Chapter 10
((That looks like a weapon,)) Cassie said.
I followed her eyes to the Kelbrid that was tending to a house on our right. There was a bulky metal contraption slung around its shoulders, dangling lazily on its back. The front of it looked like a stumpy barrel.
((Yeah. I'd say so.))
The Kelbrid didn't bear any kind of official military dress, though. It looked like just another citizen in the quiet street that we strolled through. The Kelbrid houses wound like ribbons over the ground, pathways just wide enough for three or four to walk through at a time. All traffic was airborne, and we would occasionally wander beneath a roadway marked with floating buoys. The buildings were just as imaginative and unique as the larger ones we had seen upon arrival. The Kelbrids clearly took pride in creativity. This weapon-bearing Kelbrid's home came to a sharp, asymmetric taper at the top that looped over like the tip of newly whipped ice cream. The Kelbrid itself looked at us briefly and then went on about its business.
Cassie was deeply immersed in the surroundings, though she still held to the task at hand. ((It's amazing! It's like every little detail is made to be original. Unique.))
I joined in her admiration, but at the same time, I was wary of the potentials of our situation. We had yet to be approached, and we were all very aware that we had zero grasp of the Kelbrid language. We were not to draw any attention, so our eyes never lingered for too long. A lot of the time, we stared down at the perfectly flat orange-rock ground.
And we became even more cautious the further we went. With the golden-topped tower coming closer in the distance, the presence of military Kelbrids increased. We had quickly established the marks of the military personnel. Some had been spotted on guard, mostly by Jake and Jeanne, who were taking another route. The golden triangle appeared to be the official emblem, and the Kelbrids on guard had scarves around the neck bearing that pyramid insignia. They also held large weaponry, just like the long golden rifles we'd seen on Makroovi, fingers poised and ready.
((There's one,)) Cassie alerted. ((Just past that statue.))
The gun's shimmering barrel came first around the stone statue of some famed Kelbrid as the area opened up into a type of courtyard. As we walked, the rest of the individual came into sight. The Kelbrid was motionless, chest pushed outwards, and expression nulled. Not that Kelbrid expressions were a thing I knew anything about.
The scarf over its chest stood out against the purple/silver of its body. It was a deep silken black, embroidered with a large golden triangle.
((Definitely military,)) Cassie assumed. Upon agreement, we turned our eyes away and wandered on like it was no big deal.
Then somebody else showed up. Two, actually. From the opposite side of the courtyard, they appeared one after the other. The second wore the same scarf as the one on guard, but the Kelbrid ahead had something a little different.
((That's new,)) I said, casting my eyes.
((Three stars… And those things on its neck.))
The singular triangle on the scarves of the other two was split into three stars on this third Kelbrid. Above the scarf, hanging like a tight necklace, was a series of small golden cylinders.
The two approached the stationary guard. At a six-pace distance, the guard suddenly straightened even further than it was previously. There came a ferocious stomp of its right foot and a solid bark of a Kelbrid word. The more decorated Kelbrid stopped in front and looked the guard over.
As we walked, we could hear them talking. Before we lost sight of them, we caught the decorated Kelbrid swapping the two lower ranks, the second taking the place of the first.
Cassie hummed. ((Looks like a duty swap.))
((Gives us a good idea of what to look for,)) I replied. ((The one with the three stars was definitely in charge.)) Then, I addressed the others. ((Guys, we found a Kelbrid with three stars and a gold necklace. He's ordering the other ones around. Anybody seen anything similar?))
((Negative,)) Santorelli informed, voice muffled by distance.
Jake spoke from another location. ((We saw one with two stars on the scarf. Seems the triangles are the low rank. Stars must mean officers.))
((So how many stars are we looking for, exactly?)) Marco asked.
((No idea,)) came Jake's answer. ((We're seeing a lot of armed Kelbrids without insignias, though. I'm beginning to think that it's just normal for civilians to carry heavy weaponry.))
((Great,)) Marco groaned. ((Even Average Joe Kelbrid is ready to blow our heads off.))
((Just don't draw attention,)) Jake reinforced. ((We'll rendezvous near the base entrance. Keep your eyes open for anything new.))
