by J Battle
With the shallow sea and its rocky bed, fishing was a risky business. There were no ports, and hardly any beaches of note, so getting your catch back to shore was a tricky business. His forebears had built a stone jetty, block by block, nearly three hundred legs from the shore. It wasn’t a grand affair; only a simple construct to tie up and unload your boat. Dandick would transfer his catch to an old wooden door and walk ashore, pulling the door behind him. Before he got close, there would be a crowd of eager apes to buy everything he had.
As he sat there, quite relaxed in the back of his boat, he noticed that the sky had lightened to the east. He sat up a little, wondering if the clouds were going to break. Just then, his net jerked and the boat dipped alarmingly. He grabbed for the gun-whale with one hand, and the net with other. But he was too slow; the net had gone and the water behind him seemed to be boiling. There was something big and white no more than a couple of legs below the surface, and he wasn’t going to wait to find out what it was.
He leapt to the centre of the boat and took up his oars. With his powerful arms and mighty shoulders, he was soon pulling away from whatever was eating his precious catch. He could always come back for more, he told himself, as he heaved with all of his strength. He’d travelled perhaps two hundred legs when he began to relax a little. The water was smooth and calm, disturbed only by his passage. Whatever had attacked his catch had surely had its fill.
He kept on pulling at the oars, but his strokes were now more economical and his breathing was calmer. He glanced over his shoulder to check his progress towards the shore, and felt his heart leap in his chest. A great white creature towered over him, its long tentacles reaching out for him, its gash of a mouth opening eagerly for him.
With a yell he dropped the oars and jumped overboard. The water was only chest deep but he dived anyway. Anything to get out of sight of the monster. He hugged the sea bed as he swam in a wide circle around where he’d seen the beast. When his lungs were bursting, he bobbed his head above the water to catch his breath and take his bearings, on the monster and the beach. The former was closer than he’d hoped and the latter was further. He dived again and began to swim towards safety.
The touch of the tentacle around his ankle was ever so gentle. Until it began to tighten and pull him back, towards the still hungry creature.
Chapter 47
Pascal emerged from The Wall with his hands held up before him, an astounded look on his face, as if he already knew what feats he was now capable of performing.
Armstrong was not quite so fortunate.
He’d fallen from The Wall ripping at his chest, tearing and gouging at his own flesh, trying to get at the source of his pain. His mouth was open impossibly wide in a silent scream that brought no succour or relief. Within seconds he was on his knees, staring at the white bones of his ribcage, the meat hanging in strips, the blood pulsing from a hundred wounds. And still he carried on, until his supercharged heart finally failed, and he collapsed face first on to the red mire that now surrounded him.
The rest of the crew were stunned when they found him there. At first, they assumed that he was the victim of an attack by some terrible creature. Then they saw his fingers, and the awful truth was clear to them all. Miles would have collapsed herself, and joined him in the crimson morass, but the fire that burned through her veins would not allow such a show of weakness. Soon the terrible grief would hit her, but for now, there was only anger. She spun away from her lover’s corpse and went in search of Pi and vengeance, whispering his name quietly beneath her breath.
‘We have to go back through The Wall, to the other side,’ said Helen, glowing with power; her hair a golden halo and her beautiful face a vision of confidence.
Miles hesitated, reluctant to leave Armstrong behind, but she burned to rip apart the beautiful body of Pi, and he was on the other side of The Wall. So she turned away from the steaming remains and joined Pascal as he followed Helen back to the other side.
Miles snarled as she scanned the area on this side of The Wall for Pi, who was conveniently absent.
‘Jo,’ said Helen, moving close to her, ‘there is a war coming, and it’s against the Succ-y-Rist. This is our chance for revenge. We are the hands of the human race now, and it is our duty to strike that blow against those who have killed our people. Everything else is secondary.’
‘Secondary! You saw what he did to Bill! That’s what I want revenge for. The rest can wait. Where is he?’
She strode away from Helen to begin her search for her prey. Then she stopped, and turned back towards The Wall. Helen saw the anger drain away from her face, as if a plug had been pulled. For a second, it was not replaced and Jo’s face was blank. Then a flower of pain blossomed across her features, and she began to walk back to The Wall.
‘We’ve left him all alone. He’ll be cold and alone…’ She came up against the unyielding mass of The Wall. ‘I can’t get through!’ she screamed and threw herself at The Wall.
Helen and Pascal watched as she repeatedly smashed her body against the obdurate wall. Helen was filled with concern for the girl but she knew that she couldn’t be forced to stop. Pascal was a little surprised at the strength of will on display.
At last, the futility of her efforts dawned on Jo and she threw one last blow. She was standing limp and bemused before The Wall, her face streaked in tears and blood, when Helen went to her and led her away, towards the road and the city.
Pascal laughed to himself as he followed. He recognized it as an inappropriate response but, whatever was about to happen to them, he was sure that it was going to be fun. He resisted the urge to skip.
When they reached the road, they found Perdus and Deylus waiting for them; the latter still munching on the remnants of a small creature that he had caught.
