Dryland's End

by Felice Picano

  “Your eyesight must be phenomenal!” Rinne said.

  “Indeed, Our People see on three levels below that of your visor. Even so, it should be brighter soon,” Ckw’esso replied.

  After a while it was less dark – and the decline leveled off. The tunnels widened considerably and now an eerie pale green light began to tint the dark walls, which Rinne also noticed were, for the first time since she’d entered the nest, no longer blackened with char, or the negative imprints of Bella=Arth.s instantly vaporized in the great holocaust.

  She remarked this to Ckw’esso and added, “Then some of your people did manage to escape?”

  “None!” Ckw’esso said. “These are newly built tunnels.”

  Diad was at Rinne’s side, lolling in an exaggerated fashion. But he got serious soon. “Nh’iss is pulling up the rear, with Lill. They passed on the word through the Bella=Arth.s that they heard weapons being used above. Looks like we got out just in time.”

  The green light deepened, then suddenly brightened, and the Bella=Arth.s slowed down. Within minutes they began to collect together. Evidently they had arrived somewhere, but where?

  “Our gardens,” Ckw’esso said simply.

  An enormous cavern faced them, seemingly kilometers in length, and a half a kilometer wide. At the bottom of a rather deep and completely green basin, an emerald green river slithered like a huge torpid serpent. Above, the river was crossed by slender rock bridges.

  “Beautiful, isn’t it?” Taylor commented.

  “An underground river carved out this place many millennia ago,” Ckw’esso said. “Some of Our People discovered it. So we planted gardens. For the growing of food, yes, but also to have coolness and beauty (aesthetic pleasure ((the enjoyment of the untrammeled ideal made material))).”

  All the Humes were expressing their wonder and complimenting their hosts on having such a lovely spot. Ckw’esso, still in the lead, now began to cross the river along one of the high and very delicate-looking stone bridges. “Now I know why you still remain here,” Rinne said. “But I don’t understand the illumination. Or why the light seems to glimmer, to shake.”

  “Look up at the cavern roof!”

  “It appears to be alive! Or at least in motion!”

  “A few luminescent mosses grew here when we arrived. We cultivated them,” Ckw’esso said, proudly. And when Rinne looked down at the narrow river she saw that its waters were actually a black-blue; the deep green color was a reflection of the luminescent moss’s color and light, which the water further reflected and refracted, thus casting the green glow over the entire cavern.

  Soon the cavern gardens were passed, and they were moving through darker and narrower tunnels. The Bella=Arth.s’ speed increased, then became steady.

  “We regret not being able to show you our community,” Ckw’esso apologized, “but it was not approved of by the Nest Elders.”

  “I understand.”

  “We’ll take you to a good-sized chamber in the nest far from our center, but near a large exit.”

  Rinne was becoming sleepy with the regular motion and her body’s inactivity. She could hardly keep her eyes open. She thought she even napped briefly, when suddenly there was light again, this time the familiar blue-orange light of Deneb XII’s dust-misted two suns. It took Rinne a few minutes to find her balance again once she was let down by Ckw’esso: her “ground legs,” as Diad called them jokingly.

  Diad joked a great deal with the Bella=Arth.s, attempting to “tip” the one who had carried him, and asking for a daily schedule and the like, which they seemed to enjoy as much as the Humes.

  Only a few of the many score of Bella=Arth.s who had helped remained in the large, light chamber once they put down their Hume luggage. Aside from Ckw’esso, those few stayed close to the tunnel entrance, as the women settled down, walked about, talked to one another, compared their journeys, and continued to cheer one another up. Rinne noticed that Ewa was going around speaking to each, helping, organizing: showing natural skills as a leader.

  It was only when Diad began to comm. his Fast that Rinne noticed the holo-team. A youngish woman dressed in attire that probably passed for “roughing-it” chic on Hesperia and, with her, two completely Humeoid intelligent Cybers, one holding the needed equipment to transmit the holo through Inter. Gal., the other setting up artificial illumination and sound enhancers.

  “Taylor! What are they doing here?” Rinne asked.

