Chapter 11: Trying to Communicate

Merco caught both tiny aliens before they hit the ground. Amazing how a simple tap of his finger was all that was needed to knock the kidnapper unconscious. Hopefully, he hadn’t overdone it and broken anything. With gentle maneuvering he separated the two; Pixie in his right hand, her captor in his left. Pixie rolled over limply in his palm which made his chest tighten. He held her up to his eye, watching her tiny chest. The barest movement caught his eye and he sighed with relief.

She’s alive.

But as he stared at her closely he came to the realization that it wasn’t Pixie. The tiny scaled feathers on her head were too long and she was wearing a jumpsuit. Pixie’s plumage was very small, and she wasn’t wearing anything the last he saw her.

Merco squinted, “But… how did she know my name?”

Then recognition dawned on him: this was the female he’d first found inside that fish! A subtle movement from within his shirt pocket made him look down. And…the green one was the same one who’d attacked him in protection of the female. He’d tried to introduce himself to them, but they ran away frightened.

“So…you’ve been around this whole time…watching me.” Merco smirked.

Closing his hand over her, he stood up and slowly walked back to the lake. He didn’t know where Pixie had gone but something told him these guys might’ve had something to do with it. When he passed out they probably took advantage of that and “rescued” her. That’s what he’d been trying to do after all; return her to her family. At least…that’s what he hoped had happened. Still, a seed of regret remained that he never got to give her a proper goodbye.

Once he made it to the lake he sat down, opened his hand, and gently stroked the tiny body with his thumb, trying to revive her. After a few minutes of patiently waiting, she stirred. Her large blue eyes blinked and blearily gazed up at him.

…

Anu awoke not knowing where she was. The last thing she remembered was yelling and then feeling pain in the back of her head. She sat up and for some reason the ground felt…strange. As her senses cleared from her haze she saw the ground beneath her was not ground, but flesh. Her eyes widened and slowly traveled upward until they beheld the face of the giant alien, Merco. She was sprawled out in the palm of his huge hand…again.

“Oh my…it worked. What have I done?” she thought with dread.

“Hello again.” His voice vibrated her insides.

She instinctually tensed, her breath catching at the intimidating size of him. It was certainly one thing to approach him when he was unconscious as opposed to facing him awake. Of course the first time she was in this situation the trauma of being eaten by the Gold Scaled Leviathan superseded the terror of being held by an alien capable of crushing her with a single finger.

“Take it easy Anu. If he wanted to eat you he would’ve done it already. Don’t show fear. He can probably smell it,” she mentally tried to encourage herself. The trembling of her frame didn’t cease.

Her eyes darted to take in their surroundings. Back at the lake…almost in the exact spot they’d first came into direct contact with one another. Across the expanse between his hands she could see Boroxle clutched in his left hand, appearing unconscious.

There he was…but where was Traynar?

Her eyes suddenly darted for her mate, “Traynar? Traynar?” she called, her head swiveling.

The giant alien blinked at her but somehow seemed to understand as his hand slowly moved toward the pocket on his chest. She staggered from the movement, but as he brought her close she could see the lump through the shirt material. She cautiously looked up at Merco to ensure he wasn’t about to do something horrible to her whilst she was distracted. He watched her almost expectantly. With slow deliberate movements she gripped the edge of his shirt pocket and looked in. A sigh of relief escaped her upon seeing her mate safely nestled at the bottom. However, he wasn’t awake and Anu felt dread slither across her throat when she saw pale, light blue blood leaking from his middle.

“Traynar? Traynar are you all right?” she called down to him.

Before she could climb down into the pocket, Merco’s hand moved away and she protested.

“No! He’s hurt! I have to help him!”

The huge fingers curled in on her and very delicately pinched around her waist.

She kicked and struggled, “No! Stop! Put me down!”

He slowly, and surprisingly did so. Anu stood before him, completely engulfed in his shadow. With careful movements his now empty hand returned to his pocket, fished out Traynar, and gradually placed him on the ground in front of her. He then did the same for the Rogashay, setting his unconscious form down nearby.

Anu cautiously approached her mate and when the giant made no move she knelt beside him to check his wounds. She immediately saw the gash in his middle from the Rogashay spear. It wasn’t lethally deep, but it was bleeding significantly. Unfastening his flying suit, she exposed the wound and then, from the pouch pocket in her uniform, she pulled out a piece of silvery bandage to cover it. The bandage adhered automatically to Traynar’s skin and began to stem the flow of blood. Anu touched his face tenderly, thanking higher powers that he hadn’t been killed.

For several moments she seemed to almost forget that she and Traynar were sitting before the giant alien. He’d remained quiet, silently watching them. Her head tipped back, and their eyes met; the two scrutinized one another.

After a moment, he began to look around them, his eyes conveying worry. Then his deep voice returned, “Do you know what happened to Pixie?”

She flinched involuntarily when he spoke, but she had no idea what he’d just said.

He then pointed to her with his free hand, made a “small” gesture with his thumb and index finger, and patted his pocket.

“Pixie? Where?”

Though she didn’t understand the words, Anu guessed he was looking for the Emerged female they’d taken back to Anashee when he patted his pocket. However, she wasn’t going to tell him where Anashee was so he could look for her. So, she feigned ignorance.

…

Merco shook his head with mild frustration, “[Sigh] That’s right. You don’t understand me.”

The language barrier was indeed hindering Merco’s understanding of what had transpired as well as learning where Pixie had gone. All he knew was he’d heard a tiny voice scream his name and he thought it was Pixie calling him. He found the green-skinned alien laying injured in the open, picked him up, and put him in his pocket for safe-keeping. Then he saw a larger humanoid running away from him with what looked like Pixie draped over his shoulder. He pursued and here they were. Merco could only guess some sort of altercation had happened. The “why” was unclear. What was clear was this little alien had put aside her fear to get him to become involved and intervene. Considering they seemed to view him as a gigantic monster, that was saying something.

Despite this, there was one thing that he knew he could communicate.

He pointed at himself, “Merco…” then pointed to her.

Taking an easing breath, she replied, “A-Anu.”

Merco smiled, “Anu.” He then pointed to the green skinned male beside her.

“Traynar,” she explained.

“Anu and Traynar.”

He turned his gaze upon the kidnapper next to them.

“Boroxle.” Anu stated, pointing.

Merco examined this new alien before him. It looked very different from Pixie’s kind; a similar but very different species. By Merco’s standards he was the size of a grass frog…or funnily enough four inch action figure. Whatever he was he looked tougher and stronger than Pixie’s species. Even his prosthetic could detect the roughness of the kidnapper’s hide. It felt very much like a desert dwelling lizard back on Earth; dry and raised with texture. It was dressed simply: no shirt, but pants and boots made from a lizard-looking material. An empty belt holster was strapped across its broad chest.

Even though he knew his words wouldn’t be understood he still asked, “So…what’s the deal with this guy?”

He pointed to Boroxle while making eye contact with Anu as he spoke. She looked at him, pondering. Then she pointed to the alien and then the wound on Traynar’s middle.

“He did that, hm. Not very nice of him,” he commented. He’d probably have to keep a close eye on that one if he awoke and felt unfriendly.

Merco then remembered the poultice he’d discovered mysteriously in his head wound.

“Did you do this?” He pointed to her and then made a dabbing motion at his wound.

She nodded.

He bowed his head and put a hand to his chest, “Thank you, Anu. You saved my life. I owe you more than I can repay.”

Quite suddenly, a blip of movement caught his eye.

…

Boroxle came to, his mind trying to clear.

What had happened? Where were his soldiers? Where was Ru’tra, his sand dragon?

He was on his back, head rolled to his right. When his senses cleared he could see the Ansheetan pair he had fought and captured nearby. The female appeared to be attending the male he had injured.

Good. They hadn’t escaped him yet.

Instinctually he groped for the energy spear on his back but didn’t find it. Second choice was one of the blades he kept hidden on his belt. He slowly sat up, focusing on them as a cat focuses on a pair of birds. His legs curled underneath him as he turned, blade drawn; body coiled for the pounce.

Just as he was about to seize upon them he was struck from behind by a powerful force, slamming him into the dirt. He hissed with pain and tried rebound for combat, but was suddenly immobilized when a massive pressure smashed his arms to his sides. He tried to twist and wrench himself free but was abruptly lifted straight off the ground at terrifying speed. Boroxle felt himself being rotated until he beheld the alien face of the giant creature that had chased him down.

Oh by the great wasteland…it wasn’t a fever dream. It was real.

The large grayish green eyes scrutinized him closely. Boroxle struggled with all his strength only to find he was surrounded by massive fingers holding him aloft and immobile.

“Release me!” he shouted in his most aggressive voice.

The giant stared at him, eyes slowly going narrower. It gave him a serious and yet smirking expression which Boroxle didn’t like.

“You tried to pull a knife on them didn’t you?” its deep voice rumbled in its alien language.

The digits surrounding him slowly increased their pressure, causing Boroxle to grunt with pain.

“I don’t like that.”

Panic, a generally foreign sensation to the Rogashay leader, began to crawl into the crevices of his mind,“It’s going to crush me.“

“LET ME GO!” he shouted again, kicking his feet strongly.

As he struggled, he suddenly caught sight of the Ansheeta female below, sitting before the giant being with her mate. He blinked in disbelief. The Ansheetan female returned the stare.

Did …did she command this creature? She called for it and it came to her aid.

…

Merco held Boroxle easily between his fingers. When the larger alien awoke, he inexplicably didn’t seem to notice him and tried to make an attack on Anu and Traynar. He’d stopped him as effortlessly as a child picks up a toy, but now he wasn’t sure what to do with the struggling miscreant.

The uncomfortable cramp of hunger was once again clawing at Merco’s guts and he realized he hadn’t eaten since…he couldn’t quite remember. However, in his sickened stupor, he had dropped his spear somewhere in the forest. He had no idea where it was now, so he’d have to fashion another one. But he didn’t trust to leave this guy alone and unguarded with Anu and Traynar; probably would attack them again when he wasn’t looking. He wasn’t sure what quarrel they had with one another, but if he could prevent them from harming each other then he would.

He thought about sticking him in one of his bomber jacket pockets and zipping it up. No…he might have a second knife and could cut his way out. Was there some string he could tie him up with?

Then an idea occurred to him. With his other hand he dug a hole down in to the sand in front of him. He held his index finger next to the alien for measurement and then set him down into the hole. With a sweep of his hand he filled the hole around Boroxle, allowing just his neck and head to poke out. He pressed the ground around him as if he were planting a very special plant.

The look on the alien’s face was that of shock. His neck strained as if trying to unearth himself but couldn’t budge. Merco chuckled at the ridiculousness of what he’d done, but figured it would be a humane way to keep him contained whilst he worked.

He gave Boroxle’s crested head a gentle pat with his finger, “Now you stay right there little carrot. Don’t go anywhere.”

…

Anu didn’t even see the attack until Merco’s hand moved. She caught herself flinching at the swiftness the huge alien could achieve despite his size. He knocked Boroxle to the ground and plucked him up. As he lifted the Rogashay toward his face a pit of dread crawled in Anu’s stomach.

Was he going to eat him?

She sighed when he merely looked at him. The Rogashay boldly shouted at him but it held no effect to Merco’s grip. Merco seemed to think for several minutes. Anu watched in disbelief as he unexpectedly dug a hole and buried Boroxle up to his neck in the ground.

What?

Merco made a deep rumbling pulsing noise and patted Boroxle’s exposed head. Then he shifted his body, the earth giving beneath his great weight as he stood up. Anu felt herself ducking down at the enormity of his standing presence. Laying in his hand made her feel small but sitting before him standing at his full height made her feel infinitesimal. Merco stepped over them and put himself back at the treeline. He inspected the trees a moment before selecting one and ripped it out of the ground.

His power was astounding.

Anu recognized what he was doing, as she had observed him making a spear before. He must be preparing to fish.

“Ansheeta! Tell that monster to release me!” Boroxle growled fiercely.

Anu looked at the Rogashay, buried up to his neck in the ground.

He thought she held sway over Merco? She barely understood him…yet if he believed that then perhaps she would be able to successfully interrogate him.

As an EFP scout she needed to know why the Rogashay were trespassing this far into their territory and what, if any, were their plans? She was going to have to bluff him.

She hardened her stare and walked toward him, “You tried to kill my mate and take us hostage. The Rogashay haven’t invaded this far into the forest for many generations…why are you here now?”

He returned the gaze with venom, “I don’t have to explain myself to you Ansheeta.”

“My name is Anu.” She straightened herself, “You might not want to explain yourself to me…that’s fine. But then if you’re not going to tell me anything then we have no use of you.”

Boroxle growled at her, “Ansheeta don’t execute prisoners.”

“No. But he does,” her head inclined to Merco who was nearby using a knife to lop off the branches of his tree spear.

The Rogashay’s eyes darted momentarily.

Anu began to pour it on, “You see Boroxle, we’ve been watching this guy for many sunsets now and I know for a fact that he can eat an entire Gold Scaled Leviathan in one sitting. Do you know how many days ago that was?”

He didn’t reply but his stern look seemed to be cracking.

“Two Boroxle. Two days today. How hungry do you think he is?”

His eyes flicked minutely toward Merco and it was then Anu knew he was buying it.

“As I recall, you were going to feed my mate to your sand dragon. Seems only fair that we return the offer.” she said with a coldness that surprised even her.

She slowly turned her back on him and began walking away, “NO! Stop! I…I’ll explain. Just…just tell that thing to release me.”

“Tell me first and I’ll be glad to.” she countered.

Boroxle gave a look of angered defeat and sighed, “I already told you we haven’t seen any of your patrols for days so we decided to investigate…see if you Ansheeta were weakening. The whole trip we never saw any patrols. Then, we found you alone and decided a hostage might be a good bargaining tool.”

“How many of you are out here?”

“Five riders and myself.” he admitted, “Our leader sent us to investigate.”

“When are you to report back?”

Boroxle made an unsure look, “No time frame. That’s all. Now tell that thing to release me!”

Anu looked over at Merco who was now carving the tip of his spear, “I’ll tell him. But I’m sure he’ll want to eat first.”

“Don’t toy with me Ansheeta! You said if I answered your questions he wouldn’t eat me!” Boroxle hissed.

Anu rolled her eyes at him and then pointed to the giant, “He’s going fishing. If he’s successful I’m sure he won’t…maybe.”

An angry growl came from Boroxle as she walked away back to Traynar. Her mate was still unconscious but he wasn’t bleeding anymore. As she walked back she noticed a brief flash up in the trees. A scout signal. She could see two members of the EFP in the trees. No surprise they’d been keeping their distance. They probably weren’t even aware of the situation other than the fact that she and Traynar were sitting in the giant’s presence. She stole a glance toward Merco who was tirelessly working on his fishing spear; sufficiently distracted. Carefully, she flew towards the scouts and landed in the trees with them.

“Anu! Are you all right?” one of them whispered.

“I’m fine. Traynar has been hurt and needs a medic. Now listen. You two need to fly back to Anashee and bring back a medic for him. AND you must tell the Council that a party of six Rogashay have invaded into our territory close to the Anashee Lake.”

The two scouts were relatively young so they seemed very shocked at the idea of a Rogashay invasion.

“What about the giant?” the other asked.

“He’s not going anywhere. The Council needs to know about the Rogashay now! There could be a bigger invasion coming. Go!” she commanded strongly.

Nodding the two flew off stealthily through the trees and Anu returned to her mate.

Chapter 12: Camping by the Lake

Merco was out in the lake up to his knees fishing for nearly a nublar when Traynar finally awoke.

Anu was by his side and held his face in her hands, “Traynar! You’re awake. Are you all right?”

He winced, his plumage wilted, “I hurt. Are you injured?”

“No. Where do you hurt?”

“Where don’t I hurt would be a better question.” he replied weakly. His eyes opened with alarm, his plume lifted, “Where are the Rogashay?”

Anu ran her hand over his plumage, smoothing it, “They ran away. Well…except for him.” She pointed to Boroxle, buried up to his neck.

Traynar sat up painfully but looked, his eyes widened with confusion, “How…”

A loud splash across the lake made them both turn to see Merco towering in the water, his spear thrust down before him. He twisted the spear, putting weight on the backside of it. Then he made a thundering sound of satisfaction and lifted the spear tip out of the water. A gigantic Gold-Scaled Leviathan thrashed its death throes on the end. With marked strides, the giant moved toward the shore, a wave rolling before him.

Traynar gripped Anu’s arm, preparing to grab her and flee. However, Anu returned the grip with reassurance, pushing him down, “No. No. It’s all right.”

He looked to protest when the ground shook followed by a massive thud. There behind them near the shore lay the dead Leviathan, golden scales gleaming in the sunlight. Its monstrous mouth gaped and flicked reflexively. Anu cringed, remembering all too well her experience with such a maw.

Merco retracted the spear from his kill, set it down, and then gripped the huge fish behind its gill flap. It would take more than one hundred Ansheetan plus pulleys and rope to even drag that fish and Merco lifted it off the ground with one arm.

“Hope you guys like fish.” he rumbled from above as he moved away from them.

He set the carcass down, further away from the shore and methodically pulled out his knife to gut his catch.

“What is going on?” Traynar hissed intensely.

Anu carefully explained what happened after he was knocked unconscious. Traynar’s expression, while mostly trained on Merco’s every move, conveyed disbelief.

“I sent the EFP squad back to Anashee to warn the Council about the Rogashay and get you a medic.” Anu finally concluded.

Traynar held his head, partially from pain, partially from stress. He didn’t know what to think anymore.

Merco had finished cleaning the fish and was now setting about gathering wood for a fire. It didn’t take him long to construct a small tented formation with his burn material. Then, he did something Anu and Traynar both had never seen. The giant alien removed the black glove from his left forearm and revealed the mechanical prosthetic beneath. Then his thumb bent back, and flame sparked from the digit, lighting the kindling.

“He’s a machine?” Anu whispered.

Traynar shook his head, but his plumage was up with interest, “No…it’s just his arm that’s machine.”

Their people had some technology in their energy weapons, flying gear, and domestic life, but he’d never seen a limb purely made from mechanical components. Especially one that bent and flexed as a normal flesh and blood appendage could. It was a wonder to behold. Whatever Merco’s species, they somehow possessed a technology his people lacked. Now Traynar wanted to know more about this huge stranger to their world.

…

It took a while but finally Merco finished cooking up the fish he’d speared. This one was a bit bigger than the last one which suited him just fine; he was starving. Before he pulled the fish from the fire, he stripped handfuls of leaves from the nearby trees and made a “platter” to shield it from the dirt. He removed the speared fish meal from the fire and set it on the leaves.

Merco turned and glanced over at Anu and Traynar who were watching him like two rabbits watching a wolf. Though he couldn’t blame them for being scared of him, all the wary eyes on him felt awkward. With slow, careful steps he approached them. They cowered noticeably.

He held up his hand with placation as he knelt a few feet from them, “Easy. Easy. It’s ok. It’s ok.” He looked to where Boroxle was buried, “Ok little carrot, are you gonna behave if I dig you out?”

Of course, none of them understood him.

With a curled finger he dug away the packed dirt around the trapped alien until his chest was unearthed. Then, just like a root vegetable, he pulled him gently from the ground by his shoulders. Boroxle protested and struggled but Merco didn’t release him. Instead, he stepped over toward the water, dunked the alien a couple times to wash him off, then set him down an arm’s length away from Anu and Traynar. Boroxle shook the water off of himself and shouted something with an indignant tone.

Merco knelt down on one knee and pointed to him, “Ok, Boroxle. You stay right there. If you try to hurt them again…” He gestured to Anu and Traynar, making a motion of violence. He pointed to himself, then pointed to Boroxle. “I am going to…,” He pinched his fingers together forcefully and made a squelching sound, “Get me?”

The scaled alien seemed to wilt, sitting down. Merco nodded. Though he truly had no intention of squishing the poor alien, he wasn’t going to let him try to kill the other two either. A bit of bluffing would suffice to keep the peace.

He stood, returning to the fish, “Ok, who’s hungry?”

Using his pocket-knife, he peeled back the crisp scaly skin of the fish to reveal the purplish white meat. Steam wafted aggressively from beneath. Merco procured a small piece the size of a postage stamp and cut it into threes. Then he found three sizeable leaves and placed a tiny portion of fish on each one. With slow careful movements he placed the portions in front of the three little aliens.

