Trapped on Predator Planet, page 26
Everyone meandered to the fire, and I smiled at each one as they came. Naraxthel preceded Raxthezana. Esra, Pattee, and Hivelt joined us followed by Amity and Natheka. I looked around, wondering where Raxkarax was, and then I sensed his presence behind me. Warmth flooded against my back, and he slid his long legs along either side of mine and bracketed me within his arms.
“We have yet to share your discovery with the others,” he said.
I glanced up to see everyone looking at us with curious eyes. Blood rushed to my face.
“Come, tell them,” he said, giving me a nudge with one of his knees.
“You know the Agothe-Fatheza,” I said. Slow nods. The women had never crossed its borders. I was unsure which of the hunters had ventured in aside from Raxkarax. “It turns out that it’s actually a gigantic carnivorous plant.”
Silence met my ears. If we were on Earth, crickets would punctuate my embarrassment.
“Wait,” Amity said. “You mean the whole bog is like one big Venus fly trap?”
“Exactly!” I said, my smile erupting without warning. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you could dig up around the edges and find some kind of veinous membrane encapsulating the entire area. It even has giant mobile pistils. And the bog water is the phytotelma.” Met with blank stares, I backed up. “The liquid that attracts prey,” I said. “And just like the pitcher plants on Earth, the phytotelma supports an ecosystem of its own. It’s terrifyingly beautiful,” I said, my voice softening with reverence.
“Okay, that’s phenomenal,” said Pattee. “I’ve heard of those giant root systems connecting a bunch of trees like it’s one organism, but a giant carnivorous plant? That’s nuts.”
“Isn’t it?” I said. “The creatures in the phytotelma alone could fill an encyclopedia set.”
“Can you imagine the nature shows we could film from Predator Planet?” Esra said with a half-smile.
“Nature show?” Naraxthel repeated.
“Yeah, it’s basically a sight-capture, but instead of watching you hulks hunt and kill dinosaurs, we would film things like the awaafa drinking nectar or the shegoshe tax feeding its young,” Esra said.
“Sounds boring,” Hivelt said.
We laughed and shook our heads. VELMA interrupted the mirth.
“Using methyl jasmonate in my search parameters, I detected a geographic region with a higher concentration than is found anywhere else on the planet,” she said. “Joan predicted the eventful landing or crash of the Planet Mass Insertion Vehicle may stress local plants causing them to emit the pheromone. I’ve provided the coordinates in your helmets along with a topographical map.”
“Did your scans mark any metals or thermal images?” Esra asked.
“Negative,” VELMA said. “But recall that P-MIVs are often used to drill twenty meters into a planet’s crust.”
“Holy shit, I forgot,” Esra said.
“Me too,” Pattee replied. “I feel silly now.”
“Oh stop, you two,” Amity said. “Aren’t we allowed to be human and make mistakes here? On an alien planet, no less? No offense, boys.” She winked.
“Excellent call with the methyl whatsit,” Esra said. “Do you guys know where this is?”
“Ik,” Naraxthel answered. “It is a wide plain to the northeast of Black Heart Mountain.”
“No crater lakes?” Amity said. Natheka tucked her head into his shoulder.
“No crater lakes,” Naraxthel said with a smile.
“Alright,” I said. “We know where to focus our search.”
A subtle peace settled over our group, probably because we were all feeling like we were finally close enough to see light at the end of the tunnel. Only the sound of the nonsense bugs reverberated over the glade as we sat around the fire.
Chapter 69
Raxthezana
Listening with consternation, I followed the humans’ conversation, puzzling out the actions of the one called “CeCe”. If she had suspected the meeting would not end well and then took drastic measures to remove not only herself but others, then she must be protecting something of great value.
Free of distractions from a heart mate, I was able to observe the humans in many circumstances these last moons. Of course, they would not be representative of their entire race just as the queen was not representative of mine, but these four valued relationships above all else, even their precious ice cream. Was it possible that the one called CeCe was protecting her fellow humans? And if so, from what?
