A Paradox in Retrograde

by Faherty, John

  Later that evening the rockets were made ready for the great leap. They had been stocked each with enough fuel supplies to last through the first stage of reconnaissance. Now the crews having made ready their silver ships fired the mighty engines. Through windows placed high upon the palace walls they watched as the first of the scout ships blasted off into the midnight sky. The bright flash of their rockets illuminated the night and their sound rolled like thunder over the land. In the three long silver ships, each was manned with perhaps a dozen battle readied men that had been chosen by lottery. Leif knew that surely, their captains could be heard offering salutes to both Aaralaat and to Hector. He longed to be among them. It was then in secret, as he watched in amazement the fiery rockets climb higher into the atmosphere that he resolved solemnly that he would be among those who rode out on the next ship.

  Chapter 7

  Within the chamber of the great hall stood the entire compliment of the royal guard under Landaus's command as well as many able bodied volunteers. There too among them mingled a select few handpicked government types and scientists. Together these men and women derived from the ranks that represented the full spectrum of Baldur society, had been called there to fulfill their civic duty. Some of them were learning for the first time of the coming danger; all of them were sworn to secrecy.

  Ibsen had watched with great curiosity as these people there assembled. This congregation in and of itself may not have caught his attention, but for the simple fact that the object to which he had claim to, was center stage. Though Ibsen had remained silent on the subject of his discovery on the beach, he nonetheless would closely follow the goings on around it. So hewas well aware when it was hastily moved into the great hall. He was close to his father and he knew how he worked. He also knew that his dad, though not reckless often moved with the subtlety of a ram. So to him the doings here seemed all too reminiscent of his father's handiwork. His experience told him that something serious was happening, despite what he had been told by his father. Ibsen now had serious regrets about the object; for he was in truth unwilling to relinquish his claim on it. Because of this, he now felt compelled to closely follow these proceedings.

  Amongst the commotion involved with the moving of such an object into the space of the great hall, he was easily able to slip unnoticed into the hall. He having many times been allowed to wander these halls alone as his father worked; he knew well the out of the way places within. He was therefore able to easily find a hiding spot. Working his way to a disused section of the hall he began to climb unnoticed up into the rafters. Soon he was quietly stepping among the high joists until he was a mere dozen meters directly above the men assembled there. He listened in bewildered silence as the stranger who had arrived among them told a terrifying tale. Ibsen knew that despite the outlandish pronouncements and their dire consequences, the facts laid out before them all fit logically with the evidence. There was something other worldly about both the object, and the stranger. This fact now lent a degree of credence to his bizarre story. The stranger came to the fore among them and began speaking. As Ananda's story unfolded, he watched a look of fear come about the faces of these generally sober minded men. For fear of discovery, to this however Ibsen did not dare react. Eventually the conversation revolved around to include that which he considered his. He listened intently as Ananda again began to speak.

  Ananda approached the object and ran his hands over it. The others stood observing as a there appeared upon its mirrored surface a haze of purple light. This ephemeral energy seemed to dance harmonically in response to his touch. Ibsen watched in rapt attention as this relic rescued from the sea seemed as if by some strange magic, to come to life. Never in all the time he had spent in the presence of the object had it responded in such a manner. He came to a conclusion, though he could not fathom how that the object and the stranger were in some way intimately tied together.

  Ananda now had there attention, and all listened intently to what he now said. "This device that is displayed here before you is like the rest of these things, a relic of my lost age. As you can see, despite its antiquity it is still in working order." Landaus was not as impressed as the others by the light show. He had questions so as they might be answered he did not hesitate to interrupt him. "Yes that we can see, but what we want to know is what in the blazes that thing is. That goes also for the rest of this junk. We have been puzzled by it now for generations. As far as we knew until you laid hands on it, that that thing was no more than two tons of scrap metal."

