The Ice Fortress

by Hannah Ross

  In order to test your theory, we will need to conduct extensive genetic sampling among the Anai people. Do you imagine that they would collaborate with us on this? Please send your answer as soon as possible, while we explore the option of sending a representative to Antarctica to collect the samples, as well as to become familiar with the Anai language.

  Yours sincerely,

  Miren Ibarra, School of Biomedical Sciences, EHU

  Scott pondered the question. Genetic studies have been conducted among the Anai people in the past, but they were somewhat limited, as many did not wish to collaborate with researchers, and the genetic material researchers worked with was hair, not blood. It was assumed that the data collected was good enough, as the Anai were a small, insular tribe with a high degree of genetic uniformity, but there was no denying that early studies had been imperfect at best. Now, with him serving as the link between the modern world and the Anai, collection of genetic material could be done more easily… or so Scott hoped.

  He raised his eyes from the screen and looked at his brother-in-law. “Omrek, do you think people would object to giving some blood? Just a few drops?”

  “Blood?” Omrek looked startled. “Why would they need to do that?”

  “For a research… it might help us find out where the First Anai came from.” As clearly and succinctly as he could, Scott tried to explain the basics of genetics. Omrek, who already had some background in modern sciences, listened intently, nodding from time to time. Ne Tarveg, ever skeptical, was frowning.

  “You think there are other people, foreign people, who share our blood?”

  “The First Anai might have left related clans behind,” Omrek pointed out. “I, for one, would be glad to shed a few drops of blood for such a cause. What about you, Tarveg?”

  “Seems like dark magic to me… using blood to look into the past.”

  Scott fought the desire to laugh. “No, it isn’t magic. It is a kind of learning… advanced learning,” he added, doing his best to keep a straight face. “You see, our bodies are made of cells…”

  “I’d say my body is made of blood and bone,” Ne Tarveg said, looking suspicious.

  Scott sighed. “I’m just not very good at explaining this.”

  “I’m sure the entire Ri clan will be glad to help,” Omrek said. “We aren’t afraid of shedding a few drops of blood,” he added with a sly look at Ne Tarveg.

  “I’m not afraid,” Ne Tarveg bristled. “This is not about… I’ve spilled more than a few drops of blood before, you know.”

  “There would be no danger to anyone, naturally,” Scott said. “I will ask Tahan to talk with the Council if need be. This might be an opportunity to unlock the secret of where the Anai had come from.”

  Scott spent the next few hours in his quarters, in front of his laptop, doing his best to catch up on some long-delayed work. He would often stop to gather his thoughts, which went hopping between the genetics of the ancient Anai, the young Antarctosaurus miraculously thriving in an artificially created environment, and the plight of Sergey Pechersky, who might have backed off his outlandish demands, but who was still, if Scott was any judge, highly unstable.

  Close to dinnertime, he got up, stretched, and walked out of the quarters in search of his two companions. He found Omrek in the computer room, squinting with utmost concentration into the screen and trying to master the use of a keyboard under the tutelage of Petri Karhu.

  “Hello, Omrek,” Scott said. “Making progress?”

  “This guy’s the quickest learner I’ve ever met,” said Petri. “I can’t imagine I would have taken to technology so fast if I had grown up in the valley. I mean, I remember that time when I tried to teach my grandma to use a smartphone…”

  “Excuse me,” Omrek said in mock indignation, “I didn’t realize you were comparing me to your grandma.”

  “Seriously, though. You are a natural. Soon you might be the only guy in the world who is master at both ivory carving and web design.”

  “Where’s Tarveg?” Scott asked.

  Omrek smirked. “Guess. He went to have a look at Annette – I mean, at the little flying lizards again.”

  “Alright. I’ll go and tell him I’ve arranged for our return home. Stanley will fly us in a couple of hours.”

  “That’s good. I’m sure Manari will say I’ve been away too long.”

  As Scott entered the Antarctosaurus nursery, he met an unusual scene: Ne Tarveg sat on the heated floor cross-legged, with one of the hatchlings in his lap. The little reptile had wrapped its tail around his wrist and curled up, evidently in a state of vast contentment. There was a strange expression on Ne Tarveg’s face – it was as though he was trying very hard not to look pleased. Annette, on the other hand, stared at him with open approval. “She likes you, I think.”

