Veds un-named sci-fi story

[Anonymous]

**Due to size limits, I have to post each part, piece by piece. This first part has: Histroy, notes, and prelude**


Authors notes:
Commander Darin E. Jackson: This character wasn't written to be bad. In his mid 40s when first introduced into the story, Jackson enlisted when he turned 18, and spent the next 5 on Earth. The rest was deployment to the frontier of human colonization. Most of it was spent fighting the species that wouldn't accept mankind's presence. You send a fighting man to fight, not play nice. He had heard of diplomatic successes, but had mostly seen the results of failures. Over his career, Jackson formed the opinion that mankind would not be peaceably accepted by most other species.

The religion of the natives of Pan is, more or less, central to the gas planet around which Pan orbits. It is said that the gas planet was the start of all life on the planet, that all life is family, hence why meat is eaten despairingly and is taboo. The gas planet, being more than a planet to the natives, is referred to simply as 'the Mother'. Humans observe that the religion could be based on the effect meteors have had, the majority of which pass through the gas planet. The meteors are considered good omens, despite the destruction they cause. 'The Mother destroys, that she might create.' is a common saying among the Pa' Rain'al.

History: Nearly a century before man began colonizing the Sol system, Earth was on the cusp of catastrophe. A man emerged, Michael Shepherd by name. Over the course of ten years, through diplomacy, intellect and strength of character, he not only averted mans certain self-destruction, but united it. The first few years, while peaceful, were tense.
While a leader was sought for, because Shepherd refused to rule United Earth, though he did just that for several years until he called for the former United Nations to govern, and be renamed the Council of Earth, the nations were uncomfortable with the sudden shift of politics. Before Shepherd left Earth, having served as a councilor for twenty years, mankind had united to the point that militaries had dissolved into police positions.

Prelude
Engines’ throttling up with a soft hum, artificial gravity fades as the centrifugal forces weaken. All passengers and off-duty staff in cryo-hybernation, the large ship phases to light-speed, leaving its origin behind in the blink of an eye. Its destination; the frontier of human spatial expansion, the cargo; colonists, technicians, military, medical, engineering, and educational personnel. 10th ship to this particular destination.
Located some 8.2 million light-years from Earth, a small 4230 km-radius planet, Pan, orbits a gas giant, D44N6F3. A mouthful, yeah, and completely devoid of solid...anything.
I'm Sgt. Tom Royer, specialist of Pans unique fauna and flora, of the UESM 22nd Company, 3rd battalion. A scientist with military training. Strange, right?
Oh, let’s not forget the most important fact; Pan kills. Between surprise meteors flying through the gas giant, toxic atmosphere, and very hostile wild-life, Pan is usually a one-stop-shop. That's why I'm on this space-tub, with the latest technology and the second smartest scientists. We have to deflect asteroids, increase the efficiency of the air purification systems, and assist second-best diplomats with setting up relations with the archaic natives.
If it weren't for the pay and chance of a life time, I would say 'Screw this crap!’ not to mention this is my second trip.
But, being who I am, heading to where I am, I was picked to participate in particularly revolutionary technology, specially made for Pan. A couple dozen people on, or heading to Pan, have been picked for this: Near complete connection with an alternate body. Cybernetics have been around for a while, but interfacing direct bio-to-bio it’s...unbelievable. I didn't believe it until I opened my eyes, and looked through a different pair than when I closed them, moved a body that wasn't mine. These particular ABs, as we call them, are mostly grown from Pan's central sentient native, Pa' Rain'al they call themselves. Tall, naturally athletic bodies, adapted to a world full of green during the day, and spectacular shows of bio-luminescence during night.
I only have the chance to write this because my cryo-hybernation chamber is on the fritz, and I can't safely 'sleep' until maintenance deems it working fine. It’s only been a few hours, relatively, but I don't want to die of old age because a stupid machine might freeze me too slowly, or too coldly, to too long, or not cold enough. However you look at it, I could die a dozen different ways, all horribly. Even after I get off this ship.
Our technology has come a long ways. In two centuries, man went from being stuck on Earth, to reaching distant stars faster than light.

