Post by Fitz Kreiner on Aug 27, 2008 12:23:33 GMT
Amaranth: Day 35.
So far my team have analysed and catalogued seven different species of what we have called the Amaranth Dodo. A rather interesting species resembling the large flightless birds of Earth, they seem to be confined to the largest continent of the planet as none of the other teams have reported any species that resemble them. The birds range from about two feet tall to a massive eight feet tall and are powerfully built. Their body structure is fascinating.
Doctor Sauer sighed and dropped his data pad down on the desk in the small sectioned off part of the landing craft laboratory that served as his office. Running his hands through his thinning hair, he sighed loudly and leant back in his chair. Hearing a knock at the door he reached to the data pad and shut off the voice recorder.
“Come in.” He looked up at the door as Mendez, the pilot entered.
“Sorry to bother you, Doctor Sauer.” He said, saluting as he entered. “Commander Olbrich is on the video link for you.”
Nodding, Sauer waved his hand dismissing Mendez. “Thank you.” Sighing again, he turned to the video screen and flicked it on. Olbrichs stern face filled the screen. “Commander, what can I do for you?”
“I thought I should warn you, mein Doctor. Our sensors have detected an anomalous reading coming from the planets’ surface, roughly two miles from your current location.” Olbrich said, starkly matter of factly. “We are not sure, but it might be best if your team check it out, in case it is linked to the attack on Professor Mori last month.”
“Or the sabotage that we’ve experienced since?” Sauer asked, raising an eyebrow. “I take it your investigation has yielded no results.”
Olbrich shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “I regret that neither our investigation here or on the planets’ surface have yielded positive results.”
“Not only that, but could you order your men to not interfere with our research here? They have hindered our work more than these disruptions.”
“I regret that, mein Doctor.” Olbrich said, lowering his head in apology. “But this saboteur has to be found before he puts lives in danger.”
Sauer sighed again and rolled his eyes. “I appreciate that Commander, but may I remind you that you are merely here to service this expedition.”
“And to protect you, ja?” Olbrich sat back in his chair as Sauer fell silent. “Then we have to find this saboteur, and believe me, we will, and then your expedition can continue unabated.”
“Very well, Commander Olbrich.” Sauer said, folding his arms and sitting back. “I shall keep my eye out for anomalous readings and anything out of the ordinary, now if you don’t mind, I’m very busy.” Reaching out, Sauer switched off the communications link and leaning back farther, shut his eyes and breathed in deeply. Another knock on his door brought him out of his reverie. He opened his eyes as Cristina Rossini, the eldest of his student team, entered.
“Sorry to disturb you, Doc,” She started, brushing a long curly strand of ebony hair back from in front of her eyes. “You said we were to head out on an expedition hike twenty minutes ago. I was just, erm, seeing if you’d fallen asleep?”
Sauer turned round to face Cristina. “I’m terribly sorry.” He said, running his hand through his thinning fair hair. “I’ve been having yet another talk with Commander Olbrich and got carried away with my work.” Getting to his feet, Sauer grabbed his boots and perching on the edge of his small desk, pulled them onto his feet. “Okay, my dear girl, just grab our things and we shall make up for lost time.”
Drew Bradman turned off his holo image recorder and placed it back into the case on his belt. “That’s something I wasn’t bargaining for.” He whispered to his colleague, and Professor Mori’s protégé, Lucien Dufayel. “The male carries the eggs around with him in a hidden pouch.” Thoughtfully he rubbed his lower lip, suddenly realising how thirsty he was.
The two Zoology students had just witnessed a female lizard with a trail of fur along her back lay eggs, only to be scooped up and stored in a pouch on the male, which the two had hither to not known about, despite studying the creatures for two weeks now. Dufayel determined to fully catalogue the new species, already calling it the Rectus Pilosus Amaranth Salamander, had insisted that they stayed out longer than their allotted three hours to continue to observe the two lizards. All of a sudden, the two lizards stiffened and turned, looking away from the two students before scampering off into the thick undergrowth.
“Well, something’s spooked them.” Drew said softly, getting to his feet.
Dufayel reached up and grabbed him by the arm, looking up at his colleague, his finger to his lips.
