The Season of Passage

by Unknown

  Kratine's aides snapped the clamps on her wrists and went to hoist her above the lava. Only now she was heavy as stone and she slipped from their grasp and crashed back onto the black altar. It was then she felt Chaneen's ring pressing into her shivering flesh. Somehow, blocking the move from Kratine's eyes, she managed to slip the ring back onto her finger.

  Now if only she could die, she thought, and stop the cold.

  They yanked her into the air again. Her arms were twisted behind her back and she heard the bones snap inside. The huge dark chamber spun around her. The boiling mud now bubbled beneath her feet.

  Then her eyes fell on Kratine for the last time. He had returned to his black throne and reclothed himself in human form - down to the last detail. He had human eyes now, blue eyes like hers.

  'The future will be ours,' he said. He gestured to his assistants. 'Lower her slowly.'

  The lava hissed as it touched her skin. Her feet fused into blackened

  stumps. Her shins disintegrated as her knees smoked. Yet still the terrible cold remained, the cold of Kratine's seed, the curse that he said would one day awaken. Nothing seemed able to stop the cold.

  All was not lost, however. Kratine had also been fooled. A spark of life remained with janier. In the last instant before the red mud closed over her, Princess Janier held aloft her sister's ring and said, 'Remember me, Chaneen.'

  TWENTY-SIX

  In the basement of the Hawk, on a cold Martian morning, Dr Lauren Wagner watched impatiently as Major Gary Wheeler worked a fine blue torch over the edge of the steel case that housed a thermonuclear warhead.

  The passing minutes were hard on Lauren. Dazed and confused, Jessica had left with her husband forty minutes earlier. Lauren herself had just returned from the Karamazov with the laser.

  'What's taking you so long?' she demanded. 'Is that all you've done?'

  'If I don't go slow,' Gary growled, 'I might trigger the damn thing.'

  'If we don't get going, it won't matter if you do.'

  'I'm terribly sorry, but this bomb wasn't fitted for quick removal.'

  'Just leave it,' Lauren said. 'I told you, it will only slow us down.'

  Gary readjusted his dark goggles. 'I'm going to burn the heart out of this bastard planet and nothing's going to stop me.'

  'But what about Jessie?'

  'I'm going as fast as I can!'

  'That isn't good enough! I just can't stand here while she's down there with that monster.'

  'Then do something else, and get out of my hair,' Gary said. 'Decipher Dmitri's diary. I don't know why you haven't done so already.'

  'Well, I had to bury a dear friend. Or have you forgotten that already?'

  'Just do it,' Gary ordered. 'We don't have time for self-pity.'

  Mars gave a sudden sharp lurch. Lauren was almost thrown from her feet. The hull of the Hawk groaned loudly.

  Earthquake. Marsquake.

  The tremor ended as quickly as it began. Gary had turned off his torch and pushed up his goggles. There were lines on his face Lauren couldn't have imagined a few days ago.

  'Jim said that Olympus Mons was active,' Gary said.

  'You think it's about to erupt?'

  'Maybe.'

  'Just because we're here?'

  'Maybe.'

  Lauren sighed. 'I'm sorry. I know you're doing the best you can. I know you don't need a nag to listen to.'

  Gary wiped at the salt that had crusted his cracked lips. 'You're doing OK, Doc. Did you have a bad night?'

  Lauren leaned her aching head against the wall, feeling pressure inside and out. Her thirst was becoming as pressing as her need to breathe. 'I had a real winner,' she said. 'But I suppose it's going to get worse before it gets better. I'll work on Dmitri's diary.'

  'Good. Friend's tongue has been bitten off, but Bill hasn't totally sabotaged his brain - probably because he needs the computer to take off. Punch in a basic program and see if you can get a translation on the screen.'

  'All right.' She stepped to the ladder.

