May 16, 2019

LOVE IN A TIME OF ALIEN INVASION: CHAPTER 106 The Trials of Team One – 7


On Earth, there are three Triads intending to integrate not only the three peoples and stop the war that threatens to break loose and slaughter Humans and devastate their world; but to stop the war that consumes Kiiote economy and Yown’Hoo moral fiber. All three intelligences hover on the edge of extinction. The merger of Human-Kiiote-Yown’Hoo into a van der Walls Society might not only save all three – but become something not even they could predict. Something entirely new...

The young experimental Triads are made up of the smallest primate tribe of Humans – Oscar and Xiaomara; the smallest canine pack of Kiiote – six, pack leaders Qap and Xurf; and the smallest camelid herd of Yown’Hoo – a prime eleven, Dao-hi the Herd mother. On nursery farms and ranches away from the TC cities, Humans have tended young Yown’Hoo and Kiiote in secret for decades, allowing the two, warring people to reproduce and grow far from their home worlds at great profit to Humanity. Then the war spilled over on to the Human homeworld and all three are threatened with extinction…

Choral Reading
STAGE DIRECTION: (Spotlight falls on each as they speak then shuts off, illuminating the next; then all three spotlights fall on them as they chorus together.)

Yown’Hoo: “The literal decay of the fiber of Yown’Hoo morality accelerated when we refused peace with Kiiote.”
Kiiote: “Interbreeding, internecine war, and ritual cannibalism devoured us in resisting harmony with Yown’Hoo.”
Human: “Material gain from both Yown’Hoo and Kiiote fed our greed, so concord held no profit.”
All: “We might do something none of us alone can do, we might braid an unbreakable cord of unity.” (4/6/2019)

Qilf had a horrible thought. She said, “You don’t think this idiot creature is leading us to some sort of decrepit Human aircraft, do you?”

Qap farted derision, adding a double jaw snap of certainty. She said in Growl-Snap, “It knows something; and Retired would not have sent us here for no reason, so he must know something about this flying vehicle.”

“Can we possibly fly such a thing?”

The Pack ran in silence before Qap finally ventured, “The basics shouldn’t be difficult. But the practice seems particularly daunting. I do not think our passengers would be able to operate a flying machine built for adult Humans.”

Qilf said, “In our bipedal form we might, but it would still be difficult. Humans have incredibly slender digits.”

They kept running until Kang dropped back a bit, and said, “We need to take an extended break. The young Humans will be cold despite their coverings, and I need to both catch my breath and find the best path.”

Qap threw Qilf a look to say, “Keep an eye on her.” She slowed to Kang’s pace, which slowed further until the Pack – Qap, female Pack lead and Qilf, male Pack second after Xurf, stood panting beneath the branches of an enormous pine. Two very young Humans, the older a female called Cynthia; the younger a male called Kobey. Kang appeared to be a semi-barbarian Kiiote, possibly even born on Earth, growing among Humans, or worse, alone. This presented major problems as Retired had taught the Triad that there were only a limited number of Earth-born Pack on Earth at any given time, and their whereabouts and skills known and tested.

Neither issue was one she could deal with at the moment, and even thought Qilf was Pack Second, Qap had no desire to make any decisions without discussion with Xurf. Human-Kiiote interactions were his specialty. Hers was and continued to be Human technology. It was why Retired had sent her on this mission. She drew a deep breath and said, “This plant is among my most favorite on Earth.”

There was movement above…Qap came to full bipedal mode in an instant as it was clear anything coming from a tree had to be Human, whose descent from arboreal primates was both well-known and disgusting. She snatched Kobey’s spear and said to Cynthia, “Protect yourselves!”

Qap scurried backward and a moment later, Qilf was beside her.

Instead of assassins or warriors dropping from the branches though, two Humans, size-equivalent of Oscar and Xiomara, slid to the ground with their arms extended down, palms up, the Human equivalent of a Kiiote gesture of submission. Qap barked surprise and said in English, “How is it you know such communication?”

The female Human said, “We have spent many years curled as disciples at the feet of Zir, She Who Caused Peace With Humans.”

Qap fought to hold her bipedal shape and only barely succeeded. Qilf did not, instead collapsing his frame to press belly-first to the frozen, needle strewn ground. He even whimpered. Qap swallowed hard, her tongue accidentally protruding to pant, then regained control and said, “How do you know the Great Pack Leader?”

The male said, “We suckled at the teat of her wisdom as we grew.”

Qap shuddered, fighting to keep her bipedal shape. Beside her, Qilf whimpered. Qap said, “Who are you?”

The female stepped forward. She was dressed in heavy, insulating gear, Qap sniffed, made from deer hide. Impressive. ‘Car and Xio would have no idea how to perform such efforts to create clothing. These two seemed comfortable in the animal skins. “I am Selene. My friend is Marama. We were warned that you were coming…”

“How could you have known that?” Qap snarled.

Neither Human showed fear in scent or facial expression. The male, Marama, said, “We were warned of your arrival.”

Qap snapped her jaw, sending a growl and fart to Qilf demanding he gather his wits. She said, “Retired warned you?”

Selene laughed, “Hardly. Our operatives in the Cities sent word that the Triad was under attack. The Great Pack Mother had long-laid plans for this. It was, in fact expected. She trained our small group for its contingency. We know you have need to rendezvous north with the rest of the Triad. And we know that we will be joining you and the other Triad Corps to head for Grendl, Manitoba.”

Qap barked in stunned surprise. The place in Manitoba was a tightly held secret. Retired, more properly, Lieutenant Commander Patrick Bakhsh, had repeatedly emphasized the secrecy surrounding the place. None of the Triad from the Cities knew what it was precisely, except a place. “What is it?” she asked.

The Humans glanced at each other then they shrugged in unison, a peculiar, species specific movement Qap had struggled to recognize but now knew it was indicative of deep mystery for Humans. They rarely shrugged. Almost never in unison. Marama said, “Great Pack Mother only left directions for us to follow to reach the dune forest – whatever that is – and to take you there.”

Selene added, “We thought the direction was nonsense.” She shook her head slowly, “We see now that we are sadly mistaken.” She sighed, “And we see that we’re going to have to take you there. Right after we blow up our home.”


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