“We should be extra careful. ” Jal said to Dr. Gyasi. “We saw those tall hominids around here when we were watching the satellite feeds. If I remember correctly, they were about four meters tall.”

“That was the smallest one,” he responded as the group gathered around to listen. “They are between four and six meters tall, covered in dark fur, and walk upright. Their faces are comparable to the Patal people of Nobela.”

“They have the broad, flat noses and protruding forehead?” Tomau Lop tried to remember.

“Yes. The Patal are an intelligent species and have evolved to the point where they’re using metal resources to make weapons and implements.” Dr. Gyasi looked around. “Remember, we don’t know what this species’ intelligence level is, what their habits are, and so forth.”

“Is our goal to go directly to the Enclave? Or are we doing field research on the way?” Cirus asked.

“I think we should focus on getting to the Enclave. We can evaluate what resources are available and determine whether we can make observations from there.”

The hikers stepped off when the sun was just over the horizon. Excited at the prospect of modern sleeping and cooking arrangements, people were chatty and somewhat loud. The terrain was changing to rougher ground and sloped uphill. The tree varieties appeared to be a mixture of deciduous and coniferous, and there were many unusual ones that Pari Navid, Maya Ojer, and Badas Pajal didn’t recognize.

The rear guards watched their friends and began to worry. “I sense that there’s something watching us,” Mink said to Verle.

“The skin on the back of my elbows has tightened, and I’m feeling the urge to run,” Verle responded. Without pausing, the two slid their weapons from the sheaths. He touched his communicator, “Attention,” he spoke quietly. “We believe that we are being observed but have not seen anything. Please be alert.”

Expedition members became quieter and looked around nervously. They slowed their pace. The elevation slowly changed over the next kilometers and when they stopped at midday, they could see the angle of the hills behind them.

They had been walking for about an hour when The Luminary stopped with a jerk. Something was moving far to his left. Nudging Cirus, he whispered, “What’s that?” The two stopped and looked.

“I don’t see anything,” Cirus replied.

“It’s at sixty degrees left.”

Sage Elvan and Andi were following them and halted because the Luminary and Cirus had. “Is there something there?” Andi whispered.

“It’s at sixty degrees left,” the Luminary repeated. “It appears to be doing something in the bushes.”

“I don’t see any others,” Sage Elvan studied the area. “Let’s press on. Later we can return to see what’s out here.”

“Alright, but if there’s one, there may be others.”

Word was passed down the trail that something had been sighted, but it appeared to be an individual.

Late that afternoon, the group halted. They began a flurry of activity setting up the campsite, trying to locate edible plants, and organizing the evening meal. Most people had been served and were sitting in small groups eating when they heard branches snapping and voices.

When they saw an unknown species towering over them and staring at them several were frozen with fear and surprise. They didn’t move. Others yanked out their weapons and assumed a defensive posture.

“Fire?” The word was clearly understandable to everyone, and the gravelly voice was curious. “Fire?”

“We come in peace,” Sage Elvan stepped forward. It raised its hands to show that it had no weapons.

“We come in peace,” a tall figure stepped out from the shadows. It too raised its hands.

“We’re going to the Enclave,” Sage Elvan said. “Is it a male or female?” it wondered. “That doesn’t matter,” it thought and pushed aside that concern. “We are from beyond the river.”

“River?”

“The water.”

“Many water her. You no live her.” The leader motioned to its companions and they stepped forward. “Why you her?”

“We’re going to the Enclave,” Sage Elvan said again. It made the shape of the tall dome with its hand and pointed to the northwest.

“Cho eto. You go cho eto?” Sage Elvan repeated its words and motions.

“I’m Sage Elvan,” the sage pointed at itself and repeated its name.

“Suj Elfan,” it echoed. The leader pointed to itself. “Cade.” He motioned for the others to step forward. “Senna. Azur. Mica.”

“Is there more food?” Sage Elvan looked at Maya and Jal.

“Yes,” Jal responded. “There’s plenty.”

“Are you hungry? Would you like some food?” Sage Elvan held out its plate.

“Food?” Cade smiled. “Food,” he nodded. “Sha.” Several of the others had been eating and were now finished. They cleaned their plates and brought them to Senna, Azur, and Mica. The three took small portions from the kettles that were still by the fire and sat down.

When the meal was over and the cleanup was underway, Sage Elvan, Jal and Dr. Gyasi talked with Cade and its companions. It took some time to share common words and motions that were basic to conversation. From what the two Stafriez and the scientist could gather, Cade and its friends were known as Nemori and lived in the lightly forested region. They were nomadic hunters and gatherers who lived in small groups.

When Dr. Gyasi asked if there were tall people who lived in the surrounding area, Cade’s face filled with fear. “Risar.”

He found a stick and began to draw in the dirt. “Golsho,” he said as he drew a stick person. A bigger person was “Suj Elfan.” The third was Cade. Lastly Cade drew a person two times taller than himself. “Risar,” he said over and over.