[Anonymous]

Chapter 1

Well, finally made it to Pan. My chamber was fixed a few relative days into the flight. I spent most of my time going over my own textbook. Proud that the first book on Pan's biology is 80% my work.
When the ship reached orbit, shuttles docked and passengers were defrosted, fed, and loaded onto the shuttles with supplies, and sent out for a 10 hour flight to the surface. The colony was tiny, especially for the size of the planet. At least the last reported meteor was a few decades years ago. FTL is still a mystery to me. Somehow, it’s only been a few years, standard, after we left. At least we aren’t obsolete.
Relations with the natives was still poor, but I was as giddy as a school girl to spend time in my AB outside of a lab, in the environment it was made for.
The lab set-up was in a large, high-voltage-capacity room connected to the medical wing, and for very good reasons. Humans have known, for a very long time, how powerful the mind is. If the mind believes, for 100% fact the body has been wounded, a wound will appear. Luckily, fail-safes, and fail-safes for the fail-safes are in place against the mind believing its dead. Plus, the A.B. Systems require copious amounts of power, discharge could happen.
"Welcome to Pan." the Chief of Security, Comdr. Jackson, opened the safety briefing in an all-but-welcoming tone, "Just a few things. One, just because there is oxygen and nitrogen in the air does not mean it’s breathable. Two, just because the wild-life looks cuddly, does not mean you can have one as a pet. Three, the plant's fruit may look colorful and juicy, but it will kill you before it hits your stomach. Four, the indigenous people are as likely to kill you as be your friend. And finally, five, if a meteor is detected on a crash-course, pray the machines made a mistake, or get as far as possible." he listed each on a finger, the last drawing a chuckle from the listeners, "If you keep these five things in mind at all times, you might keep all five fingers to remember another day. Have a nice stay at Pan." Jackson finished with a cheesy smile, ruined by a scar than ran from his chin to right eye.
Obviously dismissed, everyone left the briefing room, except me.
"Sergeant Royer, if you have a moment." Jackson called before I had a chance to leave.
"Sir?" I asked with a salute
"I understand it you're the resident specialist. Glad to have you planet side. Your research has saved a lot of lives. Those ants are beasts." the commander said as he sat down
"Yes sir, I was surprised when a live specimen was brought in." I replied. The creature the first marines named 'ant' looked much like its name-sake. 6-legs, exoskeleton, trisected, the two were very similar, except a few important things; the Pan ant was many times larger than the common black ant, and instead of pincers, the Pan ant had a dog-like head, with a maw full of high-compression carbon teeth, the top row constantly wearing against the bottom to keep both razor-keen, a very strong muscular system, and keen senses. Its exoskeleton has a base layer of carbon-calcium, with layers of something similar to limestone, with trace amounts of helium-carbonates, suggesting the shell gets stronger the more time the ant spends in Pan's weather. Unfortunately, the UESM used this discovery to develop ammonia-tungsten rounds that could kill an ant in half a dozen rounds. First live test of the rounds was on the same subject that was brought to me in the lab.
"UESM is lucky to have you onboard. But there is business to attend to. It’s on the secret side, but there are a few tribes of Pa' Rain'al that have been stealing from us, mostly food and clothes, but I have reason to believe their main target is weapons, the other things just slowed them down till we caught them." the commander said, leaning forward.
"Why would they, sir? We may not be on the best of terms with all the tribes, but we have played by their rules." I was astonished. Pa' Rain'al, as a whole, had honorable customs regarding outsiders. It’s how they've avoided wars like those that plagued humanity for so long.
"Why? That's your jurisdiction, sergeant. But some of the friendlier tribes support our belief, saying how proud the hostile were, how much they boasted," Jackson paused, "how much they shout about taking our power for themselves."
"Must be younger ones. The Pa' Rain'al have too many traditions for the older ones to be part of it." I said, trying to find a reason why they were stealing
"We thought so too, but we weren't going to soften. Extra guards, security cams, informants. We found something interesting. Chiefs of these tribes were the strategists of these grabbing runs. Smart buggers, but instigators no less."
I was aghast. Not only did it mean conflict that would, in all likely-hood, escalate into armed violence, but that the natives were divided. From what history they've recorded, the last war was half a century before we even found this planet.
"So what's being done?" I asked
"Those tribes are barred from trading and from all our compounds. The other tribes, on the other hand, are benefiting from it. It’s working rather well." Jackson supplied, leaning back and looking pleased. Of course, on one hand, he looks good for keeping peace, and on the other, he knows he'll be shooting soon enough.
"That all, sir?" I asked, anxious to find the cause of the problem. The commander obviously wasn't interested.
"No. I know you're itching to run around, safe in an AB, so you get to head out with the next squad to the local trading post. Try not to get too friendly. Remember, sergeant, you are in the UESM."

