In obedience to the tractor beams, their vreel rotated to the left and settled to the ground. Ctaane stood and said in her musical voice, "Kelpt mar Sar Vryan!" She moved over to the hatch and said, "Kimmt." The hatch opened, apparently in obedience to the word she spoke. Cool air rushed into the ship as the exit ramp descended. "Please," she said, extending her arm toward the hatch.
They all looked at each other, stunned. "Did you hear that?" Jake blurted out.
Taylor gave a little laugh and said, "Looks like we're not the first English-speaking visitors to Sar Vryan after all."
Outside, a small group of aliens had gathered near the foot of the ramp. Ctaane stepped out of the vreel and went down the ramp to where they were grouped. One of them, a male, was even taller than Ctaane; at least six-feet-four. She spoke a few words to him and then stepped aside. The tall alien moved to the foot of the ramp and motioned for the humans to disembark.
From inside the vreel, Matt studied the alien leader. His clothing was nondescript; male and female alike were all dressed in similar garb. However, he did notice that there was no wand in his belt. Like the other males, his forehead was high and slightly bulged at the brow.
As they descended the ramp, his face lit up in what Matt interpreted as a welcoming smile. He felt the butterflies in his stomach begin to flutter. They all stopped five feet away and stood waiting for him to speak. For several long seconds he just stood there, looking from one of them to the other. At last, he turned to Taylor and stuck out his hand. As Taylor took it, he said in a deep, melodious voice, "Welcome to New Vryan."
This time it was Taylor's turn to let her mouth drop open. She made a fast recovery and said in a shocked tone, "You speak our language." It was a statement, not a question.
"My name is Dbarr," he responded. "And yes, I speak English rather well for someone who is not a native of Earth." Knowing what a revelation this must be to them, he kept the smile going while he talked. "I learned it from a companion of yours, Mr. DeLong."
Taylor gave Matt a quick glance then said, "My name is Taylor; this is Jake and Matt," she pointed at the two men. "Matt is our team leader."
"DeLong is still alive?" Matt asked.
"Yes, very much so. However, he is recovering from a wound one of our people mistakenly inflicted. At the time, we thought he was someone who presented a danger to us. When we realized our error and started toward him to render aid, he fled into the forest. We instituted a search, but it took several hours to locate him. As it turned out, one of our people was killed by a Fir Bolg just as we found him." He looked at each of them in turn and said, "Please accept my apologies for what happened. Be assured that Mr. DeLong will soon recover."
"Then, you have no idea who, or what, we are?" Matt interjected. Dbarr shook his head, a human-like gesture. Matt took note of it. The alien not only knew their language but had acquired some human characteristics as well.
"We do now, but at that time we had no idea that your people even existed," Dbarr answered. He looked at each of them then said, "In fact, we still know very little about you. Mr. DeLong has been most cooperative in many ways, but he has remained silent about his origins. However, he was convinced that someone would eventually institute a search for him, and here you are." He assumed a pensive expression. "I am aware that you call yourselves 'humans,' but I must confess that I am puzzled by something: You are obviously superior to any other race that we have encountered here, similar to the Fir Bolg but with distinct differences. Are you native to this world?"
It was Matt's turn to smile. "Yes, but not in the way you think. We are from, shall we say for now, another place. Michael DeLong is an explorer, here to study people indigenous to this island. When he did not return to our country as scheduled, we were sent to find him."
Dbarr assumed a puzzled expression. "Another place," he muttered to himself, as though digesting the words. Then a look of understanding lit his face. He nodded as though understanding had just dawned on him and exclaimed, "Of course! I think I know what you mean!" A broad grin split his face, revealing white teeth. "Please, will you come with me? The hour is late, and you must need food and rest. We can talk while you dine." He stepped aside and extended his arm toward one of the domes.
"First, we would like to see DeLong," Matt said. "We'll be much more comfortable after we verify that he's okay."