  Ne Tarveg looked up. “These beasts, they can like?”

  “I think we’ve seen enough to prove that. They are loyal to their flock… much like you are loyal to your people.”

  Ne Tarveg looked struck by the thought. “Ah, Arahak,” he said, meeting Scott’s eye. “These are strange times,” he nodded toward the young reptile that laid on his lap like a lacquered shiny folded umbrella.

  “They sure are. I’ve come to tell you we’ll be going home soon.”

  “Good, that’s good,” Ne Tarveg nodded, though it seemed to Scott the enthusiasm in his voice was forced.

  “Hope everything’s OK,” he spoke to Annette in a low voice.

  “Oh, perfectly. I was a little surprised, though. Ne Tarveg has been questioning me about genetics – I have no idea why.”

  “That’s probably because I’m such a bad teacher,” Scott said.

  Chapter 14

  “We are going to do this,” Tahan told him, her face shining with anticipation. “The Council of Elders has given its approval. We are going to give our blood to those people who come from overseas, and maybe it will serve to teach us more about the First Anai. Oh, Scott, I can’t wait to find out whether we have common ancestors with that tribe across the world.”

  Scott put an arm around her, feeling a warm, happy glow inside. “I can’t wait either. They are going to book a flight to New Zealand soon… they must have time to get here and back before the end of the light season.”

  “Yes – it’s incredible how quickly time goes by. I can’t believe it has been months since the First Dawn of the year. And yet look at Niri, see how she grows.” Tahan smiled indulgently at the baby girl, who was playing on the sealskin rug. Niri crawled over to Scott, pulled herself up by tugging on his pant leg, and stood on fat wobbly little legs. Scott picked the baby up and threw her into the air, making her squeal with delight.

  “Pick me up too, Ata!” Egan demanded, jumping up and down. Tahan ruffled his hair.

  “You are getting too big for this.”

  “Not at all,” Scott said, handing Niri over to Tahan. He reached for the little boy and hoisted him up on his shoulders. Egan giggled with delight, burying his fingers in his stepfather’s hair.

  “We really need to get to wrapping up the last tasks of the season,” Tahan said. “Preserving food and skins, making pots and clothes… we’re well behind compared to last year.”

  “Considering all that came to pass, I’d say we’re well off.”

  “Yes. Yes, of course. It seems that the flying beasts have learned their lesson – they haven’t appeared in the valley again since that time. But they are clever. Did you know that when a large hunting party went out and caught a glimpse of the creatures, they actually fled? But when there were just two hunters, Rayven and another man, they attacked. They can tell when their chances are better or worse.”

  “Yes, I know. Omrek told me. It’s a miracle that those two survived. They found a crevasse in which to hide. I don’t want to think about what would have happened otherwise…” Scott trailed off.

  Tahan bit her lip. “Scott, for thousands of years this valley has been a safe haven for the Anai peop
le. And now, all at once, this changed. There is no true peace. Danger is always lurking around the corner. Will it ever end?”

  Scott squeezed her hand. “Even if we have to defend ourselves for the rest of our lives, we won’t give up. This valley belongs to the Anai.”

  At this very moment, they heard agitated footsteps outside, followed by the loud clapping of an unexpected guest. “This sounds like Omrek,” Tahan said, “but why does he sound in such a hurry?”

  She walked over to the entrance flap and pulled it aside. Sure enough, her brother stood at the entrance, his chest heaving as if he had run over from the edge of the settlement. “Tahan, Scott, it’s good I find you here – they have come, these strange men, and it doesn’t look as though they have come in peace!”

  Scott and Tahan exchanged a worried look. “What are you talking about, Omrek?”

  “Those people, the ones who went after the flying beasts – they are here!”

  Scott felt a jolt of anxiety go all the way to the tips of his toes. “You mean Sergey Pechersky? He’s come back? No, no, Tahan, stay here, I’ll sort this out.”

