Oh, the insect can speak, a redheaded youth adjacent to the first male spat. If you can call those grunts and clicks talk.
Then why do you learn our language at school? Wunep glowered as he stretched his four arms in a wide stance.
He knew both these humans outweighed him by twenty kilograms and in physical strength his light frame would be no match for them. He was, though, no coward and a skilled self-defense expert in Kiwwyf, a popular sport back home.
Look at him Clive, the whiskered youth, who spoke first, snickered. He wants to surrender.
Yeah, David. Just like the rest of his kind, I'd say. All very good when there's hundreds of them to protect each other but yellow to the belly on their own. He reached out and flicked a finger under Wunep's chin. Where are the two girlfriends to protect you, Insect.
Wunep stepped back slightly but realized the humans behind had close in. I'm going to my tent, he muttered and stepped forward. My advice is to save your energies for the battle ahead.
We don't take advice from insects, David, who appeared to be the leader of this particular group, whispered. His powerful arm reached out to grab the clicker's shoulder. But the shoulder wasn't there. In a blur, Wunep had crouched, bent sideways and caught the advancing wrist. The ninety-five kilogram youth found himself over Wunep's bent shoulder and on his back. He couldn't breathe as the thump of the landing forced air from his lungs almost collapsing them. The youth gasped and thrashed around, his face purple and froth pouring from his mouth before he staggered on his hands and knees and vomited on the grass.
Don't just stand there, you bastards, he coughed and spluttered. Tears streamed from his blotchy eyes. Get the prick.
Clive went next in a repeat performance and also lay gasping on the ground. However, as in all gangs, the youths gave up all pretence of fair play and moved en mass towards Wunep. Four grabbed his arms and another put his face into that of the defiant crucnon.
You're going to wish you never did that, Clicker Boy, he snarled and brought a clenched fist back to strike the firmly held victim.
Wunep glared at the human and thought how they stunk of perspiration when aggravated. He struggled but his arms and even legs were pinned were forced back, almost to breaking position.
Suddenly there was whir and a whoop. The youth with the clenched fist staggered and looked in amazement at his shoulder where a steel headed arrow had entered his body. Though he couldn't see it, the others could. The arrowhead was protruding out the back of his shoulder while the feathered shaft vibrated at the front. Blood began to squirt!
The next one who moves more than a finger gets the next arrow! Bowman Clay Farrell stated in an enforced calm voice. He stood on a small rise at the edge of the clearing; his crossbow rearmed and face red. Eyes, glaring with fury, flicked from one youth to the next. Beside him stood the two clicker girls, their own faces dark with the terror of the situation.
The males, there were more than a dozen now, stopped; the punctured youth staggered several steps and collapsed, whimpering to the ground in a pool of blood but Wunep didn't move. Hands holding him let go as the solemn males stepped back.
You do not treat our guests like that, Clay glowered through clenched teeth. Everybody could see his right fist clenching and unclenching and the tanned muscles on his arms bulging as anger raked his body.
It was just a bit of fun, Clay, David muttered but couldn't look the angry bowman in the eyes.
You, David O'Brien and you also, Clive Wilson, will place yourselves on report. The rest of you will take Daniel Sanders, he glowered at the whimpering youth with the arrow through his shoulder, to the infirmary. Every one of you will apologize personally to Wunep before the hour is out or also go on report. He stared at the group now standing self-consciously in a semicircle. I know every one of you sniveling little runts.
For a second, not a soul moved.
Do it! screamed the bowman and, very purposely placed the crossbow across his back and placed and arm around Bikut and Snimel. Both were shaking in fear. He continued in a quieter voice that was as hard as steel. And if any of you as much as says one rude word to our friends, you are answerable to me... personally.
Several youths slunk away but three muttered a brief apology to Wunep and one shook his hand.
Don't take it personally, Wunep, he said in a whisper.
Wunep met the young man's eyes. I haven't, he said, turned and walked to his tent.
