Tag: Caveman Chronicles

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…]

Hkkli (Caveman Chronicles)

~ I. Graham Smith ~ Leave a comment

The Index -|-

“Da, I’ve made sure that Oiitr knows where to land the Greki. We must not land in the clearings!” Zara’s voice was thin and somehow reflected the semi-transparency and shape of her ethereal head and upper torso that was projected in front of Kpleeb.

“I know. I’m sure we’ll be fine. You know I’m much more concerned by the possibility of being found by the Xih,” grumbled Kpleeb.

“We cannot risk offending the Hkkli.”

Kpleeb shrugged. “These rodent people. They’ll be fine.”

Zara smiled thinly. “We need allies, Da. Promise me you’ll follow my directions.”

“Uh, sure,” he said in what he hoped was a meek tone. “I will, for you.”

“Thank you, Da.”

Jorqu was an arboreal planet covered with vast oceans of trees. The occasional plain and meadow dotted the terrain, but those were relatively small and separated by predictable distances. As the Greki arrived, Kpleeb was fascinated by the view from above. The surface was a mottled green that was dotted with an oddly regular pattern of yellow pin-pricks.

The terrain cruised by below him as the Greki lost altitude and approached the surface. After long moments, a larger clearing appeared, and Kpleeb could see that it was freshly cut. A ring of long, trunks lined the sides of the open space where they had been pushed away from the center. In a few more moments, the Greki landed near the center of the clearing.

Kpleeb stepped to the hatch and watched as the forest was exposed to his eyesight. There, a few dozen paces away rested the Hsstak, and Zara walked toward him with a smile.

“Thank you, Da.” She turned and waved at the expansive clearing. “The Hkkli won’t be offended by this. I’ve kept it as far from their villages as possible.”

Kpleeb stepped onto the sandy soil, and it felt good on the soles of his feet. “It’s weird that the Hkkli live in these little meadows. They’re so perfectly spaced out.”

“I understand that the trees surrounding their villages naturally die off because the Hkkli eat the roots below ground. The villages are spaced out due to constant territorial spats between the clans. The Hkkli conduct a surprising amount of war.”

Kpleeb looked around. “We’re preparing old-style huts?” There were a number of Ganix assembling rough-hewn logs into round shapes. Another group were wielding stone implements to shave and carve fallen trees into a more uniform shape.

Zara nodded and looked around. After a moment, she answered in a hushed tone. “I needed to get a few huts up and keep the Ganix busy.” She pointed. “We could use the kerflk, and then have the Ganix make only the roofs.”

Kpleeb shrugged. “We could use the kerflk for all of it. I could also make a device that will prepare the trees for building.” To his eye, slicing the logs into common lengths and sections would be an easy build. “But we need to talk about next steps before I spend time on that.”

Zara nodded in agreement. “Let’s talk in the Hsstak.” She took his hand and began to walk toward the other ship.

As they approached the ship, a warrior ran toward them. “Hkkli watch us.” His finger pointed toward the forest.

Zara and Kpleeb both stopped and looked toward the woods.

“Not surprising,” said Zara. I have no way of contacting the Hkkli other than in person, but this clearing is close to where I freed the two that were captured by the Xi. I am hoping that this will grant us some goodwill.”

“Hmm. If those two are still alive,” said Kpleeb. “Keep a close watch. We don’t want to be caught off-guard, but we will certainly not start a fight.”

The warrior nodded and trotted off to speak to the other Ganix.

“Have you had any alerts from Phaedro?” Kpleeb looked up at the bulk of Hsstak’s hull as the hatch slid open.

“So far, nothing. In a way I hope there are no reports of the Xi.” Zara led him into her chamber within the top level, and sat down in a sling.

In the corner of the room, Kpleeb saw a detailed triangle pattern on the floor. The colors, red, gray, and yellow, were bright and surrounded by shiny silver and gold. “Did you make that?” he asked, pointing.

Zara grinned. “No. I don’t have time for art. It was here before I arrived. These were the chambers of Iqw Okrat, the previous overseer.

Kpleeb grunted.

“I suspect that this is some kind of communication device between the Xih, but I haven’t had time to prove it.” She sighed. “It does not run on the aji, but I can feel something when I touch it. She knelt next to the pattern and gestured to Kpleeb. “Come see if you can feel anything.”

