by E. C. Tubb
‘Stay away,’ snapped Koenig harshly. ‘That isn’t a warning, it’s a threat. Maybe whatever is down there doesn’t want visitors. They must have seen us and could have sent Lee to frighten us off.’
‘You can’t be sure of that.’
‘I’m only sure of one thing, Victor. Unless we make a move soon we’ll lose our chance of a new world. I don’t intend to lose that chance. The preliminary team is going down.’
‘But—’
‘Going down,’ repeated Koenig firmly. ‘I want to leave within the hour.’
Reconnaissance had been busy, the Eagle had been checked, loaded and was ready to go. Morrow approached Koenig as he came from his office.
‘Commander, you’ll need a crew.’
The least of his worries—everyone in the base was eager to get a first-hand glimpse of the new world. Koenig smiled, anticipating the request.
‘You’re booked, Paul. Carter will be the pilot. Who do you suggest we take as analyst?’
‘Sandra Benes, Commander.’
Sandra, naturally, and Koenig could guess why. For a moment he kept him waiting, then nodded.
‘See that she’s briefed. Doctor Russell will complete the team and I’ll be going with you. Check equipment and arms.’
‘Arms?’
‘Laser pistols—we don’t know what we may run into down there. Are you still sure you want to take Sandra?’
‘I’m sure—I mean, yes, sir.’
Helena was just as eager. She came in answer to him.
‘No, John, I’ll go. I’d like to see what’s down there. Lee—I’d just like to go.’
To see what he had seen, to walk where he could have walked, to breathe the same air, to catch the same smells. Despite her previous acceptance of his death memory lingered and, perhaps, a vestige of hope also.
It would die, Koenig was sure of it, but it would take a little time.
And time was running out.
‘Commander, you have ten minutes to lift-off.’ Kano’s face was anxious on the commlock screen. ‘And you won’t be able to stay long if you decide to evacuate. Operation Exodus is pretty tightly confirmed. In a few hours we’ll be moving away from Terra Nova.’
‘Understood.’
‘Yes, well . . . good luck, sir.’
Bergman made contact with less than a minute to go. His face looked from the screen facing the control chairs in the command module. A worried face, anxious, a little baffled.
‘John, something odd’s just happened. Russell’s body has vanished.’
‘What?’
‘Vanished, John, disappeared. Mathias was just getting down to the autopsy when it happened. He was flung across the room by some form of electrical discharge. That condition I spoke about, it could have peaked.’
From where he sat Carter said, flatly, ‘Sixteen seconds, Commander.’
‘John, abort the mission.’
‘On what grounds?’
‘You’re heading into the unknown. Russell’s warning could have been genuine. His condition—if there is anti-matter down there you’ll all be wiped out.’
‘Ten seconds, Commander.’
‘We’ve been through all that, Victor. I’ve made my decision.’
‘Three seconds, Commander. Do you want me to hold?’
‘No, Alan.’ Koenig glanced at the pilot. ‘Take us down.’
CHAPTER EIGHT
The planet was beautiful. A world of which men had dreamed and written and sung, setting the concept like a jewel in mighty sagas, placing it at the heart of religion, making it the stuff of legends. Paradise, Avalon, Hesperus, Arcadia, the Elysian Fields . . . the old yearning for a place in which there would be nothing but loveliness forever.
Terra Nova had answered that need.
Koenig stood before the open port of the Eagle and filled his lungs with air which held the scent of perfume, watching a bird with plumage like the fires of dawn, treading on grass which sank beneath his feet like a cushion.
Before him trees soared like the columns of a cathedral, their tops tufted with delicate fronds, the boles scaled and shimmering. On one side of the clearing in which they had landed rocks rose in smooth rotundity, backed by the haze of distant mountains. On the other topping a low crest a mass of shrubbery bore star-like flowers.
‘It’s beautiful!’ Helena stared around, her eyes entranced. ‘John! If we could only stay here!’
Koenig gestured towards the rocks, the distant mountains.
