On the far end of Division 5, on the opposite side of the elevator bay, is our very own slice of Dhugar. It takes me almost 45 minutes, but finally I find myself walking through the automatic doors of a space station and onto a snowy mountaintop.
Even as massive as the station is, it could not fit a mountain as big as Ulvand, but with miniature terraformers and our most creative artists and engineers, we made a beautiful facsimile. I am proud to say I was on that team. It took us over a year, but with the encouragement of the Originem helping us orient to the station, it was a successful and healing project. I think that was perhaps part of their goal. They are good, the Originem, though I struggle sometimes to understandwhy. Why do they help all these endangered species of the galaxy, especially ones like the Dhugaren, whose demise is completely our own fault?
They say everyone deserves a second chance, but I really struggle to believe that most days. As I watch young Dhugaren cubs of all shades of fur tumbling around in the snow, it's easier to imagine that world. A world where we all share the mountain instead of killing each other just to keep others off it.
These young cubs deserve a second chance, but they haven't done the things I've done. They do not have the same atrocities staining their fur. Some of the younger ones were probably born here. This is their home, and I will do everything I can to make it a peaceful, prosperous place for them. But I will not call the shots. Ever again.
Let someone else carry that burden.
With dark thoughts suddenly clouding my mind again (they weren’t inescapable for long) I trudge uphill, toward the peak of the mountain.
4
Destiny
"No hints! I don't want to ruin the surprise. How do humans feel about surprises by the way? I love them, but most Dhugarens do not appreciate a good surprise.”
Furga is leading me through the market at a light jog. Well, it seems more like a stroll to her, but my legs are much shorter. I can only pant and try to keep up, though I keep trying for a hint or a clue as to where she's leading me. I am quite out of shape, I realize, as I gulp air into my burning lungs.
"Slow down a bit,” I manage to squeeze out as I pause and put my hands to my knees. The crowd jostles and knocks me as they make their way around. “I'm a big fan of surprises, not so much for running."
She looks confused so I gesture downward. “Short legs. Shorter steps."
“Oh great Ulvand I'm so sorry. I didn't realize. I am just so excited." She comes up beside me and puts a hand on my elbow. “Come on we'll go at your pace."
I've finally caught my breath when we reach our destination. I assume it's our destination anyways. We've passed through the elevatorbay Dad and I came up on and into the other half of Division 5. The main corridor is much narrower and shorter, branching into two open corridors on each side like a big T. Furga explained there's no apartments for Winged-Ones on this side when I asked, which is why it's shorter. The extra space has been modified by Dhugarens, that's all she would tell me.
We're at the end of the corridor where wide double doors loom and nothing else. When we get close the doors whoosh open automatically and I'm hit with a blast of icy air. Through the open doorway, it's a winter wonderland.
“Oh my gosh! Is that snow? I've never seen snow in real life before. It's beautiful. Holy shit it's cold in here. Holy shit Furga, this is so cool!"
I'm freaking out. I don't even care if I get frostbite. I'm in the alien equivalent of the North Pole. It's actively snowing and the ground is covered in thick, fluffy white stuff. There's Dhugaren children playing together and building snow forts, oblivious to the cold. I see a few other aliens playing too, but they're bundled up in cold weather gear. I probably should be, too, but I'm too damn excited to worry about the physical needs of my body right now.
This is exactly why I signed up for this place. Alien experiences and wild adventures. I'm standing at the base of a short mountain. The ground slopes upwards and in the distance I see craggy stone peaks poking above the snow. The size is massive, almost as big as the landing dock. That's something I may never get used to on Sanctuary. Everything is so damn big.
And I wanna climb that fucking mountain.
“I knew you'd like this. Isn't it beautiful? This is New Ulvand. Our sacred mountain."
I glance at the children currently throwing snowballs and think they must have a different definition of sacred than humans do. I don't see any of the stuffiness of the church I was dragged to intermittently as a child. This is lovely and lively and I can see why they might worship it. The Dhugarens belong here. They were made for this weather, obviously. I wonder if they are always burning up in the normal station temperature.
I shiver involuntarily, but ignore it, stuffing my hands into the pockets of my not-at-all insulating jumpsuit.
"I love it. Let's walk up the mountain a bit.”
I really want to climb it, touch its peak, but I'm not that stupid. It looks like a couple hours hike for someone with short human legs and I am already struggling to feel my toes through the cold numbness seeping in.
"There's a pretty view just over this rise. Is it normal for a human's lips to turn blue?”
She says it so nonchalantly as she trudges up the mountain, but I don't want to leave just yet. Not when I'm finally having an alien experience and making an alien friend.
“Just a little c-cold. We're not built for this long-term. A few more mm-minutes won't hurt though."
It's been all of ten minutes we've been up here and my nose is absolutely burning with cold but I tell myself I'll check out the view then leave. I can always come back once I get some cold weather gear. After I make some credits anyways.
I'm just peeking over the next ridge, a lovely ice-covered pond coming into view, with what look like ice fishing huts on the far side, when my foot catches something solid under the snow. Suddenly, I'm sliding down the side of the mountain on my ass and someone is screaming.
Oh wait. That's me.
