Stranded on a Tiny Planet
Chapter 23: Fishing

As Seraysa and Verin rode atop Merco’s broad shoulder, they both felt excited. It was like flying but with no strain on them. The long, powerful sway followed by the impact of Merco’s steps shuddering through his massive frame was something to feel. Seraysa had experienced it in her first hour of life riding in Merco’s shirt pocket, but it was a bit more thrilling perched on his shoulder.

“This...has been the craziest two days of my life.” Verin admitted, staring in all directions from their lofty perch.

“Me too.” Seraysa admitted.

“Yeah but you’re only recently Emerged.” He stated. “Do you think we’ll get to see him catch a Gold Scaled Leviathan?”

Seraysa nodded, “Probably. I think that’s what that gesture meant.” She mimicked the waving motion Merco had used that looked like a fish swimming.

Verin’s dark eyes seemed to light up at the prospect, “That’s going to be SO incredible!”

Seraysa nodded but as she rode she recalled how sad Merco had been earlier, “What would be incredible is if we could help him get home.”

Her brother pondered, “Well...up until he showed up, no one even thought there was life anywhere but Anshai-tee. We just don’t have the tech his kind seems to have.”

“I know. But you didn’t see him earlier. He had images of other aliens like him. I think...they were images of his family. He... looked so sad. I just...I just wish we could help him.”

Verin looked sympathetic but he didn’t have answers either.

It wasn’t long before they were back at the northern-most edges of the lake, almost exactly where the attack had taken place. Merco surveyed the spot a moment with lingering suspicion before he continued on. He walked around the edge of the lake, eyes scanning around.

Then he stopped and knelt down and reached for something on the ground, making the siblings grip his shirt collar to avoid falling forward. Down the length of his arm they saw what he’d found. It was a sign with the name of Trit written on it. Trit was small settlement at the edge of the Anashee Lake. The inhabitants, though few could swim, were adept fishermen. Mounted atop the wooden sign was a comically large metal fishing hook and that’s what Merco was after. He had an almost delighted look on his face. He plucked at the hook and managed to rip the whole sign out of the ground.

“Merco!” Seraysa scolded him.

He gave an embarrassed expression, ripped the hook off the sign effortlessly, and then carefully put the sign back.

“What are you doing? You can’t take that!” Seraysa protested.

“Uh...yeah he can.” Verin disagreed.

“Well he shouldn’t!”

Merco stood up and observed the hook between his fingers. Then he began looking around for something else. In a few steps he found a couple boats tied up near the shore and a pile of fiber ropes inside each one. Again, he knelt down and took both piles of rope.

“Merco! You can’t just take that!”

The giant alien looked at her a moment but didn’t seem too concerned by her scolding and resumed his task.

Seraysa gripped her head plumage with frustration, “First day as an ambassador and we’re going to get the Trits mad at us!”

Merco stretched the fiber ropes out as far as they would go which was almost the span of his arms. Deciding it needed to be longer he tied the two ropes together to make a longer one. Satisfied, he stood back up and began looking at the trees. He found one that seemed to suit him, gripped it with his gloved hand, and stomped his foot against the trunk, snapping it off easily.

“Geez.” Verin groaned, impressed.

Merco’s hands went to work again, snapping the branches off of the tree until he had a bare, knobby trunk gripped in hand. He took his knife from his pocket and notched the top part. Then with some careful tying he attached the rope in the nick and then tied the hook to the rope, creating a primitive but serviceable fishing pole.

“He’s pretty clever.” Verin commented, upon watching the whole craft come together.

...

The suns were setting and Merco knew he didn’t have time to replace his old spear or make a new one by the time it got dark. He needed light to see and spear a fish. But with a fishing pole he could fish into the dark. Merco had his makeshift fishing pole but he needed some bait. He wondered if there were worms on this planet. Slowly, he walked along the water’s edge, searching for something that might make good bait for a good-sized fish. Morbidly, he knew he’d need something at least Pixie’s size since the fish of this planet had no problem eating them. His eyes scanned the area.

Verin pointed and said something that sounded like a word ending with a whistle. “Merco, Zeej-[whistle]!”

