Pompods

23

Elder Cavin and Toko waited patiently as Elder Ino and the large Memee finished their silent conversation.

"Then it is decided," said Elder Ino as he removed himself and stood to face the others.

"Bomf!" replied the large Memee before it turned to head in the ship's direction. Pieces fragmented off into smaller versions of itself and several of the smaller ones ran towards the underground's entrance.

"Toko."

"Yes, Elder Ino."

"Follow those Memees and show them the way to the chasm. They will gather what they need and relay it to the others for assessment. Afterwards, seek out Puk and Tar. I want the three of you to seal off the entrances."

"Yes, Elder Ino. Right away," said Toko and turned to follow the tiny group headed towards the underground.

"Cavin, let us return to the village. There is much we need to prepare if we are to leave our world."

"Is the situation that dire?" said Elder Cavin in a concerned tone.

"I am afraid so," replied Elder Ino as he picked up a passing Kasha. He gingerly stroked its fur as it nestled into the crook of his arm and began to purr.

Elder Cavin had seen this behavior in his old friend many times. Only when he was truly worried about something would he distract himself by stroking the small creature's fur. It chirped pleasantly as it rolled onto its back and purred rhythmically.

"What did you learn?" he prodded his old friend.

"We may have less time than we thought."

"How much time do we have?"

"Perhaps one lunar cycle. Once they assess the magnitude of the chasm, they will be better able to calculate..." he trailed off as if unwilling to confront the truth of the situation.

"How long we have to live?" said Elder Cavin with a stronger note of concern edged into his voice.

"Hmm... to live, to leave, to take all that we cherish and to leave the only home we have ever known."

"This must have been what our star ancestors must have felt as they were forced to leave all that they had to find a new world to shelter and protect them."

"Yes, I would imagine so," he said as he ran his fingers along the tiny creatures feline features and caressed its tiny ear. He had never noticed before how only short hairs grew there. They felt delicate under his touch.

"Will there be any difficulties in getting the ship ready?"

"No. the Memees calculated that it should be completed within a few days. Time, hopefully is on our side."

"Even with all their antics, they are most efficient."

"Now that the severity of our situation has escalated, they are pouring all their energies into the ship's completion."

"Is there much left to accomplish?"

"The reassembly of the ship is nearly complete. They will require the gemstones next to connect all the ship's systems together. Once installed, they will be able to reintegrate the ship's hull."

"Ah," said Elder Cavin as he pondered how that would work. "What is expected of us? How can we assist?"

"We are to gather and bring as many seeds and food supplies as soon as possible to store on the ship. We will need to bring... save some of the planet's other animals if possible."

"Even the Tark beasts?"

"Yes, even them. They should be docile enough to round up a few."

"Is that wise?"