John Noble, geologist of the interplanetary expedition, was a very worried man. He’d just finished checking the seismographic data, ground deformation scans and volcanic gas emissions for a forth time, desperately hoping he was wrong. But there was no error. The same frightening incontrovertible conclusion stared him in the face with all its unmitigated brutality - an entire species of intelligent life was doomed to extinction if nothing was urgently done.
The young man rose from his workstation. He walked to the observation screen that displayed an image of the planet their exploration vessel, Starbird, was orbiting and stared at the globe as he ruminated. The world below him was Kepler-452b - a planet 60 percent larger than Earth located in the constellation of Cygnus, approximately 1,800 light-years from home.
The planet, whose gravity was only slightly greater than that of Earth despite its size, was largely an ocean world. The speck of dry land that held his attention was located on the equator. It was a small volcanic island, roughly circular and approximately six square miles in area . The only other landmass was an uninhabited continent, teardrop-shaped in form, and approximately the size of Africa. This mainland was situated on the world’s far side at about the same latitude, and that was the extent of terra firma on the globe.
The first hints of intelligent life had been discovered through telescopic observations of the volcanic island. More detailed Image analysis had revealed a rectangular earthen mound, about 600 feet in length, 200 in width and 30 in height rising out of a clearing in the emerald green jungle near the isle’s eastern coast. At both ends of the substantial mound were large beehive shaped buildings arranged in a triangle and connected by walls that formed an expansive courtyard.
In the middle of the mound was a structure of tall stones arranged in a circle about 60 feet in width and connected by rock lintels. Thatch huts and agricultural fields surrounded the orthogonal earthworks, which seemed to be a ceremonial centre. The total population of the settlement was estimated to be in the region of a little over a thousand - which was the limit the small island could ecologically sustain. No other evidence of habitations had been detected on the landmass. Mysterious and uninhabited jungle choked ruins, however, had been spotted on the substantial far-side continent.
Everyone had been tremendously excited by the discovery of intelligent extraterrestrial life, and for 123 days the explorers had devoted nearly every waking moment to its study, remotely gathering as much data as they could for the First Contact Mission that would eventually follow. Noble had also been elated, but his mood had changed when he’d detected vapors beginning to rise from the volcano’s crater. A horrible premonition had come upon him. Spurred by fear, he’d set to work probing the fire mountain’s geology with every scientific instrument at his disposal and now, after two days of scrutiny, the frightening results were in.
The island’s volcano was of the shield type, and the data indicated it was close to an eruption that would have catastrophic consequences for the island’s inhabitants. Although the eruption wouldn’t be as explosive as that of a stratovolcano, it would produce an effusive lava flow that would bury the entire landmass under a devastating magmatic sheet of molten rock some three feet in depth. Nothing would survive the coming cataclysm - plants, animals and people would be agonizingly incinerated.
The ping of his chronometer brought Noble out of his bleak thoughts. It was time for his meeting with Ivan Petrov, captain of the Starbird. Hurriedly, spurred by urgency, he left the ship’s laboratory which was deserted at this late hour, and traversed the vessel’s central tunnel-like corridor. The ship’s spin which created artificial gravity through centrifugal force, enabled Noble to walk to the meeting room where the captain was waiting for him.
Shortly, he arrived at his destination and paused in the doorway. Captain Petrov, something of a night owl, sat at the head of a long table, a pop-up screen before him. Sensing the geologist’s presence he looked up from his reading and pierced the young man with his infamous intimidating stare.
“Enter,” began Petrov with his characteristic abruptness. “I’ve finished reading your report on the possible eruption, and your proposed rescue plan for the island’s population. Your request is denied. I have come to the conclusion that the mission is high risk with little chance of success.”
Noble halted mid-stride, a look of shock upon his face. “Captain,” he blurted. “If we don’t act an entire population of intelligent beings will be wiped out. They don’t have the technology to save themselves. They probably don’t even realize the magnitude of the coming disaster. We…”
“That’s enough Noble,” said Petrov, cutting him off harshly. “You’re a naive idealist. Now, sit down and listen carefully. It’s time for a reality check.”
Noble sat, sickened by the decision. The captain continued: “Your plan to transport all the aliens from the island to the planet’s single continent is theoretically feasible. Our cargo shuttle’s hold is large enough. It could be done in about five trips. But there are factors you haven’t considered. Firstly, there is no guarantee that the aliens will cooperate. We’ve learned their speech using microdrones to eavesdrop and AI analysis to decode their tongue with some of the crew, yourself included, uploading the language to their neural implants. We can speak to them, but will they believe us? Put yourself in their shoes. To them we’d be strange unknown beings, possibly sorcerers or devils with sinister intentions.
“Secondly, we’re a survey mission, not first contact. We don’t have the required specialists and without their help we could badly blunder. Thirdly, this is the second solar system we’ve explored during our two year survey mission. The antimatter that fuels Starbird’s power core is running unacceptably low. We’ve stayed here as long as we can. As you know I’ve scheduled our hyper-transit to Earth for 05:00 hours in order to maintain the standard safety margin. Fourthly, as captain my first priority is the safety of my crew. When we arrive home I’ll lodge your report with United Earth Council and urge them to organize a rescue mission with all the necessary specialists. That’s all. Dismissed.”
Noble dejectedly departed. It was a curt ending to the meeting and it left him feeling like he’d been hit in the guts with a sledgehammer. But he knew that further protests and appeals were useless. The captain had ultimate authority in all decisions. Petrov could be a hard man at times. Unfortunately, tragically, this was one of those occasions. Even with the backing of his colleagues it wouldn’t make a difference. Indeed, if he pushed too hard the touchy Russian might charge him with insubordination.
The young man made his way to the crew’s quarters. It was night, ship-time, and the dimly lit corridor was as gloomy as his despairing thoughts. Noble climbed into his bunk, one of twenty in the barracks-like compartment. Below him Bheka Mthembu, the expedition’s African biologist, was snoring loudly. But it wasn’t this that kept Noble awake. Rather, it was the thought of all those who would perish while he and his companions returned safely to the loving arms of their families.
Noble tossed and turned for a while, then gave up on sleep. For a few more minutes he lay in his bunk thinking, and at last came to a dangerous decision. He couldn’t walk away from those needing help and live with himself. By the time United Earth Council acted it would be too late. Even in hyperspace the trip home would take at least a month. Silently, the young man climbed down from his bunk and exited the room. There would be two officers on duty in the bridge as night watch. Elsewhere, the ship would be deserted, ideal for his purpose.
Shortly, he arrived at the airlock giving access to the disc-shaped cargo shuttle, which was docked to the exterior of the starship - a skeletal cylinder of huge beams that formed a spider’s web of girders encasing three spheres: the vessel’s propulsion systems, the core where electrical power was generated, and the crew’s habitat where the bridge was also located.
Noble knew he had to act quickly. The hatch wasn’t locked, but an alarm would register on the bridge display as soon as he opened it and entered the shuttle. The night watch would use the override to shut down the release mechanism before he could decouple from the ship. He’d be arrested and thrown into the brig, his plans utterly foiled.
The young man took a deep breath in an effort to settle his nerves. He tensely jabbed a button. The hatch swung outwards. Noble didn’t wait for it to fully open. He squeezed through the widening gap the moment there was enough room. In his mind’s eye, heart racing, he saw the flashing red light on the bridge display, heard the beep of the alarm and guessed the startled looks on the faces of the night watch.
The inner door of the airlock quickly gave at his touch as did the hatch of the cargo shuttle. He dashed to the controls of the smaller vessel as the doors automatically closed and frantically punched the release button.
The shuttle’s intercom blared to life making him jump.“This is officer Tanaka. Your access is unauthorized. Vacate the shuttle immediately.”
Noble ignored the increasingly strident commands. He wasn’t free yet. They could still use the magnetic grapples to snare the shuttle. The young man slammed his palm against another button. The craft’s electromagnetic drive whined to life. Powerful fields flung the shuttle free of the mother ship. In his haste Noble hadn’t secured himself properly. He was hurled to the deck by the sudden and violent acceleration. His head struck the floor. Unconsciousness smothered him in its blackness.