  Though Ananda could recognize the object in question to be a product of his own culture's technology he could only guess to its purpose. Scan as he might he could not yet in truth fathom from his memory an idea to its use. To this seemingly minor conundrum he was quite vexed. This he thought was rather odd that of all the things there arrayed, only this one remained within his blind spot. There was a hidden working to this he was sure but he would do his best to hide this fact from those there assembled. So he was happy to for now evade such questions and supply a diversion while doing so. Long ago Ananda had become a skilled master at the art of subliminal suggestion. By only the subtlest modulation of his voice, he would move armies.

  With the look of stark seriousness etched upon his face, he gestured toward the objects there arranged and answered him, "Oh I assure you, that this object is much more than that, as are all of these things. This, though you may not yet see it, any of these may be our salvation. However here without benefit of the technology of my own age and its specialized tools, I can only guess. However amongst these scattered items, there is much here that I can immediately recognize as being of potential use. So for now I suggest we take advantage of those things that we can make present use out of and leave the study of these anomalous objects for another time. There however is an alternative. From what you have revealed to me I feel there may be far more important objects among the wreckage still there high up on the mountain. There is the potential that weapons may be among the spoils. Therefore I would advise you that our priority must be to make our way back into those hills. Once there we shall have a fresh look at this craft you have discovered. It is still early enough to where we should have good light for several hours. If we are to take full advantage we must make every effort to get there as soon as possible. Landaus do you have access to an air ship? Would that not be the fastest way?"

  Landaus scratched his head and puzzled for the moment about the legalities involved with commandeering a private vessel. He realized if this was an emergency of the first order that the law would authorize that and more if need be. "Yes Ananda we can get you an airship."

  "Good, there are other things as well that we will need. We will also require a large quantity of steel cable, or if that's not available perhaps even some stout rope."

  Landaus began to see what Ananda was on about. He as well as all assembled there had been easily swayed by Ananda’s words. "I think I see what you're thinking Ananda. Those airships are equipped with a lifting body designed to transport goods, but only for short distances. It may be possible to adapt the body to support the increased weight. If we are able to estimate the weight within a relative degree of certainty, it might well do the trick."

  Ananda thought now was as good a time as any for him to take control of this operation. He would do it in the guise of a helpful ally. To do so he would present it in such a manner as to make Landaus think it was his idea all along. So he spoke up, "If I had help I could make it work. I possess the necessary skill and there is ample technology all around us that we can scavenge from. If we were to lash the alien ship to the side of an air ship we could return it back to Baldur and begin work as soon as tomorrow. If it so pleases you, I will spearhead the work on getting that thing down here."

  "Yes that maybe so, but what is it you will be building?" Landaus asked insistently.

  Your presence here doesn't change the fact that we have not the means or the skill in working with this technology" Ananda look
ed upon them staring with a glare of confidence he said, "We may have enough here to build a formidable weapon. With a little luck we may have the means to make a first strike. If all goes well, to deliver a blow of our own we shall build from this wreckage, a ship. And if God is willing we shall then destroy this world of theirs once and for all." To this he had gotten the response he had anticipated. He watched as the looks of despair evaporated from their faces. These Men, who had until that moment been filled with fear and doubt, now brimmed with a new hope. He had within their hearts and minds placed a seeds of determination. They had been shown the image that there was perhaps another option. They could act to defend themselves and more if need be. It was soon acutely clear that this desperate action may be their best and only option.

  Though air ships were used generally in the trade of goods and occasionally for exploration, as far as any of them knew no one had ever tried such a maneuver. Ananda assured them it could be easily done. A group of scientists who were there took the trouble to do the math. They were surprised that no one had ever thought of a feet such as that. Not only was it possible, but it was well within the ability of these craft to do so.

  As this next course of action had been determined, the orders were given and the men began exiting the great hall. As they streamed out Ibsen saw his opportunity to move. He scrambled down quickly to keep pace. This time the need for quiet had there diminished. Among the riot of activity he now moved with more urgency.

