Sang the Setari

6. Sheepish

"We call the males 'rams' and the females 'ewes'. The babies are 'lambs'," I explained to the green-suit who was accompanying a few of the guys and me as we explored the nearby area and I pointed out plants and animals I recognized from Earth.  The herd of sheep bleated and moved closer to the water.

"You said these creatures were domesticated for food and harvesting their coats?" The green-suit asked, dutifully taking digital notes.

"Right. We call it wool and it is used to make cloth," I answered.

"And these 'sheep' are they considered intelligent?" She inquired next.

"Uh, not particularly," I replied.  One of the ewes near the rear of the herd proved my statement accurate at that moment by walking too close the the drop-off and falling into the water.  I felt bad for its lamb which stood anxiously bleating at the mother as she struggled to right herself.

"We will collect a few specimens and see if we can utilize this species in a similar way," the green-suit said, concluding her notes. "Make sure to submit a report with as many details as you can remember about habits and care of the species from Earth."

I nodded. It was odd being consulted about topics like animal husbandry and botany. I really had limited information, but it was more than the Tarens, so I found myself often peppered with these sorts of questions.  I was doing my best to answer each request, but I wished that I could make photocopies of books or access Earth's Internet somehow.  If they could Skype with an Irish sheep farmer, like they conduct Interface meetings, it would be so much easier.

Silas, North, and Raven were requested to share what they knew from Kolarian flora and fauna.  At least there was more ready access to Kolar's knowledge base and communication between the two worlds.

A message popped up in my right visual field: "Meet at Command Base Tent."

The other Fourth Squad members with me turned and started that way as well, so I could assume they had received the same order.  We were expecting a call to begin the exploration of a Gate to Muina Near-Space and observing the sheep was really just a way to kill time. And possibly, maybe, just a little bit of a way to avoid having any conversations about relationships. 

I had woken to find the tent empty, cots neatly made.  Fourth Squad was at the lake side practicing the Setari martial arts forms. Normally, I would have been roused to join them, but last night Kota had told me that in the morning he would be sharing our discussion with the others. He asked if I wanted to talk to them as a group or individually. I was quick to agree that individual conversations would be best.  I had felt braver last night confessing to Kota.  Now, for whatever crazy reason, I was feeling unsure of myself.  That didn't stop me from noticing the extra lingering touches I had been receiving or the attempts to pull me aside by one the guys, which were subsequently, and inadvertently or not, interrupted by the others.  I did internally smile at that thought. It reminded me of all those interrupted kisses.  I sighed and determined that I would make time to talk to each of the guys over the next few days.  It was only fair and Kota had said that communication was important.  I sidled up to him now, drawing from his calming presence.

"Here. Add this to your pack," Kota instructed as we approached the meeting point.  He held out a black rectangular box that was a little too large to fit in my palm.  "It is a portable nanosuit recharging station.  We generally only use them when exploring new Gates. It is just a precaution in case any Setari gets cut off by a shifting Gate or some other unforeseen reason.  Your suit would be fine for about 50 kasse, but this device allows the wearer an additional two cycles of use."

I looked up at him nervously.  "Is there a chance we could get lost today?"

"No. We are only going through this one Gate which the Gate Sight and Ena Manipulation talents have determined is secure.  We will be mapping the location of any other nearby Gates without entering them. However, we still have to follow protocol," he explained with a reassuring smile.