A Matter of Taste

A Matter of Taste

Mani-uio watched with interest as something large moved along the top of the hill above him.  He couldn’t make out the form as yet but by the way the scrub brush and small trees were being snapped out of the way it was large.  Probably as large as he was himself.  It entered a small clearing just above his position on the slope.  A massive lizard stared straight at him.  Similar in form to Earth’s Komodo dragon this specimen was the length of a sedan.  Mani-uio recognized his peer instantly.

“Yuk-oio, greetings.  What brings you out this day.”

“Fruit, human fruit Mani-uio.  I sense his sonic shield device is not operating and I’ve never had one myself.”

“Very astute friend.  Yes it stopped operation during the night.  While its not a real defense we are to indulge the Counsel in this deception while humans are under study.  I was about to remind the man of his vulnerability on this planet when I heard you coming.”

“Ah.  So he is yours to eat then.  My loss I’m sure.”

“Not exactly.  I keep him around for his ... talents.”

The eight hundred pound lizard above Mani-uio shifted its weight and in a burst of speed covered the 50 meters between them almost instantly.

“He is legal game without the shield.  Are you going to eat him or not?”

“Although these creatures are hideously weak, slow...and stupid they do possess a valuable skill.  This one raises the most delicious fruit I’ve ever partaken”

“Hmmm.  How do I know he isn’t the most delicious fruit?”

“I’ve had him.  Well, his clone.  Not very tasty Yuk-oio.  This fruit he raises though.  Excellent taste and texture and each color has a slightly different favor.  This subtle variety is what makes the humans valuable.”

“And may I taste some of this mystery fruit myself?”

“South over that hill is a nest of creatures which he cares for.  He calls them cows.  I call them delicious.  Take no more than one.  I have patterned the nest and can easily replace any one you select.  The human will never know the difference.”

“I see you’ve put a lot of thought into this matter Mani-uio.  I thank you in advance for the cow.  But remember this one is still legal fruit and I’m not convinced it won't taste good.”

“Take your time and enjoy the cow.  I’m sure you’ll loose interest in eating the human after you’ve sampled his produce.”

Yuk-oio disappeared in a burst of speed making a zipper like trail across the slope.

Mani-uio muttered in disgust to himself.  “I was hoping to avoid this.”  He moved slowly, purposefully down the slope toward the human who was tending to some equipment in an open field.  Soon he was close enough for the man to hear several hundred pounds of lizard coming through the brush.”

Mark heard something big headed his way and looked up in time to see a giant lizard slowing entering the field.  “Damn shield!  I knew there were dragons around but I thought I could get by one day without the shield.”  He began to make is way to the rifle in the back of the tractor.

Mani-uio noticed the man move towards the rear his viehicle.  He virtually materialized there ahead of the man.  His enormous tail swept under the Mark’s feet and he fell flat on his back. Mark was stunned with a precise tail flick to the back of the  head.  Mani-uio moved his huge frame to cover the human.  Trying not to crush the creature's delicate frame as he positioned himself above the face.  He waited a few seconds for enough enzyme to accumulate on the end of his tongue.  With uncanny grace a forked tough the size of a man's leg carefully traced out a simple pattern on Mark's forehead. 

Mark began to squirm his way back to consciousness.  The speech of his people would be undecipherable to humans but Mani-uio gave Mark some advice regardless.  “Your talent for raising produce has saved you today.  But please get your shield fixed!  My mark may not always provide you with protection.  There are poachers about you know.”  Mani-uio  moved off the man carefully and then moved back up the hill where he was joined by Yuk-oio.

“You were indeed correct Mani-uio.  The cow fruit is without parallel.  Still I would have liked a piece of man fruit before you marked him as your property.”

“Yuk-oio I will let you taste him so you can see for yourself.  As I said I have his pattern already.  In fact come to my dwelling tonight.  I shall prepare a small serving of ... I believe he calls himself ‘Mark’ and another large portion of cow fruit.”

The tail of the great lizard swept the ground with anticipation.  “Agreed.”

“Then we can discuss what the Counsel should do regarding the other man creatures that are surely on their way to our planet.”

“Others are coming?”

“To be sure.  I believe we should allow enough of them to land and establish themselves to be sustainable in a minimal fashion.  For example this one’s equipment needs attention.  We should allow enough presence to enable them to easily grow more cow fruit and perhaps a few other things for us.”

“At what point will additional man creatures be curtailed in space?”

“That dear friend we can decide tonight over a meal.  We can destroy the excess vessels in orbit.  Or if you find them to your liking we can convince the Counsel let us control their population in a more ... environment friendly fashion.”

“So after the population limit is reached all new comers would be legal game.”

“Why not?  Their population would have to be controlled one way or another.  Prey on the ground would be much less expensive to deal with than using the planetary weapons grid every time one of their ships arrived.”

“And far more entertaining.  A logical option Mani-uio.  I can hardy wait for the feast tonight.”

Mani-uio laughed.  “Hhissssaaahh, Yuk-oio do you realize the future life style or lack there of for all humans on this planet rest on how this one tastes!”

Yuk-oio snorted his amusement.  Both giant lizards turned to gaze toward Mark and then moved in unison up the hill...for dinner.