  He looked up surprised, then seemed aggrieved as he explained, “That’s what’s paying for this little escapade.”

  Before she could reply, the reporter was speaking: “We’re within what once was a majestic and teeming Bella=Arth. nest city upon Deneb XII.” The young woman was being shot standing against a backdrop of the nest’s inner walls. “With us is Ambassador to the Matriarchy North-Taylor Diad and Matriarchal Councilor Gemma Guo-Rinne, Health and Reproduction Councilor for the sector which includes the six Deneb systems. Together, Ambassador Diad and Councilor Rinne have effected the escape of the remaining refugees of the Alpheron Spa here, which was attacked and invaded by local Deneban rioters earlier today Sol Rad. They were aided in this extraordinary bipartisan humanitarian effort by soldiers and pilots of the Matriarchy, some of whom gallantly gave their lives.”

  “I don’t believe this!” Rinne said.

  “Don’t worry,” Taylor said, “We’ve told her the rules. Just be bland and noncommittal. She won’t ask any questions beyond what you can answer.”

  That said, Diad was approached by the Inter. Gal. reporter, and Rinne stepped back, as the reporter asked him to say a few words.

  “First,” Diad said, “I’d like to include in this extraordinary effort a group of local Denebans not involved in the riots. Without their aid, none of us would be here. These helpers would like to remain anonymous.”

  A clever move, Rinne thought. The Bella=Arth.s didn’t want any attention drawn to them or to their role in the matter: not from the Deneban Hume settlers among whom they were forced to live, nor from the Matriarchy, their longtime enemies.

  “Councilor Rinne?” The woman was in front of her now. “In what condition are the refugees? We understand that not all of the women who were evacuated from the spa made it here.”

  “It’s not yet clear how many of the women got out of the spa itself,” Rinne said calmly. And she gestured with her hands below the projected image until the holo team got the idea and refocused upon the women. “As you can see for yourself, several women were wounded during the initial attack and are resting. But they’re in desperate need of medical attention. The others seem to be in fairly good health, but they’ve all had a terrifying and difficult time. They must be gotten to complete safety immediately.”

  “We understand, Councilor, that a Hesperian Fast will be aiding you in this effort, rather than one of the Matriarchal forces. Why is that?”

  Not a question she wanted. “Ambassador Diad will provide details,” Rinne said, but she knew she wasn’t going to be let off so easily.

  “Would you care to speculate?” the reporter tried.

  “I understand that hostages have been taken from both the spa and among MC forces. One can understand not wishing to increase the tension.”

  “Gratitude, Councilor,” the reporter was satisfied with that answer and moved on to the women, asking for any who wished to address the holo audience. Several women did, including – cheekily – Ewa, who spoke directly to her prime- and trine-spouses and told them that Deneb XII had been a great deal more exciting for her than their PVNs had suggested.

  “What’s happening?” Rinne asked Taylor, who had been in contact with the Fast that had brought him to Deneb.

  “The Fast used a cloak shield to enter through the Cult’s orbital blockade. It will have to drop the shield to release gondolas large enough to hold the women.”

  Rinne now heard someone at the other end of his connection. A male voice telling Taylor that they were ready, and the women should be pre
pared. Each pod would hold twenty women. The Fast captain was certain the orbiting fleet wouldn’t notice the gondolas until they’d landed.

  “Be careful!” Diad ordered. “I want this to be a smooth operation.” He turned to Rinne, who had been unaware that she had been gazing at him. “You feeling all right?”

  “I’m fine. I was just thinking ... how much I disliked the suite at MarkoCity. We would have had a terrible vacation on Markab Lambda!”

  Taylor laughed and held her briefly, before returning to his work, as communicator with the Fast’s captain.

  When the holo-team was finished with the women, its three members turned toward the entrance, where the first Hesperian Fast gondolas could now be seen approaching across the huge flat tableland outside. Rinne heard the reporter say, “Because there are more Humes here than can be fitted on the three gondolas, some women will have to remain for a pod to return to pick them up.”

