"What are you doing on the surface to affect my systems in such a way?" Qeet demanded, suddenly reappearing from behind the pillar, sticking straight out from a pipe with several tentacles to angle at them menacingly.
"Not us personally," Zach said quickly. "But, maybe the snow machines passing overhead might have done something."
Sasha pulled off her coat completely, leaving only the snow pants. "I hate to break this to you, but we've driven over this area before and no one has dropped down into a hidden spaceship."
"We've been here long enough we would have noticed such a phenomenon and solved the problem," Nanuk said. He shifted his weapon to the other arm. "Young Sasha is correct. It cannot be the problem."
"I'm suggesting the strong aurora and a lot of snow machines. At the same time. Has that happened?" Zach argued. He took off his own coat, the overheating making him feel more frustrated than he should. "The timing is too coincidental."
"Of course not, this is Old Man Isley's land." She sucked in her breath. "Oh, I see what you mean. It's always been just isolated small hunting parties."
"What are these 'snow machines' you speak of?" Zach looked at Qeet to find all four eyes unblinkingly regarding him steadily.
"They are a common human winter transport which travels on the surface of the snow," Nanuk explained. "But they are small. I do not see how they could be at fault."
The lights scattered around the room. Static appeared through the speakers.
Qeet disappeared into the ceiling in a flurry of arms. "Not again."
Zach felt an excitement build. "It's happening again? Is there a way to see what is happening at the surface?"
"Perhaps the boy has found a possibility?" Yenni asked. He hopped up on a small chair to grab at one of the lower floating displays. A few jabs at the display with his tiny fingers and half of the display changed.
"Look at marker eight." Nanuk moved to stand behind Yenni. Zach and Sasha crowded around the chair. "Or marker five."
"Don't touch the generator controls," Qeet shouted down at them.
"We're not touching your precious controls," Yenni shouted back.
The display changed to show a view of the aurora-lit night outside. In the distance stood a line of trees and beyond rose high snow-covered mountains. And in the front of the trees were the bobbing front headlights of a big pack of snow machines. The red lights of another pack headed in the other direction.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
"SEE, IT IS the snow machines!" Zach said, pointing.
Sasha shifted from one foot to the other. "They're going to be really worried we didn't arrive with our pack."
Zach could imagine. Imagine his father pacing and the lecture he would get.
Although, technically, none of this had been their fault. Maybe his father wasn't worried yet. Not that much time had passed.
"How can such small vehicles cause so much trouble?" Qeet said near to his ear.
Zach jumped. Qeet had extended himself from one of the horizontal pipes to watch the display. And through the thin dark gray skin he saw shadowy shapes move and pulse. Was he seeing organs?
He snapped himself back. "I don't know. Maybe the metal? The engines also produce electricity. Maybe it's somehow funneling energy into your generators? Energy it can't handle?"
"Hmm, possible." Qeet retracted. He flattened his body to slip through two tight pipes. "Or, more likely, a resonance."
"Qeet, I hope you are not about to do what I think you are," Nanuk said over a hum that appeared in the room.
"What do you believe I am about to do?" Qeet asked from somewhere across the room.
"A forcefield could be detected from orbit. We should speak with the Admiral."
Zach didn't care for the conversation. They didn't want to be seen from orbit? Who were they hiding from?
So much didn't make sense, and his head felt like it was tying itself into knots trying to figure it out. Too much more and he was going to end up with a splitting headache.
"I would not do such a thing without clearance. However, a slight refraction field over the energy intakes might do the job just as well."
The lights suddenly grew brighter. The crackles and pops over the speaker eased.
"Level seven systems restarted," a voice said over the speakers.
"Well, that did something. Can you get level sixteen going?" Yenni shouted. "That's where we have intruders."
"Wait, I have it!"
