All The Frail Futures: A Science Fiction Box Set

by J Battle

  ‘Somebody get me Lizack,’ he sighed, ‘and, oh, I suppose we should have his house searched for proof. What do you think?’

  ‘Your Highness, I would suggest that you have your men search beneath his bed; that is where I found them. He had several more there, I believe.’

  ‘Very helpful, Beschlick. Let us hope, for your sake, that the proof is there. I have been embarrassed before the Mangys and I did not enjoy that at all. Especially as they are going to claim that our victory was not valid.’

  An hour later, a somewhat bemused Lizack was escorted into the audience chamber by two muscle-bound guards.

  ‘What do you have to say for yourself, Lizack?’ asked the king, without waiting for the usual formalities.

  ‘I’m sorry your Highness, I have no idea what this is about. I was dragged from my home by these brutes and taken here without a word of explanation.’

  ‘There will be full explanation, don’t you worry. Guards, show us what you found in Lizack’s home.’

  The head guard held up his empty hands and said, ‘your Highness, we found nothing of any significance. There were no bows or arrows.’

  The king turned to Beschlick in time to see the shock registering on his face.

  He chuckled lightly to himself and turned back to Lizack.

  ‘Lizack, you have been accused of using, or instructing your so-called super-apes to use, a treacherous weapon at the Riven Rock. What do you say to this accusation?’

  ‘I know nothing of a treacherous weapon, my King. There are others in your court who would be more likely to use such means than I myself would be.’ His eyes were staring directly at Beschlick, much to the delight of the courtiers who noticed. ‘And I should also say that, with my super-apes showing their immense power in the battle, there was no need for me to even consider underhand means.’

  The king lifted his great stomach to a more comfortable position, using both hands, his eyes flitting between the two protagonists.

  ‘What do you say to that, Beschlick? No evidence was found of his guilt, and here we are, with ample evidence to suggest that you are, in fact, the guilty one.’ He leant forward on his throne, looking as if he was actually quite enjoying the situation.

  ‘Your Highness, I admit that I am at a loss as to the lack of evidence against Lizack. It could only be that he was forewarned before the guards reached his house, which suggests that treachery is more widespread in the court than we had thought. But I don’t need evidence, I have a witness. As we all know full well, no ape would dare to stand before your Regal Magnitude and lie to you.’

  ‘You may be right Beschlick, though it does appear that at least one ape is prepared to do just that. Who is this witness? Is he at court?’

  ‘No, your Highness, he is not at court; he is an honest, hard-working commoner. I had not thought that I would need to call on him, as I assumed that Lizack, once presented with the evidence of his crimes, would do the honourable thing and throw himself on the legendary mercy of your Highness. I am sad to say that I credited him with more honour than he obviously possesses.

  ‘Please ask the guard to call Aldrich the Lonely; he is in the palace grounds.’

  There was a further delay before a small ape was bundled into the audience chamber, with one guard’s firm hand on the back of his neck.

  He was brought before the King who leaned forward, staring down at the little ape. He was trying to work out if he’d ever spoken to a commoner who was not a soldier or a servant.

  ‘Lord Beschlick tells us that you can bear witness to the treachery of Lord Lizack.’

  Aldrich looked up at the massive ape, but made no response. His mind was working furiously as he looked for the best option. Beschlick wanted him to lie, to implicate Lizack. If he told the truth, then it would be Beschlick who felt the full force of the King’s wrath. But what would that actually entail? Execution? Certainly if he had been a commoner, that would have been the sanction imposed. But Beschlick was an important member of court; would he get locked up for a couple of years, or would the king just be annoyed with him for a bit and not talk to him?

  He didn’t give a second thought for Lizack; he didn’t know him and he was a Lord anyway.

  One image overrode all those questions and helped him make his decision. That of Beschlick strolling through the palace grounds in the early afternoon. He bends to smell the rich fragrance of a perfect yellow rose and, as he pulls himself upright, a single arrow impacts in the centre of his chest.

  There was only one possible response to the king’s question.

  Chapter 45

  D walked slowly towards the town walls. The pain was almost gone now, reduced to a tiny ball in the centre of his chest, and his mind felt clear. Pi had left him some time ago, after giving him his instructions, and he knew exactly what was required of him, even though he felt detached from the whole process. He knew what he was going to do, and why, but it meant nothing to him. A nagging part of him wanted to find a dark corner and hide away, his eyes and ears closed, until it was all over. There was another part that couldn’t find the strength to care.

  Two large apes lumbered into the doorway, blocking his access.

  ‘Who are you, stranger?’ the largest and hairiest one said; his words clear and understandable to D.

  ‘I need to see your king,’ he replied, slowly, as he realised that, although he was thinking the words in English, they came out of his mouth in the language that the ape had used.

  ‘We don’t let just anyone in to see our king, you know.’

  D stepped up very close to the big ape.

  ‘But you will let me in, won’t you?’ he whispered, and placed one hand on his shoulder.

  The ape tensed at first, as if he was about to launch an attack, then he relaxed. He wrapped his arms around D and gave him a bone crushing hug. ‘Welcome, friend,‘ he whispered.