Two hours later the two clicker girls looked up from where they were resting in their tent. They were expecting Wunep who was about to return from a meeting with Commander Evans but smiled when Clay walked in.
Did you get into trouble? Bikut queried.
No really, Clay gave a slow smile. Commander Evans told me I shouldn't try to do everything myself and... he stopped and flushed a bright red.
Go on, Snimel laughed. There was something he wanted to tell them.
They made me a sergeant, Clay muttered and held out two cloth insignia, each containing three stripes. I wondered if you would like to sew them on for me.
Yes, Sergeant, Snimel chuckled and gave a grandiose salute with her two right arms.
Humans only salute officers, Clay grinned, but a hand shake will do.
But we aren't human, Bikut replied. She stood and tucked her arms under his In the Crucnon army everyone salutes anyone above their station. Her eyes met his. Thank you, she said and kissed his cheek, ...for everything.
That's fine, Bikut. the embarrassed sergeant replied. Oh yes, the Proctor would like to see you. I was asked to take you across to her tent. He gave the clicker girl a tight hug and glanced at her companion. You, too, Snimel, he added.
Holly stared at the illuminated monitors of the aircraft and gave Jaddig a nervous grin. Well, here goes, she said. Plato, I want you to start the engines.
There was a whine as two starter motors hummed and two panels slid back in the middle of the stubby wings. Inside were eight bladed propellers that began to twirl. The speed increased and, with seconds the whole craft was shaking. George and Graham, who had remained outside to guide Holly, were buffeted by a howling wind.
Slow it down! screamed Graham as the whole gigantic craft began to lift slightly so the wheels just touched the ground.
Inside, Holly was almost in a panic. Slow down! she screamed as she felt the FanWarrior wobble on a cushion of air.
Command not understood, the computer's dead pan voice announced. The engines if anything went faster and they rose higher into the air. Dust and debris flew everywhere and George, the only one in sight, ducked for cover before he was blown over by the onslaught of air.
Graham is signaling the wheels are off the ground, Suzi reported from other side of the aircraft.
Cannot proceed without opening the hanger doors, the computer announced.
Oh Hell! gasped Holly. She grasped the steering wheel with perspiring hands and wondered what to do next.
Geographical destination not understood. Aircraft is at take off velocity. Do you require the hanger doors opened? Cannot proceed in a confined space.
This is an engine test, only, Jaddig interrupted. Please switch off.
The result was spectacular. The engines gave a sort of ping, the massive propellers swung in ever decreasing speeds and the massive craft dropped a meter to the ground where gigantic shock absorbers above the wheels groaned and compressed. The wheels flattened before returning to their original shape but they held the craft. However, without warning there was a horrendous crash of metal on earth from the rear.
The back ramp, Suzi gasped. It was still open and hit the ground.
Shit! Holly panted as the spinning propellers stopped and the panels slipped over to cover them. She stared, wide eyed, at Jaddig and Suzi. So much for trying to get this monstrosity to turn around.
Try it again, Suzi said.
What! Holly almost screamed.
Think of your instructions and do it again.
Holly sighed. Okay, she sa
id and placed her hand on the monitor.
Start the engines at a very slow speed, she instructed.
Do not understand the word very , the computer replied. Please reissue instructions.
Start the engines but leave the aircraft in neutral, Holly said using a term she had learned from driving Charlie.
Are you nuts! George screamed from outside when the engines spluttered, the wing panels slid back and the propellers spun to life.
This time, though, the engines throbbed quietly without even shaking the fuselage. Holly grinned nervously at her companions and shrugged.
Suzi screwed her nose up, leaned over Holly, placed her hand on the identity monitor and spoke. We want to move the FanWarrior one hundred and eighty degrees so the cargo door is facing the building. Please acknowledge if you understand.
This can be done using only the wheels, Plato responded. Do you wish to use the main drive?