  Rinne could see Ewa organizing the women, counting them off. Those with infants and medical problems on the first shuttle, the dozen due to give birth last would remain behind – along with the six skimmer pilots, the holo-team, and, of course, Lill, Taylor, and herself. Commander Lill had been silent, brooding, a few yards off to the side, more or less alone since they had arrived at the spot.

  Taylor was speaking rapidly to the Fast in a low voice. Finally he turned to Rinne. “The Fast was spotted by the orbiting MC. They’re demanding an explanation.”

  “Better make them link up to here,” Commander Lill suggested. “And you talk to the Fleet yourself.”

  “Good idea.” Diad waved over the holo-team. Once they were set up at his side, he said, “This is Ambassador Diad of Hesperia. Am I speaking with Admiral Thol.”

  “This is Thol.” Her voice was hard. “We don’t recognize you as an Ambassador, whoever you may be.”

  “If you’ll tune in to the Inter. Gal. News Network which is here with us, shooting live as we speak to you, you’ll discover, Admiral Thol, that I’m here on Deneb XII with many of the women who were at Alpheron Spa and who escaped the invasion and the Deneban rioters. Are you prepared, Admiral Thol, to offer those women and ourselves safe passage off this world?”

  A clever move, Rinne thought, letting Thol know anything she did would be seen and heard by billions of holo-viewers.

  “Who’s in charge there?” Thol asked finally. “Who is that woman from the Matriarchy?”

  The communication link was passed to Rinne, who identified herself fully.

  “Admiral Thol, these women are wounded and exhausted and are still in danger,” Rinne said. “If you are not able, for whatever reasons, to aid us directly, please allow them to be taken on board the Hesperian Fast.”

  “The Hesperians have no business here,” Thol replied.

  Taylor spoke up. “Indeed, Admiral, if you’d care to remember, Deneb XII is a Hesperian territory, a resort world, under the rules of the Treaty of Formalhaut, and thus open to all and any humanitarian aid from Hesperia or any of its territories.”

  “It was,” Thol replied icily, “until Hesperia provoked the Denebans to attack the Matriarchy! As a result of that action, the Treaty of Formalhaut can no longer be considered in effect on Deneb XII.”

  Rinne could hear the reporter commenting on that piece of effrontery. “Three gondolas from the Hesperian Fast are landing at this minute Sol Rad.,” Diad said, as much for the holo-audience as for Thol. “The refugees from the Alpheron Spa are beginning to meet and board them for passage to the Hesperian Fast. What exactly are your intentions, Admiral?”

  If Thol had intentions she wouldn’t say. Instead she repeated, “The Hesperian Fast has no business here and must be assumed to be directly aiding the provocateur forces on Deneb XII which attacked the Matriarchy.”

  “Give me that!” Rinne said. Then to the Admiral, “Haven’t you heard a word? That Fast is here on a humanitarian mission. A mission which I cannot, for the life of me, understand is not being performed by one of the many Fasts under your command. Allow the gondolas safe passage!”

  “Our terms have been stated unequivocally,” Thol replied.

  “If anything happens to anyone because of your actions, Admiral,” Rinne said, far more calmly than she felt, “I will personally have your commission at the next Matriarchal Council!”

  For answer, she was switched off. The Hesperian Fast captain got back on. The holo-team moved out toward the entrance of the nest to show the refugees being helped onto the gondolas.

  “I’m not letting them go until I have assurance they’ll be safe,” Diad was telling the Fast captain.

  “Come on,” he answered back. “We can’t stay here all day Sol Rad! If they don’t arrive soon, we’ll be blasted out of this orange sky.”

  “He’s right, Taylor,” Lill said. “Having the refugees aboard will be protection for the Fast crew.”

  Taylor turned to Rinne. “Gemma? Help me!”

  “I don’t know, Taylor. I think they’re right.”

  “But what if they aren’t?”

  “Thol knows this is on Inter. Gal. holo,” the captain argued. “What’s she going to do in front of four thousand billion holo-screens?”

  “Lill?” Taylor asked.

  “I just don’t know. Her terms were clear and quite rigid, even though I don’t understand what she’s trying to prove.”

