Lombax of the Future written by Geia Akyama
Chapter three-Hiding in plain sight
--
Sheela stretched from her fuzzy ears to her two toed feet after thirty-two earth hours of sedative induced sleep. The bones in her back and tail cracked as they were re-aligned with a painful but refreshing sort of way. She had sixteen Earth hours to finish her business on the surface, finish her report, and get ready for the trip back to the Polaris Galaxy.
"Good afternoon Madame Aten. The pre-flight checks are complete and a trajectory through the solar system and its Oort cloud has been set. We will be passing close enough to the largest planet in this solar system to get holographic pictures of the volcanic moon you noticed earlier. Also the data you collected from the satellite network has been translated from its original languages into the Galactic Standard for most civilized galaxies.
Sheela yawned with true feeling until her jaw cracked and stuffed her feet into her boots. Weeks of studying these Homo sapiens had been extremely fruitful but that was all coming to a close. It would one Earth solar year to return to the Polaris Galaxy but she wouldn't remember a thing or really age because of Cryosleep. Ah the wonders of technology, how she loved them so.
"That's good news Fess. Is the Holodisguise charged? I have one last errand on the surface to take care of before the conference. I never leave my debits unpaid."
There was silence as the Lombax floated toward the bridge of her ship to retrieve her disguise from its charging station under the flight console. The little box was battered and scratched from years of use and numerous calibrations. The most recent calibration was to appear as a human girl. Otherwise it made her look like another feline species, specifically the same species as the renowned captain of the Phoenix.
After all no one truly knew that Madame Sheela Aten was a Lombax. At least no one outside her small circle3 of close knit friends, or the little backwater city of Erodus on Praxus II but none of them wouldn't sell out just for the fame of knowing the only other Lombax in the galaxy beside Ratchet and she intended to keep it that way
"Madame... Are you sure it's wise to return to the surface? Some of the bacterial infections have proven quite debilitating to the humans and the one disease you contracted proved nearly fatal. I strongly advise against this excursion."
The Splicer groaned inwardly and reached under the pilots' seat for the earth clothing she'd scavenged. The material was rough, durable yet comfortable-perfect for the current weather in the place called California-and put it on over her evniro suit. There was no place for her tail to stick out in the denim pants so she left her tail inside the left leg of the baggy blue pants. The navy blue shirt fit loosely over her small frame and proclaimed a love for something or someone called P.O.D. on the front with an intricate design in the background.
"Duly noted Fess and disregarded. That was what they called a 'common cold' and nothing like it has been seen in the galaxy before therefore no one would be immune to it except for the humans. Besides that antibody you developed is still in effect. I must see Douglas and thank him properly for his help. It's the least I can do for him."