Category: Story

Kerflk (Caveman Chronicles)

~ I. Graham Smith ~ Leave a comment

The Index -|-

“Once we launch the kerflk, we just have to wait,” said Zara.

Kpleeb scratched his hairy chin. “I’m not sure I understand.”

“The kerflk will have received its command, and once it hits the impulsors of the Xi ship, it will seep in and block the aji flows that run the engines within a few moments. Then we only have to board the ships and command the kerflk to pull away and cover the outside hull. The flows will resolve themselves once the blockage is removed.”

“All while they shoot at us?”

“Yes, maybe for a few moments, but the Hsstak can deflect the attacks for a little while because of the kerflk shell. Then we shoot a hole in their own hull and send in a team of Ganix to clean out the Xi and destroy their beacon.”

“You make it sound so easy,” Kpleeb said with a concerned smile. “What could possibly go wrong?”

“There will be times when things go wrong, Da, but we must have more ships. This is the only way we can disable the ships from a distance.”

Kpleeb nodded. “I know, I know.” He sunk into his thoughts. [An army without transportation is useless., and unless we can bring the fight to the Xi, we can never really hurt them. Unless we can spread our warriors to other orbs and continue to grow, we will always be vulnerable to attack and at risk of being exterminated.] He sighed. “We will need even more ships than we expect, and more fighters too.”

“We have the Ganix and almost all the Hkkli. Thousands at least. I’ve asked Kanta, but she has stated that her family simply could not fight without being altered first.”

“Who can blame her,” said Kpleeb. “I wouldn’t wish that on my family either. I do hope the warriors we have are enough.”

“Saeli is bringing in more Hkkli to fight, and I have trained Kanta and a few Ganix to fly the Hsstak and the Greki. We have four crews trained and more are in school. The Ikol has almost been repaired, and the Kssma is still waiting to be fixed. I need more Xi to help repair, and we certainly need more ships.”

Kpleeb nodded. “I’m satisfied with that, but I don’t know where you will find more Xi willing to turn against their own. If this kerflk weapon works like you say and we capture more Xi ships, we may finally be able to attack Juma. I am working on a battle plan with Xir and Hiro’s cousin, Nairo. He seems to have a good grasp of tactics in the void. We definitely need those ships.”

###

“Da, wake up.”

Kpleeb rolled over and looked up at the face of his only daughter. She was bright and awake, and he wondered when she ever slept.

“There is a Xi vessel approaching Jorqu. This is our chance to capture another ship!”

Kpleeb nodded and clambered to his feet slowly. “Alright, how far away are we now?”

“We should be able to intercept them in less than an hour.”

“If they’ve found our base here, they could also have notified the First Terminal.”

“We can’t know for sure unless we capture their ship and check the communication logs. I already gave the command for Ikol and Greki to cease all transmissions. We’ll run silent with the Hsstak and perhaps still have some element of surprise.”

“Smart girl,” said Kpleeb. “Let’s go.” He grabbed a small piece of green frond-bread from the table next to his sleeping mat. He had found the Hkkli bread to be bland, but surprisingly filling and readily available.

Within a few minutes, he stood in the command center with Zara, Xir, Tiirw, Kanta and Nairo. The sensor’s light-cloud clearly displayed the nearby vessel as it approached. “This one is of the XC configuration like the Kssma,” said Tiirw.

Zara nodded. “I’m glad we’ve seen one of these before now. Go ahead and set up for the attack. I want to watch.”

Kanta’s highly dexterous fins peppered the console, and a large holographic display replaced the data-cloud. The atmosphere became silent and tense as the Xih vessel appeared and finally became clear. Like the Kssma that rested in Jorqu’s orbit, the ship that approached them was much larger than the Hsstak. It was a ship that would certainly contain a Xih commander of some sort, one with a higher rank than even Iqw Okrat had been before Zara killed it. The ship would also host a larger contingent, perhaps as many as fifty Xi. The view changed, pulling out as the Hsstak approached.

“Weapon ready,” said Tiirw emotionlessly. “Nine deployed.”

The display showed no movement, which was not unexpected to Kpleeb. The kerflk deployments that Zara had tested on the Ikol had shown him that the chunks that were ejected were too small to display. He grasped the tether on Zara’s sling. “They’re attacking us, hold on!”

Nairo’s Hkkli face was unreadable to Kpleeb, but his small mouth twitched, and his short arm tightly clutched the edge of his sling in a grip that Kpleeb would only describe as a death grip.

A bolt of blueish fire appeared from a nodule on the back of the Xih vessel. The glowing spear twisted around an invisible center axis and rapidly approached the Hsstak.

