by Thomas Stone
“How would you know? It’s been the same amount of time since you’ve seen Harry. The three of you go off leaving Harry and me holding the bag while you traverse around the universe in luxury and then you show up claiming you have a miracle cure. Nobody’s ever been cured and you know it! What arrogance!” Kathleen sat down hard on the couch, arms crossed.
Everybody looked at each other for a long minute. Tringl frowned until Arai jumped on his back, grabbing tufts of orange hair. The two began rolling on the cabin deck, wrestling.
Fagen spoke softly to Kathleen. “I know you’ve had a rough time. I’m sorry. We’re all sorry. We’re going to do as much for Harry as we can. I trust Minerva and you should as well. Her medical facilities are as good as anything on Earth, better I’d say.”
Minerva nodded.
“Look,” said Fagen, “it’s no good arguing and bringing up the past. I want you to know that you and Harry were always in my thoughts. In all our thoughts. I understand how you feel. If something happened to Bobbi, I don’t know what I’d do.” He looked at Bobbi sitting at one of the control consoles.
“Thank you dear,” she responded.
“What I’m trying to say is that we care very much about both of you. Please don’t doubt it for a moment.” Fagen faced Minerva. “Surely there’s no harm in allowing Kathleen to speak to Harry? She needs to see him. It might be good for Harry as well.”
Minerva sighed. “All right, but understand, Harry isn’t himself. He tried to attack me. There’s no assurance he won’t try the same thing with Kathleen. I can just as easily make a hologram of Kathleen so she doesn’t have to expose herself.”
“It’s not the same,” argued Kathleen. “He won’t hurt me. I know he won’t.”
Minerva looked at Fagen. “It’s your call, Edward.”
*
George waved the bottle in the air. Its contents sloshed back and forth. “Hey man, what are you gonna do with your cut of the money?”
Tobias gazed at the stars as he considered the question. “You know that red-headed woman at Grover’s Inn? The one’s got six toes?”
“Sure. Everybody knows her. She’s a good looking woman.”
“Well, I’m going to buy her drinks for a whole weekend. Just me and her and a case of Scotch.”
“Where you gonna get a case of Scotch?”
“Billy Barnett distills it out behind his shack. It’s not bad either.”
“I wouldn’t put anything in my mouth that came from Barnett’s place.”
“You never been picky before.”
They laughed and silence fell over the two. Finally, George spoke again.
“If we get the stuff, nobody’s gonna buy it.”
“Somebody will buy it.”
“Not as long as the ships aren’t coming in. Jesus, man, how long has it been since we’ve seen a supply ship? Seven years? They may never come back.”
“They’ll be back someday. Besides, there’s people here who’ll buy it just to sit on it until the Corporation does come back.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I know I’m right.”
George looked to the truck and the accompanying gear stacked outside. “How did you ever talk Jennings into letting you take this stuff?”
“I didn’t.”
“What do you mean?”
“Exactly what I said. I didn’t ask.”
“You just took it? Without asking?”
“Look moron, he wouldn’t have let me whether I asked or not so I just took it.”
George shook his head and whistled. “Man, we’re in deep now. At least, you are. He’ll have you strung up.”
“No he won’t.”
“Yeah? Why not?
“Because when we get back with the stuff, I’ll give him some. It won’t take much to change his tune.”
George considered Tobias’ reasoning and saw his point. Kitzloc essence was better than gold. Hell, it was better than anything. Tobias was right. When Jennings saw what they had, he’d probably offer to take Tobias as a partner. Tobias was one smart dude.
“Well, we’ve got to get the stuff first.”
“We will, George. I’ve got it all worked out.”
“Are the simulcons charged up?”
“Charged and ready to go.”
“All right then. I ain’t gonna worry about things because it’s your ass on the line, not me and Lisa.” George yawned and stretched his arms toward the sky. “I guess I’ll turn in,” he said, climbing to his feet.
“I’ll sit a while longer,” said Tobias.
“Fire’s dying down,” George said as he walked toward the truck. “See you in the morning.”
“Get some sleep. Don’t stay up all night with that woman of yours.”
