The Tornado Sojourns (2) – Chapter 10 – A Friend in Need

After Oshwin Lemik and the Skeet Brothers spent the evening at his favourite bar reliving past glories and remembering fallen comrades, where a considerable amount of alcohol was consumed, they couldn’t remember how to get back to the ship.

It was Merri, Parse and Pulsat who turned up at the bar to pick up the casualties and when they got back to the Tornado they found Malena and Asti waiting for them wearing stern expressions and bearing unsympathetic dispositions.

But they reserved their wrath, and directed their respective men straight to their quarters, they would feel the sharp edge of their tongues the next morning. 

Although come the next morning admonishments from their lovers paled into insignificance compared to the merciless hangovers they woke up with.

And the fact that as a result of their drunken night out with Oshwin the Tornado was now on the preferred list at Golbolt Interstellar gained them some sympathy.

From that point on, the Tornado got as much work as they wanted and regularly ran between Eikon Major and Minor, Eirkos and its moons, Soman, Rekar and Marikya, and neignbouring planet’s, Achrem and Zenden as well as Zenden’s moon, Linden.

 

It was on one such trip that the first of a series of events occurred which could either drive them out of the system or secure their future there forever.

 

The Tornado lifted off and they left Soman early in the morning bound for Zenden, but first they had a delivery on the neighbouring planet Achrem. 

The Tempest Class Freighter was powered by 4 Plasma Turbine Pyroclast Engines, which allowed for a very quick turn of speed once airborne, and four vertical take-off jumper engines whose purpose is self-explanatory, they could also be used independently to provide auxiliary power on board while they were on the surface for periods when the solar converters were inadequate.

It wasn’t a huge ship as freighters go but pound for pound the Tempests had the highest freight to fuel ratio yield of their class.

The front section comprised of a sizable pressurized hold for large freight accessed via a front loading ramp, above which was the flight deck, living and sleeping quarters, mess facilities and bath rooms, at the rear was the main propulsion and amidships were the universal pod bays, which allowed for a mixed cargo option, which allowed for quick inspection and loading, although sometimes pods were sealed which meant it was either very valuable or very illegal, either way Merri didn’t mind and transporting sealed cargo paid much much better.

The Tornado always flew with at least one pod but then that was because it was where they stowed their gear and where the hidden compartments could be found, or not, which was where they hid the contraband, or even fugitives when necessary. 

 

Merri entered the atmosphere of Achrem with her piloting and Shiyne in the co-pilot seat and she used the Tornado’s four vertical take-off jumper engines and landed softly on the landing field outside the town of Odekka and there were already several other ships, of all shapes and sizes, parked on the field.

 

When the freighters ramp lowered Zerrad and Malena walked down it holding hands followed by Lyris driving the Tornado’s APMTV, (All Purpose Multi Terrain Vehicle), nicknamed the “Stroller”.

The moment it came to a halt Zerrad kissed Malena and then climbed aboard.

“Behave yourselves” Malena called

“Yes mum” Lyris replied

 

After watching the Stroller drive away Malena sighed and then ran up the ramp, once inside she hit the button and the ramp closed behind her then she opened comms to the flight deck.

“Good to go Captain”

“Ok, stand by” Merri said from the left seat and co-pilot Shiyne monitored the instruments the Tornado’s four vertical take-off jumper engines were engaged and the Tempest Class freighter lifted off.

 

The reason the Tornado took off and left the Skeets behind was that Achrem had a very mountainous terrain and as one of their deliveries was to a remote and ancient mountain monastery housing an order of Algarvian Monks, and because there was nowhere to land the Tornado it could only be reached by road so the delivery had to be made in the Stroller.

 

It was a four-hour journey up to the monastery and once they got there and made the delivery they planned to spend a couple of hours with the monks before they made the three-hour drive back to Odekka.

However, when they reached the monastery they found the seven-foot-tall green fleshed brotherhood of Algarvian Monks were a silent order and in addition to being uncommunicative they were also inhospitable, so after the drop the headed back down the mountain again.

 

They arrived back at the landing field outside Odekka eight hours after the Stroller drove down the Tornado’s ramp to find that the ship wasn’t there.

After dropping them off on Achrem, Merri and the rest of the crew continued on to make the short run to neighbouring Zenden, which was a simple drop off, so they should have been back in Odekka at least an hour before them but there was no sign of them.

“Unbelievable” Lyris said “how did this happen?”

Having failed to get anything to eat up at the Monastery he and his brother had spent the return journey talking about what delights Bagg may have waiting on the ship for them.

