Suddenly the craft veered to the right, and then straightened up for a while. Tom had fallen asleep for an instant. His head jerked upright, and he stopped the craft.
“A near escape,” Calvan said. “Rest, and I’ll steer for a while.”
At first Tom took this as a joke, but finally agreed reluctantly. He was exhausted. Before handing over the controls he said sternly, “just stay pointed at the mountain, and steer in a straight line while I rest for a few minutes, and don’t touch any of the controls.”
After a few minutes of this Calvan got bored: “What does this lever do Tom?” he asked. No answer - Tom was in a dead sleep. I’ll just pull it back a little, he thought. It might make us go a bit faster. He pulled back on the lever, but nothing happened, so he pulled further then twisted it sideways. Suddenly there was a click, and the craft leaped upwards and sideways at an enormous rate.
They seemed to be traveling up the side of the mountain, as if in an elevator, but they were also moving towards it, and would crash into the rock face in a few seconds, then suddenly an alarm bell rung, as the computer tried to take control of the damaged autopilot circuits.
All this noise woke Tom, and he leaped forwards to grab the controls, not knowing that he was fighting the craft’s faulty autopilot. They swerved right, then left, and completed a tight circle, pinned against their side-cushions. Increasing speed now, the craft headed straight for the mountain. The wall of rock was coming up fast. A ledge appeared on the rock face, as Tom desperately fought the controls. Then he realized, and shouted: “Computer! Release autopilot.” He suddenly had control, and the craft slowed quickly. He swung it upwards and sideways, seeking the safety of the ledge.
It was a crash landing. They slid along the ledge as Tom fought to avoid bouncing on the rock wall, or steering directly over the ledge and into the precipice. The craft bumped against the face, and swung around. Then it came to rest rocking gently, with its tail hanging over a five thousand feet drop.
Neither of them dared to look outside. There was a gentle rocking “I’m going to pump the remainder of the water out of the rear tank,” Tom said. “That should steady us. In the meantime, touch nothing, do nothing, and stay put!” he said angrily.
The pump began to whir, and after a while the craft stopped rocking. It was time for the boys to leave by the emergency exit up front. “You go first Tom said, and move very slowly.” Calvan edged along the craft. Tom triggered the explosive bolts on the hatch, and when the smoke had cleared Calvan moved forward, and leaped through to the stony ledge.
Now it was Tom’s turn. He edged slowly along the craft, knowing now that he should have joined Calvan before he had jumped! Without his weight up front it had started to rock again. He stopped, and took a deep breath, heart pounding like a jackhammer. He edged forward again to the hatch, and leaped clear onto the ledge.
“Well that was one way to get here, and at least it saved us a climb,” he said with relief.
Without his weight the craft had stopped rocking again. Slowly it tilted now, and then slipped over the ledge. They both stared at one other, waiting. Suddenly the mountain wall lit up with a flash. Tom counted off the seconds until the noise of an explosion reached them from far below. “Oh well, say goodbye to your hotel” he said to Calvan, sadly shaking his head.
They had no water, and they were thousands of feet up a steep mountain, trapped on a ledge with night approaching. Neither of them wanted to think about that, as they looked back across the plain they had traveled.
“What’s that cloud of dust way back there? It seems to be moving this way,” Calvan said. More bad news, the guardians were making their way to the mountain.
“They can feel our presence,” Tom said, “let’s hope that there’s not a way up to this ledge. It will take them a while longer to get here, but I’m afraid we may not last that long anyway.”
Night fell, and was more uncomfortable than ever. It was too cold to sleep, and they huddled close to the rock face, shivering. Despite the cold, both boys had started to get thirsty. Dawn saw them at their lowest ebb.
“Never give up, your numbers not up,” Tom mumbled “there’s always a way and it’s a brand new day,” he said smiling.
“Yes miracles happen every day,” Calvan said unconvincingly, his teeth chattering with cold.
