“Edgy already, eh Terran,” said the automaton in a high pitched sing-song voice. “Welcome to Pantrixnia! I’ll be following your progress for our intergalactic ethernet broadcast, so no need to be alarmed at my presence. I see you’ve found our last participant, or what they left of him. He didn’t get very far. It was a very disappointing performance.”
Alexander tried to hear over the artificial buzz of the automaton, but it was difficult, and that was making him nervous. “I’ll try to improve on that, now if you don’t mind,”
“Let’s hope so,” the voice cut in. “After all we’ve a vast audience. Over fifty billion people of eleven different species are tuning into to watch you this instant. The level of interest is quite high. The Elder himself, and the entire Assemblage, is now watching you live on the Chem Homeworld!”
“They honor me,” he said sarcastically.
“By the way, that’s an interesting choice of weapons you have,” the automaton said. “Would you mind explaining your rational. We’ve never had a Terran participant before.”
“Maybe later, if you don’t mind, I’m busy,” Alexander told it with finality. He’d finally made up his mind as to how he would progress. He made his way alertly over to the tree he’d blasted. As he crossed the clearing there was a slight tremor in the muddy earth, followed quickly by the heavy breathing of some cavernous breast and the sound of undergrowth being trampled. It reminded him vaguely of a dog trotting through tall grass, a very large dog.
“We have our first guest of the day,” exclaimed the automaton. “You guessed it, the Banthror! As always he’s attracted by the sound of our drop ship. He knows what that means!”
Alexander cursed, but he held his ground next to the charred tree. The sound grew louder, and suddenly a bright orange and purple striped head burst out of the jungle wall. It was conical, as if shaped for penetrating the dense jungle, and contained the requisite maw filled with tusk-like teeth. The head joined a muscular body, tall in front and low in the back like a hyena, but more the size of a large rhino with eight legs.
The Banthror stopped suddenly and leapt sideways. The move startled Alexander until he realized the creature had done this before. It expected to get shot at. In mid leap it sighted him. The Banthror landed on all eight feet at once. Immediately it sprang for the spot where Alexander stood, mouth agape and the four front feet splayed, claws springing to ready.
Alexander expected as much, or rather his instincts expected it. The Banthror was too fast to think of a plan of action. He leapt to the side, swinging the sword in a wide defensive arc as he did so. The blade caught one of the paws flush at the ankle, and with a “chunk!” the member flew off. The Banthror scrambled to a stop just to the side of Alexander, one claw catching the shoulder of his armor. The claws skidded off the plate without penetrating the armor, but it spun Alexander about. Alexander didn’t try and resist the force of the Banthror’s blow, but used the impetus to turn and strike at the same time. As the Banthror snapped at him with a mouth large enough to bite the man in two, Alexander’s backhanded slash cut deeply across the creature’s snout. Blood spurted as the blade parted the sensitive flesh and raked across its skull. The Banthror snapped its head back with a yelp.
Alexander ducked behind the tree, but the Banthror moved swifter, despite its wounds, and cut him off. The leering bloody face loomed directly in front of him. The mouth opened, and the four hind legs gathered themselves in the soft soil to leap. Alexander drew his pistol and shot straight into the slavering maw. Burned flesh and blood showered him in a crimson haze. The Banthror dropped like a stone.
“Well done, well done!” the automaton exclaimed. “What an exciting way to begin! Tell us, how does it feel to defeat one of the lesser scavengers of Pantrixnia?”
Alexander ignored the remark, but he did reflect momentarily on how well his past-life experiences served him in the combat. His fight with the Banthror could have been choreographed with pistol and cutlass, or knife and sword. Alexander didn’t think; he simply acted. The reality of his theory was comforting, but the sounds of the jungle reminded him that there was much still to do.
He turned his attention to the fallen Banthror. The carcass would soon attract other predators. Cutting a long swath of hide, about six feet wide and six feet long, he folded it in two and draped it over his shoulder, tucking either end into his belt. His idea was to carry the scent of the Banthror with him. The creature may be in the lower echelons of the food chain on Pantrixnia, but it was still a step up. Hastily cutting a few strips of meat and securing these to his belt Alexander left the clearing.