“What is it?” Drew whispered, looking about him.
“I thought I heard something.” Dufayel whispered.
“The jungle’s full of noises.” Drew replied, somewhat unhelpfully.
Dufayel waved Drew silent with one hand, silently getting to his feet. “Voices. Strange voices.”
Falling silent, Drew strained to listen. Dufayel was a conscientious worker and studier and not the sort to play practical jokes. Sure enough, Drew could hear two distant voices and the sound of branches cracking under footfalls. “It could just be the Doc, or one of the others.”
“Non, non, non.” Dufayel quietly protested. “They’re English.”
Drew listened carefully. They certainly seemed to be a proper English accent, without the hints of the different European, Oriental and Australian hints that affected the accents of the expedition and military crew. His first thought was that it was one of their landing crew who was putting the accent on for a joke, but as he listened, he became sure that they were genuine accents; one male, one female. He looked at Dufayel, confused, and shrugged.
The voices were getting closer and becoming easier to make out. The girl swore; “I really think I’m wearing the wrong gear.”
“The Doctor did say it was jungle.” The man was saying.
Drew looked at Dufayel and raised an eyebrow. “Another expedition?”
Dufayel opened his mouth to reply before he was cut off by the wailing cry of a large animal and a scream from the girl. The two looked at each other before setting off at a run towards the sound. Drew arrived at the scene first and stopped dead at what he saw through the branches; two total strangers, totally unequipped for a planetary survey being attacked by one of the larger species of Amaranth Dodo, what had been called the Sword Billed Dodo.
The man was on the ground, pushing and scrambling backwards through the bare soil of the small clearing, keeping himself between the bird and the girl, who was trying desperately to help the young man back to his feet. The bird was using it’s long, razor-sharp beak to stab at the young man, who was trying desperately to avoid getting injured.
As Drew watched, the Dodo stabbed its beak down, lifting up again, having snagged the man’s shirt on one of the vicious barbs on its beak. Struggling to free himself, the young man kicked up, catching the bird in one of its large yellow eyes. Squawking in pain, the bird opened its beak, the young man dropping to the ground with a grunt.
There was a loud roaring noise from beside him, and Drew realised that Dufayel was stood beside him. The roaring noise came again causing the bird to pause, suddenly silent and Drew to turn. Dufayel was holding out his wrist comp and playing a recording of a large predatory animal from an earlier planetary survey. At the present moment in time, he couldn’t identify what the animal was, but it certainly spooked the bird, which, with a final cry, flapped its feeble wings and disappeared into the thick jungle behind it, its powerful legs carrying it into the higher branches of the vegetation.
The immediate danger over, Drew finally had the chance to take in what the two strangers looked like. The young man appeared to be in his mid twenties, with long, straggly hair held in a pony tail with immaculately sculpted facial hair. He was wearing a faded black t-shirt with a grey image of an archaic depiction of a robot on it, with a red and white checked lumberjack shirt over top, unbuttoned with the sleeves rolled up, jeans and heavy duty looking black boots.
The girl caught Drews’ attention more. She looked as if she may be early twenties at her eldest. Her hair was raven black, and she had dark makeup round her eyes, which almost shone green and deep red lipstick, making her lips seem full and sensual. She was wearing what appeared to be a black corset over a white shirt, which was unbuttoned to the top of the corset, a black skirt, which was ripped down one side, presumably because of the Dodo, and black tights which were also ripped and laddered. Her boots were black and purple and looked heavy and cumbersome.
“Tom!” The girl cried, rushing over to the young man, as he scrambled to his feet. “Are you ok?”
The young man, Tom, nodded, brushing himself down. “Yeah, no bones broken; just a few scratches and a ripped shirt. You?”
“Yeah.” She replied, smiling. “Thanks to you and that animal, whatever it was.”
“A recording.” Tom replied. “We’ve got company.”
Drews’ heart almost skipped a beat when he realised that the young man was looking right at him, into his eyes. He almost felt as though he were looking into his very soul, his blue eyes bright and piercing. Drew swallowed and looked at Dufayel, who looked back and nodding slightly stepped out into the open towards the two strangers.
