Planet Of No Return, page 3
part #2 of Brion Brandd Series
Carver clumped over and dropped into a deep chair, the crutch falling by his side. “I believe you,” he said. “Not that it makes any difference. As you said, what happens from now on is your responsibility. You’re correct, I’m out of it. All I can do now is wish you good luck. Klart will see that you have everything that you might need.”
“Here is a list of recommendations,” Klart said, tearing a sheet from the printer and handing it over. Lea took it before Brion could.
“I’ll be loafing about in the lifeship while you are on the surface, so taking care of the outfitting is my responsibility. You go do some pushups or take some anabolic steroids or whatever it is you do before a fight and I’ll sort this out.”
“What I do is I relax,” Brion said. “Prepare myself mentally for what is to come.”
“Well you just go and do that. I’ll let you see the final list for approval before I order the equipment.”
“No, you don’t have to do that. I leave that up to you and the experts. Just see that the outfitting is as complete as possible. I’ll need some special equipment, but I’ll arrange for that myself. All that I want right now is a detailed copy of the planetary survey. And a quiet spot to look at it.”
“You have private quarters,” Klart told him. “You’ll find all the information you want waiting for you in the terminal there.”
“Good. How soon can the equipment we need be readied?”
“Two, three hours in the most.”
“We’ll take ten. I want to sleep first. “He looked at the distant planet again. “As soon as we have rested and are equipped I want to board our lifeship and put it into a low orbit, then take a closer look at the planet’s surface. I’m very interested in just exactly what kind of animals those were that Hartig saw.”
Brion had been deeply asleep when Lea opened the door, but he awoke instantly. She hesitated, blinking into the darkness, and he called out to her. “Come in. I’ll turn on the light.”
“Do you usually sleep with all your clothes on?” she asked. “And your boots as well?”
“It’s called establishing a body image.” He drew a large glass of water from the dispenser and sipped at it. “I’ll be living in these clothes for some days, so they must be accepted as a part of my body. My body and my reflexes are my major defence, my most important weapon. I will be taking a knife as well. I have considered it carefully and I think the defence it will offer will be worth the gamble of taking it with me.”
“What knife and what gamble? I don’t understand.”
“The knife will have to be made of a mineral. It will be the only exception, the only object not of completely natural origin. These clothes are made of vegetable fibres, their buttons are carved from bone. My boots are of leather made from animal hide, sewn and glued together. I have no metal, nor do I wear anything made of artificial fibres.”
“Not even the fillings in your teeth?” she asked, smiling.
“No, not even them.” Brion was unsmiling and deadly serious. “All of the metallic fillings have been removed and have been replaced with ceramic inlays. The closer I resemble any other creature in the natural environment, the safer I will be. That is why the knife is a calculated risk.” He turned so she could see the leather scabbard suspended at his side. From it he drew the long and transparent weapon and held it out for her inspection.
“It looks like glass. Is that what it is?”
He shook his head. “No, plasteel. A form of silicon that resembles glass in some ways, but it is stronger by a factor of one hundred since the molecules have been realigned to form a single giant crystal. It is virtually unbreakable and has an edge that will never dull. Since it is silicon, like sand, it should resemble sand to any detection apparatus. That is why I am taking the chance of having it with me.”
Lea watched in silence as Brion put the weapon carefully away, arched his fingers, then stretched like a great cat. She could see the movement of his muscles beneath the fabric of his clothing, was aware of his strength that was more than something simply physical.
“I have a feeling that you can do it,” she said. “I doubt if anyone else could, not anyone else in this entire spiral galaxy. Of course I still think that the whole thing is pretty insane although I also think that it is probably the best chance we have of finding out what is happening down there.”
His reactions were so fast; it was something she had never become accustomed to. His arms were around her before she realized that he had moved; the strength in his hands like steel inside flesh. He kissed her quickly then stepped away. “Thank you. With your understanding and belief I am more prepared now to do what must be done. Let’s go to the ship.”
There was no ceremony involved in their departure. While Lea checked the loading lists, Brion talked to the chief navigation officer, who then computed and filed a number of orbits into the lifeship’s computer for them. When the preparatory work had been done, and all the checklists completed, they sealed the hatch. As soon as the signal was received that they were ready, the computer started the program that dropped them free of the mother ship. Gas jets flared to rotate the lifeship, then the main engines fired to put them into the designated orbit. Selm-II grew larger and larger on the screen before them.
“You’re frightened,” Brion said, covering her cold hand with his large one.
“It doesn’t take an empathetic to figure that one out,” she said, shivering and drawing close to him. “This operation may have looked good on paper but the closer we get to that planet of no return down there the more worried I get. Two good men, both of them contact experts, have been killed down there. The same thing is very likely to happen to us.”
“I don’t think so. We are tar better prepared than they were. And it is their sacrifice that has supplied us with the information that we will need to survive. There’s nothing to be concerned about at this time. You must force yourself to relax, to conserve your energy and resources for the moment when they will be needed. What we must do now is establish a low orbit and do a complete survey before looking for a place to set down. Until that time there is no danger.”
