What if the aliens intended to take them back to their home world? Ross had heard plenty of stories about alien abductions. Both the print and broadcast tabloids were full of them. If that was what the Culakhan had in mind, they might never see the earth again.
Or worse, Texas.
TWENTY
According to Ross Ed’s watch, two days had passed and yet another interrogation concluded when the Frontrunner unexpectedly turned to them and announced, “It has been decided. You are to be returned to the surface to live out the remainder of your simple lives.”
Caroline could hardly control herself. “That’s great, but why?”
“Because we have no further use for you here. You have nothing more to contribute to our deliberations. We assent to this because it is—”
“I know; pan of your Code of Conduct.”
“Not entirely.” Looking straight back over its spine, the Frontrunner gestured with three of its prehensile tail-hairs. “The Shakaleeshva has deferred to compliance provided we return you safely to your world. I confess myself surprised at his interest, which we know to be out of keeping with his true character.
“We can compel response, but it will be easier for all concerned if his assistance can be gained. There are significant questions in quest of resolution which cooperation would facilitate. Hence our accession.” The Culakhan turned back to them. “Where would you like to be set down?”
“How about right where you picked us up?” suggested Caroline.
“No.” Ross’s expression was set. “Texas would be better. I’ve got family in the Corpus Christi area. I’ve been promising to drop in on them for some time. Think you could land us there?”
“If you will but supply coordinates we shall put you down anywhere on the surface.”
He grimaced. “Coordinates, huh? Yours or mine? How bout if I just draw you a picture?”
Caroline threw him an admiring glance. “You can draw?”
“Only maps.” He smiled apologetically. “It’s useful in the field.”
As it turned out, a map wasn’t necessary. After it was explained what was needed, a technician conjured up a perfect photo-realistic reproduction of the earth, complete to current cloud cover and terminator line. With the clouds eliminated, Ross Ed was easily able to locate the south Texas coast. So as not to attract undue attention, he pinpointed a location somewhat to the south of the city limits.
“Down there the metropolitan area peters out pretty fast. You should be able to slip your ship in without being seen.”
Uroon yipped softly. “We could position it in the center of your capital city without being noticed, but this will be simpler. People will see you. They will not see us. We will appear to be nothing more than a localized climatological phenomenon.”
“Like fog?” asked Caroline.
“Exactly. We will perform the transfer during the darkest pan of the night. But before we can commence, there is one other matter that must be attended to first.”
“Of course.” Ross Ed didn’t have a clue as to what the alien was talking about and was disappointed when Uroon didn’t
A number of hours passed, during which time Caroline in particular worried about the Culakhan undergoing a change of heart. When Ross’s watch read four A.M. California time they were told to prepare. This entailed each of them taking several deep breaths when a technician directed them to the center of the depression.
“What happens now?” Ross couldn’t keep from wondering how much air lay between the soles of his feet and the rocks of the surface.
“First we must resolve our encounter on a friendly basis, so that no feelings of enmity will remain between Culakhan and primitives. This is required by our Codes of Conduct.”
Caroline leaned over and whispered to Ross Ed. “Might’ve guessed that one.”
He shushed her. “Okey-doke. What did you have in mind?”
At a signal from Uroon a technician stepped forward and with great solemnity passed the Texan a large bright green ovoid some three feet in diameter. Performing a series of elegant bows, the deliverer then retreated.
The Frontrunner’s tail stood straight up. “This is a representation of the Great Egg, from which life originally sprang. Take it as a symbol of our good feelings toward you and your kind.”
“What does it do?” Ross Ed cradled the heavy lump dubiously.
“Do?” Uroon fiddled with his headband, as if he hadn’t heard clearly. “It doesn’t ‘do’ anything. It is a symbol.”
“Like a cross,” Caroline explained, “or a crescent moon, or six-pointed star.”
“Oh. Oh, yeah.” With an effort he forbore from asking the Frontrunner of the Culakhan if ham went with it. “Thanks!”
Uroon stepped clear of the circular depression. “Farewell, and take with you no ill thoughts of the Culakhan. You carry no onus from your association with the Shakaleeshva, for you knew not who or what he was. Resume your rudimentary lives as though nothing has happened.”
“Easy for you to say.” Ross gazed past the Frontrunner, to where Jed lay strapped to his bench.
A brief but intense light flared in the chamber and he stumbled. “What was that?”
Uroon barked at two technicians before replying. “The section of atmosphere through which we are currently passing is highly charged. Settings must be adjusted to compensate so that our camouflage remains intact. It can be difficult.”
“I bet. The Gulf’s only halfway through hurricane season.”
Upon which observation the bottom dropped away beneath them. Caroline looked down, wished she hadn’t, and moaned.
They were standing on nothingness approximately two hundred feet above dense, starlit forest. Ross Ed’s last glimpse of the great ship’s interior showed Uroon turning away to yelp at his associates. Having formally bade them farewell, the Frontrunner was no longer interested in the two humans. Or to put it another way, he had satisfied the relevant Code of Conduct.
Still cradling the ovoid, Ross Ed felt himself slowly falling. A gentle pressure exerted itself on every part of his body, firm yet comfortable. As soon as they made contact with the white sandy beach, the pressure evaporated. In front of them marching wavelets crooned to the coconut crabs while behind, inscrutable forest beckoned.