"I understand," Dbarr said. "Please," he gestured toward someplace inside the complex of domes. "It is only a short distance."
As they walked, all of them studied the aliens and their dome city. "What is this substance with which you have paved the ground?" Jake asked. "It feels firm but resilient. Is it some kind of flexible concrete?"
"An interesting question," Dbarr responded. "However, I am not acquainted with the term you used."
"You mean concrete?"
"Yes. Is that your version of a power collector?"
Jake glanced at Matt and Taylor, who returned it. Once again, alien technology was manifesting itself in Dbarr's innocent question. "No, not a power collector," he replied. "Just a mixture of sand and certain chemicals that produces a hard surface when thinned with water and allowed to dry."
"Something like stone?"
"Yes, but not as strong. It is used in the construction of buildings and roads."
"I would be interested in seeing how this substance is used. Perhaps you could show me at a later time. But as to the pavement beneath our feet, it is made from a special chemical produced in our world. I am not acquainted with the exact composition, but it absorbs light from your sun, which is then channeled to collectors beneath the layer on which we are walking. The resultant power is used to operate our domes and equipment. The vreels you see above us, like the one that brought you here, employ the same principle. The only difference is that their power collectors are the crystals in each end."
Taylor and Matt looked at each other. Neither of them had missed the words 'in our world.' It opened a new string of questions as to the aliens' origin. Beings from another planet might have said 'on our world.' However, not being fully conversant in the English language might have caused Dbarr to use the wrong word. In any event, there was no question that they were not from Earth.
They continued walking until they reached a dome that was somewhat smaller than the others. The entrance was an oval door, similar to a hatchway in a ship's corridor. Dbarr stopped in front of it and looked straight at a small round crystal centered at its top. The door moved inward about six inches then slid aside with a soft hum.
Jake, always inquisitive, asked, "May I inquire as to how you opened that door?"
Dbarr looked at him, a puzzled expression on his face. About six or seven of the aliens, who had been part of the welcoming committee on their arrival, were standing behind them. At Jake's question, they murmured to each other in low tones.
Taylor saw Dbarr's face and heard the crowd behind them. She took the sting out of any unintended disrespect that may have resulted from Jake's curiosity, by saying, "Forgive us if Jake's inquiry offended you in some way, Dbarr, but curiosity is part of our nature."
Dbarr laughed and said, "No, Taylor, no offense was taken. It was a good question for someone who has never seen a mechanical device respond to a telepathic command. It just surprised all of us. None of you are telepathic then? As yet, we have detected no such ability in Mr. DeLong."
"There are instances of telepathic communication among certain members of the human race but the ability is rare," Taylor responded. "Some of our scientists believe that man's telepathic powers were once much greater before we developed a sophisticated speech capability. As our tendency to communicate with words increased, our telepathic facilities decreased. In the current phase of our evolution, doors open either by touch or by electronic sensor."
"Interesting," Dbarr observed as he ushered the three of them through the door. "However, not all our doors open telepathically. The vreels, for example, open at voice command. I hope we have time later on to discuss t
he concept in more detail," he said as the door closed behind them.
The light inside the dome was dim, casting shadows into corners and behind objects. The air was cool and seemed to be oxygen rich. The soft hum of machines sitting around the immediate area was just loud enough to hear. All three of them were startled to see upwards of fifty beds, or tables that served as beds, arranged in a circular pattern around the dome's periphery.
Aliens who appeared to be unconscious occupied most of the beds. Ten or twelve attendants dressed in blue smocks moved among them. Flat, circular devices about two feet in diameter hung above the individual beds. Each one emitted a half dozen beams of magenta light that seemed to be continually scanning the patients from head to foot. To Matt's amazement, no wires or shafts supported the disks. They just hung in midair above the beds.
He raised his eyebrows and gave Taylor a quick glance. "Look at those disks over the beds," he said. "What's holding them up?"
