Stranded on a Tiny Planet
Chapter 26: Education

Despite the nice “bed” he was given, Merco still awoke early. He stretched his limbs with a groan and sat up. The suns were beginning to gleam over the peaks of Anashee’s valley in the yellow sky. He scratched his head as he stood up to replace a secluded spot to do his morning constitutions, well away from view. When finished he returned and put on his boots so he could take a walk around. He wasn’t sure if anyone would be awake but he’d be sure to tread lightly to not disturb the inhabitants.

He walked along the wall and startled a couple guards who were stationed there. He politely greeted them but they didn’t seem willing to reciprocate it, so he continued on toward the multi-colored fields of exotic alien crops, laid out like a quilt across the ground. Tending the fields, he could already see little alien farmers poking up amid the plants. There were floating devices that looked like carts and farm equipment, moving along the well-organized rows. Merco could also make out lines of irrigation systems, not too dissimilar from the ones used on Earth.

As he passed the fields, keeping himself on the fringes to avoid treading on the crops, the alien farmers would stop and stare up at him. Some hastily left their fields as he approached which made him feel awkward...but he had begun to expect such reactions. A couple bold ones even stood at the edge of their field, brandished their farming tools and shouted something at him. Merco gave them a friendly wave anyway and kept walking.

Then he saw something very interesting a bit away from the agrarian fields near a fence off the path. It looked like an animal of some kind no bigger than a sparrow with bluish-gray faintly striped fur. Merco slowly approached and as he did the little creature tried to bolt, hopping up with a guttural grunting noise. But it stopped, halted by its own foot which was tangled in the fence. It collapsed on the ground, kicking wildly until he wore itself out, laying on the ground with wide panicked eyes.

Merco knelt down, befuddled by what he saw. It was strange looking, like someone had taken parts of a kangaroo, a duck -billed dinosaur, and a zebra and cobbled them together into a hopping bipedal form. The two back legs were large, bent backward, and tipped with claws like a kangaroo. The long neck was sporting a tall, striped zebra mane that flowed all the way up to the top of the creature’s head. It had four dark eyes, two on each side of the head, large nostrils that ran up the bridge of snout which looked like a duck billed dinosaur. Comically, it had tiny underdeveloped T-rex looking flippers flailing at the front of its body that were tipped with a single claw. Then the body ended with a long tail tipped with two flat pieces of what looked like bone.

Merco was amazed by the odd little alien creature and gently picked it up. It gave a guttural squawk and lashed its tail against his hand, but it was little more than a snap of a rubber band.

“Easy. Easy little...thing?” he crooned gently, replaceing where its foot was caught.

Its kangaroo-looking foot was tangled between two of the wires of the fence as if it had tried to jump over and got snagged. It was bleeding a little bit but the leg didn’t appear broken. Merco pulled the two fence wires further apart and proceeded to untangle the hapless creature. Its bird-shaped chest was heaving and it made another guttural squawking noise.

“Shh. Shh. Easy. You’re ok.” Merco tried to sooth as he unbound it.

Just as he was about to free the creature it panicked again, flopping and kicking with its free leg. He tried to hold it still with his hand but suddenly its eyes got huge, it convulsed, and it went limp. Merco frowned and touched the creature’s body with a finger. No heartbeat, no breathing. Its little heart must’ve given out from fear.

“Oh shit... I killed it.” Merco bemoaned to himself.

He glanced around and could see more of the creatures inside the fence grazing. So, they were a domesticated species, like cows.

Great...I just killed someone’s livelihood. Way to go, Merco.

“Merco!” Anu’s voice called out in greeting.

The man stood and turned around just as she flew up to him. He sighed and gestured to the dead creature in his hand. Anu looked at it with concern and flew down to touch it. She looked at him and he flexed his hand to mimic a heartbeat and then made a small exploding noise in his mouth, flaring his hand. Anu’s head plume drooped and then she gestured for him to follow her. She led him along the edge of the fenced in field to the home of the rancher who presumably owned the animal. Anu found the green skinned individual and spoke with him, gesturing to Merco. The man knelt down and delicately set the dead animal down with an apologetic look on his face. The rancher didn’t seem very happy about it, raising his voice at Anu and him with sharp gestures. Merco wanted to apologize but they’d never understand him fully. Eventually, Anu seemed to say something that supplicated the rancher and he nodded curtly, returning to his work.

