Danziger had attached a Lumalight to his MagPro. As he scanned the cliff face with the light, the muzzle of the weapon followed faithfully. He lit the ridge above him and noticed a small ledge. He traced its course and found it ran in the direction of the pools. `Where the hell was Alonzo and Julia? It was time they should be heading back.'
A bird, startled from its nest by the light, burst into flight, scaring the hell out of the mechanic as he worked his way down to the floor of the valley. Danziger felt the heart- pounding effects of an adrenaline rush. He cursed.
In the direction of the pools, the sudden explosion of activity. The pounding of movement grew louder. His heart began matching the rhythm of each crashing sound. Something or someone coming straight toward him. Dousing the light, Danziger crouched. His mind painted an alarming picture of standing in the path of a runaway station transport.
In the dimness of available light, the figure appeared grotesque. Huge in size and width, it resembled and moved like nothing human. Danizger was aware of labored breathing and a small whimpering cry as it passed inches away. Gathering his nerve, he rose. Finger on the trigger, he aimed the MagPro at the shadow and heard the reassuring hum of the armed weapon.
"Freeze." The word came out more like a croak and Danziger prayed the sound still carried the meaning of his threat.
Apparently, his command was understood, but he was stunned to see the shape break in two distinct outlines as it attempted to halt. One rolled forward, coming to rest in a ball-like form. The other spun and hurtled itself at him. The unfolding apparition caught him by surprise, knocking him off balance as he fired. The weapon's discharge lit the darkness, flying above its mark.
Danziger folded under the impact but managed to haul his attacker with him. Together they crashed and rolled over whatever lay in their path, each engaged in a life and death struggle for dominance. Danizger kicked his opponent away and groped desperately for the weapon. His fingertips brushed hard steel. Judging the distance, he dove sideways and caught it with his right hand. He continued to roll, giving himself enough distance to set up a defense.
The sound of heavy breathing alerted him to a fresh attack but, unsure of the direction, he hit the light seeking the target of his fire. Insanity stood in his beam, dirty, naked, the eyes of a killer burned with a consuming rage.
Danziger's mind registered something familiar and held his trigger finger. "Alonzo?" Danziger wondered if his eyes were deceiving him with the sudden transformation. The mechanic began to shake with the growing realization that he had almost killed a friend. "Jesus!! Are you out of your mind?"
There was still a hint of madness in the pilot's eyes as they swept his surroundings. A whispered hiss broke through cracked lips. "Where is he?"
Danziger swung, looking behind -- to the right and left while still keeping one eye on Alonzo. "Who? I don't see anyone."
The pilot became aggravated, looking around himself. "Julia? Where's Julia?"
"She was with you? Where are your clothes?" Danziger questions were drown by nearby shouts.
What seemed like an eternity had only been minutes. His weapon's fire had alerted camp.
Alonzo paid no attention to Danziger's questions. Crouching, he frantically searched the shadows. "I had her. I was carrying her away from him."
Danziger was extremely uneasy with the pilot's erratic behavior but the agony and worry in his voice were clear. Julia must have been the second figure he saw tumbling forward earlier. Taking advantage of Alonzo's distraction, he moved cautiously in that direction.
His light caught her paleness. Eyes opened wide, she lay transfixed, wrapped in a fetal position.
"Julia?" Danziger felt the doctor tremble beneath his touch.
Alonzo appeared at his side and Julia's reaction was immediate.
Appealing to Danizger, she cringed from Alonzo. "No! Keep him away from me."
John turned a bewildered look on his friend and saw Alonzo's stunned expression and noticed for the first time a pattern to the scratch marks on his face. Directing his light on Julia's hand, he saw blood under her fingernails. "Just what the hell happened here, Alonzo?"
Baines, Walman and Mazatl found their three friends by following Danziger's hail. They exchanged curious glances at the sight that met them. Alonzo stood off to one side, filthy, disheveled and stark naked. Danziger looking uncomfortable, kneeling with a MagPro in his right arm and Julia huddled under his left. The mechanic's shirt had hastily been thrown around her.
"Walman, give Solace your shirt so we can go home."