Merco looked at his shoulder to see the direction of Verin’s pointing and saw a wasp-like bug with too many spiky legs and six sets of wings down its long body sitting on a rock. It looked like a horrific breeding of a wasp and a centipede and it was twice as big as Pixie and Verin; plenty big enough for bait.

“Ugh. Ok. If you say so.” Merco grimaced at the nasty looking insect.

Using his impervious prosthetic hand, Merco snatched up the bug which buzzed angrily and whipped its long body around to try and attack his hand. With some fiddling he skewered the bug on the improvised hook and it writhed erratically.

Both Pixie and Verin made noises of disgust and he smirked.

Now he was ready to fish. He walked down the lake a bit to a spot that looked deep and lightly cast the line and his wriggling bait out into the water. It wasn’t a long cast by any means, but it didn’t need to be as the tree he’d select to be his pole gave him considerable reach. Merco then sat down gingerly, trying not to jar his shoulder riders, and began his patient wait for a bite.

After a moment the siblings floated off of his shoulder and landed beside him. Merco decided to pass the time he’d see if he could learn a couple more alien words.

“Pixie?” he questioned. He touched the water and rubbed the wetness between his fingers, “Water. Water.”

“Wa-ter.” She repeated and then touched the water as well. She made a whistle noise and then a click.

...

Once Merco was settled down to fish he began speaking and Seraysa realized he was attempting to learn more words.

He touched the lake water and said his word for it in his deep voice. She was able to mimic it. Then she said her word for water. He seemed to concentrate, made a hole between his lips and made a low, loud whistle in an attempt to say her word for ‘water’. It wasn’t close.

She shook her head at him, repeating the word slower. He tried several times and finally got something close. His accent was indeed strange. All of a sudden his whole body leaned forward; his eyes zeroed in on the end of his pole.

“Oh! Oh! He’s got something!” Verin leaped up with excitement.

Merco paused, waiting still until the line began to pull to the right. He gripped the pole and jerked forcibly. The water exploded with thrashing as the scaled beast on the end of the line fought back. Merco stood up quickly and the siblings backed up to give him room. The bearded man grunted, muttering something and pulled hard, his muscles bulging with strength as his tree pole bent in an arc.

Verin and Seraysa were frozen with wonder by the spectacle. Merco stepped back, pulling the thrashing beast out of the deeper water and into the shallows. The water surged and flew everywhere as a Gold Scaled Leviathan threw itself up out of the water, lashing its head aggressively to unseat the hook. Merco bent his knees slightly, boots digging into the ground and tearing it with his force. Despite how hard the fish fought, Merco’s strength superseded its struggles as he pulled it into the shallows so its gleaming golden back was out of the water. Its mighty tail thrashed, soaking both Verin and Seraysa on the shore.

Merco bent down to grab the fish by the mouth when suddenly it threw its head and the hook came flying out. The leviathan’s whole body whipped, flopping its way toward the open water again. Giving a loud exclamation at the fish’s action, Merco tossed aside his pole and pounced on the fish, sending tidal waves of water into the shore and sweeping both Verin and Seraysa off their feet. Even though the fish was slippery and thrashing, Merco managed to hug it to his body and subdue it. The body tentacles of the fish writhed frantically against Merco’s skin as it wore down. The giant alien was breathing hard too as he slowly stood up, water pouring off of him as he carried the fish to shore.

Soaked but unharmed, the siblings got up just as Merco deposited the huge fish on the bank. He grumbled something in his big voice and flicked water from his arms.

“That was... AMAZING!” Verin crowed, gripping his sister’s arm like an excited sports fan.

Seraysa shook water from her plumage but smiled in agreement as they slowly approached the landed leviathan.

Verin was beside himself with wonder, “Look at the size of it! No one has ever caught a Gold Scaled Leviathan before! I can’t believe I got to see that!”

It was almost length of Merco’s arm and the gaping mouth was big enough to consume both of them at the same time. To almost illustrate that fact the fish snapped its mouth at both of them which sent them darting backward.

Merco retrieved the knife from his pocket and dispatched the fish quickly.

Then he pointed to the leviathan saying, “Fish.”

“Fffish.” Seraysa sampled the hissing word. “Bay-Nesra.” She pronounced her word for the Gold Scaled Leviathan.

He repeated it without difficulty several times as he set to work disemboweling it.

