by Gary Weston
‘When will this be finished?’ he demanded.
The pair looked pleased with themselves. ‘We have made better progress than expected, Principal LaH’vot,’ said one, proudly. ‘We have made the final part. We were going to assemble it tomorrow.’
‘Now. Do it now.’
‘But…’
‘Now.’
To ensure they did as ordered, he stood watching them. It was a delicate operation, and took the scientists two tedious hours during which time LaH’vot watched them.
‘It is ready, Principal LaH’vot. A simple press of this button and it will be activated. If hidden near the visitors home and activated, it will detonate one full day later and destroy them.’
‘We shall decide once and for all what to do in the morning.’
With heavy hearts, LaH’vot stared at the bomb which would wipe out all life on the surface. He sighed and walked away.
Chapter 48
Raven had showered and, eventually, fallen asleep in the arms of Joy Dainty. But after only a few hours sleep, he awoke, which disturbed Joy.
‘Tagg. What’s wrong?’
‘I have to go back to that city.’
She sat up and slapped his bare chest. ‘Are you insane?’
‘Think about it. If that boy of theirs dies, we’re all toast anyway. If they kill me, I just go sooner rather than later.’
‘I still don’t get it. Why do you need to go back?’
Raven said, ‘To reason with them. Explain we never harmed the boy. If I can get them to listen to me, make them understand we’re leaving, they might hold off until our ships arrive.’
‘Send someone else. You’ve done your part, more than enough.’
‘They know me. I think. Then again, maybe not. They all look the same to us, perhaps they can’t tell us apart, either.’
Joy couldn’t fault his logic. Like he had said, they would probably all die soon, anyway.
‘Ok. But I’m going with you.’
Raven shook his head. ‘Oh, no. I go alone. I want you here.’
‘I’m not going through all that again, worried sick thinking of you. And that was when you were with others and armed. I understand the risks. I’m going with you.’
Raven grinned. Why had it taken so long to find this woman? ‘Ok. Let’s get packing.’
‘Now? In the middle of the night?’
‘Down there it doesn’t make any difference. You know how far it is to walk to their city. We need to move it.’
They dressed and packed a few items for comfort. Half hour later, the commanders were at the hole with them. They understood Raven’s reasoning and didn’t even argue with Joy Dainty.
Raven said, ‘If nothing goes bang, you’ll know it worked.’
‘Good luck, you two,’ said Carver. ‘Lower them down.’
Raven went down first, then Joy followed. Ahead lay the tunnel and the most important mission of Tagg Raven’s life.
Hour after hour they trudged, stopping for just a few minutes at the second platform by the river.
‘Not much further to go,’ said Joy, rubbing her feet.
‘I’m just hoping that boy of theirs is on the mend. Hard to think we could all die because some fool kid ate some unripe bananas.’
Joy said, ‘He wasn’t to know. Come on. We have to get going.’
They pulled on their boots and pushed themselves on. At last, they reached the top of the waterfall and below them lay the city, lit up with the sun powered by helium three. They started down the path.
Chapter 49
Larlso HoL’tor sat by her son’s side, the doctor having done all he could. He wasn’t hopeful. Things bleeped, tubes went in, others came out. The dark blue sheen had gone, and now looked dull. The colour of death. Life would become unbearable if she lost both her children. From her memory, she quoted their history from the Sacred Tablets of how the city had come to be. Regnad knew it by hearts, but she told him again, anyway.
The door opened, and into the dimly lit room, a figure entered. Ginkolo ChuN’res joined in with the mantra and together they recalled the history. Larlso was feeling the bitter sadness of watching her child slip away from her. Ginkolo shared that sorrow, having lost her own daughter in a stupid accident, years before. But this wasn’t an accident. The doctor had said Regnad had suffered poisoning and his body was shutting down. If he lived, was up to the spirits. Ginkolo shared her sorrow, but for her it ran deeper.
