Chapter 3

The Mak roadways were trenches, perfectly smooth scoops out of the land that stretched for miles in double parallel lines like immense railroad lines. The Mak equivalent of cars were great big spheres of transparent material that rolled by, the Mak within held upright in a stabilized core. We were the only Mak around walking, and that was enough cause for concern as we strolled by the right-hand side of the trenches toward to city.

((No other Mak are walking along here,)) Cassie warned. We were moving in single file, and she was second behind Jake. ((No tracks either in the sand.))

Jake lifted the watch strapped to his arm and spoke through it. ((Mendy, can you still see us?))

((Yes, Prince Jake,)) responded the fuzzy, computerized thought-speech. ((You are close to the first buildings of the city.))

((No other Mak walking here, Mendy. Anybody around us getting suspicious?))

A short pause followed. ((Not that I can see. There is a group nearby working on construction, but they don't appear concerned.))

((Got it,)) Jake replied, dropping the device back to his side to continue walking with the Mak's naturally slouched gait.

The noises of the city soon joined the rumbling of the giant rolling spheres. There was the sound of loud bleeps and chatter, the clink of tools, and the hum of machines. The blue buildings that looked so small from a distance had become two-story silos of thick, smoothened rock. The spire dwellings were comparably massive to the lone one we had met earlier, with many more objects and structures in circles on the platforms beneath. They stretched out like billowing flags up to the horizon.

We started to pass other Mak. They took very little notice of us, if at all. Not a single one of us reported a suspicious stare or alerting yell, even as our compact single-file steadily dispersed outwards.

Jake had started giving orders. ((Let's keep moving apart. I'm going to number us all, and we need to stay in contact with the person whose number comes before ours. I'm one; Sarge, two; Marco, three; Jeanne, four; Tobias, five; Cassie, six. Remember: keep in contact at all times with the number before you. Cassie, I'll keep in your range.))

((Okay, Jake,)) she replied.

He continued. ((Disperse into the city. You all see that vertical spire over there? Taller than everything else?))

As I moved along my desired track, I looked up to spot the feature Jake was pointing out. It was very similar to a skyscraper. The spire tapered from a thick cylindrical structure that towered high above everything else, almost directly in front of us and quite far away. It looked like a giant hypodermic needle.

((I see it,)) I told him after everybody else had done the same.

((That's our meeting place,)) Jake informed us. ((We all head there and wait for the others.))

We had a simple plan, and that was the signal to begin. What remained of our single-file line was finally cut.

But Jake wasn't quite finished. ((Marco, Sarge. You two stick together.))

Marco replied, ((Jake, dude, I'm fine.))

((Stick together,)) Jake reiterated.

I heard nothing more on the matter, and maybe it went private. I couldn't be distracted, as I had a mission to complete. My diverging path brought me towards a line of low-level blue buildings that formed parallel lines, just like a typical high street back on Earth. Mak were placed around generously, many of them merely standing there, taking in the Sun. They looked like statues, only you could see the rising of their chests as they breathed.

It was hot, but my Mak body was coping very happily. I moved with comfortable elegance, unimpeded by the dry atmosphere, my wide feet keeping me from sinking into any loose sand.

The Mak were quiet, and rarely would I see them talking to each other. Whole groups or families gathered without a single word exchanged. It was not a threatening environment at all, and it became a gentle stroll for me. I remained on alert, of course, but my fears of a sudden attack had wholly disappeared.

((Taxxon!))

Cruel reality wrapped its reeking claws around me once again. Of course, we were also searching for a Yeerk presence. I'd almost forgotten.

It was Cassie who had called. Jake wanted details. ((Where?!))

((In a vehicle,)) she reported back. ((I could see it through the sphere.))

There was silence as the message was passed through everybody out of my range. Jake put us on high alert. ((Okay, report any more sightings. Look out for anything else Yeerkish, too.))

I could see nothing from where I was. My Mak street was becoming repetitive, and my curiosity was lost. I had been heading right of the meeting place, anyway, so it was appropriate to start moving in a straight line towards the target. ((Jeanne, I'm going to head straight for the tower. This place looks pretty clear. Where are you?))

((I am by some… platforms?)) she replied, unsure. ((How do you say…? Stalls? They are selling.))

((Is it busy?))

((Yes. Very busy. There are many Mak.))

I used my relatively weak Mak ears. I caught the hint of a busy crowd close by to my left-hand side. Through a gap in two buildings, I could just see the scene Jeanne was describing. There was no point in joining her. In fact, I could move the other way. ((I'm going to move right a bit.))

