Civilization

by Stephen Drake

  #

  It had taken Palmer most of a day to catch a couple of fish. He was soaked to the bone and the stream was muddy, but he did manage it. It was only enough for a couple of them, so Preston Freeman took the other four guards to the river to harvest enough for everyone. Only one of the guards knew the way to the river, but the rest followed and kept a sharp eye out for the deserters and other threats. No one saw any sign that one hundred and ninety people went through the area, which was disturbing to Freeman. To him, it made no sense that there was no sign. It was then that he realized just how much he didn’t know about living out in the wild. He had no idea how to fish, hunt, or even get a fire started.

  Once they’d reached the river, Freeman was watching intently and asking questions as one of the guards caught fish and threw them onto the bank. He watched as one of the other guards cleaned the fish. He even did one himself, with instruction. After several fish were caught and cleaned, and after all the water skins were filled, they all walked back to the transport pod.

  #

  Irene Harris was out walking around the transport pod trying to get things straight in her mind. Five of the men had gone to the river and it made the transport pod area seem deserted, which she was enjoying. She hadn’t figured out how everyone knew Phylicia’s plans or how everyone had passed out, which allowed Declan to escape. Secretly, she was glad that Declan had escaped. Seeing the trauma inflicted on him by Palmer had appalled her. She had no idea that people could be so cruel. She had done her required time in ERs, back on Earth, but it hadn’t connected that most of the injuries she had treated were caused by the violence of another person. She hadn’t thought of herself as being sheltered, but, now, she wasn’t so sure.

  “Have you figured out what you’re going to do about regaining our medical supplies?” Phylicia asked Harris, having come up behind her while she was lost in her reverie.

  “No, I haven’t,” Harris responded quietly. “What am I supposed to do about it?” Harris said with a shrug. She could see that her answer peeved Phylicia greatly.

  “Well,” Phylicia started finally, “you could retrieve what we had or you can replace them all. Does that give you a clue on what to do about it?” she asked sharply.

  “I can’t replace most of what we lost,” Harris tried to explain. “That would require some very sophisticated manufacturing techniques. The bandages will have to be manufactured here, if we can find the materials and acquire the skills to weave them. And we won’t mention the autoclave needed for sterilization of scalpels, clamps, and retractors.”

  “So, what are you going to do about getting it all back?” Phylicia asked again, apparently still angry that the deserters had stolen all their medical equipment.

  “Like I said, what am I supposed to do about it?” Harris asked with a shocked look on her face.

  “You are the Minister of Health,” Phylicia said testily. “You’re responsible for all the medical supplies that we brought with us as well as their replacement. Did you think your title was just ceremonial?” she asked flippantly. “Do you think that I’m not going to hold you responsible for the supplies being stolen?”

  “There was nothing I could have done about it, and you know it,” Harris snapped angrily. “I was locked in the transport pod, just as you were!”

  “That’s not my problem,” Phylicia replied in like anger. “You should have foreseen the theft and taken steps to preserve our possession of the supplies!”

  Harris said nothing. She saw no point in arguing with someone intent on blaming others for their own shortcomings. She felt that no one could have foreseen the events that had occurred. She did, however, hold Phylicia partially responsible for fostering a climate that precipitated the events. If she hadn’t insisted on trying to rule, as a monarch, everyone and everything, the events wouldn’t have happened the way they did, she thought.

  “I would suggest, strongly,” Phylicia said after seeing that Harris wasn’t going to argue with her, “that you find a way to retrieve the medical supplies!”

  Harris watched as Phylicia left and found her thoughts focusing on those that had escaped. She was contemplating leaving, if she knew the way to Declan and Annie and could survive in the wilds of this strange planet. Murdock’s words to her, about food and shelter not having value to her, hit home stingingly. She wished Murdock had taken her with him. It was becoming apparent to her that most anywhere would be better than her current situation.

  #

  Jeffrey Carter, leading one hundred fifty people away from the pod, had managed to get everyone to the river at the top of the plateau on which the pod had rested. While the stragglers were still coming toward the river, he was standing on the edge of the plateau looking downriver. Below him was a wide valley that seemed to have fewer trees than the current plateau. As he gazed across the river and then up river, he had come to the conclusion that the trees were thinning more down river. He had only the observations he could make from his current position, but it didn’t make him feel any better about proceeding further down river. He had decided that they had gone far enough for one day and gave word to make camp.

  Everyone was doing what they could, individually, to make camp while the stragglers were still coming in. This group had most of the supplies that were stored under the transport pod. He was glad that they had the only medical person left and all the medical supplies. His group also had half of the woodworkers and most of the smelters. It did disturb him that the split of the sexes wasn’t even, which he knew would cause problems later. He had vowed to not be the person in charge when that issue became a problem. It was going to be a headache for someone, though.