The Tornado’s crew were fortunate enough to have Visitor Parham on board,

Visitors were a Christian sect who took to the stars with the first migrants to visit new worlds, spreading the word while seeking enlightenment, and they had established Visitor enclaves in every corner of the known universe, they even thrived in Mehreen space and they were the least spiritual beings to ever draw breath.

The difference between Visitors and the established Christian Church on earth was its spontaneity, they didn’t wait until Sunday to worship, they did it wherever and whenever it was desired and it didn’t need to happen in a church, Visitors worshipped everywhere.

But he was not merely a man of the cloth who tended to their spiritual needs because his alter ego Bagg fortified them with his culinary prowess.

 

“I was really looking forward to some of Bagg’s pancakes” Said Zerrad

“Me too” Lyris agreed “Let’s go to the comms hut and find out where they are”

They had a radio onboard the Stroller but it wasn’t powerful enough to reach into space and the mountainous terrain didn’t help so in order to make the range they needed the benefit of Odekka’s long range transmitter.

After pulling up outside the comms shack the brothers disembarked and walked inside and were surprised to see Vinid Cupra sitting by the transmitter.

“I don’t believe it, is there anyone in the Eikon cluster who didn’t fight with the Shaxson rebels?” Lyris said

“My God it’s the Skeets” Vinid exclaimed and crossed the floor to embrace both men.

“Nothing to do Cupra?” barked a short scar faced middle-aged man with no neck 

“Yes sir” Vinid replied need to

“Then get on with it” he said and headed towards the door.

“What can I do for you gentlemen?” Vinid asked

“We need to contact our ship” Zerrad said

“No problem” Vin said and then his boss opened the door and left.

 

Vinid contacted the ship on their behalf and after speaking to Merri aboard the Tornado, he relayed that all she would say was that they had been delayed, so they would be late picking them up but they were on their way, so the Skeets had some time to kill.

 

“It would appear we have time for a drink” Lyris said

“You know what happened the last time we went drinking with an old war buddy?” Zerrad pointed out

“I’m not off duty for another two hours but I’ll meet you at the Blue Horizon when I’m done”

“Where’s that?”

“Turn left when you reach the main road and its half a mile down the road on the right” Vinid replied

“Is it ok?” Lyris asked

“It used to be great” he replied, “Now it’s just the nearest”

“Why, what happened?” Zerrad asked

“Well the bar is owned by a mate, Lak Shmi” he began.

“A couple of months ago he was approached by a respectable looking Lakmean trader who said he wanted to run a “friendly” game of cards and would Lak mind if they used a quiet corner of the bar once a week, and he said there would be a few Dinaris in it for him”

Lyris gave Zerrad a knowing look and Zer raised his eye brows.

“I know, I know it was stupid, but he agreed. He thought it might bring in a bit more trade, he’s been struggling a bit, so he thought it was harmless enough”

“But it hasn’t worked out that way?” Suggested Lyris

“No, they’re playing seven nights a week and they’ve taken over the place, driven all the regular trade away and they even bring their own booze and now Lak can’t get rid of them”

“Has he reported it to the police?” Asked Zerrad

“No, he was threatened and warned that it would not be in his best interests to rock the boat” Vin replied

“Does this Lakmean have a name?” Lyris asked

“Yes, AaHannaa” Vinid answered “Have you ever come across him?”

“No, but the scam is familiar” Lyris said “And always ends with the bar under new ownership”

“Any thoughts on how he can get out from under?” Vin asked as he noticed his boss climbing back up the stairs.

“I’ve no idea” he replied, “Ask me again when I’ve had something to eat”

ALL-TIME CLASSIC MOVIE FAVOURITES – INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1978)

“Invasion of the Body Snatchers” is a Sci-Fi Horror, screenplay written by W.D. Richter from the novel by Jack Finney and Directed by Philip Kaufman.

 

When strange seeds drift to earth from space on the city of San Fransisco Matthew Bennell (Donald Sutherland) finds that several of his friends appear to be suffering some kind of paranoid delusion as they believe their friends or loved ones are doppelgangers.

 

The whole thing seems unlikely as the duplicates are able to answer detailed questions about their lives and then when their accusers questioned later, they themselves seem changed and laugh off their previous accusations with lame excuses.

However, after discovering mysterious pods growing and witnessing an attempted “replacement” he realises that he and his friends, Elizabeth Driscoll (Brooke Adams), Jack Bellicec (Jeff Goldblum), Nancy Bellicec (Veronica Cartwright) and Dr. David Kibner (Leonard Nimoy) must escape or suffer the same fate as the invaders increase in number.