**********
Noble awoke to the blare of alarms and the furious commands of Captain Petrov to surrender. He ignored both, fighting through the fog of mild concussion. He pushed himself down from the ceiling where he had bounced, his magnetic boots gripping the floor in zero gravity. He stumbled to the controls, shutting off the alarms and communicator. In the quiet Noble was able to put some order into his dazed wits. The shuttle was falling towards the planet. If he didn’t enter its atmosphere properly he’d burn up. The young man slumped into the pilot’s seat, fighting off panic. The ship was spinning end over end. Nausea struck him. It was difficult to think clearly. He sagged across the control panel, fumbled for a switch.
The shuttle struck atmosphere. The hull’s temperature climbed to dangerous levels. Noble sweated as the ship madly vibrated. He had only seconds to act before the shuttle began to break up. His groping hand managed to engage the autopilot. The computer sprang into to action. The craft rolled, orientating its keel heat shield to the correct position. The temperature began to drop. The ship ceased its mad vibration. He was safe.
It was several minutes before Noble had sufficiently recovered, enabling him to sit up. He looked at the forward view screen and engaged night-vision. The shuttle was much lower and the island lay some miles to the east of him. The young man was vastly relieved. He’d survived the ordeal, but his joy was tempered by the knowledge that an even more difficult task lay ahead - the rescue of the aliens.
Wiping the sweat from his face, he then took over control of the shuttle and manually altered course, flying towards the night dark landmass. The island loomed. Noble decreased speed until the craft hovered over a clearing a few miles from the settlement. The ship slowly descended under the cover of darkness. Landing gear telescoped out of its circular hull, and the vessel touched down on the loamy soil of an alien world.
**********
Simit, high priestess of the Fire Goddess, was restless. She gazed from an open window across the flat surface of the rectangular earthen mound. Her cat-like topaz eyes focused on the complex of beehive shaped buildings at its far end where her sister Umez resided. Umez was queen of The People, as they simply called themselves. Although Simit, as high priestess, enjoyed more status than her older sister it was Umez who had greater freedoms.
At this very moment Umez, legs spread wide and moaning in pleasure, was no doubt enjoying the powerful thrusts of some virile and handsome field worker. Simit slammed her fists against the windowsill in envy and frustration. This life of celibacy was not of her choosing. If only she hadn’t been born with this flame-shaped birthmark on her forehead. Itammi, the old high priestess had considered it a sign that Simit had been chosen by the Fire Goddess to replace her when she died.
Simit had entered the temple at the age of ten. The early years had been good years - the comradeship with the other novices (except for the jealous and spiteful Adjmari), learning the secret history of The People, and the thrill of participating in esoteric rites. But as Simit matured her body changed, and with this came feelings of unfulfilled desire. Now she was high priestess, and in some ways less free than the lowest field worker.
Simit knew she shouldn’t feel this way. She tried to focus on the Fire Goddess - that feminine force that resided in the bowels of the planet and in the sun and stars, and was the fountainhead of creation. But it didn’t really help. After eight years everything had become staidly monotonous.
Simit opened her eyes and gazed at the dusky heavens, seeking an answer to her disenchantment and turmoil. It was then that she saw it. The People had excellent night vision, and Simit’s was better than most. Something strange was descending from the heavens. A chill colder than the night wind swept over the high priestess. A sign had come, but what did it portend?
**********
It was now morning. Noble gazed curiously at the surrounding jungle from the foot of the shuttle’s cargo ramp. Looking at films from the exploration drones and actually being here were two entirely different experiences. No amount of video footage could really capture the alien reality of the steamy air, its strange scents and the brooding shadows cast by the grotesque trees that towered over him. Noble eyed the strange growths whose sprawling crowns of emerald leaves were fern-like in appearance. Huge above-ground roots helped prop up their heavy branches, their gray stone-like texture and colour giving these supports the appearance of stalagmites, lending an almost subterranean quality to the weird scene.
The undergrowth was also dense, the shoulder high plants somewhat resembling staghorn ferns. Unlike the staghorn, they weren’t epiphytic, but grew directly from the soil and bore flower clusters of red and yellow that resembled catkins. Their leaf colour also differed startlingly, being velvety black with green mottling. Shafts of sunlight slanted through the dense canopy. Small insect-like creatures fluttered through the rays, their bodies glittering like wet opals. The steamy quiet was occasionally broken by the strange warbling calls of unseen creatures. All of this exotic beauty would soon be destroyed by the volcanic eruption, and Noble couldn’t help but be saddened by the knowledge of its passing.
The young man’s contemplation was interrupted by the odd feeling that hidden eyes were upon him. He turned his head and saw movement in the strange undergrowth. Noble tensed as half a dozen beings stepped into the clearing. His plan to contact the humanoid aliens was rendered unnecessary by their initiative. All were of about the same height, none taller than five feet. The dark green hair on their heads, which grew in a natural mohawk, was as short and stiff as the bristles of a scrubbing brush. Their hairless skins were jet black and mottled in random patterns of green similar to a leopard’s coat, which provided them with a natural camouflage suited to the alien jungle.
All were female warriors as their society was matriarchal. In the right hand of each was a short thrusting spear whose point was of carefully worked obsidian. A narrow hardwood parrying shield was carried in their left hands. They were clad in black pennant-shaped loincloths embroidered with a stylized crimson flame. This apparel hung to the knees and ended in a tassel. Their small breasts were bare. But unlike those of a human woman they bifurcated at the tips to form two separate areola and nipples. Their faces were heart-shaped with high cheekbones, Their noses were aquiline and their lips bee-stung. Large cat-like topaz eyes, slightly almond-shaped, regarded Noble with wary suspicion and the shuttle with puzzlement.
A woman stepped forward from the rest, distinguished by her carved wooden circlet of leaping flames and birthmark of similar form. Simit looked the Earthman over. The huge creature appeared to be male, but she couldn’t be sure as its strange body was largely concealed by clothes of the most outlandish style. The thing looked monstrously powerful. Simet took courage from the presence her warriors. All were highly skilled as was she. So far the creature appeared placid. But if it became aggressive she was well prepared.
The high priestess shifted her gaze to the shuttle. There was no doubt that this was the mysterious circular object she’d seen descending from the heavens. What it was she couldn’t even begin to imagine. Initially, she’d thought it might be a sign from the Fire Goddess, and hence her coming with her escort of temple guards to investigate. But it bore no symbols of divinity, which only added to her confusion.
Noble sensed Simit’s bewilderment. He relaxed a little. The aliens hadn’t shown any inclination to be hostile. Taking the initiative the young man took another calming breath. The fate of an entire people was riding on what he next said and did.
“Greetings,” he earnestly began in the local tongue. “My name is John Noble. I have come bearing a message of vital importance. To whom should I convey this information that will save all your lives?”
Simit’s eyes widened. The creature could speak. Its accent, however, was atrocious. She could barely understand what it said. There was a sense of urgency in its voice and message, but the high priestess wasn’t going to be rushed.
“Where are you from?” she interrogatively asked. “What are you? What is that object behind you?”
“I’m from another world my people call Earth,” explained Noble. “I’m a male of my species, and the object behind me is a ship like the small craft you use for fishing. But it travels through the heavens rather than on the surface of the sea. It descended from a much larger craft circling your planet. Your people are in danger. I’m here to help.”
Simit was shocked in some ways by Noble’s revelation, but not in others. The secret records of the temple spoke of other worlds, but these existed in the realm of the Fire Goddess. If this creature bore a message it couldn’t be from the divinity. Males were good for sex and heavy labour, but not much else. She couldn’t believe that the goddess would entrust anything of importance to a mere man. Still, It would be prudent to hear what the creature had to say.
“I am Simit, high priestess of the Fire Goddess, a person of significance. You may convey your message to me. You will address me as your Holiness.”
