A Queen of Future Mars

Author: Kirk Straughen

Synopsis: Tyrone Adams, member of an expedition to Mars, is catapulted into a startling adventure by a mysterious force. He finds himself marooned on Mars - not the Mars of the present or the remote past, but of the distant future that has been transformed to an Earth-like world by advanced technology. But this new Mars is not one of super science, for the ancients who created it are dead, their civilization having been obliterated in a self-destructive war. Now all that remains is primitive savagery and fragments of advanced technology.  What strange things, what terrifying adventures will challenge our valiant hero? Only by reading the story will you know.

Chapter 1: The Anomaly

Tyrone Adams was off duty, resting on his bunk and enjoying his his favorite past-time - the reading of escapist literature. He had just begun the first chapter of The Swordsman of Mars, an early 20th century novel by Otis Adelbert Kline, and so engrossed in the book was he that he was oblivious to his crew-mate standing in the doorway of their cabin.

John Stevens, chief engineer, looked at the young man and shook his head in puzzlement as his eyes alighted on the tattered book he was reading. Adams was a biologist, and a damn good one considering he’d been chosen for the mission out of hundreds of eager candidates. This was the year 2032. How a modern man of his abilities could immerse himself in what Stevens considered anachronistic third-rate literature was beyond the fathoming of the somewhat staid engineer.

“How you manage to enjoy that drivel is a mystery to me,” caustically remarked Stevens, “especially since you’ve read the same book numerous times during the months of our voyage to Mars.”

Adams looked up with a frown and a biting reply on his lips, but held his tongue in check. Being trapped in a cramped 650 foot alloy cylinder hurtling through space for seven months was starting to wear thin with everyone. Arguments had become more frequent, and had almost broken out into actual violence. If things got any worse they’d all have to start taking mild sedatives.

“To each his own,” calmly replied Adams.

Stevens grunted as he entered the cabin. “Swordsmen on Mars. Bah, you’ll be lucky to find subsurface bacteria. We’re going into orbit. Why don’t you put down that book, come to the bridge and see the real thing.”

Adams had seen images of the red planet plenty of times during his training for the mission. And he’d have plenty of opportunists to see the real thing. At the moment all he wanted to do was rest and enjoy his reading, but he knew he’d be subjected to Stevens’ further needling if he refused. So, to keep the peace he put down the novel and stood.

“Lead the way,” he replied, hiding his irritation.

Both men exited their small cabin and began walking along the Magellan’s narrow central tubular gangway, their feet held to the floor by the centrifugal force of the ship’s rotation. Most of the hull was taken up by the atomic power plant as well as life support and recycling systems. Then there were the provisions for the voyage as well as equipment and a multitude of other things essential to the survival of the crew and the success of their exploration mission. Despite Magellan’s size, space was rather tight.

Shortly, they arrived at the bridge where the rest of the crew, four in all, had gathered. Captain Jason Blake monitored the ship’s instrumentation while the others gazed at the observation screen on which the image of the ruddy and cratered planet was displayed.

“Plato has established orbit,” announced Blake, referring to the quantum AI that controlled most of the Magellan’s systems. “Well, gentlemen; after seven months there it is. Enjoy the sight. In another 6 hours we’ll be on the surface making…”

The captain’s speech was unexpectedly interrupted by the beeping of the sensor array alarm. He bent forward, brow furrowing as he scanned Plato’s readouts.

“There’s a powerful electromagnetic field dead ahead and I’m also picking up intense gravity waves, dark-matter emissions and gamma radiation.”

“That’s a bizarre combination,” exclaimed Alex Simmons, the physicist of the expedition as he, too, gazed at the instruments in puzzlement. “I’m at a complete loss to explain the cause of this invisible anomaly, which appears to be some form of distortion in space-time.”

“To your stations,” commanded Blake, sharply. “I’m ordering Plato to take evasive measures.”

Adams strapped himself in. He gazed at his crew-mates. Tension lined many faces, stiffened postures. Fear of the unknown had come upon them. Matthew Roberts, the expedition geologist began to quietly pray. The captain and Ian Carlton, his co-pilot, were the calmest of them all thanks to their air-force training. There was nothing the others could do but wait, which made things worse. The captain issued the advanced computer orders and Plato carried out the tasks with speed and accuracy that no creature of flesh and blood could ever match.

Adams knew he should have felt grateful to have such advanced systems looking after him. But the truth was he felt more superfluous than anything. In the drive for efficiency, so many jobs were now done by AI that mass unemployment was threatening the stability of society.

Even he, as a biologist, was not immune. There was really no need for him to be here. Robots controlled by AI like Plato could have performed all the tasks assigned to him. Somewhat cynically, he thought his presence and that of the other crew were more for publicity than anything else - to add a human dimension to space exploration, to keep the public interested and thus reduce the likelihood of penny pinching politicians slashing budgets.

The shifting of Mars on the forward observation screen interrupted Adams’ ruminations. Plato was altering the path of their orbit to avoid the weird and possibly dangerous anomaly. The young man saw the captain’s lips thin to a grim line, and his heart quickened at this sign that things were not going well.

“The anomaly has altered course,” informed Blake, tightly, as he turned to face his men. “It seems to be drawn to the Magellan like a fleck of iron to a magnet. Our paths will intersect in 5 minutes. We can’t avoid it. Plato will send an emergency message to Earth Control. Now, everyone to the radiation shelter.”

Adams saw the growing fear stamped on his shipmates and knew his face was no doubt a reflection of their emotions. There was little Earth could do for them. They were on their own. Discipline held despite this. There was no terrified rush for the radiation shelter - a lead lined room in the middle of the cylindrical ship. The crew calmly left the bridge, traversed the central gangway in an orderly manner and soon arrived at the refuge. They entered and Blake sealed the heavy door.

Within the chamber were controls similar to the bridge, and an observation screen giving a corresponding view. The eyes of the suspenseful crew were glued to it as the minutes counted down. The sweat of fear tainted the air. In the silence the heavy breathing of frightened men could be clearly heard.

“Any second now,” Blake calmly announced as he gazed at the instruments.

For a moment Adams saw the stars waver as if seen through a distorting lens. Anomaly and ship collided. Reality became a kaleidoscope of indescribable sensations. Men screamed in abject terror as the universe seemed to fall out from under their feet. Everything went red. Adams felt as if he’d been inexplicably plunged into a glowing, pulsing crimson fluid. He sank into it like a drowning man. Panic seized him.

Adams convulsed violently, limbs thrashing in mindless fear. The redness became viscous, slowing his jerky movements. It crystallized. It was as if he had become a fly trapped in strange amber. Terror reached its dreadful crescendo. Globes of golden fire blossomed in the redness. One shot past him like a cannon ball and he screamed in agony as the frightening energies of its malefic aura touched him for a fraction of a second. A hum permeated the crystal void, swiftly increased to deafening volume. The crimson shattered, flew apart like an exploding mirror. Then - blackness.

*********

Adams regained consciousness. He lay limply on the alloy floor, his ears assailed by the clanging of an alarm and the voice of Plato blaring over the Magellan’s PA system:

“REACTOR COOLANT SYSTEM FAILURE. MELTDOEN IN 15 MINUTES. EVACUATE NOW.”

The young man’s heart seemed to skip a beat. He scrambled to his feet and looked around. His eyes widened in fright and horror choked him. All about him his companions lay in twisted heaps upon the floor, limbs contorted at unnatural angles, dead eyes staring blindly. A cry of terror burst forth from Adams’ throat. He scrambled to his feet and stumbled away from the scene of horror, pressing his back to the wall as his heart thudded in his chest like a jackhammer.

Adams uttered a string of profanities as his staring gaze took in the awful scene. With an effort he managed to master his wild emotions. The clang of the incessant alarm and its dire warning were a hot spur to action. Quickly, he began examining the bodies for signs of life, knowing he would find none, but hoping against hope.

The young man remembered the golden orbs in the crimson void. One had narrowly missed him. His crew-mates hadn’t been so lucky. His examination proved futile as he feared it would. Shaken, Adams stood and turned his attention to the instruments within the radiation shelter. The anomaly had vanished but it had left the ship critically damaged. Red lights were flashing everywhere.

He looked at the observation screen and gasped. The ship was still orbiting a planet, but it didn’t look at all like Mars. The world beneath him possessed oceans - an extensive one that covered much of its northern hemisphere with a smaller one in the south polar region. In between was a large continent, its coast greened by a band of vegetation that soon petered out, leaving the centre of the landmass mostly stony desert.

By now it was 13 minutes to reactor melt down and the fatal consequences thereof. Adams was in a quandary. Time was running out but he needed information to survive.

“Plato,” gasped Adams, addressing the ship’s AI. “Where the hell are we?”

“Currently orbiting Mars,” replied the machine.

“Impossible,” gasped Adams. “That planet looks nothing like Mars. Initiate navigational computations to pinpoint our position.”

About two seconds passed, which seemed an age to the agitated man. Then Plato spoke and Adams paused his pacing.

“Location confirmed by star chart comparison. It is noted that constellation patterns have altered due to galactic orbital trajectory, indicating 5023 years have elapsed. Evidence indicates forward time travel. Probable cause - anomaly encounter. Do you require further analysis?”

“Dear God,” gasped Adams in shock. “Plato, are you sure?”

“Calculations have been checked. Deductions are consistent with evidence. 12 minutes to reactor meltdown. Immediate evacuation is suggested.”

The young man stood for a moment, his mind reeling as he leaned against the wall in shock. Quickly, he brought his whirling thoughts into coherence. Part of their mission to Mars had been to investigate the viability of terraforming the world, of transforming it to an earth-like planet suitable for colonization. The only explanation for the altered appearance of Mars was that this had been accomplished.

Adams looked regretfully at his dead companions. He didn’t want to leave them like this - without proper burial - but time was rapidly running out to save himself. Hurriedly, he left the radiation shelter. There were two modules that could transport him to the planet. One was the Mars Lander Module; the other was the Mars Exploration Module. The latter was designed to be dropped from orbit, but couldn’t return to the ship. It was, however, the closer of the two vehicles, and as very soon there wouldn’t be a ship to return to he chose the nearer one.

He quickly made his way to the Mars Exploration Module, which was located beneath Magellan’s bridge. Adams entered the craft. He sealed the hatch and gave Socrates, the module’s AI, orders for descent.

“Unable to comply,” announced the computer. “Release inoperative. Use manual system to decouple.”

Adams cursed. He grabbed the appropriate lever and tugged hard. It didn’t budge. Again he swore as he struggled with the analogue mechanism. Sweat was upon his brow. His pulse hammered.

“8 minutes to meltdown,” calmly announced the AI.

The young man swore. “Shut up, you heap of junk,” he cried as he pitted his strength against the stubborn lever.

At 3 minutes it moved a little. Adams, now utterly desperate gave a wild yell. Fueled by naked fear he threw all his strength against it. The lever slid down. The module shuddered as it decoupled from the ship and dropped towards Mars under the control of Socrates.

A flare of light erupting high above heralded Magellan’s end. Adams grieved. His crew-mates were dead; he’d never see the Earth he knew again. But there was no time to properly morn the loss. Things had to be done if he was to survive.

Adams addressed the module’s computer. “Scan Mars for radio signals and signs of habitation, and at the same time send out a distress call. By now the planet should be colonized.”

Five minutes had passed and Adams was in a state of confusion. Socrates had located several large walled cities along the single continent’s coast as well as a number of smaller settlements. But under magnification they appeared strangely primitive. The buildings were mostly low mud brick structures, white with plaster; the streets twisting and narrow. There was no evidence of skyscrapers. Neither was there any sign of ground vehicles or aircraft. No radio signals could be detected coming from the planet, or the direction of Earth. It seemed that Humanity had taken a giant leap backwards.

The conical module entered Mars’ atmosphere. Her heat shield began to glow. Soon, the ram-air parafoil had been deployed, slowing descent. With the passing of 20 minutes Adams was flying at an altitude of a thousand feet over one of the large cities Socrates had discovered. The module descended further. Under Adam’s orders, Socrates began steering it towards a range of low hills about two miles beyond the agricultural fields of the metropolis. The Earthman had no intention of causing a panic by landing in close proximity to the city.

Shortly, touchdown was made. When the hull had completely cooled from the heat of reentry and the parafoil reeled in, Adams warily exited the module and took his first breath of Martian air. It was breathable as instruments had indicated, but it was thinner and cooler than what he was accustomed to. Shortness of breath, lightheadedness and fatigue would be a problem until he acclimated to the new environment.

Moving away from the vehicle, the Earthman looked curiously about. The module had touched down in a large forest glade. Trees towered all around, growing incredibly high in the lighter gravity of Mars. Their jade coloured leaves were needle-like, forming a broad flat crown 150 feet above the ground. The thick warty bark was maroon in hue, and broken by deep fissures into broad vertical plates. The undergrowth of the forest consisted of a carpet of clumping grass-like plants, each about 13 inches in height. They were dark green in colour with white margins on their leaves. The growths were in flower, each bearing multiple catkins of vivid yellow.

The stridulation of insects hidden in the brush could be heard, and from the forest canopy came the twittering of dove-like birds that possessed astounding opalescent plumage. It was a very earth-like scene, which was to be expected considering the plants and animals were genetically modified versions of those found on the mother world.

Adams felt quite at ease in this strange yet familiar environment of Arcadian tranquility. Consequently, he was utterly shocked when the sound of a snapping twig made him turn, and his startled eyes beheld the alien horror rushing at him.

Chapter 2: The Chains of Slavery

The thing rushing at him was humanoid in form, but covered in a pelt of tawny fur striped in the manner of a tiger. Its long arms ended in three fingered hands equipped with large claws. The head, with its four staring eyes and mandibles, was more like that of a huntsman spider than a primate.

In its right hand was a heavy bronze mace and in its left a small oval shield. That it was intent on attacking Adams was beyond doubt. It swung the mace in a braining stroke. The Earthman jumped aside. The rushing weapon barely missed. The monster swiftly turned, charged again.

Adams leaped at his horrific adversary, caught its weapon hand by the wrist, but the thing slammed its shield against the Earthman, knocking him to the ground. The monster swung the weapon in a skull crushing blow. Adams rolled aside. The mace crashed against soil. Adams lashed out with both feet. The thing hissed in pain as its shin was booted. Down it went.

The Earthman struggled to his feet, gasping for breath. The thinner air of Mars had taken its toll on his strength and stamina, nullifying the power of his earthly muscles. The monster hurled its shield at him and in his weakened state he was unable to dodge the cast. Hardwood thudded into his chest, drove the breath from his lungs. Adams collapsed in agony, completely incapacitated.

The horror got to its feet. Slowly, it limped towards the helpless man. The thing, hissing rage, raised its spiked mace in preparation for the killing blow. Adams stared into its four black eyes and saw in them his own brutal death. Fear stabbed him. He tried to move. He couldn’t. Then, as the mace came down in a lethal strike an arrow thudded into the monster’s chest. It staggered. The weapon dropped from its hand, missing the Earthman. The creature crashed like a felled tree, dead before it hit the ground.