I think I can officially say I hate Comdr. Jackson. Trigger-happy jar-head in an armory. Regardless, I'm heading out to the trading post, built Pa' Rain'al style. My team, six ABs in all, needed to familiarize ourselves with, well, everything. A lab is only good for so much.
I have yet to describe my AB, right? Or myself, for that matter. Well, I'm your typical human with Norwegian roots, though born and raised American. A life of military put meat on my 1.93m body, and a Ph.D. in extraterrestrial biology filled my jar. I never appreciated the buzz-cut, since my hair, a dark brown, was naturally fluffy and soft and better suited to being longer. I get my blue eyes from my dad, and...Well, nothing from my mom.
My AB, a mix of my DNA with that of Pa' Rain'al DNA. Made on Earth, grown during space flight, and ready before touch-down.
The Pa' Rain'al are, for lack of better description, cat-anthro. Almost like someone spliced cat DNA into a human. They look much like humans, except that their skin pigmentation comes in varying styles and colors, their ears are feline, they have a tail, and rather than fingernails, they have semi-retractable claws, one claw per digit, feet included. Mine is, in comparison to Earth breeds, a standard gray tabby. Boring is what I thought when I first saw it. Then, when I was in it, with the room lights off, I saw my body’s bio-luminescence. Soft white dots traced my stripes, darkening on my face, seemingly shimmering when I moved. I dare a domestic cat to do that!
The medical wing was practically in the center of the colony, and you had to go through medical to reach the AB lab. Not that that was a particularly bad thing. The scans and pokes were a necessary evil. Like I said, the mind is a powerful thing, and a human sickness in the AB could clear out the entire native population of Pan. If someone so much as has a cold, they can't connect.
"Royer, glad you could make it." Lucy McMarr, a Pa' Rain'al psychologist that was on my team, had a great loathing for me. I don't know why. My work was on Pa' Rain'al bodies and physiology, hers on their minds and mental development. One would think that between us, we would know everything there is to know about the natives of Pan, but we just don't get along.
"Of course Lucy. It wouldn't be a party without me." I jabbed back, lying down in the connection bed, which had a striking resemblance to an MRI machine.

The trading outpost was just a few kilometers south of the colony, but the natives had insisted motor vehicles to remain as far away as possible when the original terms were made. We didn't, still don't have a problem with it. Since our first contact with a sentient alien species with underdeveloped technology, mankind has been playing as nice as possible, taking a hard look at the history books to make sure we didn't make mistakes twice.
Anyhow, I and my team, in our ABs, plus a few marines and colonists with filtration masks on, arrived at the outpost towards late dusk, the sun setting, the bio-lights beginning to glow, and the gas giant high in the sky. I'd say Pan is as beautiful as it is deadly.
The air of the outpost was full of sounds, sights and smells. Dusk was when the outpost, and the Pa' Rain'al were their most active. Part of the Pa' Rain'al language was through the fine control of the body's bioluminescence, something as new to the modern human mind as a tail, and something no human had mastered nor completely understood.
"We all have things to do. Meet back here in three hours." McMarr said to the group, "Try not to destroy anything Royer."
As much as she irritates me, Lucy really is a talented psychologist, and she was right; there were things to be done. Just before we all left the colony, another briefing was held, tasks divvied out. It came to me to make sure health standards were being kept, despite the difference between a medical doctor and a physiological doctor.
The medical tent was at the south-eastern edge of trading post, largely unused. Though the Pa' Rain'al that come to the post are relatively friendly, they trust their medicine men over us, understandably. That's not to say our medics aren’t used. Thanks mostly to my study of the native fauna, we have saved many lives.
Passing through the air lock and sterilization chamber, I flash my badge to the guard on duty, who salutes dutifully.
"Tom? Is that you Tom?" I heard someone calling from the other end of the tent. Greg Albret, a skilled surgeon that I first met on my first visit to Pan. Unlike Lucy, Greg had great respect for me and my work.
"It’s almost impossible to recognize you. Good thing word had been sent along you were coming. Glad you came. It’s been so dull here." Greg, energetic and short, came from somewhere in central Europe. Even though he was fluent in English, his speech was a lot like he was, energetic and short.
Some wondered why I didn't become a medical doctor. My parents wondered, my classmates wondered; I sometimes wondered. I'm sure I would have excelled, and I'm sure it would have suited me very well, but when the day is done, it all comes to what I'm doing. I'm not, never have been, comfortable holding the lives of others in my hands. Don't get me wrong, saving lives is something admirable to do, but where one little mistake can take a life, that's where I draw the line. That's why I became a biologist of sorts; my work and research will save countless lives, human or not. At least when I make a mistake, I get ridiculed.
"It’s hard, sometimes." Greg said as we reminisced about university days, "being a doctor. I've known many who just couldn't take the pressure of failing, failing to save a life. They were talented, and healed so many, made so many lives better, but sometimes life throws a fast one, and your patient dies. Sometimes it’s hard to accept that. Sometimes it's harder to move on."
There was a long pause, both of us occupied with thoughts the statement had stirred.
"Well, you should get going before you get left behind." Greg stood, glancing at the digital clock hanging from one of the beams, which noted that it had indeed been three hours.
"Time really flies." I said with a stretch, "It was good to talk with you. See you around."
Waving farewell, Greg went back to the rear of the tent as I passed through the air lock.
Full night had passed over Pan, allowing for the full display of color, both in the sky and on the ground, to fill the world. It was almost painful how beautiful it was. But I get to take part in it, in my AB, adding my own gentle colors to the mix.

