Qualin
'Found it!' Shooter called out in our minds, sounding triumphant.
'It's not a competition!' Stardust chided.
'Yeah, and you just went to the settlement you already knew about.' Major scoffed.
'Still found people first. The beasts weren't helpful so at least I did something useful.' He chuckled. 'Unlike some people who were busy doing other things...'
'You're just jealous.' Minor commented, sounding a little smug and making me laugh. 'Besides, you're usually the one that goofs off, so it's my turn!' He laughed, and my head was filled with the musical symphony of the others echoing the amusement.
"Come on." We we were still running, but Minor offered his hand with a smile. I took it and he pulled me as he leapt forward and teleported. We landed smoothly next to his siblings on a cliffside overlooking a compound nestled into the rocky forest below.
I looked around. Vesceck. Shit. I should have recognized it sooner.
"You know this place?" Galaxy asked, watching me curiously. I guess the mind link was stronger again. "Um, yeah. It's kinda a trading post. Mostly contraband. It's a Rataran outpost. Slash labor camp, slash prison, slash research facility... it's pretty remote, so not a lot of oversight."
"Hmm. So the slave rebels that ordered the kidnapping of a neighboring prince, asked the kidnappers to meet them near the base of their enemies?" Minor asked. It was a reasonable question.
"Well, it's also the closest outpost in the empire to Katakia station. They didn't ask to meet at the base, so maybe the rebels just also have some place they're hiding nearby." I shrugged.
"Hmm. Fair." Galaxy commented. "Well, I guess we have no choice but to go down there and start gathering info. Try to be inconspicuous. I'm sure you all made note of some of the wildlife?"
Minor and the others nodded.
"Minor, you and your partner can stay out here as back up. Everyone else, let's go." Galaxy transformed first. It was some sort of bird, but it's wings were delicate and transparent like an insect's. The others changed into similar things and started flying towards the outpost.
"I guess you're stuck with me since I can't transform." I smiled, trying to sound playful, but I was a little worried he'd be disappointed or worried about not being able to go with his siblings.
"Yep. It's good to have someone focusing on keeping an eye out."
'Yeah, so make sure you stay focused!' Galaxy warned. It was a little weird his voice hadn't changed despite being that little thing.
"Mental voice is always the same. vocal cords do change and that can be hilarious." Minor chortled and then gestured for me to follow him. He found us a good perch that was far enough away that we shouldn't trigger any surveillance and high enough to have a good view of the compound. All we could do was wait for a signal or for for something to happen.
***
Galaxy
My siblings and I all made our way to the outpost. flying to conserve energy; we had been teleporting a lot and that does take energy. Plus, this way we could see what we were approaching rather than popping into the middle of something.
Darting from tree to tree, we tried to move like the natural beasts. I'd talked to a few of these creatures. They weren't as gossipy as most birds, so not much help for intel, but they also weren't aggressive so disguised like this, we shouldn't attract much attention. There wasn't really a lot of other life on this planet. Or moon, most likely. It looked like the was a large planet in the sky we were most likely revolving around.
I kept on eye on my siblings, making sure they stayed close. All of them except for Minor. It was still a little strange adding his new partner into our group dynamic. The five of us had always worked so well together. Natural. Qualin changed that dynamic, and also changed how Minor behaved.
It wasn't bad, necessarily, but they're was bound to be growing pains. And that would keep happening, keep changing, as my other siblings found their partners...and started having cubs. I would too, eventually. Most likely. For some reason, it was hard to picture. Maybe I was just too focused on our family. Me and my littermates were a team, and we had a responsibility to help others.
I shifted my mental focus to my link to Minor and Qualin. They were alert and keeping watch. At least they weren't messing around again. Didn't seem like they'd start. It was strange to feel their connection to each other. It was like there was a warmth to my brother's mind that was never there before, and despite Qualin being such a new addition, his link to Minor felt solid. Instead of the strong but thin tether between the rest of us, they were more intertwined. I felt that between my parents and partnered siblings, but I never really thought much about it. It felt like they were anchored to each other.
It did seem to add to the sense of strength and confidence in Minor's mind. And that increase in confidence was already starting to come out in his actions, despite the moments of insecurity. Our partners are supposed to be our other halves. They should make us stronger, more sure of ourselves, and more willing to fight.
I decided to focus on that and try not to stress about how our tight knit little group would change. These growing pains would be good. We'd become stronger as individuals and as a group.
***
Minor
Qualin's tail brushed against mine. I let him entwine our tails, but kept my eyes trained forward and my mind open to any sign of threats.
Thankfully, his intentions clearly weren't to distract me again. It was nice to have the closeness while staying vigilant. And my Beastling eyes could see all the threads of energy flowing through the area.
Through our link, I was starting to understand the flow better and was able to tell where living beings were concentrated, if they were moving, if they were calm or excited... things I never would have been able to tell from this distance before.
My telepathic ability did show me insight into creatures within my range, but it was mostly noise, surface thoughts and feelings, and it was difficult to sift through. I wasn't as talented at it as some in my family. But this visual seemed much easier to process and comprehend. And being connected to my partner who had this form of sight all his life, helped it feel natural.
It was also easy to track my siblings movements as they approached and entered the compound. Through our mental link, I knew about where they were and how they were. I could hear their thoughts and would know if they needed me, but now I could track their brilliant threads of energy and easily see what was around them as well.
"Is it always easy to see see who is who? Do different individuals have visually unique energy?" I asked out loud rather than shifting my focus to search his memories. Since this sight was normal to Qualin, he didn't really think about it, so understanding was sometimes buried.
"Hmm. I think if your familiar with someone, you can see the difference. It's almost like recognizing a familiar face in a crowd. if you don't really know someone, they all blend together, the better you know them, the more they stand out. And your guys' energy stands out from pretty much everyone I've ever met." He chuckled.
That seemed true. Unfortunately, it also meant disguising ourselves as common creatures wouldn't be much help against someone who could see this way. We've had this issue with a few species who seemed to be able to see our true nature, or at least that we are different than we appear.
Hopefully no one down there would be able to notice my siblings, but if they did, I knew they could handle themselves. Our tactics would simply have to change again.
A light, tickling sensation caressed my mind. A stole a glance towards Qualin. He was smiling at me. I don't think he even meant to express his pride in me and my family, but I could feel how impressed he was. It made me blush.
"I'm really enjoying seeing you like this." He whispered. "The way you handle things, how easily you adapt. You're amazing but you act like it's nothing."
"It's just the way we were raised. I'm not as impressive as the rest of my family. compared to them, I'm like, below average. Though Galaxy has always made us very effective as a unit."
"I've met your family, and you are every bit as impressive as the rest. More so in certain ways."
"You're biased because I'm your partner, but I'll take the compliment." I smiled back at him. I didn't know if I'd ever be as powerful or commanding as my dad or leading brothers, but I felt like having my partner was making me better.