Four beings quickly surrounded the Earthman. Adams looked up at their faces. Relief flooded him. They were human. His eyes were drawn to the one armed with a bow, his obvious rescuer. A young woman stared back at him, her brow furrowed in puzzlement. Her ash blond hair was arranged in a single thick braid that fell to her waist. Her eyes were large and startlingly emerald green. Her face was broad, her lips full. Her strong features matched her buxom figure whose generous proportions reminded Adams of Venus and Adonis, a painting by the Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens.

Unlike Venus in Rubens’ painting, the woman was clad in a short sleeved tunic and trousers tucked into calf high boots, all dark brown. A machete-like sword hung from her left hip and a dagger from her right. Her male companions were similarly dressed and armed.

The woman spoke to Adams in an interrogative and imperious tone. The language, originally English, had been changed beyond recognition by the passage of over 5000 years. Still breathless, all the Earthman could do was utter an unintelligible mumble. The woman said something that sounded uncomplimentary. She shifted her attention to the module and walked around it several times, obviously baffled. The hatch was closed and locked, preventing entry.

By now Adams had recovered his breath. He addressed the woman as she passed by on another circuit of the machine.”My name is Tyrone Adams, from Earth. Can you understand me?”

The woman stopped and approached him as he slowly stood. Her companions tensed, laid hands on their weapons, but didn’t draw them. Adams kept calm. Any sign of aggression on his part could prove fatal.

Again, the woman spoke, this time angrily.

“I don’t understand,” he replied, helplessly.

Queen Lytoora turned to her noblemen - companions of the hunt. “I don’t know what kind of man this creature is or where-from, nor this strange conical object. He is obviously ignorant of our language, and of who I am. Normally, I would order you to kill him for refusing to bow before me. But I will overlook his lack of manners for now.

“As you know our world is still largely unexplored. There may be more of his kind elsewhere. They may pose a threat to the kingdom. We will take him captive, teach him our language, and then the interrogation can begin. Now that I have slain the rogue Morenni slave who tried to kill me we can return to Nistoo,” she concluded.

**********

An hour later Adams and his captors were before the gate of the walled metropolis of Nistoo. The city’s ramparts, battlements and towers, like most of the other buildings of the habitation, were constructed of sun dried mud bricks covered with a protective layer of white plaster that shone with dazzling brightness in the noonday sun.

The Earthman, although not bound, knew that he was a prisoner. Worryingly, as for the rest, he had little idea what awaited him, and far more questions than answers. His arrogant captors spoke among themselves, largely ignoring him, which nettled. By now, from listening carefully to their conversations, he had deduced the woman’s name was Lytoora, and that by the way her companions deferred to her that she was obviously a person of considerable importance.

In an effort to gain more information on the society of these uncommunicative people, who seemed to regard him as a social inferior, Adams looked curiously about. The archway through which they now passed was narrow, and its door was of thick, bronze bound timber. A dozen guards clad in scale armor and conical helmets were stationed by the entrance. They bowed low as queen Lytoora entered, and then the Earthman and his captors followed her within the city of Nistoo.

The cobbled streets were narrow and meandering. The cubical flat roofed houses were built around a walled central courtyard garden, which all windows faced.Each home, fortress-like in appearance, was separated from the other by alleyways. The city was like a vast maze in which invading enemies could easily lose themselves.

The streets became more crowded as they moved towards the heart of the metropolis. The throng respectfully parted before their advance, bowing low to the queen as she passed by, and so despite the bustle they made good progress.

The Earthman drew many stares. With his dark skin and hair -the heritage of his African American father and South Indian mother - he differed considerably in appearance from the the city’s lighter coloured inhabitants. Stoically, Adams ignored the unwanted attention and continued to focus on deducing the level of technology evidenced by the materials and construction methods used to build Nistoo. Clearly, he was in an early bronze age society. But what could have caused a civilization capable of terraforming worlds to fall so far from the heights to which it had risen?

Adams’ speculations were cut short by their arrival in the city’s centre. Here, a broad fortified tower two stories high had been constructed, in this case of granite rather than mud brick. The tower was surrounded by a wide dry moat lined with sharpened fire hardened stakes. All around the moat’s outer perimeter was a space 60 yards in width, which was occupied by a marketplace where the teeming crowd was concentrated.

The Earthman balked when he saw several creatures in the crowd identical to the one that had attacked him. Lytoora, annoyed at his hesitation shoved him. He stumbled forward, biting back a hot oath.

Shortly, Adams and his captors crossed the moat via a lowered drawbridge and entered the tower, which no doubt served as the city’s administrative centre as well as the stronghold for its ruler. There were no windows in the ground floor level. Smoky oil lamps lit a maze of narrow corridors and strong points from which the tower’s defenders could resist the invasion of the keep. Adams was troubled as he ascended the stairs at the heart of the maze. Everything he’d seen indicated a primitive and violent society, and he had a sinking feeling his worries would soon increase.

**********

Adams again tested the chains that hobbled his ankles. The young man swore. The bronze links were strong, unbreakable. Perhaps with time he could find a way to free himself, but did he have that time? He shuffled to the single window of his cell and looked out. The top floor of the tower was a walled courtyard very similar to that of the commoner’s homes. All surrounding rooms opened to the courtyard, which was bright with flowering plants whose opalescent blossoms gleamed like living jewels.

The sight was a contrast to the clean but gloomy cell into which he’d been so rudely thrust about an hour ago, still no clearer as to his fate. Taking a deep breath Adams strove for calm. He was still alive and apart from a few rough shoves hadn’t been brutalized. No doubt his captors intended to question him, which in itself was an unsettling thought.

Adams jumped at the rasp of the bolt being drawn. He tensely turned as the cell door creaked open. On the threshold stood the twin of the creature that had attacked him in the forest. The Earthman cursed his hampering chains. He clenched his fists and prepared to defend as best he could.

The monster walked calmly into the cell, carrying a large rectangular heavily carved box in its arms. Adams, still wary, relaxed a little. It was unlikely such an ornate chest would contain the implements of torture. The weird being sat on the floor. It opened the chest and withdrew sheets of rough paper, a clay inkwell and quill. These items it then placed on the closed lid of the box. The creature beckoned to the Earthman, indicating he should sit before it.

Adams hesitated for a moment, unnerved by the thought of being in such close proximity to the horror. Again it beckoned. There was no sign of violence erupting. The Earthman overcame his fear and warily sat where he was bid.

The being pointed at itself and uttered an comprehensible sentence in a surprisingly human sounding voice. It then pointed interrogatively at Adams.

Adams comprehended. “Tyrone Adams,” he replied, pointing at himself.

And thus the Earthman’s language lessons commenced.

**********

Six months had passed and Adams, after intense instruction, was now conversant in Engaru, the language of his captors. It was early morning and he stood on the tower’s battlements, gazing across the city of Nistoo, enjoying the sight of the sprawling tree dotted metropolis as it glowed in the bright sunshine.

Beside him stood Azaz, his strange teacher and fellow chattel. Adams shifted his feet causing his chains to rattle. The Earthman looked down and grimaced, the reminder of his condition darkening the brightness of the view.

“Slavery is a terrible thing,” observed Azaz, sympathetically. “For you there is at least the possibility you can break your bonds. But for me and my kind the chains are more subtle and far stronger. We have been bred for pacifism, to serve our noble masters. The gods who created this world created us to serve humans, their children.”

Adams placed a comforting had on his companion’s furry shoulder - an act that would have been conceivable to him six months ago. Slowly, over the course of their time together, the Earthman had come to see that despite all physical differences Azaz was a gentle being who possessed a mind little different from his own.

“I wish there was something I could do to help, to change things for the better.”

“Your concern gladdens me,” replied Azaz, “but there is nothing you can do. We are incapable of violence, unable to rebel against our masters, except when one of us is seized by inexplicable madness and becomes utterly berserk. The cause of this recent sickness is a mystery.”

Further conversation was interrupted by the arrival of another Morenni slave bearing a message.

“The queen will see the stranger now, Azaz. “Conduct him to her presence with all haste.”

“Come,” said the Earthman’s teacher. “I will lead the way.”

The trio descended the battlement’s stairs and began to traverse the expansive courtyard garden, the messenger going a different way. As Adams and Azaz walked along a path that meandered through brightly flowering shrubs whose blooms were startlingly opalescent, a young man staggered out from behind a bush, just awakened and still intoxicated from the drunken revel of the night before.

The fellow stumbled into Azaz heavily. He uttered a coarse oath and struck the teacher a mighty blow that felled the startled Morenni to the ground.

“Watch where you’re going… Filthy disgusting creature,” he slurred and then raised his foot to stomp on the chattel’s head.

Chapter 3: The Drug of Madness

Adams grabbed the drunk by the shoulder before he could strike a further blow. The Earthman spun him round, furious at the unprovoked assault upon his friend.

“You’re the one who needs to watch where you’re going,” he angrily admonished.

The youth - a handsome nobleman made ugly by too much alcohol - slurred an imprecation and swung a wild blow at Adams. The Earthman blocked the clumsy punch and drove his fist against the fellow’s chin. The terrific blow sent his drunken opponent reeling into the bush from which he had emerged. For a moment the youth hung upon a branch, then slid limply to the ground.

Adams stood over his sprawled opponent, ready to continue the fight if required. But there was no need for his adversary was utterly insensible. The Earthman turned his attention to Azaz, who had risen shakily to his feet.

“Are you badly hurt?” he worriedly asked.

“No,” replied Azaz. “I am grateful for your intervention, but you shouldn’t have done that. The youth you struck is Oosum, the queen’s favorite. There will be consequences, and I fear for you.”

“Maybe,” replied Adams. “But I couldn’t stand by and do nothing. If this creature, who could have killed you is the queen’s favorite, then all I can say is that she has extremely poor taste. Lead on. I wouldn’t want to keep her glorious majesty waiting.”

“Oosum is still heavily intoxicated,” observed Azaz as they continued on their way. “Let us hope that when he awakens he won’t remember what transpired.”

Shortly, they arrived at the far side of the courtyard, passed within its encircling portico and entered a part of the building which the Earthman hadn’t yet seen. Unlike his cell and the adjacent servant quarters with which he was familiar, the walls here were decorated with bright frescoes and the floor with intricate mosaics, the artworks depicting various aristocratic pleasures - of hunts, games and erotic escapades.

They moved through the open plan area, soon arriving at a door guarded by two burly warriors in scale armor and conical helmets. Their presence was announced by one of the guards. Lytoora bid them enter, and they stepped across the threshold of the queen’s boudoir.

The room was uncluttered. There were large heavily carved flat topped chests along one wall and a full length bronze mirror stood against another. The frescoes were blatantly pornographic, as were the floor’s mosaics, much the the Earthman’s embarrassment. The queen reclined gracefully on a rattan daybed between two large unglazed windows whose shutters were open. She was clad in a sky blue diaphanous wraparound garment that reminded Adams of a sarong, very different to the rough clothes of the hunt he’d first seen her in. It did little to conceal her heavy breasts or the rest of her voluptuous figure.

Adams, who had been instructed in the protocols dropped to his knees and, along with Azaz, pressed his forehead to the floor. He resented this debasing act, but realized he had no choice if he wanted to survive the meeting.

Queen Lytoora addressed him: “Can you understand me, stranger?”

“Yes, your majesty.” he answered. “Azaz has taught me well.”

“Good,” she replied. “Azaz, you may go. I will speak with this slave alone.”

The Morenni silently rose and departed. When the door had closed the queen again addressed the Earthman.

“If you answer my questions truthfully you will not be harmed. If you lie you will be tortured until you cooperate. Do you understand?”

“Perfectly.” replied Adams, stifling his anger as he stared at the floor.

“Look at me,” ordered the queen as she removed an object concealed beneath a pillow, and pointed it at him threateningly. Adams stiffened at the sight of it. It was a pistol, ultramodern in appearance, made from something that looked like ceramic and obviously from a time beyond his own age.

The queen smiled a satisfied smile. “That you instantly recognized this object for a weapon confirms my suspicions that you have greater knowledge than my most learned sages, for I have not told them it shoots small pellets. It still works, so don’t think you can attack me because we’re alone. Now, tell me where you’re from, and explain the nature of the metal object we found you by.”

Adams decided to be as truthful as he deemed it wise. The Earthman began his narration, revealing much in great detail, the queen hanging upon his every word. The only outright lie he’d told was that the Mars Exploration Module was inoperative, having exhausted its power in landing. If Lytoora thought it useless she wouldn’t realize he could use it to escape.

At the end of his account the queen sat in thoughtful silence for a moment. Adams sweated, wondering if she believed him. If she didn’t he decided he’d try and jump her. Better a quick clean death than prolonged torture. Lytoora spoke, breaking the mounting tension.

“What you’ve told me confirms in part our ancient myths,” she began. “History has obviously been garbled by the passage of time and supernatural beliefs. The stories speak of a war between the gods of Mithu, our world, and those of Eratu, or Earth as you said it is known to you. These events are thought to have occurred a thousand years ago.

“The gods fought each other for domination, so the stories say. Terrible weapons of divine potency were unleashed. The gods destroyed themselves in an orgy of madness, and also nearly all their human children. The civilization of the Ancients ended in flames, blood and death. Those few who survived regressed to a state of utter barbarism from which a new world slowly emerged.

“Some of the ancient god machines still survive, of which this weapon is an example,” continued the queen. “But we do not fully understand many of them. I made the right decision letting you live. Your knowledge of such things will help tremendously. With the secrets of the Ancients unlocked my city can dominate all others.

“I am in the process of having your Mars Exploration Module brought here, so I can add it to my collection of artifacts. Unfortunately, there have been delays. Now, return to the servant’s quarters and say nothing of our conversation. I need to think through all the possibilities. We will speak again.”

**********

It was now late evening. Adams lay in his cell upon a rough mat, still restlessly pondering his meeting with Lytoora. The queen was obviously ambitious, dangerously so. She was intelligent, but a barbarian at heart. Adams had some knowledge of chemistry. He knew how to make gunpowder. But arming her with such weapons would result in a bloodbath of empire building. He couldn’t allow that, but if she subjected him to brutal torture could he withstand it, or would he crack and reveal what he knew? He honestly didn’t know.

The creaking of the cell door as it opened made Adams sit up. Starlight coming through the barred window illuminated a figure on the threshold. It was a Morenni. The slave stalked into the room, eyes glittering like black cabochons, long fingers twitching malevolently. Its movements were jerky and unnatural.

“Azaz, gasped Adams, sensing something was terribly amiss. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

For an answer the Morenni sprung on Adams like a pouncing tiger. Fingers of iron caught the startled Earthman’s throat in a crushing grip. Adams was driven to the floor by the impact of Azaz’s wiry body. The Earthman knew he was in serious trouble. By now he’d acclimated to Mars, and had lost the advantage of his earthly muscles.