“Is it safe?” asked Kpleeb approaching. He knelt next to the shape.

“I touched it a few times, like this,” Zara put her palm on one of the gold corners, and the silver sections seemed to shimmer like the surface of a crystal pond on a spring day. “No harm has come that I know of.” She lifted her palm again.

“You need to be careful with these new things,” grumbled Kpleeb eyeing the pattern. He placed his hand on the adjacent gold corner. There was nothing, but the cool touch of metal and no silver shimmering. He looked at Zara and shrugged. In another moment, the heat from his hand drove away the coolness, and there was a tingle in his palm.

“Interesting that the silver does not glisten when you touch it. Does it feel strange?” asked Zara.

“It tingles a bit, as if a crowd of tiny ants are throwing a party between my hand and the metal.”

Zara put her palm down on the adjacent corner, and the tingling in Kpleeb’s palm changed from its randomness into a slowly pulsating waveform.

“The silver changed. Did you feel that difference?” Kpleeb lifted his hand and stared at the creased and worn skin of his palm.

Zara nodded. “Put your hand down again.”

Kpleeb complied and felt the pulse of the pattern flow through his hand and halfway up his arm. “Whoa. This is stronger than before.”

Zara looked at the pattern, tilted her head, and after a moment she reached over and placed her other hand on the remaining, golden triangle.

Instantly, all the way to the ceiling in a vertical, triangular column, the air above the pattern lit up. Kpleeb fell backward in surprise and his hand came off the floor. The air blinked and returned to normal.

He looked at Zara and then back at the shimmering silver. “This is dangerous.”

“Everything is dangerous, Da. Everything is also useful. How do you expect to defeat such a large group of advanced enemies without more tools and knowledge?”

Kpleeb shook his head. [She has a point… but I can’t let her be harmed by my anger toward the Xi.]

With a sigh, Kpleeb put his palm back onto the golden corner. “We must be careful to save ourselves for each other and for the long fight. I do want my revenge, but it cannot come by losing you.”

Zara nodded and put her palms on the other two corners.

The glow appeared, and after a few moments, the glow reduced and finally winked out. What was left were pinpricks of light within the column. At the center, a green dot pulsed slowly. Some of the other lights moved slowly within three-dimensional space, while others remained static.

“What is this?” asked Kpleeb. “A light show of random fireflies? Could it be that this Iqw Okrat used this for entertainment?”

“I don’t know,” said Zara. She reached her hand into the center and poked at the green dot, but her hand passed right through everything. “It could be celestial bodies.”

“Like stars?” Kpleeb waved his hand through the nearest pinprick of light. “Stars don’t move like this.”

“I was thinking others, like orbs that circle a star, but I would have to observe this long enough to map the orbit.”

“These lights are all grouped together,” said Kpleeb pointing at an area that was a hand’s distance from the green dot. “Orbs don’t come in groups… not unless there are moons.”

Just then, three of the indicators on a red-tiered device against the wall began to blink, and the device itself emitted an odd blorping sound.

“That’s my sensor on Phaedro,” said Zara as she looked at the device. “The Xi must be there.”

In front of Kpleeb’s eyes, four of the grouped dots disappeared, and the one that remained began to move. He blinked, but they did not come back. He pointed “Some of these lights are gone.”

Zara looked at the cluster and shrugged. “Strange. Maybe they merged?”

Kpleeb shrugged as well and pulled his hand away from the floor. “I want to go help set up our village and take a look at these Hkkli.” He rose and watched Zara for a moment. She was deep in thought.

“It has only been five days since we left Phaedro. We have been lucky.” Kpleeb smiled at Zara. “I hope they enjoyed my little gift, but I want to return and see what is there.”

Zara nodded at him absentmindedly. “We should wait a few days before we leave. The village needs to be settled and the Hkkli contacted.”

“We?” said Kpleeb. One of us needs to stay here in case things get complex.”

“What if there are more Xi ships at Phaedro? The Hsstak with my crew will be the strongest in battle.”

“I agree,” said Kpleeb with a grin, “but someone has to stay.”

“We cannot always be here for the Ganix. They are very capable. In fact, you should appoint a Ganix leader that can lead them when we are gone.”