“Ugh! You’re not planning on eating those are you?” the automaton asked. “I doubt if it will harm you, but Banthror is at best unpalatable.”
“I like my Beef Wellington medium rare with a flaky crust if you care to send down something a bit more civilized!” Alexander snapped, as he worked his way through the hole the Banthror made in the jungle and on to the round bole of a tree.
“That wouldn’t be fair. This is, after all, a party of your own making, Terran. We must all lie in the bed we make.”
Alexander reached the tree and grappled one of the thick vines that grew up the trunk. The trees grew to over forty meters, with the top half being composed of a matte of thick branches. The canopy of trees looked to be interwoven, and might provide him with a quicker, and safer, route than along the jungle floor. It was a long climb, but the bark was rough and gave his boots good purchase. In a few moments he was twenty meters above the jungle floor, and none too soon.
Several other carnivores already gathered to feast on the Banthror’s carcass. Some were larger, and some smaller, but they were all strange to his eyes. He sat in a crotch of the tree, watching. Half dozen animals were pulling and tugging at the Banthror when a large black and green lion creature made its appearance. It was half again as large as the Banthror, and its presence made the other beasts shrink back snarling to the edge of the clearing. The monster deposited itself over its meal and soon the sound of crunching bones and ripping flesh drifted up to him. Alexander thought he’d seen enough, but then something caught his attention.
Not one hundred meters from him, just at the edge of his sight, a huge saurian shape stalked silently through the jungle. It led with its enormous head, parting the foliage and carefully placing each of its taloned feet into the damp earth. Its tail moved in concert, floating far behind as a counterbalance to that two meter set of jaws.
The sight of this ancient Earth creature on this alien world stunned Alexander with delight. The automaton floated next to him, and whispered, “You have the rare privilege of watching the greatest carnivore of our galaxy on the hunt. He comes from your planet, Terran. We theorize that some ancient race transplanted them here, and on other worlds. That was many lost civilizations ago when the galaxy was adolescent. We found them here on Pantrixnia, and that gave us the impetus to build this world as you now see it. In all the galaxy, though, there is nothing like this creature!”
“It’s a Tyrannosaurus,” Alexander breathed, “an honest to God real Tyrannosaurus!”
“What did you call it, Terran?” the automaton asked.
“Tyrannosaurus Rex: King of the Tyrant Lizards.”
“An admirable name.”
The Tyrannosaurus wormed its way to the edge of the clearing with no one the wiser. It chose just the right vantage point, whether by instinct or cunning, at the hindquarters of the lion creature. The lion creature munched contentedly, unaware that the Tyrannosaurus was gathering itself for a leap. Alexander held his breath, but when the leap came he was altogether unprepared for the suddenness of it. The Tyrannosaurus covered twenty meters with two strides and a lunge. Despite its bulk it was almost graceful, but the violence of the charge destroyed whatever beauty it had. The enormous head stretched out to bite and hold, but so quick was the lion creature that it escaped the six inch teeth. Unfortunately for the lion, the direction of the Tyrannosaur’s attack propelled i
ts panic stricken escape straight into the tree.
Frantically, it scrambled to get up, but the jaws of the Tyrannosaurs shot down at the exposed spine. The huge teeth found purchase in the soft flesh; the grip of the terrible vise drove the moist air from the creature’s lungs with a terrible fatal gasp. Lifting the enormous mammal like a doll the Tyrannosaurus shook it, showering the glade with blood and fur. A rending snap signaled the parting of bone, and the Tyrannosaurus threw the carcass to the ground, bellowing a challenge through the jungle. Then, with what could only be a growl of satisfaction, it settled down its feast.
“Amazing,” Alexander breathed.
“Yes, indeed, but the wonderful thing about Pantrixnia is not the sheer power of death, but the subtlety of it.”
A thrill of fear shot through him, and Alexander turned just in time to see the blur of the snake as it struck. It aimed for his neck, but his sudden movement caused it to strike his back. The force of the blow nearly catapulted him off the tree, but his left hand blindly clutched for, and desperately held on to a thick vine. He swung into space, hanging there twenty meters above the forest floor.
