"It's hard to say, Captain Alderran. But I'd suggest that we land as soon as possible and have a look at her."
It had been several hours since the alien attack on the spaceship, Starmaster. Fortunately, there had been no casualties but the crew was patently alarmed. There apparently was no reason for the assault, thus making the situation all the more perplexing. Captain James Alderran sat at his command post and pondered the ship's dilemma. Manning's right, he thought. We have to land here somewhere. His train of thought was interrupted by Susan Ritchilson, who was monitoring the radar screen.
"Captain, we've picked up something on the radar screen. It seems to be a rather large object."
"What is the approximate distance, Miss Ritchilson?"
"About 2,500 megameters, Captain Alderran."
"Sorrell," Captain Alderran said to the pilot. "Decelerate. Prepare to land the ship. We'll come in for a closer look."
"Paul Sorrell nodded. "Aye, aye, captain."
Sorrell slowed down the ship considerably and after 10 minutes, the Starmaster approached the atmosphere of a small planet. Sweat broke out on Paul Sorrell's forehead. Although he had landed the Starmaster countless times before, the procedure always made him nervous. But, as usual, the ship descended smoothly onto the planet's surface. Sorrell breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thornton, Hill," said Captain Alderran. "Put on your suits. The three of us will have a look at this planet."
"Captain, the atmosphere is almost identical to that of earth," said Peter Lorrimer, the ship's doctor. "A spacesuit would be superfluous."
"Thank you, Dr. Lorrimer," answered the captain. "I'll give the orders if you don't mind." Then turning to Richard Thornton and Laurie Hill he said, "Hurry up, you two."
After the three of them had donned their suits, Sorrell pushed the large green button to the left of the control panel and the doors to the exit hatch parted. Captain Alderran and his two crew members descended cautiously.
A visual scan of the area revealed that it was probably a desert. Within a few yards of the ship was a small hill of sand atop of which sprouted a patch of weeds. Many brown shrubs and bushes also emanated [sic] the surroundings.
"Captain," Hill said. "I think Dr. Lorrimer was right. If I didn't know any better, I'd swear we were on Earth."
"I suppose you're right, Miss Hill," Captain Alderran admitted. "But let's do a bit of exploring first, shall we? We've obviously landed in a desert of some sort."
Forty-five minutes of meandering [on]the alien planet revealed an object which immediately caught Captain Alderran's attention. It was a large, foreboding construction some 15 feet high and 25 feet long built of masonry. At first glance, one might have assumed it to be a dwelling of some sort excepting that the structure had no windows. Hill and Thornton approached the captain as he hurriedly approached the building. Upon reaching it, they stopped within six feet of the entrance. A huge, empty doorway loomed before them, inviting the stranger to enter. Hesitating momentarily, James Alderran motioned his crew inside.
The building's interior was not a spectacular sight to behold. It was pitch black, forcing the crew to produce their flashlights. From observing the exterior of the structure, one could have easily conjectured what the inside was like. Four stone walls surrounded the explorers. Then Laurie Hill shone her flashlight toward the southwestern corner.
"Captain," she said excitedly. "Look!"
Following the flashlight beam with their eyes, Alderran and Thornton saw a large, uneven pile of jet black rocks.
"Coal," Richard Thornton said.
"Or something like it," remarked Captain Alderran. With this reply, he withdrew his communicator from his belt. Pushing the talk button, he spoke.
"This is Captain Alderran, Starmaster. Do you read me?"
Paul Sorrell's voice answered. "We read you loud and clear, captain. Where are you?"
"We're approximately two kilometers from the ship. We've discovered some kind of warehouse hut -all it contains it- Is Manning there?"
The engineer's voice replied, "Right here, captain."
"How much fuel does the ship have left?"
There was a pause. "Not a lot. That alien attack damaged the ship much more than I had estimated. We've lost a good deal of fuel. The nearest space port is one million megameters away. We may be staying here for a while."
"I've found something that we may be able to use for fuel. We'll be returning to the ship immediately. Over and out."
Captain Alderran returned the communicator to his belt.
"Let's get out of here, crew," he said. "Thornton, grab a handful of those rocks."
Richard Thornton nodded acquiescence. He bent over to pick up the ship's possible source of fuel when an object whizzed past his ear and lodged itself between the stones of the wall with a loud thunk! Whirling around as quickly as possible, Thornton discovered three humanoid shapes at the opposite end of the cave. He knew not what manner of creatures these were; he could merely make out their silhouettes.