The only problem is they don’t know for sure who has already been snatched, so they don’t know who they can trust.

 

A credible remake of the 1956 original which gives cameo to Kevin McCarthy and Don Siegel, but if that’s not enough of a reason to watch it then its worth watching just for the scene with Brooke Adams and her eyeball trick. 

The Tornado Sojourns (2) – Chapter 09 – War Stories

  

On the agrarian planet of Eirkos, the crew of the Tornado were all up early the morning after the feast in Montrose despite some severe over indulgence the night before and they sat in the orchard having breakfast and talked about how much they had enjoyed their R & R at the farm.

There was quite a bit of chatter during breakfast but Lyris and Zerrad were in reflective mood because although it had been over ten years since they had left their family farm on Shax, their time spent in Montrose had rekindled old memories and they both acknowledged to themselves how nice it was to be back among simple farming people.

The superb rustic breakfast and a seemingly endless supply of coffee was followed by heartfelt expressions of gratitude and a slow walk to the Stroller with Bagg and his brother Trebreh bringing up the rear.

“We can’t thank you enough for your hospitality” Merri said and the rest of the crew echoed the sentiment.

“You are welcome any time” their hostess Xandra said

“Well we might well take you up on that” Malena said, “were not planning on leaving the system anytime soon”

“That’s very good news” she said, “Particularly for the village children, they are particularly taken with Pulsat and Vanzyl”

The two engineers had been the first to leave the table as the children of the village had arrived in the orchard en masse to drag them away, as they were such popular playmates, to play again and they were still entertaining the children as everyone else was approaching the Stroller.

“Talking of which, “where are they?”” Merri asked and spotted them in the distance playing in a meadow so she added

“Give them a call someone”

In response Asti put two fingers in her mouth and let out an ear-piercing whistle, Pulsat immediately looked around so Asti gestured with her arm.

“I meant use the comms, but that works” Merri said

The news that it was time to leave was not well received by the children and there were vociferous calls of disappointment, but their displeasure didn’t prevent them from walking with their new friends to the Stroller and hugging them when they got there.

 

When the farewells had been all been said the crew climbed aboard, Merri behind the wheel and her lover Parse beside her in the passenger seat, while Bagg hugged his brother and sister in law.

And as the Tornado’s APMTV, (All Purpose Multi Terrain Vehicle) pulled away there was a lot of animated waving and more than one tear had to be wiped away.

 

The APMTV was nicknamed the “Stroller” which was an ironic name because when Shiyne or Merri were behind the wheel it did anything but stroll and they ate up the miles on the journey back to Cranack.

When they got back Malena remotely opened the ramp on the Tornado.

“Alright everyone get aboard” Merri said and the crew disembarked from the Stroller and they all walked up the ramp and then she drove up the ramp into the cargo hold.

Ten minutes later the Tornado lifted off and headed towards Eirkos’s second Moon Soman.

It was on Soman that they had decided to make their base as it was the location of one of the largest Interstellar Freight Distributors in the system, Golbolt Interstellar, and they had collectively decided to sign up with them rather than operate as independents and find their own work.

The main reason for that was that the Operations Manager was Oshwin Lemik and he fought against the Legion in the Shaxon War with the Skeet brothers, they as pilots and Oshwin as Logistics Commander.

He and the Skeet brothers were born on the agrarian world of Shax in the populous Shaxson system, which was one of the last to join the Legion and it was not an easy transition or indeed a wholly welcome one.

In fact, it was a protracted and bloody courtship which involved three years of bitter war and it was that war that saw the Skeet’s swap their plough shares for Pulsar weapons and tractors for Spider Hawk Fighters, and Oshwin left his farm supplies business and instead shipping animal feed and farm implements he distributed weapons and ammunition.

When the war came to an unsatisfactory conclusion for the Shaxson rebels the Legion exacted a heavy retribution which lead to some of the former fighters having to turn their backs on their home worlds to escape the Legions punitive punishments and give up living on the land and live on the lam instead.

Not that any of them had much appetite for farming after all the action they had seen.

None of them had any family left on Shax by the time the war was over so even if the Legion had been prepared to allow them to live in peace there was nothing left to bind them to their birthplace so they left the Shaxson system.

 

Many of the former rebels signed on to inter galactic freighters and fled to the four corners of the universe.