Dbarr, who was standing with them, answered in a matter-of-fact tone. "It's really quite simple when you are familiar with the engineering principles involved. Our vreels use the same technology. I am not a scientist, but I know the basic theory. In layman's terms, the process uses the planet's magnetic field to alter density. As you probably know, gravitational attraction between two objects depends on their individual density, or mass. The crystal disks that you see in the vreels spin at various speeds. As rotation increases, the molecular structure of the ship decreases, thereby increasing buoyancy. Slower rotation allows density to increase and reduces buoyancy. I am sure you noticed the hull becoming more transparent as you lifted into the air. That effect was the product of density reduction."
"An amazing concept," Jake put in. "In our world, propulsion devices lift our vreels into the air and keep them there. Perhaps we could share some of the technologies?"
Dbarr looked at Jake as though the idea of shared technology had never occurred to him. "That is a very interesting proposition," he said softly. "Yes, a very interesting proposition indeed."
They walked across the room to another door that slid aside as they approached. Inside a private room was a bed with various medical-looking machines around it. Michael DeLong was sitting up in it. A broad grin lit his face as they entered.
"It's about time you got here!" he said with a laugh. "I've been expecting you for days."
"Taylor rushed over to the bed and put her hand against DeLong's face. "I'm going to hold you to full account for scaring us out of our wits! We thought you might be dead." Her tone was jovial, but DeLong saw genuine worry in her face.
"I already feel much better. You know, I had forgotten just how beautiful you are. Matt doesn't deserve you." He reached out and hugged her.
"That's what I've been telling him for two years now," Taylor said, returning the hug. "But enough of that prattle. You've got some explaining to do, you handsome galoot!"
"I can't wait to tell you, Taylor." He looked at Matt and Jake. "You guys won't believe it."
Matt and Jake joined Taylor at his bedside. "You look good, Mike," Matt said, patting him on the shoulder. "Are you sure you're okay? There was blood on that wand you sent back, you know."
"You bet I know!" He lifted the corner of the smock he wore. "A few days ago there was a big hole right here in my side." He showed them the area where his hip and side joined. It was red and slightly swollen. "You'd never know by looking at me now that anything was wrong."
They all looked at where the wound had been, amazed that the tissue had been regenerated. Matt shook his head and asked, "Mike, what is this place, and how did all this happen?" He glanced at Dbarr, who was standing a few feet away.
"The injury was just a mistake, Matt. I handled a situation the wrong way and it resulted in my getting shot." He went on to explain in detail what had occurred and how the Vryanians had subsequently saved his life. When he finished the story, he winced and put a hand over his side.
The movement alarmed Taylor. She reached out and put her hand over his. "Are you okay?"
"I'm okay, Taylor, just a twinge."
Dbarr stepped forward and said, "His wound is only ninety percent healed. I think the excitement has put something of a strain on him. May I suggest that we let him rest for now and continue our conversation in another place?"
"You're right, Dbarr," Matt answered. He looked at DeLong and said, "You get some rest, Mike. We'll see you again soon."
DeLong nodded as he lay back on the bed. A female Vryanian, who had been attending him when they arrived, moved to his bedside and began monitoring a machine. He called out to them as they walked away. His voice sounded strong. "You're not going to believe any of this, Matt. None of you are. It's beyond belief."
Chapter 13
Find and Destroy
Renga reported back that the mountaintop was deserted. There were some footprints but little else. The only thing of interest was the candy wrapper that Jake had discarded earlier.
"What is this?" He handed it to Kasdan, who simply nodded and threw it away without answering.
"Sreng, take the lead. We must move quickly," he said.
"What about your equipment?" Sreng asked. "Shall we take it with us?"
"No. Leave it here. After I see where the Dananns went, we will return here and spend the night. We will dismantle the campsite then."
After that, they traveled northward, not stopping until several hours later when they reached the edge of a thick tangle of trees and brush.
