While there had been some concern on the landing site selection because of the topography it had been disposed of with a general agreement it was the best site available in light of the requirements; close enough to the old New Athens to be within walking distance to allow use of its buildings, with the two sites eventually growing into one. With over 300 personnel already down, at the current rate it would take a week to 10 days to bring the rest down by shuttle, some of whom could be housed in the old New Athens buildings, others in temporary buildings, until the residence pods were ready. Most of the heavy equipment was already on the surface and site preparation was proceeding around the clock. The northern area of the site would be ready for the first of the pods in about two days, with the entire process completed between the 17th and 20th."
Sarah's findings on study of the Kraa were of particular interest to all in attendance. Apparently all of the specimens were female, typically with size and weight that of an adult male human of slightly over average weight. It was noted that, while they could stand on their hind legs when they chose, that was not a typical stance and they appeared unable to walk when upright. The general conclusion, from their heavy fur with a fine inner layer, was that their normal home was much further north and this temperate area was not their normal habitat.
However, other findings from dissection were surprising. Sarah indicated genetic testing indicated they shared a common ancestor with the Torgai with the branch point only a few a million years earlier; perhaps even later. Further, Sarah noted that their brain was larger than that of humans and its internal organization considerably more complex. She had little doubt that they were highly intelligent. As further evidence she indicated they seemed to be studying her and the others as much as she was studying them.
There had been considerable discussion of why, if the Kraa had such a highly developed brain, they had failed to evolve. The general conclusion was that, since they were so perfectly adapted to their current nitch as hunters of large animals, of which there were an abundance, changes provided no advantage. The second was their adaption to that role inhibited further evolution; their four toed front paws with their retractable claws and lack of an opposing thumb reduced their ability to manipulate objects, and therefore they had never developed tools. Even though the claws could be retracted, the result was lack of needed flexibility.
Based on all the findings the conclusion had been reached that the creatures encountered were in fact the Kraa, a species Eric Moffa, a member of the prior colonization effort, had indicated had once controlled much of the planet. Moffa's notes referred to a kind of wild dog which was no longer present in the Torgai regions, and which the Torgai said had been their hereditary enemies, with the Torgai finally prevailing and driving them to the northern forests. In fact the notes indicated the Torgai and the Kraa had their final major confrontation less than 100 years earlier, within the memory of some of the older Torgai, and now they were rarely encountered except by the northern Torgai clans. Coupled to their obvious intelligence and well organized pack mentality, the conclusion was they were capable of becoming an organized threat, and for some reason were now able to move south to reclaim their former territory.
Disclosure that the largest of the Kraa had a stone medallion tied around its neck, something totally out of place, caused the most speculation. Sarah described the medallion as an engraved stone disk fastened to a braided cord; both of which were beyond the capability of the Kraa to make. That presented another quandary; if not made by the Kraa, then who? The only known occupants of the planet with the ability to fashion such either the disk or the cord were the Torgai. Was it possible some relationship had developed between the Torgai and the Kraa, or could some third as yet undiscovered species be present?
Kevin had reported a few other Kraa sighted near the colony but, while they avoided the colony itself, they appeared unconcerned about keeping hidden. Of concern, however, was that with the grass cover and lack of effective heat sensors on the scout planes it was difficult to be sure those were the only packs in the area. Kevin had left the meeting with two-fold direction on handling the Kraa threat. First, take steps to expel any Kraa near the colony site, killing them if necessary, followed by a gradually expanding exclusion ring. Second, to locate their home range and breeding grounds and develop a plan for extermination if it proved necessary.
This second direction had caused hot discussion as to the morality of extermination of a species with the obvious intelligence of the Kraa. However, the clear direction was to at least develop the plan, and later address the moral issues prior to any implementation. Now, as he leaned back in the shuttle chair, Kevin closed his eyes and tried to relax.
June 22, Year 20
Kraa-Ki kept the steady pace she and her pack had maintained all night. Now, with the coming dawn, a place to hide and rest during the warm daylight hours was of immediate concern. Hiding during the day was something she had not had to do for many years, ever since they had moved south to destroy the Torgai. But the unsettling news of the new 'flatfaced' Torgai at the place of the above ground caves had instilled a new caution. The ease with which they had destroyed most of one of the scout packs was troubling.
The other reports she had received from the scout packs were also troubling. They reported large, fiery objects coming down from the sky and forming a new above ground village not far from the original village, and other smaller objects that sometimes came from the sky or walked over the ground, and seemed to swallow, and then disgorge, the ‘flatfaces’.
She had been told many more of the 'flatfaced' Torgai coming with the objects. Some of the scouts had said the number of newcomers was larger than any of the Torgai villages had been, even the large village in the highlands. Many of the stories seemed outrageous, and Kraa-Ki didn't want to depend on word from her scout packs but must see the new arrivals for herself. Possibly test them and see how they compared to the Torgai. With this in mind she would watch the newcomers while more packs were on their way. Then she would decide whether they could be safely attacked, or what other approach she should use.
