by Alan David
They were not following the reverse course on the return trip, he was quick to notice, and stiffened when he spotted marshy ground beneath them instead of the solid, rolling plain. He clutched at the back of the seat for support as the skyraft tilted once more, and when he glanced at Ralip he saw she was fighting the controls, trying desperately to maintain control of the craft.
‘What’s wrong?’ Clark demanded tensely, and there was a note of concern in his tones. She threw a quick glance across one broad shoulder.
‘We’re in trouble. The Marscs! Marshmen! They’ve got a tractor beam on us.’
‘What are we doing over the marsh? This isn’t the way we came when we left the farm.’
‘I thought we’d pick up the rest of your people from the Avics. That would save you the trouble of marching back through the forest to get them.’
‘That was thoughtful of you, but I wish you had mentioned it before setting out. I don’t know where the rest of my people are right now. They were moving camp as we departed. We have to rendezvous with an Avic as soon as we get back into the jungle.’
‘I’m sorry I didn’t ask!’ Ralip’s voice was harsh with fear. The skyraft was tilting sideways, losing height, although unwillingly, as if some invisible force was trying to drag it bodily out of the sky.
‘These Marshmen!’ Clark said. ‘What are they like?’
‘Half my size, but very dangerous. They are our sworn enemies! We fight each other whenever possible. We have driven them into the marshes, but they come out on raids at times, and do a lot of damage and killing. They are fierce, and use a mixture of primitive weapons and modern ones.’
‘It’s certainly not a primitive weapon they’re using against us now!’ Clark observed, as the raft swung erratically and lost more height. He pushed himself up and climbed into the front seat. ‘Which set of controls operate your disintegrator? I’d better make myself useful.’
Ralip pointed out the small box that controlled their only weapon, and Clark peered through the large forward viewport and studied the ground. There were immense stretches of open water, and a large number of trees, with solid ground here and there. They were just over the fringe of the marsh, but farther ahead Clark could see the country was closer, the vegetation denser and practically impassable.
He studied the ground, looking for signs of the weapon that was being used to bring them down, and he saw a patch of shimmering light that indicated the presence of released energy. He tightened his lips as he followed Ralip’s instructions and brought the weapon to bear. When he thumbed a button on the side of the box a brilliant white beam darted earthwards, and the next instant the skyraft leaped and shuddered as the power of the tractor beam gripping it was released.
‘We’re free!’ Ralip almost shouted in her relief.
‘Let’s get out of the area as fast as possible,’ Clark retorted.
The woman swung the machine and they started away, but in the same instant Clark caught a bright burst of light somewhere below, and he glanced down, knowing instinctively that they had been fired upon. Before he could call to Ralip or do anything at all the skyraft leaped and turned upside down.
Clark fell heavily against Ralip, who was strapped into her seat and safe, and he was dazed as he struck his head against the solid wall of the craft. They were out of control, he thought in some confusion, and grabbed desperately at the seats to hold himself still as the skyraft described a number of hair-raising acrobatic movements through the sky.
Ralip was fighting for control, and Clark dragged himself away from her, getting back into his seat. He clipped the seat belt into place, but found it too big, and there was no time to make any alteration. He instinctively went back to the disintegrator, but the craft was not steady enough for him to attempt to use it.
Again they were struck by a burst of released energy, and once more the craft went berserk. Clark saw they were losing height rapidly, and he thought their last moments had come.
‘If we have to come down, try and get as far as possible from this spot,’ he shouted. The cabin was filling with pale grey smoke, and it stung his eyes and constricted his throat.
Ralip glanced at him, and he was surprised that there was no fear in her expression.
‘Get into the back seats and strap yourself down,’ she said. ‘You’ll have a better chance of surviving the impact when we land.’
