by Jeri Dion
“You two are a sight for sore eyes,” said Donaldo with relief.
“Just relax mate, we’ll have you out of there in a minon,” assured Tom moving further debris away.
Tom once the debris was cleared, bent down checking Donaldo could move and helped him up onto his feet. Treketa hobbling about quickly searched for a complete Medic Emergency Kit. She grabbed it from under a pile of debris still closed. Tom helped Donaldo on out of what was left of the Life Ability Centre, as Donaldo had said, that he felt he’d done something to his ribs. Treketa glanced back, as they all made their way out, wondering what would happen to the cruiser? Donaldo gripped Tom for support, as his side hurt from the injuries, that he had sustained from the force in which the desk had hit him, as it had sailed across towards him as the cruiser flipped over.
“How are we going to get off the cruiser?” asked Donaldo in between wincing, from the pain, as he walked along.
“The plan is that we head towards the Docking Bay doors, up ahead,” said Tom, as he made sure they both made it safely over corridor debris.
Marc came into view and walked towards them seeing Tom struggling, he immediately went into action helping Treketa first, in taking the Medic Emergency Kit, then supporting her on the way out. Once everyone met at the Docking Bay doors, both Tom and Marc quickly set about getting them released and open. Marc moved one side and Tom the other. When Marc had managed to manually operate the doors getting them to move to a gap large enough to get in between, they pushed the rest of the way together until the doors opened fully. Warm air rushed in from the outside. Tom aimed his Slazer ready in case there was anyone unfriendly waiting the other side. But nothing, except the sound of bird song and animals greeted them. This Tayce was glad of. Lance took out his hand held scanner that was luckily still working and checking the outside readings. Everything came back with the reading of ‘CLEAR-NORMAL’ on the LCD screen. Tayce walked forward and soon found that the planet they had landed on, was along the lines of a paradise world. The rest of the team left what was left of the cruiser and followed Tayce. Tom and Marc kept their Slazers primed in case someone or something appeared without warning in a hostile way. Again nothing dangerous materialised. They placed their guns back in their holsters when they figured all was safe but kept on alert as they glanced around at the views.
“At least we seem to be safe, did you get to find out where we were, before we crashed Lance?” asked Tom interested.
“It’s classed as the paradise world of ‘Maldigri’. I managed to get enough information before things got to bad, it’s uninhabited,” replied Lance in an explanatory manner.
Tayce leaned on a large rock and looked back sorrowfully at what was left of her cruiser, as they had walked to a clearing. It was hard to imagine in it’s current state, that she had been considered the first exploration cruiser of it’s time on Traun. It had been built to last by the best team of Traunian designers and constructed by the most experienced construction workers, in their field now they were gone and so was Amalthea One, forced to land on this paradise world by a phenomenon looking a far cry from the graceful sleek design, she had been known by. Smashed, dented, scorched and looking no better than if she’d been ambushed by space vagabonds, what a way to end it’s life she thought. Marc caught her looking on in thought at the cruiser and he shared her feelings he had watched it being built on Traun, now it was a wreck. He walked over to her and upon reaching her, he placed his right arm around her shoulders, hugging her to him, like a big brother.
“You know they can always build another one,” he assured her trying to cheer her up.
“She won’t be the same, there will always be only one Amalthea One, the first of her kind, but Midge I want them to salvage him if it’s possible, he’s always been there for me, right from the start,” said Tayce, holding back the tears. Amalthea One had been her salvation, her home on that fatal night, until their present time.
“Come on, your team need you,” he said softly trying to make her feel better.
“Your right, I shouldn’t feel like this, there are injuries to take care of,” replied Tayce standing and walking towards the others.
Tayce and Marc soon joined the others, but it didn’t stop the thought crossing her mind whether Vargon was somehow connected with what had happened to them it would be her kind of powerful treachery for what she’d done to Sallen in sending her on the long journey home. Lance looked up as she approached.
