by L. S. Gibson
“We couldn’t just leave you, Jon,” Manny said, for once all too serious. “When we discovered what happened in Haven and knew we couldn’t expect any help from them, we had already planned to come back for you, though we didn’t know if we could succeed. Then Questor managed to get through, and they planned to send down Barlow with a party to help us.”
“They can do that?” Jon asked, intrigued.
“Yes, Henricks and Simpson have worked out some way or other. We just came on ahead to try and find out where they were holding you and then planned to meet up with Barlow. But...” He hesitated, glancing at Triena. Jon followed the glance, perplexed.
“But I sensed you’d accepted your impending death, and knew we couldn’t wait,” she finished Manny’s sentence.
“You sensed...” Jon stared at her for a long moment, before continuing in a voice tinged with awe. “Are you telling me you’ve been able to sense what’s been happening to me? All the time?”
Triena just stared at him, tears starting in her eyes. It was Lector who answered. “You formed a connection with Triena, Jon, a strong connection. She heard your call many times.”
“Oh,” Jon groaned, shaking his head. He glanced at her. “I don’t know what to say,” he continued, sounding apologetic, looking down at his hands when he realized they were shaking.
“There’s no need to say anything,” she replied, placing one hand over his heart, and using the other to raise his head so she could meet his eyes.
“Now for the hard part,” Manny said, in part to break the silence that followed and in part because it was time to go.
“The hard part?” Triena seemed confused by his intent, glancing back at Jon and showing her obvious concern at his condition.
“I mean we have to get out of here now. Are you two strong enough?” Manny asked of Lector and Triena. “Can you shield all four of us till we can get off this summit?”
Triena gave an odd smile. “I’ve never felt stronger.”
Lector led the way, careful on opening the door to make sure the area was clear. He crossed the threshold, followed by Jon, leaning on Triena. However, Jon never got beyond the threshold. He froze, looking down at the unconscious form of Charod lying just to the side of the door. Manny coming up behind couldn’t see what the delay was and pushed his way forward.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, unable to hide his impatience.
For a long moment Jon didn’t answer, then, when he did, his tone was harder than Manny had ever heard. “That’s Supervisor Charod. He’s in charge of the whole base.” He didn’t say any more, he just stared down at Charod with eyes as flinty as his voice.
Manny didn’t have the exceptional senses of the Rhiava, but he knew Jon well enough to know there was more to it than that. He realized in that instant who this man must be. “I gather he’s the one who questioned you?” His voice was almost as harsh as Jon’s had been.
“Yes. And I’ve never met a more chilling individual.” Jon was unable to take his eyes from Charod. “He’s so proud of his machine and what it’s capable of. Enjoyed explaining just how it worked, and how he…” Jon stopped then, took a deep breath to steady himself. “I wonder how he’d like it if he was on the other side of the glass?”
Triena glanced at Lector, and Manny was sure they knew just how he was feeling. Even Manny could sense the dark emotions overwhelming his friend.
His voice tight with anger, Manny said, “Might do him good to have a taste of his own medicine. See what level he can take, eh?” Manny reached down and grabbed Charod by the collar of his uniform and began to haul him to his feet.
“It’s tempting,” Jon answered.
Before he could continue, Triena asked in a quiet voice, “You wouldn’t want to become that which you hate, would you, Jon?”
For a second Jon was shocked. Be like Charod? Then his mouth curved as if he was about to smile, but without any humor whatever. He glanced at Triena. “It would be just in a way, you know. If anyone has the right to judge, it should be the victim.” Jon stopped, remembering all too well what it had been like. How it had been so bad he’d wished his life away, life which to him had always been precious. Then he sighed and gave a gentle laugh. “But I wouldn’t like anyone to have to suffer under that thing, I suppose, not even him. I’d like to think I would manage to keep my sense of morality. Charod displayed no ethics, honor, or compassion for any other being whatever. All he cared about was getting his questions answered.”
Jon glanced at Triena, who had moved up to touch his arm; it felt like an electric shock. She had more of an effect on him than even he imagined. “And you, he so wanted you,” Jon added with emphasis.
She moved even closer to him, keeping her voice low. “Is that what he wanted from you, to know about me?”
He glanced at her for a moment, debating how he should answer. He shouldn’t have brought up the subject, but he’d wanted to warn her. Now he’d spoken he couldn’t take back his words, and she was far too intuitive to be lied to. “One of many things he asked me.” Jon tried to keep his answer as vague as he could.
“I thought so,” she said.
Jon got the distinct impression his evasiveness was useless. She knew everything anyway.
“Let’s get out of here,” he said. “But first. Manny, is there any way you could damage that thing without making too much noise?”
Manny glanced around at all the various consoles surrounding them. “There’s nothing I’d like better. Give me two minutes.”
Medved led his double squad out of the cave entrance. It was believed the strange craft had landed just at the edge of the foothills. It would take some time for the intruders to climb the mountain, if that was their intent, and they started right after landing. Medved was inclined to wait and see. It made no sense to assume anything. Much better to be certain and then decide how to act.