[Anonymous]

Chapter 2

I was running late, among the last to arrive at the rendezvous, much to Lucy's pleasure.
"Doctor McMarr," Sergeant Sparrs began, moving to Lucy with a com-device, "Incoming call from dispatch."
Dispatch, the control center for all AB Related tasks and decisions, was important and private. There was an unwritten rule that you give someone on call with dispatch plenty of room. Not asking what was talked about was a written one.
"So Sparrs, have you ever been beyond the compound boundary?" I asked. There was a surprisingly small number of humans that have been beyond the boundary, a wide area around the colony protected by UESM. Duty patrolling the boundary wasn't exactly dangerous, but Rules of Engagement were ignored there.
"No, not me. All I do is play messenger boy." Sparrs answered, muffled by his helmet, "The only ones who ever go beyond the boundary are you, eh, monkeys in ABs, and only few. Ground control insists it’s a matter of safety, but the natives thrive out there, so why wouldn't we?" he seemed pretty irritated
"Slight change of plans. Higgins, Clairmont, Hushiku, dispatch has a job for you three, just beyond the boundary. The rest of us are to head to the-" Lucy, in the middle of relaying the plan, was interrupted by several deafening explosions; the shockwave felt like someone shoved me.
Sensitive ears ringing, I steadied myself on a nearby tree before looking around. Everyone was shaken up, even the soldiers, but no one seemed injured. Looking north, great plumes of smoke drifted into the sky, lit by what must have been savage fires.
The colony was in flames, and my body was beneath it all.

Have you ever seen a house burn, and know that was some family's home? That's strangely how I felt. I knew that was my new home burning, but it didn't feel like it was home. I knew my body, evidently unharmed, was several dozen meters below that inferno. Yet, despite all that, I had more sympathy for those caught in the blasts, rather than sorrow my home was crumbling in flame.
Amid all the confusion and fright, I seemed to have been the calmest, though the soldiers, with all their training, quickly pulled themselves together and started crowd-control.
"How long do you think our bodies will last?" I asked Lucy
"Depends on how the link and medical centers are. If those are fine, our bodies could last a week, maybe two, on the rations in the medical center." Lucy was still in shock and half dazed, her eyes were slightly glazed and locked on the glowing horizon.
"We need to get to a colony, fast." Sparrs said, pointing at an object in the sky
"What is it?" someone asked
No doubt using his helmets magnifying capabilities, Sparrs answered "Looks to be an alien ship. I can't tell if it’s coming or leaving. Either way, we need to get to the nearest colony."
"Preferably one that isn't in flames." Lucy muttered.
"So who goes?" I asked. Without an organized search for survivors at the colony, who knows how many people might die waiting for rescue.
"You and your team. I'll stay behind and make sure people know you left. You know the drill Royer." Sparrs instructed. Though he was, militarily, my equal, Sparrs was more suited to being a CO.
"Shouldn't we wait for drop ships?" Lucy put in
"If that ship was a bomber, and had gotten past the UEAF fleets in orbits, then it’s likely they are occupied, and help from them is either days away, or never coming. If the bomber was smart, they would have taken out more than just the colony. The armory and air pad is likely to be in flames as well. No communication kit on us soldiers is strong enough to reach the nearest colony, and" he took a breath, "the few satellites up there are either destroyed or blocked." he finished, effectively destroying anyone's hope of quick rescue
"Right, we should go." Hushiku said, "Which way?"
"Due East about 50km. And be careful, I think there more than humans and natives out there." Sparrs looked to the sky in what could only have been worry.

