Craggy 2: Another Last Flight for Craggy (15 page)

'Thanks,' said Rocky, Amethyst hugging him, proudly.

Misty said, 'You need more you time, you let us know. See you later.'

T
he next day found a lot of happier people.

'I now declare this pump, well and truly open. You all might want to stand back.' 

Ivor Potful turned on the pump that engineering had tested and fitted. It was a much bigger pump than the old one, and much gruntier. Not only that, they had a spare. There was a groaning and moaning, and the clogged up pipe work did an alarming shake and for a moment, it looked as if it would fracture under the pressure. Then, out of the outlet pipe came the most evil, disgusting mess anyone had ever seen and Potful couldn't have been more delighted. A jet of excrement shot out and was so powerful, it almost sailed over the huge collection crater to shower Screwy Driver and his engineers. They were already making a sharp exit to get clear of the stench. The citizens of Mars could now use their toilets without wearing oxygen masks.

Dr Jill Hill and her nurse had the opposite problem from what they had before. Not a shortage of items, but a shortage of storage space for the new stuff. There was a mountain of instruments and equipment on the cot, the desk and the operating table. Nurse  Lemming had over twenty year's experience after qualifying on Earth, transferring to Moon and finally ending up on Mars. He knew what most things were, but where he was going to put it all, he had no idea. 'I'll see Marcia Potts. See if she knows of any spare shelving and cupboards.'

'Good idea.' Hill had hardly heard what her nurse had said, as she sorted and catalogued every medicine and drug that was piled up in front of her. Stuff seriously out of date she put to one side, not to be disposed of, but either used up first or as a last resort. Sorting out the haul was a chore she was happy to do.

Keith Taylor, Anna Graham and Vince Friar had the two satellites in a hanger. They need a serious clean and maintenance work, but both were in good working order.

Friar said, 'Keith. Put a team together and get both units top notch and then store them well, ready to go when we need them.'

'With pleasure,' said Taylor, happy to do so.

Anna said, 'You're not going to strip one for spares?'

'Not much point in stripping two working units. What we'll do is use our existing satellite until it packs up for good, replace it with one of these, and we'll still have a working back up. Then as the one breaks down, we'll strip that for any usable spares.'

'Looks like I'll have a job for years,' said Anna, happily.

In Commander Forbes' office, Max Morgan and Rocky Ramshorn were filling in any gaps about their mission.

'It sounds like it was radiation sickness,' said Forbes. 'They were already weak from poor nutrition. As they died, one by one, they tried to dispose of the bodies. I guess it was much the same for East.'

Max Morgan said, 'Not everything was dead out there.'

They all looked at him, including Rocky.

'Were you and I on the same planet? All I saw were dead people.'

Potts said, 'Max?'

'I don't know. When we landed, I had the weird feeling I was being watched.'

'You were just jumpy, like the rest of us.'

'Not just that, Rocky. When we finally got those pumps on board and we were itching to get out of there, I looked out of the ship. It was pretty dark by then, just bits of bushy stuff in the shadows. Then I swear...Eyes. The light from the ship reflected in them. They were watching me.'

'Trick of the light,' insisted Rocky.

'I don't think so. Actually, I feel kinda guilty not saying anything at the time. We should have investigated.'

Forbes said, 'I think you did the right thing, not going out there. You were exposing yourselves to the risk of radiation and disease. You could have brought back any number of sicknesses. Whomever or whatever you saw, Max, indeed, if as Rocky said, it wasn't some trick of the light, or maybe perhaps creatures that had survived in impossible conditions. You did the right thing leaving it all behind.'

Potts said, 'I can see you're still feeling bad about it, Max. Look. On the next helium run, if you still feel strongly about it, maybe you can lead a search party out there. How does that sound?'

Max nodded. 'Thanks. I'd like to do that, for my own peace of mind.'

'I might pass on that one,' said Rocky.

Forbes said, 'Right. I think that covers everything. Once again, great job, men. Tonight we can let our hair down and celebrate your successful mission.'

'I
'll be watching you, Dixon Cragg. You drink too much and start making a fool of yourself, I'll drag you straight home.'

