by Mark Oliver
When Charlie opened his eyes, they were wet with tears. He wiped them and smiled.
"What are you smiling about?" Bei said.
"The roller," Charlie said. "It's a friend."
Bei raised a sceptical eyebrow.
Behind him, the screens showed the giant head shudder as the roller opened its mouth. Awani inhaled sharply and Bei reached for the front gun controls.
"No," Charlie said, placing a hand on the blue man's arm. "It's a friend. It's taking us to Seenthee."
Charlie stared into the gaping, glowing mouth of the roller.
"I hope you know what you're doing." Bei said.
"Of course I don't," Charlie said, smiling,
The roller roared, surged forward and swallowed their ship whole.
Chapter 11
"Who are you, really?" Bei demanded. "And I don't want to hear any more bullshit about blanked memories."
The roller called Rayn had released them once it had got a close to Seenthee it could get without leaving the Wrake Pass. Before vanishing back into the Pass, Rayn, in its roundabout way, told Charlie that if he ever needed a guide in the Pass, all he had to do was call. Charlie thanked it for the offer.
According to Bei, the journey should have lasted a week. It had taken them ten minutes. In those ten crazy minutes, the fundamental physics that formed the basis of the Universe had fallen apart. The ship's exterior had weakened to a fraction of its original solidity. The light from within roller flowed through the ship, like sunrays through a thinly curtained window. For the whole journey, they were basked in the creature's alternating gold and purple glow. It seemed as if they sailed on an ocean of light.
Inside the beast, an immense combination of syncopated rhythms and trance overtures played out. The noise, half whale song, half club mix, sent vibrations through the three passengers. Charlie reckoned the beats came from the creature’s heart. Awani thought they came from the colliding energy currents weaving around inside the roller. Bei just wanted the noise to end.
Now they had left the belly of the beast, the blue man wanted answers. He stared at Charlie from over the back of the pilot chair, waiting for the truth. Awani hovered, silently, at his side.
Charlie looked at them both. Can I trust them? he thought. They might sell him out to the Corporation as soon as they landed.
Sod it, he thought. When we get to Seenthee, I'm going to need their help. Without it, I'm screwed.
And so he told them.
He started with his fateful midnight surf, and his awakening inside the interrogation frame. He told them about Brother Yojim's message, his language learner implant, his capture and the pathfinder's promise to send him home.
The two turen took the news that they had an alien on board with a calm that surprised Charlie. But then Awani explained. After what they had just experienced with the roller, she was willing to believe anything. Bei too had seen some things in his time too. The possibility of a third species of people beyond their galaxy seemed wholly plausible.
As Charlie spoke, he experienced an unburdening, as if someone had taken a monstrous weight off his shoulders. The words flowed out of him. And when he started telling Bei and Awani about Earth, their questions came thick and fast.
He sat back, relaxed for the first time in a long time. "Sorry," he said. "I've been going on for ages."
"Don't be," Awani said. "It's not every day an alien lands in our lap."
"Yeah," Bei said. "Tell us more about this surfing."
They moved into the rec pit to make themselves more comfortable and Charlie continued with the question and answer session. Only this time, he had quite a few questions of his own. By the time the conversation wound down, exhaustion nipped at their eyes.
"I think we all deserve some sleep," Bei said.
"What about the ship?" Charlie asked.
"It'll wake me when we approach Seenthee space. We should have time for five or so hours sleep."
Charlie looked at the cockpit screens. "And the Corporation's defences?"
"The ship's got its on special tricks to deal with that," Awani said. "I fitted them myself."
"You know," Charlie said, "I've been wondering how you got caught in the first place. I mean you two seem too good far that."
"Thank you," Awani said smiling. "You're sweet."
"We got caught Charlie," Bei said, pronouncing his name correctly now that Charlie had finally corrected him, "because we wanted to."
Awani raised an eyebrow at Bei.
"He told us the truth," Bei said. "I think it only fair we do the same."