Noble breathed a sigh of relief. Fortune was with him. It had presented him with someone of influence - a leader of the community he could speak to. Initially, he’d thought the women were a band of hunters and that he might be in danger of being speared to death.
“Your Holiness, your island is volcanic, as I’m sure you know,” began Noble. “You’ve seen the smoke rising from the fire mountain’s crater. That’s a sign. Very soon it is going to erupt and flood the earth with molten rock as copious as the waters of the sea. All life will perish. But my ship can carry your people to the safety of another land far from the cataclysm that is swiftly coming. We must act…”
Simit’s eyes went wide in shock and disbelief as his words sunk in. “Enough,” she snapped in hot outrage. “What you say is blasphemy of the most opprobrious kind! The volcano is a manifestation of the Fire Goddess. She would never harm her faithful worshipers. Your repellent words condemn you as an emissary of The Dark - that formless evil; the antitheses of our beloved deity.”
Simit turned to her guards. “Seize the foul creature,” she stridently cried. “Take him alive. He shall be burnt in the Sacred Fire as just punishment for his vile wickedness.”
Noble cursed as the guards rushed at him. Ignorant of the finer details of the religion he’d blundered badly. The Earthman turned and sprinted up the ramp, but wasn’t quite fast enough to reach the safety of the ship. The women sprang on him like pouncing lionesses. Noble went down beneath the weight of numbers. Fists crashed against his skull in a flurry of furious blows that drove him into black unconsciousness.
Noble groaned and opened his eyes. He was lying on his stomach. His clothes had been stripped from him in the process of searching for concealed weapons and his hands had been bound tightly behind his back. Someone was painfully prodding him in the ribs with the butt of a spear to hasten his revival. He rolled on his back and saw that, unsurprisingly, Simit was the author of his additional discomfort.
“On you feet,” she harshly commanded.
Noble, battered and humiliated quietly struggled up. In her current mood he could see that it was pointless trying to reason with the high priestess. The young man remembered Petrov calling him “a naive idealist.” He’d felt insulted by the hard assessment at the time. But in the light of his blunder he grudgingly had to admit that the captain was correct. Right now he was up to his neck in-you-know-what. All he could do was keep moving forward and hope that somehow he would find a way of coming out of the mess alive.
Surrounded by guards, Noble was prodded through the undergrowth, his mood as black as the crowding plants he was brutally forced through. After some time, they debouched from the dense vegetation onto a jungle trail where a large palanquin had been left, the growth too thick for the conveyance to be carried through.
“We can’t do anything about the ship our captive came in - it’s too large to hide.” Simit informed her warriors. “But I don’t want anyone to know of this creature. His presence, his blasphemous notions will disturb the social order. The prisoner will ride with me, hidden in the palanquin. I command all of you to silence on everything you’ve seen. Take me directly to my quarters. I know men are forbidden to enter, but these are exceptional circumstances. We’ll have to hide him there.” Then to Noble: “Get in,” she harshly commanded, prodding him with her obsidian dagger to reinforce the order.
Noble entered, his anger well hidden. The sliding door was closed. The palanquin was raised smoothly by the warrior women and then they were under way. Simit, sitting on a seat opposite her captive and now in a calmer mood, looked her prisoner over. His body was large and heavily muscled. His features were not too dissimilar to the males of her people. The most startling difference was the colour of his skin and hair - an even shade of light brown free of camouflage.
Her gaze went lower. Yes, he was definitely male. Simit’s pulse quickened at the sight. The temple was barred to men. This was the first time she’d been completely alone with a male, and a nude one at that. Desire flared, fanned by the enticing sight before her. Temptation came swiftly on its heels. He was completely at her mercy. Hidden in the palanquin no one would see what she did. As an evil emissary of The Dark she could do to him whatever she liked without incurring the goddess’s displeasure. Simit bent forward for a better look, one eager hand reaching to explore his manliness in a mixture of curiosity and uninhibited lust.
Noble saw his chance. Swiftly, he drove his knee against her chin. In the cramped confines of the palanquin Simit collapsed on him, rendered senseless by the blow. He quickly wrapped his legs around her body, preventing her from sliding to the floor. Her dagger had fallen on the padded seat as he guessed it would. The Earthman, hands bound behind his back, sweated as he struggled to reach the blade. The only sound had been the slight thud of his knee against his captor’s chin. Would that alert the guards?
The young man managed to grasp the weapon. He shoved the blade into the seat so it stood upright and then began sawing frantically at his bonds, nicking himself several times in the process. Simit moaned softly. At any moment she would revive and scream a strident cry for help. The woman opened her eyes. The last strand parted. The Earthman quickly clamped his hand across her mouth, stifling her wild cry with brutal strength. He pressed the dagger to her throat in deadly warning.
“Quiet,” he whispered in her ear, hating the use of violence, but seeing the necessity of it. “I could force you to take me back to my ship or even kill you. But I won’t do either. I’m risking my life to save you and your people. If you don’t believe my altruism, then think of my actions as self-interest. I can’t return home. The large vessel I came in has departed, and my small ship can’t travel the enormous distances between the stars. I’m trapped on your world, and I can’t survive here on my own. By saving you and your people I also save myself.”
Noble removed his hand from Simit’s mouth. He released her from his pinning legs. She slumped back on the seat opposite him, breathing hard, her eyes wide with wild fright. The Earthman kept the dagger. He wasn’t so foolish as to relinquish his hold on that.
Simit’s heart beat like a jackhammer. Fear had weakened her. Her breasts rose and fell in terror. For a moment death had touched her with its cold and deadly hand. It took a moment for her thoughts to become coherent, and all the while the frightening male silently watched her with his strange and unnervingly intense gaze.
Simit pressed her hand to her brow. He disturbed her with his words, which went against all she thought was true, and also with the temptation and lust that he aroused. Oh, how she hated the creature for making her feel this way. The high priestess considered yelling for help, but then dismissed the notion. Noble was too close. He could easily kill her well before her guards could intervene. She must be subtle.
“Perhaps I was wrong about you,” she lied. “You’ve said things that go against long held beliefs. It will take me some time to adjust my thinking. When we reach my quarters I’ll summon Umez. She is my sister and the queen of our people. The three of us can discuss this danger that you say is swiftly coming. In the meantime tell me of yourself and your world.”
Noble hid his doubts about Simit’s sincerity. He knew long held beliefs are rarely easily or quickly changed. But he pretended to believe her, and launched into an account of the Earth, its cultures and its many peoples. Initially, the task was perfunctory, but as the young man progressed he warmed to his exposition. His descriptions became more vivid, and with words almost lyrical he painted scenes of Earth - from the glories of ancient Egypt to the most teeming of modern cities; of forests, mountains and seas that encompassed the beauty of the natural world.
His words were like a strange intoxicant upon Simit. They conjured up scenes of distant and exotic lands that filled her mind with wonders beyond the limits of her small horizon. It showed upon her face and inspired Noble to a greater vividness of description. But then the spell was sadly broken by a guard’s announcement that they were about to ascend the ramp that led to the temple complex on the huge earthen platform.
Both fell silent. The long journey had ended all too soon. The high priestess was again greatly disturbed. What magic was this that had been cast upon her - the feeling of regret that she must kill this man who was in league with the foul enemy of her pure divinity. Simit hid her unsettling and tumultuous emotions behind a calm facade and strengthened her resolve.
“I need to open the door and give some orders to my warriors,” she informed Noble. “You have my word I won’t play any tricks.”
Noble moved next to her and placed his arm about her waist to prevent her leaping from the palanquin. “All right,” he said. “Go ahead.”
She slid the palanquin’s door open a fraction and spoke: “Inda,” Simit continued, addressing the officer of the guards. “Go ahead of us and tell the queen I need to see her in my private rooms on a secret matter of great importance. Hurry.”
The officer dashed away. Simit closed the door and turned to Noble who released her. “You see. I’ve been truthful,” she said, a little breathless, for the warmth of his arousing touch still lingered. “We’ll talk.”