Back in the foothills . . . .
Eric slid the last meter to the canyon floor, followed by Jeff. Ha and the other seven Torgai had already reached the bottom.
Leaning against the side of the bank Eric rested while his breath returned to normal. He was sweating heavily and his body was bruised and filled with aches. I'm getting too old for this, he thought to himself. This should be left to youngsters like Jeff, not 65 year old men. Jeff seemed hardly winded and on reaching the canyon floor immediately started to explore the nearby terrain.
A short distance from the valley where the signal was to be made this small, enclosed canyon would be their camp, hopefully safe from discovery; a camp without a fire to avoid any possibility of the Kraa being attracted by the smell of smoke. Ha led the way to a small alcove in the side of the canyon where the group settled down to a cold supper and, later when total darkness was approaching, wrapped themselves in their sleeping robes for the night. Even here Ha was cautious enough to keep two of the Torgai assigned at all times as watchmen, leaving Eric and Jeff from the rotation because of their poor sense of smell.
Traveling had been difficult, the group keeping to the ridges to avoid any contact with the Kraa. The closer they got the more careful they would have to be; the target valley was uncomfortably close to areas known to be traversed by Kraa packs. But they had little choice, their signal must be constructed close enough to the settlements and at a low enough altitude that discovery by scoutplane was possible, since the likelihood of sighting by the orbiting ships was remote. Tomorrow they would start construction of the large letters 'SOS' on the valley floor, then retreat to the canyon leaving a lookout to watch the valley. The valley itself was small and enclosed on all four sides by low, rocky ridges; ridges the Torgai hoped the Kraa would not bother to cross.
A short distance away . . . .
Several kilometers from wher
e Eric and the Torgai would spend the night the Kraa pack was also looking for a place to rest. It was a small pack with only the leader and six other members, and all were thin and gaunt from lack of food. But the leader was an old, experienced Kraa who had proven herself in the latest Torgai war. So far their hunt had been unrewarding, finding no Torgai, and with the pack having difficulty catching the fleet, goat-like creatures that existed at these elevations. To sustain themselves they had even been reduced to catching and eating small rodents.
This wasn't the first night they would spend hungry. They had been patrolling for over a month and often went days without a major kill. But then, hunting wasn't their assignment, finding Torgai was. The leader didn't like the assignment to scout in these mountain locations, but it was ordered as a part of the effort to root out any remaining Torgai. Privately she thought it was pointless; they never found Torgai anymore, and even if there were a few left, as long as they stayed in this rugged high country who cared? The Kraa certainly didn't want to live here. But these thoughts she kept to herself. She was not foolish enough to question Kraa-Ki's judgment.
Well, she thought to herself, her assignment would last for only a few more days and then she and her pack could return to the lowlands and gorge on the plentiful herds.
CHAPTER 4: The 4th of July
(July 4, Year 20): The work load had been nearly around the clock and this day-off ordered by Governor Maesaka had been a god-send. While less than a third of the colonists were from the United States, and the excuse had been to celebrate the fourth of July, all had joined in. Annette pushed the basket to the side, sitting down next to Maria Gallucci on the blanket, who looked up and smiled, making room. Kevin put the basket he had been carrying down on the blanket, nodded and smiled to Maria, and then walked over to the tub of ice where Geno Gallucci was opening a beer. I've never been to one of your 4th of July celebrations, but I've heard of them," Maria said. "It's your independence day celebration isn't it? Do you still have fireworks?"
Annette shook her head, "I don't know if they have any here. I’m a ‘small town’ girl, and that's one of my cherished childhood memories though. The parade in the afternoon, the fireworks in the evening. Much different than in the cities where the custom has pretty much died out." Then, looking over to Maria, "what's the date on Earth? I suspect the 4th is long past there."
Maria called to Geno, "Geno, what's the date on Earth?"
Geno turned and looked over toward Maria and Annette, and shrugged before responding, "no idea. Anyway, here we set our own dates."
Holding his beer, Kevin walked over to the blanket, followed by Geno, and sat down, "whatever the date on Earth, this is the 4th of July now. Forget Earth dates, they don't mean anything anymore. New holiday dates, even new birthdays."
Maria sighed, "I suppose. But pretending makes it easier. On the bright side, with our longer year I'm younger than I would be if I had stayed on Earth."
Kevin looked out over the crowd gathered in little groups in the lightly wooded grove. Most of the colonists except his troops on patrol or at guard posts were here, including the over 1,000 from the United States.
"Nice of Takai to allow the picnic," Geno commented, "do you know if he's planning to come?"
"Sure," Kevin responded, "in fact, I think he's here already." Then, getting to his feet, "I'm going to disappear for about 15 minutes to check the guards. This group would be an enticing target."
Geno also got up, "mind if I come along? Get some exercise before we eat."
As they walked off Annette called, "no more than 15 minutes or we'll eat everything ourselves."
When they were out of hearing of Annette and Maria Geno asked, "where do they have them?"
