Rimmer's Decision
The crew followed Ethan and the crowd over the plain and it wasn't long before small wooden huts came into view, clustered around a large open space with a huge unlit fire in the middle. What's that for? Kochanski asked Ethan curiously.
Two words. Ethan told her, Light and heat. It can get quite cold here at night so we light the fire at dusk and the warmth reaches all the houses in the circle. And if we need to hold a meeting or the hunters need to be guided home in the evenings, it gives off a real glow as well; you can see it for miles.
He led them to one of the huts and held aside the animal skin that served as a doorway. Come on in. They filed in after him and he gestured to them to make themselves comfortable at a large round wooden table to one side, surrounded by similar chairs. They looked like they'd been hewn from some kind of fir tree. In the other corner was a low bed of woollen blankets and furs.
asked Lister, as they sat down, Are you in charge round here, then? Ethan shrugged, Not really. Nobody's in charge as such. We're a democratic society; all decisions affecting the community are made by vote. But people do listen to me and I suppose that if we had a leader then it would probably be me. But officially, no. Lister nodded. he exchanged a look with Kriss, I suppose the burning question we have is this: Are you guys actually human or are you something else?
I can see I had better put your mind at rest. Ethan grinned, Yes. We are human. We are not aliens or GELF's or anything else nasty that might suddenly change shape and eat you.
Thanks, bud. That's good to know. the Cat grinned.
So, how did you get here? Or I suppose more importantly, how long have you been here? And how the smeg do you know about us? Lister asked him.
Ethan sat back with a sigh, I think I'd better start at the beginning. Around four thousand years ago, a JMC ship crash-landed on this planetoid. The crash was not severe; only a few lives were lost, but it was bad enough that the ship could not be repaired. They were stranded here. So, they did the only thing they could in the circumstances and made this place their home. And everyone here is descended from the six-hundred or so survivors of that crash. The remains of the ship are still there to this day. Rusty and decrepit of course, but they're there.
Our scan picked up non-human life here, as well. Kryten ventured, voicing his worries. Ethan nodded. There is. We've got sheep and goats and cattle, all that kind of stuff. But we've also got something else less pleasant. On the other side of the planetoid. Which is why you got the less than friendly reception you did, I'm afraid.
What are they? Lister asked. Ethan shrugged,
We've never been sure. We think they might be GELF's of some sort. We call them the Furies.
After the Greek myth. Kriss noted. Kryten rolled his eyes.
Whatever they are, they're not friendly. Ethan carried on. And the past six months or so it's been building up. There have been little battles. We think they're building up for a full-scale assault on us. And if they do we won't win. They have larger numbers and better weapons. We think they came here quite recently from somewhere else. Somewhere more advanced.
So, what are you going to do? Lister asked.
We don't know. Ethan shook his head, We can't fight and there's nowhere for us to run to. It seems hopeless. Or at least... a glimmer of hope sparked in his eyes, It seemed that way up until a couple of weeks ago. Perhaps now we have a chance. A secret weapon, if you like. Which brings me on to how I know about you...
Lis...! I mean...Skipper!
The crew whirled round to see a heroic figure outlined in the doorway wearing a huge smile. Lister jumped to his feet, Rimm...! I mean...Ace! They met in the centre of the room and threw their arms around each other, laughing. Skipper, me old chum, what in the name of skin-tight latex are you doing here?
I could ask you the same question! Lister replied. Ethan watched them, beaming,
You see! We have Ace Rimmer on our side! And the Furies didn't bet on that!