Pan was dangerous enough without the threat of hostile aliens, and with only four marines, though well equipped, and five ABs with pistols, the dangers seemed even greater. Add in that the marines needed to take it slow. Their backpack, in normal Pan conditions, could supply steady air for several hours working in concert with air tanks and carbon scrubbers. But with three, maybe four hours already used, the marines would run out of air long before reaching the colony. By walking slow, they lower the air demands, and might be able to replenish some reserves.
Needless to say, it was a very long walk. On our first break, a flock of creatures that were like a cross between doves and bats decided to take a break at the same place we did. Their sudden arrival really stirred the group up.

I estimated we were about quarter of the way to the colony when we came across a small Pa' Rain'al camp.
As was customary, we stopped at the edge of the camp, waiting to be greeted
"Sha' luf e' urah, hie Pa' al." an elderly man greeted, shuffling over, his body shimmering in waves, starting at his nose and flowing to the tip of his tail, "And a greeting to the children of the sky. Few are seen away from your homes." his words were soft and smooth, the effect of his native tongue.
Using what I remembered of the language and culture, I made a slight bow, touching my hand just below my sternum, "Frea uhl' unham urah, Pa' al." my words, unlike the mans, were rough, used to the consonants of English, and my body did not shimmer, "They are lost, and we guide."
"Strange things happen this night of the Mother." he muttered, "The sky rumbles, though no clouds are out. Children of the sky wander, lost. Others tell of seeing strangers, neither Pa' Rain'al nor children of the sky, human. You are not of this family, what message from yours?"
I took a minute to absorb what the man said. Aliens? Sparrs was right; a third species is on Pan. Probably the same ones that bombed the colony.
"The homes of these sky children has been destroyed. Many meet the Mother tonight."
The man nodded, his body shimmering is sync, "That explains much. May the Mother welcome her children home."
"We must be going." I said with a slight bow, which the old man mirrored before shuffling back to the camp.
"Well, that was a wonderful waste of time Royer." Lucy fumed, but I wasn't listening, more from distraction than habit. Something about the elderly man seemed...off. If Lucy weren't being sour, she probably would have picked up on it right away. As it was, I just followed as we continued on our way, trying to figure out what seemed strange.
When we stopped for camp, eating what we could, settled on guard duty turns, and tried to sleep as much as we could. The marines had it rough. Only one had a tent-like enclosure to provide a breathable place to eat and sleep, which was meant for two. Add in that they didn't carry many MREs in their kits. Us in the ABs ate what plants were safe, identified by yours truly, leaving as much of the human food to the marines.
How the ABs disconnect is to end the connection when the AB looses consciousness, like falling asleep. That's how they were designed and made.
It wasn't working.

[Anonymous]

Chapter 3

When I closed my eyes, I was expecting to open the eyes of my human body, to see what was going on there. Instead, I slept, and even stranger, I dreamed.
No human has ever experienced a Pa' Rain'al dream, much less documented one.
As one would expect, the dreams I had that night were infinitely different than those I had as a human, and just as hard to describe. It’s like describing a smell or a taste.
I, in the AB, stood in a large crowd of Pa' Rain'al, and we were all singing, not with our voices, but with our lights. It was a heart wrenching symphony. Each sang the song of their life, some happy, some sad, some just beginning, some near their end, but it all melded into one voice. I could write an entire book on this, and never be satisfied.
As with all dreams, I eventually woke.  I hadn't been asleep very long, considering the two people on guard were the same as when I slept.
"I'll take over." I said to Claire Higgins, a linguist, who was struggling to stay awake.
"Couldn't sleep?" the marine on guard asked. I didn't answer, there were too many unknowns, too many things I needed to research before I tell anyone about it.
It was a long night. I didn't dare try to sleep again. Bleary eyed, I greeted the morning sun.
I don't think motivation was an issue for any of us. Several hundred people needed us, depended on us reaching the colony for help.
We moved as quickly as we could, but it wasn't very long before one of the marines noticed something odd. There were several odd things, once we looked closer. The first thing noticed was that there was movement on the marines’ sensors, more than us and wildlife. Then we noticed claw marks on branches and trunks. We knew we were being watched.
There was another thing, they knew we knew.
Before we could draw weapons, five Pa' Rain'al warriors dropped from the trees, spears at the ready.
Even though the marines alone could have taken them all down, there were us in ABs to protect.
"Ra alnu ma’ raniada!" one the males shouted, obviously the leader of the group. He was ordering us to give up. "Why?" I asked in their language.
"We will take the knowledge and power of the children of the sky, for the true children of the Mother!"
That answered that; religious extremism.
"They are not the only children of the sky." I said
"We will take their knowledge and power too! The true children of the Mother will fear no one!" he shouted back.
"What if you do not die, but fail?" Failure wasn't always a bad thing to Pa' Rain'al, but I doubted his tribe would accept defeat without death.
My doubt paid off, cued by his pause, but he recovered his bravado
"We will not fail. If you stand with the false children of the Mother, then you will be counted as such." he said, emphasized by his spear being jabbed at me.
Apparently, the marines had been talking amongst each other during this little exchange because they retaliated, charging the nearest Pa' Rain'al for hand-to-hand. One problem, there was one too few marine, and I was made the target by the odd one out.
Did I mention I didn't have much out-of-lab experience in an AB? I had close combat training, but I didn't know what the AB could do.
It didn't go well. The marines were too evenly matched, the other scientists frozen in fear, and me, doing all I could do to keep from having a new wooden appendage in my belly.
Sometime during the scuffle, a marine was incapacitated; I'm guessing his air supply was damaged or low. It was game over from there. The marines retreated, grabbing the fallen one as they ran, the scientists followed, but I was cut off. I had no choice but to run in the opposite direction or get taken by these extremists.
I ran until I couldn't run anymore, and then jogged until I was sore. I think I ran more than the military ever made me do. But at least I was safe, and I knew the others were too. I still had a pistol, so I wasn't completely unarmed, but I was certainly lost. There was only one thing to do; find a friendly tribe and get directions.
If I ever get back, Commander Jackson would love to hear about this, if he's still alive.

