CHAPTER 31
Kalin
“Where are we?” asked Kalin. He was kneeling beside Rina who was hunkered down and peeking between some green, leafy bushes.
“We’re seven miles from my house,” she said. “I couldn’t leave because I had to wait for you. For all I know, my dad could be dead already.”
“I doubt it,” said Kalin. “Vorkis needs him alive for you to tell him where the Pril is. Why did you wait for me? You could have gone alone.”
“Because I need you to kill Vorkis.”
She finally understands, thought Kalin.
“Are you sure he didn’t detect your presence?” she asked.
“Positive. No one in the galaxy can match Marante when it comes to REMs and teleporters. Where’s your house?”
“Near the top of that mountain over there,” Rina said, pointing to the left.
Patches of rock and tall trees littered the mountainside.
“We need a truck,” said Rina.
“A what?” asked Kalin. He couldn’t see her house.
“Come on,” she said, pulling his arm. “We’ll find one in town. Follow me.”
Their trek down the hillside was a battle against dense bushes and Rina’s quick release of the low-hanging branches.
“What is this place?” asked Kalin, stopping another limb from whacking his face.
“It’s the town of Ouray,” said Rina. “We’re going to enter it through the alley between those two buildings. But we have to be careful. The sheriff doesn’t like me.”
“Why not?” asked Kalin, hearing the whoosh of a branch just missing his head. Is she trying to hit me on purpose? He dared not bring it up; he deserved every bit of torture from the way he’d treated her.
“His son, Wayne, is a pervert and uses his father’s position to do what he wants,” she said. “I broke his nose twice for being an idiot.”
“Somehow I’m not surprised,” said Kalin. Rina would punch first and never ask the questions.
“Eight hundred people live here year round,” she said. “Although the sheriff is a jerk when it comes to his son, he’s managed to keep the town virtually crime free, except for me, of course, which they could never prove.”
“Of course,” he said, smirking. Rina was a handful and he imagined how easy it was for her to dupe the officials. She was bright, intelligent, and her curvaceous body was mouth-watering. A definite beauty. “Go on.”
“Wayne’s a braggart and a big-time liar,” she said. “Every so often he spreads stories about me and him, so every so often I do something nasty like poison his drink to make all his hair fall out.”
“All his hair?” asked Kalin.
“Yep, every last strand,” she said proudly, “from the top of his head all the way to his toes. The chemical mixture was simple and it took three months before new growth appeared.”
“And what was the reason?” asked Kalin.
“He broke into my house, stole my favorite ring, and gave it to his girlfriend. His fingerprints were all over my bedroom. His father did nothing, so I took care of it. I told him next time all his protruding parts will shrivel and break off. I think he’s afraid of me now because he doesn’t talk to me anymore.”
“I’d be scared too,” said Kalin.
“We’ll need a four-by-four,” she said.
“What’s a four-by-four?” he asked, feeling uneasy. Earth-human technology was primitive and dangerous. But what a set of legs!
“You’ll see,” she said coyly.
He cringed at the thought of possible pain and was relieved a case of Sarvins was attached to his black belt. Her telepathy was developing and he wondered if she was reading his mind. A wave of fear spread through him.
I’d better stop thinking about her or she may shrivel my protruding parts.
They entered the alley between the two brick buildings. A restaurant had to be nearby because a tantalizing smell was making him hungry. Although he longed for the food, some Earth-human habits were repulsive, especially the one where they ate butchered animals. He recalled ten years ago when visiting the planet for a vacation, an Earth-human female named Marlene introduced him to a hamburger. One bite and he was hooked, scoffing the thing down so fast she didn’t have time to tell him it consisted of beef from a deceased cow. The thought of what he’d eaten made him vomit for three hours. However, when he’d returned to the Quasar, he replicated the sandwich using a vegetable base, omitting the slaughtered meat. Since then, he’s eaten hundreds of them. His stomach growled.
“Quiet, Kalin,” she said. “It’s an Italian restaurant, not a hamburger joint.”
Kalin stopped dead in his tracks. She read my mind.
“And don’t worry,” she said glancing back at him. “You’ll keep your protruding parts for now.”
“Come on, Rina,” he said, pleading, “I’m only a man and you know I can’t do without those parts.”
“You’re a hero, Kalin,” she said, “and a good one. But you need to concentrate on my father and not on my butt.”
What could he say? She was a looker. I’m a dead man.
I’ll let you keep one testicle, she said in his mind. Everything else has to go.
“What?” he said aloud, aggravated at her suggestion and frustrated she’d read his mind again. “That’s it, I’m blocking you.”
He leaned forward and saw her silently laughing and was grateful she wasn’t mad. They’d finally reached the end of the alley and when they stepped out, it was like entering a storybook town. Tall, majestic trees draped the main road where numerous terrain vehicles parked inward on both sides of the street. Dozens of people were strolling along the sidewalks enjoying the quaint shops.
