by Phil Price
Torben shot him a stern glance, which only lasted for a moment. His friend’s enthusiasm was infectious. “It went very smoothly. They were all rounded up with relative ease. It was only once we were travelling home that we had issues.”
“What kind of issues?” the younger pilot asked quizzically.
“The humans were angry and scared. I suppose they have every right to be. After all, we snatched them from their homes and families, taking them across the universe to live out their days in a virtual prison.”
“When you put it like that, I guess they have a point.” Ark took a long pull on his drink, eyeing his friend as he did so. “So, what now?”
“We have a few drinks, then head to Cantis,” Torben replied smoothly, liking the closeness that the women next to him gave off. Her smooth fingers gently rested on his arm, sending goosebumps across his lightly tanned skin. “How about you?”
“I’m gonna stick around here for a day or so. I could call in and see my family on the way to Command. I will see how it goes. If I get lucky, I may skip the family.”
“Sounds like you’ve got it all mapped out,” Kyra said smiling.
They all raised their glasses, clinking them lightly as the world passed them by.
Thirteen
Valkash
The village hall was crowded, almost every seat was taken as the crowd settled down. A few people stood at the front of the hallway, their eyes scanning the expectant faces of the abducted villagers. Caroline looked at the man stood next to her, not liking the air he gave off. She remembered him falling to the floor onboard the space ship as the abductors zapped him with their stun gun. “Someone needs to take charge. We need to elect a leader if we’re going to get out of here. For those of you who don’t know me, my name’s Pete Haines.” Caroline watched as he strutted across the floor, trying to generate some support from his fellow villagers. Smug twat, she thought, as she appraised him. He looked to be a few years older than her, with short dark hair and a rubbery face. She could see the first traces of red veins across his nose and cheeks. She had seen them before, on her father’s face. A father that was all too keen to have any kind of drink in his meaty paw.
“Are you putting yourself forward?” a man shouted from the back of the building.
“Yes, I am. I’m used to managing people. It’s what I do.” A few disconcerted murmurs drifted across the hall.
“Well I’ll put myself forward too,” the man said, as he left his family sitting huddled together. As he stood next to the others, the man addressed the room. “My name’s Martin Williams. My wife Kimberly is sat at the back with our two sons, Tristan and Lawrence.” He looked towards the rear of the hall, catching a reassuring smile from his wife.
“So, we have two candidates?” Pete interjected before his rival could carry on. “Is there anyone else who would like to put themselves forward?”
“I will,” Caroline said quickly, catching the disapproving expressions of the two men next to her. “
“And you are?” Pete said, hands placed on his expanding hips.
“Caroline.”
“You’re not from the village, are you?” Martin said, trying to push for an early advantage.
“No. I was visiting my mum when all this happened. I am in the process of moving to Belbroughton though.”
“I really think that an elected leader needs to be a resident of the village,” Pete said, his head moving up and down, making his jowls shake.
“I agree,” Martin agreed. “Someone who knows the villagers. Someone who can come up with a plan to get us all back home.”
“Back home?” Caroline said. “Has it sunk in yet as to where we are?”
“For all we know, Carol, we could still be on Earth, part of some elaborate hoax.”
“Caroline.”
“Huh?” Pete said.
“My name’s Caroline.”
“Whatever! My point is that someone needs to be in charge who will think outside the box.”
What a prat, she thought. Think outside the box. Did he get that from The Apprentice? “Okay. If no-one else is to put themselves forward, I suggest we put it to a vote?”
“Agreed,” Martin said impatiently.
“Okay,” Pete began, trying to project his voice. “All villagers who think I should be in charge, please raise your hands?” Several hands went up, Pete trying to count them all.
Caroline looked at his attempt, smiling to herself. “I have an idea. I will move to the entrance of the hall. Martin, you move over to the window. Pete, you stay here. Everyone can move to the person that they choose as leader. Then, we tally up.” Pete looked at her sourly, his skin reddening. “Just thinking outside the box,” she said as she turned to walk towards the entrance.
“Okay, guys. Move to who you think should be the leader of the group.” The villagers all stood up, shuffling and walking over to their preferred candidate. After a minute, the hall was split into three groups.
“Have we all decided?” Martin said. They all agreed in unison as the three potential leaders began counting. A few minutes later, Martin and Caroline walked back to where Pete stood.
“How many, Martin?” Pete said.
“Forty-two,” he replied, pleased with his score.
Pete. How many did you get?” Caroline asked.
“Fifty-one. And you?”
“Fifty-seven,” she replied neutrally. So, I guess that decides it.” Pete looked over at the group at the entrance to the hall, seeing that most of Caroline’s group were women. He let out an exasperated sigh, striding out of the hall, leaving the rest in silence.
“Okay, well, you’re in charge,” Martin said, trying his best to look indifferent.
“Right. I need a team of people to help me. A mini-committee. Who’s interested?”
Several women stepped forward, Gemma at the front of the group. “Count me in.”
“Me too,” Katie added.
“If you need another, I am more than happy to help.” Martin looked at his wife, his face reddening. “Sorry, love. I am on the school board. I am good at this kind of stuff.”