“Hello there.” Tom was saying, his hand outstretched to Dufayel. “I think we owe you our thanks.”
“Who are you?” Dufayel asked, ignoring Toms offered hand.
His smile fading into a look of confusion, Tom looked down at his hand, turning it so his palm was facing his face. Smiling and looking from Dufayel to Drew, Jess stepped forwards, snagging her tights on a branch again.
“I’m Jess, and this is Tom.” She said, smiling at Drew. “And you are?”
“Andrew Bradman.” Drew said quickly, stepping forwards and almost grasping Jess’ hand eagerly. “But you can call me Drew.” He winked.
“Lucien Dufayel.” Dufayel said, gently taking Jess’ hand and kissing it.
Jess turned and smiled and winked at Tom, before taking a step forwards, causing another rip to her tights from where they’d snagged. “Like Tom said, I think we owe you our thanks. If you hadn’t arrived, that big bird would have had us for lunch.” She paused and looked down before looking up at the two men coyly. “I don’t suppose you two fellers have any spare clothing you could lend us, ours seem to have got a little tattered.” She said, putting on an almost sultry voice.
Drew and Dufayel looked at each other, lost for what to say for a few seconds before Drew turned back to look at Jess and Tom, the latter of whom merely shrugged, a weak smile on his face. “Uhm, yeah. Back this way.” He said, jerking his thumb back over his shoulder. “We can get you a drink and some tucker too?”
“Sounds brilliant, thanks.” Jess smiled. “After you.”
“You were lucky,” Dufayel said turning back to look at Jess and Tom. “The Sword Billed Dodo is fiercely territorial. If we hadn’t turned up, it would have killed you both.”
“Like we said, we owe you our thanks.” Tom said, stepping over a fallen tree. “So, who are you guys? Where are you from?”
“Don’t act like you don’t know.” Drew said, pausing and turning to look at Tom. “Everyone on the outer colonies has heard of the Bellingshausen Expedition.” He glanced back at Dufayel who was now several steps ahead talking quietly into a communicator.
“Ah, you see, we’re not from one of the colonies.” Jess said. “Earth actually. Well, travellers, I’m from Earth.”
“Ah.” Drew exclaimed as if it explained everything. Turning to Tom he said; “I take it you’re a Moonchild or from Mars Uni?”
“Not quiet.” Tom replied, holding his hand out to Jess, who struggled through a thorny patch of plants. “Why do you think we’re affiliated with a University?”
“Don’t worry m’love, less than a mile now.” Drew smiled at Jess.
“Wonderful.” Jess muttered quietly to Tom as she stumbled again.
“Well, who else would be this far out?” Drew said, addressing Toms question. “We’re a good six months from Earth at max drive. Which expedition are you from?”
“We’re not part of an expedition.” Jess said.
Drew raised his eyebrow as he turned to look at her. “Oh no?” He asked, turning to Tom. “Then who is this Doctor you were talking about?”
“Drew!” Dufayel walked over, cutting the conversation off before it could proceed any further. “I think we’d better get these two back to the landing craft before the Dodo comes back.”
Nodding, Drew turned back towards Dufayel, recognising the tone in his voice, and away from Jess and Tom. “You don’t trust ‘em d’ya?” He whispered, glancing back at the two strangers.
Dufayel muttered in French before turning to Drew. Taking his colleague lightly by the arm, he spurred him a few more steps ahead. “We’ve heard no other ship arrive and one wasn’t detected in orbit or on the planet. Where have they come from?”
Drew opened his mouth to reply, but Dufayel continued; “There’s only one logical explanation. They’re stowaways, they must be. Almost certainly the ones who attacked the Professor and are the cause of the disruptions we’ve experienced.”
“No!” Drew replied in hushed shock looking back at Jess and Tom. Jess now had her arm through Toms and the pair were cautiously making their way through the undergrowth, following them, whispering between themselves. “But they can’t be. These disruptions have happened on the planet and the ship. Everyone who transports has to check in.”
“The devices.” Dufayel whispered. “Some of the sabotage was done with small bombs and devices. Don’t forget that.”