The lights grew even brighter and the static disappeared from the speakers. Qeet rappelled back into view, moving across the ceiling like a long-armed Tarzan. "I was right, it was a resonance. A rather interesting one. I have it pinned down. It shouldn't impact any of the systems any longer."
"Engineer Qeet, did you find the problem?" a voice said from one of the floating displays.
The display flew to the ceiling at Qeet's gesture. "Good evening, Admiral. Yes, the problem has been identified and neutralized. A problem with the outer energy intakes. I will start the process of bringing up all systems now."
Zach craned his head to try to see the image of the infamous Admiral, but all he saw from the back of the display was a dark shape.
"Good. I will need all systems for level sixteen active as soon as possible. I need full access to all security-bots to neutralize native intruders. Inform me as soon as they are available."
"Yes, sir."
Zach looked up at Nanuk, "I'm sure that means us, as well."
Qeet pushed the display away. "Indeed it does. Nanuk, may I suggest you return your pets to their native environment before the Admiral discovers them?"
"We are not pets," Zach and Sasha said together.
"How long before the full systems are back online on level twelve?" Yenni asked.
"Approximately 8 ocks," Qeet said as he swung out of view. "And I thank you for your assistance, humans."
"That's a little less than twenty minutes," Zach said to Sasha.
She looked down at her watch. "Can we find the snow machine soon? The evacuation will be finished soon, and I have no idea how to explain what happened to us."
"Describe the place, and hurry. We don't want the Admiral getting trigger-happy," Yenni said, jumping off the chair.
"He would shoot us?" Sasha demanded. "Who are you people? You would have no right to do such a thing!"
"An unfortunate choice of words," Nanuk said quickly. "Yenni did not mean that as it sounded. But the Admiral discovering you here would delay you rejoining your people by some time. It is best we get you to the surface as quickly as possible."
Zach added, "And we will definitely need the snow machine when we get up there. Don't you dare leave us out in the middle of nowhere without it."
"A description, please?" Yenni clapped his front hands at them. Zach wanted to clap his hands right back at him.
Sasha glared at him. "It was a room off a smaller corridor with dimmer lights."
"A large room, about twice as large as your lab," Zach said, thinking hard. "Dark gray walls. The door into the ship was seamless to the wall until the security-bot opened it. Until then, we couldn't even see where it was."
"And the ceiling on the opposite side from the door slanted down into the wall. The slanted part had a hatch that opened and dropped us into the ship." Sasha grimaced. "Can we even get out the same way? We dropped almost straight down."
"First we find the location. We worry about the rest later," Yenni said.
"I can help with location," Qeet said from directly above them. "One of the plasma vents. It sounds as if one of the emergency valves opened."
"Were we in part of the engine?" Zach asked.
"An external part," Qeet answered.
He tried to suppress a shudder. If the ship had taken off, how long would they have survived before getting burned to a crisp?
Yenni jabbed at the display, "That should narrow it down. We look for one with a big metal object in it."
Images of the insides of rooms t
hat looked exactly like the one they'd landed in flashed by. The one with the snow machine was obvious the moment they came upon it.
"Good, it's a straight-shot from the elevator," Nanuk said. He swiveled the display away from Yenni, despite his objections. "I am programming a safe route, protected by containment fields. We should be able to get to the location without encountering anyone, or anything."
"I'm all for that. Tonight's been exciting enough," Zach said, wishing he could take off the snow pants. He was sweltering.
Nanuk let go of the display and hoisted the weapon higher on his shoulder. "Time to go. We move quickly."
And moving quickly made him feel even hotter and more exhausted. In fact, all of him was exhausted.
The wolves howling as they got off the elevator instantly reminded him of the dangers still existing on the sixteenth floor, helping him pick up the pace.
Sasha didn't say much as they followed Nanuk, but he noticed her eyes darted down each intersection they came to, just like his did. While they heard the noises, they didn't see any of the other animals in the ship.
But they did see something as dangerous.