Clark obeyed her because it seemed the most sensible thing to do. When he was strapped into the back seat he looked down through the viewport, and saw they were getting away from the danger area. He could see a number of tiny figures on some firm ground, running hither and thither, manhandling a large machine that had a projecting tube. Clark figured it was the weapon that had been used against them, and he tightened his lips as he saw the tube being brought to bear once more.
‘Take evasive action, Ralip!’ Clark shouted. ‘They’re about to hit us again.’
The woman nodded without turning her head, and the next instant the skyraft was standing on end as she brought it around. A cold sweat stood out on Clark’s forehead, because they were already damaged and he did not expect the craft to stand up to the strain. They went down fast, with so much acceleration that Clark felt himself pressed back into the seat. He stared through the forward viewport and saw the ground coming up at them. He closed his eyes, fearing the worst, thinking Ralip had finally lost control, but at the last moment the skyraft tilted and banked sharply, and they actually skimmed some trees as they went speeding across the surface of the marsh, with the trees between them and the weapon directed at them.
‘That was too close for comfort!’ Clark spoke harshly, and the woman turned her head to smile at him. ‘Any time you want to join a crew of mine I’ll be glad to have you. Where did you learn to handle a craft like this?’
‘It comes with practise,’ she replied, and now the smile was gone. ‘It isn’t the first time I’ve strayed into trouble. But I think we’re safely out of it now. I’ll take the shortest route home. Hold tight. We’re going to have to stay almost at ground level. I don’t know how seriously we’ve been damaged.’
Clark had considered his nerve as good as anyone’s, but he could only feel admiration for this alien woman who had befriended him. He remained in the back seat and stared around from the various ports as they made for the farm, and the rest of the trip passed without incident. Finally Ralip turned to him, giving him a searching glance, and Clark, thankful that the cultivated plain was beneath them, lifted his gaze to her strong face.
‘Something on your mind?’ he inquired.
‘I have a favour to ask you!’
‘Anything! The way you’ve helped me, and got us out of trouble today, there’s nothing I wouldn’t give you, if it is within my power.’
‘When you try to escape from this planet I want to go along with you!’
‘To Earth with us?’ Clark demanded, surprised.
‘Anywhere away from this existence we lead,’ she retorted. ‘From what you have told me about your race of people I think I could be happy in their company.’
‘We don’t have much choice in risking our lives to escape,’ he said slowly. ‘We know we’ll probably die if we remain on this planet. But you don’t have to take any such chance.’
‘I would rather die than remain. I’ll do all I can to help you get away, but with the death of my parents I have nothing to hold me here. I don’t look forward to spending the rest of my life tending this farm and fighting off the periodic attacks and raids that are made against us. Will you take me along?’
‘Let us talk some more about it nearer the time,’ he said. ‘Right now there’s too much to be discussed and planned. If you really want to go along and we find the means of escape then of course I’ll take you.’
‘Thank you!’ She lapsed into silence, and Clark was thoughtful as they continued. Soon the farm appeared ahead, and Ralip leaned forward as she stared down at the spread of buildings. ‘We have some trouble on our hand
s!’ she retorted, her thin tones sending a pang through Clark. ‘Look there beside my garage. It is the skyraft of Quartus, the local security chief. He’s not with the craft so he must be in the house. I hope he has not discovered your friends.’
Clark peered down as they swooped towards the garage, and he saw the white craft on the ground nearby. There was no sign of activity around the farm, and the air of desertion made him wonder if a trap had been set for their return. But before he could broach the subject Ralip was putting the craft down neatly into the garage, and already there was a nine foot figure coming out of the house to meet them …
Chapter Nine
‘Pull forward the back of your seat,’ Ralip instructed as she switched off the power. There’s a storage space behind it. Get into it and remain silent until I come for you. I’ll go out and check what’s been happening.’
Clark obeyed quickly, and felt stifled as he got into the narrow space revealed by pulling forward the seat. He caught a glimpse of Ralip’s face as she pushed the back of the seat into place, and then all sounds were muffled as she left the craft.