‘Paul, you and Sandra move in that direction. Don’t go too far, test what you see, take specimens and stay out of trouble. Immediate contact if you run into anything suspicious. Don’t use those lasers unless there is no alternative.’
‘I understand, sir, we don’t want to upset the natives.’
‘Not if there are any. Helena, we’ll move to the left.’
Carter would stay with the Eagle, maintaining contact with base and probably fuming at the necessity. Later, perhaps, his chance would come, for now he had to restrain his eargerness to explore.
‘This is superb, John.’ Helena plucked a leaf from a shrub and sealed it into a specimen case. ‘A subtropical temperature, fertile soil, a variety of vegetation—we couldn’t have asked for anything better.’
‘Let’s hope it’s as good as it looks.’
‘You think it isn’t?’
‘I don’t know, Helena. That’s what we’re here to find out.’
They walked on in silence, enjoying the sultry air, the scent of vegetation, welcome after the sterile conditions at Alpha. Enjoying too the privacy, the sense of space and solitude.
‘Water!’ Helena led the way to where a pool rested in a shallow valley surrounded by low, fruit-bearing trees. ‘And I must test those fruits.’
Both passed, the water tasting like nectar, crisp and cool despite the warmth of the air. The fruits were darkly yellow beneath a purple rinds, seedless, the juice thick and of the colour of honey.
‘It’s like a water-melon,’ said Helena, eating. ‘Or like pineapple and grape. Or—’ She broke off and then said, wonderingly, ‘An assortment of flavours. Think of one and you taste it. Here, John, try.’
He took the segment she offered him and filled his mouth with tantalizing memories. Apple pie heavy with cinnamon, apricots steeped in brandy, candied peaches, strawberries, lichees, the saline tang of olives, the meaty flavour of nuts—he could taste them all.
‘One fruit,’ said Helena. ‘And it’s anything you want it to be. Something agriculturists have dreamed about for millennia. One plant to provide all needs. What did they used to call it?’
‘The Tree of Life,’ said Koenig. ‘The perfect food which was all things to all men. Ambrosia, perhaps, I’m not strong on legend.’
‘The food of the gods,’ she murmured. ‘And we’ve found it. Perhaps here, John, we can start again. Build a new civilization with none of the mistakes of the old. A clean and decent place which will never know war or pollution.’ She cut another slice of fruit. ‘This could contain prophylactics and trace minerals as well as a high proportion of protein and the essential vitamins. If it does we won’t have to worry about crops and medicines. We’ll have everything right to hand.’
‘We’ll take some back with us for intensive analysis.’
‘Of course.’ She had, he realized, not intended to eat the slice she had cut. Instead she held it up and studied the formation of the pulp. ‘You know, John, this could be the result of hybridization. There are no discernible seeds so propagation must be by cutting. The same kind of thing we have on cultivated bananas.’
‘Which means that someone must have developed them?’
‘Yes, John. I suppose it does.’
Koenig had been sitting, now he rose, one hand falling to the butt of the laser. An automatic reflex to the possibility of danger.
‘John?’
‘There has to be life here, Helena, and a highly intelligent form at that. They would need a developed technology to have sent those s
ignals we received and those plants are further proof if we need it.’
‘They could be harmless.’
‘Maybe.’ Koenig flipped the commlock from his belt. ‘Paul? How are you doing?’
‘Fine, Commander.’ Morrow looked relaxed, a little smug. ‘We found drinkable water and some fruits with the oddest collection of flavours.’
‘I know about the fruit. Anything else?’
‘Botanical specimens and I’ve taken samples of rock. It seems to have a high mineral content. There are traces of silver and iron. Sandra thought she saw something move, but she must have been mistaken.’
‘Details?’
‘She just thought she saw it, sir. A thing like a bear, she said. It must have been a trick of the light. I looked but couldn’t see a thing.’
Koenig said, ‘Start heading back to the ship. We’re getting low on time.’
‘Yes, sir. Are you going to start Operation Exodus?’
‘Just head back to the ship.’ Breaking the connection he said to Helena. ‘That goes for us too.’
‘You didn’t answer him, John. Are you going to commence evacuation?’