  Within the shadows of the large hills, the airship field sat snuggly, sheltered from winds that blew off the sea. Though the ships could be seen easily from where they stood, they were in fact clustered on the far side of the town. The scale of these ships easily deceived them for despite their apparent proximity, it still took them a good portion of an hour to reach them on foot. Upon arrival there, they could see the large floating masses of gas and fabric buffeted, gently rocking in the breeze.

  Immediately upon arrival there, they set themselves to work. There they came upon the one that was ultimately selected for the mission. It was a large ship, considerably larger than the others, standing perhaps two hundred feet in length and maybe thirty tall. Below the mass of the balloon there was a gondola that was large enough to carry a sufficient compliment of men as well as their potential cargo. Landaus directed his men to follow Ananda's instructions in construction of a makeshift frame and winch that was to be affixed to the lifting body of the gondola. There about the air field lay remnants of derelict ships that had been long ago abandoned. While other more modern ships stood at anchor. Ananda ordered the derelict ships be stripped for their raw materials.

  Within hours they had managed to install by use of cable lashing, a crude but workable frame that would not damage or endanger the ship itself, nor hinder its flight. Soon the work was completed. Since the work had gotten underway there had been a marked change in the weather. As these mighty ships sat moored on the air field the wind had begun to cause havoc. Subtle movements at their tops transmitted downward waves of stress along the mooring ropes. Each time the ropes were tested so they let out a sharp noise reminiscent of a cracking whip. This noise reverberating from a hundred ropes foretold of a coming storm. They would need then to make haste for to them nothing was promised. Landaus now would have to the order the reluctant ship captain to proceed with the flight. Despite the captain’s legitimate objections, under threat of arrest the ship was soon ready for take-off.

  Ibsen during this work period had managed to stay out of sight as he continued to shadow the men. From a vantage hidden just beyond their view, he watched them working diligently to prepare the ship. He noticed the men dare not lift their heads from their labors, for there was much work yet to be completed. Being so pressured the workman had not thought to guard against intruders or thought there be a need to. So he drew ever closer. His mind raced to formulate a plan. It looked to him as though he could stow away out of sight below the ship in the newly erected section. Though it was open to the air he reckoned that there he could easily secure himself. With this makeshift plan in place he steadied his nerves for he would have to move quickly and soon. As the last of the men and equipment had boarded the ship he ran from his hiding place to the frame below the gondola. There he quickly found a place where he could again keep himself well hidden and secure. As Ibsen silently waited for the ship to lift off, he pondered again the notion thatsomehow he had been betrayed by his own father. His mind revolved over the facts. Why was it being the discoverer of the object, despite his age, that he had not been included? He wondered was he perhaps being stubborn and selfish. He concluded that he probably was, yet this time he would not be denied.

  Moments after he had safely secured himself the sounds of the motors and the props cutting the air filled his ears. Soon the ship was rising upward and the ground swiftly raced away below him. He tried not to think of the fear or of how cold he felt; for there was little he could do about it now. For fear of falling as he spied from his lofty vantage, he held tightly onto the frame. From there he was afforded the most spectacular vista. He could see the far mountains bathed in the light and the distant fog shrouded valleys.. For many miles a patchwork of field and forest crowned hills rolled out below him like a thick green carpet. From here the scale of things began to play tricks on his mind. At distance large things began to appear small enough for him to hold in his hand. He was old enough to know this to be an illusion so; yet young enough to be thrilled by it. He had never in his short life seen such sights. Soon his focus would change for the high elevation of the mountains was abruptly upon them. Ibsen held tight onto the frame as the high jagged rocks appeared now to grow too close for comfort. One story above him, the pilot wrestled with the controls as he roughly navigated toward the coordinates of the crash site. This tough landing would soon become exceedingly more so. Mother Nature it seems was about to supply one more surprise complication. Just as the pilot brought the ship near to the approximate position, the conditions grew suddenly worse. The crisp wind that had been creeping its way up along the same mountain had finally caught them. With it came a thick blanket of fog that had pushed its way upward from the valley. There amongst the rocks and trees this veil of mist began to obscure their view. Anxiety began to grow among the crew for without sight of the ground beneath them, all reckoning would soon be lost.

