Stranded on a Tiny Planet
Chapter 47: Leaving

In the days that followed, many things happened. A grand ceremonial funeral was held for Commander Madala as well as all others who lost their lives in the attacks. Their bodies were reduced to ash and were poured back into the waters from whence they each Emerged. From water they Emerged, to water they returned so their energies could awaken more Emerged Ansheetans who came to the waters.

When he was feeling better, Merco set to removing the bodies of the mercenaries. He deposited them out in the Wasteland to be buried. Luckily for Merco and his one-armed state, the ship contained some anti-grav movers. Otherwise, he probably couldn’t have accomplished the feat.

Anashee was repaired and of course Merco lent his strength to the task; albeit awkward at times with one arm. The Rogashay settlement was also being rebuilt and the warrior clan coalesced once again after the horrific attack.

And whenever he could, Merco was out at the mercenary ship, checking everything to ensure she was flight-worthy. Luckily enough there wasn’t much to do other than reconnect a few wires that the Ansheetans tampered with in their previous mission. In fact, all it needed was a pilot and the ship would be off Anshai-tee.

The day before Merco had decided to take off a celebration/farewell party was held in the Anashee valley. Ansheeta from all the bordering lands came from Pela Canyon, the lake town of Trit, and even the Rogashay. It was an event filled with food, drink, and fanciful aerial acrobatics to celebrate the victory and also to bid farewell to the giant alien who came to live on their planet. As Merco sat, surrounded by the crowds and being honored with a speech from the Elder, he noted that Pixie wasn’t around. Typically, she’d been so close to him in the days following their victory, but he hadn’t seen her since the party began.

Amid the party, the Rogashay leader and his mate approached him. Merco gave him a respectful nod in greeting.

Boroxle had endured a broken arm from his heroic actions but was recovering. With a curt jerk from his back weapon sling he unsheathed an energy spear...or at least half of one. He held it up high to Merco in a “take it” gesture.

Very delicately, Merco took the spear half which wasn’t much bigger than a toothpick, “What’s this all about?”

“That is for you, Merco.” Boroxle stated with importance.

He reached around and withdrew the other half of the spear, “This is what’s left of the spear I used in our great battle. It was snapped in half. I want you to have the other half and never forget what you did for my people and for me. I will never forget.”

Humbled by the gesture, Merco nodded to him, “I will treasure it, Boroxle. Thank you.”

Boroxle saluted him in the Rogashay way and Kriees did the same before speaking, “May you journey safe, Merco.”

“Thank you, Emissary.”

As it began to get dark and the celebration beginning to wind down, Merco finally stood up and bowed his head to those gathered.

“Tomorrow I will leave Anshai-tee for my home world of Earth. I want to thank the kindnesses and generosity I’ve been shown by you all and know that without that I probably would not have survived here.” He glanced around but still didn’t see Pixie, “I wish to keep your peoples and this world a well-guarded secret. Know that I may never return but I hope one day I can return here to visit.”

Several whistles filled the air and the crowd gave him room to move as he left the Anashee valley, crossing the farm and river lands for the last time. He turned and surveyed the city, twinkling with lights one last time before heading out for his ship.

...

Later near sunset...

Merco stood back from the ship looking at it from a short distance. All was in readiness. Thanks to his little friends the repairs had been made and the ship sat ready and able to transport him home. It almost brought tears to his eyes. Though it had only been a little more than an Earth year, he’d yearned for this moment; the chance to leave Anshai-tee and see his family once again. He’d given up hope many times and too often in that time he figured this would be his final resting place. But now, hope gleamed in all its beautiful radiance.

A small touch on his shoulder signaled the landing of Anu and Traynar whom had flown after him following the party. He smiled gently as he turned his head a bit.

“Is it ready?” Traynar asked, looking up at the massive ship.

Merco nodded, “Ready as she’ll ever be.”

“She? It’s... a ship...” Traynar seemed confused.

