Chapter 17

I zipped up the white suit, closing my vulnerable body to all but the minute air vents on either side of my wide snout. My breathing was amplified, my skin promptly feeling the increased heat as warm air from my body circulated.

I whipped my tail in the air and flexed my claws, testing the durability of the protective clothing that I had stolen from the Mak building I had located. It was the perfect disguise and the ideal reassurance that I might actually survive the mission.

After doubtful negotiation, Menderash and I had put something together. It was a long shot, and it was risky, but we didn't have much else. More than anything, Menderash wanted to recover the Escafil Device, but I successfully argued that our friends were somewhat more valuable.

I placed a pile of black sheets under my arm, the previous artist's images regrettably washed off. I had some chalk, as well, something close to what had initially been used. I was ready to go.

I left the Mak gathering place, fully suited and protected from the Kelbrid toxin, seeing the world through a scratched visor that steamed up horribly with every breath I took. I hoped that it wouldn't interfere with what I had in mind.

It was late in the day as I wandered toward the bus stop. The Kelbrid sun was beginning to set, resting on the horizon that I could see beyond the great tower in the distance. Activity was limited, but not even lower Kelbrids cared for a little Mak like me. They barely even shifted their path to avoid knocking into me. The balance of power between the races was as clear as the one-foot difference in height.

Four Kelbrids occupied the bus stop where I intended to set up my ambitious artist stand. They eyed me with the vaguest interest when I arrived and began to set up. I kicked out the folding legs of the table I had brought along and dropped it directly beside the shelter, in plain sight of the inhabitants.

They lost interest quickly - as soon as I started drawing, in fact. But it didn't matter, because they weren't my target.

My target soon arrived. He appeared just as he had the last time. You would never tell that he'd experienced a home invasion by San Diego Zoo just the day before. I had already completed one picture of a Kelbrid and a Mak standing proud together. However, I wasn't too keen on my drawing talent. I could call it abstract.

He approached just as the bus did. I started to panic that I would have no time to draw his attention, but he took one glance at the bus and shrugged it off. Just like before, he had to wait for the second bus. The four other Kelbrids boarded, and it was just him and me. I had to impress.

I started my second picture as the first bus left. The General had taken two half-interested glances at me, but right then, he was looking off into the distance. I made my chalk movements extra loud as I drew.

A Kelbrid and an Andalite facing off. I drew the most intimidating poses I could manage and the Andalite with an extra sprinkling of evil. I even tried to make the Kelbrid look like the General. I wasn't sure how successful that was.

He didn't seem to care. Disheartened, I moved onto my next picture, attempting to be even louder than before. I even started humming, hoping it could still be heard outside of my hot and stuffy protective suit. He looked over once or twice, but he seemed genuinely uninterested.

For my third picture, I opted to go for the big guns. I started to draw an Andalite, cut down dead on the ground. I motioned my eyes up and down, sculpting the General as personally as I could onto the paper, standing proud over the deceased body. I made it obvious that I was using him as a model.

At last! He noticed my efforts and held a stare for longer than three seconds. The bus must have only been minutes away, so I had to grab the opportunity with both claws.

I lifted the page into the air, visibly showing it to the Kelbrid. His interest piqued, he made the short journey from the far side of the shelter to mine. He arrived before my table, and I swept my hand to make visible all the sketches I had done up to that point.

He puckered his lips as he scoured the images. Two of them he washed over with nothing more than a tut in lack of intrigue.

But he spent longer on the one with the Kelbrid and Andalite facing off. He reached a deliberate hand down and picked up the image, bringing it in for a closer look. I braced for the response, hoping for something positive.

He dropped the picture back to the table. Then…

Slam! Down came his open palm, crashing against the table. He wanted more.

Delighted with the progress, I got straight to work. Now was the time to draw the scene that I hoped would take me to phase two of the overly-ambitious mission.

It involved another dead Andalite, of course. I imagined he would like that. Above the Andalite, standing with arms aloft in victory, was him, the Kelbrid. To his immediate left, I drew a Mak, equally overjoyed. On the right, I drew a Taxxon.

I didn't leave it at that. It was to be a busy impression, and I hoped that he would not get bored. But he had paid me in that weird way Mak appreciate, so I knew I had time.

On each side, I drew more of the various aliens I had seen on Kyritlyp and Makroovi, doing my very best to capture distinctive details.

And then, the last piece of the puzzle. On the right-most side, I started to draw a Human.

Throughout, the General has been keeping subtle devotion, but on occasion, he would turn and observe the rest of the world go by as the city grew darker and street lighting flashed up. But when I started to get the distinguishing features of the Human down, I suddenly became a lot more interesting. His eyes widened, his posture raised.

I finished and offered him the picture to keep. He took it immediately and turned away to inspect.

There came an echoing hum from behind, then directly above. Flashing green lights indicated the bus's arrival at the shelter, and it carefully settled down onto the platform beside us.

He didn't board, even when prompted by the driver who leaned out of the door with a cheery wave of his goopy hand.

I had him.

"Guurinim…" he whispered, just loud enough that I could hear. Then he spun around to me so fast that I felt the breeze ruffle my protective clothing. "Guurinim!" he cried, shaking the image in the air.

I said the words I hope you enjoy in Mak, as taught by Menderash, feigning total ignorance as to the significance of what I had drawn.

The Kelbrid shook his spare fist, but I couldn't tell what emotion it portrayed. I could, however, recognize his intent. "Varra!" he insisted, gesturing his hand for me to follow. "Varra jumint! Varra!"