A security-bot blocked their way after Nanuk deactivated a containment field. It held its weapon ready, pointing straight at them. "All infiltrators will be neutralized."
Yenni stalked past Nanuk's legs while Zach took a step backwards and angled behind Nanuk. "First you aren't around when we need you, and now you are getting uppity? Out of our way, you sack of parts."
Yenni swatted at its legs. The robot didn't so much as flinch as it repeated, "All infiltrators must be contained."
"They aren't going anywhere with you. Out of our way!" Yenni took another swat at it and pushed at one of the legs with all his weight.
Zach took full refuge behind Nanuk's large form as the bear, no, alien stood up to its full height. "Security protocol access requested."
Nanuk rattled off a bunch of words Zach couldn't understand, even with the translator on his wrist. The robot stood at attention, the weapon retracting to lay against its torso.
When Nanuk stopped for breath, the robot said, "Security alterations accepted. Visitors added to database. This unit will continue with containment."
The robot turned away. With a kick at its leg, Yenni shouted, "And get a personality!"
Zach looked down at his watch. "Not much time left."
"Where did you get the security protocols?" Yenni asked, looking up at Nanuk.
"Not now. We have a mission to accomplish." Nanuk let them pass before re-activating the field containment.
"I'm glad you knew how to do that. I didn't think it was going to let us pass," Sasha said.
"It wasn't," Nanuk said. "Full systems have been restored, including security systems."
Zach's eyes narrowed after the departing robot's form, but he turned his attention back to keeping up with Nanuk. No, this wasn't the time to dwell on reasons and mysteries. First they needed to get to the surface. Then he would ponder it all out.
Finding the small corridor and room was a let-down after all the adventure of fleeing it with a robot chasing after them.
Near the far wall sat the snow machine, looking completely undisturbed except for the snow that had melted out from under it, leaving big puddles of water on the floor.
Zach allowed himself to finally smile.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
SASHA GRINNED WHEN she saw the Zombie. The white cowl with burgundy and gray racing stripes along the front and sides had never looked so good.
Yenni ran around the machine, looking it up and down. "What a primitive conveyance."
"It gets the job done," Sasha told him. She pointed up at one of the slanted ceiling rectangles. "That's where we dropped through."
"Indeed a plasma vent," Nanuk said. He lifted his left paw and said into his translator, "Qeet, we're here. We need vent five opened."
"Opening now," Qeet's voice answered.
So, the translator thing did more than just translate words. Sasha pulled her coat back on, careful to make sure her translator was still hidden by her sleeves. The thing might come in really handy later.
Yenni jumped up on the seat, putting his front paws on the control yoke and pushed. "How does this thing work?"
Above him the slanted wall divided, a rectangle dropping down and moving to the side. Sasha rushed forward and grabbed Yenni off the snow machine as a small avalanche of snow fell into the room.
Yenni swatted at her hands as he squirmed, "Put me down this instant."
She lowered him to the floor, "Sorry, just saving you from the snow."
Yenni found his feet, and standing straight and tall declared, "I do not need saving from snow."
Nanuk coughed. "Except for the time-"
"We do not need to hear about that particular incident at this time," Yenni interrupted. He bounded onto the snow. "We will have to send each up one at a time."
Nanuk joined him, looking up the hole. Sasha and Zach joined them.
"The aurora is still bright," Sasha said with a smile as she caught sight of the colors dancing in the night sky at the end of the narrow hole.
Nanuk turned back into the room. "The snow machine first, then?"
"I don't think we can lift it up that far," Zach said, slipping his coat on.
"I'm not doing this the hard way." Yenni took a small boxy device off his belt. He pointed the round end at the snow machine. "Out of the way."
A dark shimmer surrounded the snow machine. Sasha jumped back. The machine left the ground, wavering as it hung in the air. Yenni backed away, bringing the snow machine around to just under the hole. Tipping it up on end, the snow machine flew up the hole, Yenni running forward to stay under it.
