by Gary Weston
Casey said, ‘What the hell has happened back there?’
‘One hell of a lot. It turns out the planet was never just a dead rock. Sentient beings live below the surface. It’s their planet. They’ve bumped off a few people as a warning for the others to get the hell out of there.’
Once the shock of that statement had sunk in, Casey said, ‘My freighter is rigged up for helium. Nowhere for hundreds of people.’
‘I’ve a crew standing by to do something about that. The helium tanks will be out and seating fitted in their place. Freighters were designed to be adaptable. We’ve been getting the other freighters fitted out the same and most are ready to go once they’ve been fuelled up. It won’t be pretty, but we’ll be able to get our people off Nyzon Five as long as those creatures don’t slaughter them before we get there.’
‘Jeez,’ said Casey. ‘We could be heading into a war zone.’
Ramshorne nodded. ‘Yes, you could be. All freighters are being equipped with laser cannon. These creatures have no ships, so you won’t be involved with outer orbit combat. But you will be able to assist in any ground warfare that’s going on. You’ll also be taking some small arms. Mostly laser rifles.’
‘Rocky. I’ve no experience in warfare. Neither have the other captains. Apart from the simulator training. We haven’t needed anything since back in your day.’
Rocky flashed his handsome smile. ‘Yeah. Happy days. Look. Casey. I’m hoping you won’t be involved in any fighting. Just collecting those people. But I wanted to be sure you had the hardware in case you need it.’
‘Ok. When do we go?’
Ramshorne said, ‘Tomorrow morning. As soon as the freighters are ready, you can go. Go take a break and report back in the morning.’
‘I’ll be ready.’
By the time Casey returned to the pad, all the freighters had been fitted out and refuelled by the crews working round the clock. She met with the other captains in the command centre where Ramshorne was already at work. Ramshorne called for order.
‘Ok, everybody. Captain Casey will be in charge of the trip. You take your orders directly from her. I realise none of you have any real combat experience, but with luck, you won’t need it. Your computers have all the information you require about laser cannon. Make use of that on route.’
A tired looking woman entered the command centre. She was in charge of ship refuelling. ‘Commander. All freighters are ready to go, Sir.’
‘Thank you. You and your crew have done a fantastic job, Major Rogers. Well done. Go get some shut-eye.’
‘Thank you, Sir.’
As Rogers left, Ramshorne said, ‘Time to go, people. We’ll update you as and when we have information for you. Good luck.’
Casey led the captains back to the pad, and she was first away. Rocky watched as each ship took off and blasted out into space, remembering back to his days as a pilot and the battles they fought, out in space and on Mars. He was hoping these freighter captains wouldn’t have to experience things like that and they’d return, safe and sound.
‘Good luck,’ he said softly as the ships vanished into space.
* * *
With the helium three extraction halted, the Base was full of the entire Human population. Many formed groups with only one topic of conversation. Most had opinions of what should be done, from one end of the spectrum to the other. A feeling of helplessness and frustration hovered over everyone.
There was no shortage of volunteers to guard the hole to the tunnels, that number being limited by the lack of weapons. Macho bravado from those men, some holding a weapon for the first time, saying how much they wished for one of the beings to dare to show itself so they could blast it back to hell. They were secretly hoping that wouldn’t actually happen.
Some thought if they were in the strange beings’ place, they would also be fighting back. Others saw them as cold-blooded killers and the Humans should find a way of taking them on, maybe even moving into their city underground. It was all talk. For most of them.
In the underground city, there was also much discussion. In their hospital, the body of the Human was being examined. It was the first time some had the opportunity to study one up close. Three doctors and four from the governing council were gathered around the body.
‘As we all suspected,’ said Reskun LaH’vot, Principal of the Council. ‘They are weak. Puny.’
‘Only one heart,’ said Doctor TuD’nim. ‘Fragile skeletal structure.’
Ginkolo ChuN’res, council member said, ‘Easy to kill. We must get rid of these loathsome creatures.’
LaH’vot did not agree with her. ‘We Korvalians do not fight amongst ourselves. We are not a warlike people. This creature was only killed because he had strayed into our world. The others merely as a warning that we can no longer tolerate them plundering our planet.’
Kinvu NiJ’hun, council member, said, ‘Our scouts have told us that they have stopped processing the helium. That is something.’
‘Perhaps not a good sign,’ said ChuN’res. ‘Their spies saw our preparations to defend ourselves. Maybe they have stopped processing, in order to prepare to attack us.’
‘Merely supposition on your part, Ginkolo,’ said NiJ’hun. ‘We do not know they plan to attack us.’
Doctor TuD’nim, looked at the dead Korvalian. ‘Their weapons can kill us. We are unarmed.’
‘Not for long,’ said LaH’vot. ‘Our scientists are developing a weapon. Once ready, these creatures would be eradicated, and their kind would be too fearful to return here.’
NiJ’hun said, ‘No good will come of using that weapon. Our council are divided about using it.’
ChuN’res said, ‘But what if these creatures are preparing to attack us. Do we wait and do nothing?’