Cautiously, Drew chanced another look back over his shoulder at Jess and Tom. The pair of them were still whispering together, but suddenly, the girl didn’t seem as attractive as first he thought, and the young man looked more sinister. He closed his eyes and looked back the way he was going, shaking his head as if to clear it. He had to be imagining it. He couldn’t believe that they were two dangerous saboteurs, let alone stowaways. There’d been nowhere for them to hide for the past two years that the expedition had taken. Dufayel had to be mistaken. He had to be.
“What do you think they’re talking about?” Jess whispered, slipping her arm through Toms and walking arm in arm beside him.
“Us. Deffinately.” Tom replied almost immediately.
“I knew you’d say that, y’pessimistic old git.” Jess teased, smiling up at Tom.
“That Dufayel chappy. He doesn’t trust us, one bit. I caught a bit of what he was saying into his wrist comm. thing. The words ‘saboteur’ and ‘stowaway’ were used.” Tom paused as he pushed a branch out of the way and seeing a large insect scuttle away down the branch and fly off before he let it swing back to where it had been. “Drew, however, you seem to have bewitched with those feminine wiles of yours.”
“Hey, if you’ve got it.” Jess winked. “Shame it doesn’t work on everyone. You ever heard of this Bellhousing Expedition?”
“Bellingshausen.” Tom corrected. “And no, never. Dunno whether it’s past of future to when I was Earthbound.”
“So what do you suggest we do?”
“Play along, get you some more appropriate clothes and if the Doctor doesn’t show up within two hours claiming to be an expert on something, I’ll make you tea and breakfast every day for a month and do all your washing!” Tom chuckled as Jess playfully hit him in the arm.
“Saboteurs?” Olbrich asked, looking intently from the screen.
“That’s what Monsieur Dufayel believes, Sir.” Mendez replied, reading back from the report he had compiled on Dufayels’ brief report to the landing craft. “He says he thinks they stowed away somewhere.”
“But where?” Olbrich asked, thoughtfully rubbing his stubbly chin. “We’re over two years into this expedition and a good six months from Earth, a week or so from the nearest colony. We would have noticed stowaways.” Sitting back in his chair, Olbrich drummed his fingers on his desk as he thought through his options.
Not sure what to do whilst his Commander was in a thoughtful mood, Mendez started a daily systems check that would prepare for the arrival of another transport pod, bringing two more students to the planet.
“Very well.” Olbrich said eventually, almost making Mendez jump. “When they arrive, I want you to check them out and then send them up to the mother ship. I will have a party ready for them when they arrive and then I can fully interview them.”
“Very good, Sir.” Mendez replied. “You don’t think they’re stowaways?”
“I don’t know, Mendez.” Olbrich replied. “If they are, it leaves the question of when and where did they stow away. If they were here before us, how long have they been here? No other ships have arrived in the area.” Olbrich paused and straightened up. “When they arrive with you, send them up to me and let me know.” Leaning forwards, Olbrich closed off the comms link, cauing the screen to go blank.
Nodding at the black screen, Mendez sighed and got to his feet. Running a hand through his short black hair, he patted his breast pocket and smiled, feeling the small carton within. Stepping out of the cockpit onto the bare soil of the landing site, Mendez pulled the carton out of his pocket and withdrew a cigarette. Placing the filtered end between his lips, he patted another pocket and then withdrew a lighter. Lighting the cigarette, he leant back against the cockpit doorway and inhaled deeply, closing his eyes against the bright Amaranth sun.
The sound of rustling undergrowth caught his attention and the snapping of a twig under a boot made Mendez open his eyes, looking in the direction of the sound. Blinking in the bright light, he could just make out the blurred image of someone stood at the edge of the clearing. He blinked again as they stepped closer and into his vision.
“Oh, it’s you!” He breathed, holding the cigarette between his lips. “Sorry you made me start.”
Mendez looked again. Something was glinting in the figures hand. Before he had a change to react, the knife flashed across his throat and was then plunged deep into his chest. His eyes wide, Mendez dropped to his knees, his cigarette hanging limply from his lip, blood frothing and gushing from his throat, as he gargled helplessly, unable to talk. He vaguely saw the glint of the knife as it was drawn from his chest as it dripped with his blood, before he fell forwards into the dirt, his blood forming a sticky pool about him.
