CH 1-10

Summary

Merco, a human veteran of the last future war, finds himself marooned by mercenaries on an alien world inhabited by tiny humanoid aliens. Wounded and far from anything he knows he tries to survive and somehow find a way home. Meanwhile, the natives try to keep themselves a secret from this new threat.

Chapter 1: Marooned

Merco lay motionless on the metal floor of his cargo hold. His vision was blurry, and he faded in and out of consciousness from the bloody head wound seeping down across his forehead. Pain throbbed oppressively across his beaten body, unwilling to give him a moment’s peace. His eyes flitted open, catching blurred images of dim lights and two other figures inside the ship with him.

A faint glow of yellow drew his attention to his left arm which was a cybernetic prosthetic from the elbow down. The prosthetic forearm had a glowing metal band over the wrist; an inhibitor. The device was designed to cut off all signals that commanded the prosthetic to connect with his nerve endings. Whoever had slapped that on him knew how to immobilize his main source of defense, as the robotic forearm had thrice the power of his original organic arm. Without it he was an easy target.

How did they even know he had a prosthetic?

The limb looked like a long, black, leather glove over a normal arm. Only someone familiar with him would’ve known it wasn’t flesh and blood. He grunted, willing the fingers to flex, but nothing happened.

It had all happened so fast; the attack on his cargo ship. His instruments barely had time to register the other ship before he was blindsided.

Should’ve been wearing my harness. Always hated wearing it.

The other ship appeared suddenly, rammed him, and the impact sent his head smashing into the metal frame of his front window, knocking him out cold. Now he was awake and didn’t know what had occurred after the collision.

“Nice ship you have here, pal,” an unfamiliar, young sounding, male voice commented just ahead of him in the cockpit seat. “Think we’ll take it off your hands.”

“The Hell you will.” Merco growled, lifting his head off the floor.

The second figure stepped over to him and hoisted him up roughly by his short, dark, peppered hair, “Kinda mouthy for a dead man don’tcha think?”

Merco finally could see the face of one of his assailants. He was a Gret’nal, a giant, lizard-like humanoid bristling with spikes along his jowls, rough grayish green scales along his limbs, and a row of spikes racing down the back of his thick neck and spine. Behind, sharp, nonexistent lips were hundreds of small pointed teeth. His golden eyes slit menacingly as his reptilian tongue flickered out at his face. Not particularly pretty to look at. Even less pretty to go up in a fight against one.

“Now, now, Gurt. Remember, we’re not supposed to kill him.” The pilot up front chided in a sly tone, “At least…not directly.”

Merco winced as the scaly alien growled with irritation before dropping him on the deck plates.

“Who are you?” Merco demanded hoarsely.

He could just make out the back of the pilot’s white head but couldn’t see the face. His voice wasn’t unpleasant or very deep; more sly and reedy sounding.

“Oh, just some mercenaries looking to make bank for your carcass.” The pilot commented offhandedly.

Merco blinked with confusion, “Mercenaries? But…why me? I’m not worth anything to anybody. I’m just a cargo ship pilot.”

“And a former war hero.” The pilot stated. “At least you were to the ‘winning’ side. However, our employer wasn’t on the winning side.”

A sickening ball welled up in Merco’s stomach. The flashbacks surfaced briefly. Laser fire. Shouted, muffled commands being ringing in his earpiece. Sweat in his eyes. Ground shattering explosions. Blood. His blood. Someone else’s blood. Immeasurable pain exploding through his left side. He couldn’t feel his arm.

He counted to ten slowly in his head and then finally said, “I’m no war hero. I’m just someone they pinned a medal on for the publicity.”

“Semantics,” the pilot waved a dismissive hand, “I don’t get into the politics. I just work for the highest bidder.”

“And who was your highest bidder?”

The pilot waggled his alien-looking finger without turning around, “Ah, ah, ah. First rule of my trade is anonymity. The only thing you need to know is what Gurt has to tell you.”

Merco wasn’t ready for the hard, scaly fist that knocked him out cold.

---

Hours later after a hyperspace jump…

Gurt sat pensively across from their target, flicking his reptilian tongue from time to time. He hissed and turned to his counterpart, “Why ain’t we killin’ im?”

Cresh, the young alien pilot with a spiked Mohawk of dark blue hair and smooth snow white skin, sighed, “I told you, Gurt. Our employer doesn’t want us to kill him. Just maroon him on a lifeless planet somewhere. ‘To die in absolute loneliness and despair, away from everything he knows and loves.’” he quoted in a melodramatic tone.

The humanoid lizard bared his teeth minutely, “Seems dumb to me for what we’re gettin’ paid.”

“What’s the difference? This is the easiest job we’ve ever taken. After this job we’ll be set for a long time. Maybe even for life!” the young pilot smirked, keeping his quadruple eyes on the scanners in front of him.

“Just boring is all.” Gurt growled.

Cresh rolled his four eyes at his surly partner until the scanners flickered green for a confirmation of his search, “All right, Gurt! We’ve got one!”

“One what?”

“A planet for dumping off our cargo.”

The reptilian leaned over the pilot seat to view the scanner. Cresh pointed to the scrolled readouts, “See. Breathable air for him, a long way from his home world, and no civilization for light years. Just like our guy wanted.”

“What’s that?” Gurt pointed to small pinpoints of green that were indicating life forms on the planet.

Cresh waved a hand, “Nothing to worry about. Just indigenous life…not civilization.” He dramatically pulled his dual goggles down over his eyes, “We’re going in for a drop off.”

---

On the planet below…

Cresh hovered the cargo ship over the ground, the ship’s jet wash throwing sand and whipping the scrub brush violently. The planet was habitable, but desolate desert in the area they had chosen. The mauve purple terrain was rocky with some strange rock formations dotting the horizon.

The loading bay door opened and with a none too gentle kick, Merco was dumped out. The impact on the ground awoke him from his stupor. He groaned and rolled onto his back just in time to be hit with a violent gust of hot air from his ship as it thrust upward into the sky.

“No…” he croaked, reaching up to the shrinking dot as it shot further up.

In less than a minute the dot was gone, and he was alone. He sat up slowly, his limp prosthetic draped in his lap and his head pounding with pain. Merco looked at the yellow inhibitor band on his wrist, trying to discern how to remove it. He could remove the cybernetic arm from his stump easily but working on it with one hand in the middle of nowhere…that was all but impossible. He decided to wait and find a sturdy rock to break it open. But the flat sandy terrain seemed short on rocks.

The upper middle-aged man reached up to the left side of his head where it felt like someone had jammed a hatchet into his skull. His fingers contacted a warm wetness and tacky roughness. He was bleeding from his head. Without a mirror he didn’t know how badly but the pain told him it was a bit more serious than a flesh wound. Those damn mercenaries…and whomever had paid them. Now he was marooned…somewhere.

His stood up groggily and turned in a slow circle to assess his surroundings. Any other person would be screaming and panicking at their sudden abandonment, but Merco had been in war zones as a young man many times worse than this. He knew how to survive…the only question was could he on this world with no Intel or resources?

The only thing that made his mind buzz with dread was the thought of his sons and his ex-wife. His sons were grown now and had lives of their own, but he had a fairly close relationship with them. Though he and his wife had separated long ago, after their sons were grown, their relationship was not corrosive. He had kept in touch with her from time to time…but not this month. She had a more prestigious job as a corrections officer, while he was, in essence, a space traveling “truck driver”. They had grown apart with their jobs and she had always wanted more time together than he. Merco was far more independent and after the war, domestic life never fit his personality correctly.

But now…now that he was abandoned on this alien world all he could think about was his family and if he’d ever see them again.

His mind buzzed with questions. Where was he? What planet was this? Who had hired those mercenaries to do this to him and why?

The land around him was mostly flat with very little vegetation, much like a desert. However, he could see some texture on the horizon.

Trees? Or some alien vegetation?

It was many miles away, but vegetation meant water…hopefully. With a marked limp in his gait, he slowly trudged in the direction of what he hoped was a place to shelter.

The suns overhead burned hot as Merco trudged alone across the wasteland. With some clever maneuvering and tying of his worn war jacket, he fashioned a sling for his limp prosthetic arm and a bandage for his head. His lips were dry as leather and he prayed somehow there would be some source of water when he reached the vegetation on the horizon…unless of course it was just a cruel mirage.

Although the pounding of his injured head and face were making him sincerely wonder if he was going to die here on this alien world; alone, unknown, and suffering until his last breath. The heat only made his thoughts more dire. As the minutes bled into hours, he could feel his strength waning. His vision went blurry, either from fatigue or sweat. However, despite the blur the horizon was suddenly becoming promising. There was vegetation…but it didn’t look green; more of a lavender to gray blue color with splotches of dull green here and there. Survival instinct prodded him on.

“You’re almost there…you can’t die just yet.” His brain urged.

He walked for another eternity before the shade of the alien plants embraced him in a cooling hug. With tedious, stumbling steps he collapsed to rest. The suns’ cruel heat sucked away all of his energy but now in the shade he began to rebound. His tongue was so dry, and his lips felt split in a million flaky pieces.

Water…

Merco knew he’d die in no time without water but trepidation of what the water on the planet would be like frightened him. Would he be able to find water? Would it even be drinkable? Would it kill him? Well if he didn’t drink, he’d die anyway so what difference would it make?

After several long minutes he stood up weakly, using the surrounding growth to steady himself. The vegetation was mostly sapling sized trees with broad leaves that went slightly above his head at their tallest and lots of smaller grasses beneath. He knew there had to be water somewhere if there were these many plants. Without knowing where to start, Merco starting walking again, slowly but with purpose.

When many minutes passed, he suddenly caught sight of a beam of waving light against some of the trees ahead. A reflection? He pushed on and soon found a small puddle of what looked like clear water. He laughed with relief and fell to his knees beside the pool. Thirst pushed him past the point of reason as he plunged his face into the cool liquid and greedily sucked up all his mouth could hold. It didn’t taste bad or threatening so he drank and drank until the puddle emptied. He sighed and wiped his lips. That felt so much better now.

Then, near the empty puddle, a shimmering caught his eye. He leaned over to get a look at the beautiful object. It looked like a very smooth, dark teal rock with silvery marbling all through it and was about the size of a large plum. Fascinated, Merco picked up the rock and was surprised that it was warm to the touch. He rolled it over in his palm and it sparkled in the light.

“Huh. Cool rock.” He said to himself as he tucked it into his shirt pocket.

He stood up and looked around him. Far off he could see a large rock formation. The skies were beginning to darken and Merco knew he’d need shelter for the night, so he began walking toward the rocks in the distance.

Chapter 2: The Giant Alien

Not so far away…

Despite the assumption made by the mercenaries, the planet was not uninhabited. Situated within the center of the vast forest, fed by freshwater springs, existed an alien city called Anashee. In this city lived a flying race of humanoids known as the Ansheetans. The Ansheetans were only slightly technologically advanced, focusing most of their technology toward harvesting the resources of their planet and modest plasma and energy weaponry.

A uniqueness the Ansheetans endowed was flight due to their ability to manipulate the gravity around their bodies. Of course, flight wasn’t an inherent ability for every Ansheeta and had to be practiced in order to attain any sort of control. Most could only fly a short distance and achieve a minimal height. Only a select few of their kind were exceptional in their flying ability and they became the Elite Flight Patrol or EFP. They were highly regarded amongst their fellow Asheetan since they were responsible for the protection of their people and also the locating of new resources.

One such EFP scout was a lavender-skinned female named Anu. With a shock of silvery white plumage atop her head and back of her neck, that resembled hair, she was a striking specimen. Large, bright blue, almond shaped eyes, barely a nose to speak of, and delicate thin lips completed her visage. Like most all members of her species she was slightly built with wispy delicate limbs and long pointed antennae-like ears that followed the curve of her head.

Anu was a positive individual, always hoping for the best even in the face of adversity. She was also hopelessly curious and bold with a sharp intelligence. If not for her anxiety wrecking her flying ability, she would be a model EFP member. However, because of her anxiety, Anu wasn’t the best of the EFP. Granted she was talented enough to join…but just barely. Her control of her gravitational field was spotty, especially when she got stressed. When she was in tune with it, she was one of the best fliers in her squad, but her inconsistency continually threw her to the bottom of her class. As such she was relegated to that of a scout rather than a combatant.

Today, Anu flew amid the forest, checking on certain areas that were designated to her patrol; looking for anything amiss. Though there weren’t many notable threats inhabiting their wooded kingdom, there were the vicious bandits that inhabited the outlying edges of their lands.

The bandits were not of Anashee, but from other parts of their planet. They were known as the Rogashay or Rog Bandits. They were physically much taller and stronger than the more frailly built Ansheetans, but they could not fly. Instead they mastered and rode the great Sand Dragons which were three times their size and carnivorous.

Long ago, they had tried to invade Anashee and take control of their lands, but the attempt was thwarted thanks to the more advanced Anashee forces. They never attempted another invasion, but anyone traveling beyond the forest and along the outskirts risked everything to do so. However, the Rog Bandits hadn’t been reported or seen for many patrols. Anu had never seen a Rog Bandit in real life; only in texts and illustrations of the history of their people, but she didn’t hope to see one on her patrols.

Typically, everything was the same. Her last stop before heading back was the Hitel pond near the edge of the wasteland. However, when she arrived, she was stunned. Throwing her hands out in front of her she halted abruptly in midair. The pond was dry. Holding her hands at her sides she gradually descended into the rocky center of the hole that was once Hitel pond. There were a few shallow puddles left between the rocks but that was all. She pointed her hands down and shot up higher…a bit faster than she wanted.

She halted shakily and mentally coached herself, “Easy Anu. Easy. Calm. You fly terribly when you’re stressed.”

Slowly, Anu turned to see around the pond. Next to it was a large impression and then strange markings in the ground. Carefully she flew down to inspect the impressions when something touched her slender back. She screamed and haphazardly wheeled around.

“You let your guard down, Anu.” a familiar male voice gently laughed behind her.

Anu narrowed her blue almond shaped eyes and shouted at her mate, “Traynar! Don’t do that to me!”

Traynar was Anu’s mate and subsequently her patrol partner. He had the typical pale green skin of his gender with darker iridescent plumage stretching down from his head to the middle of his back; much the same color as an Earth rooster. Unlike Anu, Traynar was more pessimistic and often needed Anu to point out the positives in life. To almost everyone who met him he was somber and took his job as an EFP combatant very seriously. As such he was also every bit a protector; wanting to keep others from harm. Especially Anu. Anu was the only one who brought out a lighter more playful side of him.

His darker eyes sparkled with brief mischief, “Didn’t see anything my way so I came to meet up with you for the fly back.”

Anu ruffled the scaly plumage along her head and pointed, “What do think happened here?”

Traynar looked down at the empty pond and lifted his plumage with interest, “What the…?”

Together they descended next to the empty pond and in the depression next to it.

“What happened to the water?” Traynar puzzled, kneeling down to touch ground. “And look at this…the mud is compressed.”

Their investigation was cut short when they heard crying and wailing nearby in the trees.

The pair looked at each other and then flew toward the cries. In moments they found three Ansheeta, two males and one female, holding onto one another. They almost didn’t notice Anu and Traynar approach they were in such a panic.

“What happened here?” Traynar asked gently but abruptly.

The trio jerked with surprise but then began talking very quickly.

“Oh, Suro’ka! It took her!” the female lamented to the Ansheetan deity.

“It was enormous! A monster!”

“A giant monster! It took her!”

Anu held up her hands to calm them, “Easy! Easy. Slow down. Tell us what happened slowly. What are you talking about?”