He switched on the booster of the semantics transmuter and lifted the microphone in an attempt to pick up voices. A moment later he heard Ralip’s high pitched tones, and he knew the woman was nervous. Her voice came through the machine, and in English, and he listened intently.
‘I am honoured by a visit from Quartus!’ Ralip said.
‘Ralip, I have been waiting here more than an hour! Why have you left the farm today? After the raid last night you knew I would be here to ask questions.’
‘Your men were here at first light. I told them all I could.’ Ralip’s tones were lower now, as if she had made an effort to control her fear.
‘A dead Ogrin has been found close to this farm, between here and the jungle.’ The male Brutan’s voice was hard and thick, unsteady and guttural. ‘A number of Ogrins was killed last night by our forces, but this particular one died from the effect of an alien weapon, similar to the type used to destroy at least one of our patrol craft in the jungle. A number of aliens have landed on this planet and we are searching for them. Have you seen anything of strangers?’
‘Nothing at all, Ouartus! What do these aliens look like?’
‘Similar to us in appearance, but not of our size. They appear to be of a size between us and the Marscs.’
‘Are they dangerous?’
‘All aliens are classed as dangerous. We have more than enough trouble with the Ogrins and the Marscs, without the addition of intruders arriving. Two large space craft were destroyed as the snooper patrol picked them up. But from each of them a handful of aliens escaped. They have been in action against us, and it is obvious from the reports I’ve seen that the aliens are living with the Avics.’
‘I’ll call you if I see anyone around who looks suspicious,’ Ralip said. ‘What do you want to know about the Ogrin raid that happened last night?’
‘You were taken prisoner by an Ogrin, the one we found dead in mysterious circumstances. How do you account for the fact that he is dead and you are at liberty and unharmed?’
‘I cannot account for it. I was being carried by the Ogrin when he was killed. I was stunned in the fall, and when I regained my senses I returned here, waiting for daylight.’
‘Very well! But don’t take any chances. I suspect the aliens will attempt to reach the spaceport at Rini and try to escape in a spaceship. It is their only hope of getting away with their lives.’
‘Will they be killed if they are captured?’ Ralip asked, and Clark tightened his lips as he awaited the reply.
‘Without doubt! We cannot trust aliens, and will ensure that none get the chance to trick us. The general order is that all aliens should be killed on sight.’
‘I’ll watch out for them. Are they in this area?’
‘We do not know. But they cannot escape us. We will get them in the end.’
Silence came and Clark switched off the transmuter. He lay stiff and worried as he waited for Ralip to return to him, but long moments dragged by before he felt the craft tip a little as a great weight was placed upon the rear. The next moment the woman’s voice reached his ears.
‘You can come out now!’
Clark sighed with relief as he alighted, and Ralip gazed around cautiously before motioning for him to accompany her to the house. They reached the building and Clark waited in the kitchen while she searched the house for intruders. When she returned to Clark’s side he saw that her face was wearing a frown, and her eyes seemed filled with concern.
‘Did you hear what was said by Quartus?’ she demanded.
‘Every word.’ Clark nodded. ‘I told you it wouldn’t be easy for us to escape, but what I learned makes me fear that it will be even more difficult than I anticipated.’
‘I will help you, but if I am caught I will be killed with you.’
Clark nodded. ‘The sooner we start making plans the better,’ he said. ‘If you will let my friends out of the secret chamber we can start plotting our next move.’
Ralip went off, to return a few moments later with Balfin and Searby following her. Balfin eagerly demanded to know what had happened, and Ralip began preparing food while Clark informed the other two of their experiences. When he had given them a complete account, Balfin sighed and shook his head.
‘So it’s going to be every bit as tough as we expected,’ he said.
‘Worse than I expected,’ Clark retorted. ‘It seems the local security chief is aware of the possibilities open to us, and he’s expecting us to make a try for one of their space craft. I’m afraid we’re going to have to shelve that plan for a spell. If we lay low until they begin to forget about us then the extra special precautions that are being taken now around the spaceport might be relaxed. I don’t think we can try anything until the situation is returned to normal.’