"We are within a mile of the Danann city," Sreng told Kasdan. "It is on the other side of that forest." He pointed to the trees.
Kasdan nodded. "We will make camp here. The three of you get some rest while I take a look at their stronghold."
Sreng and his men stretched out on the ground and went to sleep.
Kasdan, who needed only four hours sleep per night, entered the forest. It was murky among the trees, but he made it through by using his flashlight. Within thirty minutes he emerged on the other side. The alien city was to his right, about a quarter mile away over open ground. It appeared to be quiet. None of the airships were flying, but it was too far away to see any ground personnel who might be wandering around.
At this point, he had no idea whether or not Leahy and his team had been taken prisoner by the aliens, or had voluntarily come with them in connection with the disappearance of Mike DeLong. It seemed unreasonable that an alien race capable of the technology he had witnessed on the mountain would take them against their will. Moreover, he had been close enough to the mountain to have heard gunfire if there had been a fight. Another salient point was that Renga had not found any signs of a struggle. Along with the equipment they had been carrying, they were just missing. Given those circumstances, he decided that Leahy was collaborating with them for some unknown reason.
One plan after another on how he could enter the city undetected rolled through his head and was rejected, especially the idea of crossing open ground. If there were sentinels, and he was discovered, his entire plan might be ruined. The tree line curved backward and away from where he stood then twisted toward the city like a sickle. At that end, the trees were only a hundred yards from the domes. It would be a simple matter to cross that short distance and enter the city without raising an alarm. He marked the location in his memory should he need to return at a later time. Impressed by the alien city but putting caution ahead of curiosity, he returned to where the others were sleeping. He lay down on the ground beside them and closed his eyes. They would move out just before daybreak, back to the valley forest.
A light drizzle was falling as they returned to the campsite. It left the ground wet, wiping out their tracks. The thick forest had kept the ground dry, so they were not hampered as they collected Kasdan's equipment and started off. By the time they reached the end of the forest, the rain had stopped. Thankful that they did not have to travel in the drizzle, they began the long walk back to the fort.
Eight hours later, they sat inside Eoch
aid's house eating the evening meal with him. Up to now, Kasdan had said very little, allowing Sreng to brief the king on the activities of the last few days. Ever since their aborted assault on Leahy's team, Kasdan had begun to think of Sreng and the others as his men, even though he felt no personal connection with them and considered them expendable.
He had been thinking about their trek back to the fort and was paying little attention to what Sreng was saying. He had been surprised by the arrival of the Danann airship, and having seen their stronghold, knew that the Fir Bolg were pitted against a foe with vastly superior technology. If the Danann were in fact a race of aliens, the barbarians stood no chance against them using spears and swords. In truth, the Fir Bolg should have been destroyed during their first encounter. He had considered every reason as to why the aliens had not already killed most of them but had reached no conclusion. His psychopathic mind could not conceive a situation in which superior firepower should be withheld if it were available. In any event, Leahy was now in the hands of the aliens and could not be reached as easily as he had hoped. That being the case, a new strategy would have to be formulated on how best to use the Fir Bolg to accomplish his goals.
He put down the bowl of food he had been eating and held up his hand. "Enough talking about failure," he said in a deep voice. "Even though we were unsuccessful in our first attempt to destroy the wizard, it does not mean that you will lose the upcoming battle with the Tuatha." He gave Eochaid a penetrating stare. "Or has this affected your determination to fight and drive them from your land?" He asked the question in a sarcastic tone.
Eochaid did not reply for a long moment. He leaned back in his chair and looked at Kasdan with mild surprise. "Why do you think that because you failed to achieve your goal, that it will affect the Fir Bolg in any way? We intended to continue fighting them long before you came to our fort." He blew a short breath through his nose and shrugged. "This changes nothing. But I am wondering why you did not use your weapon against the Tuatha when you had the chance. Were you afraid?"
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