So far my team have analysed and catalogued seven different species of what we have called the Amaranth Dodo. A rather interesting species resembling the large flightless birds of Earth, they seem to be confined to the largest continent of the planet as none of the other teams have reported any species that resemble them. The birds range from about two feet tall to a massive eight feet tall and are powerfully built. Their body structure is fascinating.
Doctor Sauer sighed and dropped his data pad down on the desk in the small sectioned off part of the landing craft laboratory that served as his office. Running his hands through his thinning hair, he sighed loudly and leant back in his chair. Hearing a knock at the door he reached to the data pad and shut off the voice recorder.
“Come in.” He looked up at the door as Mendez, the pilot entered.
“Sorry to bother you, Doctor Sauer.” He said, saluting as he entered. “Commander Olbrich is on the video link for you.”
Nodding, Sauer waved his hand dismissing Mendez. “Thank you.” Sighing again, he turned to the video screen and flicked it on. Olbrichs stern face filled the screen. “Commander, what can I do for you?”
“I thought I should warn you, mein Doctor. Our sensors have detected an anomalous reading coming from the planets’ surface, roughly two miles from your current location.” Olbrich said, starkly matter of factly. “We are not sure, but it might be best if your team check it out, in case it is linked to the attack on Professor Mori last month.”
“Or the sabotage that we’ve experienced since?” Sauer asked, raising an eyebrow. “I take it your investigation has yielded no results.”
Olbrich shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “I regret that neither our investigation here or on the planets’ surface have yielded positive results.”
“Not only that, but could you order your men to not interfere with our research here? They have hindered our work more than these disruptions.”
“I regret that, mein Doctor.” Olbrich said, lowering his head in apology. “But this saboteur has to be found before he puts lives in danger.”
Sauer sighed again and rolled his eyes. “I appreciate that Commander, but may I remind you that you are merely here to service this expedition.”
“And to protect you, ja?” Olbrich sat back in his chair as Sauer fell silent. “Then we have to find this saboteur, and believe me, we will, and then your expedition can continue unabated.”
“Very well, Commander Olbrich.” Sauer said, folding his arms and sitting back. “I shall keep my eye out for anomalous readings and anything out of the ordinary, now if you don’t mind, I’m very busy.” Reaching out, Sauer switched off the communications link and leaning back farther, shut his eyes and breathed in deeply. Another knock on his door brought him out of his reverie. He opened his eyes as Cristina Rossini, the eldest of his student team, entered.
“Sorry to disturb you, Doc,” She started, brushing a long curly strand of ebony hair back from in front of her eyes. “You said we were to head out on an expedition hike twenty minutes ago. I was just, erm, seeing if you’d fallen asleep?”
Sauer turned round to face Cristina. “I’m terribly sorry.” He said, running his hand through his thinning fair hair. “I’ve been having yet another talk with Commander Olbrich and got carried away with my work.” Getting to his feet, Sauer grabbed his boots and perching on the edge of his small desk, pulled them onto his feet. “Okay, my dear girl, just grab our things and we shall make up for lost time.”
*
Drew Bradman turned off his holo image recorder and placed it back into the case on his belt. “That’s something I wasn’t bargaining for.” He whispered to his colleague, and Professor Mori’s protégé, Lucien Dufayel. “The male carries the eggs around with him in a hidden pouch.” Thoughtfully he rubbed his lower lip, suddenly realising how thirsty he was.
The two Zoology students had just witnessed a female lizard with a trail of fur along her back lay eggs, only to be scooped up and stored in a pouch on the male, which the two had hither to not known about, despite studying the creatures for two weeks now. Dufayel determined to fully catalogue the new species, already calling it the Rectus Pilosus Amaranth Salamander, had insisted that they stayed out longer than their allotted three hours to continue to observe the two lizards. All of a sudden, the two lizards stiffened and turned, looking away from the two students before scampering off into the thick undergrowth.
“Well, something’s spooked them.” Drew said softly, getting to his feet.
Dufayel reached up and grabbed him by the arm, looking up at his colleague, his finger to his lips.
“What is it?” Drew whispered, looking about him.
