Four hours later.
Over the last several hours, Chel and Lexx had a long conversation about life on Earth and life in space. Lexx was careful to avoid speaking about anything that might get him into trouble with the ADC, keeping in mind that every word they said could be heard now. He was also very good about keeping himself from accessing the relay.
There was talk about Chel's education primarily. To Lexx, it seemed strange that she was not started out in her profession earlier and still had so many years to go. Most Rishans, Littans, Kourwine and Sairah were put into special educational programming depending on what they were to study and done by the age of 16 or 17. 'Public' education,… was something for only those who couldn't afford a real education, or did not have desired skills. A student in the public school systems was not permanently banished to a poor paying job because of it. It was true that they would never be in a professional position, but they could go as far as they wanted,.. as a cook, mechanic or in a servile position.
Chel spoke about the oceans with an infectious enthusiasm. Lexx had just looked at it as a place to swim in, that would only be a privilege to the rich on a space station… and on some planets. He had not paid attention to the beauty beneath the waves.
Realistically, how could he? Lexx had found it a simple pleasure just to swim. That had been enough for him. And now, they were in this canyon, which at first had appeared to be nothing but barren rocks, scraggy trees and sparse grass. In the last several hours song birds had perched nearby, ring necked doves and a red tailed hawk. There were also squirrels, rabbits, snakes,… and further away across the valley they had seen several large animals, which Chel had told him were called mule deer. There was also a pair of coyotes that had walked nervously by, close enough to see their golden brown eyes.
"I think they're done! They're coming down!!" Lexx shielded his eyes to check on the two dice again. He was relieved. Lexx was hot, sweating and concerned about Chel. There was not a lot of shade where they were sitting and the air was dry. He had been holding his right wing over her to keep her protected from the harsh sun. Holding his wing up for so long had made his back and shoulders sore.
"Great!" sighed Chel, relieved that they would be going home soon, back to the nice air conditioned house or the Rift. "It's really hot out here and I need a cold glass of water."
Fly and Sythe were slowly circling, getting closer and closer to where Lexx and Chel were. They were still pretending to fight, but both were weary from it. It was Sythe who decided to put an end to it.
"Ok,… ok,.." Sythe looked over his wing at the squirrel, who was now clinging to his back. "Stop plucking my feathers! And get off!!"
"Hey,.. I'm tired too!" protested Fly as Sythe tilted.
"Whose fault is that?" retorted Sythe.
"Yours of course!"
"Surrre,… blame me for everything why don't you."
"I don't need an invitation," chortled Fly.
