Chapter Ten

“In Which Arnaud Admits He Prefers to

Live a Life That Isn’t Three Parts Dead”

1.

“DID YOU MANAGE to learn anything from your investigation, Professor?”

They’d climbed in silence and were almost back at the intersection where they’d come across the three connecting tunnels. Having taken almost twice as long to make their way up as down, it was difficult to assess the passage of time.

“I believe so. The monolith is undoubtedly some form of technology, and I might have worked out how to activate it, although to what ends, I cannot yet say. I also believe…”

The ground trembled; a vibration felt though the soles of their feet.

“Earthquake?” Although Folkard asked, the man’s tone suggested that the captain no more believed that than Nathaniel did.

“Unlikely. It…” Another rumble, this time closer. Nathaniel had to cling to the wall. He had no clue as to what might be causing seismic activity. When the movement ceased, he said; “I suggest we hurry.”

Folkard agreed and they quickened their pace. They’d not taken more than a hundred steps when they came to the entrance of the tunnel. From here they would have to turn right, and walk another two hundred feet to reach the intersection. They were about to step out when the ground heaved so violently, they barely kept to their feet. Both were staring at the mouth of the tunnel when a large claw-like protuberance gripped the edge. The claw was followed by…Nathaniel knew not what but his first thought was of a long sausage shape of golden fur. The impression lasted as the creature moved swiftly by. Then it was gone. The air and dust, disturbed by its passing, settled. Rumbles continued but they were gradually moving away, deeper into the moon.

“How large was that thing?”

Not expecting Folkard’s first exclamation to be one concerning size, Nathaniel took a moment to reply. “I cannot say with any great accuracy. Fifty, sixty feet?”

“I did see it then?”

“Of course, Captain.” Nathaniel stared at the man. Why would he think he was seeing things? “And it backs up my supposition. If the scarab-like drawing represents the Chaldrites, then it makes sense the other shapes are also life forms. The Chaldrites are not the only creatures on Phobos.”

Folkard’s hand flashed out, grabbing him by his collar, dragging him close. The captain’s eyes were wide and wild. Nathaniel wouldn’t have been at all surprised to see Folkard’s eyes roll up into his head to show the whites only, or for flecks of foam to spit from the man’s mouth. “I’m an idiot, Stone. That’s what I’ve been sensing all along!”

“Sensing?”

“I thought it was minerals only, and for all I know there may be minerals here, but it’s that…creature. Even before we arrived I felt something slipping and sliding, and with it my mind. It’s tunnelling. It accounts for the strip-mining we’ve seen. It’s the creature’s movements I’ve been sensing.”

“I have no cause to doubt you. The question is why.”

Beads of sweat dewed Folkard’s forehead, but even as Nathaniel watched, the wild look faded. “Why? Yes, why?” He released Nathaniel, straightened. “Forgive me. It’s as if the last few days, I’ve been…haunted.”

“I’m sure we’ll get to the bottom of this. We just need time.”

They stepped out into the intersection moving courteously.

“Sir?”

Folkard jerked up his weapon, lowering it when crewman Whitlock emerged from behind a rock. “Report?”

“The rest of the team have been taken hostage, sir. I hid as they passed me in the tunnels, sir. Thought it best I advise you and not tackle them alone.”

Arnaud? Annabelle? While Nathaniel was concerned with the fate of the rest, he couldn’t help his mind flashing to those members of the crew most important to him.

“Alive?” Folkard asked.

“For now, I believe so, sir.”

As Nathaniel joined him, something moved. One of the ‘rocks’ reared up.

“This is…” The crewman looked at the Chaldrite, frowning. “Well, I believe Miss Somerset had taken to calling him Notch. It…he was waiting for us. I…think he’s upset, sirs.”

“Then Notch may join us. Give us your full report.”

2.

“I AM SURE Nathaniel and the good Captain will be fine.”

Arnaud turned his gaze upon Annabelle, confusion written on his face. “I miss George,” she added. When she didn’t look away or blink, Arnaud sighed.

“I sometimes think life without love is easier.”

“Easier, maybe. Advantageous, I think not. To fear loving, one may as well be afraid of living, and I for one refuse to be a coward.”

“I do not argue. To deny oneself love is to live only a quarter of one’s life. I would prefer to live more eloquently.” Arnaud smiled.

After a few moments of silence, Annabelle added; “We will see Nathaniel again.” She had to believe that. For, if they could not hope to see Nathaniel again, she could not hope to a reunion with George.

3.

WHITLOCK DESCRIBED ANOTHER cavern, some sort of base camp that lay amidst a network of tunnels. He’d been making his way back when he heard voices and ducked into a small recess, remaining there as their people were forced by.

“When Miss Somerset fell to her knees, they wouldn’t let anyone help her and made her get up by herself, sir. These are no gentlemen.”

Folkard had to curb his anger.

“Sometime later, the men returned with Doctor Fontaine, but of the others, there was no sign.”

“You heard no screams? No one cried out?” Nathaniel asked.

“No, sir. And the doctor seemed more annoyed than anything, though upset. Just not overly so.”

“Then we can only guess and hope that the others remain alive, for now. Very well.” Folkard took a deep breath. “Describe the layout of their camp to me. I suggest our first priority is to rescue Fontaine.”

4.

THE ONLY REASON Arnaud hadn’t fought or argued when left on a camp bed with his hands tied behind his back, was he reasoned he at least knew where the others were and how to reach them. While he tried to formulate a plan, exhaustion crept up on him. He awoke to find he had either lain down or keeled over at some point. He lay with the side of the canvas bed pressing painfully into his left knee. His whole body felt stiff and sore, his left arm numb.

Something had awoken him but he knew not what. Something at once soft in places, furry in others brushed over Arnaud’s hands.

Jolting, he made the bed creak, and at once looked across the camp. The single guard had also fallen asleep, hat tipped over his eyes. The sensation of something pushing at his wrists, scraping Arnaud’s skin grew worse. All manner of monstrosities came to mind. Sweat broke out on his brow. If he’d not spied Folkard and Whitlock moving into the camp from an opening across the way, he might have cried out.

“No time to explain,” Nathaniel said from behind him even as the ropes parted. Glancing back, he saw one of the Chaldrites had used its pincers to cut him free. Notch?

Folkard approached. He tossed a rock aside. Beyond, the man in the bed lay slumped. “Sorry to brain the chap but no time for finesse. Where are our people?”

“I’ll…take you to them.” Arnaud tried to take a few steps only to discover that he needed help. He leaned on Nathaniel as they made their way out of the cavern, moaning softly at the onset of pins and needles.

5.

“THEY’RE DOWN THERE, I tell you!” Arnaud gave the platform an ineffectual shake. The mechanism looked old, worn. He would have sworn it was metal gone rusty when he’d first seen it, only it didn’t feel that way to the touch. It was all locked up, a bar, chains…Folkard put out a hand to stop him from shaking it again as frustration got the better of him.

“You are making noise, and I’m not sure I would trust it in any circumstances.”

“It worked, though. They lowered our people down there on this.”

Down there was over the edge of a precipice. Only a few rocky outcrops could be seen on the other side. What sufficed for light here faded into nothingness a few feet down. The view was of a gaping maw.

“It took awhile for it to reach the base and for them to bring it back up.”

The captain pursed his lips. “I did not brain your guard sufficiently to keep him unconscious for long. When he comes to, as far as he will know you somehow slipped your bonds. They may not make too great an effort to locate a single man whom they believe may become lost in these caves. A rescue mission, however, would be a different thing. We need to move.”

“But…” How could they leave their people behind?

“We will return for them, I guarantee you.”