The Ways Between Worlds: Peter Cooper

by Larry E. Clarke

  The air was warming quickly as it often did here surrounded by a thousand kilometers of salt. It would, however, remain chilly even at mid morning. I was cold and I needed a place to hide. The location to which I had most immediate access was the storage building Dhars and I had entered earlier. The light filtering in between the cracks in the walls and roofing material afforded a better view of the interior. Through chinks in the door I watched for approaching Ixtet as I began to wait out the longest day ever. In the farthest, darkest corner I located a number of large metal spikes and a quantity of pipes ranging from one to two meters in length. I set about fashioning as many weapons as I could from these.

  With the longer sections I formed spears. First I slipping a spike into the end of each and then I crimped the end tight around it by jamming the pipe into a crevice between large building stones and levering it back and forth until the end of the pipe was flattened tight about the spike.

  This same approach I also used with a few of the shorter pipes. With others, however, I made a sort of ax or tomahawk by attaching the spike then bending the end 90 degrees so that the weapon could be swung in a sort of chopping motion rather than used to stab. It wasn't elegant but it would be far more effective than fighting the hard shelled Ixtet with bare hands.

  A careful inventory of the shed revealed mining equipment left from the days before the Ixtet's arrival.. There were piles of rope, some small barrels of unknown chemicals, pulleys, and other paraphernalia of unknown use. Nothing more seemed of immediate use in fighting the Ixtet.

  I did fray some of the shorter sections of rope to fashion grips for the weapons. I wound coils of rope around the hafts of the axes to cushion the blows on impact. These would keep the user's hands from slipping. In a similar manner I fitted the balance point of each of the spears with a grip.

  Because the fighters would sometimes need their hands free to climb while attacking the Ixtet I fashioned a crude sling for each weapon so that it could be carried slung across the back.

  Reasoning that I could do no more than hide in the shadows if the door were to open I even curled up on a pile of rope and tried to sleep a bit. I awoke parched and hungry. I chewed a bit of dried glypton I'd had the foresight to stuff in my ragged tunic, but there was no water to wash it down. I'd have to wait for that. The meager meal was quickly finished. I could sleep no more. I jerked back at the sound of approaching footsteps. Moments later the door latches rattled, a shaft of light swept the interior as the door opened and closed. From my dark corner I tightened my grip on the improvised weapon and waited. My heart pounded so loud I was afraid it would give me away. With the door closed even my dark adapted eyes could not discern what had entered except to see that it was huge and that it totally blocked the only exit. I prepared to stand and fight.

  "Petar. . .Dhars. . ." came the whispered voice. Then a low gurgling sound made only by one throat!

  "Lady Camille" I called back in a whisper which I hoped could not be heard beyond the walls of the structure. I lowered my spear and rushed to greet her like some cowpoke hugging his long lost horse. I patted along her back and rubbed behind her ears. She gurgled more at the greeting. Although I could not see her features her tone spoke volumes of how pleased she was to see me again. My joy at reuniting with her for the first time in so many weeks could not be hidden. She looked intact but had been worked extremely hard fed very poorly. Using the short grasping limbs beneath her chin she caressed my face and then gave me a lick with a tongue that felt like sandpaper. Apparently she was quite pleased to see me still alive as well.

  "Petar, I thought never to see you again. Then I chanced to see you and Dhars led forth and abandoned in the pit. I managed to wander away long enough to confirm that you were alive at the bottom before I was pressed into other duties."

  She drew a deep breath before continuing. "Where is Dhars? Is he well, have they killed him?

  "Dhars is fine" I assured her he waits separately in a tunnel near the grill of the Red's quarters".

  I patted her again, "If not for the food and tools you supplied we would both long since have been fodder for he glyptron. You saved our lives. . . Enough of us", I paused, "tell me what happened to you."

  "As you may recall I was below decks when the new water supply from Thark Rhat was brought aboard. Dhars came and insisted that I be given a portion.