The big blond began to do as he was instructed but the pilot ignored the offer.
"I'm going back."
"Don't be a fool." Danziger turned on the pilot but received a defiant look in exchange.
"I left a pistol under my clothes. I'm going back for it."
"So you didn't go unarmed?"
Alonzo met the other man's eyes and knew what he left unsaid.
"Walman, you and Baines take Julia back to camp. Mazatl, you're coming with me."
"Forget it, I'm going alone. I'm trusting you to make sure nothing happens to her. " It was clear to Alonzo that Julia wanted no part of him so the pilot slipped soundlessly into the shadows.
"Alonzo wait! Shit! Here take her and be careful going back. Alonzo said they were attacked."
Taking Danziger's remark seriously, Walman lifted Julia and he and Baines headed back toward camp, remaining silent and alert for danger.
Danziger took off after Alonzo, his pace hurried but wary. Mazatl soon took the lead and Danziger found himself thankful for the Native American's company. Mazatl had never lost the ability of his ancient ancestors. He had an uncanny instinct for understanding the land and the marks of passage upon it. He moved like the wind. Danziger lost sight of him at times only to have the man appear like a ghost beside him.
"Alonzo goes heedless of the danger and his injuries." The Indian whispered in Danziger's ear, pointing out the dark stains against lighter sand.
"Yea, looks like he's torn his foot open. Maybe it'll slow him down. As for the danger, that might only be in his mind. How about you? Do you sense anything?"
In the dark, Danziger couldn't gauge the other man's reaction but his reply was philosophically candid.
"I sense a power beyond my understanding. When we first came here, the Terrians looked into each of us and found only Alonzo worthy of their trust. I would be a fool to question what is in the mind of such a man."
Sufficiently chastised, Danziger grunted. "Perhaps I'm just the questioning kind."
xxx
Just outside of camp, Julia asked Walman to put her down.
"I don't think that's a good idea, Julia. It's dark. You not going to able to see what your walking on and you don't have anything to protect your feet."
"Please, I don't want everyone staring at me."
Walman considered her attire and figured there would be no way to avoid that. When she insisted, he finally relented and set her down. She walked gingerly beside them but sticks and stones took their toll and made walking difficult. Luckily, they didn't have far to go.
The laser grid appeared as the first line of defense around camp and Cameron was there armed and ready to challenge anyone who attempted to cross it. Both Walman and Baines saw his questioning look but to his credit, he made no comment and promptly alerted Devon on gear that some of team was returning. After shutting down the grid, he waved them through and remained at his post..
Those who remained in camp were anxiously awaiting some word about what had transpired. They grouped about Walman, Baines and Julia but allowed Devon to do the questioning.
"What happened? Where are the others?"
Baines shared a look with Walman before answering. "Alonzo said he and Julia were attacked. He took off right after we found them. I guess he wanted to go after whoever it was. John told us to bring Julia back while he and Mazatl went after Alonzo."
Devon turned to Julia, her eyes taking in the woman's appearance despite the dim light. Wearing nothing but Danziger's shirt which hung to her knees, she appeared extremely frail and vulnerable.
"Julia?"
The doctor knew Devon wanted an answer about what happened but she had no intention of telling her. "Devon, can we talk about this later? I need to get dressed." Julia glanced toward the group of curious on-lookers and tightened her grip on the shirt.
Devon noticed Julia was trembling. She avoided everyone's eyes and appeared to be embarrassed and intimidated by the looks she was receiving.
"Wait for me in my tent. I'll find something for you to wear."
"Thank you." Julia left them all staring after her as she hurried toward the privacy of Devon's tent.
Baines moved closer to his leader and spoke softly so no one else could overhear. "Devon, there's something weird about this whole thing."
"What do you mean?"
"When we found them, you could tell right off both Alonzo and Danziger had been in a battle. John told us Julia and Alonzo had been attacked but didn't say anything about being involved or who he had been fighting with."
Devon listened, her confusion evident.
"There's more."
"Go on."
"This is the crazy part. Julia was terrified, but Danziger was the one she was clinging to. Alonzo just stood off to the side like he was afraid to move. This is just a gut-feeling, but it sure looked to me like Danziger had his gun trained on Alonzo, trying to keep him away from Julia."