  'And keep an eye to the east,' Gary said. 'For the wicked witches. Yeah, I know.' Lauren sat in the control room in front of one of Friend's consoles, with Dmitri's diary resting in her lap. The Hawk's portholes were open, and out of the corner of her eye she could just see the opening to the cave that led deep into the mountain. She thumbed through the pages of the book. Fortunately Dmitri's handwriting was precise; most of the letters were actually printed. She decided to start translating from October 28, 2002. That was when the cosmonauts had landed on Mars. Hoping a part of Friend still lived up to his name, she typed: Clear for new programming. Level A. [Level A clear.]

  Translate input from Russian to English. [Programmed.]

  She read the blue word of acceptance with relief. The screen split into two halves, with a top and bottom. Each Russian word she put in at the top would appear at the bottom in English.

  Lauren picked up the scanner and began to scan the pages into the computer, reading the translation as she went along.

  10,28:1 am afraid my first entry on this new world must be brief. Perhaps all my notes will be sketchy for we have much work to do. I am excited as I write this. We are on Mars! The landing was accomplished without difficulty. The Katarina consumed more fuel than we would have preferred, but we are still in fine shape for when we leave. I couldn't have hoped for fewer problems. This is truly a great day for mankind. As I sit here, my eyes are constantly drawn to the pink sky, and to Olympus Mons. The mountain is unlike any I have seen on Earth. Its size is incredible, and its wide

  circular summit looks almost as if it were built. I am reminded of our purpose in coming here, but would still be surprised if we find any signs of life. I have always felt Moscow overreacted to the red lights the Inspector spotted from orbit on this plateau. Nicholas is still of the opinion that the lights were volcanic flares and nothing else. Yet if the flares only served to bring us here, then I am content.

  I received a special note from Anna today. She says there is great celebration at home. Alex has become a hero at school for having me as a father. Katherine is also getting much attention. Here we have been too busy to properly celebrate our accomplishment, although Ivan did say before he went to bed tonight that we ought to have a toast. To my surprise, he said that he has smuggled two bottles of vodka aboard for the occasion. I can't reprimand him. I still have my bottle of 'eighty-nine French wine. Perhaps we can have a toast of wine and vodka when we have successfully completed our exploration.

  10, 29: Today we spent the bulk of our time unfolding and setting up our solar panels. They are working as well as our scientists promised. It is a relief not to have to depend solely upon our fuel for power.

  This landscape often reminds me of my days at Uralski Khrebet, where I did my geological training. The ruggedness is similar. The sunset this evening was beautiful, a deep red sky cut with tunnels of purple and gold. Anna says we are the most popular show on TV.

  We made an exciting discovery today. There is a cave at the eastern end of the plateau that has remarkably smooth walls. It appears to go back a long way. Tomorrow Ivan will head an exploration to see where it leads.

  I slept poorly last night. I am feeling tired now. I must go to bed.

  10, 30: Ivan has found that the cave goes down into the

  mountain for a great distance. Nicholas reports that its walls are remarkably smooth. Naturally he refuses even to consider that the cave is the work of intelligence. Ivan had to cut short his exploration - we had begun to lose his radio signal. Tomorrow we plan a more intensive exploration of the place using relay beacons and the tractor. There appears to be room for the vehicle, if we can but overcome a small hill that stands at the mouth of the cave.

  I visited the Karamazov today. Alyosha had reported feeling ill, and I went with Gregory to have him examined. Gregory says Alyosha appears only fatigued. He prescribed sleeping pills. 1 may take a pill tonight, myself. I have been having an unusual amount of bad dream
s. But I can never remember them when I wake up.

  Carl called several times today. He says he is lonely, which made me smile. Carl seldom spoke on the journey here, and appeared anxious to have privacy.

  I find myself missing Anna tonight. I will tape another message for her before I go to bed.

  10, 31: There are canals on Mars! Ivan and Nicholas took the tractor three miles into the cave and discovered a tunnel full of water.

  I was surprised at first when they told me what they had discovered. I thought they were joking. Nicholas explained that the atmospheric pressure had mounted steadily the deeper they went. The pressure is approximately one-tenth Earth's where the cave ends above the canal.

  Moscow has ordered us to explore the cave using one or both of our hovercraft. I just returned from the Karamazov after inspecting the vehicles. I am not pleased with the order. I feel it is dangerous - I want to move more slowly. Since Moscow will not allow me personally to explore the canal, Ivan will go in my stead. I will choose his partner tomorrow.