Light from the rising sun crept down the mountain, and even at this height, they could feel its warmth. The whole ledge was lit up now as the boys peered over the side, and down into the shadows of the plain. Tom shook his head slowly. The creatures must have been walking all night, and had made lots of progress.
Then as the light swept down the rock face Calvan saw it merged into a track. Although only a couple of feet wide, there was a flight of steps at its end. These finished at an opening into the rock face. It looked like the entrance to a cave!
Then a second miracle happened. In the spot where their water had been pumped Tom noticed a small frozen pool of it. It had been so cold in the night that it must have frozen, before it could all drain away. The boys broke some ice off the surface of the puddle and quenched their thirst, although it did nothing to warm them.
“We keep moving forwards.” Tom said. “Lets climb down into the cave”
Calvan and Tom descended the path. The slope was a lot steeper than it looked. Once Calvan made the mistake of looking over the side. The drop was so deep that it disappeared into the mist, thousands of feet below. He stopped dead on the spot, his head spinning.
“You must move,” Tom, said, “we can’t last long on this slope.”
Suddenly there was a roar like thunder from above. Tom shouted, “Rock avalanche, MOVE!”
Calvan ran down the path now. Tom pushed him into the mouth of the cave and behind a rock outcrop, just in time as falling rocks exploded like bombs on the ledge behind them.
10 Twins
Both boys took a deep breath and looked ahead. They were in for another surprise. Staring back at them with sharp beady eyes were two mighty eagles. Tom wondered if he had any magic left. Now was a good time to find out. He leaped up and pointed his finger at the nearest eagle. Nothing happened, he was out of energy. The big bird didn’t even blink.
“We mean you no harm,” said the eagle. “How about if we just are friends?”
“Sounds an excellent plan to me,” Tom said, knowing that he didn’t have much choice.
Calvan said nothing; he stood still with his eyes half closed and flexing his muscles. The other Eagle seemed to laugh. “My, aren’t you a fierce looking boy” it said.
“Yes actually I am,” he answered, as if his feelings had been hurt, “fiercer than any bird on Earth.”
“That’s OK because we are not from Earth,” the first eagle said. “But enough of all this fun, we have business to attend to, and need your help. Sit down, relax and allow us to introduce ourselves please.”
They made their introductions as Eagles One and Two. Calvan couldn’t help noticing that these were no ordinary birds. For a start they could speak, and seemed to have very refined manners.
“The original Star People left us to guard this place,” the first eagle explained. “What you see are not just two computer projections, we’re real enough in our own way, and when our people return we’ll be restored, and will return with them.”
“We were left with some physical ability, so we’re not just images,” he added.
“He’s trying to tell you that we can still ‘lift and shift’” Eagle Two said. “ Watch this.” A rock nearby lifted into the air, hung there for a moment, and then dropped to the ground again.
“Enough of the introductions, now I must tell you some important news,” Eagle Two was shaking it’s head sadly. “This place is no longer secret. It’s also been discovered by a fierce race from the outer galaxy. We call them Zaarks. They aren’t friendly, and their leader is jealous of the Star People.”
“They want to expand their territory,” Eagle One said.
“Y
es I know of these creatures,” Tom said. “I thought they’d made peace. We defeated them in a battle some time back, and made a deal with them.”
The second eagle added. “They would never give up. Those primitive beasts have no morals or conscience, and couldn’t care less about breaking a peace treaty.”
The first eagle continued. “They look primitive until you look into their eyes! There is great cruelty there. They are evil, cunning, but and also very smart.”
Eagle Two added his bit, “And that’s the really scary thing.”
Oh yes, added the first bird, not wanting to be outdone, “they also smell – really bad.”
“Are you guys twins?” Calvan asked. Both Eagles laughed.
“Now here is the worst scenario,” Eagle One said. “The crystal in this cave is pure, and contains massive quantum energy. If the Zaarks lay hands on it, then within a short time they will be able to match and then better the Space People in a war, and they will certainly choose this option - it’s their nature.”
