SAND OF DEATH
Chapter 3
Julia followed Alonzo's dark shadow through the trees and out of the camp. It was now completely dark and she could barely see him in the light of the stars. Neither of the moons was visible yet. Alonzo walked quickly, with large strides and she was hard pressed to keep up with him. At last he stopped to gaze ahead at the desert. She quickened her pace to catch up, and tripped over a boulder. Small pebbles clattered and she let out a surprised yelp.
Alarmed by the noise, Alonzo whirled around. His dark eyes, hard and unreadable, softened as he recognized her.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't mean to startle you."
"That's okay," he replied. "I'm just jumpy, is all." He turned away from her to glare at the dimly illuminated landscape, a troubled frown on his brow. He ran his hands through his hair.
"What's wrong?" Julia asked. His anxiety was disturbing. "Why don't you want us to follow Danziger and Morgan into the desert?"
"The Terrians told me we should stay away," Alonzo replied. "And of course Devon won't listen."
"Did the Terrians give you a reason?" Julia inquired. "Maybe if you could explain to Devon--"
Impatiently Alonzo cut her off. "I told Devon exactly what the Terrians told me; they call it the 'sand of death'. She has set her mind on getting to New Pacifica as fast as possible, no matter what."
"Alonzo, that's not true and you know it," Julia chided gently. "I don't like this place very much either. But you know we can't base our decisions on unsubstantiated charges."
With an angry gesture he silenced her. "This is a Terrian warning. They came to me in my dreams. They don't do that unless they're serious. How's that for substantial?"
She was taken aback by his violent outburst and didn't know how to reply.
"We'll be extra careful," she tried to comfort him. He shrugged and peered into the dark night ahead. The first glimmer of the lesser moon appeared on the horizon. When he remained silent, Julia sighed and quietly headed back towards the camp.
* * *
"Morgan, the number seven anthrosceptor I said."
With an exasperated sigh Danziger rummaged through his toolkit in search of the required tool. He dropped the retractor in the box, ignoring Morgan's dark glare.
"I'm a lawyer, not a mechanic," Morgan shot back. "How am I supposed to know what's an antersepter among these doohickeys?"
"An-thro-scep-tor," Danziger grumbled below his breath as he crawled back under the disabled DuneRail. He'd been working on the machine since first light and his temper was on a short fuse. Morgan's vocal complaints didn't help much.
"I don't like this," Morgan stated. "I don't like this one bit. Another scorching desert to cross. Why couldn't we've crashed in a more moderate climate?" He paused to wipe his brow with the rag that covered his head.
"Ah, the comfort of shade, the luxury of streaming rivers..." He heaved a wistful sigh.
"Martin, shut your trap," Danziger growled from beneath the vehicle. "Go see if you can spot the Rover." Any errand would be good, he thought, as long as it got Morgan out of earshot. Before he strangled him.
As Morgan walked away Danziger clucked wryly. He'd promised Devon to take it easy on the bureaucrat but he could think of a quite a few people he'd much rather be stuck with than Morgan Martin.
He turned his attention back to the Rail and whistled through his teeth as he removed the plate that covered the power conveyor. Small wonder the Rail refused to run. A layer of fine black desert dust blanketed the delicate fuse crystals. He pursed his lips and blew hard on the crystals but the dust stuck stubbornly. He sighed. He'd have to remove the whole set to clean it. Something to remember, though, before they continued through this wasteland: seal the conveyor compartments of the vehicles.
"Danziger!" Morgan called as he came stumbling back down the hill in clouds of dark dust. "They're here, I can see the Rover."
Danziger pushed away from the Rail and got up to follow Morgan's pointing finger. Indeed, in the distance he spotted the solar collectors slowly turning atop the Rover. Adair wouldn't be pleased that the Rail wasn't ready to continue. He suspected they'd have to make camp right here, to clean the engines and make sure no more dust could interfere with the sensitive machinery.
"Dad!" True's happy voice rang across the shimmering black sands. The girl ran to her father to be scooped up in his arms and hugged him closely.
"Hey True-girl," he smiled at her. "Take it easy, it's too hot to go running around."
"I'm just glad to see you," she grinned. "What's wrong with the Rail?" Over his shoulder she spotted the half-dismantled Rail and the various parts strewn around the vehicle.
"Danziger," Devon greeted him before he could reply. She frowned when she too noticed the Rail's current state of disarray. "Haven't you repaired it yet?" she asked.
"I spent all morning trying to find what's wrong," Danziger defended himself. "And no, obviously I haven't fixed it yet. I've to take apart the engine to clean it. And I've got to do the same with the Rover and the ATV," he added. "Dust is clogging the power conveyors so I'm going to seal them. Shouldn't take more than a day though." He took a deep breath to prepare himself for the outburst he was sure would come. But Devon just stared at him for a moment. Then she turned around and addressed the rest of the group.
"Okay people, listen up. We're camping right here tonight."