The Skeets spent two years jumping from galaxy to galaxy until they tired of the life, albeit a well-paid one, so they disembarked at the Exodus 9 space dock before the Goliath departed through the star gate.

Oshwin Lemik however stayed on and through his great organizational skills he slowly climbed the ladder while the Skeet Brothers found life outside of the cossetted world of the “deep spacers” but fate eventually decreed that they should meet again all be it in a place a very long way away from home.

 

When the Tornado first arrived on Soman Lyris and Zerrad had no idea that Oshwin was also there as it was Merri who arranged the jobs.

In fact, it wasn’t until after they had completed their first run that they met, quite by accident, on the apron while they were unloading.

Oshwin was walking towards a Golandan Freighter that had sustained some damage in a collision with a satellite and was about to tear the Skipper a new one, when Lyris was guiding the Stroller down the ramp of the Tornado.

Oshwin spotted him and he did a double take because he hadn’t seen the person he thought it was for more than ten years.   

“Skeet?” he called “is that you?”

On hearing the call Lyris turned around.

“Commander?” he retorted then stood to attention and threw a salute

“What are you doing?” Zerrad asked from the top of the ramp then his eyes left his brother and found the figure he was saluting, a huge man, built like a bear, with a barrel chest, a full beard and a booming voice.

“And there’s the other one” he said and then Zerrad was saluting him as well.

“That’s enough of that, I’m not your commander anymore” Oshwin said as he approached Lyris “We’re old comrades, and old comrades embrace”

 

After prolonged bear hugs with both Skeet boys Oshwin said

“I have to go and bollock a “soon to be former employee”, and then I’m coming back to get you two and introduce you both to the delights of my favourite bar”

 

During the evening of reliving past glories and remembering fallen comrades, a considerable amount of alcohol was consumed which almost resulted in a fight with a group of Legionnaire’s but the resolve of the Legions finest melted away when man mountain Oshwin stood up and looked down on them and they slinked away with jeers of derision ringing in their ears.

So, with the threat negated they returned to the drinking which had an on fortunate side effect, they’d forgotten where the Tornado was so they asked Oshwin

“It’s on Soman” he replied unhelpfully, and his answer necessitated a call to the Tornado to get someone to come and get them.

 

When Merri walked into the bar flanked by Parse and Pulsat

“Taxi for Skeet” Merri said facetiously

“You’re very lucky to have such an understanding Captain” Oshwin said

“Oh, I think their luck will run out when they set foot back aboard the Tornado and their significant others get hold of them” Merri said

“Ah” Oshwin exclaimed “Well if it helps you could tell them that thanks to these two the Tornado is now on the preferred list at Golbolt Interstellar”

 

 

 

ALL-TIME CLASSIC MOVIE FAVOURITES – JOHN CARTER (2012)

 

“John Carter” is a Sci-Fi, action adventure, screenplay written by Andrew Stanton, Mark Andrews and Michael Chabon, based on the story “A Princess of Mars” by Edgar Rice Burroughs and Directed by Andrew Stanton.

 

Despite trying to live a normal life in 1868, Civil War veteran John Carter (Taylor Kitsch) is a fleeing both Indian fighters and the Army and is forced to take refuge when the shooting starts.

Inside the cave a figure suddenly materializes and tries to kill him but John turns the tables on him and as he lies dying on the ground he notices a glowing medallion in his hand and when Carter touches it and repeats the dying figures muttered last word, Barsoom, he finds himself transported to Mars and encounters many strange, often hostile creatures and a Princess in desperate need of a saviour.

 

Lynn Collins plays the princess, and the star-studded supporting cast includes Samantha Morton, Willem Dafoe, Thomas Haden Church, Mark Strong, Ciarán Hinds, Dominic West, James Purefoy and Bryan Cranston, to name but a few.

The Tornado Sojourns (2) – Chapter 08 – Montrose

 

It was a bright late summer morning and the sun was shining as they were driving up the country lanes on their way to Montrose and it was the first time they had all been in precisely the same place together apart from meal times and the conversation was rapid and the atmosphere boisterous, apart from Bagg.

When you were a Visitor meeting family was one of the rarest of occasions, when there were two Visitors in one family they were almost impossible.

Apart from his brother Trebreh, who he hadn’t seen for twelve years, and his wife Xandra there was her brother Ale, who was his boyhood friend.

There were also a number of nephews and nieces whom he had not seen before and he was a little apprehensive about meeting them all, he was also concerned that it would be dull for his crew mates so on the journey he sat in reflective silence.

