Stranded on a Tiny Planet

Anu and Traynar were trying to get Merco to stop and not leave, but the giant alien was not being deterred as he slid sideways through the outer ‘gates’ of Anashee. They didn’t know what had happened to make Merco leave in such a hurry.

Just then, half bouncing along the ground and half flying, Seraysa came rushing up to them, “Merco! Please! Come back!”

But even she wasn’t getting his attention.

Anu met the young female in the air, “Seraysa, what happened?”

“It-it wasn’t his fault!” she was out of breath and seemed on the verge of crying. “He was having a bad dream and accidentally...broke some things.”

Traynar looked to the city and then to her, “Like he was fighting someone.”

“I-I think so.”

“Just like in the canyon. We’ve seen him do that before.” Traynar explained, “Was anyone hurt?”

“Verin got cut when he was trying to unhook Merco from the probes. I don’t think anyone was hurt but he destroyed some buildings.” Seraysa shook her head, “He didn’t mean to!”

Anu looked off to Anashee, “Seraysa, Traynar, go back to Anashee and tell the Elder of this. I will find him and try to get him to come back.”

Though it was apparent the young female wanted to go after Merco too, she knew she couldn’t fly well enough to keep up with him. She reluctantly nodded as Anu took off through the rock ‘gate’.

Anu exited on the other side, eyes darting. Of course, Merco wasn’t hard to follow; she could see him quite a distance away. He’d put quite a distance between him and Anashee already in such a short amount of time; not surprising given his massive stride. With a quick burst of speed, Anu flew after him. He was wading through the forest when she finally caught up to him.

“Merco, please wait! You don’t have to go!”

He briefly paused to look at her, “It’s for the best, Anu. Please go home and leave me alone.”

He resumed walking but Anu floated in front of him, flying backward as she talked, “We know you didn’t mean to do that, Merco.”

"You might not...but I don’t think the rest of Anashee will see it that way.” Merco replied, “In just a few seconds I destroyed someone’s livelihood and I got Verin hurt...I can’t let my guard down for one second or I could kill someone. It’s safer if I just stay away.”

“You have to come back, Merco. You can’t just leave like this!”

“Anu, I appreciate your support for me. I do. But please, just go home.”

With persistence she flew in close, put her hands to his forehead, and pushed with all her might. He kept moving, as unaffected as if a butterfly had landed on his forehead.

“Merco!” she shouted as she pushed, “Stop.”

But he kept walking not dissuaded by her insistence. Eventually his hand came up and gently plucked her out of the air. She struggled a bit in his gentle hold.

Finally, she decided she’d just have to lie a bit to him, “Merco, I’m your ambassador. I have to bring you back or I’m going to get in trouble! And not going back would be an insult.”

Merco stopped slowly, glancing at her as he opened his hand to let her go. She floated up to his eyes with plumage raised and arms crossed. A deep sigh rolled out of him as a guilty look crossed his face.

“I...suppose it would be better to apologize in person.” He said with defeat. “I don’t want you or Pixie to be in trouble on my account.”

Anu felt relief sweep through her at his change of heart. Carefully she landed on his shoulder and sat, “Thank you, Merco.”

Unhurried, he trudged back.

Anu looked at him and asked, “Have you always had these bad dreams?”

Merco frowned, “Ever since I got home from the war.”

“So, they’re war dreams?”

“Yes.” He looked ashamed as his pace slowed, “And I can’t get rid of them. I wake up screaming...fighting someone who isn’t there...trying to help those whom I know are dead. I just...I just want them to stop.”

Anu listened to his sad rumbling voice, “I’ve...never known war.”

Merco shook his head, “Then you are fortunate. I hope your people know nothing but peace.”

Though she thought better of asking, Anu had a question that had been nagging at her upon hearing that Merco had been a soldier.

“Then you...you’ve killed before...?”

A far-off look fell over Merco’s features, but he didn’t say anything.

“I’m sorry...I shouldn’t have asked something like that.” Anu apologized quickly.

“No. No. It’s all right. I just...don’t like to talk about that.” He admitted simply.

Many people had asked him that same bout of questions; his young sons among them. Each time he dodged those questions in some fashion. Mostly he didn’t want to relive those scenarios again but also he didn’t want his family to see him in a manner that would make them hate or fear him. He had indeed taken lives; some justified...some that haunted him. He had also saved a number of lives and lost others. Only his few surviving brothers in arms remembered and understood. It was like a cancer and he didn’t want it spread beyond him.

Soon he was through the stone border entrance of Anashee and making his way down the path. He passed the fields and the river lands until he was near the gates of Anashee again.

“Wait outside the wall Merco. I will meet with Elder Felreh first.” Anu announced, flying from his shoulder.

