sat a notably bulky lizard, a Rynar. Her grey scales are still glinting slightly from the morning dew outside. A long breath is drawn by the Rynar as her eyes stare off past the man. Shazike was not comfortable being recorded, but she had little choice but to agree. Giving the rabbit a nod, he then reaffirms his smile. "Then let us begin, shall we?"
"Your name is... Shazike Raylu, of the Rynar Collective, yes?" Glancing up from his blue holographic screen to see her nod again. "Served 3rd squad, 4th advanced recon battalion of the Rynar 1st expeditionary fleet as a Battle Master, otherwise known as field commander?" For once, the Rynar would speak up with a soft hiss. "Director Olnith Voldar knows much?" She was visibly tense from the phrasing, despite knowing the scary accuracy. The man's lips pursed to a smile at this but nodded with a retort. "We need to confirm all of this for the audio recording Ms. Shazike." She hissed but reluctantly nodded while shifting in her seat.
"Part of the initial assault on Earth... You spent quite a bit of time in what's now called The Zone?" Once more, Shazike nodded, but she refused to show much emotion. She was not keen to sink away into the confines of her chair in front of the man. Perhaps it was her training in interrogation resistance? Yet when finding herself hardening like this, she quickly made a point of relaxing herself in her seat. The Viliti took note of this and glanced to his pad. "Quite the messy area, wasn't it? We've all heard the stories, but something happened there? Well, something must have happened. You're sitting in front of me now." Her eyes played across two armed men standing back by the door. Their hardened helmets were giving little to no expression.
It felt like hours before she switched her attention back to the man as he finally turned the pad slightly as if to get a better audio record. "Well, that's all the jargon out of the way for the audio. I do appreciate your patience." It struck the Rynar as how prude the man was, yet she wasn't going to divert the topic. Shazike knew there had to be more to what he was telling her. Gesturing for her to talk, he then smiled and added. "Please do take your time, but if you find it too difficult to talk about something, then please don't feel forced." Shazike had now lived four months on this station, with the full weight of what she had done digging into her heart and mind. She was going to tell the man everything.
Winter had been frosting over this strange planet for days ever since her first arrival. Shazike was exhausted, but she would not show weakness to her soldiers. Once more, another human incursion force had tried to force off the Rynar hold on the town they had secured. This time it was only a few of the pathetic creatures. The Rynar Collective command ships high above had lost communication with many of the Battlemasters of the area. However, despite this, it was high time that she sent a message to the resistance. Shazike had let humans do their daily business as best as they can under the circumstances. But now, having reports of even civilian vehicles rigged to explode when searched, she was done playing nice.
While she had base camp set up for proper operation, it was nestled outside of a tiny human town. Letting the civilians go about their business to an extent, yet policing them almost every step of the way. Motioning her hand for several humans to pass after a quick inspection, she sighed. No doubt they were hiding weapons, but she wasn't going to burn the settlement... Or worse... Shazike's command was to capture, and that's just what she will do. The nagging of her forces aside, Shazike knew for a time now the brutalities done across their area. She wasn't going to dare let a single one of her soldiers do such things. It would slander the Rynar's forceful yet honored namesake.
Compared to her peers, Shazike was massive even without her bulky armor. Looking left, her eyes fell on her second in command, and she pulled the man aside with a growl. "Rigtha? Shazike is tired of these games." Her eyes bore into the orange Rynar as he stood at attention. His lack of input about the incursions was growing further frustrating by the day. While she knew he couldn't predict when and where these incidents could happen. It was shaking the firm grip Shazike was trying to enforce. Soon Shazike continued. "These humans have no structure! No command! And yet they cause so much strife?" The man nodded before hissing out in a dull tone. "Battlemaster Shazike, it is still unclear where they operate. Lieutenant Rigtha suggests using torture to find out?"
Shazike grimaced at this, disliking the size difference when it came to torture. "Lieutenant Rigtha would do well to remember how little was learned last time. These humans will not give in easily unless-" It was then that the orange Rynar would pipe up with a subtle smile. "Oh, Lieutenant Rigtha knows. Word has spread that these creatures taste oh so lovely." This comment earned a harsh stare from Shazike. Yet the battlemaster wouldn't get angry, for now. However, her morals left a pit in her stomach every time the idea came to mind.
"Battlemaster Shazike will hear of no such thing being done. Or she will punish the Rynar responsible personally." Her words were as calm as a cracking dam just before the roaring water broke forth. Putting a hand on Rigtha's shoulder, she continued. "The Rynar Collective is not here to eat or play 'games' with these creatures. If Battlemaster Shazike hears of anything of the sort going on, then whoever did it will be sent star-side, let's just hope it is not in a body bag." The Lieutenant was frustrated about this. Shazike knew that, but losing communications for a short time did not mean the Rynar should devolve into senseless monsters.
Checking the pad in front of him, the Viliti raised a finger before his eyes shifted around the screen. "So you admit to having killed humans? That was the Zone Shazike, and I need details." The Rynar across from him was silent for a time as if analyzing the Viliti's words. A tense moment passes before she let out a low hiss-filled sigh. "Shazike has killed humans, yet not in such ways and not senseless murder. Shazike knew that the others wanted to indulge themselves." With a moment's pause, Olnith took this opportunity to ask the more serious question. "And... Did anything of the sort happen?"
Oddly the Rynar's face shifted from a cold heartened appearance to that of grief. She was tapping her claw on the table just to snap herself back to reality. The Rynar's words now dwindled, shuddering and shaking. "Shazike will get to that... But Director Olnith wants the full story, yes?" The rabbit kept his friendly smile to act as a comforting force for the Rynar. His personal feelings aside, he knew that this Battlemaster had her spirit broken way before she was brought aboard the vessel. "Very well... Continue when you are ready, Ms. Shazike."
The Battlemaster made a walk to her tent, having been called by her second in command. She was grumbling to herself as her armor forced her to duck to get into her tent. She despised her overbearing size compared to the other Rynar in very few but frustrating cases. While it did have its advantages, it made her stand out far too much for her liking. Rigtha had not clarified why he wanted Shazike, yet just as Shazike would step in, a small voice spat out, taking a moment for her translator to reciprocate to her. "I'll tell you nothing! Dammit! You hear me, lizard?!"
Shazike's yellow eyes flickered to a table in her quarters, where a small and seemingly injured human lay sprawled out. Lieutenant Rigtha was smiling widely as he explained. "Lieutenant Rigtha's efforts to get information out of the humans have not been going well." The orange Rynar was all but cut off as the Battlemaster stepped forwards. Having seen that at least one of the human's legs had been crushed, she had seen enough. "Battlemaster Shazike did not permit torture!" Grabbing the Rynar, she threw him down with a growl. "In fact, Battlemaster Shazike remembers strictly no torture is to be used!"
It was not like Rigtha to disobey commands; Shazike knew this well. Perhaps the want to 'play' with humans was more potent than she realized. "Battlemaster Shazike..! Lieutenant Rigtha had just assu-" He was cut off as Shazike glared him down. "Leave. Now. Tell the others that Shazike will personally tear the arms off of anyone who brutalizes humans! These are not animals!" She spat between her teeth while speaking, pushing her point further as the Lieutenant scrambled out quickly.
With the other Rynar gone, Shazike turned her gaze to the human. So stubborn, even with a towering behemoth before him. Despite a broken leg, he was trying not to seem intimidated. Yet his scent would tell her otherwise. The human's fear was almost driving her to understand Righta's motive. It was so pervasive yet so astoundingly delicious. Having to force herself to look away, she hissed lowly, trying to calm the poor man down. "What did Leuitenet Rigtha do?"