  Since his group had most of the tarpaulins, he gave orders to erect them to keep the supplies and the people out of the weather. He had already selected one person to build the initial fire that all the others would use to light their own and saw that the man was doing his job getting the first fire going. Others were gathering fish from the river to feed everyone and still others filled the water skins. As he walked around the encampment, he was pleased to see everyone active and doing something to further the rest of the group. His meanderings finally ended at the plateau edge and the river once more.

  As Carter was looking across the river, he could see some deer grazing. He had hoped for an easy crossing of the river, but couldn’t see one. The river was running very swiftly, at this point in its voyage to who knows where, with high banks on both sides. He found himself wishing for his trusty Winchester rifle from home, and then chastised himself once more for indulging in such trivial pursuits as wishful thinking.

  #

  Murdock showed up at the first camp, at the base of the ridge, two days after he had left Bass and the other ex-guards. As he walked around, Elizabeth Reyes rushed to join him.

  “We’ve been waiting for you,” she said excitedly, after the briefest of introductions. “Most of us are anxious to get things started, but don’t know what to do first. I did send out scouts to see if they can locate a suitable permanent camp, but they haven’t returned, yet.”

  “When do you expect them?” Murdock asked while strolling around the camp.

  “They should be back any time now,” Reyes told him.

  “In the meantime,” Murdock responded, “you need to show me what you have for tools then call a meeting of all your artisans.”

  Reyes nodded and led him to the tool storage area. Murdock started looking through the tools and found that they had more tools than he did and there were sledges and drifts for metal working as well as some tools for doing precise work with wood and metal.

  “Shall we call the meeting of artisans?” Murdock asked after his inspection of the tools.

  Reyes agreed and led the way back to the tarpaulin covered area she was using as her quarters. Once there she sent someone to round up the different artisans and deliver them to Reyes’ tent. It didn’t take long to get the artisans gathered and Murdock started outlining what he felt each on
e should be doing. After some time, he wound down and called for questions.

  There weren’t too many questions. Most of them dealt with making money.

  “You’re all under a different paradigm, now,” Murdock started to explain. “There is no money here and little need for it, at this time. You should all be working together to better each other. As an example, if I wanted someone here to make me two dozen arrows and he needed leather to make a coat, it would not be out of line to charge me the leather for the arrows. It would work for food as well. All you need is just a simple barter system.” As he explained he could see everyone nodding that they understood. With that, the meeting ended.

  As the meeting was breaking up, Bass Heartly, and his small troop, returned. After getting something to eat and drink, Bass reported their findings to Reyes. When Reyes heard about the box canyon, she sent for Murdock.

  “My scouts have returned,” she said once Murdock was there and they could talk. “They report that they have found a box canyon that might be usable as a more permanent camp. Would you mind looking at it and giving me your thoughts on it?”

  “I wouldn’t mind at all,” Murdock said. “I’m ready to leave when they are.”

  Bass followed Murdock out of the tent and they both started off toward the canyon. It took Bass some time to find the stakes and then follow them to the ridge. As the two men stood outside the canyon, Murdock looked up and then looked first left, then right. He didn’t say anything as they entered the canyon and Murdock inspected the pool and the ground around the over-flow. When he finished, he pronounced that it could be made to be defensible, with a little work, and would be a good place to live. With his pronouncement, Murdock saw Bass light up with pride. Murdock led the way back to the camp and as a result they were back in less time. Both men reported to Reyes their findings.

  “I would like to see it for myself,” Reyes said cautiously. “Would you both show it to me?”

  “You do know,” Murdock asked Reyes as they walked, “you are going to need men to hunt deer? And those deer will supply you with the clothes that you obviously need?”

  “Yes, I know,” Reyes responded. “We will require your skills for tanning the hides, however. What is that?” she asked indicating the small bits of meat he was munching on as they walked.

  “Venison,” Murdock said handing her some and then offering some to Bass.

  “It has a smoky taste,” Reyes commented after tasting it, “Not at all like I remember venison tasting.”

  “That’s because it is smoked,” Murdock informed her.

  Reyes stopped short and stared at Murdock.

  “What?” Murdock asked not knowing why she stopped.

  “Remarkable!” Reyes responded in awe. “Next you’ll be telling me you have smoked salmon as well.”

  “I’ll bring you some the next time I come,” Murdock responded soberly.

  #

  After Freeman and the four guards returned with enough fish for everyone, they all gathered around the fire for the cooking. Phylicia, Heather, and Kimberly chose to sit away from the rest while they waited for the fish to cook. Irene Harris sat closer to the fire, but was careful not to get in the way of the men. Palmer, who had already eaten the fish he had caught, sauntered over to her and was entirely too close to suit her. Everyone waited quietly while the fish cooked. When the fish were cooked, Freeman and the four guards helped themselves first and went off to eat by themselves. Heather came over to the fire and got enough for Phylicia, Kimberly, and herself. Only after everyone else had gotten their share did Irene take her portion.

  “You know,” Palmer said quietly to Irene Harris, sitting close to her, “it appears your choices have dwindled greatly. You may want to consider being nicer to me.”

  “And why would I do that?” Irene asked as she nibbled on her portion of fish. She did her best not to look at Palmer directly. After seeing his cruelty, the site of the man made her ill.