The computer broke in, giving instant lie to his words.
“I have an atmospheric craft under observation. Its present course will pass beneath ours. Should I display?”
“Yes.”
A small dot appeared on the screen moving slowly from left to right.
“Enlarge the image.”
The moving speck swelled and became a thin metallic dart with swept-back wings. “What is its speed?” Brion asked, and a display appeared on the screen. “Mach 2.6. An advanced supersonic design, product of a highly developed technological culture. At that speed it will have limited fuel. If we can keep it in sight, we might be able to see where it lands.
Lea finished the sentence for him. “And we also may stand a good chance of finding out just what is happening on this planet.”
“Exactly …”
The image of the aircraft on the screen tilted upon one wing and dived sharply; the computer spoke in the same instant.
“There is a digital radio broadcast emanating from the displayed plane. I am recording.”
The image on the screen disappeared in a sudden explosion of flame. “What caused that blowup?” Brion said.
“A surface to air missile. I detected its course just before the explosion.”
Brion nodded grimly. “That aircraft must have detected it as well, that’s why it took the sudden evasive action.”
“And that broadcast is it possible that the crew of the plane sent it out?”
“Yes, of course! If it was a scout ship it was in that particular area for some reason. When it was fired upon they took evasive action while reporting back to their base. And unless I am mistaken here comes the response now.” Brion pointed to the track suddenly displayed on the screen. “A ballistic missile, probably targeted on the ground defence missile site below. The war is still going on. So we know two more places where we don’t want to go.”
“The target site below where something has just blown up with a spectacular explosion and also the place where that missile was launched from that did all the damage.”
“Exactly. Until we know what is happening on this planet we want to stay as far away as possible from any war zones. Now let’s see if we can find some of those animals that Hartig spotted. We can be reasonably sure that they will keep well away from any battles or moving machinery. They took off when Hartig’s ship landed, and I imagine they will stay as far away as possible from anything mechanical.
They found the site they were looking for on the eastern shore of the gigantic lake that they named the Central Sea. Moving dots were scattered over the grass plains that stretched from the foothills all the way to the lake shore. Under the highest resolution of the electronic telescope, it could be seen that these were grazing animals of some kind. The location of the herd was recorded as well as other herds along the shore. There appeared to be predators as well; they saw one group fleeing in panic from what appeared to be larger and faster pursuers. But in all their searching they found absolutely no sign at all of any kind of civilization.
“That’s the area where I would like to drop,” Brion said. “On the plain where all the herds are.”
“What do you mean when you say ‘drop’? Aren’t we going to land this lifeship?”
“No. That’s the last thing we want to do. You saw what happened to that aircraft. We don’t want to get into radar range and alert their missiles. So I am going to compute a ballistic orbit that will drop me into the atmosphere at the correct spot.”
“Won’t it hurt just a little bit when you burn up, after impacting all that air waiting for you down there?”
Brion smiled. “I appreciate your concern. I’ll be wearing a gravchute that will slow my fall. I’ve also removed all of the unessential metal fittings from the pressure suit, even substituted a plastic oxygen tank. There is only the slightest chance that I can be detected by ground radar particularly since the area we have picked seems to be clear of constructions of any kind. As soon as I hit the ground I’ll get rid of the gravchute along with the rest of the space gear.”
“But you’ll be stranded!”
“Hardly. I’ll be in communication with you.”
“Will you? Then you have invented an all-plastic radio?” Her attempt at humour failed dismally; there was only concern in her voice now.
“I intend to use these,” Brion said, pulling a length of collared cloth from the pack at his side. “I’ve worked out a simple code. When I spread these panels on the ground you’ll be able to see them clearly from space. As soon as I am down and it is daylight, I will lay out a message for you. As I move about I’ll send you regular messages so you will know everything that is happening.”
“It’s dangerous …”
“Everything about this operation is dangerous. But there is no other way that it can be done.” He turned back to the screen and examined the image carefully, finally tapping his finger on the image. “That’s where I want to go. Close to the place where the plains meet the hills. There will be woodland nearby for cover. If we time it right I can drop during the night and reach the ground at dawn. I will take shelter as soon as possible, then make my observations. If these animals are what they appear to be, wild native life forms, I can move on to the next step in the observation.”
“And that is going to be exactly what?”
“An approach on foot to one of the battle areas.
“You can’t!”
“I’m sorry but I must. There is very little we can learn about machine warfare from a herd of wild animals. The nearest wrecks are only about one-hundred miles away from my drop zone. An easy two or three day walk. I’ll make daily reports as I go, starting all messages with an ‘X’. This regular form does not occur in nature, so a computer scan will locate and zero in on it for you. I’m going to get some sleep now. Please wake me up an hour before I have to leave.”