'Misty, my angel. When have you ever seen me drunk and incapable?'

'Hmm. How about last Friday. Wednesday, the Saturday before that, and don't get me started on how embarrassing you were at Stinky Muckly's birthday bash.'

'I was not. Besides. Stinky needed cheering up. He'd been getting a load of sh....stick from folk about the sanitation problem. It wasn't his fault. And talking about birthdays, I don't want any fuss over my ninetieth birthday. Just another day at the office, as far as I'm concerned.'

Misty knew this was “Craggy speak” for I want Mars rocking its socks off for my big day.

'That's not for months. Hang on to being still in your eighties, is my advice.'

Cragg held Misty in his arms. 'I'll still be the oldest teenager in town. But you're right. Maybe I should grow up a bit.'

Misty kissed the wrinkly face and ran her fingers through his thinning, salt and pepper hair. 'Too late for that. Besides. I love you just the way you are. And are you seriously going outside in that shirt?'

'Excuse me? This is my special occasion shirt. And it shows I'm in touch with my feminine side. Not every bloke is man enough to wear pink.'

'And that includes you. Put that blue one on and hurry up about it.'

Cragg pouted, then his face cracked into a huge grin. 'I only put it on to wind you up. God, I love you, Mrs Cragg.'

There was a hum of anticipation all over the planet. Thousands had already started congregating, carrying containers of food and beverages. It was an excuse to party and the very best clothes were being worn. A skeleton number of emergency services were ready for anything. Anna and Bob Graham were looking after the communication centre, so that the technicians could enjoy the day. Anna had already cranked up the volume of the outside speakers and had the music thumping.

Max Morgan was walking in the sunshine with his wife Carlotte and his daughter Astral. The atmosphere was great, everyone enjoying the occasion. Morgan thought how Astral would probably forget how Mars once was, and being able to play outside with the other children would be soon taken for granted. Close to the equator where they all lived, was a temperate climate, but still uncomfortably cold at night, especially in the winter. But Martian years were twice that of Earth, and the seasons twice as long and they were only halfway through summer.

They had been there for two hours, just enjoying the day mingling with the others, when Commander Potts addressed everyone through the speaker system. A small area had been kept clear and it was to this Potts called them to.

Potts waited for them to gather round and get comfortable on the grass. 'Ladies and gentlemen. Who would have thought just a few years ago we would be outside without suits, enjoying a lovely day like this. And yet, here we are. Commander Forbes and I gave this special occasion serious consideration and hopefully you will approve of our decision to make this day an annual public holiday, to be known from this day forth as Korlyn day, in honour of the little guy who sacrificed everything so we could live like this.' There was a general murmur of approval, and Potts pressed on. 'Now, we are delighted to announce that the brave team that came back in Big Bird are to be honoured here today, all becoming Guardians of Mars. This is a new honour Commander Forbes and I came up with as recognition of supreme gallantry and service to Mars and I am sure well deserved. Will you all please come here to receive your ceremonial medals.' 

Rocky, Morgan, Richie and Mantle and their extraction team went forward to shake the hands of the Commanders and receive a special marsillium pin and a hand scrolled certificate on very rare paper, declaring they were officially Guardians of Mars. Everyone watching stood and applauded, knowing how much their lives had been improved by the actions of those men.

Forbes took the microphone. 'Just to remind you all, at dusk, a bonfire will be lit and an effigy will be burnt as a symbol of our thoughts for those sad people found on Earth and also for new beginnings here on Mars. Now I don't know about you, but I think it's time to party. Thank you. Have fun, everyone.'

'H
mm. I see they lit the bonfire,' said Space Security Commander Lance “Armour” Dillow.

'I see it, Sir. Not wishing you were down there?'

'Glad to be out of it, Carter. I'd only be working busting heads of drunken fools. What about you? You don't mind being here on The Eye?'

'I just wanted to be useful to you, Sir.'

'I guess I could always use another pilot for this bird. Being in security isn't anything glamorous, you realise?'

Carter said, 'I just thought it would be a good career move. I might see more action than just being a freighter pilot.'

Carter was a shade over thirty, with prematurely thinning brown hair. With his natural dour expression he seemed older than he really was.

