Invasion Earth Read online

  The native people here were clannish, hating outsiders and military equally. They were known as the hunters on the ice. Ceidas tried to join them on hunts, but was rejected. He began to hunt by himself, wandering far on the ice in search of the small furry creatures who lived on the fish they could catch. During one extended search, he was attacked by an Andurian Rastis, a large cat-like animal weighing several hundred pounds, with razor claws and huge tusks.

  It had been a desperate, ferocious battle and Ceidas received many wounds, but he had prevailed and killed the beast. He removed the head as a trophy, and returned to his barracks, intending to tell the soldiers about his fight. The other men had been less than impressed, to Ceidas’s way of thinking. Most asked why he had been so stupid as to wander on the ice by himself.

  Alone in his room, staring at the head, he had the one inspired idea in his life. He cut out the beast’s tusks, sliced open his own jaw, and implanted them so he had a tusk extending six inches out of either side of his mouth. It had been painful and the tusks at first refused to bond, but finally his body accepted them and they fused to his jaw. He presented a frightful appearance. The soldiers that had belittled him previously, now were silent.

  Six years later the King had fallen madly in love with a fetching young maiden. He had married her, and on his wedding night, had bred with his beloved, then he had died. The tournament for his successor was scheduled and Ceidas enrolled in the competition. Under Tonkian law, the Royal Supreme Ruler was decided by battle between all males who wished to participate. Each battle was to the death. The lone survivor was proclaimed King.

  Although many had chosen to compete, the sight of Ceidas’s first battle convinced many they no longer wished to be king and they had withdrawn from the competition. Ceidas attacked with wind-milling arms and a whipping head. His arms dismembered his opponent and with his tusks moving rapidly from side to side, he shredded the chest of the challenger. It had been bloody and vicious, with Ceidas reducing the fighter to a mound of oozing green parts. Soon there was no one left to challenge him. The tusks had proven to be deadly as he had foreseen.

  As King, he had chosen his advisors carefully, but he chose his spies with even greater care. His reign had been long. His enemies were quickly dispatched. He had fathered many children and survived as he’d always provided a surrogate father from amongst his enemies. The approaching asteroid belt had caused country-wide unrest and was proving to be the greatest difficulty in his reign.

  TAPES OF EARTH

  As a sideline to her day work, Izixebi studied the planet chosen to be invaded first. It was a small planet called earth. She had been able to construct a receptor sensitive enough to receive earth’s tele-waves. At the start of her investigation, she’d known that Tonk could easily conquer it. It seemed to be a world wracked with war and unrest. She could not understand why the government of earth did not simply kill the groups waging war.

  As she continued her research, she saw tales of small family groups in which the children were raised by their parents. This puzzled her greatly. Why were the parents still alive? Why was the State not raising the offspring? Still, she could not help but feel the tenderness and love shown between child and parent. To spare the earthlings, she developed an alternate theory. Perhaps they wouldn’t have to invade.

  She used a body scanner to search the distant planets for someone who was immune to quartzline poisoning. If they were unable to create a machine to transport to another planet, perhaps she could find people on a distant planet that would be immune to quartzline and bring them here to provide an antidote. If enough Tonkians could be administered an antidote, survival of their species would be assured. An invasion could begin at a later time.

  BEST LAID PLANS

  Somewhere in the apartment Mary was busy. She was making small noises that had awaked him. He sat up slowly on the edge of the bed. Light-headed, he almost lay back down, but gritted through until his pulse rose to normal and he began to feel his strength return.

  Mary brought Trist another plate of food, the same meal she had served the night before, and sat in the large chair near him.

  “Now, my Hero, we have time, so let me put forth my plan. Remember I told you the asteroid belt will approach Tonk, to within fourteen parsecs. It previously came through roughly two hundred years ago at a distance of only thirty-four parsecs. The quartzline dust at that time and distance killed more than half of our population. The records from that time report the horror and disease that spread across the face of Tonk. Everyone that was infected, no matter how slightly, died. There was no way to dispose of the bodies by those still left living. The insects and vermin became our greatest enemy. Finally it was decided the dead had to be disposed of by burial. It was believed that fire would release the quartzline into the air and more of us would be killed. Mass graves, more than fifty miles long, were dug. Many years passed before our lives returned to normal. That is the only time burial of Tonkians was ever used.

  “Our Monarch-Ruler at that time sent four of his trusted troopers to clean his roof and collect what they could of the powder. They were able to collect about a teaspoon of the powder. It’s stored in the Royal vault.

  “Of course, all four troopers died from their exposure. They’re still revered as great heroes.

  “Tonk has tried through the years to develop a serum or antidote to quartzline, but each antidote or serum attempted resulted only in the death of those used to test the cure. Thousands of lomuses have died in the research labs. They’re small, scaly little beasts that have the unfortunate trait of being close to Tonkians in their biological make-up.

  “It’s my belief that serum collected from you could provide the answer for a cure. If not a cure, at least a preventative. If somehow we can match what your body does naturally. . . Well, you understand, don’t you?

