Bigelow called out to his horse, Anika, “Come on girl! I know you are doing it all alone now, but we must make good time!”
The black horse was dripping sweat as she alone pulling the troika. The deep green colored, four-wheeled, wagon was only carrying Bigelow and Cammarry. Its wheels were much like an automacubes, just about three times as large. They absorbed the bumps and jolts from traveling across the land, where there was no road. The back seats were empty, and there were only a few boxes in the rear cargo bed.
“I am pleased you decided to ride with me,” Bigelow said as he turned his head and glanced at Cammarry. She sat in the seat next to him.
Patting the Willie Blaster, she held in her hand, Cammarry responded, “We wanted one of us in the front wagon, and one in the rear. Our weapons are superior to anything you have, in range accuracy, and striking power. From what Sandie reports, there are dangerous and violent criminals around.”
Bigelow spat and mumbled a few obscenities.
“Yes, I know you remember what I did on the road when we saved those children,” Cammarry said. “I will never forget that, but we need protection. With Jerome in the rear wagon and me in this front wagon, we can guard the caravan.”
“And Monika can spend time with Jerome,” Bigelow sarcastically replied. “The troika is not a wagon,” he concluded with a flourish of crass and vulgar words.
“I trust Jerome, and since neither of us know how to maneuver a wagon, or a troika,” Cammarry over emphasized the word ‘troika’ and then went on, “it is logical and prudent for us to serve as guardians, and let you work the horses.”
“Work is the right word, all right. Anika is working too hard,” Bigelow’s words carried compassion for the horse. “But you need not remind me of the dangers. One of our tobianos was shot down by some assassin off in hiding. We never did see who did that. And I saw the bodies of the roustabouts who were killed. My friends, all of them. Their ride on the carousel ended in a gruesome fashion, so I know the dangers here.” Surprisingly, there were few profanities in his comments, just immense sorrow and grief. He pulled the flask out and swallowed a lot of his drink.
Cammarry looked back and could see Peter on the seat of the wagon right behind them, the mechanic’s wagon. That had most of the roustabout’s remaining tools and equipment. It was pulled by a large bay colored horse. Behind that, Siva was operating the covered wagon which also carried Jenna. She was seated next to him. Her color was better, but her eyes were still showing dark circles under them. Cammarry had suggested she recline in the back of the covered wagon, but she insisted on seeing what was happening. Siva smiled and waved as he caught Cammarry’s eye. Both of the tobianos were pulling the covered wagon. It was the only one to have more than one horse drawing it.
“Sandie? Are we making good time?” Cammarry asked as she continued to survey the caravan.
“You are on course,” Sandie replied through the com-link. “The Special Care Unit is under nearly constant attack by small groups. I am unsure of the lay-of-the-land between your position and that of Khin and Vesna. Therefore, I am unable to judge if you are making good time.”
“We will get to the bridge soon,” Bigelow stated. “We will not ford the river, not with all the junk in the water now. We are watering the horses with filtered and cleaned water. It would not be safe for them to even walk in the river now.”
Last in the caravan line was a smaller vehicle Bigelow had called a karozzin. Monika was driving that, which was pulled by a medium sized bay colored horse. That wagon was not as utilitarian as was the covered wagon or the mechanics wagon. It had spoked wheels, and a small driver’s seat. Behind that were two, two-person seats which faced each other. One looked forward and one looked backward. A tent-like canopy or roof was over that. Monika was on the driver’s seat, and Jerome was behind her, watching the rear for any possible attack.
“Jerome?” Cammarry said into her com-link. “Any signs of danger?”
He immediately answered, “No. I see no Crock tracked vehicles, or signs of gravity sink holes. No violent people either.”
They drove onward. The sky tube shining down over the habitat, but no birds flew by, nor did they see any living animals of any kind. The biome was strangely quiet expect for the creaking of the wagons, and the heavy breathing of the horses.
“River up ahead,” Bigelow gestured. “We will be meeting the road in a few moments. The bridge is where the gap in the trees is seen.”
Cammarry looked, and there were trees growing all along this part of the river. The space, or gap, Bigelow spoke about did have the road leading up to it.
“That would be a place to ambush us,” Bigelow said. “Sharpshooters could hide in the trees on either side of the roadway, and as we pass over the bridge they could gun us down.”
“So you and I should hurry up and reconnoiter that bridge and make sure it is safe before the others get here,” Cammarry stated with an air of command. “Right?”
Swearing excessively and graphically, Bigelow agreed. “Come on Anika. We need to press on faster!” He clicked his lips and then whistled.
The black horse responded and the troika sped ahead. Cammarry waved to Peter behind and he nodded his understanding. The troika bumped as it rolled up onto the roadway. There their speed increased even more. The road had some pock marks, and some cracked and buckled up areas, but was not in too bad of a condition.
“There is something up there in the roadway,” Bigelow observed. “Looks like someone else was here not long ago.”