Patiently he waited, already hating the feeling. It felt like standing before someone’s door waiting for them to answer so he could apologize for running into their car. He was mentally preparing himself for the Ansheetans’ anger, outrage, and feelings of betrayal. Not that he would blame such reactions.

Already he could see a fairly large group of Ansheetans gathered on the wall as well as Elder Felreh coming forth to meet him. As she flew out and stopped before him midair, Merco dropped down to one knee and bowed his head with respect. He wasn’t sure if that was the proper way for Ansheetans to understand his remorse but from their subtle whispers it sounded like they were at least intrigued by the gesture. He wanted not only his words but his posture to convey his apology.

“Elder Felreh, please forgive my earlier actions. I did not mean to damage your city nor did intend the harm I caused. I wish to make amends in any manner you see fit.” He spoke seriously and with respect.

There was a silence for a moment which made Merco cringe internally. He wouldn’t be surprised if they decided to ban him from the city...which to him would be the right thing to do.

“Your ambassadors and supporters have told me of the terrible dreams you suffer from.”

He didn’t look up, “Yes.”

“Then I believe it would be safest to not allow you to sleep within the city.”

Merco nodded, “I agree. Forgive me.”

“However, I do not wish to ban you from our city entirely. There were no reports of injuries besides Verin, but he vouches for you. I believe your actions were involuntary and not done out of ill will.” Elder Felreh concluded, “But I would like to know why you left instead of doing what you’re doing now?”

The man felt ashamed and explained, “Because I betrayed my promise to you and I didn’t think you’d want me anywhere near Anashee again. I just wanted to remove myself voluntarily and save you the trouble.”

There was another silence until the Elder said, “If you would help with the restoration of the buildings you damaged I will consider the act forgiven.”

Merco finally raised his head; genuinely surprised, “I... I would be very happy to help in any way I can.”

Elder Felreh nodded with approval, “When he’s ready for your help you will meet with our chief architect Kerisar tomorrow. I’m sure he will have use of your strength.”

Merco nodded compliantly. He was honestly surprised by their clemency with him. He wasn’t so sure his own species would be as forgiving if the situation were reversed. The group began to return into the city.

Pixie suddenly appeared from the small group and landed on his shoulder. She suddenly slapped his neck several times with her hands, merely tickling him.

“Why did you go away like that?” she berated him in a tone that was both hurt and relieved at the same time, “Don’t ever do that again!”

His hand came up and gently rested his fingers across her whole body, “I’m sorry, Pixie. How is Verin? Is he alright?”

“He’s fine. Just a cut from the cable. He’s getting it sealed up.”

“I’d like to apologize to him too.” Merco requested.

Pixie nodded, “I’ll let him know later.”

“Merco...”

He looked and Commander Madala was floating just in front of his face, less than a foot. Her eyes were harsh and her plume flared.

“You may have gotten away with this once with an apology. But if you do this again I will ensure that you are banished into the Wasteland for the rest of your days.”

Merco straightened his back and nodded, “Yes, ma’am.”

She gave him a funny look at the alien word ‘ma’am’.

“Yes, Commander.” He tried again.

Another look of mistrust and she turned to follow the Elder. Merco sighed. Though he very much doubted they could make him do anything...he still wasn’t ready to test that assumption. He certainly hadn’t scored any gold stars with the Commander since arriving. But as he thought a moment he recalled someone else he hadn’t made a good impression with.

He stood up and looked at Anu who had also remained with him. “Anu, I’d like to make amends with that farmer from before. Do you remember where he lives?”

Anu nodded and made a gesture for him to follow. He walked down the road until he came to a familiar field filled with the strange little creatures that looked like striped dinosaur kangaroos.

“What are those called?” Merco asked Anu as they approached.

“Striped Leysaries.”

“Hm. Do you eat them?”

Anu nodded, “Sometimes. But only for special occasions. Are you hungry?”

He laughed sheepishly, “A bit...but I’m not thinking of eating them raw...ugh.”

“We mostly use Striped Leysaries for He-ne-tee. That sweet drink you tried.” Pixie explained.

Merco got a concerned look on his face, “I thought it was fruit juice...”

He wasn’t sure he wanted to know how it was produced. Of course, they might think milking a cow was weird...so...

Merco perked his head, noticing a figure on the far outer edge of the field which he could only assume was the owner. He began to move toward that figure with Anu leading the way.

His shadow caught the green skinned Ansheetan’s attention first. The rancher’s head perked up fast, staring way up at him.

“Uh. Hi. How’s it going?” Merco greeted.

The rancher gave him a look of suspicion mixed with uncertainty before looking at Anu, “What is it doing back here? Going to kill more of my livestock? Smash my home?”

"He can understand you.” Anu replied.

Merco smiled politely but awkwardly when the rancher looked at him again.