It was as if the man hadn't heard her, no doubt expecting to be killed. All of his mock courage before had dissolved down to nothing as he scoots back. "P-Please... I have a wife and kids..." It then struck Shazike just how scared the man was. Not that she didn't know it before. Yet how terrified he must be from his perspective, it was mind-bending. Realizing perhaps she had been too aggressive with her question, she walked over. "Do not worry; one will see them again soon." She offered her armored hand down for the man.
"And... Did you kill him?" The question seemed so alien that Shazike had to blink in response. Nodding at her lack of an answer, he moved to write down a note. Stopping only when Shazike glanced at her hand and spoke softly. "Shazike did not kill the human. Carried him back to the town." Olnith paused before making a note on this. "So you're saying that this was the odd incident?" To this question, Shazike grew stern, hissing out in frustration. "Shazike is getting to that part." Soon another question arose, something asked to Guardian's when they first hold a human. "And how did carrying him make you feel?"
Shazike set her hand back to the table before closing her eyes, recounting the moment that she had helped the man back to his family. The astonishment of his eyes, the weeping tears of his wife and two children, the startled scent of them all. "Shazike felt pity." Olnith jotted this response down onto his pad before nodding. Not wanting to push the Rynar too far, as already he could tell she was close to shaking. "You may continue when you are ready." He offered a smile to the woman, to which she returned in kind. "Yet..." Olnith's ears perked up, turning his eyes down to his pad then back to the Rynar as she continued. "Shazike had issues with troops disobeying orders."
Olnith was surprised, knowing how strictly Rynar held their command structure. "And you knew of it?" The Rynar felt a lump grow in her throat as she averted her gaze. "Shazike... Let it happen." To this realization, Olnith's ears wilted back. Yet he didn't want to throw destructive emotions or disgust her way, letting her continue unhindered. "Shazike knew it was happening. Human's would go missing, or many more were 'dead' than numbers should say." Olnith nodded as he leaned back in his chair. "So Shazike turned their wants elsewhere. Instead of harming the civilian town, Shazike let them... Do whatever they wanted to militants."
"If Shazike did not give any method to quell the wants and desires. Then the others would find ways to... Go around Shazike's authority... This way, by telling them which ones they could... Enjoy... Shazike would be able to stop many other innocent humans from befalling the same fate!" Olnith was skeptical, yet he considered her words for a moment before countering. "So you would willingly let your soldiers do that to humans that fought back? You were invading their home Shazike, and they had every right to defend themselves."
The Rynar grew quiet yet again to this, her eyes flickering down to the metal table and running her leathery hands against it as she thought. Despite the hours on UAF armored transports when she turned herself in. She still couldn't shake the feeling that redemption wasn't an option for her, no matter what. "Shazike... Knows..." Not daring to meet her eyes with his own, she took a breath before doing her best to explain herself, even if it was clear she didn't believe her own words. "Shazike knew tha-" The Rynar's mind went blank just as she was going to try and speak as if realizing the trap the Viliti had put down. "Shazike will not try and rationalize the wrongs she has done. Soon Shazike will pay for them, yes?" Olnith did not answer her.
Tracking the rebellious humans, Shazike held delight in finding that their operation base would only be a single hidden away complex. While capturing them would lead to insightful information. Shazike leveraged that simply killing them would leave a message for the others and end the petty resistance. Within only a few moments, she stood back and watched the building erupt with plasma fire. With whatever survivors left, she hesitated for a moment. This complex was far enough from the main town that nobody would see, and with tensions within her squad rising from word of how other Battlemasters let their soldiers 'play'.
Shazike held back her consciousness, motioning Rigtha and the others to have their fun for the time being. At first, she looked away, keeping her mind and attention on other things. Yet when the screams hit her, she had to step away or else puke up what little she had for breakfast. Deep down, she hoped that this would at least quell her squadron's unspeakable thoughts. Shazike had to repeat to herself over and over that if it wasn't them, it could have been civilians.
It slowly was etching on her just how brutal this was, not even being able to stomach watching her fellow soldiers laugh alongside the human screams. Would the Collective approve of this? She doubted it wholeheartedly, but upon hearing other battle masters caving into the guilty pleasures. She hoped to set an example that only the militants, those who fight against the rightful rule of the Collective, would perish in such ways. Shazike knew she was riding a very slippery slope.
With the short skirmish done and the final combatants neutralized. Shazike's attention shifted to her second in command with a nod, expecting a battle report from the other Rynar. "Battlemaster Shazike, it has been heard that these creatures were guarding the interests of a civilian caravan. It is moving through the mountains as of now. It appears the Caravan does not know Rynar hold control over the town." With a semi-curt smile, the battlemaster gave the nod in recognition. "These creatures are not suited for the might of the Collective." Shazike's mind fluttered off in thought of the other Rynar in the area. Four other squadrons there would be. It pained her to think that they might jeopardize the Collective's hold by brutalizing civilians, forcing her to add to her statement.
"Shazike would see them captured but not harmed." This comment stirred a questioning expression from Rigtha. Yet the Rynar knew better than to question her officer's orders, for once. With a delighted toothy smile, he gave a small bow. "Understood, Rigtha will track down the caravan." With that, Rigtha moved to step away. Only for the Battlemasters armored hand to clasp his shoulder. "Rigtha?" The officer's attention shifted to Shazike's as the Battlemaster spoke quietly. "Shazike means what was said. They are not to be harmed, only disarmed." Through the affirmation Rigtha gave, Shazike knew something darker was behind her Leuitenents eyes. She only hoped the man would listen to her.
Olnith would watch as the Rynar's gaze fell during her explanation. Yet he withheld any questions he had until her eyes finally flickered back up to meet his. Choosing his words carefully, he clasps his hands together and does his best to smile. "It sounds like you were keen on not having many unnecessary casualties." With a pause for her answer and having none come from the Rynar, he continued. "But I do have a question. So you say you allowed your soldiers to brutalize humans? Specifically, those who defended their own home? Must you be fully expecting repercussions of that? You must be if you are openly admitting it."
Shazike's expression would falter at the difficult question. To her at the time, it was a necessary evil. To scare other humans into submission and hold fast to the Collective's law. When the Rynar spoke, her voice faltered slightly. Taking a great deal of effort not to fumble into tears. "Shazike... Believed it was wrong." The man raised an eyebrow at this. Battlemasters were known for their absolute loyalty to the Rynar Collective. "And yet you still turned face when your soldiers did it? Have you ever done such things yourself?"
To this, Shazike's head shook fervently, denying in any aspect that she would ever have done something so horrible. "Shazike knew that other Battlemasters were openly doing it. Hoping that by setting rules of only militants and human's who openly fought..." Finally, her voice shook, leading to an uncomfortable silence from her. Olnith realized he might have pushed too far too quickly. As the Rynar's eyes grew wet, she shook her head again and, through clasped jaws, snarled out. "Shazike did all that she could. If Shazike's squadron saw her as weak... Saw her as unfit to lead. Then many, more than Shazike wishes to know, would have been killed ruthlessly!"
Olnith set his hand atop hers on the table, forcing the Rynar's eyes to snap open and stare at the Viliti. A long silence followed as he offered a kind smile. Despite his series of questions, he did see some semblance of a Sissach under the dark scales before him. "You may continue when you're ready." His words came out softly yet professionally to the woman. After several minutes of silence, the Rynar had readjusted herself and continued.
Human caravans were uncommon but far from rare. Shazike, at first, being hard-pressed to the belief that they were simply civilians fleeing. But as the invasion drew on and human incursions alongside UTO involvement grew. Pressures mounted on the battlemaster. She was continually reaffirming herself with her squadron. They tried, in some cases, to sneak 'fun' with humans. They were garnering harsh physical punishments from the Battlemaster if she found out.