George clamored into the truck and Tobias re-adjusted his lean frame on the air-filled cushion. He didn’t like camping out, but it was time to do something. They couldn’t count on the Earthers anymore. Who knew when they’d be back, although Tobias was sure they would return one day. When they did, he wanted to be ready. Like everybody else, he wanted to be rich. Well, he had a scheme. If it worked, it would pay huge. Kitzloc essence was what he was after. The stuff was priceless. Its effects were amazing; it could cure just about anything and it would sure cure Tobias’ poor financial status. The trick was surviving the experience of obtaining it.
George and Lisa had been easy to talk into helping. Like most everybody remaining on Mirabel they were down on their luck and willing to do anything to improve their situation. Tobias didn’t feel bad about dragging them along. Sure, it was dangerous, about the most dangerous thing Tobias could think of, but they all knew the risks associated with hunting the reclusive animal.
A shuffle from beyond the perimeter startled Tobias. He peered into the darkness, straining to see. Nothing more than a slight noise, but enough to alarm him.
He stood and kicked dirt over the dying embers until all light was extinguished. Feeling along his utility belt, his hand closed around his night goggles. He slipped them over his eyes and the surrounding terrain sprang to view in a green field. There was nothing to see besides rolling plains of sand and the occasional rock formation. Behind him, leading back toward the settlement were the tracks left by the truck. He was certain he’d heard something. Most likely a small animal, but all the same…
Tobias backed toward the vehicle until he was beside his weapon: a multi-barreled, air-cooled Vimbacher with a choice of shells -- explosive-tipped or smart. He hefted the gun and chose the smart option. Straining to listen, he stood and waited.
A breeze caressed his face, sending a chill down his spine. Wisps of clouds passed over the face of Mirabel’s first rising moon and added mood to the already haunting landscape.
After listening for a full minute, Tobias sighed and muttered to himself. He slipped the safety switch on again and rested the weapon against the truck tire. As he removed the goggles, the motion sensor began to beep. The unit was set into the side of the truck and Tobias looked at the digital readouts. At his back, a loud snap came from the perimeter fence. Tobias faltered and tripped over the leaning Vimbacher. Scrambling, he reached for the weapon even as he sensed something coming towards him. Looming like a giant apparition, a shadow stepped through the covered fire raising a cloud of dust and releasing embers that lifted up and joined the stars for a moment before being extinguished on the breeze.
Tobias rolled over and pointed the Vimbacher toward the fire where he was certain the creature crouched, but nothing was there.
His heart pounded as he looked left and right. He sucked in air with shallow gasps. Where was it? This was no trick of the imagination. It had been there, big and fast.
The motion sensor stopped its beeping and once again the readouts indicated nothing in the general vicinity. They were a long way from the rocklands, so perhaps it had been something else, not the kitzloc, otherwise he’d surely be dead. Tobias wanted to get inside the truck, but his feet wouldn’t
obey. Would the truck offer shelter in any case? Whatever it was, better to face it outside with a gun in his hand.
*
Harry had always been neat in appearance, almost meticulous, so the shock of seeing him in such a state was doubled. He lay in a corner of the bunk, eyes closed, lips moving as if speaking to some invisible guest.
Kathleen said nothing as she stood near the door. She waited for him to acknowledge he was awake, to show her he was in control of himself, but other than his lips he didn’t move a muscle.
The sight made her want to cry. She wanted to go to him, to comfort him, to tell him he would be all right, that she would take care of him, but the truth was she wasn’t certain she could.
The lighting wasn’t so low to prevent Kathleen from having a good look. Before she’d entered, she hadn’t given Minerva’s warning a second thought. Now that she occupied the same space as Harry, she wondered what she could do if Harry did go off on her. The thought made her uneasy so she remained by the door.
“Harry?” she whispered.
He didn’t move.
“Harry?” she repeated herself, louder.
He didn’t open his eyes but he responded. “I can see you.”
“How? Your eyes are closed.”
“I can see through my eyelids.” He opened his eyes. His pupils floated in pools of red. The irises were fully open and gleamed brightly, frighteningly so.
