Stranded on a Tiny Planet

The next morning...

Merco awoke early and got himself ready for the day. Anu flew out of Anashee to meet him.

“Good morning, Anu.” He greeted upon seeing her.

“To you as well.” she flitted in front of him. “Come with me. Kerisar is supposed to be near the Temple of Emergence.”

Merco got an uncomfortable look on his face, dreading entering Anashee again and possibly destroying something else. Not to mention the aliens residing in that particular area probably would rather not see him again. Hopefully, he’d be able to make amends as he did with the rancher.

Anu led Merco to the opposite side of Anashee where he had entered before. However, much to his relief he could see a green alien dressed in a light blue outfit that was tight fitting. His dark plumage was tipped with light blue dye and had a plume that was uniquely tall at his forehead. As Merco and Anu approached he turned, giving them his full gaze.

Merco dipped his head in a small greeting, “Hello, you must be Kerisar?”

The tall plume flipped up expressively, “And you must be the giant who wrecked my handiwork.”

“Uh. Yeah. I’m very sorry about that.”

“Well good. Because you’re going to get your towering butt over to the Sweleeshi Cliffs and bring in the cut stone and metal framework I requested for this job. Think you can handle that?”

Merco gave a quick salute, “Yes, sir.”

Kerisar straightened his back and flicked his tall plume again, “What did you call me?”

“Uh, ‘sir’ is a term of respect to address a male in my language.”

“Don’t speak gibberish at me, just get over there and bring all the materials. And Suro’ka help you if you bust anything else I designed!” he griped, floating off the wall and into Anashee.

Merco tipped his head, “O-k? ...Pleasant fellow.”

“He’s very proud of his work. The Temple of Emergence was designed by him.” Anu explained, “He is a perfectionist and cares that things are done right. So, don’t be surprised if you get yelled at for anything less than perfection.”

“It’s all right. I can take it.” Merco reassured her.

Merco turned from the wall and glanced at Anu, “Who is Suro’ka?”

“Our higher power, a deity who gave us flight and life.” Anu explained with a reverent tone.

Merco nodded, “Gotcha. And where are these cliffs?”

Anu pointed to the mountains that formed the back border of the wall and beyond, “I’ll take you there.”

...

Dr. Jasta, Seraysa, and Verin were all at the Temple of Emergence. The square and the building had been bustling with repair crews assessing the damage and planning all the repairs that needed to be made after Merco’s accidental destruction. While most were professional about it, the disgruntled murmurs would still be heard amongst some of the crew. Apparently they weren’t too happy about the job and weren’t at all convinced of its accidental nature.

Dr. Jasta was busy checking the four chrysalis pods in his work space since they would need to be transferred to a safer building across the street while the repairs were carried out.

“How’s your arm today Verin?” Dr. Jasta asked, monitoring one of the chrysalis pods.

“Sore...but I’m ok.” He admitted.

“Think you could grab me that chart over there? I need to make sure all the readings on this chrysalis are the stable before we get these moved.” He inquired.

Obediently the young Ansheetan did so and the doctor continued his readings. Then they began feeling the first vibrations in the ground. Glass tinkled loudly from the broken dome frame as it got stronger.

Seraysa got up and rushed outside, knowing Merco was on his way. She began telling the workers to give him plenty of room when he arrived but none were objecting and most were already ducking into buildings. Merco’s shadow arrived before he did and Seraysa floated up so he could see her above the buildings.

“Over here Merco!” she waved at him.

In his arms the huge alien had several stacks of stone brick as well as carved arches and a new metal framework for the glass dome. It was an immense load that would’ve taken several crews and lots of equipment to get into the city. Merco carried it like a simple package; yet another intimidating example of his raw strength.

He saw her and carefully tread down the empty street until he came to the square, “Hello Pixie. Where does this all need to go?”

All at once Kerisar appeared, “It’s about time! The stones go to the left, the metal framework to the right. And BE gentle with it!”

Merco nodded and lowered himself, carefully setting piles of building materials where he indicated. After that Kerisar was yelling nonstop at his crews, telling them where to go, ordering them what to bring, laying out the plan curtly and efficiently. It seemed from the numerous crew members as they divided and bustled about that they’d dealt with the demanding architect before.

