“Newman. Check in please,” said the tinny voice of Joyce over the comm-link in my helmet.
“I’m almost all the way into the village,” I whispered. I doubted my voice carried past my helmet, but I was pretty close to some of the denizens of this alien village.
Sounding impatient, Joyce said, “It’s going to start getting dark in about half an hour. You don’t want to be out in that mess after dark. Remember Rueben?”
“You mention him every time someone goes EVA. But I’m getting some incredible recordings,” I said, being a bit impatient myself. Rueben, like me, was out gathering data about this planet and the creatures on it. He lost track of the time and got caught out in the dark. Last contact with him was a muffled yelp and the next day, all we found of him was a blood splattered helmet. Unless you’re careless, no one is supposed to die on the recon missions.
Another voice came over the comm-link. Bill said, “Have you found any unobtanium out there yet?” I could hear other crew members laughing in the background. He was referring to a very old entertainment module we were all forced to watch to show us how *not* to conduct exo-planet exploration.
We were on one of several exo-planet survey teams sent out to nearby star systems searching for exploitable planets for colonization, or mining or just expanding our knowledge. Within five years of discovering faster-than-light travel that didn’t have relativist effects, there was a frenzy to explore our celestial neighborhood.
The primary mission of the crew of FTL-15 was to discover and map any biosphere we encountered. And we hit the jackpot on this planet. The level of biodiversity rivaled or even surpassed that of Earth. It might take us decades just to identify and catalog only the insects of this world. The flora and fauna is also richly diverse, even in the four different locations we’ve touched down.
The forests were very jungle-like with a riot of every color imaginable. Many of the plants were as aggressive as they were beautiful. There were tall trees and squatty bushes and everything in between. Vines and ivy-like plants clung to the boles of the huge trees whose branches created a leafy canopy over the forest. It’s also pretty steamy in most places on the planet, averaging around 58C except warmer at the equator and a lot cooler at the poles.
Animal life was also amazing. Ranging from tiny, hard-shelled creatures to obvious predators larger than the largest of the great cats of earth all the way to monstrous plant eaters the size of trucks. They all had an odd slender antenna that had a glowing, small bulb at the end. From our observations, all the creatures on this planet would stick their antenna into plants or against another animal’s antenna. This had to be a form of communication, but it was going to require more study.
The plants and animals seemed to thrive on an atmosphere that would be fatal for a human being caught without an environment suit as it was basically ammonia. You wouldn’t last long breathing that shit. There didn’t seem to be any dangerous micro-organisms but then, complete analysis would have to wait until we returned to Earth. When we found what was left of Rueben, Joyce was concerned about us contaminating this world. We did a test and found that any microbes brought by us were violently destroyed by the biosphere.
But despite all these wonders, for me, the icing on the cake was the one thing the commission that organized these expeditions really didn’t want to find. There is only one solid rule for crossing a planet off the list of exploitable exo-planets. Sentient life. And not far from our fourth landing location it was here by the bucket load.
I moved closer to the edge of the mid-sized village. Unless the beings that inhabited this planet saw in completely different frequencies, I should be invisible to them. I was wearing the latest in electronic camouflage. None of the animals could see us, so I felt safe with these odd beings.
They were tall, and slender and a light green in color, though coloration varied between individuals. They are bipedal with four digits on what had to be hands at the end of their two arms. I couldn’t see their feet as they wore clunky looking boots. They seem almost mammalian. They have faces, as individual as humans. Most of the crew of FTL-15 thought the beings all looked alike, but I could make out individual features.
They have large human looking eyes. Most are colored gold, but some are a rich blue. They have protruding noses… at least I think they’re noses with wide mouths with thin lips. Their front teeth seem very sharp. But from what I could tell from my short observations is that they are omnivores. The natives had what appeared to be hair on their heads and both male and female alike seemed to wear it long.
They seem primitive, hunting with arrows and spears. They don’t spend their time naked, but they seem to only wear leather harnesses from which hang various tools or other things I couldn’t figure out. The females seem to have large breasts so I’m assuming their young are live births. As a side note, some of the animals we’ve seen do lay eggs.
I was trying to figure out their society. I think that’s beyond my ability though. The village is made up of conical buildings of various heights. Windows are carved into the side of buildings, but I can’t see any glass in them. Streets are wide and unpaved.
It was absolutely fascinating and I couldn’t take my eyes off it. Here was a totally alien species on a totally alien planet living in a totally alien society.
“Newman!” shouted Joyce’s angry voice. “You need to return to the ship now! It’ll be completely dark in ten minutes and you’re twenty minutes away from the ship. I don’t want another incident.”
“Roger that.” I said into the comm-link. “I lost track of time watching these natives. It’s incredible!”
Joyce said, “Leave that for the exo-sociologists back home. You need to get back.”
“On my way,” I said. With my camera, I took one more long pan of the village. I would love to try to communicate, but that is definitely out of my league, plus it’s a complete violation of the committee’s no-contact policy.
I looked around me and thought wow, it is getting dark. I was so engrossed watching the village that I missed noticing how dark it was getting. The village started to display its own light with odd plant-like poles around the village. Lights started to shine through windows. I put away my camera and locked my way-finder to the ship’s beacon.
Near the village I moved slowly since, even though I should be invisible, I’m still a physical presence and bushes and plants will move as I go past them. When I got what I thought was a safe distance from the village, I increased my speed to a jog. I had to be careful that I didn’t trip over anything. I switched my visor to infrared.
I really wished Joyce hadn’t banned night EVAs. While the forest was pretty black, many plants had their own glow and many new creatures would only come out in the darkness. When you could see the sky, it was brilliant with unfamiliar stars. There was a definite savage beauty to this world.
I was less than ten minutes away from the ship when I stopped and crouched down behind a large plant. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. In the near total-darkness of the forest were two large males who, I assumed, were from the village. Holding their spears, they were stalking a large predator. One of the natives started to circle around to flank the beast they were hunting. He was now in my path back to the ship and getting close to me. The animal they were hunting was also being herded in my direction.
I froze. If I don’t move, they won’t be able to detect me as I still had the camouflage turned on. I’ll just have to wait until they pass. I had suit power, air and water to last me another several days out here, so I had no issues there.
The predator started to run past me. And then it stopped and looked directly at me. It cocked its head to one side and snarled. It slowly started to approach me.
“FTL-15 I have a problem,” I said trying to hide my panic. “The camouflage doesn’t work at night here. A large predator has spotted me.”
Joyce shouted over the comm-link, “Newman, get the hell out of there!”
The creature got closer, baring a mouthful of razor sharp teeth. I said, “I can’t outrun this thing. There are two natives hunting it.”
“Run towards the natives. They’re most likely armed. You’re not,” said Joyce. I could tell she was in a panic.
“The natives will see me,” I said staring into the glowing eyes of this alien monster.
“Maybe not. Maybe only the animal sees in the dark. But don’t just stand there! Run, but don’t lead them back to the ship,” said Bill.
The creature was very close. If it was an earthly cat, it looked like it was getting ready to spring its attack. I took a deep breath and bolted straight towards the nearest native. The native suddenly stiffened. He saw me! The animal leaped after me. I saw the native raise his spear.
I cried out in agony as sharp teeth tore through my environment suit into my flesh, nearly severing my left leg. The suit integrity was breached and my eyes immediately started to sting, my lungs burning. Another vicious bite to my pelvis and everything went black.
I had the oddest sensation of floating. Floating in the most complete darkness you can imagine. A couple of times, very far away and faint I heard Joyce shout my name. And finally silence. A deafening silence. A complete and utter lack of any sense of existence. Is this what death is like, I thought. But how could I think if I was dead?
I didn’t notice at first, but I slowly became aware of a tingling feeling all along my body. It was like a billion tiny pin-pricks. And then there were sounds. Odd sounds. Alien sounds. Blurry imagines of trees, animals and villages bubbled in front of me. I sensed them rather than actually seeing. And then I was enveloped in darkness again.
I awoke almost violently. I sucked in a breath as if I’d been holding it for hours. I slowly opened my eyes, but quickly closed them again. What the fucking hell?
I opened my eyes again, slowly. I couldn’t believe what I saw. There were six young native females, three on each side staring at me. They seemed to be smiling. Two were leaning over my head and I felt an odd buzzing on my forehead. One turned away and said something. Her voice was beautiful; almost musical. A stern looking older male stepped into my view and nodded.
I couldn’t move. I seemed to be lying in a plant-lined pit of some kind. As I watched, the leaves of the plant were shriveling; dying. I felt extremely odd. My whole body tingled. I slowly became aware of feelings and sensations and aware of body parts. I suddenly noticed my arms, and then hands, as if they were just now making connections to my brain. Above me I could see overhanging branches of a tree and the odd copper colored sky above that. And…and…
Holy shit! I’m outside and I don’t have an environment suit on! I struggled to sit up, but couldn’t. I wasn’t restrained. I just couldn’t move.
One of the females there were leaning over me sat up straight. She said, “Her education is complete, my father.” What the hell? I understood her. I think she was referring to me, but why did she say “her”?
The older male nodded again and said, “Very good. Release her.”
I found that I could now move. I slowly sat up. Long strands of coarse, light brown hair fell across my eyes. I looked at my hand and almost fainted. My skin was a light green color and I only had four fingers! This is insane! I looked down and saw two large breasts protruding from my chest. I touched one and holy shit it was real. What the fucking hell? I’m a female alien? How is that possible?
I looked at the grinning faces of the females surrounding me. They were all giggling as they stared at me. I was sitting in a cradle of dead plants. Several natives were standing in the distance watching.
With his arms folded, the older male said, “Stand, my child.”
I just sat there. I was scared shitless and numbed by confusion. How could I understand what this native was saying?
The female who had spoke a moment ago, turned to me and said, “You better do what Father says.”
I looked at her for a moment, and then I again scanned the faces of the other native girls. Unsteady, I slowly rose to me feet. I turned to face the older male.
The male smiled at me and gently grasped my shoulders. He said, “Welcome my child. Welcome to my family. Welcome to our city.” He paused a moment and then grinned broadly before continuing, “And welcome to komali.” I later learned that “komali” would be like saying “humankind” on Earth.
I looked nervously around. This situation was impossible, of course. I thought I must surely be hallucinating. Unsure of what I was doing, I said, “Where am I? What’s happened to me?” My voice was just as musical as the other native girl’s.
The native male said, “You are in the city of Na-Nala. I am Ra-Nala, the king of this land. You were not komali and you were near death. We saved you in the only way we knew how. You were fortunate that our greatest hunter, Ra-Mali was there to save you. He brought you to me.”
The girl who had spoken before, stood up and said, “This life-giver is now dead, Father. It used itself up completely to save her life.”
The old man frowned and said, “That’s a pity. We only have two now. We must search for a new one.” He turned back to me and said, “Forgive what was done to you. The life-giver heals us and it only knows komali. The only way it could save you, was to transform you to komali.”
I looked around at my surroundings. The vision took my breath away. The planet was even more alive and beautiful as seen through the eyes of a native. With awe in my voice, I said, “And you’ll forgive me sir, if I don’t really believe what has happened. Transforming to a completely alien species should be impossible. The atmosphere here is toxic to humans, but…” I took a very deep breath. “But now the air is so sweet and fresh.”
“’Hooman’ is what you call yourselves?” asked Ra-Nala. I nodded.
Ra-Nala grinned and said, “You are now komali. And you are now my daughter, Ka-Pawli.”
One of the girls still sitting by the now dead life-giver said, “Don’t be impressed. He has a *lot* of daughters!” The other girls laughed.
“Thank you for saving me,” I said. “And I’m sorry about your life-giver.”
The girl who first spoke said, “It’s not your fault.” She smiled at me and said, “It seems that I am now your sister. I am Ka-Nawa.”
I said, “Nice to meet you.” I stood there naked before all these girls and the old man. I ran my hands over my face and body. This was unreal. “I just find this all hard to believe.”
Ka-Nawa gestured to the other girls and said, “We are all your sisters and we will help you in any way we can.”
I said, “Thanks. I just thought. I really need to get back to my ship. The crew probably thinks I’m dead. They need to see this! They’ll be amazed.”
Ra-Nala frowned and said, “No. They are not komali. They are not a part of your life any longer. We’ve seen this odd boat that flies that your people have arrived in. We have watched you. You don’t seem to mean us any harm although you are taking many plants and animals into the boat. You must not go back to them.”
“Why not?” I asked. “This is incredible! I…I can act as liaison between our worlds! We can help each other. The crew will be totally blown away by this!”
“No,” said Ra-Nala sternly. “They are not komali. They will not cage my daughter and take her. They cage our animals and box our plants.”
Now I was over the initial shock of who I had become, I was now bubbling over in excitement at what it all meant. “They won’t cage me. I’m part of the crew.”
Ra-Nala shook his head. He said, “Not any more. You are komali. They will treat you like they do the animals they take.” Turning to Ka-Nawa he said, “Show her around the city and introduce her. Tell everyone she is my daughter and she is not to be treated as an outsider.” I learned later that “outsider” mostly meant people from other tribes, not necessarily someone from Earth.
Ka-Nawa smiled at me and said, “Follow me. Come in the house first and we’ll find you something to wear. We’re not wild savages you know.”
It was then I finally noticed that what I thought was just a leather harness actually had “flesh” colored pieces of cloth covering the genitalia. Some even had what appeared to be loin cloths hanging from their waists.
After getting appropriately dressed, Ka-Nawa led me down the path into the city. It still looked like a village to me, but who am I to argue with the king? The king had a large villa, consisting of one large house and three smaller ones. The center was cleared of any foliage. As for the city itself? Well, I was shocked.
I was thinking of these native beings as primitives, just a step up from being savages. I couldn’t have been more wrong. In the city are shops, cafés and social centers. In the center of the city stands the largest building. It’s the church. You can’t really call them the now non-existent Wiccans, but they do worship their planet which provides them with pretty much everything they need. The weekly gathering at the church is more social than religious.
People do have jobs here, which surprised me considering their religion and somewhat closed society. They mine for rare gems, they quarry stones for building, and they farm for food. There are those that prepare food if you feel like going out that night. They even put on plays.
In the immediate region, there are six cities that work together. They do commerce with each other. They have a common defense against outside cities. Their society is much more complex than I could have imagined from the outside.
The most surprising thing of all was they the communicated over distance. The plants, everything was intertwined it seems. The little dingle berry that protruded from everyone’s head allowed them to insert it into certain plants and communicate with others far away. I told Ka-Nawa that I found that hard to believe. She just shrugged. As punishment, some would have their dingle berry cut off.
“Greetings, Ka-Nawa!” boomed a voice from behind us. As both of us turned around, Ka-Nawa smiled broadly.
“Ra-Mali! Hello,” cooed Ka-Nawa. “I thought you would be out on a hunting party.”
I had heard the name before. The king had said he was the one that brought be back to the city after I was attacked. Ra-Mali smiled as he looked me up and down.
“I needed a new bow,” said Ra-Mali. “Ra-Malama makes the best bows in the six cities. He has one ready for me.” He continued to smile at me.
Pointing at me, Ka-Nawa said, “Oh. Meet my latest sister, Ka-Pawli. She’s the hooman you saved last night.”
Ra-Mali looked confused. He said, “Hooman?”
Ka-Nawa laughed and said, “That’s what they call themselves. The ones in the boat that fell from the sky.”
Ra-Mali looked at me with surprise. He said, “I’ve watched those…hoomans? I’ve seen them move around their boat when they didn’t think anyone was around. Hoomans are ugly like komaghs. But Ka-Pawli is beautiful.” I learned later that komaghs were akin to rats…extremely ugly rodents with spiky fur and fangs.
I was quite shocked to hear Ra-Mali refer to me as beautiful. I had never actually seen my face yet. I assumed I looked similar to Ka-Nawa and the other girls. The female komali all had pleasant features but didn’t really fall into what humans considered beauty.
Frowning, Ka-Nawa said, “Father’s life-giver used all of its energy to save the hooman’s life by changing her to komali.”
Grinning at me again, Ra-Mali said, “I have to say I like the results. But that means we’re down to two for the whole city. On my next hunting trip, I will scout for a replacement and gift it to your father.”
Staring at Ra-Mali and smiling, Ka-Nawa said, “I’m sure the king would reward you for such a gift.”
Smiling at Ka-Nawa, Ra-Mali said, “Perhaps he’ll agree to let me have one of his beautiful daughters.”
Her eyes locked on Ra-Mali, Ka-Nawa said coyly, “Perhaps.”
They stared at each other for several long moments. I began to feel uncomfortable standing there.
Ra-Mali broke the uneasy silence and said, “I need to go. Ra-Malama is waiting for me and he has little patience. He’s likely to sell the bow to someone else before I can get there.” He smiled at both of us, but his eyes lingered on me for a moment before he left.
Ka-Nawa said, “See you later!” Ra-Mali waved without turning around.
Ka-Nawa watched Ra-Mali walk away with a far-away look in her eyes. She turned to me with a scowl and said, “He’s mine. Remember that.”
I held up my hands in what I hoped was a defensive gesture and said, “Hey. I just got here. I don’t want your man.”
“I saw the way he was looking at you!” snarled Ka-Nawa.
I said, “I was just standing here. And it’s not like I asked to be a girl.”
“There are plenty of other men here for you,” said Ka-Nawa.
I said, “Trust me. I’m not looking. Can we finish the tour?”
Ka-Nawa nodded. She said, “The only thing really left to see is the church. If you’re going to fit in, you are going to have to learn our culture.”
As we walked towards the city’s center in silence for a minute or so, I said, “Just as I woke up, I heard you say, ‘her education is complete’. What did you mean by that? Your dangly thing was touching mine.”
Ka-Nawa smiled and said, “Touching our tendrils together does many things. Since you were not komali, you had to learn our language quickly. And learn about our plants and animals. Things you would need to know to survive. Culture is too difficult a concept to pass through the tendrils. We also touch tendrils to experience pleasure with each other.”
Growing curious, I said, “So you touch your tendrils together instead of having sex?”
Laughing, Ka-Nawa said, “We give pleasure to each other through the tendrils. We still have sex otherwise there’d be no little ones. I know some men who would love to show you.”
I don’t know if komali blush, but if it was possible I was doing it. I said, “No, no, no. I’m a scientist. I’m just trying to learn about komali.”
As we approached the large structure, Ka-Nawa said, “Always come to your sisters first if you have questions, then father. If you still have questions, you are welcome to come here and talk to the high priest. He is our spiritual leader and the Great Teacher. He can help guide you to having a full life as a komali.”
We walked inside the large, cone shaped building and into a great hall. There were rows of benches. Smaller rooms were on either side and a long stair case ran in a circle along the wall to an upper level. We were alone at the moment.
“Citizens of the city come here on every fifth day for our spiritual lifting,” said Ka-Nawa with slight awe in her voice. “The high priest guides us all to greater inner peace and joy. The next gathering will be in two days. Father will require you to join us.”
I said, “I’ll be there. I just wish I had a way to record it so we can take it back to Earth with us. This would be even bigger news than finding that crumbling temple on Mars was.”
Ka-Nawa looked over at me and said, “You go back to your world even after becoming komali? Even when father forbids it?”
I shrugged and said, “It’s my home. Everything I know is there. Don’t get me wrong. It’s beautiful here. I love it here. But I miss the blue skies of Earth. The green meadows and forests. But it doesn’t matter now I guess. I couldn’t even guess where my ship is.”
Ka-Nawa looked thoughtful for a moment. She said, “Father kept those odd clothes you were wearing.”
I perked up. I said, “The helmet too?”
Ka-Nawa shrugged and said, “Helmet?”
I said, “The big bubble thing over my head.”
Ka-Nawa said, “Yes. Everything.”
Excited, I touched her arm and said, “Show me! Please.”
“Follow me!” said Ka-Nawa as she took off in a run.
She ran between buildings and past children playing and down and across several roads until we finally arrived at the king’s house. I guess I can call it my house as well. We walked through the large house and out to the enclosed courtyard in the back. I followed her up to a smaller, shed-type building.
Ka-Nawa opened the door and said, “Everything is in here.”
I stepped inside and sure enough there was my shredded environment suit. I picked it up and examined it. I hit the power switch and saw status lights start to glow inside the helmet. It still had power! Well, it had only been around a day since I was last using it. The visor was already open. Just by speaking, the transmitter would be activated.
“FTL-15! FTL-15. Come in,” I said. There was a crackle and then nothing. Again I said, “FTL-15! Joyce? Are you there?”
Then through the small helmet speaker, I heard Joyce say, “Hello? Hello? Who is this? Bill can you make anything out? It’s that weird noise again.”
I started to speak again and then I realized I was speaking komali. Forcing English through these komali vocal cords, tongue and lips was actually painful. I said slowly, “FTL-15. This is Newman. Do you copy?”
A confused sounding Joyce said, “Newman? You’re not Newman. Do you have him? Is he alive? Who are you?”
“This is Newman. I’ve…I’ve changed. But I’m definitely Newman,” I said, struggling to say every syllable.
“I don’t recognize your voice,” said Joyce sounding a bit upset. “If you’re Newman, what is your unique pass code?”
I knew I couldn’t hesitate or it would seem suspicious. I said as best I could, “The truth of the pudding is in the taste.”
There was a moment of hesitation and then Joyce said, “Confirmed. Where are you? Are you injured? We’ll come to you.”
“No!” I almost shouted. “I’ll come to you. Have some questions to confirm my identity. You’re not going to believe what you see.”
Joyce said, “We’ve located you. You’re still in that village. Were you captured?”
“Not exactly,” I said. “I’ll come to you. My ETA is about fifteen or twenty minutes.”
“Copy,” said Joyce. “FTL-15 out.”
I pulled the nav-module from the suit. The indicator showed me what direction to go to find the ship.
I turned to Ka-Nawa and said, “Don’t tell father where I went. Please?”
Grinning, Ka-Nawa said, “I won’t say a word.” I was a little disturbed by her expression. She said, “Have a good trip back to where you belong, my sister.”
I gave her a weak smile, stood up and started moving in the direction indicated by the nav-module. I was pretty confident I’d find the ship. I had several hours until darkness started to fall. The ship was not camouflaged in order to conserve power. It was only a twenty minute walk for a hooman…I mean human. It should take me as a komali less than fifteen minutes to make the short journey.
It was beautiful out in the forest. Even more so with my komali eyes. So much color and wonder. Flying creatures soared over head. Smaller animals scurried among the plants lining the forest floor. The air was sweeter and fresher than waking up in a Rocky Mountain morning. I felt great happiness in thinking about rejoining my shipmates.
I cried out in surprise as I felt a rough grip on my arm.