“The kerflk has attached to the vessel.” Tiirw neck-slits fluttered rapidly.

The command center shook with the impact of the blue bolt. Kanta spoke up.  “The kerflk shield has reduced the attack effectiveness by at least half.”

Kpleeb sensed surprise and relief from Nairo, but Kanta gave no indication that she was concerned.

Another two bolts ejected from the ship, followed by two more. “I think they expected to harm us more than they have,” said Zara with a smile. Her eyes had the far away look that told Kpleeb she was currently tuned into her view of the aji realm. “They must be noticing the beginning of engine shutdown. Prepare to fire on the breach location.”

Kanta prodded her console a few times and then tilted her head causing the water in her airo-walking helmet to slosh gently. “Locked on and ready.” After another moment. “Firing.”

Kpleeb saw the Hsstak’s own blue bolt cross the void. The Hsstak buckled under another blow followed by one more, and only Kpleeb’s grasp prevented him from being bashed against the chamber wall. A small puncture in the side of the Xih ship appeared as the Hsstak’s bolt hit home.

“The Hsstak is unable to take much more. There is minor damage to a few systems, and I have tuned the release mechanisms to shorten the energy ejection paths.” Tiirw looked at Zara. “The enemy ship has lost its ability to fight.”

“The kerflk is working” said Zara with a smile. “Approach and send the warriors.”

Xir nodded at Kpleeb and turned on his heel without saying a word.

Nairo spoke in his squeaky dialect and Zara’s device translated in a higher-pitched monotone. “Is that hole big enough?”

“It looks small, but it’s at least the width of four warriors.” Zara patted Nairo on his shoulder. “It’s just so far away right now.”

“Even the Hkkli?” Kpleeb eyed Nairo’s Hkkli bulk.

Zara ignored his comment and pointed at the Xih vessel that had grown considerably larger in the view. “The warriors are on their way.”

To Kpleeb’s eye, the warriors seemed tiny, but then the view changed and everything came close. “Thank you, Kanta.”

The hole in the side of the of the grey hull was jagged and appeared discolored around the edges, but the warriors entered in single file with plenty of room to spare. Kpleeb could see them reduce speed using the belts that Zara had designed for them. The last warrior to enter was a Hkkli.

[All we can do now is wait.]

###

Zara waited silently in her room. Her sling was still, and the ceiling above her glowed with a web of aji. With an irritated sigh, Zara jabbed at a tight bundle in the center of the web. The same thought that crossed her mind a hundred times broke the surface yet again.

[Did I imagine being rescued by Qon? Perhaps I was temporarily insane from the torture.]

Carefully, she prodded and poked at the web again. The aji was serene, bland even. With a renewed annoyance, she wrapped a thread of golden Qon around her fingers and used it to slice the other aji longways into even thinner strips. The threads squiggled, hanging loose from their siblings. Another swipe with Qon cut them crossways, and the rainbow of glowing strings became jumbled into a pile of similarity.

[Curious.] Zara made a shallow bowl with the Qon and used it to mash the shredded aji together. The colors had almost blended when the Qon pulsed once and lost its form.

The Map (Caveman Chronicles)

~ I. Graham Smith ~ Leave a comment

The Index -|-

The dust at Zara’s feet stirred at the caress of a dancing breeze. To her nose it smelled charred and smoky. Mostly burnt logs rested haphazardly where they were tossed among the rocks and other debris. Everything in the village was wrecked except the walls made of the stone-like kerflk.

Zara sniffed the air again and took a few more steps toward the nearby lutu, an angular, single-Xi vessel, that had crashed nearby. Its hatch was closed, and there was a scorched gash as long as her arm in the side of the ship. Fifty paces away another lutu rested on its belly, this one having the hatch wide open. Next to it was a small pile of silica dust, indicating that the pilot had made its exit before succumbing to its wounds and becoming riaat.

[One of many dead Xi.] Zara grimaced. She was both happy that the Xi had been brought down and also sad that their life had to be taken.

The leader of her new band of warriors appeared at her side. “Ready, chief.”

Zara turned to look at Tiv. He was especially serious for a Ganix warrior. He was also dark and very short, only coming up to the shoulder of most other warriors. Despite his diminutive stature, he was twice as tall as Zara.

“Okay, let’s go look at this other XF ship.” Zara walked toward the broken vessel that resembled the Hsstak. The terrain where the ship had crashed was broken and deeply gouged, and three huts had been crushed. Several dead mountain yaks lay nearby, and clouds of large, black flies feasted on the carcasses. Zara winced at the putrid stench.