“I thought I heard something.” Dufayel whispered.
“The jungle’s full of noises.” Drew replied, somewhat unhelpfully.
Dufayel waved Drew silent with one hand, silently getting to his feet. “Voices. Strange voices.”
Falling silent, Drew strained to listen. Dufayel was a conscientious worker and studier and not the sort to play practical jokes. Sure enough, Drew could hear two distant voices and the sound of branches cracking under footfalls. “It could just be the Doc, or one of the others.”
“Non, non, non.” Dufayel quietly protested. “They’re English.”
Drew listened carefully. They certainly seemed to be a proper English accent, without the hints of the different European, Oriental and Australian hints that affected the accents of the expedition and military crew. His first thought was that it was one of their landing crew who was putting the accent on for a joke, but as he listened, he became sure that they were genuine accents; one male, one female. He looked at Dufayel, confused, and shrugged.
The voices were getting closer and becoming easier to make out. The girl swore; “I really think I’m wearing the wrong gear.”
“The Doctor did say it was jungle.” The man was saying.
Drew looked at Dufayel and raised an eyebrow. “Another expedition?”
Dufayel opened his mouth to reply before he was cut off by the wailing cry of a large animal and a scream from the girl. The two looked at each other before setting off at a run towards the sound. Drew arrived at the scene first and stopped dead at what he saw through the branches; two total strangers, totally unequipped for a planetary survey being attacked by one of the larger species of Amaranth Dodo, what had been called the Sword Billed Dodo.
The man was on the ground, pushing and scrambling backwards through the bare soil of the small clearing, keeping himself between the bird and the girl, who was trying desperately to help the young man back to his feet. The bird was using it’s long, razor-sharp beak to stab at the young man, who was trying desperately to avoid getting injured.
As Drew watched, the Dodo stabbed its beak down, lifting up again, having snagged the man’s shirt on one of the vicious barbs on its beak. Struggling to free himself, the young man kicked up, catching the bird in one of its large yellow eyes. Squawking in pain, the bird opened its beak, the young man dropping to the ground with a grunt.
There was a loud roaring noise from beside him, and Drew realised that Dufayel was stood beside him. The roaring noise came again causing the bird to pause, suddenly silent and Drew to turn. Dufayel was holding out his wrist comp and playing a recording of a large predatory animal from an earlier planetary survey. At the present moment in time, he couldn’t identify what the animal was, but it certainly spooked the bird, which, with a final cry, flapped its feeble wings and disappeared into the thick jungle behind it, its powerful legs carrying it into the higher branches of the vegetation.
The immediate danger over, Drew finally had the chance to take in what the two strangers looked like. The young man appeared to be in his mid twenties, with long, straggly hair held in a pony tail with immaculately sculpted facial hair. He was wearing a faded black t-shirt with a grey image of an archaic depiction of a robot on it, with a red and white checked lumberjack shirt over top, unbuttoned with the sleeves rolled up, jeans and heavy duty looking black boots.
The girl caught Drews’ attention more. She looked as if she may be early twenties at her eldest. Her hair was raven black, and she had dark makeup round her eyes, which almost shone green and deep red lipstick, making her lips seem full and sensual. She was wearing what appeared to be a black corset over a white shirt, which was unbuttoned to the top of the corset, a black skirt, which was ripped down one side, presumably because of the Dodo, and black tights which were also ripped and laddered. Her boots were black and purple and looked heavy and cumbersome.
“Tom!” The girl cried, rushing over to the young man, as he scrambled to his feet. “Are you ok?”
The young man, Tom, nodded, brushing himself down. “Yeah, no bones broken; just a few scratches and a ripped shirt. You?”
“Yeah.” She replied, smiling. “Thanks to you and that animal, whatever it was.”
“A recording.” Tom replied. “We’ve got company.”
Drews’ heart almost skipped a beat when he realised that the young man was looking right at him, into his eyes. He almost felt as though he were looking into his very soul, his blue eyes bright and piercing. Drew swallowed and looked at Dufayel, who looked back and nodding slightly stepped out into the open towards the two strangers.
“Hello there.” Tom was saying, his hand outstretched to Dufayel. “I think we owe you our thanks.”
