It would be dangerous. I'd have to be quick, sly, and completely unnoticed. Did humans have sharp vision? Were they able to detect even the slightest change? I'd need to do my best in order remain secret.
All I had to do was sneak on the Explorer without any interference, and then, once the ship was well in orbit, I would demand to see Admiral Johnson. If he complied, -which he should- then I would show him what I could do, and redeem my embarrassing act yesterday. Perfect.
My father hadn't taken me to the mines today, and left me at my dwelling with my mother, Breena. When I woke that morning, Daygon had long since left, about an hour before, she had told me.
After eating First Meal, I snuck out of the house while Breena's back was turned. Then, I'd used my ice to glide high over the snow, making sure nobody would follow me.
The blue sky was strangely cloudless today, the sunshine blinding. It's beams illuminated the snow brightly, the glare from the banks making it hard for me to see. I put a hand up to cover the ground, easing up the gleam slightly, and soared for a few miles before I saw the toy-like Explorer far below. I descended, landing next to it and hiding from view of the troops. I peeked at the miners.
The shuttle's crew seemed distraught, today. The Phrygisian workers were observing the empty carts and hauling in the full ones. Admiral Johnson was on his tip toes screaming up at Daygon, who looked down at the small man. I listened.
"How could this happen?! I thought you said that the mines were limitless!!"
My father shook his head. "I thought so, too. Maybe this cavern has depleted its water supply. After all, we've used it for many a century, Admiral." he sounded like he wanted to calm the human down, but failed miserably.
"You lied to us, that's what you did!! You lied so that we would leave your pathetic moon alone!! I was right about you Phrygisians. You only care for yourselves and your precious planet!!" the Admiral was fuming.
"I can assure you, Johnson, none of this was planned!" Daygon raised his voice slightly till it was a bit more stern. He used that tone with me when I was in trouble. "Even if we tried to get rid of the humans, we would have broken the treaty we made before!"
"Screw your stupid treaty!!" the soldiers around him cocked their guns at my father, and he went rigid. The Phrygisians around him halting as well. The Admiral stabbed a finger towards Daygon's face, not noticing. "If I don't get what I came for, I'll lose my job!! You better find me another cave by tomorrow or I'll blow this piece of ____ up!!"
I didn't recognize the word he used for Phrygis, but I don't want to repeat it. The Admiral sunk down to the snow, calling to his brigade that they were leaving early.
My heart raced. This was my one and only chance. While everybody was distracted, I dashed around the mouth of the Explorer and climbed the heavy metal ramp towards the cargo dock. I ran as silently as I could towards an overflowing cart of ice and crouched next to it, controlling my fast breathing and shaking limbs. Chill air hovered around me from the ice.
The Galactic Federation troops marched in as well, but didn't see me, and closed the giant hatch with a sharp hiss. I watched my father be surrounded by concerned Phrygisians, all of whom were muttering questions if he was okay or not. The door sealed tight, locking me inside.
The dock was cleared of humans, and the lights inside were snapped off. I jumped at the sudden darkness, hearing something screech behind me. I felt around, realizing a thick cover of some sort had been lowered over the mine cart, keeping the cold from escaping. I looked around blindly, hearing a male voice say from afar, "Let's turn the AC up. I'm freezing!"
The Explorer lurched below me, and I heard heavy booms of engines roaring to life. The ship was leaving the planet Phrygis at rapid pace, ascending bumpily. I couldn't see my home world disappear below, for there were no windows in the cargo dock. I sighed.
Something groaned mechanically, and I snapped my head in the general direction. From the high left, dry, hot air was being pumped into the room. It felt strange on me, little prickles zipping up and down my body as the heat increased. The vent blew it out unceasingly.
Pretty soon I was sweating, and growing very uncomfortable. Gasping for breath, my throat dry, I lied down on the metal ground, coughing raggedly a few times. The heat that swept me was unbearable, I could hardly think straight. I moaned almost inaudibly. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.
After an hour of going into bodily shock, I eventually passed out.