Alpha, they like me, he said. They like me a lot.
Standing completely still as K’vyn’s new mogha companion sniffed her, tail twirling, she got the sense that she was accepted. She let go of a breath she didn’t realize she was holding.
“This is D’alla,” K’vyn said. “She is asking permission to be C’hase’s guide.”
Honored, she said, “Absolutely.”
“I regret to cut this short,” K’vyn said, tone clipped while scratching behind D’alla’s ears. “But we must warn the council of human arrival.”
“No sign of the Invader Fleet yet.” L’iza appeared to be inspecting a keypad on her hull. “I will continue to monitor.”
K’vyn turned and L’iza tapped his arm, some sort of earpiece in her hand. Dani blinked. The hologram could hold onto something solid?
“Don’t forget your comm,” L’iza said. “I will inform you when the scouts arrive and are ready.”
Following behind K’vyn as D’alla lead the way, Dani felt giddy to be walking on only the second planet she’d ever been on. Wishing there were time to explore, she gaped at the height of the trees as they entered the forest. Trunks the width of yacht-class spaceships were so unbelievable she wouldn’t have believed anyone that told her before witnessing their enormity herself.
Round burrows spiraled around the trunks, faces with long antennae peering out from inside. A mogha exited one ‘doorway’ and entered another, using his long fingers to climb around.
Flowers to match the size of the trees grew in clusters between the trunks, some clusters violet, some blue, some white. Entries to burrows were scattered among the clusters, mogha sitting on the ground by them, others watching from them.
K’vyn was right, the sentient creatures did have vibrant colorations. Each color matched where the mogha was located. The ones in the trees were brown and black. The ones among the flowers were blue, purple, and white. There wasn’t a lot of orange. Is that why they were so intrigued by C’hase? His coat was growing more orange by the day—
An orange blur flew by through the air, and Dani jumped backwards.
Alpha, I’m flying, C’hase called, unadulterated joy radiating from the pup as he disappeared through the treetops.
How in the stars was he flying?
Then he was coming back towards her, long tongue flapping over the side of his face as he appeared to have the biggest smile.
The mogha’s fingers were extended, holding onto a vine as he swung back and forth through the trees. Two more mogha were swinging nearby. Astonished, Dani let out a chuckle as she smiled herself.
A dozen of the creatures came out of the trees as they reached a clearing on another hilltop. From what Dani could tell, it was the hilltop in the middle of the three they saw upon landing.
The mogha greeted each other in a dizzying array of antennae and tail twirling, some only one or the other, nose nuzzles, body circles, barking, yipping, and yapping.
These are the pack leaders in this region, K’vyn said through their bond. They will carry the warning to the rest of the pack leaders.
The council settled on their haunches in a circle, D’alla in the center. K’vyn stood just outside of the circle.
Your mogha is a pack leader? Dani watched the violet hound.
The region leader, he said, voice full of pride. I am doubly honored.
D’alla began barking, stopping only when one of the other mogha barked. Feather tufts drooped in a relaxed state at first, all twelve mogha antennae stood on end in alarm at the same time. Four jumped to their feet, tails held straight out.
C’hase pawed at something on the ground. Leaning over to him, she asked, “What are they saying?”
Pausing, the pup’s antennae went up as he looked in the direction of the circle. Something akin to a butterfly fluttered past his face and his eyes began tracking it.
Shrugging, he said, “Adult stuff.”
Then he took off after the butterfly, chasing it between the trees.
Standing perfectly still with his hands folded in front of him, no outward show of emotion, K’vyn’s laughter sounded in her mind.
Interpreting with a mogha pup would have been a challenge, he said.
Are you interpreting? she asked.
Yes, of course.
Why can’t I hear you? What are you telling them?
You won’t be able to hear me when I’m speaking to D’alla, he said.
But you seem to be able to hear me when I’m speaking to C’hase.
That’s because you’re broadcasting on all frequencies. K’vyn’s stance shifted.
Broadcasting?
Think of it like radio frequencies, he said. When you’re speaking to C’hase, speak only to C’hase. Turn the frequency with me off.
A sobering emotion poured from the Korthan.
I just told them about the seed torpedo, he said, answering her last question. Some say their packs will refuse to leave.
Refuse to leave? Dani always knew this was a rescue mission. Saving the planet was impossible. But it never occurred to her that some of the residents would refuse to leave.
They can’t, she said, eyes widening. They will be changed—
This is their home; they know the consequences and want to stay, K’vyn said. And you thought you’d be able to rescue them all with only one freighter?
I didn’t know there were so many— There were hundreds of mogha, thousands. It wasn’t the greatest plan, she added with a sheepish grin.
Earpiece squelching in K’vyn’s ear, he winced, very nearly pulling it out when L’iza’s voice said, “It’s time.”
The scout ships are here, he told D’alla. The evacuation begins.
10
Standing next to L’iza in her cargo hold, K’vyn wasn’t exactly sure why D’alla wanted to inspect the ship. There were no other options to evacuate the mogha off world. It was either this or nothing—
Some need convincing that it’s safe, she said.
Safe? Their world was about to be destroyed. There was nothing safe about that to begin with—
Is that a molk? D’alla stopped to stare in the glass enclosure sitting next to the chicken crates.
Hedge lay upside down on a pile of shiny objects; buttons, wires, lizard scales. Wallowing with his feet straight up in the air, K’vyn had no idea a molk could look so happy.
“He hasn’t even tried to get out,” L’iza said, nothing getting past her observant gaze. “He seems to pine after the reddish-brown chicken, so I show it to him every now and then and he’s fine.”
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re starting to like him.” K’vyn smirked.
You might want to hide it before the other mogha get onboard, D’alla said, K’vyn keeping up with two conversations at once. Many haven’t been off the home world, but everyone knows a molk can crash a ship.
“Nobody likes a molk,” L’iza said, indignant. Too indignant. “Just doing what it takes to prevent him from escaping that enclosure. Let me guess, the mogha wants you to hide it?”
You’ll want to hide these avians too. D’alla licked her lips. Unless you don’t mind a few mogha helping themselves.