“Where do you think you’re going, stupid girl?” growled a male voice from behind me. I turned around to see Ra-Mali holding my arm in a tight grip.
I tugged against his strong grip and said angrily, “Let go! I’m going to see my friends.”
Not lessening his grip, Ra-Mali said, “Your father thought as much. He sent me to retrieve you.”
“How did he know? Did Ka-Nawa tell him?” I said as I kept trying to free my arm from his strong grip.
Ra-Mali laughed. He said, “Ka-Nawa wanted you to leave! Your father saw her help you from his upstairs window. He summoned me right after you left his land.” With his other hand, he pulled the blinking nav-module from my grasp. He then crushed it between his powerful fingers.
“No!” I cried. “How am I expected to find my way back?”
Laughing, Ra-Mali said, “You’re not. Let’s go, pretty girl. I’m under orders to bring you back to your father.”
Ten minutes later, I was standing before Father with Ka-Nawa by my side. Ra-Mali left after he had returned me to Father’s home.
Ka-Nawa hung her head, studying her feet. I stood there, watching the old komali as he folded his arms and scowled at us.
Ra-Nala said in a stern voice, “I am disappointed in both of you. Ka-Nawa, my oldest daughter. Your petty jealousy towards your sister brings shame to yourself as well as my house. You two are not the only females in this city who have eyes for Ra-Mali and he has not yet chosen who he wants to mate. Trying to expel your sister from not only our family, but from the planet itself, does not honor Ra-Mali.”
Ra-Nala turned his stern expression toward me and said, “And you my newest daughter, I am most disappointed in you. I gave you life and yet you try to run away from your new home. Your act is understandable. You have a desire to return to those who brought you here. But, my beautiful, innocent young daughter, they will not see you as their old friend…”
“You don’t know that!” I said, tears streaming down my cheek. “And I can tell them about you…us. About how great the komali are!”
Anger darkening his face, Ra-Nala said, “Silence! Do not interrupt me again, girl. We have observed what you call hoomans since they arrived in our forest. We know how they would treat you. But that’s not the only reason I did not want you to go to the hooman boat. Ra-Mali told me that another koralth, the beast that almost killed you two nights ago was stalking you. Ra-Mali chased it away before the beast ate you. The forest is a dangerous place for a young, unarmed and unskilled girl to wander in.”
Our father stood there for a few moments just looking at us. He said, “Both of you are restricted to your rooms until Church two days hence. Both of you will be brought before the high priest and ask forgiveness.”
Still looking at her feet, Ka-Nawa said, “Yes, Father.”
There were several things I wanted to say, but I just looked down at the ground and said, “Yes, Father.”
Ra-Nala waved his hand and said, “Go.”
We sat in our rooms in stony silence for at least an hour. Finally, with a scowl, Ka-Nawa turned to me and said, “See? Even Father notices.”
Exasperated, I said, “Will you stop already? I don’t have *eyes* for Ra-Mali. I don’t even know why I’m female. So go to sleep or something.”
Ka-Nawa leaned back on her mattress. Beds consisted of padded mats lying on the floor. “Just stay away from him.” She closed her eyes.
I leaned back on my mat and said, “He might not even want you now after you just assumed he’d want you.”
Ra-Nawa opened her eyes and said, “So you think that automatically makes you think he wants you?”
Glaring, I said, “Did I say that?”
One of our other sisters tossed large pillows at both of us and said, “Will you two shut up?”
I lie there for a long time, watching. When I was sure everyone was asleep, I quietly got to my feet and walked to the back of the house. I looked out into the courtyard and couldn’t see anyone. Moving as quietly as I could, I made my way back to the shed where my environment suit was kept. At least I hoped it was still there.
I opened the door and thankfully there it was. The power was off. I hoped there was still some juice left in the batteries. I turned the power back on and lifted the helmet to my face. I hoped no one would be able to hear me. It’s unfortunate that my head would no longer fit inside it. I scanned the windows on the upper floors of the house to see if anyone was looking. As an added precaution, I stepped inside the shed and closed the door behind me.
“FTL-15. This is Newman. Do you copy?” I said into the helmet. I repeated it several times.
“Newman. This is Joyce,” said Joyce over the suit radio. “You didn’t show up. We were concerned.”
“Yeah. My father knew where I was going and had a warrior stop me,” I said with a sigh.
“Your father?” asked Joyce, incredulous.
I said, “It’s complicated. When I was converted over to komali, the king of this city adopted me.”
Joyce said, “The king, eh? I see you’re moving up. Is the camera still functioning? Can you send a picture of you?”
“I think so,” I said as I pressed the buttons on the suit’s sleeve to activate the camera. A red light showed me it was on. I turned it to point directly at me. The camera would work in the low light of the shed’s interior.
Bill’s voice came online as he said, “Shit dude. You’re ugly. Oh my God, are you a female?”
Indignant, I said, “I’m not ugly! And yes, I’m female.”
Joyce said, “Don’t mind Bill. He’s an idiot. Hey. As I’m two crew members short, our work here is taking a bit longer. We’re planning on heading back to Earth in fourteen days. That’s fourteen local days, not Earth. Can you come back with us?”
I didn’t reply for several moments while I thought about that. I said, “My father forbids it.”
Joyce said, “He’s not your father. I mean not really. Think how fantastic that would be! A member of a sentient alien race who can speak English! We could learn so much.”
I said, “There’s no way I could fit in one of the crew seats.”
Joyce said, “Yes. You’d have to go into the cryogenic freeze where we keep the other specimens. We can’t provide you with an atmosphere you can tolerate.”
“So I’m just another specimen to you?” I said, frowning.
“Newman, you’re still part of my crew,” said Joyce. “But the only way to get you home is inside a cage in the cryogenic hold.
I said, “Father was right. What happens to me when I get back to Earth? I’ll tell you. I’ll be a zoo specimen. I’ll be poked and prodded and treated just like any other animal brought back. I’ll be kept in a special sealed cage with an ammonia atmosphere. I’d never be let out. I’m an alien, so I would never be trusted. And I’d be alone with no other komali.”
Joyce said, “Don’t be silly, Newman. You’ll be a VIP. Everyone will want to talk to you. You’ll be a celebrity!”
Angrily, I growled, “I’d be a freak! You heard Bill. I’m ugly to humans. I’m an alien monster that talks. And I’d spend all my time locked in a cage lest I turn on my human masters.”
“I won’t let that happen,” said Joyce.
“How could you stop it?” I said. “Once back on Earth, I’m out of your hands. No, I think I’ll stay here.”
Joyce said, “Newman. Please be reasonable. Leave the beacon active on your suit and we’ll come get you.”
“No. That would be bad,” I said. “Even if I wanted to leave, the camouflage doesn’t work here at night. That’s what happened to Rueben. He was most likely killed by a koralth, the animal that attacked me.”
Joyce said, “We’ll come at first light then.”
“No, you won’t,” I said. “I’m not going to be a lab rat. Look. I want to come by and say good-bye to everyone the day you leave. But I’m going to remain here.”
“If that’s your decision,” said Joyce, sounding disappointed.
“It is,” I said.
“Okay. Talk to you later. Take care, Newman,” said Joyce. “FTL-15 out.”
I sat there a moment staring at the suit helmet. Did I make the right decision? I already missed the sights and sounds of Earth. But Earth is now an alien world to me. I can’t breathe the air. Everyone would view me as some ugly freak. And I’d be alone. More alone than anyone could imagine.
I flipped the switch for the suit power and set the helmet back onto the floor.
I sat on the front row with my father the king and my other sisters. I sat next to my father on one side and Ka-Nawa on the other. I heard someone say as more people entered the church that the king is going to need a second row if he keeps adding daughters.
I felt no hostility from anyone. Either no one knew I was actually from an alien planet or no one cared since I was now komali. Watching the room fill up, I was astounded there were so many people here.
After everyone was seated, the high priest started talking about the importance of family and how crucial it was to obey your elders.
“But one of the things about youth is that they’re always testing the elders’ limits,” said the high priest. “One might think the king especially wouldn’t have this problem. He’s the king after all. But no one is immune to the brashness of youth.”
The high priest moved to stand in front of Father. He said, “When I call your name, come stand before me. First I call the king’s oldest daughter, Ka-Nawa.” Ka-Nawa stood up and walked to the priest. She then turned to face the congregation.
“Ka-Nawa allowed blind jealousy to cloud her judgment and deliberately put her own sister in danger just to remove any threat of competition for a male’s attention,” said the priest. Ka-Nawa hung her head and I could see her eyes start to water. The priest continued, “And that is most shameful.”
The priest then looked at me and said, “Next I call the king’s newest daughter, Ka-Pawli.” I got up and stood next to Ka-Nawa. The priest continued, “She is the victim of her sister’s shameful act. But that is not why she stands before us. No. She disobeyed her father’s direct command. That’s bad enough. But if it had not been for the brave warrior that was sent to retrieve her, she would have most likely died from a koralth attack. Youth may think they have all the answers, but you can never ignore the experience and wisdom from your elders.”
Ka-Nawa and I just stood there, hanging our heads, looking at our feet for almost a minute. The high priest finally said, “What do you both have to say now?”
Ka-Nawa, her eyes still glued to the floor said, “I’m sorry I allowed a petty feeling such as jealousy to come between me and one of my sisters. It has brought shame to me and to my Father. If a male now chooses her, or any of my sisters, over me, I will celebrate with her.”
There was a pause. And then I thought I guess I’m supposed to say something. I looked up to look at Ra-Nala. I said, “I’m sorry Father for not obeying you. You gave me life and I repaid you by defying your most wise words. I had not accepted you as my father, and I foolishly put myself and Ra-Mali in danger. I accept you as my father.”
Ra-Nala smiled and nodded at both of us. Ra-Mali was also smiling at me. I really hoped he wasn’t getting any ideas. Why did that stupid plant have to make me female? The priest indicated that we should both sit down.
The service, if you want to call it that, went on for another half hour or so. It wasn’t really boring for me, though from expressions on the others, I could tell they’d heard a lot of what the priest had to say before. For me it was another education on the society I’m now a part of. I learned a few prayers and the proper way to do them. I would love to take this information back to Earth.
After the service, I had a burning question to ask my father. I was very afraid to ask, considering what I just publically shamed for. After we got back to the house and Father was relaxing at the table while a few of my sisters prepared a meal, I steeled myself and walked up to him.
Ra-Nala looked up at me with a questioning expression. I hesitated for a moment, took a deep breath and said, “I have a request to make, Father. In twelve days, the hoomans leave to return to their home. I will never see them again, even if others return to learn about komali. I would like to see them off on their journey home.”
Father looked thoughtful for a few moments. “You’re not planning on going with them?”
I shook my head and said honestly, “Oh no, Father. You were right Father. They would cage me with the rest of their specimens. When we returned, they would have to keep me locked up as I can no longer breathe their air. They would poke and prod me and watch me constantly. I would be an alien to them. And I would be alone.”
Ra-Nala smiled at me. He said, “You are becoming wise, my daughter. And since this time you asked my permission first, you may go to say fair-well to the hoomans. You must take a hunter with your for protection.”
I smiled and hugged him. I said, “Thank you, Father!”
Smiling at me, Father said as he pointed at my sisters, “Now go learn how to cook.”
“Hey ugly,” said a voice from behind me.
I turned around to see Ra-Mali grinning at me. I said, “That’s not very nice.” He was holding the reins to the strange two-legged animal called the kolima that they use as horses here. Like every other creature on this planet, it also had a dingle berry or a tendril growing from his forehead. It also looked a lot like a featherless ostrich with teeth. A saddle-like affair was mounted on its back.
He shrugged and said, “You at least turned around. You ignore me when I call you beautiful.”
I walked up to him. I said, “I don’t want Ra-Nawa to think I’m trying to take her man.”
Ra-Mali’s face darkened. He said, “A woman does not choose a man. The man chooses the woman. You have yet much to learn about us.”
I laughed and said, “Your attitude wouldn’t go over very well on my world.”
Ra-Mali smiled and said, “This is your world now. So. Were you busy?”
I shook my head and said, “I was just out for a walk and doing some thinking.”
Ra-Mali said, “Come with me, girl. You can tell me about your old world while I take you out to show you some of your new world.”
Looking around sheepishly, I said, “I don’t know if I should.”
Grinning, Ra-Mali said, “I’ve cleared it with the king.”
I smiled weakly and said, “I guess it’s okay then.” I wasn’t completely sure of his motives. I really had no desire to have a male interested in me. Again, why did the life-giver have to make me female?
Ra-Mali mounted his kolima and then reached his hand down towards me. I took his hand and he pulled me deftly up on the kolima to sit behind him. With a slight kick in the animal’s flanks to get it moving, we headed down a path leading out from the city.
After a few minutes of following the path, we turned and started crossing through a wide meadow of tall lavender grass. All around us towered incredibly tall trees. Except for the descent from space, this was the most sky I’ve seen on this world. Almost all our landing zones have been just in small clearings.
I looked up into the wide, bright copper sky with high wispy clouds stretching from horizon to horizon. We crossed a shallow stream. The liquid looked like water, but was a cocktail of highly toxic chemicals to humans. For me now, it was actually quite refreshing.
Ra-Mali steered his kolima out of the meadow and into a dense forest. The foliage was almost too dense for the animal to travel through. We traveled through this dense foliage for a few minutes and then we broke out into an open area with a rocky surface.
Ra-Mali dismounted the kolima and then helped me down. He grinned at me and said, “I think you’ll enjoy this. It’s my favorite spot.”
As we walked, there was a growing roaring sound. Finally we stepped up to the edge of a cliff. A very high cliff. The roaring sound was from a huge waterfall that disappeared into the mist far below. Ra-Mali sat down near the edge and sniffed the breeze that came up from the waterfall.
“I come here whenever I need to think or be alone,” said Ra-Mali. “Nobody but me ever comes here.”
“It’s beautiful,” I said honestly. I sat down beside him. “This is a really nice spot. Have you been to the bottom? What’s down there?”
Ra-Mali said, “I’ve been down there a couple of times. It’s actually pretty dangerous to get there. All that land belongs to a tribe that’s hostile to us. We’ve tried to negotiate a peace with them, but they won’t go along.” He looked thoughtful for a moment and then he said, “You come from up there? From the sky in your flying boat? How do you live?”
I laughed. I said, “We came down through your sky, but we don’t live there. Are you ready for some wild concepts?” He nodded so I continued. “At night when you look up into the sky, you see all those lights? Those are actually suns like the one shining in the sky right now. We live on a planet that goes around one of those suns.”
Ra-Mali smiled and said, “We’re not as primitive as you like to think, girl. We have priests that study the movements of the lights in the sky. That’s how we know when to plant and harvest. But you came from one of those lights in that tiny boat?”
I smiled and said, “That’s just a landing vehicle. The main ship is in orbit around this planet.”
Ra-Mali looked straight into my eyes and said, “Tell me about your world.”
Ra-Mali listened intently as I described Earth and the sky and oceans, mountains and deserts and the other planets in our solar system. I told him about the other worlds we’d explored and how for our team anyway, this planet was the only one we found that harbored any life.
Ra-Mali smiled and said, “I think I’d rather be here. So, are you ready for some ‘wild concepts’?”
I said, “Sure. I guess.” I had no idea what he was talking about.
He stood up and said, “Come. I want to show you something.” He took my hand and led me back to the dense woods. He said as we walked, “There are places like this all over, but they’re kind of hidden.”
After a few minutes, we came upon a small clearing that was covered in the lavender grass with odd shaped yellow flowers scattered throughout. Ra-Mali stepped to the center and sat down on the grass. He indicated I should sit too.
“Now, you can’t do this for very long or even very often,” said Ra-Mali as I sat next to him. “I’ll help you with it.” He then took one of the yellow flowers. He didn’t pull it from the ground. Its stem was rather long and he moved it close to my tendril. He gently took my tendril and slid it up inside the flower.
At first there was nothing. And then a strange tingling sensation began to build inside me. Sounds became more clear and I could suddenly hear further away. I became more aware of the world around me. I could actually see the energy pulsing through the various plants. And then came the sound.
It was almost musical in a random kind of way. I closed my eyes and could feel myself grinning as I listened to the completely beautiful sounds. I leaned back and let my mind go and just listened to the music of the planet.
In my mind, not through my ears, Ra-Mali said, “I knew you would enjoy this.”
“How the hell?” I thought.
“We’re connected through our tendrils connected to the flowers,” said Ra-Mali. “Don’t worry. It’s just on the surface. I can’t enter your mind. But I can read your emotions.”
“I can’t read yours,” I said
“It’s a skill. You’ll learn,” said Ra-Mali.
A moment later, I felt my tendril being removed from the flower. Ra-Mali said, “You weren’t in danger yet, but it’s not healthy to be connected for too long. A few get their minds stuck there.”
I turned to face Ra-Mali and said, “Did you learn anything about me?”
“Just emotions, really,” said Ra-Mali. “But I did learn something very important.”
He smiled broadly at me and said, “You’re happy. And I’m glad.”
I thought a moment. Was I happy? I was basically trapped on an alien world. I would never see any of my family or friends ever again. I might not even see another human ever again. And to top it off, I was a young female. I wasn’t frightened any longer. I felt safe with my father and sisters and with large, strong males around like Ra-Mali. I was concerned about what the future held for me. But was I happy?
I closed my eyes and focused inwardly. I’m not sure if I’d say I was happy. But I discovered I did feel contentment. Being an alien female on an alien planet no longer seemed to bother me.
I said, “I have become comfortable with who I am. I…” I stopped as I saw something or someone through the trees a short distance away. I pointed without raising my hand up and said, “What’s that?”
Ra-Mali turned around and instantly his face clouded with anger. “Nalguns!” He growled. He stood up drawing his bow. The unknown male was riding a kolima. He spun around and bolted off away from us. Ra-Mali let loose a shaft from his bow. It whizzed past the fleeing male’s head and embedded itself into a tree.
“What’s a Nalgun?” I said as I stood up.
Ra-Mali spat. He said, “Remember I mentioned the people who live down below the cliffs? Those are Nalguns. He should not be on our lands.”
“Maybe he was just out enjoying the day like we are,” I said, trying to sound positive.
“Stupid girl!” barked Ra-Mali. “He was a scout for a raiding party. Occasionally they get bold and come onto our lands to steal children or girls.”
“That’s awful!” I said.
Nodding, Ra-Mali said, “Yes. It is. Come. We must inform the king.”
The sun was setting when Ra-Mali and several other males riding kolimas returned to the city. Ra-Mali rode up to the king who was standing outside our house. Ka-Nawa and I stepped out of the house along with a few other of our sisters to hear what he had to say.
“We found nothing,” said Ra-Mali. “We searched the plains along the cliff as well as deep into the forest. No sign of any Nalguns. We sent runners to the other cities to alert them to any danger. We even ventured down to the valley below the cliffs and saw no one.”
“Perhaps it was just one lone rider,” said Ra-Nala. “But double the patrols around the city just the same.”
“I’ll see to it personally,” said Ra-Mali. And he turned and rode off with the other males following him.
Ka-Nawa sighed as Ra-Mali road away. “So much for me asking him if he wanted me to make him dinner.”
“There’s always tomorrow,” I said as we headed back to the house.
Ka-Nawa looked over at me and said, “You don’t know how to cook yet, do you?”
I laughed and said, “I’m learning. Slowly but surely.”
Ka-Nawa looked back over her shoulder and said, “There’s no hurry for you to learn.”
“It’s a beautiful morning!” I said as joined my sisters in the courtyard.
Ka-Nawa handed me a basket and said, “It’s a great morning to gather some berries.”
I hesitantly took the basket and said, “Doesn’t that involve going outside the city?”
Ka-Nawa smiled and said, “Not far. The Nalguns would never dare come close to the city. We’ll be safe. The men are patrolling anyway.”
I took the basket and said, “Well, okay. What do I do?”
Ka-Nawa started walking away from the house and out into the forest. She said, “I’ll show you. Here take this. It’s a blade we use to cut the vines the berries grow on. It’s sharp only on one side to make it hard even for you to hurt yourself.”
I took the blade and said, “Gee thanks.” I then ran my thumb down the edge to check its sharpness and started to bleed. “Aii! That’s sharp!”
Ka-Nawa looked at me and laughed. She said, “Now I really find it hard to believe that you hoomans built a flying boat that could travel between stars.”
I sucked on my thumb for a few moments and said, “I didn’t say I built it.”
“Obviously!” laughed Ka-Nawa.
“Why do you need a knife to cut the vines anyway?” I said. “Why not just pluck the berries?”
Ka-Nawa looked at me as if I was from another planet and said, “Not these berries. We’re only getting around 10 each. They’re rather large and the vines fight back.”
I stopped following my sister and said, “The vines fight back?”
“Well, yeah,” said Ka-Nawa. “These do. We have smaller berries probably like what you’re thinking of. But these large konokka berries can be traded for other things. They’re hard to get and you have to know where to look.”
I followed Ka-Nawa as she left the path leading from the city. We started to circle around into thicker brush. I wasn’t sure, but we seemed to be heading in the direction of the ship.
“Shouldn’t we worry about running into a koralth or worse out here?” I said looking around worriedly.
“Not this close to the city. Not usually anyway,” said Ka-Nawa as she hacked at some brush with her blade. “We’re not as far as you think. See? You can still see the very top of the church from here.”
Sure enough you could just barely see the rod that sticks up from the top of the cone shaped church. I relaxed a bit knowing we weren’t that far away from home. I smiled to myself. Yes, this was my home. My old home, the beautiful garden city of Camden, New Jersey seemed very far away.
Ka-Nawa knelt beside a fallen tree and started digging under it. She turned back to me with a large grin. She exclaimed, “Yes! A bunch of konokka berries are hiding under this fallen tree. Nobody likes getting down and dirty to pick them. They get even bigger than these closer to the great waterfall. Fill your basket!” She cleared more dirt from under the tree.
I got down on my knees and helped clear away some more dirt. Externally, the konokka berries looked for all the world like potatoes. I hoped they tasted better than they looked. I started sawing away with the blade to free the berries to put into my basket.
My sister wasn’t kidding about the vines fighting back. They would wiggle and jerk away when I tried to cut them. At first I wondered if this was actually an animal of some kind, but no blood spewed from the cuts in the vine. We worked up quite a sweat as we dug and cut for well over an hour. We had collected eight konokka berries each after all that work.
I leaned back and was sitting on my feet with my legs folded underneath me. As I wiped my sweaty hair from my eyes I wished I’d braided it into small tight braids like Ka-Nawa had. Her hair was neatly out of her way.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath of the cool morning air. As I opened my eyes, I turned to look at Ka-Nawa. Right behind her was a male mounted on a kolima. He sat there silently. I said, “Do you know him?”