  When he released him and moved to give him room to the pass, the other ape began to protest, but a stern look from his superior soon calmed him down. When D put his hand on him, he was ready to die for him. Together they walked into the town. Wherever they passed someone, D would touch them and say a quiet word or two, and they would join the procession through the winding streets, with the ubiquitous bars and fast food places.

  By the time they reached the palace, the retinue had grown to several hundred, some of them still carrying their beer pots and others with pipes and sandwiches. A group of youngsters joined in the fun, flicking stones and pulling faces at their rather more serious elders.

  The guards at the palace gates were soon persuaded to join them, though they did have to leave most of the crowd at the gates, murmuring quietly to itself.

  Inside the palace, they gathered more guards to their cause as they moved through the luxurious halls and chambers. When they marched unannounced into the audience chamber, absolute silence fell; a situation never known before when two or more courtiers were present.

  After the initial shock of the unwarranted intrusion, the king hefted his heavy body before his throne, casting an impressive shadow across the room.

  ‘What is this?’ he yelled, his mighty voice echoing.

  D gestured to his companions to stay where they were and continued towards the throne.

  Five guards sprang from behind the throne and blocked his way, swords brandished and snarling teeth displayed.

  ‘There is no need for this display, Your Highness,’ said D, holding out his empty hands, ‘we mean no harm, but we have urgent business. Please ask your guards to stand down.’

  ‘This is a closed session of court; you cannot walk in here like this. My guards will escort you from my presence and place you in chains. If at some time in the future I find myself bored, then I may allow you to entertain me with your earnest chatter. Guards, remove them.’

  A matter of seconds later, the guards were far less aggressive than they had been, and were a little confused as to what had actually happened to their swords.

 
; D walked closer to the king who had rested his bulk back on the throne.

  ‘Your Highness, there is great danger approaching your land. It is critical that you bring your army together again and prepare for a desperate battle.’

  ‘But we have just won the war; there will be no need of further conflict for another three years. What is this really about?’

  ‘I am not talking about the ritual wars you fight with the cats; this is something infinitely more dangerous. You must join forces with the cats to face this new enemy.’

  ‘Did I hear you correctly? Join forces with the cats? That’s ridiculous. We can’t do that, we have been at war with them for centuries. How can we join forces with them?’

  ‘Your Highness, this has to be done. Your new enemy is already crossing the sea to land on your shores within only a few days. You have to be ready to stop them.’

  ‘Who is this enemy? Are they more cats?’

  ‘No, Your Highness. They are not cats. They are far worse. They are the Succ-y-Rist, and they have already defeated my own race, far away on Earth. It is my hope that you will allow me to help you prevent that happening to you. But I can only do that if you listen to my words.’

  ‘I know nothing of these Succ creatures. What threat are they to us?’

  ‘They will come out of the sea and overwhelm you if you are not prepared. You must gather your army and be ready to fight along-side the cats to save your people. I know these Succ-y-Rist; they will not allow other intelligent beings to share their world, and that is how they now see you planet. It is their world and you will be fighting for your survival.’

  ‘How can you expect me to believe you? Do you really think I would gather my army together and send them into an unregulated battle against an unknown enemy? Just on your word.’

  ‘Look out at the streets outside your palace. Your people already know the danger they face. They are waiting for you to save them.’

  The king waved a courtier over to the tall double windows at the end of the chamber. He strode over with a self-important air and pulled open the windows leading out to the balcony.

  ‘There are hundreds of apes out here, Your Highness,’ he called back into the room. At the sight of the courtier, the crowd began to chant.

  ‘Save us. Save us.’ Over and over.

  The king dragged himself from his throne and, in a heroic effort, walked to join the courtier on the balcony. The noise from the crowd increased threefold. D joined the king and, breaking a number of rules of court etiquette, placed his hand on the king’s shoulder.

  ‘You know you have to do this, don’t you?’ he whispered with his mouth close to the king’s ear.

  The king turned from the balcony and walked slowly back to the throne. When he was seated, he spoke.

  ‘I believe the words of this stranger hold truth. That it is our responsibility to lead our people to meet this danger, and cast these would be invaders from our land. And this we shall do.’

  There was a murmur throughout the courtiers present at the prospect, then Beschlick stepped forward and bowed before his king.

  ‘Your Highness, you have granted me pardon for my minor digressions, and pronounced me guiltless in any crimes of treachery. Filled to the brim with gratitude, I would offer myself to take your place and lead your army to your greater glory. This will allow you to bring your wisdom to bear on the problems that will naturally arise from our victory, a task as important as the victory itself. We cannot put our glorious father-king in danger before this unknown foe.’

  The king considered his words for a moment, then beckoned him closer. Beschlick walked forward and was taken into the king’s embrace against his surprisingly springy belly. Released, he fell back to a subservient position before the throne.

  ‘My heart fills with pride at your brave offer, Beschlick. Despite today’s unpleasantness, you still love your king, and that love is returned, so how can I refuse you this small thing? Lead my army, and bring us victory, in honour and in dignity, and return to a hero’s welcome. Go with this stranger, and return as my one true heir.’

