Play Misty
Five seconds later, his sub-light slammed nose first into that same nothing, sending him careening for the windshield. A brilliant career in exo-archeology flashed before his eyes; the career he could have had if he’d bothered to apply himself in school instead of thinking about all the planets he’d get to explore. He was going out the way he wanted, doing what he loved – the trouble was, nobody gave a damn. He should have left a note.
***
“You think it’s still alive?” Juwan’s voice was tense. He’d only seen three of the things in his lifetime – strange, pale creatures that walked on their hind legs, and all of those had been in cages on the backs of Jo-carts heading toward the capital. Rumors about them were rampant, but he never though he’d get to see onefor himself.
“I don’t know!” Lalani said in a whisper. She’d always been a bit timid, especially when it came to roaming the edges of the Waste. They weren’t supposed to be out here – it was “too dangerous” – and the fact that Lalani’s father was on the city council would only make it worse if they got caught.
Juwan stomped a fore-leg hard into the ground by the thing’s head, trying to rouse it, and Lalani sucked in a sharp breath through her lower mouth. She’d always been a bit crass, but that was one of the things he liked about her. She’d never let her power or position influence the way she acted, and had been the first to speak to him when he arrived from the Outlands. They’d become fast friends, and though he held more for her than just friendly affection, he wisely kept it to himself. Neither one of them was past their second mark-day, and Juwan knew things could change rapidly once they had both had their back-leg brands. There was no sense in getting them both into something they would regret in just a few months.
The body beneath him stirred. Juwan jumped back, hooves sending up small clouds of dust, and Lalani let out a small yelp. The creature was alive, sure enough.
“Let me do the talking,” he said, firming his grip on the pointed stick he’d found earlier. It had caught his eye only because it was of a material he’d never seen, and its weight once he picked it up told him it was worth hanging on to. Now, it would be the end of the alien on the ground if the thing did anything but play nice.
***
His head hurt.
As light began to filter in, he recalled just why his head hurt, and tried to leap to his feet. Protesting, his body didn’t move more than a few inches, and he let out a sharp groan. Sho was glad to be alive, at least – and maybe, just maybe have found what he sought.
A sound above him pulled his thoughts off-track, and he tried his best to remain calm. There was no mistaking the sound of breathing – the only question was if what he was hearing came from an animal, or from something more intelligent.
He corrected the thought in his mind. There was a second, equally important question. Did whatever was breathing mean him any harm?
Not playing at being nearly dead wasn’t doing anything for him, so Sho decided it was time to try getting up again. With an effort, he flipped onto his back and found himself staring up at two…beings was the only word he could use to describe them. Part horse, part human and part completely unknown, the dark grey and shaggy brown things staring down at him were unquestionably intelligent and didn’t exactly look friendly.
Their presence – in fact, the existence of this place at all – meant he had been right! Jumping for joy wasn’t an option, so he settled for grinning foolishly while the two horse-men looked down at him. He revised that assessment almost immediately; the grey one was female, he was almost sure of it. Something in the hips and the way the shirt she wore clung at the chest made that much clear.
“Hello,” he said it quietly, and both creatures took a step back. It was a stretch to think they spoke Standard, but he had to start somewhere.
“Hello.” The brown-haired male said, and Sho smiled at him. It might just be mimicry, but at least it was something.
“My name is Sho.” He raised a hand and pointed to his chest, trying not to show how much it hurt. Strength was returning slowly, and so far he hadn’t encountered any bones that were broken.
“Juwan.” The male said shortly, then pointed at the female. “Lalani. Now, explain yourself, alien – how do you speak our language, and where did you come from?”
Even pained as he was Sho found it difficult to contain his glee. Suddenly all the hours he’d spent searching, the half-truths and bits of information he’d found were worth it. Not only was there something beyond the mists, but it was a full-fledged offshoot of the galactic core – there could be no question about that now.
The female – Lalani – reached out a long arm and he took it gratefully. Juwan looked horrified, and Sho was sure he could see anger flash across his liquid eyes. He would have to watch himself around these two – provided they let him live.
“I’m from beyond your world,” Sho said as he stood, leaning forward and putting his hands on his knees to stay upright. “My people have been searching for yours for a very long time. We have much to discuss.”
The look the two shared told him they had no idea what he was talking about, but Juwan nodded.
“Come with us, stranger,” he said, eyes still flat and unfriendly, “we will speak of the things you wish to tell us. You will speak of what we wish to know.”
“Lead on,” Sho said, fear rising as he moved, body protesting his action. He really should have left a note.
- D
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