Adams could feel the life being choked out of him. He wedged his arms between those of Azaz and broke the grip. He scrambled clear, gasping for breath. The Morenni grabbed his ankle, jerked violently. Again, Adams hit the floor. With his free foot the Earthman managed to kick Azaz in the face.

The Morenni collapsed, stunned by the blow. Adams grabbed him in a wrestling hold. Azaz writhed violently. It was like riding a bucking bronco. The Earthman hung on desperately. The Morenni possessed amazing strength. If his assailant broke free Adams was doubtful he could subdue Azaz again without seriously injuring his friend, something he didn’t want to do.

Time passed in a wild struggle, the only sound that of rasping breath and the scrape of bodies as they writhed upon the floor. Adams could feel his strength fading. It was a contrast to his berserk opponent who seemed to have boundless energy. Azaz heaved mightily. Adams grip was weakening. At any moment he would lose his hold. With the dregs of strength the Earthman hung on. Then it happened - his fingers slipped and Azaz broke away.

The Morenni staggered up, loomed victoriously over the panting Earthman whose vigour was utterly depleted. Azaz bent over the helpless man, fingers reaching hungrily, murderously for his throat. Adams tried to defend himself, tried to feebly fend off the reaching hands as they closed like a noose about his neck. It seemed the end.

Unexpectedly, the Morenni swayed. Azaz’s fingers loosened their dreadful hold. He collapsed sideways and fell limply upon the floor, his strength at last exhausted.

For many minutes both combatants were too weak to move. Slowly, vigour returned to Adams, and after a time he was able to rise and cautiously approach Azaz, mystified by the murderous attack, which was so out of character with his friend’s otherwise gentle nature.

“Azaz,” he asked, “Why did you attack me, what happened to make you do this?”

The Morenni managed to rise and lean against a wall, still weak from the wild combat.

“I remember eating my evening meal. The food tasted strange. Fearing it had gone off and was poisonous I spat it out … it did something to me … I don’t remember much after that: A masked figure bringing me here … fragments of our struggle ... I’m sorry.”

Azaz fell silent and placed his head in his hands, dreadfully ashamed of what he’d done.

“It’s not your fault,” replied Adams. “It sounds like you were drugged. Oosum, the queen’s favorite, is probably behind this,” he grimly continued. “He wants revenge on me for coming to your aid and striking him. You would be killed as punishment for killing me, and thus his retaliation against us would be complete.”

“You could be right,” replied Azaz, thoughtfully. “Oosum is in charge of breeding my people. If anyone were to discover a way of making us violent it would be him. These outbreaks of aggression are recent - an unsuccessful attack upon the queen, and another several months earlier upon Jastor, a noble close to Lytoora, fatal in that instance. Yes,” continued Azaz, “we would make perfect assassins. We are bred for non-violence. Our masters do not expect us to attack them. Their guard would be down.”

“Then it seems Oosum is eliminating rivals,” observed Adams. “Perhaps he wants to be more than just the queen’s favorite, but the new ruler of Nistoo. There is a plot afoot. Our best protection is to warn Lytoora.”

“No, no.” replied Azaz. “I fear the queen is too enamoured by Oosum’s wit and charm to believe he is capable of such treachery. Rumor has it that he is her lover. To make such an accusation, especially coming from a slave, would bring certain and agonizing death.”

“Then we’ll have to find convincing evidence,” said Adams. “In the meantime we say nothing, and be very careful of what we eat and drink.”

**********

Two day had passed. Neither Adams nor Azaz had been attacked again, but they weren’t so complacent as to let down their guard. Oosum was no doubt biding his time. The man was too vindictive to give up his desire for revenge. On the bright side the Earthman had been freed of his chains, and his cell door was no longer bolted. It seemed his passivity and cooperation had convinced Lytoora that these precautions were no longer necessary.

A guard had come to his cell just after breakfast with a summons from the queen, and he was now following the man to another part of the extensive stronghold that was barred to all but Lytoora and her inner circle.

The burly warrior halted by a pair of large bronze bound double doors that fronted the central courtyard. He grasped the portal’s substantial knocker and vigorously announced their presence. Shortly, the sound of heavy bolts being slid back could be heard. The queen, an air of secrecy about her, opened one ponderous door just enough to let Adams enter. She silently beckoned and the puzzled Earthman slid through the narrow gap. The door was quickly closed and bolted. Adams gasped in amazement at what the spacious room contained.

Chapter 4: A Ship of the Air

Adams stopped and stared at the object before him. It was a flattened ovoid forty feet in length and fifteen in width that rested on landing skids like a helicopter. The machine was constructed from the same ceramic-like material as the gun he’d earlier seen, but in this case it was dark gray in colour. Black crystalline panels covered the top of the ovoid. The forward section of the vehicle was transparent, and through the glassy material he could clearly see what was obviously a pilot’s chair and controls. There were no signs of wings, propellers or jets, but Adams knew with certainty that it was a futuristic aircraft that had somehow survived the holocaust of interplanetary war.

“This is our most prize possession,” explained Lytoora. “It was discovered in a cavern during my grandfather’s reign. It took many slaves, much time and the construction of a huge crane to bring it up here. Do you know what it is?”

“It’s a flying machine,” he replied, seeing the possibilities. The Mars Exploration Module hadn’t been brought here yet. The first attempt to move the machine had failed. The huge cart and crane that were needed to transport it were still in the process of redesign, and who knew how long that would take. However, if he could get this machine to work he might have a quicker method of escape.

A contemptuous laugh made Adams turn. He stiffened. He’d been so focused on the machine that he hadn’t noticed Oosum standing some yards away.

“This ignorant slave doesn’t know what it is,” accused the noble. “He is just trying to impress you with his lies. All right, slave,” continued Oosum, sarcastically. “Prove you’re right and make it fly.”

Adams bit down hard on his temper. The Earthman wasn’t normally a violent man, but in Oosum’s case he was prepared to make an exception. But allowing himself to be provoked would prove unwise, and so with an effort he maintained a bland demeanor, and addressed the queen instead.

“Your majesty, may I examine the machine? I will do my best, but it is a thousand years old at the very least, and may not work at all.”

“Bah,” interjected Oosum, derisively. “He’s just making excuses for his inevitable failure.”

“Quite, Oosum. Your lack of charm today displeases me,” sharply reproved Lytoora. “You may examine the machine,” she said to Adams. “But remember, your life depends on your usefulness.”

The Earthman had the pleasure of seeing Oosum glare at him. The cocky noble had been rebuked by the queen in front of a slave, and thus his pride was doubly injured.

Adams walked to the flyer, followed by Lytoora and her surly companion. The door opened, albeit stiffly at the Earthman’s touch. He stepped within the machine and began to examine its dusty controls.

Everything was clearly labeled. The language was English, somewhat different from what he was familiar with. But being from a time closer to his own age it had not changed to the point of incomprehensibility. Within ten minutes of careful study he had things largely figured out, and it frightened him.

The vehicle was the equivalent of a helicopter gunship. Its retracted weapons pods were equipped with two missiles armed with tactical nuclear warheads along with two automatic cannon and twenty two smaller guided missiles with a range of three miles. Adams knew with grim certainty that this deadly technology couldn’t be allowed to remain in the queen’s militaristic hands, and that it was up to him to prevent it.

Adams cursed himself. There was no initial indication that the aircraft was military. If he’d known he’d have pleaded ignorance. The likelihood that she’d be able to figure out its full potential was very low, but given there were nuclear weapons aboard he couldn’t take that chance, or the chance that he wouldn’t tell if subjected to foul torture. The worried Earthman exited the flyer, knowing what he had to do and determined to do it. He spoke to Lytoora, who had been scrutinizing him with the same intensity as he had examined the controls.

“The machine has been designed to fly as I suspected. But before it can it must have power. Those black panels on its upper surface,” continued Adams, pointing. “They absorb sunlight which is to the machine as oil is to an oil lamp. Move the vehicle into the open air and clean the dust off the panels. If it still works, then after several hours of exposure to daylight it should be ready to travel.”

“Nonsense,” growled Oosum. “The machine would have been brought here in daylight from the cavern where it was found. If it requires sunlight to fly, then why didn’t it do so then? You see Lytoora, I’m right. The slave is lying,” he concluded, triumphantly.

“It won’t fly by itself,” countered Adams, his self control slipping. “It needs a human operator who knows what to do. I know what to do. You don’t,” he concluded pointedly.

Oosum swore. He leaped at Adams, fists swinging wildly. The Earthman sidestepped his rush. The queen drew her dagger.

“Enough, both of you,” she shouted, menacing the men with her blade. “I’m on the verge of having the two of you flogged. If this machine can fly it will prove a great asset to my plans for conquest. This is far more important than your petty egos. Yes,” she continued. “With it I can scout high above the enemy and drop pots of burning oil on their generals. An army without a leader is easily defeated.”

Then to Adams, furiously: “I’ll do as you suggest. But if you’ve lied to me, or if this doesn’t work, then by all the gods I’ll make you rue the day you emerged from your low born mother’s… (and here she used a very vulgar word)!”

**********

Several hours had elapsed, and with their passing Lytoora’s volatile temper had cooled. Adams sat in the pilot’s chair of the flyer, gazing at the ship’s instruments. The charge meter indicated that the machine’s power cells were at maximum capacity and diagnostics showed all systems fully functional. The queen stood behind him and by her side was Oosum. Further back were two guards in full armor, making the small cabin, which had now been cleaned, rather crowded. Except for Adams, all were armed with a variety of weapons, and the Earthman knew that if he failed then there would be no shortage of people who would happily slit his throat.

Adams forced aside his fear and focused on the ship’s controls. He’d had enough time to study them. They weren’t too dissimilar to those of the flying cars he was familiar with. All lights on the board were green. Despite its age the corrosion proof machine should fly, at least theoretically. The one thing he wasn’t going to do was activate the craft’s AI. He wanted to be in complete control of the machine. With a silent prayer, he gripped the joystick and pushed the power button.

A hum filled the cabin as energy flowed to the machine’s electromagnetic propulsion generators. Adams pushed down on a pedal. A slight vibration passed through the ship, and then it smoothly lifted.

Adams let out his breath. The craft was still capable of flight. He caught a glimpse of his captors faces reflected in the glassy nosecone of the vehicle. Lytoora looked elated. The guards were clam and alert. By contrast Oosum appeared terrified as the flyer gained altitude. The Earthman grinned at the discomfiture of his enemy.

At a height of two hundred feet he brought the vehicle to a hover, turned to Lytoora and grinned despite everything. “Where to your majesty,” he asked.

“To the unexplored regions,” she exclaimed, catching the exhilaration of flight. “That way,” she continued, pointing. “I wish to see. How fast can we go?”

“Very,” replied Adams as he turned the ship in the indicated direction - towards the continent’s arid centre. The flyer moved off in an easterly direction and was soon travelling at the hyper-sonic speed of mach 5. The Earthman breathed a sigh of relief. Lytoora was doing exactly as he’d hoped she would, prompted by his subtle hints at what might lie in the unexplored regions of the planet.

As they raced away from the coast at tremendous velocity, the countryside quickly changed from one of lush forests to a stony desert dotted with tussocks of genetically modified grasses and cacti. Time passed. The landscape became even harsher when they reached the continent’s centre - an arid lifeless uninviting expanse of rolling sand and towering rocky butts.

Oosum looked at the scene, unnerved by its bleak barrenness. “Let’s turn back,” he said, nervously. “There’s nothing to see here but a dead land, no doubt stillborn in the infancy of the world.”

“In a little over half an hour we’ll have reached the other side of the continent,” announced Adams. “The country near the sea should be fertile as the rain falls mostly on coastal regions. Your majesty may find new lands there to conquer.”

“You may be right,” replied Lytoora, excited by the prospect. “A half hour or thereabouts isn’t long. Keep going.”

Inwardly, Adams grinned. His plan to thwart the queen’s ambitions of bloodstained empire building were progressing better than expected. When they reached the coast he’d find a pretext to land the ship and then a way to escape with it, stranding his captors in the wilderness. Then, after he’d discovered a more friendly coastal city where he could establish himself, he’d sink the flyer in the ocean and swim ashore, thus ensuring its nuclear weapons would never be of use to anyone. Of course the Earthman had no illusions about the danger of his plan. Indeed, he felt he’d be lucky to survive, but also knew that it had to be done despite the hazards to himself.

The miles were quickly eaten up by speed. The land became more fertile, and within the estimated time a glittering expanse of ocean came swiftly into view. Adams slowed the ship, and they were soon flying over the lush coastal regions of the continent’s eastern side.

They passed above an extensive forest consisting of trees that were oak-like in their in growth habit, but whose grass green leaves were variegated in yellow. Adams slowed the flyer further at the queen’s command as she wished to better see the panoramic view in detail.

Several minutes later Lytoora pointed excitedly at a rocky elevation that rose above the forest. “Look,” she said, “on that hill. Are those buildings that I see? Take us closer.”

Adams complied and soon their craft was hovering above what were clearly a dozen crumbling ruins of great antiquity. The towering buildings were cylindrical, and constructed of the Ancient’s ceramic-like material. The substance, though, was no longer gleaming white. In many places it was blackened as if by fire and deeply cracked.

Some towers had completely collapsed. Others appeared partly melted. All were swathed to some degree in creeping vines while bushes sprouted from deep crevices in others. Circular windows stared emptily like the vacant eye-sockets of a skull. Doorways hung open like the slack jaws of a dead man. All in all it was a most uninviting sight.

But not to the queen. “Find a space to land,” she commanded. “Those ruins may contain machines of the Ancients. We must investigate.”

“There may be hidden dangers,” objected Oosum, nervously. “Why not …”

“Oh, be quiet,” snapped Lytoora, dismissively. “Oosum, I’m beginning to think that a coward lies behind your facade of charm. I don’t like cowards.” Then, deliberately to Adams. “Are you afraid?” She inquired, placing a hand on his shoulder”

“No, your majesty,” he truthfully replied.

Oosum glared his hatred, but remained silent, furiously plotting his revenge as Adams brought the flyer down towards a flat rocky space some distance from the ruins, elated that he didn’t have to concoct an excuse to land. Soon, he’d be free of these people and without guilt. They could use the ruins for shelter. Water wouldn’t be a problem - he’d caught the gleam of a river at the foot of the hill. And from Azaz’s teaching he knew that, thanks to the genetic wizardry of the Ancients, all trees were useful for survival - they either bore edible fruits or nuts, or possessed medicinal virtues.

The ship landed smoothly. Adams shut down her systems and made to rise from the pilot’s chair when Lytoora stopped him by pressing her dagger against his throat.

“These hobbles go on your ankles first,” she said as a guard approached with the clinking chains, heretofore concealed. “I’m no fool. Escape is no doubt on your mind. You thought yourself clever with your plot to make me fly far from home where you would have the advantage, but I saw through your scheme and have taken precautions.”

Adams bit back an oath. The queen laughed, for although the Earthman remained silent his expression said a lot.

