Stranded on a Tiny Planet
Chapter 6: Watching and Searching

Back in Anashee in the Council Chambers...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

They seemed relieved and yet wilted by her statement.

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

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

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

“Thank you Elder,” the pair replied together.

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

“What if it comes here?” another asked.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Anu nodded.

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

The pair looked at each other but saluted smartly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Thirty-six nublars.” Anu admitted wearily.

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

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

...

Later, far from Anashee...

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

“You okay, little Pixie?” he asked.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hours later near dark...

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

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

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

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

Too dark to tell.

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

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

He didn’t respond, sleeping blissfully.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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