by Mitch Benn
In less than a day, the Black Planet will be here. The Gfjk-Hhh can’t save you, and not only that, he has taken away from you the things you need to save yourself. He closed down the Source, so you couldn’t inform or educate yourselves or find solutions. He closed down the communication system, so you couldn’t work together or consult with each other.
I have given these things back to you. You’ll find the Source is working again, and all communications have been restored. The Gfjk-Hhh – or whoever he really is – will tell you that he can defeat the Black Planet, but he has nothing to offer you but myths and stories. If this world is going to survive, then we’ll need something real. I’m now calling on all the scientists, the astroscopers, the engineers, the xenologists and experts in all . . . those . . . sorts of things, to come together now, to work – as my friends and I are doing – to find a way to deflect the planet, or destroy it, or cancel out . . . whatever it is that it does. We don’t have much time. We’re going to need each other. Every one of us.
And I have a message for one person in particular. If you’re still alive – and I’m sure you are, I don’t know why, but I’m sure you are – then I’ll find you. Stay as safe as you can. I’m coming to find you.
Good luck, everybody.
The face disappeared.
3.17
Lbbp, still a prisoner, still bound, still a lunatic’s whim away from death, had never been happier in his life.
He felt a fierce love and a fiercer pride. If the Gfjk-Hhh had struck him dead at that moment, his last thoughts would have been ones of gratitude that he’d lived long enough to know that feeling.
How had she done it?
She looked so grown up.
His Terra, his brave, brilliant Terra.
Weird hair, mind you, but still.
A sound crashed into Lbbp’s thoughts. A shrill, sustained shriek of fury. The kind of anger of which only gods are supposed to be capable.
- NnnnnnnnnnnNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOoooooo!
Lbbp turned his head to see the Gfjk-Hhh. He had slid from his throne onto his knees. As Lbbp watched, the Gfjk tore the brass helmet from his head and began to slam it repeatedly into the stone floor, denting and deforming it a little more with each impact.
- SHE
- RUINED
- EVERY
- THING
- SHE’S
- SPOILED
- EVERY
- THING
- STUPID
- LITTLE
- BEAST
- SHE
- SPOILED
- MY
- BIG
- SPEECH, yelled the Gfjk, in rhythm with the clanging of the helmet against the floor. He collapsed, as if exhausted, then sprang to his feet, hurled the bizarrely shaped remains of his helmet in no particular direction, and started pacing around in a hunched position, his hands clenching and unclenching.
His courtiers, who habitually hung around the Forum desperately trying to catch the Gfjk’s eye in the hope that he might bestow on them some favour or other, now averted their eyes and edged away, terrified that his gaze might fall upon them.
Someone did catch the Gfjk’s eye. It was Wffk. Standing faithfully behind his master’s throne, he hadn’t budged during the blackout and ensuing panic, or during the young Ymn’s unexpected address.
The Gfjk lunged at Wffk and grabbed the front of his garment. He pulled his scrivener’s face up to his own and bawled at him.
- Why did she do that, Wffk? Why? I was going to tell them all about the Black Planet! Me! That was my job! She spoiled my speech! He released his grip on Wffk, sank to the floor and sat down, his legs splayed, his head lolling on his chest. She spoiled my speech, he sobbed.
- Erm . . . Luminescence?
The Gfjk looked up to see who had addressed him. It was the Deceiver.
- This is exactly what we NEEDED to happen, Luminescence, said the Deceiver soothingly.
- What . . . what do you mean? asked the Gfjk. He became aware of the indignity of his position and struggled to his feet, smoothing down his robe.
- The Ymn has challenged the authenticity of your claim, Luminescence. She says you’re a fraud, an imposter.
The Gfjk was nonplussed. - A lot of people say that, he said.
- Yes, but not out loud, not in front of the whole nation, said the Deceiver. You’ve received a direct challenge in a public forum. This DEMANDS a response, and today you have the perfect response ready! You can banish any lingering doubts about just who – and WHAT – you are for ever.