The female’s head crest lifted and then lowered expressively but she said shakily, “We-we came to the pond for our youngest’s Emergence.”

Anu and Traynar became very interested at the mention of an Emergence. The Emergence was essentially the birth of a new Ansheetan. After coupling with her mate, a female Ansheeta would expel a single, small egg from her chest opening. The egg would be stored in a dry, warm brooding pod until it grew and developed into a much larger chrysalis. Before the chrysalis could develop a very hard, protective outer shell, sensors and education probes would be inserted and attached. These wires and nodes would not only monitor the growing being’s vitals and sustain it through maturity, but it would transmit vital information such as language, history, and culture directly into the brain. This ensured it would be ready to assimilate into the Ansheetan society from the moment of Emergence.

Then after two planetary cycles, when the outer shell began to shimmer, the caretakers would transport the chrysalis to the nearest body of water. There it would be immersed to initiate the Emergence of a fully grown Ansheetan.

The female continued, “It…it came from the Wasteland. We felt it before we saw it. It-it was gigantic! Taller than the trees!”

“What? What was?” Traynar asked.

The older male spoke up, “We don’t know, but we hid when we heard it crashing through the trees. It was the biggest thing I’ve ever seen! Strange pale brown skin, dark hair all over its head and face. Everything was shaking with its steps! Then it drank the entire pond dry and took our chrysalis! I tried to follow it…but I couldn’t keep up with it. My-my flying ability is poor.” he sobbed, “I…I tried to get her back. I tried…”

Traynar’s dark eyes moved slowly, trying to process the story he just heard. Anu slowly flew upward to gain a better vantage. She squinted at the strange shaped hole and the compressed mud. Then her eyes widened. It was a footprint. In fact, there were several cratering the ground, along with what looked like two deep depressions made by a pair of enormous knees.

“But…that’s impossible! Nothing on this planet is that big.”

She flew down to the print, landed at the heel end, and began taking long measuring steps. Finally, she came to the measurement of twenty-eight steps long. Her brain whirled trying to imagine the size of such a creature.

Traynar landed next to her and said with seriousness “We need to report this.”

Anu looked to the distraught family, “Shouldn’t we find this giant thing and their chrysalis first?”

“Find it! Are you crazy? We’ll be lucky if it doesn’t find us first!” he hissed.

Anu stared at the impossibly big prints and then back at Traynar, “You go report what we’ve found so far. I’m going to follow these prints…find out what we’re dealing with.”

He took her shoulders protectively, “No! I can’t let you do something that insane!”

“Then come with me.” Anu insisted, hovering off the ground.

“Please! Please find our young one. Please save her!” The family nearby implored.

Traynar opened his mouth to protest, and then grunted as he addressed the family, “We will find your chrysalis. Go to Anashee and report this to the Council. When we find this creature, we’ll return.”

The trio nodded as Traynar and Anu flew up above the trees. The creature’s path wasn’t hard to discern. Trees were bent, broken, and flattened for miles; the monstrous prints among them. It would’ve been almost impossible for a non-flying civilian to follow.

Anu pointed, “I think it headed for Bent Peak.”

Traynar nodded with agreement and they flew as fast as they were able toward the towering rock formation.

---

Later…

It was nearly dark when the two Ansheetans arrived at Bent Peak; a massive rock formation that reached high above their forest and crooked over just at the top, giving it its name. There were rich mineral deposits there, but not much else besides being a notable landmark. As the terrain turned from the forest to the rocky land that surrounded the formation, Anu and Traynar lost the footprints.

“Now what?” Traynar asked.

Anu slowly descended and landed on the rocks near the base of the formation. Traynar landed next to her. No sooner had they landed when they heard a massive crashing noise. They jumped and immediately ducked down.

“What was that?!” Traynar whispered intensely.

Another thunderous crash echoed across the landscape. It sounded like a rock banging on something metal. The pair covered their ears as two more bangs cracked. Then, everything went quiet. Anu paused a moment then slowly flew upward, staring in the direction the sound had come. As she rose higher, she suddenly caught sight of movement just behind one of the outcropping rocks. She quietly and slowly flew closer.

---

Merco sighed with relief as the inhibitor on his cybernetic wrist gave way under the rock he’d found to free himself. The cuff sparked and fell open, its yellow light flickering out. A familiar twinge of pain surged at his elbow, signaling the reconnection of the synapses. He groaned slightly and then slowly rotated his shoulder. Then he bent his elbow and flexed his fingers. His prosthetic seemed to work fine.

He groaned and leaned back against the rock wall as a wave of nausea and pain swept over him.

That can’t be good.

His hand gingerly went up to his head wound again. The bandana he’d fashioned as a bandage was soaked with blood. He was certain he at least sustained a concussion but now he was thinking his skull might be cracked open. He didn’t get to fret long as the nausea succumbed to drowsiness. Merco could barely keep his eyes open. Injured, hungry, and weak he fought his fatigue but knew it was a battle he would likely lose.

---

Anu gasped and quickly landed in a very tall tree just in front and to the left of the gigantic creature they’d been searching for. Her eyes were wide with fear and amazement at the sight of it.

It was sitting down with its back resting against a rock wall. Even sitting down, it was absolutely tremendous in size. Its skin was a dull, neutral brown color and it was clothed in rugged looking attire: black boots, durable looking dark pants, a grey shirt without sleeves, a dark blue jacket about its waist, and a strange black glove on its left arm that ran all the way up past his elbow. Its face was covered with short, peppered hair that framed its mouth, chin, and underneath its protruding nose. The hair also covered the top of its head. Its face and parts of its body also had discoloration around it, different from the brownish color of its skin. Wounds perhaps? There definitely appeared to be a wound on the giant’s head as its strange red blood was leaking out into a strip of cloth it had fashioned into a bandage.

It made a deep growl in his chest as if in pain, its head lolling to the side. After a few moments it let loose a deep gushing sigh, leaned back against the rock wall, and closed its eyes to fall asleep. Anu watched for several minutes until Traynar landed next to her in the tree.

“By Suro’ka…” Traynar swore to the Ansheetan deity when he beheld the gigantic creature, “What is it?”

Anu shook her head and whispered, “I don’t know. Do you see the chrysalis?”

Traynar craned his neck a bit and frowned, “No…but we’re not close enough to tell.”

“You-you don’t think it ate it do you?” Anu swallowed nervously.

Her mate looked at her with a grim look but shrugged, “I hope not…but I’m not getting any closer or that might happen to us.”

Anu shivered, feeling her heart beating harder just imagining such a horrible fate. Questions assaulted her fearful mind about this tremendous creature:

What was it? Where did it come from? Was it dangerous? Why was it here?

Dismissing these questions she shook her head and turned to her mate, “Go back to Anashee and tell the Council what we’ve seen. I’m going to keep watch on it…make sure it doesn’t head to Anashee after it wakes up.”

Traynar widened his eyes and whispered back, “Oh? And exactly how are you going to stop it if it does head for Anashee?”

“I don’t know. The important thing is we now know where it is. Now we just have to warn everyone and make sure it doesn’t find Anashee. Go!”

Traynar still looked unsure and very against her plan but knew his obstinate mate wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. So, he tenderly touched his forehead to hers in a gesture of parting and then quietly flew off. Anu sighed and began her watch.

Chapter 3: The Lake

In the city of Anashee, after much explanation…

Traynar was out of breath explaining the whole scenario to the Council before him. The Council was comprised of some of the most intelligent, powerful, and wisest members of the Anashee society with the eldest and most powerful female Elder Felreh leading. Many looked skeptical but still concerned.

“And you say it is at Bent Peak as we speak.” the Elder confirmed.

Traynar nodded.

“Did you see our chrysalis?” the family from before called out with hope.

“No. But, my mate Anu is keeping watch to make sure it doesn’t go anywhere.”

“Did it appear aggressive?” Madala the female leader of the EFP and defense of Anashee tried to clarify with her bluish colored plumage raised.

Traynar shook his head, “Not that I could tell. It was sleeping. But it’s the biggest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. I…I can’t even begin to comprehend the strength it possesses.”

The five Council members conferred quietly amongst themselves for several minutes. The gathered crowd in the chamber sat quiet and waited.

After a time Elder Felreh stood, “We have come to a decision. We will not interact, nor engage this creature. For all it knows, we do not exist. We will close the gates of Anashee and instill a ban on all travel outside the city until this creature moves on.”

“What of our young one? That monster still has her chrysalis! Will you do nothing to rescue her?” the elder male of the family protested.

Felreh addressed him calmly yet firmly, “We must ascertain where your chrysalis is first. If this creature does indeed have it, we will plan its recovery. I don’t want to reveal our existence prematurely if it doesn’t have the chrysalis.”

“But what if it comes to Anashee? What will we do?” someone asked aloud.

Elder Felreh nodded, “We will plan for that in the meantime. Hopefully, it will never know we exist and move on.” She turned to Madala, “Assemble your best fliers and station them at key points around Anashee. If this creature comes this way we must know as soon as possible. But do not be seen.”

Madala nodded and abruptly left. Traynar followed her, “What about Anu? She’s still out there with it!”

The commander thought a moment, “We’ll get to her by morning. It’s too dangerous to fly by night. Come on. We have plans to make.”

---

Morning…

Anu had watched the sleeping giant throughout the hours of night and light was beginning to glow beyond the forest. It appeared to be in a deep sleep and Anu had a bold idea. She needed to ascertain if it had the precious chrysalis and since it was asleep, she could conduct a quick search. But that would require a very up-close inspection…a very dangerous endeavor. However, she knew if that had been her chrysalis, she’d want everything done to get it back safely. She closed her eyes, steadied her breathing and quickly flew from her tree, up the hill, and toward the sleeping giant.

As she drew near, her guts tightened with fear as the alien grew bigger and bigger still. She blinked harshly, to keep her focus on flying and not fear. The giant alien was laying down, back to the steep base of Bent Peak, using its arms as a pillow. Its massive chest rose and fell with deep, hollow breaths; like wind rushing through an empty house. Anu flew over the titanic figure and then flew in closer to search for the chrysalis.

First, she quietly hovered near the giant’s hands to search, but there was nothing clutched inside. Anu began to fly down the length of its body and then noticed a pocket on the giant’s shirt. There was a bulge. Though she feared coming any closer she very cautiously flew toward the pocket to peek inside. The giant’s chest rose out at her with every massive breath, but she managed to reach out and grip the cloth top of the pocket to open it. She peeked inside and gasped upon seeing the familiar bluish green glimmer of the chrysalis nestled within the cloth prison.

It had the chrysalis!

Anu wanted to crawl inside and pull out the precious pod but knew she wouldn’t be strong enough to pull off such a rescue. Quite suddenly, the giant’s breathing changed its rhythm to something more urgent and deeper. Its massive body began twitching and then suddenly its huge limbs flailed violently. One of its huge arms swung out, passing a few feet over her head. The vorticity created sent the little scout spinning. Anu cried out with terror and suddenly dropped to the ground, her fear stealing her focus and flight.

“No no no no no no.” Anu hissed with frustration, “Not now! Not now! Come on!”

Stumbling on the ground and trying to regain her flight, Anu ran with all speed she could muster down the rocky slope to the safety of the trees. She covered her ears as the creature roared behind her. Somehow, like an astronaut bouncing on the moon, she began regaining her flight; touching off the ground and gaining air. Finally, she managed to fly up and into the trees.

---

“GET DOWN! DOWN NOW!” Merco screamed.

He flailed his arms and sat up with a cold, sweaty start. His breathing heaved with panic until realization broke through his nightmare.

No. Not on the battlefield. Not fighting anyone. The war was done.

Merco sighed heavily slowly coming around. By some blessing he survived, but his PTSD had violently asserted itself once again as it had many nights after the war. The nightmares of battle. The cold sweats. The gripping panic and adrenaline rush. However, the pain he was feeling in his skull wasn’t part of his nightmare, it was very real. His left eye was all but swelled shut from the punch to the face. He couldn’t see very well, and it hurt to open it fully. The left side was where the open wound was and it ached terribly.

Though not as sharp and pounding like his head, his stomach began to ache with hunger. He couldn’t remember the last thing he ate, but it had to be longer than a day he’d gone without food. He’d have to find something to eat or he’d grow too weak to do so and starve.

The bearded man touched the inside of his boot and smirked when he felt the small knife he hid there. Apparently, the mercenaries hadn’t searched him that thoroughly. With a knife he stood a slightly greater chance of surviving. Merco winced and forced himself to his feet, swaying dangerously.

---

Anu made it back to the shelter of the trees and landed on a large branch. She was breathing hard with panic. The deafening roar of the creature’s voice shook through the branches and echoed across the forest. Had its arm swung a bit lower it would’ve swatted her and probably killed her. She went tense and looked back.

Was it coming after her?

The gigantic alien was sitting up but it wasn’t in pursuit. Its shout subsided and was replaced with deep moaning and hissing. They sounded like distress or pain noises. Anu looked out at the huge alien that was now sitting up and after several long moments it stood up, towering like a living monolith. Anu’s breath seized in her throat at the sight of it. Standing it was even more tremendous in size.

Where had it come from? There had never been record of anything that big on this entire planet. Was it an undiscovered creature that just emerged from the desolate wasteland or was it indeed an alien from another world?

Anu’s thoughts were abruptly halted when rhythmic tremors began shaking the forest. Anu gasped when she saw the giant being moving down from the rock face and coming right toward her! She froze, unable to believe the enormity of the creature that strode closer, like a living mountain on tree-sized legs.

Had it seen her? Smelled her? Was it coming to get her? Would she be able to fly if it tried to get her or would she fall like moments before?

She didn’t move and kept the trunk of her tree between her and the towering colossus. It was at the tree line in a few long strides and stopped. At this closer range she noted that the wounds on its face seemed to look worse than the day before. Its eye was puffed up so much that she could barely see it and its skin was blotched with angry purple and red marks. Its head wound was still covered but the cloth did little to hide its horrendous appearance. Anu watched as it scanned the trees pensively.

What was it looking for? Hopefully not her.

It looked around a few seconds and then gripped a tree several yards from hers. It cracked with protest as the powerful hands crushed the branches flat. Then with a horrible, earth-tearing pull, the alien yanked it straight out of the ground. Anu’s jaw dropped at the immense power she’d witnessed. It uprooted the tree like it was pulling a weed!

The giant shook the uprooted tree to rid the roots of dirt, held it up, and stared down its length. Satisfied, it began snapping off the branches until all that remained was a knobby trunk. It moved away from the tree line, sat down, and pulled out a small knife from the inside of his boot. Then, it meticulously began lopping off the knobs and slicing the tree trunk to a sharp point.

Anu watched, fascinated but then perturbed. What was it going to use that for?

A low rumble from the giant. It winced, massaging its stomach.

Anu swallowed hard and shrunk behind the tree trunk as far as she could. It was hungry. She envisioned herself skewered on the end of the deadly point, roasting over a fire. Horrible scenarios of the giant creature devouring countless Anashee citizens played morbidly in her head.

Was it a meat eater? Clearly this being was intelligent to some degree…but was it benevolent or barbaric?

After some time, the giant admired its handiwork of the makeshift spear and held it aloft, testing the balance and weight of it. It grunted deeply making several jabs at the ground before it decided the spear was adequate. Using the stick as a cane, it hefted itself up, rising impressively into the sky and strode back up to the base of Bent Peak.

Anu let loose a sigh of relief. It never saw her. She wondered if Traynar had told the Council everything.

Did they believe him? Were they going to send reinforcements?