He needed have worried, when word of Bagg’s imminent arrival reached them a hastily arranged feast was instigated and the whole village was to be in attendance to welcome their guests.

 

The journey took longer than he anticipated and an hour and forty-five minutes had elapsed before they drove into the farmyard.

After they all disembarked from the Stroller he took a moment to take in the unfamiliar vista, which he had never seen but had heard described in great detail in his brother’s correspondence over the years, on those occasions when his mail found him.

Trebreh and Xandra had landed on Eirkos eleven years earlier and as she was heavily pregnant they thought to stay for a few months until she and the baby were recovered enough to continue on their journey, but they never left.

They found a community sorely in need of a spiritual hand on their shoulders and they were welcomed with open arms.

He was now the district Visitor and served parishes within a fifteen-mile radius of Montrose.

 

The people of Montrose lived a simple existence and Bagg’s brother was no different, the farm house was not a grand structure but it was functional and not unpleasant to the eye.

They only had to wait a moment or two when Bagg’s sister in law Xandra appeared with her brother Ale at her shoulder.

“Parham!” she said, “is it, really is you?”

It proved to be a rhetorical question as she immediately wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek, then it was Ale’s turn and after being embraced by them both he made the introductions to the crew who were greeted like long lost friends.

 

After the introductions were made the crew of the Tornado were left in no doubt as to the depth of her warmth and although Bagg’s brother Trebreh was still at an adjacent parish officiating at a funeral, Xandra was an able host and had prepared a light lunch for them, which they ate in the orchard.

 

After a very acceptable lunch their hosts had to excuse themselves as there was still a lot of work to do as the feast that evening was in their honour, Bagg offered to help with the culinary preparation and everyone else offered to do their bit, Bagg’s offer was quickly taken up, but the rest were ordered to go and relax.

“Take them down by the Lake children” Xandra said

“Ok mum” they chorused and the children led them off for a walk through the village towards the Lake and what began with a huddled chattering group was eventually spread out into a long-ragged strand.

Lyris and Zerrad were at the back about 20 yards astern of Asti and Malena who appeared to be deep in conversation.

“How did we, of all people manage to snap up gems like Asti and Malena?” Lyris asked his brother in disbelief

“I don’t even want to think about it” Zerrad replied “Because I don’t want to jinx it”

“We’ve both got ourselves a good one” Lyris said

“I know” Zerrad agreed

 

In front of Malena and Asti were Merri and Parse and ahead of them were Terrell and Shiyne and in the vanguard, were Vanzyl and Pulsat who were proving to be a great hit with the kids.

 

After about half an hour they were in sight of the Lake and Merri suddenly shouted.

“BARTS”

And Lyris and Zerrad started jogging towards her.

“What’s going on?” Asti asked with alarm

“Were going Barting” Lyris said and took her hand and they ran hand in hand along the path.

“But I’ve never Barted” she exclaimed

A Bart was a shallow draught fishing boat which was like a cross between a Gondola and a Punt which you propelled along with a long pole, which was thrust down in the lake bed and pushed downwards which propelled the Bart forward.

The reason for all the excitement was that the presence of the Bart’s meant they were going to have fun on the water.

Vanzyl became very excited when he saw the water and removed his outer garments and emitting high pitched whistles he ran headlong to the Lake and jumped in but Pulsat stopped in his tracks as everyone else rushed past him.

“Come on Pulsat we’re going out on the Lake” Parse said but he shook his head violently in response.

“Water bad, Pulsat Rad, stay”

“But it’ll be fun” Merri added

“Pulsat like dry, he stay with small humans” he said adamantly

 

There was a row of Bart’s tied up to the jetty so they commandeered four of them and divided up into their respective couples.

Because Bart’s were flat bottomed like Punts, and high in the bow like a Gondola, there was a knack to propelling them without falling off so after a brief discussion about the rules of engagement it was decided that they would race to the headland and back and the first Bart back would be the winner or failing that the last participant to get wet would be victorious.

With the exceptions of Asti and Terrell, they had all been in water races in their lives, either on Rivers or Lake, at one time or another, some more than others, and when they were racing the winners were normally the ones who stayed dry.

So, there was a basic rule to follow, namely if your pole gets stuck in the mud you let it go, if the situation arises then you stay with the vessel and not with the pole, it’s simple really.

But saying that the object of the exercise was to stay dry was not altogether factual, it would be more truthful to say that what was actually more important was to get your opponents wet because once both occupants of a Bart have been dunked they can take no further part.

