The Great Belligerency [Round 4: Static]

Originally posted on MSPA by Dragon Fogel.

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Cole found himself in an empty transport tube, already progressing towards its destination. How fortunate, he thought. My sudden appearance should not startle anyone... and based on the nature of this city, I believe there is no need to hide myself. Not yet.

As a test, Cole removed a small scorpion from one of his arms, and placed it on the floor. It soon started moving once more. Drawn by his scent, it crawled back onto him and promptly fell still again.

Cole was relieved; he was generating bioelectricity again. Balance's influence over him had likely worn off when the round changed. He needed a way to capture new insects, and it was tactically advantageous at times.

For that matter, he was convinced that Balance would be his next target. Of the two gods, Balance was weaker and had greatly inconvenienced him. It also seemed unlikely that he could be persuaded into assisting with the destruction of Ur, beyond helping out the losing side.

But that was not Cole's greatest concern. The Executor had said this city was on Earth, if a future one. If true, that presented an opportunity that the former human had thought lost once the battle began.

Anansi.

The spider-god had manifested on Earth before. There was likely some way to goad him out of hiding, and perhaps the technology here could aid Cole in destroying the god he despised the most.

The thought comforted him somewhat.

The tube came to a stop. Cole stepped out, catching the awkward gazes of a family of four who had been waiting for a tube. They were humanoid, but hunchback, covered in fur, and had long, hairy trunks and thick tusks. The overall appearance reminded the biologist of woolly mammoths.

Cole kept walking, but one of them - Cole assumed it was the father due to his larger size - suddenly turned. He asked nervously, in a voice that made Cole more confident that he was male, "Pardon me. I realize this is a bit of a rude question, but, well, I'm simply curious. What species are you?"

Cole had anticipated the question. After all, based on the description, this city had many species. Few inhabitants would have the memory to keep track of them all.

"Ah, no, don't worry. It's no wonder - my homeworld has tended to be very isolationist, and tried to avoid contact with other cultures. We call our planet Sk'va. It is only recently that we have taken an interest in the rest of galactic civilization, and I have been sent here to learn more about you, as it is such a well-known center of cultural activity."

"An ambassador, then?" asked the mammoth-man, a bit surprised.

"I suppose, in a sense, but not in any official capacity. I am more of a scholar. I wish to learn more about the cultures of other species."

"Ah! You'll want to have a look at the Museum of Culture, then. They have wonderful exhibits. The children learned so much there yesterday! But today we're headed for the zoo."

"Thank you. Where might I find this museum? I am not yet familiar with this wonderful city of yours."

The man's presumed wife shouted at him impatiently.

"Oh! Dear me, I've left them waiting. Sorry, no time to give directions, but the information terminal over there should help. It's been very interesting meeting you, at any rate. By the way, I'm Jaknel Pachyse." He extend a hairy hand to Cole.

"I have been given the name of... Ko'laran. I apologize, but I cannot return your gesture; my body produces a mild electric shock on contact."

"Ah! Terribly sorry, Ko'laran. I will keep that in mind if I see you again." The man left with his family, and Cole examined the terminal.

It was rather user-friendly. Cole soon located the museum, and began walking there. He had to occasionally repeat his cover story to curious passerby, but it was straightforward enough. He kept the details the same, to avoid drawing undue suspicion.

Only when Cole arrived at the museum did it occur to him that he might be expected to pay for admission. Fortunately, he soon noticed a sign indicating that this would not be a problem.

"FREE ADMISSION! ALL THIS WEEK!"

There was smaller writing under it. Cole quickly skimmed it; it seemed this was the first day of a week of cultural celebration in the city, and so the museum was opening its doors to everyone at no charge. How convenient.

Cole then considered the fact that the Executor might have planned it this way. It was somewhat disconcerting.

Regardless, he knew his first objective. He entered the doors, and scanned the museum directory, looking for an exhibit on ancient religious artifacts of Earth.