“There you go.”

They withdrew from him but looked at what he had given them with blatant curiosity.

…

Anu and Traynar stared at the huge chunks of meat before them and then at Merco, whom had moved away from them and sat nearer the cooked Leviathan. He watched them almost expectantly.

“Ever had Gold Scaled Leviathan?” Anu asked her mate.

Traynar scoffed, “I don’t think anyone has for several generations.”

Killing a Gold Scaled Leviathan was almost unheard of, save for legends and drunken fishing stories rambled on by those living off the Anashee Lake. Some merchants claimed to have pickled samples of the gigantic fish for exorbitant prices, though no one could corroborate their claims of authenticity. But here they had a fresh sample with no doubt of its origin.

Anu reached over and took a small piece off the top that wasn’t as hot as the rest and examined it, “Well…guess we don’t want to offend him.” Tentatively she tasted the meat then said, “Hmm. It’s good. Needs some seasoning…”

Anu also took some to give to Traynar since his wound made sitting and leaning extremely painful. She held it near his mouth, and he gave a skeptical look but let her feed him. It had been awhile since they’d eaten anything substantial and the gnaw of hunger was beginning to bite at their insides. Not to mention it felt like a rare privilege to eat something few had ever tasted. As they ate Anu smirked at the irony of being able to eat the very species that ate her. Perhaps it tasted better because of that?

She glanced over at Boroxle who was eyeing them suspiciously and also his portion of meat. He seemed to be assuring that they ate some first before he would consider eating. After a few moments he snatched a sizeable piece from his portion and hurriedly ate; acting as if he hadn’t eaten for many days.

All at once a hollow rushing of air, much like wind whistling through the trees, made them all snap with alert. Merco was blowing cooling air across a chunk of fish as big as any one of them. He stuffed it in his mouth, chewed twice, and swallowed loudly. Then he sliced off another huge piece of meat and did the same. Anu had to repress a shiver of dread as she watched him consume the vast quantities of meat laid before him. She thanked many deities that they were not a part of his meal choices.

When he’d eaten about half of the fish he stopped and sighed, holding a hand to his head. His scrunched eyes seemed to indicate pain. After a moment he opened his eyes and looked in Anu’s direction.

“Anu?” She looked at him intently as he dabbed at his wound and pretended to look around, “Where did you find this plant?”

Anu looked to her mate who was slowly falling asleep, “I think he wants to know where the leeching weed is.”

Traynar’s eyes opened a bit wider, “Don’t leave me alone with that Rogashay.”

Anu looked over at Boroxle who was finishing most of his meal and casting wary glances toward them and Merco in the same look. She then gave Traynar a touch of reassurance on his shoulder and slowly turned. She took a breath and cautiously floated upward to be eye-level with Merco’s sitting position. His eyes widened and he smiled upon seeing her float up to him. She touched her head in the same place as Merco’s wound and then pointed toward the forest behind him. He looked to where she pointed and nodded. His huge body shifted as he prepared to stand. Anu felt herself recoiling back as his form rose like a mountain, looming above her and everything in sight. Her flight faltered for a moment, but she corrected and flew up higher to be at his eye-level again.

He made a gesture to her which seemed to indicate she would lead him. She held up her hands and then pointed to Boroxle and Traynar below, shaking her head adamantly.

“Don’t trust him?” Merco asked, voice vibrating the air.

She made the gesture again with more earnest. He sighed a great gust of air and stepped toward the pair on the ground. He knelt and with a curt motion plucked up Boroxle, whom didn’t appreciate the sudden grab.

“NO! Let me go you monster!” the Rogashay shouted angrily.

Merco smirked behind his beard and once again planted him like a special little vegetable. Needless to say, Boroxle was livid at the humiliating treatment. A string of Rogashay curses erupted from him as he fruitlessly struggled to free himself. Merco patted his head sardonically and then turned back to Anu. He made the gesture for her to lead him again.

Satisfied that her mate was no longer in danger, she nodded and flew just over the tops of the trees so he could see her. At first he didn’t move, only watched her. When she turned to see why, he took a forest shaking step, closing the gap between them. Anu’s plumage lifted then fell expressively. His eyes observed her expectantly until she composed herself and flew ahead of him. Hearing a footfall behind her that sounded like a mountain crumbling made her feel very intimidated and uneasy. So, she flew backwards, watching him as he slowly followed behind her. If she could watch him as he walked she felt less edgy.

Twelve steps; that’s all it took for him to return to the field where this whole incident had begun. Executing a graceful dive, Anu landed in the field amid the patch of leeching weed. Merco’s towering form parted the trees as he too entered the clearing. She pulled a couple of the curly, tentacle looking weeds, flew to his eye level, and held them up so he could see them. His eyes squinted, focusing on the weeds she held. Without much warning, his open hand appeared beneath her. Anu couldn’t help it; she startled. Her flight sputtered, and she dropped onto his huge fingers, rolling down into the soft crease where they met his palm. It must’ve startled him too because his entire form lurched to catch her.

He expelled a gust of air, “Oh! Easy there.”

Anu silently cursed herself. Why did she have to be so anxious? Why couldn’t she just fly normally and stop losing focus; falling at the slightest hint of fear? Her eyes wet with frustration, her plumage vibrated. She looked up and was pinned by Merco’s impossibly large eyes scrutinizing her.

“Hey…hey. It’s all right. Didn’t mean to scare you.” He said in a low voice.

Though she didn’t understand him, his tone sounded apologetic…or at least concerned. Her plumage lowered, ceasing its trembling. She very slowly composed herself, stood up in his hand, and stared at him directly. Then, she floated again and purposefully dropped the leeching weed in his palm. He stared at it and maneuvered it between his fingers for inspection. She pointed to the weed and pressed her hands together, rubbing them to indicate it needed to be mashed up.

Merco knelt to the ground and with a sweeping grasp of his hand pulled up nearly all the leeching weed in one handful. Anu shook her head, marveling at the simplicity of the task his size lent him. Harvesting that amount would have taken her nublars. The giant held the weeds to his nose and smelled them and then rubbed his hands together, turning the leeching weed into a mushy green mass. Very slowly he felt his wound and began pushing the poultice into it. A deep, vibrating growl of pain shook the air as he winced. Anu floated back, giving him plenty of space should he decide to lash out. However, his growl gradually devolved into a hiss of relieved pain.

He looked at her with a look of gratitude, “Thank you for showing me this. Definitely saved my life.”

…

Meanwhile back at the lake’s shore…

Boroxle was wishing all kinds of horrible deaths and torments upon the giant alien that had so derisively buried him…again. He wasn’t certain now if these Ansheeta were in control of it, but they’d pay for this humiliation, regardless. One thing Boroxle knew for certain was that this giant alien was not to be challenged. If it was in league with the Ansheeta, his clan would not stand a chance against that kind of might. At least…not in a physical battle. More underhanded tactics might have to be utilized.

However, despite this, it puzzled him that the beast would share food with him. In Rogashay culture the sharing of a meal was significant. It displayed trust and respect which were sparingly given outside of a family group. Whether that was the intent he wasn’t sure, but it still perplexed him.

In that moment a snap of a twig caught his attention. At first he thought the great brute was returning but it didn’t sound that big and it was in the opposite direction from where it had gone. He didn’t see anything, but a thought occurred to him.

He made a rapid series of hissing pulses from between his teeth. Another twig snapped. He kept up the call until his idea was confirmed when his sand dragon Ru’tra appeared from the trees. A smile of relief broke out on Boroxle’s face. The bull sand dragon, despite fleeing the giant’s presence earlier, had stuck around nearby, possibly looking for him.

“Tsss! Tsss! Tsss! TSSS!” Boroxle called in the hissing pulse that he’d trained Ru’tra to come to when he was just a hatchling.

The bulky, horned lizard seemed confused at first since he couldn’t see him but slinked toward the familiar call. His tongue flicked, scenting. In moments he found Boroxle buried up to his neck. The lizard’s quadruple forked tongue lapped excitedly against his master’s head.

“Good Ru’tra.” Boroxle praised then commanded. “Dig, dig.”

Being a desert dwelling species, the sand dragons were accomplished diggers so teaching them to dig on command was rather simple. Ru’tra made a huffing noise near the dirt and began digging. His blunt claws and splayed toes shoveled the dirt easily. In a few swipes Boroxle freed his arms.

He patted the sand dragon heartily, “Good boy Ru’tra. Dig, dig.”

His eyes wandered over to the wounded Ansheeta who was also staring back at him. He hadn’t made a sound which was wise considering Ru’tra would definitely be excited by sound and the scent of his blood. Once his sand dragon dug him out he would…

At that moment, Boroxle could feel a tremor vibrate through the dirt and through his chest. A distant one. Then another. Ru’tra stopped digging, frilled head perked with alert.

“Por-det!” Boroxle swore, realizing the giant alien was coming back. He hissed more urgently to his sand dragon, “Dig, dig! Dig, dig!”

The sand dragon hesitated but surprisingly threw a couple more piles of sand away. Boroxle wriggled hard, twisting his torso in an attempt to expedite his freedom. The tremors grew more forceful and Ru’tra warbled a noise of agitation. Knowing his sand dragon could bolt, Boroxle reached up and grabbed the harness hooked into the underside of Ru’tra’s throat pouch. The sand dragon snorted and stamped his feet, yanking his head and thereby yanking Boroxle out of his sandy prison. Numb from being immobile for so long, Boroxle tried to pull himself up and climb astride his mount. The trees creaked and snapped nearby. Ru’tra gave a squeal of distress and bolted. Boroxle hung on to the lizard’s harness but the beast’s power superseded his own, and it was easily yanked from his grasp forcing him to run after the fleeing beast.

Suddenly, a gigantic black boot slammed down in Ru’tra’s path. The sand dragon skidded to the side, throwing its horned head in panic. Boroxle stopped too, staring way up at the giant alien.

He leaned over with a hand outstretched to Ru’tra. The sand dragon suddenly went on the defensive upon seeing the hand descending toward him. He hissed aggressively, shaking his formidable head horns at the encroaching hand. The giant retracted his hand out of reach of the sharp horns but remained poised above. Ru’tra snarled and charged toward the one thing he could reach which was the boot in front of him. With a quick yank upward, the giant lifted his boot, avoiding the charge. But Ru’tra wasn’t done. Once the boot returned to the ground he wheeled to attack it again.

The giant made a booming cry of surprise and lifted his foot again, dodging once again. Being the dominant bull that he was, Ru’tra persisted his attack on the perceived predator until finally the huge alien’s hand shot down and grabbed him behind his bony head frill. Ru’tra hissed and squealed with panic as he was pinned to the ground. With very little effort, the giant alien took hold of Ru’tra’s tail with his other hand and lifted the huge lizard as he stood up.

“NO! Let him GO!” Boroxle shouted running to his steed’s aid but he couldn’t do anything as Ru’tra was lifted high. “STOP! PUT HIM DOWN!”

Panic flooded Boroxle. He didn’t even bother to compose himself into his normally confident stoicism. He stood at the giant’s feet, staring up and pacing in a vain attempt to figure out a way to free Ru’tra from his clutches.

At that moment Boroxle spotted Anu flying above and he shouted frantically, “Ansheeta! Tell this monster to release Ru’tra, NOW!”

Ru’tra thrashed his legs and whipped his body in the giant’s grasp but he couldn’t escape. Then he made a plaintive squeal that sounded unlike any noise Boroxle had heard him make. It ripped at his emotions. Boroxle had raised Ru’tra from a hatchling and had been his only steed his whole life. He couldn’t bear the thought of seeing him killed and eaten.

Falling to his knees in supplication he shouted desperately, “PLEASE! Let him go!”

…

Merco could barely believe what he saw when he returned to camp. There was a creature near the buried alien that looked like a tiny Triceratops…or something close to that appearance. The head definitely gave it that look with the bony collar and horns sprouting from the head, but the body was a bit less like the dinosaur he knew and more like an actual lizard. It was only as big as a medium sized iguana and had begun to dig out Boroxle. When he drew closer it fled, yanking Boroxle out of the ground. Merco lengthened his stride to overtake the lizard before it escaped into the trees. He definitely wanted to have a closer look at this exotic species.

He put a foot in front of the tiny “dinosaur”, and it stopped abruptly. However, when he bent down to catch the reptile it reacted defensively, hissing and trying to get him with its four head horns. Then, it started trying to attack his boots. Dancing awkwardly to avoid being stabbed, Merco avoided the creature’s attacks until finally it turned from him and he could grasp it behind the head. It fought but he seized its tail too before lifting it up for a closer inspection.

“Well look at you. What are you? Huh?” he asked the reptile with fascination.

What Merco found interesting is that not only did it resemble a mini Triceratops, but it was strapped with a harness on its jaw and a saddle astride its shoulders. It was like…a horse? The reptile continued to struggle until it made a high pitched squealing noise of distress. Merco’s finger gently stroked the bony frill, trying to calm it down.

Amid his curiosity for the lizard, Merco heard Boroxle shouting at him. He peered down at the alien who was pacing and shouting while gesturing strongly. He almost looked frantic or worried. Then he appeared to be shouting at Anu floating in the air before falling on his knees. Merco squinted, trying to assess the situation.

Then he made a guess. This was Boroxle’s creature…his “horse” if you will. And…he thought he was going to hurt it? Merco sighed with frustration.

Why did everyone on this planet think he was out to get them or kill them?

“All right, all right. Just take it easy. I’m not going to hurt it.” he chided with no expectation of being understood.

With care, he knelt back down and placed the “dinosaur” on the ground. He maintained a hold on it until he was ready and released. The lizard opened its toothy mouth, rising tall on its legs, and hissed at Merco.

He laughed at its boldness, but was ready to move should it decide to try and attack again.

Very quickly, Boroxle got up and rushed to the creature’s side, seizing the harness to calm it. The lizard still remained in a defensive stance, keeping an eye on Merco. The alien stroked the reptile, saying calming sounding words.

It was in that moment that Merco made a decision. He waved his hand in a “shooing” movement.

“Go on. You can go.” he said to Boroxle.

The alien watched his gesture and he squinted suspiciously. Merco backed away a couple steps, still making the gesture.

“I’m not going to stop you. Just go.”

After a moment, Boroxle took the hint and climbed astride his scaly steed. Very cautiously they backed away and then raced away into the woods.

Chapter 13: Giant Slayer

Merco watched Boroxle and his lizard steed disappear into the forest. In an instant, Anu flew up in front of his face. She made an urgent gesture and expression that seemed to say, ”Why did you do that?”

Merco squinted at her but shook his head, “Look, I don’t know what kind of quarrel you had with one another, but I don’t want any part of it. I’m no jailer. Anyway, he’s gone now, and I don’t have to watch him to ensure he won’t attack you.”

Anu gestured again, not understanding his words. He shook his head at her and moved off toward the water for a drink.

…

Anu couldn’t believe it. He…he just let the Rogashay go. Just like that! They couldn’t let him go! She tried to reason with Merco, but he merely shook his great head and moved away to get himself a drink. Frustrated, she floated down to Traynar who had watched the whole exchange as well.

“He just…let him go.” Anu stated with disbelief.

Traynar frowned, “He probably doesn’t understand the danger the Rogashay pose to us.”

“Although…if Boroxle believes Merco is on our side and will protect us…he’d be a fool to attack Anashee.” Anu realized.

Traynar nodded after a moment, “Let’s hope that’s true.”

After getting a drink from the lake, Merco covered what was left of his fish and laid back on the ground. He tucked his leather jacket underneath his head for a pillow and gave a deep sigh before closing his eyes for a nap.

…

Back in Anashee…

Seraysa. That was Pixie’s official name given to her by her family. For the past couple days she and her family had bonded in the city of Anashee. They had yet to return to their home in the forest but with the gates to Anashee closed they were stuck until the travel ban was lifted. But, they were together and that’s all that mattered. Seraysa’s older brother Verin had been showing her how to harness her magnetic field and float off the floor. Thus far she had shown some promise by floating for nearly a minute. Neither of her parents were exceptional fliers so the likelihood that she would be a flier of note was slim. Still, she was very young and sometimes mastering flying was only a matter of time and practice.

It was evening of the second day when Seraysa and Verin were both walking amid the bustling market that was carved into the northern mountainside of Anashee and spread into the city beyond. Their parents had gone to purchase food for the evening meal and the siblings had decided to go off into the market together to see what there was to see.

Verin led his younger sister through the market. Though he was not familiar with the city of Anashee anymore than she was it didn’t stop him from acting confident in the matter. Seraysa discovered her brother was very intelligent and science oriented. In fact, ever since they had rejoined as a family and they were out of earshot of their parents he had talked non-stop about her encounter with Merco; asking hundreds of questions.

“So, when you were with the giant did he ever act like he was fighting the urge to eat you?” he asked randomly.

Seraysa made a face, “No.”

“But he does eat meat.”

“Fish.”

“And he gave you some? Was it a Flasherback?”

Seraysa recalled seeing the ground littered with big golden scales. A Flasherback had green scales according to her lessons, “No. I think it was Gold Scaled Leviathan.”

Verin’s face lit up, “Are you kidding? I thought that was just a rumor that he was able to kill those! What did it taste like?”

She shrugged, “I liked it. But…it was the first thing I ever ate.”

Her brother’s plumage flicked with frustration, “Man, I wish I could’ve seen that! No one has killed a Gold Scaled Leviathan in…ever! He’s really that big?”

Seraysa nodded.

He pulled her off to the side and gestured to an empty spot of dirt, “Show me.”

“Show you what?”

“He’s bipedal right? If you can show me the size of his foot I can determine his actual height.”

“I…I don’t know Verin. But he’s as tall as most of the trees in the forest.”

Verin started mumbling to himself a moment, drawing invisible calculations in the air, “That’s…that’s got to be at least one hundred thirty strides (feet)…maybe more! Wow.”

A disturbance from around the next shop corner made the pair walk toward it with curiosity. There, they saw a large assembly of Ansheetan all gathered near one of the gates.

“What’s going on?” Seraysa asked, trying to float up to see.

“I dunno.” Verin hovered easily.

From their vantage they could see several EFP members and guards standing stolidly before the huge locked gate.

A male voice was speaking loudly over the crowd, “For five sunrises we have been locked in Anashee! No one in, no one out! How much longer are we going to be imprisoned in our own city?”

The crowd grumbled in agreement.

A guard whose head crest was dyed with yellow tips to denote his status as a leader raised his hands placatingly, “I know you’re frustrated. But we can’t let anyone leave until the threat has moved on.”

“But what if that monster doesn’t move on? What if it stays?” another member of the crowd shouted.

“Listen, I don’t have the authority to let anyone out and I can’t predict the future. If you have grievances you need to voice them to the Council’s associates. There is another meeting scheduled for tomorrow.” He explained in an even tone.

The crowd grumbled louder, not wanting to hear that explanation.

“I have family out there!” one member of the crowd shouted, jumping forward with an angry flare to his plumage, “I can’t fly like you! They’ve been alone with that thing on the loose! I have to get to them!”

The guards coalesced together to block his path. A few other members of the crowd shouted similar things. The mumbles of the crowd were growing exponentially into a pre-riot fervor. Try as they might the guards could do nothing to calm them.

That is until someone shouted, “Why haven’t our forces just killed it?”

The crowd seemed to quiet as sarcastic laughter flittered through them.

The leader guard scoffed, “And how exactly would you propose we do that?” His plumage fell however when he actually saw who spoke, “Combatant Coroc.”

Coroc, as he was called, was dressed like an EFP member, but not a modern one. He wore an older, dark blue uniform that signified he was a veteran of the EFP and the multi-colored baubles adorning his collar indicated his status as a successful flying combatant. His plumage was tall but lighter in color, showing his older age and face was roughed with various scars. Coroc was well known in the guard circles as a fierce combatant of the old EFP. He had gone into retirement when peace had befallen Anashee and his skill set was less desired. According to public rumor, he had taken out Rogashay bandit squads in the dead of night, leaving their bodies strewn across the wasteland. In a peaceful time that brutality was unheard of. Though that story had never been corroborated, no one doubted it either.

Coroc stepped out of the crowd, “Your reports have stated that this giant alien was sick from an infection of some sort. That means it’s not immortal…or even invulnerable. Therefore, it can be killed.” Coroc then faced the crowd and gestured strongly, “I’m ashamed that my people have to remain locked inside these city walls like frightened animals! No longer! I will slay this monster and free Anashee!”