  Despite our exciting discovery, the morale of the men is

  low. We are all having trouble sleeping. Tensions are increasing. Twice today I had to break up arguments. My men are clinging to each other, and at the same time pushing each other away. I reported the trouble to Moscow, but they did not seem interested.

  I find myself longing to see blue sky again, or even the starry black of space. The Martian scenery, although still beautiful, has begun to depress me for reasons I don't understand.

  Thankfully Alyosha is feeling better. Perhaps I will send him with Ivan tomorrow.

  11, 1: I spent the day supervising the fueling of the hovercraft at the end of the cave, beside the canal. This was my first direct experience with the watery tunnel. It is massive, and I had trouble believing it was really there.

  I have been wondering if our solar panels were working properly. I have been cold lately, even though our thermostats report a normal range of temperature. Several of the men have also reported a chill. I discussed the matter with Gregory, and he is worried we might have caught an infection. This has given me cause for anxiety. We also seem unreasonably thirsty, although we drink more liquids than we need. I have ordered Gregory to examine everyone closely. At present he is in the laboratory below me, conducting his tests.

  I had a strange hallucination just now. I glanced up from my diary, out the porthole, and thought I saw something walking in the dark. It appeared a foot shorter than a man, but with a wide snouted face and eyes that shone with a dull red light. I was on the verge of calling for Ivan when it vanished. But I know it was a hallucination. There are no footprints in the sand outside my window, and the thing I saw reminds me of the creatures in the nightmares that have been bothering me since we landed. So I know it was only in my mind.

  11, 2: Today is very sad for all of us. Ivan and Alyosha went up the canal in the hovercraft and never returned. They · must be dead by now. Their air supply would have run out two hours ago.

  After traveling for several miles over the water, they came to a huge cavern. I told them to stop and send up a flare. In the brief light we saw a land mass approximately two kilometers distant, surrounded by water. I had no choice but to follow my superiors' orders and send them forward. Somehow their communications jammed, and we were unable to reach them. Ivan should have turned back, but he was always the adventurous one. I sent the second hovercraft to look for them, but it was hours behind; it had to refuel at the end of the cave before it set out over the water. Nicholas led the second expedition, and he was able to find and retrieve the first hovercraft, but he discovered no bodies.

  I can't help feeling bitter over what has happened. Had Moscow been in less of a hurry, we could have undertaken a more systematic exploration of the canal, and minimized our risks. Ivan was a good friend . Thankfully, he has no family. I doubt if the message I sent Alyosha's wife will be of much comfort. I doubt if she will even receive it.

  I am exhausted. Today has been a great strain. I hope for once that I am able to sleep without nightmares.

  11, 3: Ivan is alive! Nicholas found him while exploring the island today. Right now my dear friend is again sleeping on the bed beside the desk on which I write. My joy is great. If only Alyosha had survived, too. Ivan says Alyosha accidently fell into a volcanic fissure they had discovered. Ivan is anxious to show me the place where our comrade was lost. Of course, I won't be permitted to go for the time being, but I will send Nicholas with Ivan tomorrow. Ivan cannot stop talking about how amazing this place is. It is odd, though. He talks about it constantly but he doesn't seem to

  say anything. I can't understand how he can be so enthusiastic about a place where Alyosha lost his life.

  Gregory also reminded me of something else that has been bothering me. Ivan's air supply should have run out. He should be dead. Gregory suggested that Alyosha sacrificed his oxygen for Ivan to live. But when I asked Ivan if this had been the case, he got angry, for a moment. Then he quickly smiled and said that Alyosha hadn't sacrificed a damn thing.

  11, 4: It is the middle of the night. Ivan and Nicholas explored the island today and returned safely near sunset. They hinted that they had found something remarkable, and I was excited. I quizzed them at length for my report to Moscow, but they were vague about what they had seen. They just kept saying I had to see the place for myself, when they know it is against my orders to go down there.