Sighing, Anu flew back up to Merco and gestured for him to follow her again.

As he walked after her, Merco felt bad. He wanted to do something to compensate the farmer for his loss and not make himself seem like a careless brute. But again, there wasn’t a way to clearly convey that with cool heads.

Soon, Anu led him to the opposite side of Anashee, near the back where it bordered the peaks of rock. It seemed strangely quiet. In fact, Merco didn’t see anyone in the streets or on the parapet around the wall except for Traynar and Pixie who were waiting for them. Anu looked at Merco and made a gesture with her arm that looked like she wanted him to go over the wall.

Merco scoffed, “What?”

Then she pointed to him and floated over the wall in distinct arc. There was no doubt what she was asking him to do now and Merco didn’t like it.

Merco put up his hands, shaking his head adamantly, “Oh Hell no! I’m not going to go in your city! I’m too big.”

Anu made a face at his refusal and made the motion again with insistence. Pixie was making the motion too.

And again, he refused, taking a step back, “No. No way. I already killed that animal...that’s probably an omen of something worse that could happen! I’m sorry but I’m...”

Quite abruptly, Anu flew forward, grabbed his shirt pocket and tugged it assertively.

“Anu...I...I can’t. It’s too dangerous for you...for your city. I don’t want to hurt anyone or break anything.” He insisted, stepping back again.

Pixie called his name in a begging tone, ”Mer-co!”

He sighed deeply, ruffling her plumage. Merco didn’t like this idea. He wanted to see the city, truly, but it would be like trying to walk through a tiny model without crushing anything. He wasn’t so sure he could do it.

Why were they wanting him in there anyway? A tour? A special invitation?

But...he did trust his little friends. There must be something they want him to do or see. Anu kept tugging until finally he stepped forward, placing his hand on the wall. He looked at it carefully. The wall appeared to be purely natural rock so there was no risk of him breaking it. The wall was about even with his waist. Taking a breath to ready himself he pushed down and swung a leg over the wall. He racked himself slightly which made him grunt with discomfort until he could get his other leg over. Before he knew it he was on the other side of the wall, standing at the crossroads of two streets. He glanced around from side to side. The streets appeared empty and the space between the buildings looked wide enough for him to walk through.

“Ok...I’m over. Now what?” he asked, eyes roving around.

Pixie floated up and landed on his shoulder while Traynar took the lead, flying ahead of him. Anu flew close, urging him to follow. He took a steadying breath and slowly followed. He felt like he was walking in a mine field; any wrong movement and [BANG!].

...

Seraysa sighed with relief when Merco was finally convinced to come over the wall. She wasn’t sure if he would. He actually looked scared to do it. But there he stood, towering over the buildings in the middle of the street. Now Anu and Traynar had to lead him to the Temple of Emergence so Dr. Jasta could test the educational probes on him. If successful, Merco would be able to understand them and they could truly speak to one another. They just had to lead him down the designated route Commander Madala had set up for them. The streets had been cleared and citizens were ordered to stay away or stay indoors for safety. Of course, the very notion of a giant alien traversing Anashee was probably enough to send most of them into their homes anyway. It certainly did for her parents.

Seraysa and Verin’s parents were still in Anashee, even after the gates had been opened. But they had remained with the hope that both she and her brother would return. They had been informed of their whereabouts by Elder Felreh so that helped alleviate the panic they had felt for their offspring’s sudden disappearance. They were understandably stunned to learn their recently Emerged daughter was now an Ambassador for the giant alien visitor. Even though they were happy to see her at last the other night when she returned, they were also very concerned and felt a bit betrayed. They had both left without a word and they had no idea what had happened to them. Seraysa and Verin both tried to explain and convince them that they were alright and that nothing was going to happen when Merco visited the city. Seraysa had even invited them to come to the Temple of Emergence to meet Merco but they refused. Her father made no qualms about his feelings of her being ambassador for “that giant thing”. But, it was out of their hands; she had an important role to play for her people and her friend.

