Exiled to the Stars (62 page)

Ken smiled. "I understand. Let's call it the 'other tunnel'. Take some extra supplies and charges for your weapons. The R65C is reporting a large anomaly about 40 klicks from your location. Frank says it's much stronger than the tunnel's signal And other sensors are recording a faint energy source. This may be it!"

Ron whistled softly. "I'm glad I posted sentries at the entrance to that tunnel. We'll start in the morning. I want the team to get a good night's sleep and a hot meal. Forty klicks is about three days' travel, but I won't want to push my people, since we don't know what we'll be facing when we get there. Say four days, to be safe."

Ken nodded. "Don't rush. Whatever it is has been there at least forty years. I suspect it'll still be there when you get there. Take no unnecessary chances."

Ron grinned. "No problem, sire. Elaine and I have already agreed to live long enough to become a problem to our grandchildren. Or great-grandchildren."

Ken smiled. "Good. I know no communication will be possible, but try to keep me posted as often as you can. Kerry's reports and your interview with her have caused a lot of excitement down here. Most of the Earthborns want to 'fort up' in the Castle, and build the Militia into a military. The Believers want to pursue immediate first contact with the 'natives', despite the fact that we can't seem to
find
any natives. Most people are nervous, but more cautious than the Believers. They want to know why the natives haven't found us? How could an advanced civilization
not
see a 500-meter starship crash on their planet? Even if they live underground, the seismic effect must have been detectable planet-wide. Why did the initial planetary survey from orbit not detect such an obviously advanced civilization? Why didn't they ever repair the cave-in? Mysteries make people nervous. I can keep a lid on it as long as I can have developments to report once in a while."

Ron shrugged, a doubtful look on his face. "I'm not sure how that will be possible, sire, but I'll try."

The tunnel was just as dusty in this direction as the other, and showed no more signs of disturbance. With Jazzy leading, they set off. Ron set a faster pace this time; he was convinced the tunnel would be as empty as the other had been, at least this close to the human tunnel. He hoped to cover extra ground early in the trip, so that the last few klicks could be little more than a creep. This was the first time they'd detected an energy source. Energy sources indicated activity, and probably, defenses.

He was glad Elaine was along this time, but he was worried, too. If anything happened, it would happen to both of them. And then what would happen to the kids? Oh, sure, Vlad and Susan would take care of them, but it wouldn't be the same. Kids needed
parents
!

At about 20 klicks, they discovered another tunnel intersecting the tube, similar to the one through which they'd entered. This one, though, wasn't just a cave. It had an odd, seemingly airtight hatch covering its outer end, with a complicated-looking latching mechanism. They figured it out in a few moments. Still, it took all their combined effort to swing it open on protesting hinges. They learned they had also been pushing a sizable pile of earth.

They found themselves at the head of a long, gentle ramp containing several switchbacks, leading into a small rift valley similar to the one they'd entered from. At least he was able to report. "It looks like our tunnel, sire, but it has a hatch over the end. I assume that rockslide took out the one on our tunnel. If we had some people dig around that slide, I'd bet they'll find it."

Ken nodded. "You're probably right. I'll call Angel and see if he needs some more metal samples. He might also want to look at the one you've found. I've got your coordinates, so we could send someone in one of the helis.

"It'll be easy to spot, sire. There's a very obvious ramp running up to the tunnel. Angel might also be interested in the substance making up the ramp. I don't recognize it. I'm sending our vid footage, so you can update the colony."

Ron wasn't the only one making calls. "Hi, Mom," Elaine said. "How are the kids?"

Susan sniffed. "Spoiled, as usual. Your father is feeding them sweets again. I swear, if they get stomach aches, I'm going to make
him
treat them this time!" But her eyes were appraising as she looked at her daughter. "Are
you
all right?"

Elaine rolled her eyes. "Oh, mom, of course I am. I haven't been doing anything for two days except walk. It's not going to get exciting for another couple of days."

"Hmph," Susan replied. "You mean 'dangerous', not 'exciting'. I can't believe Ron would let you go into such a dangerous situation. I thought he loved you."

"He does, mom," Elaine replied in a patient tone. "He loves me enough to want me with him, and to know that he'd have been in big trouble if he'd tried to leave me at home."