Shazike was one of the few that cared about human rioters. Those using the situation to their advantage to steal, plunder and kill. She already had to express to her squad that these actions are not to be accepted. Without orders being commanded down, she had to make do with what she knew with nowhere near enough Erastal to fight UTO scouting squads openly. Shazike had her squadron stay put at their held town until another Battlemaster was to come and regroup with them.
Shazike sat down with her armor in low power mode, its weight being a constant dull push. Wiping her face as she took a breath, she hissed out lowly. Another morning, then another, and another, until she began to believe that the fighting would never stop. With her off-hand holding an uneaten ration bar. She looked at it coldly, focusing herself on hardening her expression. Emotionless, ruthless, absolute, this was the way of the Battlemasters.
The titanic lizard's attention would snap down when she heard a soft 'dink' off her armor. Raising her arm, she spotted a tiny human, a little girl. With a whip of her tongue, she assessed what the girl was feeling. Oddly not sensing an overwhelming fear like so many other humans. Shazike wasn't going to bother herself with a curious little creature, deciding to shift her gaze back to the roads ahead of them.
It was then the girl would speak, her voice barely a whisper despite the fact she was yelling. "Ma'am?" Shazike furrowed her brow, squinting as she kept her attention forwards. Another dink followed, then another, and yet another. The girl calling out for her with each insufferable pebble, she hit the Rynar's armor. Finally, Shazike snapped and swiveled her head down. "What?" Shazike only afterward realized how loud she must have been as the girl had fallen over in surprise while two other humans rush from the town.
A family, mother, father, and the daughter before her. With the two newcomers, Shazike could tell almost instantly were terrified. While they began to apologize repeatedly, the Rynar shook her head and hissed. "What did the little human want?" While the father was trying to tug the girl back. The little child broke free from her father's grip and rushed back to the Rynar. It wasn't easy to tell, but the girl's eyes were on Shazike's ration.
Shazike silenced the humans with a hand raise, stopping their continued apologizing for their child. Shazike unwrapped her ration and shifted her gaze down to the girl. They looked far thinner than any other human she had seen. No doubt supplies for the creatures were running low; something Shazike had tried and failed to fix time and time again. Breaking off the tiniest piece, she brought her titanic hand down to the girl to offer it.
The girl stole it away rapidly, looking it over before calling her parents to her. Both of her parents were in stunned silence several meters away. Only snapping back to reality when Shazike hissed and set the ration down on the ground. Gesturing to it before she shifted her gaze back to the road. The family, at first, was terrified to even go near the lizard. But either through courage or desperation, they soon had others come. They were toting the ration bar away on a truck when Shazike noticed the girl still beside her. The girl called out happily. "M-My name is A-Ami! A-Ami Untali..!" Shazike couldn't help but smile, nodding with a reply. "Shazike... Shazike Raylu."
The Viliti was silent as Shazike smiled. Despite his professionalism, he too found himself with a wider than usual grin. His ears were perking up when Shazike added. "That was... Done several times... Shazike couldn't stomach rations anymore, so Shazike gave them to the humans." Olnith didn't have to think hard on why she would have lost her appetite. Yet still, he figured that he should ask. "And why couldn't you eat?" Shazike's smile wiped clean from her face, and soon it was clear she didn't want to answer.
"So... You just stayed there? I understand that without command, the battle masters act as a form of a field general. Why just stay in one open spot? Next to a human town of all places?" The Rynar across from him tilted her head as she thought. But with her face furrowing, it was clear she wasn't one with an answer to that. Just as he was to give up hope on a solution and motion her to continue, the Rynar said something odd, causing the Viliti's ears to perk up as he saw a tear run down her cheek. "Shazike was weak..."
----
It was only a few hours before another Battlemaster met up with Shazike's squadron. Before he arrived, she had to step aside and deal with a human issue. The humans had little to no food, and while water was a simple thing when it rained. Over the days, Shazike would sneak many of her rations for the civilians. The small smiles of the hopeful creatures to the titanic lizard left a strange warmth in her heart. She was hoping that the food wouldn't give them any physical issues. Having stepped slightly into town to do this, she knew her squadron was aware that she was feeding the starving humans.
When returning to the Rynar encampment just outside the town, she found that the other Battlemaster had already arrived. Offering the man a welcoming familial smile, Shazike was surprised when a similar smile did not meet her from the other Battlemaster. In the place of answering her silent question at this, the man motioned her off, glancing to their squadrons as he spoke out in a frustrated voice. "Battlemaster Jailthar and Battlemaster Shazike will be having words. Do not disturb." She was figuring that this must be something urgent for between two Battlemasters. Something was off, however, as she looked around to her soldiers. What words had been spoken when she was away?
After walking several minutes out into the coming night, she stopped and hissed out. "Shazike does not know what Jailthar is wanting." The other man would pause and turn his attention back to her. His voice was speaking out from between clenched teeth as he snarled. "Jailthar would assume Shazike is dumber than one lets on then." That led Shazike to cock her head, only for the man to continue with venom in his voice. "Word has gotten around that Shazike wishes to be a 'shining example.' Refusing to treat these bugs as they genuinely are, vermin, pests."
Shazike remained silent, having already figured that her refusal to brutalize humans would cause a stir in the others. But to openly accuse her of weakness due to this left a now growing frustration in her. "Shazike simply is following Collective's instruction. This planet is to be secured, not obliterated or consumed." Her answer left the other to then laugh. Shaking his head as he pointed back to the town. "Those pests will be dealt with, but Shazike should heed Jailthar's words. Leave. Step down and let what will be done be done." He stepped forwards before snarling in her face. "Shazike will not be given a second warning."
Shazike would look the man over as she contemplated her next move. Should she step down and let this other Battlemaster take her place? When she spoke, her words equally were acting as daggers to the man. "Battlemasters are trained to uphold the image of the Rynar as being the peak of military strength. Not Siliash, stuffed to the stomach and brimming with self-pride!" She would look on with disgust at the man, gauging whether or not he was serious. Her question had an answer as he then stepped back and raised his rifle to his fellow Rynar. Shazike growled before barking out. "Jailthar put the rifle down." Yet the other Battlemaster simply laughed and shook his head. "Weak ones like Shazike do not belong in the Rynar Collective!"
Shazike went silent as she recalled the events after. Despite the numerous times Olnith had tried, he never got a clear answer from the Rynar as to what happened, always finding that the Rynar would have the same physical repercussions. Her lip trembled, her fists clenched, her eyes closed. But oddly, whether it be from her practicing it in her mind. To the idea that she was being recorded. Or somehow the need to confess. Her eyes opened as she looked up at the man. Olnith knew then that on that day, Shazike must have been broken.
Instead of going back to recounting her story, the Rynar took a breath. "Shazike... Killed Jailthar... The power he 'Demanded' was met with a knife to his throat... Yet..." Shazike felt her voice lump up in her throat. Wiping tears from both eyes, she then forced herself to continue. "When Shazike got back to the town... All Shazike could taste in the air was blood. Women, Men, Children, Militants, Civilians... All where..." The Rynar's mouth moved, but her voice stopped as she trembled. She was shaking in her chair as she stared through the man. She was reliving the horrific memory as she clenched to her seat to remind herself where she was.
Olnith watched silently with a reaffirming nod to her. Realizing that her squadron must have killed the civilians, and Shazike had seen the aftermath. It was then the Rynar's anger would kick in. A wave of unbridled rage lashed out in a sudden spark of violence. The table shook violently as she slammed her fist against it. "So Shazike killed them! Shazike killed them all! Rigtha, Muldit, Haupla, all of them! Tore them apart! Blasted them into nothing! They slaughtered the humans! Shazike... Sha.."