Tiv pointed with his forefinger knuckle toward an opening in the side of the vessel, and Zara could see several small piles of silica dust there. The ashes of demolished huts covered the entire area.

She nodded. “Part of the crew had come out the ship only to die in the fire. Maybe they were injured before leaving and the fire finished them off.”

Tiv grunted.

“That is a well-deserved outcome. Fortunately, the fire did not spread beyond the wall. A burning forest would not be best for the other tribes and wildlife.”

On closer examination, the gash in the side of the ship led to a room that Zara recognized as one of the crew quarters with its inner door wide open. “Go look inside. If any Xi are alive, I want to speak to them.”

Tiv barked a short alert at several warriors nearby, and one of the group broke off and quickly approached.

Zara turned and touched her necklace. “Oiitr, can we salvage anything from this XF ship?”

After a long moment, Oiitr’s tinny voice came from the device. “There may be some valuable contents or perhaps some prisoners, but the ship itself is not valuable unless it can be repaired. I have looked for its name and there is no response from the vessel. It is truly dead. There is a nameplate in the command center that will identify the ship if you can get inside.”

Zara waved to the other warriors that had remained outside. “Come, I want to look at the inside. Stay ahead of me.”

The warriors hopped nimbly into the gash and looked through the doorway.

Zara raised a small, stone rod with a light on its tip. “Go right,” she said pointing. “At the end there is a ladder. Go up.” She tuned her perceptions to see the aji, but the area around her was perfectly dark.

The warriors complied swiftly, and the shadows cast by her light writhed strangely in the corridor ahead of them.

[Its useful that these ships share a common layout.] She saw the last feet disappear through the ladderway and followed. With the daylight from outside now a floor below them, the upper corridor was pitch black, and the Ganix warriors crouched, waiting for her. “The door at the end is where I want to go.”

In a moment, Zara stood before the door to the command center. It did not open, and she was not surprised. Normally, it would slide open on its own, but with the aji out of commission, it would only open from inside, and most of the other doors nothing would operate at all. She tapped on the door with a sliding gesture. “Please pry it open, this way.”

Two warriors pushed the door and then another got involved. The door did not budge. After a few minutes, the warriors stood up and looked at her.

“Alright, go stand near the end of the hall,” Zara said. She took three steps back, lifted her ring and focused on the door. The air began to whine in front of her. She turned her head slightly and lifted her other hand in front of her face. The whine ceased and the door crumpled inward with a splintering crack. She could see the inside of the command center through the crumpled edges, and decided to hit the door again. In a few more moments, she stood inside with her light held high.

There were two piles of silica dust and nothing else. Zara looked at the name plate above the primary red-tiered device. “Ikol,” she muttered. “Where do they come up with these names?”

“Oiitr, I had to break the door to the command center. This is the Ikol. Can we do a core purge on this ship?”

“With the gash in the side and the broken door, the ship would not be able to leave Phaedro’s atmosphere, but perhaps a core reset could be completed. If we did repair the core, we would have to disable the emergency beacon as soon as it is complete.”

“That would mean waiting here for another few days.” Zara shook her head. “We will leave this alone for now. We don’t need more attention.”

Zara and her warriors examined the rest of the Ikol, or at least the parts that could be accessed. The prisoner pens and most of the other labs and rooms were closed, and she decided not to break the doors. She did break the door of the room where Iqw Okrat had commanded Hsstak, and found no artifacts or shiny triangles on the floor. When she left the ship, Tiv and Hew stood watching the village around them as if expecting another attack at any moment.

“Did you find any Xi?” asked Zara.

“One dead,” said Tiv.

“Okay, let’s go back to Jorqu.”

###

As the Hsstak rose above Phaedro, the multi-colored triangle in the corner of Zara’s room caught her eye, and she knelt to touch the golden triangle that was closest to her.

[This won’t activate unless Da and I touch the corners. This must be made for a team of at least two.] After a long moment, she had an idea. She sat down with her heel on the corner and stretched her hands to touch the remaining two. The silvery angles fluttered in a wave of movement and the column of light began to glow. [Ah HA!]

In the center of the column of shimmering light was a glowing dot. As she watched, a smaller glowing dot appeared and began to move away from the other. Zara grinned as she realized what these dots may represent.

“Tiiwr, please return to the clouds of Phaedro. I want to see the village from far above.”

After a momentary pause, it answered. “We are returning now.”

The smaller dot began to move back toward the big dot until they merged. Zara touched her red device twice and saw a view of the village from high above. Scattered clouds moved between her and the canyon. “Thank you, Tiiwr. You may proceed to Jorqu now.”