“We tried to get a message out to the Space People” said Eagle Two, “and let them know about the fire crystal left here, but a Zaark scout ship followed our beam, and spotted this place. They set up a jammer, and we were silenced. The Star People must have got part of our first message, before we were cut-off, and when that happened I guess they thought about it, and joined the dots.”
Eagle One added, “In other words they guessed what had had happened, and realized that the Zaarks had blocked our signal, and were on their way here to get the fire crystal.” He added. “There are now two huge ships, in Earth orbit. Both are shielded from missiles, and cloaked for secrecy. It’s a standoff between the two - Zaarks versus the Space People.
SP’s have the edge, but it's still a stalemate. Both sides have the power to destroy each other, but if either side can reach this energy source and charge their ship, then the game changes, as they’ll have a massive advantage.”
Eagle Two continued the story. “If the Zaarks were to attack the SPs, mother ship, and made them defend themselves this close in to Earth, then I fear the planet would be destroyed.”
“That’s why we must hurry, and will need your help,” said Eagle One. “The Zaarks are showing their hand. That avalanche was no accident; they didn’t want you to reach us. We believe that they are planning an attack on this cave, to steal the crystal. Now please follow us, we must reach the inner cave and prepare, and will tell you the rest of the story when we get there.”
As they followed the eagles inwards along a narrow badly lit tunnel, Tom wondered how computer projections could move like this, but didn’t even ask – the eagles had hinted that they were special, and that was good enough for him.
11 The Cannon
They walked for some time, until suddenly the tunnel opened into a cavern.
Calvan rubbed his eyes. “I’ve never seen fire crystal, but I know this must be it,” he said. The whole cavern was made of it; a magnificent natural cathedral that radiated bright blue light, and a feeling of power.
Tom looked on in awe, and said, “I never really understood the meaning of magic before this.”
The crystal glowed with a bright beautiful inner fire - was it blue? Calvan found that he couldn’t put a name to the color; it was unlike anything he’d ever seen.
“An attack could be imminent,” Eagle One said. “Sorry that we haven’t got time to show you around, but we must get this moving.”
They walked to a small opening in the back of the cave. “Here is your craft,” Eagle Two said. Calvan knew that Tom would reply, so stood back.
“What craft?” Tom said. “Do you mean that metal tube? Where would we go in it; we’ve only just got here.”
Calvan was surprised too. “This is a converted rescue craft, it is safe – well almost,” Eagle One said.
“ Yes, I saw one a long time ago in a museum,” Tom said drily.
“We need you to fly it and find the SP’s ship,” Eagle Two said. “This craft is already loaded with fire crystal, and when it’s installed in the power-core of the SPs mother ship, then the games over. There will be enough energy to defeat the Zaark ship.”
“Or even a fleet of them,” Eagle One added.
Calvan asked. “Wouldn’t this thing have it’s own distress beacon, that the SP’s could home in on. That would save us two from flying in it.” I suffer from travel sickness, and anyway would like to live a bit longer.”
Tom had to smile and admit to himself - that kid is smart. “But if my people could find it, then so could the Zaarks I guess, and we can’t take that chance, we have to fly it ourselves unfortunately.” Tom had answered Calvan’s question himself.
Calvan thought for a moment, and then declared, “right let’s get started.”
Five minutes later, and both boys were strapped into their narrow seats, and the hatch closed. They had been loaded into a long transparent tube. Tom gave the thumbs up, and waved in a forward chopping motion. He must have watched some Earth movies Calvan thought.
“We are to be shot out of the mountain top, like a bullet from a gun,” Tom explained with relish.
Calvan shuddered. “Please spare me the details, I’d prefer to die in ignorance.”
“I’ll count down from five,” Tom said. “When I push this red button, pull back hard on that lever.”
With a final wave the Eagles sealed the loading tube. Then Tom saw the green light. “Three two one” - he hit the GO button, and Calvan pulled the lever down hard.
