Continuing toward the trading post near the entrance of Ukkiville, the tutor patted Teli's back. "You know, we never finished that conversation we started about Intellulka. If you have any more questions, now's as good a time as any."
Teli's eyes lit up. "Yes, there's a couple of things I've been wondering about." Oblivious to anything but his conversation, he stepped onto the gravel road.
A horse-drawn carriage zipped in front of him, close enough he could have reached out and touched it. Startled, Teli stopped dead in his tracks.
The undeterred rider yelled. "Careful you two! Watch where you're going!"
Teli glanced at the professor. "I guess I better pay more attention."
"That would be wise. With all the construction these days, folks are in a big hurry. It seems like you've been in a daze most of the morning."
"Just a little tired. Caru had another nightmare last night."
"I'm not surprised. Your sister's pretty wound up most of the time."
"Yeah, what's strange is that I was having a nightmare at the same time as she."
Queasy chuckled. "Must be that twin thing going on."
The tutor pointed. "Let's start over there with that big supply wagon. I overheard a neighbor say these traders came from the western region of the Old United States. I'm hoping they've got what we need."
Teli's mentor winked. "So, what do you want to know about Intellulka?"
"Well, I was kinda interested in how you got started working with him — and how he died."
"Okay, give me a second." Queasy rummaged through a box of old, banged-up hardware and lifted what looked like a pump.
"Aha!" Squinting, he inspected it a little closer. "Nope."
He swung it in front of Teli's face. "See that? The intake is cracked. It won't do."
The determined scavenger tossed it into a half-empty box. "Mmm, let's keep looking."
Stopping, Queasy turned toward Teli. "You see, the old man was extremely busy, handling every scientific question from the village leaders. After the discovery of the first bunch of muclones, he never had a minute to himself."
The professor shrugged. "I've always been curious about nature, much like yourself, so I volunteered to help him. He was more than grateful to have a young 'go-for' to retrieve whatever he needed or deal with the mundane stuff."
Pausing, the mentor picked up another metal gadget. "Before he died, Intellulka was the oldest villager of Ukkiville and the only one to have lived through the World Annihilation Period. You wouldn't believe the stories he told."
Queasy raised his eyebrows. "At first, I thought it was all bunk. But then, I'd be reading history books, and believe it or not, much of what I heard from his lips was in print. From then on, I never doubted anything he told me."
Meanwhile
After her unexpected encounter with the Skalag boy, Caru strolled down the longer trail home. Her thoughts bounced between snippets of the strange give-and-take dialog as she plodded through Wolverine Forest with her spare fishing pole and tackle in hand.
He's not nearly as scary as I expected — but he sure was filthy!
She kicked a pebble, and it bounced across the gravel before veering off into a blanket of crisp oak leaves. Zo, hmmm — odd but kind of cute!
Pivoting partway around, she halfway expected to find the new enemy-turned-friend. Not this time; Chili lumbered not more than a few yards away.
I can't believe he actually talked with me — and shared secrets. I've got to tell Father. Stopping in her tracks, she shook her head.
Well, maybe not. I'm not sure what Father would do! He'd probably kill the boy, then me! Blazes, I don't know what to do!
Caru scanned the trail and observed a large buck's hoof prints. Welcoming the distraction, she followed the tracks deeper into the thicket.
Soon, percolating sounds of a nearby creek touched her ears. It's such a beautiful day.
Memories of fishing with Fox near a deep pool last autumn drifted across her mind. Yes! I want to see the waterfall!
Along the edge of the deer's path, bright white mushrooms peeked through the thick mat of decayed pine needles. A strange, pungent scent floated in the slight crosswind.
Chili sniffed the air. A deep gurgle rumbled in her throat.
Caru clutched the handle of her sword. "What is it, girl?"
A bush rustled to her left. Spinning, Caru scanned the area.
Thin neck hairs stood on end as she furrowed her brow and unsheathed her finely honed blade. No movement.
She picked up a stone and threw it at the large trunk of a nearby oak. Squealing, two wild hogs scampered into a grove of aspens. The polar bear took chase.