"Go ahead," Awani said.
"You were right before," Bei said. "We are resistance. We intercepted the destroyer on purpose, as part of a mission. There's been worrying news filtering through our espionage division. The Corporation intend to finish us off by cutting off the help we get form the robundee.
"The destroyer was conducting experiments out by the Pass; experiments the Corporation believes will help destroy us. To have any chance of surviving, we need to know what they have discovered."
"So you volunteered to get yourselves captured?" Charlie said, impressed.
Bei nodded. "I was the bait. Before I joined the resistance I caused a fair amount of bother to the corporation; stealing, smuggling." He coughed. "The occasional hit. With my reputation, they were more than willing to believe Awani's bounty hunter cover story. While they interrogated me, Awani changed into her soldier's outfit, and infiltrated the destroyer to see what they've been up to."
"What did you find?" Charlie said.
As Bei had done in the cell, Awani reached inside her mouth, yanked hard and pulled out a tooth. She held up in front of Charlie. "It's all on this. It wasn't easy, but I cracked their computer's defence. I downloaded every file the tech department had."
Christ, Charlie thought, they have some dentists over there. He wondered what they would pull out of their mouths next. "So, what they've been up to?
Awani shrugged. "We still don't know. They used an encryption method I've never seen before." She waved the memory stick before him. "We have no idea what's on this."
Bei gave Charlie a Hollywood smile, and said, "That's where you come in, kid."
"Me?" Charlie said.
"Yeah, you green eyes. That was the deal you made in the cell, wasn't it? We help you escape and find this Brother Yojim and in return you help us out."
"I remember the deal," Charlie said, "but I don't know the first thing about your alien software."
"You don't need to," Bei said. "All you have to do is be charming and handsome."
Charlie frowned. He did not like the sound of that.
Later, after a thankfully dreamless sleep, Charlie was staring out at the turen's home planet, Seenthee. Awani had woken him, throwing him one of the light, linen-like suits Bei kept stored on the ship. She told him to get to the cockpit, as he would not want to miss this.
She was right. With its crisscrossing continental belts, dissecting the planet to form four almost symmetrical oceans, the planet looked like a giant Faberge egg suspended in silky darkness.
Sitting there with Awani beside him was a wonderful moment, the calm before the inevitable storm to come. Charlie pushed all worries to the back of his mind and enjoyed the beautiful view both inside and outside the spaceship.
Charlie was still thinking about those stolen moments as the ship tore through Seenthee's atmosphere, rattling like a can of nails. The storm had now defiantly come. There was a great screeching, as if the ship threatened to tear itself apart in rebellion. The cockpit screens showed the ship's edges burning white-hot.
Charlie slammed from side to side, gripping his seat with all his might. It reminded him of being unceremoniously thrown down a flight of stairs in one of the school's wheelie bins on his sixteenth birthday. That ride, however, had only lasted thirty seconds. This one was taking much longer.
When the ship finally steadied, Charlie relaxed and enjoyed the view as they desc
ended. Seenthee looked different now from when he had first glimpsed it from space, but no less beautiful. Now from a mile up, it looked more like a White Chocolate Toblerone that someone had broken up and scattered over a sandpit. Charlie searched the area for signs of alien civilization, but found only a few medium-sized cities scattered between the deserts and mountains.
Bei brought the ship hurtling down into one of the snow-capped ranges. White, browns, greens and greys whizzed past the screens as he piloted the ship through a series of valleys that opened out onto great expanse of desert. For a few minutes they rocketed across the plain, leaving a whirlwind trail of sand and dirt.
Bei landed on an abandoned runway in the middle of the desert plain.
"Pretty damn good flying if I do say so myself," Bei said, removing his hands from the control desk. "Made it through the defences without having to take out even one sky drone."
"Where are we?" Charlie asked.
"Welcome to the Northern district," Bei said.
"Nobody calls it that though," Awani said. "It's better known as the badlands."
"Is it dangerous?" Charlie said.