The crowd looked at one another with disbelief but also hope considering the notoriety of who said it.

“NO!” a young female voice rang out, making the crowd turn.

…

The whole scene made Seraysa nervous. They were referring to Merco as a monster…something that was out to destroy them. But she hadn’t seen anything from the giant alien that would rationalize that narrative. And now this Coroc had vowed to kill him! She couldn’t stand it any longer and shouted her protest which made all eyes direct at her. Pinned with so many gazes, Seraysa swallowed nervously; her immature plumage flattened to her head.

Coroc stared back at her and asked, “What was that young one?”

Verin stared at his sister and whispered intensely, “What are you doing?”

“You…you can’t kill him!” Seraysa stated loudly.

Coroc straightened his shoulders, “I can assure you young one, I will find a way.”

“NO! He’s not a monster!” Seraysa protested.

Her statement drew looks of disbelief from nearly every eye in the crowd.

“And how would you know that?” Coroc challenged.

“Because…because it was my chrysalis he took!”

The crowd murmured. They had obviously heard of the stolen chrysalis and the brave “rescue” that had taken place, but they had yet to see the Emerged.

Coroc’s plumage raised slightly, ”You were the one?”

Seraysa nodded, “Yes. But he was not a monster at all! He took care of me once I Emerged. He’s gentle. You can’t kill him!”

The crowd seemed unsure what to think. They weren’t so ready to believe the claims of either party. Both sounded implausible.

“I believe I would like to ascertain that for myself, young one.” Coroc replied with a slight hardness to his voice. His stern face didn’t change as he turned to the leader of the guards, “Take me to Madala immediately. I wish to have a meeting with her.”

The leader’s plumage fell slightly but he nodded.

Coroc returned his voice to the gathered crowd, “Be patient people of Anashee. It will do no good to fight amongst ourselves. But I will do as I have promised and free this city.”

The crowd gave noises of approval and gradually, but reluctantly dispersed. Seraysa stayed momentarily until Verin took her hand and led her away, “Come on Seraysa. I think we should see if our parents are finished with their shopping.”

She blinked back tears of frustration. Though no one yelled at her or tried to silence her it still felt like no one believed her words. None of them had even seen Merco, much less met him and yet they condemned him as a monster. Even with her inexperience she felt as if Coroc would still make the attempt to kill the giant alien.

“I have to warn him.” Seraysa whispered almost to herself.

But Verin heard loud and clear and his plumage lifted, “What? What are you saying?”

“Coroc is going to try to kill Merco! I have to warn him somehow.” She restated.

Verin lowered his plumage and his voice, “Seraysa, you’re talking crazy! No one is allowed in or out of Anashee! There are guards at every gate. And besides, you can’t fly yet.”

The young female yanked her hand away from him, “No one may believe me, but I know the truth! I have to warn him!”

She stalked away from her brother, but he rushed after her, walking backwards in front of her with his hands up placatingly, ”Ok! Ok. But how are you planning on getting out of here without being caught and how are you going to get out to Anashee Lake when you can’t even fly and Coroc surely can? Huh?”

“I’ll find a way.” Seraysa huffed with more confidence than she felt.

“No. No. No. If we’re going to do this we’ll have to be smart…sneaky… and never tell anyone.”

“We?”

Verin sighed and then threw up his hands, “Yeah. We.”

…

Later back at the lake…

Merco startled awake with a gasp. Another war dream but thankfully not as bad as some he’d had before. At least he wasn’t screaming…or fighting someone who wasn’t there this time. He sat up and stretched his arms, rolling his neck to loosen the stiffness. There was still pain in his head wound but that little weed poultice was doing a great job in reducing it. He glanced over at Anu and Traynar who had fallen asleep.

As he sat he lifted an arm to scratch his head when he caught scent of something unpleasant. He grimaced.

Was that him?

He smelled under his arms and made a face of embarrassment.

When was the last time he washed? Probably before he was dumped on this planet.

He glanced around and with great care, stood up so as not to disturb the two sleeping aliens nearby. Merco was a fairly modest man and there was no way he wanted to subject these aliens to his nude state…they were freaked out enough by him. Lord only knew what they’d think of him should he strip and bare all before them. Of course, what did they think of him now, smelling like a barn animal?

He held up his hands in a “stay right there, please don’t wake up” gesture and tip-toed off through the trees bordering the lake. The lake itself wound through the trees almost as a river so it didn’t take Merco long to find a spot well away from prying eyes.

This part of the lake looked wide and deep. Hopefully it was deep enough for a bath. He gave suspicious looks in all directions, listening. When he thought it sufficiently private he took off his clothes, dropping them in a pile with his boots. He took off his prosthetic glove too, knowing his artificial forearm wouldn’t be affected by the water due to its special nano-coating. Definitely a step forward from an earlier model of robotic prosthesis that didn’t do well in wet conditions and had to be removed before bathing. He was glad for that upgrade in tech.

He strode out into the water. Much to his surprise the water came up over his belly button near the middle, so he sat, sinking completely beneath the surface. The cool water swept over and around him in a refreshing cocoon. When his breath ran out he planted his feet on the sandy bottom and stood up. He gasped and groaned, wiping his hands across his face to clear his eyes. He winced when he accidentally grazed his head wound. Still tender. He dipped it in the water and gently washed it with his hands. The poultice flushed out and floated on the water.

“Have to find more of that stuff. Seems to work pretty well.” He pondered in his head.

His foot struck a smooth rock on the bottom and he ducked under to grab it. He came up and looked it over. He didn’t have soap, but he could use the rock like a makeshift scrubbing bar. It wasn’t overly pleasant, but it felt like he was getting the scum off. When he finished he dropped the rock and splashed his face once more, sighing with satisfaction.

That felt much better.

Testing the depth of the water with his feet on the bottom, Merco decided to take a swim. No one was around anyway and the water felt nice. He dipped beneath the surface and swam underwater. Though his mind warned against it, he opened his eyes. The water was somewhat clear, enough that he could see a few yards ahead of him. Strange kelp-like plants with glowing dots on their leaves waved synchronously with the flow of water near the bottom. A few fish-like creatures flashed by, blinking with white lights on their backs. Merco surfaced and took a deep inhale before diving again and swimming further into the lake.

He swam for at least five more minutes in this manner until he dove under and suddenly felt a sharp prick of pain in his right hand. Reflexively, his hand flinched back which made the pain jab harder from the muscle below his pinkie finger. He expelled bubbles from his mouth and surfaced fast to take a gasp of air.

“Son of a whore!” he swore, flicking his hand.

The water was just above his belly button as he stood, slowly turning his hand over to inspect what was poking him. A dot of blood shone brightly on his hand accompanied by a minuscule piece of curved metal no bigger than a metal shaving. Using his left hand,he tried to pull the offending metal fragment from his flesh. However, the size and depth of it made it difficult to grasp. As he plucked at it unsuccessfully,he suddenly noticed the metal was tethered to an almost transparent line. A splashing caught his attention from behind him and as he turned he noted the line was leading in that same direction.

“Oh…shit.” he hissed through his teeth.

A fishing hook. A line. And… a fisherman.

Behind him was a small empty boat. In the water, not far from it, was a tiny fisherman the same species as Anu and Pixie, floundering about in the water; pole still clenched valiantly in his hands.

Merco grit his teeth in a grimace; partially from the sticking of his hand, partially from the thought of him hurting the poor unsuspecting angler. He must’ve yanked him right out of his boat when he jerked his hand.

“Ooo. Sorry little guy,” he apologized.

Taking the line between his teeth ahead of the hook, he severed it. Then with a gentle scoop of his hand he lifted the struggling angler from the water. Rivulets of water cascaded from between his fingers until he deposited the alien angler back into his boat. Coughing and seeming disoriented, the little alien laid in the bottom of his boat. Merco watched him for a couple moments to ensure he was going to be ok. Not far away he could hear shouting from around the bend of the lake. It sounded like there were more fishermen looking for their friend.

Merco took a breath and ducked beneath the water and began swimming back to where he left his clothes.

…

Anu awoke and stretched her stiff limbs. Traynar groaned with discomfort when her movement pressed against his bruised back.

She sat up and stroked his plumage, “Sorry. Are you ok?”

Traynar winced, “Still hurt.” His eyes roved to where Merco had been sleeping and then widened when he saw that the giant was gone, “Where’d he go?”

Anu looked over as well. A swath of crushed earth was the only evidence he’d been there at all. How could something so big be able to sneak away like that?

“I don’t know.” She carefully stood up, “Let me get you some water.”

Traynar nodded and Anu dutifully brought him a drink. As he drank, Anu scanned the trees, hoping to see signs of the medics she’d requested. When she saw no sign, she noticed the trees to the left of where Merco had been sleeping were broken in places. She could tell where he had gone.

“Will you be ok if I go find out where Merco went?” she asked.

Traynar nodded with a wry smile, “I’m in pain…not dying.”

Anu smiled at him and then flew up high above the trees to see if she could find Merco. She turned slowly and could see the path of trees snapped off in places and followed the trail. She flew until she reached one of the wider parts of the Anashee Lake. An odd color caught her attention near the bank and there lay the massive mountain of Merco’s clothes. But Merco was not in them. A deep, enormous footprint in the bank mud showed that the giant alien had gone into the water.

In fact, Anu could see a surging wave of water out in the deeper portion of the lake, rolling toward the shore. Then with a veritable explosion of water, Merco emerged, gasping a hurricane of a breath. He wiped his face and began striding toward the shore. Anu floated down to be at eye level with him but out of his way.

When he was almost out of the water, his eyes suddenly locked onto her and widened.

“JEEZ!” he bellowed.

In a flurry of movement, his hands shot down to his front hip area and he backed away from her quickly. Anu flinched with shock at the sudden reaction. He acted like he was afraid of her. The huge alien dropped back down in the water eyes focused on her.

“What are you doing here?” he asked in his alien language.

His hand flicked out of the water in a gesture that seemed to be telling her to go away.

Anu noticed blood running down his hand. Even though he was indicating that he wanted her to leave, she still flew a bit closer, pointing to the blood. He looked at the injury too but continued to shoo her away. Anu did so with reluctance but still wanted to see his wound. Perhaps his injury was making him nervous? It seemed strange.

Merco slowly emerged from the water again, his hands still covering the front of his hips. He kept himself facing Anu and quickly stepped into the trees beside his clothes. Then he began reaching out and retrieving the articles one by one. Eventually, he emerged with his pants on but no shirt. Anu still felt puzzled by his behavior. It was as if he didn’t want her to see him without pants.

Very strange behavior.

He sat down with a sigh and Anu gradually flew closer to him again. This time he didn’t shoo her away. She swayed her flight to his right side where she could see his strange red blood leaking from an injury on his hand. He held up his hand and flipped it up so she could see the wound. There, buried in his flesh, was a large fishing hook. Anu wasn’t much of an angler but the size of the hook indicated they were going after a big fish. Little did they realize how big of a catch!

His mechanical left hand came up and attempted to pluck it out but his fingers were too big to get a grasp on it. Anu raised her hands to stop him. He looked at her and soon his mechanical hand retreated, giving her space.

Merco held perfectly still. The copious amounts of blood that were leaking from the hand wound almost made Anu physically ill. That amount of blood loss in her would’ve been fatal but to him it was no more than a needle prick. The huge hook had ripped his skin and was stuck deeply.

No wonder he was having trouble grasping it.

With careful hands, Anu gripped the large hook with both hands, “Ok. Ok big guy…just don’t squish me when I do this.” she pleaded, pulling the embedded fish hook.

The skin of Merco’s hand tightened powerfully as a hiss escaped through his teeth.

“Sorry.” she apologized.

Anu grunted, pulling more on the hook. The barbed end was not making it easy to remove but with careful maneuvering Anu finally pulled the hook out. Merco growled thunderously with pain but sighed with relief at the same time. Anu’s hands were covered in his blood as she held the hook in her hand.

“Thank you, Anu.” he said deeply.

He sounded grateful. With a quick dip in the water, he rinsed the blood from his hand. Anu smiled, knowing she had done a good thing to help him. It was becoming abundantly clearer to her that despite Merco’s intimidating presence, he was truly gentle even in the face of pain. The only question was would anyone else believe what she knew to be true?

Chapter 14: Escaping Anashee

In Anashee…

Coroc entered the EFP commander’s chambers less than a nublar from when he requested a meeting with her. Madala knew Coroc well; he had been her combat flight instructor when she was but a raw recruit to the program. Time had seen them both in separate directions; Madala climbing the ranks to Commander and Coroc slipping into retirement. Upon hearing of his desire for a meeting, Madala didn’t hesitate to arrange it

“Coroc. I haven’t seen you for a long time.” She greeted, her back straight.

“Not since your promotion. It seems the position suits you.”

Madala lowered and lifted her tall plumage at the compliment, “I hear you wanted to discuss something of great importance?”

The older Ansheetan nodded solemnly, “I’m sure you’re aware that the people are growing restless. I fear riots and worse are about to happen if something isn’t done about this giant.”

Madala gave him a look, “Something?”

His plumage flicked slowly upward, “I am offering to slay this giant.”

The female commander leaned forward with an incredulous look on her face, “You think you can kill him?”

“You know this giant is not invulnerable. Anything that can get sick can be killed.” Coroc stated simply.

Madala scoffed and then asked, “Have you suggested this to Elder Felreh?”

Coroc sighed, “I have the feeling she would not approve of my methods…she never possessed the gumption for violence when it is needed.”

“And you thought I would think differently?”

He nodded, “Even when I trained you, you were never afraid to jump into combat. You met it proactively and head on.”

Madala sighed and closed her eyes. She did agree something needed to be done about this very real threat the giant alien posed, but she didn’t like the idea of going around Elder Felreh to accomplish it.

“How would you do it?” she asked, the doubt evident in her voice.

“Let me worry about the ‘how’. I merely need use of three able fighting squadrons to achieve it.” He gave her a serious look, “And I will also need the young one whose chrysalis was taken.”

Madala’s plumage lifted with shock, “The young one? Why?”

“I think the giant may want her back. She would make an excellent lure to get him where we want him.”

Madala mulled over that proposition a moment but then shook her head, “You may recruit any who are willing to assist you. I will not order them. But, using the young one is out of the question. I can’t have you thrusting a non-combatant into such a dangerous situation.”

Coroc thought a moment but then nodded with no argument.

“Thank you Commander. Will you propose this to Elder Felreh?”

Madala sighed, looking down, “Not until you succeed. If you fail I will deny all knowledge and say you acted alone against my better judgement.”

The older trainer nodded and saluted before turning and leaving.

At that moment her door guard burst in, “Commander Madala! I have two scouts with urgent news to report!”

Madala motioned her hand, “Bring them in.”

Coroc stepped aside, allowing the two young scouts to hurry in. They saluted smartly.

“Commander Madala! A small group of Rogashay bandits have invaded into our territory!”

The female Commander’s attention was rapt, “Where were they seen and how many?”

“Anu and Traynar saw them in the woods near the lake. She says there are six in the raiding party. Traynar needs a medic. He’s been injured.” The scout explained quickly.

“Injured how?”

“We don’t know. But there’s something else. The giant alien has recovered from its illness, and it has captured Anu, Traynar, and a bandit. We only snuck in quickly when it was distracted. Anu wouldn’t leave Traynar behind,” the scout explained further.

Madala’s eyes moved from side to side as she processed the news.

Finally, after a few moments she called out the door where she knew Coroc was still standing, “Combatant Coroc, go assemble your squadrons.” she turned to the two messengers, “Go inform the medical squadron that they need to report to Anashee Lake to assist Traynar and Anu immediately.”

Coroc and the messengers all nodded and marched away with purpose.

…

Near one of the gates of Anashee not long thereafter…

Seraysa sat on a public bench on the edge of the market waiting for her brother. He told her to wait there because he had a plan to get out of Anashee. Worry filled Seraysa’s eyes at the thought of not being able to achieve their goal. What if they couldn’t get out and the EFP was sent to kill Merco? Could they kill him or…would he kill them? Seraysa couldn’t imagine such a horrible thing. There wasn’t any need for any of it! She just had to warn Merco or make their leaders understand that he wasn’t a giant monster out to destroy them.

Finally, Verin appeared, his personal satchel unusually bulky. He made a gesture that told her to come with him, so she hopped up and followed him.

“Where were you? You took forever!” Seraysa asked.

“Shh! Come on. Don’t act suspicious. Just follow me,” he hissed, his walk a bit brisk.

After walking a block or two away from the market, Verin ducked under a massive tree root arch that branched off one of the housing structures and took off his bag.

He opened the bag, explaining, “We can’t sneak out through the gates. Too many guards. But if we don’t look like ordinary civilians…”

Seraysa blinked seeing the EFP uniforms tucked inside the bag, “Verin! You stole those!?”

Verin nodded with a grin, “Great plan huh?”

Seraysa shook her head with mortification, “Oh…Verin…We are going to be in SO much trouble!”

“Look, it’s the only way out of Anashee right now. Besides, no one saw me. And I fully intend to put them back once we’re done with them. We’re just borrowing them.”

Though not happy with his methods, Seraysa conceded mentally that his plan would probably work. Merco’s life was in danger and she had to warn him no matter what.

“But…we still can’t fly. What if they notice we can’t fly?” she asked voice tinged with doubt.

“We won’t have to. All we need is the uniforms. We go up to the guards and say we’re on the next scouting mission, they’ll let us out, and they’ll close the gates behind us. Easy!”

“But…don’t the EFP fly out of the top gates?”

Verin nodded, “Yeah. Typically. Look, just get on the uniform. I’ll do the talking when we get there. Oh. And use the hood on yours.”

“The hood? Why?”

He touched the short feathery scales on top of her head, “You’ll look too young if they see your crest.”

Nodding, Seraysa and Verin both changed out of their casual rompers and into the blue and maroon uniform jumpsuits. Seraysa untucked the hidden hood from the back and pulled it over her head. Her long thin ear tips poked through carefully placed holes in the side; a design that kept the hood up and allowed the long Ansheetan ear tips freedom. The uniforms weren’t a perfect fit, but they didn’t look ridiculous.

Verin turned around, “How do I look?”

“Like you can fly.” Seraysa allowed a small smile.

“Good.” He gathered his satchel and said, “Ok. Just follow me and walk with your head up and proud until we get there. Then let me do the talking. Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

Together the disguised siblings walked tall and confident appearing. Ansheetans regarded them with looks of mostly respect as they passed. It seemed to be working. Seraysa only hoped the guards would be so easily fooled.

In no time they were at one of the gates on the lower level of the city. Five guards stood at attention there.

“Ok, Seraysa. Here we go.” Verin whispered.

She swallowed a nervous lump in her neck and nodded.

With a confident stride, Verin lead her and approached the guards. They noticed them immediately and seemed to ready themselves with slight movements.

Verin approached the guard sporting the yellow tips on his plumage, “We’re with the next scouting mission.”

“What squadron?” the guard inquired.

Verin looked to Seraysa but then improvised, “Don’t know. We’re just the replacements they sent. Kind of last minute.”

“Well we’ve been told not to open this gate unless there’s an evacuation. EFP members exit out topside.” The guard explained shortly.

Verin continued the act but Seraysa felt the nervousness rise, “Really? I mean we’re already down here and we’d be out in a blink.”

“Well you’re a flyer. Shouldn’t take you long to get up there and out.” The guard offered.

“Yeah. Yeah. All right. If that’s the protocol.” Verin convincingly said as he led Seraysa past the gate and around a corner.

Both siblings let out a held sigh.

Seraysa’s eyes were wet, “What are we going to do now?”

“Take the topside gate.” Verin concluded.

“But… we can’t fly!”

Verin held her shoulders, “Seraysa. We don’t have to fly far. Just float until we’re out of sight.”

“I…can’t.” she almost cried.

“Yes, you can.” His eyes moved as he was thinking, “You were able to sustain a hover for fourteen nubles (seconds). It should only take us ten nubles to float down, land, and then we can walk the rest of the way.”

At first, only doubt choked at Seraysa. Verin had way more practice than she did, and he might make it but if she fell he couldn’t do anything to help her. He wasn’t a strong enough flier. She didn’t want to drag him down with her! But…she had to try.

She finally nodded to her brother and he touched his forehead to hers, “We can do this.”