“You won’t regret your decision,” replied Noble, who returned to his seat, very much relieved.
The high priestess hid her troubled thoughts behind a false but artful smile.
Up the ramp they went, the palanquin tilting at a sharp angle. The Earthman, unprepared for the sudden steepness, slid from his seat and fell against the high priestess. Noble’s hand accidentally closed upon her breast as he tumbled. Their bodies met in unintended intimacy. Simit drew in a sharp breath. Nobel felt her nipples swell beneath his palm in a quick reaction that is youth’s hallmark. The young man, similarly affected, quickly pulled away.
A moment of embarrassed silence ensued. Simit, already disturbed by his earlier innocent touch, was now clearly flustered by the incident.
“Sorry,”Noble said as he did his best to hid his erection. “The ramp is rather steep,” he added considerably abashed.
“Here is a spyhole,” said Simit, eager for a distraction. “You’ll have a good view of the countryside as we ascend. Have a look.”
Noble hesitated for a second, thinking this might be a ploy to distract him so his captive could escape. But then he realized he’d have to trust her at some point, and now seemed as good a time as any to take the chance. He pressed his eye to the small aperture also, like Simit, eager to escape the awkward moment.
From a height he looked out upon the village surrounding the lofty platform, which served as the ceremonial and political centre of The People. The houses were shaped like lobed beehives. Each was clad from base to apex in thatch bound to a wickerwork frame. Each domicile was large enough for a family of six, which was the average size. Every house had an extensive vegetable garden. Horticulture was of the subsistence variety, with the activity being collectivist in nature - each family group helped the other when required. The People understood ecology remarkably well and instituted strict population limits with the use of herbal contraceptives, thus ensuring the sustainability of their civilization.
Beyond the outskirts of the village, some four hundred yards away, lay the sparkling expanse of the ocean, its waters lapping the sandy strand of the bay where the outrigger canoes of the fishing fleet lay beached. Noble thought the view a marvelous sight.
The palanquin reached the platform’s height and turned, cutting off the panorama. Noble shifted his eye to another spyhole and saw they were being carried to Simit’s residence. The complex of buildings, like that of her sister’s abode, consisted of three structures, beehive in shape. These were arranged in a triangle and connected by high walls, forming a central courtyard. Each of the beehives was twice the size of the dwellings of the laity. They also differed in that they were constructed from tuff - a soft volcanic rock, the huge blocks having been carefully shaped with hammers of harder stone.
Shortly, the carriers bore the palanquin through the trapezoid gateway of the enclosing wall, and entered the courtyard of the complex. Here, Noble, his curiosity aroused, saw priestesses going about their daily chores, some mundane, concerning temple administration; others were making offerings before a small shrine of the Fire Goddess, casting incense and flowers into a bowl of blazing oil. Except for Noble, no other males were present.
The young man would liked to have seen more, but the bearers took their conveyance within a building. They entered the small semicircular foyer of Simit’s private residence whose interior wall was pierced by three portals. They entered the central one. The palanquin was set down. The warriors departed, closing the chamber’s door behind them. Simit and Noble were alone.
“Come,” she said as she slid open the palanquin’s door. “We are in my private rooms. My sister will be here shortly. In the meantime I will find clothes for you. Males are forbidden here,” she warned. “But if you stay in my chambers and remain unseen you will be safe.”
They exited the conveyance and Noble looked curiously around. A large high set circular window with a mezzanine balcony admitted air and light to the room. The walls were decorated in painted abstract patterns of yellow, red and black. A sleeping platform was positioned beneath the mezzanine along with large storage chests and a potted plant of unusual appearance that seized Noble’s attention.
“The uro is a a striking plant, particularly its flowers,” said Simit, noting the Earthman’s interest. “If you like you can have a closer look while I search for suitable apparel.”
Noble approached the strange growth as Simit rummaged through a chest. The waxy foliage formed a fan-like clump. The leaves, which were paddle-shaped, grew from long upright stalks. They were dark green and striped in a white zebra pattern. The blooms were large, and somewhat resembled the passion-fruit flower in appearance, but remarkably florescent blue in colour. The Earthman bent to examine them more closely. Their scent was heady, like nothing he’d ever encountered before. Sudden dizziness came upon him. He stumbled, fell to his knees, vision dimming. Too late the terrible truth came to Noble in a sudden illuminating flash. He’d been tricked. Unbeknown to him the bloom’s perfume was a powerful soporific that Simit used to treat her insomnia. The young man collapsed to the floor, unconscious and completely at the mercy of the cunning high priestess.
**********
Noble slowly emerged from the long dark fog of unconsciousness. His mind cleared and his eyes focused on the two women standing over him. He recognized Simit. The other woman next to her bore a remarkable resemblance to the high priestess, and the Earthman correctly deduced that it was Umez, her sister and queen of The People. He tried to sit up and found that once again he’d been securely bound.
“I trusted you,” he said, his tone accusatory as he angrily stared at Simit.
The high priestess couldn’t meet his condemning gaze. Not so her sister who spoke in the silence.
“We’ve been debating your fate while you’ve been unconscious,” announced Umez. “My sister is not as resolved as she was earlier concerning the necessity for your death.” The queen looked sharply at the high priestess. “I fear she has been enamoured by your manhood’s size.”
Simit’s green camouflage markings turned a brighter shade of emerald - the equivalent of a human blushing. Umez turned her hard gaze back upon Noble. “But not so I. Regardless of your impressive attributes, or whether you are an emissary of The Dark or not, it is clear your wild and heretical ideas pose a threat to our society by questioning the tenants of our faith. You must be silenced before your poisonous heresy can spread.”
Noble bit down hard on his rising fear. “Listen,” he desperately said. “The volcano is going to erupt, and when it does it will destroy everything on this island.”
Further words were cut short by the violent shaking of the earth. A terrible rumbling noise, like the passing of a freight train filled the room. The building trembled. Umez and Simit clung to each other in wide eyed fear. Outside, masonry crashed down. People screamed. Dust fell from the room’s high ceiling. Then, after about thirty seconds of utter terror the earth stopped its shaking, and the only sound was the cries of terrified people coming from other areas of the temple complex.
“The Fire Goddess is angry,” said Umez, her voice shaking and her face ashen from supernatural dread. “It is a sign. No more hesitation. We must immediately cast the evil blasphemer into the sacred flames. His death will appease her divine wrath.”
Noble swore. “It’s a sign of an impending eruption,” he desperately shouted. “Not…”
Umez brutally kicked him in the ribs. Noble gasped in pain, his further words silenced.
“Quiet, you filthy heretic,” cried Umez. Then, to her sister: “Quickly, we must hurl this foul creature into the fire before he utters more blasphemies that further enrage the Goddess.”
Simit looked harshly at Noble. Wild fear had drowned compassion. Both women, spurred by superstitious dread, grabbed the Earthman and dragged him from the room. It was now late afternoon. Outside was chaos. Priestess were crying in terror, others were fleeing the building. One courtyard wall had partially collapsed. The shrine in the enclosure had toppled over. Burning oil from its fallen bowl cast a lurid light upon a scene of utter bedlam.
In the wild confusion no one heeded Simit and Umez as they dragged their madly struggling captive through the cracked gateway and towards the Sacred Fire - the ring of stones in the centre of the high earthen platform. They reached their goal - a stone lined shaft from which leaped raging flames, fed by natural gas welling up from deep within the earth.
Fear knifed Noble as both woman forced him towards the raging inferno. Its ferocious heat struck him like a fiery hammer. The frantic Earthman struggled mightily, but to no avail. His diminutive captors were far stronger than they looked, terror lending additional power to their thews, and in but seconds he would be cast within the fiery well and suffer an horrific agonizing death.
A violent aftershock rocked the ground as the muscles of Noble’s captors tensed to cast him within the roaring flames. One enormous pillar of the stone circle, already weakened by the initial quake, gave way with an explosive crack. Its massive weight came down like a falling tree. The square column crashed directly on the Sacred Flame, the huge impact snuffing out the fire. The pillar shattered as did its lintel when it also struck the earth. Stone flew like shrapnel. Clouds of rock dust billowed up obscuring all. The ground ceased its mad trembling, and an eerie quiet came upon the scene of devastation.