Now under normal circumstances hostilities wouldn’t begin until all craft were a safe distance from the jetty but on this occasion Lyris inexplicably missed his footing and fell in the Lake without even setting foot onto his Bart.

“God Ly I thought you were supposed to be good at this” Merri said

And then it wasn’t long before Asti, the least sea worthy of the group succumbed to an early bath and the competition was down to 3 vessels.

Once the flotilla had travelled a sufficient distance from the shore hostilities could begin.

There had been a number of harmless skirmishes when Zerrad, who normally won on the water hands down, narrowly avoided being rammed by Merri’s Bart only to find himself heading straight for a weeping willow as his evasive action had taken him back towards the shore.

Malena panicked and ran to the rear of the vessel and then she and Zerrad slid down the pole together.

During the ensuing laughter Merri and Shiyne’s Bart’s collided, and Parse and Terrell both got dunked.

Shiyne stood and laughed like a drain before she shouted

“Abandon ship” and jumped in and joined Terrell.

“I’ll save you Doctor” she said and wrapped her arms around him and as they stood in the waist deep cool water, and laughed in the summer sunshine.

Which was when if he hadn’t already done so he would have fallen in love with her, and as they stood in the waters of the Lake kissing, Merri noisily declared herself the winner.

 

When the flotilla returned to the jetty they found Vanzyl and Pulsat entertaining the village children, the former in the Lake and the latter in the meadow.

 

Because Merri had never won a regatta so quickly before she wouldn’t shut up about it.

So, before they started on the walk back to the farm four of them picked her up threw her into the Lake.

Her last words before she hit the water were

“You can’t do that I’m the Captain”

 

After they had done battle on the Lake they squelched their way back along the path to the farmhouse in high spirits.  

As they got closer to the house they could hear the murmur of happy chatter and the sound of industry.

They walked around the side of the house towards the courtyard and found their hosts and a small group of villagers gathered and during their absence a large array of tables and sunshade sails had appeared in the cobbled yard in preparation for that evenings feast.

 

“Oh goodness you’re all wet” Xandra said “You’re in a worse state then the children”

“Aha the motley crew returns” Bagg said jovially as he appeared from the kitchen and knowing what they were like added “Who won the Battle?” 

“I did” Said Merri triumphantly as she squelched into view.

“So why are you dripping wet?” Bagg asked

“They threw me in” said Merri indignantly

“Why?” Xandra asked

“Because they’re mutineers” Merri retorted, and this information was received with raucous laughter.

“Well come on girls I’ll show you to your rooms and you can clean up and change”

“We have rooms?” Asti asked

“Of course, you have to stay the night” she retorted

“Ale, will you show the men to the barn”

 

The long-awaited reunion between Bagg and his brother Trebreh happened later when everyone was cleaned up and presentable and was very touching and set the tone for the following meal.

The feast the villagers put on that evening was exceptional and truly generous considering they were just a simple agrarian community.

    

The summer days on Eirkos were very long and even in late Summer the sun didn’t set until midnight so when the meal was over and the villagers had gone home the Tornado crew decided to have a final drink or two of Trebreh’s wonderful wine on the terrace before turning in and over the next hour everyone slowly drifted off in their ones and twos until there was only the Skeet brothers and their girls and they spent a romantic hour cuddling as they watched the sun go down.

“This is nice” Malena said

“This is perfect” Asti corrected her

 

ALL-TIME CLASSIC MOVIE FAVOURITES – QUATERMASS AND THE PIT (1967)

 

“Quatermass and the Pit” is a Horror, Sci-Fi Mystery, screenplay written by Nigel Kneale and Directed by Roy Ward Baker.

 

While digging a new subway line in London, a construction crew unearth a mysterious artifact along with a skeleton.

it is initially assumed an unexploded German weapon from World War II but upon closer examination it seems that it’s made of materials not of this world, so famous scientist Bernard Quatermass (Andrew Keir) is called in to divine its unearthly origins and explain the strange effects it has on people in its vicinity.

Along with assistant Barbara Judd (Barbara Shelley) Doctor Roney (James Donald), and Captain Potter (Bryan Marshall) and his sappers, Quatermass uncovers the age-old question of how humans came to be on our planet.

But their biggest challenge comes when trying to convince Colonel Breen (Julian Glover) and Government Minister (Edwin Richfield).

The Tornado Sojourns (2) – Chapter 07 – Rest and Recuperation

Merionwen Strong, owner and Captain of the Tempest Class Freighter, Tornado, sat in the pilot’s seat and her friend Malena Endia sat beside her as they circumnavigated the Ariadnean worm hole, which was equidistant between the Androsin system which they had departed from four months earlier, and the populous Eikon system, which was at least three months ahead of them.

