Invasion Earth

by David Tienter

  Trist was taken to the hall of the King. Ceidas sat on a large throne constructed from raw slabs of stone. The sight of the King with his huge and menacing tusks, polished and gleaming in the faint light, had Trist’s heart pounding deep within his chest.

  “Tell me, Envoy Trist,” said Ceidas. “What message do you bring me from the Interplanetary Council?”

  “The Council has long watched the world of Tonk and marveled at the order and depth of the Tonkian world. You have gained renown for the wisdom and understanding of your people.

  “The Council usually waits until a civilization begins space travel before contacting them, but the threat to your civilization forced their hand.”

  “What do you seek from me?” said the King.

  “The Council has sent me because I am immune to quartzline. Most of our population is totally safe from that threat. Now we would like to set up a laboratory with a specimen of quartzline to develop a serum unique to your populace that would make all of your people immune. We have never worked on a serum before as it was unnecessary for our people. However, we are confident that within two weeks we will have the ability to provide an immunization to all citizens of Tonk. If our efforts do not work, the council will blast the asteroid from the sky at a distance great enough to protect your people.”

  The King motioned to Slithest who immediately began a hushed conversation with the King. They both watched Trist as they consulted. King Ceidas turned to Trist. “Why does the Interplanetary Council not destroy the asteroid now and end the threat?”

  “Your Royal Majesty, I suggested that very action to the Council. They could give me no adequate answer, but instead, insisted on this course of action. I believe this action is tried first to reduce the amount of disruption in the Universe.”

  “There seems little reason for the action they are taking now, when they could end the threat.”

  “I cannot question the orders given me by the Council,” said Trist.

  “Lomuse excrement, do you realize that I could just destroy you here and do away with the bother you’re causing me?”

  “I know that you believe you could destroy me. However before you could take action against me, I would signal the Council to transport me back to the ship. Your Palace would then be reduced to sand.”

  “Has your council perfected teleporting?” asked King Ceidas.

  “Certainly, more than a decade ago. We will leave this knowledge with you after the threat has passed. The reason I was teleported a distance from your palace was deliberate. They could have as easily set me down where I am standing now. By walking the mile here, I informed your populace what the purpose of my visit was. Should you refuse our help, we believe they may revolt against you and contact us for help.”

  ”Why would we refuse the help you so graciously offer? We have decided to grant your request. Although we the people of Tonk would have been able to resolve this problem in time, friendship and help when offered freely should always be accepted. With gratitude we accept your offer of help.

  “Is there any other request you wish to make to me?”

  “The Council has discovered that one of your citizens, an Izixebi has a laboratory constructed and ready for use. We would like her and her team to receive the sample. The work will begin at once. If that is acceptable to your Worship.”

  “Let that be my order.”

  “Thank you, your Royal Majesty.”

  Trist began retreating to the entryway where Slithest stood, joining him at the doorway before the crowd. Slithest made an announcement in Tonkian. It sounded like grunts and clicks to Trist, but the crowd melted slowly away. Slithest turned toward Izixebi and motioned her over to him. They talked for several minutes, with Slithest looking covertly at Trist and Izixebi looking at the ground.

  Finally, Slithest stood tall. Izixebi walked a short distance, looking away from Slithest, who now came to consult with Trist.

  “Honorable Envoy,” said Slithest to Trist. “His Royal Majesty and I find ourselves in an awkward position. Our guest quarters are currently occupied, therefore I have arranged to have you housed with Izixebi, the head of the laboratory. We feel this would be advantageous to you since you could discuss work as needed. If this is unacceptable to you, we will find other quarters.”

  Trist felt the sand move beneath his feet. There was danger here. The wrong move with an innocent answer would have his charade exposed. A simple answer indicating that he knew Izixebi would mean death.

  “Who is this woman?”

  Slithest motioned for Izixebi to approach. “This is the lady who has agreed to house you, and operate the laboratory.”

  “This is acceptable to me for tonight. Should it be inappropriate, I will contact you tomorrow.” Trist turned and walked down the road a short way. Soon Izixebi was walking next to him and they returned to her apartment.

  Trist could feel Slithest watch him until they were out of his view.

  ALL QUIET NOW

  The quiet in the apartment surprised Trist. He sat in the big chair watching Mary pack her bag, and wondered about the quiet. He lived in a similar flat in Chicago. It was always noisy with neighbors talking, walking, listening to music, or playing in the halls. Even Mary’s packing was quiet. She made very little noise walking about collecting what she needed. He was puzzled at the mystery of Mary.

  “Are all Tonkians this quiet, or are you living in a monastery?”

  “What do you mean, Trist?”

  “I expect to hear music playing somewhere, people moving around, radios, televisions. Something. Anything that would indicate people are living here.”

  “I’ve seen tapes of your world, but Tonkians are very different. We are a race of hunters. Moving silently and being very quiet always is bred deep into us. We have music rarely. At town meetings and such, but individual people never just play music, or even have instruments.”

  “Well, do you have any clothing stores? I need new clothes. This crap I’m wearing is beginning to fall apart.”