“If it’s any consolation, Father was in contact with us in the final stages, before we crashed, I also released a crash seeking beacon, so if it successfully launched Questa Patrol should be picking up a signal soon,” said Lance trying to make her feel better.
“Thank you,” replied Tayce giving him an appreciative smile.
Tom as Tayce picked up the Medic Emergency Kit and began treating the team, walked to see the sorry sight of Amalthea. He stood wondering what would become of it? Would it be salvageable, or would she become another large piece of spacial junk left on the surface? Would Jonathan Largon pick up the distress crash signal, or would they all be marooned on this planet Maldigri forever? Only time would tell.
Treketa was sitting on the ground when she felt something swipe her arm lightly. She shot around to see the most adorable bundle of brown fur, with big black eyes, no bigger than an Earth 1 kitten/cat looking at her waiting for her to do something. Treketa panicked and shot away. So did the small creature, then it carefully peered over the grassy type vegetation at her and when it discovered she was not going to hurt it, it slowly came back to her, on all fours. Pausing, it studied her, blinking it’s big brown eyes, waiting to see what she would do? Treketa wondered if it was dangerous. Both she and the creature were stalemate both looking at each other. Tayce looked, as did Lance who immediately ran a scan of the creature, on the hand held scanner.
“What do I do, he’s just looking at me?” asked Treketa apprehensively.
“Nothing, until I can identify it,” said Lance.
“If it had wanted to attack her, I think it would have done it sooner Lance,” said Tayce.
“Here goes, don’t you attack me,” said Treketa slowly putting her hand out towards the little creature.
She was quite prepared to spring back, on her now supportive encased ankle, if she had to, at a minons notice. The little creature remained calm sticking out it’s small brown snout to sniff at her, then slowly came towards her hand and began to lick it, as if he or she was washing it in an affectionate way.
“I think he or she likes me,” said Treketa softly amused.
“It’s known as a Fetig and only known as one sex, Male apparently they are animals that could be trained to be the equivalent of a domesticated cat would you believe?” said Lance reading from his scanner.
“Looks like you’ve got yourself a pet sis,” said Tom laughing, along with the others, as the creature playfully swiped at Treketa again.
“If we get rescued, can I take him with me?” asked Treketa to Tayce hoping so.
“I don’t know, you know the Generals rules, no pets on board vessels during transit, as there are too many buttons and things, it could cause havoc, if it landed on anything vital in operation,” said Tayce.
“I’ll talk to Father, see if we can arrange something to safely transport him, leave it with me,” said Lance seeing how happy Treketa was for the first time.
Marc remembered he had put his Porto Compute in his jacket pocket and checked to see if it was still there. He upon finding it was relieved and retrieved it, hoping that it still worked. Activating it, surprisingly it came to life, asking for his enquiry on the screen. He keyed in Treketas pet name and description and the answer came back as the same as Lances. He was glad at least the Porto Compute was working, he continued to key in other information, silently studying it, as there was nothing else to do at the present time. Tayc
e when she had finished treating Donaldo, closed the Medic Emergency Kit, as everyone was okay for the time being. Marc glanced at her, he could see that she had used some of her power ability to heal Donaldo, so that he could return to being well enough to help further with the others, by the look on her face, she looked drained. He was going to watch her, make sure she didn’t get to exhausted, or they would have a repeat of the Astral Exhaustion. Something that he did not want to see. Nightfall on the planet came soon enough. Dusk fell over the landscape. Tayce walked over to Marc, concerned as she did not know what a night on Maldigri would entail.
“I don’t know about you, but, I know that Amalthea is a write-off, I think we should set up some kind of on board shelter for the night, there’s no telling what comes out here after dark,” confided Tayce.
“Oh I agree, this place may seem like paradise by dayon, but as you say, there’s no telling what goes on the night-time prowl,” he replied glancing around at the exotic plants and blooms.
