[TheRaisin]

I apologize for the absence. Homework the last week has been BRUTAL, getting ready for mid-terms. Of course, no one seems to be reading, so I guess it doesn't matter. Still waiting for that lucky first replier who gets a chapter dedicated to them! Ok, fine, don't respond! I'll continue anyway.


With Oak's help, Tak soon gathered everyone in the village. When he explained what was happening, most of the villagers' eyes widened in fright or awe. One skeptic, a young male named Plik, scoffed in disbelief.
"Please. A giant metal thing the size of a field, creatures with backwards knees and skin like stone who want to destroy our race, and a device that can burn a hole in a kiradani. You sound like someone who ate too much rotten fruit."
Tak's eyes narrowed.
"Fine, Plik. You don't believe me? Then you can stay here. Alone."
Plik's smug smile faded.
"Well, I, I didn't mean, you don't really...." he stammered.
Tak and the rest of the group turned away. He and one of the stronger males from the village hitched up the village supply cart to two shuffling ploks; low, wide beasts of burden. As many villagers as could fit piled into the cart, while others hitched up family carts or individual vehicles. Tak cracked the whip, and the ploks began moving, grunting as they did so. The odd hodge-podge convoy began filing after the large village cart, and still Plik stood in the square at the center of the largest grouping of houses, torn between abandoning his home because of some half-baked idea about destructive aliens, or facing his greatest fear: being alone. As Tak's cart passed the last building in the village and turned onto the main road, he made his decision.
"WWWAAAAAAAAIIIIIIT!!!"
Tak reigned in the ploks, who snorted in protest, and tossed a sly and knowing grin over his shoulder: he had known what Plik's reaction would be.
Plik came running up, vaulted into the cart, and sat down panting.
"On the other hand," he said, "better safe than sorry. I, um..."
Tak cut him off.
"No need to say anything, Plik. Glad to have you with us."
And just like that, it was forgotten.

"Where are we going, anyway?" Plik asked after a few hours on the road.
Tak handed him a crystal looking glass and pointed to a pass in the formidable Blade Mountains, where the foothills of two mountains parted. In the distance beyond the gap was a blurry patch of brightness, miles in width, extending from the base of the mountains all the way to the sea, glittering in the high noon sun. Plik lowered the telescope.
"The City? We're going to the City? As in The City?!"
Tak nodded, grinning at the younger D'naathi's delight.
Plik stood up and turned around in the driver's seat, grabbing the wooden cargo-guard to steady himself, and shouted back to the rest of the convoy:
"Tak's taking us to THE CITY!"
A cheer went up from the rest of the group.
There had been no need to explain further: every D'naathi, from the youngest child to the oldest elder, had heard of The Crystal City. It was legendary, almost mythical, to all but those privileged enough to live there. Crystal City was the largest city on the planet of Trinitia, and generally accepted as the capital of the world. Every D'naathi tribe and nation on the face of the planet went there to discuss matters of politics and trade and religion, from the painted Tenandi warrior tribe to the bureacratic Jakar Nation officials, dressed in fine and colorful clothes; the bitterest of enemies would temporarily cease fire to parley within the walls of the ancient city. Many said it was the beauty of the city itself that inspired peace for the many nations of Trinitia. The city was aptly named, for it was almost entirely made of crystal. It was unknown whether the D'naathi had created it in ancient times and lost the knowledge of it and the skill to replicate it, or if it had been left by some earlier race, or perhaps even the creators themselves in an attempt to spark the intellect of the D'naathi. Whatever it's origin, it was where they were headed. For a while, the wrathful Ket were forgotten, and visions of shimmering buildings and rainbow lights tantalized the thoughts of the villagers.

In the early afternoon, Tak called a halt.
"This is taking too long," he told the villagers when they gathered on the side of the road.
"We need to inform the people of the danger they're in. But we also need to inform the capitol as soon as possible. So here's what we'll do: Plik and Cedar and I will take the tri-helimotors and go straight to the city. The rest of you continue towards the city, but spread the word: the Ket have landed, they want to destroy us, and we should all head to the capitol. Tell all the towns and traders along the way. When you come to the road junction, send runners to the other outlying towns and villages. Send everyone to the city, and we'll meet back up there. And be careful: I don't know how fast those creatures will move, but they're dangerous. Good luck."
Oak spoke up.
"Tak, what if--"
"No 'what ifs'!" Tak interrupted. "Things will work out fine. They will."
No one else said anything. Tak had always been terse and abrupt, and gave off an aura of forced optimism. No one ever questioned him about his mood, or feelings, or past. They got the feeling that the terseness and optimism was a mask for some long-buried anguish, but respected the fact that he didn't want to bring it up.
Tak gave an affirming nod.
"Okay. Let's go."



tri-helimotor: a D'naathi vehicle consisting of two hind wheels and one far-forward positioned fore wheel. The D'naathi piloting it controls steering with two joysticks, while the degree of acceleration and braking are controlled with foot pedals. The pilot sits in a triangular cockpit protected by a crystal canopy with small holes for air, and puts his or her tail through a hole at the back of the seat. Tri-helimotors are powered by powerstones, a natural resource of Trinitia. Powerstones are gems charged with a power similar to electricity, thought to originate from the magnetic field of the planet. They are found only near the north and south poles, and occasionally in isolated pockets of concentrated metal ore. If maintained properly, a powerstone of the right size and power can power a D'naathi device for decades, but the charge will actually last for thousands of years if not used. It is assumed that new powerstones are constantly being formed.