Scaevola's Triumph (Gaius Claudius Scaevola trilogy Book 3) (31 page)

On one such day Gaius was feeling particularly flat. When the two women were sent through their respective doors, and Gaius was just about to go through his, he felt as if he were going to be challenged about his attitude when he was asked to wait. However Kuldek informed him he had received a message that might be relevant, and he spent the next three minutes speaking into a communicator. When he finally put the communicator down, he turned towards Gaius and said solemnly, "You have the option to forgo this test and do something useful. However, it's dangerous, and you have the option not to volunteer."

"What do you want?" Gaius asked cautiously.

"There's a small group of young Ulsians . . . what you would call children." Kuldek paused, then continued, "They were part of a group studying wild-life in a reserve area, when something went wrong. We're not quite sure what happened, but it seems the instructor came out with most, but not all of his young charges. The small group left behind have fled to a secure area down a cave, and have used the communication device there to let us know where they are. As far as we can tell, they're alive and well, and they've been instructed to shut themselves in the safe room and wait for help. Now someone's got to get to them and show them the way home."

"Now, don't tell me you can't do this," Gaius chided.

"Of course we can," the Ulsian said, "but it just so happens you might be more suitable. This zoological area houses many animals and includes Ulsian predators, which are attracted by the smell of Ulsians. We could go in, and if any predators turned up we could kill them, but that seems grossly unfair, especially since this whole business's our fault, so we want to avoid doing that if we can. The predators are not usually down in caves, but they would follow the smell of Ulsians, and in such enclosed areas anything might happen."

"Why not Androids? And why me?"

"Androids would be the last choice," Kuldek explained. "They are programmed not to kill, and we do not wish to over-ride this, so if they brought the children out and were attacked, they would stand back and let the attack proceed. There is an advantage in getting you to do it because your smell, forgive me, seems repulsive to Ulsian carnivores. If you go, you will get down the caves, and the youngsters out to the cave mouth before the carnivores sense Ulsians. You'll still have to get out, but that shouldn't be beyond you, and you will have a weapon to use if carnivores attack you.

"As to 'why you?'" Kuldek explained, "you're by no means indispensable. We can do it, but we think you can do it with less damage to the animals, and, quite frankly, it would do your cause no harm to be seen to be doing something helpful. That's all."

Kuldek stared at Gaius, waiting for a response. Gaius thought for a moment, then said, "I'm not sure."

"Why not?" the Ulsian frowned.

"Suppose everything doesn't work out, and a young Ulsian gets killed. Or, for that matter, I can't find all of them. As you implied, I'm hardly popular right now, but I'd be mud with . . ."

"Nobody will hold anything against you," Kuldek interrupted. "Remember, Ulsian society isn't quite like yours. There're no parents to have irrational responses. As long as you don't behave with total stupidly, and I'm sure you won't, there'll be no repercussions. Further, I've requested you to go, so overall responsibility lies here, and I promise I won't duck for cover. Now, there is urgency here. You're better suited than most, but if you're going to say no, say it now, so we can arrange an alternative."

"If you're sure I'm suitable," Gaius shrugged, "I'll do my best."

"Excellent," Kuldek said. "Get into the next tube capsule. You'll find an Ulsian there, who will give you an emergency medical kit, show you how to use it, and instruct you on the weapon you'll have. After that, well . . . good luck."

* * *

Gaius entered the area through the personnel lock and looked around. Immediately before him the ground rose slowly to a rocky outcrop about two hundred meters directly ahead. The ground was green, but well grazed, and there were a number of small stumpy trees scattered about. The occasional boulder protruded. To the right, about three-quarters of a mile away, four strange animals seemed to be grazing unconcernedly. It appeared that there were no carnivores in that direction. There was no sign of any animals to the left.

As instructed, he began to walk directly towards the rock outcrop, without undue haste. The key, he had been assured, was to look unconcerned. As long as he showed no obvious signs of fear, his general 'alien-ness' would protect him.

He reached the outcrop, and was surprised to note that the rocks seemed quite earth-like, in fact they looked quite like limestone. Not that he knew, or cared, much about rocks. He made his way slowly around to the right, and there he saw the entrance to the cave. He checked that his torch worked, then he entered.