“Whatever,” her husband replied, following the other losing candidate out of the hall.
Kimberly looked over at her two sons, smiling thinly. “Can you go with Daddy please?” They left the room, playfully bumping shoulders with each other.
Caroline looked at the remaining villagers, the weight of her position becoming apparent. “We will meet again at the same time tomorrow. The four of us will stay here for a while and discuss a few things.” The throng of people filed out, leaving the four women standing in the empty hall. “I think we should sit down and discuss things moving forward.”
“I agree,” Katie said as she looked over towards a kitchenette. “Do you think we could rustle up something to drink?”
“Let’s take a look,” Gemma said, heading over to the corner of the hall. She tentatively tried the cold-water tap, pleasantly surprised when a jet of cold liquid shot out into the steel sink. “At least we have water.” She looked at the kettle, quickly picking it up, filling it halfway. She smiled when the red light flicked on, the boiling cycle working. “Not sure how they knew that we’d need this. But I am thankful.” She opened the cupboards, amazed when she was presented with a series of steel canisters. The woman unscrewed the lid of the closest one, inhaling a heady aroma that reminded her of home. “Bloody hell! We have coffee.”
“That’s something I suppose,” Kimberley said as she pulled the door of the fridge open. “We have milk too by the look of it,” she said, unscrewing the cap of a clear plastic container. “Not sure what kind of animal produced this, but it smells like ordinary milk.”
“If I have coffee, I can put my mind to anything,” Caroline quipped, trying to brighten the mood. The other women smiled at her, liking the Welsh woman’s logic. Five minutes later they were seated at a small square table next to a small stage. Steaming coffee enveloped the foursome, slightly lifting the d
ark clouds that threatened them. “So,” Caroline started. “What kind of things do we need to talk about? I am thinking about laying some ground rules for the villagers.”
“What kind of rules?” Kimberley said as she cupped her white mug in both hands.
“Oh, I don’t know. Things like not letting the children wander off on their own.”
“Sensible,” Gemma said, noting a slight power struggle starting to occur. She looked at Kimberley, wondering if there would be trouble.
“I suppose that’s a good place to start,” Kimberley responded evenly. “After all, we don’t really know what is out there. I took a walk towards the edge of the village earlier. Beyond the glass wall, I spotted a few huge creatures. I certainly would not want them getting into the village. Keeping the children away from them is a good idea.”
“It’s all very good setting rules for us all,” Katie said. “But we also need to formulate another plan.”
“Oh! What kind of plan?” Gemma asked, a curious edge to her voice.
“Why dear. A plan of escape of course.”
“Escape!” Kimberley blurted. “How do we do that?”
“Well, I don’t rightly know at the moment. But if you think I want to spend the rest of my life in a giant goldfish bowl, surrounded by alien beasts, you can think again. We came here in a ship. All we need to get home is another ship, with someone who knows how to fly it.”
Kimberley was about to reply when the hall doors opened. The four women turned their heads as 2104 walked into the hall, his arms swinging loosely by the side. “I am afraid that escape is futile. I know that you will think about it. However, it is not possible.”
“Why not?” Katie said defiantly. She walked towards him, gripping her mug tightly. “You are holding us against our will. Of course, we are thinking about a way home.”
“And I cannot stop you from thinking such things. However, putting such things into practice will end badly for you. The ships that bought you all here have now left this planet. Only short-range freighter ships will be visiting, bringing supplies to all the inhabitants of Valkash.”
“So, we’re just supposed to live out our days in this fucking zoo?” Gemma spat. “I have a family at home. We all do. They will be worried about us.”
“Please, sit. Let me explain exactly what is going on here,” 2104 said calmly. The women complied, chair legs grating across the wooden floor. Ash walked past them, leaning easily against the stage, stretching his four arms out in a crucifix pose. “When I welcomed you all, I briefly explained about the war. A faction had waged war against the Lomogs, and anyone affiliated to them. Chaos raged across the systems, which all but crushed us. It was only by chance that their leader, Barajan, was captured. Once he was executed, the factions fell apart. The remaining rebels are scattered across the cosmos. Now peace can return.”
“But why kidnap different species from across the universe?” Katie asked, her tone almost pleading.”
“That was not our call. The Lomogs decided on such things. They have given us peace and wealth, along with technology that we never thought possible. Without that, the nearby systems would not have recovered from the war. We must do their bidding.”
“But it’s kidnapping!” Gemma spat, her face reddening.
“I know what it is. But we have our orders. My family are thousands of light-years away too. I have left them to come and work here. I too, wish to be with them again. And one day I will. I have three little ones who will be missing their father. My partner, Artaq, is to care for them in my absence. It is a sacrifice that we have to make to ensure that peace remains, and mouths are fed. I understand that the four of you are now in charge. That is good. Rules need to be applied and obeyed. That is all I have to say. I trust that the refreshments are to your liking? There will be regular shipments of food to keep you all healthy. The eco-system is perfectly matched to your own planet. So, your plants will grow, and your animals will never go hungry. Now, I have to leave. There is so much to do.” Before any of the women could reply, the large alien was striding out of the hall, leaving the door ajar. It creaked gently, just like it did in Belbroughton.