Noble, coughing from the dust slowly got to his knees and staggered to his feet, fragments of stone sliding off his back as he stood. The Earthman looked around, still slightly dazed from being hurled to the ground by the violence of the tremor. In the distance he dimly saw the villages milling about in a state of confusion and fear. Their homes, being made of flexible wickerwork and thatch had withstood the shaking of the earth. But the platform residences of both women had partially collapsed, further damaged by the second earthquake, and it was clear that any additional aftershocks would bring about their complete and utter destruction.
The sight of the ruined buildings prompted Noble. He turned around looking for Simit and Umez and found the women some feet away. Both had tried to flee, but had been struck by flying stone when the column and its lintel had explosively shattered. For a moment he considered making his escape, then a rumbling noise drew his gaze to the volcano from whence the frightening sound had come.
An ash cloud was rising from the crater, the effluvia lit satanic crimson from beneath by the rising magma in its throat. Cold sweat stood out sharply on Noble’s skin. Very soon now the monster would erupt with devastating consequences for the island’s population. The young man fought through his terror. He stumbled to the shattered lintel and began to saw his bonds against the jagged stone. His frenetic efforts were rewarded with success - the ropes parted and he dashed towards the women.
Noble gasped in horror. A bouncing lump of rock had crushed Umez’s skull to gory ruin, then ricocheted and struck Simit a glancing blow. Quickly, he knelt by the high priestess. Blood oozed from a shallow scalp wound. She moaned and opened her eyes as he carefully explored her injury. Simit tensed when she saw her prisoner had freed himself. Noble reassured her.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” he said as he picked her up and carried her away from her dead sister so she couldn’t see the awful sight.
“Where is Umez?”Simit worriedly asked.
“I’m truly sorry,” he began.
Simit gasped. “No,” she cried as she looked wildly around. “Put me down,” she wailed when she glimpsed the body.
Noble let her go and Simit stumbled to her sister. The high priestess fell to her knees and began mewing like a kitten - the equivalent of human weeping. Noble knelt by her side and placed his hand on her shoulder.
“I’m sorry,” he repeated. “I don’t mean to sound harsh, but we must think of the living and how to save them. Look,” he continued, pointing at the volcano. “The full scale eruption is fast approaching.”
The high priestess gazed in the direction of his thrusting finger. She saw roiling masses of vapour and ash rising from the fire mountain’s throat, red-lit by magma from beneath and from within by flickering volcanic lightening. The ominous cloud now towered into the heavens, blotting out the evening stars with its seething effluvia. Then a lava fountain roared, casting red hot matter high into the air in an explosive spray of glowing ejecta that rained down in a terrifying shower of blazing lava bombs.
One such bomb landed near them, shattering on impact and scattering red hot fragments in all directions. Others crashed down upon the village, setting thatch houses furiously ablaze. The people, already frightened, now panicked fully. They madly dashed towards the beach, a fear crazed mindless mob a thousand strong. The wild throng reached the strand. Some plunged into the sea; others fought over the fishing vessels. Some craft were launched, only to sink through overloading as desperate people clawed their way aboard.
Simit turned her face away from the dreadful scene. Her entire world and all its certainties had collapsed. Her sister was dead. The goddess, supposedly benevolent as she had been taught since childhood, had become a terrifying monster, lashing out in unbridled rage at her worshipers in an orgy of inexplicable destruction that had stopped the sacrifice that was meant to appease her. The high priestess’s mind was numb. She couldn’t think. Reality had become a nightmare. Nothing made sense any more.
Noble saw her evident confusion and distress that was as deep as his own. The disaster had come quicker than his calculations had indicated, and his own blunders had hindered his plans for rescue. He fought off his debilitating regrets. Self reproach wouldn’t save the situation.
“Help me reach my ship,” he pleaded. “There aren’t enough canoes for everyone. With my craft we can save many more.”
His words focused Simit’s thoughts. The living must be saved. Clearly, the Goddess would not help. In the face of certain death she had to take a chance and trust this stranger. She had the authority to make that decision. With her sister’s death the law stated she could act as both leader and high priestess in this emergency.
“I’ll show you the way,” Simit resolutely replied. “Follow me.”
Both raced across the high platform. Down its ramp they sped and through the deserted village to the jungle. Fiery lava bombs continued to rain down, setting more huts ablaze. Heat singed them, billowing smoke choked them, obscured their vision. Simit blundered into a furrow. She tripped, went down with a cry of pain.
“My ankle,” she gasped as she clutched it.
Noble bit back a curse. He swept her up and raced away. The desperate Earthman cleared the blazing village and reached the margin of the jungle. Being damp from recent rain it wasn’t yet ablaze. But the undergrowth was smoldering in places from fallen lava bombs, and the young man knew he hadn’t much time before it, too, became a raging inferno like the village.
Under Simit’s guidance Noble raced along the jungle trail, the gloom relieved by the glowing flowers of pendulous lanais. The ground shook with a violent tremor. The young man stumbled, regained his balance. Onward he raced. The volcano roared like an enraged titan. Another lava bomb came crashing down, smashing through the canopy in a narrow miss.
Noble raced on, the sweat of terror and exertion flying from him. After what seemed an age of headlong flight he burst into the clearing. Before him was the shuttle. He stumbled to a halt at the foot of its ramp to catch his breath.
Simit gasped. “Look,” she cried. To her it seemed that the world was coming to an end.
The young man turned and swore. Without hindering growth the volcano’s cone could be seen towering above the clearing. Glowing lava was now spilling from its crater in huge volumes and flowing down its flanks in a burning all consuming tide. Trees were bursting into flame. The jungle was now alight from the combination of lava bombs and magma.
Having caught his second wind Noble raced up the ramp and into the shuttle. Quickly, he made his way to the ship’s flight deck and set about the task of liftoff. From the copilot’s chair Simit watched as her companion flicked switches and pushed buttons. The high priestess was mystified by these strange activities. She tensed as the shuttle began to rise, thrust skyward by powerful repulsion fields.
“It’s all right,” he soothed. “We’re under way.”
Simit watched the horrifying images displayed on the craft’s view screens which, to her, seemed like magic. The land was being flooded by glowing lava. The tide of molten rock had reached the margins of the village and very soon would come upon the ocean. The high priestess switched her frightened gaze to the sandy beach. About ninety vessels had put out to sea, packed to near sinking with terrified survivors. Ten had overturned. Bodies lay face down in the water. A crowd still milled about in wild terror on the strand. Not everyone could swim. They faced a terrible choice of death by drowning or being burned alive by flaming lava.
A sudden unexpected hiss broke through Simit’s frightened thoughts. The woman turned and gasped in shock and terror. With the shuttle’s ramp being down and unattended for many hours, a fearsome jungle predator had snuck aboard the craft. The thing resembled a chimpanzee in body shape. The head, though, with its heavy jaws and pointed ears was more dog-like than simian in appearance. Its pelt was striped green and black. A frill of bristles, now dangerously erect, surrounded its thick neck. The beast had claimed the shuttle as its territory and meant to savagely defend it from intruders.
Noble turned at his companion’s cry. The creature’s drooling jaws gaped wide as it prepared to spring upon Simit. The Earthman reacted swiftly. He tore the fire extinguisher from its mount upon the pilot’s chair and quickly sprayed blinding foam in the monster’s face. The beast staggered back as the Earthman leaped from his seat, extinguisher swinging in a wild blow.
The cylinder cracked against the monster’s skull, driving it to the floor. The creature was down but far from out. It swept the foam from its eyes. With a hiss of savage rage it pounced. Man and beast crashed upon the deck. Noble fought off its clawing hands, its slavering fangs. Simit saw her companion, already taxed by their headlong flight, rapidly weakening beneath the horror’s brutal onslaught. In but seconds he would be fatally overcome.