"Are you harassing poor Elaine again?" came Vlad's voice in the background. "the woman's on an important mission, has the good grace to call you, and you're still fussing at her? I'll take it!" Her father's brown face appeared on her screen. "Hi, Varmint. Are you keeping Ron out of trouble?"

Elaine grinned. Her father was incorrigible. "I hear you're spoiling my kids again," she said.

"Spoiling them? Me?" He asked with theatrical drama. "A totally unsubstantiated rumor. No substance to it at all. You know me. Nose to the grindstone! Homework before homework! Right kids?" A high-pitched chorus of affirmation arose. "Here," Vlad continued, "I'll put them on. They'll tell you what a slave driving monster their grandfather is!"

Elaine spent a happy five minutes talking with the twins. Her eyes were wet when she disconnected.

It was still a bit early, but they decided to set up camp outside, away from the oppressive sameness of the white tube.

They found that the ramp was made of some rocklike substance, but one that had been shaped. Denis Chu was the one who came up with the idea of cleaning off one of the flat switchbacks, and camping on its solid surface. They swept it clean, sprayed it, and set alarms around it, and they had a campsite safe from burrowing threats. Ron built a campfire, and the ten Explorers spent a very enjoyable evening under the stars.

The next morning, they regretfully reentered the tunnel, closing the hatch behind them, and resumed their trek. The unrelenting sameness of the tunnel was oppressive, as was the overwhelming silence. Talk became chatter, an increasingly meaningless effort to fill the depressing silence.

On the afternoon of the third day, Jazzy reported detection of faint light ahead. Instantly, the Explorers were alert. Lasers were clutched tightly, and their progress slowed. They donned night vision glasses, and Jazzy switched her beam to infrared. When she reported the light was red, Ron had her shut off the light entirely. "If they use that end of the spectrum, they may also see infrared," he explained to the others. They crept forward. With the help of the night-vision glasses, they began to see the dim red light themselves.

With dramatic suddenness, the tube tunnel opened into a huge cavern. The Explorers gasped, and flattened on the bottom of the tunnel.

"No life signs detected within twenty meters," Jazzy reported, her normal voice resonating in the tunnel. "Jazzy, lower your voice," Ron whispered frantically. "Yes, sire," she responded in a softer tone. "No movement detected within twenty meters. Unfamiliar energy source detected. Estimated range, 100 meters. Recommend mission proceed."

"Send
her
out there," Raj Darpee suggested.

Ron shook his head. "No. She's too obviously a machine. A human has to go along. Hey!" he added in a forced cheerful tone, "we came up here to look around!"

"Yar," said Denis, "But I didn't expect a blasted
city
!"

Elaine shook her head. "Doesn't matter," she said. "This is why we get the big credits. Besides, this place looks great. I want to look around!" Nodding to Ron she rose, and he joined her. Shamed, the others slowly rose, and the party once again moved forward, slowly. Very, very slowly.

The cavern was filled with low, octagonally-shaped buildings. Only one seemed more than four stories high. As they got closer, Ron realized that the appearance was deceiving. The buildings were much lower than they looked; each story was only about two meters high. Evidently the natives were shorter than humans. Windows, what few there were, were small, blank, dark, and apparently lacked glass. Ron thought they looked more like vents than windows.

Ron suddenly realized that the floor was covered with a thick carpet of dust. Undisturbed dust. He sighed with relief, and straightened. "Keep your eyes on the floor," he advised the others. "The dust is deep and undisturbed. Nobody's been here in years. I'd say that in any place the dust is like this, we can move about freely. The place looks abandoned."

"Maybe," Tran said wryly, "but somebody's left the lights on."

Ron nodded. "Yar. We've got light and an energy signature. We're gonna go check on it."

"Oh, goody," Tran replied.

"Shut up, Tran," Ron said. "If anyone starts seeing tracks in the dust off to the side or something, or anything moves in one of the buildings, sing out. Life signs, Jazzy?"

"No life signs detected within twenty meters, and no movement detected within twenty meters. However, detection is impaired due to artificial constructions."

Ron chuckled. "Right. 'Artificial constructions'. Everybody watch those artificial constructions." He glanced at Ras. The youngest Explorer's knuckles were white where they clutched his laser, and barely-controlled panic filled his eyes.

