It was four years since I escaped. Four years of running, hiding, fighting. But we were free. We.
Topple and me. I wasn't alone anymore. Topple is the unborn child I snatched back then.
My little brother.
I named him Topple because he has a lousy balance and is a master of making things fall over.
I have to admit I never expected him to last this long at all. Most experiments don't make it past gestation
He sitting next to me contently sucking on a candy we got on our last visit planet-side. His eyes are half closed, a slow smile on his lips. His sugar encrusted fingers set primly on his lap. I hope he wouldn't run his hands through his wild, flame-like mahogany hair. Like mine its almost impossible to brush. Untable hair and our tails are all we have in common physically; one of his eyes is bright green and reptilian the other brown and humanoid, both my eyes are greyish blue. Even though he is only four he is broad shouldered and stout, I doubt he will ever become taller than me. But then I am rather tall, standing a proud six feet over just about anybody else. His skin is always a pale pink, while I constantly look like I just spent the day in the sun. Even when we lived on that ice-moon for a moth…
He smacks his lip contently.
"Good?" I smiling over at him while plotting a new course.
"Hmmmmm." Is all I get in response, I grin at his simple happiness. Through some miracle, I have maintained his innocents for four years. He reaches for another treat. His hands are trembling. I sigh. A wave of sadness crashes into me, I bite back tears. Topple is growing weak . Like most of us experiments, his genetic material isn't sound, it's unraveling. Perhaps if I had a lab, a hospital, I might be able to isolate the rotting gene and fix it. But I can't risk it. Any video, any trace and they pick up the chase… and the truth is; dying like this is merciful in comparison to what happens if they get us. Images of pain, blood, and torture flash across my mind. I force my thoughts back to Topple, here, now.
I chide gently "Hey! Don't eat too many! Remember what happened last time you ate too much candy!" I pretended to shuddered "I remember what happened last time."
He smiles broadly at the memory, first the hyper active energy and then puking all over the pod. Nightmare.
"Please…" he knows I can't refuse him, not ever, but especially now. Lil stinker.
I sigh "One. But make it last! We won't be landing for a month!"
He makes a happy noise and digs into the bag looking for his favorite type. I've plotted the course, a small planet on the edge of the map .Scattered indigenous activity but plenty of wilderness to hide. No alien activity. Too far away from any major trading routes for a patrol to spot us, the climate looked good too. It looked perfect.
Earth.
I liked the sound of it to. Kinda like hearth. Kinda like home.
"We're we going?" Topple asked sucking a blue worm like object.
"Earth." I say tersely.
"Ahh." He nods all-knowingly, then he frowns "Where's that?"
"Far, far away." I smile mysteriously, baiting him.
He nods seriously "How long are we staying there? Can I make friends?"
The last question stings, but I know he's not trying to be mean. He just wants to know "As many as you want." I promise and kiss his forehead.
He squeals in delight "YAY!" Then we settle back in to the pod and the ship sprays us down in travel- sedatives.


As always, I dreamed. They say you don't dream when traveling but I do, I see things. Sometimes its just feelings brief glimpses of things that make no sense. This time I saw a tall green man with… wings? flared out behind him. Power gathered around him in a brilliant halo, his fangs bared and his face twisted in a roar, he is a fearsome warrior, the type you don't want as your enemy. I felt drawn to him, as if it was with him that I could finally find a type of rest. Safety. I tried to have a closer look- "Wake up Ja-ihn! Wake up!" the mechanical voice of the ships computer roused me from my dreams. I felt a strange sense of loss. I usually feel relieved when wake up. I'm always afraid that they might catch us while I sleep.
Earth speeds toward us. A blue jewel. Even from space it looks beautiful and inviting. I nudge Topple awake "Hey! Buddy! Yo! Wake up!" He finally opens his eyes, blinking sleepily.
"Where do we want to touch down?" I ask him. He licks his dry lips and coughs. I wince, he's even weaker than before. He smiles hopeful;lly at he planet below 'Ther. He points at a cluster of islands on the northern hemisphere.
"Okay-doke!" I say cheerily "You know I was thinking, what if we had a real hose this time. With books and a fridge and beds,- you know- the works."
He grins "Sound great." I get the feeling he wants tio say more but her cuts of.
"Something wrong?" I pry.
He hesitates "Well… I was… I was just wondering... Can I go to a school?" He blurts out his request like it just leapt out of his mouth. I frown. School. This wasn't the first time it came up. Then I smiled. Because in this back water they wouldn't find us,. I had nevr even heard of earth until I sold the last vial of Zarbon's stuff to that namekian trader. And no, I don't know what he wanted with semen, I honestly didn't ask. Aren't nameks asexual anyways?
Whatever. I smile broadly at my little guy "Yes." I said triumphantly. His face went blank with surprise "Wah?" he mumbled.
"Yes. We'll forge some papers, make a history... do you think I can pass for a shop girl?" I ask sociably flying the pod into atmosphere. I don't trust the autopilot ever since it almost landed us in a erupting volcano on Erani VII.
"Thanks Ja-ihn." He gives me a small, happy smile. I love my little rascal.
"Well you won't thank me for long, you'll hate the homework and I'll make you study. I swear!" I try to sound mean, but he laughs it of giving me a big hug. I pry to anything that will listen that I can find a solution to his deterioration. I don't want to lose my brother.