"No, that's not possible."
Baines shrugged. "I'm telling you the way I saw it."
"All right. We'll find the truth. I'll talk to Julia and find out exactly what did happen."
"Good luck on that."
As Baines moved off, Devon saw Walman join him and whisper something. They both looked back at Devon before walking off together, she didn't doubt they'd compare impressions and speculate about what might have happened. She broke the others up before she joined Julia in the tent.
The doctor was dressing in the clothing Magus had cleaned and returned earlier. She turned from Devon as she entered.
"It's all right, I'm alone."
Julia proceeded to dress in silence with her back turned toward the other woman, leaving Devon to wonder about the cause of her sudden modesty. She waited patiently as Julia carefully eased herself into a pair of pants. The Grendler's bite stood out in sharp contrast to the multicolored bruises that covered her thighs. It was still a nasty looking wound but appeared to be healing without complications.
"Are you ready to tell me what happened out there?"
"I'd rather not talk about it."
"I'm sorry but that's not acceptable. I need to know what we are up against and until John and Alonzo return you're my only source. Were you and Alonzo attacked by someone?"
Julia raised a shaking hand to her forehead, her eyes filling with tears.
Devon went to her, her concern obvious. "Julia, this is obviously difficult for you but the safety of the group is at stake. It's important for us to know exactly what happened. Here, sit down. " Devon guided the younger woman to the cot and sat beside her. She laid her hand on Julia's shoulder attempting to comfort her. "Where were you when it happened?"
"The pools. Alonzo suggested we go together. We both needed to clean up. I thought the water might help my leg."
"Go on."
Julia wouldn't look at her, she just shook her head.
"Julia, there's a real possibility that we were followed here by penal colonists. I have to know what you saw."
Julia appeared startled by this information. For the first time, she met Devon's eyes. "No."
"No? Are you sure? Did you get a good look at your attacker? Can you tell me anything about them?"
"Devon, there was no one else."
"I don't understand. Are you telling no one attacked you?"
Julia jumped up, clearly distraught. "Please don't ask me anymore."
Devon was beginning to lose patience. "Julia, why are you being so difficult about this. I'm not blind, something obviously frightened you. Tell me what it was."
"I can't."
"Can't? You mean, you won't. I don't believe this. You'd put your feelings above the safety of everyone else?"
"Don't you understand. We were alone. There is no danger to the group that I know of. No one attacked US."
The emphasis was clear.
"I can't believe what you're insinuating. It's inconceivable."
Julie laughter was mixed with tears at the irony of it all. "Don't you think I know that? "
Devon was speechless.
Julia took her silence as denial. "You don't want to believe me, fine. This conversation is pointless. I suggest you ask Alonzo what happened. Perhaps he'll tell you what you want to hear."
As Julia went to pass her, Devon grabbed her by the shoulders, spinning her into a face to face confrontation. "That's not fair." Devon was angry.
Julia's hands shot up and caught the other woman by the wrists. She tried pushing her away. "Take your hands off me." Julia threatened.
Devon got the first clear look at Julia's face. She saw swelling, a hint of bruising across the doctor's mouth. Her eyes dropped to where Julia's hands gripped hers. The underside of both wrists were clearly discolored. External pressure had been great enough to cause blood to leak from the vessels into the surrounding tissue. Devon knew the markings were fresh and hadn't been there earlier. There was also blood under her nails. Evidently, she had fought back, inflicting some damage on her attacker.
Julia saw the direction of the glance. She saw the dawning realization in the other woman's eyes and she dropped her hands to hide the evidence. "I don't want your pity, Devon. I just want to be left alone."
Julia stalked out of the tent and this time Devon made no attempt to stop her.
xxx
Alonzo was limping badly. With each step he took, his foot throbbed in painful protest. The pilot pushed on, focusing on his goal. The gun was the only thing he could count on to make things right. He prayed it would still be where he left it.
He approached the area of the pools cautiously. Everything seemed tranquil and undisturbed. Crouching to make as small a target as possible, he ran commando style, zigzagging an unpredictable course across the few remaining yards of open ground. Any second, the right shot could end his life.