  The pilot yelled out "Full stop, reverse engines." This action was all he could do to keep from crashing blind into the hillside. The engineers dutifully made the necessary adjustments.There was a sudden jar as the momentum shifted. "Colonel if you have any suggestions now would be the time to make them. You'll have to order me to land this ship. It just doesn't seem safe. If it were up to me I would turn around for home." Landaus pondered this for a moment for this had been unexpected. It could not now be their fate to crash and burn but to go in blind, what other fate could await them? Then he remembered something he had seen from the corner of his eye. It had barely registered, now he saw it as clear as day in his minds eye.

  While peering through the gondola window in an instant before the fog closed in, Landaus thought that he had seen something on the ground below, a ship perhaps. Maybe he thought it was the crash site, he could not be sure. By now they were running blind and they knew they would need to land soon or abort. If they did not they would be in perilous danger of crashing into the jagged rocks that crowned the mountain. He knew he would have to act win or lose, so he gave the order. Landaus speaking directly to the pilot said, "Turn this ship around. I think I saw an opening down below." Not expecting to hear what he had heard, the pilot turned and gave him a startled look. Landaus gestured with his hand said, "If I assume you have been following a straight course, I would suggest you make a correction in your heading of two hundred and twenty degrees. I think I saw something below in a clearing." The ship's captain thought if they were to crash and burn, then there was as good a place as any, so he told the pilot to turn the ship in that heading. The pilot killed the main mot
ors. Buffeted by the breeze the great bulk of the ship floated to a silent stop and then began to slowly turn. The smaller hovering motors would now be used to guide the ship downward. The tension was palatable during the tense moments of the descent. Not a word was spoken as the ship it dropped. There into the relative quiet the thick fog all but stifled the noise. As they grew closer down below Ibsen could see that there was in fact an opening in the trees and they were heading straight for it. There was something else there. He could barely make out the faint outline of a long cylindrical shape. Then it was gone. The crew above could barely believe their good fortune. "So far so good" said the captain as he made certain the ship's crew stayed focused on their duties.

  The captain then ordered the ropes to be dropped as the ship slipped to within two dozen meters of the ground. Four crew men made their way down to the forest floor via suspended ropes. They as was there duty were quickly able to find makeshift moorings among the trees. When this was done they then sent a silent signal to the captain that all was safely secured. He acknowledged this by giving the order to drop the ladder.

  From within the gondola a rope ladder was lowered to the ground. Landaus and Ananda both eager to be the first down the ladder, jockeyed for position. Ananda stopped himself. Deferring to Landaus he said, "After you Colonel." Landaus without hesitation obliged and stepped onto and down the ladder. In an instant he had reached the ground. All there was eerily quiet. Except for the light hum of the motors there was barely another sound. He stepped carefully, drawing his flintlock pistol up to the height of his chest. He cocked the hammer back. He would be ready in case he had to swiftly engage an enemy. Ananda soon followed and he too made himself ready. Ananda armed with a pair of matching swords knew not what they might find there. The winds began to change and again began to blow with greater force. So the men still aboard ship feared it may soon be difficult to safely exit the craft. They scrambled then to get their feet on the ground before it became impossible. Soon the gusts grew stronger. Kicking up over the side of the rise it was pushing the wall of fog further up the mountain side. In the mists of the lessening fog there began to form silhouettes of something moving as shadows before them. Soon their movement stopped as they too became visible. Landaus let out loud a stern order, "Who goes there? Put up your hands, and lay down your weapons!" He saw now the figure closest to him emerge from the mist and bolt towards him with the speed and agility of a deer. Landaus was looking into the terrible expression of his attacker, when he drew nearer, but he did not hesitate. He fired his weapon and his ball struck the creature right in the center of his chest. It stumbled forward a few more steps and fell writhing in the dirt within feet of him. His gun with that sound of crashing thunder signaled to all the men that the battle was engaged.