‘Our weapon is not ready,’ said LaH’vot. ‘We cannot simply send our people to war unarmed. That would be madness. But we will fight if attacked.’
Doctor TuD’nim said, ‘Shall I dispose of the bodies?’
‘Brave Migoka HoL’tor here, yes. We shall grieve for her in the usual way. This creature here. Dissect it. We need to find out their weaknesses.’
‘Very well, LaH’vot.’
They left the room to allow the doctor to work. He picked up a scalpel and made the first incision.
Chapter 25
Raven reported in. The cone transmitted his words. ‘Commander Carver has demanded cargo ships and weapons, but they’re several weeks away. Our five laser rifles would be of little use in the event of those beings attacking in numbers.’
‘As long as everyone keeps a low profile and don’t do stupid things, that might not happen. At least Thorn Enterprises are up to nothing more than trying to poach the best of the workers there. As far as we were able to determine, they have had no connection with Nyzon Five since they didn’t win the extraction contract. They’ve located another planet to work, but there’s a shortage of skilled workers in that area. Nothing more sinister than that.’
‘And the political rumblings?’
Boss said, ‘Just chest beating, by the look of it. One side saying the other is doing a bad job of it and they can do better. Again. Another red herring.’
Raven said, ‘Good. We can do without those distractions.’
‘True,’ said Boss. ‘Also, none of those on Nyzon are murderers, as we first thought. Just those creatures causing havoc.’
Raven said, ‘And no ghosts. I was never convinced about that. These creatures have a natural blue iridescence that just looks spooky on the camera recordings.’
‘Glad to hear it. Look. Tagg. You’re stuck there with the others at least until the cargo ships arrive to get you all out of there. You were sent to investigate murders. Basically, you have no mission, at least officially. Let the Base commanders run the show; you just help and support them in any way you can.’
‘That’s all I intend to do,’ said Raven. ‘My plan is just to stay alive. Can’t say I’ll be sad to get off this rock. By
the way. Just for the record, I’m getting on rather well with a woman here.’
‘Not before time, Tagg. Good to hear you’re finally moving on. Is it serious?’
Raven said, ‘I’d like to think so. Sir. I’d like to be considered for an admin position once I get home. I could hardly have any sort of relationship with me chasing bad guys all over the galaxy all the time.’
‘I think that’s for the best, Tagg. I’m sure your experience would be invaluable in other areas. Perhaps training rookie agents?’
‘That’s a possibility, Boss. Ok. I’ll keep you briefed about how things are going here. Goodnight, Sir.’
As Raven ended the call, there came a knock at the door and Joy Dainty was standing there. He let her in and closed the door behind her.
‘Tagg. I don’t want to be alone tonight. I’m too scared to sleep.’
He held her and kissed her. ‘I can’t promise you much sleep here, either.’
Chapter 26
Principal Reskun LaH’vot stared at the remains of the Human as Doctor TuD’nim cleaned the blood off his hands.
‘Such ridiculous creatures,’ said LaH’vot. ‘What do you suppose that is?’
TuD’nim said, ‘Something to do with food digestion. I think. It’s a revolting colour, whatever it is.’
‘And that little thing there?’
‘Ah!’ said TuD’nim. ‘Possibly something to do with the way they breed.’
LaH’vot gasped. ‘That tiny thing? Hmm. Best not speculate on how it works. Still. Whatever turns them on, I suppose. Beats me how they managed to evolve at all with equipment like that. And just look at all those vital internal organs with nothing protecting them.’
TuD’nim said, ‘Apart from the main one, the heart. I’m reasonably sure that’s what that thing is. If it is, they only have one of them, not two as we do. Their one heart does have some modicum of protection. But any deep injury below it and it would almost certainly prove fatal.’
LaH’vot held up his hand, the two long claws, a throwback to more primitive times, stuck out of the back of them. ‘Now we know why we have these. Perfect for ripping these creatures to bits. I hope it doesn’t come to that, though.’
‘Ginkolo ChuN’res sounded as if she thought otherwise.’
LaH’vot sighed. ‘She’s rallying the others. She doesn’t have the numbers, at least not yet. It wouldn’t take much to get enough on her side.’
‘At least the creatures have stopped taking the helium. Ok. I’ll see this body goes into the acid lake. HoL’tor’s body has already been disposed of.’
‘Just a body,’ said LaH’vot. ‘Worthless when dead. We will respect her spirit together and bid her farewell tomorrow.’ He looked at the Human. ‘I wonder if they acknowledge their spirits.’
‘Perhaps.’
LaH’vot left the hospital. He climbed the hill in the centre of the city and looked about him. He never took the city for granted. It was too beautiful to do that. It had sustained them for thousands of years. The legend of its creation was on their Sacred Tablets of The Spirits. Like all Korvalians he knew it by hearts, and passed it on to his children, as they did to their children. He closed his eyes and he could see the Sacred Tablets of The Spirits and recalled the legend of the creation of the city.
The Creation of the Underground City
The original city on the surface of the planet known as Korvalia to the locals and Nyzon Five to Humans had been called Torsantia. This too had been a beautiful city. The Korvalians lived harmoniously, working together, raising families, working hard. Even hundreds of years before, their scientists had discovered the power of helium three. It was plentiful and powered their city; that and the sun gave them all they needed to survive.