“We humans call our ships “she”.” Merco explained with a quiet laugh. “Silly, I know.”

Anu also looked up at the ship looming over them in silence, “When will you depart?”

“Tomorrow at sunrise I think. Just have a few things to gather and need to get a good sleep so I’ll be fresh to pilot her. [Heh!] Been so long I hope I remember how.” He looked at his stump, “And piloting one-handed might be challenging”

There was a silence until Anu said, “I know this is what you want, but we wish you didn’t have to go.”

A smile lifted the corner of Merco’s mouth, “Yeah. I know. Believe it or not, part of me wants to stay. You have all been so good to me. I can never repay the kindness you’ve shown me.” His eyes roved around a moment, “By the way, have you seen Pixie?”

Anu lowered her plumage, “She said she wanted to be alone for a bit and flew off before the celebration.”

The man sighed deeply, “I think I might know where she is.”

..

Anashee Lake...

Pixie sat alone on the sandy shore of Anashee Lake in almost the exact spot where she Emerged. The place was special for her. It’s where she met Merco for the first time and where they had spent several nights camping out together. She’d seen him haul massive Gold Scaled Leviathans from the depths of the lake and cook them on the shore. He’d shown her how to swim albeit from the safety of his hands. So many memories in just a couple rotations and they were about to be just that...memories.

Selfish as it was, Pixie didn’t want Merco to leave. She didn’t want him to fix up the mercenary ship and go back to his home planet. She couldn’t be at the party only to be constantly reminded that he was leaving.

Why couldn’t he stay?

Everyone saw him as a hero now. There probably weren’t a dozen Ansheetans or Rogashay on the planet that didn’t like him.

Behind her Pixie could hear the trees snapping and the faint tremors of Merco’s approach. A part of her wanted to fly away and hide from him simply because she knew what it would bring. He seemed to search for her for a bit until he spotted her and stepped through the trees toward her.

“Hey, Pixie. Is this where you’ve been the whole time?”

She sat with her knees up, hugging them. With a rush of air, Merco’s enormous body settled near her as he too sat by the lake. Pixie tucked her head; she didn’t want to look at him just now.

“I thought I might find you here.” His deep voice rumbled gently.

They were quiet for a time, just staring out across the surface of the water. It was smooth and pristine, very unlike the feelings boiling inside of the young Ansheetan.

Merco’s sigh rushed out of him with a deep hollowness, “I’ll be taking off tomorrow morning. Figured it wouldn’t hurt to stay one more night.”

Pixie’s delicate fingers clenched at her jumpsuit legs.

“Why do you have to go?!” she suddenly blurted out in a loud accusation.

Merco closed his eyes and frowned, “You know why, Pixie.”

Pixie’s bright blue eyes filled with tears as she spoke, “But why leave now? Why can’t you stay longer?”

“Waiting wouldn’t make it any easier for...for either of us.” Merco admitted, choking slightly on the words, “I miss my family on Earth, Pixie. I need to see them and let them know that I didn’t just disappear. I-I have a new baby granddaughter whose never met me...”

The little Ansheetan sobbed, burying her face in her knees.

Merco felt his own eyes stinging with tears as he reached over and gently plucked her up, “Oh...oh. It’s all right, Pixie. Don’t cry.”

He held her so delicately as he lifted her up. Suddenly she shot from his hand and hit against his chest, clenching the cloth of his new shirt. His chest shuddered as she clung to him in a hugging gesture. Merco brought his hand up and covered her with it, returning the human gesture he’d taught her. His heart was being torn. Of course, he wanted to see his family but this little Ansheetan had almost become one of his children. He’d watched her Emerge from her chrysalis and since that day they were rarely apart.

“I-I want to go with you!” Pixie cried.

Merco shook his head with a soft smile, “I know. But that wouldn’t be safe for you.”

She sobbed and shook her head, “I don’t care! I want to go with you!”