With impressive speed and dexterity, Captain Alderran whipped out his laser pistol and fired. He missed the intruders and several stones crumbled from the empty doorway under which they stood. The creatures fled immediately.
"What the hell was that?" asked Thornton.
"I don't know," Captain Alderran answered. "But they sure weren't friendly. We'd better return to the ship promptly."
Upon finishing his sentence, Alderran tucked his gun back into his belt. The three of them walked out of the dismal building, scrutinizing the area. Thornton saw no trace of whatever had attacked them. No footprints were visible.
"Let's get back to the ship," Captain Alderran said.
"Amen," Laurie Hill remarked.
The trio had not traveled 50 yards when the wind began blowing fiercely, spitting sharp grains of sand into their faces. Fortunately, the captain had insisted that space suits be worn, thus the helmets protected the crew members' eyes. But a storm of this magnitude made sight an impossibility. The explorers realized that they had no alternative but to seek shelter until the brutal weather subsided. There was only one place to stay.
"We have to turn back," Captain Alderran shouted above the howling wind. "We'll never make it in this storm."
Trudging back to the ominous building, Alderran cursed silently. He didn't need this hassle. Damn the day they had landed on this godforsaken planet.
When he was inside once more, James Alderran sat down against the west wall, exhausted. He removed his space helmet and Thornton and Hill did likewise.
"Son of a bitch," he gasped. "Well, gang," he said to his crew members. "enjoy yourselves. We're going to be here until this crazy sandstorm stops, which might be a while."
"I just hope everything's all right back at the ship," Laurie Hill said. She sounded genuinely concerned.
"I don't see why it shouldn't be," replied Captain Alderran. "I think it's ourselves we should worry about."
Richard Thornton broke in. "I hope that welcoming party doesn't return."
"Don't fret about it, Thornton," said Captain Alderran. "We've got our laser guns. Which reminds me, I'd better contact the ship."
Captain Alderran's left hand reached for his belt when suddenly his face froze in horror.
"Captain," said Hill. "What is it? What's the matter?"
Captain Alderran stared at her silently, incredulously. "My communicator," he said. "It's gone, lost in the storm."
"Why, that's nothing to worry about, captain," Thornton said. "We can easily find our way back to the ship after this storm's cleared up. And if not, they're certain to come looking for us."
"Certain," Alderran repeated. His eyes were blank. "Yes, they'll come for us. Certainly."
***
Thomas Manning was ill at ease. Two hours had passed and he had heard nothing from Captain Alderran.
"Paul," he said to the pilot. "I don't know what's become of Laurie, Dick and the captain. It's been some time since we received any sort of signal from them."
Paul Sorrell was silent for a long while. At last he spoke.
"Have you tried contacting them?"
"Dozens of times, yes, but nothing seems to be getting through."
Thinking briefly, Sorrell spoke again. "Let's wait a bit longer. If we still don't hear from the captain, you and I will go out ourselves. The only problem is that we don't know where they are, and if we've lost communication -let's wait a while."
Thomas Manning seemed unsatisfied with the pilot's suggestion. He shifted uneasily in his seat.
"I need to go outside and start some serious repair work or we'll never get off this planet."
"No," Sorrell said sternly. "Wait just a bit longer."
Now Manning was angry.
"Damn it, Paul!" he shouted, slamming his fist onto the control panel. "They could be dead for all we know! In the meantime, I've got to do something besides sit here like a log."
"Will you shut up?" Sorrell replied. "You know the captain's procedures. After four hours, if contact is not made, then proceed
to . . ."
"We haven't got four hours," snarled Manning. "Why must you be such an idiot?"
"Gentlemen, please stop this inane quarreling at once," Peter Lorrimer interjected.
"Dr. Lorrimer's right," said Susan Ritchilson. Two grown men acting like babies. Why don't we compromise? We'll wait one more hour. If we still haven't heard from them, two of us will investigate. Fair enough?"
Thomas Manning scowled. "All right," he said, turning to glare at Sorrell. "One more hour."
Now Manning was angry.
"Damn it, Paul!" he shouted, slamming his fist onto the control panel. "They could be dead for all we know! In the meantime, I've got to do something besides sit here like a log."