Sasha took the chance to look up the hole. The snow machine settled on the surface, the back tread partially blocking the hole. The beam flared, pushing the snow machine away, the tread disappearing. With the movement a cascade of snow fell down the hole.
And right on Yenni.
Yenni squeaked and jumped. And tripped, to land face first in the pile of snow. He waved a paw in circles in the air while he pushed himself out of the pile, "Not a word!"
Nanuk laughed, and then stifled it.
Sasha smothered her own giggle. "Great, can you get us up the same way?"
"That's the idea," Yenni said, sputtering as he shook off the snow.
"And now a warning," Nanuk said. Sasha turned towards him, concerned at his serious tone. Her eyes flew towards the door into the ship, but she didn't see anything there that might be of worry. "It is about the ship. You must not tell anyone it is here. You must not tell anyone about us."
"And do not ever return," Yenni added. "With all the system problems the Admiral should never know you were here. We should keep it that way."
Zach pulled on his hat, "The security-bots know we have been here. Sorry, but you won't be able to keep it a secret from anyone in security because of them."
"How I would enjoy speaking with you more. But, alas we cannot." Nanuk placed a large paw on Zach's shoulder, the short fingers giving it a squeeze. "I added you to the security database so there would be no reason for any security system to flag you as an intruder, and therefore worthy of review. No one will notice you were here unless they look for evidence."
"I wondered why you did that," Sasha said, shoving first gloves, and then mittens on her hands. She flipped the hood up over her head. She had a feeling that if left to their own devices Zach and Nanuk would be comparing notes about humans.
"You can return to your home safely?" Yenni asked, looking up at her. "We are a distance from the town you inhabit."
"Oh yes, I know the way quite well," Sasha said with a smile. "We just have to come up with a good excuse to explain it."
"Another group of machines approaching," Qeet announced.
"Which means it is time," Yenni said. "Who first?"
"Me." Sasha waved a hand. "I need to get the snow machine started."
Zach shuddered. "I hope it starts easily."
"It should. It wasn't hit when the robot fired," Sasha said, stepping towards the hole just in time for a clump of snow to fall and hit her on the shoulder.
"Tuck in your arms. Once on top I will angle you towards the edge. You will have to lean forward and step out of the beam," Yenni said, aiming his device at her.
"Just don't drop me."
The dark field felt tingly against her skin. It made her nose itch fiercely, but she wasn't about to take off her mittens to scratch. She kept her arms wrapped around her middle, the snow only inches from her nose.
The cold night air descended on her, making her wish for the helmet to hide her sweaty face from the chill. They would be lucky not to catch a cold out of all this.
Her head came out on top, quickly followed by the rest of her body. As soon as her feet were past, she leaned forward, sticking out one foot. She fell forward and dropped in the snow. She scrambled away from the edge of the snow, using the snow machine to help her get to her feet.
She ran to the front of the snow machine and grabbed the two loops of metal at the front of the skis, dragging the heavy machine away from the hole.
Now to make sure it would start.
She turned the key. The second pull of the starter rope and the engine came to life. She let the engine idle and warm up as she turned to help Zach out of the beam as he came to the surface.
They both leaned over the edge and shouted goodbye.
"And thank you," Zach added.
"Thank us by getting home safely," Nanuk shouted back.
The white fur of Nanuk disappeared as the vent closed.
Zach got to his feet. "It started okay?"
"Sure. The Zombie is great. Ready to go?" She pulled the helmets out from under the seat and handed him one.
"Oh yeah. Any ideas on what we'll say?"
"Not yet. We have some time to think about it." But then she saw the other snow machines approaching. No point in pretending they hadn't seen them.
The snow squeaked and crackled under their feet. She pulled Zach towards the snow machine as the snow moved towards the hole over the vent. They climbed up on the seat. Sasha gave it a little gas to move it slowly away, afraid to disrupt the snow anymore than what was necessary.