"Well, it's certainly not free," replied Evanston. "You've got to be extremely well-heeled to come here. I suppose I'll eventually make a profit. You'll have to ask my business people about that .... On second thought, don't. They advised against it." He shook his head. "People with no vision. Still, business, hobby, whatever-it's a magnificent place, and I'm sure you'll be quite impressed with it. In fact, I'll give you the Cook's Tour, forthwith."
As soon as they arrived at the limousinoid, a man hopped out of the backseat.
"Good day, Mr. Evanston," the man piped. "Welcome back. And good day, Machiko Noguchi and Attila the Hun. Welcome to our magnificent planet."
"How does he know our names?" asked Machiko.
"I took the liberty of subspacing the results of my quest back to my highest officers. This, my new friends, is my personal secretary and entertainment director, Willem Cordial."
The man gave a brisk, self-mocking bow. "At your service. I'll be in charge of your personal needs during your stay here," said the man. "Anything you want, I'll get it. If this were a giant luxury hotel, I, Willem Cordial, would be your personal concierge!"
Willem Cordial was a short, slender man with blond hair, a perfect tan, and sunglasses. He wore khald shorts and loafers shined to a glossy finish, a short-sleeved safari jacket, and a large rimmed safari hat. He had a clean-scrubbed, young look about him, and a squeaky, obsequious voice. There was a gap between his front teeth, and a feathery caterpillar of a mustache perched precariously below his nose.
"I sincerely hope that on your agenda for this stay will be the bagging of some big game!" said the man.
Machiko could only goggle. The guy seemed more like a comic parody of a hunter than anything approaching manliness and competence. She looked over to Evanston to see if this was some kind of joke, but for all intents and purposes Evanston was very matter-of-fact with the man.
No jester here, just another unusual facet of an unusual operation.
"I'm sure we'll take time for that, if time is indeed provided, Mr. Cordial," said Machiko. "However, we are here primarily to do a job, not partake of the obvious-ah-benefits of this world."
"Nonsense," said Evanston. "You're entitled to have a good time on your leisure hours and days, and Willem here will make sure you do. Isn't that right, Willem?"
"Entertainment is indeed my job."
"Excellent," pronounced Evanston. "Now, your bags will be along presently In the meantime we'll show you Evanstonville and then take you to your quarters."
Willem Cordial gestured to the open car door and the luxurious leather seats beyond. "Please, just slide on into this climate-controlled vehicle, and we will endeavor to be of whatever service we-"
A sudden screeching of wheels got their attention.
A small sporty car was approaching them at high speed. The low car squealed to a stop just short of the limo, its bubble top popped, and a man jumped out of the car. He wore an expensive suit and tie, but looked disheveled and out of sorts. As he approached, Machiko could see that he had flesh-colored bandages on his face. "My God, Brookings. What happened to you? Abner Brookings, this is Machiko Noguchi. I have indeed retrieved her and she's in our service."
"Great. Nice to meet you. Sorry to disturb you, Mr. Evanston. I heard you were landing. I must speak to you personally"
"Well, of course. I should be in my office later on in the day."
"I'm sorry, sir. This is a vital issue and I must talk with you immediately. Important business . . ."
There was a wild and frightened look in his eye, and Machiko could sense that this man was not used to being frightened.
"Surely-"
"If I could just have your ear for a moment."
"Excuse me."
The two men walked back toward the car, out of earshot. The well-dressed man made a few heated gestures as he spoke in a whisper.
"Something's going on," said Machiko.
"Who is that guy?"
"He's a prominent lawyer, working on some high level business here," said Mr. Cordial. "Now, then, if you'll hop into the car, we'll be all ready-"
"Has it got anything to do with my assignment here?" said Machiko.
"I haven't the foggiest, really," said their host. "Now, if you will get into the car-"
"I agree totally Machiko should know," said Attila, turning as though to walk toward the talking men.
Cordial became noticeably flustered. "Please, no . . . please cooperate."