Again she stifled the urge to cry. “How are you doing Harry?”
He suddenly sat up, surprising her. “Actually, not bad. The headaches seem to be going away.”
“Minerva says she’s been able to stem the infection, slow it down a bit.”
Harry cocked his head to one side. “I’m not sure how I feel about that.”
“What do you mean?”
He looked at her. “I mean I think I’m beginning to like the effects.”
“Harry, how can you say that? You’ve been so ill, we’ve been so worried about you. I’ve been worried about you.”
“Have you?”
“Yes, of course.” She took a step toward him. “You mean the world to me, you always have.”
“Which world is that, Kath’? We’ve been to so many, I hardly recall them all.” He grinned and she saw his teeth had turned a tint of brown.
“Oh Harry…”
“Yes?”
Shocked at his appearance, she fumbled for words. “It’s just that I’m so concerned. I want you to get well. I want things to be like they were.”
Harry shook his head and chuckled. “I don’t know Kath’, you might want to think twice before taking me to your folks’ for Thanksgiving. You think they’d be shocked? I know, I could do parlor tricks. Watch.”
Harry raised his hands and turned his palms so they faced one another five or six centimeters apart. He glanced at Kathleen. “Watch,” he repeated. He began to hum, a buzzing, strange, teeth-chattering hum followed by a quick exhalation. As he exhaled, a wide blue spark of electricity jumped from one palm to the other, snapping like a broken stick and leaving a whiff of smoke in the air. The smoke was quickly caught up in the circulating air and sucked out of the compartment.
Kathleen was speechless. Harry gazed at her. “Want to see another?”
Slowly, she nodded. “Okay.”
Again he held up a hand, one this time, his left. “See my pinky?” He flexed it and Kathleen realized Harry was enjoying himself.
“Yes.”
“Watch this.” Harry reached with his right hand and began to pry off the nail on his left little finger.”
“No Harry don’t. You don’t have to…”
She stopped when he succeeding in pulling off the nail. The finger bleed profusely but he continued to hold it aloft. He didn’t cry out nor did he grimace. Instead he watched in rapt fascination.
“Harry! Why?”
“Shh,” he said, “just watch.”
“Let me get a bandage for you.”
“It’ll be all right. Look.”
Kathleen fretted but humored him. She looked at the finger as blood streamed down Harry’s upraised hand. Before her eyes, the cuticle swelled, then another nail appeared, small at first but rapidly growing in place of the missing nail. In a matter of seconds, the new nail had grown in and the only remnant of change was the still wet blood on Harry’s hand.
“How did you do that?”
Harry displayed a brownish smile. “I thought about it.”
*
Tobias banged on the side of the truck to alert George and Lisa. There were steps and the hatch opened. George, hair in disarray, peered down at Tobias.
“What’s the problem?”
“Something’s inside our perimeter.”
“You sure?”
“Sure I’m sure. Grab a gun and get your ass out here. Wake up Lisa.”
“She’s awake.”
“Then both of you get out here. Now!”
George frowned and turned back. Through the open door Tobias heard Lisa ask what was going on.
“Tobias has a case of the willies. Come on, let’s go out and calm him down.”
“He’s probably just paranoid about borrowing the truck. I know I would be. When Jennings finds out…”
A moment later George stepped down. In his hand was an automatic pistol. Tobias hadn’t moved. The night air was chilly and George clasped his arms around his chest as he looked around. From the campsite to the horizon, nothing moved. It was a wasteland stretching for kilometers in every direction with nothing but sand, rocks, and sparse vegetation. There were few places to hide.
“Something came through the fence,” said Tobias, offering the information without any prodding from George.
“How could anything come through the fence? Did you power it down?”
“No, dammit, I didn’t power it down! Something came through the fence!”
“Well, did you see it?”
“No, I was turned away, but it stepped through the fire.”
George looked at the now defunct campfire. “Fire’s out, Tobias.”
“I know damn well the fire’s out! I put it out! I’m telling you something’s out here!”