  This I was very pleased to have as I had suffered along with the others from great thirst. Because of my size and the perception that I was but a dumb animal my portions had been rather small. I drank deeply and for a time felt better. After a few moments, however, an urge to sleep overtook me.

  When I awoke the ship was abandoned and it was dark. Those who had taken away the Threatans and the crews had left me in the hold. I know not if they thought me dead, or simply were unable to remove me. I remained where I was until sunrise and then carefully scouted our position. The gates to the town were closed and I could find no means of entry. All food and water from the ship had been removed. I knew that I could not exist long on the open salt. Nor, could I manage to sail away in even the smallest vessel. I had no one to assist me, no way to navigate. . .no knowledge of where the nearest port might lie. The only alternative seemed to be to try and enter the city.

  I returned, unseen, to the ship, put on our pack saddle from the equipment lockers and managed to find some valueless boxes and crates which had not already been looted. These I hung very carelessly to my back. Thus attired I feigned to wander aimlessly about the city walls. From time to time I let forth the loudest and most distressed cry of which I am capable. Ere long the gates opened and a human in dirty robes led me inside. I was led to an open lot with other miserable pack animals. The gates were closed and I was left unguarded.

  The next day I was put to work turning a windlass that drew forth some of the dross from the mining operation. The animals hauled it off behind the town to be dumped.

  It was days ago that I chanced to see you and Dahrs being lowered into the pit. I spent the next two days gathering what supplies I could for you. I had seen but been unable to assist the two being who died there earlier. I knew I must help the two best friends I have on this world or any other. While the aliens attending the machinery were not looking it was easy for me to sabotage it. They are still working on repairing it"

  Here she again gave the low gurgle which I understood to be laughter. Seeing that there was nothing for me to do I was returned to the lot. Of course they closed the gate but did nothing else to keep me constrained. Once before they found me outside the corral. I adopted a dumb, lost animal look in my eyes and was led back.

  For the next hour Lady and I exchanged information. I told her of the coming attack and urged her to keep a low profile lest some over zealous slave kill her simply being associated with out captors. She was able to tell me much about the layout of the city and the approaches to the palace. She knew of a little sally gate that offered access to the palace grounds. One of her duties was to be led to this gate every morning to take away the night soil of the Ixtet masters. She described the route via an unguarded portal at the side of the palace grounds.

  She also related that there did not appear to be a heavy guard at the palace. Judging from the amount of waste thrown to the glyptrons she estimated total Ixtet forces somewhere between 250 and 300. Of this number less than half were quartered in the palace itself.

  Always the engineer, she had calculated the weight of waste produced by one Ixtet for 12 days running and then calculated the number of creatures needed to produce the waste she hauled away each morning!

  "Petar, I must return now. I may not be missed but it will be better I am there should they return."

  I settled back and once more began my vigil. Eripa would call the next move.

  CHAPTER 27

  Know you who may read these words that I, Dahrs Flonstrad, once vice-governor of Omos, am friend to Peter Cooper whose home is a place called Earth.

  His duty was elsewhere as
the attack began against the cursed Ixtet, he asked therefore that I tell this part of the story. Petar assumed the role of scribe/historian of our expedition under the most difficult circumstances.

  Throughout that last day I lay cold and cramped in the tunnel which did not as yet quite reach into the chamber where members of the Reds team were confined.

  In the chamber and in the shafts the work continued as usual. Morning drill was conducted. . .as usual. The slop was served and eaten. . .as usual. The ladder was lowered. The slaves were marked, the tools assigned, the crews lowered to the depths and in the end the shifts were completed . . . as usual.

  Hours after the last light of day had disappeared from the tunnel mouth I heard the sounds of scraping on the thin wall that separated my feet from the slave chamber.

  Withing a few momemts I had managed to reorient myself to assist the diggers. Ghuler was one of the small group that pulled me through the opening.

