The Hidden Treasure of Darfor

by David Shewring

The first thing that Patrick became aware of was a bright lining shining in his eyes. The second thing he became aware of was a pounding pain in his head. Finally, the third thing he became aware of was an irritating, dry and scratchy sensation starting in his mouth, running all the way through his throat and ending in his chest. Blinking rapidly, he slowly managed to open his eyes. He sat up in bed gingerly and looked around. He was in his hotel room. How he had gotten there was a mystery, and most of the night before was either a fuzzy blur or a total blank.

  Oh, what did I have to drink last night? Thought Patrick as he struggled to get up.

  He got out of bed, stumbled to the ensuite bathroom and promptly threw up. Minutes later, when it felt like his throat was no longer housing a miniature volcano, he returned to the bedroom and sat on the edge of his bed. He sighed deeply and ran his fingers through his thick, brown hair. The sunlight coming in through the window was bathing half of his face in heat and it began to make Patrick’s skin crawl in irritation.

  ‘Ah, damn it,’ the human muttered as he got up and pressed the nearby wall contact.

  He breathed a sigh of relief as the window tint became darker and darker until it almost looked as if it were night time outside.

  ‘Hangovers and bright light really don’t mix well,’ he said to himself as he walked back into the bathroom to pour himself a glass of water.

  Patrick guzzled the water thirstily and let the cool liquid soothe his irritated mouth and throat.

  ‘Much better,’ he commented as he sat the empty glass down on a nearby table.

  He went over to his bag and started to rifle through it, checking that everything was still there – it was.

  At least that guy didn’t mug me, he thought. Then, come to think of it, I don’t even remember getting here last night. I probably have Saleek to thank for helping me to find this place. Well, I’m here now. I’d better try and work out my next move.

  Patrick once more sat down on the edge of his bed. The human checked the time on his mini-computer, which he wore on his wrist like an old-fashioned watch. The display read “10:47”, it was getting on for late morning. Nexus One had a standard twenty six hour day, to which Patrick was still adjusting. His home planet on the outer colonies was relatively small and it rotated quite quickly on its axis, meaning that each day only lasted nineteen hours. Still, it turned out that humans were quite resilient creatures and, given enough time, they could successfully adapt to changes in their environment and daily routines quite well. He began to consider his options, but was hindered by the incessant throbbing of his temples. The cold water had helped his throat and chest but he still felt a bit sick and he still had a raging headache.

  Maybe I should just take it easy for a while. Perhaps I’ll grab a bite to eat at a nearby place and scout out the local area. I’d better make sure I can navigate all the main routes and know where all the transport links are, thought Patrick.

  Suddenly, his train of thought was derailed by a triple beeping sound emanating from the hotel door.

  What could that be?

  He stood up and looked around. There was a pause, then the three beeps sounded again. Perhaps it was the hangover, but it took Patrick nearly a full minute to realise that it was someone pressing the wall contact just outside the hotel door, indicating that they wanted to come in.

  I keep forgetting people don’t knock on doors on other planets, the locals here must think I’m a total rube or something!

  Patrick went over to the door and activated the holographic display. The display showed the view from the other side of the door and there was a rather tall, spiky, green/brown alien standing there, his perpetual grin still fixed on his face. Patrick smiled and shook his head, then opened the door.

  ‘Hey man, how you doing?’ greeted Saleek, showing that he had now perfected that particular phrase in old American English.

  He looked bright and alert, as if his particular species did not suffer the after-effects of alcohol intake at all.

  ‘I’ve...been better, but I’m okay,’ replied Patrick, motioning for Saleek to enter the hotel room, which the alien did.

  ‘I don’t think I’ve ever drunk that much in one night! I’m still feeling the effects.’ Patrick winced as the throbbing in his temples increased then moments later subsided.

  He felt, and was sure that he looked, very rough indeed.

  ‘I think that’s about right. For your first night on Nexus One, I mean. Most tourists hit the bars and restaurants as soon as they get off their transports. The food, drink and entertainment are probably some of the main attractions that draw people to this planet. And speaking of attractions’ – Saleek reached into an inner pocket on his shiny jacket and produced two small, amber-coloured chits – ‘I got us tickets to go to the foremost archaeological dig site this side of Nexus One! How cool is that?’

  Patrick blinked dumbly a few times, his brow furrowing in confusion.

  ‘Um, what dig site is this?’ he asked, bewildered.

  The last thing he remembered before he woke up in his hotel room was ordering two red bottles of sandakk.

  ‘The Spay’Ar dig site that we talked about last night. Don’t you remember?’ said Saleek with an innocent expression on his face.

  Patrick rubbed his forehead then replied, ‘I’m sorry, I...don’t remember much about last night. Must be all the sandakks!’

  Saleek laughed and said, ‘I kept telling you to slow down, but you were having such a good time you just wouldn’t listen.’

  The human made a mental note to never get that inebriated again, especially around people he didn’t know and in a place that was unfamiliar to him.

  ‘So...what’s the deal with the tickets?’ he asked.

  Saleek brandished them proudly.

  ‘It’s a very popular attraction, especially to anyone who is interested in alien cultures. They say that some of the artefacts and ruins are from the indigenous people of Nexus One! We’re going back thousands and thousands of years here. Most of the stuff from the Spay’Ar dig site is extremely well preserved, some of the best specimens ever uncovered on this planet. Researchers are calling it the find of the century! Since you’re here, you’ve got to check it out! It’s only about an hour away by mag-train.’ The spiky alien stopped for a moment, trying to judge if he was over-selling the trip.

  ‘You agreed to go. You said you were really looking forward to it as well!’ Saleek half-lied, attempting to play on Patrick’s guilt.

  ‘Well, it all sounds very interesting...but I’m not sure I’m up for it today. I am feeling pretty rough after last night,’ said Patrick truthfully. ‘Any chance we could do it another day?’

  The spiky alien seemed to lose his composure for half a second, before quickly regaining it.

  ‘I’m afraid the tickets are only valid for one day, and that day is today,’ said Saleek.

  The human then regarded the spiky alien with a mildly confused stare.

  ‘Really? That seems a bit weird...’ said Patrick, thinking aloud.

  ‘As I said, it’s a very popular attraction. This is the only way to ensure overcrowding is kept to a minimum.’

  After considering this for a moment, the human accepted that explanation.

  ‘Come on, man, I’ve paid for both the tickets,’ added Saleek, attempting to guilt Patrick into coming one more time.

  Patrick paused for a second before replying, ‘Well, if you’ve already paid for them, I guess we can’t let them go to waste. I’m sure I’ll feel better once I’ve grabbed a bite to eat. Plus, I am kind of curious to see some of these artefacts. I’ve heard stories and legends about this planet – everyone has – but I’m probably going to be one of the first humans ever to actually lay eyes on these ancient ruins. This is pretty exciting!’

  ‘Sure, man, sure. Whatever you need. Hey, I know a nice little cafe that does a killer breakfast...’