"No more dangerous than anywhere else," she said, undoing her harness. "It's just called that because it's bad land for farming."
While Awani rummaged in the ship's store, Charlie followed Bei through the ship. The burring sound of the opening drawbridge filled Charlie with childish excitement. So far, he had only been inside ships. This would be his first foray onto the surface of the alien planet. He stepped onto the drawbridge, smiling an adventurer's smile.
A cold wind whipped the smile straight off his face. He wrapped his arms around his body, and cursed his seemingly Universe wide inability to select appropriate clothing. Through chattering teeth he asked Bei for thicker clothes.
"Is this what you mean?" Awani said, stepping up behind him. In her arms, she carried a pile of white animal furs. She passed one to Bei and another to Charlie, before putting one on herself. "Suxo skin coats," she said, as she slipped it over her head. "Should do the trick."
Charlie wasted no time getting into the coat. It came down to his knees, restricting his movement, and felt heavy on his shoulders. But when the fur on the front section stuck together like Velcro, sealing him into the coat's cosy warmth, Charlie smiled. "That's better," he said. "Thank you."
He pulled his hood up, and looked out over the empty runway. The planet's star was low in the sky, and basked everything in a soft orange hue.
"What do you call it?" Charlie asked, pointing towards the setting star.
"Veiga," Awani said.
"It's massive," he said. "How come it's so cold?"
She laughed. "It's coming into winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Don't worry though. When we go south to Jajag city, it'll be hotter than a roller's arsehole." She paused, a pained look on her face. "Sorry, just an expression. I know you have some kind of bond with them."
"It's okay," he said, unsure how comfortable he was being told he had bonded with the giant creature.
"He's coming," Bei said.
A figure, wrapped up against weather, walked towards them, struggling against the strong, icy wind. They set out to meet him halfway.
The distance and the fading light made it difficult for Charlie to tell whether the approaching alien was small or just very far away. But when the hooded alien stopped a few metres in front of them, Charlie saw it was the former. The man stood no taller than a eight-year-old child.
Bei shouted, "Tills," rushed forward, and lifted the tiny pile of clothes high above him. Small furry boots dangled in the air.
"Bei Lowaiki, put me down right now," came a thick male voice, better suited to a heavyweight boxer, Charlie thought, than this little fellow.
Bei obeyed, his face split by a massive smile. "Tills, it's bloody good to see you, old friend."
The pint-sized alien pulled back his hood, revealing a friendly, violet face. "Bei, you old smuggler. It's been a long time, brother. Too good for me now you've joined the noble resistance, is that it?"
"Never," Bei said. He scanned the runway. "How are things out here? It looks quiet."
"Just the way I like it," the little alien said. "The Corporation still wants to see me dead. But Lady Ori and me have an agreement. I keep the runway operational, and she keeps them off my back."
"How is her ladyship?" Bei asked, grinning. "Does she ever mention me?"
"Not as much as she used to. But if she finds out I let you land here, she'll have me sent down her mines before you can say buggery bollocks."
"You do yourself an injustice Tills. I could see you happily idling away your captivity in her harem."
The small man snorted.
Bei slapped him on the back. "Don't worry, little man. I'm here to pay what I owe and then some."
Tills put on a look of mock astonishment. "Bei Lowaiki pay off a debt. You have changed, brother." He looked over at Awani. She had her hood down. Her hair blew pout behind her like a flying carpet. "And you're not the only one."
Awani smiled beautifully and leant down so the blue man could kiss her cheek. "You've grown into a beautiful woman."
"Still got it, Tills," Bei said, laughing beside him.
To Charlie surprise, Awani flushed, her face going bright pink.
"Who's this?" Tills asked, pointing to Charlie. "Your boyfriend?"
Awani went even pinker, her skin shimmering. "No," she said, putting her hood back up. "He's . . . here to help us on our mission."