It stood to reason that her quarrel was with those in authority, as it was after meeting with them that she enacted her plan. There was the matter of this mysterious vehicle, as well. Why not choose a pod? From what we had observed, the pods were comfortable and supplied with many useful provisions.
VELMA had provided images of the planet mass insertion ship. Possessed of canards and tail fins, it resembled our weapons of war designed for flying great distances. However, once it cleared a planet’s atmosphere, its tail expanded into a ring studded with vicious spikes, and its nosecone transformed into a long and narrow needle. VELMA’s animated depiction of the ship revealed it to be a powerful tool designed to penetrate the planet’s crust and embed itself into it before initiating a series of concussive blasts that would loosen a geographic region and prepare it for mining.
The satellite image of the vehicle’s landing site showed it to be dormant and absent of the intended explosive blasts, as if it failed to complete its firing circuit.
If CeCe was of a similar mindset as her colleagues, it was doubtful she intended to initiate the ship’s programming once it landed, but rather had attempted to hide it. If that was her intention, then I must deduce there was something she wanted to hide aside from herself and her fellow humans. Otherwise, she could have easily taken a pod.
“We must retrieve her at all costs,” I said, startling the rest of the group with my statement as it interrupted the silence.
Hivelt gave me a sly grin, but I frowned at him. “Place your hand upon my chest plate, Hivelt,” I said, though he was veltiks away from me. “You will feel that my heart beats the same as always. We have other imperatives to find the last human.”
“What do you mean?” Pattee asked.
“I believe your deductions are correct,” I said. “CeCe’s actions sound like those of one who planned in advance; her choice to take the insertion vehicle was deliberate. We’ll only discover why when we find her.”
My brothers grunted, and the humans nodded, exchanging slow glances. Joan, however, appeared troubled though she said nothing. Glancing at Raxkarax, I could see he noticed the same thing as his brows drew together and he cocked his head when he looked at her.
“Has someone collected the antidote?” I said.
“We have it,” Pattee said.
“Is there a reason not to leave at suns’ rise?” I asked.
“Not a one,” Esra said with a nod. “I’ll take first watch.”
Chapter 70
Raxkarax
Bedded down in the barrow of rokhura bones, I tucked Joan into my arms, and we conversed privately via helmet comms.
“Your sadness has returned,” I said.
“I’m afraid of what we’ll find,” she said. “The only reason VELMA found the landing site was because of her particulate and spectrometer scans. No pings. No transmissions. No communication of any kind.”
“Thus it was with you, as well,” I said with a gentle squeeze. I felt her relax against me.
“You’re right,” she said. “Thank you for reminding me that there could be an easy explanation. I seem to remember VELMA showing me video of the magnetic burst field when Esra and Pattee were looking for crash debris. It messed with everything; even the video quality was poor.”
“Your CeCe sounds like a formidable human,” I said.
“Oh, she is,” Joan said. “Not only intelligent and compassionate, but a black belt in jiu jitsu, expert markswoman, and accomplished free diver. I always told people I want to be CeCe when I grow up.”
“But I’m fond of Joan,” I said.
She gave a small laugh and snuggled into me. “And that’s why I’m keeping you.”
“Pray do not worry overmuch about your friend,” I said. “I suspect Ikthe’s children should worry about CeCe instead.”
“You jest, but I can’t help it if I worry,” she said. “I already thought I lost her once. I’m afraid to get my hopes up and lose her a second time.”
“Loss is the gravest wound that cannot be treated with poultice nor bandage,” I said. “Its pain follows us throughout our lives.”
We were quiet a rotik.
“Who did you lose?” Joan asked.
“A favored friend,” I said. “A fellow hunter who could not defeat a rokhura. I had the misfortune of seeing the sight-capture that recorded his death.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“It was many cycles ago, but I wonder what he would say if he saw me now, heart mated with a wondrous human woman with flat teeth.”
