Space Scout

by S A Pavli

  “Sundance the sharp shooter strikes again.” The shuttle had disappeared behind the tree line and I waited , hoping that it would not return. There was a rustle in the bushes and Manera was suddenly back, looking wide eyed and dishevelled.

  “Manera, did you see that? I think Sundance got one good shot in.”

  She nodded, breathing heavily. “Yes, that was good shooting,” she said. “But unless he hit the AG drive, the shuttle will still fly.” I sobered up quickly. She was right of course, it would need the drive or its main controls to be damaged before it became un-flyable. Sure enough after a few minutes the ship re-appeared, hovering over the trees and just to the right of the camp. It was pointing in the direction of Sundance's hideout and I guessed what was about to happen.

  “Get out of there Sundance,” I exclaimed. We saw the contrails of their missiles, two of them, and the explosions as they impacted the cliff where Sundance’s hideout had been. The Flyer then turned its nose ominously in our direction. We looked at each other and we must both have had the same thought. This was the end, we had nowhere to run. The shuttle could just stand off out of range of our machine gun and pick us off with its missiles.

  “Paul , I am sorry. “I cannot believe Hianja would do this thing,” she said sorrowfully. I embraced her with my good arm and held her close.

  “Its OK ,you have been great. Its been a pleasure knowing you.” she leaned her head on my shoulder, and I brushed her tangled hair from her eyes.

  “Me also,” she whispered. I suddenly and very desperately did not want to die.

  “Come on, let’s not just stand here and make it easy for them, let’s run for it.” she gaped in surprise and then grabbing my hand we both headed into the trees running as fast as we could. We expected to be blown to bits at any second and when the huge explosion came we both threw ourselves to the ground. There was confusion for a few seconds as we slowly realised we were still in one piece. I sat up and looked around in amazement. There was a thundering roar overhead which I instantly recognised

  “Alfred you bastard, what took you so long!” The Epsilon screamed over our heads, made a spectacular turn and then came back in another flypast, its wings dipping in salute. In the distance the Hianja flyer, flames coming from its rapidly disintegrating rear end, was collapsing gracefully to Earth.

  “Bloody show off!” I shouted at the shuttle as it banked around in another turn, heading for the Base Camp landing site. Manera was jumping up and down in delight, clapping her hands like a little girl. I grabbed her and we danced a little jig together like a couple of kids, laughing in relief.

  Holding hands, we made our way back to the Camp, full of merriment at first, but slowly winding down as fatigue and reaction took hold. But nothing was going to ruin our happiness at the turn of events. We had unequivocally won and ensured our survival. Was Smetronis in the shuttle I asked myself. Or had he stayed nice and safe in the Mother Ship while his lieutenants did his dirty work? Even Manera was looking pale and exhausted by the time we got back to base and my legs could barely support me. And there waiting for us when we returned was none other than Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, that swashbuckling duo of fearless robot explorers. I felt like cuddling them both.

  “Sundance, you made it, bloody well done,” I exclaimed.

  “Yes, after first rocket not disable ship, knew position revealed and so abandoned,” he intoned.

  “You did right thing old chap, otherwise you would be scrap iron now. And Butch, there you are, so good of you to join the party, eventually,” I said pointedly. Butch buzzed and rolled forward heavily.

  “I have communicators,” he said, not bothering with social chit chat. He was never one for small talk. He had one for me and one for Manera.

  “Alfred, speak to me,” I croaked.

  “Paul, I understand you have been wounded,” came those familiar fruity tones. “You must allow Sundance to treat your wound as soon as possible.”

  “Right Ho mate, all in good time. Why didn’t you reply to our message? We thought we were gonners there I tell you,” I said trying to be severe but unable to keep the relief out of my voice.

  “I purposely did not reply to provide miss-information to the enemy,” he retorted as if lecturing to a child. “One of the basic laws of military tactics,” he explained condescendingly.

  “Yes, but the idea is not to also miss-inform your friends as well,” I said pointedly.

  “Yes, that was unfortunate,” he replied. “But there was no way I could inform you that your message had been received, without also informing them. I hoped that you would keep the enemy occupied thus providing me with the element of surprise. Which is of course, exactly what happened,” he finished smugly.

  “Alfred, I have to hand it to you, without inflating your already bloated ego, it was as you say, exactly what happened.”

  “Paul, I also have to congratulate you. Sundance tells me, you displayed great tactical ability and courage. You are a credit to our service and it will go down on record.”

  “Enough already,” I exclaimed. “I am blushing from me toes up to me ears. Let us finish this mutual admiration society meeting. Any other business?”

  “Yes,” said Manera. “I have to put it on record Alfred that I am ashamed of what has happened over the last week. The insanity that has seized Smetronis is a tragedy for Hianja and Human relationships and I will see that he is brought to account for his actions to the Guardians themselves. Let me also say that Paul’s bravery and quick thinking has saved my life any number of times and I will always be in his debt.”