The surface of Selm-II was lost in darkness below when Brion eased himself into the airlock. Everything he would need after he had landed was now sealed away in a thick plastic tube he had slung across his back. The bulk of the gravchute rested lightly on his massive shoulders, well strapped into place. Lea watched him as he checked the fastening on his pressure suit one last time; her hands were clasped so tightly together that her knuckles were white. He looked up and waved, but as he turned to leave she leaned forward and rapped on the front of his helmet. Brion unlocked the faceplate and swung it open. His expression was as calm as hers was perturbed.
“Yes?” he said.
For a moment she was silent, the only sound the hissing of oxygen from the helmet inlet. Then she leaned forward, standing on tiptoes, and kissed him firmly on the mouth. “I just wanted to wish you good luck. I’ll see you soon?”
“Of course.” He was smiling as he closed the faceplate again. Then he shuffled forward into the airlock and closed the inner door behind him; the indicator beside it flared red a moment later as the outer door opened.
Brion waited then, long minutes, staring out in the vacuum of space, until the computer signalled that the right moment had come. The instant the green light flashed on the control panel he launched himself forward and out of the ship.
Lea sat at the viewscreen and watched his falling body, pinpointed by the flare of braking rockets, until it dropped behind and vanished from sight.
5: Barehanded into Hell
Brion dropped down into the black hole of the night. There was no sensation of motion in his free fall, although logically he knew that his speed was accelerating with every passing moment. Yet he appeared to be unmoving, alone in space, surrounded by the stars, with the dark disc of the night-shrouded planet below him. The planet itself was surrounded by a corona of light where the occluded sunlight was refracted by the atmosphere. It was brighter on the eastern side where sunrise was on its way. Despite his apparent lack of motion, Brion knew that he was hurtling downward in a carefully computed arc towards a precise spot on the surface below, falling towards the sunrise. The microcomputer in the gravchute on his back was ticking off the seconds leading up to that moment of arrival. From time to time he felt slight tugs on his harness as his fall was slowed by precisely measured amounts to conform to that program.
It was only because of all of his years of training that he managed to keep his thoughts calm, to hold at bay the close-pressing fear that would cause his body to react and send the adrenalin circulating uselessly through his veins. The time for action would come after the landing; the time now was for contemplation. He sank quietly into a relaxed state of half awareness, letting his body drop into the seemingly endless fall, ignoring the slight tugs on his harness that soon strengthened into a continual pull. The first traces of thickening atmosphere brushed against his suit. The fall continued.
Sudden light burst into his eyes as the sun cleared the horizon. He stirred and flexed his muscles; it would be time soon. Although it was sunrise at his altitude, the land below was still filled with night. An all-pervading greyness suddenly replaced the light as he dropped through a thick belt of cloud then out of it again to fall towards the dimly lit landscape below.
Safe so far. There were no missiles or aircraft. But he was well aware of the easily detectable metal in his equipment. He, could be a blip on radar screens at this instant, missiles could be rising in his direction. He ached to be on the ground and free of the revealing metal. Twisting in the harness Brion looked down between his feet at the grassy plain that was hurtling towards him. He knew that he was falling too fast but speed was his only defence. If there were radar detectors out there he had to be on their screens for the least possible time. Which meant that he had to fall just as far and as fast as he could, waiting to brake his fall at the last possible instant. This moment was fast approaching. The ground was closer, almost upon him now!
A twist of the control switch sent power surging through the gravchute and the harness bit deep into his thighs. He was still falling too fast he had to feed in more power. The harness creaked with the strain. Ease off. Now full on!
His feet struck the ground hard so that he had to fall and roll end over end among the tall grass. Then all he could do was lie still for long seconds with the wind knocked from his body. He willed his limbs to move but at first there was no response.
It took a determined effort to pull himself to his knees, then to weakly draw himself up, to stand at last. To then do all of the other things that could not wait, that must to be done at once.
With the power off, and the harness released, the gravchute crashed heavily to the ground. Brion tore open the pressure suit and stripped it off, making sure that the helmet was still attached to it, the oxygen bottle as well. Right, everything in order.
Now rush but don’t rush. There was just enough light in the grey of the dawn to see what he was doing. Pull open the carrier tube slung below the gravchute and shake out the knife and bag that he would be taking with him. The bag was sticking, tear it free, right, both of them out now. Get rid of everything else. Wrap the harness of the gravchute around the equipment that he was jettisoning. Double check to be sure that everything was secure. Good. Had he forgotten anything? No, everything was in place.
Brion twisted the gravchute power on full so that the bundle was torn from his grasp, knocking him aside as it hurtled skyward. It began to shrink as it rose, until it had vanished from sight almost completely. There was a flash of light from the faceplate as it caught the rising sun high above. Then even this was gone.
Brion let his breath out in an unconscious sigh of relief. He was on the ground and he was alive. The fall to the planet’s surface had been successful so he could put all thought of the descent behind him. Now was the time for the real work to begin.