"Chili, get back here!" Whirling with a growl, her white protector returned.
Caru sighed and sheathed her weapon of choice. Thank you, Lord.
She drew a deep breath and sped up the pace, while still enjoying the constant chorus of songbirds. Up the hill, a sparkling stream weaved its way down a maze of smooth, mossy rocks. The trickle of the water and floating bubbles soothed her for the moment.
Hesitating, she spun toward Chili. "I've got to tell Father. He'll be mad if I don't."
Eyes almost crossed, the fluffy bear cocked her head. "Oh, you wouldn't understand."
A persistent thought continued to nag her. There's no getting around it. I'll tell Father about the denamo ... I mean muclone.
Caru shook her head. But I can't say anything about Zo, just yet. He'd never let me out of the cabin without a bodyguard.
After peeking around to make sure nobody heard her, she continued her trek. No reason to let worrying about Father ruin her afternoon.
A peculiar squawk from a small bluff snapped her thoughts back to reality as her head jerked toward the disturbance. Brutish, what was that?
Chili looked toward the sky. The hair of her nape bristled when a massive shadow swooped across the path.
Barely visible through the scattered openings among the thick trees, something caught Caru's eye. A strange creature circled above before it flew off in the distance. Wicked, that's bigger than any bird I've ever seen!
She put her finger across her jugular. My pulse is up; just when I thought I was going to have a relaxing hike.
Above the rise ahead, a swirling cloud of mist drifted skyward through the breaks in the green canopy of elms. Splashes of the brook, cascading over a rocky cliff into a glassy pond, soothed her nerves. Now that's what I nee...
A distant scream shattered her trance as Chili growled. Caru twisted toward the sound. Who's that?
CHAPTER TWELVE
Crabby Earth Dweller
Back at the Trading Post
Tuesday ~ July 21, 2093 ~ 1:15 pm
In his unwavering attire of worn sport coats and slacks with a hole here or there, Queasy grabbed a handful of old, slightly rusted blades. "Yes, these will do for one of the windmills."
He set them aside and smiled at Teli. "Listen up now; this is important."
As Queasy was about to start, a short woman he had never seen before with black, shoulder-length hair stared at him. Like a statue, he froze in place as her alluring, brown eyes pierced his soul.
No woman had ever looked at him in such a fashion. His neck warmed as he gulped.
Teli's voice startled him. "You were about to say?"
"Oh, yeah." The professor shook his head and lifted one end of a boxy-looking thing with glass on one side.
"Intellulka told me that he and his friend, Jacob, barely escaped that fateful Easter day in 2019. The two of them and a young woman named Cassie anticipated what was about to happen that dreadful day."
Queasy shut his eyes for a moment. "Intellulka surely loved that girl like no other, but you'd never hear him say that."
He set the large, rectangular container down. "This will do for a solar panel. Go ahead and put it over there."
Teli grabbed it. "Don't stop, tell me more."
"Intellulka and his friends were convinced there wou
ld be a coordinated attack by the old countries of Russia, China, Iran, and terrorist groups designed to take out the Western world as they knew it back then; and that's precisely what happened. Worse yet, it was the start of the World Annihilation Period which changed the entire globe."
Queasy found a metal barrel that had been cut in two and flipped the halves over, smooth edges up. "Let's sit here for a bit, while I tell you the rest."
He banged the top of one of the makeshift seats, and after Teli sat down, he continued. "Cassie saved her friends' lives but, unfortunately, not her own. Her death weighed on the old man for the rest of his life, but I won't go any deeper into that dreary subject."
Teli cocked his head. "How did Intellulka get to know so much?"
"A lot of studying and experience. He got an engineering degree from Michigan State University. Then he worked for a company where he applied what he learned about science, physics, and engineering to develop solar panels, wind turbines, and a portable Electromagnetic Pulse Generator — Intellulka called it an EMP device. He brought all of these things with him when he fled the devastation of The Old United States."
Queasy spread his arms. "Intellulka and Jacob decided this location, here in Old Canada, would best survive the destruction across Old North America. I've already taught you much about the solar and wind devices."