It all happened so quickly that Olnith was barely fast enough to stop the Guards from shocking the Rynar. From her trembling voice, he knew she was speaking the truth. Shazike was forcibly shoved back down into her chair by the two armored UAF officers. After several minutes the Viliti tried getting the Rynar's attention. An uncomfortable silence following as he glanced up and motioned his finger for the two guards to leave. The both of them tried arguing, but Olnith was sure of himself.
Olnith pulled out his Yutri before quietly working on it. With a glance up to the Rynar before him as she barely regained composure. He slid the Yutri across the table to her. It was then he noticed that her fist had made a dent in the metal table. Finally, as she wiped her eyes again and looked the device over, Shazike's attention snapped up to him in confusion. With a smile, he then tilted his head before speaking in a gentle voice. "Shazike Raylu, you have proven to me and... Them..." Pushing his pad closer so that she could see. The Rynar's eyes were darting over a series of humans sitting in a room on the screen.
It struck her suddenly that this was no audio recording but a video call. Astounded at this, she went wide-eyed as her mouth dropped open. Shazike wasn't being recorded. Shazike had been put before a live audience of humans. With a breath, the Viliti continued while standing up. "You have shown to all of us that, even in the worst of times, even a Rynar has a heart." Her eyes were bewildered as she looked to the pad. A burning question forced itself out of her. "What of the things Shazike had done..? Olnith cannot let Shazike get away with such things!"
Olnith tilted his head before raising an eyebrow. "Shazike, you are being admitted to rehabilitation. I, and the others here, believe that you did what you could. You deserve at least a chance to change." The Rynar was in tears as she stood up abruptly to hug the man. Instantly the flash of the dented table went to both of their minds, causing Shazike to release him a split second after. Seeing such a large Rynar in tears reminded the Viliti why he does his job. He gave a smile and salute, to which she offered in return. "Thank you... Director Olnith."
Over a year would pass for the Rynar with her trying to cope. The Lupari she had turned herself into on Earth had accepted the Rynar into her squadron. Though until rehabilitation was done, Shazike could think of nothing else. Shazike tried her best to keep her mind off of the events during the invasion. Each time she was reminded, she felt a tug at her heart. She was thinking back to the child again and again.
Whether it was a good idea or not, Shazike was put with a Guardian and Charge. Anger management instructors acted as friends for her during her trying time. Although the Charge was distant, it was clear that he was trying to help. Shazike still was haunted by her past. Probably will be for the rest of her life. Yet, she found a new purpose. A tool being cleaned and reshaped to fit the need. With each passing day, she was growing more and more used to her new life. However still, flashes of her old self would shine through.
She took a deep breath of the midday air. Having been with the Guardian Instructor for the last year, she still was unsure about being around a human even if the human was with his Guardian. Closing her eyes while her anger management instructor spoke. "You're doing much better than when you started Shazike... I'm going to put something in your hand, don't open your eyes." Shazike would put her palm out, expecting an egg or something fragile to be set in like a few weeks before. They had at one point tried letting her fiddle with a small human replica. A robotic figure that wasn't much unlike a human in size, shape, and fragility. What she felt would leave a pit in her stomach. Something small, moving slowly with a mind of its own, shifting around as if to get comfortable.
"Don't worry, and he volunteered for this." The Instructor smiled, bringing Shazike's other hand to cup the human; there was a hint of worry in the Instructor's voice. Yet Shazike couldn't help but give a toothy smile as the human in her hand shifted again. "See? I told you Izzash! Shazike has cautious hands, unlike a certain someone." Shazike chortled before opening her eyes and meeting those of the human in her palm. She recounted back when the two first had met how the human was so skeptical of her changing, especially with her bursts of anger that were far too prevalent in the beginning. Many minutes would pass as Shazike would happily nuzzle the human. She was very gentle to not cause the slightest discomfort or pain before returning him to his Guardian's hand.
With the day coming to an end on such a high note, Shazike would stare at her hand in awe all the way home. A human that at first had been scared of her, despite trying hard not to show it. Had just willingly gotten into her hand as if she was his own Guardian. Returning to her apartment, Shazike found that her Yutri had lit up with a message. Setting her groceries to the side, she stepped through the open kitchen and to her small bedroom. Sitting down as she pulled out her Yutri. What she found would raise her spirits even further. The more she read, the further her smile grew. It caused the Rynar to sniffle and shake in excitement.
'Dear, Shazike Raylu.
I had received word from your Instructor Izzash on how well you performed today. Due to your rapid success in studies, as well as passing your tests with flying colors. I am pleased to relay that your submission of a request to become a legal Sissach has been approved. I know you have worked hard for the better part of the last almost two years. That is why I wanted to send you this personally. When you decide to rechoose your last name, simply send it to me, and I will change it in our database. I wish you the best of luck, and to know I am always open to talking to you if you ever need me.
Director Olnith'
Shazike was dumbfounded as she let the pad sag in her hand. Not caring to wipe the hard-earned tears that sprawled her face. Her mind pushed out her worse thoughts for the time being. Letting herself enjoy the euphoria of finally becoming a Sissach. Forever seemed to pass before she looked to her pad again. She didn't need to come up with a name, already typing in a message of thanks to the director. After sending it, she then paused, her mind wandering before she grinned even further.
'Shazike Untali'
Original world and story belongs to Hetzer!~ Hetzer
Artwork done by fossa666 !~
As always criticism and the like is appreciated :3
For clarity, this story jumps between the telling of it to Director Olnith, and the reliving of the story from Shazike Raylu's perspective
"Welcome, please sit down. Full transparency here; this will be recorded for later viewing. I do hope that isn't an issue, Ms. Shazike." The black Viliti spoke as he leaned back from behind his metal desk. He was smiling politely at the grey lizard in front of him while awaiting her response. Across the table sat a notably bulky lizard, a Rynar. Her grey scales are still glinting slightly from the morning dew outside. A long breath is drawn by the Rynar as her eyes stare off past the man. Shazike was not comfortable being recorded, but she had little choice but to agree. Giving the rabbit a nod, he then reaffirms his smile. "Then let us begin, shall we?"
"Your name is... Shazike Raylu, of the Rynar Collective, yes?" Glancing up from his blue holographic screen to see her nod again. "Served 3rd squad, 4th advanced recon battalion of the Rynar 1st expeditionary fleet as a Battle Master, otherwise known as field commander?" For once, the Rynar would speak up with a soft hiss. "Director Olnith Voldar knows much?" She was visibly tense from the phrasing, despite knowing the scary accuracy. The man's lips pursed to a smile at this but nodded with a retort. "We need to confirm all of this for the audio recording Ms. Shazike." She hissed but reluctantly nodded while shifting in her seat.
"Part of the initial assault on Earth... You spent quite a bit of time in what's now called The Zone?" Once more, Shazike nodded, but she refused to show much emotion. She was not keen to sink away into the confines of her chair in front of the man. Perhaps it was her training in interrogation resistance? Yet when finding herself hardening like this, she quickly made a point of relaxing herself in her seat. The Viliti took note of this and glanced to his pad. "Quite the messy area, wasn't it? We've all heard the stories, but something happened there? Well, something must have happened. You're sitting in front of me now." Her eyes played across two armed men standing back by the door. Their hardened helmets were giving little to no expression.
It felt like hours before she switched her attention back to the man as he finally turned the pad slightly as if to get a better audio record. "Well, that's all the jargon out of the way for the audio. I do appreciate your patience." It struck the Rynar as how prude the man was, yet she wasn't going to divert the topic. Shazike knew there had to be more to what he was telling her. Gesturing for her to talk, he then smiled and added. "Please do take your time, but if you find it too difficult to talk about something, then please don't feel forced." Shazike had now lived four months on this station, with the full weight of what she had done digging into her heart and mind. She was going to tell the man everything.
