“Warriors, listen: we are heading to the caves. Circumstances have led to both of our groups converging there. God has ordained this, I believe. God wanted us to meet.”
“What about those other creatures?” someone protested. “What if they’re working together? What if they’re leading us to an ambush?”
“Risk is always a part of life,” Two Mountains said. “If we die, we will expire on a holy mission, and not without exacting a price on these people.” There was a chorus of agreement, and Two Mountains gestured to the cliffs. Nikrun and David appeared to understand that they should walk to it, and began to do so. Two Mountains did not argue as Nikrun picked up his lightning club, and turned to the wounded All Roar. Unfortunately, the second was unmoving and devoid of any color. One of the warriors who carried him let out a long sigh, a sign of loss.
“We must continue,” Two Mountains commanded, knowing the two strangers were heading away from them. “The forest will take care of All Roar.” The warriors acknowledged their leader, and they set out behind the outsiders, leaving the body behind.
Either I die or I will learn something extraordinary, Two Mountains told himself. He prayed to God with his thoughts, asking that All Roar be remembered and honored for his actions—along with the surviving warriors. This awake period had been most trying.
Chapter 40
On a slab in the Hanyek’s medical suite lay the corpse of one the dead natives. The beast was unfortunately starting to smell like rotten meat, and Grinek had to force himself not to cover his snout. He must appear strong, in control. Instead, Grinek bunched his nose and turned his attention to the doctor, whose own snout was hidden by a medical mask. The man had just finished probing the body with his tools.
“Dead of an energy burst, Commander. Severe burns and trauma to the chest.”
“I know, I was the one that killed him. What you must tell me are your opinions of the body. Is his species related to ours? To any of the Four Civilizations, even?”
“It’s too soon to tell,” the doctor replied, hands out to suggest an unanswerable question. “I have to run some tests, perhaps compare the DNA with our own, and then check it with those samples stored from Earthmen, Bauxens, and Nydens. That may take some hours. Unfortunately, we don’t know anything about the natural history of this planet. We can’t determine how old this species is from just one corpse or, even a thousand. A archaeology team will have to excavate the land to see if they are older than us Kotarans.”
Grinek sighed. “They can’t be older than us. Look how primitive they are.”
“You’d be surprised, sir, at how some cultures stay static and others regress. Now, Commander, all of this is going to take some time. I only have theoretical experience with xenobiology. Without the data the Earthman scientist collected, analysis of the native genome could take days or weeks.”
Arguing with doctors was never Grinek’s specialty. Usually, they were the only ones who could stand up to the Commander, informing him that his blood pressure exceeded that of a gas giant. One doctor back on Kotara said his anger would kill him someday. He was probably right, though Grinek preferred a sword through his heart than natural causes.
“Doctor, here is the situation: you have a limited amount of time. You have one day to make the comparisons. I want to include your findings in my first message back to Kotara.”
“One day?”
“Yes. I suggest you get started.” Grinek leaned over to the corpse and gave a look at its naked body. The thing had lots of biological and anatomical similarities to Kotarans, but was just evolved from a separate dumb animal. Judging by the results of their encounter, the natives’ intelligence hadn’t increased since the days they were hobbling around on all fours. Grinek couldn’t stand the smell any longer, so he stormed out of the medical suite.
He wasn’t walking for more than two seconds when the political aide found him in the hallway. The man was nearly leaping down the hall, so eager was he to catch up with the Commander.
“Sir, Observer Vorjos once again wishes to set foot on the planet.”
“Does he?”
“Yes, sir. As an official of the Ruling Council, he insists he is entitled to the honor. The Observer promises to do so under guard and with strict supervision by yourself.”
Grinek was headed to the bridge to check on the progress of Roh’s reconnaissance mission, but he realized that if anything important were to be relayed to him, the crew would find a way to do so. Vorjos was more annoying than harmful, and Grinek had avoided him since Bauxa. Why not give in to his demands and keep him from painting an entirely negative portrait of Grinek when they got back?
“Fine. Send two guards to accompany him—and not his own bodyguard. Meet me down at the exit ramp as soon as possible.”
“Yes, sir.” The crewman sprinted down the hallway.
Grinek walked to the exit ramp, still extended to the ground. A few crewmen were working on the underbelly of the ship, making minor repairs, while other Kotarans walked the edge of the clearing, setting up motion sensors on tripods. No one had seen any movement in the trees, except branches swaying in the breeze, but if anyone came close to the Hanyek, the ship would know immediately.
After two minutes, Grinek heard voices at the top of the ramp, and Vorjos appeared, flanked by two burly security men of Grinek’s own detail.
“Commander,” Vorjos said.
“Observer.” Vorjos looked weak—much more so than usual. Made gaunt from a meager supply of food, the Observer was being held by the guards, not to keep him from escaping but to keep him from falling. His once-grey hair with hints of black was now completely black, and he walked with a stagger, either from barely using his legs or from drunkenness. Trailing behind him was his grotesque tail, now without much muscle fat. Grinek had been wise to keep the Observer’s room well stocked with alcohol because doing so would keep the man occupied with things other than subversion.