The giant was up higher now, scanning the forest. Its gaze pointed northwest. With thunderous steps it began staggering in that direction. Anu watched it go. It wasn’t headed directly for Anashee…but it wasn’t headed in the opposite direction either. She thought a moment about what lay ahead of it but wasn’t sure. Very carefully and slowly, she let go of the tree and shakily flew up out of the treetops. The giant’s back was to her, so she flew higher to see where it was headed. A twinkling glimmer several miles away gave her the answer.

The Great Anashee Lake.

Though the lake was beautiful and a reliable source of freshwater, it was home to some of the largest and most fearsome creatures on their planet. Great, swimming leviathans that could swallow up Ansheeta and their ships in one gulp. It was a treacherous place not many would venture, save for a few brave souls who made their living on its waters. She had only been there but a handful of times, but never went past the shallowest of tributaries. Only fools dared to fly over the deeper reaches. And the giant was headed for that lake. Torn between whether she should stay put and wait for Traynar and the others to meet up with her or follow the titan to ensure it didn’t wander closer to Anashee, Anu hesitated.

She decided it was better to follow.

…

Not long thereafter…

Once the morning broke a small force of the EFP was dispatched to locate the giant alien that had been reported. Traynar led the chosen group to Bent Peak to find Anu and hopefully the stolen chrysalis as well. When they arrived, the alien wasn’t where he had last seen it, nor was his mate Anu. The group dispersed around the area and soon discovered prints and an uprooted tree hole nearby.

“Look at this!” a young green male flier known as Corzon shouted as he landed on what looked like a huge metal ring. It was as tall as any of them and almost twice as big around.

He had an awed yet horrified look on his face, “How big IS this thing?”

“Big.” Traynar stated emphatically. “That was around its wrist.”

Corzon looked down at the metal ring he stood upon and nervously flew up off of it.

Traynar was already worried since Anu wasn’t in the trees. Had it found her? Was she captured? Or… he didn’t want to think about it. He had to find her.

“Look! More footprints!” someone called out. “I think it’s going to Anashee Lake!”

Traynar looked in that direction, “All right. I’m going to fly to the lake. I’ll bet Anu followed it there. The rest of you disperse across the forest and warn the outlying communities to stay in their villages and homes. Like Elder Felreh said, it doesn’t know we exist, and it may move on without ever knowing we’re here.”

“Shouldn’t one of us go with you?” Corzon asked and pointed to himself brazenly, “You know, an awesome flier to help back you up?

“I can be stealthier alone. Just get the word out and someone report what we’ve found thus far. Now fly!”

…

Much later at the Great Anashee Lake…

Merco breathed a sigh of relief when he finally made it out of the trees and to the banks of the lake, he had seen from the rock formation. Where there was water there was life…hopefully some fish…or the closest equivalent this planet had to offer. He was starving.

But first he needed to wash his head. Hopefully the water would be clean enough for drinking as well as washing. With slight movement, so as not to aggravate the wound, Merco peeled away the bandage he’d fashioned. It had become stiff and crusty with dried blood. Despite his care, the wound screamed its pain across the breadth of his head. He grunted sharply and tried to see himself in the water. He grimaced at the beaten, bloodied face staring back at him. The gash on his head was wider than he initially thought, and it was very red…infected red.

“Damn,” he swore, “you don’t look so good, buddy.”

He bent over like an animal and took a quick sip of the water. After a moment he decided it didn’t taste bad or toxic, so he swallowed and drank more.

“Hopefully I wouldn’t contract some sort of alien dysentery.” He thought morbidly to himself.

Satisfied, he rinsed off the piece of cloth until it looked less blood-soaked. Gently, he dabbed his head and eventually submerged his whole face. The water felt nice and soon he pulled his head up for air. Diluted, bloody water ran down his face and front until he wiped it away.

Despite the pounding of his head he began removing his boots, socks, pants, and shirt. Then he waded into the water until it was up to his knees and scanned the depths for prey.

…

Anu had followed the giant to the lake undetected. She landed and hid behind a rock far from the giant where she could observe, but not be seen. The huge being had quenched its thirst and then cleaned its head wound. Every time it touched its head it seemed in pain. Eventually, it shed its boots and most of its clothes except for the black glove on its arm before it strode out into the lake. Anu marveled how the deep water only came up over its knees. Along his shoulder she could see strange black designs that seemed too precise to be naturally occurring. She wondered what the designs were for.

Poised with its spear, the giant watched with a hunter’s eye. Long minutes of stillness passed before the giant thrust its spear down into the water. Anu held her breath, waiting to see if it had succeeded. A frustrated growl and a repositioned spear answered that. It missed. Again, it waited, not moving its titanic body. It thrust three more times over a stretch of time, unsuccessful.

After a long while, Anu was growing bored of the spectacle, but she didn’t leave her post. It was then, Anu was suddenly startled by a loud buzzing. She turned abruptly to see a clawed water wasp hovering over her rock. The massive predatory insects were twice the size of an Ansheeta and were known for their lethal stinging claws. Very aggressive and to be feared. Anu froze against her rock, staring the huge insect down. The purple stripes on its bright green body, flashed with aggression. Its wings beating with a menacing thrum.

Suddenly it swooped, claws extended toward her!

Anu screamed and flew off of her rock. It missed by mere inches. With a quick turn the Water Wasp was after her again. Anu tried to fly back over the trees, but the wasp was blocking her path. She had no choice but to fly over the lake. As fast as she could she zipped over the water, trying to remain up high. However, her mind was anything but clear and her flying ability was greatly affected because of it. She couldn’t maintain much height and sputtered through the air like a little plane running out of fuel.

“No no no! Clear your mind! Don’t panic! FOCUS!” she internally berated herself.

The wasp was gaining on her, its menacing wings vibrating the air behind her.

“FOCUS!” she screamed.

With a quick spurt of speed, she flew across the lake, gaining a slight lead on the wasp. It followed, unabated. The buzzing grew louder over her shoulder, but Anu refused to look back. If she saw the wasp gaining, she’d panic and wouldn’t be able to fly. She kept her eyes focused on the trees of the opposite bank. She could lose it there.

Suddenly, an explosion of water erupted from below! Anu instinctually tucked her legs in and looked back to see the wasp snatched out of the air by a gargantuan, gold-scaled leviathan, ten times the size of either of them. The wall of flashing golden scales reached its peak before splashing mightily back into the lake.

She heaved a sigh of relief, but when she faced forward she was staring down the gaping maw of a second leviathan hurtling toward her! She tried to dodge, tried to stop, but the voracious mouth was too big and too fast. In the blink of an eye she landed on the creature’s serrated tongue and its mouth slammed shut behind her. Anu flailed helplessly, trying to fly, trying to gain her footing and somehow fight back inside the fish’s mouth. But the instant it dove back down in the lake the cavernous mouth filled with water, sweeping her off her feet. She caught hold of the hard, inner ridge of the leviathan’s jaw and held on tight. Before she could react, the monster’s jaw violently popped up and down. The force was so powerful her grip was jarred loose. She scrambled to regain her grip, but the beast’s muscular throat hatch opened, and she was sucked down its dark, hungry gullet.

Chapter 4: First Contact

Merco was growing very frustrated. His ravenous hunger didn’t help matters, nor did his pounding head wound. Every missed thrust of his spear was energy wasted and he was losing it very quickly. He could see the fish-like creatures jumping not far away, taunting him. He realized his speed and aim had to be true to spear one. He took a calming breath and waited.

Just then he could see a sizable, torpedo-shaped form wandering toward him. He held perfectly still, not even letting his eyes blink lest it give away his position. It swam closer, unaware. He thrust hard. Much to his delight and astonishment the spear tip hit home. The spear whipped and thrashed against his hands as the impaled creature fought back. Merco held it down, stabbing hard to the lake bottom. When its thrashing lessened, he hefted the spear upward, lifting his prize out of the water.

It looked like a fish. It had large golden scales like an Earth carp but a wide predatory mouth like a bass. Several long stringy tentacles trailed from its sides, curling and flailing like dozens of worms. It had three black eyes on either side of its head and a broad, paddle shaped tail. He’d speared it just behind its head and dark purple blood spurted from its wound. Merco laughed with triumph and chucked the fish creature ashore. Quickly, he ran out of the water to his catch. It was pretty big; about as long as his forearm. Plenty for a meal. He hoped it wasn’t poisonous or inedible, otherwise it would be his last meal. His hunger shoved aside his paranoia.

The fish flopped a bit more until he pulled out his pocketknife and severed the spot just behind its head; where he assumed the spinal cord would be located. He guessed correctly, and the fish went still.

Merco was shaking he was so excited. He was going to make it! He was going to survive! He set to work immediately. Holding the fish’s jaw firmly with one hand he slit open the belly of the creature. Strange multicolored viscera spilled out onto the ground. He made a grossed-out face but opened up the body to view the meat. It was a light purplish color.

“Strange. Hope it tastes better than it looks.” he thought to himself.

Just as Merco began to cut loose the organs he saw a large bluish-purple sac dominating the other organs. He guessed it to be the creature’s stomach. What caught his attention was the fact that it was moving; as if had eaten something just moments ago and it was fighting to get out. Morbid curiosity prompted the man to see what was inside. With a quick slice of his knife he opened the stomach and what spilled out made his eyes widen.

There, covered in slime, was a tiny, humanoid creature no more than three inches tall. It had two thin arms and two thin legs. Its skin was a lavender purple color. A small, silvery plume of feathery scales adorned the top of its little egg-shaped head rather than hair. The face was alien but petite and pretty, with large eyes and a tiny lipped mouth. There wasn’t much of a nose, only a pair of small nostrils. It…She… had a feminine appearance. The ears were strange inhuman structures; more like arching tentacles or antennae jutting upward from the sides of the head. But what struck Merco was that she was clothed in a tight-fitting, blue jump suit that made her resemble a tiny pilot. Meaning, she wasn’t just some random animal indigenous to the planet but one of sentient intelligence.

“What in the world?” he mused quietly. ”Am I seeing things? Is my head wound making me hallucinate?”

Gingerly, he poked the tiny form. Was she alive? She didn’t move. He rolled her over on her side and gently tapped the tiny back. He jumped visibly when she suddenly coughed, spewing slime out of her lungs. Her little arms flailed a moment and braced against the ground as she coughed. Once the coughing fit subsided the little being slumped, clearly exhausted from the ordeal.

Merco was struck by how tiny she was; so frail, so delicate looking. He was instantly reminded of the stories his grandmother would tell him as a boy about pixies and fairies; tales he’d long since banished from thought. Although she lacked the obvious “fairy wings” of the stories the structure and size of her made an obvious comparison.

Very gently, he plucked her up and put her into his cupped hands so he could wash her off in the lake. He dipped her into the water and very carefully began running his thumb over her form to remove the slime. The cool water and his strokes revived the creature again. Her thin hands lifted up, pushing his thumb away, and then slowly wiped her face. Large, vibrant blue eyes unveiled themselves, focused, and then widened in terror.

---

For Anu, panic and fear broke down the trauma of being swallowed alive into fragmented sensations. Darkness. Oppressive foul smell. Suffocating slimy wetness. A violent, jarring of her body. No air. She was suffocating. She punched and kicked wildly against the fleshy walls that surrounded her until she passed out.

And then after an eternity fresh air, a bright blinding light, a sense of floating, and cool water washing over her accompanied by a solid form brushing against her body. She wiped her face and slowly opened her eyes.

Was she dead? Was this some sort of after-life?

Her eyes came into focus and there looming over her was the giant creature she’d been following.

She gasped and without really thinking cried out to her mate, “TRAYNAR!”

With flailing movement, she tried to backpedal away from the giant with her feet. Very quickly she realized she was laying in its humongous hands and she barely spanned the width of one of its palms. With determination she tried to fly up, but she only managed to raise up a few feet before falling back down. She was too stressed to focus and on top of that she was soaked which also made flying an impossibility. To make matters worse, her attempted escape made the giant close its hand reflexively. She cried out in terror, waiting for the crush. But it never came. The fingers just surrounded her in a fleshy cage. She was trapped.

---

Traynar hadn’t wasted any time flying to the lake. He hoped his mate was safe and that the paranoid musings of her fate were not true. When he approached the lake, he immediately spotted the towering outline of the giant alien, kneeling on the shore. With stealth, he swooped lower to the treetops, hoping to duck out of sight of the creature.

Then, out of the blue, he heard Anu’s voice cry out his name. He looked around; plumage lifted alertly. He was about to shout back when he noticed the giant a distance away from him, still kneeling at the lake’s edge. The giant’s hands were cupped in the water and nestled inside was…Anu!

Traynar saw his mate try to fly out of the titan’s hands, but the huge alien immediately closed its hands around her. Forgetting his earlier fear and not thinking about his next actions, Traynar withdrew his energy staff and activated it with a crackling buzz.

“NO! Let her GO!” he shouted, flying like a bullet to rescue her.

---

Merco felt sorry for the little alien he held. She looked so frightened. When she unexpectedly flew up off his hands only to fall back down like a broken kite, he reacted instinctually and quickly cupped his hands around her to prevent her escape.

“Whoa. Easy. Easy little pixie.” he said quietly. “I’m not going to hurt you. Just trying to get you washed off is all.”

Carefully, like a boy who’d caught an exotic bug, he opened his hands again. She was curled up, covering her tiny head. He could feel the quivering of her terrified frame.

“Aw. Poor little pixie. It’s ok. It’s ok. I’m not going to…”

Suddenly, there was a blur of greenish light on his left side and something struck his left thumb. He jumped, more out of shock than anything since his prosthetic left hand didn’t register pain. Merco blinked in astonishment as a second tiny being appeared before his face, brandishing a crackling green staff. This one was built similarly to the female, but had light green skin and a shock of darker iridescent scaly plumage on its head that flowed down to its back. It wore a burgundy jump suit. And what was even more amazing, the tiny alien was flying! No wings, no jet pack, just floating as if by some unseen magic.

It pointed the staff at his face with a threatening mid-air stance and flared plumage. Then the little being shouted something aggressively in his alien language. Merco blinked in shock and then smirked with mild amusement. He didn’t know what he’d said but the little alien was clearly defending the female in his hands from…him.

Merco eyed the tiny crackling staff, wondering if it could actually do anything to him.

Well…a shot to the eye would be more than a tickle.

Still, from his perspective, it looked amusing; like watching a tiny kitten puff up and flash its claws as aggressively as it could.

“Easy…easy buddy.” He assured in an even sounding voice, “Don’t do anything hasty now.”

---

Traynar had dove in and struck the giant’s thumb as hard as he could with his energy staff. Much to his stunned horror, the blow didn’t faze the giant alien other than making him jerk slightly. And…it sounded weird when the staff struck. As if he’d hit a metal pipe instead of flesh. His arms hurt now, but he wasn’t going to show fear or pain. He had to save Anu. Aggressively, he flared his plumage and pointed the staff at the giant’s eye.

“Let her GO you monster!” he barked in his most threatening tone.

Floating before the giant’s face gave him an even more terrifying scale. It was like standing before a towering building, but this building was breathing and moving. This closer proximity gave light to more fine details. His eyes were a dull grayish green color in the middle, but red and purple contusions marred the flesh around it. The crevices of his face, especially around the eyes, gave him an older appearance. A gaping wound screamed red and loud on the left side of his head.

Traynar cringed when the giant spoke, his mighty voice vibrating his insides. He didn’t understand him, but the tone sounded placating…and amused. A sinking feeling squirmed in Traynar’s guts. The giant alien wasn’t the least bit intimidated by his show of force. Why should he be? One swing of his huge hand and that would be the end of him. No effort…just swatting an annoying bug out of his vision. Or worse, snagging a tasty snack dangling before his face. He fought the more sensible voice in his head screaming at him to fly away before something like that happened.