Winter had been frosting over this strange planet for days ever since her first arrival. Shazike was exhausted, but she would not show weakness to her soldiers. Once more, another human incursion force had tried to force off the Rynar hold on the town they had secured. This time it was only a few of the pathetic creatures. The Rynar Collective command ships high above had lost communication with many of the Battlemasters of the area. However, despite this, it was high time that she sent a message to the resistance. Shazike had let humans do their daily business as best as they can under the circumstances. But now, having reports of even civilian vehicles rigged to explode when searched, she was done playing nice.
While she had base camp set up for proper operation, it was nestled outside of a tiny human town. Letting the civilians go about their business to an extent, yet policing them almost every step of the way. Motioning her hand for several humans to pass after a quick inspection, she sighed. No doubt they were hiding weapons, but she wasn't going to burn the settlement... Or worse... Shazike's command was to capture, and that's just what she will do. The nagging of her forces aside, Shazike knew for a time now the brutalities done across their area. She wasn't going to dare let a single one of her soldiers do such things. It would slander the Rynar's forceful yet honored namesake.
Compared to her peers, Shazike was massive even without her bulky armor. Looking left, her eyes fell on her second in command, and she pulled the man aside with a growl. "Rigtha? Shazike is tired of these games." Her eyes bore into the orange Rynar as he stood at attention. His lack of input about the incursions was growing further frustrating by the day. While she knew he couldn't predict when and where these incidents could happen. It was shaking the firm grip Shazike was trying to enforce. Soon Shazike continued. "These humans have no structure! No command! And yet they cause so much strife?" The man nodded before hissing out in a dull tone. "Battlemaster Shazike, it is still unclear where they operate. Lieutenant Rigtha suggests using torture to find out?"
Shazike grimaced at this, disliking the size difference when it came to torture. "Lieutenant Rigtha would do well to remember how little was learned last time. These humans will not give in easily unless-" It was then that the orange Rynar would pipe up with a subtle smile. "Oh, Lieutenant Rigtha knows. Word has spread that these creatures taste oh so lovely." This comment earned a harsh stare from Shazike. Yet the battlemaster wouldn't get angry, for now. However, her morals left a pit in her stomach every time the idea came to mind.
"Battlemaster Shazike will hear of no such thing being done. Or she will punish the Rynar responsible personally." Her words were as calm as a cracking dam just before the roaring water broke forth. Putting a hand on Rigtha's shoulder, she continued. "The Rynar Collective is not here to eat or play 'games' with these creatures. If Battlemaster Shazike hears of anything of the sort going on, then whoever did it will be sent star-side, let's just hope it is not in a body bag." The Lieutenant was frustrated about this. Shazike knew that, but losing communications for a short time did not mean the Rynar should devolve into senseless monsters.
Checking the pad in front of him, the Viliti raised a finger before his eyes shifted around the screen. "So you admit to having killed humans? That was the Zone Shazike, and I need details." The Rynar across from him was silent for a time as if analyzing the Viliti's words. A tense moment passes before she let out a low hiss-filled sigh. "Shazike has killed humans, yet not in such ways and not senseless murder. Shazike knew that the others wanted to indulge themselves." With a moment's pause, Olnith took this opportunity to ask the more serious question. "And... Did anything of the sort happen?"
Oddly the Rynar's face shifted from a cold heartened appearance to that of grief. She was tapping her claw on the table just to snap herself back to reality. The Rynar's words now dwindled, shuddering and shaking. "Shazike will get to that... But Director Olnith wants the full story, yes?" The rabbit kept his friendly smile to act as a comforting force for the Rynar. His personal feelings aside, he knew that this Battlemaster had her spirit broken way before she was brought aboard the vessel. "Very well... Continue when you are ready, Ms. Shazike."
The Battlemaster made a walk to her tent, having been called by her second in command. She was grumbling to herself as her armor forced her to duck to get into her tent. She despised her overbearing size compared to the other Rynar in very few but frustrating cases. While it did have its advantages, it made her stand out far too much for her liking. Rigtha had not clarified why he wanted Shazike, yet just as Shazike would step in, a small voice spat out, taking a moment for her translator to reciprocate to her. "I'll tell you nothing! Dammit! You hear me, lizard?!"
Shazike's yellow eyes flickered to a table in her quarters, where a small and seemingly injured human lay sprawled out. Lieutenant Rigtha was smiling widely as he explained. "Lieutenant Rigtha's efforts to get information out of the humans have not been going well." The orange Rynar was all but cut off as the Battlemaster stepped forwards. Having seen that at least one of the human's legs had been crushed, she had seen enough. "Battlemaster Shazike did not permit torture!" Grabbing the Rynar, she threw him down with a growl. "In fact, Battlemaster Shazike remembers strictly no torture is to be used!"
It was not like Rigtha to disobey commands; Shazike knew this well. Perhaps the want to 'play' with humans was more potent than she realized. "Battlemaster Shazike..! Lieutenant Rigtha had just assu-" He was cut off as Shazike glared him down. "Leave. Now. Tell the others that Shazike will personally tear the arms off of anyone who brutalizes humans! These are not animals!" She spat between her teeth while speaking, pushing her point further as the Lieutenant scrambled out quickly.
With the other Rynar gone, Shazike turned her gaze to the human. So stubborn, even with a towering behemoth before him. Despite a broken leg, he was trying not to seem intimidated. Yet his scent would tell her otherwise. The human's fear was almost driving her to understand Righta's motive. It was so pervasive yet so astoundingly delicious. Having to force herself to look away, she hissed lowly, trying to calm the poor man down. "What did Leuitenet Rigtha do?"
It was as if the man hadn't heard her, no doubt expecting to be killed. All of his mock courage before had dissolved down to nothing as he scoots back. "P-Please... I have a wife and kids..." It then struck Shazike just how scared the man was. Not that she didn't know it before. Yet how terrified he must be from his perspective, it was mind-bending. Realizing perhaps she had been too aggressive with her question, she walked over. "Do not worry; one will see them again soon." She offered her armored hand down for the man.
"And... Did you kill him?" The question seemed so alien that Shazike had to blink in response. Nodding at her lack of an answer, he moved to write down a note. Stopping only when Shazike glanced at her hand and spoke softly. "Shazike did not kill the human. Carried him back to the town." Olnith paused before making a note on this. "So you're saying that this was the odd incident?" To this question, Shazike grew stern, hissing out in frustration. "Shazike is getting to that part." Soon another question arose, something asked to Guardian's when they first hold a human. "And how did carrying him make you feel?"
Shazike set her hand back to the table before closing her eyes, recounting the moment that she had helped the man back to his family. The astonishment of his eyes, the weeping tears of his wife and two children, the startled scent of them all. "Shazike felt pity." Olnith jotted this response down onto his pad before nodding. Not wanting to push the Rynar too far, as already he could tell she was close to shaking. "You may continue when you are ready." He offered a smile to the woman, to which she returned in kind. "Yet..." Olnith's ears perked up, turning his eyes down to his pad then back to the Rynar as she continued. "Shazike had issues with troops disobeying orders."
Olnith was surprised, knowing how strictly Rynar held their command structure. "And you knew of it?" The Rynar felt a lump grow in her throat as she averted her gaze. "Shazike... Let it happen." To this realization, Olnith's ears wilted back. Yet he didn't want to throw destructive emotions or disgust her way, letting her continue unhindered. "Shazike knew it was happening. Human's would go missing, or many more were 'dead' than numbers should say." Olnith nodded as he leaned back in his chair. "So Shazike turned their wants elsewhere. Instead of harming the civilian town, Shazike let them... Do whatever they wanted to militants."
"If Shazike did not give any method to quell the wants and desires. Then the others would find ways to... Go around Shazike's authority... This way, by telling them which ones they could... Enjoy... Shazike would be able to stop many other innocent humans from befalling the same fate!" Olnith was skeptical, yet he considered her words for a moment before countering. "So you would willingly let your soldiers do that to humans that fought back? You were invading their home Shazike, and they had every right to defend themselves."