They set off, winding their way through the passages and bridges that connected the massive black trees of Anashee together in a seemingly endless transit system. After much walking and weaving they arrived at one of the EFP upper gates. To their astonishment there was already a large formation of EFP members crowded before the arched opening. They all had their hoods up and carried a battle belt and pack stocked with energy weapons and explosives. Verin and Seraysa shared a look and quickly stood behind the members, blending in seamlessly.

As they stood there, they both caught sight of Combatant Coroc standing before the group. Behind him was the opening arch on top of the natural mountain wall that served as a “gate” to the fliers of Anashee. Seraysa’s heart sank upon seeing him. How had he assembled so many EFP members so fast?

“Squadron!” he barked.

The EFP perked at attention, plumage up.

“The mission you have agreed to undertake is a dangerous one. But if successful, we will free Anashee and all its citizens from this threat. Fly out!” he commanded.

With timed precision the gathered EFP members strode forward, each line toward the front flying up after Coroc, whom took the point.

Seraysa and Verin were in the last row by themselves and thus far no one had paid them any attention. In her head Seraysa coached herself, prepping herself for the lift off. All she had to do was float a little ways and land, just like her brother said. Just far enough to fool any guards at the gate that they belonged with this group. The lines dwindled with each take off until Verin and Seraysa strode through the archway toward the cliff that framed the outer wall of Anashee. The sheer drop to the forest floor made Seraysa hold her breath.

“If you don’t fly you DIE!” Her mind screamed.

Verin took her hand encouragingly and together they stepped to the edge.

“Don’t look, just concentrate on floating.” He whispered.

She nodded and she closed her eyes. Her skin tingled and felt slightly tight around her shoulders. She held on to that sensation, knowing it was her natural manipulation of the magnetic field around her body trying to work. She strained with concentration as she stepped off the edge. The tingling grew in intensity and much to her astonishment she didn’t feel the pull of gravity. Her blue eyes slowly opened, and the forest sat beneath her, unmoving, not screaming toward her.

Verin was floating right next to her. His face was alight with a smile as he mouthed, “You’re doing it!”

Then together they floated outward away from the gate. The other EFP members were already well ahead of them and flying fast over the treetops. The siblings then began to float away and gradually down, well out of sight of the guards. It felt like an eternity before they were halfway down. The tingling at Seraysa’s shoulders was growing weaker, like a muscle fatigued from holding up a weight for too long. Without warning she dropped several lengths with a cry of shock. Verin floated down to her and caught her hands.

“Hang on Seraysa! I’ve got you!” her brother groaned, clearly strained. “Focus!”

Seraysa’s wild blue eyes were alive with panic but she scrunched them shut, trying to concentrate again. Unfortunately, she was too tired from the effort and wasn’t much help to her brother. Grunting and dropping more rapidly, Verin sped toward the ground at a steep angle. Like a paraglider Seraysa’s feet touched the ground and she ran under her brother. Verin finally dropped, stumbling and rolling in the dirt. He breathed hard, plumage rising and falling with his breaths.

“Oh thank the Deities. We made it!” he groaned from the ground.

“I’m sorry Verin. I tried to get it back but…”

He waved a hand, standing up, “No! You did fine! That wasn’t bad for a first time. At least we landed in one piece.”

Seraysa was grateful for her brother but she cast a look of concern toward the sky just above the towering trees, “We’ll never catch up with them!”

Verin looked up too, “No…not at the speed they were flying. It’s going to take us most of the day to even get to Anashee Lake. Lucky I brought some supplies.”

“We’ll be too late by then.” Seraysa’s eyes watered, “That squadron is going after Merco!”

Her brother looked at his wrist device that helped him navigate. He pointed to the left and started walking.

“Come on then.” Verin encouraged, shouldering his supply satchel, “We’ve got to hurry.”

Still upset but determined, Seraysa followed him. She hoped they wouldn’t be too late.

Chapter 15: The Storm

Back at the lake…

After getting dressed completely and finding a new patch of the special healing weed to fill his head wound, Merco walked back to the spot he had unofficially designated as his ‘territory’. Anu flitted and flew around him, giving him space but seeming to show less outright fear of him. She’d certainly proven that by helping him remove that fishhook; a dangerous endeavor from her point of view. He felt a sense of accomplishment and relief knowing they were making progress at building trust. It was very uncomfortable to be feared like he was on this planet, so it felt good to know there was at least one less native that saw him as the devil incarnate.

Now if only they could get over their language barrier. It was hard enough to hear the little aliens sometimes at his size, but their language was indeed alien sounding. He doubted he could even speak it if taught. It sounded almost like a language mixed with rapid-fire clicks and trills; as if hummingbirds were trying to speak a human language.

He wanted to know so much about Anu and her kind. Predominantly if they possessed any means to contact other worlds or if they could build ships to get him off this planet and back home. Given their shock and fear of him he very much doubted they had trade with other worlds which meant the likelihood of a ship was slim to none. Not to mention his continual scanning of the sky had yet to reveal any evidence of any kind of flying ships.

Also, he wanted to know what became of little Pixie. Was she reunited with her family? Was she OK? The frustration of wanting to know so much and not being able to communicate it was maddening. However, it didn’t mean he wouldn’t try.

Something that was also nagging at his veteran mind was that the natives had been watching him, gathering reconnaissance, and yet they hadn’t sent out any sort of military force or diplomatic party. He’d only come into direct contact by a random twist of fate. Reconnaissance was common and familiar to him, but he knew it was a precursor to military action…or diplomatic action. He hoped for the latter. Merco had no wish to be the ‘Godzilla’ on the end of some sort of military strike.

That thought alone set his veteran paranoia afire. If that was the case, he didn’t need to be staying in one spot, making himself a very big target. But if they were going to send some sort of peaceful ambassador or diplomatic party to him would moving be a good idea?

However, Merco knew for a fact that fear seldomly lead to peaceful action.

Moving from the lake could be very risky as well. Before he even found this forest it was nothing but desert. The lake had provided him with both fresh water and a food source, neither of which he wanted to be without. If only he had some sort of container to hold water. Then he could move more freely without fear of not finding another drinking source.

As he neared his campsite his thoughts were shoved to the back when Anu flew down to her green-skinned partner, Traynar. Merco guessed they were a mated couple considering how they doted and worried about one another. The two tiny aliens touched their foreheads together in what looked like a greeting. Merco felt himself smile at the tender gesture. Traynar made an expression of pain when they pulled apart which made Merco wonder if his injury was life threatening or if he was just in pain and needed to hold still.

As he watched them, they both suddenly froze. The little feather-like plumes on the top of their heads began undulating in rippling waves. He’d never seen them behave like that before. Anu’s head darted, looking skyward but not at him this time.

“What is it?” he asked, “What’s wrong?”

His voice made her look at him. She made a sweeping, aggressive gesture with her arms and pointed at the sky. Merco looked up. At first he couldn’t see much but then he felt it: a temperature drop, the subtle pick up in wind-speed. It felt like a storm was coming. His eyes swept over the top of the forest until he saw it. A towering, pink to smoky purple mass of what looked like clouds rolling across the sky from the desert area. As he stared at it flashes of lightning crackled within its pink interior. It looked like an angry bit of weather that seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

“Nasty looking storm.” He stated, pointing in the direction he saw it.

At first he expected Anu to fly up and see for herself what he was pointing at. But when she attempted it, she sputtered and dropped like a tiny plane out of fuel. She stumbled on the ground and then rushed back to Traynar, trying to get him up. The green skinned male grimaced with pain as she got under his shoulder and arm to stand him up.

…

After returning with Merco to the lake, Anu landed beside Traynar.

His dark eyes opened to her and he managed a weak smile, “So you found him?”

“He was swimming.” She explained, “He did the oddest thing. He…”

Suddenly a familiar tingle scurried up Anu’s spine. Traynar felt it too. Both of their head plumes reacted like mini barometers to the phenomenon that was happening. A storm. An electro-storm.

“Oh no.” Anu fretted.

Storms were nothing uncommon but electro- storms were particularly dangerous to be out in. Especially for fliers. Not only was there the obvious possibility of being struck by lightning but the churning soup of electro-activity messed up an Ansheetan’s ability to fly. There had been several instances of EFP members falling out of the sky, trying to outrun an electro-storm.

Merco spoke and his voice indicated a question. Anu merely could gesture showing the violence of an invisible storm before pointing to the sky. The huge alien, towering above them, turned his head trying to see what she was indicating. After a moment he pointed out toward the Great Wasteland. Anu tried to fly up to see, but even now the storm was wreaking havoc on her ability. She dropped, stumbling. She couldn’t see the distinct pink clouds yet, but she knew it was probably a bad storm considering how quickly it rendered her flightless. It was not something any Ansheetan should be out in.

She rushed to Traynar to get him up, “Come on Traynar. We’ve got to go!”

Though it hurt to do so, Traynar sat up with a marked grimace of pain. Anu threw his arm over her shoulder to help him up. A shadow flickered over them and they startled upon seeing Merco’s hand resting openly on the ground behind them. His fingers curled twice in a gesture that said to climb aboard. His eyes also held an expectancy to them. Anu exhaled slowly and helped Traynar sit back on the edge of the giant’s massive hand.

“Anu…” her mate’s tone was uncomfortable.

“It’s all right Traynar. Trust him.” She said simply.

He still didn’t look like his uncertainty was alleviated, but he made no further protest. Traynar painfully pulled his legs up over the edge of Merco’s pinkie muscle, so he was sitting in his palm fully. Anu hopped up and sat next to him. When they were settled, Merco’s other hand cupped over the top of them, shielding them as he stood. Then they were all but thrown back as he began to move.

…

Watching Anu hurriedly pull her injured partner to his feet in spite of his injury made Merco realize they were very concerned about the impending storm. A sense of protectiveness overcame him as well as concern. He wanted to help them and get them to safety. But… two major obstacles: a lightning storm strikes for the tallest object and he was that object. Not only was he the tallest thing but he had metal prosthetic attached to him. In short he was a great big lightning rod just begging to get struck. However, he couldn’t just leave them near the lake. A huge body of water was bound to be worse than elsewhere. He looked off toward the approaching storm and made a decision. Quickly, he knelt and offered his hand to them. They paused but gradually the pair settled down into his hand. Very gently, he placed his gloved hand over them, pulled them closer to his chest, and began to briskly walk away from the lake and the storm with haste.

He wanted to run but the trees hindered him from moving much faster than a brisk walk. Merco kept up the pace, trying to keep his hands steady and not jostle the tiny aliens he held. He’d never been past the lake, so he wasn’t sure what he’d encounter. He hoped there would be some shelter lower to the ground where he could wait out the storm. Though, he promised himself if the storm got too close and he couldn’t find shelter he’d sit as low to the ground as he could to prevent all three of them from getting electrocuted.

The trees rattled at his back as a fresh front of colder wind swept in behind him. In the distance he could hear the deadly crackling and the rumble of the angry storm as it loomed like a stalking monster.

For several minutes he hurried through the forest, nearly running. Trees scraped against him, whipping behind him and snapping. His keen veteran senses were alive now, awakened by the sense of urgency and survival. He could feel his heart begin to pound in his ears. The storm seemed to prickle at his back.

“It’s not a battle. It’s not. Keep it together.” He mentally coached himself.

Ahead he spotted what looked like a clearing of the trees bordered by a sheer rock wall. As the trees began to grow sparse, his pace quickened to a loping run. The wind whistled and the thunder behind him grew louder and more aggressive, breathing down his neck.

“Running out of time. Need to find shelter.” his brain urged.

And then he spotted a dark patch just ahead on the ground. Even though the storm was pushing him forward he slowed down until the darkness became clear. A crevasse in the ground…or a canyon of some sort? His eyes scanned around and sure enough the crack in the ground widened and spread like veins on the skin of a great rocky beast. It was a canyon…though for him it was more of a deep rocky trench.

It would do for shelter.

Merco wandered briskly until he found an entry point that wasn’t too deep. Carefully, he planted his foot on the slope. Dirt and rocks slid under his boot to the bottom. He placed his other foot lower and then the other until he was at the bottom of the trench. It seemed to get deeper, even over his head a few feet, further on. Wind swept sand and dirt from above over his head. He squinted his eyes and ducked low as he walked through the trench. Merco found a spot deeper in with a slight outcropping that was just a few inches taller than his head and decided that was the spot to wait out the storm. Doing his best to keep his hands from jostling, he knelt down and sat on the ground, placing his back to the rocky wall.

After a moment he raised his hand, uncovering the two aliens. They seemed bewildered for several minutes before they began tittering to one another in their alien language.

….

It was dark within the confines of Merco’s huge hands, which surrounded them on all sides. Walls, floor, and ceiling of flesh and bone with only tiny strips of light peeked through the spaces between his fingers and glove. Anu held on to Traynar as the giant alien’s movement bounced and rocked them in a manner that felt like he was moving with purpose. Even though she trusted Merco, the feeling of being held in such a manner by such immeasurably powerful hands was still unsettling. Any movement, even accidental, could prove fatal to both of them.

However, the tingling of her head plumage reminded her that the storm would be equally dangerous if they didn’t find shelter from it.

She felt Traynar grope for her hand and hold it tightly, “Where is he going?”

“I don’t know. Away from the storm I hope.”

Outside they could hear trees snapping and could feel the vibration of each of his thundering steps shudder through his palm. Anu wanted to stand and peek out through his fingers to at least gauge where they were headed but the constant sway made balance impossible. So, she resigned to sit and wait.

A peal of thunder drowned out the booming of Merco’s footsteps. Anu lowered her plumage, cowed by the familiar sound. She’d never been caught outside of Anashee in an electro-storm, but it was most certainly part of their safety training.

“This is not good.” Traynar said with certainty.

“I know.” Anu admitted.

“We need to get as low as we can.” He sounded urgent, “But he’s the biggest thing out here!”

That fact had not gone unnoticed by Anu either. A sense of dread crept over her. If Merco got struck by the electro-storm they’d be struck too. And it could probably kill all three of them in one shot. That is unless Merco was somehow immune? She had no idea.

As time ticked on and worsening scenarios played morbidly in both their minds, the pair suddenly felt Merco slow his pace.

His movement paused. Then they felt the sharp jolt of a downward step. Then another. He was leaning slightly and then came to a steady stop. His movement felt slower and more careful now. Anu and Traynar felt their insides lurch when a rapid downward movement gripped them, followed by a heavy jostle that felt like Merco had sat down. Before either could question anything, Merco’s gloved hand retreated from over them.

Anu blinked and took in their surroundings. It didn’t take her long to recognize the towering walls of pale rock and dirt surrounding them.

Traynar knew the place as well as he shook his head, “He took us to the Pela Canyons.”

His tone was a duality of admiration for the speed at which they’d traveled and dread of how close the Pela Canyons were to Anashee. Anu couldn’t believe it herself. It would’ve taken them nublars to even fly here. But during an electro-storm is was one of the safer places to take shelter next to being in Anashee.

However, Fate’s kind smile was fanged.

“We’re not far from Anashee, Anu.” Traynar whispered.

Anu nodded in acknowledgement. She no longer feared what she had initially believed: that Merco would demolish their home and destroy them all should he find Anashee. Now her fear wheeled into what would happen if Merco was seen so close to Anashee. The bottled paranoia of Anashee would erupt into unbridled chaos. Many Ansheetans could be hurt over a misunderstanding.

“Traynar, we have to bring Felreh and Madala here. They need to meet with Merco and see that he’s not here to destroy us. Otherwise…”

“There will be a panic.” Traynar concluded.

He glanced up and cringed as a violent flash of lightning bounced around the pink sky, “But we can’t go anywhere now.”

Then the crackling rain began. It rained normally, but during an electo-storm the rain was filled with tiny shocks of electricity. Not enough to kill or even maim but it hurt like a static shock with every drop. Even though the rock outcropping above them shielded them a few drops still hit them and Merco. His skin literally jerked with involuntary violence beneath them.

“Ow. What the Hell?” he rumbled in almost a growl.

He glanced up at the offending crackling rain and then his hand slowly swung out toward his side and rested on the ground.

Anu waited a moment and then understood that he was putting them down when his hand began to tilt. She hopped off and turned for Traynar. However, Merco was already anticipating her mate’s need for assistance as he gloved fingers moved in and gently plucked him up before delicately lowering him to the soft sand of the canyon floor. Traynar grunted with pain from the aggravated slice in his middle but marveled at the gentility the huge mechanical fingers could achieve when he was laid down.

Hands freed, Merco uncinched his leather jacket from around his waist, draped it across the backs of his arms, and held it over his head as a makeshift umbrella. The crackling rain that pelted them before was now harmlessly hitting the coat with dull, repetitive thuds. He glanced down at them.

“Thank you Merco.” Anu said with gratitude.

He merely gave a small smile and sighed as the rain continued from above. A peal of thunder made them all cringe as electricity crackled violently across the sky. But they were, for the moment, safe.

Anu stroked her mate’s plumage and then checked his wound. The bandage was soaked with his blue blood.

“You’re bleeding again.” she announced.

Traynar sighed, “Might’ve opened again from moving so much.”

Anu went for her hip pack to find another bandage but there weren’t anymore large ones, “Do you have bandages in your pack?”

Traynar shook his head, “Lost mine after fighting the Rogashay.”

Anu gave a look of frustration and tried to figure out a makeshift bandage.

…

As Merco sat with his jacket over his head, shielding all of them from the shocking rain, he noticed Anu was behaving a bit urgently. She had just examined Traynar’s injury and was now acting like something was wrong. He could see a stain of blue on Traynar’s abdomen and knew his wound was reopened. He’d seen that a number of times in battle. Anu had searched through the little bag on her hip but didn’t seem to find what she was looking for.

Merco could only guess she was looking for a replacement bandage since the one she’d applied earlier looked soaked through. But given her urgent searching it seemed like she didn’t have one and was trying to find something else.

His fingers touched the inside lining of his jacket and an idea occurred to him. The cotton under the liner with a small piece of the fabric would do for a bandage. Not exactly sterile…but what was out here? Letting the opposite side of his jacket drop so he could retrieve his knife, Merco set to work. Using the pocket knife, he cut into the slick fabric that lined the inside of his jacket to make a hole. He then pulled out a small clump of cotton and sliced off some of the liner cloth.

“Anu. Use this.” he offered her the materials.

She looked up at him and carefully took them. Her hands and eyes scrutinized the material a moment before she nodded with understanding. Then she set to work to change Traynar’s bandage.

Chapter 16: Landslide

About that same time…

The electro-storm was furious and swept in fast. Seraysa and Verin had made good time on the ground but had to stop and find shelter under the arch of a large tree root.

At first, Seraysa protested but Verin explained, “It’s ok Seraysa. The EFP can’t fly in this storm…literally! No Ansheetan can fly in an electro-storm. It messes up our ability to control our magnetic field. We’re all grounded now.”

As Seraysa and Verin hid from the shocking rain, Seraysa still seemed fretful, “How far are we from the lake?”

Her brother thought, “Maybe a couple nublars… perhaps more.”

She got up abruptly and threw her hood over her head.

Verin grabbed her arm, “Seraysa! You can’t go out there!”

“I have to warn Merco. This is my only chance to get ahead of Coroc and his forces before they get to him.” she explained.

“It’s dangerous Seraysa!” Verin protested.

“You don’t have to go Verin. But I have to do this.”

With her head down and hood covering her head, Seraysa ran out into the shocking rain in the direction of the lake.

Verin stood looking helpless for a moment before looking up, “Why wasn’t I an only chrysalis?”

Groaning, Verin pulled up his hood, shouldered his supply bag, and chased after her. It was foolish and he didn’t like it. But he couldn’t let his sister do this alone. Even if it meant they could get struck by lightning.

…

Later at Pela Canyon…

The electro-storm was fast moving and wrathful in energy, but the worst parts ended swiftly. It rained normally for several nublars before subsiding as well. The light was beginning to fade from the sky, signaling night’s approach. Anu had replaced Traynar’s bandage with the materials Merco had given her from his jacket. The blood leak was once again stopped but Anu knew he’d need to see a proper medic soon. However, now that they had moved away from the lake, the medics she had requested wouldn’t know where they were. That is, if they were even coming? The storm certainly would’ve delayed their arrival but what if none were sent?