  “Its all in a days work for a Super Hero. Anyway, I seem to remember you saved my life at least once. Not to mention being a real brick throughout. So there, we are even .”

  “A brick?” she laughed. “You call me an ugly brick? Is that the best complement you could manage?” she said with mock outrage.

  “Ah..it is an er.. metaphorical description,” I said with feigned embarrassment. “Indicating your stirling qualities of ...er hardness and er... Squareness ” I finished laughing.

  “I will show you my hardness,” she said advancing on me threateningly.

  “No No!” I cried. “I surrender, I am an injured man, I need medical attention.” We both held on to each other laughing uproariously while the two robots looked on with stoical indifference.

  “When you two have finished your comedy double act,” admonished Alfred. “Perhaps we can get on with some serious business.”

  “Oh God Alfred, I have had my fill of serious business recently,” I exclaimed. “A bit of light relief is all I need.”

  “Nevertheless,” he insisted. “Events will not wait and neither will your wound. There is a surgical unit in the Epsilon where you can be attended to. Please return there immediately.”

  And so we did, and not before time. The euphoria and the drugs having worn off I had to be carried into the ship and did not need much anaesthetic before I passed out. When I awoke, I was still strapped into the narrow surgical bunk. There was a dull throb in my shoulder and my stomach was complaining loudly at the lack of attention it had received over the last day or two. I could not see Manera or anybody else for that matter.

  “Hey Alfred, where is everyone?” I asked.

  “Manera has gone with the robots to retrieve food supplies from the Base. She is on her way back now.”

  “Couldn’t the robots go by themselves?” I asked and I wondered at the twinge of concern that stabbed my innards.

  “She wanted to choose,” he said.

  “Just like a women,” I grumbled. “Can’t resist doing a bit of shopping.”

  “You are anthropomorphising her actions,” he said primly.

  “She is not an animal you know Alfred,” I protested. “Anyway, I have never met a woman who is more woman than Manera,” I said. “If you know what I mean,” I added.

  “I have noticed that you and her have grown very close in the last week,” he said with just a hin
t of disapproval in his voice.

  “Is there a problem with that Alfred? You not going to come the heavy father now are you?”

  “Not at all Paul, please do not take offence,” said Alfred, and it was about the closest he had ever come to an apology. “What I meant was that Manera clearly reciprocates your affection.”

  “You will note that I have so far conducted myself with gentlemanly consideration towards the young lady, and won her trust and affection. All in the interest of good inter-species relations of course,” I said, unable to resist adding a lecherous leer.

  “Oh, I’m sure you can be trusted Paul,” he replied. “But don’t forget. She is not human.” before I could react to this statement, the airlock door whooshed open and the object of our discussion stomped through with bouncing energy.

  “Paul!” she cried “You are awake, how are you feeling.”

  “I could eat anything,” I said ferociously “Particularly young and plump alien females,” I growled. She gave me an amused look.

  “No need. I have some real food for you,” she said indicating the robots behind her who were unloading packets of Hianja food. I groaned and started to undo my straps.

  “You don’t call that real food do you?” I asked. Alfred’s voice intervened.

  “Please move carefully until Sundance examines your wound. The bullet has been removed and you have some stitches. It should heal without problems in a few weeks.” As Manera pottered around preparing the meal, Sundance examined my wound and stitches and pronounced me fit to move around. I watched Manera out of the corner of my eyes, humming to herself a lilting Hianja tune as she banged around the galley. She had bathed and attended to her hair, and put on her original Hianja outfit, although without the jewellery. I was reminded that this was a senior alien scientist, the scientific head of the planetary expedition, and Alfred’s words came back to me.

  “Don’t forget,” he had said. “She is not human.”

  Chapter 16

  The following day we went out in force to investigate the fallen shuttle. It was just slightly further inland from the beach, amongst the first trees of the little forest that grew up into the mountains. We took the Tanseh flyer which just about accommodated Butch and Sundance in the load platform. The Hianja shuttle had come down heavily from a couple of hundred feet and looked in a bad way. The whole rear end was blackened and twisted with a gaping hole where the missile had exploded. It had come down rear end first so the front looked undamaged. The airlock was closed however and there seemed no way we could get into the ship. Hovering in the Tanseh at cockpit height we could see inside the cockpit and there was no signs of life. Just to make sure, we banged on the side of the ship and shouted loudly.

  It was with great surprise that we heard shouted voices from inside, weak but clear. We banged on the airlock and got a response from inside, banging and shouting.

  “They are saying that there the external airlock doors are jammed and cannot be opened manually,” said Manera. Sure enough there was damage to the doors, which were buckled and twisted.

  “Tell them we will try to help,” I said to her. “Tell them to stand away from the airlock doors and we will try to force them open.” We spent a few minutes discussing what would be the best way to get in. Butch was equipped with some light cutting equipment and after some careful surgery he was able to force the door partially open. Sundance went through first, I reckoned one sight of him should knock any remaining stuffing out of the injured Hianja. Sure enough when Manera and I followed the two Hianja were sitting in a corner hands held open in front of them. Interrogation by Manera revealed them to be the pilot and his first officer, who had both been in the cockpit during the crash. They were the only ones to survive and they were both quite uninjured. They told us that the five other crewmen had been in the main compartment which had taken the brunt of the missile. None of them had survived. They looked shocked and despondent, and also baffled and questioning. After some minutes of conversation Manera turned to us and explained.