The Rynar grew quiet yet again to this, her eyes flickering down to the metal table and running her leathery hands against it as she thought. Despite the hours on UAF armored transports when she turned herself in. She still couldn't shake the feeling that redemption wasn't an option for her, no matter what. "Shazike... Knows..." Not daring to meet her eyes with his own, she took a breath before doing her best to explain herself, even if it was clear she didn't believe her own words. "Shazike knew tha-" The Rynar's mind went blank just as she was going to try and speak as if realizing the trap the Viliti had put down. "Shazike will not try and rationalize the wrongs she has done. Soon Shazike will pay for them, yes?" Olnith did not answer her.
Tracking the rebellious humans, Shazike held delight in finding that their operation base would only be a single hidden away complex. While capturing them would lead to insightful information. Shazike leveraged that simply killing them would leave a message for the others and end the petty resistance. Within only a few moments, she stood back and watched the building erupt with plasma fire. With whatever survivors left, she hesitated for a moment. This complex was far enough from the main town that nobody would see, and with tensions within her squad rising from word of how other Battlemasters let their soldiers 'play'.
Shazike held back her consciousness, motioning Rigtha and the others to have their fun for the time being. At first, she looked away, keeping her mind and attention on other things. Yet when the screams hit her, she had to step away or else puke up what little she had for breakfast. Deep down, she hoped that this would at least quell her squadron's unspeakable thoughts. Shazike had to repeat to herself over and over that if it wasn't them, it could have been civilians.
It slowly was etching on her just how brutal this was, not even being able to stomach watching her fellow soldiers laugh alongside the human screams. Would the Collective approve of this? She doubted it wholeheartedly, but upon hearing other battle masters caving into the guilty pleasures. She hoped to set an example that only the militants, those who fight against the rightful rule of the Collective, would perish in such ways. Shazike knew she was riding a very slippery slope.
With the short skirmish done and the final combatants neutralized. Shazike's attention shifted to her second in command with a nod, expecting a battle report from the other Rynar. "Battlemaster Shazike, it has been heard that these creatures were guarding the interests of a civilian caravan. It is moving through the mountains as of now. It appears the Caravan does not know Rynar hold control over the town." With a semi-curt smile, the battlemaster gave the nod in recognition. "These creatures are not suited for the might of the Collective." Shazike's mind fluttered off in thought of the other Rynar in the area. Four other squadrons there would be. It pained her to think that they might jeopardize the Collective's hold by brutalizing civilians, forcing her to add to her statement.
"Shazike would see them captured but not harmed." This comment stirred a questioning expression from Rigtha. Yet the Rynar knew better than to question her officer's orders, for once. With a delighted toothy smile, he gave a small bow. "Understood, Rigtha will track down the caravan." With that, Rigtha moved to step away. Only for the Battlemasters armored hand to clasp his shoulder. "Rigtha?" The officer's attention shifted to Shazike's as the Battlemaster spoke quietly. "Shazike means what was said. They are not to be harmed, only disarmed." Through the affirmation Rigtha gave, Shazike knew something darker was behind her Leuitenents eyes. She only hoped the man would listen to her.
Olnith would watch as the Rynar's gaze fell during her explanation. Yet he withheld any questions he had until her eyes finally flickered back up to meet his. Choosing his words carefully, he clasps his hands together and does his best to smile. "It sounds like you were keen on not having many unnecessary casualties." With a pause for her answer and having none come from the Rynar, he continued. "But I do have a question. So you say you allowed your soldiers to brutalize humans? Specifically, those who defended their own home? Must you be fully expecting repercussions of that? You must be if you are openly admitting it."
Shazike's expression would falter at the difficult question. To her at the time, it was a necessary evil. To scare other humans into submission and hold fast to the Collective's law. When the Rynar spoke, her voice faltered slightly. Taking a great deal of effort not to fumble into tears. "Shazike... Believed it was wrong." The man raised an eyebrow at this. Battlemasters were known for their absolute loyalty to the Rynar Collective. "And yet you still turned face when your soldiers did it? Have you ever done such things yourself?"
To this, Shazike's head shook fervently, denying in any aspect that she would ever have done something so horrible. "Shazike knew that other Battlemasters were openly doing it. Hoping that by setting rules of only militants and human's who openly fought..." Finally, her voice shook, leading to an uncomfortable silence from her. Olnith realized he might have pushed too far too quickly. As the Rynar's eyes grew wet, she shook her head again and, through clasped jaws, snarled out. "Shazike did all that she could. If Shazike's squadron saw her as weak... Saw her as unfit to lead. Then many, more than Shazike wishes to know, would have been killed ruthlessly!"
Olnith set his hand atop hers on the table, forcing the Rynar's eyes to snap open and stare at the Viliti. A long silence followed as he offered a kind smile. Despite his series of questions, he did see some semblance of a Sissach under the dark scales before him. "You may continue when you're ready." His words came out softly yet professionally to the woman. After several minutes of silence, the Rynar had readjusted herself and continued.
Human caravans were uncommon but far from rare. Shazike, at first, being hard-pressed to the belief that they were simply civilians fleeing. But as the invasion drew on and human incursions alongside UTO involvement grew. Pressures mounted on the battlemaster. She was continually reaffirming herself with her squadron. They tried, in some cases, to sneak 'fun' with humans. They were garnering harsh physical punishments from the Battlemaster if she found out.
Shazike was one of the few that cared about human rioters. Those using the situation to their advantage to steal, plunder and kill. She already had to express to her squad that these actions are not to be accepted. Without orders being commanded down, she had to make do with what she knew with nowhere near enough Erastal to fight UTO scouting squads openly. Shazike had her squadron stay put at their held town until another Battlemaster was to come and regroup with them.
Shazike sat down with her armor in low power mode, its weight being a constant dull push. Wiping her face as she took a breath, she hissed out lowly. Another morning, then another, and another, until she began to believe that the fighting would never stop. With her off-hand holding an uneaten ration bar. She looked at it coldly, focusing herself on hardening her expression. Emotionless, ruthless, absolute, this was the way of the Battlemasters.
The titanic lizard's attention would snap down when she heard a soft 'dink' off her armor. Raising her arm, she spotted a tiny human, a little girl. With a whip of her tongue, she assessed what the girl was feeling. Oddly not sensing an overwhelming fear like so many other humans. Shazike wasn't going to bother herself with a curious little creature, deciding to shift her gaze back to the roads ahead of them.
It was then the girl would speak, her voice barely a whisper despite the fact she was yelling. "Ma'am?" Shazike furrowed her brow, squinting as she kept her attention forwards. Another dink followed, then another, and yet another. The girl calling out for her with each insufferable pebble, she hit the Rynar's armor. Finally, Shazike snapped and swiveled her head down. "What?" Shazike only afterward realized how loud she must have been as the girl had fallen over in surprise while two other humans rush from the town.
A family, mother, father, and the daughter before her. With the two newcomers, Shazike could tell almost instantly were terrified. While they began to apologize repeatedly, the Rynar shook her head and hissed. "What did the little human want?" While the father was trying to tug the girl back. The little child broke free from her father's grip and rushed back to the Rynar. It wasn't easy to tell, but the girl's eyes were on Shazike's ration.
Shazike silenced the humans with a hand raise, stopping their continued apologizing for their child. Shazike unwrapped her ration and shifted her gaze down to the girl. They looked far thinner than any other human she had seen. No doubt supplies for the creatures were running low; something Shazike had tried and failed to fix time and time again. Breaking off the tiniest piece, she brought her titanic hand down to the girl to offer it.