‘Pi asked us to meet you,’ said Perdus, ‘we are to take you back to the city, where the army is being brought together. The three of you will lead them to meet with the apes’ army, and then on to a glorious victory against the Succ-y-Rist, the enemy of us all.’
‘Where’s PI?’ snapped Miles, ’he’s the only enemy I’m thinking of.’
‘She said she had other things to do, and disappeared into thin air. I didn’t realise she could do that.’
‘He can’t hide away from me forever.’ Her fists were white-knuckled, and she flung tears from her eyes as she jerked her head from side to side, seeking him out.
‘First things first, Miles. We have a war to fight, and we might need Pi’s help to fight it. Let’s get this war won first, then you can turn on him. Come on now.’ Helen watched her carefully, to gauge her state of mind.
For a moment, she thought her words had not been heard, then Jo looked back at her, and nodded slowly. ‘I’m making no promises, though.’
‘Can’t ask for any more.’
The group turned towards the city and began to run. Soon, the cats were finding it difficult to keep up with the enhanced humans. As they ran, they heavy clouds seemed to ripple, and began to cast their load to the ground.
They found the Thousand in battle formation arrayed along the road before the gates of Hellion. Despite being dragged from their beds by The Mayor’s guard, they were ready and eager for action, if a little bemused at the lack of explanation. Heraldus and his senior officers were off to one side in deep discussion, as the General marched back and forward in front of the massed ranks and gave them the benefit of his thoughts.
When he felt that they were sufficiently encouraged to put their lives at risk, he called his officers to him. This time there would be no leading from the back; they would the first to taste the blood of the enemy, and if they fell, it would be a just sacrifice.
Helen strode majestically towards him. They spoke together for a moment; Helen hardly noticing that she was now fluent in the language. The discussion over; Helen called Jo and Pascal to her. The three lined up in front of the thousand and studied the force arrayed in front of them.
Helen felt the u
rge to say something; to do something to inspire them. But what did she really know about them? They were alien, cat-like creatures, and they might never be less than a mystery to her.
In the end, she simply nodded, and brought Jo and Pascal to her. When they were ready they raised their hands together, and flashed bolts of lightning at the heavy clouds that glowered at the scene below.
With the display of power ended, they spun on their heels and began to march along the road to war. The officers followed, strangely out of step, and behind them, the army itself set off to measure itself against the unknown enemy.
Pi watched them go, no clear expression on her wonderful face. When the last soldier had gone, she indicated that Perdus and Deylus should follow her.
Back in the city, they met Jones in the Mayor’s chambers, where they interrupted his stilted conversation with the Mayor, who’d rushed back as soon as the army had set off.
‘The army’s too small,’ said Jones, as soon as he spotted Pi, ’they’ve only sent the Thousand. There must be more in a city this size. But he won’t listen to me. Tell him.’
‘The Thousand will suffice. This is the way we fight war. Just because there is death and destruction, it doesn’t mean we can’t fight with honour.’ The Mayor held firm.
‘Pi, you have to make him understand, you can’t fight them like this, with one hand behind your back.’
Pi looked from one to the other as they spoke, then she closed her eyes and for a long moment, she was somehow absent.
When she returned to them, she smiled.
‘I have released them from their fear of change. They will now be free to make their own unrestricted decisions, without external influence. I hope it is not too late. We should have thought of this earlier.’
Jones turned immediately to the Mayor, who seemed suddenly confused.
‘We need everyone who can fight.’
'As I believe I have already said, the Thousand will suffice.'
'But…'
PI stepped forward.
'Are you sure Mayor? Perhaps more troops will be required?'
The mayor studied her for a second, then let his eyes drift across the group before him. At last, he tilted his head to one side. ‘I’m not sure why, but I now see the wisdom in your words. We will call in everyone who has any experience of combat and try to find weapons for them.’
‘I will fight with them,’ said Deylus, surprising himself.
‘No, Deylus,’ said Pi, ’that is not what I have planned for you. You and Perdus will join with Jones. Together, you will fulfil a critical mission. No matter how well the army fights, it will ultimately fail, if you are not successful.’
‘What do you want us to do?’ asked Perdus.
‘We found these discarded by The Wall.’ She held her hands up and their wings suddenly appeared in them. ‘You will need these.’
Perdus and Deylus took the dusty wings from her.
‘What are we going to do?’ asked Perdus.
‘You are going to fly to the Succ-y-Rist’s base on the other side of the planet.’
‘With these?’ He looked at the dirty wings in his hands.
‘No, Jones will take you there in his craft.’
‘And when we get there?’
‘You will destroy the Sur-male.’
Chapter 48
Milligan awoke in agony.
At some stage in the night, he’d collapsed onto his knees. Now the pins and needles threatened to drive him crazy. He pushed himself to his numb feet and hopped around the AEC’s interior, holding on to the backs of the seats. It took him an age to get normal feeling back into his lower limbs but, at last, he was able to plant himself in the last seat and consider his situation. He was starving, and he desperately needed to pee.
He looked at the toilet cubicle, expecting to be upset by the mechanisms inside, and found that he felt nothing. He turned to the small kitchen behind him; still nothing to fear. So he got out of his seat and used the toilet facilities; seeing the literal truth of the phrase to relieve oneself. Then he rustled up a quick pasta dish and sat down to eat his feast, washed down by a litre of cool water.
