by L. S. Gibson
The idea of visitors from another world fascinated him. He asked Manny lots of questions. He appeared less comfortable with Jon though, looking at him in an odd way when they were introduced.
“What did you say your name was?” Mychlo queried in a voice which indicated he thought he couldn’t have heard properly.
“Hardesty, Jon Hardesty,” Jon repeated for him, slow and clear.
Mychlo gave him a searching look, cocked his head on one side. “Would you write that for me?”
Jon frowned. “Write it?”
“Yes, if you would.”
Still confused but knowing of no reason to refuse, Jon did as he was asked as Mychlo glanced over his shoulder. Muttering something under his breath, Mychlo indicated his thanks, and gave a small bow to Jon, before addressing the rest of his questions to Manny.
Manny found him rather appealing, being reminded of Jon when he’d first met him, appearing somewhat lost in a world that didn’t appreciate him.
Not long afterwards Halok, the other Elder, arrived. He and Chadbon were the two Elders that the Mideans didn’t know about. They hadn’t taken part in the original meetings when the Mideans had first arrived on Rhiava as they’d been away visiting the small city of Meriff on the coast. Together they discussed the problems and searched for solutions.
“It’ll be almost impossible to use the Transmat to remove any of the other Elders,” Chadbon said. “They’re too well known and kept under observation. They’d be missed at once.”
“It's probable you two and I could leave without too much trouble,” Mychlo commented. “Maybe take some others out as well, but not too many or the Mideans would notice.”
“If we can free enough to help those at Sanctuary, with help from Questor’s crew, we could find a way to shut down the shield generator on Sierrie,” Triena said. Turning to Mychlo, she added, “Your knowledge of the technology of the Rhiava is vital to the success of the plan.”
Manny explained the problems Triena and Lector had encountered once they’d entered the cave system, of how the equipment had a draining effect on the energy, maybe even the life force, of the Rhiava. “Any plan has to account for the fact that you won’t remain strong for too long.”
“Vrai believed there was a Transmat system somewhere in the region of Haven,” Triena said. The nearer they could travel to the site the less energy would be expended on the journey. “I hope, Mychlo, you can give us a clue as to its whereabouts. Even though it would still mean having to climb the mountain—” began Triena.
“That mightn’t be necessary,” interrupted an excited Mychlo. “I’ll have to check, but long ago the caverns inside Sierrie used to contain a facility for the maintenance of the power systems. It was one of just two access points which could reach all the way down to the source. There’s some kind of automatic device that was sent down to check levels and such like.”
“Are you saying there’s a Transmat system there too?” Chadbon queried. He spoke up quickly because on occasion Mychlo got so interested in the explanation he got carried away telling more than was needed.
“I believe so.”
“I saw a lot of machinery in the center of that mountain. I assumed it was all put there by the Mideans. Could it, or some of it, have been yours?” Jon queried.
“Maybe, maybe...” Mychlo replied, thinking. He seemed to go off into a world of his own for a moment. “The large central cavern, was that where you were? Reached by two paths which branched from a central one and yet each led to the same cavern?”
“Are you reading my mind?” Jon asked puzzled.
“No, just searching the memory files.”
“Searching the files? Are you saying the records are in your head?” Manny was thunderstruck.
Now Mychlo appeared puzzled. “Most of it. I thought you understood; that’s what I do as Curator. I keep the archives. There’s much written down too, kept for future generations in a variety of secret places, but it’s also kept by the Curator. From the time it was discovered as a young child that I had the memory to keep it all, I was groomed to become the Curator. It was passed to me by the last Curator, and I’ll pass it on to the next one. This is more efficient; it can take too long to search the written records.”
Halok spoke up, one of the few times he’d done so since he’d first arrived. He was a plump individual, quite the fattest person Manny had seen since he’d crashed, and he’d been hard put to keep a straight face when Halok had first arrived; his resemblance to the Buddha was remarkable.
However, as the meeting progressed, his similarity to Buddha was more than just physical. He seemed to exude a calming influence on everyone he came into contact with. He’d sought out the seat next to Jon during the meeting, as if he knew Jon would benefit from his presence. So, when he did speak it wasn’t without good cause.
“What about the aircraft?”
“I’ve thought about it,” Triena replied, “but that would mean withdrawing the transport control, which could be risky. I’m not sure if the advantage would be worth the cost.”
“We have two craft; could they be of use? What did you have in mind?” Manny asked.
“I was considering the possibility of a two-pronged approach, from above and below.” Halok explained.
“But wouldn’t they be able to detect flying craft? They knew we’d crashed because they could track us,” Jon said.
“Yes, but we’d have problems with patrols in the caves too. That was how you got caught, correct?” Chadbon queried.
“So, either way we face opposition. We need numbers then,” Jon commented.
“Maybe, maybe not. We can’t stop them tracking flying craft, but we could perhaps use the caves. I’m not the only person who can create a shield, you know,” Triena said with a smile. “If there’s a Transmat in the caves, we could perhaps catch them unawares and go up to the summit the way they took Jon.”
“It'd also be wise to give the caves a thorough going over as well, just in case,” added Mychlo.