The girl stole it away rapidly, looking it over before calling her parents to her. Both of her parents were in stunned silence several meters away. Only snapping back to reality when Shazike hissed and set the ration down on the ground. Gesturing to it before she shifted her gaze back to the road. The family, at first, was terrified to even go near the lizard. But either through courage or desperation, they soon had others come. They were toting the ration bar away on a truck when Shazike noticed the girl still beside her. The girl called out happily. "M-My name is A-Ami! A-Ami Untali..!" Shazike couldn't help but smile, nodding with a reply. "Shazike... Shazike Raylu."
The Viliti was silent as Shazike smiled. Despite his professionalism, he too found himself with a wider than usual grin. His ears were perking up when Shazike added. "That was... Done several times... Shazike couldn't stomach rations anymore, so Shazike gave them to the humans." Olnith didn't have to think hard on why she would have lost her appetite. Yet still, he figured that he should ask. "And why couldn't you eat?" Shazike's smile wiped clean from her face, and soon it was clear she didn't want to answer.
"So... You just stayed there? I understand that without command, the battle masters act as a form of a field general. Why just stay in one open spot? Next to a human town of all places?" The Rynar across from him tilted her head as she thought. But with her face furrowing, it was clear she wasn't one with an answer to that. Just as he was to give up hope on a solution and motion her to continue, the Rynar said something odd, causing the Viliti's ears to perk up as he saw a tear run down her cheek. "Shazike was weak..."
----
It was only a few hours before another Battlemaster met up with Shazike's squadron. Before he arrived, she had to step aside and deal with a human issue. The humans had little to no food, and while water was a simple thing when it rained. Over the days, Shazike would sneak many of her rations for the civilians. The small smiles of the hopeful creatures to the titanic lizard left a strange warmth in her heart. She was hoping that the food wouldn't give them any physical issues. Having stepped slightly into town to do this, she knew her squadron was aware that she was feeding the starving humans.
When returning to the Rynar encampment just outside the town, she found that the other Battlemaster had already arrived. Offering the man a welcoming familial smile, Shazike was surprised when a similar smile did not meet her from the other Battlemaster. In the place of answering her silent question at this, the man motioned her off, glancing to their squadrons as he spoke out in a frustrated voice. "Battlemaster Jailthar and Battlemaster Shazike will be having words. Do not disturb." She was figuring that this must be something urgent for between two Battlemasters. Something was off, however, as she looked around to her soldiers. What words had been spoken when she was away?
After walking several minutes out into the coming night, she stopped and hissed out. "Shazike does not know what Jailthar is wanting." The other man would pause and turn his attention back to her. His voice was speaking out from between clenched teeth as he snarled. "Jailthar would assume Shazike is dumber than one lets on then." That led Shazike to cock her head, only for the man to continue with venom in his voice. "Word has gotten around that Shazike wishes to be a 'shining example.' Refusing to treat these bugs as they genuinely are, vermin, pests."
Shazike remained silent, having already figured that her refusal to brutalize humans would cause a stir in the others. But to openly accuse her of weakness due to this left a now growing frustration in her. "Shazike simply is following Collective's instruction. This planet is to be secured, not obliterated or consumed." Her answer left the other to then laugh. Shaking his head as he pointed back to the town. "Those pests will be dealt with, but Shazike should heed Jailthar's words. Leave. Step down and let what will be done be done." He stepped forwards before snarling in her face. "Shazike will not be given a second warning."
Shazike would look the man over as she contemplated her next move. Should she step down and let this other Battlemaster take her place? When she spoke, her words equally were acting as daggers to the man. "Battlemasters are trained to uphold the image of the Rynar as being the peak of military strength. Not Siliash, stuffed to the stomach and brimming with self-pride!" She would look on with disgust at the man, gauging whether or not he was serious. Her question had an answer as he then stepped back and raised his rifle to his fellow Rynar. Shazike growled before barking out. "Jailthar put the rifle down." Yet the other Battlemaster simply laughed and shook his head. "Weak ones like Shazike do not belong in the Rynar Collective!"
Shazike went silent as she recalled the events after. Despite the numerous times Olnith had tried, he never got a clear answer from the Rynar as to what happened, always finding that the Rynar would have the same physical repercussions. Her lip trembled, her fists clenched, her eyes closed. But oddly, whether it be from her practicing it in her mind. To the idea that she was being recorded. Or somehow the need to confess. Her eyes opened as she looked up at the man. Olnith knew then that on that day, Shazike must have been broken.
Instead of going back to recounting her story, the Rynar took a breath. "Shazike... Killed Jailthar... The power he 'Demanded' was met with a knife to his throat... Yet..." Shazike felt her voice lump up in her throat. Wiping tears from both eyes, she then forced herself to continue. "When Shazike got back to the town... All Shazike could taste in the air was blood. Women, Men, Children, Militants, Civilians... All where..." The Rynar's mouth moved, but her voice stopped as she trembled. She was shaking in her chair as she stared through the man. She was reliving the horrific memory as she clenched to her seat to remind herself where she was.
Olnith watched silently with a reaffirming nod to her. Realizing that her squadron must have killed the civilians, and Shazike had seen the aftermath. It was then the Rynar's anger would kick in. A wave of unbridled rage lashed out in a sudden spark of violence. The table shook violently as she slammed her fist against it. "So Shazike killed them! Shazike killed them all! Rigtha, Muldit, Haupla, all of them! Tore them apart! Blasted them into nothing! They slaughtered the humans! Shazike... Sha.."
It all happened so quickly that Olnith was barely fast enough to stop the Guards from shocking the Rynar. From her trembling voice, he knew she was speaking the truth. Shazike was forcibly shoved back down into her chair by the two armored UAF officers. After several minutes the Viliti tried getting the Rynar's attention. An uncomfortable silence following as he glanced up and motioned his finger for the two guards to leave. The both of them tried arguing, but Olnith was sure of himself.
Olnith pulled out his Yutri before quietly working on it. With a glance up to the Rynar before him as she barely regained composure. He slid the Yutri across the table to her. It was then he noticed that her fist had made a dent in the metal table. Finally, as she wiped her eyes again and looked the device over, Shazike's attention snapped up to him in confusion. With a smile, he then tilted his head before speaking in a gentle voice. "Shazike Raylu, you have proven to me and... Them..." Pushing his pad closer so that she could see. The Rynar's eyes were darting over a series of humans sitting in a room on the screen.
It struck her suddenly that this was no audio recording but a video call. Astounded at this, she went wide-eyed as her mouth dropped open. Shazike wasn't being recorded. Shazike had been put before a live audience of humans. With a breath, the Viliti continued while standing up. "You have shown to all of us that, even in the worst of times, even a Rynar has a heart." Her eyes were bewildered as she looked to the pad. A burning question forced itself out of her. "What of the things Shazike had done..? Olnith cannot let Shazike get away with such things!"
Olnith tilted his head before raising an eyebrow. "Shazike, you are being admitted to rehabilitation. I, and the others here, believe that you did what you could. You deserve at least a chance to change." The Rynar was in tears as she stood up abruptly to hug the man. Instantly the flash of the dented table went to both of their minds, causing Shazike to release him a split second after. Seeing such a large Rynar in tears reminded the Viliti why he does his job. He gave a smile and salute, to which she offered in return. "Thank you... Director Olnith."
Over a year would pass for the Rynar with her trying to cope. The Lupari she had turned herself into on Earth had accepted the Rynar into her squadron. Though until rehabilitation was done, Shazike could think of nothing else. Shazike tried her best to keep her mind off of the events during the invasion. Each time she was reminded, she felt a tug at her heart. She was thinking back to the child again and again.
Whether it was a good idea or not, Shazike was put with a Guardian and Charge. Anger management instructors acted as friends for her during her trying time. Although the Charge was distant, it was clear that he was trying to help. Shazike still was haunted by her past. Probably will be for the rest of her life. Yet, she found a new purpose. A tool being cleaned and reshaped to fit the need. With each passing day, she was growing more and more used to her new life. However still, flashes of her old self would shine through.