Looking again at the column of light, the smaller dot separated from the larger again.

[That’s it! The Hsstak is the smaller dot and Phaedro is the larger.] With her eye, she followed the direction that the smaller dot was moving and found another, larger dot in its path. [Jorqu. When Da and I saw those other dots, they were the Xi ships coming to destroy the village. I can see other ships and orbs in the void!]

Instantly, she scanned the entire range of the column carefully, but there were some dots but no other movement. With a sigh of relief, she stood, and the column of light disappeared.

Within moments, Zara entered the command center. “Viinox, I have some questions. First, is there some Xi technology that will show you another Xi ship that is nearby?”

Viinox tilted its chin downward slightly. “We can detect certain communication methods out to one kitrond. Based on that, we can tell roughly where a nearby Xi ship is unless it ceases to transmit.”

“Can you show me?”

Viinox prodded its device and a standard Xi hologram appeared. Within the three-dimensional grid of tiny, hovering dots were no obvious objects. “There are no Xi ships nearby, but I will show you this recording.” It tapped again and there appeared a square with small waves coming off two sides. “This is another XF style ship that was nearby.”

“Can we see Phaedro or Jorqu?”

“Planets do not generally produce communication transmissions, unless there is a city with a transmitter located there.” Viinox paused. “As for Jorqu, the planet is too far for the sensors to see from Phaedro.”

Zara nodded. “Jorqu is about five days from Phaedro. Show me the entire Xi empire.”

Viiinox tilted its head upward and tapped. The hologram expanded to three times its size and exploded with dots of all sizes. It tapped again and transparent regions of colored light appeared in what seemed to be random sizes and locations. “This blue area is the Xi primary sector where the predominant rules. It is made up of more than twenty star systems. We are here.” The hologram slowly moved to the side and contracted toward the edge of a large, red area.

“It is difficult for me to understand the scale. What is the distance in travel time between Jorqu and the primary sector?”

With a tap, the hologram expanded again and a grid of solid, red squares appeared. They seemed to be unevenly spaced, especially near the edges of the map. “If we were to use the Hsstak to the see the Predominant it would take roughly 1936 days at our fastest speed.”

[22.8 million yak speed!]

Viinox pointed its chin at the map. “If we use terminals and the slipnet, we could be in the primary sector at First Terminal within fifty days.”

“Where is the closest XI world or ship? I’m surprised that we have not yet encountered a whole fleet of warships.”

The map changed again to show a few icons with labels. “Jorqu is here,” Viinox said, “and Juma is here on the other side of the terminal. It is around 45 days travel from here. The next orb is over here,” the map shifted downward. This one is Liret.”

“Show me the different kinds of Xi vessels, one at a time then.”

Return to Phaedro (Caveman Chronicles)

~ I. Graham Smith ~ 3 Comments

The Index -|-

Kpleeb sipped lukewarm water from a shallow bowl and then leaned back to regard his daughter. She was growing fast, and he was reminded of her Mama. Thoka had been beautiful with a unique look about her that had immediately caught his eye. Her pale hair was very uncommon in his experience. While her features were different, but he could not really explain how. Zara’s hair favored Kpleeb’s own; wild and brown, but her facial features, attitude, and the way she spoke had the unmistakable influence from her Mama.

“What did the Xi think about the Hkkli battle?”

“They did not see it. I have instructed them to remain inside and out of sight. The Hkkli might become violent again if they catch the Xi alone.”

“Seems like a good idea. I bet the tales of what the Xi did to Hiro and Saeli have been told far and wide. Speaking of them, I’ve been thinking about assigning a Ganix leader or two,” he said changing the subject. “As you said before, we need them, and there are some among the Ganix that are more than capable. I really like Xir.”

“Xir is a natural leader, but maybe it’s just that he is always nearby.” Zara put down her tools and turned to look at him.

“He is always here, but I’ve seen how the other Ganix defer to him.” Kpleeb shrugged. “I respect him, and I believe he knows how we think and what we care about.”

“What about Jial?” asked Zara. “Since Migri died, she has become perhaps the most decisive Ganix cave-woman. Everyone loves her.”

Kpleeb grimaced as he remembered Jial’s bossiness. “I don’t love her.”

“You’re just not pleased with anyone who is so direct about things you don’t want to hear, Da.”

“I do respect her, though,” said Kpleeb quickly. He paused for a long moment. “You’re right. She is pushy and it grates on me. But at least I know she’s honest.”

“True,” said Zara. “What if we let them share the leadership?”

