OSA Reimeiki

I followed the group of humans, my disguise carefully replaced. Everything went smoothly (well, as smoothly as the humans can manage). The periodic stops at cafes and stores are a perfect cover. They looked like the many other groups of humans, dressed in colored shirts, toting cameras and gawking at everything. I tried my best to act like a stray dog, like the many others following people in hopes of food. I tried to ignore the itching sensation of the small metal device the metallic human had implanted in my good foreleg.

As I stopped and pretended to be interested in a garbage can, my communication device alerted me. I slunk behind the foul smelling can, and nosed open the communicator. There was a short message from Elder Wenrin, ordering me to return to him as soon as possible.

Tucking my disguise away in case it would be needed later, I leaped atop one of the buildings, and quickly took off. Ascending swiftly, I ducked into a patch of cloud so that no one would see a flying dog. Once I was a suitable distance from the city, I pressed my communicator. I felt the bright glow surround me, tugging towards somewhere unknown.

~~~

The glow faded away, and I stepped into a large room, furnished with soft cloth, and luxurious

chairs. There was a soft rug beside the fireplace, inviting me to rest my weary wings. I did so, keeping my ears open for anyone who may approach and see me in such a defenseless state.

I awoke to the sound of footsteps. I listened closely, recognizing the footsteps of Elder Wenrin. There was another set of footsteps that sounded vaguely familiar. Puzzled, I glanced at my communicator; it was flashing.

Nosing it open, I remembered who belonged to the unknown footsteps. It was the male human, with the strange black and white device! The one who had stolen our star box technology! But what did Elder Wenrin want with him? The message was from Elder Wenrin, ordering me to stay on the rug and act domestic.

My ear twitched with annoyance. Act domestic! I was not a dog, to fawn over humans! My communicator flashed again. I read the message, growling low in my chest. Apparently, Elder Wenrin was going to interrogate the human, and I was needed in case something went wrong. Ah well, I huffed to myself, at least I don't have to kill anyone.

At that, I curled up, and did my best to look content. The two entered, and settled themselves in armchairs placed close to the fireplace, and the rug I was curled up on. Elder Wenrin patted my head (my teeth clenched at that) and picked up a teapot.

He poured two cups of tea. My eyes caught him slip some liquid from a vial into one cup. This cup was placed on a small table beside the human...Aaron? Channie? No, not Channie, Chan. Aaron Chan. He called himself a scientist? I could smell a strange sickly scent coming from the cup of tea that Elder Wenrin had placed in front of Aaron. Aaron picked up the cup and brought it to his mouth. My muscles tensed. I wanted to warn him, but I knew that Elder Wenrin had a plan that involved the liquid.

Elder Wenrin caught my questioning look, and showed me the vial. It had “vodka” written on it. Like that explains what it is. I paused when I thought that. I was starting to sound more like the humans that I had been tracking! This would never do.

Elder Wenrin waited for Aaron to sip his tea, and then he began to speak.

“Aaron, I would like to get this star box technology issue fixed as soon as possible. You allies, with their strange powers, while no match for the Daakshi, create enough of a challenge to destroy some of their numbers. I cannot allow this to happen, so I have brought you here so that we can clear up the matter.”

“Oh good.” Aaron's voice sounded strange, almost like he was underwater. Was this the effect of the “vodka” liquid?

Elder Wenrin proceeded to speak for some time about the Daakshi and how important to him we were, and how we were smart enough to create the technology on our own, for long enough for Aaron to finish his tea, and then Aaron interrupted him.

“But Anna would get really mad if I just gave away her invention...she hasn't even finished it yet.” he slurred.

Anger briefly flashed across Elder Wenrin's face. He spoke in a different tone, almost as if he was speaking to a particularly dangerous Daakshi, calmly and persuasively. “I'm sure you're just being modest. How about you tell me the truth, one scientist to another?”

“You gotta show me something you invented then...” Aaron wasn't looking very good. His skin was flushed, and he looked as if he was having trouble sitting up straight.

“You see that Daakshi lying on the rug there?” Elder Wenrin pointed towards me. I played my domestic role and slowly wagged my tail, while scrutinizing Aaron, trying to figure out what was wrong with him. Elder Wenrin noticed my gaze, and tapped knowingly on the pocket where he had hidden the “vodka” bottle. He continued, “I created their race. I suppose you are more of a mechanical engineer, while I am a genetic engineer, but let us speak, engineer to engineer. How did you create the transdimensional device?”

My muscles tensed as Elder Wenrin spoke. My teeth clenched, and my wing feathers spread as far as they could, readying for flight. He created us! We were his possessions! It took all my self control to keep me from tearing him apart. Then I thought of a better way to overthrow him. I will help the humans. Help...Aaron. I can not allow Wenrin to discover the secrets of the star key box. I will be a...spy for the humans. Behind enemy lines...