The machinery and tools were totally alien to them, although things like hammers and a file were not too different to what they were used to.
“There's a thing here like an electric drill I've got at home,” Ted called out, “but it doesn't work - at least I can't make it work.”
Brodrick examined the ‘drill’ closely, and he too couldn't get it to do anything.
“Maybe it uses broadcast power, you know, like micro waves - except they couldn't actually use microwaves as they would fry the operator - must be something similar though, all the other tools are the same.”
As they couldn't find anything useful to take back as a souvenir, they left the building to return to the monorail, and then back to the desert world to try the next symbol. Almost at the station, Brodrick put his arm out to stop Ted from going forward, and put a finger to his mouth to indicate silence.
“Something moved over there,” he said, pointing to a shadowy shape in a doorway, “and it looks like a person, try and look friendly.”
Ted drew his handgun, holding it close to his body so it didn't look too threatening, and they both advanced slowly. About ten metres from the figure, it saw them, and cowered back in terror. Brodrick slowly raised both hands to show he had no weapons, and smiling broadly, called out “Hello.” The figure peered out from its concealment, and hesitantly raised a thin arm in response. The pair slowly approached the doorway, stopping about two metres from the crouching figure.
“We are friends.” Ted said, feeling a bit stupid when he realised the creature wouldn't understand him. Brodrick bent forward, and gently helped the creature to its unsteady feet. A string of gibberish faintly issued from its thin mouth, so they both smiled and nodded their heads, hoping it would be taken for friendliness.
“Shall we offer it some food?” Ted enquired.
“No,” Brodrick replied, “it’s gut might be totally different to ours, and that could kill it - but we could try offering some water - that's universal, I think.”
Reaching slowly to the side pocket of his backpack, Brodrick withdrew his water flask, unscrewed the cup and poured some water in. Getting no response when he offered it to the figure, he drank some himself, and offered it again.
This time the poor creature drank greedily, and passed the cup back to Brodrick who then refilled it, and gave it back. After four refills, the figure raised a hand, they thought, to say ‘no more’.
“Look how thin it is,” Brodrick said quietly. “The poor sod must be starving - pity we can't give it anything. It must have somehow evaded the roundup of the aliens, and been staggering around ever since. Could be it's eaten all the available food it can get at, and can't find any more - or maybe it's just old. We don't know how long ago the attack was, but it must have been some many years by the amount of vegetation on the ruins.”
“We could eat something, and see if it wants some as well,” suggested Ted. “And then we could look for some of its food in the dwellings.”
Brodrick agreed, and took out a concentrate bar, simulating eating it; and then offered it to the creature. The figure raised a hand as if to fend off the offer, as it had done when it had received enough water.
“There's nothing else we can do,” Brodrick said, sadly. “We may as well leave it- it doesn't look as if it will last too much longer.” Using his arms, he then indicated that they would go on their way; the sad figure just nodded, and then slumped down in the doorway, with what they thought was a look of resignation on its face.
They withdrew a few metres, and turned to wave goodbye. There was no response from the huddled figure in the doorway.
“God, I feel awful,” said Ted. “It's a living being, and we could do nothing for it.”
“Yer, me too,” Brodrick responded. “Even if we took it back with us, I doubt it would have lasted much longer - and then there's the problem of what to feed it.”
They walked on towards the monorail station in silence, until Brodrick tripped over a piece of rubble, and swore copiously.
Back on the mobile platform, Brodrick eased the lever back, the whole device turned around, and they were off back towards the station they had arrived at near the teleport unit.
After a few kilometres through the rolling countryside, Brodrick slowed the platform down and then stopped. Off to one side of the monorail a small group of buildings could be seen, but they were unlike any other constructions they had seen on the planet so far.
“Better take a look at those,” he said, stepping down from the platform, “they look different somehow - may give us a clue as to what the alien got from this planet - it must have got something.”
As they drew nearer, they realised the buildings were a lot bigger than they appeared from the monorail. None of the doors in the smaller constructions were locked, so they went in, but there was nothing to indicate what their purpose had been. A few empty crates lay about in one, while another had a table and chair on a raised dais, with what Brodrick thought was a tally book, as there were columns of entries in an indecipherable script, and what looked like a total at the bottom. Most of the smaller buildings were empty - giving no sign of what they might have been used for.
The main construction was built into the hillside, and it was some time before Brodrick managed to gain entry. Inside were large metal cages, most of which held the skeletal remains of huge creatures, one skeleton being almost in one piece giving them some idea of the size of the beast. An unpleasant metallic smell hung in the air, adding to the overall feeling of dread they both felt.
“What the hell are they?” Brodrick asked in astonishment, his voice crashing back from multiple echoes. “I've never seen anything like that before - they are huge. And look at those jaws, they could crush rock.”
At the back of the building, a tunnel went into the hillside, with two sets of rail tracks leading into the darkness. A set of rails ran past each cage, joining up with main ones leading into the tunnel, and one cage had a small truck parked by it. Brodrick went over to the cage to see if he could work out what the sequence of events were in this strange place.