The woman drew her obsidian dagger and despite her pain and fear bravely flung herself upon the monster’s back. Her glassy blade flashed in a flurry of wild stabs. Blood spurted. The beast howled in agony. It flung her off. Simit crashed upon the ship’s controls. Her hand accidentally pressed a button. The craft’s propulsion systems died. The shuttle plunged in uncontrolled descent. Man and monster slid across the floor. Both crashed against the pilot’s chair.
Fighting for clam, the frantic Earthman grabbed the the armrest and hauled himself erect. The beast tried to bite his ankle. He stomped on its throat, crushing vital arteries. The thing convulsed, died. Noble hauled Simit off the switchboard. She tumbled into the copilot’s chair as her companion madly pushed brightly flashing buttons.
The frightened high priestess gazed in terror at the shuttle’s view-screen. The ship was plunging towards the sea like a falling stone. In but moments it would strike the waves with fatal impact. The sweating man also saw the looming danger. He stabbed the final button. The shuttle’s drive whined to life. Fearsome deceleration hit its occupants like a sledgehammer. Noble collapsed into the pilot’s chair. He grasped the flight control on its armrest and the vessel was once again under his command.
The young man wiped the sweat from his ashen face and turned to Simit. She was battered and bruised and splattered with blood from the dead beast, but otherwise not seriously injured. Noble was considerably relieved.
“Thanks for coming to my aid,” he said. “You saved my life. That monster was getting the better of me. By heavens, it stinks. What was it?”
“A nathis,” replied Simit. “Look,” she continued, pointing at the view-screen. “The liquid rock has almost reached the beach. Oh, my poor people. They’ll be burned to death.”
“The canoes are safely out to sea,” replied Noble. “I’ll land by the shore and pick up the remaining survivors. It will be a very tight fit, but I think the cargo hold is large enough for all.”
Noble touched the controls. The shuttle descended. The people saw it and further panic came upon them. The survivors milled about in terror looking for some avenue of escape. There was none. Streams of lava had flowed more rapidly in places to reach the sea, trapping them in a crescent of molten rock, and if that wasn’t bad enough a strange monster was now descending from the sky to add to their wild torment. Already a dozen people had been trampled in the bedlam. The ship touched down in the shallows, accelerating the survivor’s fear. Noble lowered the ramp and turned to his companion.
“Go to the cargo ramp,” he ordered. “When your people see a familiar face it should calm them. Get them aboard by any means. Hurry. We don’t have much time.”
Simit nodded. She slung the stinking carcass of the nathis across her shoulder and limped to the lowered ramp, gritting her teeth against the pain of her injured ankle and the overpowering stench of the dead beast. The woman heaved the noxious body out and stood in the opening. The high priestess waved frantically and shouted: “The goddess has sent this flying ship to save us,” she yelled. Come aboard to safety.”
A young man heard her wild cries. He turned and saw Simit. Hope and fear contended for dominance within him. The high priestess was a familiar sight, but the strange thing she stood within was not. He switched his gaze to the burning lava whose flowing mass would be upon the panicked throng at any moment. Already, he could feel its blazing heat.
To stay was certain death. Again, he heard Simit calling, urging her people to come aboard the strange thing that rested in the water. Hope overcame terror. He dashed towards the shuttle, splashed through the shallows and stumbled up its ramp.
Simit caught the fellow by his arm and spoke: “Stand by me. Show our people you are safe and summon them as I do,” she commanded.
As one they waved their arms, shouted. Several people had seen the young man dash unharmed aboard the shuttle. They, too, ran towards the ship. Movement spread through the throng like a wave. The panicked crowd dashed towards the cargo ramp. Simit and her companion leaped aside least both be trampled in the wild rush.
As desperate people streamed into the ship in a maddened stampede, the high priestess jumped, startled by Noble’s voice as it came through the intercom by the ramp: “I can’t wait much longer,” he warned. “The lava is moving more quickly than I thought. Tell me when I can raise the ramp.”
Simit shouted at the people to hurry up. They needed no prompting. The blazing lava had reached the treeline and in but seconds would be upon the beach. Steam was rising in copious billowing clouds where the other streams of molten rock had touched the sea. The wind shifted. The vapour, tinged with a hot sulfurous stench, enveloped the shuttle with its obscuring miasma as the last adult stumbled up the incline.
The high priestess was about to tell Noble to raise the ramp when a child’s wailing cry pierced the turgid clouds of steam. Noble worriedly cursed when the shuttle’s ramp-camera showed Simit dash within the swirling vapour on a desperate rescue mission. He, too, had heard the cry through the intercom and thus deduced her act. But the lava was now on the beach and dangerously near the frantic Earthman’s grounded vessel. If the ramp was down when molten rock touched water a fatal blast of superheated steam would penetrate the shuttle. Would he have to leave her to save the rest?
Again, Noble swore with gusto. Simit heard his curse through the craft’s external speakers as she blindly stumbled in the direction of the crying child.
“Simit,” he despairingly cried. “You’ve got until the count of ten before I have to raise the ramp and go. All aboard will perish if I stay a moment longer. Hurry!”
By now the high priestess was off the ramp and splashing through the shallows. The heat was building to life threatening temperatures, and through the steam she saw the dull but terrifying glow of the lava in its unstoppable advance. Again, the child piteously wailed and Simit turned in the direction of the frightened cry.
Aboard the shuttle Noble’s finger hovered over the button that would raise the ramp. His hopeful eyes were locked on the view-screen, desperately searching for some sign of his companion. But the steam obscured surroundings revealed nothing. Despair came upon the man. He could wait no longer. He had to save as many people as he could. Noble, filled with loathing for what he had to do, reluctantly pushed the button as tears of grief trickled down his cheek.
**********
Simit, the child in her arms, dashed towards the ship whose enormous bulk could be dimly glimpsed through the swirling steam. Pain lanced her ankle like a dagger’s thrust. She ignored it, kept on running. Noble’s agonized voice came through the muffling vapour: “Forgive me Simit. I can wait no longer. I have to go.”
Fear struck the racing woman. With drawing nearness she saw the ramp was rising. She had no breath to cry a plea for swift delay. With a burst of speed the high priestess dashed forward through the hindering water and made a mighty leap. With one hand she caught the ramp; the other clutched the wailing child.
She thrust the toddler over and scrambled up as the distraught boy slid down the steepening incline and was caught by a young woman. The ramp swiftly rose. Simit heaved herself through the narrowing gap. She nearly lost her foot as it snapped shut with a clang that echoed within the confines of the shuttle’s hold. The high priestess tumbled as the ship lifted. She cried in fear. Someone caught her. It was Noble. The craft was now on automatic.
The young man lowered Simit to the deck. He hugged her, kissed her with passion. A voice intruded into the erotic moment - that of the young woman who had caught the toddler, and was comforting the orphaned boy.
“Where are we going?”
Noble turned his attention to the speaker and saw in her face a mixture of hope and fear that reflected the emotions of all who tightly packed the shuttle’s commodious hold. Instantly, he was the focus of hundreds of expectant eyes, for her voice had carried clearly in the frightened quiet, and in that moment he felt the full weight of responsibility come suddenly and frighteningly upon him.
“The goddess is with us,” quickly said Simit, who shot a warning glance that made Noble hold his tongue. “She has revealed to me a new land where we will prosper. This man serves her and he will take us there. Rest now and do not fear. All will be well.”
As Simit spoke a group of women had pushed through the crowd to her side. They were the surviving priestesses of the cult. Adjmari was among them. Since childhood the two women hadn’t gotten along, and Simit was hard pressed not to frown when she saw her long time rival, for Adjmari considered herself to be better suited to the role of high priestess. Indeed, the fact that Simit hadn’t resisted Noble’s passionate kiss hadn’t escaped the slightly younger woman’s sour observation.
“Where is the queen? Our people need leadership,” said Adjmari. “They will also need food and water soon. What are your plans to feed them?” She then glanced sharply and meaningfully at Noble. “Or are you preoccupied with other appetites?”