“Don’t forget my weak fingernails,” she said, making a claw shape with her hand.
Chuckling from low in my belly, I took her clawed hand in mine. “You inflicted significant damage with those nails the other afternoon. I cannot wait to endure similar torture in the future.”
She sighed in my arms, and once again, I sensed the darkness descending over her.
“Sleep,” I said. “We have much traveling ahead.”
“Never forget what I told you yesterday,” she said. “About wanting you always, no matter what.”
“I won’t forget,” I assured her, but she was already asleep. Or pretending to be.
Chapter 71
Joan
It took forever for me to fall asleep. I’d toyed with the idea of luring the Ikma Scabmal Kama with a “sight-capture” of myself asking for help. Knowing what I did about her, I couldn’t imagine her resisting the temptation to see this new alien for herself, or at the very least, demanding the BoKama to come and fetch me. While it was a foolproof way to get a ship here, it was also foolhardy. And it was one thing to put myself in danger, but to endanger all the others just because I hated feeling trapped here would be inexcusable.
We were traveling toward Black Heart Mountain tomorrow. My legs were mottled green and orange from the bruises, but they felt healed enough for me to walk. I preferred walking, but it couldn’t be argued that running in Theraxl arms was faster. Was CeCe really here? If so, how was it possible she was still okay? But if she was in cryosleep, then she was okay and would be fine as we traveled to join her. Raxkarax said that her landing site was only a few days’ trek to Great Mountain. We could help the guys mine woaiquovelt and collect the Waters of Shegoshel, and then their quest for the queen would be finished.
All these thoughts tumbled in my head nonstop until I couldn’t take it anymore.
“VELMA, do you have a sleep aid program?”
“Yes,” she said. “Close your eyes, and I’ll play my sleep meditation program for you.”
It seemed like hours had passed.
Standing in the familiar courtyard surrounded by flourishing greenery, I found myself alone. I wandered from plant to plant, bending in turn to study each one’s unique and delicate structure. Some had thick stalks with fine, silvery trichomes sticking out like hairs. Others had slender stems dripping with exquisite blossoms that seemed to tinkle like chimes in the non-existent breeze.
The fragrance of green living things permeated the space, and I drew in deep breaths, soaking up the aroma of peat and wet soil. A presence stirred behind me, and I turned, the hem of my dress caressing my bare legs. Looking down, I laughed with joy. It was Hanfu. I’d never had the opportunity to wear it before. I felt indescribably beautiful.
“Did you dress me in this?” I asked the presence, a familiar Theraxl female who smiled at me.
“Not intentionally,” she said. “You human children bring much of the beauty of this place with you, when you come here.” She gestured to the courtyard. “I like to come here of a morning and sip tea and listen to the birds.”
“It’s paradise,” I said with a smile. And then I remembered. I had seen David and our baby here! In that opening! I peered around the goddess at the cave entrance, but no one stood there waving and smiling at me.
“They’re doing wonderfully,” she said with a soft smile. “Did you want to see them again?”
Opening my mouth to speak, I thought about it. Pleasant warmth flooded my entire body. “No, let them rest. I know I’ll see them again one day.”
“Are you ready, daughter of the sky?” she said.
“Ready for what?” I asked, my heart racing for no reason.
“To receive another gift,” she said.
“You’ve already given me so much,” I protested.
Her sister strode from the cave and stood beside her; they were glorious.
“Our gifts are boundless,” they said, and reached for me.
I woke gasping and looking around with wild eyes, but everyone still slept. Laying back down, I realized Raxkarax must be on watch. Suddenly, I was desperate to see him.
Crawling out of the bower, I avoided making noise and sat on my haunches, letting my eyes adjust to the dark while I searched the perimeter for my lover and friend. In the night, his armor blended into the forest shadows, so I couldn’t find him.
“VELMA, where’s Raxkarax?” I asked.