Kpleeb shook his head as he pictured Jial wagging a finger under Xir’s nose. “A pair of people will always come to a stalemate or one of the two will boss the other one around. I wouldn’t wish that on Xir. He already has a wife! No, it would have to be one person… or perhaps three to always bring a balance.”

[Maybe I’m not the best at diplomacy and such… I wish Thoka were here.]

Zara pointed at him. “Xir could be the final decision maker with absolute command over everything, especially the warriors and hunting. Jial could be in charge of the women and the village. With Xir being so quiet, he would not be too demanding. It would be a good balance.”

Kpleeb nodded slowly. “Xir is in charge, and we help him by delegating a subset of the tribe to Jial. I think it will work. We should talk to them before you return to Phaedro.” He stood and stuck his head out of the hut door. There a few paces away, a few children played together in the dirt with some kind of yellow stone ring.

“Genk, go find Xir and bring him here. Biet, you find Jial. I want to talk with them.”

The cave-children looked up at him and then at each other.

“Go on, get!” hollered Kpleeb. “Don’t act like you didn’t hear me.” He waved his hand and two of the children leapt to their feet and scampered away.

In moments, as Kpleeb sat back down with his bowl of tepid water, the light from the door darkened. Jial entered slowly. “Ah, there you are Jial. Thank you for coming!” Kpleeb stood again and smiled awkwardly at her.

“I busy. What want?” Jial looked at him without a smile.

“Xir is coming too,” said Kpleeb gesturing toward Zara. “We wanted to speak with you.”

Jial lifted her chin slightly, sat down, and examined the interior of the hut with a look of disdain on her face.

Xir poked his head into the door. “Builder,” he said nodding at Kpleeb. He entered and nodded at Jial without speaking.

Kpleeb sat and smiled at Jial and Xir. He waved at Zara. “Come, let’s talk.” Without waiting for a response, he began to speak.

“We want you to become the leader of the Ganix,” he said looking at Xir. Switching his gaze to fall on Jial, he continued. “And we want you to become Xir’s support system, his helper and backup.”

Xir was silent, but his brain was clearly processing the statement.

Kpleeb saw Jial begin to frown. “What are your thoughts?”

Jial let out a long breath as she looked at Xir as if waiting for a response. Finally, she spoke. “Builder is leader.”

Kpleeb nodded quickly. “This is true. I am the leader, and Zara is my helper.” He looked at Zara and smiled. “We want to make sure that someone is the leader if we are not here.”

Zara raised her hand. “There may be time when Da and I are not here or perhaps there may be a time when there are too many warriors to speak to. We must have leaders in charge of the Ganix the way Saeli and Hiro are with the Koratu.”

Xir lifted his chin definitively and looked at Kpleeb. “Yes, Builder. I serve.”

“Thank you, Xir. I trust you, and I know that the Ganix warriors also trust you. What do you say, Jial?”

Jial scowled as she spoke. “I serve, Builder.” She looked at Xir. “If Xir not listen, I break nose.”

Xir turned his head and showered Jial with a gaze of distinct indifference. Then he stood to leave.

Zara spoke up. “Xir, I am leaving today and taking the Hsstak back to Phaedro. The Xi have returned, and I must determine what damage has been done. I need warriors that will help me fight.”

Xir stopped at the door. “Many?”

“Zara stood as well. “Eight, and they must be very capable with fighting inside closed spaces. I will need these same eight warriors at my side very frequently.”

Kpleeb looked at Zara. “Are you expecting a fight?”

“No, Da. I need a regular crew of warriors that are familiar with the Hsstak and with fighting inside the vessel. Better if they are the same warriors every time. They will be my squad. I am also bringing Hiro with me.”

“I call eight warriors.” Xir disappeared through the doorway.

Jial stood gracefully and looked down at Zara. “You careful,” she said softly. In a moment she was gone.

Kpleeb grinned at Zara. “Well, that was fun, right? I think we have our leaders.” He shook his head. “Truthfully, Zara, your wisdom and brain make me feel slow. You are amazing.”

Zara gave Kpleeb a hug and tousled his shaggy hair. “I’m your family, Da. We are special. Before I leave, I want us to test the Xih triangle again.

Kpleeb hopped to his feet. “Okay, let’s go.”

When they placed their palms on the smaller, golden triangles, the column of shimmering light appeared as it had before, and Zara felt a simultaneous micro-pulse from the aji.

“This picture looks the same as it did.” Kpleeb squinted and tilted his head slightly. The pulsating green dot remained in the center, and other, smaller dots remained static. There was no movement at all. “I’m just not sure what this all means.”

Zara merely watched the dots and then opened up her view of the aji. The pulse did not repeat and everything seemed completely normal.