"No need to rock the boat, Til," said Machiko, placing a calming hand on her android's arm. "After all, we're just hired hands."
The little man noticeably relaxed. "I think you'll find this vehicle very comfortable. We have a variety of music, snacks, and a full beverage bar for your needs."
Attila got in first. Machiko was about to follow when she realized that Livermore Evanston was clomping back to join them.
"No, no," said the big man. "Continue. I'm afraid I have to attend to something immediately, and so I'll be riding back with Mr. Brookings. Mr. Cordial, would you be so kind as to take my place in showing these folks around?"
Cordial positively beamed. "Why, yes, sir. And I think we'll actually be able to hunt up a splendid time."
"Good. Good. I will speak to you later, Noguchi, when you are comfortably situated in your quarters."
The usually affable, in-control Evanston looked quite preoccupied, thought Machiko.
She slid in beside Attila while Cordial spoke to the driver a minute.
"Wonder what's going on," said Machiko.
Attila wore a puzzled, worried expression. "I heard a few of the words."
"Well?"
But then Cordial was back, all smiles and goofy good cheer, and they were off on their tour, their guide yak-yak-yaking away.
* * *
Chapter 9
Evanstonville was clearly more a settlement than a real city; however, it was spread out over a wide area, and there were many large and architecturally interesting buildings. It was set in a beautiful valley beside a meeting of two rivers. Trees and grass and plains surrounded it, green and vibrant.
As they drove along a road that crossed one of the rivers via a lovely old-fashioned bridge, Cordial explained that rather than allow his own city to grow in a haphazard fashion, Livermore had, with the help of experts, planned the whole thing out beforehand. Vital pieces-spaceport, essential roads, bridges, quarters and residences, storage places and parks-had been set in first, and as time and tide allowed, and actual colonists came to live and work on the world, the place would grow in a preordained and contained fashion. In this way there would be an aesthetic to every part of the city when in the fullness of time it was completed.
They drove past fountains and gardens and spectacularly designed buildings, many of which were just under construction. After viewing the city hall and main hotel, Machiko had to allow that she was impressed. There wasn't just money going on here, there was taste.
Then they stopped at a duck pond in the central park, and she had to reconsider.
Not that the park wasn't beautiful. It was. As centerpiece to the entire settlement, and to the future masterpiece city, it was already galaxy class. All manner of trees and grass and flowers and other blended botanical wonders were sculpted into a paradisal vision of nature, complete with rolling fields and swooping copses, glimmering streams and waterfalls, pretty ponds, and in the very middle, a splendid lake stocked with fish and graced with a collection of the greatest variety of Earth ducks and swans and other waterfowl that Machiko had ever seen.
"Very nice," she said.
"Rather like an interesting Western version of a Japanese garden, don't you think?" said Attila.
Mr. Cordial beamed with the compliments. "I think that all sorts of influences can be seen in this park."
"Well, I wouldn't go that far, Til," said Machiko. "I mean, where's the Zen garden, for instance?"
"Pardon?" said Cordial, brow furrowed.
"Zen garden. Yo
u know, sand, rocks, contemplation. Meditation!"
Cordial whipped out an electronic notebook, made a quick gathering of jottings. "An excellent notion. I'll make the suggestion. And please, any other thoughts . . . we'd appreciate them."
"Can we get out of the car and enjoy the fresh air by the lake?" said Machiko.
A frown from Cordial. "Well . . . actually, there are other things you should see, and we should be getting on."
"Nonsense. We need to stretch our legs, don't we?"
"Yes. After all, doesn't this vehicle make these stops? I mean, it is a stretch limo, isn't it?"
Cordial laughed. "Well, don't we have a sense of humor? Very well, but only for a few minutes."
"I'd like to take a look at some of these species of waterfowl," said Machiko as she got out. "You must have some sort of genetic and cloning biofactory here as well."
"Indeed, indeed. One of the features I was going to point out."