“His location is marked in your IntraVisor,” she said. A green dot showed up along with a simple map. Grabbing my machete from its place beside the bower, I attached it to my hip and strode out over the rocky field to meet Rax. The robot would be out and about helping him guard the perimeter, so I wasn’t as afraid as I might have been otherwise.
Senses alert, I activated UV vision to guide my path, but my steps faltered.
Glowing technicolor dots and stripes stood in neon contrast to the velvety black background, and I gasped at the beauty. Leaves bore the unmistakable “landing strips” of designs that directed pollinators to the sweet nectar at their centers. Insects and arachnids, worms and amphibians, all appeared in infinite array decked out in their colorful finest. Checking that there wasn’t anything bigger than a jokapazathel, I switched back to night vision and walked through the game trail, following Rax’s path.
“Rax,” I said, pinging his helmet. “What are you doing out here?”
He didn’t answer.
Puzzled, I walked faster, ducking beneath low branches and scanning the area for threats every other step. When the dot showed he was a couple meters ahead, I paused and crouched.
Sitting in complete silence, I listened for footsteps or breathing, but heard neither. The nonsense bugs had eased their sawing as the temperature dropped, and the only thing I heard was the plant Rax called ‘woodbane’s tangle’, hollow stalks that created an eerie flute-like noise.
“VELMA, Raxkarax isn’t moving,” I said. “What are his life signs?”
“That information is not available,” she said.
Dashing forward, I almost tripped over his helmet lying on the ground. Hefting it up, I shone my helmet light on it looking for signs of blood or trauma, but I didn’t see any clues. Bugs clouded my visor within seconds and I turned the light off, holding Rax’s heavy helmet and staring at the thrashed clearing in which I stood.
How many minutes had I been walking? How far away was I from the others? Was I overreacting if I sounded the alarm and told them I couldn’t find Raxkarax?
Heartbeat thudding in my throat, I dropped to a knee, placed the helmet in the duff, and activated thermal. It was usually useless in the heat of the day, but at night when the temperatures dropped a few degrees ….
There! A set of boot prints, and another set of prints, but narrower. I was no tracker, but it looked like the second person had come up behind Rax and—dragged him away—judging by the faded line disappearing into the underbrush.
“Everybody!” I shouted into the group channel. “VELMA’s marked Raxkarax’s helmet. Someone took him. I’m following them now! Hurry!” A sob choked me up for a second, but I swallowed it down. “Please hurry. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing!” And then I stumbled after the trail, looking up to make sure I wasn’t about to crash into whoever had done this.
Taking deep breaths, I calmed myself and forced myself to slow down. Crashing through the forest like a bear on cocaine would announce my presence like a cannon shot. While the heat trail was fading, it was still visible.
Hiking along the trail, I pushed the nausea down any time I thought about what could be happening. The others would come soon, Pattee with her javelin, Esra with her short sword, Amity with her knives, and the hunters with their sun blades. But what if there wasn’t time for them to get here?
Trying to take comfort in the fact there still wasn’t blood on the trail, I kept going but increased my speed. The trail rose, and my breaths came harder. We were going up.
With an ear tuned to the sounds of the woods behind me, I felt the burn in my legs as the trail turned into a hill. Desperate to discover what was happening, I pushed myself to move faster.
Voices caught my attention ahead of me, and I stopped moving. I didn’t even breathe, though my helmet kept my sound trapped inside.
“I have him,” a woman’s voice said. “Of course, you cannot see; it is night here.” That voice. BoKama?
“VELMA, did BoKama’s ship breach the satellite array?” I whispered.
“I have no record of any ship breaching the array,” she said.
“What about over the magnetic burst field?” I asked, my heart sinking.
“I am unable to detect signals over that geographic region.”
“BoKama has Raxkarax,” I said through gritted teeth. “How did you miss this?”
“Only a few more veltiks,” BoKama said.
