by J Battle
As he reached down to take his son, Ben reached up to him.
When he held his child in his arms his heart seemed too vast for his chest. He wanted to say something important, something monumental.
‘Hi Ben,’ he said.
Ben seemed to snuggle up to his ear and whispered. ‘It’s not true.’
Chapter 31
The first stop for Number Five: Mk II was the Earth ship that had carried Debois to meet Jack. His brand new ship, all sleekness and stealth, paused within a few hundred metres of the slowly drifting craft.
When he saw the damage done to the engines, the replicant would have smiled if such a feat was at all possible to him. Jack may have acquiesced to the will of Earth’s managing AI, but at least he was still being awkward.
He did a quick survey of the ship and found a crew of twenty, and enough munitions to win a war. There were also eight large chambers being stored in the loading bay. He puzzled over for them for the briefest of moments, but they were not his concern. He had other problems to solve.
If he had been a little more curious, if he had chosen to investigate more fully, then he might have discovered something in the first chamber that would have thrown a different light on the situation he was about to face.
Instead, he passed up the opportunity and made ready to flicker. Leaving the ship far behind in his search for Jack.
**********
Jack watched them as the ship shuddered through the ever thickening atmosphere. The boy and girl both had their eyes closed, their normally smooth brows furrowed as they concentrated on not dying. As was the usual case, Debois’s eyes were on him.
The vision of his son was not a dream or a real memory, he knew that. Somehow his subconscious believed he was being deceived, that was the only possible explanation.
But who could it be? He set his AI to work up some algorithms to predict the behaviour of each of his guests, based on their verbal and non-verbal signals.
It might give him the edge when it was most required.
‘What can we expect to find when we land?’ asked Debois.
Jack watched him for a moment. He was obviously the most dangerous of the three.
‘When we land I’ll explain the situation to all of you together. It will be dangerous to leave the ship so you might want to think about staying on board.’
‘Now Jack, you know I can’t do that. I have to know exactly what you do.’
‘Even when it’s not what I’m supposed to do?’
‘Especially then.’
Jack said no more, he focused on the approaching land.
Below, he could see the rugged landscape of the single continent, crisscrossed by a multitude of mountain ranges. None of them high, but so many that it was hard to spot an area of level ground. In the valleys between the mountains, the land was dark green. On the slopes of the mountains, the ground was coloured a lighter shade of green. The tops were rocky and icy.
With apparent ease, the ship landed gently on one of the lush grassy slopes.
The three nominal humans climbed from their couches, the youngsters slipping easily on to the deck, Debois groaning a little as he rested his weight on his feet.
‘Gravity’s a little high, I think,’ he moaned.
‘Yes, it’s close to 1.25 Earth normal. Turquoise is no larger than Earth, but it is much denser.’
‘What do we need to know about this place?’ asked Sarah, standing very close to Max.
‘There are a couple of dangers to worry about. Firstly, don’t go into the valleys, ever. If you were being chased by a pack of wolves, you’d be better off standing and facing the wolves, rather than enter the valleys. Not that you will see any wolves; I’m just making my point.’
‘Why? What’s in the valleys?’
Jack paused for a second. But they really did have to be aware of the danger the valleys represented, even if the youngsters would be left behind on the ship.
‘This is why you should stay on the ship. On this world, the split between flora and fauna is less distinct than it is on other worlds.’
‘What does that mean?’
‘The vegetation moves. It is ambulatory. And it is vicious.’
‘Are we talking walking trees here?’ She made an attempt at a slow, awkward entish walk.
She was beginning to get on Jack’s nerves.
‘We are talking grass that will wrap around your feet in seconds, vines that will rip your limbs from you in even less time, orchids that will dissolve your flesh until all that is left is a strange exotic smell, trees that will collapse on to you, crushing you to absorbable pulp under their great weight, bugs that will skin you alive, butterflies that will cling to your face and suck out your brains, worms that will bore through your flesh like acid through butter.’
He paused.
‘Is that sufficient to convince you to stay on board?’
Max had his arms around Sarah; her hands covered her mouth.
He nodded.
Jack turned to Debois. ‘What about you? Do you fancy a walk down the hill?’
Debois glanced at the young couple. ’Did you enjoy upsetting the girl?’
‘I’ve been on my own a long time; I don’t often get the opportunity.’
‘I’ll come with you. You know I have to. I assume Number One is hidden down there somewhere.’
‘He is indeed.’
‘And you will be able to offer me some protection from the dangers you so delighted in describing?’
‘Your suit will protect you from the bugs and its anti-grav unit will protect you from the grass; we’ll be able to fly at a safe height. You can have a nano cloud which should help with the vines when we have to land. And just pay attention with the trees; if you don’t walk under one, it’s not going to fall on you.’
‘I see,’ said Debois. ‘We’re going to fly down there, land and get Number One, is that the plan?’
‘Something like that.’
‘And the reason you don’t just simply call him to come to us?’