When the shocking rain ceased, Merco lowered his arms and shook the water from his jacket with a powerful buffeting noise. Droplets rained down upon her and Traynar making her cry out from their cold temperature.

“Sorry.” Merco’s voice rumbled as he placed the jacket behind his back as a cushion.

A reverberating groan flowed from the giant alien as he arched his back and stretched his powerful arms out in front of him. Harsh cracks from beneath his skin were disturbingly loud, making Anu shiver. Merco groaned again and his legs shifted. His massive body leaned forward as his legs slid under him for balance. Then the tremendous form raised high toward the top of the canyon wall whilst stretching. The casual motion of standing and stretching made incredible. Anu still couldn’t help but marvel.

After Merco had stretched he pointedly smelled the air. Anu reflexively did the same, curious as to what the giant alien was scenting. At first she didn’t smell anything but then a faint whiff of food being cooked caught her attention. It smelled like Crackling Rain Soup. Ansheetans only made the soup after an electro-storm. A unique soup created after gathering the crackling rain in buckets before collectively putting it in a large cooking pot and adding various edible plants and herbs. Sometimes a meat was added; usually a tasty, domesticated, flying creature known as a Long Tailed Churchur. Some believed the soup brought good luck when it was prepared and eaten after a storm.

“Do you smell Crackling Rain Soup?” Anu asked Traynar.

He smelled the air, “Yeah.” He swore quietly, “I forgot, there are Ansheetans living in Pela Canyon! Miners and their families.”

All at once, Merco’s boots swung past them with a rush of air as he moved away from them.

“No, no, no! There’s going to be a panic!” Traynar grunted, “Stop him!”

Anu gave her mate an incredulous look upon watching the towering alien walk further into the canyon, “Stop him?! How?”

Traynar gave an exasperated look, knowing it was a foolish thing to say, “I don’t know…but you’ve got to try to stop him!”

Anu’s plumage lowered helplessly but she flew from the ground after Merco.

…

Once the storm had subsided and that stinging static rain dissipated, Merco felt the numbness of his legs start to ache. He needed to stand up and stretch. Pain greeted him nastily as circulation returned to his deadened legs. But he managed to stand up without losing his balance. He arched his back, hearing several vertebrae crack back into alignment. Pain accompanied it which made him groan.

Definitely not young anymore.

He rolled his shoulders to loosen them as well. As he drew in a deep breath he noticed a scent tickle his senses. It smelled like…someone was cooking something. And it smelled nice. A familiar complaint from his stomach whined at him, triggered by the smell. But where was that wonderful smell coming from? Curious, he stepped away from Anu and Traynar and walked further into the canyon. The canyon walls varied in height and width as he traversed the winding path it created. It was almost like walking through a dried-up creek bed. Funny, it was probably the Grand Canyon to the inhabitants. Merco humorously imagined what a tour group would think seeing a being of his size casually strolling through the Grand Canyon. Probably would scare the Hell out of them…ruin their perfect vacation pictures.

He hadn’t gone very far when the scent of food grew stronger. As he rounded a corner, he beheld twinkling lights lining the canyon walls as well as several cutout openings in the rock wall. Merco didn’t get a very good look because all of a sudden Anu appeared right in front of his face. His head pulled back instinctually as the tiny lavender alien raised her hands at him in a “stop” gesture.

“Merco!” she ‘shouted’ in a hushed voice.

The bearded man wasn’t sure what was the matter, but she suddenly placed her tiny hands to his forehead and pushed against him with all her might.

“What, Anu?” he asked eyes going crossed to look at her.

She gestured again and pushed against his forehead with more vigor. It appeared she was trying to get him to back up. So, he stepped back a couple steps, causing her to stumble forward in the air. Merco raised a questioning brow at her, but her face seemed to display relief. Her hands bounced in a “stay right there” sort of gesture. Quickly, she turned and peeked around the corner, watching.

…

“Thank the Maker.” Anu sighed to herself when Merco stepped back away from the edge where he could be seen.

She didn’t know how but she got a giant alien fifty times her size to stop moving. Now she just had to make sure he hadn’t been spotted. With caution, Anu peeked around the edge of the canyon wall. Ahead she could see a mining settlement carved into the side of the rock wall; which one specifically she couldn’t tell. Lights adorned the rocks outside, lighting the pathways.

But something was amiss.

She could see the large kettles of Crackling Rain Soup outside, boiling over the energy heaters that helped them cook. But no one was attending them. One pot seemed to be boiling over. Curious, she floated out to see if she could see anyone. Her heart sank when she saw the large cluster of panic and urgency gathered around the aftermath of a landslide. Rocks and mud had forcibly separated from the canyon wall and spilled down and out over several entrances. Pela Ansheetans were running and digging frantically at the massive pile of debris.

Hurriedly, Anu flew over to the rescue group and immediately located the leader with the yellow dyed crest tips.

“What’s happened?” she called out, landing next to him.

He turned, relief awash on his face when he saw her uniform, “Oh thank the Maker the EFP is here!” then his crest fell when he didn’t see any more members, “Wait…where are the others? You did bring more help didn’t you?”

Anu shook her head, “My name is Anu. I’m an EFP scout and I was only taking shelter in the canyon from the storm. I…got separated from my squadron. What’s happened here?”

The leader swore and resumed his digging, “We’ve got to get them out! The storm caused a landslide a nublar ago. We’ve got at least five families trapped beneath all that!”

Anu stared at the groups of workers desperately trying to dig down to the blocked home entrances. An uncomfortable reality crept over Anu’s thoughts: they weren’t going to get to them before their air ran out. The mud was too thick, and the rocks were too heavy. Unless…

“Are you going to help or not? Fly out and get some help!” the leader asked tersely as he kept digging.

Anu looked back to where she knew Merco was waiting. She felt her earlier plan of preventing a panic by keeping him out of sight fade into nothingness in the face of certain tragedy.

“I’ve brought help.” Anu explained simply to get his attention.

The leader stopped digging with confusion written over his face, “But you just said you were the only one. Where are they?”

“It’s not the EFP. You and your people are going to have to stop and move out of the way.”

“We don’t have time for this. Those trapped families are going to die if we don’t get them out!” he stated with urgency.

Anu’s expression was very serious, “Which is precisely why you and your people need to move out of the way. I’ll bring him over here to help, but you will need to move.”

“Wait…what do you mean ‘him’?” the leader tried to clarify but Anu was already flying back through the canyon.

…

Merco stood and waited a few minutes after Anu flew away from him. He wasn’t sure what was going on but Anu acted adamant that he not proceed any further. All of a sudden she came flying around the corner and gently bumped into his chest.

“Anu?” he asked, concerned she was in danger.

The little alien flew up to his face and began making insistent gestures that said she wanted him to follow her. She said his name and then made all kinds of twittering clicks, gesturing again.

“Ok. Ok. I’m coming.” He assured gently. “What’s the matter?”

She flew out ahead of him and then stopped midair. As he came up behind her several shrill screams made him jerk to a startled halt. On the opposite side of the canyon he could see several hundred of the little aliens all gathered on what looked like a pile of rocks and dirt. Hundreds of fearful little eyes bored into him. An uncomfortable mix of awkwardness and concern swirled in his guts. Merco had a strong urge to just back up and walk away. Anu began shouting something to them.

What the Hell was going on?

This time he got a good look around. It appeared to be some sort of village or settlement. Little openings were carved into the sides of the canyon wall, complete with lighting and walkways. But an anomaly broke up the organized layout. The pile of rocks and dirt partially covered one of the openings and when Merco looked up he saw the chunk of freshly broken canyon wall.

…

Anu led Merco only a short way and stopped. She knew everyone would feel him coming before they saw him. Sure enough, the quaking of Merco’s steps made everyone stop working and turn to see what was coming. A few terrified screams rang out.

But Anu raised her arms with pacification, shouting loudly, “Don’t be afraid! This is Merco and he’s here to help!”

Their expressions of terror seemed to doubt that statement.

“Please move out of the way! Everyone!” Anu commanded.

At first everyone seemed frozen to the spot, too frightened or too in awe of the gigantic alien that towered behind her. But there wasn’t time to wait.

Anu turned to Merco and already she could see his clever eyes deducing the situation.

“Merco, I need you to move that rubble. There are Ansheetans trapped underneath.” She explained, whilst gesturing to the pile and pantomiming what needed to be done.

Though he obviously didn’t understand her words, he seemed to gather the urgency of the situation and what she wanted him to do. He strode forward with purpose. Of course, that sent the workers scattering. He paused, watching them carefully until none remained on the mountain of debris. When it was vacated, he lowered his enormous body down to his knees before the pile. Then, his powerful hands went to work. With broad strokes he pushed the wet dirt aside, shifting veritable hills in a single stroke. When he’d removed a huge portion of the dirt, he uncovered a boulder that was at least as big as his own head. His fingers found the edges and the bundles of muscles in his arm expanded with power as he dislodged it. He expelled a gust of air and set the rock consciously to the side.

Anu couldn’t help but marvel at the feat of strength Merco displayed so effortlessly. There would’ve been no way possible that the Ansheetans present plus hundreds more could’ve moved that rock. Even from her hovered position she could hear the collective gasp from those present.

Merco removed more rocks and dirt, setting them aside until he managed to uncover the first blocked entryway.

He looked back at her, “Anu!”

Anu understood and flew past him to the entryway.

She landed and ducked inside calling, “Hello! Is anyone here?”

“Yes! We’re here!” a pair of voices responded.

Toward the back of the dwelling Anu could see a male and female pair who were rushing her way.

“Is there anyone else?” Anu asked when they were face to face.

“No. Just us.”

“Hurry! Let’s get you out of here!” Anu encouraged, arms waving.

Eagerly they followed her out and she guided them to the side that had been cleared. Oddly they didn’t even notice Merco but Anu gave him a nod, pointing to the rest of the rubble. Merco pointed to the doorways, purposely counting them until he stopped on the one he just uncovered. He stared at her, a question in his expression. He wanted to know how many more there were but Anu wasn’t sure.

“How many more are there?” she shouted out to the crowd nearby.

After a moment someone yelled back, “Four!”

Anu held up her four fingers and he nodded. His hands went to work again, moving aside the debris in quick fashion. A second opening was uncovered and Anu checked it as well. A family of five was evacuated. Merco continued to remove the rocks and dirt from the third opening but his hands stopped abruptly when he removed a sizable rock.

His great voice seemed subdued, “Oh no.”

His movements slowed as he almost reverently placed the rock down. With careful motions his hand plucked up something from the entryway. Anu flew over the top of his arm and gasped upon seeing a pair of females laying limply in the palm of his hand. They were covered in blood and neither showed any signs of life. Merco very slowly and carefully, leaned out and laid the two bodies away from the landslide and closer to the gathered assembly. When his hand retreated, several individuals rushed forward to check them. Their somber expressions said it all. They were already dead.

When Anu looked back at Merco he was staring at his hand intently. Even at a distance she could see blue blood stains across the surface of his palm. A visible tremor went through the giant alien’s hand. Then, he closed his hand, shook his head, and resumed the rescue. Anu wasn’t sure what to make of his reaction. It seemed strange and sad at the same time. But she didn’t have time to think, she had to check the dwelling for any other survivors. There were a couple males and a female in the dwelling. Two were hurt but they all managed to evacuate.

Merco dug out the fourth opening but when Anu entered to check for survivors, she was stopped by debris that had collapsed inside the entry.

She backed out and pointed inside to him, “Merco!”

He leaned forward, put his head down, and peered inside, seeing what she had indicated. She moved aside and Merco’s mechanical hand entered the opening. Anu wasn’t sure how bad the cave in was but hopefully Merco could clear it.

Anu watched as the massive pistons in Merco’s prosthetic forearm hissed and flexed beneath the black glove with the movement of his fingers inside. His hand pulled out, dragging copious amounts of rocks and other debris that would’ve taken her hours to clear. Again, and again his hand entered and pulled out more refuse. When he went in a fifth time a scream inside the dwelling made him visibly flinch. He gave an uncomfortable expression and slowly retracted his hand. Anu took her cue and entered.

“Hello! I’m with the EFP! Can you hear me? Are you all right?” she called.

“What was that?!” someone inside shouted, clearly terrified.

“Don’t worry about that right now. Come on! Let’s get everyone out of here.” Anu replied.

Coughing could be heard at the back as four figures emerged. A fifth was being carried by the others. He seemed injured significantly as his leg and arm were bleeding on his left side. But unlike the first group, this group saw Merco and they stopped fast; turned to fearful stone.

Anu pushed against the back of them, “Keep moving! This place isn’t stable.”

“Do you not see what I’m seeing?” a male at the front shouted.

Dust and small rocks pelted Anu from above, so she shoved again, “He’s the reason you’re seeing daylight right now! MOVE!”

Reluctantly, the group crept outside, much too slow for Anu’s liking but they were safe.

Merco uncovered the last opening and three more were rescued. The rescue completed, Merco looked at Anu to ensure there were no others.

“They’re all out Merco.” She nodded whilst saying that.

The gigantic being returned the nod and stood up to his full height. His hand touched the space above where the landslide had originated, and more debris fell to the ground. As if ensuring no more would fall he swiped his hand against any fragile surface and forced the rocks and dirt to fall since they probably would the next time it rained. It certainly wasn’t a safe place to be and Anu hoped the mining inhabitants would refuse those dwellings and make new ones.

“Anu,” the leader’s voice sounded as he cautiously approached, “Y-You and your…friend… saved my people. Thank you. We are in your debt.”

The lavender scout smiled at him, “We couldn’t do anything else.”

The leader’s amazed eyes were fixated on Merco, whom was still testing the structural integrity of the cliff side, “Wh-what is he? Where did he come from?”

Anu shared the look but answered honestly, “I…I don’t know.”

Then, unexpectedly, Merco turned and walked away. His eyes bore a far off look to them, as if he weren’t aware of anything else. He just walked until he disappeared from where he first appeared.

“Where’s he going?”

Again Anu replied, “I don’t know.”

….

Merco sighed with finality as he finished his testing of the ledge to ensure no more rocks would fall. In such a short time he’d saved so many little lives. He glanced at the blue blood staining his hand and looked back to where the tiny bodies lay covered and mourned over by those who loved them. Couldn’t save them all though. How familiar. His hand shook a bit as those similar memories haunted him. Aimless, he turned and began walking away, mind a whirl with thought.

He couldn’t save his comrades either during the many battles he fought. How many times had the blood of men he’d eaten breakfast with just hours before slathered his hands? How many lives were lost under his hands because he just couldn’t stop the bleeding?

Five…at least.

And they pinned a medal on him for it. What for? For failing to stop the blood flow? For watching their eyes darken and skin blanch? For running into a building and blowing the heads off of some other poor bastards who shot the very men he watched die?

Merco never knew. His family had been proud of him and everyone made it seem like he was a hero. But he never felt like one. He just did what he had to do to survive.

Before he even realized it he was back to where they had sheltered. Traynar was laying beside the rock wall and looked up at him.

Merco managed a small smile as a greeting and sat down nearby, giving the alien his space. He shook his jacket and put it on before leaning back against the canyon wall to rest. The day had been long and he just wanted to sleep now.

Chapter 17: Nightmares and Soup

At the lake, nightfall…

It was dark by the time Seraysa and Verin reached Anashee Lake. Of course, being a large lake, they weren’t sure what part they had reached, but they made it.

Seraysa tried to see any indication of her giant friend but it was too dark to see much of anything. He could be right behind them and they’d never see him. However, she did listen for the deep, telltale rush of his breathing she knew all too well. That he couldn’t hide; not at his size. But all she could hear was the gentle patter of water droplets falling from the trees.

Verin was out of breath as he rummaged in his bag for a light, “Come on Seraysa. Let’s find a place to rest. We won’t be able to find anything this late…and I’m tired.”

“Do you think we beat the EFP here?” she asked.

He shrugged, “Probably. They wouldn’t be able to fly at all during the storm…and they don’t fly at night either unless it’s dire, so I think we’re ahead of them.”

“I hope so.”

She still wanted to look for Merco, but her body was spent for energy. Rest was what was needed now. They would try to find him when the suns rose.

Verin found his light and it glowed a whitish blue.

He shouldered his bag and began to walk slowly toward the trees, “Let’s find someplace to rest-OOF!” his voice extended when he suddenly fell down.

Seraysa ran to help him up “Verin! Are you ok?”

His “borrowed” EFP uniform was covered in mud as he pushed himself up, “Yeah.” He looked at his muddy state, “[Sigh]…I don’t think I’m going to be able to return this.”

As he got up and shown the light around, Seraysa suddenly noticed something and said, ”That big.”

“What?”

She pointed around him, “That’s how big his foot is.”

At first Verin was confused, but slowly he began to see the clean edges of the depression around him. His dark eyes widened with realization: he’d fallen in a footprint.

“No…way.” He whispered, spinning his light in a calculated circle.

“Merco was here!” Seraysa exclaimed.

Despite how tired he was, Verin was already measuring and calculating as he observed the massive footprint.

“Wow…oh wow! He’s way bigger than I thought…oh…way bigger,” he gaped as the numbers danced and then became ordered in his brain.

Seraysa had to smile at her brother’s scientific enthusiasm, “Just wait until you meet him.”

His plumage lowered a bit, “M-meet him? I-I don’t know…” He stepped out of the footprint and then gestured with his light, “Come on. Let’s find someplace to sleep. Lucky for us I’m prepared. Got two heated sleeping pouches for us.”

“Borrowed sleeping pouches?” Seraysa’s tone was teasing.

“Maybe…at least we won’t get cold.” He argued.

Together they searched until they found a nice niche in a fallen, dead tree that wasn’t too wet. As they uncanned their sleeping pouches, Seraysa promised herself that at first light she would begin her search. With any lucky she’d be able to warn Merco before the EFP arrived.

…

Pela Canyon about that same time…

After the rescue, Anu had returned to where she left Traynar with two of the settlement’s medics. They had offered to take care of Traynar’s injury once the injuries of their people were attended. Two deaths, a few broken limbs, and minor injuries was the report; much less than what would’ve happened if Merco had not aided them.

When they arrived, Merco was asleep, arms crossed across his chest, leaning back against the canyon wall.

Anu still didn’t know why he left the scene so abruptly. The Pela settlement had been very grateful for his help and despite their initial fear of him, expressed their desire to honor his deed. But his sudden departure left everyone puzzled. Was he simply tired and needed rest? Despite the enormity of what he’d done, it didn’t seem a strenuous task for him. Anu couldn’t begin to guess what was going on in his alien mind.

When Traynar saw them he seemed shocked, “Anu?”

“Long story, Traynar. I’ll tell you later. These medics are from the Pela settlement and they are here to help you,” she explained, sitting beside him.

The medics set to work on Traynar immediately. Being from a mining community their clothes were made from the fibers of bio-luminescent fungi that grew in the caverns below, so they were glowing with a blue to purple light. They produced more light when they began to examine Traynar.

The slice across his abdomen was fairly deep and needed to be melded with fresh connective tissue. After removing the bandage, one of the medics cleaned and disinfected the wound whilst the other prepared the melding device. When ready, the stick-like device lit up and expelled a clear, connective tissue culture across the wound. Traynar hissed with pain but held onto Anu’s hand for comfort. The clear goo filled the gaps and then the device switched over to its second mode which would activate the culture and meld it to Traynar’s tissues, thus sealing the wound. With time the culture would replicate with Traynar’s own cells and form new tissue. Only a small mark would remain.

“Your pain receptors have been dulled for now. You should be able to move easier for a while.” One of the medics explained, “Just don’t get into any fights or strenuous activity until it starts to look like the color of your skin.”

Traynar sat up and blinked, noting the horrible pain in his middle felt duller now, “Can I fly?”

“It should be all right…just no stunts. And don’t push yourself. The pain will come back for a bit but should lessen as it heals.” He concluded.

“Thank you.”

Anu touched her forehead to his, relieved he’d been properly cared for.

“Is he…supposed to be doing that?” one of the medics asked, voice laced with fear as she stared at Merco.

Anu and Traynar looked over at Merco whom was still asleep but was twitching sporadically. His arm flinched, his head lolled, and behind his eyelids his eyes were darting.

“He’s dreaming.” Traynar stated.

Merco grimaced and his huge body flexed, cracking the canyon wall behind him.

“Doesn’t look like a good dream,” the other medic concluded, starting to back away.

