The bird, happy that the newcomers had been informed of the condition of many of the city's inhabitants, relaxed outside the library, bathing in the sun light.
Inside, Rodney and John were talking with the librarian. She was telling them the city's history, how long ago, a race of beings were studying how to turn animals into people, hoping that the former animals would remember their life and be able to explain the mindset of their species. In the process they learned how to turn people into animals so as to explore the freedom that comes from not having to worry about the future, only day to day survival.
Then thousands of years after the race of beings had left, new settlers had arrived and their scientists began studying the devices that had been left as well as the few documents that had been discovered. They put the device in use and enjoyed the luxury of becoming animals for a few centuries, until an earthquake toppled the building around the device, destroying the device itself. Many of their people were left as animals. A unique process of the device had increased the span of the animals' life, so decades later many of the animals that were formerly human were still alive, waiting to be returned to people.
"Can you show us the device?" Rodney had sat down during the long story, trying to soak in the possibilities of such a transformation. Knowledge of animal mentality had long been sought after. Many a scientist wondered what made a species follow certain patterns. Why a pack of hyenas would follow a female leader. Why some animals raise their young while others leave them to fend for themselves.
"Yes of course. Our town was built around what we believe to be ancient laboratories. I will find someone to guide you." The librarian had them follow her to another building where their scientists worked.
They walked outside where the sun was almost painfully bright. John noticed the bird had been following them, lazily flying from tree to tree. He started to wonder if perhaps this bird was one of the many people turned into an animal. For that matter, did they get to choose what animal they changed into? And if they did fix the device and he had a chance to become an animal, would he? And which animal would he want to be? He bet that Rodney would become a cat, since he seemed to favor them.
Down the street they arrived at a brick building that had many people coming and going. They went up the steps and found several rooms where the scientists were working. In one particular room, an older male was researching some books. He looked up when they entered.
"How may I help you?" He put down his pen and gestured for them to sit down. The librarian asked him if he'd be able to show these men to the great Metamorpher. "Why of course, we have many tours through the main laboratories. We try to preserve what we can of the device. It has been broken many generations. Just let me finish up and we may go."
"Thank you. That'll be fine." John and Rodney waited, both wondering about the device. Rodney could not contain his eagerness to see such a device, it seemingly fantastic in nature.
The bird had flown along to the device in readiness for the strangers' arrival.
Ready to guide them, the man gestured them to follow. Rodney and John excitedly walked after him. It was not far and they soon arrived at a set of buildings unlike any they had so far seen on the planet. In fact it reminded them a bit of Atlantis, all except one building that must have replaced the original destroyed during the Earthquake.
"Do you think this was once an Ancient outpost?" Rodney pointed at the buildings.
"You think the Ancients were trying to turn animals into human?" John could hardly keep his eyes from the beauty of the buildings, made of metal and glass.
"Why not, they studied ascension." Rodney followed the man through into the stone building.
"This is where the Metamorpher is held. As you can see it is in three separate pieces." The scientist guided them around the device. It had been broken cleanly in half and then the top of one half had been crushed. There were crystals inside, some burned black. It was clearly Ancient technology.
"Do you have any of the documents left, perhaps on how the device was originally built?" Rodney was already beginning to study the device from afar, thinking through how it was put together.
"I have studied the documents left by the race of being that devised this device. There is nothing on how it was made." The scientist was surprised by Rodney's enthusiasm.
"Would it be alright with your people if I attempted to put this back together?" Rodney was being considerate enough to keep his hands off the device until he had permission.
John was looking dubious. Not even Rodney's vast skill could fix something so broken.
"I would have to ask the head of the museum of ancient artifacts, but anyone that could bring back our great ancestors from their stay as animals, would be rewarded." To say he was thrilled that this scientist from another world may be able to fix the device would be an understatement.
"Dr. Weir, come in." John was contacting Elizabeth to tell her of the new development.
"Yes, Colonel?" Elizabeth sounded tired from a long morning of negotiation.
"We found Ancient technology. It seems this planet was originally a scientific outpost. There's a broken device that transformed humans into animals and vice versa. Rodney wants to try and repair it." John could not keep the awe out of his voice.
"That sounds amazing. Keep me informed how it goes." Elizabeth sounded excited. Perhaps this day would further their knowledge of the universe.
"If the museum head guy agrees, you have a go." John addressed this to Rodney.
"The Ancients have made groundbreaking discoveries, haven't they?" As he was hungry, Rodney ate a power bar while they waited for the scientist to get back to them.
"Yes they did. So I have to ask, if you were an animal, which one would you be?"
"A chameleon. Always wanted to be able to hide in any environment."
"Huh. I guess I'd want to be a butterfly. Small, easy to maneuver in flight."
"Pretty. Figures." Rodney laughed.
"Hey, I resent that implication." John was only mildly miffed.
"Yes, permission granted. Just be careful." The scientist came in, out of breath.
"Good luck Rodney." John patted him encouragingly on the back.
"Thanks. It is lucky I brought my laptop and other necessities, on the trip. There's always a chance of Ancient technology being on a planet."
"Yeah, yeah, just hurry up. We're having dinner with the ladies."
Over the next couple of hours several animals, including rabbit-like creatures, lizards, and numerous birds, gathered around the building. It was starting to get crowded and John was slightly disturbed, but he did not want to disrupt Rodney's work, so he spent the time in conversation with the other scientist.
Rodney moved broken crystals out of the way and routed them with other ones. He replaced the top of the device and a beam shot out in the direction of John and the scientist. Rodney watched in horror as a yellow glow encompassed both men. It left behind a parakeet and an iguana.
"Elizabeth? We have a problem."