CHAPTER 27: Survival
Alexander clung desperately to the vine with one hand while clawing for a hold with his other hand. His momentum carried him out and around the tree, twisting and turning. He smacked against the trunk or a thick branch, he couldn’t tell which, and the stiff vine propelled him back whence he came. Back he swung, the jungle whizzing by below in a green blur. He turned half around when he landed back in the crotch in the midst of the snake. Coils as thick as his waist looped over him.
The snake’s head, nearly half a meter wide, separated itself from the snarl and lifted above him. It struck for his face, but Alexander let go of the vine and blocked it with his armored left arm. The armor saved his life. The fangs failed to penetrate smearing venom on the hard surface. The snake didn’t let go, and tried to inject its venom into the captured member. It champed, but to no effect. The Chem armor was simply too tough to pierce.
Alexander’s right arm was free, and as the snake sought to deliver a mortal bite he clutched for a weapon. The first thing his groping fingers found was the haft of his knife. He drew it, slicing a wide gash in the snake’s body. Red blood oozed out of the deep wound, but the snake didn’t let go.
With its head locked on his arm Alexander set the point in the beaded scales of the lower jaw and shoved. The eighteen inch blade plunged through the jaws until the point sprang from the top of the skull smeared with gore. The jaws opened, releasing his arm, but the crotch of the tree became a writhing mass of muscle and scale.
The death throes of the snake pummeled Alexander mercilessly. The knife was torn from his grasp, still transfixing the skull. With a final spasmodic jerk the snake shuddered and slowly slid out of the tree. The snake was still looped around Alexander. As if to gain a final measure of revenge the heavy carcass began to pull Alexander out of the tree. Alexander clutched the closest vine and wrapped his arm. The snake slid out of the tree, coil by coil, stretching him like a rack. Finally, the last coil slipped off and the carcass thumped to the forest floor.
Alexander watched it fall, and so did the Tyrannosaurus. The snake dropped not five meters away.
“You’ll have to be more careful in the future,” the automaton advised him. “We wouldn’t want to waste such a promising start! A pity about your knife though, I’ve a feeling you’ll be missing it!”
Alexander settled himself back in the crotch of the tree and caught his breath. He cast a sour glance at the floating silver ball.
“Just how many people have you talked to death down here?”
The Tyrannosaurus looked up at him and snarled. Then it returned to its business, ripping huge chunks of flesh and bone from the rapidly disappearing lion creature. Alexander surveyed the scene. All the other carrion creatures scattered during the attack, and none had returned. His knife was still lodged in the snake’s head, tantalizingly close, and yet impossibly far away.
If he waited for the Tyrannosaurus to finish and leave, the scavengers would be on the snake in no time. They would dissect the carcass and carry the head away to some dark den, and the knife with it. At the moment the Tyrannosaurus seemed unconcerned with anything or anyone. There was nothing for it. Alexander took a deep breath, questioned his own sanity and began to climb down the vine.
“What are you doing?”
“No one takes what’s mine,” Alexander said gruffly.
“You can’t be serious. A knife can’t be that valuable. Think about this. You’ve already made a wonderful beginning, don’t spoil it now.”
Alexander ignored the rest of it. Cautiously he made his way down, keeping an eye on the Tyrannosaurus. He didn’t want to surprise it, so he climbed down in full view of the leviathan, not trying to hide or do anything else which would arouse its suspicions. It watched him for a short time. Then apparently deciding he was too small to be of concern, it turned back to its meal. It continued to feed as he passed the ten meter point. Now it could pluck him from the tree if it so desired. His heart beat palpably in his breast as he reached the ground.
There was no use of stealth now. If the Tyrannosaurus wanted him he’d have to shoot it and hope for the best, there was no way he could climb the tree faster than the dinosaur could move. Alexander stepped boldly to the body of the snake, going straight to the head.