She took a deep breath of the midday air. Having been with the Guardian Instructor for the last year, she still was unsure about being around a human even if the human was with his Guardian. Closing her eyes while her anger management instructor spoke. "You're doing much better than when you started Shazike... I'm going to put something in your hand, don't open your eyes." Shazike would put her palm out, expecting an egg or something fragile to be set in like a few weeks before. They had at one point tried letting her fiddle with a small human replica. A robotic figure that wasn't much unlike a human in size, shape, and fragility. What she felt would leave a pit in her stomach. Something small, moving slowly with a mind of its own, shifting around as if to get comfortable.
"Don't worry, and he volunteered for this." The Instructor smiled, bringing Shazike's other hand to cup the human; there was a hint of worry in the Instructor's voice. Yet Shazike couldn't help but give a toothy smile as the human in her hand shifted again. "See? I told you Izzash! Shazike has cautious hands, unlike a certain someone." Shazike chortled before opening her eyes and meeting those of the human in her palm. She recounted back when the two first had met how the human was so skeptical of her changing, especially with her bursts of anger that were far too prevalent in the beginning. Many minutes would pass as Shazike would happily nuzzle the human. She was very gentle to not cause the slightest discomfort or pain before returning him to his Guardian's hand.
With the day coming to an end on such a high note, Shazike would stare at her hand in awe all the way home. A human that at first had been scared of her, despite trying hard not to show it. Had just willingly gotten into her hand as if she was his own Guardian. Returning to her apartment, Shazike found that her Yutri had lit up with a message. Setting her groceries to the side, she stepped through the open kitchen and to her small bedroom. Sitting down as she pulled out her Yutri. What she found would raise her spirits even further. The more she read, the further her smile grew. It caused the Rynar to sniffle and shake in excitement.
'Dear, Shazike Raylu.
I had received word from your Instructor Izzash on how well you performed today. Due to your rapid success in studies, as well as passing your tests with flying colors. I am pleased to relay that your submission of a request to become a legal Sissach has been approved. I know you have worked hard for the better part of the last almost two years. That is why I wanted to send you this personally. When you decide to rechoose your last name, simply send it to me, and I will change it in our database. I wish you the best of luck, and to know I am always open to talking to you if you ever need me.
Director Olnith'
Shazike was dumbfounded as she let the pad sag in her hand. Not caring to wipe the hard-earned tears that sprawled her face. Her mind pushed out her worse thoughts for the time being. Letting herself enjoy the euphoria of finally becoming a Sissach. Forever seemed to pass before she looked to her pad again. She didn't need to come up with a name, already typing in a message of thanks to the director. After sending it, she then paused, her mind wandering before she grinned even further.
'Shazike Untali'
Category Story / All
Species Unspecified / Any
Gender Female
Size 1024 x 1280px
Listed in Folders
Aww, I really liked how Shazike Untali changed her last name to that of the girl! I could tell that she has a good heart but was born, I mean hatched, on the wrong side! I was hoping that Ami survives and becomes Shazike's charge in the future, but oh well. I hope we see more of Shazike Untali in her new life in the future!
Wow, this is one of the few stories I come across that reminds me on why I love the UTOverse.
This being the one and only macro story I'll read, I have to say the universe interests me. And the story was oddly sweet from what I've heard of this universe. A nice macro? Such a rare thing
I'd suggest reading further into UTO~
I linked the original maker Hetzer!
I linked the original maker Hetzer!
I don't like macro writing. Boringly predictable to me. Macro kills humans for them being small and weak. Humans can't fight back. I've heard the verse gets very lewd and messed up.
Only reason I read this was because the art was good and was a good convincer
Only reason I read this was because the art was good and was a good convincer
Trust me when I say this, that the original story of Integration should keep your interest :3
Isn't where humanity is invaded and we can't fight them off? Since we're weaker than them. And we're saved by other macros or something.
True, but there is always room for a heartfelt story, like with Shazike here
I appreciate the thought, but ill pass. Notintrested in stories of humans always being weak.
I owe an apology. A friend after weeks of bugging me got me to read UTO. I'm not all the way done. But so far its by far one of my favorite things I've read in a long time
You know, I wasn't amused either when I first ran into the UTOverse over a year ago since I'm not a reader, but it was my first macro story proper and got hooked from the very first chapter. All the setting and lore behind it got me very interested and still am even all this time.
Most macro... well anything, can be boiled down to human weak, macro strong. But this story takes that and just makes it work. Like ya humans are weak, but dang we are fighters. And that gains us respect. And the 2 main characters, even though I only just read part 5, are so cute together
Kira and Dylan. So far I've only read up to part 6 of the main story. Real good stuff
Should of listened too. And it makes it much easier to enjoy all the art too
You should drop by r/HFY (Humanity, Fuck Yeah!). They've got interesting stories that are uploaded on a very frequent basis.
Thank you! I got alot of inspiration actually from a lil story here, linked it to the correct time I think...
https://youtu.be/E7wfb9_NM7I?t=2702
https://youtu.be/E7wfb9_NM7I?t=2702
A story that didn't ... hurt. Wonderful work. Wonderful art. A wonderful story. Not just "bully tiny'. And since I dont know how to properly end a complement uhh ... Well done !
After a few days have passed, I'm rereading it and seeing so much I'd want to fix XD
But I feel that would always be the case, no matter how many more hours I poured into it
But I feel that would always be the case, no matter how many more hours I poured into it
This is a beautiful masterpiece! It’s a incredible view on this universe and I love that.
Still hoping to improve on it at some point, but for now I have my sights on a part 2. Where it should delve more into detail on what was skimmed over at the end
Along with a strong story and well-drawn image, lizard being itself is quite appealing too.
Since people seem to like her, I'm hoping to write a continuation of this story. Detailing a bit on how she coped with new things and her past :3
Stay tuned then~
Although it may be awhile, with Of Mice And Men on the monthly now and 2 other stories in the work. Maybe a bit before there is more of Shazike Untali
Although it may be awhile, with Of Mice And Men on the monthly now and 2 other stories in the work. Maybe a bit before there is more of Shazike Untali
Till then, feel free to check out Integration and other stories by Hetzer! His writing was the inspiration of all this :3
Indeed will, of course) Do live the being, would love to investigate into this one.
So it's not just humans who went through the Integration. Lovely story, I hope to read more about Shazike.
Thankfully you will see more of her! I have a snidbit of a more in depth version of this posted in my gallery! And later this year hopefully will have another full story!~
Ah, another beautifully crafted entry into the UTOverse. I simply adore the emotional approach of micro/macro interactions each writer adds within this particular universe. Just like with works of Hetzer. There is no quick and empty acts of "size" utilisation for shock or sick pleasure. There are no prey and predators. All of nonhumans aren't just heroes or villains, they are people. Capable of doing both good and bad while still following lines of their morality. When good person is forced to kill or slaughter it shows that it pains them, leaving invisible scars for as long they will live. Concluding, I am deeply touched by this story. I love it! Can't wait for more exploration of your Shazike or any other character you will introduce in future. Job magnificently done.
There was a tossaway line that now has become a mainstay of her ;3
"Many say that when one is hurt, healing begins. But many forget that healing can leave scars. Shazike has many scars."
"Many say that when one is hurt, healing begins. But many forget that healing can leave scars. Shazike has many scars."
She was put in a bad situation and she attempted to do her best. Beautifully done story.
And let this be a lesson not to piss off the Rambo of the group.
And let this be a lesson not to piss off the Rambo of the group.
If you add me on Discord, I always have more stories that needs new eyes on it! - DurVin
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