“Who are you?” Dufayel asked, ignoring Toms offered hand.
His smile fading into a look of confusion, Tom looked down at his hand, turning it so his palm was facing his face. Smiling and looking from Dufayel to Drew, Jess stepped forwards, snagging her tights on a branch again.
“I’m Jess, and this is Tom.” She said, smiling at Drew. “And you are?”
“Andrew Bradman.” Drew said quickly, stepping forwards and almost grasping Jess’ hand eagerly. “But you can call me Drew.” He winked.
“Lucien Dufayel.” Dufayel said, gently taking Jess’ hand and kissing it.
Jess turned and smiled and winked at Tom, before taking a step forwards, causing another rip to her tights from where they’d snagged. “Like Tom said, I think we owe you our thanks. If you hadn’t arrived, that big bird would have had us for lunch.” She paused and looked down before looking up at the two men coyly. “I don’t suppose you two fellers have any spare clothing you could lend us, ours seem to have got a little tattered.” She said, putting on an almost sultry voice.
Drew and Dufayel looked at each other, lost for what to say for a few seconds before Drew turned back to look at Jess and Tom, the latter of whom merely shrugged, a weak smile on his face. “Uhm, yeah. Back this way.” He said, jerking his thumb back over his shoulder. “We can get you a drink and some tucker too?”
“Sounds brilliant, thanks.” Jess smiled. “After you.”
“You were lucky,” Dufayel said turning back to look at Jess and Tom. “The Sword Billed Dodo is fiercely territorial. If we hadn’t turned up, it would have killed you both.”
“Like we said, we owe you our thanks.” Tom said, stepping over a fallen tree. “So, who are you guys? Where are you from?”
“Don’t act like you don’t know.” Drew said, pausing and turning to look at Tom. “Everyone on the outer colonies has heard of the Bellingshausen Expedition.” He glanced back at Dufayel who was now several steps ahead talking quietly into a communicator.
“Ah, you see, we’re not from one of the colonies.” Jess said. “Earth actually. Well, travellers, I’m from Earth.”
“Ah.” Drew exclaimed as if it explained everything. Turning to Tom he said; “I take it you’re a Moonchild or from Mars Uni?”
“Not quiet.” Tom replied, holding his hand out to Jess, who struggled through a thorny patch of plants. “Why do you think we’re affiliated with a University?”
“Don’t worry m’love, less than a mile now.” Drew smiled at Jess.
“Wonderful.” Jess muttered quietly to Tom as she stumbled again.
“Well, who else would be this far out?” Drew said, addressing Toms question. “We’re a good six months from Earth at max drive. Which expedition are you from?”
“We’re not part of an expedition.” Jess said.
Drew raised his eyebrow as he turned to look at her. “Oh no?” He asked, turning to Tom. “Then who is this Doctor you were talking about?”
“Drew!” Dufayel walked over, cutting the conversation off before it could proceed any further. “I think we’d better get these two back to the landing craft before the Dodo comes back.”
Nodding, Drew turned back towards Dufayel, recognising the tone in his voice, and away from Jess and Tom. “You don’t trust ‘em d’ya?” He whispered, glancing back at the two strangers.
Dufayel muttered in French before turning to Drew. Taking his colleague lightly by the arm, he spurred him a few more steps ahead. “We’ve heard no other ship arrive and one wasn’t detected in orbit or on the planet. Where have they come from?”
Drew opened his mouth to reply, but Dufayel continued; “There’s only one logical explanation. They’re stowaways, they must be. Almost certainly the ones who attacked the Professor and are the cause of the disruptions we’ve experienced.”
“No!” Drew replied in hushed shock looking back at Jess and Tom. Jess now had her arm through Toms and the pair were cautiously making their way through the undergrowth, following them, whispering between themselves. “But they can’t be. These disruptions have happened on the planet and the ship. Everyone who transports has to check in.”
“The devices.” Dufayel whispered. “Some of the sabotage was done with small bombs and devices. Don’t forget that.”