Traynar briefly stared down at the huge arms beneath him to ensure the giant wasn’t going to reach up and grab him. He noticed the giant’s left forearm was covered by a long black glove that went all the way past his elbow. What it was for he couldn’t say. His eyes finally found Anu who was laying inside the giant’s cupped hands. She looked so incredibly small and surprisingly unharmed.

“Anu, are you all right? Can you fly?” he called down to her, trying not to break his stare with the giant.

“I…I think I’m ok…I…I’m wet. I can’t fly.” She too watched the giant, shook her head and pleaded to her mate in an intense, lowered voice, “Traynar…don’t do it! You’ll only make him mad.”

“Don’t you think I know that?” he answered through clenched dental ridges. Forcefully, he pointed the staff at the giant’s eye, then back at Anu, and then at the shore of the lake, “YOU! Put her down! NOW!”

---

Merco could see by his gesturing that the little green male was wanting him to release the female. He had no intention of hurting either of them, but this little guy didn’t seem to trust that intention.

Finally, Merco said, “Ok. Ok. I’ll let her go. Just take it easy.”

With slow, careful movements Merco pulled his hands out of the water, turned them toward the bank, and then tipped them up to allow the little female alien to slide out. She quickly hopped out of his hands and stood wobbly. When she gained balance, she turned back to the male who had slowly started to float down toward her. The crackling green staff pointed at him menacingly. Merco had to chuckle at his intensity. For him it was silly to be commanded by such a tiny being.

He then decided to try and introduce himself to defuse the situation. Deliberately he pointed to his chest and said slowly, “Mer-co.”

Their little eyes blinked up at him as they backed away.

He repeated the gesture, “Mer-co.”

They suddenly bolted, running instead of flying, back into the cover of the trees.

Merco sighed, dropping his hand, “Nice meeting you.”

---

Since Anu couldn’t fly, Traynar took her hand and they both ran into the trees. He kept stealing darting glances over his shoulder, expecting the titanic alien to come crashing through the trees behind them in pursuit. But nothing happened. They ran full speed for several minutes until Anu finally stopped, leaning into a tree trunk and gasping for breath. Traynar stopped as well and pulled her to his chest with relief. But he pulled away confused when he felt a slippery slimy coating all over her jumpsuit and skin.

“Anu. Are you all right? What’s all over you?” he asked, flicking some slime from his hand.

Anu suddenly became aware of the grotesque state of her body. She cringed with revulsion, suddenly feeling the stomach juices and other bodily fluids of the fish sticking to her skin and squishing in her suit. She shivered and rushed to a small inlet of water created by the lake nearby and began feverishly cleaning her head and hands. Without really considering it she unzipped her uniform, peeled it off of her body, and began washing herself and the uniform with repulsed urgency.

Traynar stood next to her, concerned, “What happened?”

Anu exhaled deeply, shivered again and told her mate the whole horrific story. Traynar listened until she finished, mouth agape in dismay at her ordeal. He wrapped his arms around her and put his forehead to hers.

“You’re alive. Thank the Maker you’re alive.”

“If it hadn’t been for…him…I would be dead,” she admitted, gesturing in the direction of the giant. Traynar looked at her incredulously but she said, “He killed that Gold-Scaled Leviathan.”

Traynar sighed heavily, “That probably was coincidental. And if he could kill one of those, just imagine what he could do to us…to Anashee.”

Anu looked back from where they’d run, “I think…I think his name is Merco.”

Her mate waved his hands dismissively, “I don’t care what he calls himself. We need to make sure we don’t lead him back to Anashee under any circumstances.” He huffed with frustration, “Ugh. But now he knows of us! We weren’t supposed to reveal ourselves.”

Anu lifted her silvery plumage, “Traynar…I don’t…I don’t think he’s malevolent.”

“How can you be so sure? He only let you go when I threatened him.”

“No. He made a choice. He had the power to kill us both; do whatever he pleased with us. Yet…he chose to let me go.” Anu asserted firmly. “If he were malevolent, we’d both be dead.”

“Or maybe he’s just biding his time…waiting for us to lead him back to Anashee.” Traynar still wouldn’t renounce his suspicions.

Anu gave him a chiding look but sighed. She always tried to see the best in others while Traynar remained classically pessimistic.

“Did you locate the chrysalis? Does he have it?” Traynar remembered.

Anu’s eyes widened with sudden remembrance, “Yes! It’s in his shirt pocket.”

Traynar fluffed his plumage sharply with frustration, “We have to get that chrysalis back. That could’ve been our chance!” He glanced around them, carefully listening, “I don’t think he’s following us. We need to get you back home and report this. Are you dry yet? Can you fly?”

Anu tried to focus but she was still shaking and weak from the ordeal. Not to mention she was wet and water hampered any sort of flight.

She shook her head, “I…I’m sorry.”

Traynar took her hands and then lifted her up in a carry, “Don’t be. I’ve got you.”

With that he took her in his arms and flew below the treetops to avoid detection.

Chapter 5: Pixie

Meanwhile…

Merco sat in silence for several minutes, trying to absorb what he’d just seen. Tiny sentient beings…tiny flying sentient beings. Never could he have conceived such a thing. He glanced around and it dawned on him that this whole world was small. What he thought were saplings and tall scrub were full grown trees to the inhabitants. Funny how he’d never thought of it before seeing the tiny aliens. He’d encountered other alien species that were smaller than humans, but even they hit the three-foot mark. A being only a few inches tall was something he’d never heard of nor seen before in his life.

Merco frowned. It unsettled him how frightened acted when they saw him. How could he blame them? If they’d never seen anyone like him, how enormous must he appear? Surely, they weren’t the only ones? No. No there probably were other little aliens. Perhaps even watching him right now?

He glanced around suspiciously but didn’t see nor hear anyone…except for the growl of his stomach. Merco, banished his thoughts in favor of hunger, and resumed the task of cleaning and prepping his fish for cooking. First, he washed his catch and then skewered it with the spear. Then he set to work gathering dead twigs…

or rather…trees?

He gathered the wood to make a carefully stacked pile. Then he peeled his prosthetic glove off of his mechanical arm. Though the doctors frowned upon him modifying the prosthetic, he’d made a few useful alterations. One alteration being a cigarette lighter. Though he’d managed to tame the habit after the war at the behest of his family, the cravings still nagged at him; especially under stress.

Boy was he longing for a smoke now.

Unfortunately for him there wasn’t a pack for light years. Fortunately, his old habit had yielded a beneficial tool implanted in his thumb. Merco bent back the top thumb digit, revealing the striker. With a curt snap of his fingers it lit itself. He smirked and held it to his kindling. In no time he had a smoky fire going. Then he proceeded to hover his fish on a stick over the fire for the roasting process.

As the fish began to brown, his thoughts wandered back to the tiny aliens he’d encountered. He had so many questions. What planet was this? Did they have ships that could travel in space and if so, could they transport him out of here? Or if not, did they possess a communications network that could reach out to other planets? Could he communicate with them? Would they even want to communicate with him?

For what felt like an eternity, the fish cooked. Merco finally couldn’t wait anymore and decided it had cooked long enough. He touched the browned flesh and it flaked like a fish should when cooked properly. He dug out a chunk greedily but hissed as the hot meat burned his fingertips. Merco fumbled with a tiny piece, blowing frantically to cool it before popping it in his mouth. No seasoning. Bland flavor. Kind of dry. But at the moment it was a five-star meal.

“Please don’t be toxic. Please don’t kill me.” He thought repetitively as he greedily devoured the fish meat.

As he ate, he’d pause, almost waiting for nausea or some other sickness to bash him in the guts. But much to his relief, his stomach readily accepted the fish without any backlash. However, he was still not out of danger. There might be unforeseen consequences to this alien water and food. The pounding in his head was definitely concerning and it didn’t seem to abate.

Was he going to survive this, or would this planet be his final resting place?

With his stomach beginning to fill, Merco was feeling somewhat better, save for the pulse of his head wound. In his urgency to feed himself, he had neglected to put his clothes back on, so he began to redress himself. When he picked up his shirt and pushed his head through the neck hole, the shimmering teal rock he’d found earlier fell out of his pocket and plopped into the shallows of the lake.

“Whoops.” he mentioned, as he pulled his arms into the short sleeves.

He leaned over and reached into the water to retrieve the rock. His fingers groped around until he found his prize. Between his fingers the shimmery rock glistened as he casually tucked it back into his shirt pocket.

“Who knows? If you somehow get off this planet that little rock might be worth something?” he mused to himself.

As Merco was putting on his pants and boots he felt his pocket growing noticeably warmer. He touched the outside of the pocket and blinked. The rock was radiating heat and felt like it was shrinking. Curious, he fished it out and much to his astonishment the rock wasn’t shrinking but appeared to be disintegrating like cotton candy in water! He cupped both hands around the stone and in a matter of seconds a tiny, thin, humanoid form took shape from beneath the melting exterior.

Merco’s mouth dropped open. His eyes went wide with amazement as the rock disappeared entirely and left behind a tiny, lavender alien just like the one he’d seen earlier. She was curled in a fetal position, her legs moving slightly.

“Look at that.” Merco whispered with wonderment.

After a few seconds the tiny being began to stir, as if awoken from a deep sleep. She stretched her thin extremities, opened her large blue eyes, and she sat up, blinking.

…

The time had come. So long had she waited for her day of Emergence. The constant streams of education information she was fed daily had ceased and was replaced with a single announcement that her day of Emergence had come. She would see the outside world and finally join her family. Even within her chrysalis she had heard the voices of her creators and that of her sibling. Video images of them would play in her head daily. She knew who they were and what they were supposed to look like, but now she would be able to actually see them, embrace them, and assimilate into their family unit.

However, her Emergence seemed delayed. Perhaps it was nothing. Perhaps it was her own eagerness to finally be free that made it seem delayed. Without the information stream she was left in the warm dark, listening to the beating of her own heart. Or was it her heart she heard so prominently? The beating was very loud, but the rhythm seemed too slow for her own.

And then it finally happened. She heard the crackling of her chrysalis as it disintegrated from around her. Her heart rate increased as natural light washed over her and cooler air tingled her skin. She stretched and slowly opened her eyes, expecting to see her family gathered around her.

But instead a deep voice from above her said, “Hey there, little pixie.”

Her head jerked with a start when she felt the quiet yet powerful voice vibrate through her. She looked up, her eyes widened, and she flinched visibly. What she beheld was not her family, but an impossibly huge creature she didn’t recognize from any of her information feeds. Her new head plumage raised with alert and awkwardly she tried to scurry backward away from the massive beast with the hairy face. But then she registered the the firm yet padded texture beneath her. It took her seconds to realize she was laying in the palm of his huge hand and there was no where to go. She was trapped and at this giant creature’s mercy. Her wide blue eyes shot over when movement entered her periphery. The giant’s other massive hand appeared above her. Terrified, she ducked down, covering her head with trembling hands.

“No. No. Don’t be afraid. I’m not going to hurt you,” he assured.

She flinched when his huge finger very gently stroked her back. She couldn’t understand his rumbling alien language, but his voice sounded calm and soothing. It made him seem slightly less terrifying…but only a little bit. His touch remained gentle and gradually her shaking lessened. With caution she uncurled to look up at him.

“It’s ok. It’s ok, little one. That’s it. That’s right. Not going to hurt you, little one.” He kept saying in almost a whispering mantra.

She stared at him intently, taking in his details and size. Though he possessed an overall Ansheetan-type build, he was indeed strange looking to her. So much hair on his face and head, odd light brown skin, and his proportions were monstrously huge. His face, while alien, didn’t appear right. He looked…uneven…swollen. Even though he was clearly not one of her family unit, he didn’t appear to want to hurt her.

But what happened to her family unit? Where were they? Why was she with this gigantic creature and not them?

He then deliberately pointed to his chest and said slowly, “Mer-co.”

Her vibrant blue eyes blinked up at him.

He repeated the gesture, “Mer-co.”

It appeared he was stating his name to her and she tasted the word, “Mer-co.”

His mouth turned upward in what looked like a friendly expression.

“Yes! Yes. I’m Merco,” he nodded.

He pointed at her, but she didn’t respond. According to her information feeds, she would be given a name by her family shortly after her Emergence. But since they weren’t there, she had no name to give.

He tried again, pointing to himself, “Merco.” And then he pointed at her.

She merely stared at him.

…

Merco was still in awe of what he held. Who knew the rock he’d found was actually an alien egg…or cocoon? He felt as if he were holding a newly emerged butterfly; so pretty, so delicate. He introduced himself and tried to see if she too had a name. But when she didn’t seem to understand he surmised that she didn’t have one yet.

“No name huh? Guess that makes sense if you were just…hatched?” he thought a moment and smiled, “How about I call you…Pixie?” He pointed to her and said, “Pixie?”

She tipped her head but repeated in her tiny voice, “Pixie?”

Merco nodded and pointed to himself then her, “Merco…Pixie. Merco…Pixie.”

She then pointed to him, “Merco.” And then to herself, “Pixie.”

“Yes! That’s good!” Merco praised.

“Good.” Pixie mimicked.

Merco then looked over at the remains of his fish meal and asked, “Are you hungry?”

She stared at him uncomprehending.

He reached over and plucked a tiny morsel of fish meat from the bones before presenting it to her.

“Here ya go. It’s not really seasoned but it’s fresh.” He offered.

Pixie withdrew from his encroaching hand.

“It’s ok. It’s ok.” he reassured quietly, “Try some.”

After a moment she stared at the fish meat before tentatively taking it in her tiny hands. For her it was the size of a loaf of bread. She smelled it and took a cautious bite. Somehow the whole action of eating clicked by instinct. She took another bite and ate until she couldn’t eat anymore, satisfied.

Merco gave a pleased smile, “There you go. Not so bad huh? How about a drink?”

Very carefully he lowered her to the ground, resting his hand openly. Pixie looked up at him a moment and then cautiously scooted to the edge of his hand. His hands tipped, helping her slide off and make contact with the ground. The tiny lavender alien righted herself, but staggered, unfamiliar with the sensation of balancing on her feet. Merco’s massive hand steadied her from behind.

“Easy there, little Pixie. Don’t fall.”

She braced her hand against his, until she found equilibrium. With a great gentility, belied by their size difference, he guided her to the water’s edge with an outstretched fingertip. Like a toddler learning to walk, she leaned against his steady finger and followed with measured steps. After a moment she was at the water’s edge and instinctually knelt down for a drink.

Merco watched her with fascination until she finished drinking and stood up. Pixie slowly turned and stared up at him as he knelt behind her. Her blue eyes met his for a long moment as if thinking.

…

Pixie…a strange sounding name he had given her. None of her language lessons from before contained any such word so she had no clue what it meant. But it didn’t sound horrible. Merco…his name was equally strange. Staring up at his looming form, Pixie decided very quickly that despite his intimidating stature and alien appearance, this “Merco” wasn’t going to hurt her. In fact, he seemed determined to care for her needs as he had fed her, showed her the water for drinking, and helped her walk. But despite his care, Pixie knew she needed to find her family and reunite with them somehow. Her eyes scanned the surroundings, hoping to catch a glimpse of them nearby.

Then she lifted her voice and called, “Hello? Hello? Are you there? I’ve Emerged! I’m here!”

…

As Merco watched the tiny new alien near his boot, he noted she appeared to be searching for something. She began calling in her alien language, eyes sweeping across the lake and into the trees as well. It was then, a realization broke through his awe. Yesterday, he found her “egg” by that pond, and he…he took it. His eyes lowered with guilt.