- Yes, I have the perfect response ready. What is it?
- Why, Luminescence – the Deceiver smiled – your grand plan for saving Fnrr from the Black Planet!
- Ah yes, yes . . . Erm – the Gfjk’s brow furrowed – what IS my grand plan for saving Fnrr from the Black Planet?
- We’ll discuss it now, said the Deceiver. And it really is perfect. You are to be congratulated, Luminescence, I couldn’t have come up with a better one myself.
- Of course, of course, panted the Gfjk. He smiled at the Deceiver. You are, after all, my most trusted adviser. The Gfjk-Hhh looked over his shoulder. Wffk? he said.
- Yes, Luminescence?
- You’re fired.
Wffk froze. He’d been present when the Gfjk-Hhh had ‘fired’ underlings before. There was always more to it than that. Always humiliation, and often death. He tensed and shuddered, awaiting whatever cruel trick his master had in mind to spring on him.
The Gfjk-Hhh turned back to the Deceiver, and soon the two of them were deep in conversation.
Wffk didn’t dare move. He could feel the eyes of everyone in the room upon him. They all wanted to see what happened next as well.
After a moment, in which the Gfjk did not turn round but carried on talking to the Deceiver, Wffk began to edge towards the door, backwards, not daring to turn his back on his former master.
He reached the door. Fumbling behind himself, he opened it. He could sense the general disappointment in the room.
Wffk slipped backwards out of the Forum, then turned, and ran, ran as fast as he could.
* * *
Back in the Forum, the Gfjk-Hhh had a question for the Deceiver.
- Deceiver, I’m confused . . .
You said it, thought Lbbp. - In what way, Luminescence? he asked with concern.
- Why are you advising me on how to beat the Rrth child? When she’s the source of all your . . . skills?
Lbbp measured his response, then smiled. - Today is a day for transcendence, Luminescence. I have surpassed her achievements. There’s nothing more she could teach me about deception. Quite true, in fact, thought Lbbp. He went on, in a conspiratorial whisper, I don’t NEED her any more, Luminescence. And before today is done, you won’t need me any more either.
The Gfjk seemed content with this answer.
In fact, thought Lbbp, if all goes well, by the end of the day you won’t need much of anything.
3.18
Terra switched off her slate, sat back in her chair and exhaled hard. She looked at her friends’ faces. She didn’t ask what they’d thought of her address. Their smiles told her enough, and it was too late now, anyway. So instead she asked:
- How long do you think it’ll take them to trace the signal back here?
Pktk looked blankly back at her. - There’s no way to tell, he said. If they know what they’re doing, it shouldn’t take them long, but it’s more than likely that they DON’T know what they’re doing. No one’s made an unofficial transmission for an orbit, and the kind of creeps and lackeys the Gfjk’s surrounded himself with may not have any idea how to deal with it.
- That’s true, said Fthfth. Anyone who knows anything about science has either been arrested or is hiding out in a different country, like us.
- Like we’re supposed to be, reminded Pktk.
- Well, if I get a vote in this, said Billy, I say we don’t hang about here any longer than we have to. What’s the next move?
Pktk had already made his next move; he’d accessed the database of all surveyed planets and was running through it, looking for a planet of the same mass and diameter as the Black Planet – these being the only halfway meaningful measurements they’d been able to take of it. He was watching the list of planets rush across his slate. Pktk was SO glad to have the Source back. He felt like he’d just regrown a missing limb (a friend of his had actually done that once; Pktk made a mental note to ask him how it had felt – if they ever met again).
- Right, said Terra. We’ve started the bdkt rolling. There are people all over Fnrr working on the problem now, or I hope so, anyway. And the Source is up again, so we can be mobile. We can use our slates to access whatever information we need. I say we move out. We can find another empty apartment to hide out in. There are plenty of them, she added grimly.