“So this is how I die,” he thought.
The boys waited. Nothing! The biggest nothing that Calvan had ever experienced. Suddenly there was an explosion, and both boys were pushed hard back against their seats. They cleared the mountaintop, and sped upwards leaving a shockwave behind them, as the sonic boom echoed back from the plain below. The guardians were down there somewhere.
Calvan glanced out of the small porthole, and glimpsed a flash of sunlight through the red haze. Then the haze turned darker before his eyes, and it seemed that he couldn’t take much more. Tom was breathing deeply and deliberately, his eyes closed, calm, and resolute, fighting against the effects of acceleration.
The hull began to glow a dull red. Luckily Calvan didn’t see this, he had blacked out. Then they cleared the atmosphere. Even Tom was uncertain now, as the craft continued to accelerate. At two hundred miles out the engines finally finished their burn. The peace was beautiful – but best of all there was no more crushing acceleration. Tom took a deep breath.
“Well that wasn’t too bad,” he said unconvincingly
“Glad you think so, it nearly killed me,” Calvan said drily.
They were weightless now, and Calvan couldn’t shake off the feeling that he was moving upwards at great speed. He looked out of the small window and caught his breath. The stars of the Milky Way were spread out before them, like he had never seen before.
“OK here’s the plan,” Tom said. “We do one orbit of Earth, and see what we can spot. If we draw a blank, I’ll switch the beacon on for a very short time – the SPs are waiting for a signal, so they’ll spot us, and pull us aboard.”
“How will they do that?” Calvan asked unconvinced.
“They’ll probably use standard rescue methods, and just beam us back in,” Tom said in a superior matter-of- fact manner.
Calvan looked puzzled. “But couldn’t the Zaarks do that too?”
“Of course they could, that’s the problem,” Tom said. “That’s why we are steering this tin can instead of a robot.”
They completed an orbit, and saw no sign of friend or foe. It was starting to feel cramped, and both boys were getting bored. “Right here goes,” Tom said. He set the transmitter to maximum power, and hit the send button. “Now everyone knows we’re here. Let’s hope that my people find us before the Zaarks.”
Two more orbits and still there was no reply to the signal. Tom didn’t speak, but knew that this was the very worst thing that could happen. If
nobody found them, then they were stuck in orbit until re-entry and burnout. Then a strange thing happened. They both dropped into a dreamless sleep. Exhaustion had finally kicked in.
12 Enemy
Sometime later Tom woke up. Had an hour gone by, or a day? He had no way of knowing. Calvan was still in a deep sleep. He switched on the viewer screen, hoping to find something maybe even a message from his own people, just to say that they were not alone in this huge universe. He found this out in the worst way possible. There on screen was an image – the leering face of the enemy. The Zaark thing was laughing.
“Look outside, you have company,” the thing said. “Don’t be afraid, we want to be your friends. You have a present for us I believe. Once it is delivered, we can all say goodbye,” he laughed.
Tom looked out of the window. They were being drawn toward a ship. It was massive, almost like a small moon. The Zaark said. “You will have a reward – we will put you out of your misery fast.” He thought this was a great joke. The grotesque face on the screen laughed again.
“Yes look scared, look very scared,” the Zaark said. “You are of course disposable, and will leave by an appropriate exit – the garbage chute. You don’t have to worry, as your cargo of fire crystal will be put to good use. Your people in the other mother ship will be joining you, in the afterlife – just after we vaporize their ship.”
He was in a fit of uncontrollable laughter now, and Tom recalled another of the Zaarks defining traits - cruelty. Tom played for time. There was another quality that these creatures had lots of - vanity, and this one obviously enjoyed the sound of his voice own voice.
“Once this is over we will rename your home planet. Two Stars will become Saarland, he said.” He was really enjoying this and continued, “But don’t worry your people back home won’t all be destroyed, we have plans for them. Your moon is an ideal place for work camps, and it will be their home.”
The Fire Crystal Page 4