Kevin responded, "Chuck brought them. He's meeting us over by the main guard post; he should be there by now."
Kevin and Geno worked their way through the gathering, occasionally nodding to an acquaintance. Where Takai Maesaka was standing at the center of a small group they stopped for several minutes to exchange greetings and small talk. Leaving Takai they left the crowd behind and crossed to the grove of trees where several guards were standing around a parked vehicle. Chuck Nelson, one of Kevin's men, waved as they approached and replaced the lid on the small picnic basket that had drawn the attention of the group. Picking up the basket he carried it over to Kevin and handed it to him, with, "I hope they appreciate them. I almost wish I could keep them myself."
Kevin took the basket and slightly lifted the lid, while he and Geno looked inside, before again closing the lid. "Thanks a lot, Chuck. I'm sure they will." Returning to the picnic area Kevin and Geno worked their way back to the spot where Annette and Maria were waiting, and Kevin carefully placing the basket in front of him.
Annette looked over, with, "what's in the basket? Some 'rare and exotic' addition to the feast?"
Kevin made a face, responding, "no, although I suppose they could be eaten. But Geno and I have an announcement to make. As I said before, since the dates here on Alpha 2 are different than those on Earth, we decided we can pick our birthdays all over again. And, while I don't know what dates you girls want to pick for future use, Geno and I have picked out your first birthday presents, and, not only that, they are within this 'very basket'." Kneeling, Kevin leaned over and placed the basket between Annette and Maria, with, "open it if you dare. But, be careful, it may be alive."
Annette and Maria looked cautiously at the basket, then Maria glanced over at Annette, "do we dare?"
Annette grinned, then reached for the basket, "I dare anything or I wouldn't be here," lifting the lid. "Oh," came from a startled Annette, as she jerked back. Then, "are they what they look like?" cautiously reaching into one of the baskets and lifting out a small kitten.
"Oh yes," responded Kevin, "exactly what they look like. They were found under one of the buildings, apparently where their mother had made her home. We don't know what happened to the mother, apparently she was frightened off by all the activity because the kittens appeared to be abandoned."
"They look just like Earth kittens," Maria commented, picking up a second one from the basket.
Kevin nodded, "they are. At least, we think they are. Their ancestors must have survived after the colony was destroyed. Not too surprising I suppose, cats are pretty adaptable. I suspect we’ll find other feral cats before we’re done.”
Adding, “eventually both cats and dogs will be grown from the frozen embryos, but the two of you will have the original colonists."
Annette cuddled the kitten, "about the best birthday present I ever had."
Far to the east . . . .
Jeff bent his head to miss the branches, then lowered to a crouch as he 'duck walked' over to where Eric sat screened by the undergrowth. Taking a position next to Eric he parted some of the undergrowth and looked down into the valley. Far below the symbols SOS stood out, scraped into the valley floor in letters ten meters high, brightened by an overcovering of light colored rocks and sand from the nearby creek.
Eric glanced over at Jeff, "have they moved the camp yet?"
Jeff nodded, "to the ravine farther back where we found the small cave earlier. Water's nearby and its still close enough to here. Ha says the area's too rough for the Kraa to climb without a good reason, and the ravine is deep enough to keep the breeze from carrying our smells downwind. It's hard work climbing down, though, at least for you it will be."
Eric shrugged, "I'll make it."
"How long before they see the sign?" Jeff asked.
Eric shook his head, smiling over at Jeff, "just like I said yesterday, and the day before and the day before that. It could be tomorrow, it could be in a couple of months. We're a long distance from the colony, but someday it'll be seen; we have to believe that. We just have to be patient."
Jeff pulled his knees up tight to his chest, gazing down in silence. "I'm almost afraid. I've never seen humans, except you, Margie, and Tommy and Amanda. It'll be so different. How long will we wait befor
e we go back to the village?"
Eric responded, "probably two or three weeks, maybe a month, and then move off. If it's sighted after that they'll find the message in the 'cairn' in the 'O' when they investigate. They'll at least know we're still alive and when we'll be back to check again. I didn't include the village coordinates though. I want to talk to them before I do that; plus I don't know exactly what they are.”
A distance away . . . .
The old Kraa hunter led her small pack up the rocky ravine, carefully sniffing the air as she advanced. The other five followed close behind in single file. These enclosed areas made her nervous, and while it was rare the hidden recesses even at these altitudes became the occasional lair of the large cats, particularly when they were about to give birth. But the odor left behind by cats was very distinctive and she hadn't noticed any sign. She knew that, while her pack was large enough to kill a cat, it would not be before several if not most of them were killed or mauled. The large cats were the only creature on the planet the Kraa wouldn't confront; at least not by choice.
She could have left the area earlier since the search of the assigned area was complete, but something held her back, the instinctive feeling that there were Torgai nearby. She stayed, even though both she and her pack would welcome leaving this desolate area. While they could survive for weeks without a major kill their ribs were beginning to show from the hunger from their lack of hunting success.
Resurrection: Book II: Settlement Chronicals Page 4
