by Marcha Fox
Chapter 4
THE MENTAL TRANSMISSIONS of their human quarry revealed static typical of an adrenaline burst, which slowly shifted to resolve tempered with caution. The girl was still talking to herself or perhaps someone on the radio, whom he couldn't detect. Purpose and intent came through strong enough for the cilia on his leaves to stand up. He focused his mind's eye on the building, startled when the girl exited with a mechanical companion which had to be the ugliest contraption he'd ever seen. A quick scan of its circuitry revealed herbicidal intent, the 'troid's primary function to harvest vegetation!
Wary but determined, the pair made their way toward the ship, hesitating every few steps so the 'troid could emit some sort of scanner. Analysis revealed it was a lifeform detector. He switched to psi-audio to pick up the pair's conversation.
"No. If there's someone in there who's sick, it might kill him," the girl said. A pause, then, "They don't know any better. I do. So find out first."
Moments later, they were at the ramp, their intent to board the ship crystal clear.
Thyron psaid an emergency alarm blast to the six Sapphirans sufficient to raise them from the dead, if necessary. A commotion arose moments later as the pygmies rushed the ship, suits entirely discarded, allowing them to move more quickly.
By now, the 'troid and girl were inside the ship, ramp rising. One Sapphiran reached the ship and jumped high enough to grab its edge and attempt to lift himself inside. Normally such a feat would have been simple, except for the world's stronger gravity versus his naterra or home world. A burst of greed and jealousy flooded Thyron's senses, confusing but a moment until the other five grabbed his feet and yanked him to the ground, not about to let him have their prize to himself, though the action conceivably might have saved his life.
The cacophony of pygmy protest was so animated and disturbing that Thyron released his telepathic connection and focused on his own situation. Now he was at the mercy of the unexpected boarding party, one of which was a known herbivore, the other herbicidal. The precedent for vegemal interactions with humans was not encouraging. He'd expected a few surprises, but not this. It was unimaginable that six experienced Sapphiran hunters weren't able to ambush what appeared to be an adolescent female human when fewer numbers had frequently disarmed fully grown males, literally in both respects. His anxiety accelerated, botanical mind blanketed with static. If they didn't find the remaining food onboard, he'd be next on the menu.
Needing to get out of sight before the girl got any ideas, he shuffled down the ramp hugging the ship's vertical axis to the huge living chamber below as fast as his bipedal nodes would carry him. He'd barely made the turn leading to the ship's living quarters before the girl and the 'troid raced past, heading for the flight deck. Sighing with relief, he finished waddling to his destination, digging his rootlets vainly into the deck when the vector disks activated, causing the craft to shudder violently before lifting from the ground.
An electric tingle of fear shot through him reminiscent of being too close to a lightning strike. Where would they go? If perchance they activated the return option in the nav system, this still could end to his employer's satisfaction, at least. Conversely, if they took control manually, he'd be unable to intervene. At the moment, however, he had more than contract fulfillment to worry about.
His leaves quivered with the realization the circular room below lacked anything resembling a hiding place. The walls were lined with sleeping cylls that were far too obvious as well as dark and claustrophobic, the floor interrupted by low, waveform-shaped chaises, each attached to the deck with metal legs which left the space below open and worthless as shelter. Workstations embedded about the perimeter were no help, either. Shuffling back and forth to turn himself in a circle, he scanned the entire area again, recognizing the unit where the other provisions were stored. If he hunkered down and tucked in his leaves there was probably sufficient space beside it to hide. He padded over as quickly as his evolved bulbils would allow, folded his leaves about his branches as compactly as possible, and hoped for the best.
Going into meditation mode would be too dangerous, so he directed his attention back to the girl. Undoubtedly, at some point she would seek nourishment, a time for which he needed to be prepared. If she and the mechanical monster had overcome six Sapphirans, he wouldn't have a chance. He shuddered with trepidation and tucked his leaves more tightly around him.
Diplomacy was his only hope, something which had a failure rate with humans he was loathe to consider. While his communication ability was vast and included the entire electromagnetic spectrum as well as psi, all were silent, which only certain beings such as insectoids could perceive, unless directed through the electronics. Humans, as far as he knew, used audio means with those sensitive to telepathy from floral species few and far between; it had been sheer luck that their employers had such an individual without whom the mission never would have happened. In which case, he'd still be safely bored on Sapphira.
He sighed with resignation. He'd wanted an adventure and that's what he'd gotten. But he wouldn't give up without a fight, even a mental one. Perhaps he could establish a link via the craft's radio if direct psi didn't bring a response.
He sought the girl's mind again, breaking into an internal dialog that lacked audio. Surprisingly, he sensed self-doubt at her actions, even concern for the pygmies left behind. His leaves shifted to a floral frown, pondering incoming sensitivity he'd never expected in a humanoid specimen. Having sampled her essence, he opened his mind to the cosmos seeking energies that defined her psi-signature. What came back surprised and enlightened him.
His distrust of humans hit contradictions that threatened all he'd believed to be true. Indeed, since leaving Sapphira he'd seen and felt energies that opened up an entirely different universe than the one he knew. For the first time since their arrival, optimism soared. Perhaps a truce was possible after all.
He probed deeper, a verdant gasp escaping as he sensed the situation was entirely correct according to the prevailing cosmic order. There was something very important and special about this humanoid, her escape from harm not only due to her superior intellect but fate. Her apparent kindness gave him considerable pause, facilitating his willingness to make contact.
His usual communications were expressed via images and feelings, impressions conveyed directly through the senses. Doubtful that approach would be perceived, much less understood correctly, intuition chimed in to use words as he had in negotiating their ill-fated jaunt. As he sought her psi frequency once more, another ethereal flash of destiny enveloped him. Spontaneously, he knew what to say, and in a manner that differed significantly from the usual language syntax. Such an approach would assure she recognized him as an entirely different species. He marveled at the fact that articulation in that fashion would have been impossible prior to his arrival on Verdaris where his consciousness had been infused with an exponential increase of botanical wisdom.
As he connected once more with the girl, this time for two-way communication versus a simple mind probe, he emitted a photosynthetic prelude to get her attention. He sensed a moment of confusion, then concentration, which he exploited. His message came out more lyrical than even he expected, courtesy of the planet's rich botanical essence.
[Of negative actions you have done
Outsmarting the pygmies wasn't one.]
Her response was a burst of confusion followed by dismissal.
No problem. Her reaction assured he'd made contact, which was tremendous progress. He'd monitor the situation and try again later.
