Hama had to create cover stories for us. I was pleased when he gave us each a semi-convincing cover story and name to follow along with. We were Ucit that had gone into hiding after the attack but hadn’t found Roh or Hama until recently. We spent a day working on our cover story and preparing with Hama.

He was doing a final review before we packed up what little he had.

“So, we’ll be three of your assistants, each dedicated to a different type of work.”

“Yes. Now your name is Shakra.” He said.

“And Kiernan and Killmonger are Jain and Tristane respectively. I am here to support your work with fuels and geology. I’m your usable mass specialist.” They were completing final checks on a large moving cart full of samples.

Hama nodded as Roh walked in.

“Roh, are you ready to leave this place?” Hama asked.

The two beings held their hands together, one over the other. I knew it was significant because for all of their hands-on work with soil and the plants, the Mane barely ever touched each other. Either their cooties were a little more prevalent, or they really had strong norms of personal boundaries.

“Hama, I don’t know what to think. I never intended to leave here, but if I don’t go… well I fear that another group will come in and take residence. I’ll be alone.”

Roh didn’t seem to know what to think. I’ve never known the Ucit to be flustered, but he was doing a damn good impression of an indecisive teenager. For as stoic as Hama had been the entire time since the Volk whale had arrived, I was beginning to see the cracks. Certainly if I had gone through half of what he’d gone through I would be screaming at the top of my mechanical lungs.

“Alright everyone, let’s go take our places.”

We didn’t know if this would work or not. We’d said our goodbyes to Levi and told him to activate our backups in the system once we left. He was going to take point here for a bit, but it sounded more and more like he was ready to move on.

A part of me was sad that we didn’t have a Levi clone going with us. The potential to learn a great deal about our potential rival species was too great. We’d eventually find a way back, somehow.

We walked out into the daylight pushing Hamas gear. We would look new to all the Mane, but we all tried to do our best to look as Mane as possible. We were going to keep a low profile for as long as possible. Each of us wore a dark brown uniform with a brown shawl and veil. We all looked about as nondescript as possible.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

We approached the landing pad with Hama in the lead, Roh bringing up the rear. We cleared the ridge, and a Mane was standing there in the walking path wearing a crisp green uniform. This must be Julan. I averted my eyes and tried to appear as if I belonged.

Julan walked up to Hama to speak. Beyond the Mane Officer there were two Volk lounging playing a game which looked like craps. I couldn’t see the actual dice. It appeared that they were paying little attention to anything else.

I really wanted to get in there and try to get them to reveal the launch codes of something, but thought better of it immediately. This was just a simple game of fool them while getting on board. We didn’t have anything in common, or at least the things we had in common would immediately cause them to have a bunch more questions than I was comfortable with.

Not my circus, not my Volk.

“Hama...I know not these three. What are you playing at?” I heard a hoarse voice coming from Julan. He was trying to not make any noise and the only reason I could hear a thing was the enhanced senses from the android body.

“These are my friends… don’t you remember, Julan?” Hama whispered. He appeared to palm something from his pocket. He held up a hand for us to stop moving behind him.

“Friends, huh? I know every Mane in this camp and none of them seem familiar. Tell me why I shouldn’t raise an alarm right now.”

Their tense movements

“Because… you know I’ve never done you wrong. They're the only Ucit that I found months after… the incident. They’ve been helping me. They were very afraid, and they had given up hope. I’ve been sheltering them.”

“Ucit?”

“You know how the Volk feel about the Ucit. Give them a chance.”

Hama took whatever he was holding and placed it in Julans hand. Julan regarded the item and then quickly put it into his pocket. Was it money? I couldn’t get a clear look.

“Go on. Speak nothing of this.”

Hama motioned for us to move and we followed suit. We arrived at the landing pad and guided all the materiel up the ramp.

The large bay seemed to take up half of the ship and it was packed. Almost two hundred Mane stood there looking defeated. I tried to give off the same tired look. Hama walked us to a far corner, and we sat huddled next to another tired Mane. A couple gave us a look, but none looked too closely. Roh sat down next to us as I tried to sink into the shadow of the cart.

Now all we must do is keep clear of anyone with malicious intent. I looked at Killmonger and Kiernan. We’re Ucit now. We must play the part well. We must go unnoticed.

Hours later the last of the Volk sauntered on board and then climbed ladders to a higher deck. The door closed. The Volk craft shook then accelerated away from the planet.

Killmonger was hunkered down next to me. I turned to him to whisper.

“We’re not in Kansas anymore.”

He didn’t turn, but he smirked.