Amid the fresh floral and water smells, the sweet of grass and the sour of turned soil, they strolled down to the edge of the lake. Machiko produced a handful of crackers that she'd taken from the snack bin, gave some to Til, and together they soon had a flock of the things feeding and fluttering before them.
"Idyllic," pronounced Attila.
"Most disciplined," said Machiko. "And very interesting. I think I've already got a few questions I'd like to ask Mr. Evanston."
"Oh, I'm quite equipped with answers."
"No, I think I'll just use them for conversational fodder with our employer, if you don't mind."
"Of course not. Now perhaps we should be-"
"Say, look," said Attila, pointing to a rise just beyond the lake. "Another touring party?"
Machiko looked. She wasn't equipped with Attila's telescopic vision, but Cordial had supplied her with a pair of opera glasses to enjoy some of the scenery. She picked these up and examined the new arrivals.
They were a group of six men, all wearing stylized camouflage coveralls. Big hats and enormous goggles covered their eyes, and shoulder pads made them all look uniformly masculine and powerful.
"How peculiar. Who are these men, Cordial?" asked Machiko.
"Guests."
"Ah! So these are some of the rich men who've come to hunt."
Cordial nodded. "That is correct. Now, the limo is waiting, and there's so much more I want to show you."
Machiko put her glasses to her eyes.
"Wait a minute," she said. "These guys have guns."
"Shotguns, from the looks of them," added Attila. "How curious. Some sort of display of macho power. I also see holsters and bandoliers of ammunition."
"Yes," said Cordial with a forced cheeriness. "We of Hunter's World work to create an ambience of imagination and virility. Longtime symbols of power are utilized to create a sense of security and self-confidence in our guests. We also create exercises to prepare our guests for larger, more dangerous hunts and---"
"They're throwing bread to the ducks and swans," reported Attila. "They seem to be gathering in great numbers."
"What-feeding the birds is some sort of good-luck ritual before safari? I've never heard of that," said Machiko.
"Not exactly. This park, uhm, serves many purposes, all calculated to bring on various moods and satisfactions. In fact, if you'll just accompany me around to the other end, I'll show you something very interesting, something that--"
A gigantic, echoing blast interrupted his words.
Other blasts followed.
Machiko swiveled to see what was going on.
"Goodness," said Attila.
"Ha ha," tittered Cordial nervously. "Just a display of high spirits among our guests."
Ka-blam, ka blam, ka-blam.
The men had lifted their guns and aimed them point-blank at the large gathering of birds trustingly partaking of the bready offerings. Now many of these ducks and such were just clouds of broken feathers and down, interspersed with a fine mist of blood and bone. Ruined duck bodies lay sprawled in the gory water. A flutter of wings took to the sky.
Whoops of joy.
Bloodthirsty success.
Ka blam, ka blam, ka-blam.
Flame and smoke poured from shotguns, and hard metal pellets shattered through a dozen more bodies.
The massacre was truly something to see, a Fourth of July of excess. As the shots ended and the ducks that had escaped flew away pell-mell, Machiko found herself gaping. The manly men were stomping around the flesh-and-feather detritus, laughing and clapping each other on the back.
The yautja had never done anything like this. Their prey were always hunters themselves. For food they would take down prey, yes-but never in such a disgusting display.
Machiko found herself sick to her stomach
"My goodness," said Attila. "It seems a little excessive, doesn't it? And the waste!"
"Oh, the lab-and-factory folks can whip up more, I quite assure you."
"But the mess . . . hardly idyllic."
"A momentary thing, I assure you," said Cordial. "Look-the service robots axe already coming."
A number of robots-true robots, of the servo-sort, of plastic and glass, waldo arms, and visible gears and equipment appeared as though magically, hustling down on this barbaric scene. Quickly, the brave hunters picked up a few of the less-damaged birds for souvenirs and then let the robots deal with the rest. They set off for further park adventures, bloody and happy, tilting flasks and singing songs.