Kpleeb pondered the statement, and it was not long before he saw the logic in it. Eventually, everyone alive would die. The Ganix could not be treated like the Xinti were treated. They were more than deadly slaves. They were now friends and family.

“Mm, you are right, my dear girl. Who do you recommend? Xir?”

“I need to think about it. Until we find the one, I will go to Phaedro, okay, Da?” Her eyes pleaded.

“Uh, sure. Fine.” he said after a moment. “I guess I can stay here this time.”

“Good. I’ll make sure to be careful, and I will bring back pictures.” Zara stood. “First, let’s go talk to the Hkkli.”

Kpleeb grunted his assent. In a few moments they had exited the Hsstak and approached the edge of the woods where Xir stood.

“There,” Xir said simply. He pointed with his knuckle the way he had learned from Kpleeb. The trees ahead were thick, and the light from Jorqu’s star had difficulty illuminating the ground.

“I see nothing but shadows,” said Kpleeb.

“Use Mama’s ring, Da.”

Kpleeb nodded. “I forgot about it,” he said, fishing in his front pocket. With the ring on his finger, he extended his hand toward the forest. A fuzzy circle of air bloomed before him and the center coalesced into a lens. There, among the trees, close to the ground were humps of fur.

“I see them,” said Kpleeb as one of the humps blinked its eyes. He scanned right and then left and saw that the surface of the ground was covered with hundreds of the Hkkli. He turned and looked at Xir. “Quite the eyeballs you have, my friend.”

Xir grunted wordlessly.

“We should go talk to them,” said Zara looking up at Kpleeb.

“Will they attack us?” Kpleeb grinned as he imagined large rodents with fat butts sporting kung-fu stances.

Zara lifted a small Xi device. “I have a translator that will help them understand us and we will be able to understand them. I think if we don’t bring a lot of warriors and you talk nicely.” She paused. “We should be okay. I can put up a shield as well.”

Kpleeb grunted and then shrugged. “Alright. Xir, you’re with us. I’ll do the talking.”

Slowly, the Kpleeb walked into the trees. He tried to act nonchalant as he passed the first trunk and the forest dusk settled over him.

[Most of Jorqu must be dark due to the tree cover. I wonder if the Hkkli eyes are suited for it?]

Within a few long minutes, Kpleeb slowed and stopped. The Hkkli had not moved, but now he could see them a bit better. They were brown or tan. Some of them had mottled snouts. All of them had pink lips and smallish ears. He raised his hand in a non-threatening way.

“Hello Hkkli. I am Kpleeb and this is my daughter, Zara.” Kpleeb turned and gestured toward the clearing. “We are peaceful and wish to talk with your leaders.”

The translator that Zara held relayed his words in breathy, and somewhat awkward noises. After a moment the speaking stopped. There was no apparent change in the Hkkli. “Can you appeal to the Hkkli that you freed from the Hsstak?” Kpleeb said to Zara.

“Uh, hello.” said Zara raising her hand. “I freed two of your people not long ago. We want to establish a friendly relationship and trade with you.”

There was a rumbling from the Hkkli to their left, at least fifty paces away. A multitude of eyes shifted and hairy balls of brown fur arose from the groupings like fervent bubbles. The breathy noises grew, and a background hubbub echoed through the forest. Finally, a shrill and piercing squeak whistled above the din, and silence fell.

“Urh, what is going on, Zara?” asked Kpleeb as concern whispered in the back of his mind.

Xir crouched silently.

From the dark depths of the trees, a silent frenzy of ruddy shapes bounded toward them with blistering speed.

Zara’s shield flared as dozens of minuscule projectiles impacted it at once.

Kpleeb flinched.

Shifting Places (Caveman Chronicles)

~ I. Graham Smith ~ Leave a comment

The Index -|-

“So, you think it’s true?” Kpleeb raised his palms in a shrug. “I just don’t buy into this ancient prophecy crap. It seems impossible. Ridiculous even.”

Zara smiled. “Jial believes that you’re the builder, and so do the other Ganix women. Jial used to tell me these stories when I was a baby, and some of the older women have slowly filled in some pieces… myths and rumors really. Lots of stories about Janaka and the roaming augurs, the ones you and Mama called the death-whites.”

“Xir tried to call me the builder once,” said Kpleeb with a grimace. “I’ll have none of that.”

“Some of the story matches your life, Da.”