* * *
Julia busied herself handing out water rations to the thirsty crewmembers. She was very insistent that they all drank often, even more so since Cameron had nearly succumbed with heat stroke a few days ago.
"How are we doing with our water supply?" Devon asked. Julia shut the valve on the tank and glanced up at the other woman. The back of the large TransRover was filled with transparent water tanks, the clear liquid sloshing inside.
"We should be okay for a week," she replied and handed Devon a cup. "Ten days if we stretch it. Cameron filled all the water tanks this morning from the spring. There's not enough for bathing or laundry though."
Devon screwed up her face in disgust, then nodded her understanding.
"Several small streams show near the point where we get back on the map. We should reach those within a week," Devon said. She drained the cup and gave it back to Julia.
Julia filled another tumbler and searched for Alonzo. She discovered him sitting in the ATV, a little ahead of the halted caravan of travelers. He sat very still, one leg drawn up and his arm resting on his knee. His dark, fierce eyes glared moodily over the shimmering sands. Since his outburst last night Alonzo hadn't said two words to her. Or to anyone else, for that matter. She hadn't seen him this tense since they arrived on the planet.
"'Lonzo?" she called as she neared the ATV. Slowly he moved his head to look at her. He appeared to be in a trance and she wondered if she'd disturbed him talking to the Terrians. Alonzo seemed to visibly shake off the dark thoughts that creased his brow and he smiled wanly as she handed him the water.
"Thanks," he said. He drank down the liquid in a few gulps, then returned the beaker. She hesitated a moment, not sure if she should say anything about the previous evening, and began to walk back to the Rover.
"Julia," he called after her. She turned to look at him. His eyes were softer now, not so distant.
"I'm sorry I snapped at you."
She shrugged off his apology. "That's okay," she said. "We're all on edge."
"I shouldn't have taken it out on you," he answered. He jumped off the ATV and walked over to her. When he took her by the shoulders he stared deep into her eyes. She felt herself drawn in by his intense stare.
"Doc, I can't explain very well in words what the Terrians told me. I didn't really understand. All I know is we are in great danger in this desert. We need to be very careful." He was quiet for a moment, his gaze drifting away from her to stare once more across the wastelands ahead.
"Julia, if we don't make it--" he began. She quickly put a finger to his lips to stop him from continuing. Inwardly she shivered as a cold hand clamped around her heart. What exactly did the Terrians tell him?
"Don't say that," she stopped him. "We'll be alright, I promise."
TBC
Chapter 3
Julia followed Alonzo's dark shadow through the trees and out of the camp. It was now completely dark and she could barely see him in the light of the stars. Neither of the moons was visible yet. Alonzo walked quickly, with large strides and she was hard pressed to keep up with him. At last he stopped to gaze ahead at the desert. She quickened her pace to catch up, and tripped over a boulder. Small pebbles clattered and she let out a surprised yelp.
Alarmed by the noise, Alonzo whirled around. His dark eyes, hard and unreadable, softened as he recognized her.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't mean to startle you."
"That's okay," he replied. "I'm just jumpy, is all." He turned away from her to glare at the dimly illuminated landscape, a troubled frown on his brow. He ran his hands through his hair.
"What's wrong?" Julia asked. His anxiety was disturbing. "Why don't you want us to follow Danziger and Morgan into the desert?"
"The Terrians told me we should stay away," Alonzo replied. "And of course Devon won't listen."
"Did the Terrians give you a reason?" Julia inquired. "Maybe if you could explain to Devon--"
Impatiently Alonzo cut her off. "I told Devon exactly what the Terrians told me; they call it the 'sand of death'. She has set her mind on getting to New Pacifica as fast as possible, no matter what."
"Alonzo, that's not true and you know it," Julia chided gently. "I don't like this place very much either. But you know we can't base our decisions on unsubstantiated charges."
With an angry gesture he silenced her. "This is a Terrian warning. They came to me in my dreams. They don't do that unless they're serious. How's that for substantial?"
She was taken aback by his violent outburst and didn't know how to reply.
"We'll be extra careful," she tried to comfort him. He shrugged and peered into the dark night ahead. The first glimmer of the lesser moon appeared on the horizon. When he remained silent, Julia sighed and quietly headed back towards the camp.
* * *
"Morgan, the number seven anthrosceptor I said."
With an exasperated sigh Danziger rummaged through his toolkit in search of the required tool. He dropped the retractor in the box, ignoring Morgan's dark glare.
"I'm a lawyer, not a mechanic," Morgan shot back. "How am I supposed to know what's an antersepter among these doohickeys?"
"An-thro-scep-tor," Danziger grumbled below his breath as he crawled back under the disabled DuneRail. He'd been working on the machine since first light and his temper was on a short fuse. Morgan's vocal complaints didn't help much.
"I don't like this," Morgan stated. "I don't like this one bit. Another scorching desert to cross. Why couldn't we've crashed in a more moderate climate?" He paused to wipe his brow with the rag that covered his head.