‘I’m inclined to go along with that,’ Searby said. ‘So what shall we do, return to the Avics for a couple of months?’
‘It sounds like a good idea to me,’ Clark said. ‘I’m not keen on wasting time. We have to take into account the fact that another Probe project ship might be sent out to search for us in the way that we came looking for Probe 1. We can’t wait around for a third disaster.’
‘We’ll have time before they arrive,’ Searby said. ‘We were down on the planet for months before you showed up, Commander.’
‘But we have to take into account the time it will take us to reach a planet from which to call our base,’ Clark said. ‘I won’t be happy until we are committed to escape, but I’m certain we shall only get one chance to escape, and if we make a mess of that then we’ll never get clear.’
‘So tonight we’ll start back to the Avics and the jungle, is that right, Commander?’ Balfin asked.
‘That’s it!’ Clark retorted.
They were mainly silent during the meal that Ralip provided, and Clark could tell by the woman’s face that she was downcast by his decision to return to the jungle. Later she moved to Clark’s side as they waited for darkness to fall, and Clark could tell she was troubled as he looked into her eyes.
‘Don’t worry,’ he said softly. ‘I’m sure you can see the sense in waiting. When we do decide to make our try we will come this way, and you can travel the rest of the way with us. I’ll take you along. We’ll turn up after dark one night.’
‘I shall be looking for you,’ she replied. ‘I wish I could go with you, but I fear there will be too many guards out in the darkness tonight, and if suspicion falls on me I won’t be here to aid you when the time comes.’
‘That’s right.’ Clark nodded. ‘We’ll need you when the time comes. Don’t do anything to arouse suspicion against you. The time will soon pass and we’ll be arriving before you realize it.’
Ralip nodded, and Clark felt a strange sense of wonder at the situation which had arisen. He sat with Ralip until it was time to leave, and tried to learn as much as possible about the planet and its inhabit
ants. By the time he called Balfin and Searby and they took their leave of the Brutan woman, he was certain that if they ever fell into Brutan hands they would die.
Balfin winced as he shook hands with Ralip, but called a cheery farewell, and Searby followed the Major, who was leading with the Laser ready in his efficient hands. Clark paused for a moment on the doorstep, unable to see Ralip’s face in the shadows.
‘Don’t take any chances around here,’ he warned. ‘Watch out for the Ogrins. It will be a month at least before we return, so don’t start looking too soon after our departure. But you can be sure that we shall show up’
She gripped his hand and Clark turned away. When he looked back after covering some distance he could still see her outline in the doorway. He sighed slowly, then inhaled sharply, and some of the tension left him as he hurried to catch up with Balfin. Then they were clear of the farm and retracing their steps of the previous night.
The moons gave too much light, as before, and they were very cautious as they headed in the direction that would take them back to the jungle. They moved slowly, checking their surroundings unceasingly, and lost track of time as they progressed across the plain. Clark began to think they had gone too far, and kept casting around for landmarks. They could not mistake the hill, however, and the forest beyond, and they moved slowly and carefully. Balfin maintained the lead, and Clark was thankful the Major had come along.
But Balfin suddenly went to earth, and Clark, at Searby’s side, dropped flat almost in the same instant. Searby’s breathing was heavy as he lay at Clark’s shoulder.
‘What is it, do you think?’ Searby whispered hoarsely, and Clark, recalling that the three Brutan guards on the previous night had seemed to hear a whisper from thirty yards range, shook his head in silent reply and motioned for the professor to remain quiet.
The next moment there was danger prowling towards them. It took Clark a split second to note the four tall, gigantic figures that emerged from the shadows and came slowly forward towards them. Ogrins! Clark held his breath for a moment. They were out raiding again. But had Balfin been spotted before going to ground, or had the Major seen the bigger figures of the giants before being spotted himself?