Carter called before Koenig could answer. He said, ‘Commander, I’m getting a temperature rise in the Eagle. Nothing serious as yet, but if it keeps rising we could be in trouble.’
‘Prepare for lift-off. I’m aborting the mission. As soon as we all get back we leave.’
‘Commander?’
‘Do it!’
Koenig clipped the commlock to his belt and began to retrace their steps, lengthening his stride so that the woman had almost to run to keep up with him. She saw his face, the taut expression.
‘Is anything wrong?’
‘I hope not.’
‘But you think there is?’
He said curtly, ‘I’m not sure, but Victor could have been right. If he was we’re racing against time.’
Carter called again before they had covered half the distance. He was worried.
‘The heat, sir, it’s getting worse. There is a high concentration in the electronic circuits and if it gets much worse there’ll be insulation-decay. It’s already close to the critical point.’
‘Can you maintain the level?’
‘I’m trying.’ Carter’s face was beaded with sweat. ‘I’ve used tanked air for expansion-cooling, but the conducted heat is making the air hard to breathe. How long will you be?’
‘Not long,’ Koenig hit a button. ‘Paul? If you’re not running start now. This is an emergency. Move!’
They were almost at the ship when the others came into sight. Morrow was in the lead, his left hand gripping the wrist of the girl, his right steadying the satchel which swung over his shoulder, the pouch close to the holstered laser.
The mineral specimens he had collected and which filled Koenig with a sudden dread.
‘The satchel!’ he shouted. ‘Get rid of it!’
‘What?’
‘Dump it! Throw it aside!’
Morrow hesitated, then releasing the girl lifted the satchel from his shoulder. As it swung it touched the laser.
The flash filled the sky.
A burst of sudden brilliance and then it was gone leaving Morrow sprawled on the ground, Sandra on her knees clutching at the bole of a tree.
‘His laser exploded—get rid of them.’ Koenig tore the gun from Helena’s belt, threw it aside, sending his own after it, the specimen cases they both carried. As she ran to the fallen man he headed for Sandra, throwing aside her laser, the things she carried.
‘John!’ Helena’s voice was shocked. ‘Paul—he’s dead.’
‘And Sandra?’
She hadn’t moved, remaining close to the tree, her face blank, her eyes wide, vacant.
As Helena touched her, lifting her to her feet she said, dully, ‘I can’t see.’
‘What?’
‘I can’t see.’ The dull voice broke, rose in a scream. ‘I can’t see! I’m blind! Blind!’
‘Get her to the ship.’ Koenig stooped, lifted Morrow, threw him over his shoulder. ‘Hurry, woman!’
His commlock signalled as he led the way to the Eagle. He snatched it from his belt, not looking at the screen.
‘Commander the—’
‘We’re on our way.’
‘It’s too late! The insulation’s gone. The circuits have fused. I can’t breathe in here—the smoke, the fumes—’
‘Abandon the Eagle! Get out of there, Carter, get out of there!’
Koenig saw the vessel as he topped the rise, Helena close behind, Sandra supported by her arms, stumbling, her feet dragging, tears running down her cheeks. Smoke fumed from the open port, a thick white cloud of acrid vapour, broken only by the shape of the man within. Carter lunging through the door—too late.
He lifted as the explosion caught him, rising high to fall in a mass of flying debris, lying still as the fragments of the Eagle rained all around. A lethal hail which sent Sandra to the dirt, which tore at Koenig’s skull and sent him sprawling, to turn, to stare at a sky oddly empty, to look at a woman’s face.
‘Helena,’ he said thickly. ‘Helena—we almost made it. We almost—’
And then she was gone, vanished into darkness, a darkness which swallowed the universe.
She was alone. Alone in a way she had never known before. Always there had been someone, in the next room, the next apartment, in the street, in the city, strangers, perhaps, uncaring, but people.
Now there was no one and she sat in the midst of devastation. The trees had gone, the shrubs, the misted hills. The grass had followed the Eagle, the birds, the things which had made the planet a place of dreams. Now there was nothing but naked rock crusted with rime, the dead, the cold. A transition too abrupt to wholly understand. And there was no need. She was alone and, soon, she would be dead.
