We paced around, looking for a comfortable spot on the root platform. We glanced at the elder, waiting for him to tell us his tale, as was the custom of the Kreteran people.

  “They were monstrous,” she began with intent, “giants with their bones and flesh covered only by thin skin, layered further with synthetic material. They walked on just two lanky appendages, with another pair hanging above, ending in small tentacles. They looked as if they were never meant to survive natural selection—yet somehow, they did.”

  “They came from the skies like falling stars, in unknown spacecraft. The entire Intergalactic Union of Planets was unprepared for their arrival. They seemed to just appear out of nowhere, something once thought impossible. Whoever these humans are, they are dimensions ahead of us, understanding things we didn’t even know we didn’t know.”

  “The concept of war was unfathomable before their arrival. Yes, there was conflict—like predator hunting prey—but that was carnal, instinctual, and considered something only animals did. Most intelligent species are closer to herbivores, feeding on local flora in a mutually beneficial relationship. We supported the plants’ health, and in return, they gave us their nectar.

  “But the humans gave nothing back. They only took, leaving destruction in their wake.”

  Her auditory spines vibrated excitedly, while we widened our receptor fins.

  “The inhabitants of Priktan were the first to fall. The poor farming tri-pedals had no form of defense. All they could do was take notes as they were killed, one by one. And thank the Harvest they did. They are the reason we have even the slightest chance of escape—we can now detect the humans’ arrival hours in advance. The Priktan invasion was swift. Everyone was dead before the rain could fall.”

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  “It is said the humans are the children of Sintrul, born of its carnal lust for death. But I think they are afraid. Like a child in a strange place, too frightened to approach others. But instead of running away, they make space for themselves—through force. Maybe they just need someone to make them feel welcome.”

  I straightened my posture, signalling that I wanted to ask a question. “Are they coming to our planet?”

  The elder's receptor fins gave a twitch or two—a tell-tale sign among Kreterans of discomfort.

  “Yes, Teuda,” she replied. (Teuda is a title given to the eldest among the children.) “The IUP gave us twelve rotations until they reach us. The escape vessels will arrive in the upcoming rotation. Your parents are packing your things as we speak.”

  The other seven kids’ fins began to twitch rapidly.

  “But there is nothing to fear,” the elder reassured them. “The IUP has reserved a place for us on one of their planetary ships. You will all be real-life astronauts—just like we were, back when I was young and we tried to reach our neighboring planets.”

  Her comforting words put us at ease, her humor helping us acclimate to the thought of leaving home.

  “All will be okay,” the elder continued, holding Tuba—the youngest among us—to comfort him. “Now that you know, it would be wise to go help your parents.”

  We obeyed and headed off to our resource pile, occasionally swimming between the drifting platforms formed by the roots of the aquatic Sarek trees. I arrived at the platform that stored our home. My mother was placing a large bundle of twigs in a container labeled Emergency Snacks. She turned around.

  “How was the elder’s tale?”

  “She told us of the humans.”

  She relaxed her shoulders—a sign of sympathy.

  “I am sorry, Teuda. But he will be the same on the planetary ships. I promise.”

  Suddenly, my mother and I clutched our foreheads, where our electromagnetic receptors resided. There was a strong force somewhere above us. The sensation quickly surrounded me—a burning sensation all over. An unknown force slammed into me, flinging me off the platform.

  As I crashed into the water’s surface, I watched in horror as the great aquatic trees fell, as if it were a bad season followed by a thunderous storm.

  “What just happened? Is this the humans’ wrath the elder was talking about?”