From her favorite spot on Merco’s broad shoulder she watched him traverse the city street. No one was around but Merco still stared at the ground and below his waist every second. He seemed to be well aware of his size and power and was trying to control both at once. She could see various objects outside and in the windows shake and move with his steps. Seraysa could also see several Ansheetans at their windows watching as Merco passed by. She tried to wave and be friendly to put them at ease and show them that there wasn’t anything to fear. But it didn’t seem to help much with their homes shaking and his shadow darkening their view. Seraysa knew it would take time for them to come around of course, but she couldn’t help but feel a little disheartened.

...

Merco was nervously trying to keep his eyes on everything as he moved. But with buildings all around him and various other city accoutrements it was proving to be challenging. He just kept his pace slow and unhurried, which seemed to be fine with his guides. Luckily there didn’t appear to be any little aliens roaming about so that was one less thing for him to fret over. He’d never forgive himself if he accidentally squished someone.

He came to a street corner and made a turn, following Anu and Traynar. All was going well until, quite suddenly, two screams near the ground cut the air which made Merco startle and halt himself mid-step. The sudden stop unbalanced him and he bumped into one of the buildings on his left. His hand automatically gripped the roof of one of the buildings and he felt it give slightly under his hand. A cacophony of broken glass and crunching answered his body’s impact with the structure as well as terrified screams inside. He cringed, freezing in place.

“Shit!” he swore angrily to himself. “I knew this would happen!”

Anu and Traynar both flew back to him with concerned looks. Gingerly, he pulled himself away from the building. A bit of rubble and broken glass rained down from spot he’d hit but the structure still appeared sound.

“Sorry! Sorry.” He apologized at the building, hoping the inhabitants hadn’t been hurt.

Then Traynar started yelling. At first Merco thought he was yelling at him but it turns out he was directing his wrath at a pair of aliens on the ground up against the opposite side of the street. They must’ve been the ones who startled him with their screams. Traynar was giving them an earful though, flaring his dark iridescent plumage like an angry rooster and floating aggressively with his syllables. The pair hurriedly rushed away into a nearby building after the tongue-lashing. Traynar huffed, flicking his plumage and then gestured for Merco to follow him again.

Truthfully, Merco wanted to be out of this so he could avoid any other destructive accidents but he followed. It wasn’t long before they turned another corner that opened up into a square of sorts. Much more open with less obstacles. Anu and Traynar flew to a building that looked significantly more eloquent than the other buildings around it and landed in front of it. Almost like a courthouse but with water features spilling down the walls and a green glass dome to the back. It was an elegant mixture of architecture.

From the front of the building Merco could see Jasta exiting and meeting with Anu and Traynar. They talked for a few minutes until they gestured at him to come around the backside to the green dome. He did so and then Pixie tapped his neck. When he looked at her she made a motion for him to sit down, so he did carefully beside the arboretum styled structure. Through the emerald glass he could see shapes and lights but the glass was obscuring the details. Then, the green panels made a loud clanging noise and began to groan open with mechanical hydraulics, like Victorian doors. Merco looked inside and could see lots of machines inside with lights flickering. Then most notably, Merco could see five teal colored pods contained in what looked like protective clear domes. They were the same type of pod that Pixie came out of when he found hers. Mounted to the clear domes were hundreds of wires of every color. Each wire one was tipped with a golden disc that was pressed into the teal pods. It reminded Merco of the sleep study patients fitted with hundreds of sensors to map their brain patterns.

As he observed the interior, Jasta appeared before him and pointed to a large machine at the center of the dome. Several thick cords were laid out and unrolled by workers toward him. Jasta made a gesture to Merco that told him he wanted him to lay down. Confused but compliant he did so, laying on his belly with his head propped on top of his forearms.

