Carter looked at her with a serious expression, "Colin and I will keep Bachman and others like him under control. We can't allow this to degenerate into a general confrontation. This is a big planet and we can both find a place. Perhaps of more danger to them is their lack of immunity to human diseases. After all, 'smallpox' was a primary weapon in the conquest of America. Who knows what minor human ailment could prove fatal to them."
Hath-Boc had wakened with the voices outside the window, but he lay quiet with his eyes closed, watching from under lowered lashes. The man who had joined Margie was a new one he had never seen. He was also a different color from the others, although this didn't really surprise him because of other color variations between humans he had noticed, but usually it was the hair that was different. Even the Torgai were often different colors. Tashi, for example, with her beautiful silver tinted fur compared to his own reddish fur."
Noticing Carter, Sonja completed her work and walked out to the area where Margie was standing. Carter's visits had been their only contact since the alien was brought in, a very unsatisfactory contact through a speaker and a glass window. Well, if everything continued to go OK they would lift the quarantine in a few days and she could be back with Carter and 3-month old Jeff. All the organisms they had isolated so far appeared controllable by existing antibacterial or antiviral drugs, and right now her main concern was the immunity of the aliens to human diseases. They had started work to develop vaccines to protect the Torgai, but with their imperfect knowledge of their physiology that could take months. While their cells, like with humans and all life on Earth, were based on a double-helix DNA, the differences in their makeup was vast.
Her problem, Sonja realized, was how to test any vaccine they developed. Cells had been taken from the dead natives for culturing but that was only part of the solution, and the only alien they had access to was the one in the other room; and they couldn't endanger him by using him for experimental tests.
CHAPTER 13: Gathering of the Clans
(October 30, Year 2: The Journey): In spite of the cold wind Eric was drenched with sweat and near the end of his strength as he struggled up the steep path cut into the side of the mountain, a Torgai following close behind clutching his shoulder to keep him from falling, another ahead helping him up the steep incline. The thin air at these higher altitudes cut into his endurance and caused a constant discomfort in his chest. Ahead he could see the wider area in the trail where the lead members of the Torgai party had stopped to rest, while the bearers of Barco's litter followed a short distance behind.
His lack of exercise while being carried in the litter, plus the five days aboard the boats, hadn't helped. This morning, when they began the climb up the cliff-face, he had been expected to climb on his own, which he welcomed. But still, the inactivity had weakened him to the extent that the pain in his muscles was excruciating, and his legs wobbled with fatigue. Soon after the climb began he had started to fall behind, even slowing the Torgai who followed in the rear carrying Barco, on one occasion nearly falling from the path due to leg cramps. The only thing that allowed him to continue was the assistance of the Torgai assigned by Hath to help him.
Reaching the rest area, Eric dropped to the ground, his heart gradually slowing to a more normal rate. Now the cold wind chilled him as it dried his sweat-drenched shirt, making him pull the fur robe around his shoulders. Pulling himself to a sitting position, Eric leaned against the sheer wall of the mountain face and took the time to observe his surroundings. Behind, Eric could see the trail as it snaked up the side of the dark granite face of the mountain, disappearing far below around a curve in the cliff wall. Ahead the trail continued upward to disappear in the lower cloud level. From the thinness of the air, and the view of the valley far below, Eric estimated they must be at an altitude of well over 3,000 meters, maybe much higher, with a climb of unknown distance still ahead.
Looking out over the canyon the view was partially obscured by the cloud topped sheer rise of the cliff which formed the other side of the canyon, but where the canyon opened to the west he could see to where the foothills faded into the hazy blur of the endless savanna. The ever present wind at this altitude covered any sound from the raging river far below, which looked like a narrow, glittering ribbon. One of the minor tributaries of the north branch of the Great River, the group had paddled upstream until the rapids became impassable, then proceeded along its eastern bank on foot to where it flowed from the mountain range. Glancing up, all Eric could see was the cloud cover that formed a lid over the canyon, obscuring the heights on both sides. In places, where the clouds thinned, the sky lightened, but not enough to let through sunlight. Soon they would be in the clouds, tendrils of which drifted only a few dozen meters over his head.
The trail itself was another mystery to Eric, but in his current state he found it difficult to concentrate on what he saw. From its weathered appearance it had apparently been cut long ago, and many of the steps had weathered to the point where they disappeared, leaving a rock-strewn slope; but in other stretches remained with only a few broken edges. Few tool marks were visible, having been worn away, with repair work limited to a narrow bypass cut into the cliff wall where a part of the trail had been dislodged. The place where they had stopped had been cut into the mountain to allow a total depth of over 6 meters, with the overhanging rocks providing partial protection from the elements. Hath had said the path had always been there, and he had no idea who had built it; he supposed his ancestors, since there were no others. If that were the case, since the Torgai were limited to stone tools, construction of the path must have involved an enormous effort. But then, stone age Earth civilizations had built impressive monuments with nothing more.