He looked in the opened dome of Temple of Emergence and saw Verin and Dr. Jasta still inside, “Are you guys kidding me right now!? Get out of there! This is a work zone! We’ve got to get this removed and built by days end, SCRAM!”

Dr. Jasta turned curtly, “Not with these pods still present. We’re getting ready to move them. A new life cannot be risked so haphazardly, don’t you agree?”

Kerisar ran a hand through his tall plumage to regain whatever composure he thought he had, “FINE! Fine... hurry it up! We’ve got a schedule to keep!”

Merco peered inside and upon seeing Verin spoke, “Are you ok, Verin? I’m so sorry you got hurt.”

Verin, who was helping Dr. Jasta hook up the pods to portable power sources called back, “Don’t worry about it, big guy! I just didn’t think and pretty much did this to myself. Besides...now I’ll have a cool scar.”

Merco grimaced, “That doesn’t make me feel much better.”

“Are you kidding? Females love a good scar story!” Verin laughed.

Seraysa quirked her head, “I...don’t know about that.”

“Merco, would be you so kind as to help us with these chrysalis pods?” Dr. Jasta requested.

“Um, sure. What do I need to do?”

Dr. Jasta gestured to the pods, “Just take these and bring them across the square to that gray building with the large windows. They’ll be kept there until this work is done.”

Hesitantly, Merco reached inside the building past the doctor and Verin and gently took one of the mechanical pods in his hand. It was only about the size of a small apple to him. With care he held the pod and took a couple steps across the square to the building Dr. Jasta indicated. Through the glass dome he could see the dark chrysalis with the teal colored veins across it. A large doorway was open in the building so Merco nudged the pod inside and went back for another.

“Are these...ready to hatch?” he asked curiously as he grabbed a second metal pod.

“They are close.” Dr. Jasta replied, “I would estimate they will be ready in eight sun cycles if all goes well. But they won’t emerge unless they are submerged in water.”

Merco looked inside the pod again, remembering how he’d thought Pixie’s was a pretty rock. Only when he’d accidentally dropped hers in the lake did she hatch. He looked at Pixie and then the pod again.

“So you only have four pods? Aren’t there more Ansheetans being hatched than this?” Merco inquired.

“Oh yes. All over Anashee and beyond. The chrysalis pods are distributed amongst the population in turns. Once one is vacated it is passed along to the next family in need of one.” Dr. Jasta explained, “The Temple of Emergence is for those chrysalises that are in their last few cycles. Lake Anashee is very far and some families can’t make that journey so this is a way for them to Emerge in safety.” He indicated the large water pool just to the back of the domed facility, “I also monitor each one in their last days to ensure nothing goes wrong. We only have four here just now, but we are able to house twenty if we need to. Most families hatch their own chrysalises outside the Temple of Emergence.”

Merco listened with interest. “I’m...assuming these start out much smaller?” he asked noting the chrysalis was much larger than any Ansheetan.

“Yes. They take many planetary rotations to develop to that size. But they must be kept dry and warm until they start to show those colored veins and they sparkle.” Dr. Jasta replied.

Merco frowned, “And if they get wet too soon...?”

“They don’t make it...usually.” The tall doctor admitted. “You didn’t know that?”

“Uh...no.”

Briskly, he marched across the square and put the second pod away. He returned and grabbed the last two pods in each hand.

“You said your species does not come from a chrysalis, how do you...” Dr. Jasta started but Merco rushed the last two across before he could ask him about human procreation again.

“Is that building cleared yet?” Kerisar yelled out.

“Yes. We are leaving.” Dr. Jasta stated walking outside with Verin and Seraysa.

Kerisar made a smart gesture and several of his crew flew up to the smashed metal framework of the Emergence dome and began cutting at the correct points.

He looked up at Merco who was nearby, “You! When that comes free, you catch it and take it out where you got the new one. Then come back here. Can you do that?”

Merco saluted, “No problem.”

...

Later that day...

Merco had spent much of the day helping with the ‘heavy lifting’ of the reconstruction. Kerisar yelled orders at him but he was yelling at everyone. Merco felt like he was playing with blocks and building tiny models so he didn’t get very physically fatigued. The hardest part was getting pieces lined up to where Kerisar was pleased. He didn’t want to hear “a little more...more to the left...NO back!” for a while. But with Merco’s help they finished the bulk of the building and Kerisar’s building crew seemed awed by how Merco took the place of nearly every heavy lifting machine they typically used. Those who had resented what he did were seeming less aggravated and more ready to offer Merco a permanent job on the crew. The interiors would need work and the glass would have to be placed but the structural work was done.