[Anonymous]

Chapter 4
Before I could set out for a tribe, I needed to pass for a native. Ditch the human clothes for plant-skivvies, use less English, and soften my speech. No way on Earth or Pan was I tossing the pistol though. Even if I don't use it, it would make for an extremely valuable bargaining chip. The tricky part was finding a tribe.
I had no idea where to start, so I just picked a direction and started walking, all senses alert, and pistol in hand.
I don't know long I walked but it must have been several hours before I came across some tracks, and guessing what made them, shivers ran down my spine. Ant tracks. What made it worse was that my pistol had standard steel alloy rounds. Now I know why Pa Rain'al stick to the trees; ants can't reach you there.
Pa Rain'al were also very well adjusted to trees. The tail made for fantastic balance, as one would expect, and the lithe, athletic body made navigation second-nature.
I covered vast distance in the trees, and the more I traveled, the more I understood about the Pa' Rain'al. As numerous as our calculations made the natives seem, they certainly were much dispersed.
However, I was in luck. During one of my few brief stops, a group of gatherers chanced upon me. We talked briefly, since they were in somewhat of a hurry, before they agreed to guide me. They were from a family, as they put it, which welcomed human presence on Pan, and traded, learned and taught eagerly with humans. When I told them of my encounter with unfriendly warriors, I was told that it was becoming a common occurrence, though it rarely escalated to violence. Some of the families have decided to become 'Pa' ener iha', or Warriors of the Mother, to cleanse all but the true children of the Mother from the stars. Human technology provided the way.
I'm sure the pace was casual to the Pa' Rain'al, but if I weren't in an AB I'm sure I would have to have jogged. Even in an AB, I was used to traveling with humans.
None of the gatherers mentioned the pistol, and I think it very strange. Human technology was much desired, even if they didn't know how to use it, even by friendly tribes.
The journey was otherwise uneventful. No other little tidbits of information, no interruptions. After my past two days, boring was welcome.
When we reached the camp, I was surprised at its size. It was huge, dwarfing the camp I and my team came across after we left the colony. The Pa' Rain'al used every resource available, preferably already 'dead' than cut down a tree or kill an animal, and building as far up into the canopy as much as they build out Such resources were what the gatherers had brought back; there was a 'coupling', their version of a marriage, and the family I was brought to was the family of the groom, the bride was from a family that lived on a distant coast. Both families would help to provide shelter for the couple, as well as give gifts that would, later on, provide something back to both families. This was usually livestock, weaving equipment or some such. In this case, it was a jealously guarded plant from the coastal family, which, according to my companions, bore fruit that not only tasted wonderful, but had very strong medicinal properties. From the local family, the couple was given something akin to ants, which I had never seen. I was told that the eh'ouh was, in essence, a domesticated ant. They were bred in such a way that, as it grew, it molted. The off-cast shell was used for a variety of things, ranging from jewelry to shingles to canoe hulls.
I couldn't have picked a better time or place to be if I had tried. The camp was alive with merriment and happiness. I easily learned more about the Pa' Rain'al that day and night than I ever had at any other time.
But I still remembered what I had to, and it kept me somber. Some commented, but I just smiled and said nothing.
I noticed, as time went by, that some of the women were regarding me as a possibility, as flattering as it was, but I am human, regardless of whether or not the AB disconnect wasn't working.
"Were does your family live?" asked one of the elderly men
"Near one of the sky children's' homes."
"They are far from here, so what brings you here?
"I was attacked by a group of Pa' ener iha', and lost my way."
The old man nodded, "They trouble many families, and insult the sky children. They will bring death to many innocents. Many will meet the Mother."
I nodded. If it turned into armed conflict, which it likely will, the full force of the United Military over Pan will bear down without mercy. There would be a lot of collateral damage.
"You come to us on a joyous night, a coupling witnessed by the Mother. Have you been coupled?"
I couldn't help but smile, "No. I am too busy. The sky children learn much from me, and trust me with important tasks." I leaned in for dramatic effect, "I have been in their great homes, seen where they sleep, and eaten with them."
"I know you are a child of the sky." he whispered in English as soon as I finished, taking me by complete surprise, "Few Pa' Rain'al know of such things, some think it an insult to the Mother." he added, leaning back, "But you are different. I hear your song, some from you, some from far away. Unlike the others, you do not sound empty."
I was still in shock, and much of what he said didn't compute. Did it have any correlation to not being able to disconnect? I had no way of knowing. I was swimming in unknown water, so to speak.
"Your secret is safe with me." he said, returning to his native tongue, "Now come, join in the celebration. There are several who would like to meet you."
Not like I could say no. I got the feeling he was the patriarch of the family.
As the night grew old, the crowd dispersed, likely going to sleep. I didn't exactly have a bad time. Wonderful food and drink was bountiful, and women, attractive even for Pa' Rain'al were all over me. Being the biology-geek I am, didn't feel that often on Earth.
Regardless of the mood of the night, I was still hesitant on 'sleeping'. I was anxious to return to my true body, and learn about what was happening at the colony.
"What determines your 'true body'?" the elderly man from earlier asked, surprising me
"How did you...?" I started
"I heard it in your song. It grows stronger from you. I hear you more." he explained, sitting down a little way from me, motioning for me to sit, which I did.
"For all our young, there comes a time of great change. A time when their song is the clearest, when they must choose a path. Confusion and conflict surround them. If there is no one to guide them, they will be lost, to forever wander between life and the Mother. It seems your time of change has come. You must choose which life to take; one as a child of the Mother, or one as a child of the sky."
Being anything other than human for the rest of my life was completely against everything I am and know. I was born, raised, taught, and lived as a human. If it walks like a human, talks like a human, acts like a human, it must be a human. Right?
"It is not something you can decide in a day. Think on this, and you might find relief." he said as he stood, bowed, and left, leaving me to my thoughts.
Having gone with little sleep, I couldn't stay awake. For a while, I dreamed, the dream of the crowd of Pa' Rain'al singing the song of their life. When I woke, it took me a moment to realize where I was.