"Mission, eh?" Tills said. "I see Bei's got you involved in this resistance business too. Tut-tut Bei. This one could be the best burglar on the planet and you've got her helping those do-gooders."
Bei stared down at the small man. "What can I say? They pay well and every job comes with the added bonus of screwing over the Corporation. Now, how about we get down into that bunker of yours? It's freezing up here and I know you've got the place stashed with plenty of booze to warm us up. Plus I got a favour to ask you. We need transport."
"Favours and booze," Till's said. "Maybe, you haven't changed after all."
The little alien led them away from their ship and down the runway. When they reached a nondescript patch of land, the small man stopped and dropped to his knees. He wiped the sand away and placed his hand on the ground. The surface shook, came apart and transformed into a stairway leading deep underground. Charlie was last in line, and as he stepped off the final step and onto the floor of hidden bunker, the stairs shifted behind him and returned to the surface.
The bunker was about three times the size of the Hawk Insurance office floor Charlie worked on. In one corner, Tills had made a comfortable home for himself. Equipped with underground heating, cooking facilities, an array of technological devices, a bed and several sofas covered with animal furs, the underground den oozed comfort and warmth.
It was only after Charlie had shed his suxo suit and sat down on the low lying sofa that he saw the series of alien animal heads peering down at him from the walls. Dead eyes stared at him from faces covered in fur, scales, and shell. Charlie shuddered under their gaze.
Tills brought out a bottle of something pink and poured them all some mugs. Charlie sipped the spirit, feeling its warmth ebb through him. It had the pleasing effect of cough syrup without its medicinal taste. In fact it tasted like mulled cider.
Bei told Tills what he needed, and the little man was happy to oblige. It seemed they had been helping each other out for decades. He offered Awani one of his hover buggies. She would drive it to Jajag City and Tills would claim it back whenever he visited the city next.
Bei and Charlie, however, needed something faster and less conspicuous. Tills said he had just the thing. He led his three guests deeper into his bunker. Machinery in varying states of disrepair lay in winding rows, giving the place a maze-like quality.
Charlie followed from behind, as they walked around the littered lanes. On more than one occasion, some metal corner, or sheared handle, tore at his clot
hes. Each time his jacket got snagged, Bei moaned aloud and told Charlie to be more careful.
Tills stopped next to a triangular pile of missiles. Each one had the demonic face of a roller painted onto it. To the left of the missiles stood two eight-foot long rockets. Charlie wondered if Tills had strapped the seats, handlebars, control panel and leg rests to the massive rockets as some kind of joke.
"Here's your transport," Tills said.
Bei admired the two rockets with an almost religious reverence. "I thought they stopped making rocket rides two centuries ago."
"They did," Tills said. "But I got hold of a few antique ones last year."
"Fourth series?" Bei asked.
"Third. The best in my opinion."
"And they work?"
"Oh, yeah," the tiny man said, grinning. "I made some of my own modifications too. They run like dreams."
Or nightmares, Charlie remembered the damage he had done to himself crashing his forty-nine CC Honda Hobbit. And the moped had had trouble reaching fifty miles an hour. These rocket rides looked like they could go five hundred.
"I installed lunar and solar panels onto the back third of the rocket," Tills continued. "So there's no need for fuel, making the rockets lighter and faster."
Great, Charlie thought. Even faster.
Tills showed them the palm-sized square of blue positioned between the two handlebars. This was the activation slab. He placed his hand on the slabs of both rides and asked Bei and Charlie to do the same. The slabs hummed as they scanned their handprints. From now on only Bei or Charlie could activate the rocket rides.
Tills pointed out the two tubes running along the sides of the rocket. "These store energy. You'll have enough to last five hours without sun or moon. And if you need to get out of trouble in a hurry, you can use what you've stored all at once. It'll inject the ride with a massive surge in power."
He ran a blue hand down to the section of rocket directly beneath the seat. "There's a switch under here. Just flick it and you'll get the surge three seconds later." He laughed. "Whatever you do, don't activate accidently."