  Rinne looked out at the entrance. “They’re all inside the gondolas!” she reported. Except, that was, for Ewa and eleven more women, who would join them and the six skimmer pilots on the next shuttle.

  “Now! Ambassador Diad!” the captain insisted.

  “I don’t like this, but go ahead.”

  The first gondola closed its top half, spun around, and began out. The holo-team followed its slow ascent, the women inside waving. The second gondola lifted, then the third.

  The Fast captain was on again. “It’s Thol. Listen!”

  “... according to the bylaws of MC Council number 4,598, any offworld stellar-capable vehicle in violation of these rules will be annihilated. Captain, prepare your crew to abandon ship.”

  “But the women are coming here!” the captain argued. “They’re on their way now. Your own women!”

  “Prepare to abandon ship!” a voice – not Thol’s – ordered. "You have two minutes Sol Rad.”

  “She’s not going to let the women get off Deneb!” Taylor moaned.

  “It’s a bluff!” the Fast captain insisted.

  Rinne joined the others as they ran to the nest entrance to see what was happening outside.

  “Prepare to abandon ship!” the MC voice said. “You have one minute Sol Rad.”

  The gondolas were rising toward the Fast, which hung in the orange sky, like some slightly angular deep blue fish.

  “Abandon ship now!”

  Everything happened at once. The three gondolas approaching the Fast were hit by glaring photon beams and instantly vaporized, the Fast’s underchutes opened and a score of T-pods dropped out spinning, the Fast was struck by a beam that completely covered it in electromagnetic disturbance, so that pale yellow light ran over its entire surface. Everyone around Rinne was screaming and shouting. Someone was yelling, “How could they?” Someone else was saying, “Eve! All those women!” The Fast suddenly dropped a half a kilometer, then began to turn on its side, as a final T-pod was released. Photon beams began tracing their way along the tableland, as though they actually expected to catch a nimble T-pod. But one beam came close enough to the nest that people backed up. Rinne heard someone nearby repeating “I can’t believe it!” over and over until Taylor shook her and she realized it was she herself saying it, and he was dragging her back into the nest.

  Where the holo-team was set up quickly. The reporter thrust Taylor and Rinne into its focus. Despite her professionalism, she was shaking. Tears started down the reporter’s cheeks, and her voice trembled with anger.

  “Ambassador, Councilor, we’ve just witnessed an incredible act of violence by t
he Matriarchy against its own women. Please say something to our audience about what they have just seen.”

  “There’s nothing to say,” Diad said. “You all saw and heard for yourselves.” While he was speaking, Rinne began to gather herself together out of her shock. She was still shaken, still upset at what had happened. But more, she was completely enraged with the cold, totally comprehending fury of decades of long-simmered resentment at the Matriarchy into which she had been born and educated, but which had never allowed her to be herself or to love and live with whom she wanted. With this single act, the Matriarchy had finally revealed itself as the corrupt and inhumane government it truly had become. It was as though a light but perfectly fitted screen that had blanketed reality had been ripped off, leaving everything clear, hard, real.

  When Taylor was through, the holo focused on Rinne. She stood proudly and she spoke out of her deepest emotions, yet with absolute clarity.

  “It should be clear to all viewers that this wanton, cruel, and murderous act was deliberately devised by the Matriarchy to destroy any proof of its experimentation in species interbreeding upon Deneb XII. It should also be evident that Wicca Eighth will not stop at murder or infanticide to cover up this squalid and ill-considered project.”

  The silence around Rinne was sudden and complete.

  “As a member of the last seventy-five Matriarchal Councils, I denounce Admiral Thol and Wicca Eighth Herself for this heinous and uncalled-for act. Furthermore, I demand that both of them immediately resign their positions, for which they have proved themselves supremely unqualified. Should they fail to resign, I believe that galactic retribution must be brought to fall upon them for the many innocent lives so tragically lost today here on Deneb XII.”

  She stepped aside, out of holo-range, and looked around.

  “Well?” she said to Taylor, who was standing there openmouthed.

  “You take my breath away!” Taylor managed to finally say. And with her new clarity, Rinne saw that he was sincere, awed by her, and that in fact he did love her.