Being done ahead of schedule seemed to please Kerisar as he had stopped yelling and actually seemed to chill out a tiny bit.

“Is there anything else I can do?” Merco asked politely.

Kerisar looked around a moment, flipped his plumage and said, “Yeah. Don’t wreck anymore of my buildings.” He grumbled but then said, “But...I might have more jobs for you in the future.”

Merco stood up and stretched his back a bit, “I promise I won’t make more work for you.”

He then helped Dr. Jasta put back the chrysalis pods before he left. Even though he truly hadn’t exerted himself he felt like he needed a shower. He was due for one. Which meant he needed to make a trip to the lake.

“Where are you going Merco?” Pixie called after him, floating up to him.

“I think...I’m going to go to the lake for a bath.” He stated heading to the wall.

“Can I go with you?” she asked.

Merco thought a moment, “Well...I guess so. I may need a little privacy though.”

“Why?”

He stopped, turning slowly, “Um...be-because it’s common to give someone privacy when they are...unclothed.”

“Oh. Well...can I go anyway?”

He finally nodded which gave her the invite to land on his shoulder. Cautiously, he traversed the streets until he came to the wall and stopped when he saw a familiar figure. Sitting in what looked like a hovering chair was the same Ansheetan in the dark blue uniform who tried to kill him.

Merco could feel Pixie tense on his shoulder, “Merco...”

“Hm?”

“That’s Combatant Coroc.” She said in a dreading tone.

“So that’s his name.” Merco mentioned.

He could see that Coroc was sitting in a hovering chair, no doubt a type of wheelchair since he’d broken both of his legs when he swatted him down. Coroc was staring back at him, not moving but not emoting either.

Merco stepped toward the wall.

“Merco...don’t do it.” Pixie sounded afraid of what he might do.

The man looked at his companion but smiled reassuringly. As he approached the wall and Combatant Coroc, Merco stopped just short of the parapet that lined the wall which was just about at his waist. Slowly, he lowered himself to be at eye level with his former assailant. To his credit the combatant didn’t react fearfully, he merely stared back.

“I remember you.” Merco said as he tapped the scab on his throat.

Combatant Coroc gave him a look that seemed surprised he was speaking, “So they were able teach you our language.”

Merco nodded, “Language seems to bring understanding; less fear and brash action.” He gave Coroc a serious look, “I wanted to let you know that I never wanted to hurt anyone and I never had any evil intentions toward your people.” He glanced at his legs, “Are you healing well?”

The alien gave a curt nod.

“I hope this means we are even and we can put that incident behind us?” Merco offered. “From one former soldier to another?”

“For now.” Coroc replied simply and then looked Merco in the eye, “I’ve heard through rumor that you are seeking to send out a communique outside our world.”

Merco gave a brief nod, “That’s right.”

“Are you planning on bringing more of your kind here?” was the very blunt question.

“Only to get myself back to my home planet.” Merco replied and then tipped his head slightly, “You’re suspicious of that...”

“The thought of more beings your size coming here makes me very suspicious of that, yes.” was the honest answer. ”You might be passive...but can you vouch for others like you who may come?”

Merco sighed truthfully, “No. But...much like your kind, mine has all kinds of motivations and temperaments. I cannot vouch for all of them.” He gave Coroc an honest expression, “I don’t expect you to believe me, but my only intention is to go home to my family if I can. Nothing more.”

Merco shifted to the side and stepped high to get over the wall, “You have a good day, now.”

As he stepped over the wall and began crossing the valley, Pixie asked with surprise, “You’re not mad?”

Merco glanced at her and shook his head, “He was acting in self-defense of his home...I can’t condemn those motivations.”

“But there was nothing to defend against. You weren’t evil and we tried to tell him that!” Pixie protested, “And still he wanted to kill you!”

“Sometimes that’s a hard thing to get over...fear...paranoia. I can’t say I wouldn’t have felt a similar reaction if a giant alien suddenly appeared on my planet and its intentions were unknown.” Merco admitted.

“You are more forgiving than I would be.” Pixie admitted.

“A grudge is too heavy to carry around your whole life.” A faint smile crossed Merco’s mouth, “And besides...it wouldn’t be a fair fight.”