Noble saw the coming storm, the forewarning of which was Simit’s wrathful expression. The Earthman quickly intervened.
“Regrettably, the queen is dead. Simit is leader now. My ship carries emergency supplies of food - concentrated rations. They will look and taste strange to you, but they are edible. There is pure water for drinking, also. I’ll show you were they are. You can distribute nourishment to those in need when required.”
When Noble was done showing Adjmari and the other priestesses how to operate the food and water dispensers he returned to Simit who was waiting in the shuttle’s flight deck to avoid her abrasive rival.
“What was that silencing glance that you gave me all about?” he asked, puzzled. “I was going to tell your people what you told them.”
“Close the door and I’ll explain,” quietly replied the high priestess.
“If I’m right about where you are taking us, then to avoid wild panic no one must know,” she informed Noble after he had dogged the hatch. “The only possible location to which we could flee is the Accursed Land: the haunt of devils; a place of utter horror. As High Priestess I have access to information others do not. My people know of the Accursed Land, but they do not know it is the only other landmass on our world, and would rather die than go to a destination of dark nightmare, such is the terror in which they hold it. But from your actions I now find it difficult to believe you would lead us into danger. Can you please explain how we can survive in a place of utter horror?”
“There is nothing to fear,” replied Noble, reassuringly. “The land is fertile and uninhabited by either people or demons. There are many ancient ruins - the work of a long dead and unknown civilization. Our destination is the remains of a costal settlement. It has many more intact buildings than the other dilapidated habitations. These are overgrown, but can be used as shelters once cleared of vegetation. Also, there are many fruit and nut bearing trees in the area - orchids obviously gone wild, but still producing sufficient viands to sustain your people. And then there is the nearby ocean which can be fished. Life will be difficult at first, but with hard work and ingenuity things should quickly improve. It is a bountiful land. Why do your people think it is accursed?” he concluded, puzzled.
“Our legends tell of this ancient land,” replied Simit. “Of its morally corrupt people who were destroyed by their own dark magic. It was a place of black sorcery and abominable occult rites, of the blood sacrifice of children and other horrors inspired by The Dark - that formless evil; the antitheses of our beloved deity. Powerful sorcerer-kings ruled; arrogant men who worshiped power rather than the pure goddess.
“Not content with what they had, the sorcerer-kings cast covetous eyes on their rival rulers, each seeking to expand his kingdom by conquering his neighbour. War erupted. Terrible magic was unleashed. Fire fell from heaven. Entire cities were destroyed and the land was poisoned by occult powers of hideous strength that left it utterly bereft of life - a wasteland that is the haunt of the foul spirits of the evil dead. Only my ancestors survived on our remote island - the goddess’s true and pious devotees.
“I have come to trust you,” Simit continued. “From what you’ve said it is clear that the land has recovered from the war and is no longer cursed. If we keep silent, which we must to prevent panic, my people will not recognize where we are when we arrive, for they believe the Accursed Land to be a lifeless waste, not the fertile continent you described,” she concluded.
Noble grew thoughtful. He doubted the supernatural elements of the legend. But a grain of truth was in it. In the distant past a nuclear war had devastated civilization. Simit’s remote ancestors were probably a handful of survivors that had fled the catastrophe, and established a colony on the volcanic island. Much knowledge had been lost. Over time the colony had regressed to the stone age, and history had become adulterated by supernatural beliefs. That the land was considered accursed was probably a garbled warning about the danger of lethal radioactivity, the threat now long passed.
“I agree with your conclusions,” replied Noble. “It’s best if we say nothing.” The young man looked at the sensor display. “We’re nearing the fleet of canoes carrying the remaining survivors,” he announced. “I’ll land on the water so you can tell them of the plan. We’ll take those already on board to the site of our new home, and then come back for the others. It is now sunset. It will be around midnight by the time I return for them.”
As Noble took manual control of the shuttle Adjmari, who had her ear pressed firmly to the flight deck’s hatch, grew thoughtful. Her acute hearing had detected every uttered word. She cruelly smiled as her cunning mind saw the nefarious possibilities to which this information could be put.
**********
Eight days had passed. Noble, clad in one of the shuttle’s spare jumpsuits, stood and surveyed what had been achieved in clearing the overgrown building of vegetation. The essential areas of the interior had been largely freed of the detritus of many centuries, and within a few more days, with the help of many hands, there would be enough apartments fit for occupation. The young man, satisfied with the progress, shifted his eyes from the people carrying basket loads of rubbish from the structure to the exterior of the unusual habitation, which had withstood millennia of neglect remarkably well.
The huge apartment complex that Noble looked upon was constructed from five hundred modules arranged in a unique configuration. These units, cast in a material that resembled porcelain more than concrete, were stacked in various geometrical patterns so that each was a step back from its immediate neighbour. This ingenious arrangement enabled each apartment to have a private terrace garden, access to a continuous flow of fresh air and a generous amount of sunlight. Every unit was directly accessed via a series of pedestrian walkways and arched bridges, along with external staircases that served the complex’s layered streets. Both windows and doors were circular, and cast from a shatterproof transparent crystalline substance. The remarkable preservation of the structure, which was in sharp contrast to the other crumbling ruins, suggested that the materials from which it was built were recent innovations whose further use had been ended by the apocalyptic war.
The young man’s thoughts turned to their food supply. The extensive orchids, though overgrown, were providing some food. This was being supplemented by fishing, for Noble had been able to salvage ten canoes. Wild tubers and other forest viands made up the shortfall, and nearby streams supplied water. Things were tight, but labourers were working to free the orchids of strangling overgrowth, which would increase production. Land was also being cleared through slash and burn, the stone for the flint axes sourced from coastal cliffs. Very soon the cultivation of fast growing root crops would be under way and their food supply secured.
Noble’s thoughts were interrupted by the approach of a priestess. “Simit has discovered something of importance in another ruin,” announced the young woman. “Come with me. I will take you to her.”
“What has she found?” curiously inquired Noble as he followed the priestess.
“The high priestess will explain,” replied his guide, her sharp response ending further questions.
The young man frowned. He’d noticed a growing tension between Simit and some of her subordinates - Adjmari, principally, and three other women of her rival’s clique, his guide one of them. Noble began to wonder if some of this hostility was now coming his way. He’d been much in the company of Simit, which was necessary as part of overseeing the establishment of the colony. The priestesses were required to be celibate. His growing attraction for the high priestess might be showing. It was possible that malicious tongues were beginning to unjustly wag.
Noble’s lips thinned in anger. He respected Simit and her religion, although there was much about it he didn’t agree with. Neither of them had crossed any boundaries, broken any taboos. These were the thoughts going through the young man’s mind as he and his guide made their way through the orchids and then into the surrounding forest.
The ruins to which he was being led were some distance from the site of the colony, and it took about fifteen minutes of pushing through dense undergrowth to reach them. Noble now stood in front of the fallen and overgrown structure. A cracked doorway was before him, thick with shadow and curtained with drooping vines. His companion pushed the lianas aside, entered, and beckoned Noble to follow.
The young man stepped inquisitively within, wondering what it was that Simit had discovered. A flash of movement caught his eye. A club crashed against his skull before he could react, and he collapsed unconscious to the dirty floor.
**********
Noble heard a worried voice urgently calling his name. The young man groaned and opened his eyes. His vision cleared and he saw Simit bending over him. Her hands had been bound behind her back as had his.
“What … What happened?” he groggily asked, his throbbing head making thinking difficult.
A harsh laugh cut off Simit’s explanation and made Noble look up. They were in what appeared to be the gloomy basement of the building he had entered, its ground floor having partially collapsed. Adjmari stood staring down at them through the large hole in the ceiling of the cellar, the blazing torch in her hand the only source of illumination. By her side were the three conspirators that comprised her clique. All wore very self-satisfied expressions, their faces made satanic by the play of light and shadow.
Simit stood, her face a study in fury. “Traitors,” she viciously spat.