Despite the disgusting nature of the task, both Seraysa and Verin remained glued to the sight of it. It was subtly disturbing how easy Merco made the act seem. A few slices and a quick rinse saw the fish cleaned out.

As Merco washed his hands and arms he looked around a second, seemed to think a moment, and then picked up the fish with one hand behind the gill flap.

He patted his shoulder as he looked down at them, “Come on.”

But they didn’t fly up to him. They couldn’t now that they were wet. Something about the water’s polarity screwed up an Ansheetan’s ability to fly. He patted his shoulder again but they shook their heads and showed their wet clothes. He seemed confused but gently lowered his hand to them which they were then able to climb into. When they seemed settled, Merco retrieved his fishing pole and jacket and began walking back north toward Pela Canyon.

When he arrived near the edge where the forest met the barren land before the canyon, Merco stopped, found a large rock, and draped the dead leviathan over it. He also put down his pole and jacket. He offered his hand to Seraysa and Verin and they climbed into it.

Verin took a deep breath as they were both lowered to the ground and they hopped out of Merco’s hand, “I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to that.”

Casually Merco’s massive boot swept over their heads as he stepped, making Verin duck, “Or that!”

...

Despite the fact that Merco was starving, he decided since the aliens from the canyon had helped him remove all that bomb shrapnel and they were probably going to make him a new shirt he would bring them some food to share. The fish he’d caught was more than enough for him. He needed to make himself a useful guest and not a burdensome one if he was going to be marooned her for the foreseeable future. So, he set to work with his cooking process, the same as before. Once the fire was hot and the fish was skewered and cooking he sat down and kept an eye on it.

“Merco.” Pixie called out to him

He looked down at her and she pointed to the fish and made a sprinkling gesture. Then she pointed to the trees and walked into them. Merco guessed she meant she was going to get something to season the fish with. An alien herb or mineral perhaps? He wasn’t going to complain. The last two fish he’d eaten had tasted fine, but bland. A little seasoning would be nice.

As he sat, legs stretched and arms braced behind him, he noticed Verin was creeping closer to him, staring at his prosthetic arm. The little green male subtly stepped closer to his left hand, hand outstretched. He didn’t seem to notice that Merco was aware of his advance. As he reached out to touch the metal, Merco lifted his index finger. Verin jumped and fell back on his bottom.

The man chuckled mischievously but extended his mechanical finger over Verin’s lap for him to grasp. The little alien hesitated a moment but grasped his digit with both hands. Gently, Merco raised his finger, lifting him to his feet. It was so quick for Verin that he leaned over his digit for support, feet dancing to replace the ground. The little alien gradually stood on his own but kept his hands on his silicon covered fingertip, eyes roving across it to the hand and arm beyond. Merco could see the intrigue and wonder alight in his dark eyes. Gradually, Verin let go of his fingertip but walked around to his thumb joint, ducking down to look underneath it like someone checking out a car. Merco slowly rolled his hand over onto its side, opening his prosthetic as a wall in front of Verin so he could see it. The alien’s dark plumage lifted up and he stepped closer, touching the rubberized sensors that made the palm and peeking at every detail. A smile of amusement crossed Merco’s bearded face upon seeing the alien’s enthusiasm. Verin stepped back from his palm, looked up at Merco, held up his own little hand and wiggled his fingers. Merco compliantly flexed his mechanical fingers for him. Verin stepped close again and watched as the servos and pistons beneath the silicone-like coating whirred and moved.

“Tee-[click! click!]” he said in an amazed voice.

Merco mimicked him by clicking his tongue, “Tee-[click! click!]?”

Verin looked up at him nodding.

Merco could only guess it meant “cool” or “wow” or something along those lines.

After a few more moments, Pixie returned carrying a handful of plants all wrapped in a bundle. She held them up to him and he delicately plucked them from her hands. He brought them to his nose and smelled deeply. It smelled aromatic but the man had no idea what it smelled like. He thanked her with a nod and tended his cooked fish.

Soon, he plucked off a chunk from around the back and it flaked, signaling it was done cooking. Carefully he removed the fish from over the embers and then spread the herbs Pixie had given him over the meat. It wasn’t much, not nearly enough for the whole fish, but enough for him to try. The smell of food was making his mouth water and his stomach growl, protesting his delay. However, he thought it might look bad if he brought a half-eaten fish to the settlement. A whole fish would be more presentable. So, he kicked dirt over the fire to extinguish it, put on his glove, gathered his pole and jacket, then held the skewered fish on the pole between his hands.

