Free Quest For Earth by S E Gilchrist Page B

Commander is keen to obtain more information on this planet.’
    â€˜We’re a little bit short of men,’ Sherise pointed out drily. ‘I understand the necessity though.’ Even the youngest Darkon was taught that knowledge was power. The Corporation Board had been friendly and eager but short on details on what exactly lay beyond the dome walls. It behoved them to learn as much as possible as quickly as possible about this planet. She sighed and noted how even in the short space of time since they’d landed, the shadows had lengthened. ‘Very well. But everyone must be back at the shuttle before night has fallen. If we fail to dock on the Quinnie on schedule, the Commander will dispatch another rescue team.’
    â€˜Stay inside the shuttle, Lady.’
    â€˜Go, Captain.’ Sherise shooed him on his way and walked back to where their pilot was leaning out through the hatch. ‘Any luck contacting the Quinnie ?’
    â€˜Nothing but white noise, Lady. I will continue my efforts.’ He disappeared back inside the cockpit.
    Keen to continue to savour the feel of fresh air on her face, Sherise declined to join him. Instead, she paced back and forth, watching as the crew split into two teams and trotted off, scanners in hands.
    Even though the day was wanning, heat seared up from the ground with such intensity, sweat formed a mist over her body. She fanned the air in front of her hot face with her hand and sighed, longing for the cool, oh so blissfully chilled air on the Quinnie . In a few short sectons, the last meal of the day would be served in the communal compartment. The main course would be heavy on protein and bland after the long journey, but the ship’s stores still stocked plenty of stewed fruit. The vision of a lovely serving of wild berry-red arcon in thick nectar sprinkled with dusting sugar danced in front of her eyes and her stomach growled in protest. She’d refrained from partaking of the refreshments offered at the meeting, believing that in doing so, she’d reinforce her menial role. Also, she’d been too anxious to eat given what was at stake.
    Time passed.
    What delays them? Why haven’t they found Bree yet? Why haven’t the patrols returned? Restless, and attempting to ignore her rising agitation, she circumnavigated the shuttle several times then paused to scan her surroundings for about the hundredth time. A flash caught her attention. She squinted into the setting sun, trying to see through the haze, but the light had disappeared.
    She must have imagined it. She yawned widely and tracked the progress of a shadow as it streaked over the ground. Sherise jerked out of her heat induced stupor and snapped her gaze skywards.
    An enormous creature flew high above the shuttle. The setting sun reflected so brightly off its metallic feathers her eyes hurt.
    Armour? Was that possible? She shaded her face. With each swift flap of its massive wings the creature sped further away, heading rapidly in the direction of the ruins. Bree had told her earlier that her former home lay in the very heart of the wrecked city.
    She bounded into the shuttle and asked, ‘Anything?’
    â€˜Negative.’ The pilot’s face was flushed and Sherise didn’t blame him. With the main power source switched off to conserve energy it was as hot as Zirsk inside the cramped cabin.
    He slapped his hand against the consol. ‘I cannot raise the Captain or the other patrol team either.’
    Our signals must be jammed. But by who? And by what? ‘I’m going to climb to the top of that mound. Perhaps I will gain sight of the crew. Remain here and for Cercis’s sake, get a message out.’ She rushed back to the hatch where she paused, thinking about that savage beak and the curving claws on the creature’s four legs, before scrambling over to her seat where she retrieved her medie satchel.
    Every sense she possessed screamed that her friend