Ka-Nawa smiled as she turned, and then her face suddenly changed to fright. “Nalguns! Run!”
The male scowled as he kicked his kolima into motion. He reached down and caught Ka-Nawa by her braids. He tried to turn his kolima around, but the brush was fairly thick.
Ka-Nawa shouted, “Help! Let me go!”
I shouted “Help!” But instead of running towards the city, I ran for the Nalgun just as he kicked his kolima into a gallop. I caught the saddle bag where he kept his extra arrows and who knows what else. I was being bounced around and I knew I couldn’t hold on much longer.
Ka-Nawa was screaming at the top of her voice. I couldn’t let the Nalgun get away with taking her. But my fingers were slipping as the kolima picked up speed. The Nalgun was still holding Ka-Nawa’s hair in a death grip, his muscles straining to hold her. I suddenly remembered the blade still in my other hand.
I couldn’t reach the Nagun’s arm with the blade, but I could reach Ka-Nawa’s hair. With one deft motion, I sliced her hair and saw her fall to the ground. The Nalgun spotted me hanging from his saddle bag for the first time. Angrily, he brought his fist down on my head. I dropped the blade and let go of the strap and fell with a thud to the ground.
The Nalgun spun around and came charging back towards me. I searched frantically in the violet grass and thick plants for the blade. The Nalgun charged by and grabbed me from the back using the harness I wore. As he spun his kolima around once more, I turned and grabbed his arm and pulled myself up. I then sank my sharp teeth deep into his arm, tasting his warm, gooey blue colored blood.
Screaming in pain, the Nalgun dropped back to the ground. I stood up quickly but I didn’t run. I knew I couldn’t outrun him. So I struck a defiant pose and snarled at him.
Wiping the blood from his arm, the Nalgun reached back for his bow. He shouted, “For that, bitch, you die!” He started to notch an arrow when he suddenly stopped. With a surprised look at his face, he fell forward with a long arrow shaft protruding from his back.
Ra-Mali ran up to me with a very worried look on his face. He touched my arms and said, “Ka-Pawli, are you alright? Are you hurt?”
I looked down at myself and said, “I seem to be unhurt.” I looked at Ra-Mali and smiled. “Thank you.”
Somewhat muffled and coming from a few meters away, we heard the weak voice of Ka-Nawa say, “I’m over here.”
Looking intently at me, Ra-Mali said, “We can’t take any chances, girl. We need to get you to a life-giver.”
Smiling at Ra-Mali, I said, “I’m fine. Really.”
Weakly, Ka-Nawa said, “Here. Over here. I hurt my knee.”
Ra-Mali said, “Let me put you on my kolima. I’ll walk beside you back to the city.”
As he lifted me up, I said, “What about Ka-Nawa?”
Ra-Mali shrugged and said, “She’s a big girl. She knows her way back to the city.”
As Ra-Mali led me away, Ka-Nawa stood up and shouted, “Kaflak for brains!”
Later that afternoon, with several males guarding, we retrieved the konokka berries we’d dropped. Apparently they really are valuable.
The males of the city killed six of the Nalguns altogether. Three got away. Ka-Nawa wasn’t the only girl they tried to steal. Thankfully, everyone was returned safely.
As we were preparing the family meal, Ka-Nawa hit me and shouted, “You cut my hair! You cut my hair!”
“I saved your life!” I shouted back.
Ka-Nawa hit me again and waved her shortened braids at me. “I can’t believe you cut my hair!”
I shouted back, “Would you prefer to be a Nalgun bride?”
Ka-Nawa just scowled at me.
Ra-Nala, our father walked up and knocked Ra-Nawa on the head. He said, “Your hair will grow back.” To me, he said, “Thank you for saving my oldest daughter even though she is ungrateful.”
Rubbing the back of her head, Ka-Nawa said, “I’m not ungrateful, Father. It’s just I haven’t cut it since I was child. The last time Mother cut it.”
Ra-Nala suddenly looked sad and pained. The girls stopped playing and a somber mood fell over the household.
Ka-Nawa looked at the ground and said, “I’m sorry, Father.”
Father nodded, patted Ka-Nawa on the back of her head and walked away in silence.
Today was the day. The day FTL-15 returned to the green mountains and blue skies of Earth. The suit’s power was almost gone, but I could still turn on the communications and contact the ship.
“FTL-15, this is Ra-Pawli…er…I mean Newman,” I said into the open helmet. Nothing but static crackled from the helmet. “FTL-15, this is Newman. Please respond.” Silence.
Not really talking into the helmet, but I said aloud, “Oh God, I hope they haven’t left already.”
After a few agonizing moments of silence, Joyce said, “Newman. Joyce here. Sorry, I was washing my hair.”
“Seriously?” I said. I translated what Joyce said.
Ka-Nawa said, “Did you cut her hair too?”
Whispering to Ka-Nawa I said, “Give it a rest, will you?”
Joyce laughed and said, “No. I was actually clearing the plant growth from around the condensation outlet.”
I chuckled and said, “Fun. Are you still planning on departing at noon?”
“Yes indeed,” said Joyce. “As beautiful as it is here, I can’t wait to see Earth again. You best head over here now if you want to see us off in person.”
“Heading over there now. Newman closing communications,” I said into the helmet. I hesitated a moment, and then I shut down the suit’s power for the final time. I felt a sudden immense sadness. I’m not going home.
I looked up at Ra-Mali and Ka-Nawa. I said, “Ready to go? Remember to stay back at the tree line. Ra-Mali, you’re a big ugly brute. I don’t want you scaring my friends.”
Ra-Mali laughed. He said, “Hoomans are the ugly ones.”
“Well, when we reach the ship, just hang back, okay?” I said. “Father won’t let me go that far without you to protect me. I accept that considering I’ve been almost eaten twice.”
All this time, the ship has only been a twenty minute walk from the city, yet I’ve not returned to it since that fateful night that I was almost killed. I guess in a way, I did die. Thankfully, this little journey wasn’t interrupted by any vicious animals or vicious people. Since Ra-Mali had kept an eye on the ship, he would lead the way.
Shortly we stood at the edge of a very small clearing. They had turned the camouflage off on the ship and cleared the foliage they had covered it with to further hide it.
Ka-Nawa grunted. She said, “You traveled between the stars in that small thing?”
I laughed and said, “No, silly. That’s the landing craft. The main ship is still in orbit. All the telemetry and research data is continuously transmitted to the main ship.”
Ra-Mali looked thoughtful. “How is that possible?”
I shrugged and said, “It’s called radio. Same way I talked to the ship from my old environment suit. Kinda like our tendrils, but through the air. I’m not an engineer, so I’m not sure if I can explain it.”
Ka-Nawa said, “Look. Several hoomans are coming out of that thing.”
“I’m sure they’re very ready to leave, so I better go there and say my good-byes to them,” I said as I started to walk towards the ship. “I’ll wave you over if they want to meet you too.”
As I approached the ship, one of the crew waved. I think it was Joyce, but it was hard to tell with their environment suits on.
Seeing the ship again made my heart sink. It represented Earth, home and everything and everyone I’d ever known. In a few minutes, it would leave forever. At some later point, there might be someone else arriving for further study, but it won’t be this ship and crew.
I smiled when I stood in front of the ones that had come out. It was Joyce, Bill, and Thompson. I’m sure the remaining two members of the crew stayed inside for security reasons.
Joyce grimaced at my smile. “Those are some pretty vicious looking teeth you have, Newman.” I was taller by more than a head than my ex-fellow human beings.
I laughed and said, “They come in handy sometimes. It’s good to see you guys.”
Joyce’s smile faded as she said, “Maybe not.”
Bill shouted, “Now!”
Suddenly a large net flew over my head. The two remaining crewmembers weren’t in the ship. They were behind me with the camouflage turned on. I struggled with the netting to no avail. I couldn’t break its carbon fibers.
“Joyce! What the fuck?” I shouted as the net was tightened.
Looking sad, Joyce said, “You’re just too valuable to leave behind, Newman.”
Bill bent down and picked up an air rifle and pointed it at me. He said, “Into the cryo-hold Newman. You’re a walking, talking gold mine of data.”
There was a sudden roaring growl as one of the camouflaged crew members went flying through the air and I was pushed aside. There were two pops and I saw Ra-Mali fall to the ground.
I shouted, “No! Stop shooting!”
Bill was shoved violently to the ground by Ka-Nawa. She pulled a dagger from her belt and ran towards Bill.
I shouted, “Don’t hurt him! He’s an idiot but he thought he was being protective. Cut me out of this net.”
Joyce just stood there frozen; horrified that everything was going so wrong. Thompson helped the crewmember that Ra-Mali had thrown, to get back into the ship. His suit had been torn open.
Ka-Nawa struggled but finally cut a hole in the net and I pulled myself out of it and ran to where Ra-Mali lay. He was unconscious with his thick blue blood oozing from two chest wounds.
Bill got up and staggered over to Joyce. He still held the rifle. He said, “I can’t move my arm. I think my shoulder is dislocated.”
Scowling, I growled at Bill from where I knelt next to Ra-Mali. “You’re about to be dead, asshole. Why did you shoot him?”
“I…he…he was attacking. I…” said Bill, looking very worried.
“Put the rifle down before my sister and I kill you. He was trying to protect me. I don’t understand this betrayal!” I shouted.
Ka-Nawa said, “We need to get him back to the city. We need to get him to a life-giver.”
I shook my head and said, “We’ll never make it in time. He’ll be dead before we can get him back.” In English, I said, “We need to get him to a life-giver back at the city. But we’ll never make it in time. He’s losing too much blood.”
“I’m sorry,” said Bill.
“Shut the fuck up, Bill!” I snarled.
Joyce said, “The life-giver. That’s the plant that saved you? What does it look like? Maybe there’s one nearby.”
I shook my head and said, “They’re very rare. I doubt there’s one around.”
Joyce said, “It won’t hurt to look.”
I said, “They have very large white leaves with silver veins and grow in clusters. I’m pretty sure if one was this close to the city, it would have been taken by now.”
Rubbing his shoulder, Bill said, “Wait. You said large white leaves with silver veins? We have one. Remember? On our second landing we picked up some flora specimens and one of them fits that description.”
Joyce’s face lit up. She said, “You’re right. Bill, help me get it from the hold.”
I stood up and said, “Yes! I remember that now. Hurry!”
I knelt back next to Ra-Mali. Ka-Nawa was standing next to him, holding her dagger ready.
Ka-Nawa said, “Why did you stop me. That hooman deserves to die! Look what he did!”
Starting to cry as I held Ra-Mali’s hand I said, “They don’t see us as people, my sister. He thought he was protecting his people from a wild alien. He’s bringing us a life-giver.”
Ka-Nawa looked down at me with a surprised expression. She said, “A life-giver? How? What do the hoomans know?”
I smiled weakly and said, “We have one in the ship. We picked it up from the other side of the planet before we came here.”
Looking at me and then down to Ra-Mali, she said, “I wish to the gods that you had never come here.”
Touching Ra-Mali’s forehead, I said, “Me too.”
Joyce and Bill suddenly came running from around the ship carrying a large, leafy plant. It was a life-giver!
I stood up and shouted. I said, “Hurry! Bring it here.” I looked over at Ka-Nawa and said, “Put the knife away.” She scowled at me, but put the knife back in her belt.
The life-giver was laid out alongside Ra-Mali. Instantly, tendrils from the plant sought the dirt and started entwining with other plants. The leaves began to glow softly.
Ka-Nawa helped me pick up Ra-Mali and set him into the middle of the plant. The leaves began to glow brighter.
I knelt next to Ra-Mali, tears in my eyes. I took his hand and positioned myself in a prayer posture. I whipsered, “Please don’t die…” I then began chanting a prayer.
Ka-Nawa knelt beside me and said, “You love him, don’t you?”
Do I? I’ve only been here a few weeks. I was never a female before. Could I possibly love this big ugly brute? This alien male from another planet? I’m not of this world.
I looked down at Ra-Mali’s face. To see him lying there when he’s normally so full of life. I was overwhelmed by the greatest sadness I’ve ever felt. My tears dripped onto his face.
With a tear running down my cheek, I turned to Ka-Nawa and said simply, “Yes.”
Ka-Nawa nodded, closed her eyes and joined me in the prayer.
A few minutes later, I was at first horrified to see the thick blue blood suddenly flowing thicker from the two wounds. And then to my utter amazement, the two pellets from the air rifle slowly pushed their way out of his chest and the holes started to close up. Ra-Mali’s breathing became deeper and more regular.
Ka-Nawa hugged me and kissed my cheek. She said, “Your man lives. He’ll sleep for another hour or so. But he lives!”
I smiled at Ka-Nawa and bent down to touch my tendril to Ra-Mali’s. Through it, I could feel his strength returning. His life growing stronger.
My sister said, “You should tell the hoomans to leave before he wakes up. He might be pissed at them just a bit.” I nodded and stood up.
To Joyce I said, “Thank you for bringing the life-giver. It saved his life. But it doesn’t fully redeem you for your betrayal.”
Joyce nodded and looked at the ground for a moment. She said, “I’m terribly sorry. We really thought it was the best thing to do. Bill is right. You’re a treasure chest for science. And I didn’t want to lose another crew member. But I can see now that you belong here. You’re a part of this world now.”
“You should probably leave before the male wakes up. He’s going to be very upset with Bill.” I said.
Joyce pointed at the life-giver and said, “Can we have the plant back?”
I shook my head. I said, “No. It’s ours.”
Joyce nodded. She said, “Well, good-bye, Newman. I wish you good fortune on your new life here.”
I shook her hand and said, “Thanks. Have a safe trip back to Earth.”
Joyce then looked over at Ra-Mali’s still unconscious form. She then pointed at Ra-Nawa and said, “Oh. Just curious about your female friend there. I don’t understand the culture here, but her hair looks terrible with that rough cut. It’s not nice like yours.”
I laughed and said, “It’s a long story. Safe journeys.” I then stepped back next to Ka-Nawa.
With a final wave, Joyce and Bill ran back to the ship. I watched through the windscreen as Joyce took her pilot’s seat and started prepping for take-off. There was a hum as the engines began to wind up. The plants under the ship starting being violently blown around. Through the ship’s windscreen, Joyce gave me a thumbs up and then the ship, with a rising pitch of the engines, slowly ascended into the sky. Ka-Nawa and I both just stood there and watched as they finally disappeared in the distance.
I fought back that instant feeling of panic and remorse. A feeling that I had made the wrong decision and I can’t take it back. I was stuck here on an alien planet. I had a sudden desire for a beer and sirloin steak. I took a deep breath. For better or worse, this was my home now.
Ka-Nawa poked me and said, “I saw the hooman point at me and say something. What did the hooman say?”
I smiled and said, “She said she liked your hair. She thought the short cut looked cute.”
Never in my life had I expected to see a day like this one. How could I have ever imagined it?
Standing at the dais in the church, Ra-Mali next to me, my emotions were in a whirl. My head was encircled by a crown of beautiful flowers, made by my sisters. The room was full and the high priest stood smiling before us.
The priest said, “My most solemn and joyous duty is to join the lives of two people, bound by an invisible chain that can never be broken. I pronounce Ra-Mali and Ka-Pawli, as witnessed by the gods and those gathered here, as being mated.” Komali mate for life. There’s no word for divorce.
Smiling, in a low voice, Ra-Mali said, “Ugly girl.”
I smiled back at him and said, “Brutish animal.”
He bent his head down and kissed me and our dingle berries entwined.
I was pregnant with my third child when the science ship from Earth landed.
“We’re down,” said the pilot quietly. She then added, “All engines shutdown.”
In a joking tone, Captain Khurana said, “Nobody roll any windows down. The atmosphere is lethal.”
“No kidding,” said Doctor Eugene Marcus as he checked the seals on his environment suit. He and I had worn our environment suits except gloves and helmet, strapped into our seats during the whole descent. We wanted to be ready to go as soon as the captain gave us the word.
Dr. Marcus looked over at me said, “About suited up, Chris?” We weren’t wasting any time in getting outside. We didn’t want the natives to get antsy on us.
I nodded and said, “Yes, sir!” Not sure how well I was succeeding, but I tried to hide the fact that I was nervous as hell. We’re the second team to land on this planet. It’s only the second planet that life has so far been discovered on.
The excitement created by the return of FTL-15 was extreme to say the least. Not just life, but sentient life discovered on another world! A world, whose environment was hostile to earth creatures, but had none-the-less evolved a dominant species that had language, made tools and built structures.
There was disappointment among the population at large and not just the sociologists that this new species did not live peacefully with neighboring groups. There was also disappointment in the crew of FTL-15 for not bringing a member of the species back to earth so we could learn from them. Many thought it was unfair, but the Captain of FTL-15, Joyce Franks, was reprimanded and demoted for not forcing the former crewmember who was converted to one of the aliens, to return.
We were going to correct that error with this trip.
As the shields slid down the window slits, the pilot peered through and said, “Looks like we stirred up the natives. I think the alternate landing coordinates might have been a better choice, Captain.”
“Not your call,” said Captain Khurana. Looking back at Dr. Marcus and me he said, “You’re taking a security team, right?”
“Already suited up,” said Dr. Marcus. “They’re below ready to exit as soon as you order the platform lowered.”
I looked out the nearest view port. We were very close to a native village. I guess I should say *the* native village as we only really know of this one in particular. Dozens were jumping around excitedly and pointing at us. Several of what I assumed to be large males mounted on some weird looking two-legged animals aimed nasty looking crossbows at us as they pushed the natives back.
“Are we sure these guys are friendly?” I said watching the natives nervously.
The captain said, “They didn’t harm the first science team.”
Dr. Marcus said, “We’ll take it slow and easy. FTL-15 reported the sentient creatures here are peaceful and curious. They only seem to have trouble with other groups of natives. We’ll have to convey that we’re friendly.”
I smirked and said, “Two security guys with rifles doesn’t seem too friendly to me.”
Looking annoyed, Captain Khurana said, “Stow it Mathers. We’ve been over your mission a hundred times before we boarded the landing shuttle. Make contact with the crewman of FTL-15 that stayed behind. Newman, right?” Dr. Marcus nodded. The captain continued, “We want to secure more samples of local plant and animal life as well as some of their cultural artifacts. Anything from their own history. And lastly Mathers, your own personal mission.”
I nodded grimly. We all knew what to say and do. It was one thing to talk about it while in orbit. It’s quite another when you’re looking out at these creatures of an alien world.
As soon as I snapped my helmet into place, the pilot said, “Comm check.” I gave her a thumbs up and she nodded.
“EVA team ready,” said the pilot to Captain Khurana.
Captain Khurana said, “Lower platform.” I followed Dr. Marcus to the lower level of the lander. The security team was already on the surface. The security team was ordered to hang back so we didn’t give the natives the wrong idea. They had seen firsthand what our rifles would do.
Dr. Marcus looked over at me as we started to descend the ramp to the surface. He said, “Slow down your breathing, boy. You’re going to hyperventilate.”
I took a deep breath and tried to relax. From the ramp, I looked back over at the natives. They were gathered in a line in front of one of their odd, conical shaped buildings. Several large natives were trying to herd them back away from us.
I got dizzy and almost fell over as my foot made contact with the planet’s surface. Oh my God! I’m here! I’m actually standing on an alien planet! Dr. Marcus caught my arm as I teetered a bit.
“You okay?” asked Dr. Marcus over the comm-link.
I gave him a thumbs up and said, “I’m okay. I’m okay.”
My breathing must have been loud enough to trigger the comm-link as we approached the village.
Dr. Marcus punched my arm and said, “I’m going to turn your oxygen off if you don’t slow down your breathing!”
I mumbled, “Sorry.” All the natives were staring at us. I noticed one in particular, standing in front of all of them. If I had to guess she was a female. Two child creatures stood close to her. I said, “Look at that female out front. Dollars to donuts she’s pregnant.”
Dr. Marcus said, “If that’s true, you’d think they’d protect her better than that.”
As we got closer, Dr. Marcus raised his arms and opened his hands palms towards the natives. Reports from FTL-15 said the natives, or “komali” as they call themselves recognize the gesture as one of peace.
Still holding his arms up, Dr. Marcus said, “Greetings komali. We are humans from the planet Earth. We come in peace.” From the faces of the komali present, I didn’t think any of them understood a word he said. We had our microphones turned on so we could hear anything the natives might say.
The female we had taken special notice of looked like she was struggling to speak. Finally, in a somewhat halted speech, she said, “We know who you are, hooman. Why are you here and how soon can you leave?”
Dr. Marcus smiled and said, “My name is Dr. Marcus and this excited fellow next to me is Chris Mathers. We wish to speak to one of you who used to have the name Newman. Does anyone know Newman?”
The female laughed and showed a row of sharp teeth. She said, “I am Newman.”
Dr. Marcus stepped closer. Several males snapped their crossbows to aim at him. Still holding his arms up, he said, “So it’s true? You were transformed into a native?”
Newman said, “Yes. It’s true. My name is now Ka-Pawli. Now get back on your boat and return to your world.”
Narrowing his brows, Dr. Marcus said, “Ka… Ka-Pawli?”
In what had to be a frown, Newman said, “Not caca paulie. Are you trying to insult me?”
His face red, Dr. Marcus said, “No. No, of course not. Newm... Ka-Pawli. We are here to learn about you and your people! We’re a science ship.”
Ka-Pawli picked up her youngest child and said, “I’m not going back with you. If that was your goal, you wasted a trip.”
Looking insulted, Dr. Marcus said, “Of course not!”
I took a step forward, sucked in my breath and said, “No. I will go back after you transform me.”
Ka-Pawli just blinked at me a couple of times. Finally she said, “Transform you? To komali?”
I nodded and said, “Yes. I’m asking that you help to make me a komali.”
Ka-Pawli shook her head. She said something in the komali language to the elder male behind her. The elder male shook his head and said something in an angry tone. In English, she said, “My father says absolutely not for any number of reasons. To do so destroys a life-giver plant which are very rare and valuable to us. You don’t become komali just on a whim. And this is particularly important, if you become komali, you can’t return to Earth for all the same reasons I stayed here. And the life-giver won’t do anything but provide a pleasant feeling if there’s nothing wrong with you.”
I nodded again and said, “I understand all that. I watched the recordings of the botched attempt to capture you as well as when the crew of FTL-15 helped save your mate’s life. I understand your reasons to stay. It would have been a hard, lonely life for you back on Earth. But we came prepared to make a deal. We have two life-givers on our ship. One is a gift to your village. The other I will use to transform to komali. We also mapped the locations of several dozen life-givers that are not near any other villages.”