Suddenly, the twitching morphed into full blown thrashing. Anu, Traynar, and the two medics all throttled backward with cries of fear when the giant alien threw his arms in a blind punching motion and his titanic body slammed back against the canyon wall. The force caused a landslide behind him as he erratically stood up. Then he collapsed on his side with a quaking [Boom!]. His legs and arms thrashed as if he was trying to get away from something. And then…he woke up. On his back, stretched out, hands up, his gigantic chest heaved fearful gusts of wind. His eyes darted to the sides of their sockets until he closed them, muttering something under his breath. Gradually his breathing slowed down and his arms dropped their defensive poise. He sat up, paused, and put a hand across the span of his eyes. A hollow sigh left him.

…

They were everywhere. His enemies. Faceless but familiar. They were killing his comrades. They were trying to kill him. Explosions on the left. Blood sprayed his face. Was it his? Whose blood was it? His arm…where was his arm? They were grabbing him…his faceless familiar enemies… tearing him apart.

Suddenly, it stopped. He was awake. His heart slapped against the back of his ribs aggressively. His hands were up, fending off…no one.

He closed his eyes and counted . ”One…two…Slow down. Slow your breathing. three…four…You’re not in battle. Five…six…the war is over. Seven…eight…nine…you lived. You’re all right… ten.”

The veteran sat up a bit disoriented but winding down. He covered his eyes with a hand.

His lungs finally calmed their panicked fervor as he gently exhaled, “Shit.”

Another war nightmare. He should’ve known he’d have one and it would be bad considering earlier. Why couldn’t his mind leave that shit dead and buried? Why did he have to relive it almost every night? The war had been over for decades dammit! The psychological exercises only seemed to calm the episodes, but they sure as Hell didn’t prevent the damned night terrors.

…

The four Ansheetans were huddled together when Merco finally ceased his violent outburst. None could deny they were shaking after the ordeal. Luckily, he had been far enough away that they were unharmed by his intense struggle. But it was no less traumatic to witness.

“Has he ever done that before?” one of the medics asked fearfully.

Anu remembered distinctly the first time she came close to Merco, trying to find the chrysalis. He had lashed out in that same manner.

“Yes. He…he acted like he was fighting something.”

“Whatever scares him, I don’t want to know.” The second medic admitted.

Seeing the giant alien calmer, Anu flew over to him despite her mate’s protest.

His huge form was hunched over, face covered.

“Merco?” she said his name since it would get his attention.

Slowly, he uncovered his eyes, hand dropping down to his chin, “Hey, Anu.” Then his head perked, eyes scanning, “Are you all right? I didn’t hurt anyone, did I?”

She didn’t understand him of course, but his tone sounded concerned. After a moment, his eyes lowered again, face a mask of shame or sadness. He made a fist and rested his brow against his knuckles. He then began speaking to her but Anu didn’t comprehend a rumbling word.

“Sorry if I frightened you. I don’t know why I do this…I wish I didn’t. The war…it’s just a part of me and I can’t get rid of it.”

He sounded sad…regretful.

It took some mental convincing, but Anu slowly floated close to his fist and laid her own hand against one of his rock-hard knuckles. At the light contact his eyes opened and he peeked around his fist at her. She raised and then lowered her head plumage expressively and repeated it several times. To Ansheetans it was a gesture that said, ‘I am here. It’s going to be all right.’ He probably didn’t understand. And yet his expression softened, his mouth curving up slightly.

“Is he ok?” one of the medics called over.

“Yes. I think so.” Anu confirmed loudly.

“Will he be coming back?” the other asked.

“I…don’t know.” Anu admitted.

Traynar looked at them, “Coming back? What do you mean?”

“He saved eighteen Pela citizens from a landslide tonight. We wanted to honor him with a ceremony and our Crackling Rain Soup.”

Traynar seemed shocked but soon realized this is probably what Anu was going to tell him, “And…no one is panicked? Warning Anashee?”

The other medic shook her head adamantly, “Not after what he did. You should’ve seen it! We never would’ve saved those eighteen before they suffocated. He moved that entire landslide away like it was dust and pebbles!”

The male medic seemed confused, “You mean Anashee doesn’t know of him?”

“Oh, they know of him. The city has been locked down ever since his arrival. Had you not heard?”

“Only in rumor. But we’ve been so busy lately with the ore and fungus harvest that we haven’t dwelled on it. We usually get overlooked down here by Anashee when it comes to news.” The male medic stated honestly, “Anashee is really closed up?”

“Five sunsets now.”

“Well that explains why our traders haven’t come back on schedule. We all thought they were having too much fun in Anashee and were late coming back.” The female said.

“Don’t you have communications down here?” Traynar seemed confused by their lack of knowledge.

“It’s outdated…and frankly we can’t get any good signals down here. We were supposed to get a new system with this latest trade but…”

Traynar nodded with understanding.

“So Anashee is locked down because of him?” the female asked.

Traynar nodded again, “The EFP has been watching him and we were ordered not to reveal ourselves in the hope that he’d move on and never discover us. That…backfired. Now Anu and I are familiar with him and the storm drove us here. But…last I knew…the general consensus in Anashee is that he is a monster and will destroy us.”

“But…he’s not. A monster wouldn’t have done what he did.” The female argued.

Traynar gestured to Anu, “My mate hopes to prove that same thing to our leaders so there won’t be a panic. That’s what we’re trying to avoid.”

The male medic then mentioned, “You all must come to Pela settlement. Your mate is also to be honored for her service, evacuating the trapped citizens.”

Traynar smiled at that. Usually it was he who rushed into danger during a crisis, but his Anu had apparently proven herself a capable rescuer. He couldn’t help but feel pride for her.

Meanwhile, as they talked briefly, Anu was trying to convey to Merco that they were invited back to the settlement.

…

Anu’s light touch to his knuckle was as soft as a down feather brushing his skin. But it was enough to make him stare at the tiny being floating before him. She did a funny up and down motion with her head plumage repetitively and Merco wasn’t sure what it meant. However, her touch he understood. She was trying to comfort him. He gave her a small smile.

Then the aliens off to the side began talking to her and with Traynar whom was now standing. Merco wasn’t sure how that had happened since the male alien had been immobile since he’d first found them. He could only guess that the two newcomers had something to do with it. Despite the darkness, he could see the newcomers easily. Their clothes glowed with a bright blue-violet light, like a couple living glow sticks but much brighter.

As they talked, Anu patted his knuckle until he looked at her. She flew back and then away from him, gesturing for him to ‘come with her’. He wasn’t sure why she wanted him to go.

“What?”

She flew toward him and back again. At first his brain concocted the idea that there were more little aliens in need of rescue, but her body language wasn’t frantic, nor urgent. It felt more…casual.

Gradually he stood up, “O-K. Where are we going and why?”

Though he felt silly for asking, he was almost asking himself. Anu repeated the action until he stepped after her. Then, the two glowing aliens began walking back through the canyon, their suits seeming to light the way. Traynar slowly ascended into the air, like someone who hadn’t walked in a long while, but he joined Anu in the air. Without knowing why, Merco followed them back through the canyon.

“What the Hell…I’m awake now anyway.” he thought with bemusement.

It wasn’t long before he could see more light at the end of the canyon; the same place they’d come from before. He still couldn’t shake the idea that they were needing his help…perhaps? The two glowing aliens ran ahead toward the light whilst Anu and Traynar flew at a steady pace ahead of him. It wasn’t until he banked the corner that a high pitched keen echoed across the canyon walls. Merco stopped instantly in his tracks, thinking it was screams. But the more he listened to it the less it sounded like cries of terror. It sounded like a chorus of whistles. Anu turned and gestured for him to keep coming. He raised a suspicious brow at her but stepped out from the channel that opened into the settlement. The numerous whistles increased in intensity.

Merco squint his eyes ahead and saw hundreds of little aliens congregated together near the walkways, lights, and openings of their dwellings. Rows and rows of them lined up on the canyon wall walkways as well as crowds on the canyon floor. They were all making a whistling noise and every eye was on him.

He felt his eyes widen slightly, mostly from bewilderment. What was this? What was going on?

…

When they approached the Pela mining settlement it appeared that the entire population was gathered. Lights from the walkways and their bio-luminescent clothes lit up the dark. A cheering whistle greeted them signaling the crowd’s elation at their arrival. Anu and Traynar felt themselves smile at the welcome. But when Anu turned she saw that Merco had stopped, frozen in place. His eyes seemed to bear confusion as he looked around.

Anu flew into his sight line and reassuringly said, “Come on Merco!”

But the giant alien didn’t move.

…

It was then that Merco came to a guess that this was some sort of celebration. And he…was the guest of honor. But he felt uncomfortable with the whole scenario.

He shook his head and waved a dismissive hand, “No. No. No-no-no. I-I don’t need this…this…is unnecessary.”

He stepped backward in an effort to leave, but Anu darted forward and grabbed the lip of his gray shirt pocket. Forcefully she tugged toward the gathering.

“Anu… I don’t need this.” Merco protested.

But she wasn’t being denied as she kept pulling at him. Of course, should he choose, he could easily walk away no matter what she did. But… it would probably insult the natives if he didn’t attend.

He sighed with defeat, “All right Anu. All right. I’m coming.”

With marked, careful steps he approached the gathering. He felt like a lion approaching a group of mice. Any sudden movement could frighten them and send them scurrying. It was an uneasy feeling. Although… they did seem glad to see him, rather than terrified. And he didn’t think Anu and Traynar would lead him into a place where he wasn’t welcomed.

Finally, when he felt he shouldn’t get much closer, Anu turned and made a lower gesture with her hands, indicating he could sit down.

Merco checked behind and around him meticulously before he did so. With slow movements he knelt down on his knees, placed a hand to the ground beside him, and lowered himself into a sitting position; one knee raised and the other curled down on the ground. His prosthetic draped over his raised knee while his other hand carefully rested in his lap. He did his best to keep his movements casual and restrained. He didn’t want to shake them off of their walkways or have a careless limb crush anyone. Other than the first rescue this was the first time he’d been around so many of the natives of this world. He definitely wanted to make a good impression and not make himself out to be a lumbering brute.

When he was settled he still felt the countless eyes watching him. His own eyes looked around a moment before averting from the awkwardness. Anu and Traynar landed on the ground gracefully and were presented chairs to sit in. Then, one of the green skinned aliens strode forward. He was dressed in a different sort of uniform than what Anu and Traynar wore and the tall, feather-like scales adorning his head were tipped with yellow.

A chief or leader? Perhaps a religious figure?

He spoke to the gathering with a raised voice, gesturing grandly and broadly to him and Anu. The gathered crowd listened and then when he finished speaking they raised that whistling sound again.

Perhaps…that’s their version of applause?

Merco watched as the crowd of little aliens parted and several groups marched through the opening carrying between them large metal cauldrons of what looked like a clear soup with colorful pieces floating in it. The smell of it caressed Merco’s nose and he instantly remembered it from earlier.

“So that’s what I was smelling. Smells really good.” Merco thought to himself.

There were ten kettles of soup brought out and placed in front of Merco. To him they weren’t much bigger than a small shot glass, for the natives each one would hold enough soup to feed most gathered there to satisfaction. That thought alone humbled him and made him feel uncomfortable at the same time. He was hungry and the soup smelled wonderful, but he felt bad taking so much from them. Were they giving him all they had? Would it put a strain on their community? Would they go hungry tonight because of him? Troublesome questions that made his appetite wane.

The food bearers stepped back, and they all stared almost expectantly at him.

“That’s…very kind of you. But I can’t accept such generosity,” he admitted, waving his hand.

The little aliens all looked around confused by his foreign speech and then to Anu, but she had no translation. Merco sighed, not sure how to tell them he didn’t want to eat them out of house and home…that he was trying to not be a burden to them.

Anu then stood from her seat, spoke to one of the food bearers, and they produced a bowl and ladle for her. She scooped out a portion into the bowl, held it up for Merco to see, and then drank some.

Did she think that he believed the soup was poisoned and he wanted to see them eat it first? What a morbid thought.

He pondered a moment and then decided his next action. Reaching out with his gloved prosthesis, he picked up one of the cauldrons between his fingers. He smelled the hot odor wafting from the pot. He couldn’t pinpoint the scent, but it had deep tones of meat, higher vegetable smelling aromas and something else he didn’t know. Gently he blew on the hot liquid for several moments, swirling it to get it properly cooled throughout.

He had a split-second thought of his not-so-pleasant experience with other world cuisine. He hoped this one wouldn’t upset his stomach.

His lips experimentally gripped the edge of the pot and he sampled a taste. Merco smacked his lips gently to let the taste cover his tongue. For a split second it felt like the watery base was made with something carbonated as it tingled on his tongue, but it faded quickly. Then the warm, rich taste came in. It definitely tasted like a meaty, vegetable soup but with a sharpness and spice that was completely new to him. He liked it.

His eyebrows raised approvingly, “Mmm. That’s good.”

With a quick tip, he dumped the entire contents of the cauldron into his mouth, savored it a moment, then swallowed.

A collective gasp sounded from the crowd. Merco’s eyes darted at the awkwardness of being watched. He felt like an exotic animal being watched at the zoo; minus the cage. He placed the empty vessel down and took a second one and drained it in a similar fashion.

By the time he emptied the fifth one he made a conscious decision. Pointedly he plucked up each of the five remaining cauldrons of soup and set them closer to the gathered aliens. They backed away from his hand but stared at what he was doing. He then pointed to the five cauldrons and gestured around to the crowd and then back to the soup. The leader with the yellow tipped crest seemed perplexed but then gestured back with spread hands to the soup and then to him, indicating that it was for him.

But Merco shook his head, motioning again for them to partake of the rest. True it had only been five mouthfuls and he could easily eat the rest, but he couldn’t shake the guilt nagging at him. To enunciate his gesture, he patted his stomach and waved his hand to show he was full…even though it was a lie.

Looks of bewilderment passed between many of the green and lavender aliens. After a moment they raised a loud collective whistle and the leader began calling out orders. Several members of the crowd left, but soon returned carrying bowls and utensils to distribute. The food bearers now became servers as the lines for soup formed behind each huge pot.

A satisfied smile curved Merco’s mouth as he watched the crowd get fed.

Yeah…that felt good to see.

As he watched the crowd feed itself, he noticed a couple small groups approach him directly. They were cautious in their movements but Anu met them, spoke to them a moment, and then led them closer. Merco watched them intently, holding very still until Anu said his name, pointed to the group, and then pointed back to where the landslide had occurred. Merco gathered that they were some of the survivors he’d helped rescue. They spoke to him and lowered their plumage in a motion that Merco could only guess showed gratitude. He nodded his head deeply to them in almost a bow.

One of the males in the group boldly stepped forward, said something with large eyes, and held up a hand to him. Merco very slowly held out his own hand and extended his index finger. They touched. The little alien jumped visibly and released a big breath. Merco nodded to him and the little guy soon nodded back. As near as Merco could tell it was a thank you.

Chapter 18: Plans Coming Together

Having a giant alien sitting amongst so many Ansheetans was a surreal sight to behold. Anu and Traynar were all but barraged with questions from various Pela citizens…very few they actually knew.

“What is he?”

“Where did he come from?”

“He looks hurt. What happened to him?”

“What language is he speaking? Don’t you understand him?”

“Can he fly too?”

“Are there more like him?”

Both Anu and Traynar felt overwhelmed. Ironic that out of all Ansheetans on the planet, they had experienced the most direct contact with Merco and yet…they knew so little about him. The biggest obstacle was that they couldn’t understand each other save for primitive gesturing. There were so many complex conversations to be had and not enough gestures to explain them. They honestly wondered if there was a way he could be taught their language.

As the festivities went on, Anu knew she needed to get back to Anashee and meet with Felreh and Madala to convince them that Merco wasn’t an eminent threat to their lives. She had to smile seeing so many Pela Ansheetans gathered around Merco without fear. Merco seemed more uneasy than anyone there did. Their leaders needed to see this. If this wasn’t proof of his gentility then what was?

“I need to go to Anashee tonight.” Anu leaned over to her mate.

He thought a moment, “Do you think they’ll believe you?”

She lowered her plumage, “I’ll bring them here to see this if I have to.”

Traynar touched her shoulder, “Why not let me go?”

“You’re still on the mend. I can fly faster and get there before the sun rises.” She retorted. “You stay here and make sure Merco doesn’t leave.”

His plumage puffed up a bit, ”How exactly?”

She gave him a cocky look since he had told her to do the same thing earlier, “I just pushed on his forehead and he stopped for me. You just have to get in his face.”

Traynar nodded, but in a way that was uncomfortable with the notion.

Anu shook his shoulder chidingly, “You’re still not convinced? He’s not going to hurt you!”

“I…respect the power that he possesses.” Traynar admitted. “Even if he doesn’t mean to he can…”

Anu stood and touched her forehead to his. Her mate…forever the cautionary, “I’ll try to be back as soon as I can.”

Bidding the leader of the Pela settlement a farewell, Anu flew up and out of the canyon. Merco noticed her departure, watching her fly up. He turned to Traynar; a questioning look on his face.

“She’ll be back. Just…don’t go anywhere.” Traynar explained, feeling foolish since the giant alien didn’t comprehend his words. He simply held his hands up slightly to indicate there was no need to worry.

Merco squinted, but merely watched Anu fly away. It wasn’t until much later that Merco finally groaned deeply and began to shift his massive body. Anyone who was still in attendance immediately froze to watch as the titanic alien stood to his full height, stretching his arms.

He faced the remaining crowd and bowed his head saying in his rumbling alien voice, “Thank you very much for the soup and your generosity.”

With that he turned and walked away through the canyon. Traynar stood up too, bid the leader goodbye as well and flew steadily after him. At first he was going to attempt to stop Merco, but figured he was retiring to sleep away from the settlement. Given his violent reaction from earlier, that seemed a wiser choice than remaining so close to the Pela settlement. So Traynar flew behind Merco, merely watching where he was going.

They soon arrived at the spot where they had rested before and Merco retrieved his jacket, putting it on. Then his enormous body resettled against the canyon wall as he sat down, arms crossed.

His eyes directed at Traynar in a manner that indicated he hadn’t known he was following him, “Following me, eh Traynar? I’m pretty tired from all that excitement. How about you?”

Traynar tipped his head, uncomprehending but gradually landed, keeping a fair distance between himself and Merco should the giant alien have another reactive nightmare.

Merco smirked at him, “Yeah. I get it. Wouldn’t want to sleep near me either. [Yawn!] G’Night.”

Traynar sat and made himself as comfortable possible. His mended torso still hurt but at least he could fly and get himself up now. He looked over at Merco one last time before closing his own eyes to get some sleep.

…

Anashee Lake, early morning…

Seraysa and Verin had been so tired they fell asleep almost immediately in their improvised shelter. But with her mind full Seraysa didn’t stay asleep for long. Light was beginning to peek across the horizon, but it was still pretty dark.

“Verin! Wake up.” She pushed against her brother, “We’ve got to find Merco before the EFP gets here.”

Her brother’s ruffled plumage popped up with annoyance as he groaned, pushing her away.

“Come on Verin!” she insisted.

“Uhgg. Fine.” He stretched and ran a hand across his plumage before rubbing his face, “It’s not even light yet.”

“We need to look at that print again. I’m going to float up and see if it leads somewhere.” Seraysa explained, kicking away her sleeping pouch and racing back to where they’d seen the huge boot print.

Verin groaned again, trying to fully waken whilst Seraysa went out to relocate the print. It didn’t take her long to find it. Closing her eyes, she concentrated, feeling the tingle at her back. Slowly she rose into the air, higher and higher until she was almost over the tops of the trees. From the lofty vantage she could see the massive indents of Merco’s boot prints. Then she could also see the path of broken limbs cleaved through the trees by his gigantic body. It was leading away from the Anashee Lake…but where to?

Before she knew it, Verin had joined her in the air, wobbly but there. He looked around blearily.

“See, Verin. His prints go away from the lake. But… if he’s not here at the lake where did he go?” Seraysa asked aloud.

Her brother thought a moment, brain waking up, “The storm. Maybe he was looking for shelter? The only question is where could something that big take shelter?” Suddenly he snapped with realization as he looked out beyond, “Pela Canyon! I’ll bet that’s where he went!”