The explorers exited the flyer and made their way across the rocky open space towards the ruins, whose tall towers rose many hundreds of feet above the forest canopy. They were about half way there when six figures, howling harsh war-cries, burst forth from the surrounding trees and charged furiously towards them.

Adams turned at the strident yells. His eyes widened at the sight of the hurtling foe. They were man-like. But their skins, muddy green, were scaled like those of serpents. Yellow eyes stared hatred at the humans, curved swords were poised to strike, small shields ready to block attacking blows.

Oosum shrieked in fear, his cowardice now laid bare for all to see. He bolted for the flyer, unmindful of the others. Lytoora cursed. They were outnumbered. “Retreat,” she prudently commanded.

The explorers raced for the ship. Adams tried to follow, but tripped on his hobbles. A scaled warrior came at him as he fell. The being’s companions pursued the other humans.

Adams rolled. His attacker’s sword crashed against the stony ground, showering sparks. In mere seconds the hampered and desperate Earthman was fighting for his life.

Chapter 5: Captives of the Serpent-men

Again, the Earthman’s wild assailant made to strike another blow. Adams lashed out with a brutal kick, striking his attacker on the shin with both feet. The being fell, lost its hold upon the sword. Adams pounced upon his foe. They wrestled furiously. The serpent-man heaved the Earthman off. Its strength was tremendous.

Adams lunged for the creature’s sword as it rose erect. He snatched it up as the being sprang at him. Its horny foot thudded against the Earthman’s forearm. Adams gasped in pain. The blade flew from his loosened fingers. From a wrestling crouch the Earthman managed to catch his attacker’s leg as the warrior tried to kick him in the head. He straightened his body up, thrusting his foe’s limb higher with both arms.

The Earthman’s assailant crashed to the ground, but scrambled up before Adams, hindered by his chains, could press his advantage. Both combatants were breathing hard from their frenetic exertions. In the paused combat the scaled warrior regarded Adams with a respectful eye.

“You fight well for a slave,” observed the being. “I am Jonar. I admire that. Surrender and I’ll arrange for you to die an honorable death on the training field, rather than be slaughtered in chains.”

Adams was surprised. It took some effort, but he managed to understand what was said. The language was a dialect of Engaru.

The Earthman didn’t want to die, either right now or later. But he knew, hampered as he was by the hobbles, that in the long run he had little chance against his more mobile foe. If he could delay his death, then there was some hope he could escape.

“What is this training field?” he asked, thinking he might be facing a far worse fate.

“There are many other cities in this region that we are often at war with,” explained the serpent-man. “When enemy warriors are captured they are used to train our novices in combat by fighting them to the death. It gives our youngsters battlefield experience, and also eliminates the weak and the incompetent among us.”

“Jonar, I accept your offer,” replied Adams, lowering his fists, hoping that free of restraints, and with a weapon in his hand, there was a chance he could fight his way to freedom.

“Good,” replied the serpent-man. “Look, your companions have been captured. They shall be put to the torture. You are fortunate. A clean death shall be your fate.”

Adams turned and saw that it was true. Lytoora and Oosum lay bound upon the stony earth. Their guards were dead as were several scaled warriors.

The Earthman felt sorry for the queen and her lover. He wanted them punished for their mistreatment of him, but foul torture was a far too savage means.

“Why will they be tortured?” He asked.

“To find the secret of the flying thing that brought you here, and the reason why you have come,” replied the strange warrior. “My brother Kossu, the leader of our people, saw it from his tower’s height. He ordered me to investigate.”

Adams went cold at that statement. Neither Lytoora nor Oosum knew how to operate the ship. They’d sell him out in order to preserve their lives.

“Come,” said Jonar, breaking Adam’s train of disturbing thought. “We go now to the towers of Axuno, my city. Move ahead, that way.”

Adams was surprised, for his captor pointed in a direction further up the hill, away from the ruins they had intended to investigate.

“The ancient towers are not your home?” he inquired as they began to walk, seeking to distract himself from his fears.

Jonar shuddered. “No,” he replied emphatically. “They are the abode of the Grey God. After the truth has been tortured from your owners they will be sacrificed to the deity. This is usually the fate of civilian captives.”

The Earthman, somewhat skeptical, questioned Jonar further on the nature of the Grey God. But his captor refused to discuss the matter further, saying it was taboo. So Adams desisted, prudently not wishing to antagonize the warrior.

They rejoined Lytoora and Oosum on a trail that cut through the trees and led to the summit of the hill. Lytoora looked understandably frightened, but was in control of her emotions. By contrast her favourite seemed on the verge of completely giving way to terror as indicated by the wild look upon his face and the trembling of his limbs.

Shortly, they reached the summit of the tor and looked down upon its further side where the city of Axuno clung to the rocky slope. The buildings were cylindrical, the design taking its inspiration from the ruins of the antique city. But the towers, nowhere near as tall, were of granite quarried from the hillside rather than the ceramic-like substance of the Ancients.

The group marched towards a building set high on the hillside, one whose apex poked just above the trees. Adams correctly guessed it was from this tower that they’d been spotted by the keen eyed king.

As they approached the building, Adams saw that it was banded by friezes of geometric patterns consisting of diamonds, triangles and parallel zigzags. Windows and doorways, both circular, were also ornamented with borders of chevrons, waves and spirals. These designs, also found painted on the plastered interiors, were typical of the other buildings of the city.

At their approach the four guards stationed at the entryway rolled aside the ponderous circular stone door, which was set in a deep groove. The prisoners and their captors entered the tower and into a spacious meeting room that fronted the threshold they’d stepped across.

Daylight poured in through large circular windows, illuminating the spacious chamber and its colourful geometric frescoes. At the far end of the room was a high throne with steps before it, all carved from a single colossal block of granite. At the foot of the stairs were grouped more guards and the king’s councilors.

On the high throne sat Kossu, the king. His features were typical of his people. His scaled skin was muddy green; his eyes bright yellow. His nose was virtually non-existent and his mouth lip-less. There were no external genitalia, and with tough scaled skin clothing was superfluous. He was nude but for a circlet of gold marking his rank, and broad belt of gold links from which hung sword and dagger.

The group halted before the assemblage. Jonar succinctly outlined the capture of the prisoners and concluded thus: “This slave,” he said, pointing at Adams, “fought as valiantly as any warrior. I have promised him a clean death on the training field. His owners you may torture to reveal the secrets of the flying thing you desire.”

Oosum gasped. “No, no.” He shrilly cried. “I know nothing of the flying thing’s operation. It is the slave who knows. Torture him instead!”

Kossu looked at Oosum with contempt. Adams, though unsurprised, glared at him as well.

Lytoora also spoke, but with defiance rather than fear. “I am queen of Nistoo. You cannot torture me like a common slave.”

“You are a coward,” derisively replied the king to Oosum, ignoring Lytoora for the moment. “But what you say might be true. It would be prudent to put all three of you to the torture.” Then to the queen: “Your title means nothing to me,” he snarled. “If I order you tortured, then you will be tortured.”

“I have promised the slave a clean death fighting our novices,” objected Jonar. “Would you have me disgraced by breaking my word?”

The monarch’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “You should have consulted me before giving it,” he harshly replied, focusing his ire upon his brother. “Your undermining of my authority is becoming tiresome. I am king, not you.”

“I am well aware of that,” replied Jonar, his temper also rising. “But I am not your slave. Nor will I ever be,” he hotly concluded.

Kossu’s face became rigid with anger. He rose from his throne, a puppet to his rage. He thrust an accusing finger at his brother. “We’ve always been rivals,” he spat, “but this time you’ve gone too far. You’ve added insult to insubordination. Well, if you want the slave to die in combat, then let it be so. But you will join him. Guards,” he shouted. “Seize these two and confine them to the cells beneath the training field. Take the other prisoners to the dungeon and put them to the torture. If they know nothing then so be it.”

**********

Adams, whose hobbles had been removed so he could fight unhampered, again tested the bolted door of their gloomy cell. Disquieting thoughts of Lytoora being tortured, however, were foremost in his mind. They’d been incarcerated for only a few minutes, but it already seemed an age. The worried Earthman turned to Jonar who sat quietly on the dusty floor of their dismal prison.

“You appear remarkably unperturbed concerning our situation,” he testily observed, frustration and worry making him irritable. “Your own brother has condemned you to death. I’d have thought you’d at least help me try and find a way out of here.”

“My brother and I have detested each other since childhood,” admitted Jonar. “Things have been heading towards this confrontation for some time. Given our rivalry it was inevitable. Is anyone in sight?”

Adams looked through the bars of the door. “No,” he replied. “The passageway is empty. Why?”

Jonar rose and approached the door. His sword and dagger had been taken, but his weapon’s belt had been left to him. The guards knew he would need it for the coming combat, when his blades would be returned.

Adams watched, puzzled, as the serpent-man removed the belt, which consisted of linked discs, each about half an inch in thickness. The mystery was resolved when Jonar popped open a disc to reveal a key fastened inside the secret compartment.

He removed it and held it up. “Anticipating my current situation, I prudently had copies of various keys made. I’ll rally my men. We’ll take my brother by surprise. Will you join me in the attack upon his tower?”

“If by doing so I can rescue my companions, then yes.”

“It can be accomplished. The dungeon where they are held captive lies beneath the king’s tower,” answered Jonar as he unlocked the door. “Your loyalty to your owners is commendable. Most other slaves would seek escape.”

Adams said nothing. He was probably a fool for trying to save Lytoora. If their situation had been reversed he had no doubt she would have abandoned him without compunction. Nonetheless, he had to do what he felt was right - to save her from the cruelty of torture.

Quietly, they exited the cell, one of many lining the subterranean passageway. Jonar approached another door and motioned the foreign warriors of this cell to silence.

“Those who want to fight for freedom come with me,” he whispered to the captives as he unlocked the door. “Those who want to face certain death can stay.”

Naturally, not one serpent-man stayed. They moved on and the process was repeated. By the time they reached the guardroom Jonar had ten warriors at his back, desperate for freedom, and prepared to die in the attempt to attain it.

Adams carefully peered within the guardroom. Six warriors of Axuno lounged about the chamber, some talking, others playing a board game resembling Nine Men’s Morris. The Earthman jerked back as one looked up. The serpent-man shouted an alarm. Jonar cursed, snapped an order.

The enemy warriors rushed within the room. Guards swore. Blades rasped from scabbards. The escapees fell on their foes like a wave rolling in upon the shore. Warriors went down beneath hammering fists. Prisoners screamed, pierced by stabbing blades. Struggling men surged about the guardroom in an unrestrained melee.

One guard ran up the stairs to summon help. Adams leaped on him, dragged him down. Jonar stomped upon his head - a fatal blow.

“Let’s away,” panted the serpent-man, “before the noise brings reinforcements.

Adams and Jonar sprinted up the treads, leaving the violent brawl behind them. They gained the landing. The Earthman swore. Thirty serpent-men, swords drawn, were hurtling at them with overwhelming force.

Chapter 6: Dungeon Danger

“It’s all right,” soothed Jonar to the tense Earthman. “I recognize those men. They are my friends.”

The lead warrior halted before Jonar. They gripped hands. “We heard of your imprisonment and came to rescue you. But I see you escaped without our help. Who is this strange fellow?” he asked, looking curiously at Adams.

“An ally,” replied Jonar. “Further explanations can wait. “We must reach the king’s tower before my brother can summon all his warriors. Follow me.”

The men raced along the corridor to freedom, leaping the bodies of the slain who’d resisted Jonar’s friends. They burst from the arena’s service entrance scattering startled pedestrians, and raced along the street leading to the summit of the hill where the royal tower was situated.

A harsh cry to halt sounded. Jonar uttered a silent curse - they’d been spotted by a city patrol. A horn blared, summoning more guards. The escapees raced madly up the hill, over a dozen warriors now hot upon their heels. Jonar was in the lead closely followed by the panting Earthman. Adams saw the tower guards draw their blades. Another horn blared. More warriors swarmed from the building like enraged ants. They were caught between converging enemies - one before them, the other behind.

Jonar swerved from the road, sprinted around the tower, the racing foe rapidly closing in to kill. The serpent-man skidded to a stop before a band of ornamental carvings and depressed a section of the bas-relief. A secret door swung open.

“Inside, and hurry,” he gasped to his panting followers.

Desperate men piled in through the narrow way. A spear, hurled by the nearing foe clanged against stonework. The last man screamed as another flying point struck him in the back. He stumbled across the threshold, collapsed. Jonar pulled a lever. The door slammed shut in the faces of their charging enemies.

Adams knelt beside the stricken serpent-man, but there was nothing he could do. The warrior was dead, and so he armed himself with the fellow’s weapons.

“There’s no time to spare,” warned Jonar to all of them. “The existence of these passages is known only to me. But even so the element of surprise has been lost, for the enemy knows we’re in the tower. We must reach my brother before he can adequately protect himself. This way. To the royal suite. Quickly.”

The men set off hurriedly in single file down the narrow secret way, which was constructed between the walls of the tower, and dimly illuminated by phosphorescent yellow crystal clusters set in the ceiling of the passage.

Adams gripped Jonar’s shoulder.

“Where are my companions being held?” he worriedly asked. “I must try and rescue them.”

“We’ll soon come to a stairway; one leading up, the other down,” explained his companion. “The downward way gives access to the dungeons. Pull the lever at the foot of the stairs. It will open the concealed door. I cannot spare men to accompany you. If you seek to do this you must go alone.”

“Then if I must I will,” resolutely replied the Earthman.

Soon, they reached the aforementioned stairs and Adams parted company with the rest. The Earthman quickly descended the treads, fear at what he’d find rising with every downward step. Adams reached bottom, pressed his ear to the stone. Horror beset him at the sound of a woman shrilly screaming. He grasped the lever, naked sword tensely held for violent combat. Silently, the hidden door swung open at his touch, and a sickening sight was revealed to the horrified Earthman.

Lytoora was strapped naked and spreadeagled to a large table over which had been placed a cage of wire mesh. Inside this cage were three creatures, each the size of a rat. The horrid supyus, their spiny exoskeletons dark brown in colour, resembled a mad blend of crab and spider. The queen writhed and screamed as with their claws they tore bits of flesh from her body and devoured it.

In an instant Adams was across the threshold, leaping at the two serpent-men by the table who gleefully observed the awful scene. The Earthman’s swinging blade clove the skull of the nearer foe. The sword lodged, giving the second a chance to leap away.

“You,” cried Kossu in utter surprise as the Earthman freed his blade.

Adams ignored him. He flung the mesh cage to the floor and with his sword flicked off two of the horrors that were eating Lytoora alive. But before he could deal with the third the king came at him, sword swinging.

Their blades clashed furiously. Sparks flew. Lytoora screamed in agony. A cunning twist sent Adams’ sword spinning from his hand. The king yelled in triumph, raised his weapon to deliver the killing blow. The frantic Earthman grabbed the remaining horror gnawing on the queen. He flung it into Kossu’s face. The thing latched on. The king screamed, dropped his sword. Adams sprang at him, caught him up and violently hurled him to the floor.The king’s head struck stone with a sickening crack. It proved to be a fatal injury.

