8. Zeleck

8

ZELECK

I nod, a plan formulating in my mind. "Yes, I have an idea."

Jay-duh's face lights up, and I feel a surge of pride at the prospect of impressing her with my plan. "I will create a diversion to lure the rogues away from this area."

Her brow furrows slightly, and I can sense her doubt. "How will that work?"

"I will climb one of the towering trees and throw rocks toward the distant treetops, disturbing the various winged forest creatures in their nests and causing a ruckus. This should draw the rogues' attention to another area of the forest, allowing us to continue our search unimpeded."

She slowly nods. "That could work. And if it doesn't work, I can always kill the rogues with my laser gun."

"You would take their lives to save ours?"

"Without hesitation." Her hand settles on the weapon holstered at her hip. "I'm an excellent shot."

I admire Jay-duh's bravery in the face of danger. She is a true warrior, and a worthy member of the Rakui tribe. "If my plan fails, we can handle the rogues your way."

After gathering rocks and placing them in my pack, I scan our surroundings for a tree to climb. A towering vanrook tree catches my eye. Its trunk reaches to the sky, and its rough bark and sturdy branches will aid my climb.

"That one." I point to my target.

Jay-duh nods in agreement, drawing her weapon. "I'll cover you in case the rogues come back our way."

"I would feel better if you hid inside the tree. Look." I remove a strip of the vanrook tree's bark and peel back the shell underneath it to reveal the fibrous cavity inside.

"I remember Jillian talking about sleeping inside one of these," she says excitedly. "But I'm not much for hiding. Unless…"

"Unless, what?" I would do anything to keep her safe while I distract the rogues.

"Unless you use my laser gun instead of rocks to disturb the birds. It would have a longer range than a thrown rock, even with your muscular throwing arm. It would be more precise, too."

I hesitate, torn by my desire to keep Jay-duh safe and my aversion to the weapons used by rogues. Ultimately, my mate's safety wins. "Very well. You will need to show me how to use it."

"It's easy." I watch intently as she shows me how to disengage the safety , find my target using the sight , and shoot the dangerous beam of light with my finger. "Keep both eyes open and your arm steady. Aim for the treetops, and try not to kill any birds."

She turns the safety back on and hands me the weapon so I can practice using the sight to find targets. I am used to hunting or fighting with spears and knives, so the shape of the weapon feels strange in my calloused hands, although the general operation does not seem difficult.

Jay-duh removes the holster from her hips and secures it around my waist. "Keep the safety on until you're ready to shoot, and be careful where you point it. I wouldn't want you to accidentally shoot the branch you're standing on or, you know, your foot."

She winks to tell me she is teasing, yet I nod solemnly, understanding the gravity of her instructions. Uneasiness ripples through me as I holster the weapon. Using this small, deadly weapon brought here by rogues goes against my tribe's principles, and I briefly wonder if I am betraying my people.

"Now, it is time for you to hide." Using my knife, I cut through the tree's inner fibers and help Jay-duh get settled in the hollow.

"It's a little dark in here, but comfortable enough."

After removing the rocks, I hand her my pack. Climbing the tree will be easier without the added weight. "Do not come out until I tell you it is safe." I replace the shell over the opening.

"Did I say a little dark? Make that really dark." Her muffled voice sounds slightly strained. "And a little claustrophobic."

"I will return as quickly as I can."

Satisfied that she is safely concealed, I begin my climb on the back side of the tree. My fingers and feet find grooves in the thick bark and my powerful muscles propel me upward with practiced ease. Soon, I reach the out-growth of jutting branches, using them to climb higher and faster. The weapon rests securely in the holster at my waist, its weight a constant reminder of what I have agreed to do.

At last, I reach a sturdy perch that gives me an unobstructed view of the distant canopy where many winged flyers make their home. Retrieving the weapon, I take a moment to steady my breathing before disengaging the safety and finding a target far in the distance.

With a gentle squeeze of the trigger, a beam of energy erupts forth, traveling through the air with a soft, unnatural sound. My aim strikes true, and a flurry of activity erupts from the treetops as winged flyers take to the air with frenzied squawks and flapping wings. Two more shots result in two more groups of indignant flyers taking to the air, their raucous cries carrying far and wide.

From my vantage point high in the vanrook tree, I catch sight of the rogue hunters, their heads turning toward the commotion. The disturbance is impossible to ignore; they change route, pursuing the source of the disturbance with weapons drawn. Relief washes over me as the rogues move away from our search area.

I wait until they disappear from view before resetting the safety and holstering the weapon. Then, I begin my long descent, each careful step bringing me closer to the ground until I land with a soft thud on the forest floor.

"Did it work?" As I help her out of the tree hollow, Jay-duh squints against the light after sitting in darkness.

"It did. Using your weapon was a smart idea. The rogues have moved out of our search area." Pride fills my chest at the look of relief on her face. I remove the belted weapon from my waist. "Here, you should take this back."

She extends her arm to take it and our fingers brush, a simple gesture that sends yearning through me.

"Technology can be valuable on a dangerous planet like this." She belts the weapon back on. "Did this experience change your mind about that?"

I consider her words carefully, weighing her question against my own deeply ingrained beliefs. "It opened my mind to the benefits," I finally concede. "Can you open your mind to the benefits of the Rakui ways as well?"

"I'll give it a try." Jay-duh smiles. "We make a pretty good team."

Our eyes lock, and the world seems to fade away, leaving only the two of us in this singular moment. Her lips part ever so slightly, and my gaze lingers on her mouth.

She wets her lips with her tiny pink tongue as I slowly lean toward her.