  “They are very surprised to see I am still alive. Smetronis tell them I was kidnapped and ...,” she struggled for the word, said it in Hianja and got the translation back from Alfred.”

  “....held hostage,” she finished. She continued her conversation with the Hianja while I explored what was left of the ship, which was not much. When we had finished, we all re-boarded the Tanseh , including the captured Hianja, and headed back to the shuttle. The Hianja were now in animated conversation with Manera and there was some anger and vehemence in their demeanour.

  “What are they saying Manera?” I asked.

  “I have explained the whole situation to them,” she replied. “They are both from my home planet and they are very angry at being misled by Smetronis. They are also sickened by the deaths that have taken place. I think we can trust them,” she said.

  “Mmm, I hope so Manera. We can not afford to have to guard them around the clock. What are their names?” I asked. She turned and spoke to them again, and the two Hianja stood and with polite inclinations of their heads introduced themselves. Nastro KamaLato was the Pilot and Fetralin Semetuo was the first officer, who I now recognised was a woman. Nastro was short and chunky and clearly anxious to ingratiate himself with Marena, bobbing his head constantly as he talked. Fetralin was cooler, more aloof and young. I kept finding her examining me curiously, her eyes darting away when she was discovered. The two were clearly not military personnel and I judged that they would not pose a threat to us, but we needed somewhere to house them. We also needed to decide whether to remain in the shuttle or return to the Hianja camp, which was much roomier and more comfortable.

  In the end, we all settled for the comfort of the Base camp, with Nastro and Fetralin taking their own rooms. Over the next few days I had an opportunity to get to know the other Hianja, which was fascinating and informative. But I could not help a twinge of jealousy at having to share Manera with them. As the scientific leader of the expedition, Manera interacted with the other Hianja with an air of cool authority, but as she got to know them better I would catch her having a gossip with Fetralin or a relaxed conversation with Nastro.

  It was not long before Fetralin was unable to restrain her interest in me as an Alien, she started to question me, first with shy reserve and then with increasing confidence when I was forthcoming and informative. The others also got involved , and we would often spend hours talking, which was a pleasant way to pass the time. Nastro and Fetralin became more relaxed with me, and eventually positively friendly. We started to explore our surrounding and do some science to while away the time.

  During this time, there was no communication from the Hianja Starship in orbit above us. Nastro had informed us that Smetronis had indeed stayed in the Mother ship. I wondered what his story to the Expeditionary Force would be. How would he justify his actions?

  When Manera suggested that just the two of us take a field trip into the mountains, I was delighted to accept. We took the Tanseh into the mountains, had ourselves a picnic, and came back the long way around, via the coast, where we found a delightful little sandy cove, ideal for a swim. Of course, neither of us had costumes, so Manera with her usual lack of inhibition simply stripped off and went in naked. I modestly kept my underpants on, not wishing to reveal my Earthly tackle to the curious Marena.

  “I have studied pictures of Human male anatomy Paul,” she said laughingly. “The male penus seems a pitifully small thing in comparison to the fuss which is made about it.”

  “Huh?” I exclaimed nervously, “What, smaller than the um .. Hianja ... Um ... thingy?”

  “Oh yes,” she said emphatically, “Hianja have been genetically modified. They have absolutely huge ones,” she said, putting the emphasis on the ‘huge’.

  “Genetically modified?” I said with disbelief. “That’s a bit much..,” I continued, before realising from her expression that I’d been had. She gave a feminine trill of laughter and pushed me into the water, jump
ing on top me for good measure. Our mock underwater wrestling match lasted for some minutes, I certainly did not want it to stop and it appeared neither did she. The wrestling turned into an embrace and then into a long passionate kiss. At some point my soggy underpants disappeared and over the next hour Manera’s first hand acquaintance with the human penus persuaded her that it was not such a pitiful object after all. I knew that Manera had engineered this trip for this purpose, and she knew that I knew. We had both wanted it and as we lay on the beach afterwards, we were rather sobered by what we had just done.

  “First Contact has been achieved,” I said wryly as we lay in the warm sand. “In more ways than one.”

  “Purely in the interest of scientific research,” she added taking a bite of my shoulder. I flinched with pain, Manera’s love making was very energetic and her mouth and sharp teeth had figured prominently.

  “Hianja women don’t eat their mates after love making do they?” I asked.

  “Only if their love making is sub-standard,” she said looking me up and down in a calculating fashion.

  “No problem there then,” I said smugly. “Manera, how do you feel about what we have just done?” I asked, the first faint quivering of guilt agitating my conscience.

  “I feel very nice,” she said, stretching languidly. “I think we should have another scientific field trip tomorrow.”