Cade erased the pictures and drew again. This time, he made two eyes. Slowly, he said, “Gyasi. Suj Elfan. Golsho. Cade.” He pointed to the people around the fire and held up two fingers, then touched his eyes. “Augu.” He erased the eyes and drew a circle within a circle. “Risar. Aug.” He held up one finger.

“One eye?” Sage Elvan asked. “Risar has one eye?” Sage Elvan held its fingers in a circle in the center of its face.

“Sha,” Cade moved his head up and down. “One eye.” He stared into the air, then spoke to Mica.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Mica got up and ran around between the people as they sat on the ground. As he ran, Cade pointed to Mica and said, “Gyasi. Suj Elfan. Cade.” Mica called out to Cade. “Risar.” Cade’s motions became very slow and deliberate. He turned his shoulders and waist, but not his head. “Risar. Oska.” Mica began to make high pitched squeals. After direction from Cade, Mica returned to his seat.

Mica and Cade spoke rapidly and the expeditionary group members listened intently.

Dr. Gyasi spoke up. “Aug? Something happens with its eye?”

“Risar looks?” Sage Elvan put his hands up to make an eye. “Risar looks at Mica.”

“Risar looks at Mica.” Dr. Gyasi made a motion from the sage’s pretend eye to Mica. Mica fell to the ground and lay there motionless. Everyone looked at the others. Mica got up.

“Risar can kill people with its eye,” Elodi Aleris stood up. “I’m Risar. When I see you I can kill you.” She pointed from her eye to Golsho. He pretended to die.

“Sha!” Cade nodded.

“I see you.” She pointed from her eye to Jal, and it fell dramatically to the ground.

“Sha!”

“What if Mica sees Risar?” Elodi made motions. “Does Risar die?” She fell to the ground.

“Nay.” The four Nemori shook their heads from side to side. “Nay.”

Mica stood. He took Elodi’s hands and helped her up. “Risar,” Mica put his hands on Elodi. “Mica see Risar,” he motioned. “Mica haulpa.” He ran between those sitting. “Mica haulpa.”

“Mica runs,” several people said.

“Risar?” Mica put his hand by his ear as if he were listening. “Sha, Risar!” he pointed to Elodi. “Mica haulpa.”

“Sha, Mica runs.” “Mica haulpa.” the crowd prompted him as Elodi squealed and pretended to slowly follow Mica.

“Fela!” Mica whispered and hid behind a tree. Slowly Mica peeked out. Elodi turned slowly back and forth, searching.

“Hide!”

Mica ran again, saying “Haulpa! Haulpa!”

The group said, “Run! Run!”

Mica then went behind another tree. “Fela,” he whispered.

“Hide!” they responded.

Jal stood. “Jal see Risar. Jal haulpa. Jal fela.” He made the actions. Elodi continued to search and squeal. “Risar nay see. Risar go?” Elodi turned away.

“Sha! Risar go,” Cade replied.

“How many Risars are there?” Pira Pibul asked. “One Risar?” She held up a finger.

This prompted a lengthy discussion between Sage Elvan and Cade. Members of the hiking party excused themselves to their tents and to guard duty. After some time, Sage Elvan looked around at those who were still listening. “It seems there are six. Four adults who are capable of killing and two smaller ones that he is not certain about.”

“Where will they sleep tonight?” Jal said to Sage Elvan.

“I guess we’ll watch and learn.” After some time, the sage explained that people were going off to sleep.

“Sleep?”

Jal closed his eyes and made a snoring sound.

Cade and Mica laughed a deep, pleasant “ha.” “Ah, sofa!” they said. “Sleep.” The other two Nemoris, who had not spoken all evening, let loose a series of lighter, gentler “hahas.”

No one had noticed the packs the residents had carried. They dropped them in a pile under a far tree. The two quiet ones retrieved them and began to pull out lightweight furs.

“I sleep her?” Cade motioned to a spot by the fire.

Sage Elvan and Dr. Gyasi exchanged a look. “Are you on guard tonight?”

“Yes.”

“Are you okay with this?”

“I am,” the scientist responded. “Jal, what’s your sense about this?”

“I sense no deceit in them,” it said without hesitation. “But I’m not an empath. I’ll stay here by the fire for the first shift. If I fall asleep, Dr. Gyasi will wake me.”

“I’ll get up for the second shift, Jal. Wake me when you come in.”

***

The hikers stood at the opening into the Protectors’ Enclave. The clear dimeallide structure was supposed to be indestructible, yet someone or something had breached it. The Luminary gazed at it worriedly, “How can this be? Something had to have used a tremendous amount of energy to cause this amount of damage.”

The gaping hole was about seven meters wide, and nearly that tall. Cracks stretched an additional seven or eight meters further along the normally smooth surface.