  “We do have clothing stores, but nothing that would fit you. I will get you something later today and alter it to fit. But right now let’s concentrate on getting to the lab and our new set-up.”

  Trist sat quietly, looking at the two large prints on Mary’s walls. The picture over her headboard of the two moons fascinated him. One moon was brighter, and centered, the second moon was offset to the left, and was significantly paler. The second painting was of a lone tree set against what looked to be a lifeless desert.

  “I really like the two-moon picture. It gives a gentle feeling with both moons framed against the darkened sky. Very dramatic.”

  “Thank you, Trist. Those are the two most sought after pictures on Tonk. You can probably see that I am quite religious.”

  “Why would I think that? Do they both have religious significance?”

  “Both pictures are representative of aspects of our god, Zanper. The double moon shows his dual nature. First, the strong female moon shining bright and centered. Secondly, the weaker male moon sits in the place to provide support to the female. The living tree symbol shows his strength in trying times. He is the true living being amidst the desolation of the world. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, I can see that. Do you have a painting of Zanper?”

  “Zanper cannot be pictured, silly. No one knows what he looks like; however, it is believed that he created us in his image.”

  “Back on earth, there are many representations of what the artist believes God, and the man whom we believe to be his son, looks like. Actually the pictures are usually of his prophets which humans like to believe were specially created by our God to spread truth to other men. The pictures are almost always of men.”

  “If your God is male, and his prophets are male, why would he also create women? It seems to me that your God doesn’t like women as much as men. Seems to be a silly God to believe in.”

  “That’s not the way we see it. I’m just explaining it bad.
There are many important women, like Mary the mother of God who is greatly revered. Also, there have been cultures that believed in a female God. I believe it’s just that earth is a male-dominated culture. Men hold most of the important posts and they are looked up to by men and women alike.”

  “You do have a God is who hard to believe in. How could God be born of a woman if he had to create the woman before he could be born?”

  “I’m sorry, Mary, I’m explaining it bad, is all.”

  “I’m a little anxious. Hope you like the laboratory I set up.”

  “It’ll be okay,” said Trist.

  “I have three technicians. I believe them to be loyal to me. I have given them the earth names of Curly, Moe, and Larry.”

  “Wow, what a choice.”

  “Thank you. I have watched them on the random times we pick up tele-beams from earth. They have puzzled me greatly. Do you know them? Can you tell me about them? They must be very intelligent. I have seen them as scientists, doctors, and even space travelers. They must be strong. Also, they have been subjected to great amounts of violence and never sustain an injury. I only hope my technicians can live up to their namesakes.”

  “Oh, I believe they will,” chuckled Trist. Seems the world of Tonk doesn’t understand comedy, he thought. What kind of beings wouldn’t think The Three Stooges were funny?

  “I have been struggling with something all morning. I’ve decided that I need to explain something to you, My Hero. I feel like I’m deceiving you in a way. It started because I wanted you to feel more comfortable here on Tonk.”

  ”Mary, just spit it out, okay? Your explanation is just confusing me.”

  “We Tonkians have mental abilities you earthlings don’t. We can change what you see by putting images inside a part of your mind. I have also given you the ability to understand what I’m saying. You’re hearing me speak Tonkian, but your mind thinks it’s English.”

  “What? You’re saying you’re inside my head?”

  “No, I’m not inside your head. I’m standing here next to you. But when you look at me, you see an earth female. I look nothing like what you’re seeing.”

  “So if you have these telepathic powers, why don’t you just make the King drop his search for you?”

  “I’m not telepathic and it doesn’t work against another Tonkian. It’s a technique we use for hunting. If we’re after skatits, we would locate them, change their senses so they think they’re looking at another skatits. We can walk much closer then, and kill the animal.

  “The reason I’m explaining this to you is important. Listen to me. When we go to the lab, Larry, Curly, and Moe will look vaguely familiar to you. That’s because your mind decides who you want to see. You will think of former friends who have worked in a laboratory and you will see their face on the lab techs here. Do not be deceived by the technicians. They are Tonkians. They are not your friends. If one should turn against you he will seem overly friendly just before he tries to kill you.

  “I will block their ability to mind control you. They all claim loyalty to me, but even I don’t trust them too much. They have not sworn loyalty to you. Watch them and be careful. If one does turn against you, he will be seen in his true Tonkian form.”

  “Will you show me your true form, Mary?”

  “You’re not taking my warning seriously. Your life is at stake here, Trist. Please be wary.”

  “Okay, okay, I’ll watch them and be careful. Are you going to show me your true form?”

  “I dare not, My Hero. I desperately need your help during the coming weeks and fear you would turn against me.”

  THE LABORATORY

  At the lab, Mary introduced Trist to the three technicians. They seemed reticent to shake his hand or come close to him.

  “We’re going to be working with this Earthling. He has been sent to us from the Interplanetary Council and is backed by King Ceidas. If you see him as too ugly, or too much of a threat and you will not work with him, the King will be displeased with you,” said Mary.

  Moe broke the ice, shaking Trist’s hand, quickly followed by Curly and Larry.