“One of the rails from the tunnel is spurred off to each cage,” he announced, as if addressing an audience, “and the cage has a hatch in the bar work, so I suppose the contents of the truck is fed into the cage, and the creature inside does something with it - eat it? No, nothing eats rock.”
“Perhaps it isn't rock,” Ted chipped in. “See if there's anything left in the bottom of the truck.”
They both looked, but it was clear of any residue, and there was none on the floor of the building or inside the cages.
“How about going into the tunnel?” Brodrick asked Ted. “Just a short way to see if there's anything which will give us a clue.”
With their torches on full beam, they walked into the darkness, their footsteps echoing eerily. After several hundred metres, and Ted getting a bit edgy, they were on the point of giving up on their search, when they came across another truck parked by a dark seam of something which glistened in the light of their torches. Ted gave it a poke with his finger and then sniffed it.
“It smells pretty foul,” he exclaimed, “and it's quite soft - looks like a dark cheesy stuff.”
Propped up against the wall of the tunnel was a shovel, and some of the material had been cut out from the seam and placed in the truck.
“Well, we now know what they were looking for, and were probably feeding to those huge beasts, but why?” Brodrick asked.
“Maybe when they ate it they extracted something from it; stored it in their bones, or shot it out of their rear ends,” Ted offered. “Perhaps one of the other buildings will shed some light on it. Don't see any point in just keeping the beasts for fun - they must have got something from it.”
“Good point,” said Brodrick, “Let's go look see.”
Back up the tunnel they went, out of the building of cages with their strange contents, and out into the fresh air. To one side of the building they had just left
was another, a bit smaller, but hidden from their previous view. Again, it took some time before they gained entry, doing so via a narrow smelly chute at the rear end.
“Looks like this is where the waste comes out,” said Brodrick, pointing to the rail track and a small truck. “Funny how that smell hangs around after so much time.”
Inside the building were several large vats with pipes connecting them to various pieces of machinery, but what they did, or were for, eluded the pair.
“Obviously it's some sort of processing plant,” announced Brodrick. “But there's no clue as to what they got out of it. Look, there's a crate here, but nothing in it; must be ready for filling.”
He found what he thought might be an outlet pipe, and turned the valve wheel, it squeaked in protest, but nothing came out of the pipe.
There was nothing left to do, except return to the teleport and back to the desert world to try the next symbol; so it was back on the maintenance platform, and a not too speedy journey back to the first station they had found, admiring the scenery on the way.
“I really don't understand these aliens,” said Brodrick, as they walked from the station back up to the teleport. “They seem to destroy everything in a fit of peek, cutting off the very supplies they wanted in the first place. And as for wiping out a whole civilisation which was doing them no harm - that's just brutal - and bloody pointless.”
Into the teleport; the mist came and went, and they were back on the desert world, but it was night time - and pitch dark.
“Better stay inside until dawn,” Brodrick suggested, “there's no knowing what might be outside, and I don't feel like being a meal for something. You know the more I think about what the aliens have done, the more I like the idea of blasting the bastards to hell. We could do that, when we get back. Load the teleport with…”
“I don't fancy traipsing through all that jungle umpteen times with a backpack full of explosives,” Ted broke in. “Anyway, I think it all happened a long time ago - maybe they don't exist any more. We haven't seen any sign of them on Earth, except for what they left behind. Even if we are successful, all we'll achieve is a big bang, which we won't have the satisfaction of witnessing, and blowing up their teleport - it won't do them any harm.” Brodrick just grunted.
“Just a thought,” said Ted, “why are we waiting? There's only one symbol left, apart from the one used by the alien, so we can just go home to Earth.”
Brodrick tried to hide the astonishment he felt - he had been so tied up with the aliens and what they were doing that he had slipped out of present time, and what they themselves were trying to achieve - going home.
“OK, let's do it.” Brodrick moved the pointer around to the last symbol, and pushed the knob in. Nothing happened.
“The door hasn't shut,” said Ted. “Maybe we have to go out, and then come back in again to trigger it.” Brodrick didn't say anything - just got up, went down the short passage and came back in, giving the knob a hearty thump.
As usual the mist came and went, the door slid open -and they were home - NO…
CHAPTER 7
“WHERE THE HELL is this?” Ted wailed, “we used the only symbol left, apart from the one the alien used, and it should have taken us to Earth.”
“I think I know what happened,” said Brodrick, quietly. “We, as so often humans do, jumped to the wrong conclusion. We assumed the alien had gone home, when in actual fact it looks as if it returned to Earth, probably to kick the crap out of the Maya for not supplying enough copper ore. That means it's still there - in one form or another.”
“So now what do we do?” Ted asked, somewhat confused.
“Well, we can go back to the desert world and try the symbol the alien left the indicator on - which should get us back home, or we can take a look at this one; I think this must be the alien's world, and we should be able to take a little peek - if we're careful.” Ted choked back his instinctive answer, and submissively agreed.
The doorway of the teleport was brightly lit, so they knew it was daylight outside. Brodrick was the first to poke his head out, ready to jump back inside at the first sign of anything threatening.