He led his sixteen men down the mountain. He’d been down here often enough to know the best route, even in darkness, but it still paid to be careful, which was why he’d requested a double squad. The first craft had carried just the two strangers, and this one didn’t seem much more than twice the size, so estimate four, at most six passengers. So he had odds of about three to one. Perfect.
The one thing he’d change if he could, was the fact that their hand-scanners were calibrated for Rhiava and, without the equipment back in the Science Academy in Freiri on Midea, they couldn’t be recalibrated for other species. Oh well, he was never too sure of the new-fangled things anyway. Too many times they had indicated Rhiava when there were none present. It was said they could hide in plain sight which he thought ridiculous.
Lector opened the door again, indicating he sensed nobody within his sensory radius. However, time was of the essence. Manny reminded them the rendezvous with Barlow was due soon, and it would prove detrimental if they were late. They’d have to make the best time possible, which was unfortunate, as it seemed obvious it would be a little too slow as Jon was in no fit state yet. He was still weak and his muscles stiff. Manny commented even the emotion Jon felt at finding Charod had exhausted him.
They’d arranged to meet Barlow’s party just inside the mouth of the crevice where they’d hidden after Jon was captured. Lector said, “It’ll be difficult to make it on time now, and we can’t risk hurrying as that’s how mistakes occur.”
Triena was still supporting Jon, though Manny, covering the rear, was keeping a close eye on them. They moved as fast as they could in the circumstances and almost reached the crest when they heard a strange shrill sound behind them. At the same time, lights flooded the whole area. It could mean just one thing: Jon’s escape had been discovered.
“Charod must’ve come to and sounded the alarm. Damn! That’s the trouble using stun on unknown races; you don’t know how long they’ll stay unconscious. A human would still be out,” Manny stated. “Are you all right?” he asked directing his question at Triena. As long as she could maintain the shield they had a chance
.
“Yes, I’m fine. I’m more concerned with how Jon will cope climbing down here. It’s quite steep just at the top,” she whispered in return.
“I’ll manage,” Jon said and moved forward to follow Lector over the edge. He still felt weary and each movement carried an ache from his now screaming muscles, radiating pain from his all but forgotten cracked ribs, but no way was he going to delay the others and put them at risk. He just hoped as time passed he’d begin to feel better. Compared to what he’d just been through; this was as nothing.
Behind them they could hear raised voices and doors being slammed. It was obvious a patrol or maybe a search party was being organized to pursue them.
“Charod isn’t someone who’ll give up,” Jon said. “He’ll be more than furious I escaped. Also, I think he was hoping to put you under that light next, Manny. I heard him say to the operator he needed another one like me to give an accurate baseline. He won’t let us get away, and to reach you two,” he said looking at Triena and Lector, “he’ll do anything.”
“Hush, I think they’re coming this way,” Lector said.
They all dropped down behind a large boulder. They continued to use the extra backup of hiding just in case Triena’s shield wasn’t perfect.
One of the Midean patrols passed across the crest of the summit heading toward the right hand side, and another one could be seen heading off the left. Directly behind them, shouting could be heard, yet another patrol was coming.
In silence they rose from their hiding place and moved on down the mountainside, keeping close together. To all intents and purposes, they were being surrounded.
TEN
Charod returned to consciousness through a fog. For a moment he thought he was awaking from his rest, ‘til it registered he was lying on the floor inside the control booth. His eyesight was blurred, and he was careful as he sat up trying to clear his mind, trying to remember. As soon as the memory of the stranger at the door returned, he jumped up, at once wishing he hadn’t. He moved with a little more care then, ignoring Boren still unconscious on the floor, and walked to the doorway. The bench was empty. He’d expected that, yet the confirmation made him snarl with frustration.
He’d underestimated these aliens, all the aliens. He hadn’t discovered how the Rhiava remained so elusive, let alone all the other strange things they were able to do, and now he’d also underestimated the strangers. First, the captive one had resisted to the point of death, and now somehow the other one had rescued him. He pressed a button on the console, a small door opened at the side and Charod hit the button inside with a shout of, “Not for long!” that even the siren’s blare couldn’t cover.
They can’t have gone far, he thought as he paced up and down. The prisoner would be extremely weak. He checked the console to see how much time had passed, relieved to see it hadn’t been too long. Their one option for escape was down the mountain and it was a difficult climb. Not for long.
Charod spoke to the squad commanders. His best commander, Medved, was already on the mountain, though he’d be well below the escaping prisoner and his cohorts by now. But perhaps that wasn’t a bad thing; it meant the escapee could be surrounded on all four sides. The rescue party must have come up from the village of Haven where they’d fled after having been surprised in the caves. It was probable they’d gone there looking for help. He hoped they’d enjoyed what they found.
He ordered the patrols out to search; two patrols to perform a detailed search of the summit itself. One patrol he sent down through the mountain into the caves. It might be a foolhardy path to take, but it was so outrageous it was the type of thing the Rhiava would do. He’d take no chances.
That left three patrols to send down the mountainside, one to go left, one right, and one to take the central line. This time he’d go himself. He didn’t think his quarry was either still on the summit or in the caves. He expected they’d gone down the mountain, and he decided to take charge of the double squad taking the central line. He wanted to be there to recapture them himself, look into the prisoner’s eyes, what had he called himself? Ah yes, Hardesty, and to smile his smile—the smile he knew made others nervous, the smile he’d practiced to perfection—and let this Hardesty know he’d lost to Charod, his nemesis. He practiced the smile now, in anticipation.