“Which means wherever it is, either in the cavern where I saw all the machinery, or on the summit, we can throw the ‘off’ switch,” Jon said with a satisfied grin.
FIFTEEN
“We need to send someone back to the control center below so a message can be sent to Sanctuary,” Triena said. “Besides the obvious need to put everyone’s mind at rest, we can fill them in on our situation, and they’ll be more prepared when we get back. Meantime, we can decide who’s to come back with us. It’s not so much numbers we need, but people of the right skills.”
“You three must stay here, it’ll be much safer. I’m the best person to go to the control center. I know how to use the machinery better than anyone else anyway,” Mychlo suggested. “Chadbon and Halok can suggest the best ones to take with you.”
“Yes, and the sooner we get things moving the better,” Manny said. “Don’t forget Questor destroyed that ship, and the chances are Midea was contacted before its destruction, other ships could already be on the way.”
“Yes, we’ve waited long enough. Our people have suffered far too much. Now is the time to act. Mychlo, go now and tell them we’ll be in touch again in eight hours, just before we send the first batch through,” Triena ordered.
Mychlo appeared a little surprised, but gave a happy grin and left straight away.
“I think you’ve pleased young Mychlo,” said Halok with a rare smile. “He’s been saying for some time that we should make use of the old knowledge.”
By the time Mychlo returned with the news that those waiting in Sanctuary were relieved and pleased with the progress so far, Triena and the Elders had compiled a list of twelve names to be contacted, and Chadbon’s two sons were already out gathering the first ones who could leave the city unnoticed by the Mideans. It didn’t sound like too many, but it would be difficult to send too large a number into the pillar without arousing suspicion.
Then, together with some of the others waiting at Sanctuary, it was ho
ped it would be enough for a raid on the shield generator, and once that was down, every Rhiava would be free to use whatever skills they had. Then the Mideans would learn the whole truth.
Mychlo confirmed there was a Transmat inside the mountain of Sierrie, and from his description of the location it wasn’t far from where Jon had first “met” Charod. Mychlo also confirmed it wouldn’t be a problem to use the Transmat under the ruined city near Sanctuary to travel straight to Sierrie. From there they could move up through the caves.
“I’ve also brought news from Lector,” Mychlo said. “He’s been in touch with Commander Barlow using the transmitter he borrowed. There’s been a lot of activity around Sierrie. From his hiding place near the shuttle he watched what happened when the other Mideans awoke. It was apparent they searched for their missing colleague for some time before returning to the caves.
“Lector followed, venturing as far inside as he dared to try and discover the Mideans’ plans. He’s not been able to learn much, however. The supervisor was so furious at the loss of his prisoner he ordered every trooper out to search again as he didn’t accept they’d just slipped away. One of the troopers dared to ask what they should do about Medved, and Charod ranted at him saying Medved was safer with the enemy.”
Manny laughed aloud at that and Mychlo smirked as he continued, “Lector got out of there then as he was beginning to feel weak again. The last thing he wanted was to get captured by Charod, considering the current mood the supervisor was in. Lector has taken refuge again in the hidden crevice for now.”
By the time appointed by Triena, everyone had gathered, arriving in ones and twos over the past few hours, in the control room at the base of the pillar. Most of them had gone just on the say-so of Triena and the Elders without knowing much detail.
When the last group, consisting of Triena, Jon, and Manny, arrived, the majority were impatient to know the plan. Chadbon insisted on waiting for Triena before doing, or saying, anything else. She outlined everything for them, and they were more than happy to help in any way they could.
Chadbon began to assign positions for the Transmat platform. Mychlo said he should stay until the last batch of six, in case there were any problems. Manny volunteered to stay with him. If he’d been asked, he would have admitted it was in part to help and in part because he wanted to learn all he could. Who better than Mychlo to learn from?
“I think you should go through with the first group, Triena, it would make those at Sanctuary much happier,” Chadbon suggested with a smile. “In particular Vrai, I suspect.”
“Very well. Jon, will you accompany me please?” It was a question, but Jon knew she wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“As you wish,” he found himself saying with a slight edge to his voice. Odd, he admitted to himself, as he had no wish for her to go on ahead without him. He was aware he was being awkward, but he couldn’t help it and he didn’t even know why. He mentally shook himself and walked up onto the platform. Triena joined him after a second, followed at once by Chadbon and three others. Almost before they knew it, they were back in the ruined city near Sanctuary.
They waited to ensure the next group arrived safe and then they began the trek to the village. Sooner than expected, everyone was back at Sanctuary.
Vrai wasted no time showing her displeasure at Triena’s decision to use the Transmat and go into Reliff. She made it clear she didn’t hold Jon or Manny responsible, and Triena was quick to agree. She apologized for worrying the old lady. However, when Vrai continued to berate her, Triena was firm in reminding her that she had the right to make such a decision.
“Vrai, you of all people don’t need reminding of the rights of the Spirit? Besides, the only reason you’re angry is because you care about me, right? Well, why do you suppose I went instead of you?” Triena asked, eyebrow raised.