Ka-Pawli said, “That is a generous offer as we still have not replaced the life-giver that was destroyed saving my life. But I still don’t understand, hooman, why you would want to become one of us. While I’m very happy now, I didn’t choose this life and if I had a choice, would not have done so. My heart still aches on occasion for my beautiful home city of Camden, New Jersey.”
I smiled at Ka-Pawli as she held her child. I said, “I plan to return to my home. I would be invaluable to science.”
Giving me an odd look, Ka-Pawli said, “Really? You’d give up your life to become a different species just to be poked and prodded and sampled and treated as a freak for the rest of your life? All in the name of science?”
I laughed and said, “Yes. Because I’d at least have a life. I have advanced cancer. It’s one of the few remaining incurable cancers. I’m dying. I’m only twenty-five years old and I’ll be dead within six months. If I’m not transformed to komali, I will not live to see Earth again. I might be a freak, but I’d be a living freak.”
“What does your family think of this,” asked Ka-Pawli.
I sighed and said, “I don’t have a family anymore. My parents died five years ago during re-entry.”
Ka-Pawli turned to speak to the native she called her father. As she spoke, the expression on the elder male softened somewhat. He spoke to her for several minutes. She then nodded and turned back to me. She said, “Father expresses his sadness at your suffering. He said the life-giver should detect this sickness inside you and try to save you at its own expense.”
I took a step closer to Ka-Pawli and was instantly greeted again by raised weapons. I said, “Does that mean you will help me?”
Ka-Pawli looked at me sadly and said, “Yes. We will help you become komali. My father can’t just stand by and let you die. I told my father that your illness will bring you great pain and suffering before it finally kills you. He also thanks the hoomans for the gift of a new life-giver.”
I wanted to hug her. I said, “Thank you! You don’t know how…”
Raising her hand to stop me, Ka-Pawli said, “Against my father’s better judgment, he will allow you to return with your boat. You confirmed my father’s fears. I accepted my father’s wisdom and I’m so much happier for it.” Exposing a row of white, sharp teeth she smiled at her child and kissed it. “I’d never be this happy if I had returned to Earth as the lone member of my people.”
“I can appreciate your position,” I said watching her and her child interact. “They only allowed me to come and ask to be transformed on the condition that I return to Earth and make myself available for research. I know it’ll be a self-imposed exile from everything I know. But I can still read and watch movies. They’ll let me outside once in a while.”
Ka-Pawli gave me a knowing look and said, “Will they? You sure about that? I never dreamed my own captain would toss a net over me and try to force me onto the boat. I won’t try to stop you, but just know, as I found out. Once you are no longer hooman, you’re just another animal.”
I straightened my shoulders and said, “I know. I’m ready for that. Especially considering the alternative.”
After a pause, Ka-Pawli smiled and said, “Hey. Let’s don’t just stand here all day. Let me give you and Dr. Marcus the grand tour. Make sure your cameras are turned on.” She then said something in the native’s language. The males lowered their weapons and we were suddenly surrounded by children.
As she showed us her village, one large male stayed close to her and always kept a suspicious eye on Dr. Marcus and myself. She introduced him as her mate, Ra-Mali. She also formally introduced her father and a few of her sisters.
“As you’ll be whisked back to Earth as soon as your transformation and education is over, you really won’t get to experience what going from male to female really feels like,” said Ka-Pawli. We stopped our tour just outside the main community building that also served as a church. “Becoming a completely new species was mind boggling enough as it was. But to also be a female in a very male dominated culture… that took some getting used to.”
Standing in the shade from the brightly colored leaves of the very old and tall tree in the courtyard of the church building, I said, “I was hoping I could spend a couple of weeks here as a komali so I could get a feel for your culture. No amount of observing from the outside will ever tell us as much as actually living it.”
Sighing, Ka-Pawli said, “We don’t mean to be rude, but we want you all to leave as soon as possible. You don’t belong here. You’re disruptive. You want to explore? Fine. Just do it away from people. Any people.”
I spread my arms and said, “How can you deny, and keep me from the culture that I’ll become a member of?”
Ka-Pawli looked a bit angry as she said, “Because you’re not. When I first transformed, I wanted to stay with the hoomans. I thought I could go back and be… well a hero of sorts. Become a bridge between cultures. But when I realized how alone I’d be, I wanted to remain here. With my own kind. I’m as much komali as if a komali woman had given me birth. You will always be standing on the outside.”
“I do want to be a part of your society!” I exclaimed. “I want to become komali in spirit as well as body. They can study me and leave you alone.”
Ka-Pawli laughed. She said, “I think they will never leave us alone, now that they know we’re here.” She paused a moment as she looked at both Dr. Marcus and me as we stood there in our environment suits. She said, “It’s too bad you can’t try our food, but it’s probably poisonous to you.”
Dr. Marcus said, “I truly wish I could try it. When do you think your father will want to do the transformation on Chris? I’m going to record every second of it and if we’re to wait too much longer, we should probably go recharge our suits.”
Ka-Pawli shook her head. She said, “No. You will not record it. Only Chris will remain here. You and your soldiers must return to your boat. You can then retrieve him after he’s done.”
Dr. Marcus looked extremely frustrated. He said, “Don’t you understand? This is an incredible process! It must be documented!”
Looking stern, Ka-Pawli said, “Father will never permit it. Leave Chris here and return to your boat, or all of you leave.”
Dr. Marcus said, “FTL-15 took a life-giver back to Earth. We put a terminally ill volunteer in the folds of the plant.” Looking disgusted, he continued, “What happened next was horrifying. The volunteer’s flesh dissolved and the plant disintegrated almost instantly. That’s why we need to document what happens here.”
Ka-Pawli leaned in close to Dr. Marcus and spoke with a sound very much like a sneer. She said, “You still don’t get it do you? You can’t take the life-givers back to Earth and use them there. The plants have to intertwine with the other native plants and life here. That’s where it draws its energy! You can’t recreate this biome on Earth. I hope you didn’t bring poor Chris here in hopes of doing that.”
Dr. Marcus said, “No. No, of course not. We were hoping that maybe we could learn to use the life-giver without the transformations. The value of such a plant would be astronomical back on Earth. We could…”
“No!” shouted Ka-Pawli. “That is enough. Hoomans are not welcome here any longer. Do not return. I like Chris. We will help him. You, Dr. Marcus I don’t like. I will not help you rape this planet. Now. Return to your boat so we can prepare Chris for his… um… journey.”
I was shaking terribly with both fear and anticipation. Fear that I might die right here and now. Fear of becoming what to human beings are basically monsters; unnatural creatures. Anticipation of ridding myself of the cancer killing me. And yes, anticipation in becoming a sentient being from another world.
I stood there, the only human being, in the king’s courtyard, surrounded by a dozen or so members of an alien species. The king and Ka-Pawli of course, Ra-Mali, a sister named Ka-Nawa, as well as a half dozen other of her sisters. The life-giver was layed out on the purple grass before me. I watched in fascination as its tendrils instantly began to intertwine through the grass.
Ka-Pawli walked up to me and said, “Last chance to back out. I can’t speak for your crew, but no one here will think less of you if you back out now.”
I took a deep breath and said, “I’m ready. Let’s do this.”
Ka-Pawli smiled and said, “Enjoy that last deep breath of oxygen. You will never breathe it again. The first step is going to be horrendously painful for you. It has nothing to do with the transformation but we can’t help it. You will need to take off your environment suit as well as removal of your skivvies. In those few seconds, your lungs will feel to be on fire. Your eyes will feel like someone is sticking a knife into them. Humans can’t exist in this toxic atmosphere. Basically Chris, you are going to be in one big world of shit.”
I swallowed hard. I did not like what I was going to have to face. I started to unlatch my helmet. I stopped and looked curiously at Ka-Pawli. I said, “Your speech pattern is different. You’re not talking in a stilted, style of speech.”
Ka-Pawli laughed and said, “That’s for the tourists. You’re about to be family. Take a deep breath, take your helmet off and work quickly to get out of that suit.”
I furrowed my brown and said, “Isn’t there going to be a ceremony of some kind?”
After Ka-Pawli translated, Ka-Nawa said with a smirk, “It’s not like we do this every day. After Ka-Pawli, I didn’t think we’d ever do this again. So no. No fanfare or ceremony. Just lie down and kiss your hooman butt good-bye.”
Ka-Pawli laughed and said, “I did mention to father that, instead of telling the humans to beat it, we should open a retirement home here for Earthers.” Ka-Pawli quickly translated the rest of our conversation.
Ra-Nala frowned and said, “I told you that’s a bad idea! I can’t keep up with the daughters I already have!”
Ka-Nawa and Ka-Pawli laughed. Ka-Pawli looked at me and said, “Okay. Let’s get this over with. Deep breath and strip fast!”
I nodded. I took a deep breath and gave my helmet a twist. There was a hiss as the thicker and more toxic and very warm air of the planet rushed to fill the suit. I held my breath as I started unzipping the suit. My eyes started burning.
I seemed to be moving in slow motion as I raced to remove the suit. I couldn’t pull my head through the opening. I was caught on something. Ka-Pawli stepped beside me and unsnapped a catch I’d forgotten about. Holding my breath for so long, my lungs felt as if they were about to explode. I finally pulled my arms from the sleeves and stepped out of the boots.
The acids in the grass burned my naked feet. I yelled, “Shit!” I immediately spat up blood. Ka-Pawli and Ka-Nawa pulled my arms to bring me to the life-giver.
Ka-Pawli said, “Lay down now! Don’t fight it! Just relax.”
Relax my ass! I felt like I was on fire. As I lay on the life-giver, I felt thousands of tiny pin-pricks on my skin. And then an inner peace fell over me. I looked up at Ka-Pawli, my eyes still burning and smiled at her. I then passed out.
I slowly opened my eyes. My vision was blurry but I could make out the shapes of Ka-Pawli and Ka-Nawa bending over me. Above me was a slowly brightening morning sky. The process had taken most of the night it seems. All the sounds seemed muffled. There was an odd buzzing on my forehead. I drifted off again.
I was suddenly, violently brought awake. I gasped a lungful of air and my body shook. I closed my eyes and just laid there for a few moments. As I slowly re-opened my eyes, I heard Ka-Nawa as she said, “Her education is complete, my father.” Incredible! I was able to understand her native language.
I raised myself up on one elbow and looked around. Ka-Pawli was grinning at me. She said, “Welcome to komali, my sister.”
Ra-Nala, her father looked down at me and smiled. He said firmly, “Stand, my child.”
I just lay there for a few moments, unsure of how to stand. This new body felt so different.
One of the other girls said, “Better do as father says.” She giggled.
On wobbly legs I slowly stood up and took an unsure step towards the king. He smiled at me and said, “Welcome. Welcome my newest daughter to your komali family. Even though you plan to leave our world, you will forever be komali and my daughter. Your name shall be Ka-Shiwa.”
I smiled nervously and said, “Thank you… um… father. I am very grateful for your help.”
Ra-Nala laughed and said, “One can never have too many daughters! Especially at the rate I’m losing them! Two will be mated this week!” Two girls behind me laughed.
I stood there and studied my four fingered hand. I felt so weird. My color perception was completely different. Every square inch of my new body felt alien, but so natural at the same time.
Ka-Pawli smiled at me. She said, “Don’t worry. You’ll quickly get used to your new body. By the end of the day, you won’t even remember what it was like to be human. And, father has some good news for you.”
Ra-Nala said, “Oh yes. I have decided that my daughter should know her roots before she leaves us forever. I know it’s not long, but I will let you stay for thirty days… our days so you may learn as much as possible about your new culture and who you are now.”
I smiled, and realizing that I was showing a row of sharp, white teeth. I said, “Thank you father. I’ll let Dr. Marcus know when he returns this morning to see the new me.”
Ra-Nala’s face darkened as he said, “I do not trust that hooman. But, unlike your sister, you at least are aware that you will be placed in a special cage in the cargo hold of their boat. I don’t like it, but it is your choice.”
Ka-Pawli folded her arms and frowned. She said, “You didn’t give me a choice. You just plain old forbid me of returning.”
My new father shrugged and said, “We didn’t have an agreement with you as we do with your sister. I don’t approve. I’d prefer Ka-Shiwa stay with us and provide me with more grandchildren.”
“You’re blushing,” laughed Ka-Nawa.
My cheeks felt warm. I said, “Komali can blush?”
Her words dripping with a bit of sarcasm, Ka-Pawli said, “Yes. Us barbaric space alien monsters can blush.”
Feeling my face get even warmer I said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way. I only meant…”
Ka-Pawli laughed as she interrupted. She said, “I was teasing. Don’t get a komang up your butt. Come on. Let’s find something for you to wear. Unless you want males drooling over you.”
Ra-Mali who had been silent this whole time said, “Trust me. They will anyway. The life-givers seem to create the most beautiful females ever.”
A smiling Dr. Marcus walked up to me and I saw his mouth moving but I couldn’t hear anything. I pointed at my ear and said, “What?”
Raising a hand in a gesture to indicate he understood, Dr. Marcus pressed a button the sleeve console of his suit. He said again, “Is that really you in there, Chris?”
I smiled and said, “Yes, it is.” I was out with Ka-Nawa who was showing me how to dig konokka berries under some trees just outside the city. I had managed to dig out three so far.
I rotated around as if I was modeling clothes and said, “What do you think?”
Dr. Marcus grinned and said, “I think it’s absolutely amazing. You look no different from any of the native born young females in the village.”
I held up one of the berries I’d dug up and said, “I’m learning firsthand the culture of the komali. We’re a lot deeper than you hoomans give us credit for.” I had discovered that trying to say certain English words from the komali vocal cords were next to impossible. “Father has granted me thirty days to learn as much as possible before I leave.”
Dr. Marcus shook his head and said, “That’s in insanely short time to learn a culture, but I guess we’ll take what we can get.”
He paused a moment and then looked at me with his head cocked to one side. He said, “You said ‘we’. Have you separated from your human roots so quickly?”
I spread my arms out and laughed. I said, “Well, look! I look nothing like you anymore. The rest of the crew who are exploring the area already treat me differently. I can’t help but switch sides.”
Looking me up and down, Dr. Marcus said, “What’s with the knife? I thought komali were peaceful with the females dependent on the males for protection?”
I pulled the long, curved blade from his sheath attached to the harness of my clothes and held it up. I said, “See? Until now, you never asked. You just assumed things. While we do count on the males to protect our city, this is a very dangerous world, Dr. Marcus. At any moment, any of us could be attacked by some vicious animal, plant or even komali from other cities. We have to protect ourselves. Plus, the knife also represents a rite of passage to adulthood.”
Dr. Marcus looked at me curiously. He said, “You’re considered adult? Even to my human eyes you seem to be a juvenile.”
I shrugged and said, “Apparently, if you’re old enough to breed, you’re considered adult in this culture.”
“Maturity doesn’t count?” asked Dr. Marcus.
“Hey, I’m new here myself,” I said. “I suggest you go to the community center and talk to the priest. Stop acting like we’re one step removed from animals. We’re a complex society. The priest shapes that community.”
Dr. Marcus smiled and said, “Actually, having a chat with the priest is on my list for today. However, I’ll need you or Ka-Pawli as interpreter.”
Nodding, I said, “True. I’ll be through here soon. I’ll help you then.”
With a wave, Dr. Marcus bade good-bye and walked the path back to the city.
Ka-Nawa said, “What did the hooman want? And he should have a hunter protecting him. It’s dangerous to be alone, even this close to the city.”
I laughed and said, “Humans think they’re indestructible. They seem to have a belief they are somehow exempt from death. Maybe that’s what gives them the chutzpah to travel among the stars?”
Ka-Nawa shrugged and said, “I just thought that was just insanity at work.”
I awoke and stretched. I looked out the window at another beautiful morning. I still haven’t got used to the copper sky. I also still marvel that the air that smells so sweet to me is a deadly poison on Earth.
Below me, I heard the sound of crunching grass and rocks. I looked down to see one of the young males of the city entering Father’s courtyard. He looked up at me and smiled.
He waved and said brightly, “It’s a beautiful morning, isn’t? I’m glad to see you’re awake, since I wanted to get an early start. Ra-Mali told me to take you on a little outing this morning to show you some of the wonders of our… well, now your, world. There’s a great spot up along the kolata mountain ridge. But the view is best before mid-morning light. Why are you still in your window? Come on, let’s go!”
I shook my head and laughed. I said, “I can’t leave without my father’s permission. And, who did you say you were?”
Looking disappointed, the male said, “You don’t know me? I’m none other than Ra-Pala! Everyone in the city knows me! Ra-Mali is my personal trainer. Surely you’ve seen me around. I just won the cross-bow contest.” He thumped his chest and said, “I’m going to be the greatest hunter the city has ever seen!”
I grinned at him. I leaned out the window and said, “It’s nice to finally meet a humble male for once.”
Ra-Pala wrinkled up his nose and said, “I don’t know what you mean. Anyway, let’s go!”
I said, “I need to ask my fath…”
Father called from the next room, “If it’ll cut down the noise, you have my permission to go.”
I buckled my harness on and said, “Thank you Father! I’ll be back soon.”
I’m not sure what Father said, but it sounded like “Gath!” and then he started snoring. I giggled to myself and ran down the ramp to the bottom floor.
When I exited out onto the courtyard, Ra-Pala stood there, arms folded and tapping one foot. “By the gods, woman! How long does it take you to come down? The day is half over. Come. I have my kolima saddled for two.”
Grinning, I followed Ra-Pala around to the front of the house. Like most young males, he was an arrogant ass. But he was kinda cute actually.
“What’s so funny?” demanded Ra-Pala as I saw his kolima tethered to a post outside my father’s house.
I shouldn’t have laughed, but I couldn’t help but find it funny that his kolima was decked out in full battle armor. It was mostly a light cloth and thin leather. Most people who have one, usually just trot around on their animals with just a saddle if that much.
I said, “I’m sorry. I just didn’t know you were expecting trouble.”
Not catching my subtle sarcasm, Ra-Pala grinned at me and said, “The best hunters are always expecting trouble!” He then jumped up into his saddle. Then he held out his hand to me to help me up.
I took his hand and was surprised at his strength as he lifted me up onto his kolima. The extra weight made the animal shift a bit on its two long legs.
Ra-Pala turned around in his saddle and said, “Feel free to put your arms around my waist to hold on. The ride can get pretty rough. However, don’t go getting any ideas. I already have ten females from the city’s finest families vying for my attention.”
Smirking, I said, “I’ll let Father know that the king’s family isn’t one of the finest in the city.”
He blushed several deep shades and said, “Tha… that’s not what I meant. The king’s family is like the highest family of course! I didn’t mean to say anything against the king!” He paused for a moment and then said, “You won’t say anything, will you?”
I shrugged and said, “Maybe. Depends on my mood later.”
Forcing a smile, Ra-Pala said, “Your mood will be wonderful later!” He gave his kolima a slight kick in the flanks and off we went.
We took a little traveled trail behind the city. It wound up into the mountains. It was a gorgeous trail. We passed over small streams and rode past ponds of various sizes. I guess we were on a trail used mainly by hunters. I wished I had a camera with me as we passed some of the most splendid examples of wildlife I’d seen yet.
Ra-Pala turned out to be a great tour guide. He knew the names of most of the animals we stirred up and a great deal of the plants.
As we progressed higher and higher up the side of the sloping mountain, it became harder to breathe. The heavier air must thin out at lower elevations than on Earth. The poor kolima we were riding was starting to make wheezing sounds.
Trying to suck in some air, I said, “I’m starting to get uncomfortable. It’s getting harder to breathe and I’m getting cold.” I remember viewing some of the temperature readings from the ship and the temperatures at our elevation was probably a brisk 34C. I wondered if coats even existed on this planet. Back in the city it was a nice 56C dipping down to almost 51C at night.
Ra-Pala laughed. He said, “Typical female! Can’t take any variance. Trust me, Ka-Shiwa. It will be worth it. Not many have ventured this far.”
The cold wind cut me like a knife. I folded my arms tightly against me. I was starting to get kind of miserable. We rode in silence for about ten minutes before I said, “Please. Let’s turn around. I’m freezing. And I think the kolima is going to pass out.”
Ra-Pala shook his head and said, “Just another couple of minutes and then you’ll forget about feeling cold.” I ducked in behind him trying to use his body to block the cold wind.
A few minutes later we crested the top of a rocky ridge that went for miles in either direction. We were well above where any vegetation would grow. I was curled up tightly behind Ra-Pala.
He outstretched his arms and said, “Top of the world!”
I peeked over his shoulder and my eyes widened. I slid off the saddle and stumbled to the edge of the rocky ridge. Views like this are common from the air. But to be standing here, on the very top of that ridge and looking outward took what was left of my breath away.
“Holy shit!” I gasped.
Stretching before me was an incredible sight. The curvature of the planet was so prominent. It almost gave me vertigo to look DOWN at clouds. Below us were mountain tops. Starting up in the mountains just below and stretching far away into the misty, brownish haze was a magnificent canyon winding through forests and dry plains, waterfalls occasionally dotting its edges. At the extreme ends of my vision was what looked to be an ocean.
On the other side of the ridge, the lower levels were obscured by cloud cover. But I could see more mountains and forests. But the larges feature was a massive ocean stretching to the horizon. I later learned that that side of the ridge was largely unexplored because it was so hard to get to.
Above us, the sky was the deepest, richest copper I’ve ever seen.
I collapsed to my knees, humbled by the vision before me. I completely forgot about the cold wind blowing through my hair.
Standing behind me, Ra-Pala said, “I told you it was worth it. Very few ever venture this far.”
I stood next to Ra-Pala and whispered, “Thank you.”
Ka-Nawa looked incredulous. She said, “He took you where? You shouldn’t go there! That’s where the gods live!”
I said, “It’s the most beautiful sight you’ll ever see in your life. You should get Ra-Mali to take you and Ka-Pawli there. It’s really worth it.”
Ka-Nawa smiled knowingly. She said, “Still. He must like you.”
I stopped laying out the strips of meat we were preparing for dinner. I said, “Why would you say that?”
“Because he took you to his personal sacred place. The place most special to him,” said Ka-Nawa. “That’s what Ra-Mali did with Ka-Pawli. He was sweet on her from the start.”
“Did he know she was a human male?” I asked as I went back to helping prepare the meal.
Ka-Nawa laughed. She said, “There was nothing hooman left. Just a very pretty, komali female that stepped out of the life-giver. Same as you.”
I looked up from my work and said, “You think I’m pretty?”
Ka-Nawa gave me a go to hell look and said, “Yes. I’m not going to mate with you, but yes, you’re gorgeous. And it’s not fair. You weren’t born here, but you’re both the prettiest females anyone has ever seen. Must be a feature of the life-giver.”
I went back to cutting the meat and said, “So you think he likes me?”