“Follow me,” Caroline said, following 2104. The others complied, almost jogging after the departing leader. “There he goes,” the Welsh woman said, pointing down the country lane towards the invisible barrier that kept them hemmed in. “Let’s see where he’s off to.” The followed at a brisk pace, struggling to keep up with the giant’s loping strides. After a minute he stopped at a glass doorway, placing his huge palm against the reader. The door opened silently, and 2104 stepped outside onto a steel gangway. As the women approached, the glass door closed with barely a rustle, closing off any hope of pursuit. They watched as the large alien walked away from them, becoming lost to sight as trees and hedgerows barred their view.
“Oh well. At least we know how to get through the doorway,” Katie said.
“How?” Kimberley said, perplexed.
“He used his hand to gain access. All we need to do is chop it off and use it for ourselves.”
“Hmm,” Caroline murmured. “Have you seen the size of him? Cutting his hand off might not be as easy as you think. And it will probably piss him off too.”
“Well. He has four of them. I’m sure he’d cope if he only had three left.”
Fourteen
Biflux
Torben stood motionless, watching the majesty of the Cantis glacier. A massif of rock and ice, twelve billion years in the making. His eyes flitted to where it met the crystal-like lake underneath it, slithers of blue ice calving into the deep waters. “Now that is something,” he said, wrapping an arm around Kyra’s waist.
“It sure is,” she said, snuggling into the man next to her, trying to ward off the cold wind that blew from the jagged peaks above them.
“How far to your parents’ home?”
“It’s only a short ride,” she said, tilting her head to her right. Next to the lake, a small town lay nestled into the side the mountain. “They live on the outskirts of Kiton. If you look over there, where the trees touch the waters, there are a few buildings. My parents live closest to the shore. There is a cabin on the water, where they have their crafts moored. That’s where we’ll be holed up. Not quite slumming it, but far from luxurious. Can you handle that, Torby?”
He loved the new pet-name that she had bestowed upon him. It made him feel warm inside, which was an unusual feeling in itself. Torben also loved how she snuggled in close to him, her long fingers kneading the muscles of his forearm under his thick jacket. “As long as there is a bunk, a beer and a fire, I will be just fine. Lead on.”
They walked over to their transport, a silver land-glider with a glass-domed roof. As they approached the roof slid back, with two recessed doors sliding open to welcome the couple. “Strap yourself in. I will take us across the lake towards the cabin. We can unpack before I unleash my family on you.” The craft rose into the air before heading down a grassy slope towards the water. It settled twenty feet over the glass-like surface, gently skipping over the water towards the town.
“What the hell is that?” Torben exclaimed as a dark grey shape broke the surface of the lake.
“It’s a male Breekin. It’s looking for a safe refuge for its pod. They come into the lake to calve every year. I’ll increase our altitude. They are not dangerous, but they break the surface of the water and can reach some heights. They have been known to bring down low-flying craft.”
“Fair enough,” Torben said as the creature below them broke the surface once more. “Look at the size of that thing!”
“Impressive eh. Fully grown males can be almost a thousand feet in length. One washed up on the shores next to the town last year. It was taller than any structure in Kiton.”
“How did you get rid of it?”
“We towed it back out to sea. This lake connects to the ocean. There are even larger predators out there that would be only too happy to have a feast like that.”
“Remind me never to go swimming out at sea then,” Torben said, grinning.
Kyra returned the smile, her face transforming. She reached across the cockpit, entwining her fingers into his, squeezing gently. “You’d freeze to death before any predators could take a chunk out of you. So, stay close to me. The cabin will be nice and warm, once we get the fire going.”
“Sounds perfect,” the captain replied, as Kiton started to fill his vista. A small collection of buildings that were sandwiched between the lake and the mountains, the town had a holiday feel to Torben. He’d stayed there a few times before, liking the laid-back atmosphere of the trading stalls and bars that dotted the main thoroughfare. As the craft scooted past, Kyra gunned the thrusters, turning left sharply away from the town. Torben smiled, liking the excitement as the small vessel flitted past trees on its right-hand side.
“And here we are,” Kyra announced a few moments later, the craft settling into the water next to a wooden pontoon. A minute later they were dumping their packs on the freshly painted wooden planks as Kyra anchored the ship in place, letting it bob and drift on the gentle waters.
Torben looked up at the main house, nodding his appreciation. Kyra’s family home sat nestled under evergreen trees, with a high apex roof that reminded him of a mountain lodge. Most of the façade was of blackened glass that shimmered when the sun’s rays caught it. “Impressive.”
“Not bad eh. My parents have lived here since I was a little girl. Father did most of the work himself, preferring to get his hands dirty, rather than let someone else take the credit.”
“Makes sense to me. What do your parents do?”
“They are retired now. Mother was a teacher and Father was an engineer at Halycon. That’s why Max has gone there, to follow in Father’s footsteps. You will like them both.”