We moved on, continuing both our search for new information and our sightseeing of the fascinating Kelbrid city. I found my mind wandering again, taking into account how the Kelbrids went about their daily lives. They weren't as chirpy and rushed as the Mak. They seemed more composed and confident. Calm and purposeful. It was like walking through a perfectly oiled machine. Everything just seemed so… ordered. It was a strange juxtaposition to the extravagant, fluid housing we'd witnessed.
There were other aliens around, but certain trends had been reversed. On Makroovi, the Kelbrids wore full-body suits, protecting others from their vicious toxin. Here, they were naked, and the foreigners were dressed from head to toe in protective gear. I saw two that were very clearly Mak and one Taxxon – a very peculiar sight in white overalls. Other aliens were present, but their body shapes were often so bizarre that I instantly knew I'd never seen them before.
The Kelbrids were very safety-conscious. That was at least some comfort to us.
We saw little of interest for the rest of the journey. Through constant communication, we narrowed in on a rendezvous point near to the closest base entrance. Cassie and I approached it, and it was immediately apparent that there was no way of getting in with our Kelbrid forms. The opening was a break in the high, laser-topped walls that extended far on either side; an archway that breathed with a hint of an almost Andalite-like forcefield, likely permitting little other than light through its repelling skin. Standing guard were two Kelbrids on each side, all four sporting that same golden military triangle over their chests, weapons gripped and ready.
Passing that and reporting on what we saw, we carried on to the meeting point, not too far from that position. Jake and Jeanne had already made it there, storing themselves casually in the narrow space between two empty dwellings far from the view of any guards. Marco and Santorelli arrived shortly after.
((Lots of weapons,)) Marco commented. ((Why do I get the feeling that this plan is completely insane?))
Cassie rolled her Kelbrid eyes. ((You used to be so optimistic, Marco…))
((You've been watching the movies too much.))
((You mean that they weren't accurate depictions?))
((Well, the stuff about how brave and handsome I am is pretty accurate,)) he remarked.
((I thought they depicted me as the handsome one,)) Jake replied in a rare showing of informality.
Marco laughed. ((Keep dreaming.))
Like a set of blinds crashing to a windowsill, Jake switched back. ((Okay, it's pretty obvious that we aren't getting into the base at ground level, but we have an idea of who we're after: More stars means more influence.))
((So we get in and search for the guy covered in gold stars,)) Santorelli suggested.
((The more stars, the better,)) Jake concurred.
((Question is,)) Cassie began. ((How do we get inside to find what we're looking for?))
They postulated as they always would, and I took my regular spot at the side, gazing at the world as if the answer would fall from the sky.
It did.
The others discussed the possibility of using fly morph to get over the wall, with the obvious rebuttals coming in return. I was still standing to the side, eyes elsewhere, when something small and blue came fluttering deftly over the ledge of a low wall of the alley. It flapped a wing that protruded as a semi-circular flap around the sides and rear of its body. Two beady eyes sat atop its pointed, rodent-like snout that sniffed along the ground the moment it landed, searching out any scrap of whatever food it ate.
((There,)) I called, interrupting the conversation of my team.
They found what I had spotted. ((A bird?)) Santorelli blurted.
((It's native,)) Cassie pointed out. ((So it won't look out of place.))
((A kelbird!)) Marco helpfully added.
((Trust monkey man to give it the worst name possible,)) Santorelli mocked.
Marco shot him a glare. ((What's wrong with it?))
((It's almost as bad as Animorphs,)) Santorelli teased with a chuckle.
((That's a great name,)) Marco defended. ((What would you call us?))
Santorelli shook his head with a sly smile. ((Hey, I don't know, man. I'm not great with namin' things. I just know shit when I smell it.))
((Maybe we should call ourselves Les Sauveteurs Changeants,)) Jeanne suggested, drawing all attention.
Of course, Marco was the first to react. ((The Solvent Chandeliers?))
((No, Marco,)) Cassie sighed. ((The Changing Saviours.))
((Oh yeah. Sorry, I misheard you,)) Marco coughed in a pathetic attempt to redeem himself. It didn't work.
((Let's worry about that later,)) Jake grumbled. ((Time isn't on our side, so let's do this now. We need to catch that bird.))
From personal experience, I knew that that was easier said than done.