[Anonymous]

Chapter 5
I felt very strange. I realized I was in my human body, but it didn't feel like home. I don't know if was because of what the elderly man said or because of how much time I spent in the AB, but my body felt sluggish, unsteady, and very hungry.
I sat on the edge of the bed, getting a grip on myself, and looked around. The other AB pilots were still in, and the link center seemed unharmed by the explosions; lights were steady, the air was clean and crisp.
As soon as I wandered into the medical center I was rushed by doctors and nurses. The men were unshaven, but at least no one stank, a sign water reclamation still worked.
"We were concerned when you didn't disconnect." one of them said, flashing a light in my eyes,
"Life is hectic." I replied, trying not to close my eyes, "Can I get something to eat?"
They backed off, "Yeah. What do you know of the situation?" a male nurse asked, gathering some pre-prepared food
"Not much. The natives told me there are other aliens on Pan, and some tribes are stirring up trouble, but what's going on here?"
"All access to the surface is destroyed, and something is blocking communication. Other than that, everyone below ground is safe."
That was good news. More than half of the agricultural production is below ground, as well as recycling systems. We could last a long time.
"What about the other AB pilots?" I asked, swallowing a bite of sandwich
"Your team, with the exception of you, is still together, a bit lost, but sure they are heading in the right direction for colony two. The other ABs are either below ground or dead. The pilots are fine, but otherwise can't help." the doctor explained, "What about you? Is your AB safe?"
I nodded, unable to answer; I was eating faster than I could swallow, "I met a friendly tribe, but I'm completely lost. When I got separated from my team, I went a long way in some direction. I could be south of the colony and heading east for all I know." I answered when I could.
The doctor sighed, "This is a mess." he said
"Definitely. But it’s not a defeat. There are people on the surface who can help. I'm sure Sparrs has already organized the chaos into a rescue effort. Plus there's the rest of my team. If they are going the right direction, they should be reaching colony two in a day or so." I said, trying to cheer everyone, including myself.
After eating, and being informed on hygiene product rations, I opted for a shower. I was in no hurry to return to my AB, partly in fear of the possibility of never being human.
Otherwise, I was just killing time. ABs and Pa' Rain'al needed sleep as much as humans do.
I never really liked facial hair, but I didn't have a choice; no one thought such grooming items important in an emergency.
At any rate, colony one wasn't dead, and showed no sign of being a grave.
"Be careful." an attendee said as I lay back on the bed to reconnect to the AB, after hours of killing time.

