Stranded on a Tiny Planet
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 replace 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 replace 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.