Use only the wheels to turn the FanWarrior around, Suzi continued. Travel at crawler speed. Acknowledge if you understand but do not begin.
Command understood. Waiting for commence command.
Suzi glanced at Holly. Tell the men to get out of the way, she said.
Right, Holly replied and slid open the side window. Move away! she yelled and flapped her hand in a sideways movement but saw that George was trying to tell her something.
The ramp! his voice reached her. Shut the bloody ramp.
Holly grinned and a minute later the end of the ram lifted up into the aircraft to form a smooth underside of the fuselage. The eight wheels under the wings began to turn on an angle and roll. At a speed little beyond that of a walker the gigantic airplane rolled around. The cave must have been excavated to fit it because the wings slid by the walls with a meter to spare and finally the cockpit faced the blank back wall and the tail; the shed.
Lower the ramp and switch off, Holly ordered and turned to her friends. My God, between us we did it. Thanks. I just about lost my nerve.
I don't think there was any danger, Suzi smiled. I'm sure safety controls would override any incorrect commands.
You'll be a better flyer than I was, Jaddig grinned and stared out the side window. George has started up Charlie and is driving it aboard.
They heard the rumble of the diesel motor and felt the aircraft sink a little as the combo drove up the ramp and into the FanWarrior. George, with Graham guiding, eased the vehicle forward into the cargo bay of the aircraft, drove almost to the front and halted. There was just enough room for him to open the driver's door and squeeze out. He grinned at the three females watching him.
Bloody good show, he said. Now I guess we tie old Charlie here down and load everything else around it.
Graham squeezed through the side of the vehicle, walked up to Holly and slid his hands on her waist. For a moment I thought you were about to leave George and me behind, he chuckled, but once you got the idea of using the wheels it worked well.
That was Suzi, Holly replied. I was like a bag of jelly and my mind froze.
She didn't, Jaddig broke in. We all worked well together.
I agree, Suzi added. It's just a matter of using a logical sequence.
Damn scientist, George grunted but he was grinning. Now, I reckon we should have some supper then finish loading so we came leave before dawn as we had agreed. He turned to his companion Give us a hand with that ray gun, Graham. We may need it tomorrow.
Holly caught Jaddig's eyes and grimaced. It was like a big game to the sergeant but she worried about more serious consequences.
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Chapter Thirteen
Proctor Andrea Jurjevics studied Bikut and Snimel with curious but kind eyes after they were shown into her tent.
I hear you were beaten and wounded while trying to escape from a detention center, she said to Bikut after waving them both into a seat. Sergeant Farrell speaks highly of you both and has filled me in on your experiences but I'd like to hear everything in your own words. She reached across the table and filled three glasses from a tumbler. Please, have some wine.
The two nervous visitors sipped the wine and gazed at each other before switching their attention to the human woman .The Proctor, seated behind an unpretentious fold-out table, was dressed in a warm jersey, jacket and slacks and, with a touch of makeup, was different than expected. There were no signs of her rank at all on her person or in the tent around. Only a guard standing silently by the door flap gave any indication of authority.
After a hesitant start, they both relaxed to the gentle probing of the Proctor and their stories came tumbling out.
I see, Andrea said in a soft voice a few moments later, and how many of your kind are like yourselves and dissatisfied with your government?
Snimel, who had done most of the talking, shrugged. I don't know, she admitted. Everyone keeps their opinions to themselves. There are agents and secret police everywhere to report on malcontents and traitors, as they call anyone who opposes the government
That's what's happened to me, Bikut continued. I was arrested for talking to the enemy. She grimaced. I had never seen a human before but found you are different... She stopped and her eyes gazed over The Proctor's shoulder.
How, Bikut?