The process of connecting was simple, even if I don't understand it. From my point of view, there is no way to tell when I'm human or Pa' Rain'al. It all feels the same. Each makes the other seem like a waking dream. The differences are only noticeable when you pay attention to the senses; things aren't the same as before.
Things definitely weren't the same. For starters, there was another body next me, hugging me, in fact, cuddling me. Talk about a wake up

I'm sure it was one of the many women from the celebration, but the very act of her climbing in with me while I slept was disgraceful, especially by Pa' Rain'al standards. I guess every species has women like that.
"Why are you here?" I whispered, my words seemed like thunder in the quiet of the late dusk.
At first she just looked at me blankly, as if expecting me to lie back down, and it was like that for several minutes before she finally answered
"You called for me." she said
"I what?" Preposterous! "I couldn't have, I was asleep." I countered
"Then your dreams called for me." she said, placing a hand on my jaw, just below my ears, "How could I resist your song?"
I was getting the feeling she was not going to give up, so I needed to think of a good way to...distance her from me
"I am to be coupled with another." I lied
"Then accept today as a gift." She said, gently rubbing my neck
"Your family would cast you out." I cautioned
"There are many who would take me in." she whispered as she closed in for a kiss.
"I will not do this." I said with at the finality I could muster from years of military service.
"You do not have to. I will." she breathed, her lips about to connect with mine before another female, in warrior garb, burst into the room I was in
"Do you wish to bring the wrath of the Mother?" the warrior demanded.
The first female scrambled away from me and hissed at the intruder, "Keep your spear to yourself!"
I think there was more than family pride involved, I think the two might actually be sisters.
"You have duties to attend to." the warrior growled.
The first female refused to move for a moment before stomping past.
"Thank you." I bowed, grateful someone interrupted.
The warrior looked me over with something akin to a glare before turning and leaving.
With a yawn, I surrendered to the night, sounds of the family going about their nightly tasks.
It was hard to remind myself of human-happenings when there was so much going on, thing never documented or witnessed by humans. The ants, for example, fascinated me. It would've been a holiday for me to have been able to study and observe one. If they could be bred on Earth or on another planet, the impact on UE economy would be vast.
It seemed that everyone had a task to do, a job that was good for the family. I spent the majority of the early night observing what I could, recording everything. What I wouldn't give to spend a standard year with this family.
I was watching some fruit be prepared for storage, a rather interesting process, when a loud ruckus disturbed the whole camp, everyone pausing mid-task to see what the disturbance was.
Pa' ener iha had decided to pay a visit. They were loud and boastful, and I was shocked to see why; they wore armor and carried weapons that were neither human nor native.
"The children of the sky have enemies!" the group leader shouted, raising the gun he carried into the air and waiving it about, "And their enemies give us power, and teach us how to use it!" several whoops and cheers were heard from the ener iha group.
The feeling of the family could be felt, a radiating dissent.
"You are not welcome here." the patriarch said, moving to the front of the crowd, "The Mother destroys that she may create. You wish to destroy, but can you create?"
"We destroy that the Mother may create. If you do not welcome us, then you side with the false children of the Mother." the ener iha leader spat, raising his gun toward the patriarch, who showed no signs of fear.
I wasn't about to let someone die while I stood idly by.
"It's going to be very loud." I whispered to those nearby and I un-holstered the pistol.
The ener iha leader sneered at the patriarch’s resilience, and three loud reports echoed in the air like thunder, and the ener iha leader, with a stunned look on his face, slowly fell to the ground, his bio-luminescence fading. The Pa' Rain'al near me who didn't hear my warning hand their hands over their ears and had turned away from me, for obvious reasons. The rest of the ener iha looked from me with my smoking Earth-style pistol, to their lifeless leader. All was silent as the ener iha bowed and left.