"Will you shut up?" Sorrell replied. "You know the captain's procedures. After four hours, if contact is not made, then proceed
to . . ."
"We haven't got four hours," snarled Manning. "Why must you be such an idiot?"
"Gentlemen, please stop this inane quarreling at once," Peter Lorrimer interjected.
"Dr. Lorrimer's right," said Susan Ritchilson. Two grown men acting like babies. Why don't we compromise? We'll wait one more hour. If we still haven't heard from them, two of us will investigate. Fair enough?"
Thomas Manning scowled. "All right," he said, turning to glare at Sorrell. "One more hour."
***
Laurie Hill glanced out of the doorway of the building where she and her shipmates had been sheltered. All was calm outside. Dusk had fallen. How long had it lasted? she wondered. Four hours? Five? Six? She turned and shook Alderran.
"Captain, wake up. The storm's over. We can leave."
James Alderran groaned softly. Reluctantly he opened his eyes and sat up.
"You're right, Miss Hill." He seemed relieved. "Wake up Thornton and let's get out of this place."
Laurie Hill did as the captain ordered but with great difficulty. Richard Thornton did not want to awaken.
"What time is it?" he mumbled.
"Dick," she said urgently, continuing to shake him. "The storm is over. We're leaving."
Thornton bolted upright. "Over?" He seemed surprised. "Thank God."
Under Captain Alderran's orders, Thornton stuffed his backpack with black rocks and the crew was off. They were heading back to the Starmaster at last.
In a short while, Laurie Hill began to tire rapidly.
"I've got to rest, captain," she gasped. "Can't go any farther." With that, she slumped to her knees and sat on the hard, dry sand.
"Oh, come on, Miss Hill," Captain Alderran said. He bent over to help her. "We haven't got that much further to . . . aaahhh!" Captain James Alderran fell to the ground, dead. A long wooden spear protruded from his back. Laurie Hill shrieked.
"Captain!" Thornton cried. Looking up, he beheld a most unpleasant sight. About 30 feet behind the explorers stood 10 humanoid creatures like the ones they had encountered earlier in the stone structure. In the fading twilight, Thornton could see them clearly enough. They were bipedal creatures, vaguely manlike in appearance. Each was perhaps six feet tall and dressed in a blood-red loincloth. Their dark green hair was wildly mussed. The creatures' skin was a lighter green, and although they carried crude weapons, their sharp yellow teeth and filthy claws were sufficient in combat. A greater stench Thornton had never before experienced. Firing his laser pistol, Thornton struck one squarely in the forehead. But there were nine others to contend with, all savagely enraged. The last sensation Thornton was aware of was a sharp pain in his shoulder, and all went black.
"You're right, Miss Hill." He seemed relieved. "Wake up Thornton and let's get out of this place."
Laurie Hill did as the captain ordered but with great difficulty. Richard Thornton did not want to awaken.
"What time is it?" he mumbled.
"Dick," she said urgently, continuing to shake him. "The storm is over. We're leaving."
Thornton bolted upright. "Over?" He seemed surprised. "Thank God."
Under Captain Alderran's orders, Thornton stuffed his backpack with black rocks and the crew was off. They were heading back to the Starmaster at last.
In a short while, Laurie Hill began to tire rapidly.
"I've got to rest, captain," she gasped. "Can't go any farther." With that, she slumped to her knees and sat on the hard, dry sand.
"Oh, come on, Miss Hill," Captain Alderran said. He bent over to help her. "We haven't got that much further to . . . aaahhh!" Captain James Alderran fell to the ground, dead. A long wooden spear protruded from his back. Laurie Hill shrieked.
"Captain!" Thornton cried. Looking up, he beheld a most unpleasant sight. About 30 feet behind the explorers stood 10 humanoid creatures like the ones they had encountered earlier in the stone structure. In the fading twilight, Thornton could see them clearly enough. They were bipedal creatures, vaguely manlike in appearance. Each was perhaps six feet tall and dressed in a blood-red loincloth. Their dark green hair was wildly mussed. The creatures' skin was a lighter green, and although they carried crude weapons, their sharp yellow teeth and filthy claws were sufficient in combat. A greater stench Thornton had never before experienced. Firing his laser pistol, Thornton struck one squarely in the forehead. But there were nine others to contend with, all savagely enraged. The last sensation Thornton was aware of was a sharp pain in his shoulder, and all went black.