The panting Earthman turned his attention to the moaning woman. Her naked body was streaked with blood from many wounds. The danger she’d bleed to death was very real. Quickly, Adams undid the heavy straps about her wrists and ankles. Lytoora managed to fight through the pain as he unbuckled the last of the restraints.

“That green flask on the other table,” she weakly said. “Pour the contents on my wounds. Hurry.”

The worried Earthman did as he was asked. His anxiety was soon replaced by amazement as the clear liquid performed its rapid healing. Within but moments the wounds had miraculously disappeared.

“How?” he asked, astounded.

“They planned to torture me to the point of death, and then heal me so the process could be repeated,” explained the queen with a shudder. “This liquid is made from the oil of the tumala tree, so I was told. The tree must be unique to this region as I have never heard of it before. I see you’re amazed. What is also amazing as how you got here.”

Fists hammering on the locked door of the dungeon made both jump and turn in the direction of the sound.

A voice cried out: “Your majesty, the tower is invaded. Are you safe?”

“I’ll explain how I got here later,” replied Adams as he retrieved his sword. “We have to leave. Are you fit to travel and where’s Oosum?

“I can walk,” replied Lytoora as she slid off the table and gathered her shredded clothes from the floor. “Oosum is in that cell over there,” she indicated, pointing.

Adams slid back the bolt of the door as the queen clad herself in her rags as best she could. He found Oosum cowering in the cell in mindless terror - a stark contrast to Lytoora’s strength of mind that prevented her from being broken by her terrible ordeal.

Hauling the noble to his feet the Earthman shook him violently. “We’re getting out of here. But I’m not carrying you. if you don’t find sufficient wits to walk I’ll leave you behind,” he harshly warned. “Do you understand me?”

Oosum lost some of his vacant look and nodded silently. Adams shoved him from the cell and towards the secret way. The pounding on the dungeon door had increased in violence. Warriors were now battering it with a ram. The timber was split in several places. It would soon give way entirely.

“Follow me,” he said to Lytoora.

Quickly, they entered the hidden passage. Adams’ last sight was of the dreadful creatures feasting on the corpse of Kossu. The Earthman closed the door, cutting off the sickening scene, which reminded him that the king’s brother was now victorious. But the Earthman felt he couldn’t trust Jonar. No doubt he’d also want the secret of the flyer. Jonar wasn’t stupid. If he hadn’t already realized its military potential for scouting he soon would, and might be tempted to use torture when the Earthman refused to show him how to operate the vehicle.

As the trio ascended the stairs, Adams realized he’d have to modify his plans. His original idea to maroon the queen and her companions in the wilderness was still an option, but not here in clearly hostile territory.

“Once we gain the flyer we’ll return to Nistoo,” he explained to his companions, hiding his true intention. “I think we’ve all had enough excitement for today.”

They continued on towards the secret door that gave ingress to the tower. Adams knew that it would be guarded, but he had a plan in mind, for he’d seen another passage branching off from the entry point, and correctly deduced that there was more than one way out.

Soon, they came upon the diverging path and the Earthman led his companions down it. Upon reaching its terminus he pressed his ear to the stone, listening intently. Faint sounds of fighting could be heard, but they seemed to be coming from above, transmitted to him through the tower’s masonry. Adams tensely gripped the door’s lever. He pulled it down.

The way opened and he peered cautiously outside. The keyed up Earthman relaxed a little. No one was in sight. It seemed the bulk of the king’s guard were fully occupied battling the tower’s invaders, with only a few left to watch the exit points they knew about. The forest, with its green and inviting sanctuary, was only a hundred yards away.

“No warriors are in sight,” Adams quietly informed his companions. “Lytoora, do you think you can run the distance to the flyer. We must move quickly to evade recapture.”

“Yes,” she strongly replied. “Let us with all haste depart this vile place.”

The trio sprinted from the tower. They’d only gotten fifty feet when a voice shouted at them from above. Adams swore. They’d been spotted by someone peering out a window. The wild alarm, now repeated, was a burning spur to the fleeing escapees. They gained the trees, but as they did racing warriors - some of those who’d been left to guard the secret door - sprinted around the building in furious pursuit.

Through the forest they fled at breakneck speed, their enraged pursuers closing in with the eagerness of hungry wolves. Adams burst from the forest into the clearing where the flyer had landed, his panting companions close behind. The ship was in sight. Elation filled the racing Earthman. Then his hope was dashed, for from behind it came a squad of serpent-men left to guard the vehicle.

Then, to add to the danger, the trio’s pursuers burst forth from the forest. They shouted to their fellow warriors. In an instant both enemy groups were charging furiously at the escapees. Adams would have cursed if he’d had the breath. A desperate plan blossomed in his racing brain. He swerved in the direction of the ruins.

His companions swiftly followed as he raced away, their converging enemies dangerously near. The broken towers loomed, nearer, closer. Adams risked a glance over his shoulder. Their pursuers had stumbled to a halt, not daring to invade the taboo area. The Earthman grinned. He entered the trees and slowed his frantic pace. He halted and leaned heavily against a tree as did his spent companions.

Lytoora swayed, her strength spent. She staggered and Adams caught her in his arms. Her heavy breasts spilled forth from her rent apparel. The Earthman could feel her racing heart as she leaned against him for support. Oosum, who had sagged to the ground, glared his hate and envy at Adams.

“How did you know they’d stop?” Lytoora managed to ask.

“The ruins are suppose to be the abode of their god,” he replied. “I surmised it would be forbidden territory. Fortunately, I was right.”

“You mean our lives hung on the guess of a low born slave,” snarled Oosum, his spite also fueled by seething jealousy.

Adams was too tired to be bothered responding to petty insults. Not so Lytoora: “Quiet Oosum. This man saved our lives. Where were you when I was being foully tortured? Cowering in your cell, no doubt, and thinking only of yourself. I’m done with you. Seek another paramour.”

Oosum looked shocked. His ego was such that he couldn’t conceive that a woman would reject him, but it was true. Rage flared. His eyes narrowed dangerously. He would have his revenge, not only on the dirty slave, but on Lytoora also. He’d bide his time, for now was not the moment to strike back.

Chapter 7: Lair of the Grey God

With the passing of fifteen minutes the trio had recovered from their frenetic escape. Lytoora had spent the duration of that time resting in Adams’ arms. The Earthman felt somewhat uncomfortable in such close contact with an almost naked woman, for the queen’s tattered garments did little to conceal her generous figure. Was she trying to make Oosum jealous as revenge, or did she genuinely need the comfort of human contact to counteract the peril they were in? He decided to assume the latter and refrained from pushing her away.

“I’d better check on our pursuers,” he said after another few minutes, feeling it was time to move on. “They may yet work up their courage and come after us.”

The two separated. Adams peered around the bush that concealed them. The serpent-men were still there, but had retreated to the flyer. They gave no indication that they intended to abandon their position, no doubt awaiting new orders that would come when the chaos caused by the battle in the tower had subsided. He said as much to Lytoora.

“Let’s explore the ruins,” she suggested. “We may find another flyer, or perhaps a weapon of the Ancients that can overcome our foes. Against so many our strength is not enough.”

Adams agreed. All three set off towards the ancient towers, Oosum following, nurturing his hatred behind a placid expression that masked his brooding rage. Within five minutes they’d reached their goal. Adams, in the lead, carefully pushed through a thicket, wary of hidden danger. Cautiously, he parted the verdure. The Earthman peered through the gap and stiffened.

“What is it?” whispered Lytoora, seeing his alarm.

Adams silently beckoned. The queen inched to his side and also looked. Her eyes widened as she saw a giant man-like machine, dark gray in color, standing in a patch of sunlight. Its back had opened like the wings of a beetle, exposing solar cells to the light for the purpose of recharging. The mechanism was at least twelve feet tall. Its limbs and torso were tubular. The head was cylindrical and ringed by six lenticular eyes. The long arms ended in serrated jaws like those of pliers. The robot was armed with two weapons resembling Lewis guns, one mounted on each forearm.

The entire machine was constructed from a slate gray ceramic-like material, marred here and there by burn marks. Adams recognized it as a military robot, or milbot for short, but one more advanced than those of his own age. It was no doubt part of the ruined installation’s defence system, a survivor of the terrible interplanetary war that had reduced Earth and Mars to a state of feudal barbarism - an age of abysmal ignorance in which a machine could be mistaken for divinity.

The Earthman succinctly outlined his deductions to his companions, and concluded thus. “It’s gathering strength from the sun, and is in a dormant state at the moment. I don’t know how long that will last, but if we move quietly and slowly we may be able to creep past it undetected. It’s risky, but we can’t go back the way we came.”

Oosum bulked at the idea, the sight of the milbot unnerving him with its size and aura of implacable strength. “If you don’t like it then you can go your own way,” said Lytoora, sharply. Then to Adams. “I’ll come with you. Lead the way.”

They moved on, Oosum reluctantly accompanying them, his fear of being left behind greater than that of the machine. They followed a well worn trail indicating the path that the milbot patrolled, ready at any moment to duck into the undergrowth on hearing its approach. Shortly, the trio came upon a thick bloodstained stone pillar where sacrificial victims were bound, left to be torn limb from limb by the killer robot programmed to slay all those it didn’t recognize as members of the military outpost.

Lytoora looked at the pillar and shuddered. If it hadn’t been for Adams that would have been her awful fate.

Hurriedly, they moved on, leaving the path and heading towards a nearby tower that appeared more intact than the rest. Soon, Adams hacked through the last of the dense verdure with his sword, and the trio found themselves standing before the entrance of the building. The door sagged inwards, buckled and pockmarked with the scars of an enormous explosion. The Earthman peered inside. All was shrouded in gloom, the floor littered with the detritus of millennia.

“This tower seems less damaged than the rest,” he observed. “Let’s see if it contains anything of use.”

They entered the building. Things scuttled through the leaf litter as they crunched across it. Adams and Lytoora were wary. Oosum’s eyes were wide with fear. Not much could be clearly seen in the darkness, and on this black canvas the noble’s mind painted all manner of hidden terrors.

The room was empty, except for dirt and grime. At its far end were lifts, now inoperative. But there was a stairwell that would give access to the upper levels. They ascended by this means, the way dimly lit by many bio-luminescent spiders whose light attracted insects to their thick webs which festooned the corners of the ceiling.

Adams decided to explore each floor in succession. All were disappointingly empty until the third was reached. Here, they discovered a shambles of open containers, their contents strewn across the floor. The Earthman bent to examine an item as his companions roamed about the room. But the object had decayed beyond recognition, and it crumbled in his hand when he sought to pick it up.

“There’s nothing here but dust and shadows and decay,” sighed Adams somewhat despondently.

“Over here,” cried Oosum,” excitedly. “I’ve found an unopened box.”

Adams and Lytoora quickly walked to Oosum’s side and saw that it was true. The container, which was constructed of the ubiquitous ceramic-like material of the Ancients, was about three feet in length and a foot and a half in width and height. It took a little while for the Earthman to figure out the release mechanism, but at last the airtight container opened to reveal the age old contents it concealed.

In the box was a rack that contained a dozen objects - finned domed canisters with a tube projecting from the centre of the base, each a little over twelve inches in length. On the inside of the lid was a label marked Smart Grenades, and beneath the heading instructions on their use. Adams read the manual, hope rising in him for the sophisticated weapons were very easy to employ.

A pull cord spun a miniature dynamo that powered the electronics, obviating the need for power cells that would lose their charge. The user then pointed the grenade at the desired target whose image was captured by the weapon’s vision system. Then the smart grenade was hurled towards the foe. When it left the thrower’s hand the tubular rocket motor ignited, and the weapon would fly unerringly towards the enemy, guided by advanced technology. The Earthman explained all this to his amazed companions.

“The problem is,” concluded Adams, “that these weapons are centuries old and may not work.”

A strange sound, coming from the stairwell, interrupted further conversation. Adams grabbed a grenade and moved to the doorway to investigate. Lytoora followed. Oosum hung back. The Earthman looked up, for the noise was coming from above. Fear gripped him. A hoard of horrors was pouring down the stairs, the scent of warm flesh alerting the creatures to the presence of the trio.

“Supyus,” gasped the queen in horror as she, too, saw the deadly danger swiftly coming at them. “The same creatures that were used to torture me. They hunt in packs hundreds strong.”

“Get back,” Adams cried in warning as he pulled the cord of the smart grenade, pointed it at the vile creatures and then tossed the weapon at them. The rocket motor started. The grenade flew up the stairs. It struck the swarming mass of horrors and exploded deafeningly. The building shook as if an earthquake had rocked it. Debris fell from the ceiling. Dust billowed in from the stairwell. The terrific noise died.

Adams picked himself up from the floor as his companions struggled to their feet. The Earthman peered into the stairwell. Supyus carcasses were splattered all over walls and ceiling, which were now cracked from the explosion. Further up more of the horrors were staggering about, stunned by the detonation. A large chunk of masonry crashed down, making Adams jump in fright.

“There are more of the creatures above us,” he warned, “but if I use another grenade the blast might cause the tower to collapse. This ruin isn’t as strong as it looks. Lytoora, take my sword. I’ll grab some other grenades, and then we’ve got to go.”

Down the stairs the trio raced; the supyus, now recovered, in swift pursuit. All three dashed from the building. Adams hurled another grenade. It flew into the tower, exploded. Masonry crashed down crushing the racing monsters and blocking the doorway. That danger was neutralized, but the trio almost ran straight into the milbot who had come to investigate the initial blast. Adams could have cursed, but saved his breath for running. The mechanical monster clattered after them, its huge legs swiftly eating up the distance. The only good thing that could be said was that its machine guns were out of ammunition.

Adams knew he had to use a smart grenade before the milbot got too close, for if it did the backwash of the explosion would kill him and his companions. The Earthman stopped. He hurled the second weapon. The rocket motor flared, sent it hurtling towards the killer mechanism now a hundred yards away and closing fast.

Adams hadn’t stopped to watch. As soon as the grenade left his hand he’d bolted. He heard it clang against the clanking milbot as he caught up with his racing companions. The Earthman silently swore. There was no explosion. The grenade had been a dud and now the racing mechanism was too close to throw another.

A desperate plan came to mind. “Follow me,” he gasped to his companions in peril.

Adams veered towards the clearing where they’d landed. The trio burst from the trees. The warriors guarding the flyer saw them. They raced to intercept the trio then stumbled to a frightened halt as the killer robot exploded from the forest in swift pursuit.

The guards scattered like frightened rabbits as Adams hoped they would. The way was clear, but the terrible machine was closing in upon the trio as they dashed towards the ship. Adams, now in the lead, leaped aboard, raced to the controls as his companions piled in.