Pixie laughed a little bit.

It took Merco little time to cross the river lands and squeeze between the rocks that bordered Anashee’s valley and begin his trek through the forest toward the lake. With his stride it took him around an hour to return to the lake. By then he was very eager to have a swim.

He approached the water, found a spot that looked deep enough, plucked Pixie from his shoulder, and placed her on the ground, “All right Pixie, you stay right there.”

She nodded and he retreated into the trees to take off his clothes for his swim. Pixie waited patiently. Trees snapped sporadically as Merco moved around nearby.

“Ok. You’re not looking right?” he confirmed.

“Huh?” Pixie was confused.

“Don’t look until I tell you.”

Pixie shrugged and closed her eyes. She could hear the massive footfalls and then the deep surging over the water as Merco entered the lake.

There was a loud splash and then he said, “Ok.”

Pixie looked out over the water and Merco was submerged up to his middle, “Is it really that deep?”

“Naw. I’m on my knees.” he laughed, “Though there is a spot somewhere around here where it’s that deep.”

He cupped some water in his hands and splashed his face, wiping it several times. A sigh escaped him as the cool water felt nice to his sweaty skin.

“What’s that scar from?” Pixie asked, pointing to his middle.

Merco wiped his eyes, “Scar?”

“That divot in your stomach...did you get stabbed?” she asked with worry.

Merco looked down at his stomach, “You mean...my belly button?”

Pixie giggled at the alien word, “What does that mean?”

“It’s...where I was attached to my mother. So I guess it’s a scar.”

The lavender alien’s blue eyes widened, “Attached?”

Merco sighed, knowing he’d probably have to tell these aliens sooner or later. So he tried to formulate an explanation that didn’t sound too...messy.

“Well...my species doesn’t come from a chrysalis like yours does. When a male and a female of my species...“join”...we combine our DNA to make a new life. The female will carry the baby...”

“Baby?” Pixie tasted the alien word.

“Uh...a young one of my species. The mother carries the baby in a special “pouch” we call a womb, inside her body for nine months.” he touched his navel, “This is the scar left behind when we are joined to our mother inside her.”

Pixie seemed perplexed, trying to wrap her head around what he’d just said. But she was also fascinated.

She looked at him, “How big was your mother?”

He turned his head and lowered his hand to illustrate where her height compared to his, “About this tall.”

Pixie blinked, “Then...how did you fit in her womb pouch?”

Merco laughed, “Oh! No no! I was much smaller when I was born.” Merco spanned his hands to about the size of a baby, “Babies are only about this big when they are born.”

“Born?”

“Uh...Emerged.” he connected it to a word she would know.

“So...your mother carries you in her “womb pouch”, you start out small, you are connected to her and it leaves a scar after you Emerge...” Pixie was piecing his explanation together as best she could.

Merco shrugged then nodded, “Pretty much, yeah.”

“Do you get education probes inside your mother’s womb pouch?” she asked.

“No. We have to learn everything after we are born and grow up.” Merco stated as he splashed more water onto his chest.

Pixie frowned, “That sounds inefficient.”

Merco shrugged, “Yeah...in a way it kind of is. But we learn more from our experiences growing up and changing.”

As Merco turned in the water slightly Pixie asked another question, “What are those black marks on your back?”

“Oh. My tattoo?”

“What’s a tattoo?” Pixie asked, unfamiliar with the alien term.

Merco smiled, “It’s a design that I had digitally printed into my skin. I got it when I was a soldier.”

As technology had progressed on Earth, humans had discovered a less invasive and less painful method of applying tattoos to the humans skin through means of digital printing with a specially calibrated laser.

Pixie peered up at the alien designs that covered the man’s massive shoulder blade, “What does it mean?”

“Oh...nothing really. It’s just a design that everyone in my company got when we enlisted. Kind of a brotherhood sort of thing to connect us.” he explained.

Pixie nodded with understanding, ”

He tipped his head, “Now answer me a question: do you Ansheetans not know how to swim?”

The little alien seemed uncomfortable being even close to the water, “We can’t swim.”

“Have you tried to?” he asked.

“We can’t fly if we get wet...and there are lots of big creatures in that water that will eat us.” Pixie admitted. “The water is scary.”

“I can teach you to swim...if you want to try?” Merco offered.