He grinned. "Someday, I'll tell you about the EMP devices, but that's between you and me and nobody else. Besides me, only your father, Mercy, Storm, and Wolfuk are aware of this weapon. I've already talked to Thoruk about teaching you how they work, and he's on board. You see, there needs to be someone other than myself who understands all this stuff in case something were to happen to me. You're the man for that job!"
Teli's eyes grew to the size of large marbles.
"You should understand that Intellulka meant the world to your father, Mercy, Storm, and the rest of the elders of Ukkiville. That's why Wolfuk sculpted his likeness in front of the Library for all to remember."
Swatting a fly buzzing his head, Teli's face lit up. "Didn't Wolfuk and several of the villagers also work together and create the tribute to the warriors of the big battle with the Skalags?" He swiped the pesky insect out of the air, squished it, and wiped his hand across his shorts.
"Good, you remember your history. Intellulka's the one who taught your father, Mercy, and Storm, starting when they were about your age. He also took them on a long adventure around parts of The Old United States so they could see first-hand what became of the country, which at one time led the world in many respects. Besides your grandpa and his closest two friends, Intellulka was one of your father's best buddies. They sparred with their words like no others."
Queasy rubbed his elbow. "You know, your Aunt Mercy was asked to teach you, your sister, Proto, and Fox to help prepare you for the future. Ukkiville's leaders are looking at each of you as possible candidates to fill your father's role someday when he's no longer able to rule."
"Yeah, I know. My parents told us that last year, but a couple of months ago, I let Father know that I really wasn't interested in being Ukkiville's ruler. I want to work with you and study biology, chemistry, and physics. I'm better at books and dissecting animals than I'll ever be at dealing with people. Father understood."
"That's well and good, but you might change your mind someday."
"Nah, that ain't going to happen. Besides, Caru's the one that's always taking charge and telling us kids what to do. She's good at that!"
Teli smiled. "It looks like you're stuck with me."
Queasy arched his back. "Well, aren't I the lucky one? Now that we've got your life straightened out, let's get the rest of the parts we need. Oh yeah, regarding your other question about how he died, you'd be better off talking with your aunt. Mercy was with him in Texas when he passed away, and that's an interesting story in itself."
Snatching another part from the wagon, he pointed at the raggedy-clad proprietor. "We better finish settling up with him. It's getting late, and we haven't had lunch yet. Besides, there's no telling if another muclone will show up at my doorstep!"
After closing the deal and walking away, Queasy glanced back. There she was again with her big, heart-jolting eyes, studying him with an enticing smile.
In Wolverine Forest
Thoughts of Zo vanished as Caru sprinted toward the screams, growing louder as she neared. Less than 20 yards ahead, a young woman thrashed in a mucky pool up to her waist. Quicksand!
"Come on, Chili!"
Nearing the commotion, she dropped to the ground and stuck her fishing pole out over the soupy mess. "Here, grab this!"
Stretching her arm, the villager sunk deeper into the goo, up to her stomach, as her eyes widened. "I can't reach it!"
Caru crawled closer until the victim's fingers gripped the end. "Hold on!"
Behind the sinking swimmer, two long, flimsy sticks, much like willow branches but black, slowly emerged from the surface. As the strange, wiry twigs rose, a crusted head, with sharp pincers on each side of its mouth, followed.
Caru gasped. "Watch out! Behind you!"
The woman glanced at the russet-colored creature and tried to scream — but no sound escaped. The more she struggled, the deeper she sank.
Springing to her feet, Caru jabbed the beast with the bamboo rod and shoved it back under the quicksand.
She swiftly swung the tip of the pole closer. "Grab it again!"
Caru turned. "Chili! Help!"
She stuck her end of the rod toward the bear and Chili clenched it with her teeth and tugged.
As her pet dragged the weary villager toward the firmer ground, the mysterious monster appeared again, exposing more of its segmented, tubular body lined with hordes of treading legs. Two enormous crab-like claws extended from the upper portion of its hard-cased body.