  The stink now made a fresh assault on nostrils which had grown accustomed to the cleaner atmosphere of the open pit. Still, I was alive and once more among friends. Several members of the group quickly sat down to mask the opening through which I had just come. In the center of the room the oil lamp burned in its usual spot but its wick badly needed trimming. It gave little light. . . probably by design. I could see that those "sleeping" near me were in fact quite awake. Eripa rose and moved toward the area where necessary bodily functions were performed. All looked away in respect to her privacy but realized her move had been a cover for any Ixtet that might be watching. She joined us.

  "Dhars, at last we act. You and Petar have done an enormous amount to gain our freedom. From here forward you will not have to work alone. The last shift should return very shortly."

  Even as she spoke the hatch in the ceiling was thrown back and the ladder dropped with its usual thud on the floor below. A number of Ixtet stood with weapons drawn, ready to quash any signs of resistance from the returning prisoners.

  Above at the lip of the pit their counterparts guarded with equal efficiency the lift mechanism and the only shaft leading to the surface. To attempt escape at this momemt would be no more than a desperate act of suicide. Eripa's plan, however, had some chance of success.

  When the last of the slaves/prisoners/miners had entered a final water ration was lowered. The ladder was withdrawn and the hatch secured for the night. As usual one of Eripa's captains oversaw the distribution of water, assuring that those who had just labored were served first, and that all received a portion. Even surly Hhstt and the henchmen loyal to him were served in equal portion. As usual he cursed and growled when his portion was delivered that he should have “More”.

  This finished, the commander strode to the lamp, lifted it carefully and passed it slowly in front of the grill work from side to side three times. From across the pit, in the chamber of the blue team, her signal was returned. No sign came from the quarters of the Yellows, the Blacks, the Greens, nor was any expected. From around the circumference of the pit all had seen either the original or its answer.

  This was the night. By tomorrow we should have either overthrown our captors or died in the attempt. Anticipation of the day to come filled us with excitement, with joy and with no small degree of fear. Those not immediately needed made as if to retire for the night. Others carefully arranged the rags they covered with to resemble so far as possible a sleeping being. Loose salt was well employed to give them dimension.

  "To me" Eripa called as a squad of her best gathered in front of the tunnel. Here are my general orders. Convey them to all you free:

  1. Move and act in silence. Avoid the raising a general alarm among the Ixtet so long as possible.

  2. Seize and distribute quickly anything which may be used as a weapon.

  3. Release and arm all prisoners as rapidly as possible.

  4. Prevent the Ixtet from retreating behind the walls of the palace as that will prolong the fighting and work against us

  5. Secure food and water supplies we will need if the battle is prolonged.

  "Understood?"

  All clicked their tongues to signal their understanding.

  "To the surface, then. Silence will be maintained. Should any fall, let them die quietly, without giving away the others."

  With this she signaled for me to lead the way and entered the short tunnel behind me. I was glad to have had a few moments in the slave quarters to loosen sore muscles before leading the party climbing to the lip of the pit. Petar and I had done our best carving the steps but had been near exhausted at this point. They were passable for the first to use them but would become increasingly rounded as more passed. I prayed to the old gods that they would be adequate.

  The plan was to move a group of about 18 to the surface to attack and take control of the lift. Using this we would then descend to the guard quarters directly above the slave chambers. Using the digging tool I still retained and, one or two crude weapons which we had managed to fashion we would attack the Ixtet. Hopefully we would find some asleep in their silk lined holes. If not we would kill them where we found them.

  It helped that it was night as we made the ascent. . . harder to see how far I would fall should I slip. Like Petar I’d never cared much for heights.

  Eripa and I pulled ourselves over the edge first, drenched in sweat. I reminded myself that she had made the climb while pregnant with Hsst's bastard child. My admiration for her was all the greater. Between the two of us we helped pull about 6 of the attack squad over the lip of the pit when a hoarse cry rang out from below.