There was no dissent; the band of friends began to pack up their various odds and ends in preparation. Just as they were about to leave, there came a great blaring, trumpeting sound. It came from everywhere, from the streets, from the sky, from their slates.
Fthfth looked at her slate and groaned. Billy looked over her shoulder.
- Well, look who it isn’t, he muttered.
The Gfjk-Hhh’s grinning face filled the slate, and also the screens of all the astroscopy lab’s computers.
- Beloved children! it said. Well, that was an interesting little speech by the Ymn, wasn’t it? I’m sure we all found it very entertaining. Like so many of the st’rss and f ’k-shnns she brought to us all those orbits ago. Because always remember, that’s what Ymns are. Deceivers. They have a word for it, you know. Lies, they call them, lies. Untruths, told to mislead us, to confuse us, to HURT us. Ymns are the bringers of lies! Let me hear you! Ymns are the bringers of lies!
To Terra’s horror, she heard the Gfjk’s words echoing around the city. People were chanting, - Ymns are the bringers of lies!
- Yes, yes they are. And, beloved children, do not let an alien’s lies discourage you! We have come so far together, haven’t we? We’ve cast aside the old ways, the ways of division and conflict, and moved forward into a new age of unity and common purpose . . .
- Well, that’s one way of putting it, snarled Pktk.
- Shh, said Fthfth.
- And we have done this by placing our confidence not in the arid, dusty, STERILE ways of the scientists, the CYNICS. We have done this by placing ourselves in the hands of Fate! Fate itself, which chose me to lead you! Fate, which returned me to life in your time of direst need! Exactly as promised!
Terra and Fthfth exchanged anxious looks.
- For was it not written that I should return to you, as Death itself came upon us from the skies?
- Was it? asked Billy.
Terra gave a despairing shrug. - Oh I don’t know, she said, he’s just making it up as he goes along now.
- But do not fear, beloved children! Do not doubt! I shall, this day, do battle with Death itself ! The Gfjk’s voice rose to a scream. I will stay its path with my very word! The evil which bears down upon us will flee my radiance!
- And I thought he’d lost it before, said Billy. He is well and truly off with the pixies.
- The what? asked Pktk.
- Tell you later, said Billy.
- Stay by your visualisers! Gather in the meeting places! You will witness my triumph! My ascension! My VICTORY!
The Gfjk-Hhh’s face disappeared, replaced by Mlmln text reading LOVE AND GLORY TO THE GFJK-HHH. To Terra’s horror, this chant could be heard echoing through the city.
- I don’t believe it, said Fthfth. They’re not actually going for that, are they?
- Sounds like some of them are, said Terra quietly.
- But WHY? said Pktk, despairingly.
Billy had some thoughts on this. - I’ve got some thoughts on this, he said, but let’s walk and talk.
- Go on, then, said Pktk as they exited the astroscopy lab.
- Well, began Billy as they passed along the corridor, some people just . . . like to believe. Somebody comes along with all the answers, it’s easier just to sign up and swallow it all wholesale than to think things through for yourself. Saves effort. Understand?
- I think so, said Fthfth as they found a functioning grav-chute and stepped into it.
- The other thing you have to remember, said Terra to Billy as they descended, is that until not so long ago this society had no concept of fiction, let alone deception. The idea of something being made up is still quite new, so the thought that someone would deliberately and maliciously make something up just for personal gain is . . . well, alien to them, she concluded as they arrived at ground level.
- Literally unimaginable, pondered Billy as the strode to the exit. Tell you what, when I get a minute I’ll have a word. Talk them through it. He winked at Terra as they passed through the door into the deserted street. Where to now, then?
Pktk was about to reply when a pinging noise interrupted him. For a moment he was confused, then he said, - Of course! My comm! My comm is working again! He rummaged in his bag for the gadget; finding it, he looked expectantly at the screen. His face paled, and his jaw dropped.
Terra had never seen Pktk look so stricken. - What? What is it?