“All right you two, it’s ready. Let’s get going.” He announced, patting his shoulder again.

Pixie and Verin landed on him again and he made his way down into the canyon toward the settlement. When he passed the spot he’d used as a shelter he deposited his jacket and fishing pole there before continuing on.

Soon he arrived at the settlement; the lights were glowing and a few of the aliens were out and about.

“Merco! Merco!” a few voices called out when they saw him.

Their calls brought more aliens out of their dwellings to see.

Merco approached, softening his steps as he drew closer. When he was within six feet of the settlement he knelt down, holding the skewered, cooked fish before him in offering as he tried to remember the greeting.

“Sey...Sey-tala.” He said slowly as he held the fish, “Bay-Nesra.”

The aliens’ eyes seemed to widen at the greeting and they chattered quickly, with excitement amongst themselves. Pixie and Verin floated down from his shoulder and greeted the yellow tipped leader named Yelon and began speaking; presumably he was the topic. Yelon nodded and began shouting out to the other aliens and the activity began. Merco patiently held the fish until the little aliens had assembled, bringing forth serving items. An excitement seemed to be buzzing in the air. Several aliens laid down a patchwork of mesh material over logs on the ground. When they had a sizable slab of it they gestured for Merco to lay the fish on it. Compliantly, and carefully he did so.

Notably a couple aliens floated up to the comparatively gigantic fish and sampled the meat. One turned and shouted something with a harsh whistle. Soon, at least six aliens arrived, bringing small buckets of what looked like salt and another blue colored mineral. Floating over the fish like little drones they sprinkled it with what Merco could only assume was their alien seasoning. Again the ‘taste testers’ tried it and nodded approvingly.

Curious, Merco peeled a bit from the back and tried it. He couldn’t pinpoint a particular flavor but it was salted, perhaps a bit of citrus and some herb combo. In any case it was way better tasting than his first two fish. He too nodded with approval. Then, as before with the soup, the aliens began serving the fish to each individual.

Merco couldn’t help but notice the looks of amazement as the diners walked past the fish. One little alien even hopped up on the mesh to peek in the fish’s gaped mouth and touch the vicious serrated jaw. Merco got the impression that they were indeed scared of this particular fish and they’d never seen one or eaten one before. Then again who could blame them? He’d found Anu in the belly of one of these fish and seeing them next to it was like their version of a Megalodon. For him it was a big fish but my no means a monster.

His stomach complained again but his patience scolded it into submission until the settlement had all been fed. By the time it appeared everyone had a share, only a chunk the size of Merco’s fist had been removed. Merco eagerly scooted a bit closer to the fish and began to eat himself. He felt eased as his own hunger was appeased with every mouthful. The flavor was so much better with seasoning; a fish flavor akin to ahi tuna mixed with trout.

As he ate he felt a tiny touch to his bent knee and there sat Pixie, beginning to eat her own portion. He smiled at her as she took a bite and smiled back; her large blue eyes squinting. Not more than a few days prior he’d shared the exact same meal with her; her first meal.

Then, he felt someone touch his other knee that was curled on the ground. His eyes lowered to see a pair of the aliens touching him, their head crests lifted and lowered as they looked up at him.

“Sey-tala.” He greeted with a nod.

One of them pointed to the fish and made the same gesture with their plumage. Merco could only guess it was a thank you. He nodded. Then a few more came forward doing the same gesture. Before long there was a literal line of them passing, touching him, and gesturing with their head plumes. Merco could only hold very still, nodding to each one.

...

Seraysa sat atop Merco’s knee eating her portion of the leviathan. It tasted really nice now that it was seasoned. Everyone in the Pela settlement had been amazed and shocked upon realizing they’d actually get to eat the dreaded beast. Then, when the meal was ending, the citizens began approaching Merco, touching his knee and displaying their gratitude for his gift. She smiled, seeing the steady stream of Pela Ansheetans pass by. Merco seemed a bit overwhelmed but also gracious to them. Seraysa could only hope the inhabitants of Anashee would be as accepting. And that meeting was approaching fast.