Had…had he unintentionally kidnapped her? What if she had a family? What if they were looking for her and he just took her?

“Oh…oh you poor little thing. You’re looking for your family, aren’t you?” he bemoaned quietly which made her head plumage lift and she turned to face him. “I should take you back where I found you.”

He slowly reached around and scooped her off her feet into his hand. She looked up at him with an expression of both awe and intimidation. Very gently, he repositioned her between his fingers and tucked her into his shirt pocket.

“You’ll be safe in there, little Pixie,” he stated.

She poked her head out, hanging onto the cloth edge of his pocket just as he bent down and retrieved his makeshift spear.

“All right. Let’s find that pond and return you where I found you.”

Chapter 6: Watching and Searching

Back in Anashee in the Council Chambers…

As the leading council gathered and heard the incredible story Anu had to tell, the room was abuzz with chatter.

“You survived being eaten?!” a voice rang out above the chatter.

“And the giant killed the Gold-Scaled Leviathan that ate you?” someone else cried out incredulously.

Anu nodded, “With a spear made from a tree.”

There were murmurs of wonder and dread from the council members at the imagination of what this being was.

“Did you find our chrysalis?” the father appeared from the crowd.

Anu turned to look at the small family and their expectant eyes, “Yes. The giant has it in his shirt pocket. It was still intact.”

They seemed relieved and yet wilted by her statement.

“How are we going to get it back?” the mother of the chrysalis asked hopelessly.

“I don’t know yet. This giant, I don’t believe he’s malevolent.” Anu stated. “But he is very powerful.”

The elder female leader Felreh, with her more muted plumage and faded lavender skin, considered the report she had just heard before saying, “We are glad to see you made it back unscathed Anu and Traynar. You honor your people with your courage.”

“Thank you Elder,” the pair replied together.

“What are we going to do about this giant?” someone in the back demanded loudly.

“What if it comes here?” another asked.

Felreh raised her delicate hands to silence the questions, “We will do as we initially planned: we will remain in Anashee and not make further contact with this creature. If it moves on, we will have nothing to fear.”

“But what if it doesn’t?” someone challenged.

Felreh looked to Madala who stood, “Rest assured, we are preparing for that should it find Anashee. The EFP will be making hourly reports on this giant’s whereabouts and if it somehow does come near Anashee we have plans to avert it.”

There were some murmurs of approval but someone else had a rebuttal, “And how exactly are we going to stop something that is that big and powerful? If it can kill and eat a Gold-Scaled Leviathan, drink entire ponds dry, and easily rip trees out of the ground, what hope do we have of repelling it?”

Madala raised her plumage slightly, not particularly enjoying being questioned in such a manner, “As I said, there are plans. You must trust the EFP to do their job to protect Anashee from any and all threats.”

The members of the EFP standing in the room lifted their head plumes and gave their salute smartly to punctuate her statement. More murmurs, most positive sounding, others still unsure.

“What about our chrysalis?” the father demanded loudly, “Surely you don’t intend to leave it in the hands of this…monster?”

Felreh nodded at the urgency of the family but Commander Madala stood up saying, “That mission must be executed with the greatest of stealth. Anu, you stated that you were able to approach this giant undetected while it slept?”

Anu nodded.

“Then Anu and Traynar, I leave the mission of retrieving the chrysalis in your hands.” She commanded.

The pair looked at each other but saluted smartly.

Anu spoke up, “With all due respect, if this giant is indeed an alien to our world, shouldn’t we make first…er…second contact in a positive manner rather than preparing for war with it?”

Felreh sighed, “No one wants war Anu. But I’ve lived long enough to know that being unprepared for any and all situations can end too many lives. Lest you forget our great war with the Rogashay all those years ago? You might not think this giant to be malevolent, but we do not know for certain. And since we do not know for certain, caution is the path we shall choose.”

Anu wanted to say more but felt Traynar subtly touch her hand, silently advising against it.

“The gates of Anashee shall remained closed and the EFP shall conduct their surveillance and rescue operations until this being has moved on or otherwise.”

At that moment an EFP scout flew into the chamber, “It’s moving! The giant is heading back toward Bent Peak!”

Madala looked to Felreh and then said, “Maintain your distance. Report its whereabouts every nublar (hour). Squadron 3 be ready to fly out and relieve Squadron 4 of surveillance.”

As the Council began to disperse, Anu approached Madala with a salute, “Commander, permission to join Squadron 3 to begin recovery of the chrysalis.”

The female Commander relaxed her silvery green head plumage in a pleased manner, “I admire your enthusiasm Anu, but when was the last time you slept?”

“Thirty-six nublars.” Anu admitted wearily.

With a chiding look Madala pointed to the door, “Get some rest first. You and Traynar will be sent out first thing in the morning for your mission.”

With a nod Anu left, suddenly feeling exhausted for the first time since…she couldn’t remember.

…

Later, far from Anashee…

After returning to the rock formation, Merco scanned the area to determine the direction he’d taken to get there from the puddle he’d drank from…or rather, a pond? He wasn’t positive, but he had a pretty good guess as to where it might be. Conveying a bit of confidence, Merco continued walking through the trees toward the place where the forest met the desert. He looked down at his tiny pocket passenger who seemed to be watching everything around her for the first time.

“You okay, little Pixie?” he asked.

Her little feathered head tipped back to look at him but she didn’t respond.

He smirked lightly, “Right. You don’t understand a word I’m saying. Well…don’t you worry. I’ll put you back where I found you and hopefully your family will come get you.”

---

Pixie wasn’t sure where Merco was going. She really didn’t have much choice when the gigantic alien scooped her up and placed her in the pocket of his shirt. At first she was confused and a bit scared. Where was he taking her? Where was he going? But when he stood up she was astonished by the sight of the forest from his height. It was breathtaking!

Was this what flying was like? Her educational feeds had explained flying and how it was a gift granted to her kind by the deity Suro-ka. Only a few select Ansheetans could truly master the skill. Pixie wondered if she had the gift. If it was anything like the ride in Merco’s pocket she dearly hoped she was blessed by Suro-ka.

But despite the view, she was still worried. Where was her family? How had she gotten separated from them? She wondered if Merco knew where they were or was he taking her away from them? She couldn’t be sure. All she could do was take in the sights and hope he was indeed helping her.

---

Merco walked another half hour before he began to recognize particular landmarks and finally, he happened upon the now empty pond where he’d found Pixie’s cocoon. He glanced around briefly for any signs of her kind but saw nothing. Honestly, that would be too much to hope for. Besides, even if they were in the area, he probably scared them away. He thought a moment and decided the best course of action was to leave her near the empty pond and sit somewhere out of sight nearby to ensure nothing happened to her. Just like returning a lost fawn to its doe; leave it in the area it was found, stay out of sight, and watch until the doe feels safe enough to return.

With great care he knelt down, plucked the tiny alien from his pocket, and placed her on a rock near the edge of the empty pond. She staggered for balance but righted herself this time. Her eyes roved around before looking up at him again.

Merco all but whispered as he pointed to the ground, “All right, Pixie. You stay right there.” He pointed to himself and then behind him, “I’ll be over there to make sure you stay safe until your family comes for you. Just stay right there.”

She watched him gesture and her expression looked as if she understood a bit of what he said…at least he hoped. He rose to his feet, towering over her and scanned the area once more for any indication of life. Merco took careful, measured steps backward, trying to tread quietly. When he was four steps away, he knelt, and then sat down just close enough to see the little alien through the trees. From this spot he could watch and ensure she was found and also ensure no harm came to her. Pixie stared in his direction for a few moments before she began calling again.

Merco nodded and began to relax. He hoped his plan to return her to her family would pan out. As he sat the throbbing in his head asserted itself with painful authority. He winced, wishing like Hell for some sort of pain killer to alleviate his suffering. Even though it wasn’t hot he was beginning to feel warmer than normal. He gingerly touched the area near his wound and grimaced when it felt hot to the touch. Infection was setting in hard. He sighed, feeling anxious about the implications of that fact. He had no medicine, nor any knowledge of the local flora to concoct something to help himself. If the infection grew more severe…he would die on this alien world.

---

Hours later near dark…

Pixie had called for her family for as long as he voice would allow. She circled the empty pond several times on steadily confident legs before she sat for nublars on a mossy rock, waiting and listening. She absently picked at the soft purple-colored plants around her.

Was this where her family was? And if so, where were they? Why hadn’t they come for her? Maybe Merco had made a mistake and took her to the wrong place?

The sky was beginning to darken, and a chill overcame her bare skin as its warmth was stolen away. It didn’t take long for Pixie to stand up again and call her family one more time. She listened but all that called back was some odd sounding creature in the distance.

The darkness grew thicker, stealing her sight little by little. And with the darkness came something unexpected: fear. Pixie’s large eyes darted, panic beginning to take root. She didn’t know or understand where the feeling came from, but every growing shadow and every strange sound amplified it. Some creature screeched nearby, and Pixie turned quickly, stumbled through the trees, and sought the only protection she knew which was Merco. Through the trees she could see his looming form silhouetted against the fading light. He was sitting up but leaning heavily against some trees, his head bowed, and arms crossed against his chest. Pixie came to a fearful stop beside the heel of his boot, eyes darting behind her to ensure nothing was chasing her.

Too dark to tell.

She shivered against the cold and stole nervous glances around her. Then, she peered up at Merco’s alien face and saw that his eyes were closed with sleep.

“Merco?” she called up to him with a fading, sore voice.

He didn’t respond, sleeping blissfully.

Pixie’s voice was nearly gone from her consistent calling earlier, so she decided to hit the side of his thigh to try and wake him. His great chest rose out slowly and powerfully beneath his crossed arms, but he didn’t stir. Pixie tried again, this time kicking with her feet. Still, Merco slept. She scrunched her face with determination and took a few leading steps backward. Then, taking a running leap, she struck the side of his leg. The recoil of her strike made her fall back on her bottom, but it stirred the sleeping giant. Merco’s eyes slowly opened and he drew in a massive yawn.

He blinked, not seeming to be aware of her until she stood up and called his name hoarsely, “Merco!”

Though quiet, her voice made his head perk down at her, “Oh! Pixie. Sorry, I guess I fell asleep.” He craned his neck back toward the empty pond with a frown, “No one’s here?”

She looked back too and when he looked at her again, she shook her head and lowered her immature head scales with a sad air.

The corner of his mouth twitched, “Hmm. Sorry, Pixie. Maybe…maybe they’ll come tomorrow?”

Even in the fading light, Merco could see the tiny alien shivering.

“Oh…are you cold?” His gloved, left hand swooped in behind her, offering her a lift, “Come on. You can sleep in my pocket tonight. Should be nice and warm.”

Pixie eagerly climbed into his hand and immediately felt her fear of the dark wane as he brought her up to his chest. A glint of light on his forearm suddenly caught her attention. Pixie saw that the black glove had rolled down from Merco’s elbow and what lay beneath seemed…artificial?

Merco noted her prolonged stare at his partially exposed prosthetic and smiled knowingly. He’d gotten the same stare from many children and adults alike, curious to see what lay beneath his glove. Very gently he opened his pocket and tucked Pixie inside. Once she poked her head out, he carefully removed the glove to fully expose the robotic prosthetic beneath. Pixie’s eyes seemed to widen even more so when the dark gray, robotic fingers flexed in front of her, opening and closing against the rubbery, plastic palm like a normal hand.

Typically, Merco hid his prosthetic and didn’t like to call attention to it, but he was a sucker for a child’s innocent curiosity. Pixie reached out to try and touch it and he obliged by extending a finger to her. She stroked the smooth, rubbery fingertip curiously until she looked up at him, a question playing across her expression.

He knew the question and pointed to his prosthetic. His hand flared expressively, and he made an exploding noise in his mouth. Her eyes widened a bit but also seemed to show concern until he gently patted the outside of pocket reassuringly.

“It’s okay, Pixie. I’m used to it now.”

Though that statement held some truth, it masked the reality of it. The twinges of pain the synapses caused from time to time. The suffering and awkwardness in the beginning of trying to do the simplest tasks and failing miserably. The phantom pains and of course the nightmares of the traumatic moment plaguing him most nights.

He picked up the glove once again and slid it over his prosthetic, “Don’t you worry. We’ll find your family tomorrow…somehow. Goodnight, little one.”

He untied his leather jacket from his waist, piled it on the ground, and with a gradual lean Merco reclined on the ground causing Pixie to clench the edge of his pocket until he was laid down. His enormous chest rose up and fell beneath her; she a tiny raft riding the wave of his breath. The warmth of Merco’s body radiated though his shirt pocket, wrapping her in comfort. She began to relax and pulled the edge of his pocket over her like a blanket. Another low rush of air and the powerful beat of his heart echoed loudly in the cavity beneath her.

Yes…it was his heartbeat she heard during her last nublars in her chrysalis. The powerful, steady beat was unmistakable. Loud as it was, it seemed to possess a hypnotic reassurance that gradually lulled Pixie to sleep. Warm and feeling safe she drifted off.

Chapter 7: Boroxle

At the other edge of the forest on the borders of the wasteland was the encampment of the Ansheetan enemies the Rogashay. The Rogashay were a semi-nomadic species, standing almost twice the height of their Ansheetan rivals. The males of the species had very thick, dark gray colored hide with dappling of much lighter color across their face, front, and hands. The females were much lighter in color and had less of the speckling. Their torsos were wide and scaled with upraised, bendable plates that gradually grew smaller as they raced to the extremities; ideal to deflect the suns’ rays as well as injuries. Unlike the feathery scales of the Ansheetan the Rogashay sported hard, crested plates across their brows and forehead in various formations which gave them a regal yet rough appearance. The males’ forehead crests tended to be taller and heavier than their female counterparts. Tiny spikes jutted from their eye ridges and their yellowish green eyes glinted with a wild fierceness. Similar to the Ansheeta, they lacked a jutting nose and had very little in the way of lips.

Unlike their rivals the Ansheeta, the Rogashay could not fly so their main form of transport was riding their sand dragons across vast distances. The sand dragons were one of the largest beasts inhabiting the planet. The bulky, giant lizards looked very much like Earth’s extinct Triceratops crossed with a monitor lizard. From their heavy, crested heads sprouted two to four pointed horns. Their snake-like mouths were filled with small yet sharp teeth, perfect for tearing flesh. They were a fearsome beast and five times the size of their riders. Only by hatching the eggs and letting the young hatchlings imprint upon them from the moment they emerged could the Rogashay master these beasts. For the Rogashay they were beasts of burden and guardians as well.

And sitting atop his impressive, four horned, sand dragon was Boroxle, the leader of the Rog Bandits. Tall for his species, the Rogashay, and taut with defined musculature beneath his tough hide, his very presence commanded respect. Boroxle wore breeches of lizard hide with a sturdy weapons belt about his hips. His fearsome energy spear was held to his back with a similar leather holster that buckled across his broad, bare chest. His body was adorned with tribal markings, burned into his skin and scales as a testament to his leadership.

Boroxle and his followers, three hundred in total, were known as the Rog Bandits. Although he thought of himself more as a revolutionary than a common bandit. His grandfather had fought in the old wars against the Ansheeta for control of the plentiful resources of the land and lost. He and his followers were the descendants of that war and lived on the borders of the wasteland and the forest controlled by the Ansheeta. It was a hard existence but the Rogashay were much tougher physically than the delicate Ansheeta and scratched out a living however they could. Raiding and invading Ansheetan towns and outposts was one such way.

As he sat surveying his followers, Boroxle’s mate Kriees, a very light, grayish blue skinned female with a strong fighter’s build approached him.