“Please, come join me on Somoresh,” Grinek said, gesturing to the space of land at the bottom of the ramp. Cautiously, and without the aid of the two guards at his side, Vorjos came down the ramp and to Grinek’s side. More than once, he appeared nearly ready to tumble down the ramp, but he had caught himself on the railing.
The politician stepped down on the wet grass. Stepping on solid ground for the first time since they left Kotara, Vorjos did not let go of the railing. He was not used to such soft surfaces. Furthermore, he touched the soil with the sole of the boot as if he were testing the waters of a scalding bath.
“You called it Somoresh,” Vorjos observed. “Any significance to that label?”
“Merely a mythological homage, Observer. You know I don’t believe in that ghin nonsense. But don’t you think such a name will go over well with the people?”
Vorjos’ ears swept backward. “Has anyone told you what a calculating beast you are, Grinek?”
Grinek allowed himself a very small chuckle. “Many times.”
Still holding onto the railing, Vorjos adjusted his position to get a better view of the trees. That was all there was to see, actually, and Vorjos wasn’t going to be going out onto the greater planet, even if Grinek allowed it. He was simply too feeble. “This is a remarkable find, Grinek, I must admit. I heard of your encounter with the natives. Even without the science linking it to the rest of the galactic species, it is historic that you have found the Fifth Civilization.”
“Of course, Observer. We’ve been documenting the expedition every step of the way. This voyage is destined to become legend.”
“The Council will approve.” Vorjos nearly tumbled, his legs still unsure of themselves. Grinek did not offer a hand as Vorjos used the railing to climb back on the ramp. So he was going to be going back up nearly as soon as he arrived. “Most enjoyable,” Vorjos said, “setting foot on another world. Too bad we don’t have the information from the Earth ship to help us.”
“Excuse me, Observer? They led us to this world. Their usefulness was exha
usted.”
“Maybe so, Commander. Or maybe they had scientific information that we could use to compare with our own. And maybe keeping them alive would have allowed us to project an aura of benevolence and made other species more willing to work with Kotarans.” As an insult, the Observer was walking away from Grinek as he spoke.
“And why would we want that, Observer?” Vorjos had to know that Grinek was the one in charge on this mission, not any diplomats.
Vorjos halted, ever so briefly, and wagged his weak tail in a shrug. “Whatever you wish, Commander. This is your expedition.” He continued his walk up the ship. Grinek came to the realization that Vorjos might not know about the missing shuttle and the Earthmen, and thought it possible that Vorjos might have had a point. The Earthmen might still have scientific information with them that could easily prove the natives’ link to the other civilizations. All the more reason they should be found without delay.
He reached for his com and called Roh. The specialist was to immediately step up his search of the planet.
Chapter 41
David and Nikrun led the warrior party to the caves of the white cliffs. Heading into the maw of one of the larger caves, Two Mountains narrowed his eyes and paid attention to his senses. The two creatures leading him could be springing a trap. His reflexes were on alert as he slid down the entrance, gripping his spear and ready hurl it at any danger. When he reached the bottom, hearing voices, he quickly whirled around and allowed his eyes to adjust to the dim light. What amazed him was that most of the light came not from the sun or a fire, but small objects in the room that illuminated the other inhabitants.
Staring at him, eyes as big as the moons and shivering, were several more of the creatures. Two were like Nikrun, except one had longer hair, and breasts, and the other had darker skin and strange white cloth on his head. The others were unlike any of them—fat, and the color of leaves, with faces that resembled creatures Two Mountains sometimes found in the river. It was a most exotic bunch.
Would God have sent emissaries so strange? Were they from God?
David and Nikrun were saying something to the other creatures. Two Mountains figured he was trying to calm them. After all, he must have been an outsider to them—but no, Two Mountains thought, he couldn’t be. He looked normal, while these people did not.
After some time, while Two Mountains admired the strange objects these people carried with them—including candle-like rocks that glowed in the dark—David walked over to Two Mountains. He made a circle with his arms, which the warrior took to indicate all present, and made a motion from the sky. So, the theories were true. They all had come from the sky and were neither from another nation nor from across the Great Lake.
Then what was their purpose? Two Mountains asked this aloud, but couldn’t get a response. He called back to the mouth of the cave for another warrior to come down.
***
The native said something, but no one could understand it. Roan figured that type of communications gap was going to be the norm.
“Are they hostile?” Duvurn asked, backing up into a corner of a cave. His bodyguard did the same, evidently abandoning his training as a brave protector. “Please don’t tell me they eat people like us.”
“I don’t know,” David said, and this didn’t seem to assuage the Prince. Duvurn cried out again when another warrior slid down the cave entrance, next to the native chief. The newcomer’s expression changed from a stern alertness to wide-eyed wonder. All the technology and biology on display here was certainly both terrifying and magical to them.
“Did you catch his name?” Moira asked, somewhat sarcastically. The doctor looked alert, however, as she sat with her knees locked in front by her hands. Roan believed she was trying to make herself as small a target as possible.