The inside was strangely "civilized", a consequence, he had been told, of Ulsians exploring these caves for millions of years. The ground was packed hard, and a well-worn trail showed the way. Gaius began to walk forward, cautiously, and making sure he kept away from corners. As he went deeper, he was surprised to note that there was a residual light. It seemed there were millions of small grubs living there, which emitted light to attract flying insects.

In he went, through parts that had clearly been widened to save the Ulsians from having to squeeze past, and around corners, the rocks of which were polished through untold 'hands' rubbing across them. Down, down he went, still with the eerie glow, then he paused. A strange quiet rasping sound seemed to echo through the cave. Carefully he advanced, until he emerged into a large chamber. According to instructions he had to cross this chamber, and turn down into the first passageway on the left. He could see the passageway, but immediately across to the right, blocking the entrance to another passageway, was a large animal, the source of the rasping noise. It was about the size of a large bear, and like a bear it seemed to have front legs that would couple as grasping arms. It had what appeared to be ears shaped not unlike those of a cat, and they could twist and turn, and right now, both were focussed on him. The mouth was large, and the teeth were clearly designed for tearing flesh. Not that there was much grazing down here, Gaius thought to himself. But then again, there did not seem to be a lot of prey either. The animal gazed at Gaius, its large eyes glistened in the torchlight. The animal seemed to wince at the torchlight; obviously it was not designed to look into bright lights.

Gaius quickly took the torchlight away from it. There was no point in antagonizing it. This was obviously not the carnivore he had been warned of, but rather some other animal designed to live in caves, and it was possible, if not likely, that it was not an official exhibit. After all, if it never left the cave, how would people see it? For some reason he could never explain satisfactorily later, he gave the animal an apologetic salute, as if to say, sorry for the light. To his surprise, the animal raised a paw, held it upright, then turned back. Why had it done that?

That was not his immediate problem. He walked carefully to the entrance of the left tunnel, then quickly down it. This passageway was somewhat narrower, but progress was fast. There, as he had been told to expect, was a door. He keyed in the code, and carefully opened it.

Inside, eight small Ulsians cowered against a wall. Gaius was about to walk in when he sensed not only their fear of him, an alien, but also that they were glancing between him and the other side of the door. He looked at them, and tried to assure them in his best Ulsian, that he was there to rescue them.

This was greeted by silence. He was certain they understood, although whether they believed him was another matter. He looked at them, then said in his quietest tone, and in his best Ulsian, "If you all wish to go back to your homes, please trust me, and come forward and form a line outside this door. We'll all march out, and before long, you'll all be safely home."

There was no response from the younger ones, but Gaius sensed there was agitation on the other side of the door. Gaius turned as if to leave, then suddenly flung all his weight at the door. There was a squeal from the other side, and when Gaius pulled the door back, an adult Ulsian fell forward. Gaius grabbed the weapon from its hand.

"Who's this?" Gaius asked.

The response was that the adult Ulsian was not officially in charge of them, but had somehow "appeared" in the cave, and was holding them hostage. He had threatened to kill anyone who had given a clue that he was behind the door. The young ones had no idea who or what Gaius was, and they were frightened.

"I'm here to rescue you," Gaius explained. There was a look of uncertainty across their faces, then Gaius remembered he had been given an official-looking document to explain who he was. He took it from his pocket, and showed the 'children'. Suddenly here was a buzz of excitement. The crest apparently signified a very important part of Ulsian society.

"Right!" Gaius said, trying to calm them down. He smiled at one of the older, or at least larger, 'children' and said, "How'd you like to be in charge?"

The young Ulsian almost jumped up and down with pleasure, then perhaps realizing this was the wrong response, looked more serious, and nodded assent.

"Right. You're in charge of whoever this is. We're going to march out in line, with this," and Gaius nudged the older Ulsian, "in the middle. You will be right behind, and if he does anything at all other than march in a straight line, you give a signal. OK?"

The young Ulsian nodded, but looked a little afraid.