The trees lining the river were still green, but they had a sickly yellowish tint to their leaves, and the foliage was less dense and lush than it had looked from a distance. There were few places for someone to hide. Cammarry looked all around on the other sides of the roadway, and then back to the objects on the road. She had the Willie Blaster at the ready, and was scouring the area as she sighted down the weapon.
Several obviously dead human bodies were spread across the road. An overturned small buggy was wrecked along the side. One of its wheels turned lazily in a slow and eerie spin.
“Notice, no dead horse or donkey,” Bigelow explained as they approached.
“So someone killed these people for the horse?” Cammarry asked.
“People have killed for far less than that. Oh yes, for far less than a food horse.” Bigelow drank some more.
The bridge was in worse condition than the road. It had been about fifteen meters wide, which would have allowed two-way passage of wagons and such, however, the permalloy had been ripped open in irregular and jagged holes. The ruined parts were exposed in numerous places all across the bridge.
“That really takes some kind of force!” Bigelow shook his head. “Like what we saw projected from your artificial intelligence. I was hoping that was some deception or trick, but this proves something is capable of crushing permalloy.” The profanities were nearly a constant stream among Bigelow’s running commentary. “I think we can make it across, one vehicle at a time, but I am not sure of the understructure of the bridge. But it must be safer than the water.”
“How do we know there is not a gravity sink hole on that bridge right now?” Cammarry asked. “Sandie, can you see anything there?”
“With the limited perspective from the com-link, I do not detect anything which would suggest a gravity sink hole is still in operation. However, the damage we are seeing is consistent with the damage we have seen in the wake of prior gravity sink holes,” Sandie answered. “I apologize I can offer no better answer.”
“Then I will do this the manual way,” Cammarry stated. “No sense in risking the horse.”
Bigelow smiled at that and said, “Anika would not walk into one of those things, but thank you for considering my associate.”
“I can also test the structural integrity and look for other problems,” Cammarry said as she walked past the dead bodies and the broken buggy. She noted the people had been shot, but could not tell from what direction. S
he tried to not remember their faces, but she failed.
“I need a high-technology testing device.” She picked up a fist-sized chunk of broken permalloy. “Yes, I found another Buddy.”
Walking onto the bridge, Cammarry tossed the chunk onto a section where she guessed the wagon could cross and watched its flight. The trajectory was normal and steady. She walked after it, picked it up, and repeated the process. “So far it looks safe. Follow me.”
“Make sure it is safe.” Bigelow had Anika ever so slowly walk along drawing the troika.
Cammarry looked down into the water, and then regretted that she had done so. It was like the dead fish in the stream, only much worse. Dead fish were floating in the shallows of the river bank, but so were dead animals, some larger aquatic beasts, and a myriad of dead birds sprinkles the banks of the river. As she looked, the smell hit her. As she turned from the smell she noted the human bodies that were floating face-down in the river.
“Oh, how disgusting!” Cammarry exclaimed as she nearly vomited from the smells and sights. She touched the com-link as she pulled up her RAM mask. “Jerome! The whole river is filled with dead things, including people. The bridge is damaged, but we are heading across. Tell the others to cross one wagon at a time. I am checking it for gravity sink holes, but so far I do not see any.”
“Understood,” Jerome replied. “Monika, catch up to Jenna, we need to tell…” The com-link shut down.
Cammarry looked back and saw that the other wagons were converging together right where they met the road. Looking back to the dilapidated bridge, she repeated her throwing and walking. With one throw the Buddy of permalloy rolled off the bridge and fell through a hole. She heard it splash into the river.
“Well, at least it was not crushed.” She found another chunk of broken bridge, this one a softer metal like steel. She continued the testing.
“Anika! Keep going across girl!” Bigelow commanded and snapped the reins.
The black horse pulled the troika around the dead bodies, and then past the wrecked buggy and onto the bridge. With some careful instruction from Bigelow, they did cross to the other side, but it was a serpentine route.
“The safe pathway is large enough for the covered wagon, and that is our biggest one,” Bigelow said. “They should all make it.”
Cammarry climbed back in and they waited in the troika as the other wagons passed across the damaged bridge. There were no incidents, but even Bigelow had taken a handkerchief and used it as a mask over his nose and mouth to cut down on the smell.
Jenna waved her hand as her covered wagon crossed the bridge.
“Move ahead some,” Cammarry ordered.
The caravan was bunched up, but moved out along the road. Gaining some distance away from the ruined bridge, and the horrid and foul odors of the river, they stopped the caravan. Bigelow took a small bucket from the back of the troika and poured some filtered water into it. He then presented it to Anika and allowed her to drink. He soothingly spoke to her and patted her forehead as he did so.
With all the wagons gathered together, Bigelow and Monika went around and gave a filtered drink to each of the horses. They all drank eagerly, although they still flared their nostrils often trying to clear themselves from the foul odor emanating from the dead bodies in the river. Peter checked the harnesses, and Siva tended to Jenna. Jenna was much stronger now.
“I will take the lead from here,” Monika said as she climbed back into the karozzin carriage. “If Cammarry can watch what is behind us, Jerome and I will be first. All I have to do is follow this roadway and it leads to the Special Care Unit, right?”