  With a swagger in his step, Beschlick led D out of the audience chamber. Already his brain was in turmoil as he tried to gauge the best way to achieve his personal victory.

  ‘I will gather the Thousand by first light tomorrow. They have fought only recently, so they will be ready to fight again.’

  ‘You will need more than a thousand soldiers, my friend. You will need every single ape that is capable of bearing arms, no matter how young or old they are. Everyone will have to fight.’

  ‘But is that appropriate? All wars are fought with one thousand soldiers on each side; it is the honourable thing to do. You heard my king; the war must be fought with honour.’

  ‘The one thousand rule surely only applies between yourselves and the cats, who would follow the same rule. If you follow this rule against an opponent who will use everything he can to defeat you, then you are actually helping him to defeat you.’

  They’d left the palace by now and were approaching the army HQ, followed by a crowd already close to a thousand itself.

  ‘Your words are challenging, stranger. What is your name, anyway?’

  ‘Call me Millett.’

  Together they walked into the low building that had, until now, been winding down the last of the post-war administrative services.

  The crowd milled around restlessly, waiting for something to cheer. Then the cry of ‘save us’ began again. After a couple of repetitions, it changed suddenly to 'save us, Millett.'

  Chapter 46

  As they left the town behind them, and walked along the yellow road, it seemed that there were suddenly more versions of Pi travelling with them; in fact, there were now enough to go around.

  Armstrong found himself walking hand in hand with the beautiful blonde, and didn’t give a single thought to Jo, who was just behind him, looking up adoringly into the eyes of the tall guy whose arm she held. Helen forgot the proper dignified behaviour due her role as captain and walked with her arm around the waist of her new beau.

  One by one, each couple left the open road and walked away into the scrubland, in search of privacy.

  Dr. Pascal watched them go, and shook his head, tutting. These people and their hormones, he thought, thank goodness I’m not affected. Who knows what risks they might be taking?

  Just then, a tall, dark, slim figure appeared before him and wrapped its strong arms around him. He placed his hands against the smooth, warm skin, intending to resist the assault and push himself free. But, when he saw the warmth and hunger in those dark eyes, he felt himself weaken and there no longer seemed a reason not to submit to the wonderful creature’s urgent embrace. As one, they turned and left the road, and Pascal found that he was eager to try this new experience, and what were those risks anyway?

  He was more than a little surprised to discover that, in the right circumstances, with the right partner, he was perfectly capable of squealing.

  There was a relaxed but pensive air about the group as they got back together a couple of hours later, half a league north of the road. Although they didn’t talk much as they walked behind the single Pi, there were many smiles as they thought about their recent experiences.

  Pascal walked on his own behind the rest, certain that, if anyone even glanced at his face, they would be able to divine exactly what he'd been doing.

  When the wall grew closer, towering over them all, Pi began to explain to them about the Succ-y-Rist and what was expected of them. She thought it wiser not to mention what fate had befallen Jason Millett.

  ‘How can we just walk through the wall?’ asked Miles; it was now apparent that she no longer felt the need to be within touching distance of Armstrong; not when PI was nearby.

  ‘Do not worry. The Wall knows you now, and will allow you to pass through. In fact, you will do it twice, as you need to be on this side of The Wall. When you return, you will be ready for your new challenges.’

/>   Miles frowned and shook her head, unconvinced.

  ‘What if I can’t get back out? I might be stuck inside the wall, forever.’

  ‘The Millett twins have already done this, so there is nothing to worry about.’

  ‘They’re still alive? We thought they’d died out in the wilderness,’ said Helen.

  ‘No, we found them and brought them to The Wall, and they passed through; as you will.’

  When they reached the wall, Pi placed one hand on its smooth, black surface. She held it there for a long moment, as if she was communing with the alien intelligence. Then he turned, and gave Helen the grace of his wonderful smile.

  ‘Will you go first, Helen? Lead your people through to the other side?’

  For a second she hesitated, but there really was no alternative if she believed what Pi had told them, and how could she not accept his words as the truth? With a deep breath, she nodded at each of her crew. Then she closed her eyes and walked into the depths of The Wall. Jo gasped as her body was absorbed without a trace into the fabric of the enormous being.

  ‘Next,’ said Pi, reaching out for Armstrong. A second later, he was gone, followed immediately by Pascal.

  ‘I don’t know if I can do it.’ Jo’s narrow shoulders were hunched and tears seemed very close.

  Pi placed both hands on her shoulders and held her eyes. ‘They need you, Joanne. They can’t do this on their own. Without you, it may be beyond them, and all this will be lost, and the Succ-y-Rist will win again.’

  Jo closed her eyes and nodded. ‘I’ll try,’ she said, in a child’s voice. Then she walked forward and disappeared from view.

  Pi sighed as she found herself alone. Then she stepped towards The Wall herself, wondering if any of the four humans would still have their sanity when she next saw them.

  **********

  Dandick’s experienced fingers could feel the weight of the catch as they plucked at the netting trailing behind his little boat on the calm grey sea. Not many apes practiced this method of fishing, but his father had taught him, as his father had before him. He himself was constantly bemoaning the fact that his son had taken up book learning and declined his generous offer to teach him the ways of the family business.