“Excuse me Rex, I’ll just get my knife and be on my way. There’s a good boy,” Alexander said, trying to bolster his own courage. As he stooped to pull out the knife the Tyrannosaurus raised its dripping head from its meal and snorted. The fetid breath, heavy with the smell of fresh blood, rolled over him. He ignored it and went about his business of pulling out the knife. The Tyrannosaurus snorted again, but then returned to its meal.
Alexander took the opportunity to cut snake’s tail off, it was right there within arm’s reach, giving him a meter long piece of meat—just in case the Banthror was as bad as the automaton said. Without further notice from the Tyrannosaurus, he climbed back into his perch in the tree. The automaton was waiting for him.
“In all my decurns on Pantrixnia that’s definitely a first. Terran, either you are the most foolish form of intelligent life ever spawned in this galaxy, or, well, I can’t actually think of another option.”
Alexander caught his breath, and let his heart rate settle to an acceptable level, but while he rested he scanned the trees. He wouldn’t be caught by surprise a second time. Alexander didn’t hurry, but was content to recover from his exertion and watch the Tyrannosaurus. After fifteen minutes the Tyrannosaurus gave a bellow, picked up the remains of the carcass and stalked into the jungle. Alexander got up and climbed higher into the canopy. The automaton followed him, floating annoyingly close to his head.
“What now Terran?”
He stopped, glancing at the metal ball with blatant irritation. “If you’re going to tag along you might as well start calling me Alexander. “Terran” is growing tedious.”
“Unfortunately, Terran, we do not typically allow our participants the honor of being named until they’ve distinguished themselves in death.”
“Very well, have it your way then.” He pulled out his gun and shot the automaton. The ball burned and fell from the air, careening off a number of branches and scattering the scavengers that were already gathering at the carcasses.
“Waste of a round,” Alexander observed, and he continued to climb. His goal was a level of matted growth thirty meters above the forest floor. Years of undisturbed growth allowed the branches from different trees to intertwine. Vines and creepers made the matte impenetrable in places. Old leaves and other debris collected in the densest spots. In this decaying mass other plants took hold, adding their stems and roots to the weave. Another layer of the canopy spread overhead and another after that. A perpetual twilight hid these secondary worlds from the sky, and the darkness of the forest floor below, but they were far from empty.
&nb
sp; Alexander gained the first level of the canopy and gingerly started in the direction of the crag, vague comparisons with Tarzan of the Apes flitting though his head. He hadn’t progressed more than fifty meters before he saw he was not alone in the trees. In the glooms were tall insect-like creatures shaped roughly like a praying mantis, but like everything else on this planet they were far larger. There were a number of them, and they seemed to be foraging along his trail. Carefully, Alexander stepped off the matted vegetation and onto one of the larger branches. Footing on the undulating canopy floor was treacherous. Hidden holes and snags forced him to use vines and branches for support and pay close attention to each step.
He took a direction leading led away from the creatures. He stayed low, almost moving on all fours, and crept along quietly, hoping they might just miss him. He’d only gone another twenty meters when one of them sprang suddenly upright, its antennae waving in the air.
The mantis emitted a loud staccato clicking that attracted the attention of the others. The mantis turned towards him. Alexander stood upright, facing them openly. He hoped his size might cause them to lose interest and seek easier prey. Their answer was one of great excitement and chatter. Like crabs they scuttled over the matt toward him, clacking as they came. As they approached the insects fanned out with the obvious intention of encircling him.
Alexander cursed. His sword would be next too useless against this many creatures. He took out his gun reluctantly. Perhaps if he killed one the rest would retreat. If they did not, however, he’d use up half his remaining charges defending himself. He hesitated.
“Who makes an energy gun with so few shots!” he cursed aloud. Then it occurred to him that no one would. Swiftly he scanned the device. There were no buttons or controls that he could see other than those he’d already found, but the muzzle had a notched projection on the ring immediately behind the focus. He’d have guessed it was a sight. At the moment, though, it set upon the side of the barrel. He turned it and the light on top of the gun dimmed. He turned it all the way around until the light went out, and then back up a few clicks. The light was dim but apparent. He shot the foremost mantis.
Alexander Galaxus: The Complete Alexander Galaxus Trilogy Page 21