  “I have a secret remote laboratory set up with three trusted technicians who have sworn allegiance and silence. One is trying to procure a tiny amount of quartzline. With their help and your serum, perhaps my dreams for the future of Tonk can be fulfilled.

  “If you refuse to help, I’ll send you back to your earth, but I’m pleading with you to help us for at least the next two weeks. If we can find nothing by then, I will get you back to safety before the madness begins.

  “Another warning before you make a decision. This is absolute life and death to those on Tonk. Technicians and friends can be trusted only so far. The general population here on Tonk would tear you apart to consume parts of your flesh hoping that will make them immune. As death approaches, friends and technicians may forget promises of help and resort to any means available.”

  “Mary, it seems like you haven’t thought this through. Doesn’t sound to me like you have a chance in hell of succeeding. We do this your way, we’ll both be dead inside a week.”

  “Why do you dislike my plan?”

  “Your laboratory will have limited funds and too few technicians involved to succeed with the work and too many to keep the lab secret. You absolutely need the quartzline powder to proceed. Without the powder, nothing can be done. Further, a secret laboratory will not remain secret long. Anything known by five people will soon be known by all. Secrets can be secure with one person, with two people for a short time, but with three technicians forget it, at least one will turn on us.

  “And of course, there is the obvious,” said Trist. “The King’s agents will certainly find the mobile sword within a day or two. Once they break the barrier holding it, we’ll have to deal with that again. We were lucky to escape once. Counting on the slim hope that we can defeat it again does not provide the security needed for the intense laboratory work we need to complete.”

  “What do you suggest, My Hero?”

  “Well, I’ve been thinking on that,” said Trist. “Is Mary your real name?”

  “No,” said Mary, “my name is Izixebi. I used Mary because I thought you would relate more quickly to me.”

  “Anything el
se I should know that you didn’t tell me?

  “No. Nothing I can think of.”

  “Tell me what you can about your King. I think you told me his name is Ceidas.”

  “I’ve met him only once so most of what I know is stuff I heard about him. When I saw him, I thought he was the most hideous being I have ever seen. Ugly beyond description, but he has reigned a long time and never been challenged to combat. Probably due to the reports of his love of violence. His rulings for Tonk are always made to his advantage, and they are never questioned. The people of Tonk say they love and respect him. Actually, they absolutely fear and loathe him.

  “Another thing, one that is never said, but which I believe to be true, is that he has a low intelligence. He knows little and chooses not to learn more. He is wise enough to listen to his advisors when it serves his needs. The best of the advisors is a councilor named Slithest.”

  “I see,” said Trist, “You believe him to be a vicious stupid brute.”

  “Zanper be praised,” said Mary. “Do not say that too often, not even when we’re alone. Too many hostile ears.”

  “I won’t repeat it, but I feel I should talk to the King, and these are things I must know when talking to him. I will explain to him that I’m here to save the people of Tonk, and enlist his aid.”

  “King Ceidas will kill you immediately.”

  “Is there no sign or signal on your world that would indicate that one stranger or enemy wishes to talk to another? On earth, a white flag is used.”

  “We have no such signal. Enemies here do not spend any time talking. Enemies fight. The dispute is decided by the victor. The loser is consumed. However, the King will interpret your thoughts and actions by your mental state.”

  “How’s he going to know my mental state?” asked Trist.

  “Did I forget to tell you that Tonkians have the ability to see and change the thoughts of others?”

  “You mean he will know if I’m telling the truth?”

  “If you keep your thoughts simple, straight-forward, and have faith in what you are saying, he will believe you. If you start doubting yourself and change your thought projection, he will know. Control your thoughts and fears, or you will die.”

  “Mary, I understand this will be touchy at best, but do you really believe we can do this without the King’s help?” Mary looked down and shook her head slightly. “That’s settled then,” said Trist, “I have to talk to the King, but first, I need a weapon, can you get me a gun?”

  “Aah, maybe I can, but first you must tell me what a gun is.”

  “A gun? You don’t know what a gun is? It’s a hand-held weapon. When you pull the trigger, it goes bang, and throws a piece of metal at an enemy.”

  “We have no such thing here on Tonk.”

  “Look, Mary, I need a weapon. I cannot fight off a horde of Tonkians without some kind of weapon. How about a sword? Do you think you can get me a sword?”

  “You will not be able to fight off a horde of Tonkians anyway. Forget that. Keep your mind on your mission. I know of only mobile-swords. I can see the image in your mind, but we here on Tonk do not use weapons.”

  “Damn, damn, damn.” Trist stood and walked back and forth while pulling at an errant tuft of hair that seemed to have grown wild with a mind of its own on his forehead. “You brought me to a hostile planet and tell me ‘no, I can’t get you any weapons’. How about a knife, or a slingshot, a spear? Anything I’m saying here ring a bell with you?”

  “I have a small kitchen knife and a stick about eight feet long. Would either of those help you at all?”

  “They will have to do. Please bring them to me. Also, tape, some kind of cord, a piece of white cloth, and anything you see that I might be able to dress this thing up with.”