Seraysa recalled that lesson from her chrysalis education feeds. Geography was a big component. Pela Canyon was pretty far from Anashee Lake, but not for a being with Merco’s stride. It was also closer to Anashee. As she was about to try to fly forward, shouts sounded in the distance behind them. The siblings turned and could see several maroon dots against the brightening horizon heading for the lake.

“It’s the EFP!” Seraysa whispered intensely, recognizing the color to be that of the combat fliers.

Verin took her hand and they quickly landed in a large tree so they wouldn’t be spotted. Luckily, the large squad was not headed directly for them and didn’t act like they saw them.

“Looks like they’re starting the search. If Merco isn’t at the lake they’re going to find his trail just like we did.” Verin deduced.

“Then we have to get to Pela Canyon before they figure that out.” Seraysa stated firmly.

He shook his head, “Seraysa we got lucky last night with that storm slowing them down. Pela Canyon is most of a day’s walk. We’ll never beat them there.” Seraysa’s determined eyes told him everything, “But…I know you don’t care and are going to try anyway.”

Seraysa only nodded as she floated out and toward the ground. She’d try to fly as much as she could manage but somehow she was going to get to Merco.

…

That same moment…

The storm had delayed Coroc’s squadron for most of the night. Though frustrating, Coroc used the time to center his thoughts and refine his plans. He had several. In his experience when hunting down Rogashay bandits, he needed multiple plans because there were too many variables; too many ways the original plan could go awry. And with this giant, his plans could not go awry without serious consequences.

Once the storm ceased, he ordered his volunteers to follow him to the lake. They would need to determine where this giant was before any of his plans could be enacted.

As light broke the horizon, he and his squadron could see the expanse of Anashee Lake. Winding and twisting through the forest, the lake itself was huge. However, so was their quarry. Finding the giant would be the easy part. Nothing that big could hide. The hard part would be taking him down without getting every member of the squadron killed.

“What are your orders, Sir?” his appointed second in command Hitalel asked.

“Spread out in groups of three. Once the giant has been located report back. Depending on where it is and what it’s doing we will gather and form a plan to fit the situation.” He explained.

“I was on one of the recent watch patrols, sir. I know where he was seen last.” Hitalel mentioned.

Coroc nodded, “Lead a squad there first. If we’re lucky it’ll still be asleep.”

Hitalel waved her arms and relayed the orders to the squad. Obediently they branched off and began to reconnoiter.

…

Back in Anashee at sunrise…

Anu had made it back to the city of Anashee as fast as she could fly. She passed through the upper gates and pointed to a guard, “I need to speak with Commander Madala and Elder Felreh immediately!”

Seeing her EFP uniform one of them hurried off to find a council member associate to pass on the need for a meeting. Anu didn’t have to wait too long before she was granted an audience with Elder Felreh and the female Commander. The elder female leader was seated comfortably in her chambers while Madala stood at her side at attention when Anu was brought before them.

Anu lowered her plumage with respect, “Elder Felreh. Commander Madala.”

“You are the EFP scout, Anu. I am told you have something very urgent to tell us regarding the alien visitor.” Elder Felreh spoke.

Anu nodded, “I have come into contact for a second time with the alien visitor Merco.”

“How did you escape?” Madala asked with immediate interest.

“Escape? I didn’t escape. I…was never a captive.”

Madala looked into her seriously, “The last report I received was from two scouts saying Traynar had been injured and you both, along with a Rogashay bandit, were captives of this alien.”

Anu shook her head, plumage fluttering with frustration, “No! We were never his captives. I was ambushed by a group of six Rogashay bandits. Their leader Boroxle wanted to use me as a hostage to get his forces into Anashee. Traynar tried to stop them from taking me, but Boroxle wounded him. We would’ve been their captives if Merco hadn’t saved us.”

“The giant alien saved you?” Madala sounded doubtful.

“Yes! And from last night’s storm. We took shelter in Pela Canyon and a terrible landslide had trapped some of its citizens.”

Felreh raised her whitened crest, “I had not heard of this tragedy. How many were lost?”

“Only two were lost. The visitor Merco saved them Elder! He cleared the debris from the landslide and eighteen citizens were saved. All of them would have perished if not for him.” Anu explained passionately. “I’ve come to you to tell you this because Merco is not the monster we’ve assumed him to be and there is no need to keep Anashee closed. I’ve come to ask that you and Commander Madala meet with him and see this for yourself so you in turn can put our people at ease.”

Felreh listened carefully to Anu, her eyes wandered with thought. Madala’s eyes moved much faster, almost darting.

“Where is he now?” Madala asked.

“Pela Canyon. Please Elder, Commander, will you meet with him?” Anu plead.

There was a long silent pause until the elder female nodded, “I have been hoping for a peaceful resolution to these events. But I never thought it would be like this.” she nodded, “I will still side on the err of caution but I am willing to meet this Merco.”

“Elder…!” Madala blurted out, “There is…something you need to know…” Madala closed her eyes with shame.

Felreh gave her Commander a cursory glance.

“I’m sorry Elder. I didn’t want to tell you unless the mission succeeded. The city is on the verge of chaos, Ansheetans are threatening riots, and I wanted to act in the best interest of Anashee.” Madala began.

“What mission?” Felreh’s voice was even with slight firmness.

“Combatant Coroc came to me with a proposition to stop Anashee from boiling over. He was willing to slay the giant.”

Anu’s plume raised with alarm, “What?”

“I honestly didn’t believe he could…but I also thought that it was the first real chance we had to end this threat.” Madala continued, “I didn’t order anyone to join, but I said if he could find volunteers in the EFP he could form a squadron to see it done.”

Felreh didn’t say anything for a long moment whilst Anu looked horrified.

“How many?”

Madala shook her head, her tall plume low, “I don’t know for certain. They left yesterday near sunset.”

“The storm…they couldn’t fly in that storm.” Anu whispered.

Madala heard her and nodded, “But they are probably at Anashee Lake by now.”

“Merco is in Pela Canyon.” Anu stated with some relief, though she knew he wouldn’t be hard to find.

“Commander Madala…” Felreh’s soft voice was calm but hard at the same time, “We will go to Pela Canyon and meet this Merco. Let us hope your miscalculation doesn’t start an unnecessary conflict.”

…

Pela Canyon at sunrise…

Traynar shifted his position as he slept but a rock poked into this side, stirring him awake. He blinked, ruffling his head scales.

How long had he been asleep?

He glanced over to where Merco was sleeping…but he was gone. Traynar’s plumage flew up with alarm.

“What?! How…how did he sneak away?” he thought incredulously.

The green skinned combatant stood up and flew off the ground fast until he was up over the ledge of the canyon. The sky was just becoming light and Traynar immediately spotted the trees in the direction of Anashee Lake swaying and the leaves shaking.

“There you are.” He muttered, flying toward the movement.

He still couldn’t fathom how someone that made quakes with his every footfall could sneak away without him knowing about it! Traynar flew fast but not as fast as he was normally capable because his sealed wound was flaring with protest. But he was going to catch up.

…

Merco woke up needing to relieve himself and discreetly climbed out of a lower portion of the canyon to do the deed away from Traynar or anyone. Don’t want to piss on someone’s house…or otherwise. After finding a secluded spot away from the canyon on the edge of the woods and relieving himself, he found himself thirsty. He hadn’t seen any evidence of a sizeable body of water in the canyon, so he decided he’d have to trek back to the lake.

“What I wouldn’t give for a canteen!” he thought as he strolled through the trees. “Would save me a Hell of a lot of walking.”

As he pressed on a blur of green suddenly appeared and hit the tip of his nose. He stopped abruptly. It was Traynar, flying right in his face.

“Mornin’ Traynar. What’s the matter?” he inquired.

The light green alien with the rooster tail-looking plumage gestured strongly. It looked as if he didn’t like that he left.

Merco pantomimed taking a drink of water and pointed to the lake in the distance, “Thirsty.”

Traynar looked toward the lake, made an exasperated face, then pointed to the lake, mimicked his drinking gesture, then pointed back to where the canyon was located.

“You want me to get my drink and then go back to the canyon?” he pointed to each location as he talked. “Why?”

His confused look made Traynar wave his hands quickly and strongly, as if he was trying to tell a complicated story that gestures couldn’t accomplish. Merco couldn’t quite follow what he was trying to say. But he acted insistent.

“Not following ya buddy.” He admitted, still looking confused.

Traynar suddenly flew down to the ground and waved at Merco to get lower, which he did. In the dirt Traynar drew a series of wavy lines with his foot and pointed back to the canyon. Merco nodded. Then he drew a fat, irregular shape and pointed to the lake. Again, Merco followed. Traynar stepped away from the lake shape and beyond the canyon lines he drew what looked like a city of some kind.

“Anashee.” He stated.

“Ana-shee.” Merco repeated.

Then he made little tracks from the drawing of Anashee in an arc to the canyon lines. Inside the canyon lines he drew a big circle and pointed at him.

“Oh…someone from this Anashee is coming to the canyon to meet me?” Merco guessed aloud, repeating the path Traynar had just mapped.

The alien seemed satisfied and nodded.

So, this was probably an ambassadorial type of response. Not what he was expecting but he was glad it was going that way rather than the alternative.

“Ok then. I’ll get my drink and we’ll go back to the canyon.” He confirmed, complete with gestures.

…

Traynar sighed with relief when his map drawings finally resonated with Merco. At least…the giant alien seemed to grasp what he was trying to tell him. Ever since Merco appeared from the wasteland, every Ansheetan was bound and determined to keep Anashee’s existence a secret from him. But now things were different. They were hoping to barter a peaceful relationship so what harm would it do? That is, if Anu had convinced Felreh and Madala to come?

Chapter 19: Fall

Later in the forest…

Seraysa and Verin ran through the trees. It was apparent to both of them that they were running out of energy and this second day of traveling felt far less productive than the first because of that. Seraysa was of course determined to press on but Verin had to stop.

“Seraysa! I can’t go anymore. I need a break!” Verin gasped, leaning against a tree.

The lavender female stopped for her brother, “We don’t have time to stop!”

Verin put his back to the tree, heaving, “I can’t. I can’t…”

It was then Verin felt a subtle vibration through the tree he was leaning on. His eyes opened and he stared behind him at the tree as if it had changed into something completely weird. Then he felt it again, very slight.

“Do you feel that?” he asked.

Seraysa moved closer giving him a puzzled look. He took her hand and touched it to the tree trunk.

She felt two separate vibrations and cried out, “That’s him! That’s him!”

Before Verin could react, his sister flew up higher and higher until she was over the tops of the trees. She strained, exhausted from the feat, but tried desperately to see if she could spot Merco. Finally, she couldn’t hold her hover anymore and had to land on the tallest branch to rest. Though she could feel the vibrations of Merco’s steps, they felt far away. She gripped the top part of the tree, scanning the horizons.

“See anything?” Verin shouted up to her.

Her eyes lit up with excitement when she saw the unmistakable silhouette off in the distance.

“MERCO!” she shouted as loudly as she could.

But he was too far to hear her.

“You see him?” Verin confirmed.

Closing her eyes and focusing, Seraysa floated back down to the ground, “Yes! He’s that way! Come on!”

She was already running and Verin looked skyward with a gasp of fatigue. But he followed.

…

Anashee Lake…

Coroc’s squadron had flown around the first and largest parts of Anashee Lake. They discovered the “campsite” quickly, but the giant alien was absent. They began following the enormous tracks and broken trees that pointed to where he had been.

It wasn’t until someone bolted across the sky shouting, “IT’S COMING! IT’S COMING! OVER THERE!”

Immediately, the word spread across the forces and they began to coalesce. Coroc flew into the air, sighting the tremendous form heading closer to the furthest end of the lake from the north side. He had hoped to catch the behemoth sleeping beside the lake. It would’ve been so much easier. Awake and alert…this was more challenging. The seasoned combatant knew if his plan were to succeed, everything would have to fall into place exactly. He studied the direction and turned to his gathered forces.

“It’s heading back to the lake. Squadron One you will take position on its right. Squadron Two to the left. My team will take the forward position. Put on your ventilators when you’re in position and ready your pouches. Do not attack until you see me. Aim for the face. He’s got to breath the powder for it to work.” he ordered. “Any questions?”

Hitalel spoke, “What do we do when it’s down?”

“Stay back and my Squadron will do the rest.” Coroc assured. “Don’t forget, we are doing this to free Anashee! We cannot fail!”

The gathered EFP saluted smartly, plumes up.

“Follow me and keep low! Fly out!” he gestured and led them across the lake.

…

Not long thereafter…

Being thirsty, the trek back to the lake felt excruciatingly long to Merco. But when he spotted the glistening water ahead, relief filled him. He picked up the pace a bit until he parted the trees and found the water. However, it was full of water plants and didn’t appear very deep, so he moved along the lakeside until he came to a deeper part that looked drinkable. He knelt down, cupped his hands together, and began to satisfy his thirst.

He’d downed about three handfuls before he felt the hair on the back of his neck tingle. He paused, eyes alert. A feeling in his gut was telling him something was amiss; an instinct that served him well in the war. It was the same feeling he got before the bombs started falling or the latest fire fight would spark up. Rarely was his gut instinct wrong.

Merco’s eyes slowly roved around him suspiciously. He didn’t see anything, nor did he hear anything. On Earth, silence in nature was a preemptive warning. However, on this planet, he was the “dangerous” presence that brought on the silence. Still…something felt off. Traynar seemed to notice his change in demeanor and made a sound of questioning. Slowly, Merco stood up, eyes still wary.

Then he heard the faint sound of a voice. His head perked, scanning across the trees. At first he thought he was hearing things; becoming overly attuned. But Traynar seemed to hear it too. They both listened. The voice called again but Merco still couldn’t hear what it was saying. Traynar however seemed to be able to hear it better.

“Merco.” Traynar said and pointed out to where he heard the voice.

Merco listened intently. After a moment he heard his name become faintly clear.

“Merco!” it called.

“Pixie?” he called back.

As he focused on the voice, Traynar suddenly shouted, “MERCO!”

He turned, saw a blur of maroon, and something hit him in the face. Dust clouded around him as he automatically shut his eyes and flinched. It didn’t hurt but he couldn’t see or breath very well. He coughed, wiping the dust from his face. It almost felt like someone hit him in the face with a small packet of flour.

“What…?” he coughed.

Then he felt a stinging sensation in his mouth.

“What is this?” he wondered.

His knees felt weak all of a sudden as he staggered. He almost felt drunk…or…drugged. Merco groaned, shook his head, and fell to his knees, feeling for the water to wash it off. When his hand splashed he feverishly began washing his face. He eventually opened his eyes, but everything was a haze. With both hands on the ground, the forest floor swirled and waved. He felt sick to his stomach. Somewhere close he could hear a voice, small and distorted calling his name. He collapsed, senses spinning like a top. The darkness was starting to close in on his vision, but he tried to fight it. He rolled onto his back, attempting to sit up again but the darkness won, closing its inky fingers around him until all was black.

…

Traynar watched Merco get his drink, hoping he’d hurry so they could get back to Pela Canyon. He sincerely hoped that Anu had convinced their leaders to meet with Merco, otherwise things were going to get very complicated…and dangerous. As the giant drank unfathomable amounts of water from his hands he abruptly stopped. His eyes took on an intensity that Traynar had never seen in him before as they roved slowly around. He acted as if something was wrong.

The combatant looked around too, “What? What is it?”

Distantly, Traynar heard someone yelling. He looked back and Merco stood. The giant alien didn’t seem to hear it at first but as the yelling got closer he seemed to recognize it too. It sounded like a female’s voice. Then it became clearer. A female was yelling Merco’s name. It didn’t sound like Anu…

After a couple more times Merco finally heard his name and called back, “Pixie?”

The second Traynar looked back at Merco he saw them. Almost twenty combat fliers broke from the trees on all sides and flew up toward Merco’s face.

“MERCO!” he yelled, but it was too late.

Each flier in unison let go of a pouch as they strafed Merco’s face in a veritable explosion of gray powder. Then they arced away. The giant alien stepped back, shaking his head, temporarily blinded by the dusty assault. At first Traynar had expected explosives or energy weapons but the powder perplexed him.

What did they hit him with?

“Merco? Are you all right?”

A thunderous cough boomed out as Merco tried to wipe the gray powder from his face. It wasn’t until the giant stumbled and seemed to sway with vertigo that Traynar understood what he’d been hit with.

Sleeping Spores.

Harvested from a fungus and refined while drying out in the sun, the powder was used by medics to numb pain with a tiny dose and used to knock out patients with a larger dose. Typically, a medic would air inject it into a patient, but it could be breathed too. And they had just delivered a massive dose right in Merco’s face.

Merco fell to his knees with a quake, blindly searching for the water of the lake. When he found it he quickly washed his face. Traynar flew over to look in his eyes and saw they were dilated, quivering, and unable to focus. He was succumbing to the spore’s effects.

“Merco! Easy big guy. You’re going to be ok, Merco.” Traynar tried to sooth the huge being.

But it was like yelling into a hurricane. Merco swayed again and collapsed on his side. The leaves on the trees jumped, the water rippled, and a gusting disturbance of air sent Traynar spinning away from the toppled giant. Merco groaned deeply and made an attempt to get up as he rolled onto his back, but his eyes closed. He was out.

“Oh no. No-no-no-no.” Traynar mumbled repetitively as he flew over the unconscious mountain.

“Merco!” the female voice sounded closer now.

Traynar looked to see the familiar face of the one Merco called “Pixie” come running up through the trees. She was wearing an EFP uniform and looked out of breath. When she saw the unconscious state of Merco her face became a mask of shock and panic.

…

Seraysa kept running, even though her body screamed for a rest. Merco was close and she had to warn him. She called his name as she ran, hoping he’d somehow hear her. It wasn’t until the seventh time she called that his huge voice rolled across the tops of the trees.

“Pixie?”

“Merco!” she called back, “They’re coming Merco! They’re coming to kill you!”

She felt she was almost there when she literally leaped off the ground from a massive impact tremor.

Merco’s steps could shake the ground but that…that felt like he fell.

Alarm flew into her feet, speeding her on through the fatigue. Finally, she caught a glimpse of a mass of gray through the trees.

Merco’s shirt.

When she finally got close enough, Seraysa could see Merco’s prone form stretched out across the forest floor on his back. Panic tightened around her throat.

She…she was too late.

“MERCO NO!” she screamed, running to his side and hitting his shoulder

The young female tried desperately to rouse the unconscious alien, but he wasn’t responding. Completely unafraid, she climbed on top of his gloved hand and ran up his arm until she was standing on his shoulder. The tightness around her throat lessened when she saw and felt his wide chest steadily rising and falling.

Not dead.

All at once a maroon uniform flew in close to her. She was about to yell at him when she recognized his face.

“Traynar? What happened to Merco?”

The flier landed beside her, “They hit him with sleeping spores. What are you doing here?”

“I came to warn Merco that Coroc was coming with a squadron to kill him.”

Traynar’s plumage lifted, “Combatant Coroc is here?”

He had taken fighting drills with the famous and now infamous flying combatant. Coroc had retired shortly before Traynar had passed his combat flying training. But his skill was undeniable. However, in peaceful times, Coroc struggled to adapt; hence his notoriety.

“What are we going to do? How long is he going to be like this?” Seraysa fretted.

Traynar shook his head, “I don’t know. He got hit with more sleeping spore than I’ve ever seen but…he could be out for hours…or minutes? Who knows?”

“Did Coroc’s squadron do this?”

“Yes. And they’re going to be here any second. We-”

“You two! Why didn’t you wait for the signal to approach?” A stern voice stated from above.

Both Seraysa and Traynar turned to see Combatant Coroc and four other EFP members descending from the trees, energy weapons in hand.

Seraysa was confused, but Traynar realized Coroc thought they were part of his squadron and had defied an order. He gave Seraysa a look that said to keep quiet as he formally addressed the combatant with his plume alert.

“Apologies, Combatant Coroc. We were part of the scouting mission stationed out here. We’d been following the giant alien for some time. We didn’t anticipate your attack and didn’t get far enough away. The impact knocked us out of our position in the trees.”

Coroc landed lightly on Merco’s shoulder next to them, his four squadron members seemed nervous but followed his lead, landing behind him.

Coroc’s dark eyes were hard, “So you are not part of my squadron…you are scouts?

“Yes sir.”

The dark blue uniformed combatant scrutinized them for a moment but then said, “Though your eagerness to enter the fray is admirable, such rookie mistakes should be beneath someone of the EFP.”