  But Tahan wouldn’t be left behind. She handed Egan to her brother, picked Niri up, and hurried out of the house after her husband. They walked in quick strides toward the further edge of the settlement, where a large commotion seemed to be taking place.

  “What do you think this is about?” Tahan asked in a low voice. “We were friends to them. Surely there is no reason to worry?”

  “I hope not,” Scott muttered. “Still… those people, they are unpredictable. And desperate. It’s not a good combination.”

  Sergey Pechersky and a group of other men from the Siyanie station were standing in a tightly packed circle, back to back, with rifles in their hands. They were surrounded by a larger circle of Anai men, who were all wearing scowls. Ne Tarveg’s tall form and broad shoulders were prominent among them.

  “What is going on?” Scott asked, elbowing his way through. “Sergey, is there any particular reason you are here?”

  Ne Tarveg shoved a few people aside, none too ceremoniously. “Make way for the chieftainness,” he ordered. “Ki Tahan, I don’t know the language of these foreigners well enough to understand what they want, but they have brought a whole pack of their weapons and things.”

  Sergey Pechersky met Scott’s eye, his jaw square and set. “We have no choice. We must find a new home for our people. We have come to ask you to share this place with us.”

  Scott and Tahan exchanged alarmed looks. “If you have come to ask, why bring weapons?” Tahan spoke, loudly and clearly. Pechersky appeared startled, as if he didn’t expect her to speak English so well.

  “So that you can see what we have to offer. Our two settlements can exist side by side, peacefully. We can help you with hunting, teach you modern ways.”

  Ne Tarveg understood enough to flare up. “Why you think we want you teach us?”

  “Sergey,” Scott said, “you must understand this is impossible. You can’t encroach on the Anai land. This valley is small and has a fragile ecosystem – and what you are suggesting goes entirely against the Antarctic Treaty.

  Pechersky scowled. “The Antarctic Treaty is a toothless old dog.”

  Scott crossed his arms. “You don’t want to challenge it. Or us. The Anai extended a helping hand to you when you searched for a new home. Don’t be ungrateful.”

  Pechersky stood with his feet planted firmly apart in the ground. “You won’t move us from here,” he said. “The rest of our people are coming soon.”

  Ne Tarveg drew his bow. “You fool,” he sneered. “You think you can stand against Anai warriors?”

  “Ne Tarveg, you don’t want to do this,” Scott spoke in Anai. “If we start a bloodshed now, there will be no way back.”

  “We are not the ones starting it. They are.”

  “Ne Tarveg, lower that bow,” Tahan ordered. Reluctantly, the big man obeyed, but he continued to fix Sergey Pechersky with a burning stare. “Come here,” she motioned several men aside – Scott, Ne Tarveg, her brother, his friend Rayven, and the elder Ri Koer. “What should we do?” she inquired in a low, urgent voice. “I don’t want to fight them, but it is clear we cannot allow this. They must understand this valley is ours.”

  “Call the men off, Tahan, and let’s sit down to negotiate with Pechersky,” Scott suggested. “He is not a bad man. Once he calms down, he will be willing to listen, I hope.”

  Rayven was shaking his head. “I say we show them what happens to those who dispute our right to this land,” he said.

  “No, young man,” Ri Koer said. “Ki Tahan is right. We mustn’t do anything rash. I’m sure Ne Riorag would have said the same,” he added with a nod in Ne Tarveg’s direction.

  Ne Tarveg took a deep breath. “Fine,” he said in a clipped voice. “Fine, I will call the men off.”

  He strode towards the circle that still surrounded the Russians, and in a deep, booming voice, commanded, “Back away, all! Back away! Our chieftainness wants to speak to these people’s leader.”

  Tahan stepped forward, balancing Niri on her hip, and looked straight at Sergey Pechersky. “You have made a good impression on my husband,” she said. “He says your heart is in the right place. I will trust his judgment. I invite you to come to our house, to talk, and we will see what can be done for you and your people.