  Trist looked at the pitiful pile of crap before him with a weak heart. Somehow he had to work a miracle and build a weapon that would look official. He picked up the knife and began whittling on the stick.

  By the next morning, he had as much weapon as he could fashion. The staff had one sharped end. He had embedded the knife into the staff, with a quarter of an inch of blade extending from the wood, so he could slash with the staff, if needed. Cords were tied at the top, then wound around and fastened for hand holds. A white banner was fastened at the top of the staff, and draped half-way down the length.

  “Not exactly a weapon to induce fear,” he said to Mary. “Hopefully the King will recognize it as peaceful symbol. How far is the King’s Palace from here?” he asked.

  “We’re close to a mile from the front entrance,” said Mary.

  “I sure hope you’re right about the people recognizing this as a peaceful mission.”

  “If you hold the banner high and keep your thoughts simple and about the parlay with the King, they will understand what your meaning is. Whether or not they will care is the question. You must be bold. Act fearless. Your boldness will put fear into King Ceidas, and keep the people at bay.”

  “Well,” said Trist, “the suns up, and you’ve filled my confidence glass to the brim. As they say on Earth, we who are about to die are terrified. Still, now’s as good a time as ever to do that which has to be done.” He straightened and tightened his pajamas, pulling the legs down as low as he could to hide his shoes, picked up his spear, and began to leave the apartment.

  Mary pushed the door shut.

  “Why?” she asked.

  “We need the King’s support.”

  “No, that’s not what I mean. Why are you going to see the King, knowing it will probably result in your death?”

  “Because I believe in your cause and want to help your world if I can. With the King’s help we may be able to save all of Tonk.”

  “That makes no sense at all,” said Mary.

  “To you, probably not. To me, it totally logical.”

  “But you didn’t know Tonk existed two days ago.”

  “You’re right. But I’ve always believed there would be a you, or a Tonk, that I was meant to save. Mary, I know you believe you found me, but I believe I found you, someone to give me a life with more than just existence. Yesterday, battling against that mobile sword was terrifying. I knew in my heart we were both going to be torn apart and as terrifying and horrible as that battle was, at the same time it was also exhilarating and wonderful and left me as alive as I’ve ever been. It changed me from being half-dead Trist to the man who would see the King. And whether you believe I’m right or not, we are now going to see him.

  “Mary, try to stay ten to twelve feet behind me, so I can find you if I need to.” He left the apartment and began a steady walk to the palace, holding his staff high.

  This kind of shit always worked for Captain Kirk, he thought, but then, if it didn’t work, they’d probably just re-write the damned show.

  He didn’t walk alone for long. Within two blocks, he was surrounded by Tonkians. His first sight of the native people shocked him. They stood over ten feet tall with long arms ending in claws. Their heads were triangular, with two large eyes, and long antennae extending from the tops of their heads.

  Trist smashed the hilt of his spear down against the road as a salute, and announced, “I am here as an envoy to talk to the Renowned King Ceidas. My protection is provided by the Interplanetary Council which sent me to advise King Ceidas on the coming asteroid.”

  He walked resolutely down the road toward the Palace and the Tonkians moved silently out of his way. He felt vulnerable and naked, wearing nothing but his pajamas and carrying a stupid wooden stick. How could he be such an idiot as to attempt this ridiculous bluff? He beat back at his fear while everything within him said, run, run for your life.

  He struck the road again with his staff and the resounding blow echoed in the silence. “I am Trist, envoy from the Interplanetary Council. I have come to talk with his Majesty, the most Honored King Ceidas.”

  He forced his feet to move forward. The swarm of creatures melted from the road before him. Their complete sil
ence was unnerving.

  The coolness of the morning air felt refreshing against the rivers of sweat running from his brow and chest. He dared not look, but he knew his clothing was drenched, with sweat.

  Still, onward he marched, surrounded by enemies. He realized that Mary could be of no help to him. She would be torn apart if the crowd knew she was aiding him.

  He could see the Palace now. It lay directly ahead, tall and magnificent. It seemed to be reaching for the sun. He slowly took the giant steps toward the great door until he was within twenty feet of the four guards standing alert before the door.

  He saluted them with his banner.

  “I am Trist.”

  “We know who you are. Wait here until the King decides your fate.”

  He stood waiting, his feet and legs aching from the cold and fear.

  Slowly, the door opened and a garishly dressed Tonkian motioned for him to follow.

  The Guards retreated to one side and Trist moved slowly through the opening and into the audience chamber of the Palace. He needed time to absorb what he saw, a high vaulted ceiling held up by bare stone walls and dotted with long narrow windows. The hall was long and looked dark after the brightness of the morning sun. Walking carefully, he managed to avoid tripping over the unevenly placed stones of the floor.

  The Tonkian guiding him began to talk without looking at him. “I am Slithest, Councilor to King Ceidas. He has agreed to talk with you. Have no fear. You will not be harmed because the Great King understands your white banner. If you are indeed a diplomat from another planet, you will be treated with respect. If the King decides you are a spy, your life will end here. All is in the hands of the King.”