representing the sacrifice of Oa’trk, and replaced with the orb. The spheres were universally green, made from esh crystals. Though bearing a simpler code, they had enhancements that other Tak’sinii did not.
The green sphere shifted, lighting up with sacred symbols to enlarge the object of the a’sankh’s attention, providing a closer view of one of the collectors. The face of the offworlder was partially obscured behind a half-mask that stretched up over the bridge of its nose and appeared to be connected to its gray body covering. Several unknown emblems stood out in dark markings on the chest and shoulder of the offworlder.
The orb eye tracked down to the storage case hanging on its side. There were many vials and bottles packed within it. Dismissively, the eye roved to the flat device in the offworlder’s hand. Strange symbols appeared on its surface as the offworlder’s hand moved over it. Others appeared to be added automatically as the offworlder spoke in a low, indiscernible voice. Not that it mattered much with an unknown tongue.
So far, their interest seemed typical to a species settling on a foreign world, but the aggression of those who came before could not be forgotten or forgiven so easily. The a’sankhii could not dismiss the potential threat to their people so easily. They were at’sahl until they washed away their terrible sin in ceremonial purification and made reparation to the Tak’sinii. Either that, or they would be purified by the shedding of their blood to remove their sin from Inara Tahli.
The a’sankhii were not particular which way it was accomplished, though the former was hoped for. No one liked a bloody extermination that would risk the lives of numerous a’sankhii, leaving the san’mordans vulnerable. Each san’mordan only had so many a’sankhii available to protect it to begin with. Even though each would give their lives happily for their people, the sacrifice would potentially be great.
One of the collectors turned and shouted something back to the warrior, who replied in a clipped voice. Whatever the warrior said, the collector responded with an unhappy dip of its brow, drawing the a’sankh’s attention back to its face. The a’sankh eased forward, watching curiously as the collector spoke harshly to the other collectors. They all packed and returned to the vessel.
On quick paws, the a’sankh followed, sliding among the rocks like a shadow. After a time, when the vessel returned to the dome, the a’sankh dropped down in a relaxed vigil in the rocky cliffs overlooking the offworlders’ habitat. Long, muscular legs stretched out comfortably, yet the long tail flicked against the rock, betraying the a’sankh’s tension.
Chapter 7
A month later
Charlie bent down and smiled at the brightly colored inhabitant of the tank in front of her. The little native reptile was her favorite among the species that had been acquired by the field team. He was curious in appearance, but all the specimens that arrived were nothing short of strange to Charlie. Thankfully, so far, they all had remained on the smaller side, few larger than medium-sized dogs. The team had yet to capture any of the larger species, and that was fine by her.
The specimens they had were fascinating enough, often a strange combination of bizarre and beautiful, like the multi-legged blue serpent-like creature currently curled up in the center tank. It was labeled with the species identifier nobilis colubrum, “noble serpent,” specimen 0001NC.
He certainly looked noble. Instead of fangs inside his mouth, he had two long, flexible barbs that extended from the front of his mouth like a venomous mustache. Paired with several long feelers that extended off the sides of the barbs, and his sharp, angular head, he almost struck her as dragonish. The ten legs ruined the illusion, but she didn’t mind.
“Good morning, Mr. Darcy,” Charlie crooned as she dropped a small native rodent with trembling lacy ears and a fuzzy forked tail in his tank. “Time for your daily feeding. This little guy is packed with all kinds of nutrition, so don’t dawdle.”
Mr. Darcy’s double tongue flicked out with interest and his slender body uncoiled as his numerous tiny claws took him across the short distance that separated him from his prey. Like a venomous snake on Earth, he struck quickly and drew back, waiting until his prey died before swallowing it whole.
“That’s right. Eat up,” she murmured. “Hopefully they’ll find you a nice mate to keep you company. It would help if you little guys weren’t so elusive, but we can’t blame you now, can