With his body now comfortable, and feeling no fear so far at using basic technology, he decided to try the door. One press of the button and the inner door was open, quickly followed by the outer door. He dropped down on to the empty piazza and the heavy rain soon plastered his hair to his skull. He ignored the weather and took a turn around the AEC. There was absolutely no-one about, which he thought was a little strange; even if it was raining.
The silence made him a little nervous, so he climbed back into the AEC and went to investigate the weapons locker. It occurred to him that, apart from Jones, the rest of the crew were unarmed and might be in all sorts of danger, so when he went looking for them, he’d better be prepared.
He felt a little silly as he fitted the belt with two holsters for the plasma pistols to his waist, though the plasma rifle felt reassuringly heavy in his hands. All three weapons were fully charged, and so was he. He couldn’t help feeling like Rambo as he dropped to the ground.
As the outer door closed behind him, he strode across the square, in search of his crewmates. Walking through streets that were as empty as the piazza, his tension grew. Something was happening here and he couldn’t believe that it was going to be anything good. When Jones suddenly came round the curve of the street, he felt all emotional and almost hugged him.
‘Hi, Sir,’ said Jones, ’where have you been?’
‘I was guarding the craft,’ replied Milligan, as Perdus and Deylus joined them, ‘what’s happening here?’
‘The Succ-y-Rist are here, on this planet. And the cats and apes are going to fight them off if they can. With those guns, you’d be a big help. You should go after them; they’ve not been gone long. If you rush, you might catch them up.’
For a moment he was stunned at the news of the Succ-Y-Rist, then he gathered his thoughts together. ‘Where’s the captain?’
‘That’s the crazy thing. She’s leading them, her and Jo and the doctor. They all went with this beautiful alien called Pi, and they’ve come back all changed or something. The captain is literally glowing. And they did this freaky thing with lightning.’
‘Have you been drinking, Jones?’ asked Milligan, frowning at the unusually animated technician.
‘No, Sir. Not since we left for the voyage. And, even then, it was just a half.’
Milligan nodded. ‘You better come with me, then. We’ll be more effective together, especially if the cats know the way.’
‘Sorry, sir. We have our own mission, so we can’t go with you.’
‘Excuse me, Jones? Who gave you this mission? The Captain?’
‘No, Sir. It was Pi.’
‘What do we know about this PI?’
‘Only that she’s wonderful, Sir. And that we have to trust her.’
‘Well, you might trust her, but I see no reason why I should. Where is she, anyway?’
‘No idea, Sir. She just disappeared. She does that.’
‘Does the Captain know about your mission? Has she approved it?’
‘Sort of, Sir.’
‘Sort of?’ Milligan sighed and hefted the big gun from one shoulder to another. ‘Okay. In that case, as you’ve probably got a better grasp of the situation, I suppose you’d better carry on. Which way do I go?’
‘Carry along this road for a half K and you’ll reach the gates. Then you follow the big yellow road. You’ll find them easily. Or you could wait for the second part of the army which is being raised now. I don’t know how long that will take though.’
‘No, I want to catch up with the captain and get my orders directly from her. You three carry on with whatever it is you plan to do, and I dare say that I some time, when this is all over, you will tell me all about it.’
With a quick nod, he set off at a brisk pace in the direction of the city gates.
Jones and the cats watched him go.
‘Does he know how to use those weapons?’ asked Perdus.
‘I’ve no idea, at all. I've never seen him with a gun before. I hope he knows how to deactivate the safety switches.’
Chapter 49
Lus had spent the night huddled up against the rain as close to the tall chimney as he could get, seeking what shelter and warmth was available. When the rain stopped and the clouds appeared a little lighter, he stretched his stiff body and climbed to the apex of the roof. From there, he could see directly into the palace garden.
He set the arrow into his bow and took a practice aim. He imagined Beschlick standing in the centre of the garden, his chest exposed; then, thud, he was dead; as simple as that.
He put the bow and arrow down and settled down to wait. Aldrich had told him that Beschlick liked to walk in the gardens in the afternoon, so he had a few hours to kill. He decided to take the opportunity for another nap as he was still tired after his restless night. It was not just the rain and the cold that had kept him awake; he had been thinking about the ape he’d met on the road. The ape had been crude and provocative, but did he really deserve to die for those crimes? Should he not have turned away from him and re-joined the road further on? He hadn’t eaten since then, and the thought of food made his stomach turn.
It hadn’t even been a fair fight; the ape had carried no weapon and, although they were probably of a similar size, he’d had no real chance. The thoughts had gone through is head in a continuous loop that wouldn’t give him peace.
But it wasn’t going to change his plan. He was absolutely sure that the next death at his hands was fully justified; that he would be able to hold his head up and admit to his actions without a single qualm.
He was disturbed from his mid-morning slumber by the sound of a crowd approaching the palace gates. They weren’t at all noisy, but there was a low hum and the soft sound of hundreds of bare feet impacting on the street. When he looked up, he saw that they were being led by a tall, upright ape, its body covered up to the neck in a clean white fabric, its face remarkably free from hair.