  "Eeriiipaaaa" the voice came from below. Peering over the edge we could see Hhstt, leaning from the tunnel mouth looking upward, "You wil regret what you did to Hhstt". In a moment I shall rouse the Ixtet. Their vengance will be terrible on you and all those who follow you. I, Hhsst, will once again take my rightful place as lord of the slaves." He cackled a horrid laugh and shook his clenched claws in Eripa's direction.

  "You win, Hsst" Eripa called back just loudly enough for him to hear. I shall to give myself to you just one more time before I die!

  With this she stepped soundlessly from the cliff. Three heartbeats later her feet struck Hsst square on the face and shoulders, knocking him from the tunnel mouth and carrying him before her to the pit below. The initial blow must have knocked Hsst senseless for the only sound there after was a double thud as they struck the salt far below.

  Eripa had avoided the indignity of bearing Hsst's bastard spawn, avenged her rape, and saved the mission at the cost of her own life. The final members of the squad reached the top. We stood in stunned silence for a moment until Dhalia Lotalka gave the command to move. She was now first in command.

  Petar arrived a few moments later carrying a large arm load of weapons. These were hastily taken up by the squad as he whispered some key bits of intelligence to Dhalia.

  CHAPTER 28

  Through gaps in the roof I could see that the larger of the two moons, Yusra, "The Water Bringer" had risen. Selax "The Storm Rider", Yusra's companion in mythology followed an hour or so below and behind her. As usual she shone with a milky light tinged pink while Selax' light was the color of rust burnt red. Tonight both were near full. Their light on the salt bright enough to reveal all but the smallest details. Within the shed Yusra alone was bright enough to cast shadows. At sunset Yusra had just been peeking above the Eastern horizon. She now stood full overhead. The hour of the attack was near. Every few minutes I peered through the loosely fitted stones of the shed for the first signs of Eripa and the Threatans who would launch the attack.

  At last I saw her and a figure that surely must have been Dhars make their way over the lip of the pit. I gathered together the bundle of weapons I had fashioned and hurried to meet them. Before I reached the door I heard the sound of a voice from the pit below screching Eripa's name.

  They must know surprise would be lost if too much noise were made. The voices lasted but a few moments and then fell silent. Moving as qui
ckly and quietly as possible I hurried to where the squad was assembling.

  "Take these" I whispered passing around the crude weapons to all and reserving one for myself and Dhars. There were even three left over"

  "Where is Eripa?" I asked of Dhalia Lotalka who seemed in command of the squad.

  "She had unfinished business with Hhstt" was the only reply.

  Without a further sound I led the squad to the top of the lift. It was unguarded. No mining was going on so the lift was not in use. The guards below were apparently judged adequate.

  Our original plan had been to lower the lift cage filled with slaves to the level of the guard’s chamber and begin the attack. The flaw in the plan was that the cage had been left at the level of the chamber, the lift mechanism locked in place. We could, of course raise it, load it with slaves, and send it down but this would take time and there would be unavoidable noise. The Ixtet would have to be deaf not to be roused.

  Should a sentry be awake it would certainly be alerted as soon as the cage began to move.

  "Dhalia" I whispered "there is another way to reach them."

  "Show me Petar, for I am not eager to rouse the Ixtet before we engage them".

  "In this shed are many ropes from the old days of the mine. As I waited I knotted them in case they were needed to reach the lower levels. We can descend quietly to fall upon the Ixtet."

  She nodded agreement and then turned to convey the new plan to the squad. Alrick and Rerin joined me to pull two huge coils of rope from the shed. Each coil was lowered into the shaft beneath the lift mechanism. The extra length of each was allowed to coil quietly into the floor of the lift car. In this way we were assured that each rope reached the level we needed. Finally, the ends were secured to the support structure of the lift car mechanism. Three members of the squad were designated to remain at the ready to operate the lift once the Ixtet had been dispatched.