***
After what seemed like centuries, Richard Thornton was awakened by the peaceful light of dawn. His right shoulder was clotted with dried blood and throbbed painfully. The creatures that had killed Captain Alderran had obviously left him for dead. Rubbing his eyes sleepily, he noticed Laurie Hill lying next to the captain's body, face down. Was she still breathing? He shook her vigorously. Getting no response, he rolled her onto her back. Her throat was cut from ear to ear. Sickened, he turned away and began to retch. He then wiped his mouth with his hand and crawled away from the two bodies. He soon passed two dead aliens. Laurie hadn't been such a bad shot after all.
Thornton soon began to feel incredibly thirsty. How much longer could he go on? This desert was hot, very hot. He was suddenly aware of the intense heat. Sweat flooded into his eyes, blinding him momentarily. His tongue felt like a strip of cardboard.
Then he saw them! Two of them in the distance. Aliens, he thought. I'm finished, or are they? The figures seemed to take notice of him and broke into a quick run in his direction. Those bastards weren't going to get him like they got Captain Alderran and Laurie. With all the strength he could muster, Richard Thornton climbed to his feet and aimed his laser pistol.
"Die, you bastards!" he yelled.
"Dick, wait."
That voice! Thornton recognized it. It was Dr. Lorrimer.
"Doc!" he yelled. "Thank God!" Then he collapsed.
"Dick, are you all right?" asked Paul Sorrell, shaking him.
"Give him some water," Dr. Lorrimer suggested.
Unscrewing the canteen, Sorrell handed it to Thornton, who drank thirstily, half-emptying the metal canteen. Choking and sputtering, he made an effort to speak.
"The captain and Laurie," he managed to say. "They're dead. They killed them."
"Dead?" shouted Paul Sorrell. "Who killed them, Dick?"
"They did. The aliens. All we wanted were some black rocks."
Lorrimer was concerned. "Let's get him back to the ship. He's not making any sense."
With the help of Paul Sorrell, Peter Lorrimer carried Thornton back to the Starmaster. The doctor held his communicator to his mouth.
"This is Dr. Lorrimer," he said. "Anyone on board the Starmaster, please open the hatch immediately. Paul and I have found Dick."
Obediently, the two steel doors parted and the two men dragged the unconscious Richard Thornton aboard. Susan Ritchilson gasped and rushed to his side.
"He'll be all right," assured Dr. Lorrimer. "Let's just get him to bed."
"Will do, Dr. Lorrimer," said Thomas Manning.
When Richard Thornton awoke some hours later, he felt very hungry. Ritchilson quickly brought him a bowl of chicken soup and when he finished that, a roast beef sandwich. His appetite being somewhat satiated, he was ready to talk. Dr. Lorrimer sat on the side of his bed.
"Do you have anything to tell us, Dick?"
So Thornton began his tale from the beginning. He told of all that had transpired since the ship landed yesterday; of the discovery of the unusual stone structure, the jet black rocks and the battle with the green-skinned creatures in which Captain Alderran and Laurie Hill had perished. Dr. Lorrimer listened to the entire story without so much as blinking an eyelid.
Finally he spoke. "What of the black rocks you found, Dick? Where are they?"
Thornton shook his head slowly. "I don't know," he said. "I put a whole bunch of them in my backpack. I thought, or rather the captain thought, that we might be able to use them for fuel. They're all gone now. Must have been those . . . those 'things' that attacked us. We'll never get out of here."
"Don't be so pessimistic," said Dr. Lorrimer. "First thing tomorrow morning, Paul and I will go with you, and you'll show us where you originally found those rocks."
Thornton looked apprehensively at Peter Lorrimer. "You mean go back there, doc? No way!"
"Don't be ridiculous," Dr. Lorrimer chided. "How else are we to get those rocks? We desperately need fuel."
Thornton paused for a moment. "But you've no guarantee that the coal -or whatever it is- can be used as fuel."
"That's a chance we'll just have to take. Get some rest, Dick," Lorrimer answered and walked out of the bed chamber, quietly closing the door.
At 9:00 a.m. the next morning, Richard Thornton heard a loud knocking on his door. He had slept quite soundly the night before, and felt much refreshed. He stretched his arms above his head and groaned loudly.