“Yes sir. Of course.” Traynar replied.

Traynar couldn’t help but notice how calm Coroc seemed. The other four in his squadron seemed infinitely nervous, standing on the very alien they were here to kill like they were standing on a living landscape. Coroc simply walked away from them, across Merco’s shoulder, stepped over his collarbone and approached the giant alien’s exposed neck. Seraysa’s blue eyes went wide with fear but Traynar’s hand subtly touched her to stop her. Coroc observed Merco’s bearded chin and hair prickled neck a moment. He rested his hand against the side of Merco’s throat and ran his hand against the slope.

Traynar spoke, “What is your plan Combatant Coroc?”

“To free Anashee from this monster.” He replied simply.

“And…how will you do that?”

Coroc’s hand stopped and they could see his hand bouncing with Merco’s pulse. “By piercing this. Just open that and it bleeds out. No pain. It never wakes up.”

He twisted his energy weapon and it cycled into a green, crackling spear. Just as he reared the weapon back a scream and a body halted his thrust.

“NO!”

Seraysa flew forward and threw herself against the side of Merco’s throat. His pulse throbbed against her body.

“You can’t kill him! He’s not a monster!” she protested, crying.

A recognition sparked in Coroc’s eyes, “You’re that young one from Anashee. The stolen chrysalis.”

“Please! Please don’t kill him!”

He frowned, not relaxing his raised spear, “Step aside young one. You don’t know what you’re asking.”

“YOU don’t know what you’re doing! He’s never hurt anyone and he’s not going to destroy Anashee!” She shouted back.

“Move. Or I will have you removed.” He threatened.

Seraysa shook her head adamantly, clinging to her spot on Merco’s neck. Coroc made a gesture to his four squadron members and two of them stepped forward to remove her. Suddenly, in a blur of movement, Traynar grabbed one of them by the plume, tripped him, and took his energy weapon. With a fast, aggressive spin he knocked down a second EFP fighter, sweeping her feet out from under her. Then with a quick [ZAP!] he set the metal rod to stun and knocked both of them out. Before the other two could respond, Traynar flew across the gap and positioned himself on the center point between Merco’s collarbones, menacing Coroc with a raised weapon.

“I won’t let you Coroc,” he stated strongly, plumage high and flared, “She’s right. Merco is no monster. He’s saved many of us and we won’t let you kill him.”

Coroc’s eyes hardened, “But you don’t know that. You may find him peaceful today; perhaps even rotations from now. But will he always be? If he got it in his head to conquer us there would be little we could do to stop him. I won’t take that chance. Anashee will be free of this threat.”

“Did Elder Felreh condone such actions?” Traynar challenged.

“Commander Madala has given me her confidence to see this done. I don’t intend to let her down.” He replied.

Traynar cycled his weapon to a glaive style energy blade, “Then you’ll have to go through me to do it.”

Coroc responded in kind by cycling his weapon to a similar format. A long, tense moment hung in the air until the two fighters met, energy blades crackling. Almost in a choreographed stance, the two combatants circled each other, striking and meeting, retreating, and then returning to strike again. In an instant they were both airborne, taking the fight to the sky as only EFP combatants could achieve. They swooped and arced at one another, clashing and retreating, then maneuvering to strike. Neither would give an inch.

Below, the two squadron members watched the aerial battle, neither wanting to interfere unless it was perfectly necessary. But then they seemed to remember they had a mission and began moving toward Merco’s neck. Seraysa could only watch helplessly as Traynar fought and then as the two EFP fighters moved toward her.

She held up a hand, “No! You don’t have to do this!”

When they were close, Seraysa and the EFP fighters suddenly jumped with a start when Merco groaned, sending a jarring vibration through them. The EFP fighters froze, eyes wide, unsure if they should fly away or not.

Was Merco actually waking up already? Sleeping spores were effective on Ansheetans and apparently on Merco as well, but how effective? Perhaps he was too big for the dosage they hit him with? It didn’t matter. Seraysa knew she had to try to rouse Merco somehow. Seizing the moment, she floated up and landed on the high part of Merco’s cheek. Then she knelt down and slapped at his eyelid.

“Come on Merco! You’ve got to wake up!”

At first, her hitting didn’t elicit a response. But after a moment the large gray-green eyes slit open; though awareness didn’t seem in full gear.

“Merco! Merco! Wake up!” Seraysa waved her hand in front on his eye to see if he could track it.

Very slow and not focusing. He was trying to wake, but the after-effects of the drug clung to his senses. He groaned again and shifted his head and shoulder which made the two EFP members scatter and fly into the trees. Seraysa flattened herself to his cheek to keep from falling. His eye opened a bit wider, his dark pupil trying to focus. Seraysa waved a hand in front of his eye again and this time it seemed to track better.

“Merco?”

Then the large eye directed at her, the pupil focusing.

The muscles of his face moved beneath her as he whispered, “Pixie?”

“Merco! Come on! You’ve got to get up.” She insisted.

He smiled again not understanding her, “Pixie. It’s you.”

This time she hit his skin to enunciate the urgency, “Merco! Get up!”

…

Traynar could feel his recently sealed wound complain sharply with his every move. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could hold off Coroc. The seasoned combatant was very skilled and Traynar couldn’t lose focus when fighting him. The poles of their weapons crossed again as they pushed against each other in the air. Coroc kicked against Traynar’s leg and then slid his pole down fast. The energy blade sliced open Traynar’s uniform at the shoulder, just missing his skin. With a strategic retreat, Traynar dove down and back. He shot up and slashed at Coroc, but the flier parried the strike.

Again, and again they continued the combative dance in the air. At one point, Traynar was almost above the trees and looked down to see Merco stirring and attempting to sit up.

That was fast.

Coroc noticed it too and swore.

With a sharp whistle he shouted, “SQUADRON! ATTACK FORMATION NOW!”

Traynar watched as more than a dozen EFP combatants appeared out of the surrounding trees and flew straight at Merco with crackling energy spears.

Chapter 20: Defensive Measures

Merco wasn’t sure what happened or how long he’d been out but when he opened his blurry eyes he saw a familiar face right next to his left eye.

“Pixie. It’s you.” he managed to say.

He didn’t know where she came from but seeing her made his heart happy. Like seeing a favorite niece who lived far away.

Pixie said his name several times and something else. It wasn’t until she started hitting his cheekbone did he sense her urgency. With great care his prosthesis came up and plucked her off of his face so he could sit up. It was a challenge. His vision still felt wonky, like he’d changed his vision prescription, and everything looked distorted. With a careful roll of his hips and his other arm braced against the ground he pushed himself into a crouch. He stretched his prosthetic arm out and released Pixie away from him so he could gather his wits; didn’t want to accidentally crush her. Positioned on his hands and knees Merco waited for the world to stop warping his reality. Then he heard a whistle and a shout.

He didn’t even have time to react when he felt at least a dozen needles hit him in his shoulder, his back and couple in the side of his face.

“OW! Shit!” he swore, flinching.

The stinging pain made his adrenaline surge which in turn pushed the haziness to clarity. He looked and saw several cuts through his shirt and actually a couple spears that were about the size of plastic cocktail swords stuck in his cheek. He plucked the two out of his cheek and they crackled with what looked like a green blade made of light. He didn’t have much time to observe the weapons when he saw several maroon figures flying past him and into the trees. He jumped to his feet this time. Vertigo made him sway a bit, but the pain was indeed clearing his senses faster. He turned, trying to see what exactly was attacking him. He put his gloved prosthesis up in front of his eyes to shield them as he scanned the area.

Suddenly, several small maroon and green blurs sped past his gloved arm like speedy dragonflies. His eyes followed them carefully as they sped up and away. He hissed with pain when more sharp pokes hit his back and neck. He winced and turned. More fliers arced away from him into the trees.

“Great…thought I was going to avoid a military response.” Merco thought dismally to himself. “Guess not.”

Merco had to resist the urge to swat down the little alien attackers. Truth be told, the cuts smarted, but they wouldn’t kill him. However, if he started swinging he’d definitely kill them and Merco wanted to avoid that if possible. He just had to keep them from spearing his eyes or his throat.

Suddenly a loud [BANG] near his head made his ears ring and his cheek felt like he’d been slapped. He instinctually flinched and ducked, shielding his eyes. His breathing picked up pace as the familiar sensations began to make his body respond.

Then more loud bangs that sounded like a packet of firecrackers hit his legs, chest, and side. A burning sensation stung his skin like he’d run into a sticker bush. The piercing ring slowly dissipated and he looked down at his side and chest, seeing tiny dots of blood soak though his shirt like thousands of needle pricks.

Explosives? Frag grenades? Easy…Easy…you’re not going to die. You don’t want to kill anyone. Keep your mind clear.

His cotton shirt hadn’t given him much protection but thankfully his thicker pants had saved his knees from the shrapnel. They were certainly trying to target his weak points.

Merco growled with frustration, knowing he couldn’t stand there like a big target and keep taking these attacks. A strategic retreat would be more prudent…and the lake seemed a viable option. Keeping his arm up he backed into the water. At about four steps it was over his boots and up to his knees. Four more and it was at his waist. Then he saw them coming, the green flash of their weapons giving them away as they flew over the water. When they got close Merco swung his right arm, hit the water, and sent an aerial wave hurtling toward his assailants. A few of them scattered to avoid the wave but half a dozen were knocked down into the lake by the huge splash.

Merco remembered the attack pattern from before and preemptively ducked under the water like a man avoiding a swarm of bees. He sat at the lake bottom staring up through the water to see several flashes of green flying above the lake’s surface. He was right. They would hit him from the front as a second group flew in from the back when he was distracted. After a few more seconds, Merco surfaced for a breath. He glanced around, wondering if they were waiting for him.

He didn’t see anything but nearby he noticed frantic splashing. The six alien fliers he’d knocked down into the lake seemed to all be struggling. It didn’t look like any of them could swim as they thrashed and bobbed desperately. Merco found that interesting. In fact, he recalled the unfortunate fisherman he yanked into the water by accident. He hadn’t acted like he could swim either.

A weakness of the species perhaps? If that was the case, the lake would make a perfect natural shield.

Despite their attack on him, Merco took pity on the floundering aliens. But he didn’t want to get his eyes gouged by lowering his guard to help them. With his arm poised and eyes set with caution, he strode toward the closest splasher. The poor little guy was struggling so much to keep his head above water that he didn’t even notice the towering man coming closer. With a gentle, cupped hand Merco scooped him up. Gasping and coughing the tiny alien sprawled out across Merco’s palm, trying to recover from his near drowning.

Merco then moved on and one by one lifted each alien out of the water until his hand was full of the downed fliers. As they each recovered and realized what was happening to them they froze, helplessly waiting for the giant to deliver some sort of verdict. They were surprised when the outcome ended up being mercy rather than vengeance. Merco side-stepped to the nearest shore, stretched out his arm, and deposited the fliers on the ground with a tip of his hand. Then he backed away, returning to the deeper portion of the lake.

“There. You see? I’m not such a bad guy. Want to call off this attack and call a truce?” he asked out across the water.

It was in that moment that Merco heard a shout and looked out toward the shore. His eyes widened when he saw Pixie being held by two of the maroon jumpsuit fliers with a third menacing her with an energy weapon.

…

Traynar was too busy fighting Coroc to see fully what transpired next. All he knew was Merco was up and the EFP were strafing him with energy weapons and explosive attacks from all sides.

He parried another strike from Coroc but shouted, “Call it off Coroc! This is a mistake!”

But the combatant wasn’t hearing his plea as his movements seemed to intensify and become more elaborate. Swirling to the left, rolling around his arm, and thrusting. Feints that morphed into pole strikes across Traynar’s back. Traynar’s pain increased to the point where his flight was starting to become compromised. Strategically he flew closer to the ground to avoid a deadly fall. But as he did Coroc dove at him and slammed the bar of his staff right into Traynar’s sealed wound. Traynar’s eyes popped open and his plumage flared wide as an explosion of pain shot up his torso. Unable to focus he dropped to the forest floor in a heap.

…

Coroc started to follow but saw Merco standing up to his waist in the lake. With a sideways swipe of his massive arm he sent a huge arcing wave of flying water into his frontal attackers. Several fell into the water. His eyes widened, knowing Ansheetans couldn’t swim. It was their fatal flaw. The way they were able to control the magnetism around their body for flight turned out to be their downfall in water since it nullified their ability and therefore made them ill-equipped in that element. Even a wet Ansheetan couldn’t fly.

Then with a huge erupting splash the giant alien disappeared beneath the water and avoided the secondary attack.

Coroc swore. He predicted the maneuver.

Even though the alien’s size was clearly an advantage, using the water made their odds of killing him even worse. Coroc’s mind tried to formulate something when he looked down near the shore and saw the young one from the chrysalis. His original plan that he had scrapped was now reasserting itself as his best option.

He whistled a particular tone and three EFP members flew to his call.

“What are we going to do Combatant Coroc?”

He pointed down to Seraysa who was watching Merco from the shore, “We need her. The giant will come to her if he thinks she’s being threatened. You three hold her, menace her a bit, get his attention.”

Unsure, if not horrified looks came over the three members, “He…he’ll kill us.”

“Not if I kill him first.” He pointed to a large tree bordering the lake, “Bring her close to that tree. I’ll be waiting.”

…

Seraysa watched as Merco disappeared into the lake after using a huge wave to defend himself. However, now there were six EFP members set to drown and she couldn’t help them. Almost a minute later Merco surfaced, taking a resounding breath. He noticed the flailing EFP members too and for a moment, Seraysa wasn’t sure if he would help them considering they had just tried to kill him. But, after a cautious glace around, he began to scoop them up.

Suddenly, Seraysa was subdued from behind and she cried out.

“Do what we tell you young one,” a male EFP member ordered sternly, brandishing his energy weapon.

Seraysa was drug across the edge of the lake and then after a few paces they were in an open spot just in line with Merco. He was back out in the middle of the lake, shouting something in his booming voice.

“HEY! YOU! LOOK OVER HERE!” the EFP member with the energy weapon shouted.

Merco’s gaze snapped over to them and Seraysa knew he could see her. He appeared shocked and then worried when the EFP member put the energy weapon near her. She instinctually pulled back from its crackling promise of a nasty shock.

The giant alien’s gloved fist clenched with a leathery pull. He took a step toward them with menace. Seraysa could feel her captors tense up behind her but they didn’t flee. But then, Merco stopped his advance, eyes locked on something else for a moment. Then he stepped back, ducked down, and slipped beneath the lake’s surface with a tumultuous disturbance. The EFP members as well as Seraysa were confused by the move. They were expecting him to come for her.

None expected what happened next.

The water went calm and then in front of them it suddenly rose and rolled into a huge wave surging toward them. They shouted when the wave broke to the shore, engulfed them, and swept through the trees. Seraysa held her breath as the water overtook her and pushed her back with prevailing force. But instead of slamming into a tree, her back ran into a warm cushion. She felt the water recede from around her and opened her eyes to see Merco’s massive arm stretching out and his hand cupping behind her. His gigantic body was beached on the shore, dripping water in rivers. He exhaled a deep breath that washed over her as he scooped her up and brought her close.

“I’ve gotcha Pixie.” he rumbled in a reassuring tone.

…

When Merco saw Pixie being held hostage, menaced by the three fliers he felt his protective nature rise up and clench through his fist. He took a step forward, yearning to help her but he didn’t want her to get hurt with his attempt. However, a glint in one of the trees above the scene made him pause.

Ambush. Distract me…get me in close…then attack. He knew the tactic. He’d used the tactic. He wasn’t going to fall for it.

Then an idea occurred to him; one that would help him get Pixie without opening himself up to an attack. It was a game he used to play with his brother as a child. When their parents took them to the lake they would set up their bucket of army men on the shore. Then they would take turns pushing waves with their hands to see who could knock the most army men over in one go. A silly game…but the similarities were obvious. Angling his body, he put himself back under the water and sank to the bottom on his stomach. Like a crocodile sneaking up on unsuspecting wildebeest he pulled himself closer to the shore, not betraying his position. He opened both of his hands out in front of him. Then with a forceful push he surged forward, pushing a wave out in front of him as threw himself onto the shore. Just like the army men of his childhood, the wave pushed over the fliers and Pixie, sweeping them back. His hand shot over the sand and blocked Pixie from being swept into danger.

He pulled her back, “I’ve gotcha Pixie.”

For good measure, Merco swung his powerful mechanical arm and smacked the tree he’d spotted the ambusher in, causing the tree to whip violently. As he did a blue clothed flier shot out of the branches like an arrow toward him. He jerked at the movement. A sudden sharp pain bolted up his neck like he’d been poked with a syringe. The man gave quick shout of pain, dropping his head to the ground. Merco’s hand reacted instinctually to the sudden sting by swatting at the offender. It happened so fast and so automatically that Merco didn’t realize what he’d done until he saw a small body spin through the air, hit the ground nearby, and roll in a lifeless heap

“Oh God.”

Merco reached up to his neck and felt the little spear impaled in his neck muscle. It was spasming; not liking the forcible intrusion. A bit more to the front would’ve punctured his carotid artery. His involuntary jerk had made the bold attacker miss the more deadly blow.

“Little bastard knew where to hit me.” He thought.

He pulled on the weapon and hissed with pain when it pulled at his flesh, not wanting to be dislodged. Merco took a couple readying breaths. With a quick tug he removed the glowing light spear and growled in pain. The tip looked rather menacing as it dripped with his blood. He tossed it to the ground before touching his neck. The flow of hot blood trickled down his neck.

Hurts like Hell…not spurting or gushing… not going to bleed out.

“Merco?” the little voice from his right hand sounded worried.

“Think I’m ok, Pixie.” He pushed himself up, looking at the fallen flier, “But I don’t think he is.”

“Walking” on his knees, Merco scooted closer to the tiny, unmoving body. He grimaced, knowing he’d probably killed the little alien. He hadn’t wanted to…he just reacted.

…

Coroc dove straight for the giant’s neck but a split-second jerk from the colossus set him off his intended target. Still his energy spear lodged deeply in its flesh. The giant alien roared with pain, all but deafening him. He had just let go of the weapon when a shadow cast over him. Coroc tried to dart away but a solid force slammed into his lower half, sending him spinning end over end toward the ground. Pain exploded in his legs and he could hear an audible crack shudder through his flesh. Blackness engulfed his vision; a ringing began in his ears as the pain sought to knock him out. He hit the ground, but he barely registered it as he rolled several times before coming to a stop.

The pain didn’t cease as the sharpness began to pulse and throb in his shattered legs.

He’d failed. Try as he might to kill this giant and free Anashee from his threat, he proved to be much more intelligent and cautious than he’d first believed him to be. He expected a lumbering beast, ready to fight and kill every last one of them if provoked. But his behavior had been…strategic. Coroc never underestimated the alien’s power, but his cunning was something he hadn’t expected.

Coroc at once realized something as he lay broken on the ground. That had been just a swat; a flick of a wrist and his legs had been shattered. The giant alien…he’d been holding back. No other members of his force had been killed. The forest floor should have been littered with broken bodies.

Why was he holding back?

It got dark around him and Coroc knew it was the giant’s shadow. He closed his eyes and prepared himself for the vengeance he had wrought upon himself.

“At least the pain will stop.” He thought darkly, hoping it would be quick.

Instead a weight gently settled against his side. Coroc squirmed with discomfort and the weight removed. He rolled over on his back and gazed way up at the colossal alien looming over him. It rumbled something in its basso voice. Coroc waited for the death blow to end him…but nothing happened.

“What are you waiting for? Just do it!” Coroc demanded after a time. “Stop toying with me!”

“He’s not going to kill you Coroc.” a familiar male voice called out nearby, “But he’d have every right to do so.”

Coroc looked and saw that same Ansheetan he’d fought earlier, limping toward the scene.

“To be honest…I’m as surprised as you are. If I were him I wouldn’t be so merciful.”

The fallen combatant grimaced painfully as he tried to sit up but it hurt too badly. He whistled at his forces but there was no reaction to his command. He cursed.

“They see him for what he is Coroc…why don’t you?”

Coroc sighed, “Things always change. Peace never stays peaceful for long. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

The giant alien reached over to the limping alien and he gingerly sat in the enormous hand. He turned around and picked up the young one as well, holding them both as he rose to his feet. Coroc could only watch as he strode away.