“That is correct,” Bigelow stated. “Although my dear Monika, I am not sure I want to be last.” He smiled and bowed to Monika. “But you are certainly welcome to be first whenever you want.”
“Can all the horses detect the gravity sink holes?” Jerome asked. “Old Bill could do that, so do all horses have that ability?”
“Well rube,” Bigelow said in a different tone of voice, “we have not tested all horses. How do you suppose we do that? Line them all up and then summon down one of those strange gravity pits? Then compare each horse’s reaction?”
“So, Bigelow, you just do not know,” Jerome said angrily. “Your horse might be able to detect them and avoid danger, but this horse might not. Is that what you are trying to say?”
Before Bigelow could give a snappy and profane retort, Monika interrupted. “Jerome, we have not experienced any of those gravity sink hole situations up close. I suspect horses are sensitive to them, but we have not tested it. Old Bill is an exceptional animal, so he may be unique in that ability.”
“See, that is a straight and clear answer,” Jerome said and nodded to Monika.
“If you do not like the way I speak, do not ask me any more of your ludicrous questions!” Bigelow retorted. “Idiot rube asked stupid questions, then gets made when he does not hear what he wants.” Much obscenity accompanied Bigelow’s reply. “How Monika tolerate him; I will never know.”
“Gentlemen!” Jenna called out from where she sat on her wagon. “There is enough rotten stink here without you two adding vile verbal content to it. You will both behave and remember we are on a mission to rescue children and elderly people. There is no room for personal quarrels and rotten attitudes. Do I make myself clear?”
“Perfectly,” Jerome answered as he snapped his mouth shut. Monika squeezed his thigh in support. He considered explaining how important avoiding the gravity sink holes was, but held his tongue. He understood that everyone knew the risks, especially after seeing the automacube get destroyed, and crossing the torn up bridge.
“Yes, Jenna, I understand, and I offer my apologies that I let the rube irritate me. Please Monika, if your hands are not too busy, lead us onward!” Bigelow said with a flourish and a mock bow. “The Special Care Unit is downstream not far from here. A few bends in the road, and we should be able to see it on the hill. It is right along the river.”
The caravan proceeded away, rearranging the order of the wagons a bit with Monika’s in the lead, and Bigelow’s bringing up the rear. Cammarry slipped off the front bench seat, and took up a spot on the second row seat of the troika so she could observe behind them. She disliked the obvious tension between Bigelow and Jerome, but she sensed the was more behind that, and wondered what the true story was.
The caravan made good time on the roadway, and found there were less ruined parts in the road as they moved further away from the bridge. Unnatural silence still accompanied them as they continued to see no living animals, and to hear no bird or animal sounds.
“Jerome? Look at that!” Monika said and snapped her fingers as she pointed. Her other hand held the reins for the horse.
“A single man standing at the side of the road,” Jerome responded as he looked over her shoulder from the rear seats of the karozzin. Monika had offered to share the driver’s seat, but Jerome thought that was too cozy of contact, and he could see nearly as well from the rear. He aimed the Willie Blaster at the man.
“Hail wagon train!” the man called in a loud voice. “I am seeking assistance and help.”
From his voice, Monika could not tell his age. He did not seem old, but he also did not sound like a teen. She pulled the karozzin to a halt. She called out to him, “How can we assist you?”
“I am seeking a ride to the Special Care Unit. I am in need of medical care,” the man answered. He held up a crudely bandaged arm. There was a long red streak on it. “Anything you can do to help me? I have been walking for ever so long.”
Jerome stepped down from the karozzin carriage. He kept the Willie Blaster aimed at the man. “I can render medical aid right here.” Jerome looked back and saw that the rest of the caravan had stopped, keeping some distance between the wagons. With his free hand he tapped the com-link and spoke very quietly. “Cammarry, watch out for some kind of trap. There is a man up here who looks injured and is asking for help. I will use my medical kit on
him. No, wait. I have a strange feeling about him. Instead, I will just throw him a trauma gel pack. I am not sure I want to get too close.”
“The trauma gel pack is slower, but will do a lot of healing,” Cammarry responded. “I doubt this is an ambush. Back at the bridge was more likely. The riverbank had some trees for cover, but here there are few places for people to be hiding. Unless they are down in the grasses. I will keep my eyes open for any movement.”
Jerome pulled one of the blue trauma gel packs out from the holder on the side of the medical kit. He remembered what the medical staff in Dome 17 had said about the gel packs and how they could treat many injuries and illnesses, but were not as effective as the full treatment offered by the medical kit. With the Willie Blaster still in hand he slowly walked toward the man. “I have some medicine which will help you.”
“That is great.” The man started to walk toward Jerome. He was dressed in a torn shirt of woven blue fabric and dark pants. The bandage on his arm had been some kind of clothing before it was wrapped around his injuries. His scruffy beard was as unkempt as the hair on his head.
The Colony Ship Conestoga : The Complete Series: All Eight Books Page 139