  Yet Moscow seems pleased with the progress of our mission. They suggest that I send two teams to the island tomorrow. I discussed the idea with Ivan and Nicholas, but they were against it. They said it would be too risky. But they did suggest that they be allowed to continue with the exploration themselves, with the addition of one, maybe two, men. Since they are familiar with the island, I agreed.

  I am tired now, but can't sleep. I don't want to sleep. Every time I doze off, I feel a weight on my chest and have difficulty breathing. Gregory says he can find no signs of infection in our blood. Nevertheless, everyone is complaining of chills and thirst. We have set the thermostat at eighty-five degrees and we are still cold.

  Gregory asked if he can accompany Ivan and Nicholas tomorrow. He told me he suspects our problems may somehow be related to the canal water. That does not seem logical to me. We had a host of symptoms before we discovered the canal. Plus Ivan is the only one who is sleeping properly, and he has spent more time down there

  than anybody. Even as I write these words, he is fast asleep on the bed beside me. In fact, he doesn't even snore anymore.

  11, 5: Again my men returned from the island without incident. I should be relieved, but if anything my anxiety is increasing. When I questioned them about what they found, they just say I must visit the place and see for myself. I keep hearing the same story.

  Somehow those who return from that dark place are different. For example, Ivan is always smiling, but he does not seem happy. Plus they all stay together, and talk in whispers among themselves. Gregory, who accompanied Ivan and Nicholas today, laughed when I tried to reopen the discussion on the possibility of infection. Something terrible is happening to my crew, but I do not know what it is, or how I can stop it.

  I hesitate to tell Moscow of my fears. I have no proof to substantiate what I am feeling. Anyway, Moscow is pushing for further exploration of the island. It would not matter what I told them. They are not as pleased with us anymore. They are becoming irritated with the lack of information my men are returning with. They have ordered me to send different people, along with a couple who are experienced with the island. I think, for the first time in my life, I am going to disobey an order.

  Carl has been on the radio all day. He says he is lonely and wants to go home. He even began to weep while talking to me. He is suffering from nightmares, too. He says he hates having Mars outside his porthole all the time. He says the red is hurting his eyes.

  I received a message from Anna today. I am beginning to doubt I will ever see her again.

 
; 11, 6: We have lost contact with the Gorbachev, and therefore with Earth. Both the Katarina's and the Karamazov's

  communications systems have been overloaded by a sudden power surge from our main generators. Repair is out of the question. This could not have happened by accident. I haven't slept in two days. I feel I will be murdered if I do. I know Ivan and those he has taken to that forsaken place are responsible for the sabotage. I am reminded of how Ivan survived without air. How easily I accepted that impossibility! I write these words sitting up in my bed, and I listen to Ivan sleeping below me. Not only does he no longer snore, he no longer breathes.

  When I was young, my grandmother told my sister and me ghost stories. Some of these tales were of people, or things, that came back from the dead. Of course, she was very old at the time, and a little senile, but as a child I believed her stories. Now tonight, on this alien world, I believe her once again.

  If only I had told Moscow of my fears. Now there can be no warning for those who should follow us here. I feel sorry for those people.

  Lauren stopped translating, afraid to go on, perhaps afraid to discover her own fate. Good old Ivan - he had been the first as well as the last.

  She glanced in the direction of the haunted cave and opened a circuit to the basement.

  'How are you doing?' she asked.

  'I have the bomb free,' Gary said. 'It's not too heavy to carry around, not here on Mars.'

  'Can we go? I'll be right down.'

  'No. I have to put a second timer on it. The original one is too easy to tamper with. Plus it can't be set for anything above ten minutes.'

  'How long will all this take?'

  'I'm not sure. A few minutes.'

  'Where in God's name are you going to find a timer that you can just hook onto the bomb?'

  'I have one already. It's not as complicated as it sounds. I've already triggered the code, but I've prevented the circuit from being completed. Honestly, I should be done in five minutes. What does Dmitri have to say?'

  'All his men that traveled to the island turned into monsters that didn't have to breathe. Except for Alyosha. It seems he didn't take to the new brotherhood. Jim probably didn't, either. There's only one entry left. Should I continue to translate or do you want me to stop and help you?'