“Sure, by coincidence! Anyway, would that make you ‘the seed?’ Meh. it just seems so far-fetched, and we weren’t there for most of the story. If it’s about us, there are only a few lines of the prophecy left.” He huffed with irritation. “Just because these jerks stole me away and now, I want to get some revenge doesn’t mean I am the builder. It’s just a similar story, although I do like the last line about the foundation of an empire crumbling… unless it’s my empire.”

“What empire?” Zara said with a laugh. “I don’t suppose it matters whether or not you’re the builder.”

Kpleeb grinned. “It doesn’t. They’ve harmed me and I mean to pay them back. Simple as that.” He stood and cracked his back. “Anyway, when will the Greki be ready to fly again?”

Zara took a sip from a stone cup. “Soon…? I made sure it was empty of any hidden Xi, and Tiirw and I altered its ability to communicate with the First Terminal. We moved it closer to the village, but now I am working on a way to let the Ganix serve as crew on the Greki. I have three Xi and two ships. I need trained Ganix and all of the devices to help them use the ship.” Zara sighed. “I guess it will take more time.”

“How much time do we have left? Don’t the Xi know that we are here?”

“Yes. Tiirw has warned me several times that they will likely send another ship. I suspect they will come with greater force. I am working as fast as I can.”

Kpleeb nodded thoughtfully. “My defenders are savvier now that you’re here, but they may not be enough. The Xi are fools if they have had three rebellions on Phaedro and they have not chosen to come and kill us once and for all.”

“The Xi empire is vast. It is so large, that I cannot really imagine it. Also, the Xih are secretive and everything about the Greki and the Hsstak was shrouded in shadows. That may cause some confusion, and maybe it will give us extra time.”

“Maybe,” said Kpleeb thoughtfully. “What if we moved?”

Zara’s face scrunched up. “They will see us from orbit. I don’t think we could lose them that easily.”

“I mean, move to another orb.” Kpleeb gestured toward the door. “We pick up everything and move everyone. Surely, they would not find us.”

“That might work,” said Zara thoughtfully. “Kanta and I will look for a suitable planet. That may take time as well.”

“My gut feeling is that we don’t have a lot of time,” said Kpleeb. “I will prepare a booby-trap for the Xi when they come here.” Kpleeb grinned evilly. “But first, I will ask the Ganix to prepare themselves and their small ones for the journey.”

###

Kpleeb stood in the open hatch on the Greki and gazed at the village. It was empty. The huts stood barren and lifeless in a way that he had never seen. The ship below him shuddered very slightly and the air outside quivered in a faint purr that expanded into a whine. The ground below him began to recede, and an indicator on the wall next to his brace-hand glowed red.”

He stepped back as the hatch closed, finally turning and entering a white hallway. Xir stood there waiting for him.

“Five days.” Xir said solemnly. He said everything solemnly as did all Ganix warriors.

Kpleeb sensed a mood, or at least an abnormal seriousness in Xir. It was to be expected. Not often did they move. Even less often did anyone move from their orb to another. Zara had told him that the trip would take five days, and her description of the speed at which the Greki moved defied logic, even to his enhanced caveman brain.

###

She had converted the speed into terms that applied to the tundra. “Imagine a yak running from here to the mouth of the canyon.” She had pointed generally toward the steep river canyon that he had discovered with Thoka so long ago. “Now, at a normal speed (let’s call that 1-yak-speed), Xir thinks the yak would be there in about six hours.”

Kpleeb had nodded, but inside he had been confused.

Zara continued. “The Hsstak travels fast. I did some rough math with Tiirw’s help and I think the maximum speed is around, uh fifty-nine thousand yak-speed.” She winced and shrugged.

“Fifty-nine thousand yak-speed,” Kpleeb had exclaimed. “What does that even mean?”

“The yak would arrive at the canyon mouth in less than half a second.”

After a long moment, Kpleeb’s gaping mouth had closed. “Urgh, that’s fast. Very fast. Its poor legs!”

###

Now, as the village disappeared into the clouds below, Kpleeb sat down in the room he shared with Xir. After a few long moments, he leaned back into one of the sleeping cocoons.

[I hope five days is far enough away.] His eyes became heavy, and he yawned expansively. [I hope my boobytrap will kill so many Xi.]