The man felt saddened by her pleas but knew he never could take her with him, “Pixie. You belong here on Anshai-tee...I belong on Earth.” He sighed, “I do wish you could come with me...but not all humans are kind like me...or other species for that matter. I don’t want anyone to know of you, your people, or this planet. We have to keep this a secret so anyone like those mercenaries won’t find you and exploit the Ansheetans or the Rogashay.”

Pixie clenched his shirt more as if refusing to let him go.

Merco delicately stroked her back with his finger to soothe her until he said, “Hey. Hey? You know what?”

Her little head looked up at him.

“That ship can go wherever I want it to go. Someday, I’ll try to come back here and visit. How about that?”

Her blue eyes blinked back tears as she hit his chest and said as a command, “You will come back.”

“I promise, Pixie. I promise.” He assured her softly, “But you must promise me something too.” He plucked her up from his chest and held her before his face, “I want you to promise me that you’ll live your life and not let missing me interfere with that. I want you to be happy and successful.”

The little Ansheetan bobbed her head with tears.

He smiled at her, “And another thing...do not try to sneak aboard my ship. I WILL bring you back.” he gently poked her stomach with his thumb.

Pixie shed her tears but couldn’t hold back her small laugh when his thumb brushed against her stomach.

“You promise?” he smiled.

She nodded only after her poked her again, “I promise.”

“Good.”

With her arms she wrapped them around his thumb in a small hug which made him tear up again.

“Can we ‘camp out’ here?” she asked, using his words for “sleeping outside”.

Merco nodded, “For you, Pixie, of course.”

...

The next morning...

Merco awoke with the rising of the suns and with Pixie sleeping in his pocket. He rose from his prone position and gently began walking through the forest back toward his ship, all the while trying not to rouse Pixie from her slumber. He’d open the flap to peek in at her from time to time but she was resting peacefully despite his movement. A sadness filled him as he walked, viewing that content tiny form nestled next to his heart. He would miss her. He would miss Anu and Traynar. He would miss all the little peoples he’d met here on this alien world.

When he finally arrived at the ship, glistening in the morning sun, he paused a moment. He could hear many voices in the trees around him. Merco made sure he was careful as he moved and finally came to the sands.

Anu and Traynar appeared before him and he gestured to the crowds, “What’s all this?”

“No one has ever seen an alien ship take off before.” Traynar explained. “And...it wouldn’t be proper to not be here to watch you go.”

Merco nodded, “You may want to get everyone back a bit further. A take-off, even from here, will be intense.”

The pair nodded.

Anu blinked back tears, “Well...travel safely, Merco. We’ll miss you.”

Merco smiled and scooped them both toward his chest with a hand. They seemed a bit bewildered at first as he held them in place.

“I’ll miss you too.” He said softly, “Take care of yourselves.”

Gradually his hand released them and they floated backward. Then they began shooing everyone back a bit further as he instructed.

Merco took two steps and gently nudged the tiny body in his pocket, “Pixie. Wake up.”

The lavender alien stretched and soon was poking up out of his shirt pocket. Her eyes locked on the massive ship and seemed to glisten again as she sagged sadly.

Merco plucked her out, held her up, and slowly brought his forehead to hers in the Ansheetan affection greeting. When he pulled away he stared at her, trying not to cry.

“I’ll miss you little one.”

“I’ll miss you too.” She choked.

He opened his hand and gradually she floated out of it. Unhurried, he turned from her and began walking toward the ramp of the ship. He ascended and the heavy door groaned shut behind him. Everything was quiet for a time as Merco situated himself into the pilot seat and did all the preflight checks needed. Though he didn’t like them, he grabbed the safety harness and buckled himself in. Then he activated the ship’s engines and they screeched loudly. Sand flew in all directions from the backwash as heat belched forth from the thrusters. The rumble was so loud none could help but cover their sensitive ears. Despite its bulk the ship began to hover. Its landing gear folded smoothly into set compartments along the ship’s underbelly. Higher and higher it rose into the sky, the sound deafening.