Cautiously, Drew chanced another look back over his shoulder at Jess and Tom. The pair of them were still whispering together, but suddenly, the girl didn’t seem as attractive as first he thought, and the young man looked more sinister. He closed his eyes and looked back the way he was going, shaking his head as if to clear it. He had to be imagining it. He couldn’t believe that they were two dangerous saboteurs, let alone stowaways. There’d been nowhere for them to hide for the past two years that the expedition had taken. Dufayel had to be mistaken. He had to be.
*
“What do you think they’re talking about?” Jess whispered, slipping her arm through Toms and walking arm in arm beside him.
“Us. Deffinately.” Tom replied almost immediately.
“I knew you’d say that, y’pessimistic old git.” Jess teased, smiling up at Tom.
“That Dufayel chappy. He doesn’t trust us, one bit. I caught a bit of what he was saying into his wrist comm. thing. The words ‘saboteur’ and ‘stowaway’ were used.” Tom paused as he pushed a branch out of the way and seeing a large insect scuttle away down the branch and fly off before he let it swing back to where it had been. “Drew, however, you seem to have bewitched with those feminine wiles of yours.”
“Hey, if you’ve got it.” Jess winked. “Shame it doesn’t work on everyone. You ever heard of this Bellhousing Expedition?”
“Bellingshausen.” Tom corrected. “And no, never. Dunno whether it’s past of future to when I was Earthbound.”
“So what do you suggest we do?”
“Play along, get you some more appropriate clothes and if the Doctor doesn’t show up within two hours claiming to be an expert on something, I’ll make you tea and breakfast every day for a month and do all your washing!” Tom chuckled as Jess playfully hit him in the arm.
*
“Saboteurs?” Olbrich asked, looking intently from the screen.
“That’s what Monsieur Dufayel believes, Sir.” Mendez replied, reading back from the report he had compiled on Dufayels’ brief report to the landing craft. “He says he thinks they stowed away somewhere.”
“But where?” Olbrich asked, thoughtfully rubbing his stubbly chin. “We’re over two years into this expedition and a good six months from Earth, a week or so from the nearest colony. We would have noticed stowaways.” Sitting back in his chair, Olbrich drummed his fingers on his desk as he thought through his options.
Not sure what to do whilst his Commander was in a thoughtful mood, Mendez started a daily systems check that would prepare for the arrival of another transport pod, bringing two more students to the planet.
“Very well.” Olbrich said eventually, almost making Mendez jump. “When they arrive, I want you to check them out and then send them up to the mother ship. I will have a party ready for them when they arrive and then I can fully interview them.”
“Very good, Sir.” Mendez replied. “You don’t think they’re stowaways?”
“I don’t know, Mendez.” Olbrich replied. “If they are, it leaves the question of when and where did they stow away. If they were here before us, how long have they been here? No other ships have arrived in the area.” Olbrich paused and straightened up. “When they arrive with you, send them up to me and let me know.” Leaning forwards, Olbrich closed off the comms link, cauing the screen to go blank.
Nodding at the black screen, Mendez sighed and got to his feet. Running a hand through his short black hair, he patted his breast pocket and smiled, feeling the small carton within. Stepping out of the cockpit onto the bare soil of the landing site, Mendez pulled the carton out of his pocket and withdrew a cigarette. Placing the filtered end between his lips, he patted another pocket and then withdrew a lighter. Lighting the cigarette, he leant back against the cockpit doorway and inhaled deeply, closing his eyes against the bright Amaranth sun.
The sound of rustling undergrowth caught his attention and the snapping of a twig under a boot made Mendez open his eyes, looking in the direction of the sound. Blinking in the bright light, he could just make out the blurred image of someone stood at the edge of the clearing. He blinked again as they stepped closer and into his vision.
“Oh, it’s you!” He breathed, holding the cigarette between his lips. “Sorry you made me start.”
Mendez looked again. Something was glinting in the figures hand. Before he had a change to react, the knife flashed across his throat and was then plunged deep into his chest. His eyes wide, Mendez dropped to his knees, his cigarette hanging limply from his lip, blood frothing and gushing from his throat, as he gargled helplessly, unable to talk. He vaguely saw the glint of the knife as it was drawn from his chest as it dripped with his blood, before he fell forwards into the dirt, his blood forming a sticky pool about him.