After some time, Kpleeb spoke again. “You should go. The sooner you are gone, the sooner you will return, and I will know that you are safe.”

Zara sighed and lifted her palms causing the light to dissipate. “I had hoped there would be more information.”

###

Zara awoke when Tiirw’s notification chimed to inform her of their arrival. Her five-day trip on the Hsstak had been surprisingly uneventful though she felt some concern that the Xi would be waiting for her when she arrived at Phaedro. She stood and stretched noticing that two of the indicators on her red-tired device were an orangey color. She touched a few protrusions and brought up the live map of Hsstak’s immediate vicinity. [There is something there!]

Zara went quickly to the command center. “Tiirw, what do we see?”

Tiirw responded with its command console, and the center of the room burst into light. Within the hologram rested a large, angular vessel that appeared to be damaged. Zara could see that several gashes left the interior open to the void. Pieces of the ship floated casually nearby as if they were placed there on purpose.

“This is a Xih vessel, the Kssma, which is one of the XC configuration,” said Tiirw. Its eyes and fingers flashed rapidly through commands and the view focused on one of the gaping holes in the side of the Kssma.

Zara walked around the edge of the hologram and picked out the markers she had left within Phaedro’s orbit. “This was done by my traps.”

“I agree,” said Tiirw. It looked at her soberly. “The location is correct.”

“What is the difference between the Kssma and the Hsstak?”

Oiitr spoke before Tiirw as if reciting from a textbook. “The XC configuration is a Xih ship that uses the standard Xi command hull. The XC hosts up to fifty Xi and has a large bay for two landing shuttles. The Hsstak is a XF configuration which is about half the size of the Kssma. Hsstak hosts around ten living beings and has no landing shuttles. The XC configuration is designed to operate in the void, and the XF configuration is designed to land on the surface of an orb such as Phaedro. The Hsstak is one-point-eight times faster than the Kssma.”

[I really need to sit down and see all the kinds of ships the Xi have. Maybe I can capture larger vessels that wield more power.]

Zara nodded at Oiitr. “Are there any Xi alive over there?”

Oiitr tilted its chin downward slightly and then answered. “I detect nothing alive. The Kssma’s atmosphere has been opened to the void.”

Zara gazed at the broken ship for a few long moments. It’s silent, grey hull appearing so benign and non-threatening. She felt as if there was some kind of trap she was missing.

[Can it have been that easy to destroy this ship? Surely, they brought back up or are watching us from a distance.] She frowned. [Check the area, check the surface, and then return with as much as I can use.]

“Take the Hsstak around Phaedro. Look for every possible trap including the traps I left for the Xih. Make sure they are not waiting to jump on us.”

Tiirw began to command the Hsstak and within moments, the ship moved. They waited in tense silence as the Hsstak picked up speed and circled the orb. Within a few long minutes, Tiirw spoke again.

“I detect nothing in orbit except for the remaining traps you laid. I have also scanned the more distant reaches to the extent possible and have found no traces of any other vessel, Xi or otherwise.”

“Good. Now let’s examine our abandoned village. I know that Da laid some traps there.” Zara turned toward Oiitr. “I want bring the Kssma back to Jorqu with us. There is much value in the vessel. Please come up with a solution for this.”

Oiitr lifted its chin and began to work.

The Hsstak dipped quickly into Phaedro’s atmosphere, and below here, Zara could see a vast desert land. Soon enough, a thin green line appeared on the horizon. The desert became grey and then the grey faded into green as the foliage reached its living tentacles out into the heat. The Hsstak slowed and approached the deep canyon from the left side.

Zara clenched her fists as she saw the village approaching. Leading up to the walls there were great swathes of trees that had been blackened and crushed. Lines of darkness radiated outward from the village in all directions as if an explosion had occurred within the walls.

The Hsstak slowed and hovered over the river. The huts inside the walls were burned out. Everything made of wood or straw was destroyed, and in the center of the village rested a Xi ship that appeared similar to the Hsstak. The vessel was blacked and dented, and large holes in its hull allowed sunlight to penetrate into the dark interior. Nearby, outside the village walls, two of the smaller lutu style ships were broken into multiple pieces.

“I detect no living Xi or Ganix-type beings,” said Oiitr, “but I am grateful that Kpleeb made sure his destroyers would ignore the Hsstak.”

“I am grateful as well,” said Zara with a smile. “The danger here is real though. Please land and I will examine the village.”

Zara turned to one of the red-tiered consoles and tapped a few times to prepare for sending a message. “Da, I have arrived safely at our village on Phaedro. There is a large ship in orbit that has been destroyed, and there are three smaller ships destroyed at the village. Your defenses did quite well at destruction, but the village is also destroyed. I plan to scout with the Ganix warriors and then return with as much Xi tech as I can bring. I hope things on Jorqu are well. Be safe.”

