Hunting Wolfe

Tala

"Are you sure you're okay?" My voice hovers in the air, tinged with concern.

Caydon exhales, the sound carrying the weight of repeated reassurances. "Yes. I've got potent antibiotics, antivirals, and pain erasers. In two days, it'll be like I was never injured."

I nod, digesting his words. "So, what planet are we on, and where are we headed?"

"The city we are going to is called Tala, located on Kaljaro, the fourth planet from its sun," Caydon explains.

My curiosity piques. "So, why isn't the space station in Tala?" The space station and train station stood as lone sentinels in a sea of towering trees, vivid blossoms, and lush, verdant grass. It was a landscape so strikingly pristine that, if not for the vivid memory of our descent, I might have believed we had never left Earth.

Aceon interjects, his tone firm. "It's forbidden."

"Why?" I persist, searching his face for answers.

"Because Tala is very much into..." Aceon mumbles something incomprehensible and then casts a glance at Caydon. "What's the human word?"

"Depends on where you are going."

Aceon mumbles something, again, and then says, "You know, the trees, water, and such."

Caydon is silent for a moment. "Oh. Environmental protection."

"Yes. That's it. Tala is very into Environmental Protection."

"But what does that mean as far as the city lacking a space station?" My thoughts race through possible reasons. Are they not technologically advanced? My eyes drift over the train we are riding. The walls shimmer with polished metal, large glass windows invite the sunlight inside, sleek and comfy chairs line the aisles, and a silent TV screen projects scenes of the natural habitat surrounding us. It seems impossible that they could be behind.

"The city permits only what it considers clean energy," Caydon explains, his voice calm. "No matter how advanced it is, a space shuttle can't meet their stringent criteria. At least, not clean in the way they demand."

"I still don't understand."

He pauses a moment. "The city as a whole, rises and falls with nature." Seeing my confused look, he continues. "On Earth, nature was destroyed for the cities to be built; not so in Tala, or anywhere on Kaljaro."

"Wouldn't trees have to be cut down to build the buildings?"

"Yes, I suppose they would."

"Then how is it different than Earth?"

"Maybe I'm not explaining it right. Aceon, you want to give it a go?" Aceon grunts in response and shakes his head. "Okay, let me try it another way. On Earth, trees were cut down to make room for buildings; here, when the trees were cut down, the same type of tree was planted on the roof of the building. Where humans would move rivers, here the city has learned to adapt to the natural rising and shrinking of the water. Does that help?"

"Not really. I can't understand anyone planting trees on top of a building or how that makes it environmentally friendly."

Caydon sighs. "Just look out the window. We should be approaching the city soon."

"One more question."

"Yes?"

"Why are we here?"

"I have a friend here. If anyone is to know what happened with your brother's unit, it will be him." Caydon says.

"Look." Aceon says, pointing out the window.

I turn to look out and take in what Caydon calls a city, as the train passes through. Towering metal and glass structures loom above us, their surfaces cloaked in moss, vines, and flowers that render them almost invisible. Birds, reminiscent of those on Earth, nest within the lush greenery that cascades down the buildings. A river winds its way through the heart of the city, its banks adorned with structures marred by algae and faded from the ceaseless dance of water and sunlight. From this vantage point, the city breathes with an aura of neglect. Yet, the well-trodden dirt paths bustling with people suggest a different story, dispelling any notion of abandonment. "Wow." I say, not quite knowing how to express my feelings about what I'm seeing.

The scenery outside begins to slow, the landscape transitioning from a blur to the distinct lines of an open-air train station. Caydon gazes out the window, a familiar glint in his eyes. "I've been here many times, and I feel the same way each time I come." The train halts, and a burst of static crackles through the intercom.

"Attention all passengers," the voice announces, "we have arrived in Tala. Please make your way to the exit in an orderly fashion. If you see any Bienla swarming, please keep a wide berth. Thank you for choosing Kaljaro One and have a pleasant day!" A beep follows, the static dissipates into silence.

Curiosity piqued, I ask, "What's Benlat? And why would they be swarming?"

Caydon corrects me, "Bienla. They are a type of insect about two inches or fifty-one millimeters, depending on your measurement system." Rising to his feet, he gestures for me to follow.

I mirror his movements, a tinge of unease in my voice. "That is a large insect. And why should we be wary of the swarming?"

Aceon, also standing, answers with a grave tone, "They have a particularly nasty bite. One that causes the skin to rot and die around the wound. If not treated, it spreads, leading to a slow, painful death. And this just happens to be mating season, so the Bienla are swarming."

As we head toward the exit, I can't help but voice my curiosity. "How come you two seem familiar with every place we visit, while I'm always in the dark?"

Aceon's voice comes out as a low grunt, "Military."

Caydon gets a faraway look in his eyes. "I've done my fair share of traveling for work," he says, his tone serious.

Oh, yeah, the assassin thing. Makes sense, I guess. "Where..." As we step off the train, my words slip away, swallowed by the vibrant surroundings. The station, though reminiscent of Earth's—complete with a ticket office, tracks, waiting benches, and screens displaying arrival and departure times—unleashes an unexpected array of sensations. The air is thick with the perfume of countless flowers, mingling with a faint hint of saltwater. Birds call to one another across the platform, their songs interwoven with the croaks of hidden frogs, and insects chirping.

"Come." Caydon says, once again taking the lead. "My friend lives this way."