Barlow led his tired group into the crevice at last. He thought he’d followed the instructions with precision, but they’d missed the crevice. They’d climbed almost as high as the entrance to the large cave where the Mideans were located. It was when it became clear they’d been climbing for too long that Barlow decided to send Harji Singh on ahead to scout their location.
Harji spotted one particular rock formation as described by Lector, which proved they were too high. That wasn't all, he also saw a patrol on its way down the mountain. It was obvious the guards had just left the cave and were headed straight for him, and his team just below. He slipped back right away and warned them.
Barlow had two choices. He could spread his team to lay in wait and stun them as the Midean soldiers came into range, but if anything were to go wrong it would warn the whole base of their presence on the mountain. The alternative was to hide, and make sure they were not found. Not an easy task, even at night, when the opponent knew the topography better than he did. The decision was made however, when Singh commented there appeared to be about twenty personnel in the unit, and they’d begun to spread out and move with care, as if searching. There was no way just six of them could guarantee to hit twenty targets without one of them giving the alarm first. Logic said they’d have to hide.
“Sir, I would suggest the best hiding place would have to be this crevice where we’re supposed to meet the others, seeing as even we can’t find it,” Harji said.
“But if we can’t find it, how the hell can we hide in it?” Simpson said, not hiding his exasperation.
“Because we can find it, we have a landmark. We just need to be extra careful,” Singh said.
Barlow nodded. “You take point, Harji, and use those sharp eyes of yours. Everyone else, no more talking. Keep a sharp lookout and move with care.”
They made their way back down the mountain, searching for the landmark they must have missed, the peculiar shaped rock with the V-notch that indicated they should head direct east for the crevice. After what seemed an age, Harji found it, and they headed in the correct direction. All the while they heard sounds of the Mideans among the rocks above them; the patrol didn’t consider it necessary to be quiet as they searched. Barlow and his team were so relieved when at last they entered the well-concealed crevice.
Barlow half expected to find Manny and the others waiting, his team was so late in arriving. However, there was no one there. It gave them a chance to rest and recoup, but it also gave Barlow cause for concern. On a personal level, he wasn’t sure how much he could trust Manny not to attempt something if they discovered where Jon was being held. Manny was a loyal friend, and it was clear he didn’t like the idea of having to abandon Jon in the first place, and even less when Triena informed him Jon was being tortured. But then again, Manny was no fool. It was probable they’d just been held up. Barlow would just have to wait, and hope.
Sullivan paced up and down his cabin. He felt he ought to be leading the second landing party, which was to go to Sanctuary and pass on the message from Triena in person, but he couldn’t, his place was on his ship. However, most of his senior officers were down on the planet, except for Sara Henricks, Martin Henson, and Philip Piper. He couldn’t send Sara just because she was Sara. Martin was the obvious other choice, but he couldn’t go alone. It wasn't usual for Piper to be sent on landing parties; his expertise was too important to the ship’s safety. Perhaps even more important now with so much going on. It should be me, he told himself as he paced. It needed to be a senior officer to act as liaison on so delicate a mission. “But if I go, who do I leave in charge up here?” he muttered to himself.
The decision was taken out of hi
s hands.
“Piper here, sir. Would you please report to the command center?”
“On my way.” Piper wouldn’t call him from his cabin unless it was urgent.
As soon as he entered the command center, Chang said, “Sir, I’ve been watching the long-range sensors as ordered, and I can confirm now that it’s indeed a vessel. Would you like to see?”
He came over to the sensor station and studied her readouts. “Am I correct in reading this is a large vessel?”
“Yes, sir. At least comparable in size with ours.”
“Is there any doubt in your mind it came from Midea?” he asked.
“No, sir, no doubt at all. Its trajectory is on a direct course from Midea and the ship’s configuration, while much larger, is reminiscent of those orbital relay vessels they use.”
“Thank you, Chang. Piper, ask Mr. Henson to report to me.” He wondered if he’d ever get to meet a Rhiava.
“Yes, sir.” As Sullivan moved away he heard Piper say to Chang, “Told you. He won’t leave now.”
While he waited for Henson to arrive Sullivan wondered who he could send to accompany Henson to the planet’s surface. His choices were limited as the small shuttle was a two-man vehicle. Henson could pilot the craft, and was also a fair hand at diplomacy. It would be wise to send someone down with him who could act as security for him, but also be a backup representative for the Questor.
Henson reported for duty, having already heard about the approaching ship, expecting to represent Sullivan on the landing party. However, it was clear he was surprised when the captain asked for his opinion on who might accompany him. Henson frowned as he thought it over. “I think, sir, perhaps Edison might be a good choice.”
“Edison?” Sullivan queried. “You mean Joanna Edison, but she’s just an ensign. Don’t tell me you consider she has sufficient experience for such a mission?” Henson had a good rapport with most of the crew, and always knew more than the official records ever said. But this was odd.