Pixie never tore her eyes from the ship as it ascended higher into the yellow Ansheetan sky. It seemed to rotate slightly and then with an incredible blasting burst of sound and speed it shot away. Further and further, it seemed to shrink until it and the sound died away. A faint flicker of light signaled the ship’s departure from the planet. A gradual cheer of amazement whistled from the crowd at the amazing experience.

Pixie could only stare at the sky and whisper, “Come back soon, Merco.”

...

...

Earth...many days thereafter...

Four “days” of flying saw Merco to the nearest space port. He promptly reported to the nearest ILE (Interstellar Law Enforcement) office to report his appearance and to contact his family to assure them he was all right. Never had so many disbelieving words and tears been shed through a communication portal. Like speaking to a ghost his sons were stunned by the image of their father alive and well but wanted to meet with him as soon as possible. Per protocol, he was quarantined and tested before he was shipped back to Earth to reunite with his family.

Since he was flying a known mercenary ship with numerous warrants, the ILE had many questions for Merco. Merco said nothing of the Ansheetans or of Anshai-tee. He only spoke of being marooned by the mercenaries for about a year on some desolate planet, surviving by his wits alone. And when the mercenaries returned to finish the job he got the drop on them and stole their ship. Luckily, given Gurt and Cresh’s extensive rap sheet as well as Merco’s impeccable record, the ILE felt no need to deny Merco’s account nor launch an extensive investigation. If there were two less notorious mercenaries prowling the galaxy and were lost on some remote world it was not worth wasting resources.

It was a few more days before Merco reached Earth via transport ship which landed in one of the larger spaceship ports in the Northern Hemisphere. Carrying only his worn leather jacket, the clothes on his back, and his passport permits, Merco walked out of the ship down the long corridors that lead into the extensive port. When he exited he glanced past crowds of humans and a few other species, searching for a familiar face.

A waving pair of arms drew his attention and as joyful tears clouded his vision he spotted Martin in his uniform and then Tony with his wife holding a dark-haired toddler. As one the man rushed forward and his sons did the same as they caught each other in a heartfelt embrace. Only having one arm, Merco couldn’t quite wrap it all the way around his two grown sons but it was wonderful. He hadn’t embraced someone his own size in so long it almost felt strange. The feelings were so powerful it was a blubber of emotions. Martin pulled away first, examining his father’s bare stump.

“Are you ok, Dad? What happened to your arm?” he asked with genuine concern.

“It’s a long story...very long.” He admitted as he sighed so deeply, “Oh, my boys! My boys. I never thought I’d see you again. And Claire!” he reached around and embraced Tony’s wife.

And then he noticed the toddler balanced on her hip staring at the whole affair with suspicious brown eyes. His granddaughter, Tony’s first child. She was brown skinned like Tony but with hints of lighter complexion peeking in from her mother. Her dark hair was curly and everywhere to compliment her round face. She was beautiful.

“And...who is this?” he asked, trying to reign in his sobs.

“This is your granddaughter, Millie.” Claire announced, looking at her daughter.

Merco laughed and sobbed in the same breath, “H-Hi, Millie. Hi.”

The child seemed unsure and shyly put her head into her mother’s shoulder.

Claire bounced her a bit, looking at her, “That’s your grandpa, Millie. Your grandpa. Can you say, “hi”?”

Still the child was shy and wouldn’t look at this new stranger.

Merco shook his head, heart full, “It’s ok, Millie. I’ve got some catching up to do, haven’t I?”

Reunited the family made their way together through the port to go to a restaurant for chats. There was much to say and now it could be said. Even though Merco wanted to tell them of his adventures and the tiny aliens who had befriended and helped him, he kept the secret close to his heart. Perhaps someday he’d tell them. Perhaps someday he’d show them. But for now it was his secret to keep.

A/N: There will be a Epilogue soon. Thank you so much for all the wonderful support, comments, faves, and everything while I’ve written this story. Almost done!

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