  I can already tell you, though, that what you are suggesting is impossible. The resources of the valley and the bay beyond it are limited. There is only so much land that can be cultivated. The dark season is never easy to get through. If I may humbly advise you, go home… go home and fight those people who do you injustice. Not us. We have never done anything to you. Be fair.”

  Pechersky sat down upon a rock, crossing his arms. Every feature of his face declared unbounded stubbornness. “This is not about being fair. It is about life or death for my people. You have no room for us? Well, you’ll just have to make room. I’m not moving from here. We start a new settlement, right now, right where I sit.”

  “I’ll go and see if we have any ready brew for a round of drinks,” Scott muttered. “It might lighten things up a bit. Here, Tahan, let me take Niri. Egan, come with me.”

  He strode in the direction of home, but he had no intention of serving up drinks to the Russians. He had already made his decision, though he realized Tahan might not approve. We must do what we need to protect the valley, and the Anai bows and spears are no match for automatic weapons. He only hoped to God the batteries would hold and the signal would work. It was always patchy at best.

  “McMurdo station, can you hear me? Scott Buckley here, calling from AN-85. Repeat: Scott Buckley calling from AN-85.”

  There was a blurry, scratchy signal, followed by a female voice: “Tess Hamilton speaking.”

  Tess Hamilton was the radio dispatcher from McMurdo. “Emergency situation,” Scott said as clearly as possible. “I repeat: emergency situation in the AN-85 region, down in the valley. Invasion of hostile elements in direct violation of the Antarctic Treaty.”

  “I hear you, Scott. Are any lives in danger? Repeat: any human lives in danger?”

  “Possibly. Need help. Send help as soon as possible. Rescue party must come armed. Repeat: come armed. Use all emergency resources in your position.”

  Tess spoke again, but Scott only caught fragments of words. The signal was extremely patchy.

  “Tess, do you hear me? Send help. Send help to AN-85 now.”

  There was more white noise. The batteries of his radio transmitter were running low. Reluctantly, Scott put it aside, hoping that Douglas would take his plea seriously.

  Egan was watching him, wide-eyed. He only knew very little English, but he caught on the urgency in his stepfather’s voice. “Is anyone trying to hurt us?” he asked in a thin, high-pitched voice. Scott ruffled his hair.

  “It’s alright, Egan. Everything is going to be fine. Now come, help me fetch some cups.”

  When he came b
ack, he found things going from bad to worse. Another group of Russians was trailing slowly towards Pechersky and his mates, carrying many bundles and looking as if they had come to settle. Some of the women and children he had previously seen at Siyanie were here, and seeing them all together, there was no denying it: the Mece people had a strange, distinctive, unique look which, if they were dressed in skins and furs rather than modern clothing, would make them highly resemble the reconstructed images of Neanderthals he had seen in anthropological tutorials.

  The Anai warriors stood aside in a tightly knit, passive-aggressive looking group, and it was clear the majority of them were none too pleased by Tahan’s order to hold back. The whole situation was like a tinderbox just waiting for a lone spark to set it off.

  Tahan walked towards him with a worried look. “I’m not sure what to do. Omrek, could you please take the children and ask Manari to watch over them for a while? I’d like to talk to these people again.”

  “Sure, Tahan,” Omrek said, taking Niri from Scott. “Come, little man,” he told Egan. “Let’s see if Aunt Manari can fix you something to eat.”

  Tahan made a few steps towards Pechersky and cleared her throat. “I understand that you are persecuted in the place you came from,” she said. “We are sorry for that. We are sorry your people had to suffer. If there is anything we could do to help you, we would. But we cannot allow you to take the valley away from us.”

  Pechersky stared back, his look hostile. “There is room here. There is room at McMurdo. It’s just that no one wants to give us any.”

  “Look, Sergey…” Scott started, but Pechersky shook his head and turned away. He barked a curt order at his people, and they began unpacking their bundles. Several pulled out what appeared to be large tents. Others began unrolling steel wire to put around their chosen campsite. Guards with rifles paced back and forth, their weapons ready, as if challenging anyone who’d care to check their readiness for a fight. Ne Tarveg stood with his fingers curled around the handle of his battle-axe, throwing dirty looks in the direction of the invaders.