“The ironic thing?” she tells me. “I wanted to travel. I guess now I got my wish, right?”
I manage a wan smile at that.
We talk about foods that we miss, and things that we lack here – like regular shampoo and even porcelain plates. Instead of getting morose, though, Harlow grows thoughtful. “I’m sure we can bring our knowledge to the tribe and maybe improve things. And we can scavenge around here. Tiffany said she was good with makeup and hair stuff back home, so maybe she could make us soap.”
I like that Harlow doesn’t dwell on the past. Instead, she’s looking ahead to the future, to how we can improve our situation here versus mourning about what we’ve lost. It’s a great attitude.
When we take a break, we both decide to get the language dump from the computer. We take turns and Harlow goes first, and I have to admit, it’s pretty scary when she slumps and goes unconscious after the laser-beam hits her right in the eye. She’s awake a few minutes later, and I hand her the waterskin she brought. She sips it, rubs her forehead, and gives me a rueful look. “I guess it could be worse. They could speak several languages, right?”
I laugh at her words, but it makes me think about the Little Green Men. Should I learn that one, too? Just in case? I won’t be able to speak it, but it’ll be handy to know.
When it’s my turn, I call out, “Computer, can I learn more than one language at once?”
“I can insert up to three languages into your memory at once,” the computer tells me. “Which languages would you like to download?”
“The sakh language,” I tell it, the computer’s name for Aehako’s race. “And…” I pause, because I don’t know the name of the race for the Little Green Men. “Um…”
“What are you thinking?” Harlow asks me, curious. When I explain to her my idea, she nods. “Maybe if we narrow it down to sentient races in or around this planet?”
“Good idea.” I’ll need to narrow it down a bit more. I think for a moment, and then clear my throat. “Computer? How many language-speakers are there on this planet?”
The computer calculates for a moment, then answers. “Sensors indicate there are thirty-five modified sakh, twelve modified humans, three szzt, and one—“ the computer makes a weird chirping sound that sends shivers up my spine. It sounds just like the Little Green Men. The szzt must be their guards. I rub my arms, uncomfortable. Maybe I should learn both languages.
“Huh,” Harlow says next to me.
“What?”
“I thought there were thirty four in the tribe.” She wrinkles her freckled nose. “Did someone have a baby?”
“It’s too soon,” I tell her, but I realize she’s right. The numbers are off. I move to the table and mentally count out who lives in each cave, using pieces of the small scrap metal to represent the big blue aliens. When I’m done counting, I’m still one number short than the computer.
How is it that we’re missing an alien?
I turn to Harlow, about to ask her that same question, when a searing sound cuts through the skies overhead. It reminds me of a jet plane…except there are none on this wintry planet.
The other aliens have arrived.
I turn back to the computer, grim determination on my face. “Computer, please give me the languages for the sakh, the szzt, and the last one you mentioned.”
“The ___?” Again, the bird chirp that won’t ever be pronounceable by human vocal chords.
“That’s the one.”
“Please hold steady while the information is transmitted into your memory. You may experience some discomfort—“
Blinding pain slashes through my head and that’s the last thing I remember for a good bit.
? ? ?
KIRA
When I wake up, Aehako’s in my face, a concerned expression drawing his brows together.
“Are you well, Sad Eyes?”
“I’m fine,” I promise him as I sit up, his hand supporting my back. “I was just getting some languages, um, installed.” I look over at Harlow and press a hand to my aching forehead. “How long have I been out for?”
“About an hour,” she says with a grimace. “Three languages might have been too much at once.”
My head throbs in response. “I think you’re right.” With Aehako’s help, I get to my feet, though I’m wobbly. I lean against Aehako, glad for his comforting presence. “Any more signs of the Little Green Men?”