“Over there,” she said, pointing with a menacing grin. “That red Titan four-by-four will do just fine.”
“That actually works?” said Kalin, having qualms over its safety. “It has wheels.”
“We’re not into Avecs yet,” she said. “Let’s go.”
Several tourists were eyeing them suspiciously and no wonder; Kalin was shouldering his Barra and Rina was carrying a twelve-inch knife in a black sheath. An older man with tinsel hair was staring.
“What are you people?” he asked.
“Rockers,” said Rina, drawling her words. “Wanna’ join our group, Pop?”
“Not for all the money in the world,” he answered, giving them the once over before turning away.
The truck door was unlocked and she entered on the side with the steering wheel.
“Hurry up, Kalin, get in.”
“You can’t be serious,” he said, sliding into the seat. “We’re going to die in this.” He wanted to beat Marante for not getting them closer to the house.
She reached under the dashboard. “I have to hot wire this thing.”
The smell of gasoline told him it was a combustion engine. An electric shock to the steering wheel should do the trick. He tapped the center of the wheel and the engine started.
“What was that?” she asked.
“I rapped it,” he said casually, hoping it impressed her. “Let’s go.”
Rina had the perfect smile. “Sometimes you come in handy.”
In the center between them was a tall black, metal stick; beside her was another smaller one sat and both sat on the humped floor. Kalin tried to snuggle into the cushioned seat. It was uncomfortable and didn’t form to his physique. Suddenly, a man with blue, spiked hair came running out of a store. He was scrawny with barely any muscle, wearing tan shorts and a green shirt.
Any girl could beat this guy up, thought Kalin.
“Stop!” he shouted, waving his arms.
Rina shifted the tall lever and the truck reversed onto the main road. She rammed the lever forward and the vehicle popped into gear, screeching the tires and leaving a trail of smoke. She swerved down the road, avoiding other vehicles that blared their horns as they passed. There were three pedals on the floor and she was simultaneously pressing the outer two.
&nbs
p; Manually shifting the gears? thought Kalin. Wonderful. I’m back in the Stone Age.
She turned onto a dirt road just outside the town and raced alongside a fast-moving stream filled with smooth rocks.
I can hear my eulogy, thought Kalin, gripping the safety handle next to the windshield. He was the last of his race and killed by a crazy woman driver.
“Won’t the sheriff come after us?” asked Kalin, squeezing the handle while the truck’s two wheels lifted off the ground as they rounded a corner.
“Yeah,” said Rina calmly, “eventually. The goofy looking guy was Wayne and this is his truck. But don’t worry, there are only three cops in town and with that many tourists, they’ll be too busy to come after us. Besides, he knows I’ll return it.”
“Sounds like you enjoy this,” he said, hoping the truck wouldn’t flip over from all the swerving to avoid the dips in the dirt road.
“Yep,” she said proudly. “Wayne is a low-life and I love sticking him hard. It’s just my way.”
“Great,” said Kalin. “I’m with a psycho chic.”
In the distance, an old covered wooden bridge caught his attention. Gaping holes breached its sunken roof and weathered walls. Blocking the entrance were splintered boards and three oranges cones. They were headed straight for them.
“You’re not going over that, right?” he asked, squirming in his seat.
She laughed. “It’s only eighty years old. We’ll make it.”
“You can’t do that!” he yelled, and they crashed through the barrier.
Pieces of wood went flying everywhere. Rotten trusses squealed against the weight of the vehicle. The planks rattled and bent. The high-pitched sounds of snapping wood and popping nails smothered his terrified scream. Behind the truck, the entrance was gone. The bridge was disintegrating.
“You’re killing me!” he shouted, his words bouncing with his tongue.
“This is the shortcut,” she said, raising her voice over the ruckus.
Kalin sighed in relief when the wheels touched solid ground. Looking back, he watched the bridge fold inward, collapsing into the water. Just then, the vehicle skidded to a halt, spitting pebbles and dirt and slamming him into the dashboard, chest first.
“Do you want me dead?” he demanded, feeling the bruise on his chest building up.
“Hang on,” she said, moving the small shifter up until it clicked into place.
She just ignored me, he thought.
“This transmission was special ordered,” she said, “built like the old ones. Only this type of four-wheeler can make it up the mountain.”
“Am I going to die?” asked Kalin, irritated. “Because I want to live a little longer.”
“No, you’re not going to die.” Rina chuckled. “But it is going to hurt.”
“Great,” he said, “more pain.”
She moved the taller lever into the marked second gear and mashed the pedals. The truck lurched then zoomed down the gravel road. Kalin glanced out the rear window. In their wake was a thick cloud of brown dust.
He gazed at her and realized Rina was special. Most women would have crumbled in the presence of monstrous spiders, scorpions, and man-eating Zorcons, but she refused to let her emotions get the best of her. The two times he’d sensed real fear were understandable. The first was when she tried to save Shiro from the Zorcons, and the second was when Vorkis had her father. This woman had been through dire circumstances even some men couldn’t handle, yet she managed to keep it together. Her thinking was clear and focused, her green eyes riveted on the path before her; she was determined to speed up the mountain at any cost.
