Long runways, ending in circular tarmacs a mile in diameter, stretched away from the bases of the towers. Spotlights encircling their outer edges cast white beams upward, illuminating the towering objects that sat in their centers. The humans could not take their eyes away from them as the vreel drew nearer. Dbarr did not have to say anything; they knew that these were the starships. Silvery and slim, three hundred feet tall, they sat in silent magnificence, their needle noses pointing toward the heavens.
Sensing their interest, Fremm moved closer to the nearest ship and began a slow circle around it. Lights from the distant towers reflected off its polished skin, breaking the forlorn darkness of the plain beyond. Horizontal viewports became visible along its fuselage as they drew within a hundred feet of the stunning machine. Though lights glowed from the ports, the interior appeared to be devoid of life.
"It's breathtaking, Dbarr," Taylor spoke up, breaking the silence. "But it seems so lonely and quiet here. Are there no people aboard; I mean, just to look after things?"
Dbarr's face saddened. "No, Taylor. These ships have been empty for over fifty years. They continue to stand here, just as you see them now, yearning to fly, proud anachronisms of Vryanian technology, but they are as useless to us as the green lake you saw when we passed through the portal. They will never fly again. They have nowhere to go."
Taylor's heart ached a little as she continued to stare at the beautiful ships. At last she forced herself to turn away and change the subject. "Is your entire population housed inside the towers and those buildings below?" she asked.
"Most of our living areas are below the surface, on the first level beneath the towers," Rael interjected. "We can still make light repairs to our buildings on the surface, but protection is required against the radiation. We are safe inside the vreels, but if we were exposed to the outside environment for more than a few hours we would die. Surface agriculture and other industry vanished over a hundred years ago when the cosmic rays became so intense. We now grow our food in hydroponic gardens inside the towers. Our botanical laboratories are located in the blue disks you see encircling the centers. The buildings at the bottom house manufacturing shops where the vreels, clothing, and myriad sundries are produced. The science labs are also located there."
They finished the circuit of the starship and set course for the nearest tower. When they reached it, Fremm began another encirclement tour. It appeared to be more than a thousand feet in diameter, but unlike the starship interiors, they could see people working inside. The windows were gigantic, over a hundred feet square and clear as mountain water. In some chambers, vast spaces were filled with orderly rows of green vegetation, some with colorful fruit growing in profusion on vines and dwarf trees. Other areas contained transparent tanks of liquid, where strange aquatic life forms swam at leisure along the walls.
Jake leaned forward, always interested in anything having to do with fish. "Is that a fish tank?" he asked Rael.
"It is," she responded. "I believe 'seafood' is your word for what it contains."
The transit around the tower continued, dropping until they reached the buildings at the base. The same huge windows provided splendid views of machine shops, offices, laboratories, and assembly areas.
Matt had not spoken for some time but now broke his silence. "You seem to be doing pretty well, here, Dbarr. Is there some pressing reason why you need to vacate this city so quickly?"
Dbarr said nothing as they continued around the complex. He seemed to be taking a long time to answer Matt's question, but until he did, there was plenty of visual wonders to entertain them. As they rounded the opposite side of the tower, the bottom half of the giant moon they had seen above the clouds became visible. The stunning view almost took their breath away. They knew it was many thousands of miles distant, but it appeared to be looming directly over them. Its bottom edge floated just above the plain, like a balloon tethered on a string. Though it was devoid of surface features, a few dark striations stretched across its equator like inky lines on an orange. In the distance, several of the great towers rose up like shafts of polished silver against the background of its disk.
At last Dbarr spoke. "Forgive me for taking so long to respond to your inquiry, Matt. I was in telepathic communication with the president of our World Council, letting him know we are here."
Matt's eyes narrowed. "I thought you said you couldn't read minds."
"Do you remember when I said that there were very few physiological differences between our two races?"
Matt nodded. "I assume that this is one of those differences?"
"Yes. As Taylor pointed out, your people must have lost the ability eons ago, when you first began verbal communication. The difference is that as we evolved, we retained our telepathic abilities in addition to acquiring verbal skills. All of us have the capability, but we can only communicate in an understandable manner with our own species. Since your brain is underdeveloped in that area, you remain closed to us except on a rudimentary level. So the answer is no, we cannot read human minds. But believe me, it has nothing to do with your intelligence level."
Matt breathed a sigh of relief. "I appreciate your candor, Dbarr," he said, "and since we are invited guests in your world, would you care to share what you communicated to your president?"
Dbarr smiled and nodded. "Yes, of course. He is anxious to meet the three of you. If you have no objections, we will be landing near the top of this tower in just a few moments."
"We're looking forward to it," Matt assured him. Jake and Taylor expressed their agreement.
Taylor did not miss the subtle touch of Rael's hand on Jake's forearm. She gave the girl an appraising look, remembering Dbarr's remark about their two species being so physiologically matched that they could start an entirely new race of people. Jake had always been something of a cross between a romantic and an adventurer and never missed an opportunity to expand his social knowledge base. She wondered if this might be the beginning of the greatest genetic fusion in the history of two worlds. While she was preoccupied with these thoughts, the vreel reached its landing chamber at the top of the tower.