Peace-pipe (Caveman Chronicles)

~ I. Graham Smith ~ Leave a comment

The Index -|-

Kpleeb lay on his back. In his peripheral vision, reeds stood joyfully lifting beautiful green fronds above him on thin arms. These fronds waved in a light breeze, and happy sunlight flickered through into his consciousness.

[This would be beautiful… except–]

A loud and piercing cry echoed from somewhere to his left. Kpleeb was startled, and with the reactivation of his senses, the pain set in again. His side hurt along with his arms and head. He felt with his hands and jerked a few small darts away from the skin on his right side. The barbs tugged as they released. He gritted his teeth and raised his head slowly. There was no smoke, only cries of pain and grunts of strenuous effort mixed with heavy breathing scuffling of feet.

He saw pockets of Ganix warriors alone or in small groups. The warriors were at least a head taller than the Hkkli that surrounded them. With a grunt, Kpleeb sat up. In front of him a single Ganix warrior battled a wall of Hkkli. Like all Ganix, the warrior was blindingly fast. His spears jabbed and spun with incredible speed and mostly maintained a large empty space around his body. There was no room for use of the lightning spears because they were longer, heavier, and needed to be held with both hands.

The Hkkli moved in waves. Their bodies were round and furry, and they moved like pear-shaped ninjas. Each one wore a kind of red band on their wrists. Kpleeb saw them as they surrounded the Ganix, seeming to wait for a gap. When a gap was discovered, one Hkkli would swivel on front legs and issue a comical flurry of kicks with their rear legs.

It was comical only in how the attack looked. The mayhem that lay spread throughout the clearing was not so entertaining. As he watched, another pairing of Ganix fell, bloodied by the razor-sharp scissor kicks.

The whine-crack of a lightning spear echoed, and Kpleeb turned his head to see where it had come from. A trio of Ganix warriors protected a half-circle of space next to the Hsstak. Zara stood with her back up against the ship’s hull, and they were surrounded by dozens of Hkkli.

Zara fired the lightning spear again. Another Hkkli fell, but its space was taken instantly by another. She swiped her hand past the Ganix, and several Hkkli were shoved violently into a heap by her use of the aji forces, but there was no material change in her situation.

[She is probably unwilling to use a more powerful attack with the Ganix in such close proximity, but she needs to be willing to hurt a few friends in order to destroy the enemy– if that’s what it takes.]

After a quick check of his immediate vicinity, he found his lightning spear in the grass and grasped it tightly. [Time to save Zara again, if I can.] Kpleeb gritted his teeth and readied himself to stand. He felt the ground shake faintly, and he heard a low rumble. He stood quickly with his spear ready to fire. With a savage grin, he began to unleash lightning repeatedly into the backs of the Hkkli that surrounded Zara. The wooden shaft kicked in his grip, the recoil shaking his arms and shoulders.

The Hkkli attack fell apart, and Zara waved toward him. An undulating mass of Hkkli turned their vengeful gaze on Kpleeb. He shifted and began firing his spear again as quickly as possible, but the Hkkli were incredibly fast. Their darts flew like raindrops driven before a fierce northern storm.

Shrill war cries rose in chorus, and the sound of pounding feet increased.

Kpleeb was pelted with incoming projectiles and agony blossomed anew. He fell to his knees and then slumped to his stomach where the grass tickled his nose. The dull roar increased and with a gust of wind, a stampede of plump Hkkli bodies impacted above him. He blacked out.

Kpleeb awoke sometime later. He lay on his back on a cot made of reeds, and the smooth, grey hull of the Hsstak stretched like a rampart far above him. When he moved his head, he saw Zara standing nearby speaking to a small group of Hkkli. Concern welled up inside him, and he reached out with his hand.

“Da,” Zara said, turning toward him. “You’re awake!” She took his hand and pulled.” Come talk to Hiro and Saeli!”

Kpleeb slowly clambered off the cot and stepped forward to where the small group of Hkkli waited. Beyond them was a great crowd of Hkkli. As far as he could tell, the Hkkli forces had doubled, but the new Hkkli wore green scarves and stood guard over the smaller red-wristed groups. Ganix warriors wielding lightning spears stood between the Hkkli and the Hsstak.

“Is everything okay?” It appeared to Kpleeb that there were many dead and wounded strewn about the clearing, mostly Hkkli with red-wrists.