Fthfth peeked over Pktk’s shoulder and smiled. - It’s his mother calling, she said.
Billy patted Pktk on the shoulder. - Better answer it, mate. Get it over with.
Pktk turned away, in search of a little privacy. Fthfth chuckled at his predicament, then suddenly fell silent. - Look . . . she said feebly.
Billy and Terra looked.
Above the city spires, like a dark second sun, the Black Planet hung in the evening sky.
Not a word passed between the friends, but they each knew what the others were thinking: we haven’t been taking this seriously enough. We’ve been treating it like a game, like it’s all about getting the better of the Gfjk-Hhh. But it isn’t. We might all be dead by the morning. There may not even BE a morning. This could be the last day this planet sees.
This could be the end of the world.
They walked on in silence.
3.19
- So talk me through this ‘Mission Control’ of yours, Luminescence – who are all these people and what do they do?
- They’re here to control the mission! The Gfjk-Hhh grinned. My mission! My mission to save my people!
- I see, said Lbbp thoughtfully. He looked around the equipment that had been loaded into the Forum. On close inspection, it looked to be a pretty random selection of hardware. Just how much of it would be of any use when co-ordinating a space mission, he didn’t care to guess. Lbbp was fairly certain that at least one of the bulkier machines was in fact one of those big old-style protein manipulators. He turned to address the Gfjk. And how do you intend to do this, Luminescence?
- Isn’t it obvious? I shall take to the stars! I shall confront the Black Planet! We will meet as equals. The destroyer and the saviour. Death itself, and the immortal redeemer, face to face. I think you’ll agree that this will stand as my finest moment, in this life or the . . . other one, said the Gfjk, his vocabulary failing him at the last moment.
Inwardly, Lbbp was punching the air in victory. Outwardly, he looked admiringly at the Gfjk. - Magnificent, Luminescence. Just magnificent. When will you be, erm, taking to the stars?
The Gfjk paused to consider this, then, - Why, immediately, of course! Why keep history waiting? He turned to one of the technicians. You! What’s your name?
- M-me? stammered the technician. My name is Fshnk, Luminescence.
- Very good, Fshnk. Send word, I will take off as soon as possible. Prepa
re my ship.
An awkward silence.
- Ship? asked Fshnk.
Another awkward silence.
- I have GOT a ship, haven’t I? said the Gfjk quizzically.
Fshnk looked anxiously around him at the other technicians. They gazed blankly back at him.
- Um . . . began Fshnk. Not as such, no. Not one of your own, anyway, Luminescence.
The Gfjk, who had been striking a suitably heroically erect pose, slumped. - No ship? he said weakly.
- Well, said Fhsnk, his mind racing to think of a solution while the Gfjk’s temper held, we could see if the Space Navy have one, but they’re all . . .
Lbbp coughed. This oversight couldn’t be allowed to stall things, not when he was so close. - Er, Luminescence, he said, I’ve got a ship you can borrow.
3.20
Colonel Hardison, shielding his eyes against the glare of the setting sun, gazed up at the Lance of the Occluded Ones.
It had been hauled to the launch pad by a hundred-strong team of G’grk drones, using ropes and rollers, like something from an old movie about the building of the Egyptian pyramids. Hardison had watched with more than a little amusement. He was sure the G’grk had some sort of GravTech contraption somewhere around the place which would have made the job much easier. But of course, he thought to himself, the G’grk do enjoy their ceremonies (especially when the Occluded Ones had been invoked, of course), and even when they used advanced technology they seemed uneasy, even suspicious of it.
The Lance itself, after all, had been built not by G’grk technicians (Hardison assumed that the G’grk did have technicians, although now he thought about it he hadn’t met any) but by Dsktn scientists, under circumstances which didn’t bear thinking about. The fact that the scientists might have known that their own country was one of the missile’s possible targets couldn’t have made the work any easier. Hardison wondered if they’d thought of sabotaging the weapon, and if so, would the G’grk have been able to spot it?