“No, but I’ve decided to call him ‘Chief,’ ” Roan said.
David muttered a caveat. “Actually, if I understood his introduction right, his name was more like—”
“Chief seems like a smart guy,” Roan interrupted. “He didn’t kill us right away, and he got the idea that we were from the sky. That means he saw us crash or saw what happened to the Colobus in orbit. Hopefully we can learn some rudimentary words in their language and be conversing in no time.”
“Do they believe we’re some kind of gods?” Sundar asked.
“Possibly. What do you think, David?”
“Yes, Nick, possibly. Or messengers from the gods. Such things have been known to happen with the pre-industrial cultures of the Four Civilizations, at least initially. We will not know until we learn more about their language and society, which will take long, I’m afraid.”
Chief and his friend were done conversing, and regarded the group for a long second. The look they gave was slightly scornful one, but its interpretation could either be “These people are not gods!” to “These people would make a great dinner!” Both were flattering, if Roan had to choose he hoped for the former.
Then, Chief strutted over to David and pointed at the ceiling. Above David, on one of the curved walls of the cave, were paintings of birds and animals and great hunts. At first, Roan thought Chief was asking if they were the fulfillment of some prophecy in the walls, but after much gesticulation between David and Chief, David began nodding, and appeared to understand what was being asked. Roan was still clueless. The Nyden suddenly had his head light up in jubilation.
“Drawings, everyone! They want us to draw where we came from, and our purpose from being here, in this land.”
“How can you tell?”
“If I am interpreting what this native—er, Chief, is saying correctly, he needs some sort of representation of our purpose. They understand paintings, Nick Roan! They understand two-dimensionality. Now all we need is some material. What do we have?”
“Er…blood?”
“Bits of food?” Moira suggested.
“Not the food…” Duvurn groaned.
“Tomato paste!” Sundar cried, and pulled it out of a bag. “There was some in the ration bag, believe it or not.”
“That should be perfect,” David said, and grabbed it. He seemed more excited than Roan had ever seen him, almost giddy at the prospect of explaining their mysterious origins. Obviously, making first contact with natives was a lifelong dream of his. “Can anyone else draw?” David asked.
There was resounding silence.
“I will try my best then,” David said, and unscrewed the jar off the paste to begin his masterpiece.
***
Faster than expected, David imparted on the walls what Two Mountains requested of him. Using some strange liquid, which stuck itself to the wall, his fingers depicted the two peaks that stood nearby—the same peaks, Two Mountains thought excitedly, which bore his name. David sketched a small but remarkably accurate representation of a tree, which Two Mountains knew was not representative of its actual size and what he also knew represented the ground. The space above, then, must have been the sky.
Interestingly, David made a curved line over the mountain, which Two Mountains thought might have been a river. But he drew a five-point-figure above the line, resembling a star—was he trying to show where the stars were? Was he saying the stars were above a river in the sky, or was it some kind of barrier? When David drew a line in the shape of a wicker box, Two Mountains tried in vain to understand. Were they from a box in the sky? Was this their home, in the sky? Two Mountains pointed at the box.
“What does this mean?” he asked, knowing it would only elicit a reply in nonsense. It did, and Two Mountains resigned himself to frustration. How could they communicate without knowing each other’s language? This was even worse than talking with a member of the Gohorma tribe.
David recognized this wasn’t working, so he dipped his hand in the paste and managed to get most of it on his fingers. Two Mountains watched him as he made the curved line a circle over the entire landscape he’d drawn. He gestured to the circle, indicating its entirety, then motioned to t
heir surroundings. Two Mountains assumed he wasn’t talking about the cave, and instead meant the land surrounding them. Did the circle represent their current location? David went to another wall of a cave, drew another circle, then gestured to the group of strange creatures seated around the cave. He pointed to the new circle. From there, he drew a line to the box above the twin mountains.
If Two Mountains understood the drawing, these strange creatures came from one circle, then appeared in the sky, then fell to this land. “This is all very strange,” he said to the warrior kneeling next to him studying the drawings. It was obvious that he didn’t comprehend them well, either. Two Mountains wondered if he could use his abilities to try and impart on these visitors the massacre that had befallen them—clearly, they were not from those evil ones that had attacked them in the woods.
***
“Do you think they get it?” Roan asked.
“Possibly,” David said. “There’s no way to tell until we learn their language.” Chief reached into his knapsack and pulled out an arrowhead. He ran the tip over his fingers and pricked it, indicating it was sharp. Then he began to run it across the wall, creating a line.
***
By the end of an hour, the wall bled with colors. A little bit of understanding had blossomed.
Two Mountains believed that David and Nikrun had come from a circle in the sky to Hedda, which they had also depicted using a circle. From his memory, Two Mountains sketched a crude long-tailed creature of the kind that killed his men, who were represented by stick figures. A jagged lightning bolt drawn from the evil creatures drew excited reactions from David, as he pointed and conversed with Nikrun. Even the other creatures seemed to know what was being said.
The Fifth Civilization: A Novel Page 33