"Truly, where else in the galaxy can such exercises be discovered?" said Cordial. "Now perhaps another side of the park, and then on for the rest of the tour."
"Mind if my android and I take a little walk alone around the lake?" said Machiko.
Believe it or not, she thought to herself, the brave huntress is feeling a little queasy.
Cordial eyed his wristwatch. "I really do have to stick to my schedule . . . and we do have excellent drugs in the car that will doubtless eradicate any stomach or intestinal distress."
Machiko nodded. She'd be able to get Attila alone eventually and hear those words that he'd heard pass between Livermore Evanston and the lawyer . . . .
But apparently not now.
"That genetic factory you mentioned?"
"Yes?"
"The one that seems to be able to spew forth so many ducks and swans and all that expendable plasm and life things into this world?"
"I did mention such an establishment, didn't I?" He sounded a little uncomfortable, as though he hadn't realized the creature that had exited the bag had been a cat.
"If it's not too much trouble-could we have a look at that during our tour?"
Cordial, though obviously a bit discomforted by the request, said, "Certainly," with some of the verve and brightness returning to his speech.
Machiko followed Attila back into the car.
She wished she could talk this over with him now, without the ear of this flunky canting toward them.
She didn't feel real good about this "factory" thing.
Not good at all.
* * *
Chapter 10
They drove past more houses, some built, some under construction, all dynamically engineered and brilliantly architecturally designed.
They drove past other parks, this time noticing roving packs of guests with guns, some bloody, some not.
They drove past a magnificent skeletal stadium, its promise explicit in the scaffolding that enclosed the growing shell.
All to the accompanying glowing descriptions of their guide, Mr. Cordial.
Finally, at the very end of the settlement, across a long field, crisscrossed by numerous fences, force fields, and other barriers and sentry posts, there loomed the most impressive building yet.
"Quite a building," said Machiko.
"More a compound, don't you think?" suggested Attila when Machiko made this statement.
"True, quite true."
In truth, there were more buildings than one, all of different shapes and
sizes, but all were connected numerously by catwalks and gondolas and tubings and what have you, making it look like some gigantic monadic hamster colony. Machiko could see people walking back and forth, and a great deal of vehicular activity as well. It looked like a lively and productive industry, peculiarly stuck into a series of interconnected contemporary cathedrals. Glass and prismatic light; the occasional wisp of smoke stringing into the blue background of sky.
"Yes, there it is," said Mr. Cordial, gesturing absently. "Naturally we can't import the creatures we need for hunting purposes, so we grow and breed them there ourselves. A unique and still very experimental process, I might add, one that Mr. Evanston is watching over very carefully" He coughed. "Now, I'm sure that you're both tired and would like to make yourselves comfortable in your quarters before the other welcoming festivities our employer is preparing for you." He tapped on the partition between them and the driver, signaling him to drive past the intersection where a turn swung into the service road of the genetic-factory compound.
"We're here," said Machiko, "but we're not going to get to look inside?"
"I'm sure you must understand," said Cordial. "The activities inside those buildings are of a very sensitive and secret nature. Now, I'm certain that Mr. Evanston will allow you a tour. In fact, he probably wants to take you himself. However, we can't just barge in without warning. I sincerely hope you understand."
Attila said nothing.
Machiko nodded her head. "All right," she said. But inside she still felt bothered. "Take us to our quarters, then."
Cordial relaxed. His entire attitude toward his guests seemed to change. Machiko sensed danger signals being dulled. Good. That was what she was hoping for.
"Thank you. I understand your curiosity, but I have my duties."
"Yes," said Machiko Noguchi, unmollified.
Their bags and clothes and other belongings were waiting for them at their room.
After all the luxury they'd experienced, the room itself was rather plain, one of ten lining a nondescript corridor in a brown-wrapper two-level building.
Aliens vs Predator 2 - Hunter's Planet Page 9