The days and week passed quickly as Jal filled its time with school lessons and working with Jan at the office. Taryn transported Jal to martial arts and weaponry training and local spots suggested by Master Avina so it could collect seeds and cuttings for its garden. The shelves in the crafting room filled faster and with a wide variety of pottery as Jal used the coyomito agate to improve its skills and efficiency. It was able to easily double its production and often fired up both kilns at the same time. When the inventory shelves were full, Jal asked Master Neve if some of its products could be sold at Neve’s shop. He gladly provided a display for Jal’s wares.

In Jal’s free time, it studied the books about the Protectors and read the papers that Talim had given it. It began to see how the handwriting and letters changed from one writer to another and created a large chart on the wall of its room. The journal seemed at first to be in a completely different language, but slowly Jal deciphered it as it compared the letters.

The author described the route she and her companions had taken through the jungle by using landmarks and series of numbers. There were descriptions of animals that the group had encountered as well as strange creatures that had chased and killed members of the party. At the back of the book there was a list of those in the group and an explanation of how each had died. Of the nineteen that had begun the trek, only three survived the journey.

One day it went back to the document that had been found in its crib. Jal sighed as it realized it still couldn’t read it. Jal knew it had done its best to figure things out but was disappointed that it had failed. Jal wondered again whether the linguistic specialists that worked for the Protectorate would be willing to take a look at what it had done and try again. It made a visual record of the work on its walls, copied some of its deciphering from the journal, and sent it to Lonc Vallino.

***

That afternoon, as Jal and Jan arrived home from Nik, its tablet beeped. Jal picked it up and studied it. “My final grade report from my seventh-year classes is here.”

“I’d like to see that, Jal.” Jan’s eyebrows went up as it studied the list of classes and grades. “You did very well. I think it’s amazing that neither Taryn nor I have to nag at you to study. If you keep this up, you shouldn’t have a problem getting into the university. What’s on the agenda for your final year of classes?”

“Two math courses, one for business, the other in calculus. Organic chemistry, physics, writing for research projects, Citizens of the Mazeza System, and the Pitsu language course.”

“Good. You have a list of equipment you need?” Jal shook its head. “Please make one and give it to Taryn. Is there anything else?”

“The message from my advisor included the requirements regarding a large project.”

“How large?”

“I haven’t looked at it yet.”

It reviewed the options that its advisor had given it. Three options involved learning the basics of an unfamiliar craft or an additional language and giving an oral presentation. The last two options involved science and math. Jal stood in the middle of the sitting room looking at the tablet.

“Listen to this: ‘Research a biome (major life zone) that you have never experienced. You MAY NOT use an urban area as your biome. Include a map that shows the area you researched. Discuss how the soil type has affected the type of vegetation grown, creatures, and animals that live in the biome. Develop two sample ecosystems of the area that you’ve studied. Finally, explain the impact of human development on the area. What do you anticipate the area will look like in fifty years? Write a proposal for your project and explain what resources you will be using. Details for citing research sources, due dates for data collection, and date requirements for initial and final drafts will be provided at your next consultation.’”

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“That sounds sort of interesting.”

“Yes! I’ll write up a proposal to focus on the jungle on Shifos.”

Jan was stunned. “Jal, there is very little information available about the land beyond the Megace Mountains.”

“I know. But there is some information written. I found some references in some of your oldest books. I have time to search through documents at the universities and in the Protectorate database.”

“It seems to me that you’re making this very hard on yourself. I think you should pick a different biome.”

Jal couldn’t believe its ears. “Why would you say that?”

“I think you’re going to find that the information your project requires isn’t out there. Soil samples and records of plant and animal life would be a stretch, since no one lives there.”

“I’m sure that Lonc Vallino can point me to someone within the Protectorate who has this information.”

“Is it fair that you have access to Protectorate resources and the other students don’t?”

“Everyone has the same list. The Protectorate resources are available to everyone who is a resident of Zuphreon.”

Jan’s brown eyes were full of concern. “Jal, you’re going to use this project for your personal gain?”

“Of course, I am! This project might win me entrance into a university. That’s one of my goals. The more information that I have before I go to Shifos, the better.”

“How are you going to get soil samples and learn about the plants and animals of the biomes when no one’s made records of such things?”

“I’m sure I can work all that out. I’ll make an outline, do research on my own, and take a list of questions to Lonc Vallino. There’s a Science Institute in Kop and one in Patiru. Surely there’s a way to get past the mountains. I’ll have to figure out a route at some point.”

“You’re still determined to do that? Do you have anyone in mind that will go along?”

“I mentioned it to my classmates after my weaponry and martial arts training.”

“Was there any interest?”

Jal shrugged. “Not really. Do you know anyone that might consider it?”

“No.”

“I’ll talk to Eiske,” Jal decided. “He might know some Maz who might know someone.”

“Some Maz? Jal, what do you know about the Maz? Why them?”

“The Maz are much more exuberant and muscular than most races. They do crazy things just for fun. They are risk-takers. They may be short, but their abilities are amazing. They eject some sort of ooze from their hands that allows them to climb almost anything.”

Jan didn’t respond.

“I know that you really don’t want me to go there, but I don’t know why.”

“No one knows what’s over there.”

“Why do you suppose that is?”

“There’s never been a need to go there. There’s plenty of habitable land on Nik and along the coastlines of Shifos.”

“You’re worried something would happen to me.” Jal watched the lines on Jan’s forehead deepen. “What is it that you’re afraid of?” Jan didn’t respond. “It’s almost like you know something, and you don’t want to tell me.”

“Jal, do you remember when you killed the tiljeekik? People think the stories of that animal are just made-up folktales. There are folktales of things that live beyond the mountains.”

“Yes. There are some unusual animals and creatures over there, according to the journal I’ve read. But I don’t think they’re as horrible as the folk tales make them out to be.”

“They could be.”

.“Maybe I should learn the folktales,” Jal suggested.

“Maybe you should,” Jan agreed. He thought to himself, “And maybe they’ll scare you enough, so you don’t go there."

A few days later, Jal was in Sage Elvan’s office doing schoolwork when its communicator beeped. “Jal Jomari.”

“Hello, Jal. This is Yaaba Gyasi. Lonc Vallino forwarded your request to me regarding your research project.”

“Thank you for responding to my request, Dr. Gyasi.”

“Are you still interested in researching the west side of Shifos?”

“I am. Do you believe there’s sufficient evidence available to make a report about the ecosystems within that biome?”

“Yes. I’ve done research on these topics over the years and am willing to contribute to this effort.”

“Since you’re able to help me, I will include your name as a resource person when I write the project proposal. If the project is approved, I’ll be in contact with you, and we can proceed.”

“Very good. Contact me when you have more information.”