Nearing the terrified victim, the sharp snappers clicked as they opened and closed. Caru gasped. "Faster, Chili, pull!"
Her protector's muscles twitched as she grunted and yanked harder. The exhausted woman's body slowly slid across the grassy edge, but the beast closed fast.
Unsheathing her sword, Caru swiped but missed one of the claws. Churning its legs, the vicious crawler swirled and swam toward Caru.
The tenacious attacker thrust its immense clipper toward her. In one motion, she leaped back and sliced off the appendage. As the severed snapper flew through the air, the creature vigorously thrashed and slowly sunk below the quicksand.
Moments later, it burst five feet above the surface and crashed with a loud splat, clamping the victim's leg with its other crab claw. Caru's heart jumped to her throat, and her ears throbbed from the mortified woman's shrieks.
Growing tired, Caru sucked a quick breath. This thing won't quit. It's going to kill us!
Chili lunged and bit down on the assailant's appendage with her powerful jaws. As the clipper's hold released the woman's ankle, the bear shook her head and tugged, partway pulling the monster from the muck.
The rear of the beast's body flailed aimlessly, barely missing Caru's head. Surging with adrenalin, she ran to its fore and swung her sword.
The enormous centipede's detached head bounced along the ground as brown streams sprayed in all directions. Twitching, the remainder of the earth dweller's body slowly sunk into the gooey grave.
Caru scowled. That's where that wicked thing belongs!
Two Days Later ~ 7:30 am
Along with one of the fiercest warriors of the village, Wolfuk guided a buckboard toward Ukkiville's community park. I hope Caru hasn't sent us on a wild goose chase.
Reaching the Lake of Dreams, he hopped off the wagon and looked at Fist, nicknamed for the bare-knuckled brawls he rarely lost. "You're here in case we find a muclone. I set up a hefty trout line with whole chickens and ham butts last night."
The gigantic specimen of a fighter grunted in a deep, raspy voice. "Mmm, expecting something huge?"
"Not sure what we'll find." Gear in hand, they walked down to t
he dock and Wolfuk stepped into the bow of a small wooden boat.
He glanced at Fist. "Caru fished here a couple of days ago. She said something big swirled near her bobber and yanked the rod out of her hand. She claims it wasn't any ole fish you'd normally catch in the lake."
"Humph, we'll see. I've caught plenty of lunkers out here. Any one of them could have felt like a monster to a scrawny girl."
"Maybe so." Wolfuk pointed to the aft. "Why don't you row from back there while I check the hooks? Keep your eyes open and weapons handy — just in case."
Chuckling, the bald helper boarded the craft and untied the line. Fist set a sword and battle-ax next to himself on the wooden seat. "Where we headed?"
"Over there." Wolfuk motioned with his hand in the direction of a small cove. "The trout line's tied to that birch tree."
"Got it." Fist shoved off and grabbed the oars.
As he paddled against a slight breeze, small waves lapped against the sides of the boat. "I've heard rumors of other muclones lately. What do you know?"
Wolfuk faced him. "There's been three or four so far. One was a mutant fish of some sorts from this lake. That's why we're not taking any chances."
Continuing to power the vessel forward, the warrior tilted his head. "Look! The water's churning near your bait!"
"I see it! Approach slowly and swing us near the end of the trout line by the tree — not too close to the movement." Clenching his jaw tight, Wolfuk scanned the water for further clues.
Fist dragged the end of the oar in the water. The craft slowed as it neared, and the bow turned slightly.
Wolfuk pointed. "Look, the rope is frayed around the bark. Whatever this thing is, it put up a big fight! Be careful."
Gingerly reaching his hand into the water, he gripped the trout line. "We're about to find out what we've caught." Wolfuk held his breath and pulled lightly.
A tremendous splash erupted from the other end, yanking the rough braided rope across his palms. "Blazes, that burns!"
He let go, and the trunk of the young birch began to bend.
With determination in his eyes, Fist clutched his sword. "Should I cut the rope?"
The New World: Blue Moon Generatoin Page 7