Alonzo dove for the pile of clothing, hitting the ground so hard it knocked the wind out of him. He lay flat, wheezing with the agony of empty lungs while his hand ripped into the pile of clothing. It brushed the hard steel surface of the weapon. Either the convict hadn't stopped for it or missed seeing him slip from under his shirt when he undressed. Maybe he had been too intent on Julia to pay attention.
Alonzo felt the first pangs of guilt. Had he put Julia at risk thinking he could protect her alone? He couldn't be with her every second. Worse, none of the others seemed to believe him, that someone had come after her. It had to end and he was ready to do whatever it took. This guy deserved to die, he'd be doing the world a favor by ridding it of such slime.
Alonzo checked the chamber, cocked the trigger and waited. There was no sound. The night was peaceful. Doubt began to assault him.
He had felt safe turning Julia over to a guard of four heavily armed men but now he began thinking about the deadly silence of an arrow. The shooter could take his friends out, one by one, never giving away his position.
Alonzo was an easy target, he counted on that to draw the convict back to himself. But what if this guy wasn't interested in taking him out? What if he only wanted Julia?
A slow mocking laughter echoed across the cliffs, coming from a hundred different directions. Alonzo swung the gun wildly, trying to pinpoint the source. Frustration and anger grew, grating nerves that were already strained to the breaking point.
"Where are you? " He shouted.
The laughter grew deafening. His head pounding from the vibration, he dropped one hand from the gun to block the sound.
"Go ahead, laugh. If this is such a joke, why are you hiding? Are you scared to come down here? It's easier to take advantage of a helpless woman? Is that it? You want easy? Here, I'll make it easy for you." He threw the gun away and raised both his hands. "See, I'm unarmed. It's just you and me. Come get me!"
The laughter stopped. Silence filled the void. Alonzo waited. The next move would belong to the convict. Off to the right, branches of a tree moved, stirring when there was no wind.
Alonzo swung in anticipation. His mind was suddenly razor sharp, every muscle and nerve tensed and ready. Blood lust filled his soul, burning away all trace of fear and reason. It had all come down to this, time to kill or be killed. He was ready.
Danziger and Mazatl watched the drama play out from the shelter of the trees.
"I don't see anyone. Do you?" John whispered to the Native American.
"That doesn't mean no one is there."
"What's he talking about? I don't hear anyone laughing."
Mazatl put a finger to his lips for silence.
John moved a limb that blocked his view and they both saw the pilot swing toward them.
"Shit. He's spotted us." John yelled out. "Alonzo, it's me, John. Mazatl is here with me. We're coming out."
"No! Go away. I don't want you here."
"Come on man, it's time to go home. You're hurt and confused. Let us help you."
As both men moved from the seclusion of the trees, Alonzo backed away from them. "I don't need your help. Can't you see you're ruining everything. He'll never come now."
"Who? There's no one here but us."
"How can you say that? You heard him. You had to."
"I didn't hear anyone. Mazatl? Do you hear anyone?" Danziger asked the other man.
The other man looked down and shook his head.
"See! Maybe you just heard an animal or something. The night can play tricks on you like that."
The pilot sunk to his knees, shaking his head. Fate had cheated him again. Danziger motioned to his companion and they moved quickly, covering the remaining distance to Alonzo's side. Mazatl eased the pilot back and looked into his eyes. He saw the despair and the emptiness of defeat.
Danziger was uncomfortable with the whole situation. "See if you can wrap his foot up with something. I'll get their stuff."
He moved off and began gathering the clothing. He noticed Julia's things had been washed and hung out neatly to dry. There was no sign they had been forcibly removed. Whatever happened between the two of them had started out innocently enough.
Mazatl eased the pilot to the water and dipped his injured foot to flush the dirt away. Alonzo clenched his jaw hard enough to make his teeth ache.
"I'm sorry to hurt you."
"You don't know the half of it."
Mazatl glanced toward Danziger before saying softly to the pilot. "I want you to know I believe you."
For the first time, a spark of hope flared in the other man's eyes. "You do?"