Lytoora hurled the sword at the racing machine. It bounced off as she slammed the door. The flyer rose, but before it could gain sufficient height the milbot clamped its pincers on the skids of the vehicle. The Earthman swore. The immense strength of his mechanical foe could tear the ship apart. In the extremity of the moment, without thought for any implications, he stabbed a button. A weapon pod sprang out. Its auto-cannon roared to life. A stream of armor piercing bullets riddled the robot. It crashed to the earth and the ship gained the safety of the sky.

Adams slumped in the pilot’s chair as his companions sprawled upon the floor, gasping breathlessly from the extreme exertions of their wild escape. After a considerable time Lytoora rose and approached the Earthman, who had the ship on autopilot as it flew along the coast.

“You’ve been concealing the full capabilities of this machine, capabilities which would greatly assist in my plans for conquest,” she said with a mixture of anger and puzzlement. “I don’t understand you. You could have abandoned us, but instead you came to our rescue. You help with one hand and hinder with the other. Why?”

Adams knew he’d been exposed. He’d acted instinctively to save their lives and thus revealed the ship’s heretofore concealed armament. Deception was no longer an option. The Earthman decided to tell the truth and hope that somehow he could steer the queen from the dark path she sought to tread upon.

“This ship has weapons that could destroy a city,” he began. “Weapons similar to these brought ruin to two worlds, and I don’t want history to repeat itself. Now, as for your dreams of empire: My world also had its empires - ancient Persia, Rome and more recently, at least from my perspective, the British Empire. They were all built on blood and suffering. But now their glories are dust, as are the names of their cruel and arrogant rulers. Nothing endures forever. Use the time that you have to do good. That is my advice, and the reason why I saved your lives and acted as I have.”

“The advice of a powerless slave,” interjected Oosum, who had been listening intently. “Lytoora, are you going to let this weakling lecture you? Now you have the means of creating a glorious empire and all the fame and power that comes with it. Kill the slave. We don’t need him. With enough study we can discover the all the secrets of this machine ourselves. Then together, with these weapons, we can be the masters of all Mithu.”

Adams saw Lytoora’s face harden and sadly knew he’d lost. The Earthman considered the remaining smart grenade tucked in his belt, but that was too obvious. Instead he reached for the controls, intent on sending the flyer crashing into the earth. It was a desperate suicidal act of last resort, but the only one that could save Mars from the deadly ambitions of a power hungry queen with atomic weapons in her grasp.

Chapter 8: The Treachery of Oosum

As Adams’ hand darted for a switch Lytoora guessed his intent. The queen leaped on him like a pouncing tigress. The Earthman crashed to the floor under the impetus of her furious attack, but not before his hand had cut power to the ship’s propulsion system - an act which sent the craft plunging to the ground.

Adams and Lytoora rolled against the cabin’s wall in a tangle of limbs. “You mad fool,” she cried. “What have you done?”

The Earthman ignored her question. He gripped her tightly as she struggled to reach the ship’s controls and somehow halt their fatal plunge. Lytoora sank her teeth into his ear. Adams gasped in pain, grabbed her hair and yanked viciously. The queen screamed, writhed. She tried to claw his eyes. Again, the Earthman jerked her tresses.

Lytoora cried as her hair was viciously yanked. She caught a glimpse of the ground. The ship was rushing to its doom. At any moment they would smash against hard earth in a fatal impact. Fear lent her strength. She drove her elbow against the Earthman’s jaw. Adams’ head snapped back. He lost his grip. Lytoora broke free, scrambled for the controls. The Earthman caught her ankle, dragged her back.

The queen swore in fear. The earth was dangerously near. Only seconds of life remained. Lytoora didn’t give up. She tried to kick Adams in the head in a final effort to free herself. But the Earthman grabbed her foot and stymied the blow. Then, when all seemed lost, the plunging flyer pulled out of its suicidal dive and began to level off.

Lytoora looked up, amazed, and saw Oosum at the ship’s helm. The wily noble had, from the very beginning, been surreptitiously observing Adams fly the craft, and had deduced its operation with sufficient surety to circumvent his suicidal ploy.

“I’ve got the machine under control,” he announced as he wiped the sweat from his brow. “It was a near thing, but I did it. I’ll land us on the beach, and then we can put an end to this interfering slave.”

Adams swore. He scrambled to his feet and was about to grasp the grenade when Lytoora kicked him in the shins. The Earthman gasped in pain. He fell. Oosum swiftly turned and booted him in the head. Adams slumped unconscious to the floor.

“Lytoora, bind him while I land the ship,” he snarled.

The queen tore strips of cloth from her tattered garment and proceeded to securely tie Adams’ wrists and ankles. By the time the flyer made its bumpy landing the task was done.The Earthman had been disarmed and was utterly helpless. Oosum dragged the groggy man from the craft and to the water’s edge where he cast him near the lapping waves.

“You can have the pleasure of killing the slave,” announced Oosum to Lytoora who had followed. “Drag him into the sea and hold him under until he’s dead. I’ll check the machine and make sure he hasn’t sabotaged it in some way. When your finished join me and we’ll leave this wretched place and head for home,” he concluded as he turned and walked back to the flyer.

Lytoora stood staring at the Earthman. She had ordered men executed, but had never directly stained her hands with blood before. The queen hesitated, thinking, puzzling over her reluctance to destroy the man. Adams had tried to kill her. She should be wildly angry with him, but found instead that she possessed a grudging admiration for his bravery. He, too, would have perished in that fatal plunge.

The queen grew angry with herself. This was not the way she should be thinking about a low born slave. A monarch must be strong; pitiless when dealing with enemies. She’d been taught from an early age that mercy was a weakness in this ruthless world where the chief law was slay your foes before they did the same to you.

Lytoora pushed aside her softer sentiments. With firm resolve she grabbed Adams by the ankles and dragged him towards the sea. The unconscious Earthman’s torso was in the waves when a humming sound made his would-be killer pause. The queen looked up. Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped in disbelief: The flyer had lifted from the beach. Lytoora ran towards it, shouting. But the machine continued its relentless skyward climb. It grew smaller and smaller, and in mere moments had vanished into the blue vastness of the heavens, leaving the woman to stare after it in shocked silence.

The coldness of the sea revived Adams. The Earthman saw his predicament and realized the murderous intentions behind it. Fear of horrific death by drowning fueled his bulging muscles. Straining mightily, he snapped the wet rags that bound him and scrambled to his feet. Adams saw that the flyer was gone, and that Lytoora was staring at the sky in obvious disbelief.

“I see that Oosum has betrayed you,” he said as he walked towards the queen.

Lytoora spun round. She stepped back, fearing attack at any moment by a vengeful slave. Would he rape her before killing her? The frightening thought bubbled in her innards, and it was with considerable effort that she stopped herself from cringing. Whatever her fate she’d face it bravely, fighting to the bitter end as was befitting of her noble birth.

Adams stopped several feet away and stood staring at her. “I guess life is full of surprises,” he remarked calmly, controlling his anger.

“What are you going to do?” she asked, with wary nervousness.

“I propose we put aside our differences and work together to fight a common foe. Ossum clearly want’s your throne, and with the ship’s weapons he can easily achieve that goal.

“My throne,” cried the queen, outraged. “That coward wouldn’t dare!”

“After what has happened I don’t think Oosum is as cowardly as he makes out to be,” replied Adams. “I don’t doubt he was frightened, but I now believe it was exaggerated to make people underestimate him. I think he’s been planning to seize power for some time: if not by seducing you then by a more direct means.”

The Earthman then explained his suspicions concerning the madness of the Morenni slave who had tried to murder Lytoora, and how Oosum was probably behind it.

“All that you’ve said might be true,” replied Lytoora. “But why should I trust you after you tired to kill me?”

“I didn’t want kill you. But I had to destroy the weapons. They’re too dangerous for anyone to possess. Thousands and thousands of people will die if they’re used and, what’s more, they’ll contaminate the landscape with a kind of invisible poison which will continue to kill for centuries.

“Oosum arrogantly believes he can unlock the secrets of the flyer. But if he accidentally releases such power close to your city, then your own people will be annihilated. I can’t let that happen. I know you don’t want that to happen. Help me stop it from happening.”

The queen remained silent for a time as she considered his impassioned speech. Lytoora didn’t entirely trust the Earthman. On the other hand she was marooned in this wilderness a long way from home, and stood very little chance of survival on her own. Clearly, she had to cooperate with Adams, at least for the moment.

“Your words make sense,” she said. “Let us work together. I want Oosum tortured to death for his betrayal. Help me regain my throne and I swear I’ll reward you handsomely.”

“It’s all about me,” thought Adams sadly in response to Lytoora’s comments, which lacked any concern for the greater good. Still, she had at least agreed to cooperate, and that was probably the best that he could hope for.

**********

About a month had passed and many more lay ahead as they journeyed towards Nistoo, following the continent’s fertile coastline. Lytoora had surprised Adams. He thought she’d complain constantly and bitterly about the hard conditions and lack of all the amenities she was accustomed to. But the queen had born up remarkably well, stoically enduring their enforced sojourn in this rugged wilderness.

Their relationship had also changed. It had happened some days ago. A wild storm had come upon them in the evening, forcing both to take shelter in a shallow cave. The hollow gave protection from the driving rain, but not much from the chill wind. Lytoora shivered violently. By now her tattered clothes had been reduced a mere rag wound about her loins, which offered no protection from the howling gale.

Adams felt sorry for her as she huddled in forlorn solitude in a corner of the cave. He sat next to her and placed his arms around the woman. Lytoora tensed. Adams quickly explained his actions were for mutual warmth.

The queen eyed him warily, expecting the worst and ready to strike. She’d allowed him to embrace her before, but that had been in the presence of Oosum. But now there was just the two of them. It was more intimate, and somehow more threatening in her eyes. After a time, when nothing untoward happened, she relaxed in his warm embrace, slipped her arms around him and trustfully drifted off to sleep.

Since that event Lytoora had become less reserved and Adams, to his delight, found her companionship most pleasing, for she could be quite witty when she set her mind to it, and regaled him with amusing anecdotes of court life and bawdy tales of lovers and the like.

The Earthman couldn’t match her wit. But he reciprocated by telling her of the Earth he knew, of its beauty, now lost to him forever, and may things about himself that he never thought he’d ever reveal to anyone. Of all he said the latter seemed to please her most of all.

**********

It was now the 38th day of their trek. The pair had surmounted a forested hill and at its peak they looked down upon a strange and unknown city that gleamed brightly in the early morning sun. The metropolis had been built near the sea, and many outrigger sailing vessels were beached on the sandy strand.

Inland, the city rose from higher ground. The buildings, some square in plan, others rectangular, were constructed from sandstone. The city was built like a honeycomb, with the single story houses sharing walls. Access to the dwellings was by hatchways in the roof corners with stairs beneath. There were no windows. Instead, skylights made from latticework inset with glass alleviated the interior gloom, and could be opened for ventilation. Chimneys vented smoke from cooking fires.

Streets had been constructed on the rooftops by broadening the thickness of some of the houses shared walls to form a grid pattern of wide roadways. Many rooftops had small pavilions of thatch where the inhabitants spent much time in outdoor living. Roughly in the sprawling city’s centre was a large rooftop marketplace surrounded on three sides by a two story horseshoe shaped building that appeared to be the administrative centre of the strange metropolis.

Brightly dressed crowds, engaged in the business of daily life, could be seen moving about the marketplace and along the broad roadways. But distance denied the Earthman and his companion a clear impression of the nature of the beings that wore the colourful apparel. Thus, they were understandably wary, for the population might be both hostile and non-human - products of the Ancient’s genetic engineering experiments. If that proved the case, then the fire hardened spears they’d made would be poor armament against metal weapons.

“Should we risk getting closer for a better look?” asked Lytoora. “They may prove friendly, and if so I still have my gold rings that we can use to purchase passage. Some of those sailing vessels look like they’re built for long distance travel. My city isn’t a maritime power, but Foonis, another state further down the coast is. These people may have heard of it. Travel by sea would cut at least a year off our journey.”

“I think it’s worth the risk,” replied Adams. “We need to get to Nistoo as quickly as possible, and stop Oosum before his meddling with the flyer’s weapons causes a catastrophic accident. There are agricultural fields below us, and workers in them. Let’s get closer and see if they’re human.”

Having agreed, the pair began to descend the hill, which was lightly forested with trees resembling pines, but ones which bore large spherical and edible nuts rather than cones. Using the vegetation for cover, they gained the foot of the acclivity without incident, and peered cautiously out from behind a shrub, gazing intently at the laborers some fifty yards away.

Adams breathed a sigh of relief, for now that he was closer it was clear that they were human. Then some sixth sense made him turn, and his relief quickly transformed to knifing fear when he saw the thing behind him.

Chapter 9: The Game of Death

The creature confronting Adams stood four feet at the shoulder and its body shape was dog-like in appearance. The beast’s muzzle, however, was beaked like that of a falcon, and the colour and pattern of its pelt was similar to tiger. The thing’s fox-like ears were laid flat against its head. Its beak gaped. It hissed, charged murderously at the Earthman.

Adams and Lytoora thrust their spears at the thing. It dodged aside, came at them again. The Earthman tried to stab it with his weapon. The creature swatted aside his spear. Lytoora lunged. Her crude point slammed into its ribs. It hissed, leaped back, slightly wounded, its coarse dense hair and thick leathery skin protecting it.

The Earthman charged, yelling wildly. But the creature had had enough. Its prey was more dangerous than anticipated, and fearing further injury it fled. The couple, breathing hard, watched it race away, but although that danger had passed another swiftly took its place.

The sound of running feet alerted Adams to the threat. As he turned a body slammed against him and violently felled him to the ground. Others piled on, smothering him with their pinning weight. He heard Lytoora cursing as a similar fate befell her. The Earthman struggled mightily, but it was useless. His foes were too numerous and in but moments he lay bound and helpless at the feet of his attackers as did his fair companion.

Adams saw that they’d been captured by the field laborers, no doubt come to investigate the sounds of fighting. Both men and women were of athletic build. Their skins were olive in complexion; their hair and eyes dark brown. Their white work clothes consisted of draw string shorts of a denim-like material. Both sexes wore simple tunics of the same fabric. Tough sandals completed their apparel.

“Who are you?” aggressively asked a fellow more burly than the rest - the foreman of the workers as indicated by the cane he used to chastise foolish loafers. “Why are you trespassing on our land?”

This question was addressed to Adams. The language was a variation of Engaru, but more easily comprehensible than the dialect of the serpent-men of Axuno. It made sense to the Earthman that the closer to Nistoo the more intelligible the language would become, for he’d deduced this was the point that Martian culture had radiated from.

“We are from Nistoo,” explained Adams. “Our ship was wrecked many days ago further down the coast. We are the only survivors. I and my companion simply wish to return home, and were on our way to your city to seek help when an animal attacked us.”

This statement wasn’t entirely true of course. But Adams had no desire to complicate matters by explaining his true origins, or the nature of the advanced aircraft that had brought them to this region of the continent. If he revealed the entire truth it might arouse within the city’s ruler dreams of bloody conquest, and demands that the Earthman used his advanced knowledge to help with the fruition of this goal.