Actually, the colonists, and Eric as well, knew very little about Alpha 2 except in the vicinity of New Athens. If villages were as unobtrusive as the village of Hath the population could be quite high and they wouldn't have necessarily detected it. By the time of their expedition they hadn't even done a scout plane survey anywhere near the Great River, and east of the mountain range was a vast unknown. As far as the mountains were concerned, the cloud cover had hidden much of what was there, the infra-red sensors being only partially effective. They had just never seriously considered the possibility of Alpha 2 having an intelligent presence; the odds were just too great. No, Eric thought, we just don't know.
Since leaving the river nine days before their progress had been rapid; at least until the day before yesterday. As the trail climbed higher into the mountains it was increasingly rough, and by yesterday the region had become one of barren rocks and crags with occasional areas of hot springs or steam vents, signifying volcanic activity. And then in the afternoon the trail entered a deep, rocky canyon, and their climb up the cliff face had begun. While they hadn't encountered any other groups of Torgai, recent campfires and tracks had shown that several other delegations had already passed, and Hath indicated they would probably be one of the last of the village delegations to arrive.
Apparently this was a seasonal route not passable during the winter, and even now the season was late for its use. But, according to Hath, it would save several days compared to taking the lower pass further to the north. They also had to reach the top today or camp at one of the frequent areas available for resting as they had last night. This had been a gamble on Hath's part. He had spent several minutes with Barco and some of the more senior of the hunters at the base of the cliff, peering at the sky and the trail, before they had begun the attempt. If they found the pass blocked by snow they would have to backtrack for several days, cross to the western bank of the tributary, and take the longer route, making them late for the gathering.
Eric looked up as Hath came over and crouched at his side, handing him a piece of dried meat, and offering him his water skin. "We're nearing the top of the trail," Hath said, "we reach the crest of the pass before sundown."
Whenever that is, since the sun had been blocked by the cliff since shortly
after noon, Eric thought, before responding, "if I can make it that far."
"If not we'll carry you," Hath replied, missing the irony in Eric's response. "We can't delay; if the weather turns bad while we're on the cliff-face we could all die. And the wind is bringing in what could be a storm; we have to reach the top before dark, there we can rest."
"Just joking," Eric said in response. Eric thought, one thing the Torgai lack is a sense of humor. They take everything literally. "When do we reach the village?" Eric asked.
Hath remained silent, thinking. "Two more days," he said, "beyond the crest is a shallow valley, then one more small range of mountains and we are there. The trip from where we left the boats would be less than 10 days for a hunting party, but with you and Barco we can't travel as fast."
Eric looked over at Hath. "Why did you bring me along?" he asked. "You still haven't told me what the trip is about, except for a meeting of all the Torgai villages."
Hath didn't respond at first, but eventually said, "I have agreed with Barco not to tell the reason for now, but this is an important council. Things have happened that require an important decision. You will know when the council begins."
"Will I be present at the council?" Eric asked.
"Yes, for parts," Hath responded. "You are necessary for the council, which is why you are here. This is not of my doing, and what happens is up to the council of the assembled villages." Hath looked at him carefully, and then got to his feet.
As Hath walked off, Eric's mind hung on Hath's parting comment. Clearly Hath was uneasy. This was the first he had said about the importance of the council, and that it at least partially involved Eric. Eric couldn't help but feel a chill. In his mind was the thought that the council would determine his future, or even if he had one.
Hath and the other Torgai were preparing to again start the climb, so Eric pushed himself to his feet, ready to resume. While his legs still felt rubbery he felt refreshed. "Only a few more hours," he thought, "I can make that. Without being carried like a baby."
The path didn't get any easier at first, but then the slope gradually became less steep as they entered the clouds clustered around the peaks. Soon Eric was wet and cold from the combination of light sleet and snow that came with the cloud cover, and visibility was down to less than five meters; in places he couldn't even see where the path ended and the drop began. Added to the clouds was the increasing darkness from the lowering sun. Behind him the litter-bearers stopped for a moment as one of the Torgai adjusted the fur robes covering Barco. As they continued upward the path became whitened and increasingly slippery with the sleet-snow mixture, making footing difficult, causing Eric to cling to the cliff face, occasionally losing his footing and slipping to his knees. Then the clouds thinned, and within minutes they emerged above the clouds, the top of the pass in sight. The sunlight, even though the sun barely made it above the glowering cliffs on the western canyon wall, was dazzling as it reflected off the light coating of snow that covered the path.
The sudden glare of the sun as they emerged from the cloud-cover caused the Torgai, and Eric as well, to cling to the cliff-face, covering their eyes with one arm as they climbed the last few meters into full sunlight. Shortly, as their eyes adjusted, they again started the climb, soon reaching the broad, flat top of the pass. Here the snow had become deeper, up to Eric's mid-calf, but the light snow and sleet they had encountered while in the clouds was behind them, and the end of the climb cheered them all. Below all they could see was the cloud blanket pierced by the mountain peaks, with the sun painting the cloud tops crimson as it dipped into the clouds. The cold wind, now unimpeded by the protecting cliff face, chilled Eric to the bone. Within minutes the sun would disappear, and darkness would fall rapidly, and even the slight warming from the receding sun would be gone.