"Relax, kid," he murmured. "There's nothing here but empty buildings."

The wild eyes turned to him. "How do you know? How can you know that?"

Ron gestured at the floor. "Do you know how long it takes to build up that much dust? And if someone still lived here, that dust would be full of footprints. Or paw prints. Or tentacle prints. Or slime trails. Nobody's been here for a long time."

Some of the panic left the young man's eyes. "Then why are we creeping around like this?"

Ron smiled. "Three reasons. First, as Tran said, somebody left the lights on. Second, we're detecting an energy source. And third, we're following procedure, and watching out for boojums. "

Ras slowly relaxed, and finally nodded to Ron. "Thank you, sire," he said, and Ron suppressed a flare of irritation. He was certain he wasn't old enough to be called 'sire'. But more and more of the youngsters were doing it. Elaine caught the irritation, smiled, and shook her head.

The dim red light was becoming a bit brighter. Still not up to human comfort, but brighter than it had been when they entered the cavern. Ron was also sure he could hear a faint hum of power.

"Jazzy," he asked, "range to the unknown power source."

"Range fifty meters," the robot replied.

"Fifty meters and still no tracks in the dust," Ron remarked. "I think Tran was right, and somebody just left the lights on. And not just yesterday, either. Jazzy," he continued, "let's head directly for the power source. Everybody else is looking for footprints, right?"

A chorus of "right"s answered him.

Chapter 25

Fourthmonth 2, Year 39 A.L.

Ron could
feel
the hum of power before he even saw the building. The building itself was unremarkable, and looked almost exactly like those surrounding it, octagonal, with low stories. But it was the only building in the place that was five stories tall, and the windows, black and empty in the other buildings, emitted a strong, steady red light.

Ron stopped the team and examined the dust. Just as deep as elsewhere, and unmarked. "Stay here," he ordered. "I’m going to circle the building. If I don't see any fresh prints, I guess it'll be time to visit the neighbors."

Elaine was frowning, and mouthed a silent, "Be careful!" Ron gave her a reassuring smile. He was pretty sure, now, that they were alone here. But that didn't prevent him scanning his surroundings while checking the dust for tracks.

He returned, smiling broadly. "All right," he said in a normal tone. "Who wants to be the first to visit the neighbors?

"I volunteer Jazzy," replied Tran.

"How generous of you to save her the trouble of volunteering herself," Ron replied. “I'm tempted to send you in to hold her hand. Jazzy," he said, turning to the robot, "Please enter the building. Report what you find on the first floor, and what arrangements exist for access to higher floors."

The robot had to angle its upright portion to enter the low doorway, but otherwise seemed to encounter no difficulties. The others stood around the door, nervous and poised to burst into the building if one of Jazzy's alarms sounded.

None did, and after some ten minutes, the machine emerged from the building. "No life signs were detected within the confines of the artificial construct," she began. "The first floor consists of several large rooms with low dividers separating them into 64 cubicles each. Access to upper floors is gained by the use of two ramps, each approximately two meters wide. No motion was detected. Energy source is beneath the building, but no access point was apparent."

Ron grinned. "Thank you Jazzy. Tran, for your bravery in volunteering Jazzy for that mission, you have earned the honor of leading us into the building."

Tran grimaced. "Gee, thanks, sire. If it's all the same to you, I'd rather have a medal."

The building's entrance was about two meters wide, but all of them, even Elaine, had to bend to enter, since it was only slightly more than a meter high. Once inside, only Elaine was short enough to stand comfortably straight beneath the approximately two-meter-high ceiling. All of the other Explorers had to lower their heads or crouch to some degree.

As Jazzy had mentioned, the first floor consisted of five large rooms of interlocking octagons, each containing walls about a meter high, dividing the room into what were apparently octagonal cubicles. Each cubicle contained a "saddle" similar to those in the tube car, adjoining a raised step. On each step was an octagonal box, covered with indecipherable squiggles, and several straight lines that appeared to be indicators of some sort. They could locate no source for the red light. It seemed pervasive, coming from the walls themselves. Hampered by the low ceilings and dim red light, the Explorers checked each room, ensuring their emptiness.