  “Just by counting,” Palmer started while he looked around to see who could hear, “there’re more men than women. Here, you females are going to need a nice, strong man to take care of you.”

  “When you find one, let me know,” Irene quipped while continuing to eat. She wasn’t trying to be arrogant. She just wanted Palmer to leave her alone. When she finally looked at him, she could see how red his face was. “You really should try to control your anger. What are you going to do if you have a heart attack?”

  “If I do, you’ll have to take care of me,” Palmer stated, leering at her. “That’s what doctors do, ain’t it?”

  “You don’t know as much as you think you do,” Irene said flatly. “I could always be slow to react, or nick the wrong thing. Things happen and you just never know when.” It was then that she made up her mind to try to find one of the other groups or Murdock. She didn’t know how or when, she just knew she had to get away from these people.

  At sunset, they all went inside the transport pod and tried to find a comfortable corner to spend the night. Phylicia, and her entourage, retired to her old quarters. Irene Harris retired to the space that was used, until recently, as a recovery room. Freeman and the guards slept in the main compartment, the same compartment as the ramp. Palmer had dawdled when the rest were retiring. He had seen Harris go to the recovery room and he had looked around to be sure that he wasn’t observed. Once sure he wasn’t seen, he slipped down the passageway.

  “If I were you, Palmer, I’d leave now,” Harris warned from the darkened room before Palmer could get to the doorway. She was wishing she had a door that locked, but very few of the compartments even had doors, let alone locks. As she listened intently, she could not hear anyone moving in the passageway. Harris found a small area under a table that was attached to the wall. Since the lighting seemed to be directly tied into the solar panels on the top of the pod and were only on during sunlight, it would be hard for anyone, who didn’t know the compartment, to find her.

  At some point, Harris must have fallen asleep because the next thing she knew, she was being dragged out from under the table by her ankle. Once she was aware of what was happening, she kicked hard, several times, with her free foot. Only one connected and it raised a howl from her attacker. It was then that she felt a fist hit her face. The first one made her see stars. She remembered nothing after the second one.

  11

  Shortly after Murdock had left, Declan had gotten up to walk around a little on his own. He hadn’t gotten far before Annie showed up.

  “Are you okay?” she asked. “I don’t want you to overdo and injure yourself further.”

  “You need to give me some space,” Declan snapped at her. “If I overdo then I overdo and will deal with it,” he said looking at her. He could see that his words hurt her and that was not what he intended.

  “If that’s what you want,” Annie said roughly and returned quickly to the cabin. She could feel the tears starting and she didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry.

  Declan had wanted to get away to think and evaluate his situation. He did appreciate Annie and her concern, but he didn’t need her help every second of every day. That was good, he thought. You didn’t need to be so rough. She was just trying to help and you should appreciate the fact that she’s been there for you. You wouldn’t talk to Rose that way so why would you talk to Annie that way? Since he couldn’t answer his own questions, he decided to walk further away from the cabin. He wanted to sit by the river and just think.

  When he found a place, he managed to sit, with difficulty, on the bank. His legs were stretched out in front of him and his back was against a smooth rock. He closed his eyes and concentrated on the sound of the river. It seemed to calm him a little and he managed to clear his mind somewhat. His thoughts seemed to roam around to all of his concerns, of their own accord, instead of focusing on any one of them. He was angry, he decided, at Palmer for the beating, at Murdock for allowing his sister to die, and at the beings that sent him here in th
e first place. He was here without skills and dependent on someone else, just like he was back on Earth with his sister. He had been dependent on her and hated himself for it. I should have been stronger, more independent, more self-assured.

  “Declan,” he heard behind him, “we need to talk!” It was Mei Lee, but he didn’t want to talk to her either and didn’t even bother to open his eyes or look at her when she spoke.

  “I’m not in the mood,” he snapped at her. It was then he felt hands grab him and lift him off the ground.

  “We are going to talk!” Mei Lee said angrily.

  When he opened his eyes, he saw little Mei Lee holding him off the ground.

  “I don’t much care what your mood is. I’m going to talk and you’re going to listen!” she insisted as she shook him back and forth a few times.

  “Alright,” he yelled contritely. “Just put me down!” That was when his posterior met the grass, unceremoniously.

  “You may be Rose’s brother, but you have no right to talk to anyone the way you talked to Annie.” Mei Lee was angry at Declan and made sure he could see it on her face. “I loved your sister and would do anything for her, but I refuse to put up with a spoiled little boy that dresses like a man. For as long as you stay here, you’ll talk and treat everyone with the proper decorum and civility. You may be family, but Annie is a guest, an honored guest and you will be respectful!”

  Declan was sitting on the ground where he was unceremoniously dropped, watching this little oriental woman, with one fist on her hip and shaking the index finger of her other hand, at him, scolding him. It reminded Declan of Rose. So much so that he was in shock. Many times, Rose had scolded him in exactly the same way with the same body position and using the same exact words.