"Come in," he called out. The door opened and Peter Lorrimer entered, looking unusually cheerful and robust.
"Get dressed, Dick," he said. "We're leaving the ship in exactly 30 minutes." He smiled. "By the way," he added. "Good morning."
Richard Thornton cursed under his breath as the doctor closed the door. But there was work to be done, and he knew that as well as Dr. Lorrimer. He dressed with great sluggishness, complaining aloud all the while. When finished, he exited his room and met Lorrimer and Sorrell, both fully-dressed, as if they had been awaiting him.
"Before we go, gentlemen," said Dr. Lorrimer. "Be certain each of us has his communicator and laser pistol."
"Check," Paul Sorrell replied.
"Ditto," said Thornton. There was a note of sarcasm in his voice, although Dr. Lorrimer didn't appear to notice.
"Let's go," he said.
"Dr. Lorrimer, wait!" Thomas Manning called out. "Let me come with you. It might be dangerous."
Lorrimer shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't allow that, Tom. Somebody's got to stay at the ship with Susan. We'll be all right. We know what to expect this time." He patted the gun at his side.
Susan Ritchilson and Thomas Manning watched their companions walk off into the alien desert. Manning turned to Ritchilson. "They'll never come back," he said. Susan Ritchilson merely turned away without answering.
Sorrell, Lorrimer and Thornton had been trekking over the desert sands for a good while, and had not yet found the "coal house," as Lorrimer had nicknamed it. Sorrell was rapidly growing impatient.
"I thought that you knew where this place was, Dick."
"I do, I do," answered Thornton, defending himself. "It should be right around here somewhere." Then his eyes flashed triumphantly. "There it is," he yelled, pointing to a structure in the distance.
Running as fast as their feet could carry them, the three men arrived at the building, all panting heavily. Thornton turned on his flashlight and pointed towards the empty portal.
"This way," he said. His comrades followed eagerly behind.
"There it is," he said, shining his flashlight beam on the large pile of rocks in the corner.
"Perfect," whispered Sorrell. "Dr. Lorrimer, I believe we can use these rocks to . . . Look out, doctor!"
Peter Lorrimer, who was standing near the entrance, turned quickly to face his attackers, four green-skinned creatures with clubs and stone daggers. Firing his laser pistol, he dispatched two of them without difficulty. His fellow fiends, however, rushed at the doctor with an unbridled ferocity. He barely managed to kill a third before it reached him. The final attacker decided it was wiser to retreat, and turning away, made for the doorway. Lorrimer's gun flashed one final time and the alien dropped just as it reached the exit.
Sorrell was impressed. "Nice shot, doctor."
"They don't call me the fastest gun in the galaxy for nothing," he said. He leaned against the doorway when two green hands shot out from behind him, wrapping a leather thong around his neck. Choking and struggling vainly, the doctor was dragged out of sight.
"Doctor!" Sorrell shouted. Drawing his gun, he ran towards where Lorrimer had disappeared. No sooner had he stepped outside when a hatchet was buried in his chest. He slumped to his knees and fell face first into the desert sand.
"Holy Hell," screamed Richard Thornton as he fumbled for his own meager weapon. A dozen aliens, wielding sundry tools of war, flooded towards him. He closed his eyes, and praying, fired away. Six aliens fell dead, but that wasn't enough. Thornton dropped his gun, feeling lost and hopeless.
Just then, something happened that Thornton didn't understand until later. At the entrance to the building, twenty feet from where he was standing, was someone with a can of oil. Before the unidentified figure was a small pile of the black rocks. Dousing them with oil, the person set them aflame. Strangely enough, as he performed this action, the remaining half a dozen monsters who had been attacking Thornton ceased to do so and charged wildly towards whoever was burning their precious rocks. At a safe distance of 15 feet, Thomas Manning drew his laser gun and fired six times. It was over.
Three days had passed, and the Starmaster was peacefully on its way to Spaceport 13. Manning had explained everything to Thornton.
"The denizens of the planet protested violently when you, Captain Alderran and Laurie Hill attempted to 'steal' their black rocks. These objects must have had some great value to the aliens, great enough to kill for. I knew you'd be needing me, so I followed you the second time, in spite of what Dr. Lorrimer said."
Thornton now understood completely. Almost completely.
"But why did you burn those rocks?" he asked Manning.
