Part 25 (1/2)
A small party had been planned to occupy the time of the return journey. Eden wanted to welcome the Thomases and make them feel at home as soon as possible. They knew what it would be like for them to be leaving their home planet for the first time, and s.p.a.ce travel is always a daunting experience, no matter how many times you've done it.
Tris was fascinated by the Trion systems and spent quite some time exploring. The new Kerasite s.h.i.+elding was of particular interest, as it alone had increased the s.h.i.+p's speed by a large margin. Steve just hung back and let him get on with it. He was also amazed at how quickly Tris adapted to being weightless.
”OK Steve, I've seen enough we can go back now.” They made for the hatch and Tris waited for Steve to catch up. When he arrived, they both went through, back into the main cabin.
”Now that you've finished that Tris, why not take a look at Earth.”
Tris did, it was a stunning sight from orbit as always, and it captivated him for quite some time.
Chapter Twenty-One.
Chapter 12.
The Journey Home The new s.h.i.+p floated out of the cargo bay doors with ease, the magnetic drive being used to manoeuvre away from the big s.h.i.+p. Once clear, Roy fired up the rocket motors and cruised away to break orbit and descend to the surface.
”Hi Southgate, this is Roy calling, I'm on my way down. Send up a few prayers will you, the earth looks awful big from up here. Over.”
”Will do Roy, we'll be watching for you. Over and out.”
Jake had been waiting for Roy's call, and was most pleased to get it. Earth had become somewhat unsavoury since the fight with Beast and his followers, all they wanted to do now was get away. Jake left the radio shed and went to tell the others the good news.
”How long will he be?” Sarah asked.
”I don't know 'smudge',” Zeek answered, ”but we should be able to see him, especially if the sun catches the s.h.i.+p, it'll light up like a Christmas tree.”
They all stood around looking up, but there was no sign of the s.h.i.+p. Necks began to ache, so one by one they gave up and settled down to wait for it in a more comfortable position.
Some time had pa.s.sed when Paul suddenly looked up a little alarmed.
”What's the matter son?” Dave asked him.
”I'm not sure dad, but I thought I heard voices.”
Dave could see that he meant it, and knew that Paul was not given to pranks, so he asked him, ”Which direction son?”
Paul pointed south and hearts began to race.
”Let's take a look Dave,” Jake said, jumping up, ”Zeek, you keep an eye out here while we're gone.”
The two men set off towards the trees but stopped when they heard a twig snap. They all went quiet and listened. There were voices, whispering. They recognised the sound of them and instinctively crouched down.
”It's Beast,” Jake said, whispering, ”and he's not alone, quick, let's hide behind the cabins.”
They all scurried off after Jake with Zeek keeping up the rear. They made it just in time as Beast and his followers broke the tree line. There were more of them than they'd seen at Beast's camp, they just kept coming out of the trees, dozens -- no, hundreds of them.
”This is bad,” Jake whispered, ”they're bound to see the s.h.i.+p.”
Danny had been given charge of the glider's radio set, so Jake sent him further into the forest to make contact with Roy.
”Tell him what's happening and ask him what he wants us to do.”
Danny set off silently into the trees. Beast had discovered the packed boxes and was screaming instructions to his men to, 'tear the place apart until they're found.'
Behaving like a mad man, he began to destroy the boxes and their contents. Mary looked on with sadness as all her things were violated.
”Sc.u.m bag,” she said, under her breath, ”we should have finished him off when we had the chance.”
”Never mind precious, where we're going we won't need any of that stuff, and remember, he won't be able to follow us.”
Dave held her as close as he could whilst crouching, and she smiled at him for his strength.
Danny returned so silently that he made them jump as he appeared.
”This is the plan,” he said, and explained all that Roy had told him. He got some surprised looks from them, but no arguments. They all agreed what they would do and turned back to see what Beast was up to. He was standing, staring into the air, arms outstretched as if performing a ritual of some sort.
”I don't like the look of this,” Zeek said, ”I've seen this kind of thing before, it's an incantation. He's calling up evil spirits.”
Martha came to his side, ”Don't worry,” she said, ”we have access to a higher power than they do, come on, let's pray.”
Those who were believers held hands and prayed. They'd just said, ”Amen,” when two dark shadows appeared in front of Beast. All the followers cowered on the ground, but Beast stood upright and proud. The spirits spoke to him and vanished. ”COME ON,” he screamed at his followers, ”they're behind the cabins GET THEM.”
There was pandemonium as Beast's followers ran in all directions. The cabins and those hiding behind them were quickly encircled, there was no way of escape.
”Watch for the s.h.i.+p,” Jake ordered, ”that will be our sign.”
The filthy followers dragged them out into the open, in front of the cabins, and surrounded them, at least thirty deep.
”What are you going to do now vermin?” Beast taunted. Knives, makes.h.i.+ft spears and clubs where pointed at them. ”One move,” Beast said, ”and it's your last.”
The stench was truly awful and young Paul couldn't help himself.
”Don't you ever take a bath?” he said, holding his nose. Beast flew into a fury and grabbed Paul dragging him away from the rest.
”So, you want me to take a bath do you, then let's find some water.”
Beast dragged Paul towards the lake with some difficulty, whilst his followers made sure that no one could come to Paul's aid. They reached the water's edge and Beast picked Paul up and threw him in. Paul turned a neat summersault in mid air and landed on his feet, on the water.
”WHAT!” Beast screamed, in disbelief, and tried to reach him, but Paul stepped back further out onto the lake and said, ”What's up sc.u.m bag, can't you swim?”