As it approached, a thin horizontal line appeared in the tower's wall and a wide ramp slid outward. Fremm guided the airship to a smooth stop on its surface and reduced crystal rotation. As the transparent walls returned to a solid surface, the horizontal viewports reappeared. Dbarr stood and glanced at the door, which opened at his spoken command. Cold air rushed into the vreel, chilling the back of Taylor's neck. Since they had not informed Dbarr about the protective nature of the L-suits, she wondered if he was aware that the three of them were insulated against changes in temperature.
"What about the radiation?" Matt asked, a little alarmed at being exposed to the Vryanian atmosphere.
"It's negligible for a few minutes of exposure," Dbarr answered. "And the effects of the rays are not cumulative, so there are no residual concerns. I wanted you to experience our environment first-hand, so you can be better informed about conditions here." He extended his arm toward the open door. "Please," he smiled. "Which of you wants to be the first human on Vryan?"
Jake stood up. "That'll be me," he said, moving to the doorway, Rael close behind. The big man did not hesitate before stepping boldly into the open air of the alien world. He took a deep breath and blew it out. "I'd say it's a little richer in oxygen than Earth's atmosphere," he told the others. "But it's really cold; almost arctic."
Matt was next out, followed by Taylor and Dbarr. The sudden change in temperature stung his face and hands. Rael crossed her arms over her chest. The short skirt and tunic she wore were designed for Earth and were inadequate protection against the Vryanian environment. Taylor rubbed her hands together to generate heat.
They all walked over to edge of the ramp to get a better view of the land below. None of them spoke, adding to the silence of the deserted surface thousands of feet beneath them. Even at this height there was no wind, only the biting cold of the still air
. Overhead, a few rays of orange sunlight filtered through the thinner cloud layers.
Matt, who suffered from acrophobia, held back just a little from the edge of the precipice; however, it had no effect on his view. In the far distance he could see a thin line of dry riverbed snaking its way toward some long-vanished destination. Beyond it, the stiletto mountains stood silent vigil over the dark prairie. He thought he could see the gray splotch of a small town or city near their base. He took the mini-scope out of his utility belt and put it to his eye. The splotch resolved itself into a cluster of buildings dotted with dark windows. Purple ivy-like vegetation had encroached into the streets and onto the building walls. Nothing moved, indicating that the place had been deserted for a long time. Several similar structures were visible along the riverbank to his left.
"What you are seeing was once an irrigation pumping station," Dbarr told him. "It was abandoned hundreds of years ago after the river ran dry."
Matt put the scope away and said, "I can see why you're anxious about your future, Dbarr." They remained on the ramp for another few minutes, looking at the passing of a world. At last, the cold began to penetrate their extremities and they walked to the landing chamber. Warm air from the interior flowed out to meet them. When they were inside, the ramp slid inward, bringing the vreel with it. The doors made no sound as they closed, locking out the hostile environment.
Dbarr and Rael led them down a bright hallway with doors along each side. Some of them were open, allowing them to see what was going on inside the rooms. Technicians, office personnel, machine operators, and various other occupations were at work managing the affairs of Vryan. Other workers moved along the hallway, carrying out their assignments. Unlike Dbarr and Rael, who were dressed in the silver and white garments that most of their people wore on Earth, the workers were garbed in coveralls, long lab coats, and insulated jumpsuits with a metallic-blue sheen. Many of them looked at the newcomers with undisguised interest.
"What do the blue jumpsuits signify, Dbarr?" Jake asked as they walked.
"Radiation protection. The men and women who wear them are required to go outside and handle maintenance on our antennas and other communications devices," he answered.
Jake nodded and they continued along the curving hallway. After a couple of minutes they came to a set of double-doors that opened on their approach. They went through them into a large office area, furnished with floating chair-benches and tables. It appeared to be a waiting room, but there were no visible doors leading off to other offices or chambers.
A wide variety of strange plants sat in various places along the walls. Some of them were miniature trees with twisted limbs and multicolored leaves of red and gold. Others were broadleaf collections, with purple and maroon blades that shimmered in the light. A dozen potted varieties with foliage ranging from orange to deep magenta occupied random tables. To their surprise, another species that was familiar to all of them rose in thick profusion from a planter box on the far wall. It was a well-fertilized, deep-green cluster of shamrocks!
Taylor walked over to the Irish plants and touched them with a fingertip. "A really nice touch, Dbarr," she said in a gentle voice. "Looks like they do pretty well in this atmosphere."
"We brought them back as a gift for the president," Rael offered. "He's never been to Earth, but he loves them. They are the only plant of that color on Vryan."
Jake was about to make a comment when a hidden door in a nearby wall slid open. A Vryanian almost as tall as Jake stepped into the room and smiled genially at the humans. He was dressed in the same manner as Dbarr and Rael.
To everyone's surprise, Rael walked over and kissed him on the cheek. "Taylor, Matt, Jake," she pointed to the three visitors, each in turn, "I would like to introduce you to President Aeren, my father."