"Simple," stated Manning. "To distract them from killing you like they killed Paul and Dr. Lorrimer. Apparently, these rocks were worth enough to them to lay off you in order to salvage then. My hunch was correct, lucky for you. Incredibly stupid beings."
As the Starmaster floated through space, Richard Thornton stared out the porthole. He was glad to be alive.
Thornton soon began to feel incredibly thirsty. How much longer could he go on? This desert was hot, very hot. He was suddenly aware of the intense heat. Sweat flooded into his eyes, blinding him momentarily. His tongue felt like a strip of cardboard.
Then he saw them! Two of them in the distance. Aliens, he thought. I'm finished, or are they? The figures seemed to take notice of him and broke into a quick run in his direction. Those bastards weren't going to get him like they got Captain Alderran and Laurie. With all the strength he could muster, Richard Thornton climbed to his feet and aimed his laser pistol.
"Die, you bastards!" he yelled.
"Dick, wait."
That voice! Thornton recognized it. It was Dr. Lorrimer.
"Doc!" he yelled. "Thank God!" Then he collapsed.
"Dick, are you all right?" asked Paul Sorrell, shaking him.
"Give him some water," Dr. Lorrimer suggested.
Unscrewing the canteen, Sorrell handed it to Thornton, who drank thirstily, half-emptying the metal canteen. Choking and sputtering, he made an effort to speak.
"The captain and Laurie," he managed to say. "They're dead. They killed them."
"Dead?" shouted Paul Sorrell. "Who killed them, Dick?"
"They did. The aliens. All we wanted were some black rocks."
Lorrimer was concerned. "Let's get him back to the ship. He's not making any sense."
With the help of Paul Sorrell, Peter Lorrimer carried Thornton back to the Starmaster. The doctor held his communicator to his mouth.
"This is Dr. Lorrimer," he said. "Anyone on board the Starmaster, please open the hatch immediately. Paul and I have found Dick."
Obediently, the two steel doors parted and the two men dragged the unconscious Richard Thornton aboard. Susan Ritchilson gasped and rushed to his side.
"He'll be all right," assured Dr. Lorrimer. "Let's just get him to bed."
"Will do, Dr. Lorrimer," said Thomas Manning.
When Richard Thornton awoke some hours later, he felt very hungry. Ritchilson quickly brought him a bowl of chicken soup and when he finished that, a roast beef sandwich. His appetite being somewhat satiated, he was ready to talk. Dr. Lorrimer sat on the side of his bed.
"Do you have anything to tell us, Dick?"
So Thornton began his tale from the beginning. He told of all that had transpired since the ship landed yesterday; of the discovery of the unusual stone structure, the jet black rocks and the battle with the green-skinned creatures in which Captain Alderran and Laurie Hill had perished. Dr. Lorrimer listened to the entire story without so much as blinking an eyelid.
Finally he spoke. "What of the black rocks you found, Dick? Where are they?"
Thornton shook his head slowly. "I don't know," he said. "I put a whole bunch of them in my backpack. I thought, or rather the captain thought, that we might be able to use them for fuel. They're all gone now. Must have been those . . . those 'things' that attacked us. We'll never get out of here."
"Don't be so pessimistic," said Dr. Lorrimer. "First thing tomorrow morning, Paul and I will go with you, and you'll show us where you originally found those rocks."
Thornton looked apprehensively at Peter Lorrimer. "You mean go back there, doc? No way!"
"Don't be ridiculous," Dr. Lorrimer chided. "How else are we to get those rocks? We desperately need fuel."
Thornton paused for a moment. "But you've no guarantee that the coal -or whatever it is- can be used as fuel."
"That's a chance we'll just have to take. Get some rest, Dick," Lorrimer answered and walked out of the bed chamber, quietly closing the door.
At 9:00 a.m. the next morning, Richard Thornton heard a loud knocking on his door. He had slept quite soundly the night before, and felt much refreshed. He stretched his arms above his head and groaned loudly.
"Come in," he called out. The door opened and Peter Lorrimer entered, looking unusually cheerful and robust.
"Get dressed, Dick," he said. "We're leaving the ship in exactly 30 minutes." He smiled. "By the way," he added. "Good morning."