Off to the side a crude stone shelter had been built against the wall of rock, apparently for travelers since it had a supply of firewood. Eric could but wonder where the firewood had come from. They were far above the tree line, and carrying it up the path they had come would have been a big effort. The party stopped for the night at the shelter and, after building a warming fire, ate an evening meal of dried meat and wrapped themselves in their fur robes for protection from the freezing temperature. Eric simply wrapped himself in his robe and fell into a deep sleep, too exhausted even to eat.
October 31, Year 2
Still stiff from yesterday's exertion, Eric was recovering rapidly, but was famished. Having skipped supper, and with only a quick, cold breakfast, they had been moving since slightly after dawn. This morning's descent into the valley had been fairly easy, the downward trail gradual and well maintained. The clouds that had obscured the peaks yesterday had dissipated, and they had awakened to a full view of the valley below, touched by the rising sun. The warming sun and the knowledge that they were now near the end of their journey cheered them all. While occasional rockslides had blocked parts of the path they had been easily detoured around, and by noon they had reached the valley floor, stopped for a brief 'cold' lunch, and then spent most of the afternoon working their way across the valley to the ascending trail over the final barrier. Apparently Hath felt the need for haste was past since he allowed Eric to walk, the Torgai slowing their pace to match his. The valley was a large, oblong bowl between the two mountain ranges, the one they had just crossed, and the lower range to the east. Protected by the surrounding mountains, and with water supplied by the melting snows from the peaks, it was lush with grass and game abounded. It was a primitive paradise, like the mythical Shangri-La. According to Hath the climb tomorrow would be fairly easy, no more that half a day.
Crossing the valley they passed clusters of trees inhabited by what appeared to be chimpanzee like bipeds which watched with curiosity from the bushes. While the size of a chimpanzee, they walked more upright, and didn't appear to be tree-dwellers. They followed the party, dodging from clump to clump of bushes, but showed little fear. They didn't, however, venture from the wooded areas when the Torgai party moved onto the grasslands which made up the bulk of the valley. Hath said they never hunted them since they had the appearance of small people and were rarely found anywhere except in these upland valleys. The Torgai referred to them as near-men.
The grasslands spreading across the valley were populated with herds of animals similar to those near New Athens, only smaller. Several of the Torgai hunters went in pursuit of one of the herds and, after pushing them to exhaustion, killed one for the evening meal. By late afternoon they reached the base of the final ridge and made an early stop for the night, prepared cooking fires and roasted and feasted on the antelope, the first fresh meat they had since leaving the river. It had been a celebration of sorts, to mark the approaching end of the long journey. The weather had been good, and they were ahead of schedule.
Following the evening meal Eric sat with Barco and Hath by the fire. Barco seemed particularly interested in the human religious beliefs; he still seemed to find it hard to accept that the humans had multiple different beliefs, since among the Torgai only one religion existed that was common to all. For some reason understanding those beliefs seemed of particular importance.
October 32, Year 2
Now, as mid-day of their final day on the trail approached, they had reached the crest of the final barrier range and paused to rest. Below, Eric could see another alpine valley, much like the one of the day before but narrower, probably no more than 15 kilometers across. This valley differed from the previous, however, in that it extended into the distance to the southeast, and also extended to the northwest beyond his view. Hath indicated that, if the valley were followed to the northwest it gradually sloped and opened to the main savanna bordering the ocean, and was the route they would have followed if the mountain pass had been blocked by snow. He also said the southeast extension went far into the interior of the mountains, and legends said that eventually, by a series of passes, the other side of the mountains could be reached. No one knew if
this was true, since no Torgai now living had ever tried to cross; the land on the other side was taboo.
In the clear air Eric could see their destination, the village of Suth, across the valley and merging into the foothills. While he couldn't make out the cave mouths he could make out extensive cultivated fields extending up from a small lake. He could also see many tiny specks moving around the village, the resident Torgai and the guests that had already arrived.
The descent into and across the valley was rapid, the trail broad and well maintained; and as they began the final leg of the journey other Torgai came out to meet and escort them, giving them the appearance of a parade. Never having seen a human these new Torgai appeared fascinated by Eric, with several of the newcomers approaching to within a meter or less and carefully observing his appearance and sniffing the air to gain his scent. They showed no sign of hostility, only curiosity. One, who appeared to be their leader, after pausing to observe Eric, took his position next to Hath at the head of the column. Eric assumed the Torgai with Hath must be Suth, and Eric had to agree he was an impressive individual. Slightly taller than Hath, his hair was heavily sprinkled with gray but he showed no other sign of physical aging. He had a powerful physique for a Torgai, and moved with confidence; clearly a powerful leader. Questioning the Torgai walking beside him, this was verified, although the Torgai had never seen Suth he could tell from his dress and appearance.
As they passed between the extensive cultivated fields many more of the Torgai appeared, this time women and children among them. By the time the village was reached they were accompanied by several hundred Torgai as an escort, all seemingly fascinated by the human in their midst. Some of the Torgai, who appeared to be leaders among them, stopped briefly by Barco's litter to acknowledge their respect for such a senior shaman, before joining Hath and Suth at the head of the column. When asked, Eric's Torgai companion said these were visiting leaders of some of the villages that had already arrived.
The First Colony: Book I: Settlement Chronicals Page 15