"There is evil here. I will help you fight it but now is not the time. Trust me, Alonzo."
"All right."
"We'll talk later when no one else can overhear."
Alonzo frowned. A part of him wondered if Mazatl was just humoring him but the Indian seemed sincere. What could he lose?
Danziger dropped down beside the two men. Mazatl was wrapping the pilot's foot in a piece of cloth. He noticed the blood soaking through.
"I'll throw you on my shoulder. I should be able to carry you to camp."
"I'll be all right. I'll lean on Mazatl's shoulder and keep my weight off it."
Danziger was surprised by the about face. He noticed Alonzo wouldn't look at him and figured he didn't know what to expect any more.
"Here's your clothes."
Alonzo pulled on pants and found he could only lace one boot. The other couldn't be opened wide enough to accommodate the make-shift bandage. Mazatl lifted the pilot's arm around his neck and shouldered a good deal of the man's weight. With Danziger protecting their back, they slowly made their way back.
xxx
Devon waited with Cameron as the three beleaguered crewman made their way into camp. She could see right away that Baines had been right about a fight. Both Danziger and Alonzo's faces were marked with fresh cuts and bruises.
"What happened to you?"
"Alonzo stepped on something and cut his foot."
"Mazatl, take Alonzo to my tent. There's a first aid kit there." She fell in beside Danziger as the other two moved off.
"You didn't answer my question. What happened to your face?"
"Alonzo and I kind of collided in the dark"
"Collided? Baines seems to think you might have been fighting with him. Is there a reason behind this conspiracy of silence? I couldn't get a sensible answer from Julia either. She's frightened, John."
"Here's her stuff, by the way." Danziger shoved a rolled up ball of clothing at Devon and caught a questioning look in return. "Look. I don't know any more than you do. Alonzo thinks he saw someone while they were up there at the pools. I gathered he was so intent on getting Julia out of there he just grabbed her and took off. Maybe the way he acted frightened her."
Devon considered Danziger's information. She still needed Alonzo's side of the story.
"Just to be on the safe side, I'm going to double check our security. We can keep an intruder out at ground level but if someone is up there with a weapon," Danziger indicated the cliffs that surrounded them, "we could be sitting ducks."
"All right. I'll be with Alonzo."
"Okay. I'll catch up with you later."
xxx
When Devon entered her tent, she found Alonzo on her cot, his injured foot hanging over the edge. Mazatl had unwrapped the pilot's foot and was checking it. A steady stream of blood trailed across the pilot's sole and dripped loudly into a catch-pan on the floor.
Alonzo saw the alarm on Devon's face. "We just threw the plate under there so we wouldn't get blood all over the floor."
"Mazatl, go find Julia."
"NO!" The pilot protested.
"Alonzo, you need a doctor. Go on, Mazatl."
With a glance at his friend, he left to follow Devon's instruction.
"Now, while we're waiting for Julia, would you like to tell me what happened out there while I clean these scratches on your face."
He tried to turn away from her but not before she saw the distinct line of nail marks.
"Did Julia do this to you?"
"It was an accident."
"It looks deliberate to me."
"Did she say anything to you?"
"She didn't have to, I could see something very wrong happened between the two of you."
The pilot looked away, his jaw clenched.
"Alonzo, I know you. I know you would never do anything to hurt Julia. Could this just be a misunderstanding on her part?"
"I'm responsible for what happened to her. I hurt Danziger, too."
Before he could go on, Julia and Mazatl entered the tent.
From the start, Julia was all business, acknowledging none of them while she scanned the injury. Finally, she turned and began laying out equipment. "I'm going to have to operate."
"Is it as serious as it looks?" Devon asked.
"I have to repair tissue and blood vessel damage. There's a good deal of imbedded foreign matter that will have to be flushed out, also." She picked up a hypo-spray and pressed the injector against the pilot's neck, explaining what she was doing. "I'm giving you a pain-block so you won't feel what I'm doing. Also, a broad based antibiotic to prevent infection. It will make you sleepy. Don't try to fight it, I need you to be as still as possible."
"Julia?" Alonzo reached for her but she managed to avoid him.
Devon noticed the doctor's hand was shaking as she placed the hypo-spray on the table.