Richard Thornton cursed under his breath as the doctor closed the door. But there was work to be done, and he knew that as well as Dr. Lorrimer. He dressed with great sluggishness, complaining aloud all the while. When finished, he exited his room and met Lorrimer and Sorrell, both fully-dressed, as if they had been awaiting him.
"Before we go, gentlemen," said Dr. Lorrimer. "Be certain each of us has his communicator and laser pistol."
"Check," Paul Sorrell replied.
"Ditto," said Thornton. There was a note of sarcasm in his voice, although Dr. Lorrimer didn't appear to notice.
"Let's go," he said.
"Dr. Lorrimer, wait!" Thomas Manning called out. "Let me come with you. It might be dangerous."
Lorrimer shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't allow that, Tom. Somebody's got to stay at the ship with Susan. We'll be all right. We know what to expect this time." He patted the gun at his side.
Susan Ritchilson and Thomas Manning watched their companions walk off into the alien desert. Manning turned to Ritchilson. "They'll never come back," he said. Susan Ritchilson merely turned away without answering.
Sorrell, Lorrimer and Thornton had been trekking over the desert sands for a good while, and had not yet found the "coal house," as Lorrimer had nicknamed it. Sorrell was rapidly growing impatient.
"I thought that you knew where this place was, Dick."
"I do, I do," answered Thornton, defending himself. "It should be right around here somewhere." Then his eyes flashed triumphantly. "There it is," he yelled, pointing to a structure in the distance.
Running as fast as their feet could carry them, the three men arrived at the building, all panting heavily. Thornton turned on his flashlight and pointed towards the empty portal.
"This way," he said. His comrades followed eagerly behind.
"There it is," he said, shining his flashlight beam on the large pile of rocks in the corner.
"Perfect," whispered Sorrell. "Dr. Lorrimer, I believe we can use these rocks to . . . Look out, doctor!"
Peter Lorrimer, who was standing near the entrance, turned quickly to face his attackers, four green-skinned creatures with clubs and stone daggers. Firing his laser pistol, he dispatched two of them without difficulty. His fellow fiends, however, rushed at the doctor with an unbridled ferocity. He barely managed to kill a third before it reached him. The final attacker decided it was wiser to retreat, and turning away, made for the doorway. Lorrimer's gun flashed one final time and the alien dropped just as it reached the exit.
Sorrell was impressed. "Nice shot, doctor."
"They don't call me the fastest gun in the galaxy for nothing," he said. He leaned against the doorway when two green hands shot out from behind him, wrapping a leather thong around his neck. Choking and struggling vainly, the doctor was dragged out of sight.
"Doctor!" Sorrell shouted. Drawing his gun, he ran towards where Lorrimer had disappeared. No sooner had he stepped outside when a hatchet was buried in his chest. He slumped to his knees and fell face first into the desert sand.
"Holy Hell," screamed Richard Thornton as he fumbled for his own meager weapon. A dozen aliens, wielding sundry tools of war, flooded towards him. He closed his eyes, and praying, fired away. Six aliens fell dead, but that wasn't enough. Thornton dropped his gun, feeling lost and hopeless.
Just then, something happened that Thornton didn't understand until later. At the entrance to the building, twenty feet from where he was standing, was someone with a can of oil. Before the unidentified figure was a small pile of the black rocks. Dousing them with oil, the person set them aflame. Strangely enough, as he performed this action, the remaining half a dozen monsters who had been attacking Thornton ceased to do so and charged wildly towards whoever was burning their precious rocks. At a safe distance of 15 feet, Thomas Manning drew his laser gun and fired six times. It was over.
Three days had passed, and the Starmaster was peacefully on its way to Spaceport 13. Manning had explained everything to Thornton.
"The denizens of the planet protested violently when you, Captain Alderran and Laurie Hill attempted to 'steal' their black rocks. These objects must have had some great value to the aliens, great enough to kill for. I knew you'd be needing me, so I followed you the second time, in spite of what Dr. Lorrimer said."
Thornton now understood completely. Almost completely.
"But why did you burn those rocks?" he asked Manning.
"Simple," stated Manning. "To distract them from killing you like they killed Paul and Dr. Lorrimer. Apparently, these rocks were worth enough to them to lay off you in order to salvage then. My hunch was correct, lucky for you. Incredibly stupid beings."
As the Starmaster floated through space, Richard Thornton stared out the porthole. He was glad to be alive.
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