The rivers flowed in those days, and irrigated the fields. The growing of food was the main preoccupation, everything else there to support such industry.
They killed no living creatures for their own survival, although the land thrived with many animals and plants. The Korvalians diet consisted of fruit and vegetables, as it had always done. The air was clean and they were healthy to the degree that hospitals and doctors only had to deal with accidents and injury, diseases being few and far between.
Little had changed for thousands of years, until one day, a scientist, gazing at the stars through his telescope, saw something to concern him. He had seen and marvelled at comets and asteroids, enjoying the beauty of the solar system and beyond. But this was a thing to put fear into him, not something to delight him.
Unsure at first, he called on the others sharing his passion for science. For several days they watched the huge asteroid, did frantic calculations, then came to a unanimous conclusion. The asteroid would strike them. They had little more than half of one year before all life on their planet’s surface would be wiped out.
After much debate, it was decided that the only possibility for life was to go below the surface. It was well known about the underground rivers with water permeating the rock from the ice caps. There existed vast caves which they could expand and create a new city. And this is what they did.
Away from the estimated impact area which the asteroid would strike, they explored and found the most likely place. The caverns were extended and shelter, crude at first, was fashioned from the rock they excavated. They developed machines that harnessed the power from helium three which could melt through the hard rock below the surface, leaving precise and clean walls.
Tunnels were made specifically to channel underground rivers to and from the city. The fields were fashioned, food gathered and stored, seeds banked.
The helium three was stored in sufficient quantities to last for many years, until it was safe to return to the surface to extract more. One of their greatest achievements had been the creation of an artificial “sun”, again powered by helium three. It kept the temperature consistently warm and comfortable. It allowed for the crops to grow all year round. It also fuelled the few solar powered vehicles used to transport things around the city.
The work became more frantic, and the days sped by. There was still much to do below, but it was enough for them to survive, they hoped. They had done all they could. One day before the asteroid was about to strike, they gathered on the surface, staring at the thing that could be seen even in daylight, that would try to kill their world.
They knew their chances of survival were infinitesimal, and even the work they had done underground was probably a futile gesture. It was all they could do to have a fighting chance of survival. The rest was up to the Great Spirits whom they asked for help.
They had done all they could. Carvings on The Sacred Tablets of The Spirits recording the events were placed in the Chest of Time, and carried reverently below. They said farewell to their planet, calmly taking sanctuary below, unsure if they would survive the impact.
They waited quietly, gathered together, knowing to the minute when the asteroid would strike. And strike it did, a glancing blow at an angle, rather than a head-on impact. Although the collision was on the opposite side of the planet to their chosen sanctuary, it still caused some internal damage. Hundreds were killed as rock cascaded onto them. It was a time of great sadness, but also of much relief, because most had survived. Their race would go on.
The planet found a new orbit around the sun, but maintained a spin as it had before. It was further away from the sun and the surface froze. The largest part of the shattered asteroid began to orbit the planet, becoming a small moon.
Down below, the stoic Korvalians rebuilt their lives, made a beautiful city with their bare hands and this became their new home. Their system of government of an elected council was continued as before. Everyone had representation and important issues were energetically debated and generally amicably resolved. Considering everything, life was pretty good. Until the Humans arrived.
The Arrival of the Humans
Korvalians are philosophical by nature, and had often speculated on the possibility of life on other pl
anets. It was an unresolved debate until one day a ship landed. They marvelled at such a craft as it landed, observing it from a safe distance. And when the craft opened and vehicles and Humans emerged, the Korvalians were amazed. These strange creatures. What were they and where were they from?
Unsure, they spied on them, watching their every move, but kept hidden. The strange visitors were covered in peculiar garments, shielding them from the elements; the freezing temperatures. They were secretly followed as they crossed the planet, taking samples. Several days passed and the vehicles were driven back into the ship and they went back into space.
For the Korvalians, it answered some questions about the universe, but gave them many more questions to ponder. Life returned to normal, the visitors still speculated upon, but not with any concern. They were almost forgotten about, until more ships, bigger ships, arrived.
The Korvalians watched with fascination as the Base was built. If these creatures wanted to make a home on this dead surface, they were welcome to it, was the general opinion. Live and let live. They were to be observed, but not approached. If the more hospitable city underground was discovered, it wasn’t unlikely these visitors would think it a good idea to take over. Best keep quiet about it.
Now Korvalians knew all they needed to know about helium three extraction. They were able to extract their own, away from the visitors. It came as no real surprise that the visitors would also require helium three to live on this barren rock. Ok. Plenty to go round. Live and let live.
Then it became obvious, the visitors didn’t just take it for their own needs. The great ships took it away from the planet. This, not so good. A natural uncertainty prevailed amongst the peaceful Korvalians. These visitors could travel amongst the stars. Surely they were far more advanced than the natives? And more of them came as the demand for helium three grew. One rich area after another was plundered, sucked dry. This was the Korvalians planet right? In time, the helium plains would be cleaned out. This resource was becoming depleted. It was them or us.