Upon this, Tayce ordered everyone to gather around. Slowly they all came around her. She began that there present surroundings may seem like paradise by dayon, but nightfall was approaching and as they knew paradise could so easily turn bad and there was no telling what could happen so for their safety they were going back aboard the cruiser, to set up sleeping arrangements of sorts. The team agreed wholeheartedly and understandingly. With this, they started back aboard Amalthea and began trying to find some sort of way to set up sleeping arrangements, for the approaching night ahead.
Out in the deep depths of the Universe and growing nearer to Maldigri was a fleet of Rescue Vessels from Questa Headquarters Base. The search rescue beacon Lance had, had the foresight to sent out from Amalthea was picked up by a Universal Patrol Team and relayed to Questa. The fleet flew in unison, ten tow service vessels and a Medical Cruiser, equipped for every known emergency and the Generals personal new High Ranked Cruiser. On board the Generals new cruiser, he was personally briefing his different heads of section. They all sat around the oval shaped meeting table, all had come from the various vessels, that were currently flying with him, to rescue the Amaltheans and tow the Amalthea back to Questa. Each looked experienced in his or her field and dressed for the job they were about to face. Jonathan explained that he wanted a swift and quick rescue in six hourons time.
“Maldigri gentlemen, has a night and dayon rotation sequence, we need to be in position to rescue the Amalthean Quests team first light tomorron, you each know what you have to do to make this a smooth rescue and I want to hear of such at the end of this, I leave you to go to work and do your final preparations that’s all gentlemen,” said Jonathan standing to his feet and walking from the room.
The heads of sections and vessels for rescuing the Amaltheans stood and ferried on out back to their duty. Adam Carford was present to answer any questions, until everyone was happy and had ferried from the Meeting Chamber. Jonathan once everyone had gone, requested an update on the situation on the surface of Maldigri. Adam went in search of what Jonathan wanted and soon returned, entering the Private Chambers living area. Coming to a pause at the side of the chair Jonathan was sitting in.
“General, latest update from Maldigri, you requested, it would appear that the Amalthean Quests team are preparing to bed down for the night hourons, on what is left of the Amalthea,” informed Adam reading the research message.
“All right Adam, keep me informed, you know where I am,” said Jonathan standing before the vessel wide sight pane, watching the Universe in thought.
Adam turned and began away back to his desk to, await further updates, so that they could be passed on to the General. He wondered how Tayce and the others were coping on Maldigri. He also knew that she loved Amalthea. It was going to be hard for her to adjust to, the fact that if the cruiser was not salvageable, then it would be the last link with Traun. He turned his thoughts to the rescue in hand and watched his screen for any further updates, from the scanning beacon, they had sent ahead to the planet, to relay back weather patterns as well as the update on what was happening with the team. It was going to be a long night he thought.
Tayce on Maldigri, entered the cruiser just as the last moments of dusk turned to full darkened night. Her thoughts were on Midge of all things, she had made up her mind, she was determined that he should be salvaged, even if the present surroundings were not. She was glad to see that the team had made make shift sleeping arrangements, in the corridor to try and get a good nights sleep. She wondered what Midge would say, seeing her and the team like this and sleeping up side down for the night? Poor Midge, the last thing he recorded was the crashing of the cruiser. She walked to the area where Tom had set up a makeshift mattress for her and him, to bed down on. She sat down on what appeared to be a comfy makeshift bunk. Tom put his arm around her shoulders and drew her to him against the corridor wall. It had been a hard seventeen hourons for all of them, thought Tom, as Tayce rested her head on his warm shoulder. Marc looked across to them especially Tayce, she looked tired he thought, any other woman would have given up, the moment they crashed, but not her she had drawn on the training she went through on Traun for situations like this and she had done well in his estimation. Tayce caught him looking in her direction and smiled a soft tired smile, she was glad she had found him on Questa at the beginning of the team, she thought. Everyone soon settled down for an unexpected nights sleep on the corridor ceiling on what was left of the cruiser, on Maldigri.