For some time, she had badgered, bullied, and debated to the hilt to rid their planet of the scourge of the visitors. Even that name for them rankled her. “Visitors are our kind who I welcome into my home,” she had said. “Visitors know when they have overstayed their welcome and have politely gone home. These plunderers who threaten our very existence are not visitors. They are not welcome. They do not politely go home. Tell us, Principal LaH’vot. When do we make it clear to these monsters that they are not visitors? I say it is time for them to go or we wipe them out like the vermin they truly are.”
But LaH’vot had the numbers. Just. Time and time again, death after death, somehow, he maintained the numbers.
No more. This boy would be the last. She sat with Larlso, a friend of many years, and who had been at her side as Ginkolo’s own daughter had slipped away. Ginkolo shared Larlso’s sorrow, but her anger burned even greater. They spoke the mantra of the Sacred Tablets together, then Ginkolo got up, left Larlso to her vigil, and quietly walked out of the room.
Chapter 50
‘So. What’s the plan?’
‘Plan?’ said Raven. ‘Damn. I was hoping you would have one of those.’
‘Nope. I packed soap, remember? That was my contribution. What? We go knock on a door and say, hey. Sorry to bother you, but can we have a little chat?’
‘That works for me. Do you get the feeling we’re being watched?’
Joy could hardly miss the hundreds of big blue creatures coming from all over to stare at the Humans walking calmly, almost, through the middle of their city.
Raven waved at a few. ‘Hi. How are you today?’
‘You could try smiling,’ said Joy.
‘I am smiling. Can’t you tell?’
Joy waved and smiled at the onlookers. ‘Nope. Maybe you should give folk a sign or something. A hat that lights up saying “Hey, man smiling here.” Something catchy like that.’
‘I’m not really a hat person.’
Joy said, ‘From a guy with a helmet-lamp on his head. Yours is still on, by the way.’
Raven turned off the lamp. ‘Ooops. I think we’ve been noticed.’
‘Anybody you know?’
‘Not sure. They all look alike to me.’
Principal LaH’vot stood in their way. He knew and understood his people. A single word from him, the slightest gesture, the blood of these ugly monsters would run down the street. He raised both hands. It was their gesture for calm.
‘Killers of children. Why do you come?’ he demanded.
Raven said, ‘Yeah. So. Nice to meet you again, too. I think.’
‘Why did you poison Regnad? He dies in agony; his mother’s hearts are breaking. Why?’
Joy said, ‘He seems nice and friendly.’
‘Nice eyes. Somewhere,’ said Raven. ‘He seems like a reasonable sort of guy.’
Joy said, ‘More than I could say for the others. Getting a little bit agitated, I think.’
LaH’vot roared and pointed at the Humans. ‘You two. Come with me and see the suffering you’ve caused.’
‘Ok,’ said Raven. ‘Maybe drop the decibel level a touch. Oh. Right. You want us to come with you. After you, Big Guy.’
LaH’vot led the way to the hospital and pushed through the massive doors, Raven and Joy close behind him. The doctor was there.
‘The boy Regnad. He lives?’
Doctor TuD’nim shrugged. ‘He made it through the night. He’s in there.’
‘Come with me,’ said LaH’vot to the Humans.
They enter
ed the room where Regnad was, his mother still by his side. She shook with anger as they walked in.
‘You. You monsters poisoned my son. Look at him as he dies.’
‘Oh, no,’ said Joy. ‘It’s him. All he did was eat our fruit. This is his mother.’
Raven said, ‘How the hell do you know this stuff?’
‘Because I’m a woman.’
Joy reached out to hold Regnad’s hand, and his mother roared, towered above her, her claws shaking in Joy’s face.
‘We didn’t do this, I swear,’ said Joy.
‘I lost a daughter to your kind. My son is dying because of your kind. You should go before I kill you. I do not kill you because I do not want your evil blood all over my Regnad.’
‘Look,’ said Joy. ‘I have no idea what you just said. But please try to understand. We did not hurt your boy.’
The two females from other worlds stood and stared at each other. Then Regnad moaned. He was weak, but he could see and hear, now. He reached out for his mother’s hand and she grasped it, calling out her son’s name over and over. Regnad saw Joy. There was something familiar about the monster. He sniffed the air. It was her. The female who had given him water. The one who had set him free. With his hand he called her to him.