“Perhaps you speak the truth,” replied Chanat, the foreman. “But that will be for Irumas, our ruler to decide. We will take you to him. Do not resist or I will beat you severely.”

The captives were hauled roughly to their feet and marched towards the city, whose name Adams later learned was Thonros. Chanat and three other men took charge of them, the remaining twenty workers having returned to their labors in the fields. Within thirty minutes they’d reached the outer walls of the metropolis, and mounted the narrow defensive staircase that led to the rooftop roadways of the sprawling conurbation.

After another fifteen minutes they arrived at the horseshoe shaped building roughly in the city centre. Chanat showed his medallion of authority to the guards at the entrance. Satisfied as to his identity, and that the captives were securely bound, they let all pass within.

As Adams stepped across the threshold he saw that they had entered a spacious audience chamber which fronted the main entrance to the building. The room was well lit by skylights, and by this illumination he saw that the plastered walls were decorated with frescoes depicting sea life that was astonishing in its diversity and the realism with which it had been depicted. The floor, a polished mahogany coloured timber, was also decorated with inlays of mother-of pearl that took the form of large six pointed stars.

At the far end of the room was a high ornately carved stone cube with six steps at the rear leading to the top of it. On the cube stood a young man, and Adams’ eyes widened at the sight of him. But it wasn’t his appearance that caused the Earthman’s reaction, for his mien was somewhat ordinary. Rather, it was what he wore - a full body exoskeleton whose cybernetic mechanisms amplified the wearer’s strength considerably.

The machine, a relic of the Ancients, was similar to those of Adam’s age, which were used by emergency services personnel in rescue work. This version, however, was solar powered, and more advanced and compact than the bulky suits he was familiar with.

The king looked down upon the group of fawning supplicants before him with a mixture of boredom and disdain. The movement of Chanat and his prisoners caught the ruler’s eye. As Irumas focused his attention on the approaching group his morose glare turned to one of interest when his gaze fell upon Lytoora. The exotic colouration of her ash blond hair, her green eyes and her beauty was a combination he’d never seen before. He stood up as straight as his risen desire.

“Out, you obsequious scum,” he contemptuously snarled at the supplicants. “I’ll deal with you tomorrow. Something far more interesting than a dispute over muddy livestock requires my attention. Go now before I tear you malodorous dullards to bloody shreds!”

The petitioners eyes went wide with sudden fright, for with the suit Irumas wore this was no mere threat. The supplicants ran from the room like mice being chased by a hungry cat, and in no time at all the audience chamber was deserted but for the king, Chanat and his prisoners, and the six guards stationed by the ruler’s podium.

Chanat bowed low, his men forcing the captives to do likewise, and then the foreman launched into an explanation of how he’d captured Adams and Lytoora, concluding thus: “They claim to have been shipwrecked and are seeking help in returning to Nistoo, a place I’ve never heard of.”

During the entirety of Chanat’s monologue Lytoora had sensed the lustful and disconcerting stare of Irumas upon her. Anger flared at the disrespectful gaze of the man. But the queen held her tongue. Her experience with the serpent-men had taught her that her royal title meant nothing in foreign lands she had no treaty with.

Irumas sensed her rage and it amused him as he explored her body with his lascivious eyes.

“You’re rather haughty for a naked savage,” he observed. “You should be flattered that I’ve taken an interest in you. Once the dirt is scrubbed off you’ll make a fine addition to my seraglio.”

The last statement was too much for Lytoora. “I’m no man’s plaything,” she snapped. “Find your pleasure with your whores. I shall not be one of them.”

Irumas’s face darkened and his fists clenched in unbridled rage at this defiant insult.

“You could have been one of my favorites,” he spat. “As you reject me so I reject you. You will become a prize in the games. The plaything of whichever criminal is victorious. Let your loins be soiled by the seed of a base commoner.” Then to the guards: “Confine the prisoners in the cells of the arena. Let the games commence tomorrow.”

**********

It was now mid morning and Adams was in the arena, which was situated on the outskirts of Thonros. The site consisted of a square stone pit twenty feet in depth with sides a hundred feet in length. In the middle of the pit was a timber platform, also square and measuring thirty feet to a side. The platform was raised on four posts so it was level with the edge of the depression, and was accessed by two narrow drawbridges, one at the north side where Adams waited, and the other at the south where his opponent stood.

In the pit below paced three hungry ulos, staring up at him in anticipation - the same species of beast that had attacked the Earthman and Lytoora at the edge of the city’s fields. Thoughts of his companion drew Adam’s eyes from those of the savage creatures. Looking up he saw that the queen had been bound hand and foot to a post rising from one corner of the platform. She had been stripped of all apparel, and now lay indecently exposed to the amused eyes of the spectators seated in the tiered benches.

The Earthman threw a hate filled gaze at Irumas, who sat in the royal box with a young and pregnant woman by his side. He wanted to lay hands on the smirking man and hurl him into the pit as satisfying punishment for the indignity inflicted upon Lytoora. Adams never dreamed he could have ever harbored such ferocious rage for a fellow human being.

The brazen clang of a gong interrupted his dark and vengeful thoughts. The signal for the commencement of the bloody spectacle had been given, and both drawbridges rattled down in response to touch the edge of the platform. Adams began to stride across the lowered walkway, and as he did so sized up his opponent who marched towards him from the opposite side.

The fellow was a huge ugly brute - a rapist and condemned criminal, for the games were both entertainment and a method of execution, with the sole survivor being pardoned as an incentive for the criminals to give their all in the lethal contest. Both men were weaponless. The fighting would be unarmed combat - either kill your opponent with bare hands or hurl him from the platform to be devoured by ravenous ulos.

Adams knew this was no place for the rules of the Marquess of Queensbury. The thought of Lytoora being abused by the approaching brute fired the Earthman’s determination. He must not only kill this man by any means, but also the other three competitors, equally debased.

The Earthman stepped boldly onto the platform at the same moment as the towering brute. The rapist’s eyes alighted on the helpless and naked woman as the drawbridges were raised. Unholy passions flamed in his putrid heart at the sight of her unclothed beauty. The beast’s eyes shifted to the Earthman. He roared like an animal and charged his rival. He’d sweep the puny fellow from the platform, claim the chit and use her for his debased pleasure in front of everyone.

Adams awaited the bull rush of his contemptuous foe. At the last moment the Earthman leaped aside and tripped his hurtling enemy. The brute crashed to the platform. Adams tried to stamp on his head, but his foe rolled aside in time and grabbed the Earthman’s ankle, yanking his leg out from under him.

Adams fell hard, but managed to kick his opponent in the face with his other leg, freeing himself before the brute could press his advantage. Both men scrambled to their feet. Blood streamed from the rapist’s broken nose. His eyes were wild with animal savagery. Again, he came at Adams, but this time more cautiously, realizing he’d underestimated the smaller man.

The brute made to lunge, arms spread wide to grasp his opponent in a crushing grip. Again, Adams leaped aside, but this time his foe had feinted. The Earthman’s towering opponent swiftly changed direction, catching Adams by surprise. He crashed violently against the smaller man and brought him to the platform in a brutal tackle.

The hard fall stunned Adams. The brute took swift advantage of his discombobulation. He seized the Earthman and lifted him high above his head as if his opponent was a child. Lytoora looked on in helpless horror as the brute stepped towards the edge in preparation to hurl Adams to his death. The crowd roared their wild approval in expectation of the vanquished being torn asunder by the rapacious maws of the slavering beasts below.

Chapter 10: Fatal Confrontation

As the brute prepared to hurl Adams to certain death the Earthman recovered. He managed to thrust his fingers into his opponent’s eye. The brute howled, dropped the Earthman. He landed on the platform’s edge. Lytoora watched breathless as he teetered for a moment, then sighed relief as the Earthman stumbled back to safety.

But there was little reprieve. The howling brute came at him, swinging savagely. Adams ducked and drove his fist into his opponent’s groin. As the stricken man doubled over the Earthman slammed his knee into the fellow’s jaw. The brute dropped like a felled tree. Adams finished him without compunction by stomping on his throat.

Adams stood above his dead foe, gasping air. The crowd roared its approval, but the Earthman saw nothing to celebrate for his fight was just beginning. Again, the opposing drawbridge rattled down and another merciless foe marched out to meet him - a process that would continue until there was but one survivor of this savage contest.

**********

Adams stood swaying. He was on the verge of collapsing from exhaustion. Lying dead before him was the final foe, broken neck twisted at an odd angle. The Earthman was greatly relieved. By dint of strength and skill he’d slain all his opponents, and in so doing had saved Lytoora from their savage hands. He gazed at Irumas, knowing that the king would have to set them free. He’d beaten the monarch in addition to the criminals sent against him.

But Irumas had other ideas. Throughout the contest his lust for Lytoora had been growing, fired by the sight of her utter nudity. Despite his pride being injured by her rejection, or perhaps because of it, he meant to have the queen for himself. He rose from the royal box and strode towards the pit.

The crowd fell expectantly silent, and in the quiet his command rang out for all to clearly hear: “Lower the drawbridge. I will enter the arena and contest for possession of the woman.”

The pregnant girl whom he’d been sitting next to in the royal box watched on, thinking dark and violent thoughts behind the mask of her impassive gaze.

Adams worriedly watched as Irumas strode across the lowered drawbridge. The king wore his full body exoskeleton whose cybernetic mechanisms amplified his strength tremendously. With such a huge advantage the Earthman knew that he stood little chance of winning, especially in his weakened state. Adams firmed his resolve, a desperate plan flowering in his racing mind.

The king stepped onto the platform grinning confidently, and with good reason for the machine raised his height to seven feet, and gave him the strength of many men with which he’d sweep his puny opponent from the battle stage.

Lytoora looked on as the drawbridge was raised, cutting off escape. The queen was terribly afraid for Adams as the giant marched with arrogant contempt towards him. The Earthman bravely stood his ground as the man-machine advanced. The king lunged, the claws of his exoskeleton springing wide to mercilessly tear his foe apart. The Earthman ducked, dived between his opponent’s legs. He rolled to his feet, sprang upon Irumas’s back and flung an arm about the fellow’s neck in a crushing stranglehold.

Irumas staggered. His claws reached to rip the constricting limb away. Adams gouged his eye with his other hand. The king screamed, stumbled towards the platform’s edge. The crowd cried out in consternation. Adams let go. He dropped to the platform and drove his palms against Irumas’s back in an all out brutal shove.

The king toppled over with a cry of consternation. The spectators rose to their feet, a collective gasp of disbelief bursting from their lips. The king managed to land upright, his exoskeleton absorbing the impact of the fall. But the danger was far from over. Three ravenous ulos converged on him in a savage rush. One pounced. He flung up an arm, desperately knocking it aside. The second leaped upon his back in swift attack. Irumas went down screaming in pain and fear. Then the third was on him, tearing at his throat with its savage beak.

Adams turned away from the sickening sight as the ravenous beasts began to rip the corpse apart in a wild feeding frenzy. The Earthman, staggering from fatigue stumbled towards Lytoora and commenced to free the queen from her bonds. She sagged into his arms, relived that he was still alive, but still weak from fear for him.

The clattering of the drawbridge made both tensely turn. A squad of warriors was preparing to march out upon it, and at its head was the pregnant girl who’d been seated next to Irumas. Was she the king’s wife baying for revenge? Grimly, the couple watched as girl and guards began to cross the lowered way.

The warriors swiftly encircled Adams and Lytoora. The worried Earthman looked at the girl, trying to read her emotions - hate, grief, the desire for vengeance. Surprise came upon him as he scrutinized her features. Joy shone forth from her face, which bore a strong resemblance to the king’s.

“I am Betanna,” announced the girl, “sister of the late king, and now queen upon his death by birthright. Do not fear. You have freed me from a great evil by slaying Irumas, and I rejoice.”

“You’re glad your brother is dead?” gasped Lytoora in utter confusion. “I don’t understand.”

“The child that I unwillingly carry,” replied Betanna as she placed her hand upon her bulging belly, “is his. Need I elaborate further?”

**********

Adams and Lytoora had at last arrived in Nistoo. Betanna, as queen, had provided passage aboard one of Thonros’s merchant ships bound for Foonis, another city-state further down the coast from the queen’s metropolis. It had taken eight months to arrive at Foonis, and a further week of travel by caravan to reach Lytoora’s city incognito.

They’d passed the guarded gate unchallenged. In Foonis Lytoora had dyed her hair black, and the rigors of travel had slimmed down her face and figure to the point where she differed from her former self. As for Adams: the best he could do was allow his beard to grow. Their cover story was that they were pilgrims from Lundonis, an obscure city-state with which few had contact, and that they had come to bathe at the healing shrine of Hygayu whose fame was widely known.

To maintain a low profile the couple had rented a room in one of Nistoo’s less reputable taverns using the money Betanna had given them. The establishment was a place frequented by Morenni slaves and petty felons who’d been branded for their crimes. At the moment their main objective was to gather information on the state of things in the city. This had been achieved by eavesdropping on the gossip of the establishment’s frequently intoxicated patrons, and the news wasn’t good.

Oosum had seized the throne, claiming that Lytoora had been slain by Adams, and that he in turn had killed the Earthman. The nobles had their doubts according to the gossip of the palace slaves. But so long as Oosum maintained the status quo with regard to their privileges and power the aristocrats were content to accept him as their king.

For the commoners, however, it was an entirely different story. Taxes had been raised significantly to fund the coming war of conquest, starting with Foonis, or so the rumors went. In addition, and far worse, an entire city block had been destroyed by Oosum when he’d meddled with the flyer’s weapons system.

The death toll had been appalling - 300 had been killed outright by conventional projectiles, with many more badly injured. The population was naturally outraged. But rather than try and calm things down Oosum had inflamed the situation further with a brutal crackdown on on all protests. Things were now outwardly calm, but beneath the placid surface deep resentment simmered dangerously.

It was now the third day of their arrival. Adams and Lytoora were sitting in the Tavern’s public room at lunch. The queen was thinking about the situation of her people. Yesterday, they’d visited the ruined section of the city, and both had been appalled at the destruction and Oosum’s callous response to the suffering he had caused. At the moment their plans to oust the usurper were not well formed. Much depended on harnessing the population’s discontent, and shaping it into a well organized rebellion.

Adams could see that Lytoora was in an introspective mood, and so he left her to her thoughts. The Earthman sighed. He’d fallen in love with the queen, for she was no longer the ruthless person he’d first encountered. It had happened gradually on their journey as she’d slowly changed and he’d gotten to know her, and now his desire was in full bloom. But he was reluctant to reveal his feelings to the woman. She was of royal birth and he a commoner, and he sensed this fact was preventing her from reciprocating his desire. Clearly, despite her transformation she still placed more importance on her status than on love.

The Earthman looked about the tavern in an attempt to distract himself from his unrequited emotions. As he scrutinized the patrons a Morenni slave entered and the Earthman recognized him at once - it was Azaz, Adams mentor and friend. He touched Lytoora on the shoulder as the Morenni casually sauntered in their direction.

