Touching
(1)
The planet was smaller than Earth but was reported, through Main Computer, to have rich land, oceans, lakes, seasonal weather, and – as far as Computer could tell – no humanoid life forms.
The Commander took the usual landing party, consisting of Dr. Russell, Maya, Alan Carter, Ed Mims for plant life analysis and two others as surveyors. This one would be close, Alpha having only forty eight hours to do their reconnaissance and instigate an Operation Exodus should an evacuation of Alpha prove to be the right move.
"Use all the typical precautions." Helena urged.
"But be quick." Koenig added.
John and Helena moved off to examine a deserted building, a structure that appeared at one time to be a church or temple. There were pests eaten pews, discolored statues of beings that may have been human, and torn and dusty tapestries along weather beaten walls. The building was dilapidated now but it proved that once human life did exist on the enigmatic planet.
Carefully, Helena examined a writing carved into a wall panel. She saw symbols that might have been animals or insect life. She thought to have Maya take a look later. Maybe it was a language she understood and could explain what happened to these people.
Koenig looked up at the ceiling, at what appeared a one time sophisticated lightening system. "They were not without intelligence." He wondered about the people too and he'd be lying to himself if he did not consider their decimation, even if it was thousands of years in the past, a deterrent to the Alphans possible Exodus.
The unknown always had a way of making him nervous.
"Ecologically, it looks good, John." Tony Verdeschi called from Alpha. They were halfway through there planetary exam, Maya and Mims analyzing the water and Carter with the other two men doing a soil survey. "But I'm getting an odd report. It seems like the planet may not be as deserted as we thought. Doesn't look humanoid but Computer says …"
The connection broke, replaced by a high pitch siren or frantic chirping. "Tony, do you hear me?" Koenig tried but could not get Verdeschi back on the screen. He finally had to shut down his comlock.
Helena stood by Koenig's side and tried her own comlock. She too received nothing but a siren and, annoyed, shut it off. "What do you think, John?" she asked, nervously.
He was about to reply when they heard Maya scream and a shout from what sounded like Alan Carter. Both John and Helena raced out of the building to the creek Maya was working near. They spotted she and Mims running frantically to the Eagle.
They were being chased by a multitude of large insects, thousands of creatures that looked like grasshoppers!
Koenig grasped Helena's hand and pulled her along, "To the Eagle!"
They were nearly there, watching Carter and his crew also running for safety inside their Eagle, when the insane chirping was heard again. It was not through their comlock but seemed to be coming from the planet itself!
And this time it was so loud it caused pain.
Koenig could feel Helena's hand slip from his as she cried out, forced to her knees, her hands over her ears. John was also in agony, grasping for her but collapsing to the ground himself, feeling consciousness ebbing.
The last thing he heard before passing out was the sound of Eagle Two powering up, lifting off, and leaving he and Helena behind.
Continue ...
This fiction first appeared on the Facebook Page: Martin Landau Appreciation Group. It is now here for archiving purposes and your enjoyment. Thank you!