‘Her kind tried to kill you, Regnad.’
‘No, Mother. Their food tried to kill me. She is good. She let me come home.’
Larlso said, ‘You are very sick. Your mind is not clear, Regnad.’
‘She helped me, mother.’
Regnad reached out a hand towards Joy, who hesitated, and looked towards his mother. Joy took the hand and stroked the blue silk of his head.
‘You’re going to be ok, now,’ said Joy.
Regnad stroked Joy’s hair the way she had stroked him. ‘Don’t let them hurt her, Mother.’
Tears ran down Joy’s cheeks, and she looked at the face of Regnad’s mother, into the two dark bands she knew to be eyes and saw the same tears of happiness, knowing that Regnad was going to live. She held out her hand to the mother. There was a moment of hesitation, followed by one of understanding. The huge hand with the claws gently touched her hand.
Chapter 51
‘You and I need to talk, Big Guy,’ said Raven to LaH’vot.
‘Something strange just happened here,’ said LaH’vot, looking down at Raven. ‘You are odd creatures indeed. Perhaps you and I should talk.’
Raven said, ‘Let’s leave the ladies to get to know one another. Come on.’
‘If that is your female, we should leave her to talk with Larlso. You come with me.’
They left the room and Raven kicked off. ‘It looks like the kid will be ok.’
‘You make strange sounds. Still. At least Regnad will live, it seems.’
Raven said, ‘Yeah. Dunno. You have beer? Forget that. Now. How do we do this?’ He drew a large circle in the air and pointed at the floor. ‘Planet. This one, right?’
‘What?’ said LaH’vot.
Raven tried again. ‘This planet. Boom. Boom. That not a good idea. Boom. Boom.’
‘They sent us an idiot.’
Raven nodded. ‘Exactly. You’re on to it. Now.’ The circle again. ‘Boom. Boom. How do we stop that? Hey, come on, Big Guy. Charades was never my strong game.’
‘Boom. Boom.’
‘Yeah. Now you’re talking my language.’
LaH’vot grunted. ‘Must be a retard.’
‘Yeah. That’s right. Shit. This is hard work. Now. If I remember right, that bomb thing is just a mile or so down the street. Mind if we go there?’
‘Do you even know what you’re on about?’
‘See? I knew you’d understand. Ok, Big Guy. Off we go. Oh. Don’t you go anywhere. I just gotta check in with Joy.’
Raven quietly opened the door to look in at Joy. The women were talking ten to the dozen.
‘I know, men, right?’ Joy was saying. ‘Mine never even mastered smiling. Can you believe that?’
Larlso said, ‘I know exactly what you mean about children. Do they ever do as they’re told? I don’t think so.’
Joy said, ‘And the snoring. He rattles the walls with his snoring. I jab him in the ribs. I blow in his ear. Nothing seems to work.’
Raven whispered to LaH’vot. ‘Hey. How about that? She blows in my ear. I didn’t know that.’
‘Always up to mischief, is Regnad,’ said Larlso.
‘Hey. I am here, you know,’ said Regnad.
Both females shushed him. ‘Quiet, Regnad. I am talking with this female. Children. Always interrupting.’
‘Tell me about it. But, I think Tagg’s a keeper.’
Raven whispered, ‘Hear that? I’m a keeper.’
‘Your female talks a lot.’
‘Yeah, you’re right. She is beautiful. Now. Oh, yeah. This bomb thing. Leave the women to this bonding thing, right?’
LaH’vot said, ‘Dunno about you, but I could do without female jibber-jabber. Come on.’
They went outside. Raven looked for familiar landmarks. ‘That way. Damn. Every damn building is rock colour. You don’t have paint?’
LaH’vot agreed. ‘You are right. This is a beautiful place.’
They walked along the street, LaH’vot pointing out the iconic buildings. As far as Raven could tell, each building was a basic dome design, all on one side of the main road which ran through the centre of the city. On the other side were fields and acres of trees all bearing fruit.
It was incredibly efficient. Nobody actually owned anything, including property, so all anyone had to do was to leave the dome they lived in and go to another dome in which to work, or get to work in the orchards or the fields, whichever were nearest. Crime in the Human sense of the word was non-existent.