Ka-Nawa grinned widely and said, “Oh! You like him, don’t you?”
Frowning I said, “Give me a break. I’ve only been female for six days. I’m not sure of any of my feelings. Yes, he’s cute. And despite being a little prick, he’s nice.”
Still grinning, Ka-Nawa said, “I think father is about to lose another daughter. And again, before me.”
I grimaced and said, “Well, he is. But not the way you’re thinking. I’ll be leaving in about three days.”
Looking suddenly sad, Ka-Nawa said, “That’s right. He won’t go with you. You know that, right?”
I sighed deeply and said, “I’d never ask him to.”
I stood outside the lander with Dr. Marcus. Through the windscreen, I could see the pilot doing whatever the hell it is she does at the console. She saw me, smiled and waved. I used to think she was really hot. But now humans are just so damn ugly.
“The captain is getting anxious to leave,” said Dr. Marcus. “Do you really need to stay the full thirty days?”
“I want to,” I said flatly. “I like it here. This place has become home to me in a way Earth will never be again.”
Dr. Marcus nodded and said, “I can understand that. These people are your kind now. But don’t forget we have an agreement. You signed a contract.”
I chuckled and said, “Father said I can ignore that contract if I want to.”
Dr. Marcus frowned and said, “Oh? Is he a lawyer as well as a king?”
I scowled for a moment and said, “Don’t mock Father. He’s very wise. What he told me is that, for one thing, Earth laws don’t exist here. And secondly, the person who signed that contract is effectively dead. Chris Mathers no longer exists.”
Looking angry, Dr. Marcus said, “Don’t pull a Newman on us, Chris. You made a promise to us to come back. We really need a living, but docile specimen of komali. The one we tried to capture on the second mission here was a disaster. He managed to kill a crewmember and badly damage the lander before we wound up killing him. They almost didn’t make it back to the ship.”
Shocked, I said, “I thought we were the second mission here!”
Dr. Marcus shook his head and simply said, “Third. We kept the second one quiet.”
Feeling betrayed, I said, “You son of a bitch! You killed a komali trying to capture him? And you say we’re barbaric?”
Dr. Marcus said, “Well, now we don’t have to endanger one to bring it back. We have you.”
“Maybe,” I said. “Like I said. I like it here.”
Both of us laughing, Ra-Pala and I walked back into the king’s courtyard. Most of the family was there, doing various activities. Ra-Mali was helping with his two children as Ka-Pawli was just starting to show on her third pregnancy.
Ra-Mali looked up as we entered and said to Ra-Pala, “How did hunter practice go to day, boy?”
Ra-Pala beamed. He said, “It was great. I took top honors in the class again today!”
I said, “They even let me practice with the crossbow some.”
Ra-Pala nodded and said, “She’s not a bad shot…for a female.”
Ka-Pawli said, “I’m sure she was good, regardless. I see that you two are spending a lot of time together.”
I smiled and said, “He’s teaching me a lot about the life of a komali. He’s taken me on a hunt and out to find kotuki eggs. He’s taken me to every shop in town! We even went to a nearby city. Father said it was okay.”
Ka-Pawli looked up and said, “You know where he should take you? To that little meadow where the yellow flowers grow that let you link into the planet. You’ll never forget the experience.”
I said, “That sounds interesting. Do you know where that is?”
Ra-Pala said, “Yes. There’s actually several outside the city. We’ll go to a remote one after lunch.”
I looked from Ka-Pawli to Ra-Pala and said, “Isn’t that dangerous? I’ve seen koralth in the bushes just outside the city.”
Ra-Pala said, “Occasionally they show up near the city, but not often. They really are afraid of us. Besides, you’ll have the city’s greatest hunter…”
Ra-Mali coughed.
Ra-Pala continued, “… the city’s second greatest hunter protecting you.”
About an hour and a half later, we were pushing our way through thick leaves and branches on our way to a remote place where the little yellow flowers grow. We stepped into a small clearing and like so many other places on this planet, it was beautiful.
The yellow flowers ringed the clearing. Flying insects flitted from flower to flower. The grass was so soft. Ra-Pala indicted a place for me to sit near one of the flowers.
“Now you don’t want to stay connected to the flowers for too long,” cautioned Ra-Pala. “I’ve heard some go mad listening to the sound of the planet. Some just never come out of it.”
“Are you sure it’s safe then?” I asked as I touched a soft petal of one of the flowers.
“I suppose it is,” said Ra-Pala with a shrug.
Tinged with a bit of sarcasm, I said, “Well that’s reassuring!”
Ra-Pala leaned in towards me and said, “Just sit back and relax.” He pulled the flower towards me. The stems were longer than I thought. He entwined the flower with my dangly thing. I hadn’t really paid much attention to my tendril. But now…oh my God!
My tendril began to tingle. Sounds, seemingly far away at first slowly began to rise in intensity. Colors and sounds began to swirl in my mind, oddly combining. It was the chatter of millions of entities, plants, animals, even insects all combining into a beautiful symphony of sound. It wasn’t jarring or unpleasant. Just the opposite.
And suddenly I felt another presence very close to me. Through my tendril, I was able to see Ra-Pala, not with sight, but with sound and emotion. My whole body tingled and felt warm and comfy. With my mind, I could stretch out beyond the clearing and see trees and various animals. I didn’t see them so much as sense them. It was a most amazing experience.
Suddenly Ra-Pala became a very clear presence in my mind. He had touched our tendrils together. We seemed to be floating together in a swirl of color and sound. I’ve never felt such happiness as we tumbled slowly around.
Ra-Pala’s face was suddenly close to mine. He grinned at me and reached out a virtual hand and touched my face. He said, “You really are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”
Despite the fact that I’d been a komali female for such a short time, I felt immense pleasure with his words. In fact, I was surrounded by pleasure and beauty on a scale I could never have imagined before. I looked at the smiling image of Ra-Pala floating before me. Until this moment, while I had thought he was cute, I never realized just how cute he was and how, of all the young komali males I’d met, he seemed to be the best catch. Good looking. Brave. Skilled hunter.
What was left of my human mind kept whispering that these feelings were being induced through our tendrils by Ra-Pala himself. But I felt so happy; I pushed those thoughts from my mind.
And then I felt him enter me. I wasn’t repulsed by the thought of a male sliding his penis inside me. In fact, it excited me. It drove me almost crazy with pleasure. Of all the females in the city, Ra-Pala was choosing me to mate with. It wasn’t an official mating where would become a couple for life. I could see in his mind that I was the only female he’s mated. That drove me over the edge and I was no longer just a passive participant in the act of mating. I thrust my hips towards him; I pulled him closer to me and kissed him. I knew I was doing this in the physical world not just in my mind. I was so happy I never wanted this moment to end.
“How did you enjoy your encounter with the yellow flowers?” asked Ka-Pawli when I walked back inside our family’s courtyard.
I grinned and said, “That was the most incredible experience I’ve ever had. It’s worth becoming komali just for that.”
Ka-Pawli smiled as she continued preparing the evening meal. All my sisters and me took turns preparing and making the meals. She didn’t look up as she said, “Yes. It’s a wonderful way to relax and re-energize and re-connect with all the life on the planet.”
I nodded and said, “I hope I get to do that at least once more before I have to leave.”
Ka-Pawli nodded back and said, “You should be able to. It’s just not wise to use the flowers too often. Some people never come back to reality. Just remember to never do that alone.”
I smiled and said, “Ra-Pala is a great teacher.”
Ka-Pawli looked over at me and said, “Maybe. I still think Ra-Mali, Ka-Nawa or me should have gone with you instead. I’m sure the temptation to take advantage of you was pretty strong with him.”
I frowned and said, “We just had a great time, okay?”
Ka-Pawli looked at me oddly and said, “Okay, okay. Hey, help me cut these steaks.”
I nodded and said, “Sure.” I picked up the strips of meat and started cutting on them. “I’m curious about something. Can I ask you something personal?”
“Sure. I guess so,” said Ka-Pawli. “We’re all sisters.”
“When did you know you wanted to mate Ra-Mali?” I said glancing over at her.
Ka-Pawli smiled at some inner thought. She said, “I resisted his flirting at first. I was a human male and the thought of being the fancy of another male bothered me at first. But I grew to like him the more we were together.” She suddenly looked sad. “And when I thought he was going to die, that’s when I knew I loved him.”
Not looking up, I said, “So you didn’t mate before then?”
Ka-Pawli shook her head. She said, “Oh no. I mean I wondered what it would be like to be with him from time to time. But like I said, I didn’t know I loved him until I thought I was going to lose him.”
“When you did mate him, did you like it?” I asked.
A large smile spread across her face as Ka-Pawli said, “Oh yes. After mating Ra-Mali, if they had a way to convert me back to a human male, I would have refused it. It’s such a wonderful experience.” She patted her belly and said, “Obviously!”
“Is it normal to mate before the actual ceremony?” I asked, still not looking over at her.
“Young people do foolish things all the time. It happens despite the best efforts of…” Ka-Pawli stopped in mid-sentence and looked over at me. Her smile was replaced with a shocked expression. She said, “He mated you, didn’t he?”
I didn’t look up. I felt tears welling up in my eyes. I simply said, “Yes.”
Ka-Pawli touched my shoulders and turned me to face her. Concern on her face, she said, “Oh my little sister. You are becoming a woman. This complicates things.”
“I’m not pregnant am I?” I asked. “Ra-Pala said it can’t happen the first time.” I have to admit. I was starting to feel a bit nervous about this. I can’t believe I actually let myself have sex with an alien male. But then again, I was running totally on pleasure and I’ve never had so much of it before.
Ka-Pawli shook her head and said, “That’s unfortunately not true. But I doubt you are. Your cycles probably haven’t started yet. Mine took almost three weeks to start after becoming female.”
“Father won’t be upset will he?” I asked as I wiped at a tear.
Ka-Pawli laughed. She said, “Just don’t tell him. He doesn’t need to know everything you do. But if he knew, he wouldn’t be angry with you. He’d voice disappointment at you for not waiting until you’re officially mated to someone.”
I hesitated several moments. Finally I said, “I don’t want to return to Earth now. I don’t want to be away from Ra-Pala.”
Ka-Pawli frowned and said, “That’s why I said this complicates things. He can’t go with you. His father and our father would never allow it. And if Father finds out you mated a komali male, he will forbid you to leave anyway.”
“Can you keep this a secret?” I asked. “I have to go back. I don’t have a choice.”
Ka-Pawli smiled at me and said, “You always have choices, little sister. But for now, I’ll keep your secret and not tell Father, though he’ll probably punish me for not telling him. We’re sisters, Ka-Shiwa. Never be afraid to come to me.”
I nodded and hugged her. I said, “Thanks.”
“Thanks for inviting me and Captain Khurana to your house for Chris’ farewell party,” said Dr. Marcus. He and the ship’s captain were seated as best as they could in their environment suits on a couple of make-shift chairs. It was late afternoon and the humans would have to leave before it got dark. Ka-Pawli sat between the komali and humans acted as a translator going both directions.
The rest of us, Father, my sisters and Ra-Mali sat on the grass or on the few chairs we had in the house. I sat next to Father while one of my sisters braided my hair.
Capt. Khurana said, “Yes. Thank you for your hospitality. In five days we’ll be out of your hair. Hopefully we have learned a lot about each other so we can build on a relationship of mutual trust.” He glanced over at Ra-Mali who sat silently with his large crossbow. The security team from the ship was not allowed into the city.
Father stroked the back of my head and said, “I’m going to greatly miss my daughter. Ka-Shiwa has proven herself to be a true komali in all the things she has learned. She has become a valuable part of our community.”
Dr. Marcus grinned and said, “I’m so glad to hear Chris has learned so much. He’ll be an incredible asset for our studies of your world.”
“My name is Ka-Shiwa,” I said in English with a tinge of annoyance. “Please do not call me that human name again.”
“Ah, yes. Yes. I’m very sorry Ka-Shiwa,” said Dr. Marcus quickly. “I certainly meant no offense.”
Father’s face softened as he continued to stroke my hair. He said, “It will break my heart to no longer be able to see my newest daughter. To never know if she’s happy or sad and not be able to offer her advice weighs heavy on me.”
“I doubt that this will be the last time we visit your beautiful planet,” said Dr. Marcus. “We can bring back recordings showing you how well Ka-Shiwa is doing and much she’s helping without research.”
Ka-Pawli said, “You can’t possibly research her for the rest of her life. In a couple of years, you’ll have mapped her DNA, and learned how body works and just about everything about her. Just bring her back home.”
Father grinned and said, “That is an excellent suggestion! So, hooman. Why not just bring her back home instead of these…what are they? Recordings?”
Dr. Marcus looked thoughtful for a moment. He said, “I’ll bring that up with the Board of Governors, Ra-Nala. Chris… or rather Ka-Shiwa is a citizen of Earth, despite her appearances. They will decide what is in her best interests.”
Father took his hand from my hair and leaned forward with a frown. He said, “I think I know what’s best for my daughters rather than this Board of Governors.”
Dr. Marcus stood up and outstretched his arms and said, “My good sir! Your daughter will be the star of an entire planet! Virtually everyone on Earth will know the name of Ka-Shiwa! Everyone will want to see her and hear her story.”
I stood up and in English shouted, “You make it sound like I’m going to be some fucking circus sideshow! I’d rather stay here and just be my father’s daughter than be subjected to all that shit!”
Nervous, Dr. Marcus said, “Oh no. No. I assure you Miss Shiwa, that nothing of the sort will happen. You will be treated with the utmost respect. You’ll be an ambassador for your adopted planet! So please! Put your mind at ease.”
“What if I don’t want to go?” I said.
Looking pissed, Dr. Marcus said, “We’ve discussed this already. More than once I might add. You’ve made an agreement. We’ve already made the payments you demanded. We’ve already built the rooms to house you. We have a huge investment in you.”
I looked over at Ka-Pawli and said in English, “Don’t translate this part.” I turned to Dr. Marcus and said, “You have a dead komali to study. You can map his DNA and catalog his internal organs. You don’t need me.”
Looking puzzled, Ka-Pawli said, “They have a dead komali? Who?”
“From a different village,” I said. “This is their third trip here. Not the second.”
Frustrated, Dr. Marcus said with some anger in his voice, “We can’t interview a dead komali. We can’t see how he moves. What he sounds like. Or see how he responds to different stimuli. We can learn so much more from you, Miss Shiwa!”
“It’s Ka-Shiwa, you dolt!” I spat.
Dr. Marcus indicated to Captain Khurana to stand. He said, “I see you’re just letting yourself get upset. As we get closer to the departure date, you’ll start longing for all your favorite Earth places to see and visit and you’ll be eager to return.” To the captain, he said, “Come, Captain. Let’s return to the lander.”
After the humans had left, Ka-Pawli approached me and said in English so Father wouldn’t know just yet, “Is that true? They have a dead komali? How?”
I said, “I don’t think they meant to kill him. In trying to capture him, he killed one of them and so badly damaged their ship they were barely able to get back to orbit.”
Ka-Pawli shook her head and said, “And then they discovered you. A terminally ill person with nothing to lose. It probably didn’t even take much effort to sell you on the idea and how it would extend your life.”
I nodded and said, “Very true.”
Ka-Pawli frowned and said, “Never tell this to Father. No telling what he’d be likely to do.”
I nodded again and said, “Mum’s the word.”
“Ra-Pala!” I squealed. “I hoped I’d see you at least one last time.” I was in the park area near the edge of the city, opposite of the city from my father’s house. I was keeping an eye on Ka-Pawli’s children while she and Ra-Mali went into the city to conduct some business of some kind. There were lots of children playing on the little structures designed for them to crawl over and inside. And lots of adult females watching them.
Ra-Pala grinned. He slid off his kolima and walked up and kissed me. He said, “I wasn’t going to let you leave and not say good-bye. I rather not let you leave.”
I frowned and said, “It’s complicated. But maybe they’ll bring me back when they’re done with me.”
Shrugging, Ra-Pala said, “I will have mated with someone else by then.”
Looking at the ground, I said, “I can’t ask you to wait for me. They might never let me return.”
“I could go with you,” said Ra-Pala earnestly.
“No!” I said a bit too sternly. “I would love to have you with me, but no. Don’t even think it. You would not be happy on Earth. You know those silly suits the humans wear? You’d have to wear one like it every time you left the building they’ll keep us in.”
Ra-Pala touched my cheek and said, “I hate to think of you in such a place. You’ll be all alone.”
I forced a smile and said, “Well, there won’t be any komali around, but I won’t be alone. Even when I take a dump.”
“Let’s go back to the yellow flowers once more,” said Ra-Pala. We’d been back there on one other occasion, but he didn’t try to mate me that time.
I shook my head and said, “I can’t right now. I’m watching Ka-Pawli’s children.”
Ra-Pala looked over at Ka-Pawli’s children just a dozen or so feet from us. He said, “You’ll never have your own children.”
Having spent most of my life as a male, the thought of giving birth was not a very comfortable one. I said, “I think I can skip that part.”
Ra-Pala grinned at me and said, “You’re sure you don’t want one or five of those?” He pointed at Ka-Pawli’s children playing nearby.
Before I could answer, there was a scream from behind me. Ra-Pala and I both started to turn around and saw to our horror a koralth running through the park. And he was making a B-line straight for Ka-Pawli’s children!
I started to run towards them. Ra-Pala caught my arm. He said, “He’ll kill you. There’s something wrong with him for him to come this far into the city! I don’t have my bow!”
The koralth circled the children for a moment. The children were frozen in fear. People in the park were screaming. I thought maybe he’ll just go on his way or maybe a hunter will show up soon.
And then to my horror, the koralth rushed to the youngest child and scooped her into his mouth and then he turned and darted away. The child screamed, “Mommy!”
I shouted, “Oh my God! He took her!” Without waiting or thinking of what I was going to do, I leaped into the saddle of Ra-Pala’s kolima and kicked it harder in the flanks than it probably has ever experienced. I’ve ridden on only twice and I held on for dear life as it took off like a shot. I held on for dear life as I drove the two-legged beast hell-bent for leather.
Kolima’s are fast when they need to be. Using the reins, I steered the kolima in the direction of the retreating koralth. I was gaining on it quickly and had to reach it before I lost it in the jungle. Ka-Pala was chasing after me on foot, shouting for me.
We entered the edge of the forest. The plants were still low enough that I could see the monster plowing through. As I approached it, I pulled my knife from its sheath and as soon as I was beside it, I leaped from the kolima onto the koralth’s back.
On impact, I drove the knife deep between the animal’s shoulder blades. It let out a howl and dropped the child and I saw it tumble away in the grass. There was some blood and I couldn’t tell if she was still breathing. I just didn’t have time to look.
The koralth tried to toss me off its back as I slashed at its neck. He fell to the ground and rolled, knocking me to the grass, its claws flailing in the air. A claw caught my arm and managed to slice it open. I gritted my teeth, trying not to yell. The koralth started to trot over to the child.
As I leaped at the koralth a second time, plunging my knife deep into the ribcage, I shouted, “You are NOT taking that child!” The beast roared in pain. It spun its head around and managed to get my leg in its mouth. It bit, puncturing my leg in several places. This time I screamed in pain and horror. I thought he was going to bite my leg off.
I felt faint. I couldn’t let go as that meant death for sure from those mighty jaws. He turned his head and ran towards the child again. Ra-Pala must be correct that there was something wrong with the animal. There’s no way the beast would continue to go after the child with me plunging my knife repeatedly into its flesh.
I cut its leg and caused it to stumble, tossing me again to the ground. This time the koralth turned and roared at me. He then came straight for me. I grabbed him by the throat. I had dropped my knife when I fell. I tried to hold his head with those horrible teeth just inches away from me as I frantically felt the ground beside me for the knife. I saw the knife fall. I knew it had to be right next to me.
It roared defiantly at me, his mouth just inches from my face. His breath stank of death, flesh and blood. He clawed at my side, cutting me open again. Finally, I found the knife and plunged it right into the koralth’s throat. Blood shot out all over my face. With one final growl, the koralth collapsed on top of me; dead.
Several hunters arrived on their kolimas a few moments after the koralth died. Ra-Pala had ridden with one of them. I heard a hunter shout, “The child is over here! She’s badly hurt, but alive!”
Ra-Pala said to the hunter next to him, “We got to get this monster off of her!”
Gasping for air and in tremendous pain, and feeling weak from blood loss, I said, “Don’t bother with me! Take the child to a life-giver. Save her!”
Ra-Pala said, “No. We take you too. Thanks to the hoomans, we have two life-givers at the church.” Together with the other hunter, Ra-Pala managed to roll the beast from me.
The other hunter said, “She’s tore up pretty bad. I don’t know if she’ll make it.”
Ra-Pala picked me up and placed me in front of the saddle on the kolima they had ridden up on. He looked at the other hunter and said, “She’ll make it. She has to. I’ll send someone for you!” He jumped into the saddle and kicked the flanks of the kolima and rode it hard back to the city.
When we arrived at the church, and Ra-Pala was rushing me to the other life-giver, the child was already laying in the warm glow of the other life-giver. Ka-Pawli was shouting and crying hysterically as Ra-Mali held her back. An older woman was leaning over the child and chanting.
An elderly woman directed Ra-Pala how to lay me into the life-giver. She said, “I’ll tend to her. Please move back.” She laid her hands on me and began to chant.
Lying in the life-giver felt so much different this time. No unpleasant pin pricks. I just felt warm and being softly massaged. I really thought I was going to die. But now I felt my life coming slowly back.
The woman leaning over me touched our tendrils together for a moment. She looked suddenly surprised. She leaned back and said, “This girl is pregnant!” I passed out.
As I sat up from the life-giver, everyone was staring at me.
Ra-Pala said, “Thank the gods you’re okay!” He held my hand.
Ka-Pawli said, “You’re a hero. You saved my child!”
Ra-Mali said, “Impressive, girl. Taking down a koralth with a knife.”
I just sat there in the glowing leaves of the life-giver and said, “Are you serious? I’m pregnant? How can you tell?” I felt my belly which was just as flat as it ever was.
The elder woman said, “I touched your tendril. Your body told me.”
Our father came running up to our little group, his breath heavy. He said, “What’s this about Ka-Pawli’s child being carried off by a koralth? Ra-Mali, why aren’t your organizing a hunting party? The trail will grow cold soon.”
Ka-Pawli picked up her little daughter from the life-giver and held her up for all to see. Smiling broadly, she said, “She’s fine, Father. Ka-Shiwa saved her.”
Father knitted his brows together as he looked from Ka-Pawli to me. He said, “Ka-Shiwa did what?”