“Luminary, the edges here appear to have bubbled. This means that a form of nytiol energy was used,” Dr. Gyasi stated.

“Nytiol energy? I’m not familiar with that.”

“It is only available in the PFX-781 Galaxy.”

"I’ll inform the scientists at the Iragos Enclave,” the Luminary responded. “It will take some time to gather the resources to fix this.”

“There should be adequate resources in the Emergency Storage Unit below the enclave, Luminary.”

“It will take time to get them here.”

“I don’t think I spoke clearly,” Dr. Gyasi shook his head. “There should be resources here.”

“Oh!” The Luminary was clearly distracted. “Let’s check on those before I contact the Iragos group.” He called out to Tomau Lop and Verle Dilas. “You are temporarily in charge of allowing entrance and exit to this facility. Do not leave this post. If anything tries to get in contact all of us immediately.” He motioned to the group. “Everybody in.”

He outlined the plan to assess the facility starting with the general grounds. They dropped their packs, picked up weapons and shields, and fanned out in a wide arc. Everyone returned about two hours later, reporting that there were no indications of life forms outside the buildings.

An armed security squad stood at the opening of the enclave looking outward. The scientists and professors went off to check out the conditions of the science facilities, along with another security squad. The Luminary, Sage Elvan, Jal, Wizard Lallo, Wizard Kir and Pira Pibull followed a second security squad into the administrative office building. The fighters and adventurers went toward the medical facility, and a third security squad entered the security building.

Using the communication devices, reports were made to the Luminary and were received by everyone in the enclave. The science facilities were partially intact; that is, the upper two floors had not been breached. However, it appeared that the ground floor had been systematically destroyed. There were holes at regular intervals inside the rooms. When the scientists left the building, they discovered that a second set of holes had been fired from the outside.

The team that went into the administration building were deeply saddened when they returned to the central garden complex. It was clear that the scientists and staff that had been in the enclave had gathered in a secure room below the facility. They had been dragged up to the main level where they were methodically killed by a single blow to the back of the head. The bodies were lined along the walls and over time had become mere piles of dust. The androids lay intact except for their heads, which were severely damaged.

The medical and security buildings were deserted and showed no evidence that explained what had happened. Together, the people went through the dormitory-like buildings that lay on the northwestern quadrant of the enclave. The floors were rapidly searched and revealed only one thing: Someone or something had entered the third building with such force that the entire structure was no longer seated firmly on the foundation. An arched opening about seven meters tall and wide had been pushed in on the side of the building and there had been a fight. Furniture had been upended, lighting elements had been shattered and personal belongings lay haphazardly on all three levels of the building. Rows of androids lay on the floor in one room. Each head had the type of damage that was consistent with that of those found in the administration building.

One final place needed to be examined. Everyone gathered around the central power hub. This power system maintained the perimeter alarms of the enclave and supported the power grid to the complex. It was also a major transportation point. This was where workers had transported between the various enclaves and from them into the surrounding communities. Goods were transported intercontinentally, and satellites had been deployed and maintained here. Dr. Gyasi flipped a series of switches. Generators hummed and the internal power to the enclave switched on.

The Luminary located a box of old food and placed it on the transport. Dr. Gyasi pressed the transport buttons and the box disappeared.

“We’ve received a package,” a voice came over the communication system and a screen slowly lightened. “Our monitors show that it came from the Protectorate Enclave of Northern Shifos. Please identify yourself.”

“This is Luminary Rep Dev. Please ship an item of any size to this location.”

“Yes, Luminary. Sending now.” A container of fresh fruits appeared.

“Please connect me with Luminary Yagyasan.”

Several minutes passed. “The Luminary is in a meeting. I’m Pap Janos, his aide. How may I help you?”

“Go get him out of it!” Luminary Dev demanded.

“If you wish to speak to him, you’ll need to-

“Pap Janos, you get Hari out of that meeting. If you don’t, I will ensure that you are deactivated.”

“Who is this?”

“I said that I’m Luminary Rep Dev.”

“You’re in Northern Shifos?”

“Just get Hari!”

There was a beep and the two Luminaries greeted one another. “We have reached the Enclave on Northern Shifos, Hari.”

“You did it? You’re really there?” Luminary Yagyasan was thrilled. He became serious. “How bad is it?”

“I will explain when we’re together. I need you to call a meeting of the Luminaries. I’ll transport home through the intercontinental travel system. Set the meeting for three days from now. The main item on the agenda for right now is that we need to reset the power grid to include this station. The second item will be to determine manning.”

“Do you want us to begin transporting a clean-up team?”

The Luminary looked around the large area. “No. I don’t want any person transporting here yet through this unit. You can transport goods at people’s requests, however.”

“Very well, Rep. Is Jal Jomari there?”

“He is.”

“Please tell him I said congratulations!” The Luminary signed off.