You're like us, Bikut blurted out and flushed white as crucnon do. We're physically different, of course, but I mean how we feel. When I first came across the combo and met Clay I was terrified. But he... She stopped and tears sprung into her eyes. He treated me with kindness and respect. In my whole life, except when I was with some friends at school, I have never been made to feel wanted. She sniffed back a tear and glanced back at the human woman gazing into her eyes. You too, Proctor Jurjevics... She stopped again as if she couldn't form the words to convey her innermost feelings. I know those human males attacked Wunep but you should have seen Clay come to his aid. When we saw what was about to happen we were frightened and went to Clay for help...
...And he did not even hesitate, Snimel continued. If three humans were in a crucnon camp, that would not have happened.
Andrea smiled and sipped her wine thoughtfully. If there are other crucnon like Wunep, Jaddig and yourselves, and I believe there are, I'm sure it would have. In fact it already has.
How? Snimel asked.
Your partner rescued Clay didn't he? Without your help and use of the vehicle there was no way he could have made it back to our lines.
But if our army captures this base all humans will all be slaughtered, Bikut gasped. It's standing orders.
So we'd better see that doesn't happen, Andrea replied. She gazed at Bikut. That's why I'm going to ask for your help. She gave a slight cough. Let me say two things, though. Sergeant Clay Fennel is opposed to what I am about to ask and stated firmly that it was not fair on you. Secondly, it is a request. If you feel you cannot do what I ask, please tell me and I shall respect your wishes.
Go on, Proctor, Bikut replied in a hushed voice.
The pass a few kilometers east of this camp is as far west as humans have gone. We have no idea what is beyond and very scant knowledge of the Pulgibr crucnon. Her face creased into a frown. Three attempts to contact them have failed and six of our people who attempted to make contact with the inhabitants are missing and assumed dead.
They're different from us, Snimel hissed. You cannot ask Bikut to visit them, if that is what you're thinking. They will kill her just as your humans have been killed.
No, we were not thinking that, Andrea replied. We would though, like you, Bikut, to fly up over the mountain pass and report back on what you see east of the mountains. You will not even have to land.
She can't do it! snapped Snimel. She stood up and glared at the human Look at her, Proctor! She is still recovering from her injuries, her wings are covered in scar tissue and the wound where the bullet was removed is still to heal. She can barely fly.
Bikut placed two hands on her friend's arms and looked into the Proctor's steady eyes. I'll do it, she whispered, but
promise nothing.
Thank you, Andrea replied and turned to Bikut's friend. Your concerns are appreciated, Snimel, she replied, and I assure you we will do everything to make her journey safe. Our scientists have already made a better heating and breathing suit to wear and we have a patrol waiting at the pass who are under orders to enter Pulgibr territory if Bikut needs assistance.
I have one request, the flying female asked.
And that is?
I want to do it today, Bikut replied in a whisper. As soon as possible; before I lose my nerve.
A hand painted sign told it all. You are leaving the State of New Washington, it read. Next tavern 12 000 km.
The last human observation post at the top of the pass consisted of a small DPF hut that sat on a rocky knob with a panoramic view of the remote valley below. The road ended at the hut without even a trail on the Pulgibr side, only the pass that dropped steeply between towering mountains and disappeared into a pine forest hundreds of meters below.
In spite of her new body suit, Bikut shivered as she stepped from their faithful car refueled from a barrel of diesel Commander Evans had produced from stores. Snow crunched under her feet and the DPF lieutenant's breath made a small cloud of white as he saluted the commander and grinned at Clay and the Crucnon.
The weather report is for cold clear conditions with sixty percent cloud cover, Sir, Lieutenant Kelvin Pope reported. It snowed over night.
Toby Evans grimaced zipped his jacket up and glanced at his watch. It was just after noon.
Okay, Bikut, he said. You know how all the controls work?
I do, Commander Evans, the flying female replied.
Her eyes caught Clay's and he stepped in and wrapped his arms around her. Snimel and Wunep hugged her next before she snapped down the glass goggles and tested the oxygen supply. It hissed slightly and warm air circulated around her mouth. Only her wings were exposed but she knew that once she was flying the movement would keep her blood in circulation.
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