Grinning, Ra-Mali said, “Ra-Nala, your newest daughter is a hunter in her own right. She chased the koralth down on a kolima and attacked it with only her knife. She was badly mauled and if not for the life-giver, would probably have died of her wounds.”
Ra-Pala said, “She didn’t hesitate a second. She jumped on the back of my kolima and rode after the beast.”
Smiling, Father stepped over to me and extended his hand to help me stand up. He placed his hands on my shoulders and held me tightly in his grip. He said, “I’m proud of you Ka-Shiwa. You thought only of the safety of that child and you acted selflessly. But you might have died. Next time, the gods forbid there ever is a next time, take some help with you.”
He hugged me tightly as a tear ran down his cheek.
He took a step back and said, “What this about you being pregnant?”
Sheepishly, I said, “I’m sorry Father. I only found out a moment ago.”
Ra-Nala said, “Nothing to be sorry for. I’m sure it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all you are learning. I’m sure back on Earth you mated with males every day and didn’t think a thing about it.”
I said, “Well, not exactly...”
Father said, “Who was the male that mated with you?”
Hanging his head some, Ra-Pala said, “That would be me, sir.”
Ra-Nala laughed and said, “I thought as much. Welcome to the family.” He looked over at me for a few moments, frowning. “This changes everything, my daughter. I forbid you to return to Earth with the hoomans.”
I said, “I’m afraid they will insist.”
Father said, “Do you want to go back?”
I shook my head and said, “Not any more. Especially now.”
Father said, “Then we’ll just have to tell the hoomans you’re not going back. Considering the circumstances, surely they’ll understand.”
“I don’t understand!” exclaimed Dr. Marcus. He, Captain Khurana, our chief biologist Dr. Linda Guzman and a security team of four were all standing in Father’s courtyard along with me, Ka-Pawli, Father, Ka-Nawa, Ra-Pala, Ra-Mali, all my sisters and several other hunters. The day I was supposed to return with the humans had arrived.
“I told you, Dr. Marcus. I’m pregnant. I’m not going back to Earth,” I said folding my arms under my breasts.
Dr. Guzman, who had been busy the past few weeks cataloging as many plants and animals as possible said, “We can’t cryo a pregnant animal, Dr. Marcus. The process would just kill them both.”
Scowling, I said, “Did you just say ‘animal’? Is that all I am to you?”
“I… uh, I… I was just speaking generically. We can’t cryo a pregnant anything successfully.”
“Just terminate the pregnancy,” said Dr. Marcus. “Then you can come back with us.”
“I’ll terminate you, if you try that!” I snarled. “The bottom line is that I’m not going back. Period!”
“You’ll be in breach of contract,” said Dr. Marcus seriously.
I laughed and said, “Sue me.”
Dr. Marcus looked at me, then over to Ka-Pawli. He said, “I can’t say that I blame you, really. When we were discussing our plan to bring you here, convert you and bring you back, we knew there was a high risk of you pulling a Newman.”
Captain Khurana said, “Enough discussion. This little excursion cost the taxpayers a lot of money. Dr. Guzman, sedate her. Security, seize her.”
Dr. Guzman hesitated for a second. She didn’t open her medical bag. The four security officers stepped towards me with their rifles drawn.
A dozen crossbows were quickly raised and pointed at various members of the human team.
I said, “For us, you have to hit a vital spot. For you, we just have to puncture your suits.”
The Security team just stood there a moment, unsure of what to do. Dr. Marcus looked genuinely worried. The captain just stood there and scowled.
The captain said, “Security. Stand down.” The security team stood motionless for a moment. “I said, stand down.” The security team lowered their weapons.
“Wise choice,” said Ka-Pawli.
I said, “Look. I really did intend to go back. But now I realize just how miserable I’d be. I mean, look around. I have a family now. How could I leave?”
Dr. Marcus smiled at me. He said, “Enjoy your family, Ka-Shiwa. I thank your king for his hospitality. Good-bye.” He turned back towards the ship and took a few steps. No one followed him.
Captain Khurana said, “We’re leaving without Mathers? We’ve wasted a trip to this shit-hole steam bath of a planet? I’m not leaving without him.”
Trying to look stern, Dr. Marcus said, “You’re in charge of the ship, Captain Khurana, not the expedition. We’re leaving now. And we’re leaving the kolmali girl here. Dr. Guzman has more than enough samples of flora and fauna to keep her team busy for years. Let’s go.”
Captain Khurana hesitated a moment, scowled at me and muttered, “Shit! Stupid bitch.” He turned and walked away, followed by the security team.
Dr. Guzman said, “Good luck.” She turned and followed the others.
After the humans had left the area, Father hugged me and said, “Thank you, Ka-Shiwa for not letting them convince you to go with them.”
I kissed Father’s cheek and said, “I could never leave you Father!”
Ra-Pala said, “What about me?”
I kissed Ra-Pala on the lips and lightly touched our tendrils together. I said, “I would never leave you, either!”
Father hugged Ra-Pala and I together and shouted, “Mating ceremony tonight!”
Ka-Pawli smiled at me as she slid her arm around Ra-Mali’s waist.
I looked around at my new family. I’ve never been happier in my whole life.
Pregnant with my second child, I was in the park with my son, teaching him to sing an Earth song when the drop ship from a military cruiser from Earth landed at the far edge of the park.
“I didn’t sign up for this shit,” A look of disgust crossed my face.
“You’re wearing a Marine uniform and sitting at the pilot seat of a military landing craft. You did sign up for this shit, Lieutenant,” snorted my Executive Officer.
I pointed out the narrow, thick windows at the view of several of the village’s natives being shot. “Well, I didn’t sign up for *that* shit!”
The XO nodded, “True that.”
I studied my XO for a few moments. He kept his rank. But I guess I shouldn’t really call him a he as he was now a she. A komali female. We were talking through an intercom as I had to wear my suit’s helmet because the interior of the ship was vented to the planet’s atmosphere.
She looked away from the view of the killing going on. “At least you got to stay hooman.”
Scowling at what was happening in the village, “Only because a komali body can’t fit in this pilot’s seat. I’m sure I’ll eventually wind up like you or dead sooner or later.”
The XO grimaced. “Try to go for dead. You don’t want to be what I’ve become.”
I continued to scowl “If we hadn’t been caught with our pants down, you’d still be human and that,” I pointed out the window again. “… wouldn’t be happening.”
It was so stupid. A classic mistake in underestimating both the intelligence and physical strength of the natives of this world. And that mistake wouldn’t have occurred if the captain of the research vessel hadn’t been so damned determined to get his sample native into the cryo-hold.
Instead of leaving the planet as planned, Captain Khurana of the research vessel decided to look for another village. He found one such village down on the plains a few klicks from the originally discovered village. He thought they could just go pop one of the males with a tranquilizer, freeze him and cart him back to Earth.
The native had other ideas, managed to shout for help and after a brief struggle that left a couple of the security team dead, the crew and staff of the research vessel surrendered.
These natives, who hate the originally discovered komali for some reason, had heard stories of strangers from the skies being converted to komali by using the plant whose name translates into “life-giver”. Not being able to communicate with their captors, they sacrificed one of their life-givers and converted Dr. Marcus to a komali female after accidently breaching his environment suit.
Using that little dangle thing on their forehead to educate Dr. Marcus; they also locked him into a special state of submissiveness. Dr. Marcus sang like a canary and they soon learned all about the expeditions as well as Earth. They also learned that the research vessel had a dozen life-givers on board. The komali proceeded to mortally wound the whole crew, and then forced them into a life-giver.
They named them all Ka-Naka which apparently is the name for prostitutes. They can’t get pregnant and are very docile. The plains tribe komali who call themselves Nalgun, seemed to take pleasure in slapping them around while using them a lot for pleasure.
And then another mistake. After being converted to komali, one of the crew members managed to relay a distress signal through the ship in orbit. A ship full of marines – our ship – was dispatched to the planet to quell whatever revolt was in progress. After all, that was the whole purpose of putting a military force into space. Somebody had to maintain order among all the new settlements.
The komali, instead of being fearful, actually delighted in the news when they found out what the crew member had done. They ripped the pilot seat out from the research ship and with the help of a couple of the converted crew, managed to switch the air handlers to produce the toxic gas the komali breath. Then using the converted and now compliant pilot, flew a couple of dozen komali males to the ship in orbit. When they arrived, they slaughtered the remaining crew, modified the air handlers on the main ship and then settled in to wait.
When we arrived at the research ship in orbit, nothing seemed out of place. Even though there was an odd accent, and because of the converted pilot, the ship’s crew responded with the proper codes. We suspected nothing when we finally docked with the ship. We thought the trouble was all planet side. I mean, these alien fuckers didn’t know how to fly up to space, right?
Two dozen aliens, armed with our own rifles as well as their crossbows poured through the airlocks, taking out half the marines and ship’s crew in just a matter of moments. They then quickly rounded up and subdued the rest of us, which wasn’t hard as they flooded our ship with their toxic atmosphere. We had to scramble to get our helmets on.
To scare us, they took two of us, converted them to female komali and made them extra submissive and gave them as presents to the city leaders. Needless to say, we were pretty horrified by what was happening to us. We were forced to train them in weapons use. Until they needed us, they kept us in the hold where a standard Earth atmosphere was maintained.
And then they attacked their long time rivals in the mountains. And I brought them. If I ever make it back to Earth, I’ll probably be court-martialed. As well I should. I should have eaten a bullet before turning this drop ship into taxi for hostile forces. Well, I wasn’t going to do it anymore.
I turned to my former XO and said, “Kill me.”
She looked at me a bit confused. “I can’t kill you. If I had the ability to kill anyone, you think I’d let them rape me constantly? I’m here to keep you in that seat so you don’t try anything stupid.”
“Then I’ll do something stupid so you have to kill me,” I started to stand up.
The XO smirked and said, “I’ll just hog tie you. Whatever they did to me when they converted me, made me physically incapable of killing anyone.” She jingled the second key for the console that she constantly wore around her neck. She said, “You’re not going anywhere, hooman. So just sit down.”
“You’re on their side now, huh?” I sneered at her as I sat back down. “To stop this madness, I have no problem killing you and taking the key.”
The XO laughed as she pulled a nasty looking knife from her harness. She said, “They let me keep this when I’m guarding you. Though there’s no way I can use it against my Masters. I’m not on their side. I’m compelled to obey my Master’s commands. Sorry Johnny. I have no choice in the matter.”
Waving the knife in the air, the XO said, “You want to try anything? There’s a life-giver with your name on it.”
I shook my head. “No. I’d rather be dead than be like you.”
The XO laughed. “Good choice.”
I suddenly jumped out of my seat, pointed out the window and shouted, “Holy shit! Look what they’re doing!”
The XO turned looking quickly out the view port, “What… ?”
I leaped into the air and brought a double-fisted blow to the base of her skull. She stumbled forward and I brought a second and third heavy blow to the back of her head. She fell to the deck unconscious. She was still breathing, so I knew I hadn’t killed her.
I pulled the second key from her neck and pocketed both keys. Quickly, I rushed through the drop ship, picked up a rifle and gathered up a couple of oxygen modules and loaded up on several ammo magazines and an extra battery pack. I tossed them all into a bag and shouldered it. I replaced the oxygen module with the freshly charged one. The ship was empty. I ran quickly down the exit ramp and into the dense plant life of the surrounding forest.
I knew my time would be limited. I had enough life support for a few days. My immediate goal was to make contact with one of the two original former humans if at all possible and let them know what’s going on. I felt strongly they needed to know that they’re not under attack by Earth.
From the tactical briefing we had on the trip to the planet that were based on reports that had made it back to Earth, I had a fair idea of the layout of this particular village. I knew the compound at the edge of the village with a wall and several buildings was the home of the village’s king. That was my primary destination.
The shooting and chaos had settled down. Most of the village’s natives had been rounded up and put at the central community center. Sobbing females were picking the bodies of dead males and taking them to a mass grave. From my observation point in the drop ship, I could tell that a large number of natives had disappeared into the surrounding forest.
The Nalgun were holding a very tenuous zone of occupation and I think they knew it. They walked nervously around holding their marine rifles in dangerous positions that made them more likely to shoot others accidently. They acted like they were waiting for something. I wasn’t sure if they expected a counter attack or reinforcements.
Despite having full camouflage turned on, I needed to avoid large open areas as my outline would become visible. I moved cautiously through the village towards the king’s compound.
As I moved through the village, it was obvious the situation was nothing like the intel suggested. On a normal day there would be natives engaged in commerce and associating freely among themselves. As it was, the only ones moving about were the Nalgun who acted more afraid than as conquerors. They had done a lot of unnecessary killing and destruction. I have no idea what their beef is with the mountain komali and I don’t know what their plans are as I don’t speak the language and the former marines aren’t talking.
I made it across the village unnoticed. I saw the king’s compound across a wide dusty path. Two guards were posted at the entrance to the main structure. I could only assume they were members of the Nalgun. They stood there both pointing their weapons at each other. I’m not calling them stupid, but they’re definitely improperly trained.
Even with camouflage turned on, they’d spot me for sure if I got close enough to pass between them. There’s no door to worry about, but there is a drape of some kind of covering over it that would be noticed when I moved it out of the way to get inside.
I picked up a couple of pebbles and got as close as I safely could. I then tossed one of the pebbles high and to the side of either of them. They both turned in opposite directions as I ran quickly to the entrance. I pulled the cloth aside and stepped quickly inside before the guards returned their gaze forward.
There were about a dozen young komali females sitting on the floor and huddled in one corner and appeared to all be crying. One female was leaning against a cabinet of some kind next to a very pissed looking male. Another male and female were outside in a courtyard.
Taking a very big chance that one of these komali could understand me, I took a deep breath, closed my eyes for a moment, wonder if my life would end here. I turned off the camouflage and raised my hands.
I managed to startle all of the komali present. The male jumped to his feet and hissed, “Hooman!”
Through the intercom I said, “Please. I mean you no harm. I wish to speak with Newman or Mathers.”
The female touched the male’s arm and stepped towards me. “Why are you here?” she snapped in English.
Keeping my hands in front of me, I said, “I’m here to help. I don’t have much time as I only have a few days of life-support. Are you Newman?”
The komali female gestured with one arm. “Haven’t you helped enough, hooman?”
“None of this was our plan.” I took a step closer. “Believe me. We did not want this. Again. Are you Newman?”
The female shook her head. “You speak of my sister, Ka-Pawli. She and our father have been taken to the community center to await trial. The Nalgun intend to put my father and sister to death. They want to send a message to the other kingdoms in our area.”
I narrowed my eyes at the kolmali who spoke. “And who are you?”
“I am Ka-Nawa. And this ugly brute next to me is Ra-Mali, Ka-Pawli’s mate.” She poked the male in the ribs. “The other you seek is in the courtyard with her mate.”
I said, “But you speak English.”
Pointing at Ra-Mali and herself, Ka-Nawa said, “My sister taught us some of your language the same way we taught her ours. You said you’re here to help. What can you do? There is only one of you.”
I sat down feeling very weary. I said, “That’s a good question. I don’t have much time left to me. I can help if you want to take your village back. I’ve scouted the whole village. There’s only a handful of -- what did you call them? Nalgun? Only a handful in the city.” I hefted my rifle. “And I’m a lot better trained with one of these things than they are.”
Ka-Nawa looked at me and said, “I’d offer to make you komali, but we only have one life-giver here at my father’s house and one at the community center. Converting you kills the plant.”
I shook my head. “Thanks but no thanks. I’d rather be dead than be one of those passive, brainless little slaves my men have become. No offense.”
In an outburst of anger, Ka-Nawa leapt quickly to my side, and with a speed my eye couldn’t follow, pressed a knife into the material of my environment suit. She snarled, “Do I look like a passive, brainless slave? The Nalgun did that when they ‘educated’ your friends. Using their tendrils, the Nalgun impressed upon your friends after converting them that they are nothing more than docile slaves. It is a practice we abandoned generations ago. But the Nalgun use it against captured enemies.”
I shrugged apologetically. “I’m sorry. How would I know? We know next to nothing about your culture. But as for those life-giver plants -- from orbit, we detected a whole valley lined with them on the far side of that high ridge up behind your village.”
Ra-Mali said, “There’s no way over that ridge. It’s too high. We can’t breathe up there.”
I pointed at my suit. “I can.”
Ka-Nawa fidgeted. “First thing we need to do is rescue my father and sister. We can get the life-givers later.”
I said, “I can help with that. I didn’t see many of the Nalgun in your village as I went through it.”
Ra-Mali said, “I wonder why? Where could they have gone?”
Ka-Nawa said, “Who cares? As long as they’re gone. Hooman, can you take care of the guards at the door?”
I nodded. “You can call me Johnny. But yes. The guards are much more likely to shoot themselves than one of us. It’s just two of them.”
Ra-Mali grinned. “Just two? I was sure there were more. Are you sure there aren’t more nearby?”
I stood up. “I didn’t see any other than those two. If we work together, I could probably knock out the one on the left and you could subdue the one on the right. On my signal, we…”
Ka-Nawa and Ra-Mali nodded to each other and they both bolted to the building’s exit. Ka-Nawa jerked back the cloth covering the opening and they both rushed out. In a heartbeat, the necks of the guards were violently snapped; their bodies sliding lifeless to the ground.
Ka-Nawa and Ra-Mali quickly picked up the fallen rifles. They then removed the dead guards’ knives. Ra-Mali nodded in my direction and said, “Come, hooman!”
We sprinted across the dusty path and took cover in a few trees and bushes growing next to a few buildings. Despite his large size, I was impressed on how quickly Ra-Mali could run.
Ra-Mali looked around the corner of one of the buildings. “Clear!”
With Ra-Mali in the lead, we ran along the buildings towards the city center. The village was oddly silent as we progressed. Ka-Nawa raised her hand warning me to stop. Knives drawn, the two silently approached a couple of Nalgun guards who had their back to us. With more violence that was warranted, the guards’ throats were slit right down to the bone. Ka-Nawa nodded at me and motioned for me to follow.
From the shadow between two buildings, we crouched and watched the area around the community center. There were two ways into the central area and there were two guards posted at each entrance. The other Nalguns patrolled in pairs around the central compound. We counted a half dozen total.
Ra-Mali whispered, “This can’t possibly be all of them.”
I whispered back through my intercom, “I reconned several blocks around us. No one is here.”
Pointing towards the compound, Ra-Mali whispered, “There’s a blind spot between the two entrances. After one of the patrols pass, we can run to that space between the buildings and take them out as they pass by. The two guards on this side will be expecting a patrol, not us. After we kill the guards, we take out the next patrol.”
I frowned. “Can’t we just knock them out and tie them up? We might be able to get some information out of them.”
Ra-Mali growled, “The Nalguns killed twenty of my fellow hunters after they had laid down their weapons. I have no interest in showing them mercy.”
“I understand that…” I started. But Ra-Mali saw the small window to run to the blind spot and dashed towards it with Ka-Nawa close behind. I sighed and ran after them.
Ra-Mali and Ka-Nawa’s muscles were tensed up as they stood, their backs to a wall as they waited for the patrolling pair of Nalguns to walk by. When the patrol crossed past them, they both sprang into action, knives drawn. With a sickening grinding sound, their knives slit the Nalgun’s throats down to the bone. The bodies dropped lifeless to the ground.
Ka-Nawa hissed, “Now we kill the two guarding this side.”
Ra-Mali and Ka-Nawa then walked side-by-side at about the same pace as the patrol with me bringing up the rear. The two guards weren’t really paying much attention or they would have noticed that this wasn’t the same patrol. However, their eyes went wild when then spotted me, but it was too late. They both received a knife plunged into their throats silencing a yell.
I looked at the dead komali, not being able to tell the difference between them and what I assumed were the good komali. “This still leaves the two other guards and two more patrols. We should go back to our previous position so we can take care of the next patrol before they discover their dead comrades.”
Ra-Mali nodded. “Are you sure this was all?”
“All I saw,” I said with a shrug.
We had to wait a minute or two before the next patrol showed up. They were dispatched with the same cold efficiency as the others. Wiping their blades on the hair of the fallen soldiers, Ra-Mali said, “Now for the other two guards.”
“Halt!” shouted one of the guards as he started to point his rifle in our direction. Ka-Nawa grabbed the barrel of one of the rifles just as the guard discharged it sending a pellet past my head. While these air rifles don’t make a loud report when fired, they do make a distinctive sound.
“They’ve escaped with the hooman!” shouted one of the remaining patrol members. He turned to his companion and ordered, “Run! Tell Na-Baro! Go!” We’ll never know what else he was going to say, because the blade of Ka-Nawa’s knife clunked into his forehead and he collapsed with a look of shock on his face.
As they wrestled with the guards, Ra-Mali shouted, “That one is getting away!”
I deliberately raised my rifle and looked down the sights. The running komali was almost at the limit of the rifle’s range as I led the sights slightly in front of him. I squeezed the trigger twice rapidly and the fleeing Nalgun dropped onto the dusty path.
Ra-Mali looked around. “That’s all for now. Let’s free our people and find your father.”
Ka-Nawa opened the gates to the cheers of the citizens locked inside the compound. She shouted, “The Nalguns are gone for now.”
Ra-Mali said, “I’ll organize a defense.” He then started shouting to other males as they left the compound.
Ka-Nawa glanced over at me. “Come. Let’s find my father and Ka-Pawli.”
Ka-Pawli glanced over at me. “I heard the leader of the attackers shout that ‘the hooman has escaped!’ I’m guessing he meant you.”
Nodding inside my helmet, I said, “I’m sure. I guess they went looking for me? Seems odd they’d leave only a handful of guards.”
Ra-Nala, the king of this village shrugged. “I don’t think there was all that many. They captured us because they surprised us. They said something about the boat you arrived in is now useless to them.”
I grinned. “I took both keys. They can’t start the engines without both.”
Ka-Pawli pointed at me. “Marine. Let’s move your ship to a more secure location. Hopefully it contains some items we can salvage.”
I nodded. “Actually, a better idea would be to return to the main ship in orbit. I could re-supply this lander and bring down the remaining marines locked in the hold. We could also use the sub-space radio to call for reinforcements.”
Ra-Nala scowled. “That’s all we need! More hoomans!” He spat on the ground.
“I understand your feelings, king.” I raised both hands defensively. “But Earth is very interested in putting an embassy in your village. We even have a few volunteers to convert to komali to staff the embassy.”
“We have too few life-givers.” Ra-Nala continued to frown. “We can’t keep wasting them.”
I smiled and pointed up to the mountain top north of the village. “There’s a whole valley of those plants on the other side of the kolata mountains.”
Ra-Nala’s eyes widened. “No-one has ever been able to crest those mountains. It’s just too high. We can’t breathe.”