“You’ve been sitting up there for hours…what’s troubling you?” she commented.

Boroxle narrowed his yellowish green eyes out at the forest beyond, “Something is off.”

With nimble moves, Kriees jumped onto the sand dragon’s haunch and climbed onto its back next to her mate. She stared in the same direction.

“What is off to you?”

He shook his regal, crested head, “I don’t know. It’s just…quiet.”

Kriees sat after a moment next to him, “Were there no Ansheeta patrols again?”

“Still waiting for the scouts to send word.” He explained. A light of hope entered her green eyes which Boroxle took notice of, “But we don’t know if it was a fluke or deliberate.”

For untold cycles the Ansheeta had maintained control over the bountiful forests and lakes beyond, leaving the Rogashay the outskirts and the barren wasteland beyond. Many Rogashay, Boroxle among them, resented that arrangement and sought to change the status quo by overthrowing the Ansheeta and taking over the plentiful resources they controlled.

Boroxle had two goals in life. His outward goal, to his followers, was to oust the Ansheeta and take control of their prosperous territory. Inwardly, his goal was to have his own land and raise sand dragons with his mate and soon to be offspring. No one other than his mate knew of that goal and he vowed to keep it that way until his dream became reality. For years he and his followers had bided their time, waiting for a sign of weakness in their rivals.

It was then, Boroxle spotted one of his scouts running back on foot since sand dragons stuck out too much for stealthy reconnaissance.

“What’s your report scout?” he asked with earnest.

“There were no Ansheeta patrols again. That’s two days in a row.” The scout reported.

Boroxle thought a moment. That wasn’t typical at all. The Ansheeta sent out daily flying patrols across the forest. Their flight was the major advantage they held. If even one of their kind were spotted the Ansheeta would have forces down upon them in mere minutes. But this absence of patrols seemed odd, yet promising.

He turned to Kriees and she nodded with understanding, climbing down from the sand dragon’s back. Boroxle emitted a high-pitched keen which brought his five trusted riders to his side, “No Ansheeta patrols again today. We’ll investigate this. This could be an opening we’ve been waiting for. Mount up!”

Without hesitation his cohorts ran and mounted their sand dragons. Boroxle turned the chain bridle of his lizard so he could face Kriees.

He didn’t have to say anything, her proud look told all. Ride strong. Come back to me and I will fight by your side.

Then, under cover of darkness, Boroxle and his five riders headed off into the Ansheetan territory.

….

Morning far away in Anashee…

Anu had been so exhausted it hadn’t taken her long to fall asleep. Traynar had to place her in her bed she was so tired. But once morning broke Anu was donning a fresh EFP jumpsuit and she and Traynar flew out to meet the last surveillance squadron to formulate a plan to recover the chrysalis. The last squadron had come in a few hours before and the leader briefed them.

“The giant moved away from Anashee Lake sometime yesterday, passed Bent Peak, and our last squadron managed to relocate him near the Hitel Pond around dark,” the squadron leader informed them.

Traynar and Anu looked at each other, “That’s where he was first spotted. Why go back there?”

He shrugged, “He slept all night and come morning he sat up but…”

“But what?” Anu pressed.

“But he doesn’t look well. Shaky, didn’t stand strongly. Looked like he was staggering, half aware.”

“You think he’s sick?”

He nodded, “He’s heading back to Anashee Lake, we think he’s going for water. Our replacement squadron met up with us and began following him back there.”

“Did you see the chrysalis?” Traynar asked.

The squadron leader shook his head, “It was too dark last night, and we haven’t dared get close enough to see.”

“That’s two days and it is due for Emergence.” Traynar confirmed with raised plumage. “We have to get it back and returned to her family. Thank you for your report. Go get some rest.”

The squad leader nodded gratefully and left.

“If the giant is sick, we could stand a better chance of retrieving the chrysalis.” Traynar surmised, “Come on, let’s get going.”

With that the pair flew toward Anashee Lake with all haste.

Chapter 8: Sick

Pixie had slept peacefully in the warmth and safety of Merco’s pocket until early morning when she was awakened suddenly by a violent shaking from the giant’s body. She opened her eyes fast just as the tremor subsided. The cloth surrounding her wasn’t dry anymore and the heat radiating from him was noticeable. Sometime during the night, he had rolled to his side and his pocket had become a hammock against his wall of a chest. Behind that wall she could still hear the pounding of his heart, but it was faster now; not relaxed. She poked her head out and could see his face which didn’t appear serene but knit with pain and distress. He shivered again, his flesh vibrating her to the point of discomfort. It subsided again and slowly he began to awaken.

---

Merco could barely open his eyes come morning. His body chilled and shook as the sledgehammer in his head pounded away. He had his jacket piled under his head for a pillow, but the ground was less than comfortable and the burning pain in his head never ceased, so sleep had not been forthcoming. He gingerly touched his head and cringed as a bolt of pain seemed to crackle like electricity across it. It felt hot to the touch. Infected. He closed his eyes dismally, knowing he had no medicine nor any expertise to seek out the local plant life for some sort of relief. In time the wound would grow more septic and being a head wound it would hit his brain first, killing him.

“What a way to go. Dying slowly of sepsis on an alien planet. So much for trying to survive by my wits. A stupid head wound is going to be my death blow.” He thought miserably.

Merco painfully pushed himself up into a sitting position. It felt like he weighed one thousand pounds. His head spun, sending a wave of nausea over him. The heat…it was so hot. No…that was the infection burning through his body. Not to mention the uncomfortable, pasty scratch of thirst clawed at his throat. He smacked his dry lips unpleasantly, realizing there wasn’t any water here. If he wanted water, he’d have to trek back to that lake…a daunting task given how he felt.

“Merco?” Pixie’s tiny concerned voice came from his pocket.

He glanced down at the plumed lavender head peeking out at him and managed a smile, “Hey there, Pixie. Sleep well?”

She blinked up at him, her blue eyes conveying concern.

“Guess I’m not feeling so good today.” He said groggily, “Need to find some water.”

Protectively, he held his hand over his pocket to prevent Pixie from falling out as he stood up. It wasn’t easy and vertigo swirled his senses violently when he rose. He staggered back unsteadily trying to wait out the dizziness and correct his bearings. Slowly he regained balance, but the weakness was consuming his energy fast. He retrieved his spear stick, leaning against it as a walking stick. He looked around and saw the familiar rock formation in the distance and knew the lake was angled to the left a bit further. With slow steps he began walking back.

He looked down at Pixie guiltily, “Sorry, Pixie. I know I said we’d find your family today, but I need water. Once I get a drink we can start looking again, ok?”

She obviously didn’t understand his explanation, but it made him feel a bit better to say it aloud. Hopefully, he could keep his promise.

…

Pixie knew something was definitely wrong with her giant caregiver. Despite how big and intimidating he was, the weakness he was exhibiting was palpable. His face was marked with a pained expression and his movements felt forced and jerky. She wanted to ask him what was wrong but knew they wouldn’t be able to communicate that. What she did know was he didn’t look well.

Nearly a nublar had passed and Merco’s impossible strides became slower; his steps more stumbled. Pixie could feel his huge breaths become more pronounced against her back. She looked up at him only to see his eyelids drooping and his brow shining with sweat.

Suddenly, there was a violent jerk in his step and Pixie cried out as Merco fell forward. Trees snapped and the forest shook with a quaking [boom!] when his knees and left hand hit the ground. When he hit, Pixie held onto the lip of his pocket for dear life but fell to the bottom of it helplessly. Merco’s chest swelled wide with every pained breath, tightening his shirt around her. His heartbeat was loud and fast in her ears.

“Merco!” she cried out. “Are you all right?”

She could see him above, eyes screwed shut and hunched over. All at once his hip shifted to the right and his whole body toppled over onto his side. Pixie screamed briefly as she was jostled harshly. After the shaking subsided and she composed herself, Pixie pushed her head up out of Merco’s pocket again.

“Merco!” she shouted at him with worry.

He didn’t answer as he lay on his side, breathing in a pained manner. Luckily, he fell on his right side, placing his pocket upward and away from the crushing weight of his body. Pixie wriggled a bit and pulled herself out of Merco’s pocket. She carefully held onto his shirt and with some courage slid down the slope of his chest to the ground. She stood back from him, laying as a living mountain before her.

Before she could do anything, a voice spoke in her language from above, “Shh! It’s all right. Come this way!”

She looked up with a start to see two Ansheeta like herself flying down from the trees nearby.

…

As Anu and Traynar flew toward the lake they at once spotted the tremendous silhouette of the giant in the distance.

“There! There he is.” Anu pointed.

Traynar nodded and gestured for her to follow him. Together they flew at an angle away from the giant but intended to intercept his path just before the lake.

Traynar flew higher, judging the path and distance before he pointed to a particularly large tree, “There! Land there.”

Anu landed on a branch, leaning against the thick trunk as Traynar landed on the other side of her. Both of them watched and waited. It wasn’t long before the rhythmic tremors of the giant’s footsteps were felt through the forest. Oddly, he didn’t seem to be moving very fast for something of his size. The pair waited, expecting to see him appear any second. Unexpectedly, a massive crash followed by a seismic quake shook the area. Anu and Traynar held onto their tree and then looked to one another.

“What happened?” Traynar asked.

Anu unflinchingly flew upward to gain a better view. From the higher vantage she spotted the giant, but he wasn’t standing or walking. He was on his knees, bent to the ground.

“He fell!” Anu announced with shock.

Before Traynar could respond, Anu shot in the fallen behemoth’s direction. He cursed but followed after her. As they flew high above, the huge being suddenly collapsed onto his side and lay still.

They stopped midair, staring.

“Oh no! Did…did he crush it?” Traynar asked with horror.

They flew closer and suddenly Anu pointed, “Look! His pocket!”

Neither could believe it as a thin, delicate, lavender form emerged from the giant’s shirt pocket and steadily slid down his chest to the ground.

“It’s her! She’s Emerged!” Anu exclaimed quickly flying down toward her.

“Anu! Wait!” Traynar tried but she clearly wouldn’t listen.

Anu flew down toward the young female Ansheeta, raised her hands and said in a hushed volume, “Shh! It’s all right. Come this way!”

The unclothed female turned abruptly, shocked to see her, “Who are you?”

Anu spanned her hands openly as Traynar appeared beside her, “My name is Anu and this is my mate Traynar. We’re here to take you home.”

“Home?” she glanced around, “Where is my family?”

“They are back in Anashee, waiting for us to bring you to them.” Traynar explained, never taking his eyes from the fallen giant before them, “Come with us.”

At first, they assumed she’d race toward them, eager to escape her giant captor. But instead she stepped back and turned touching the giant’s arm.

“But…Merco is hurt,” she pointed to the angry looking wound in his head.

“Young one, get away from him!” Traynar warned in an intense whisper. “He kidnapped you; stole you from your family. Please, come with us.”

She shook her head with refusal and huddled against Merco’s tree sized arm, “No! He took care of me. He helped me. I can’t just leave him!”

Traynar shook his head with frustration until Anu hovered forward, “If you will go with Traynar, he will take you to your family. They are all very worried about you.”

“But…Merco…” she began to protest but Anu interrupted her.

“I will stay and help Merco.”

Traynar’s eyes widened at her announcement and he flew close to her, arguing in a whisper, “Are you insane? What do you think you’re doing?”

Anu looked him in the eyes, “I’m just trying to do what’s right Traynar. She’s right. He is sick and letting him suffer and possibly die isn’t right.”

“Healing him when he could destroy everything and everyone we know isn’t right.” Traynar insisted with intensity. “Not only that, helping him is treason!”

Anu pursed her lips, “Only if you report it.”

Traynar blinked at his mate, “Anu…”

“Are you going to report it?”

There was a long pause but Traynar threw up his hands with frustration, “No. But I don’t like it Anu.” He protectively touched her face, “I can’t bear the thought of something happening to you.”

She smiled, taking his hand, “Isn’t that why you wanted me to be your mate? I’m never dull.”

He smiled back, shaking his head, “Well…yes. But this goes beyond excitement. Seriously, though, what is your plan? Why are you risking your life for this?”

Anu gestured to the fallen giant, “Wouldn’t you rather he be our ally than our enemy?”

“Well…obviously an ally, yes, but how do you know that’s even possible?”

She pointed to the young female before them, “He didn’t hurt you, did he? Threaten you?”

The young female shook her head, “No. He took care of me.”

Anu looked at Traynar pointedly, ”That is why I think it’s possible. He had the power to do anything he wished to her and yet he chose to care for her. Back at the lake he didn’t hurt me either. Those aren’t the actions of a malevolent beast.”

Even though her statements sounded bold and determined, inside Anu was just as frightened as her mate. Even if the evidence was clearing her doubt, the primal fear still remained. There was a distinct possibility her actions could doom not only her but every Ansheeta on their planet.

Traynar sighed heavily and finally gave a nod of consent, “All right…I’ll…go along.” He reached out to the young female, “Come. Let’s get you home.”

The Emerged female looked at him and then to Anu to detect any sort of lie but found none in their expressions. She stepped away from the giant’s arm and took Traynar’s hand. He turned, draped her arms around his neck and shoulders, and told her to climb on his back. She did so and slowly, he flew up and away, stealing a last look at his mate.

“Be careful. Please.” He mouthed.

She waved with understanding, watching them leave. As he flew away, there was a quiet cheer coming from the trees. Anu glanced around, suddenly realizing the EFP scouts were nearby, watching the exchange. Luckily, they were well enough away to shield the conversation from their ears and only got to see them “rescue” the young female. However, this presented a problem. Traynar wouldn’t report her aid of the fallen giant, but the EFP scouts would not hesitate. She would be demoted for disobeying orders…possibly even thrown in prison for treason. She needed a valid excuse to send them away. Quickly, she flew toward the trees and in no time, she found the scouts hidden amongst the taller trees. She landed next to them on the branches.

“You did it! You saved her!” one of the female scouts whispered with excitement.

“I can’t believe you got that close!” a male scout exclaimed.

She nodded and gave a fake smile, “Traynar needs help flying her back. It’s a long way to Anashee.”

The three scouts looked amongst themselves, unsure, “But, we’re not supposed to leave our scouting mission. We have to watch the giant until Squadron 2 relieves us tonight.”

Anu gestured to the unconscious form, “I don’t think he’s going anywhere. He’s fallen unconscious from a sickness. I will take over your watch. Getting the young one back to Anashee and to her family is top priority at this point. And besides, the Council will want to know of this latest development.”

The scouts’ female leader known as Hitalel, nodded but said, “I will stay behind and the other two can help Traynar. That way we can watch each other’s back in case he wakes up.”

Frustration boiled in Anu’s mind. Hitalel’s logic was sound so arguing the point would only raise suspicion. She would have to be sneaky to help Merco without looking like she was helping him. The other two scouts flew up and out of the trees after Traynar, leaving Hitalel and Anu alone to watch.

Chapter 9: Secretly Helping

Back in Anashee a couple hours later…

When the two scouts caught up with Traynar he readily accepted their aid in carrying the young female back to Anashee. He had doubted he could make the long trek back with a second weight on his back.

When they finally were in sight of Anashee the young female gasped with wonder, “Is that Anashee?”

“Yes, young one. This is Anashee. Our home.” Traynar confirmed, smiling at her awe.

Anashee was a very beautiful place. Set into the indention of a huge, gray rock formation that ascended up above the forest and spired with carefully carved trees, the city was a beautiful mesh of technology and nature. The ancient black barked trees that grew near the rock face of Anashee were much fatter and stronger than the other species in the forest and grew to tremendous heights. Their ancestors had discovered these trees and painstakingly carved them out to become homes over generations. Gradually, as the city grew, the Ansheeta began carving out the rock face as well to set up more commerce and residences. Bridges, and countless walkways created a seemingly endless web of paths that connected the trees to the rock face. The design was meant to accommodate both fliers and non-fliers. The natural formation of the rock also created a barrier that hid the city as well as shielded it from most weather.

