Stranded on a Tiny Planet

Watching and Searching

Back in Anashee in the Council Chambers...

As the leading council gathered and heard the incredible story Anu had to tell, the room was abuzz with chatter.

"You survived being eaten?!" a voice rang out above the chatter.

"And the giant killed the Gold-Scaled Leviathan that ate you?" someone else cried out incredulously.

Anu nodded, "With a spear made from a tree."

There were murmurs of wonder and dread from the council members at the imagination of what this being was.

"Did you find our chrysalis?" the father appeared from the crowd.

Anu turned to look at the small family and their expectant eyes, "Yes. The giant has it in his shirt pocket. It was still intact."

They seemed relieved and yet wilted by her statement.

"How are we going to get it back?" the mother of the chrysalis asked hopelessly.

"I don't know yet. This giant, I don't believe he's malevolent." Anu stated. "But he is very powerful."

The elder female leader Felreh, with her more muted plumage and faded lavender skin, considered the report she had just heard before saying, "We are glad to see you made it back unscathed Anu and Traynar. You honor your people with your courage."

"Thank you Elder," the pair replied together.

"What are we going to do about this giant?" someone in the back demanded loudly.

"What if it comes here?" another asked.

Felreh raised her delicate hands to silence the questions, "We will do as we initially planned: we will remain in Anashee and not make further contact with this creature. If it moves on, we will have nothing to fear."

"But what if it doesn't?" someone challenged.

Felreh looked to Madala who stood, "Rest assured, we are preparing for that should it find Anashee. The EFP will be making hourly reports on this giant's whereabouts and if it somehow does come near Anashee we have plans to avert it."

There were some murmurs of approval but someone else had a rebuttal, "And how exactly are we going to stop something that is that big and powerful? If it can kill and eat a Gold-Scaled Leviathan, drink entire ponds dry, and easily rip trees out of the ground, what hope do we have of repelling it?"

Madala raised her plumage slightly, not particularly enjoying being questioned in such a manner, "As I said, there are plans. You must trust the EFP to do their job to protect Anashee from any and all threats."

The members of the EFP standing in the room lifted their head plumes and gave their salute smartly to punctuate her statement. More murmurs, most positive sounding, others still unsure.

"What about our chrysalis?" the father demanded loudly, "Surely you don't intend to leave it in the hands of this...monster?"

Felreh nodded at the urgency of the family but Commander Madala stood up saying, "That mission must be executed with the greatest of stealth. Anu, you stated that you were able to approach this giant undetected while it slept?"

Anu nodded.

"Then Anu and Traynar, I leave the mission of retrieving the chrysalis in your hands." She commanded.

The pair looked at each other but saluted smartly.

Anu spoke up, "With all due respect, if this giant is indeed an alien to our world, shouldn't we make first...er...second contact in a positive manner rather than preparing for war with it?"