I smiled at the king. “We can fly there now.”
Ra-Nala gave me an odd look. “Fly?”
Ka-Pawli laughed. “Father, we can use the landing craft to fly over the mountain.” In English, she added, “Marine, let’s retrieve the life-givers, then you can resupply your ship.”
I said, “By the way, my name is John.”
Ka-Pawli looked at me with a neutral expression. “Nice to meet you, marine.”
As we walked briskly to where I had left the landing craft, Ka-Pawli said, “Sometime in the future, depending on how events go, I may be able to forgive you the offense of bringing the Nalguns to our village.”
I shrugged. “I had no choice. It was either do that or wind up dead. Or worse. Like you.”
Ka-Pawli scowled at me.
Ra-Nala looked over at me and grinned. “I could use a new daughter.” Ka-Nawa laughed.
I shook my head and decided to remain silent. After several minutes of walking we came up to the lander.
To Ka-Pawli I said, “Everyone come inside. After we pick up the life-givers so you can treat your wounded, I’ll return to orbit to resupply and refuel.”
As we started to walk up the entrance ramp, Ka-Pawli frowned. “Will you return? Hoomans can’t be trusted.”
“You can trust me,” I said as I stepped inside the lander. “I’m trying to help you. All we…” My voice trailed away as I rushed to the pilot seat. “Ah, shit!”
The XO I had knocked unconscious was gone. But that wasn’t all. The pilot seat had been ripped from the frame and the control console smashed beyond all repair. “Well, ain’t that the berries.” I pounded my fist on the broken console.
Ra-Nala slumped to the floor. “Now more of my people will die from their wounds.”
I looked over at the king and said, “I’ll walk.”
“That’s a long walk.” Ka-Pawli just stared at me.
Ka-Nawa said, “And we don’t know what dangers are on the other side of the kolata mountain ridge.”
I looked at the three komalis with a grimace. “Just guide me as far as you can go. I owe you.”
Ra-Nala stood up. “You will most likely die.”
I checked my suit’s life-support unit. “I’m going to die here soon anyway. I might was well make the attempt.”
Ka-Pawli nodded.
As I was loading up my bag with extra power and life-support modules, Ra-Mali made an off-handed comment that made us all face-palm.
He looked at me with a shrug. “Why walk? We can ride a kolima up there. It’s certainly faster than walking.”
I looked confused. “What is a kolima?”
Ka-Pawli laughed, “Beasts of burden. Transportation.”
“That’s good! Let’s get going.” I looked back and forth to everyone. “We don’t know how much time we have.”
Ra-Mali quickly rounded up three kolimas. He and Ka-Pawli would be my guides as close to the ridge as they could go. If need be, I’d traverse the ridge on foot and hurry to the nearest field of life-givers. Unless I miss-calculated, it should only take me an hour or so to get there.
The biggest problem was not knowing what I might encounter on the other side of the ridge. Because of the altitude, no komalis had been able to survive trying to cross the ridge. From orbit, it all appeared lush with plant-life. I couldn’t tell from our mapping if there were any of the monstrous predators the komali called koralths were around. I made sure I had plenty of ammunition for my rifle.
The three of us began riding our kolimas up the winding forest trail that climbs to the top of the ridge. The canopy of the forest blocked the bright copper sky, with just shafts of light highlighted by dust and insects reflecting the light. The plants and trees were just a wild riot of colors. It was amazingly beautiful. Even knowing your time to live was severely limited, the beauty of the landscape almost commanded you admire it.
I checked the charge on my life-support. It was good for about six more hours, but I’ll probably swap it out before crossing the ridge. We rode in silence for almost an hour.
Out of habit I checked my comm-link. Of course there wasn’t any other comms to connect to. Except for mine, the Nalguns had destroyed the other environment suits.
I grunted a laugh. “Too bad we can’t call for re-enforcements. The only comm-link that could reach the ship in orbit was in the drop ship and the Nalguns pretty much messed up the electronics after I took the keys. This suit only has tactical communications.”
Ra-Mali frowned. “The last thing we need are more hoomans.”
I shrugged. “Well, they wouldn’t get caught with their pants down like we were. Plus I could I would provide a sit-rep so they know who the good guys were. It’d take them a week or so to get here anyway at full deflection.”
Ka-Pawli looked wistful for a moment. “If you had a comm-link that could reach the ship, what would you do with it?”
I adjusted my sitting position on the kolima. The things were certainly not designed for human butts. “I’d be able to get it to relay a message to Earth. It wouldn’t be hard at all.”
Ka-Pawli said, “How much life-support do you have?”
I glanced curiously over at Ka-Pawli. “After getting all the units from the drop ship, two weeks. Maybe three. Why?”
Ka-Pawli leaned forward on her mount. “You’re helping us. I’d hate for you to die. If you could get a ship here in a week or so, you could be rescued. As long as everyone leaves this world, of course.”
I laughed. “Of course. It’s moot though because we have no way to communicate with the ship.”
Looking thoughtful, Ka-Pawli asked, “Are the power cells in your tactical suit the same as ones for the EVA suits we had on my expedition?”
“All the power cells are standardized,” I said. I looked over at Ra-Mali. He wasn’t paying attention to our conversation. He was scanning the jungle for threats. “But again, it’s all a moot point because we don’t have an EVA suit.”
Ka-Pawli grinned. I wish komali wouldn’t grin. It’s pretty frightful to see. “I have one. The power cells are long dead.”
“Y… you – you still have your EVA suit?” I sputtered.
Grinning, Ka-Pawli said, “Yes. It’s in a shed at my father’s house.
I flashed Ka-Pawli a smile. “Holy shit! If this toxic atmosphere hasn’t corroded it, I can swap the comm unit with mine and get a call in to home! We’ll get your life-givers first because of the critical need. But we need to come right back up here!”
Her expression became more stern. “Just remember. When they come to get you, you and the other hoomans must leave. If we get your other crew members who have been changed to komali, they can either stay or go.”
I nodded. “I’ll make sure they understand that. But first order of business are those plants.” I kicked the flanks of the kolima I was riding. Not being a horse, it made a sick bleating sound and promptly kicked me off of it.
“I see an animal path going between those jagged peaks up there.” I pointed at what looked like a trail winding through the crest of the mountain range. The kolima I was riding was breathing harder, but didn’t seem distressed. I felt confident that it would carry me over the crest.
Ra-Mali sat on his mount, gasping. Ka-Pawli stood next to her kolima, below us not far from the tree line. “This is where we must leave you, hooman. I can go no further. Gather as many of the plants as you can. I’m afraid we’re already too late to help many of my fallen hunters.”
“I’ll return as soon as I can. The mountain is less rocky on the other side of the crest.” I gave Ra-Mali a quick wave and began my trip over the top. I was surprised when I was told that the komalis had never been on the other side of this mountain range. But watching them gasp for air proved they couldn’t survive at this altitude. Still, there had to be a break in the mountains at some point. I guess the komalis just aren’t that big on exploring.
In about fifteen minutes I crested the mountains. I know I was in a hurry, but I just had to pause a moment. The view was spectacular. The rocky ridge of the mountains disappeared in the hazy distance in both directions. In the far distance on both sides of the mountain I could see what appeared to be large bodies of water. Or what passes for water on this planet. I could see forests and desserts. A huge, winding river flowed from the east towards that distant ocean.
The far side of the mountain was quite different. There was no rocky drop-off to a dessert floor below. Instead, there were smooth sloping hill sides dotted with a smaller and different types of trees and low bushes. No jungle on this side. What shocked me the most were, off in the distance were what had to be cultivated fields. That meant people. And it also meant danger. I’m sure whoever lives on this side has never seen a “hooman” before.
I took in one last look at the vista surrounding me and started down the far side of the mountain in what I hoped was the right direction. The mountain was less rocky and more gently sloped on this side, which made for much easier going. I tried to keep my kolima from running as it would be easy for it to trip and fall, plus I needed to keep a sharp eye out for any threats.
A half hour later, I was beginning to feel I was going the wrong way. I felt for sure I should have run into the field of life-givers by now. I felt relieved so far of only seeing small animal life, many of which were of the same variety around the komali village. I’d seen no signs of large predators; or worse – people.
Finally, I topped a hill and a valley opened below me. Lining the valley was the prize I sought. The whole valley seemed lined with the plants. As I got closer to the life-givers, I was shocked once more to realize these plants weren’t just growing here. They had been cultivated! This was a life-giver farm!
I glanced quickly around for signs of some kind of people about. I was relieved I didn’t see anything. No one around. No houses. But someone had definitely planted these life-givers here and it seemed to be maintained. I rode into the field a short way and then stopped my kolima and dismounted.
Carefully, I extracted the plants from the ground so not to damage them. I placed them on the back of the kolima. There were so many plants, it only took me ten minutes to gather about thirty of them and put them on the animal. It looked like that was about all I could carry. I then lashed them to the kolima.
I looked up at the sky. It was getting to be late afternoon. Barring incident, I should be able to get back to the other side of the mountain well before sundown. I’d lose my way for sure in the dark as I no longer had any GPS services from the ship.
As I mounted the kolima, I took a quick look around. Still no signs of whoever or whatever it was that created this farm. I pointed the kolima back up the mountain and retraced our path to the crest.
The late afternoon sun gave a golden tint to the landscape as I crested the mountain range carrying my treasure of life-givers. Hopefully Ra-Mali and Ka-Pawli would still be waiting for me where I last saw them. Even at the tree line, the temperature would be on the chilly side for komalis. I looked for them, but the terrain made it impossible.
The kolima seemed to have a harder time coming down on this side of the mountain that it did going up. It would slip and slide while making grunting sounds. After twenty minutes of careful descent, I finally saw the two komalis sitting on the ground, just inside a line of small bushes. I kept waving my arms until Ra-Mali spotted me and waved back. A few minutes later, I rode up to them and dismounted my kolima.
Ra-Mali gave me a frightful smile. “It’s about time, hooman. We were growing concerned.” He walked up and examined the life-givers I had collected. He ran his fingers along the broad, white and silver leaves. “I’ve never seen such excellent plants before. These leaves are the largest I’ve ever seen.”
Even though I couldn’t feel anything through my suit’s glove, I ran my hand along one of the leaves. “What’s even more surprising is that these plants were cultivated.”
Ra-Mali looked surprised. “Cultivated? Are you sure?”
I nodded. “It’s obviously a farm. No sign of the farmers though. But there’re lots more where these came from.”
With a grimace, Ra-Mali started to turn from me. “Well, that’s a mystery we’re going to have to solve another day. It’s going to be dark soon. We better be going.”
I nodded and re-mounted my kolima.
Ka-Pawli smiled as I rode up beside her and she looked at the plants lashed to my kolima. “Good job, marine. At first light in the morning, we’ll swap out your comm-link with mine. We’ll come back up here with you so you can call back to Earth for help. Just don’t forget the conditions.”
I sighed. “Yes ma’am. Nobody stays. But you know Earth isn’t going to stay away from here.”
Ka-Pawli frowned. “I’m afraid you’re right. We’ll worry about that later. Let’s get back to the village.”
In single file, Ka-Pawli in the lead with Ra-Mali bringing up the rear we began the long trip back to the village.
We rode our kolimas in silence for a long time. That was fine with me. Even after getting these plants and besides the fact that she was once human herself, Ka-Pawli couldn’t hide her disdain for those of us from Earth. And in a way, I couldn’t blame her.
As it grew darker, the jungle seemed to grow even more alive. The forest plants were beautiful at night. Small animals came out in abundance. Sound of animals and insects were everywhere.
I looked behind me, and Ra-Mali sat stiffly up-right, his crossbow at the ready as he stare intently in the darkness. Occasionally, he and Ka-Pawli would converse quietly in their language, leaving me out completely. I couldn’t help but think they were talking about me. Especially when they laughed.
After another period of silence, Ra-Mali said, “We’re not far from the village now. I hope your sisters have saved something for us…”
I didn’t hear what else he said as I was hit violently enough to knock me from the kolima. I grunted from the impact and then had the breath knocked out of me when I hit the ground. I started to sit up when I saw I was staring into a large, gaping maw of razor sharp teeth and glowing eyes. It snarled and brutally tore into my environment suit on my leg.
The pain of those sharp teeth ripping into my flesh was unbearable. The beast whipped its head back and forth trying to rip my leg from my body. Fortunately, the suit was making that difficult for it. I screamed in agony as the animal was not only trying to saw its teeth into me, but the toxic atmosphere of the planet was starting to burn my lungs and eyes through the breach in the suit.
The beast suddenly howled in a horrendous screech as a crossbow bolt entered its brain through an eye socket. It fell limp to the ground on top of my legs. I couldn’t see from my face plate being splattered with both my and the animal’s blood as well as my eyes beginning to burn.
“Koralth!” spat Ra-Mali as he jumped from his mount. Ka-Pawli spun around on her kolima and cried out.
Jumping from her animal, Ka-Pawli shouted, “Quick! Get a rope. We need to tie his leg tightly where it’s torn to stop the bleeding and try to seal the suit. Hurry!”
Ra-Mali didn’t flinch at a female ordering him to action. Instead, he ran to his kolima and cut a section of rope from the supply he’d brought. He ran back to me and under Ka-Pawli’s direction, wrapped the rope around my leg above where it was torn and tied it a bit too tight. But I was in too much agony to really notice. With the tear at least somewhat sealed, the suit’s filtration system was removing the planet’s atmosphere from inside the suit. My lungs still felt as though on fire and I could no longer see.
Ka-Pawli screamed at me, “I’m not going to let you die, marine!” To Ra-Mali she said, “Help me get him on the kolima. We must push the kolimas to their fastest speed.”
As Ra-Mali lifted me, he said, “That’s dangerous. It’s too dark.”
“He’ll be dead soon if we don’t,” snarled Ka-Pawli.
Very weakly, I said in a faint, raspy voice, “Just let me die.” I then passed out.
Darkness was all around me with brief random flashes of light. I had the oddest feeling of floating. I felt nothing beyond the sense of floating. I slid into the deepest, blackest darkness I could possibly imagine. I didn’t think you could feel death, but here it was. The silence around me complete. I felt I no longer existed. At least I wasn’t in that horrible pain anymore.
Then almost imperceptible at first I felt a faint tingling. The tingling grew until I was enveloped in it. I could hear faint sounds around me. If I was dead, how could I hear anything? How could I ask that question?
I suddenly sat up, violently sucking in a breath. I couldn’t open my eyes and I lay back down and tried to stop gasping. I just lay there, eyes closed and tried to relax. What the hell is going on?
I managed to slowly open my eyes. Around me I saw the white leaves of a plant turning brown and shriveling. Above me I saw a black sky with trees lit with a flickering light from a fire. There were also several komali females standing over me. I felt an odd sensation on my forehead as a female that was bending over me seemed to disconnect from me and stood up.
Ka-Pawli’s voice said, “Her education is complete, father.”
An older male komali looked down at me and laughed. “I seem to be blessed with a never ending supply of daughters.”
My eyes cleared more and I found I could sit up. Long strands of coarse brown hair fell across my face. I looked down and saw my hand.
“Holy shit!” I cried.
Ra-Mali was standing behind Ka-Pawli. He looked from me to her. “Hoomans say that a lot, my woman. You’ve never told me what it means.”
I looked up at Ka-Pawli and cried, “You did it, didn’t you! You made me a komali! I told you to let me die!”
Ka-Pawli shrugged. “I guess I didn’t hear you.”
The older male said, “Stand, my child.”
Ka-Nawa grinned at me. “You better do what Father says.”
I got unsteadily to my feet. I looked around. I looked at the older male and said, “Daughter?”
The male smiled at me. “I am Ra-Nala. You are my newest daughter. I will name you Ka-Kali.”
“Ra-Nala?” I looked at the male komali. “You’re the king of this village.” I just felt numb and confused. I had met him earlier, but I just now started to recognize him.
A young male stepped close and looked at me with a grin. “This daughter is the most beautiful yet. I should have waited before mating.” Ra-Pala grunted when Ka-Shiwa punched him in the ribs.
I just stood there, numb as reality sunk in. I’m a young, komali female. This is terrible! I was going to go back home. I looked at all the komali faces staring at me. I really didn’t care for the way Ra-Mali and Ra-Pala stared at me. I had met the whole clan after freeing them.
I looked down at my new alien form. “Wh… what do I do now?”
Ra-Nala laughed. “You should learn to cook.”
“You’re welcome,” said Ka-Pawli when we were finally alone in her… I mean our, father’s compound. We were sitting on a couple of rocks next to the dying fire used to cook the evening meal.
Still not used to my new body, I waved my arms in the air. “I don’t want to sound ungrateful for you wanting to save my life, but I expressly did not want to become komali. Nothing against you. I wanted to stay hooman. If possible I wanted to return to Earth.” There was just something about the hu sound that was just impossible for kolmali to say.
“I couldn’t let you die!” exclaimed Ka-Pawli. “Not after you alone brought the means to save over twenty of our fallen hunters. Some of those very hunters are asking if they can mate with you.”
Pointing at Ka-Pawli I grunted a laugh. “Now you see? That kind of shit is a definite no.”
Ka-Pawli laughed. “Ka-Shiwa and I both said that. Now look at us. Mated to the two best looking and greatest hunters in the village and we’re both mommies.”
I violently shook my head. “No. I can’t handle the idea of mating with a male. When we were captured by the Nalguns, I watched marines, strong, brave men who would march into hell, turned into nothing more than whores raped and abused by males. I swore I’d die before that would happen to me.” I pointed at my face. “And now look at me.”
Ka-Pawli suddenly scowled. “You are not a whore, my sister. You are a young, desirable and attractive komali female. You will not be forced to mate with anyone. I feel deeply sorry for your former brothers in arms. They are lost to you and us as well. They’re forever what the Nalguns made them. But you! You, Ka-Kali are not like them. Believe me. I understand how you feel. But you will adjust. You will become a proud daughter of Ra-Nala just like Ka-Shiwa and I have.”
I held my face in my hands. “I have lost all that I ever was. My male heritage. Being a marine and my hoomanity. Everything I’ve valued.”
Ka-Pawli grinned and shook her head. “Don’t be so melodramatic. You’ll become a valued member of our society. Father will insist.”
“I don’t know. It seems to me that…” I started to say while looking at the remains of the fire.
Interrupting me, Ka-Pawli stood up, looking towards the cone-shaped house of our father. “Something’s going on. Let’s go see.” Without waiting for me, she trotted off towards the small group of people gathering in front of the house.
“… I’m afraid it does not bode well for us, Ra-Nala.” A male older than our father, if you could imagine such a thing, frail and slightly bent over was addressing the small group. He glanced over at Ka-Pawli and myself and continued. “Using distant observations and listening to the whispers of the jungle, it seems the soldiers who used to be your new daughter’s companions are training the Nalguns in weapons and combat tactics. My king, it’s obvious they are planning an attack!”
Frowning, Ka-Pawli said, “I guess not all were made into whores.”
I gasped. “That’s crazy! Whoever told you this is wrong. Those marines would never help the other side.”
Ra-Mali grunted. “Don’t be such a stupid female! Remember. They’re no longer hooman. I’m sure they’ve been ordered to train. They have no idea which side they’re on.”
Looking more serious as well as older, Ra-Nala looked at the person who had brought the report. “How many hooman weapons do they have? Hunters with crossbows? And how long do you think before they attack us?”
The old little komali took a deep breath. “They have at least three dozen of the hooman rifles. We’re not sure how much of the ammunition for them they have. They have at least two hundred or more hunters. More than we have, my king. One of the observers listening to the jungle believes they’ll attack us in two, maybe three weeks. They plan to not only destroy us, but the other kingdoms as well.”
Ra-Mali grimaced. “We have only six of the hooman weapons. And fifty hunters of any skill. They caught us by surprise this last time. Now they’re bringing overwhelming force.”
Setting his jaw, Ra-Nala said, “Send runners to the other kingdoms. Ask them if they can spare any hunters to help us. After all, if we fall, they will be next. Ra-Mali, have Ka-Kali train you on her weapon and then train our best hunters with it.”
I said, “I’ll check the drop ship to see if there’s any additional ammunition still stored on it.” Ra-Nala nodded to me.
I pulled Ka-Pawli aside. “Show me where your EVA suit is. I need to get the comm-link from it.”
Ka-Pawli looked at me curiously. “What are you going to do? You can’t be rescued now.”
I smiled without humor. “I’m calling in the cavalry.”
“Would your marines actually help us? Hoomans haven’t exactly been all that helpful so far.” Ka-Pawli sounded skeptical.
“They’ll come for fellow marines,” I said. “Don’t forget, there are marines left in orbit that I don’t know if they’re alive or dead. They’ll want to secure the weapons that have gotten loose on this planet. Komalis really aren’t supposed to have those rifles. The Board of Governors has a lot invested here. We’re the first alien race that Earth has contacted.”
Ka-Pawli smiled at me. “You said ‘we’. You’re a komali now.”
I pointed at myself. “Well, I’m not exactly hooman anymore.”
I gasped for air a few times. I looked around at my companions. Ka-Pawli and Ra-Mali came along to protect me as we trekked back up the mountain near the crest. A couple of other hunters came along too. But they couldn’t speak English.
I exclaimed, “I have a signal!” The comm-link from Ka-Pawli’s EVA suit should have been able to reach the orbiting ship from the village. But atmospherics were playing hell with the already weak signals. I tried several frequencies, but only one seemed to cut through the RFI that plagued this planet’s atmosphere.
After making contact with the ship’s system, in English I said as best I could, “This is Lieutenant John Startz calling anyone on board the Kansas Star. Do you copy? Is anyone there?” I paused. All I got was just more crackle over the link. I tried several times, but got no response.
I looked over at Ka-Pawli. “Well, this isn’t good. No one is answering. They’ve been up there a while. What marines were left, we locked up. They might have all starved by now.”
Ka-Pawli frowned. “I hope not. There could be many reasons you’re not getting a response. Do you need someone on that end to link you to the main transmitter so you can call Earth?”
I shook my head. “No. I can do that from this device. It’s just so damned frustrating not knowing the situation on the ship. Let’s see if I can contact Earth.” I started pressing some keys on the comm-link. There was long silence from the device. “Come on. Come on…okay. We’re in.”
Sounding like she was at the bottom of a barrel, a woman’s voice said, “Deep-space Marine Relay, Saturn base.”
Excited, I started growling in komali. I shook my head and in English said, “Saturn Base. This is Lieutenant John Startz attached to the Kansas Star. Please acknowledge.”
The woman said, “We read you, Kansas Star. This is an emergency frequency. Do you have an emergency?”
I’d fucking say so. “My unit is down. Facing imminent threat by hostile forces. I need backup ASAP.”