Raven had no idea what the big blue things did for fun, but he was sure they did more than just worked. They came to the huge engineering building and Raven led the way.
‘Right. This should be more straight forward,’ said Raven. ‘Bomb over there, yeah?’ They went behind the partition. ‘Ok. That big shiny bomb thing. Where is it?’
‘Oh, crap,’ said LaH’vot.
‘Oh, shit. That didn’t sound good in any language.’
Chapter 52
The scientists were summoned but were equally mystified.
‘The bomb. It isn’t here.’
LaH’vot sighed. ‘May the spirits spare me from scientists. Tell me something I don’t know.’
Stealing was unheard of amongst their kind. It just didn’t happen.
‘Ginkolo ChuN’res was in here before we went home,’ said one. ‘Very interested in our work. Perhaps she knows what happened to it.’
‘Ah! Ginkolo,’ said LaH’vot. ‘No. She wouldn’t go up…would she?’
‘Principal LaH’vot?’ said the scientist.
LaH’vot ignored him. ‘No. Then again. But she has bad hearts. She wasn’t up to doing crazy stuff like this.’
‘I did not know she was ill,’ said the scientist.
‘Not common knowledge. But if she took the bomb to the surface, the cold would kill her.’
Raven knew something was going down. ‘Ok, Big Guy. What’s the beef?’
LaH’vot looked at the ugly little creature. ‘Boom, boom.’
* * *
Raven had trouble keeping up with the fast moving LaH’vot as he followed him back through the streets to the hospital. He was pleased to see Joy was still getting on with the other female, and could see the one he presumed to be the doctor was checking out Regnad, who was sitting up in bed.
‘Tagg,’ said Joy. ‘The boy is recovering. I think it’s all going to be ok.’
Raven said, ‘I’m not so sure. It looks like somebody has taken off with the bomb.’
Joy’s horrified expression said it all. ‘They want to kill us?’
Raven nodded. ‘It’s highly likely. At least somebody does.’
LaH’vot spoke to Doctor TuD’nip. ‘The boy. He’ll live?’
‘R
egnad is young and strong,’ TuD’nip assured the Principal. ‘It will take a few days, but he’ll be just fine.’
Regnad said, ‘They didn’t poison me. I ate some of their fruit. Never again.’
‘This female helped my son,’ said Larlso. ‘Perhaps we have been judging them too harshly.’
‘It seems so,’ said LaH’vot. ‘Doctor TuD’nip. Ginkolo ChuN’res. How are her hearts?’
The doctor said, ‘That is confidential information. You should ask her yourself.’
‘Indeed I would, but I suspect she has taken the bomb to the surface.’
TuD’nip was horrified. ‘In her condition? She should not do that. The cold will kill her for sure.’
LaH’vot said, ‘Thank you for confirming that.’
Larlso said, ‘Ginkolo was my friend. She never spoke of this illness with me.’
Doctor TuD’nip said, ‘It is very rare even for one heart to be sick. She is the only one I ever heard of with both hearts sick.’
‘She knew she was dying,’ said LaH’vot. ‘She was determined that the bomb will be used. She did not think she’d be coming back here.’
Joy said, ‘Tagg. What’s happening?’
‘I’m not sure. Somebody has taken the bomb and I’m guessing he or she intends to use it. Big guy here seems unhappy about it.’
‘Well,’ said Joy. ‘We have something in common, then.’
Chapter 53
Raven decided these beings were clever and logical. They just needed a way to communicate. Perhaps if he drew a picture they might understand. He hadn’t seen anything like pens or paper. It was also clear their culture had little interest in art or symbolism. The concept of drawing for expressing meaning or simple decoration seemed unknown to them and so conveying his thoughts into images they might understand would be challenging.
He looked at the wall, which was the same light grey of all the buildings, inside and out. He noticed that by the side of the patient was a bowl of food. It looked an unpleasant dark green colour. He picked up the bowl and found a large surface to draw on. He dipped his finger in the mess and used that to draw a circle on the wall.