The ride down was a little bumpy, but it was nothing I hadn't experienced before. What I was really nervous about was what would happen once we landed on Earth. Suddenly, Orion stopped the ship very abruptly, and I nearly fell out of my seat. W-What's wrong? I asked, still in shock a little.
We need to stop here for today. Our camouflager needs to recharge, and there's also some problems with the engine. replied Orion. I looked around and saw nothing but strange Earth plants. Some were tall, and some were short, but they were all shades of green. Our people could easily blend in here without using our camouflage technique. We should also try to rest. I've been watching these humans for many Earthian years, and they can put up an exceedingly good fight. added Orion, landing the ship.
---
Later on that night, I sat in the small cockpit of the ship while Orion examined the ship's exterior. He kept mumbling to himself, but all I could hear was faint clicking sounds. I looked around the alien scenery for about the zillionth time. Pretty, isn't it? I asked Orion.
Huh? he asked, looking up from the front of the ship.
The Earthian landscape. I replied.
What about it? asked Orion.
Isn't it pretty? I repeated.
Oh…yeah, I guess. said Orion. But not as pretty as back home.
No. I said, thinking of the purplish scenery with the blue plants and green sky.
Orion resumed working on the engine of our ship until it exploded in his face. Damn it… muttered Orion. He looked up at me with a singed face. Celestino, the camouflager is working, but the engine just blew up. he said.
I see… I said, stifling laughter.
Orion sighed. We should get some sleep now. I'll work on it again tomorrow and hopefully by this time tomorrow we'll be on our way to Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania. How do humans come up with these names? I asked.
Maybe Pennsylvania was a great ruler of theirs. I don't know; I don't research humans. replied Orion, who was clearly getting angrier about the engine.
OK. Good night. I said, knowing not to mess with Orion when he was angry.
Excuse me? he asked, staring at me strangely.
'Good night'. It's an expression that humans use when they're going to go to sleep. I explained.
Orion sighed. Honestly, Celestino, you're becoming too attached to the enemy. Now you're using their slang. he replied.
I'm not becoming attached. I said defensively. I just think that humans are the most fascinating creatures we've come across.
Well, then, maybe you should've chosen Extraterrestrial Creature Study as your occupation instead of Intergalactic Warrior. snapped Orion.
Sorry. Good-er-see you in the morning. I replied, knowing I was getting on Orion's nerves.
A few Earth hours later, I was slouched in the passenger seat of the ship, looking at the sky. I realized that while I missed home, I knew I had an obligation here, to destroy the humans and the Chemical.
Soon I realized that I didn't hear Orion's soft, clicking snoring, so he must've been awake, too. I saw his silhouette hunched over in the darkness and said Orion?
What? came the reply.
Um…I'm sorry about earlier. I just thought- I started.
No, it was my fault. I shouldn't have gotten so angry at you. Orion said, turning around. Humans are some of the most fascinating creatures we've come across, and some of the most dangerous too.
You think humans are dangerous? After all of the creatures we've come across? I asked, very surprised. Orion was one of the most fearless Clan leaders, and I couldn't believe that a pack of puny primates frightened him.
Well, yeah. Look at them. Their buildings, their weapons, no wonder their the dominant species on this planet. said Orion. And they're also much stronger than they look. I mean, they put the Chemical into their bodies every day. They seem to need it to survive.
I gulped. That was true. We had had attempted to poison the Chemical, but it just made it taste different, and therefore, was still useful to humans, and a hazard to us. B-But we'll get out of Earth alive, right?
Orion sighed. I don't know, Celestino. These particular humans that we were assigned to are very intelligent, especially the youngest male. He has a book, telling him what we are and what we want.
But it may not be accurate. After all, a human did write it. I replied, trying to reassure both Orion and myself.
I don't know. Humans are pretty smart. Barbarically violent, but smart. But if I die while we're battling the humans, I'll die a proud veteran of the Intergalactic Warrior Force, as will you. Orion said.
I couldn't believe that the head of our Clan, a great (and feared, for that matter) general, had called me, a novice warrior, his equal. I couldn't believe how much I was learning from Orion. Before this trip, I had only spoken to Orion in order to receive commands, and now it was like we had worked in the Force as two generals for as long as our people had been spying on humans.
I slouched a bit lower into my seat in the shiny, silvery ship, and was instantly lulled to sleep by the Earthian crickets.