“It’s going to get a little rough,” she said.
Before he could answer, she made a sharp left and headed straight up the mountainside. The uneven pasture bounced him all over the seat. Boulders of all sizes jetted from the brown soil and grass. He saw the giant rock just before the front wheels hit and the vehicle went airborne. Rina screamed with joy as her body rose off the seat. Kalin bashed his head on the ceiling and yelled a flurry of vulgar words. His grasp on the handle saved him from landing on her lap.
“Slow down,” he said, trying to steady himself. “It’s best we get there alive.”
“What’s wrong, wimp, can’t take it?”
He touched the growing bump on his head. “Do you always drive like this?”
“Yeah,” she said, swerving to avoid a fallen tree. “You’re on my turf now, buddy, so suck it up.”
Kalin smiled and scoffed, “You are one scary chick.”
“Thank you,” she said, grinning.
Rina rammed her foot on the center pedal and the truck ground to a stop. Kalin’s head banged the windshield and he shouted more obscenities. Before them was a ten-foot high concrete wall covered in deep green vines.
“You’re nuts!” he said, rubbing another bump on his head.
“Sorry,” she said. “My house is on the other side of this wall. I go alone from here.”
Kalin tapped his Comlink. “Marante.” He had to catch his breath. “What’s the status on Vorkis and Rina’s father?”
“Justin is unharmed,” said Marante. “I must inform you of the self-destruction of Vorkis’ ship. We had just disarmed the vessel when it exploded. Unfortunately, before this, the Zorcons surrounded the entire planet with a Neuron Field. Scanners, teleporters and all weapons on the Quasar will not function within the field.”
“That sounds bad,” said Rina.
“It is,” said Kalin.
Rina unbuckled a strap from around her shoulder and waist. “I’m going in.”
“What was that you just released?” he asked, disturbed. “Was that a restraining device?”
“Oops,” she said, getting out of the truck and holding the door open. “Sorry, I guess I forgot to tell you about the seat belts.”
“Why you little—”
“Rina!” called Vorkis.
She jumped to his voice.
“Go to the far corner of this wall by the lake,” she whispered to Kalin. “Wait there and we’ll come to you. I’m going through the outer gate over there.” She pointed to two brick pillars with a black, doublewide wrought iron gate.
“Don’t take any chances,” said Kalin. “Get your father and run for it.”
“Thanks,” she said. She winked at him and bolted for the gate.
Kalin climbed out of the window and onto the top of the truck. He cautiously peeked through the vines. Rina was already jogging up the long driveway. The brown house was constructed of thick, dark timbers and had three levels. A bulky, wooden porch surrounded most of its base. Off to the side, an enormous tree sat near the end of the boundary wall and in the distance was a beautiful, serene lake.
“Vorkis!” Rina called from the porch. “I’m here. Release my father and I’ll give you the Pril.”
The double doors to the house were flung open and there stood Vorkis with a Barra to Justin’s head. Kalin quietly got off the vehicle and dashed to the iron gate. The pavement sloped downward so he belly-crawled across the driveway, out of sight. The concrete blockade was at least three feet thick and he wondered if intruders were common in the area. Upon reaching the other side, he rolled to his feet and traipsed along the barrier until it ended. A five-foot opening separated the diagonal corner where another wall ran parallel to the lake. Rusted hinges gave evidence of a long-gone metal gate. On the ground, encasing the corners, were several huge stones. The lake was two hundred feet away. The large tree had a thick trunk wider than the vehicle Titan. Long branches heavy with green leaves shadowed a wooden table with benches. Kalin sensed them approaching and flattened himself against the thick wall, listening to their conversation.
“Why did you slaughter your people?” asked Rina.
“My intention was to enslave them,” said Vorkis, “but my plan failed and instead, my creation mutated beautifully, accomplishing more than I expected.”
“You’re sick,” said Rina.
“Power
is all that matters, my dear,” answered Vorkis. “Without it, you are nobody.”
“We’re here,” she said, standing next to Kalin. “Let my father go.”
“Give me the Pril and you both will live,” said Vorkis.
Kalin’s back was against the wall with the side of his face pressing the cool cement, aware of Rina’s every move. She turned in Kalin’s direction and squatted, not looking at him. She lifted one of the large stones and Kalin saw a silver wire attached to it. On the return side of the wall, below the last hinge, a door ground open.
“My mother told me to hide this and never let anyone see it,” she said. “It’s been here for years.”
She slid out a square box big enough to fit Marante’s head. Assorted shells were inlaid into the black, shiny case. She placed the box in front of her, out of Kalin’s view. The lid squeaked opened and it was the first time ever Kalin heard Vorkis gasp.