Azaz sat at their table, which was located in a quite corner of the tavern. “A friend of mine though he saw you,” he quietly said to Adams. “Then, to Lytoora when he recognized her after careful scrutiny: “Both of you look remarkably well for dead people.”

“Our deaths were somewhat exaggerated,” replied the queen, laconically. “We’ve returned to oust Oosum. Will you help us?”

Azaz was surprised. He’d expected an arrogant command for assistance rather than a polite request. It seemed that her time away from the effete lifestyle that she’d been accustomed to had changed Lytoora for the better. The Morenni decided to push his luck.

“I will aid you, but in return for the freedom of my people. Let us work beside you as equals, not as chattels. Slavery breeds cruelty - it is not good for the slave or the master. Your society will be better if you consent to my request.”

Lytoora bristled at his audacity as some of her old self came to the fore. Adams placed a hand on her forearm and spoke softly, cutting off the queen’s looming outburst.

“Lytoora, remember the suffering you experienced - your helplessness in the hands of cruel tyrants with the power to destroy you on a whim. Why do to others what you wouldn’t wish upon yourself? My people put an end to slavery, and we were better for it when we did. There is nothing to fear and much to gain by granting his request.”

The queen was silent as she contemplated. The two men watched her anxiously. Lytoora’s inner struggle showed upon her face as old and new ideas contended for possession of her heart. Much depended on the queen’s fateful answer. Which path would she set her feet upon - the old way of cruel domination with which she was long familiar, or a new course that would lead to a better future?

Lytoora spoke, breaking the pregnant silence. “I have experienced helplessness, and suffering at the hands of ruthless beings. Now I know something of what it is to be a slave. If I regain my throne I will end Morenni servitude. You have my word on this.”

“You will not regret your decision,” said Azaz. “I have not been idle in your absence. Plans for my people’s liberation are afoot. With your help they will be far easier. I will go now and inform my compatriots of our alliance. We will meet here again tomorrow at this hour. I’m sorry, but I cannot say more. Oosum’s spies are everywhere. Take care,” concluded Azaz as he stood and quickly departed.

Lytoora watched him go. “I wonder what plans they have,” she said, puzzled. “The Morenni are normally incapable of violence, and it will take that to defeat Oosum. He certainly won’t surrender willingly.”

The couple had been quietly discussing the matter for about five minutes when a commotion at the entrance of the tavern drew their gaze. Adams tensed at the sight of a dozen warriors barging into the building, Oosum in the lead. The Earthman swore softly as his foe’s eyes darted about the room, scrutinizing its cowering patrons.

The usurper’s narrowed gaze swung in the couple’s direction. Oosum stiffened. “There he is,” he cried to the warriors. “Seize him.”

Adams thrust Lytoora protectively beneath the table as a dozen burly men rushed at him. The jig was up as the saying goes, and now they were indeed in desperate straits.

Chapter 11: Revolt

Lytoora refused to passively hide as the warriors rushed furiously towards them:

“Help me lift the table and hurl it in their faces.”

Adams came to her assistance. Together, they hoisted the heavy item and flung it vigorously upon the foe. Four men went down beneath its weight. Two more were felled by flying chairs. The couple drew their swords as Oosum screamed commands above the bedlam of cursing men and the stampede of fleeing patrons.

“Take them alive,” he shouted, his orders punctuated by vile imprecations.

One warrior leaped at Adams, swinging the flat of his blade at the Earthman’s head. Adams blocked the whistling stroke. Lytoora thrust her blade between the guardsman’s ribs. The warrior collapsed, jetting blood as the others were on them in a wild rush.

Another foe went down, run through by Lytoora. But then the valiant pair were overwhelmed by the weight of numbers as the guards recklessly hurled themselves upon the couple and sent them crashing to the floor. A warrior slammed the pommel of his sword against the Earthman’s skull, and Adams was driven into black unconsciousness.

**********

Again, Adams threw his strength against the bars of the small cylindrical cage into which he and Lytoora had been confined, knowing it was hopeless, but needing to do something rather than fatalistically await whatever foulness Oosum had planned for them hand. With a muttered oath he relaxed his straining muscles and looked down, still puzzled by what he saw. Beneath him was a well-like depression about 40 feet in diameter and the same in depth, with strange plants growing around the circumference of its earthen floor.

The cage was suspended above the centre of the sunken garden by a gantry crane attached to the ceiling of the chamber. Large barred windows, located high on the walls, admitted light to illuminate the scene, clearly showing the weird bushes in the bottom of the well.

The succulents consisted of knobbly pencil thin leafless branches mottled in crimson and vivid yellow, giving the plants a somewhat coral-like appearance. The growths were in full bloom. The profuse flowers, 12 inches in diameter and white in color, possessed crinkled bracts that formed a six-pointed star from whose centre drooped long black strands like the whiskers of a cat. The shrubs gave off a bluish vaporous haze that filled the sunken garden, which added additional weirdness to the already outlandish scene.

Adams turned his attention to Lytoora who lay crumpled on the bottom of the cage. She’d received a heavier blow to the head than he had and was still unconscious. The Earthman was extremely worried that she’d sustained a serious injury that had put her in a coma. The queen opened her eyes as he again gently patted her cheek. She mumbled an oath and gingerly touched her head where she’d been struck.

Relieved that she’d regained consciousness, Adams helped her to a sitting position. But the Earthman’s joy was momentary, for a look of horror came upon Lytoora’s face when she gazed below. By her expression he now realized that the sunken garden was as dangerous as it was unusual.

“What is it?” he tensely inquired. “What threat do you see that I do not?”

“I will answer that question,” replied another voice.

The prisoners turned and saw that Oosum had silently entered the room. He stood near the edge of the sunken garden, arms on hips, smirking at them in sadistic satisfaction.

“The plants are called thymeriums,” he continued. “The bluish vapour they exude repels herbivores. It is a mild irritant, except when concentrated as is the case below, for the depression prevents the gas from dissipating. When exposed to large amounts it feels as if you are on fire. Your entire body will burn in paroxysms of indescribable agony. Both of you are no doubt here to overthrow me,” Oosum continued, darkly. “You’ll soon reveal who else is aiding you. The coming torture will see to that.”

“Degenerate traitor,” cried Lytoora. “I hope the demons of Nepthis feed upon your debased soul when you are dead.”

Oosum laughed contemptuously as she let fly a storm of barbed curses.

“No one will save you,” he said after her verbal ammunition had been expended. “My most trusted guards brought you here in secret. You are utterly helpless. But enough talk. Now it’s time for the torture to commence.”

The usurper moved to the gantry controls and pulled a lever. The cage began to slowly descend within the sunken garden. Adams hurled his strength against the bars, cursing furiously. Lytoora joined him in a desperate bid to break free of confinement.

As the couple made their futile effort a figure burst within the room. Azaz raced towards Oosum. But what could he do, incapable of violence as he was? How could he save them? The cage descended within the sunken garden, cutting off their view of what transpired.

Lytoora cried out, collapsed. The thymerium vapors were beginning to take effect. Agony struck Adams before he could come to her assistance. He also fell and writhed in utter torment. It felt as if his entire body was being pierced by a thousand red hot needles. He was drowning in a sea of pain.

All coherent thought was swept away. Unimaginable unrelenting agony took its place - a timeless existence of endless suffering. The Earthman’s mind was on the verge of crumbling under the assault. It felt as if every neuron in his brain was being torn apart. Adam’s sanity was seconds from irreparable destruction when the pain began to lessen, to fade away. For long minutes Adams lay gasping and moaning incoherently. Slowly, sanity and an awareness of his surroundings came to him. He was no longer lying in the cage, but on the chamber’s floor. Azaz was kneeling beside him, obviously very worried.

“Lytoora,” he weakly and fearfully mumbled.

“She is safe,” replied Azaz. “Both of you will fully recover. I raised the cage just in time.”

Adams turned his head and saw that although Lytoora was still unconscious she was breathing normally and had a healthy pallor, which relieved his worst nightmares.

“But Oosum,” Adams asked, puzzled, as he sat up. “Didn’t he try and stop you?”

“I hit him before he could,” explained Azaz. “You know of the drug that makes my people violent. My spies discovered the formula and we’ve been experimenting. In low doses it enables us to be ferocious, but without going insanely berserk. Every Morenni in the palace has taken it, and at this very moment my compatriots are fighting for their freedom.

“When my spies brought me word of your capture I had to bring my plans forward. I’m sorry I couldn’t get here earlier. I had to pick the locks on the doors to the torture garden. However, despite this and other difficulties I’m confident we’ll win. Dujo, my second in command is leading the revolt. We’ve caught both guards and nobles completely by surprise, and there are more of us than them.”

“Let’s not celebrate too early. Where is Oosum?” worriedly asked Adams, who had been looking around in search of the wily noble.

Azaz turned and cursed when he saw the man was missing. “I thought I’d hit him hard enough to crack his skull, and left him over there,” he replied, pointing. “The scoundrel must have escaped while I was attending to both of you. Don’t worry,” continued the Morenni. “The tower will soon be under our control, and then we’ll hunt him down. He can’t do much without his warriors to protect him.”

“I wouldn’t be too sure of that,” grimly replied Adams. “Oosum will head straight for the flyer, and with its armament he can easily turn things to his advantage. Where is the machine?”

“It’s in the central courtyard of the palace, along with the machine you arrived in, which was brought here during your absence.”

“Stay here and guard Lytoora,” ordered Adams. “Quickly, provide me with directions to the courtyard, for I was unconscious when brought here. I must act swiftly to stop Oosum or all is lost.”

The information was soon imparted, and Adams raced away, fear lending swiftness to his feet. Through the doors he dashed and up a short flight of steps. The Earthman burst from the stairwell and into chaos. The hallway he leaped into was alive with struggling men and Morenni. The passage was filled with a bedlam of discordant noise - the clash of swords and the screams of the stricken.

Adams scooped up a fallen blade. He struck down a guard that was about stab a Morenni, proving which side he was on. The Earthman thrust through the fiercely battling combatants, cutting down more guards. The human warriors saw, swarmed him, shouting traitor. Slaves came to his aid. The enemy fell to their thirsty blades and Adams was through the savage melee.

The Earthman staggered into the courtyard, breathing hard. Oosum stood by the flyer, several Morenni corpses at his feet. He was on the verge of entering the ship. Adams hurled his sword. The pommel of the whirling blade struck the noble’s left shoulder. He cried in pain, fell. Adams cursed his poor throw as he raced at his enemy with murderous intent.

Oosum staggered to his feet and leaned against the flyer, clutching his injury. He saw Adams hurtling at him, saw the feral rage stamped on his face. Fear gripped the noble. He drew his sword and swung wildly at the Earthman. Adams ducked. The blade whistled above his head as he slammed into Oosum in a bruising tackle that hurled his opponent to the ground and sent his sword flying from his hand.

Both men grappled fiercely. Oosum managed to knee Adams in the groin. The Earthman gasped in pain. Oosum broke free of his weakened grip, flung him off and scrambled aboard the flyer.

The ship lifted as the Earthman fought off agony and struggled to his feet. Adams cursed his foe as the flyer gained height and sped away. But the watching man knew this was no retreat. There was too much at stake for Oosum to withdraw in ignominious defeat. When the noble was at a safe distance he’d launch the missiles and blast the tower to utter ruin, killing all within before they could escape.

Adams looked desperately about. He saw the Mars Exploration Module on the courtyard’s far side. He limped painfully towards the ship knowing what he must do to save Lytoora and the rest.

**********

Lytoora regained consciousness. The queen grimaced as she tried to sit up.

“Careful,” warned Azaz as he helped her. “You haven’t fully recovered.”

“Where is Tyrone?” she concernedly asked.

“In pursuit of Oosum,” he replied, and then succinctly outlined what had happened.

“He shouldn’t have gone after that cunning devil on his own,” worriedly said Lytoora as she stood. “He may need help. Quickly, let’s away.”

The two hurriedly set off, Azaz in the lead to show the path. As they passed along the way both discovered the fighting had died down, and that a mopping up operation had commenced to ferret out the few diehard nobles that refused to surrender.

As the way was clear they reached the courtyard more swiftly than Adams had, and as Lytoora stepped out upon its pavement she saw the Mars Exploration Module taking off under the power of its four rotors, which had been unfurled from their housing wells. The machine climbed skywards like a helicopter as it soared in swift pursuit of Oosum’s flyer, which was leisurely moving towards a range of mountains beyond the low hills the module had first landed near.

Adams smiled mirthlessly as he handled the controls. It was clear Oosum had no idea that he was being pursued. No doubt the flyer’s instruments had detected the module, but unless his enemy knew how to read them he’d have no idea what the blip on the ship’s detector screen portended.

The Earthman closed in on his prey like a swooping falcon as Oosum passed beyond the mountain range. The noble began to turn the ship to bring its weapons to bear upon the queen’s stronghold. Oosum grinned malevolently. With one press of a button he’d slaughter all the Morenni. What did he need with pestilent slaves, or his fellow nobles for that matter? This machine gave him the power of the gods, and with it he’d soon put an end to this rebellion. This task would be easily accomplished, and then onward to conquer the other cities who’d become slave-states in his glorious empire.

These were the intoxicating fantasies going through the noble’s mind, and so consumed was he by delusions of grandeur that he was oblivious to the warning beep coming from the flyer’s detection screen. The ship completed its turn. Oosum’s eyes went wide with fright. The Mars Exploration Module was flying straight at him like a speeding bullet. He screamed shrilly, flung up a useless hand. The unarmed module struck the flyer like a titan’s fist.

Lytoora gasped in horror at the sight of the collision. Both craft fell from the sky trailing smoke and flames, plummeting to earth behind the mountain range. They struck the ground with a tremendous impact. A thunderous explosion erupted - the detonation of the flyer’s ammunition. The flare of light from the tremendous blast briefly haloed the peaks of the shielding range, then silence but for the wind, which swept the radioactive cloud into the uninhabited wilderness that lay behind the mountains.

The queen sank to her knees and buried her face in her hands. Adams had sacrificed himself to save them. She’d never see him again, and in that moment of realization her suppressed feelings for him burst through the barriers she’d erected to separate royalty from commoner. She wept with unrestrained regret.

A gentle hand on her shoulder made her look up. Her eyes widened in amazement. Adams stood next to her very much alive and well. She nearly fainted from the shock. The Earthman realized her confusion and held up the module’s controller.

“I can fly the machine from the ground with this,” he explained. “I’m sorry for the fright I gave you. I was so focused on defeating Oosum that that I didn’t see you until just now.”

Lytoora stood and kissed him with uninhibited passion, and now it was Adam’s turn to be pleasantly amazed.

Azaz watched as Adams responded with equal fervour, his hopes come true. The Morenni’s face couldn’t grin, but that was what he was doing inwardly, for in that act of love he saw the queen had truly changed, and that this portended a better future for them all.

THE END