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Prisoners of Horvath

This is what I am. A kinkune ripped from her Gerdrym mother.

By KABFPublished 2 years ago 3 min read
2

Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say. I wonder if she screamed as she floated away, ejected from the transport with the other prisoners, nothing but their stellarsuits protecting them from the nihility outside planet Horvath.

It’s a cruel form of execution, one the Horvathians have employed since the Troubled Times to ensure their dominance on the planet. When explorers from Gerdros crashed on Horvath two centuries ago, they were embraced into Horvathian society as honored intergalactic guests - a welcome curiosity in the hermit kingdom. They were given many gifts, bestowed honorific titles, and even bequeathed land parcels by the Horvathian Consul. The Gerdrym, in their many travels, had never encountered such lavish generosity - with not a single favor asked in return.

As they prepared to return home to Gerdros with their many newfound riches, the Gerdrym explorers found themselves forcibly detained, and their ship was scuttled. The High Leaders of Horvath informed them that no one leaves Horvath; once on the planet, the only option was to make a life there. The gift of property and bounty were to ensure the Gerdrym a chance at a peaceful and prosperous life in their new home: Horvath. Tradition demanded it.

I write this history not in hopes that some other traveler is marooned here to find it; but rather, as a guide for she who would leave this beautiful cage. One must know what they are up against… And who better than I to share what I know.

A Horvathian produces a single heir every millennium. They are imposing in size - at least three times that of a Gerdrym - and prize a measured and dignified demeanor in all things. Their inheritance cycle is so confounding that many believe the Horvathians don’t procreate, but rather, re-incarnate. Legends say when mighty Horvath the Elder lay down to slumber, a child awoke. To this day, it’s a great mystery of the universe. Even now, no Gerdrym has seen a Horvathian die.

Gerdrym live a mere century. They are small and fierce, hearty and resourceful. They are characterized by dyads; they walk on two appendages, they see with two vision ports, they listen with two sound ports, and they complete most of the tasks of life with two upper appendages. They mate with another Gerdrym, creating a dyad. A Gerdrym dyad can produce 2 to 8 offspring in as many years. Gerdrym are vulnerable to illness, malnourishment, emotional upheaval, and most notably, their soft outer casing can easily be punctured by tools of war. Fate indeed smiled on them in one way; the Horvathians consider bloodshed to be in bad taste.

The Gerdrym who complied with the High Leaders of Horvath became exalted members of society and politics. Those who did not - those who yearned to return to Gerdros and freedom - became a serving class. As of this writing, 90% of Gerdrym are servants.

As decades turned to centuries, the Gerdrym population threatened control of the planet. Clashes and rebellions were waged, and lost. The Horvathians won control of the planet by taking extreme measures; captured Gerdrym prisoners would be released beyond Horvath’s atmosphere, to float until their stellarsuits’ life propellant expired. Bloodless, and cold.

Today, this punishment is particularly reserved for political dissidents, religious others, and social non-conformists. A prisoner’s assets are seized and their children are re-assigned to wealthy and powerful Horvathians. The children become kinkune - changelings - and undergo reeducation in the ways, rights, privileges, and responsibilities of Horvath.

This is what I am. A kinkune ripped from her Gerdrym mother. I hope one day someone will find this writing and understand that I was here. I hope my mother’s body is recovered from The Unknown. I hope that after two generations we find a way off this forbidden planet where conformity is the essence of survival. I know if this volume is found, I will be on the next transport upwards. But I must write what I know so others can have hope, and perhaps one day, freedom.

AdventureFantasySci Fi
2

About the Creator

KABF

Reader insights

Nice work

Very well written. Keep up the good work!

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  1. Easy to read and follow

    Well-structured & engaging content

  2. Excellent storytelling

    Original narrative & well developed characters

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Comments (2)

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  • Ashley McGee2 years ago

    Very good world building!

  • Oberon2 years ago

    Really great job building a world in such a short amount of time. I've love to see this expanded

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