"Don't worry," Gaius tried to assure him. "First sign of trouble, and I'll be with you. And if I have to come back because you're being troublesome," Gaius said to the adult Ulsian, "you will be very very sorry. Do you understand?" The elder Ulsian said nothing. "You'd better understand," Gaius said coldly, "because it would be shame if I had to cut off your head just because you didn't . . ." He smiled inwardly as he saw the Ulsian wince with fright. "Good! I see you have the drift. Now, behave, and let us all get moving. And be very quiet!"

Gaius led the way, stopping every few yards to check that all was right behind him. As far as he could tell, it was. It was just as they were entering the large chamber that a hideous roar echoed through the cavern. Even Gaius jumped. He quickly turned around to reassure his charges, then ordered them to wait exactly where they were. He grabbed the adult by the scruff of its neck, so, as he informed it, that he could keep an eye on it, then the two advanced towards the large chamber.

As he reached the entrance to the chamber, he flashed his torch towards the exit tunnel. There, on the far side and blocking his exit, his torch lit up one of the carnivores he had been warned about. It roared, bared quite massive teeth, and charged. Gaius trained the weapon on it, and was about to fire when there was a flurry, a roar of pain, and animals rolling, tearing, biting . . . the animal that he had previously seen had leaped across the space to attack this well-lit carnivore.

Gaius quickly dimmed his torch, so as to give the cave dweller whatever advantage he could, and watched. The fight was vicious, but it soon became evident the cave dweller would lose. It fell back, and its enemy prepared to leap. Gaius took quick aim, and fired. He had never imagined a weapon quite like this; the centre of the carnivore became incandescent, the body writhed, went rigid at full extension, and the body flopped down on the cave dweller.

"What a shot!" a couple of young Ulsians exclaimed.

Gaius grinned at them, then indicated they should be quiet. He led them to the desired exit tunnel, then paused. The cave dweller was lying under the body of the carnivore, seemingly incapable of moving. He thought for a moment, and decided to at least give it a chance. He grasped the older Ulsian, and indicated that he should come with him to the animals. The Ulsian shuddered, and pulled away, yelling, "No! No!"

"So you can speak," Gaius muttered. "Right. Hear this! You will help me move that dead body, or you'll cease to live, as from now!"

"No! You can't do that!"

"Believe me, I can," Gaius said coldly. "Now, get your miserable self over there, now!"

The Ulsian stared in fear at the cave dweller, then in more fear at Gaius. Muttering something, he stumbled towards the pile.

"You take the head!" Gaius grinned. "I'll take the back legs. Now, pull!" Gaius got some movement, but nothing much happened at the head. "More effort," Gaius said coldly, "or you stay here."

There was a gasp of panic, and the Ulsian pulled frantically. "Together," Gaius said, "starting . . . Now!"

This time there was some coordination, and the heavy beast was pulled off. The cave dweller wriggled to a sitting position. Gaius held up his hand, and to his surprise, the animal stopped, and sat still. There was a vicious wound down its left side, and blood, or the alien equivalent, was oozing out.

Gaius held up his hand to keep the animal still, and reached into his emergency medical kit. This was supposed to be for the young Ulsians, but nobody was hurt, and this strange animal had helped them. He pulled out the can, held up his hand, and slowly approached. The animal sat still. Gaius came almost up to it and began singing a slow song. The animal stared at him, but did not move. He put the can towards the top of the wound, and began spraying, putting on a good coat until he reached the bottom of the wound, then he stepped back. This was supposed to form a temporary skin, stop the pain, disinfect, draw the tissues together and accelerate the healing. He had to hope the animal would not tear it off.

The animal stared at this stuff, then stuck out a paw. The leg was also bleeding. Gaius nodded, stepped up, and sprayed. He was only too well aware he was only feet away from some fairly ferocious teeth, but, as he explained later, he felt the animal had some level of intelligence, and understood Gaius was trying to help it.

With the spraying done, Gaius retreated, waved at the animal, then ordered his party to begin to leave. Gaius remained at the rear, and watched as the animal made no attempt to follow. Eventually they were out of sight. Gaius returned to the front, the elder Ulsian resumed its position in the middle, and they began marching as quickly as they could.