'It has its moments, I suppose. Happy with the controls?'

'Much like the freighters controls. I could practically fly this bird blindfold.'

Dillow didn't doubt that. 'I'm sure you could. Keep to this orbit, and I'll get some shut-eye. See anything you don't like the look of, come and get me right away.'

'Yes, Sir.'

Carter watched the giant, head off to his quarters, and wondered if he'd ever be given the chance to wear the coveted black security uniform. It had been his dream for years. He relaxed in the pilot's chair, and watched the main screen and the other smaller screens on either side of it. The images were changing every ten seconds, random views of space, in all directions. Flying The Eye was straight forward for him, but all those monitors to watch and all the new technology to get used to would take time. He stared out at space, the blackness broken up by Phobos and Deimos, discovered by Asaph Hall, back in 1877, generally thought to be captured asteroids. Both, in Carter's opinion were just ugly rocks, especially the smaller Deimos.

He ignored the little moons and enjoyed the panoramic vista of the stars. It was a hobby of his, the constellations,  and his pleasure in his off duty time was to sit with his girlfriend, sipping beer and watching the night sky. To be in orbit around Mars, watching the stars and planets was no chore for Carter.

Back on Earth, the first Korlyn day was winding down. The parents had already taken their children home, leaving the youngsters to party hard. Many stood around the dying flames of the bonfire, watching the effigy turn into ashes, the sparks flying as they danced, drank beer and enjoyed the night.

It was just three hours later that Dan Carter was hammering on Dillow's door. He had considered the various merits and implications of disturbing Armour Dillow, against not disturbing him. After a minute the door opened and Dillow stared grim faced at his pilot.

'I think...not sure, Sir.'

'Show me.'

Carter pointed to one of the smaller screens. 'It shouldn't look like that, Sir.'

Dillow rubbed the sleep from his eyes. 'What the hell am I looking at, Carter?' All Dillow could see were stars. 'Let me put this on the larger screen. That's better.' It wasn't really. He still couldn't see anything to get excited about.

'There, Sir. Top right hand corner.'

'I still don't see anything.'

'Exactly. You should see stars there. They were there half an hour ago. Not now, though.'

Dillow stretched and yawned. 'Stars don't disappear, Carter. Even I know that much.'

'Perhaps if we zoom in and pan over. There. See it now, Sir?'

Something did look odd. 'Zoom in closer. Pan right. Hold it there. Shit.'

'Sir?'

'Carter. The stars haven't vanished. They're being covered up by something. Something black and round.'

'Yes. Not only that, but it's growing.'

'No, Carter. Not growing. Getting nearer.'

'You know what that thing is?'

'Unfortunately, I have a damn good idea. Take the coordinates of that thing, then get this bird on the ground and I mean now.'

C
raggy said, 'I've been thinking about you, Andy.'

'Why?' asked Foreman. They were in Foreman's domain, Base Three, up on the observation platform, staring out at the landscape, lit up by artificial illumination. The bonfire had been put out by the fire service and even the hardiest party animal had made their way home. Behind them, the jungle, with just minimum lighting, was still a place of nocturnal activity. Dogs and goats, were free to roam the undergrowth, and the treetops were home to the GenMops and the birds. It wouldn't be long before some of them would be let free to populate the world outside and fend for themselves.

'Just something David told me.'

Behind them, swinging up the metalwork of the stairs, a hairy creature landed deftly by Foreman's feet. Foreman held out his hand and the GenMop took it, and swung up into Foreman's arms and planted a kiss on his cheek.

'Hello, Mango. I think you are getting heavy, my little pal.'

'Oooh, Mango. Oooh, Craggy.'

'Hi, Mango. How are you?'

'Oooh, Good, Mango.'

Foreman said, 'GenMops were always intended to be the ones looking after Mars. Not people.'

'Opted for a life of luxury instead,' said Craggy.

'I've a few months, I'm told,' said Foreman. 'That's what you wanted to know, isn't it?'

'Sorry to hear that, Andy. I just thought if you ever wanted a friend to just have a beer with and chew the fat, give me a shout.'