He knelt down, “Yeah. Um. I’m really sorry for accidentally killing your animal. I was hoping I might be able compensate you somehow?”

The rancher uncrossed his arms, “I’d rather you just keep your distance from my livestock and my home.”

Merco glanced around, “You don’t...have something I could do for you?”

The rancher gave him an upward glance, seeming to take in his stature a moment. Then he looked back toward the other half of his farm.

“Follow me...just don’t step on me.”

Merco stood, waited until the Ansheetan rancher was a few of his steps ahead and carefully followed after him. When the rancher got near his home, which almost resembled an igloo with its shape, he directed Merco around it broadly as if he was just certain he wouldn’t be able to avoid stepping on it. Gingerly, Merco stepped over the home.

Satisfied, the rancher pointed to what looked like a stump about the size of a big carrot at the back of his property, “All right big fella. I’ve been wanting that stump gone for several cycles now. Think you can get rid of it?”

Merco gave an amiable nod, “I’ll see what I can do.”

Pixie preemptively flew off of his shoulder and gave him room. Merco positioned himself so he was away from the home and behind the stump. He knelt down and tested the ground with his finger. It was pretty hard and there wasn’t enough stump exposed for him to get a good grip. So, he took out his pocketknife and began loosening the ground around the stump, which he then dug out with his fingers. When a portion of the stump was exposed, he wrapped his hand around the stump and tried to pull it. It moved a little but stubbornly held itself in the ground. Merco raised his eyebrows and dug a little more dirt away so he could grip it with his prosthetic which was much more powerful than his natural hand. He planted his feet, bent both knees and pulled. The mechanical forearm whined slightly when the ground tore open and a loud ripping pop sounded as the stump’s massive root system gave way. Merco had to take a hard step backward to catch himself. His eyes got big for a moment, checking behind him to make sure he didn’t step on anything. Thankfully, his luck was better and he hadn’t messed up anything this time.

He held up the large root to the rancher whose head plume was raising very slowly, “What do you want me to do with this?”

Seeming dumbstruck for a moment the rancher finally pointed to what looked like the back of the property, “I guess...put it back there.”

“Need me to break it up for you?” he asked.

The Ansheetan made a ‘go ahead’ gesture to which Merco nodded. He took the stump and root over to the edge of the property and set it down. Using the heel of his boot he put pressure on the thickest part of the stump and finally stomped down with force. The dried stump splintered into hundreds of chunks with a terrible crunching sound.

Merco checked it over a moment to make sure it was good enough and tore the spidery tail of root into pieces too. Then he returned to the hole where the stump had been and filled it back in, patting the ground flat.

He looked over to the rancher, “How’s that? Anything else?”

“Um...no. No that’s...that’s great.” He conceded eyes unbelieving that the offending stump was now gone as if it never existed, “My mate is going to be thrilled I finally got rid of that.”

Merco chuckled at the thought of him doing a ’Honey Do...” job, “Got to keep her happy I suspect?”

“Would’ve taken me two whole sun cycles to get that out...never mind breaking it up.” He marveled, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Are we good then?”

The rancher nodded deeply, “Yeah, yeah.”

Satisfied, Merco stood back up and began to leave.

“Please come back when we’re harvesting the feed crop! Could use you!” the rancher called after him.

Merco gave an acknowledging wave over his shoulder as his two ambassadors flew up after him. Pixie struggled a bit to gain altitude and when she went to land on Merco’s shoulder she slipped. She gave a startled, sharp whistle and managed to snag the cloth of Merco’s shirt, dangling.

Merco jerked at her near fall, laying a hand over her to press her to his chest and prevent her fall, “Woah. Easy there.”

He carefully put her back on his shoulder and she sat with a puff of relief, “Sorry...I’m still not very good at this.”

Anu flew next to them, “You’ll get better, Seraysa. You’re still newly Emerged. Give it time.”

Merco tipped his head curiously, “Seraysa? Is...is that your true name?”

She nodded.

“I feel kind of bad I’ve been calling you Pixie this whole time and never learned your real name.” he apologized.

She shook her head, “Don’t be. You can always call me Pixie.”

Merco nodded with a small smile.

“That was a very good thing you did for the rancher, Merco.” Anu complimented him.

He shrugged, “I just hope I can help more so no one is mad at me.”

“Which...reminds me.” Anu mentioned, “Tomorrow when you meet our architect, Kerisar...don’t take anything he says too personal.”

Merco raised an eyebrow, “Hard ass?”

“What?” she squinted at the alien word.

“Sorry...um...he’s difficult to work with?”

Anu made a face, “He yells... a lot.”

Merco smirked, “Oh I’ve been yelled at a lot...but thanks for the warning.”

Merco could distinctly recall a drill sergeant from basic training that was probably responsible for a percentage of his hearing loss. So it was nothing new for him. However...he’d been wrong before.