“All right, all right, calm down. Let’s check it out.” George had never seen Tobias so afraid. Something had happened. He turned to the sensor panel. “Did this thing go off?”
“Yeah.”
Lisa spoke from the open hatch, startling both men. “What is it?”
George shrugged. “We don’t know yet. Come down and help.”
Lisa sighed heavily and climbed down the ladder wearing only a thin undershirt and dungaree trousers. “It’s cold out here.”
Tobias glanced at her. “Grab that rifle.” He nodded toward another Vimbacher resting beside the truck. “Go to the front. George, you move to the back. I’ll cover you both.”
George frowned but moved toward the rear of the truck. He glanced back to assure Tobias was watching and mumbled something inaudible. Lisa remained beside Tobias until Tobias told her again to move to the front. Begrudgingly, she did so. George got to the back and peeped around the corner. “Nothing here,” he reported.
“Here either,” said Lisa, standing at the front.
Tobias scratched his beard, then looked up to the edge of the cabin roof. The truck was a sixteen and a half ton all terrain vehicle with a shut-in rear that housed equipment as well as a small sleeping compartment. The top was nearly three meters from the ground and from Tobias’ vantage point, it couldn’t be readily seen. To improve his perspective, he backed away but there was nothing more to see besides an air vent and an antenna. George asked Tobias what he wanted to do. Tobias looked at George and as he opened his mouth to answer, George was suddenly jerked backward out of sight.
In the next moment, Lisa screamed, diverting Tobias’ attention. She fired the Vimbacher at something beyond Tobias’ view. The gun roared and a split-second later Tobias heard the explosive-tipped projectile go off. Switching to automatic, Lisa f
ired again in a long burst. With a look of terror on her face, she turned and ran toward the open hatch, but Tobias beat her to it and slammed it in her face. She pounded on the hatch.
“What are you doing? Let me in! Do you hear? Let me in!”
On the opposite side, Tobias locked the door and backed away. Lisa yelled something unintelligible but was cut off in mid-voice.
Tobias squatted under the stored simulcon units. Suspended by chains and strapped securely to steel stanchions, they looked like giant suits of armor and he wished he could crawl inside one of them but of course the interiors were packed with electronics and mechanical servos offering no room to spare.
Seconds stretched. Tobias’ ears rang from the Vimbacher’s blasts. The Vimbacher. He’d dropped his weapon in the rush to re-enter the truck. He held his breath and listened.
The stifling smell of machine oil permeated the compartment. Tobias eased himself to a rear vent and put his ear to the grating while taking deep breaths to still his rapidly beating heart. Cool night air touched his cheek. A scent like that of exotic oils and perfumes wafted through the vent.
The odor was not unpleasant and he sniffed at the air. There were many fragrant flowers on Mirabel but not in the wastelands. Oddly, he began to relax. Such a soothing aroma. What had become of George and Lisa? Tobias was curious. So curious, in fact, he was compelled to rise and return to the latched door.
With a calm mind, he disengaged the lock and swung the hatch open. The sweet redolence washed over him in waves, removing all trepidation, his fear utterly gone. Tobias dropped his hands to his sides and watched in wonder as the kitzloc rose before him.
Chapter 2
Just shy of sixty, Gary Jennings lay in bed and stared at the ceiling. Light seeped through yellowed blinds illuminating the room just enough to make out the peeling paint above his head. Motes of dust floated casually in the beams. Springs squeaked as he shifted position on the mattress.
His time on Mirabel hadn’t started out badly: He’d arrived on the planet after a stint in the asteroid belt as a capable engineer, eager to increase his fortune in the wilds of a newly discovered, habitable planet. As the lead on the Braithwaite Corporation team, and the one with the lion’s portion of shares, he quickly amassed a fortune in minerals, stones, and precious metals. The money, as well as a natural-born ability to take charge, had secured him the top position in the pecking order. Subsequently, the name of the small settlement was changed to Jennings Bank, the Bank moniker coming from the bend of a river on which the town rested. But now Jennings was a big fish in a small pond that was all but dried up, and that’s what compelled him to lie in bed.