Traynar and the other two scouts flew over the first rise of the natural rock barrier and down toward the massive double tiered gateway that served as an entrance; fliers on the top and non-fliers at the base. Unlike usual, the gate was closed, and no activity could be seen. With careful maneuvering they landed on the top tier and were met by other EFP guards who quickly ushered them deeper into the city where the large council chamber was located.

Several of the Council members associates lived in or around the chamber and were always present to act as a buffer between the many needs of Anashee and its people and the Council members themselves. This prevented them from getting bogged down with minor needs and could focus on the bigger, more overreaching problems and needs of their city. Two of these associates saw them and recognized Traynar.

“Traynar, is this…” one began but Traynar interrupted in a no-nonsense tone

“Please inform Madala that Anu and I have recovered the young one. Inform her family immediately.”

The associates nodded and left to inform Madala and the others of their return. While they waited outside the chamber, the young female they had rescued seemed anxious.

“Are you all right young one?” Traynar inquired.

She looked to him, “I hope my family is here as you say. I want to meet them.”

“I just saw them at our last meeting. They’ve been here every meeting since your chrysalis was taken. They will be very happy to see your safe return.” He reassured her.

She nodded, seeming comforted by his statement. After a while, Madala, Felreh, and the female’s family appeared. Unable to contain her excitement, she rushed to them for she recognized them from the data feeds she was given while in her chrysalis. They embraced, cried, and began talking in short comforting sentences.

Madala and Felreh smiled at the touching scene before addressing Traynar, who saluted them.

“Well done, Traynar.” Felreh, the elder congratulated. “You’ve completed the mission we set before you in record time.”

“Thank you Elder Felreh.”

Madala looked around and asked, “Where is Anu? She didn’t return with you?”

Traynar shook his head, “She remained behind. The giant moved closer to Anashee Lake and has collapsed. We believe his head wound has become infected and made him sick.”

The female commander looked to Felreh a moment, “Will he live?”

“Hard to say.” Traynar gestured to the female they’d rescued, “He collapsed and was unconscious. That’s how we came to rescue her so quickly.”

Madala nodded, “Very good. Rest now, you’ve done well.”

“With all due respect Commander, I would like to rejoin my mate in the field.”

She thought a moment, “All right then. Proceed.”

Madala and Felreh approached the rejoined family, “I would like to speak with this young one if I may?”

The parents looked loath to part with her but Felreh assured, “You may accompany her of course.”

To that, they consented and were all led into the council chamber. Felreh motioned with her hand for them to sit so they could talk.

“Are you all right young one?”

She nodded, “Yes. I am well.”

Madala sat in front of her, eyes kind but serious, “Tell us what happened from the time of your Emergence until you were rescued.”

The young female looked to her parents whom nodded with reassurance. So, she recounted the events from her Emergence to when she left Merco. Everyone present listened with interest and disbelief until she finished.

“And this…Merco…didn’t hurt you? Didn’t try to eat you?” Madala prompted.

“No! Of course not. Even though I couldn’t understand him, he never acted like he wanted to do anything but help me.” She stated assuredly.

Her father raised his dark plume, “But, he took your chrysalis from us! Why?”

She shook her head, “I don’t know, but… I don’t think he knew what my chrysalis was to begin with. He seemed just as shocked as me when I Emerged.” She looked to the two female leaders, “Please, Merco is very sick. I want to help him.”

“Help him?” her mother seemed shocked.

Her father shook his head adamantly, “No. You’ve been through too much already. You need to stay with us.”

She looked like she wanted to protest but Madala nodded in agreement, “He’s right. Besides, we have Anashee closed down. No one is entering or leaving the city.”

The elder Felreh, whom had been listening carefully to the entire exchange without comment, finally spoke, “Young one, I admire your courage. You said this Merco attempted to communicate with you?”

“He spoke a lot, but I didn’t understand his language. He used gestures and I could kind of understand what he was meaning.”

“If we needed you to, would you be able to communicate with him again?”

The young female nodded, “I would try.”

Madala gave Felreh a look of disbelief but said nothing.

Felreh nodded her ancient head and said, “Thank you young one. Please go with your family. You have much catching up to do.”

When the family left Madala asked, “What are you thinking Elder?”

“Just ensuring we have other options.”

Madala shook her head, “You’re not honestly entertaining the idea that this creature is able to be reasoned with?”

“You don’t believe the young one?”

“She has only just Emerged. Her naivety could skew her view of what this thing truly is and what his intentions are.” Madala gestured to punctuate her paranoia.

The elder bowed her head sagely, “Perhaps. But you yourself haven’t seen this giant yet. Are you any less naïve than she?”

The female militant paused, realizing the wisdom of the statement but still feeling her mistrust assert itself.

“Are your plans for defending the city in place?” Felreh asked.

Madala nodded, “The EFP is ready. Although, given Traynar’s report, we can only hope this giant will succumb to his illness and we won’t have to instigate any of our plans.”

…

Out in the forest almost to Anashee Lake…

Anu and Hitalel sat in silence for a while, watching the gigantic creature sleep until Hitalel whispered, “So…do you think it’s dying?”

Anu blinked and then shrugged, “I…don’t know.”

“That would be for the best if it is. Then we won’t have to worry about it coming to Anashee and destroying us.”

Before Anu could counter a rebuttal to the cold statement, a shaking began rattling the tree leaves. They both looked and the giant was trembling, curling in on himself. Sweat dotted his brow. Anu knew it was crazy, but she honestly felt sorry for the gigantic being as he curled up on the ground and groaned with pain. It was ironic to see something so big and powerful be struck low by a sickness.

An hour passed, and Anu all at once noticed Hitalel’s eyelids drooping so she asked, “Was this your first scouting shift?”

“Second.”

“Why don’t you rest for a bit. I’ll keep watch and wake you if anything changes.” Anu offered, secretly hoping this was the opening she’d been waiting for.

Hitalel seemed loath to admit her fatigue but the offering of sleep was too tempting. She nodded gratefully and began leaning into the trunk of the tree, eyes closed. It wasn’t long before she was fully asleep, so Anu took the chance and set to helping the fallen giant.

Quietly, she flew down close to the ground, amid the trees searching for a particular plant known as leeching weed. Her EFP training had familiarized her with basic first aid as well as basic plant medicine knowledge since scouting put her out in the forest alone and accidents happened. Leeching weed was a common plant and when ground down into a pulpy paste and applied to a wound it would draw out poisons and other toxins.

She didn’t know if it would work on this…Merco…but she would definitely need a lot to try it. Much to her relief, she found a sizeable patch, adorned with the distinct tentacle-like leaves curling toward the sky. She quickly began pulling handfuls of the weeds and piling them on a rock. Then, she took another rock and began mashing the plants until they were of proper consistency. She did this for quite a while, until she had a mushy bundle bigger than her head.

“Hope that’s enough.” She mused, wrapping the weed pulp into a larger unrelated leaf to make a ‘package’.

She then flew until she could see the massive outline of the giant’s prone form engulf her view. He seemed to stretch on forever, like a living impassable wall. His slow deep breathing sounded like gusts of wind as he lay on his side. Anu swallowed hard and tried to steel the trembling of her frame as she floated to his head. She stopped over the ugly head wound glaring up at her. The thought of her next move made her knees go to jelly upon imagining the repercussions. She was going to administer the leeching weed to his wound. Meaning she would have to touch his open wound; a very dangerous prospect. But if she was to help him it was the quickest way. She floated down little by little. Every instinct of survival was screaming not to go any closer.

Anu was within reach and viewed the angry wound, gaping on the left side of his forehead. It was so red, and an unpleasant odor was wafting from it. Anu cringed, partially from revulsion but also empathy for the pain he must be suffering. She lowered the ball of mashed leeching weed with both hands toward the wound. Her arms were shaking as she gently pressed the poultice in the deepest part of the gash.

Immediately, it instigated a reaction from the colossus. His huge head ducked away from her; brow knitted with a grimace. He hissed through his teeth like a huge air compressor expelling air. Anu cried out when one of his powerful hands shot at her with frightening speed. Losing focus, she fell onto the side of his head and ducked to avoid his crushing grasp. But he wasn’t reaching for her. His huge hand hovered near the wound but refused to touch it as his fingers flexed in a claw motion. Then, he moaned in his throat and his hand retreated, collapsing like a fallen tree back onto the ground beside him.

After several tense seconds his breathing became more even again. Anu swallowed a frightened swelling in her throat, hoping not to wake him with the rest of the poultice she had to administer. However, she knew leeching weed had numbing properties on open wounds and with any luck the giant wouldn’t feel the rest of her aid. Grasping the blob of poultice, she spread it into the rest of the gash. She froze when he grimaced again, but he didn’t react beyond that.

In a few minutes she had filled most of the wound with the leeching weed without incident. However, when she attempted to fly off of his head her anxiety crushed her attempt. With careful steps she retreated down his neck, gripped his shirt, and slid down to the ground. Then she ducked behind the nearest tree.

Anu heaved a sigh of relief as she put a hand to the center of her chest to calm the frenetic pounding of her heart. Despite the fact that she believed him to be good and not evil, it still didn’t stop her from fearing his power. It took her several minutes to calm down enough to regain her flight. Luckily for her, Hitalel was still asleep and didn’t see her return nor did she see her aid the giant.

So far so good.

A few more nublars passed before Anu noticed the giant begin to stir. He groaned deeply and very slowly pushed himself up with his arms.

Hitalel was startled awake by the sound, “Wha…what’s happening?”

“He’s moving…I think.” Anu explained.

His arms shook minutely, and his eyes looked like they were barely open. He smacked his lips and made a face of discomfort. Anu noticed that his lips looked very dry and guessed he was probably thirsty. The lake wasn’t very far by his standards, but could he reach it? He made a sound of discomfort again and shakily brought his leg underneath his body. With a forced effort, he stood on shaky legs. Anu and Hitalel stared up in awe as his massive form rose up above the trees; albeit they weren’t sure if he’d remain standing the way he was shaking. Almost in a zombie-like state, he took a forced step forward; shaking the ground. Then another. He swayed dangerously.

“I think he’s going for the water.” Anu commented as he got further away.

Hitalel raised her plumage and perched on the edge of her branch, “I think you’re right. Come on.”

Stealthily the two females left their tree and flew out to the giant’s left side, just out of his sight. He was somehow still standing but like a dead tree in a stiff wind, he was beginning to lean in a precarious manner. Quite suddenly he collapsed again. A quake hit the forest and thousands of branches snapped under his great weight. The two Ansheeta females flew up higher to gain a better view and saw the trees began bending and wobbling around him as he continued in a crawling motion on all fours. After causing much disturbance and noise he finally arrived at the lake’s edge, pulling himself the last few meters on his belly. He plunged his face in the water and began gulping down as much as he could hold. Several seconds passed before he swallowed his last mouthful, gasped with completeness, and rolled weakly onto his back beside the lake. His enormous chest rose and fell before slowing down again and returning to a state of rest.

Anu sighed internally, thanking whatever powers that be that he made it to the lake. She couldn’t even conceive how much water he had just drank and knew she alone wouldn’t have been able to bring him enough water to slake such a massive thirst…never mind doing it without being caught.

Hitalel made a noise of frustration but didn’t say anything. Obviously, she was anxious about the giant’s will to survive superseding her expectations of him simply dying. Anu, however, was hoping her”help” would pay off and he would recover. Only time would tell.

Chapter 10: Taken Hostage

Later that evening…

Traynar had arrived just ahead of Squadron 2 to rejoin Anu and relieve Hitalel. A brief search of the area marked with a signal of flashing light from an energy staff allowed him to find them amid the treetops in sight of the lake and the giant; whom was now laying on his stomach at the lake’s shore. He’d moved. With relief he landed next to his mate and they embraced briefly.

“What has happened?”

Anu gestured to the prostrate form, “He made it to the lake and drank and since then he’s been sleeping.”

He surveyed the massive sleeping form a moment and then lowered his voice, “So what did you do?”

“Leeching weed,” she explained simply.

Traynar nodded slowly, “That might work.” He incredulously shook his head but kept his voice quiet so Hitalel wouldn’t be able to hear, “I still can’t believe you’re doing it…and that I’m letting you.”

Anu’s plumage flicked up sassily, “Regretting not turning me in?”

Her mate smirked and shook his head.

She laughed quietly at him. Although she neglected to tell him about her near crushing experience. Traynar was already wound tight over the whole situation; no sense making it worse.

“I will need to gather more leeching weed tonight.” She stated quietly.

Traynar’s eyes went wider and he said through grit dental ridges, “Now I think I need to turn you in.”

…

All through the night Traynar, Anu, and the three other scouts kept watch. Nothing happened. As light began to return Anu stretched her stiff legs and tapped her mate’s shoulder.

“Cover for me. I’m going to get more leeching weed.”

He gave her a look that said he didn’t approve but also that he wasn’t going to stop her. The lavender skinned female floated from her branch and flew down over the forest floor away from the other scouts. The dim, but ever brightening morning made finding the leeching weed much more difficult so it took Anu longer to find what she was looking for. At last, near the edge of a clearing in the trees she spotted the tell-tale tentacles of the weeds unfurling toward the light. She landed and began picking.

As she knelt, gathering a sizeable bundle she heard a twig snap audibly. Her plumage flipped up with alert, her eyes darting for the source. Nothing presented itself. All was quiet again save for the normal calls of the forest creatures as the forest awoke.

SNAP! CRASH! SNAP!

Anu’s heart erupted into panicked beats when she startled, turned, and saw a huge, gray sand dragon charging toward her from the tree line to her left. She’d only seen such a beast from her history and scouting lessons which depicted them as the fearsome steeds of the Rogashay invaders. The intimidating sight of the lumbering scaly beast barreling toward her made her drop her bundle of weeds and fly off the ground.

She didn’t get very high before she was struck from behind. Anu cried out as she hit the ground on her stomach and was forcibly pinned down by a sand dragon’s clawed foot. It hissed next to her back, long wet tongue flickering against her head rapidly. She whimpered, shuddering as its foul breath wafted against her head. Out of the corner of her eye she could see rows of the lizard’s small but numerous razor teeth flash.

“Ru’tra. Hold.” A deep voice barked in a commanding tone.

The huge lizard hissed and lifted its head away, but kept its foot firmly planted into Anu’s back. She couldn’t see who it was, but she could hear him approaching. A foot clad in leathery scaled boots stopped next to her head. To her left she could hear more feet hitting the ground and the movement of more sand dragons.

“Ru’tra, release.” The voice commanded.

With a groan of submission, the sand dragon lifted its foot, releasing Anu. She gasped for breath and sat up quickly. The sand dragon gave a snarling hiss and she froze.

“Don’t try and run Ansheeta. Ru’tra gets excited by runners.”

Anu looked up and beheld her assailant. He was very tall, double her height, and covered in scaly markings across his muscular frame. The rough crest from his forehead gave no doubt he was a Rogashay. This was her first encounter with one as they were normally found on the outskirts of the forest as well as across the wasteland. It had been generations since they went to war with them; so long that many of the current EFP members were not privy to such memories, Anu among them. But their training did familiarize them with the Rogashay as they were well known bandits.

“Who are you? What do you want?” Anu asked, trying to mask her fear with little success.