"Would you be kind enough to hold this for me?" Julia asked Mazatl.
He nodded and accepted the light and direction from her.
"Devon, I could use your help, too."
"Of course. Tell me what to do."
For the next half hour, Julia worked, repairing the damage while logging the procedure on gear. Alonzo remained still, his arm draped across his eyes as if he was trying to shut out the world. Devon wasn't sure what he was feeling.
Finally, Julia seemed satisfied that she had done all she could and she proceeded to close the wound. "That's it for now. He'll have to stay off it for a few days. Make sure he rests."
"I'll have someone stay with him in case he needs anything."
Julia nodded her agreement. "I just want to check his vitals once more." The doctor pressed a finger of the Dia-glove to the pulse in Alonzo's neck and pressed a button to do a reading.
Devon wasn't sure what happened next. Perhaps it was nothing more than static electricity, but there was a flash the moment she touched him. Alonzo's hand shot up and caught the glove, forcing it away from him. Julia either was knocked off balance or lost her footing in trying to jerk away. She fell sideways, still caught in Alonzo's grip. Julia's arm twisted in an unnatural angle and she cried out in pain.
"Let go of her!" Devon screamed as Alonzo struggled to rise.
He seemed shocked and released the doctor immediately.
"What happened?"
Devon dropped beside Julia who was removing the DiaGlove. The doctor was ashen as she rubbed her arm.
"Are you all right?"
"I think so. I'm not sure what happened."
Devon helped her up.
Alonzo was holding his neck, watching Julia intently. "Julia, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you."
"Let me see." She avoided his eyes and pulled his hand away.
The skin was burned where the glove had touched it, already swelling into an angry red welt.
"I don't understand. I don't know how this could have happened."
"Could something have malfunctioned?" Devon suggested.
"I suppose anything is possible." Julia conceded. "How do you feel? Aside from the burn, were you hurt in any other way?'
"I don't think so. It felt like a high voltage shock."
For a brief moment Julia's eyes sought his, worry and uncertainty melting some of the ice. She turned back to her kit and pulled out a jar of cream and applied it gently to the mark on his neck. "This will help to relieve the burning."
"Thanks."
She risked another glance at the handsome pilot before she began to pack up her equipment.
"Leave your glove, Julia. I'll have Danziger check it." Devon suggested.
"Good idea. I'll just get rid of this mess for now."
Julia gathered the pan, Alonzo's boot and the bloody rags and left.
Danziger, who was approaching the tent, saw Julia go directly to the fire. She began feeding her bundle into the flames.
John came up beside her and rescued Alonzo's boot. "Boots are in short supply, Doc. I'm sure I can clean it up."
"I need to clean up myself." She looked at her hands.
"Come on, then."
John led her to the water jug. Pulling the handle down for her to rinse, he watched as Julia began wringing her hands obsessively beneath the stream. It was as if she couldn't get them clean enough.
"You going to have any skin left by the time you're done?"
"What? Oh! I'm finished. Thanks. "
"How's Alonzo?"
"He should be fine in a few days."
"How about you?"
She walked away without answering him.
Sometime later, Devon came across Julia standing at the back of the TransRover. Alone, she stood staring at the truck.
"Is something wrong?"
"I was thinking of laying down for awhile."
"I think that's a good idea. It's very late. I was just about to try and grab a few hours sleep myself."
"It's just that I don't feel comfortable after what happened the other night." The doctor confessed.
Devon glanced up at the Rover. "I'm sure it's safe. The laser grid is fully activated around us. In fact, I just put Uly in with Yale. Since Alonzo has my bed, I was going to take his hammock."
Julia didn't look convinced. Wanting the doctor to rest, Devon made a suggestion. "We could switch if you'd like."
"You wouldn't mind?"
"Not at all. In fact, I would prefer to be closer to my son. "
"That makes me feel better. Thank you, Devon."
"No problem. Try to get some rest."
Devon climbed up into the `Rover and made her way to Julia's bed. Yale snored peacefully across the curtain. Devon reassured herself there was nothing to worry about. Exhausted from the events of the day, she fell asleep immediately.