It was a long boring journey but a necessary one, and a welcome one after the danger and excitement of their hasty exit from the Tornado and the subsequent dalliance with death on the seismically unstable surface of Mangium with its extremely hostile inhabitants and in the quiet hours on the flight deck they silently reflected on their jeopardy and the timely rescue from the jaws of death by Lyris’s flying skills, and the time afterwards.

When they were safely back on board and the Tornado was leaving Mangium in its wake.

Malena immediately embraced Zerrad and the giant Gouveian Parse Sacrod scooped Merri up in his arms and kissed her.

Following the loving welcome, they received they were asked how they were and they both gave the identical answer uttered in unison

“Starving”

They were fortunate enough to have aboard Visitor Parham, who was not merely a man of the cloth who tended to their spiritual needs, because his alter ego Bagg fortified them with his culinary prowess.

 

He was strategically positioned by the mess room door as they came in and he hugged them both affectionately.

He was tall and disproportionately thin, and wore a simple grey robe.

Although he never confirmed it the crew thought him somewhere beyond fifty with his long white hair and short trimmed beard.

He was a simple man and his contribution to the rescue was persistent prayer and excessive baking so he was perfectly well prepared for the moment the ravenous pair entered the mess.

 

The mess room was crowded and filled with the noise of relieved chatter,

Engineers Pulsat and Vanzyl were busy dealing with fire damage and Lyris was piloting but there were other absentees and Merri was the first to notice.

“Where’s Shiyne?”

For the latter part of the search and during the subsequent rescue Shiyne was in the sick bay completely exhausted, having used every atom of her strength to pinpoint their whereabouts and she was there still.

The second after Bagg had informed them of Shiyne’s location both Merri and Malena laid their cutlery down and stood abruptly.

“It’s alright” Bagg said, who had discreetly put himself between them and the door again.

“She’s still sedated, so eat first and then you can go and see her”  

He then guided them back to their chairs and took very little encouragement to continue their repast.

 

After eating their fill and refilling their coffee mugs for the third time a period of questions and answers ensued regarding the time line of events and who did what and when.

But it was, for the most part, all done in a very light-hearted way especially when Malena was talking.

“We’re running for our lives and Captain Redhead’s main concern was her footwear”

“They ruined my favourite boots” she said indignantly and put her foot up on the table so everyone could see her mutilated boot.

When the laughter had subsided Zerrad said

“Vanzyl was the hero of the day, without his enhancements to the comms array we would never have found the pod”

“And without Shiyne we would never have found you two in time” Bagg said 

“Which is a good reminder that we need to go and see her” Merri said

“There’s something you need before you do that” Bagg said

“No, no more coffee” Malena said

“I wasn’t going to say coffee” he said

“What then?”

“A shower” he said and everyone enthusiastically concurred

“Harsh” Merri said, “Very harsh”

“They must be talking about you” Malena said, “I’m a shape shifter, and I don’t sweat”

 

After showering and changing they went to sick bay and sat with Shiyne for the next few hours until she regained consciousness, and an expression of real joy spread across her beautiful cerise face

“They found you” she exclaimed and tears welled up in her purple eyes.

 

They sat with her for another two hours until Terrell insisted that she should rest so they joined the rest of the crew as life aboard the Tornado got back to normal.

Terrell kept Shiyne in sickbay for three days in all, she was fine after two but he liked having her all to himself and as she felt the same way there was no harm done.

 

Shiyne’s confinement to sickbay was the reason Merri and Malena were alone on the flight deck.

Their destination was known as the Eikon cluster due to the high number of M class planets and moons in the Eikon solar system, it was a busy and prosperous system and one which would keep them gainfully employed for some time to come.

They had to take the long route as there were no hyperspace routes through that part of the galaxy due to the worm hole, which was an inherently unstable phenomenon, so there was only one option and that was to take the long way around and after nearly losing two of the Tornados personnel it was decided to err on the side of caution and give the worm hole an extra wide berth.

 

As tedious as the journey was, over the long boring three months the crew worked hard to get the ship back in shape and after Pulsat and Vanzyl had finished in the corridor it was hard to imagine there had ever been a fire.

It addition, new sensors where installed to warn of approaching hazards, thanks to the enhancements Vanzyl had made to the array, so they wouldn’t be blindsided again.