‘I did call him.’
‘And?
‘I received no response.’
Chapter 32
‘You mentioned another danger,’ said Debois, as he struggled into the tight fitting protective suit.
‘If we time it right, we won’t have to worry too much about that.’
‘What if we don’t get the timing right? I’d like to be prepared for the worst.’
‘If you get the worst your suit won’t be much protection, trust me. No matter how prepared you are. ’
‘Still.’
Jack glanced back at the young couple. They were drinking coffee from matching mugs and looking glum.
‘We’ll walk and talk, if you don’t mind,’ he said, opening the hatch. As he knew the atmosphere was suitable for Debois, there was no need for an airlock.
He jumped lightly to the ground and waited for Debois to follow him.
Debois popped his head through the hatchway and looked down. The sloping grass was 3 metres below him.
‘Could we have a ladder please?’ he asked.
‘Just step out and your suit will carry you to the ground.’
Debois looked at him, then at the ground.
‘Really?’
‘Really.’
Taking a deep breath he stepped out into mid-air, and fell to the ground.
As he lay sprawled on the soft grass, Jack walked back towards him. He reached one hand down and pulled him to his feet. ‘I should have told you to switch it on first. Are you hurt?’
Debois pulled away from him. ‘Not very funny, I think. Not funny at all!’
‘Sorry. I’m not used to company.’
Debois adopted a business-like air.
‘Where now?’
‘We’re going to float down the valley and investigate Number One’s chamber. Maybe there’s a problem with his comms.’
Jack activated his anti-grav and floated 20 metres above Debois.
> ‘This should be high enough,‘ he called down to Debois. ’Oh, your suit is activated now. Think what you want it to do, and it will do it.’
Debois resisted the first thought that sprang to mind and was soon beside Jack.
He activated his nano cloud for added protection. He couldn’t see the tiny armed machines spinning around him at high speed but there was a quiet buzz.
‘Ready when you are,’ he said.
Together they descended the gentle green slope towards the dark valley far below. Debois brought down his face guard and visor, just to be sure.
As they approached the first line of trees, Debois thought that the wind must have risen as the leaves on the trees began to shake. Then he realised that it wasn’t the leaves at all; it was the trees themselves. They had already sensed their presence and were eager to feed.
‘A little higher, I think,’ he whispered, and climbed another 10 metres. Jack joined him.
With the trees below them, they saw the first vines whipping their lengths into the sky, their serrated edges ripping through the air; eager, hungry, deadly.
Clouds of bruise-purple butterflies climbed towards them, their suckers already extended, only to be dispersed by a shatter-shock from Jack’s fingertips.
‘Can I do that?’ asked Debois, extending his fingers to no avail.
Something began to move in the forest below them, something massive and noisy and eager.
‘Wait here!’ Yelled Jack, as he dived ahead towards the danger.
The great gnarled tree that had reared from its slumber in the forest towered above them, its grasping branches tearing at the air, blocking their way. Its movements were far too quick for such a gargantuan creature, its hunger apparent and terrifying.
Jack was a spear of fire as he attacked the tree; then he was a spinning wheel, flames shooting out in all directions. The forest was alight, flickering against the dark clouds above, sucking the very oxygen from the air. Debois caught his breath. The tree wasn’t burning. It stood high above the burning forest, impervious to the flames. Bending down to pluck him from the air.
In shock, Debois almost allowed himself to be caught. At the last second he activated his anti-grav and shot out of the tree’s reach.
His victory cheer never left his lips as a single vine wrapped itself around his ankle, its other end anchored to the nearest branch of the monstrous tree.
He could feel the barbs breaking through his suit’s protective armour; within seconds they would taste his precious flesh.
He increased the lift on his anti-grav to break the vine’s hold but it was too strong. He risked losing his leg if he wasn’t careful.
He called for Jack, but there was no obvious response.
There was no other course open to him. He allowed his body to defend itself.
The acidic secretions burned through the remains of his suit’s armour in an instant and began to eat into the tough flesh of the vine. In a matter of the seconds the vine released him and shrank back to the protection of the tree.
Debois shook the last of the dangerous liquid from his ankle and set the suit’s self-repair facilities in operation.
When Jack appeared a few minutes later, the evidence of Debois’s exciting little episode had gone
‘Why did you call me?’ asked Jack.
‘I was lonely,’ replied Debois. ‘Why did you take so long to return? Did you find anything? And can you smell that awful smell?’
Jack looked at the burning forest below them; the smoke beginning to engulf them.
‘I suppose it will burn itself out eventually.’ He said, as they both rose above the level of the smoke.
‘Come on,’ he said, and together they flew back to the ship.
‘Why don’t you tell me what you found?’
‘I found Number One’s chamber and it was empty. Now we have to find him, if he is still on this planet.’
‘Where do we start?’