Chapter 16
War Council
Kasdan awoke in the gray dawn, refreshed after a dreamless sleep. He lay there for a few moments, allowing his mind to clear for the coming meeting with Eochaid. He turned his head to the left and saw that the girl who had been assigned to provide food, and whatever else he might need, sat unmoving in the shadows near the wall. She had spoken little the night before, going about the business of tending the hut with downcast eyes. She appeared to be about eighteen years old, flaming red hair and an alluring figure. Like most of the Fir Bolg women, she was dressed in hide leggings and waist-length tunic decorated with white beads down the sleeves. She appeared to be wide-awake, making him wonder if she had slept at all during the night. In other circumstances he might have found her dark looks attractive and made use of her charms, but at the present she held no physical attraction for him.
He got to a sitting position and looked at her. "I require food, Etar," he called her by name.
She rose and went to the center of the round hut, where the fire pit was located. The fire had gone out during the night, and she prepared to relight it with a crude bow and friction stick; a drawn-out process. Kasdan laughed out loud and stood up.
"Stop, woman. You waste your time and mine. Pile some sticks and dry leaves together and I will light the fire by magic," he said in a haughty voice.
Etar's eyes widened at his words. She regarded him with anxiety and did as he commanded. She laid the fire carefully, wood stacked square with dry tender piled in the center. When she finished, she withdrew toward the wall, hands clasped in front. She gave him a furtive glance as he walked over to the fire pit.
Turning his back to the girl, he slipped a small Pizo spark igniter from his coat pocket and palmed it. Such fire-making devices were common equipment among time agents. Knowing it would be needed, he had purchased this one in Galway. It was weather proof, always delivered a white-hot spark and was handier than matches. Next he rummaged through the dry leaves and peat that she had placed inside the wood stack. Finding a small strand of tender, he rolled it inside one of the leaves like tobacco in a cigarette. Out of Etar's vision, he slipped the top of the slender igniter tube inside the leaf and held it between his palms. He turned in the girl's direction and raised his hands before his face, palms together.
"You are about to see magic performed before your very eyes, you stupid cow!" he said in English."
The girl recoiled as he spoke in the unknown language, her eyes wide, staring at his hands.
He turned his face upward and shouted, "Fire!" He pressed the red igniter button with his thumb. There was a sharp pop, and smoke began to twirl up from the rolled leaf. He moved to the fire pit just as the flame flared and held it before the girl for a bare instant. To her, it appeared that his fingertips were ablaze. Stooping quickly, he dropped the burning tender into the center of the woodpile. In less than a minute the fire was burning full force.
Etar bolted for the door and shoved the covering aside. She jumped outside before Kasdan could stop her. He walked over to the opening and saw her standing in the street a few feet away. "Come back," he said in her language, his voice sharp. Etar looked around but saw no one close enough to come to her aid if she needed it.
"Come, girl, no one will hurt you," he said in a more gentle tone.
Etar edged toward him, looking from side to side. When she reached the doorway, he draped his arm around her shoulders and led her inside. In her language he said, "You will prepare food now." His tone was matter-of-fact.
Etar shivered and said, "Yes, lord."
"When you are finished, you may return to your own home," he told her. Holding to that promise, Etar hastened to prepare his breakfast.
Kasdan glanced out the open doorway and smiled. Several people who had seen the girl run out of the hut were standing in the street, watching. When the girl finished preparing his food, she would undoubtedly tell everyone what had happened inside the hut, and then hurry on to Eochaid's dwelling to report the entire incident to him. It never hurt to have another feat of magic credited to his account.
Major Kriss and his team had moved into positions on the high ground north of the Fir Bolg f
ort during the night. They had scouted the entire perimeter around the wall and had found this to be the best position to observe the largest part of the complex. They were spaced a thousand feet apart, creating a crossfire pattern that would cover the maximum amount of space inside the wall. All were dressed in camouflage clothing textured to match the landscape. In addition to the clothes, they had placed shaggy brown and green grass cloaks over their shoulders. In the prone position, they would look like flattened mounds of turf. Nothing could exit the fort through the gates of the town without being observed by at least one member of the team. They had taken turns sleeping in two-hour shifts, and it was now thirty minutes before sunrise.
Kriss rolled over onto his back and sat up. Since they were well below the skyline, there was no danger that the guards or the people inside the town would see any of them. The air was misty, but the pre-dawn temperature suggested that it would clear with the sunrise. He opened one of his MRE's and took out a Snickers bar. As he ate, he scanned the interior of the fort with his mini-binoculars. During the night the Fir Bolg had maintained numerous fires along the streets and open spaces near the structures. From the ridge, the Marines could see shadowy figures moving about at random throughout the night.
Occasionally, one of the guards would throw a lighted torch into the darkness outside the walls, as though trying to light up a certain area. It was almost as if they were expecting an attack and were remaining alert during the hours when no counterforce would be readily available. Up to this point, the team had seen no one who came close to the description of John Kasdan.
Kriss sipped some water from his flask and squeezed the mike button on his throat. "You guys awake?" he asked quietly. He received two affirmative clicks in reply. "Keep sharp, the citizens will be going about their business pretty soon now."