((Okay, Tobias,)) she said.

So I continued moving, edging right-wards to keep out of the path that Jeanne was already taking. I walked between two blue buildings on my right to take the next street over, the blinding Mak sun coming directly into my eye line, dominating the deep yellow sky.

I covered my eyes with a blocking arm and forged on, re-emerging from between the buildings into an entirely different atmosphere. There were many more Mak, and they were more active. Numerous spire dwellings dotted the area, ostensibly at random, and between them were big open spaces. I saw small Mak that I thought to be children. They were running around in the open space, barking in growling, warbling tones while fully grown Mak watched on with casual regard.

"Barh rereju!"

There was a Mak to my right that had noticed me. It faced me straight on, but I could not decipher the facial expression. From a raised ledge by its side, it pulled up two pieces of fabric.

"Barh rereju!" he repeated. "Kuyarm."

I did not know the language, nor of the hand gestures the Mak was giving me. My irrational mind came up with the action of nodding.

The Mak gawked and hesitated. "… Laru kippig."

I did nothing this time, which seemed to confuse the Mak even more.

Nevertheless, he continued with his routine. He took one piece of fabric and draped it over his head, just behind the eyes. He offered me the other piece. Thinking quickly, I placed that piece over my head in the same manner.

"Barh rerejit!" he called, bouncing on his feet. He seemed appeased. Then, he raised a hand and turned his focus to the distance, past the large group of Mak. He was pointing me in that direction.

When he took off his fabric, I did the same. Once done, he began to urge me on, and I obliged.

((Jeanne?)) I called out. ((Cassie? I just had to go through some kind of ritual. I had to put some cloth on my head. I've been pointed to go east of the meeting spire.))

Cassie was the one to respond. ((I saw something like that. Where are you?))

((Big open area. Mak kids running around. I count about six spire houses.))

((I can see that,)) Cassie informed me. ((And I can see Mak gathering in the middle.))

I moved my head to find the gathering she had alluded to. ((Cassie, could you ask Jake to contact Menderash? I want to know what Barh rerejit means.))

((Barh rerejit…)) she repeated flawlessly. ((Give me a minute.))

While I waited for that response, I decided to investigate when I spotted the crowd Cassie had mentioned. It was indeed noticeable because all of the Mak were standing and looking inwards at a space where, logical by pattern, a spire dwelling might stand.

As I approached, there were signs held on metal hooks so that they swung lightly in the sand-polluted breeze. The writing was a series of images and symbols, and I wasn't going to glean anything from them.

I didn't need them, though. I reached the crowd and found a gap in between. The Mak around me were muttering, unfazed like it was a museum exhibit.

((Uh, hey,)) I announced to Jeanne and Cassie. ((I found something big.))

There had previously been a spire dwelling there. It had been reduced to rubble and rock, pieces of equipment sticking out haphazardly. Poking out from the top like a rising sun at dawn was a rounded metal ship, its features an instant giveaway.

((What is it?)) Jeanne pressed.

((Bug Fighter,)) I replied. ((On the ground. Doesn't look like it's going anywhere fast.))

((I'm on my way!)) Cassie said.

I crept forward a little further to gather more information. The entire scene was coated in a very generous layer of dust and sand, the Bug Fighter included. There was no smoke and no sign of life inside the Bug Fighter.

((It's been here a while,)) I mentioned. ((Nobody inside. I think it-))

A Taxxon! I froze mid-sentence when it rolled into sight. It was in the crowd, a few spaces to my left-hand side. It wasn't moving anywhere, just watching on with the group of Mak surrounding it.

"Urh vermoon," a Mak said to me. He must have noticed my stunned expression.

I said nothing to the Mak. I wouldn't be able to translate anything, anyway. Past the first Taxxon, I could make out another in the far distance, winding its way to the other crowds where Mak children played.

Instinct was bubbling. I needed to spring into action, but… the Mak were fine. The moving Taxxon was alongside three of them, and they passed the crowd without the slightest hint of confrontation.

((Tobias?)) Cassie called. ((You okay?))

((I see Taxxons,)) I declared. ((Two of them. The Mak aren't fazed.))

A few seconds later, Cassie spoke back. ((Yeah, I see them. I've told Jake. He says just to remain inconspicuous. We'll keep going. Oh, and Tobias?))

((Yeah?))

((Menderash thinks he knows what Barh rerejit means. It means new life.))