  The laboratory, although small, was laid out with close attention to detail. There were five stations set out and fully equipped. All would all be able to analyze and examine the blood. In the center of the room was a small enclosed run with four separate tiny, sealed-off areas for the lomuses they would be testing.

  Curly handed Trist a test tube which held a sliver of wood. “This is the quartzline. Please lay it in the enclosure where the lomuses will all pass by it. Be sure to crack the lid of the tube, then put the top down. Be careful, that’s enough dust to wipe out life for a two-mile radius.”

  Trist held the tube and looked at Mary. How much faith did he have in her assessing him as an Immune? Bucking up his courage, he put the tube into the enclosure and cracked the lid off. As he stepped back, a large clear covering slid down from the ceiling. There were gloves built in so they could easily be able to reach into the lomuses’ enclosure.

  First came the all-important blind. They put four lomuses into the run and watched. Within minutes all were dead. Proof that the quartzline was still potent. Moe slid the cover off an opening on the end of the run, stuffed the dead animals into it, and clicked the grinder on.

  “Now we need a blood sample, Trist. That’s why the Interplanetary Council sent you to Tonk.” Trist picked up a scalpel, opened a vein on the back of his hand, and filled a beaker with half a cup of his blood.

  Mary took out a syringe and drew a beaker of her own blood.

  “What we are looking for is a difference that could be the immunizing antigen.” She assigned Trist the blood cell. Larry took the immunoglobulin cells. The plasma and albumin were given to Curly and Moe. Mary supervised everyone, and during her down time, Trist noticed that she was working on an electronic board similar to a case-less earthly computer.

  Trist centrifuged down a tiny amount of his and Mary’s blood. Her blood was relatively clear and just slightly green, and he was skeptical that anything could be found. However, under the microscope, he found his blood cells were remarkable similar to hers. He began to study individual cells and wrote copious notes.

  Deep into his studies, he was surprised when Mary tapped him on the shoulder. “Trist, that’s it for today. We’ll see everybody tomorrow morning.”

  Back at her apartment, he was exhausted. The mental challenge was easily as difficult and physically tiring as a workout at his gym.

  He ate the standard meal of soft brown mush and firmer crunchy mush, and fell into bed. He fell into a deep sleep almost immediately.

  For three days, the routine was set. Rise every morning, shower, and use the bathroom leaving it with a smell that would make a cat vomit, work at the laboratory, then back to Mary’s for sleep. Next day repeat.

  On the fourth morning, they held the first conference. Moe, Mary, and Curly had found nothing of significance in their samples. Trist had found that approximately one out of every thousands of his red cells had an unusual indentation, making the cell look like a pizza with one slice gone.

  Larry had found that Trist’s antibodies had a rare grouping of three. He estimated one grouping for every 5,000 platelets.

  After a long discussion, they decided the fastest way to determine if either anomaly affected immunity to quartzline was to test the lomuses after injecting them with the blood, and if that was unsuccessful, the platelets.

  The four lomuses treated with packed red cells lived almost ten minutes. They concluded that something in Trist’s red cells helped them live longer. This could be the first step on the path to the cure.

  “This is a good portent, a start at total immunity. Now we try the platelets,” said Mary. Four lomuses were treated with platelets and released. The watchers were not quite as jubilant when the animals lived past ten minutes. When all four were still alive after an hour, Mary brought out glasses of the brownish liquid Trist called iced tea, to celebrate.


  All the specimens seemed happy at the six-hour mark, at which time Moe fed them. Less than a minute later, all four were dead. A dissection showed their stomach and intestines were filled with blood. Trist and the Tonkians were all depressed. They had perhaps found a cure, but it worked only as long as no food was consumed.

  “Let’s call it for today,” said Mary. “Think about it, something preventable caused this. Let’s have some suggestions in the morning.”

  It was a long, restless night with morning coming much too early.

  The four Tonkians wanted to try a new experiment. They wanted the red cells combined with the antibodies together.

  Trist held them up. “Let’s consider the rupture of their alimentary canal. That was probably caused by the animal’s protein reacting to the protein in the food. Something we did changed the protein of the lomuses. When the protein of their food came into contact with the cells’ walls already fighting against the allergic reaction happening inside them, the cells simply exploded. I suggest washing the red cells and the antibodies with the plasma of the lomuses before we inject them. That should help remove any unnecessary proteins in the immunization injection. Hopefully, that will help their bodies adjust to the vaccine.”

  They sacrificed a lomuse, used its plasma to rinse the cells and platelets, then centrifuged it to pack it tight and injected the cells and platelets into four test animals. They were happy and healthy until they ate, when all four died again. A full day wasted with no good results.

  “That’s enough for today. We still have ten days, let’s rethink everything. See you in the morning.”

  Everyone at the lab moved in slow motion the next morning. Mary made a carafe of hot clear liquid; the Tonkians liked it in the morning. Trist had tried it and disliked the bitter taste. To him it seemed like a double strong expresso with no caffeine. Bored at his station and unable to think of anything helpful, he decided to try one more cup. Moe was refilling his mug and Trist greeted him casually.