Sounding concerned, the woman said, “We can’t validate your identity by voice. There’s no match to your voice print.”
Sighing, I said, “I’ve been changed into a komali female.”
The voice went away for a moment. “Adjusting the scan. Identity ninety-eight percent confirmed.”
There was a long pause of silence. The ship had lost connection to the Saturn Marine base. I shouted, “Shit!”
Suddenly, there was a moment of static and crackle. Sounding far away, which I guess she was, the woman asked, “Estimated size of threat?”
“We’re unsure of the exact numbers. We estimate around two to three hundred komali armed with Marine rifles and native weapons.” I was breathing hard in the rarified air near the top of the ridge.
“Acknowledged.”
There was a long pause and I was thinking we may have lost the connection again. There was a crackle and a man’s voice said, “Lieutenant. This is General Turgidson. I need a sit-rep.”
I said, “Yes sir!” I then apprised the general briefly on the events from obtaining orbit until now.
The general said after I’d finished, “I don’t envy your situation, Lieutenant. I’m dispatching an assault team to your location to assist you. I’m sending a squad to the Kansas Star to assess the situation there. It sounds like you have a good defensive position on the mountain side. I don’t need to tell you your job, Lieutenant. You’re a Marine. You need to hold your position for at least a week and a half.”
“Even though our numbers are smaller, they are all excellent soldiers, general,” I said with more confidence that I felt. “We’ll hold.”
“Godspeed, lieutenant.” The connection terminated.
I took a deep breath and sighed as I looked at the silent comm-link. “Semper fi,” I sighed.
“You’re still not holding it correctly,” I said to the young komali hunter I was trying to train. “I know it’s made for hoomans, but you still have to hold it right so you can aim down the sights. Getting your finger on the trigger is a bit tight for komali fingers, but you can do it.”
The young male scowled. “Why should I even listen to a female about fighting and hunting? Especially a female younger than me! It’s insulting!”
Ra-Mali was a few feet away training another hunter on how to use the Marine rifle. “Ra-Feli, listen to that female. Her knowledge of that weapon is superior even to my own.”
The young male named Ra-Feli laughed. “Your mate has made you soft, Ra-Mali. Everyone knows you let her boss you around.”
Before I could even react, Ra-Mali stepped over to us and slapped Ra-Feli so hard he fell to the ground. In a fierce voice, he shouted, “Do not disrespect our king’s daughters. This female is showing you how to properly handle this weapon so you might actually live long enough to mate and so you don’t shoot one of us instead of a Nalgun! Now get up and let her finish your training.” He spun around and went back to the hunter he was training who was just standing there with a shocked expression.
Ra-Feli slowly stood up, rubbing the side of his face which was a mask of humiliation. “I think I’m done here.” He started to turn away.
Knowing I have pretty much zero authority in this world as a female, I shouted, “Come back here! You’re not done. The village is depending on you. Are you a coward?”
Ra-Feli spun around at the word “coward”. His eyes blazing, he took a step towards me and hissed, “I am no coward! I will put my courage against Ra-Mali’s any day!”
“Then prove it!” I threw the rifle at him.
Scowling at me, Ra-Feli quickly went through the checklist on making sure the weapon was ready, unloading and loading and properly sighting down the weapon. We didn’t let the trainees fire the weapon as we were very short on ammunition.
After making the weapon safe, he tossed it back to me. “Satisfied now, female?”
Amazed that he was actually paying attention, I said, “Yes. That was very good. And I do have a name.”
Ra-Feli laughed without humor. “Female is a good enough name for you.” He turned and jogged over to a group of other young males.
Ra-Mali walked over to me. “Don’t let him bother you, Ka-Kali. All young males are foolishly proud and self-centered. He’ll outgrow it.”
“I’m just surprised at how low in your society females are.” I looked at Ra-Mali with a frown.
Ra-Mali grinned at me. “It’s partly because you’re female. That’s just how our society is. And you’re part of that society now too. But it’s mostly your youth. And no one knows you yet. My mate and your other sisters have the respect of the people of our village.”
I shook my head. “The mated ones yes. I’ve talked to my un-mated sisters and they’re treated a lot like I was just now. No one takes them seriously.”
Ra-Mali’s grin spread. “If it’s a mate you want, I’ll be happy to introduce you to…”
Waving my arms, I interrupted him. “No, no! That’s not what I meant. I really don’t want to mate anyone.”
Ra-Mali chuckled. “Ka-Pawli said the same thing.”
I stood at the edge of our perimeter wall, which mostly consisted of bags of kolima shit about fifty yards from the village. With me were high ranking hunters like Ra-Mali, the king, Ka-Pawli, the high priest and a few others we decided were good leaders. I was going over our defense plans. I pointed at the bags. “This is our first line of defense. It’s really too long and hard to defend. I wish this jungle wasn’t here so we could just shoot the Nalgun as they come up the mountain.
“Remember to shoot the kolimas first if possible. I know. I know. They’re just animals. But a mounted Nalgun is a far greater threat than a Nalgun on foot.” I started walking towards the city itself.
Pointing, I said, “Now, if the outer wall is breached, we fall back to this wall just around the village. From here, we should be able to quickly move defenders to either flank as needed. Some of us can take defensive positions in these outer buildings. We’ll also have people in the trees all around the city.”
We then walked through the village itself. We had set up various traps in the streets and between buildings as well as inside them. Hopefully, having to check each building will slow the Nalgun down.
We finally reached the city center with the large, cone shaped church that served as the village’s social center. I pointed at the church. “And this is the Alamo. Our last line of defense. If this is breached, it’s all over. As you can see, we’ve constructed a wall with three tiers. We can concentrate a lot of fire from those tiers. Anyway, that’s the plan.”
One of the village elders turned to Ra-Nala. “Are we to follow this female? She’s just barely old enough to mate.”
Ra-Nala said, “Ka-Kali may be my youngest daughter, but don’t discount her. Until recently she was a hooman warrior. And remember, there is no more vicious fighter than a threatened female.”
Looking very serious, Ra-Mali said, “Our observers have indicated that the Nalgun have increased their numbers to over a thousand. Let that sink in. All the desert dwellers hate us. Building from the neighboring kingdoms, our forces are still half that. The Nalgun are well trained and determined.”
“Well, we at least know they’re coming and what we’re up against. I’m sure they’re watching us as well,” I said looking up at the tall building. “We need to watch our flanks. We can’t assume they’ll come straight up the middle. It’ll help that we cleared the jungle for about fifty yards around the village perimeter.”
Ra-Mali nodded. “We’re setting traps and warnings along both our flanks. The other kingdoms are setting up their own defenses in case they’re attacked instead. That’s why they’re not sending us much help.”
Ka-Pawli looked at me with a worried expression. “Any more word about when help from Earth might arrive?”
I shook my head. “Not since that very brief communication that verified a ship had been dispatched. I’ve been up the mountain twice in the past several days and the interference is too much for any communications to happen. And you can’t communicate with a ship while it’s outside normal space.”
Ra-Nala looked around at all of us standing before the community building. “So now we wait.”
I awoke with a start with a hand nudging my shoulder. I looked up in the early morning light to see Ra-Mali. “You let me sleep.”
Ra-Mali nodded. “You looked like you needed it.”
Already alert, I sat up from my blankets. “What’s up?”
Sitting on her blankets next to me, Ka-Pawli said, “The forest whispers indicate a large number of people moving up the mountain towards us. Straight up the middle.”
Nodding, I said, “They need better tacticians.” I stood up in the cool, morning air. “How does it look?”
“Everything is ready,” said Ra-Mali. “Most of the men are along the first perimeter wall. There are some stationed on our flanks and behind the village. We’re keeping the rifles mostly in reserve since ammunition is scarce.”
Ka-Shiwa said from behind us, “Most of the females not involved with support have taken the children to the most distant kingdom.”
The young females of the village were just as ready to fight to defend their village. Some were stationed along the wall with crossbows. Others would bring water, arrows and rifle bullets to whoever needed them. And if possible, they’ll bring the injured back to a triage area in the village center.
I had made another trek over the ridge to retrieve more of the life-giver plant. I still didn’t see anyone about, but this time I had to cut through a fence to get to the field.
From the direction of the perimeter wall, rose a shout of many voices.
I looked at the people around me. “It’s started. I didn’t sign up for this shit.”
Ka-Pawli gave me a confused look. “You’re the only one of us who did sign up for this shit.”
With a sheepish expression, I said, “Well, not this particular shit. Let’s go kick some Nalgun butt.”
We trotted out from our father’s home and headed towards the fighting. Even though I’m sure they had spied on us, it seems the Nalguns weren’t expecting such a defense. Their initial attack was less than two hundred hunters. Many of them were easy targets as they came charging up the hill.
As we approached, I saw two of our defenders fall, but I couldn’t tell from where they were being shot at. I looked up at the forest and saw a few Nalgun hunters up in the trees. I unslung my rifle and quickly shot two Nalguns from their perches.
I shouted, “Watch out for snipers in the trees!”
Except for the shouting, it was an oddly quiet battle. The crossbows just made zinging sounds. The Marine rifle didn’t have much report. As the Nalguns hadn’t breached the wall, there was no hand-to-hand fighting.
A few shrill whistles emanated from the Nalgun side and then they quickly withdrew.
Ka-Shiwa said, “Is that it? Is it over? Did we win already?”
I shook my head. “Don’t count on it.”
We walked up to the wall and looked out at the clearing in front of it. There were around fifty dead and dying Nalguns. A dozen or so females were carrying or helping our hunters back to the triage area.
Pointing at the fallen Nalguns, I said, “Should we retrieve their wounded?”
Ra-Nala shook his head. “No. They made their choices. Someone go retrieve their weapons. Especially any rifles.”
Ra-Mali looked grim. “I doubt they withdrew very far. They are most likely regrouping.”
We only had to wait for fifteen minutes until they attacked again. And this time they weren’t kidding.
They came up the middle and attacked both flanks with an overwhelming force boiling up the hillside. Arrows were flying thick into their mass. Marine rifles chattering up and down the line.
We weren’t losing many defenders, but when the Nalguns were finally able to cross the clearing, they started breaching the wall. The females backing up the hunters pulled their knives and laid into those who managed to get through.
I kept trying to get close to the wall to get clearer shots. Ra-Mali kept dragging me back.
It finally became obvious the wall wasn’t going to hold. I shouted, “Fall back to second defense! Now!” I heard my command repeated down the line. We had defenders on the building rooftops covering our strategic retreat. Once again, the Nalgun were caught in the open and they were being cut to ribbons. After twenty minutes of ferocious fighting, the whistles sound again and the Nalguns quickly withdrew.
For the most part, our defenses had held, but with a cost for this attack. Even Ka-Shiwa had been stuck with a knife. It didn’t kill her, but it took her out of the fight for now. Ra-Mali ordered the dead and wounded Nalguns to be dumped on the other side of the perimeter wall. I was still taken aback by the rather callous treatment of fallen enemies. I reminded myself that this wasn’t Earth with its conventions and rules of war.
Ka-Pawli surveyed the carnage. “We hurt them. But now they know what they’re up against. I doubt they’d be stupid enough for another frontal charge. We need to rebuild the wall, but keep most of our defenders inside the second defense perimeter. We can defend three hundred sixty degrees from there if need be.”
“We should have someone check the dead Nalguns for ammunition,” I said to no one in particular. “We’re getting dangerously low…”
With loud thunk sounds, two crossbow bolts embedded themselves into the wall we were standing next to. Nalguns were pouring over perimeter wall at our flanks on both sides.
“Take cover!” shouted Ra-Mali. He picked up both me and Ka-Pawli under his arms and raced back behind the second perimeter wall. Arrows going both directions filled the air along with the chatter of Marine rifles.
I watched in horror as Nalguns swarmed across the clearing between the outer wall and the inner. How could there be so many? They were fanatical in their attack; so strong was their hatred. The arrival of the Marines and their subjugation must have emboldened them into thinking this was the time take revenge from whatever wrong they felt had been dealt to them.
I looked down the line of our defenses and shocked to see so many of our young hunters standing up on objects to shoot over the wall, dangerously exposing themselves. The nearest one to me was Ra-Feli, the young hunter I was training a few days before the attack.
I pulled him from the box he was standing on and shouted, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? You’re making yourself a perfect target!” Arrows were loudly slapping into the trees near us.
Ra-Feli angrily pulled himself away from me. “I’m a hunter! I don’t hide like a female!”
“You’re going to be a dead hunter if you don’t stay behind cover,” I hissed at him. I then ran past him to yell at the others exposing themselves to keep to cover.
The ferocity of their attack was overwhelming. Instead of stopping them from crossing the clearing between the walls, our defenders were almost fighting hand-to-hand as the Nalguns started to come over the walls.
Ra-Mali snarled, “This is bad. The wall is being breached everywhere.”
Ka-Pawli shouted, “Fall back to the inner defense line! Fall back now!”
The hunters along the walls broke ranks and turned to run instead of doing an orderly retreat. Many were being cut down by crossbow and Marine rifle fire. Hunters on roof tops tried to protect the retreat, but there were just too many coming over the walls.
Behind me came a shout, “Watch out!”
I turned in time to see Ra-Feli tackle a Nalgun aiming his crossbow at me. The bolt flew wild and struck the building next to me. As he was regaining his feet, I fired a few shots at several Nalguns running up behind him. He took his first step towards the final defense line when an arrow struck him in the back with the head of the shaft pushing through his chest.
I yelled out and fired a few more shots. I ran up to where Ra-Feli had fallen. I picked him up and put him across my shoulders. I was being covered by his blood as I raced across the open space to the final line of defense. Two hunters took Ra-Feli from me and then helped me over the wall.
Two females ran up to where Ra-Feli lay. “He’s still breathing. He needs a life-giver immediately!” The two nodded and lifted him and carried him away.
I looked over the wall. The Nalguns had not continued their pursuit. Stretched out before me was a grisly scene of tangled and bloody bodies. The only ones left standing in the second perimeter were those hunters that were now stuck on roof tops. They were hunkered down, trying not make themselves targets. I’m sure the bolted doors of the buildings wouldn’t hold the Nalguns back for long.
An eerie cover of silence fell over the village. The Nalguns stopped their advance. Ra-Mali led Ka-Pawli and the king up to the roof of the community building. From that vantage point, we could see almost the whole village. There were hundreds of Nalguns throughout the village, standing. Waiting.
I turned to Ra-Mali. “Our defensive line is pretty dense at this point. I think it’d be really hard for them to breach. It’s game over if they break through.”
Ra-Mali pointed. “Someone approaches. He’s unarmed.”
The lone Nalgun walked up to the wall. His swagger showed their confidence of victory. He stood there for a moment in silence, just looking at our defenders.
“I bring greetings from the great and mighty king of the combined Nalgun kingdoms.” He didn’t shout, but spoke in an even, though raised voice. “Your courageous hunters have fought well. The king salutes you. But, as it’s obvious you cannot win against our superior force, the king graciously offers to allow you to lay down your weapons and surrender peacefully to us. No one else needs to die today.”
Ra-Mali growled. “If we surrender, they will make us slaves, just like they did with your fellow Marines. I’d rather die.” Ra-Nala nodded.
I walked up to the edge of the low wall surrounding the roof top of the community building and looked down at the Nalgun offering surrender. I’m not entirely sure why, but I shouted, “Tell him nuts!”
The lone Nalgun just stood there for a moment, looking confused. Ra-Mali gave me a confused look as well. The Nalgun turned and trotted back behind his lines.
Ra-Nala asked, “What does that mean?”
I shrugged. “That we won’t surrender.”
Moments later a roar of yells rose from Nalguns and they charged our final line of defense. Now that our defenses were more densely packed, the first wave of attack didn’t even make it half-way to us.
I looked at the bodies lying before our wall. We’ve managed to kill or wound hundreds of them. Their numbers have to be shrinking. The last runner to come in from the outside before we retreated to “the Alamo” said that our neighboring village is under attack as well.
After a brief withdrawal, the Nalguns charged again from all directions. A half dozen or so managed to breach our rear defense, but again we managed to hold off the attack.
Ra-Mali had disappeared from the roof top during this last attack. He returned when the fighting had stopped again. To no one in particular he said, “The men grow tired. The ammunition for the rifles is down to what is left in the currently loaded magazines. We’re almost out of crossbow shafts. We can no longer retrieve the weapons of the fallen Nalguns. One more attack and that’s it.”
Ka-Pawli pointed towards the Nalguns. “They’re massing for the final attack. They smell blood. There are hundreds more. This must be every Nalgun village joining the war against us. Look at them! They’re taunting us.”
Ra-Mali looked grimly at me. “You called this last defense ‘The Alamo’. I assume that’s a military reference. What happened there?”
I looked out over the wall of the tower we were standing on. “Everybody died.”
A yell slowly rose from the Nalguns as they waved their weapons in the air. They didn’t rush to attack us. They were savoring their imminent victory. Unbelievably, their ranks began to swell before our eyes. There was no way we were going to survive.
When the yell reached a fevered pitch, the Nalguns broke into a charge towards us.
Quietly, Ka-Pawli said, “Good bye father.”
The Nalguns made it almost half way before the attackers and the ground beneath them began to be ripped apart. I looked to either side of the tower to see two Marine hovercraft unleashing a hell of forty millimeter rounds into the charging Nalguns, spent shell casings raining from beneath their twin cannons.
I looked down to see Marines charging out from the forest on our rear flank. Ra-Mali shouted, “Hoomans!” The Nalgun attack was now in a complete route.
“Marines!” I shouted as I turned to run down to the base of the tower. As I climbed over the wall, I spotted what had to be an officer. He was barking orders into his comm-link.
He turned in surprise at my approach. “Thank God you got here! We were about to be over-run.” I wanted to hug him.
He smiled through his face-plate. “Captain Johnson of the one hundred and first Marines at your service…um, sir? ma’am?”
I tried not to grin as it’s always frightful to humans. “I’m Lieutenant Startz, Marine detachment to the native garrison of this village. Thank you for helping us, sir.” He gave me a curious look. “As you can see, I had to go native.”
The Captain gave me a grim smile. “Sorry to hear that lieutenant. I’m sorry we didn’t get here sooner.”
The Marines chased the Nalguns for a short distance down the mountain before returning to secure a perimeter around the village. Other Marines were assisting our neighboring village.
Parts of the inner wall were being opened so the people of the village could search for wounded and any other survivors. Any wounded Nalguns they viciously attacked.
The Marine captain and I started to walk back towards the community center. “Who is in charge here? Is it you?”
I shook my head. “You must meet our king. And there are two others from Earth who share my fate.”
On our way to the central building we passed the make-shift triage area. I saw Ra-Feli lying on the ground, the arrow still through his body just barely breathing. I rushed up to him. I knelt next to him and held his hand. He’d saved my life and now here he was, his own life slipping away from him.
I looked angrily at the females attending the wounded. “Why hasn’t this male been given a life-giver? He’s near death!”
Looking sad, one of the females said, “I’m sorry. But we ran out early. We’ve over-taxed the plants and they’re dying. There are no more life-givers.”
I stood up and turned to Captain Johnson. “Can you have your hovercraft fly over that ridge behind us? There is a field of these plants with large, white leaves. To the komali they are called life-givers and they have great healing powers. This male and the others here need them desperately.”
Captain Johnson nodded and gave the order through his comm-link.
During this time, my father and the others had come down from the tower and approached us. Ra-Mali grinned when he saw me kneeling next to Ra-Feli. I stood up when they arrived next to us and quickly introduced the captain to the king and the others.
Captain Johnson shook everyone’s hand. “Pleased to meet you all. Ka-Pawli? You’re famous back on Earth.”
Ka-Pawli blinked a few times. “You can’t be serious.”
The captain shook his head. “There’s even an animated children’s program about you.” Captain Johnson paused a moment as he was apparently listening to some incoming message. He looked back at us. “The ones you call Nalguns are in full retreat back to their desert villages.”
Ra-Mali was looking pissed. In the komali language he said, “It is a huge dishonor to be rescued by hoomans! I was prepared to die in battle!”
Rolling her eyes, Ka-Pawli said, “Yes. It’s awful that now you get to see your children grow up and give you grandkids.”
Ra-Mali frowned. He turned to see the hovercraft returning with a load of life-givers. He turned to me. “Looks like your mate is going to live, Ka-Kali.”
“He’s not my mate!” I almost shouted. “That arrogant, insolent male is not my mate! He saved my life and I don’t want to see him die because of me. And, I’m not mating anyone! Period!”
Ra-Mali, Ka-Pawli and Ka-Shiwa all laughed.
The king had learned a little English from Ka-Pawli. He turned to Captian Johnson. “What happens to the Nalguns. Are you going to exterminate them?”
Captain Johnson took a deep breath. “As much as I would like to after seeing what they did to the Marines aboard the Kansas Star, but we have orders to secure your village only. Your Highness, Earth would like to establish an embassy here and leave a small security force after we’re done. We have volunteers on Earth willing to be transformed into komali and live here as Earth’s ambassadors.”
Ra-Nala looked thoughtful. “I’ll have to confer with my daughters.”
Captain Johnson nodded. “Take your time, sir. We’re going to be here for the next few weeks.”
I walked over to the life-giver that was healing Ra-Feli. I looked over at my friends and Ra-Mali was grinning at me.
It had been six weeks since most of the Marines had left, leaving only a small detachment for our security, although it was doubtful the Nalguns would ever attack us again.
Using the Marine hovercraft, we finally met our kolmali counterparts living on the other side of the ridge and managed to work out a trade agreement with them. The Marines said they’d send for earth moving equipment to open a lower altitude passage through the ridge. It would be a few klicks away, but better than nothing.
“Oh, those are nice ones!” said Ka-Shiwa with a grin. I was in the jungle with her digging for konokka berries. With the Marines monitoring the area, we felt safe from any dangerous animals that used to make this a risky endeavor.
“Thanks!” I continued to dig under a huge tree. “Looks like we hit the mother load.”
“Hey sisters!”
I looked up to see Ka-Pawli approaching us. We both greeted her as she walked up to us. She knelt beside us and ran her fingers through the soft dirt we’d dug up.
“Ka-Kali, father thinks you really should take a mate now,” Ka-Pawli said casually. “You’re old enough.”
Still trying to free up a berry, I grunted, “I told you. I’m not mating anyone.”
Looking nonchalant, Ka-Pawli said, “Father insists.”
I sat up and brushed the dirt from my hands and frowned at my sister. “What does he care? He has plenty of other daughters to mate to someone.”
Ka-Pawli grinned. “One of the elder women touched you briefly this morning.”
Narrowing my eyes at her, I asked, “So?”
Ka-Pawli laughed. “You’re pregnant Ka-Kali!”