Jack, the Earth fan's Arc

Chapter 3 of 3

Jack crouched near the low table, eyes on the fish. The human in white guarded the tray. Orange slices draped over rice, glossy and cold. Jack had named it catalog entry two. Then a shadow fell across the stones. A creature stepped into the light beside Jack. It stood taller than any cat. Its skin was green and its grin was wide. "Hello," it said in a bright voice. "Would you like a piece of chocolate?" Jack stared. The thing held out a brown square in one clawed hand. It looked like no Earth animal Jack had catalogued. It spoke human words, but no human flinched or screamed. The guard in white did not even turn. Jack realized only Jack could see it clearly. Another visitor, then. Another creature wearing a borrowed shape, hunting Earth's strange foods. "No," Jack said. "I cannot eat chocolate. It is poison to this body." Jack had learned that in training. Chocolate killed the small Earth cats. Jack would not risk the cover-form on a dare. The creature shrugged and popped the square into its own mouth. "Suit yourself. I cleaned out the sweet shop already." It chewed, pleased with itself. "You want the salt-fish? That human never leaves. I have watched three days." It flicked its eyes to the tray. "But I know a better haul. Noodles. Hot red broth. Fried arms from the sea." Jack's whiskers lifted. A new food. A richer entry than cold fish. "Where?" "Come," the creature said, and turned. Jack followed, leaving the guarded tray behind. The decision was quick and clean. One rival would rather share than fight. That was worth more than a fish Jack could not reach. They crossed to a vent low on a wall. Steam poured out, thick with spice. Jack's nose burned and watered. Inside sat a bowl of noodles in deep red soup. Golden fried tentacles lay beside it, curled and crisp. The smell was loud and strange. Jack crept close and licked the broth. Fire spread across Jack's tongue. Jack jerked back, coughing, eyes streaming. But under the burn lived something rich and deep. This was a prize. Jack logged it at once. Catalog entry two: red noodle feast, spiced like a weapon, unforgettable. "Good, yes?" the creature laughed. "My colony wants it too. We race you to it." Jack froze. My colony. The creature was not a lone drifter. It belonged to a rival group, scouting the same foods for the same reason. They were competitors, and now they knew Jack's face. The creature loped away, grinning, into the steam. Jack sat alone with the burning bowl. The entry was won. But the easy days were over. Jack was no longer the only hunter on this street. Somewhere nearby, a rival colony was cataloguing Earth, and they had just seen Jack first.