The Rogashay leaned over, his yellowish green eyes fierce and confident, “I am Boroxle, leader of this company. And you…are my prisoner.”

Anu was suddenly seized from behind by a second Rogashay who pinned her wrists behind her back.

“No! Let me go!” she protested.

“I think not. You’re far too valuable to just let go.”

Anu glanced around and saw five Rogashay bandits and their sand dragons. Three were still astride the huge beasts, staring down at her with contempt.

Boroxle approached her with a scrutinizing eye. He took her chin in his hand and turned her head to look at the base of her plumage. He noted the scales were taller and pointed, indicating her age; young but not recently Emerged. He also took note of her EFP jumpsuit.

“So…you’re a flying scout.” He commented in his gravely deep voice as a smile crossed his lipless mouth, “Tell me scout, why have your patrols ceased? We have not seen any for several days. Have you forgotten about us?”

The other Rogashay laughed mildly at his comment.

As a scout, Anu was trained not to produce any information of her duties. However, telling them there was a giant alien roaming the forest might be so unbelievable it would sound like a lie. It could also prove to spark their paranoia.

“There’s something in these woods far worse than you.” She stated ominously.

“Really?” Boroxle sounded disbelieving but intrigued, “And what is it?”

Anu didn’t look at him, “We don’t know what it is. But it can drink ponds dry and eat Gold-Scaled Leviathans.”

Boroxle raised a spiked brow suspiciously.

“If you don’t believe me, send one of your men to Anashee Lake. It’s there now. If I were you, I’d leave before it finds and eats you too.”

“Full of stories this one.” Boroxle stated after a moment.

Quite suddenly, a blur of green flashed and one of the Rogashay bandits was knocked off of his sand dragon. The bandits were taken off guard and began looking up. A second bandit cried out in pain as he was knocked from his mount. Anu saw the iridescent flash of Traynar’s plumage in the rising sun as he swooped overhead.

“Traynar.” she said quietly.

Boroxle straightened and in a flash produced a long energy staff from a holster on his back. It crackled and opened, producing a glowing blue spear head. Anu was about to scream a warning but the Rogashay leader was faster as he flung the weapon with expert precision.

Traynar saw the oncoming spear and twisted in midair, dodging the fatal impalement but still receiving a gash across his middle. Concentration broken by pain, he fell, but managed to slow himself enough to avoid a deadly crash. He rolled in the grass and righted himself in a fighting stance, energy staff brandished.

Boroxle strode toward him confidently, but unhurried. A metal band on his wrist blinked with a blue light and the thrown energy spear came back to him as if on a string. He caught it expertly and charged at Traynar with frightening speed.

“Traynar!” Anu screamed, struggling to escape her captor.

Traynar met him, parrying the first blow and twisting away to distance himself. He floated off the ground. Unlike his mate, Traynar had little trouble with fear and anxiety cracking his flying focus. However, the pain from the gash in his middle was such that he couldn’t gain much height. Boroxle, the much larger and powerful fighter, circled the floating Ansheetan. Traynar kept his distance, knowing his opponent would be able to easily overpower him. He’d just have to outmaneuver him.

“Let her go!” Traynar shouted aggressively.

Boroxle smirked, “Try and take her, then.”

The Rogashay swung the spear in a wide arc, narrowly missing the nimble Ansheetan. He spun, leaping and thrusting his weapon. Traynar dodged and circled, trying to stay out of range.

“Ru’tra, tail!” Boroxle shouted.

Traynar didn’t have time to duck when the sand dragon’s long tail whipped around and swatted him to the ground at Boroxle’s feet. He cried out as his breath was stolen from him and pain sprang across his body.

Boroxle kicked his energy staff away and patted his steed’s scaly side, “Good Ru’tra. Good.”

Anu struggled against the strong hands that held her wrists behind her back, “No! Leave him alone!”

The tall, broad leader Boroxle hauled Traynar to his feet by his plumage and easily slung him before Anu in a heap. Traynar groaned and acted as if to get up again but the beating he’d received prevented such action.

“I’d stay down if I were you, Ansheeta.” Boroxle warned, stepping over him. “Ru’tra hasn’t tasted Ansheetan for many years. I’m sure he’d enjoy a treat.”

“NO!” Anu screamed frantically.

Boroxle looked at her knowingly, “This is your mate isn’t it?”

Anu didn’t respond but the earlier concern she’d shown was all Boroxle needed to confirm his guess. Anu hissed at him angrily flaring her plumage.

Boroxle smirked, “Doesn’t matter. You’re perfect.”

Anu looked up at him, “What? What do you mean? What do you want?”

He smiled and explained, “Want? Why, what every living being wants: to be secure, safe, and have enough resources to survive. Something you Ansheeta know so well.” He knelt down to be eye level with her and gestured to the forest around them, “This forest belongs to you Ansheeta and that is something we would like to change.”

Anu shook her head, “What does that have to do with us? We don’t hold any power in Anashee.”

He tapped her forehead with emphasis, “Oh but you do. You, my dear, are our ticket to get us into Anashee. It’s exceptionally rare if we ever capture one of your kind alive, much less a pair of the flying scouts. I’m sure your people would do almost anything to get you back safely…perhaps even surrender the whole city to us?”

Anu shook her head in protest and struggled against the Rogashay subduing her, “No! You can’t do this!”

The end of Boroxle’s energy spear flipped gently under her chin as he spoke, “I’m sure I can.” His eyes became hard, “Just hearing it come out of your Ansheetan mouth makes me want to.”

It was then a very loud snap echoed through the trees, followed by the sound of the vegetation being disturbed. The bandits as well as their sand dragons stared in the direction of the sudden sound. Another series of loud snaps; trees bending. The sand dragons snorted and began to shake their heavy frilled heads, something they rarely did unless perturbed.

Boroxle stood up and took the reins of his sand dragon to try and calm him, “Easy Ru’tra. Easy.”

“What is that?” one of the Rogashay asked from atop his sand dragon.

Suddenly, like a roll of thunder, a huge voice shook the air, “Pixie?…Pixie where are you?”

…

That same moment…

Merco awoke sometime during the early hours of the next morning with a parched throat. He wasn’t sure how long he’d slept but somehow, he felt like it had been weeks. With groggy movements he sat up to go to the water. His head hurt …but considerably less so. The horrid pounding had dulled and was replaced with the burning of a cut and pulse of a bruise. He gingerly touched the wound and felt something odd. Not a scab, but something covering the gash. His fingers brushed the substance and he observed it. Green…but not an infected piece of him. Like…a plant of some kind?

How did a plant get in his wound?

He smelled it and it gave off an alien odor, but not one of unpleasantness. A scent like fresh cut grass and cilantro, but with a medicine high note.

He crawled to the water and drank but also gazed at his reflection. The image wasn’t tremendously clear, but it looked like his gash had filled with the plant material. Was it an alien moss? Horrible scenarios of the plant taking root in his skull and eventually killing him by way of invading his brain played in his mind. But…it didn’t seem that way now that he looked at the plant matter on his fingertip. It looked crushed.

A poultice of some kind? But who applied it?

As he pondered he suddenly remembered his tiny companion. Absently, he patted his pocket, expecting to feel Pixie sitting inside. But no tiny lump presented itself. His hand patted quickly across his chest like a man searching for his keys. He opened the top of his shirt pocket and visually confirmed it.

Pixie was gone.

“Pixie?” he rasped.

His eyes, still bleary with weariness, began to dart with panic. He looked around himself, careful not to make any sudden movements.

Where was she? Had she fallen out? Had…had he accidentally smashed her? How long was he unconscious?

“Pixie? Pixie where are you?” he called.

No answer or any indication that she was nearby. Merco felt a twinge of panic. He felt personally responsible for the tiny humanoid and somehow he’d lost her. Still feeling peaked he shakily pulled his legs underneath him to stand. Though not feeling as terrible as he did the day before, he didn’t feel one hundred percent either. He stood up slowly, allowing his senses to adjust. His eyes swept the area around him for any sign of Pixie. Part of him was relieved to not find her as scenarios of an accidental squishing flashed gorily in his mind.

How could he live with himself if he did that?

He slowly moved away from the lake, eyes scanning every inch below him. Somehow he heard what he thought was a voice not too far away.

“Pixie? Pixie?” he called again walking in that direction.

…

The Rogashay jumped visibly and their steeds began making whines of distress when a series of rhythmic quakes vibrated the ground around them.

Upon hearing the rumbling voice rolling through the trees, Anu made a brash decision; one she hoped would save her and Traynar from this predicament.

At the top of her voice she suddenly screamed, “MERCO! MERCO HELP!”

The Rogashay holding her immediately slapped a hand over her mouth to silence her. She tried to scream anyway.

Two distinct tremors vibrated through the ground. Trees groaned and branches snapped in a cacophony of sound. Finally, the sand dragons lost their nerve, squealed, and began to bolt in all directions. Boroxle and the bandit holding Anu could only watch as their sand dragons wheeled and bolted away from them. The others rode their mounts wherever fear sent them.

“Pixie?” the tremendous voice rumbled through the air again, followed by rhythmic slow tremors.

Boroxle handled his energy staff which immediately cycled into a crackling spear head. He stared out into the forest and suddenly spotted an impossibly big silhouette sweeping through the trees. A tremor and the silhouette stopped. Then he saw a second silhouette speed past the first and stop just ahead of it. Another tremor.

Boroxle’s yellow green eyes widened considerably when he realized what he was seeing. Two feet, two legs, striding through the forest. He looked up but they were so close to the tree line that the trees blocked his view.

“What in the great wasteland…?” he hissed in a hushed tone.

“Pixie? Pixie where are you?” the voice boomed again, closer now.

Boroxle motioned to his comrade to hide behind the nearest tree with their other captive. Whatever was coming was something neither of them had ever seen before and it sounded enormous. Was the Ansheetan female actually telling the truth earlier?

Anu struggled but her burly captor held her easily as he ducked behind a tree, pressing her face forward into its trunk. Her eyes glanced over and saw Traynar abandoned in the open.

She made muffled noises of protest until his hand painfully squeezed her jaw, “Shut up Ansheeta!” he growled the threat. “Keep quiet.”

The tremors grew more intense as the gigantic being drew closer. It was about two hundred yards away when it stopped.

“Pixie? Pixie you’ve got to answer me. I can’t see you,” the voice rumbled in a concerned sounding tone.

Silence reigned as the giant being listened. Boroxle peeked out minutely from the tree, energy spear grasped between his hard hands. Two black boots of impossible size stood poised through the trees. Curiosity pushed the Rogashay leader to look further up. His eyes made it to the underside of the towering creature’s hairy chin before it moved, and he ducked behind the tree again. It stepped to their right slowly and then again. It was moving away from them. Boroxle motioned with his head and he and his companion shifted around their trees, keeping their position hidden from the giant as it moved away.

Anu could see Merco begin to go another direction and panic flooded her. If he didn’t hear her these Rog Bandits would use her as a hostage and do untold actions against her people. With a desperate move she went limp, pretending to pass out. The bandit restraining her lessened his grip from her mouth. His face seemed shocked, perhaps believing he’d suffocated her. Boroxle pinned him with an intense stare as if to ask what had happened.

At that moment Anu seized her chance and screamed as loud as she could, “MERCO!”

Reacting instantly the bandit struck her, knocking her out. But it was too late. Boroxle’s face shifted to that of horror when the boots stopped abruptly and turned back in their direction.

“Pixie?”

It was in the moment that Boroxle came to a realization: the Ansheeta had just called this giant creature and it called back…they knew each other.

He swore silently as the impossibly heavy footfalls strode closer, putting them mere yards from their hiding places. The Rogashay held perfectly still in silent dread until the massive being knelt down nearby, shadow eclipsing the area. Boroxle grit his dental ridge, stealing a second peek. The giant being was on one knee and had subsequently found the male Ansheetan. The giant’s enormous hand descended upon the Ansheetan and plucked him up.

Suddenly, his Rogashay partner couldn’t stand it any longer and took off running at full speed, leaving the unconscious female behind. The giant’s head turned toward the movement and seemed to be watching his fleeing partner with large grayish green eyes. Boroxle knew it was completely insane, but he needed the Ansheetan hostage if his plans were ever going to work. With the giant’s attention distracted, Boroxle darted toward the female hostage, effortlessly slung her over his other shoulder, and ran in the opposite direction. He ran as fast as he could not pausing to make sure he had been seen. Several long seconds passed, and he didn’t hear anything.

Had he gotten away with it? Had it not seen him?

SNAP! CRASH!

No…

Trees snapped deafeningly behind him and the first quaking footfall hit the ground. Boroxle couldn’t run any faster but he changed direction, darting in a serpentine fashion. The trees were slowing the giant down…but not enough. His keen eyes caught sight of a small cluster of rock through the trees and he angled for it, keeping up his serpentine path. The tremendous footfalls grew louder still, shaking the ground beneath his fleeing feet. At last he made it to the rocks and immediately saw a small space between them just big enough for him to slide into. He pulled the Ansheetan from his shoulder, held her to his chest, ducked, and slid into the space, gasping for breath.

For several seconds he crouched down in the tight space, listening. He couldn’t hear the giant’s footfalls, but he could hear the ominous sound of its breathing high above. A shadow blacked out the sun above. Before Boroxle would react the rock in front of him pulled back with a loud, grinding crunch and rose weightless into the air. Dust and gravel rained down around him. Boroxle looked up and gasped upon seeing the giant holding the huge bolder in one hand before tossing it aside. Boroxle tried to run to his left but the giant’s boot crashed in front of him. He wheeled right only to be met by the second boot. Nowhere to run, his back pressed against the remaining rock and he whipped out his energy staff again, cycling it to a broad-head spear. Defensively he thrust it up as the giant slowly knelt, looming over him. Though alien, the giant’s expression seemed to convey an anger or something of equal menace when he gazed upon the unconscious prisoner in his arms.

“What have you done to her?” his powerful voice growled.

Boroxle couldn’t understand his words but the booming tone sounded angry. He tensed, not lowering his spear a fraction.

Quite abruptly, the giant’s gloved left hand shot toward him, palm up. Boroxle readied himself but the hand stopped just short of his spear tip.

“Give her to me…NOW.” The giant’s voice rolled over him with vibrating menace.

Boroxle watched as the giant’s other hand pointed forcefully to the Ansheetan and then to his open hand. He noted that the male Ansheeta the giant had picked up was no longer in either of his hands.

Had…had he eaten him?

Again, the giant repeated the gesture. He wanted the female. But what would happen once he had her? Boroxle was torn to decide. Would this monster kill him the moment he had her? The Rogashay leader decided it would be safer for him to hang on to the Ansheetan than open himself up to a vengeful squishing. He gambled this huge being would be less likely to harm him with the Ansheetan female in his arms. After all, she had called him so there must be some sort of bond. Crouching lower with his spear up, he gestured for the giant to back away.

The giant’s gloved hand flipped over suddenly, fingers flared at him. Boroxle reacted, slashing his blue energy spear in a wide ferocious arc. The crackling blade opened the black material of the glove but stopped when it struck the finger underneath. Boroxle’s arm vibrated painfully. Whatever he struck wasn’t forgiving like flesh. It was worse that the giant gave no reaction of pain. With little more effort than a pinch, the gloved fingers came together on the staff of his spear, holding it immobile. Boroxle jerked as hard as he could but felt like he’d wrenched his arm out of the socket when the spear didn’t budge.

“Brave little bastard aren’t ya?” the giant being spoke in his alien language as he effortlessly tugged the spear from his grasp.

Boroxle didn’t even see the other hand when it swooped in and a single sharp tap from the giant’s index finger knocked him unconscious.