The only damage they couldn’t put right was to the buckled plates on the hull, they had been temporarily patched and would be properly repaired when they reached their destination.

 

Despite their unwelcome trip to Mangium and the additional detour around the worm hole, they reached their destination of Eikon Major three days earlier than originally expected because of Pulsat and Vanzyl’s stewardship of the 4 Plasma Turbine Pyroclast Engines.

 

They delivered the three pods of Thermalium mineral ore to the processing plant and picked up one pod of ingots for delivery to Eikon Minor and two pods of agricultural tools for Eirkos, which was an agrarian world much like the Skeet brothers home world of Shax so they were both secretly looking forward to visiting.

The Skeet brothers were born and raised on Shax in the populous Shaxson system, which was one of the last to join the Legion and it was not an easy transition or indeed a wholly welcome one.

In fact, it was a protracted and bloody courtship which involved three years of bitter war and it was that war that saw the Skeet’s swap their plough shares for Pulsar weapons and tractors for Spider Hawk Fighters.

When the war came to an unsatisfactory conclusion for the Shaxson rebels the Legion exacted a heavy retribution which lead to some of the former fighters having to turn their backs on their home worlds to escape the Legions punitive punishments and give up living on the land and live on the lam instead.

Not that the Skeets had much appetite for farming after all the action they had seen.

They had no family left on Shax by the time the war was over so even if the Legion had been prepared to allow them to live in peace there was nothing left to bind them to their birthplace, so they took to the stars.

Eirkos was a simple world for people who lived simple lives, there were no big Cities and no real attraction for off worlders, so there were no plans to stay after making the delivery in Cranack but as they sat around the mess table devouring one of Bagg’s wonderful suppers, Merri said

“After we’ve unloaded we have a couple of days spare before our next job, any suggestions?”

“It’s a shame that there’s nothing to keep us on Eirkos, it would have been nice to breathe some fresh clean air for an hour or two” Shiyne said

“Well we still could” Bagg said

“But what would we do there?” Parse said

“Well I have a brother in Montrose which is about an hour from Cranack, it’s a farmstead community and I’m sure they would make us very welcome” he said

“Another Visitor?” Malena asked

“Well yes he is a Visitor” Bagg said

“But this Brother is also my brother”

“Then we must go” Merri said, “is he a good cook like you?”

“No, his skill lies in Wine making” Bagg replied

“Even better” Merri retorted

“So that’s settled” Malena said, “After we’ve unloaded we’re all off to Montrose to see Bagg’s brother”

“And that includes you two” Merri said

“We?” Pulsat asked

“Who else?” Merri asked and Vanzyl whirled a response

“But we fix damage” Pulsat said

“You can do that on Eikon Major” she replied, “I want the whole Tornado family in attendance”

Vanzyl uttered a soft whistle like a plaintive flute, then he looked at his friend and whistled again

“Family, yes” Pulsat agreed

 

After arriving at the port on Eirkos the unloading didn’t take long and then Lyris parked the Tornado on the apron and then everyone got ready to depart.

The short heavy set Prinsloovian, Pulsat Rad, was first down the ramp, holding his rough bony head proudly high.

On reaching the apron proper he turned stiffly to address his companion Vanzyl, who was uttering a string of whirls, whistles and clicks.

“I know it, I know it” Pulsat said to his Kesslerian friend, who was a more slender and sleek form than he, and he had the hint of a smile about his pursed lips and Vanzyl whistled and clicked again and Pulsat snorted.

Pulsat was the only one of the crew who could understand every tone and toot Vanzyl uttered, as if it were in his own tongue, but that was common place for his species, there were very few races he had met on his travels that he couldn’t understand, although he couldn’t speak to them in their language, but he nonetheless understood every word that they spoke.

While they stood to one side of the ramp in conversation Shiyne drove the stroller down the front ramp and the rest of the crew followed in a group in her wake, with Visitor Parham bringing up the rear wearing his more formal attire of a full length pale blue robe tied at the waist with a royal blue cord, which was beneath a full length dark blue leather jerkin, and he carried a simple roughhewn staff which was undecorated but for a carved cruciform relief a few inches from the top.  

The Tornado’s APMTV, (All Purpose Multi Terrain Vehicle) was nicknamed the “Stroller” which was an ironic name because when Shiyne or Merri were behind the wheel it did anything but stroll.

The moment it came to a halt the group climbed aboard, Malena paused before remotely closing the ramp and the joined Zerrad in the back and the healer Terrell got in the passenger seat beside his lover Shiyne.