There was nothing left but tears.
‘Helena!’
She heard the scuff of feet and something, an envelope of warmth surround her. An enclosing protecting bubble in which she rose, to turn, to look at the man who faced her.
‘Lee!’
He was as she had first seen him in the Eagle, the Astro Seven uniform neat and unsoiled, his eyes brilliant now with life and intelligence. But he was not, could not be, the husband she had known, the man who had been so much a part of her life.
‘Who are you?’ she said. ‘What are you? You can’t be human.’
‘Not in the way you know humanity.’
‘Then—’
‘Think of me as a projection—a messenger. I tried to warn, but no one would listen. We mean you no harm. The signal we sent—why couldn’t you understand?’
‘We?’
‘The ones who own this world, who live deep beneath the surface. You cannot live here. Our matter is not the same as yours.’
‘You should have explained.’ Her voice was dull, uncaring. What did it matter now? ‘We asked, you could have answered.’
‘I tried. There was difficulty. This is new—there were problems. And yet we tried. We tried.’
Tried and failed. She glanced at Koenig, his face pale beneath the blood which stained his temple, Morrow, the girl, Carter lying where he had fallen. And Alpha had gone. She could not understand.
‘We have moved our world away from yours, Helena. The danger was too great. Danger to us as well as to you. That is why we sent the warnings. You should have listened. The shape I now wear—to you it was important. One you had reason to trust.’
And one, perhaps, which they had been forced to adopt. As their planet had worn so fair an aspect. The yearning of more than three hundred minds altering what was, to what they wanted it to be. Her own need recognized and used.
She said, ‘Why are you here? To gloat?’
‘To help.’
‘How? What can you do? They are dead and—’
‘You know so little,’ he said. ‘Children thrown into the dark, afraid, facing forces and entities you cannot understand. And yet about you
there is something commendable. A sensitivity, a concern—it must not be wasted.’ He stepped towards her, lifting his hands, placing them on her shoulders, luminous eyes searching her own. ‘Think,’ he urged. ‘Recall.’
‘I don’t understand.’
‘Time is a variable. There is an area of tolerance and we know how to manipulate it. But there must be a guide, a direction. And the area is small.’ His voice gained urgency. ‘Think, Helena. Remember. Quickly now, already we have stayed too long.’
We? Lee and herself, those now lying dead, the enigmatic beings who resided deep in this wandering planet? For a moment she suffered confusion and then, drawing in her breath, accepted what seemed to be. Lee—the person who stood before her was offering to help. She had nothing to lose.
‘Remember,’ he said again. ‘The power of the mind is infinite. You lack strength but it will be provided. Think back, Helena. Now!’
His eyes grew larger, dominating, filling her entire field of vision so that she seemed to sink into their depths. For a dragging moment there was nothing but the eyes, the impression of tremendous forces at work, straining, moving.
‘The satchel,’ shouted Koenig. ‘Get rid of it. Throw it aside!’
Morrow hesitated then, releasing the girl, he obeyed.
Helena watched the swing, tensing, but nothing happened. The satchel fell to the ground and that was all.
As they approached Morrow said, panting. ‘The ship?’
‘In trouble. Hurry!’
Helena followed Koenig as he led the way, consumed with an urgency which left no time for thought. The Eagle lay where they had left it, the port open, Carter standing in the opening waving them on. The door slammed as they piled in, Koenig locking it, the pilot already at the controls.
‘Stand by for lift-off.’
‘Move!’
Koenig caught at the back of the co-pilot’s chair to steady himself as Carter lifted the Eagle and sent it up and away into the safety of space. The others had gone into the passenger module and he followed them, dropping into a seat beside Helena.
‘We made it,’ he said. ‘Just.’
She didn’t answer and he stared at her, his face anxious. ‘Helena, is anything wrong?’
Her hand lifted to touch his unmarred temple, the fingers falling to trail gently over his cheek. He had died and was now alive again.