“You are the one who is the traitor,” countered Adjmari. “I overheard your conversation. I know this is the Accursed Land. You consorted with this man, no doubt your lover, to bring us here. However, I was prepared to overlook your sins if you relinquished your role as high priestess to me. But you refused, you slattern, and now you and your filthy paramour must die.”
“Your self-righteous prating is wasted on me,” furiously replied Simit. “You’ve always coveted the role of high priestess. If not this reason, then that scheming mind of yours would have found another to justify your perfidy. Our people will be suspicious when we both mysteriously disappear. You’ll have to reckon with the truth when it comes out, as it will.”
Adjmari grinned. “The truth will be that both of you were killed by a savage beast. Look,” she dramatically concluded, pointing with the fiery torch.
Noble looked down and tensed. The illumination of the lowered flambeau disclosed a wild creature imprisoned in a wooden cage - a mutated monstrosity spawned by atomic radiation. Adjmari gave an order. One priestess hauled upon a rope. The cage’s door slid up and the horror scuttled from its prison, the light revealing the nightmarish thing in all its revolting detail.
The ovoid body, protected by a drab brown carapace segmented in the manner of an armadillo, was supported by six crab-like legs. Multiple black eyes, similar to those of a huntsman spider, stared at Noble with unnerving intensity. The creature’s scaled head roughly resembled a rattlesnake, and could be retracted in the manner of a tortoise. The horror hissed. It rushed towards the captives, its gaping maw displaying gleaming rows of shark-like teeth.
Simit screamed. Noble leaped to his feet, powered by a rush of spurring fear. He booted a fragment of masonry into the monster’s face. The creature hissed as it was struck, slowed its charge. It was a brief reprieve, but enough for the young man, hands still bound behind his back, to jerk free the tool tucked in his boot.
Again, the monster charged, this time at Simit. Noble leaped, knocking her from the path of the rushing horror. Simit cried in fear as she saw him turn his back upon the thing in what appeared to be a suicidal move. The creature prepared to pounce as Noble pressed a button on the implement he held. At his touch a lance of blazing light burst from the cutting tool and sheared off one leg of the charging monster.
The thing hissed in agony as it crashed to the ground. Adjmair and her lackeys looked on in open mouthed disbelief. Noble jumped clear to avoid the monster’s writhing form. As he leaped the hissing ray swept up by accident and raked a section of the upper floor where the woman and her co-conspirators stood. Masonry, weakened by the cutting ray gave beneath their feet. The trio screamed as they plunged within the cellar.
The thud of fallen bodies drew the monster’s gaze. Noble was too dangerous to attack. The wound he’d inflicted on it was agonizing proof. But here were three other creatures lying injured on the grimy floor - the very things that had tormented it with imprisonment and prodding sticks. Rage overcame pain. The monster scuttled at the trio. It savagely fell upon them with rending teeth. Shrill and terrible screams filled the ruin. Noble gasped in horror at the sight. Again, the cutting tool blazed with slicing light. The searing ray struck the monster. The thing stiffened in the agony of death. Its charred and lifeless carcass collapsed upon the floor. But Noble’s actions were too late. The horror’s bloody teeth had done their awful work. The conspirators were beyond all mortal help.
“In the name of the Goddess,” what magic weapon was it that you used to save me?” gasped Simit in shock as she looked upon the terrible carnage.
“Not a weapon, but a tool from the shuttle’s repair kit,” he explained. “I could sense trouble coming, and so prepared for its arrival. These laser cutters are deadly things when set to full power. The danger is over. If we stand back to back I should be able to pick the knots and free you.”
“Not here,” replied Simit with a shudder. “I’m eager to leave this pit of dark horror. Over there are the stairs by which they brought us down. Let’s first ascend into the blessed light.”
**********
About three Earth months had passed. The colony had become well established. The first of the fast growing crops had been harvested, and the now well tended orchids were blooming with strange flowers that would soon become luscious fruit. The secret of their location in the Accursed Land had died with the death of Adjmari and her co-conspirators. Simit’s authority was unchallenged. None had objected when she’d proclaimed that celibacy for priestesses was now optional rather than mandatory - a change brought about by the prompting of her own heart after all that she’d seen and experienced.
Indeed, several young women had announced their intention to marry within days of the proclamation. It seemed that covert liaisons between a number of priestesses and laity had been occurring for some time, and that the reform had at last brought things into the open. It also helped Simit and Noble to make known their intentions to wed, for over the months their sexual attraction had transformed to love. The only dark cloud was the arrival of captain Petrov aboard the Starbird. He now stood before the couple in a large hall of the apartment complex, which served as the public meeting room.
“John Noble,” he sternly said in a haughty tone of obvious self-importance, “By the authority the United Earth Council has empowered me with, I place you under arrest. The charges: disobeying your commanding officer, the theft of government property and unauthorized contact with an alien people.” Petrov aggressively shoved a document across the table. “Here is the warrant for your apprehension. I suggest you come quietly,” he concluded, gesturing to the three heavily armed officers standing behind him, the captain secretly hoping he’d have an excuse to use them.
“Captain,” said Simit with growing annoyance as she brushed aside the arrest warrant. “I’ll not see John punished for saving my people. All of us would have perished but for his actions. I grant him asylum. This is not Earth,” she continued with forced mildness. “You have no jurisdiction here. You and your people are welcome provided you respect my decision and my authority.”
Petrov glared at Noble. “I see you’ve informed her Holiness about our laws. You’re hiding behind the skirts of a woman,” he contemptuously accused. Then to Simit. “Your Holiness, if you cooperate in the execution of justice by turning this man over to me then benefits will ensue. There is much to be gained by good relations with Earth.”
Simit stiffened in anger. “Firstly I don’t wear a skirt. Secondly, do you think me so base,” she replied with barely suppressed rage, “that I would trade the man I love for material benefits? You have gone too far, captain. This is my world, and I command you and your crew leave immediately. If Earth sends other representatives free of the arrogance you have so wantonly displayed, then they will be welcome. Until then, get out!”
Petrov gritted his teeth in dangerous rage. This was personal. That bastard, Noble, had gotten away with insubordination and much more. The captain, in a state of blind fury, seriously considered taking him by force and to hell with the consequences. A hand firmly grasping his shoulder brought him back to reality. The Indian observer, Arya Sharma, a member of Universal Justice, a monitoring organization independent of the United Earth Council, sharply spoke.
“Her Holiness is within her rights,” cautioned the mature woman. “This is not Earth, captain. She has ordered us to leave, and so we must. And peacefully,” Arya sternly warned.
Petrov uttered a Russian profanity. Silently, he venomously cursed Arya. An unfavorable report from the observer could permanently ruin his career. Bitterly knowing he was beaten, he turned on his heel and with ill grace stormed out of the room, his officers following at his barked command.
Arya turned to the couple. “Do not be concerned. As part of the First Contact team I have authority in legal and ethical matters. I will ensure the captain does not cause problems. May peace and happiness be with you,” she concluded as she bowed and took her leave.
**********
About an hour later Noble and Simit, standing on their roof top garden, watched the two shuttles ascend and vanish into the depths of the azure sky, taking with them all the now unwelcome visitors, their departure having been accomplished without incident.
Simit sighed, “They’re gone, and peacefully. At one time I’d have given thanks to the Goddess, but now I’m not even sure that such a thing exists, and I feel like a hypocrite in my role of high priestess. Therefore, I’ve decided to renounce my position and assume the office of queen, which our laws permit with priestess Nusayu filling the vacancy my renunciation will create.”
The young woman looked at Noble, obviously worried. “Speaking of change - do you regret not being able to return to your world? You have made a huge sacrifice by helping me and my people, despite the fact that I treated you appallingly.”
Noble smiled as he placed his arms around her.“You are forgiven. This is now my home. You will soon become my wife, and with these things I am well content. And as for your scepticism - what I think is more important is not what we believe, but what we do in trying to make society a better place for all.”
Simit also smiled as both stepped to the balustrade and gazed upon their world, which held all the promise of a new and better beginning.
THE END