Then a board that resembled a Tv screen was brought out. Using his hand, Jasta began showing him pictures and diagrams. One was of his brain. He blinked. So that’s why he was looking at his head yesterday, mapping his brain. Then the diagram panned out, showing the wires that were being brought out. The wires looked stuck to his head and alien characters began pouring down the wires into his brain which in turn came out of his mouth.

“You are going to teach me...your language? With that thing?” he asked aloud even though he knew they wouldn’t understand him.

That sounded like a great idea. The whole language barrier had been a major obstacle since he’d been dumped on this planet. They’d gotten pretty good at gesturing and drawing at one another but there were lots of things unsaid. However, Merco wasn’t so sure about the method. They were planning to pump information into his brain with a machine he had no idea about. What if they did this and it killed him? Or worse, fried his brain into a vegetative state? He definitely had his misgivings...especially considering the luck he’d been having today. But as he looked he noted that the same devices were being used on the cocoons...just smaller. Surely if those delicate little lives inside could be rigged with them then he wouldn’t be harmed?

Maybe that was just wishful thinking.

Jasta looked at him, eyes seeming to question if he understood as he gestured to the diagram.

Giving a sigh Merco nodded, “What else have I got going for me?”

Jasta then began giving what sounded like instructions to the workers who began flying up around Merco’s head with their bundles of cables. It was an uneasy feeling but Merco held still, allowing them to stick the devices to various parts of his head. Most of them seemed to be concentrated in the center of his skull on the very top with a few on his forehead and a couple at the back. Pixie smiled encouragingly at him which seemed to ease him. She, Anu, and Traynar all seemed very calm, not distraught or fighting what was being done so he had to assume he wasn’t about to be executed. Still, paranoia seemed to pace behind the bars of his reason.

Finally, the workers flew off of him and returned inside the building to the screens inside. Jasta spoke some more and he looked at Merco with a nod. Merco nodded back.

...

Once the thick, custom-made educational probes were rigged to Merco’s head, Dr. Jasta’s crew went to their stations to monitor and feed the information.

Dr. Jasta confirmed their readiness, “Ok. Normally we would do this during the sleep phase as our brains are more apt to learn if they aren’t distracted by physical stimuli, but I want to ensure this works at all with him. I’m going to have the phrases, ‘Hello, how are you feeling today?’, ‘I’m fine, thank you,’ and ‘I don’t feel well,’ channeled to his speech pathways. Then we’ll have one of you give him the greeting. If it works he should be able to understand and possibly reciprocate. Although, as heavy as his vocal chords are, I’m not sure he’ll be able to pronounce many of our words even if taught.”

“This...won’t hurt him will it?” Seraysa asked with concern.

“I honestly don’t know. I wouldn’t think so. But...he is an alien with a much different brain. Don’t worry, I will end the experiment if it looks bad for him.” He assured.

He then began the educational feed. The cords lit up and pictures of Merco’s brain began lighting up on the scientists’ screens. Merco seemed to put his head up a bit as if he were feeling something. Dr. Jasta waited and observed him a moment.

“Begin phrase feed.” He commanded.

The machine made a sound and the cords pulsed quickly with light. Immediately, Merco’s eyes narrowed into a squint and he closed them with a loud grunt of discomfort and twisted his head to the side as if something were hurting his ears.

“I don’t think he likes that.” Traynar commented nervously.

“Lower the frequency of the feed. Slow it down until I tell you to stop.” Dr. Jasta ordered.

The pulsing light seemed to slow down a bit and after a moment Merco opened his eyes again, looking less in pain that before.

“A lower frequency. I should’ve suspected that.” Dr. Jasta nodded, “Keep it right there. We’ll lower it more if we have to.”

After a few moments the pulsing stopped and the machine powered down. Merco blinked and gave a sigh of relief.

Dr. Jasta looked to Seraysa, “Go on, ask him the question.”

Seraysa nodded and looked up at him, “Hello, Merco. How are you feeling today?”

His eyes shot open with surprise at her.

At first he said in his language, “What...the Hell?” But then, in a deeper timbre replied in Ansheetan, “I...am fine, thank you.”