Outside what was left of Amalthea, the Maldigrian night was quiet, nothing stirred. But the temperature suddenly plummeted to almost below zero. In the distance the sound of an animal, broke the silence of the air by obviously calling to the mate, in his or her species. It was a creepy far reaching howling hi pitched cry.
Tayce on board the cruiser, was woke by it. She lay half awake and half asleep, ready for anything. Marc was doing the same. Tayce pulled the heat sealant blanket around hers and Tom’s shoulders, she felt safe in his strong arms, upon hearing the sudden cry of the animal. Suddenly a noise started and it didn’t come from outside. Tayce looked about for Treketas adopted Fetig, it wasn’t the creature. It was curled up in the fold of Treketas arm, with it’s eyes closed, it’s long ears not moving, it hadn’t obviously heard the sudden sound, that sounded like a high pitched pip pip. It seemed to be coming from somewhere above them, like Level 1. But how thought Tayce? She looked up at Tom, who was sound asleep, then across to Marc, who was awake. She nudged him with her booted foot. He looked at her questioningly.
“Can you hear that sound from somewhere above us?” she whispered to him.
“Yeah where’s it coming from?” he asked listening again.
“I reckon it’s Level 1, do you think something is on board, or that Midge is somehow still working?”
“Want to take a look?” suggested Marc having a feeling she did.
“Yes I’d feel a lot more easier knowing what it could be,” replied Tayce, sliding out from the protection of Tom’s draped arm.
She and Marc soon stood and began stepping around the others, silently until clear, then walked off along the ceiling towards the Level Steps. Marc activated his hand held torch, when they had neared the ceiling up. They began on the walk up to the next level, which at times proved difficult and treacherous. He helped her where necessary taking her hand
In the darkness of Organisation, on the navigational panel, a small red light flashed on and off accompanied by an electronic sound that was playing in continuous succession. It was Lances beacon, signalling their whereabouts. Marc and Tayce stepped over the top of the doorway, on to the deck ceiling, looking about. Marc spotted the small flashing light and drew Tayces attention to it. It looked like someone somewhere was picking up their signal and help was on it’s way he thought.
“Looks like our signal is being picked up, nice work Lance,” said Marc, hoping it was being picked up by the right kind
of help.
“I’ve a feeling Jonathan is on his way, I don’t know how, but I can somehow see his face in my mind,” replied Tayce suddenly looking dazed.
“That ability of yours seems to be getting better all the time, at least we’ve found the source of that sound now I suggest we head back and grab what hourons of sleep there is left,” suggested Marc in reply.
“Want to know something else according to what I’m feeling right now, he’ll be here first light tomorron, or thereabouts,” said Tayce sounding optimistic, as if for some strange reason she knew.
“Okay, I believe you, now can we go?” he said heading back to the upside down entrance.
“Sure!” replied Tayce heading back to join him.
Marc shook his head, he was wondering just what else she would develop from the strange ability she had inherited. They both left Organisation and slowly made their way back down the corridor towards the Level Steps ceiling, to the lower levels, to rejoin the others, for the rest of the nights sleep. Tayce as they went felt a lot more at ease to know they were going to be rescued, she did not want to stay another dayon on Maldigri, even though it was a paradise type world. Their job was back in the Universe and after a while they would probably go stark raving crazy just doing nothing, except surviving!
First light. The Amalthean Quests team woke to the sound of another dayon in paradise. Tayce walked out of Amalthea into the early mornet sun. She looked skyward for any sign of their rescuers. Nothing but clear hazy sky. After a few minons, she called for the team to gather round, explaining what she and Marc had found out during the night hourons in Organisation. The Team were as glad as Tayce to know that they would be rescued soon. Tayce suggested that until that rescue took place, they all took time to do what they wished.
“Donaldo how are you this mornet, any easier?” asked Tayce in a caring tone.