Spheria by Cody Leet Page A

school, and happened to bump into him at a 10k run, and mentioned I was unemployed. He was looking for my exact specialty so it was perfect timing. Having the ability to work with a species uncompromised by any other neighboring cultures is an opportunity that we seldom get, if ever. I jumped at the chance.  
    “Among my accomplishments was creating the Polyan language, which is based on English, so we can understand them. You will see that their names all have a dot in them between two syllables, like in the pronunciation keys in the dictionary. This dot is called an ‘interpunct,’ a symbol that joins things. In math, it's a logical ‘and’ operator. The Polyans use this to connect their given name (prefix) to their leg count (suffix). So there is a consistent suffix for each caste, and they are, starting with three legs: ∙ni, ∙ma, ∙zo, ∙sa, ∙ro.”  
    Rash took a sip from a mug, then added, “I like to run, a lot. It clears my head and lets me focus better afterward. So that is my hobby.” Turning to his colleague, he said, “Jean?”
    “Hello. I’m Jean Evens,” said the woman with glasses. “I’m the team’s anthropologist. So Rash’s focus is on how Polyans form into groups. My focus is on how that organization affects them as individuals, how it manifests into a culture.   Somehow I fell into a job after high school as a food inspector and used to go around surveying restaurant cleanliness. After a year of that, I couldn’t stand how disgusting things were and wanted to know how our culture allowed for this. This led me to go back to school for anthropology. Otherwise, I have three young kids ages seven, three, and one, so they keep me busy. Unlike most of the staff, I’m never here working into the wee hours of the morning. Anyway, it’s nice meeting you, Min.” She threw Min a motherly smile.
    The African women then spoke with a thick accent. “I am the biologist for the team, even though we are not actually doing biology, so my role is more of a consultant. I was born in Ghana…”
    “You forgot your name,” interrupted Max.
    “Oh, sorry. My name is Abina Andam. As I was saying, I was born in Ghana to a poor family and spent many of my teenage and early adult years as a safari tour guide. That is where I learned much about animals and the environment. Over time, I saved some money and through the United States Embassy was able to get a sponsorship to come study in America. There, I met my husband, who is American, so I was able to stay here and become a citizen. Using my biology major and my hands-on learning, I design the creatures that populate Spheria. I never in my dreams expected to be working with computers rather than animals. But I am enjoying this experience. It allows me to express creativity.”
    “And if you get sick she can cure you,” said the Italian man.
    “Yes, that is true,” agreed Abina. “I come from a long family tradition of practicing Vodun. Most Americans know this as the more famous Haitian version Voodoo. Here, this is for you.”
    She handed Min a small pouch on a string necklace.
    “It’s a gris-gris and will bring you luck and keep you safe. Wear it at all times except in the shower.”
    Min fondled the leather pouch and could feel a couple of small solid objects inside it. It was sewn shut so she was unable to see what they were. She looked around the room with a puzzled expression.
    Rash pulled his out of his shirt, as did two others she hadn’t yet met. Apparently, this was a common token for the team.
    “Thank you,” she said.
    “You are welcome,” said Abina. “If you are ever feeling sick, you come see me.”
    “I will,” replied Min, not ever expecting to take her up on the offer. She did place the gris-gris over her head because… when in Rome.
    Next up was a muscular, bald black man who looked like he could be a pro wrestler. He spoke in a deep but clear voice. “Hello, my name is Desmond. I’m a hardware engineer and report