Zara gestured toward the small group in front of them. “I told you about the Hkkli that were captured on the Hsstak. These are Hiro and Saeli from the Koratu tribe. They came to help us fight the Kiotin.” She pointed toward the Hkkli wearing the red-wrist bands.

Kpleeb bent his head and slapped the side of his head twice, but there was no change to his confusion. “Hkkli fought other Hkkli to save us?”

“Yes, Da. They are our allies because I freed them.” She sighed. “Doing the right thing does pay off sometimes.”

Kpleeb nodded and looked at Hiro and Saeli. “Is this true?”

Saeli spoke in a high-pitched and squeaky voice, and Zara’s device translated. “We are not allies. Zara the Protector returned us to Ulaen, or Jorqu as you call it. The least we can do is repay this debt. An alliance may be obtained, but we will meet you first.”

“We, urh… we appreciate your help,” said Kpleeb gruffly, his head still feeling fairly woolly. “What do we do with the urh… Kiotin?” He glanced at the crowd of warriors. There were so many, and battle could easily spring anew from their midst.

Hiro spoke a halting combination of purring grunts and low squeaks. “Kiotin owe Koratu a large debt. Half will be sacrificed, and the others will join Kiotin as guards for Zara the Protector.” His small and furry claw stretched out. “The debt must be paid.”

Zara looked up at Kpleeb and nodded. “I think the Koratu will become larger and take over the Kiotin tribe-lands. The Kiotin people will be the larger of the two groups and will dominate.”

“Quite the way of winning,” Kpleeb muttered. “We should negotiate to have guards that don’t hate us. It could be a trap.”

Zara nodded and spoke loudly. “Relationships are built on time and trust. Please, come stay and eat with us.” She turned slowly to sit, and Hiro and Saeli stepped backward as if in horror.

“We cannot share grain with you without an alliance,” Saeli squeaked. “We will talk first.” With a small, clawed hand, she beckoned at her side and another Hkkli stepped forward. She carried a woven bag, and from it was produced a short and fat stick covered with intricate carvings. Saeli waddled forward and sat under the awning next Hsstak’s hull. Hiro followed and sat behind her and to her left.

Kpleeb looked at Zara and shrugged. “Seems like we must talk.” He sat across from the Hkkli, and Zara followed suit.

Saeli and Hiro both reclined on their right sides and kicked out their left leg.

Zara grabbed a sack containing tubers and brought it near so that she could lean on it.

Kpleeb sat awkwardly. [Should I recline too? Seems so informal for a new meeting. No. I will not.]

Saeli closed her eyes for several long moments. Then she spoke quietly.

“You must be willing to be ruthless in your attacks.”

Zara and Kpleeb looked at each other, then after a moment, Zara spoke. “What do you mean?”

“Your ikti spears need room to pause and fire. You should have a company of spears in the rear that can snipe at the enemy. Without this, your ikti spears are less effective. You seem to have some power that you hold back as if waiting for a better time.” Saeli swiped her paw in a mimic of Zara’s sweeping attack. “This is why you needed our help.”

Zara blinked. “I cannot harm the Ganix. As my Da told me long ago, they are our family, and we must protect them.”

Kpleeb nodded thoughtfully. “Saeli is right. Of course we try to protect the Ganix, but if you hold back, it may be that every Ganix will die. If you release your full power, perhaps none will die and many will be saved.”

Zara’s expression seemed uncertain as she pondered the statement. “Maybe… I don’t know.”

Saeli spoke again. “You are very strong, but you need Saeli to help with battle.” She huffed her cheeks in a manner that made them wiggle. “You stay here with Koratu for moons, and we will give you tactics and knowledge.” With that, Saeli selected a small device from her neck pouch and touched it to the tip of her carved stick.

The stick began to emit a pale green smoke that reminded Kpleeb of how Fab Elder Shoofit’s feet smelled after a long wetening. He knew what would happen next, and he was right. Whenever a pipe is introduced to a group of people during their first meeting, the meeting would inevitably last quite a long time.

Kpleeb glanced at the large clearing. The Hkkli in green scarves were passing out food and drink to the Hkkli wearing red wristbands.

[This place is nuts.]

After a few moments pondering the scene before him, he took the smoking pipe that was passed from Zara to him. It smelled awful, but he smiled pleasantly and nodded at Hiro and Saeli.

[Perhaps watching large rodents smoke peace pipes is just as nuts as listening to a caveman wax eloquent about his old life next to the canyon river.]

He took a deep draw from the pipe and began to cough. Not wanting to embarrass himself, he held it in and wheezed, eyes watering, until green smoke escaped from his nose.

[Hkkli lettuce. Yuck…]