“You’re right, of course. I can’t be angry at you without being angry at myself.” Vrai's eyes twinkled before she added with a touch of self-gratification, “You are indeed my niece, aren’t you? I did a good job with you.”
Triena laughed then and gave her a hug.
Sernov suggested Triena, Manny, and Jon should rest, while the Elders and Mychlo met to sort out the details of the raid on Sierrie. Triena began to protest, but Sernov told her she’d done enough for the time being. The three of them hadn’t had a proper rest for almost thirty hours, and if they were to take part in the attack they’d need to be well rested.
“He’s right, Triena, you know he is. You, most of all, need to be prepared,” Jon said, not realizing how tired he sounded himself. “They have everything they need now that Mychlo is here. Let them sort out the details. You’ve got to be ready.”
Manny nodded his agreement, and Triena knew when she was beaten. She gave in with grace.
During the meeting of Elders, Timov revealed some of the information he had taken from Medved about the Mideans actions on Sierrie. “It seems they found a huge cavern full of ducts and control stations, but the Mideans haven’t been able to make much sense of any of it so far.”
“Did he have any information about the platform?” Mychlo asked.
“Yes, in that they didn’t think it of any importance. They were looking for power systems, weapons, and energy sources. All and any methods which would give them an advantage over any other lifeforms they met. They were sure there were technologies on Rhiava they’d not even dreamed could exist.”
“And the shield controls?”
“Sad to say, Medved had no knowledge of where the ‘off’ switch for the shield is located. He isn’t a technician and doesn’t have much knowledge of the equipment in the caves, or on the summit. He knows Charod wants to stay in the vicinity of Sierrie, but he split his time between the summit and the caves. All Medved knows for certain is that for security reasons they’ve set up the equipment in the huge cavern discovered inside the caves, and there is a control station on the summit.”
When everyone met again some hours later, decisions had been made. Not only had the Elders met amongst themselves, and then with the crew members from Questor, but Commander Barlow had also been in contact with the ship. So far there was no sign of any ship from Midea, but Captain Sullivan ordered extra power to the sensors to give as much warning as possible if a ship should appear.
The captain wanted to do more to help his crew and the Rhiava on the surface, but was assured everything was under control so far, and the plan was well under way. It was hoped in a short time the shield would be gone and, at last, the captain could meet with the Rhiava.
“I believe, Captain, you would like our newfound friends. I also think they can provide us with much that we need,” Peter Barlow reported.
“Very well, Peter. But remember, be careful. Talking of that, make sure Jon and Manny are too. They’ve become far more involved with these people than I could ever have imagined when I sent them on what seemed a simple scouting mission.”
“Aye, sir, I’ll tell them.”
Mychlo was right. To be certain they’d need to check the consoles in the cavern on the way up, though Manny suspected it was all controlled from the station on the summit. It was the logical place; convenient considering that was where they had seen the technicians. Jon confirmed the ones he saw in the cavern were often wearing the uniform of the troopers. He recalled just seeing two men they now assumed were technicians when he was questioned in the cavern by Charod.
When everything was as clear as it was going to get, it was decided the time had come to make a move. Including Triena, there were now four in the group who could project a shield around a few people, and that would be valuable. They also had others who could block thoughts, sensations, and in general confuse the enemy. There were also telepaths, empaths, and telekinetics, as well as a couple who could project their thoughts to appear as objects. The projections couldn’t stand up to touch, but visually one couldn’t tell the difference.
Now all the group could do was proceed and pray the plan w
orked.
Peter contacted Lector who was still on watch from his hiding place on Sierrie and informed him they would soon be starting out.
“Do you think it’d be possible for you to join us?” Peter asked. “If it’s not safe then you should wait until we have, with luck, succeeded. If you can, I know they’d appreciate your help, but Triena said you mustn’t take any chances.”
“Yes, I’m sure I can manage to get to the caves, but I don’t know quite where the Transmat is located.”
“We know that. Jon said if you could get to the branch where you were all cornered by the Mideans—at say eight—he’ll meet you there. Is that enough time?”
“Yes, it should be. But how will Jon get there in safety...unless… Will Triena be with him?”
“I believe so,” Peter replied, and Lector could hear the amusement in his voice. “She wouldn’t be left behind no matter what anyone said. She’s going to act as shield for one of the groups. If you can confirm you’ll be there, they’ll meet you.”
“Yes, but please tell Triena if there’s any sign of danger not to attempt the rendezvous. If they’re not there, then I’ll just return to the crevice and wait to hear from you.”
A total of thirty people was ready to set out for the ruined city, among them Jon, Manny, and others from the Questor. Barlow decided it was best to leave Helen Mannion and Joanna Edison back at Sanctuary. Helen didn’t mind, but Joanna tried to convince Barlow to take her along. However, the commander was adamant it was safer for her, and for them, if she stayed behind, she just didn’t have enough experience for such a mission.
They were to divide into five groups, one person from Questor to go with a group from Rhiava. That way each group would have at least one armed person with them. Most groups would also have a shield provider too, or, as an alternative, one of the other specialists. They’d divided into the best possible groupings, allowing for two with special talents per group so one could cover the other to allow one to rest while the other used their Gift.