“Seems alright,” he said quietly, “don't see anyone about.”
They both left the sanctuary of the teleport to step out into a world beyond anything they could have imagined. Massive buildings of glass and some shiny metal towered up into a purple tinged sky - the air was sweet and warm, with a gentle breeze blowing the odd leaf from a nearby tree along the grass covered ground. There was a soft hum in the air, either from insects, or perhaps some hidden machinery.
The teleport was positioned in the middle of a grass covered circular area, surrounded by stunningly designed low buildings, behind which the towers reached up to touch the clouds - or would have if there had been any.
“Are you sure this is the alien's world,” asked Ted, hesitantly. “It's so beautiful - surely such a cruel race couldn't have done this.”
“Hmmmm,” said Brodrick in response. “Must say I'm surprised, but I'm even more surprised to see no one about. This place should be teeming with people, I would have thought. We'd better be careful, something doesn't feel quite right, somehow. I know we are taking a chance, but let's take a little look around, and be ready to hightail it back to the teleport if need be.”
They passed through the little collection of small buildings, Ted making a note of various landmarks to ensure they could get back to the teleport easily, and approached the first of the huge towers. The entrance was open, there being no doors, with just a shallow flight of steps into the main hall. Making sure there was still no sign of life, they entered the hall, and stood in amazement. Around the circular walls were countless doors, with a plate above each one adorned with strange squiggles of alien script. Facing them were several alcoves let into the wall which attracted Brodrick's attention right away.
“I'll bet those are lifts,” he said, striding towards one. “If we can work it, we should get a good view of the city.” He put his head into the alcove and looked around.
“Yes, I'm sure it is,” he said, “look, there's a vertical row of touch pads - must be about a hundred of 'em, and one is glowing - must represent this level, I would think. Come on Ted, let's give it a try.” Reluctantly, Ted joined him, and Brodrick touched the top most pad, after making a note of the one they were at.
The upward surge made them bend their knees as the lift raced upwards, and then they were almost floating as the lift violently decelerated to a stop. They both looked at each other in astonishment.
“That was rather unpleasant,” said Brodrick, “can't say I'm looking forward to the return journey.”
They exited the lift to enter a large circular room, with a continuous glass like window all around. Next to the window were pillars, on top of which were mounted slender tubes of polished metal. Brodrick went over to one, and standing on tip toe, looked through the end.
“Hey, this is fantastic!” he exclaimed. “This is a telescope and a half, I can see right across the city - it seems to go right to the horizon, except the horizon is a bit misty so I can't be sure. Wait a minute - there's a vehicle going down a street with a long snake like arm - it seems to be picking up a bundle of cloth, or something - off the walkway. Now it's put it in a hole in the top of the vehicle - can't see anyone driving it, looks like it's automatic, there's no front window for the driver to look out of.”
Brodrick continued to scan around the city looking for any sign of life, but found none.
“Can we go down now?” asked Ted. “It feels as if the building is swaying, I never did like heights.”
“Yer, OK. Must say this is the highest I've ever been in a building - understand how you feel.”
They re-entered the lift alcove, Brodrick being very careful to select the correct touch pad. The floor just dropped away beneath them, leaving Brodrick staggering about to the amusement of Ted, who had the sense to lean against the wall of the lift.
&n
bsp; The lift stopped as suddenly as it had started, Ted's knees buckling beneath him, sending him sprawling to the floor.
“My God, that thing is fast,” said Brodrick, as they left the alcove. “I suppose the regular users are used to it.” Ted did his usual non committal grunt.
As they were about to leave the building (Brodrick thought they would be really pushing their luck if they explored any further) Ted froze, holding Brodrick with his hand.
“I saw something move just then,” he said, “over by that other big building.”
A lone figure in a long brown robe, was slowly making its way towards the steps of the tower.
“There's something funny about the way it walks,” whispered Brodrick, “it sort of shuffles along as if its feeling its way with its feet.”
As the figure reached the steps, it felt for the first one with its right foot, and having found it, proceeded up the steps with a confident gait. As it mounted the steps, it curved away to the left a little, so that on reaching the top it walked into the edge of the entrance with a resounding smack. The figure careened off the edge of the doorway and fell backwards, banging its head on the steps - and lay still.
“Good God, I think it's blind,” exclaimed Brodrick, “or nearly so. I think it's safe to go have a look.”
They looked around to make sure there was no one else in the vicinity, and then approached the body. Brodrick bent over the supine figure, turning its head so he could look at its face.
“There's a film over its eyes,” he said, “sort of like a cataract, no wonder it was staggering about. Don't think there's anything we can do for it - not that I feel inclined to after what we've seen.” He added.
They left the prone figure to its fate, and carefully moved from building to building, making sure they could always duck into a doorway or recess should any other form of life approach, Ted carefully noting landmarks on his pad.
“I don't see any dwelling as such, so where do the people live and sleep?” asked Ted.
“Maybe up in the towers, or away from the city centre.” Brodrick replied, “I don't understand what these smaller building are used for - they don't seem to contain anything much. Most seem to have a few tables and chairs with lots of books, but why so many?”
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