‘We’re going to have to get involved with the indigenous intelligent life form. And when you see them, don’t start. OK? I know what you’re going to say and it’s the last thing I need right now.’
‘I only asked.’ Debois was intrigued. ‘You seem a little stressed.’
‘Well, I was hoping we could get in and out without being spotted.’
‘Shall we bring the lovebirds? I presume it will be safer than the Valley of Death.’
When they boarded the ship they found it was empty, except for the silent figure of Number Seven.
‘Where are they?’ Jack asked him.
‘Exploring. Village. Safe.’
‘Why is he talking out loud? And so badly?’
‘I asked him to, to include you. To save me having to repeat everything he says for your benefit. He hasn’t had a conversation for some time; it hasn’t quite come back to him.’
‘I see. Well, if he wants any tips, I’m his man.’
‘Let’s find them, shall we?
Leaving Number Seven to his thoughts, they left the ship.
Chapter 33
Number Five: Mk II walked through the decimated banded areas of the habitat, unconcerned at the ruin before him. He knew that Jack had already gone, but it was a worthwhile exercise to check out the remains of Five Little Fish.
He was bending over the open chamber that must have held the replicant he deduced would have been Number Seven, when he felt a sudden change in the reality matrix. He jerked upright, in machine mode, all senses on full alert.
But he already knew what had happened. The habitat had flicked into another part of the universe, leaving his brand new shiny spaceship far behind.
Now he had to start from scratch with the material available to him on the habitat.
It was just so annoying!
**********
It wasn’t much of a village. Just a sloping meadow dotted about with brown humps of earth. Each hump appeared to be an entrance to an underground area.
The occupants of the little village were nowhere to be seen. There were a few cow-like creatures grazing a little higher up the slope.
In fact, now that they had noticed them, Sarah and Max counted 13 of them, in a variety of colours, ranging from dull grey and brown to mottled pink and red.
It was Sarah’s idea to leave the ship and explore. She persuaded Max that surely it was safe, as long as they didn’t descend the slope. He was glad to leave the confines of the suddenly tiny ship.
Max leant into the nearest entrance. ‘It smells,’ he called back.
Sarah joined him.
‘It’s quite nice,‘ he said. ’Cinnamon and honey. Roses, maybe. What do you think?’
’I think it’s quite nasty. Sour and musty.’
‘I like it.’ Max found himself leaning more and more into the opening. Nervous about falling, he pushed himself back.
Whilst they had discussed aromas, one of the ‘cows’ had approached them.
Sarah yelped when she spotted it out of the corner of her eye, right beside her.
Close up it wasn’t at all like a cow.
There were six legs; four sturdy supporting limbs and two much more delicate looking arm-like members, held off the ground as the front of the torso curved into the neck which carried high the small oval head. The two eyes that studied them were widely spaced and disproportionately large, with extravagant eyelashes.
Its size was closer to that of a sheep than a cow and its round little body was covered in mottled shades of grey, darkening towards the neck.
‘Max! What shall I do?’ Sarah whispered, in a very loud voice.
Max quickly stepped between her and the creature, prepared to defend her from the beast if it threatened to harm her.
The creature’s nostrils flared and Max felt his legs weaken as a cloud of sweetness engulfed him. Sarah grabbed him by the waist and held him upright, her face twisted with the effort and the sour smell.
The creature seemed to consider their disparate reactions for a moment, then it tur
ned and trotted off.
Max shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. Sarah also shook her head.
‘What happened?’ she asked.
Max rubbed his hands across his face.
‘I don’t know. I felt weird for a minute. All I could think of was that scent. It was wonderful, so …. I don’t know how to explain it.’
Sarah frowned up at him. ‘Don’t get strange on me, now. Not with all the strange people I already have to deal with.’
Max smiled. ‘Don’t worry. I’m OK now. Well, no stranger than normal.’
Just then the creature returned, accompanied by another. This one was much thinner than the first, its mottled brown skin seeming to hang on the framework of its bones.
The newcomer marched straight up to Max and prodded his chest with its nose. It stepped back then to gauge his reaction.
When there was none, it repeated the procedure with Sarah.
This time there was a little yelp but it was unclear if this was the reaction it was seeking.
It lifted its head a little and produced a light cawing sound.
Again, it paused for their reaction. Then it cawed again.
‘Do you think it’s talking to us?’ asked Sarah.
At her words the creature raised itself up on its hind legs, suddenly taller than them both, and cawed again. Then it dropped to all fours and began to run around in a circle.
‘Hello,’ said Sarah, stepping forward.
The creature stopped in its tracks and raised itself again. ’Caw Caw,’ it said. Two clear syllables.
Sarah glanced at Max who was close behind her, taking deep breaths.
‘My name is Sarah.’
‘Caw Caw Caw Caw Caw.’ Came the reply.
‘Did you hear that? It’s counting the syllables and saying them back to me.’
There followed a flurry of caws.
‘If it can count, doesn’t that mean it’s intelligent?’