"Ah, the comfort of shade, the luxury of streaming rivers..." He heaved a wistful sigh.
"Martin, shut your trap," Danziger growled from beneath the vehicle. "Go see if you can spot the Rover." Any errand would be good, he thought, as long as it got Morgan out of earshot. Before he strangled him.
As Morgan walked away Danziger clucked wryly. He'd promised Devon to take it easy on the bureaucrat but he could think of a quite a few people he'd much rather be stuck with than Morgan Martin.
He turned his attention back to the Rail and whistled through his teeth as he removed the plate that covered the power conveyor. Small wonder the Rail refused to run. A layer of fine black desert dust blanketed the delicate fuse crystals. He pursed his lips and blew hard on the crystals but the dust stuck stubbornly. He sighed. He'd have to remove the whole set to clean it. Something to remember, though, before they continued through this wasteland: seal the conveyor compartments of the vehicles.
"Danziger!" Morgan called as he came stumbling back down the hill in clouds of dark dust. "They're here, I can see the Rover."
Danziger pushed away from the Rail and got up to follow Morgan's pointing finger. Indeed, in the distance he spotted the solar collectors slowly turning atop the Rover. Adair wouldn't be pleased that the Rail wasn't ready to continue. He suspected they'd have to make camp right here, to clean the engines and make sure no more dust could interfere with the sensitive machinery.
"Dad!" True's happy voice rang across the shimmering black sands. The girl ran to her father to be scooped up in his arms and hugged him closely.
"Hey True-girl," he smiled at her. "Take it easy, it's too hot to go running around."
"I'm just glad to see you," she grinned. "What's wrong with the Rail?" Over his shoulder she spotted the half-dismantled Rail and the various parts strewn around the vehicle.
"Danziger," Devon greeted him before he could reply. She frowned when she too noticed the Rail's current state of disarray. "Haven't you repaired it yet?" she asked.
"I spent all morning trying to find what's wrong," Danziger defended himself. "And no, obviously I haven't fixed it yet. I've to take apart the engine to clean it. And I've got to do the same with the Rover and the ATV," he added. "Dust is clogging the power conveyors so I'm going to seal them. Shouldn't take more than a day though." He took a deep breath to prepare himself for the outburst he was sure would come. But Devon just stared at him for a moment. Then she turned around and addressed the rest of the group.
"Okay people, listen up. We're camping right here tonight."
* * *
Julia busied herself handing out water rations to the thirsty crewmembers. She was very insistent that they all drank often, even more so since Cameron had nearly succumbed with heat stroke a few days ago.
"How are we doing with our water supply?" Devon asked. Julia shut the valve on the tank and glanced up at the other woman. The back of the large TransRover was filled with transparent water tanks, the clear liquid sloshing inside.
"We should be okay for a week," she replied and handed Devon a cup. "Ten days if we stretch it. Cameron filled all the water tanks this morning from the spring. There's not enough for bathing or laundry though."
Devon screwed up her face in disgust, then nodded her understanding.
"Several small streams show near the point where we get back on the map. We should reach those within a week," Devon said. She drained the cup and gave it back to Julia.
Julia filled another tumbler and searched for Alonzo. She discovered him sitting in the ATV, a little ahead of the halted caravan of travelers. He sat very still, one leg drawn up and his arm resting on his knee. His dark, fierce eyes glared moodily over the shimmering sands. Since his outburst last night Alonzo hadn't said two words to her. Or to anyone else, for that matter. She hadn't seen him this tense since they arrived on the planet.
"'Lonzo?" she called as she neared the ATV. Slowly he moved his head to look at her. He appeared to be in a trance and she wondered if she'd disturbed him talking to the Terrians. Alonzo seemed to visibly shake off the dark thoughts that creased his brow and he smiled wanly as she handed him the water.
"Thanks," he said. He drank down the liquid in a few gulps, then returned the beaker. She hesitated a moment, not sure if she should say anything about the previous evening, and began to walk back to the Rover.
"Julia," he called after her. She turned to look at him. His eyes were softer now, not so distant.
"I'm sorry I snapped at you."
She shrugged off his apology. "That's okay," she said. "We're all on edge."
"I shouldn't have taken it out on you," he answered. He jumped off the ATV and walked over to her. When he took her by the shoulders he stared deep into her eyes. She felt herself drawn in by his intense stare.
"Doc, I can't explain very well in words what the Terrians told me. I didn't really understand. All I know is we are in great danger in this desert. We need to be very careful." He was quiet for a moment, his gaze drifting away from her to stare once more across the wastelands ahead.
"Julia, if we don't make it--" he began. She quickly put a finger to his lips to stop him from continuing. Inwardly she shivered as a cold hand clamped around her heart. What exactly did the Terrians tell him?
"Don't say that," she stopped him. "We'll be alright, I promise."
TBC