Ranger: dreams

Chapter 1

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Piq considered herself already a veteran space pilot.  She brought the ship into Skyros' orbit and then using the navigation, located the cave.  She considered it almost childishly simple as she landed, then chided herself on her rising arrogance.  There was far more to space flight than navigation and landing.

She paused for some time, staring at the cave, hoping that things had returned to some sort of normality, trying to formulate what had happened to her over the coming days, or was it longer?  How long had she been away?  Piq could not comprehend another quest alone and she prayed silently and climbed out.  This was Skyros, not her imagination.  She decided to fool whatever magic which had taken her so far away by just ignoring it.  She'd only entered Kevin's ship, nothing more and he and Elo would be sleeping in the cave.  She couldn't remember the cause of events that had led her out alone or the willpower that had decided it.  It wasn't her decision - her last memory of them together was leaving Skyros that morning.  What had drawn her out - she wasn't given to sleep walking and it was too real.  Piq shrugged, ignoring it, that was the only way. 

The cave entrance awaited.  She paused, crossed her fingers, closed her eyes for a moment and entered.  Before she was half way she detected life.  Her initial training had taught her to detect the smell of human like an animal.  That animal part of nature that was ignored and forgotten and remained dormant had been brought out and more than once it had saved her life.  She sighed with relief when she saw them sleeping there, her own place, ready and waiting, the sleeping bag open.  The whole thing had been nothing more than a flight of fancy, but that was a lie and she knew it.  She crawled in between them, closed her sleeping bag and her eyes and prayed there was at least a few more hours of darkness left for her to gather her strength.

Sometime later she was woken by a scream.  Piq sat up, ready to defend her life and found it was only Elo staring blankly into the cave wall.  Kevin's response was somewhat slower, and they soon reassured Elo that all was well and that he was with friends.  It wasn't fear that colored his features but shock.  For the first few minutes he didn't make sense and they simply listened, but after some reassurance Elo quietened and lay back.  But he didn't return to sleep and neither could Piq.  She was too excited now and felt at least slightly rested.  She would have to find time to repay the sleep debt later.  Perhaps today there would be an opportunity for rest - nothing would be done, the ship was waiting for them and they could leave later.  That was their decision the night before and in her dream together they had acted it out.

They ate breakfast silently.  Something was missing.  Elo in spite of his expression still maintained a certain pathos and to Piq's surprise it was even more pronounced in Kevin and he had no excuse.  It could not be a reflection of the younger boy’s feelings.  Kevin, though supportive, was far too independent for that.  Even Elo began to sense it and quickly lifted out of his mood.  He stared at his food and then at the golden wall that formed the end of the cave, seeing his reflection - the girls, the boys now staring at him.  He turned to face them.

It was just one of those weird dreams I seem to have here, he said when their eyes requested a continuing explanation.

I watched someone die and I still feel bad.

What was his name? asked Elo.

Andreas.  I called him Andreas One because I never met anyone like him before.  I found him on Space Station Ork and thought I was only dealing with a computer intelligence - no more than that, a virus.*missing* imagine that.  If he did feel attracted to someone I would help him and stand aside, certainly not compete.

Even for me?

Kevin hesitated.

Even for you.

He felt a hand grip his wrist tightly.

That's not very loyal, Kevin Rebel, after everything we experienced together.  I've come to think of us as more than just friends.

You have me at a disadvantage.

Piq regretted her harshness.  She hadn't really understood the depth of his sadness and tried to think of a way of bringing him up out of it.

There must be a reason you are unaware of the time you spent together since he came to Skyros.  Have you ever thought of that?

There could be a million reasons, each wrong.  I want something back that belongs to me and I don't know who to ask.  The only one I can is now left.

His voice only seemed a shadow of himself.

Kevin, we all want things that are due to us but will never come.  It's part of life and I thought you matured long since past that stage.

I'm sorry, love, you expect too much of me.  I am what I am.

And what do you intend to do, spend the rest of your life in a self indulgent remorse?  Is that what your friend wanted, to leave such a legacy?

You do not understand.  How can you feel the way I do about anything?  I found a ghost and gave him life again and I didn't expect to out live him.

Would you prefer the alternative that he saw you off instead?  How do you think we would feel?

I never thought about that.  I always assumed that we'd always be together and if we left again it would be together.  I hate to think...

Kevin went silent again.

Piq looked at Elo and only shrugged, and like that they left him.

Outside the cave they could speak in some privacy.

He'll come out of it.  It's just a bad morning, that's all.  I should know, I've had better myself, said Elo.

Piq looked away, not willing to disclose her experience of the night before.

It's strange.  I thought we left yesterday and saw the last of this place.  It's funny the tricks the mind can play when in a strange environment.

Elo looked surprised.

Now that you've mentioned it I had the same experience.  But that's only coincidence.  Think, we all wish to leave here and will do so today.  I think that is the only cure - he'll be all right once he's in space and sees the last of this speck of galaxy dust.  Then he'll forget, he'll put it behind him as he's done so with so many things.  I never thought I'd see the day he would act like this.  More than enough he's chided me for reminiscing and now he's accepted a pathetic self indulgence.

I think it's better you go and speak to him alone.  It's the only time I've found I can't reach him.  This must be the mysterious time for male bonding.

I doubt if I'll succeed where you failed.  He has to work it out for himself.  Give him time.

I think the sooner we leave this place the better.  It's time to put all behind us, it's become too much a part of our lives, said Piq.

I thought we tried that yesterday morning and look where it got us, nowhere.  No, I don't believe it was our imaginations, we really did board our ship and I'm certain if you ask Kevin he would have the same recall.

Then try it again.  Sooner or later something's going to wear out - our imaginations, the souls of our boots, the ship or whatever is causing this phenomena.  Take my advice and run, don't give it time to play its tricks.

Do you think Kevin would agree in his present mood.  We'll be lucky to get him out of the cave at all today, let alone a moonlight flit.

Piq suddenly felt a sense of urgency.

Quick, it's a mistake leaving him alone at all.  I don't trust this place for a moment.

They both quickly returned to the cave.

He couldn't have gone, he was here only minutes ago, said Elo.

Apart from themselves the cave now appeared empty.  He knelt down and touched the sleeping bag that was still warm.

There must be another way in and out of here besides that entrance.  He didn't walk into a solid stone wall, Elo continued.

The ship!  Quickly, said Piq.

But he had no possibility of passing us.  He must be still here somewhere.

Already Piq had run out of the cave leaving Elo to himself.

Oh no, it's doing it again.  We've become separated.  Why doesn't she listen and think for a moment?

Elo followed quickly.  Outside he was relieved to see the girl still there looking inside the star fighter, its hatch wide open.

You didn't really expect to find him here did you?

With this place I expect anything.  I had to be certain.

Piq, if we find him in there, and I know we must, we leave now even if we have to forget about our sleeping gear and food supply.  This place is nothing more than a trap.  I came here in the hope I would find my own planet Plakka and it's held us ever since.  Yesterday we made a serious attempt to leave and we failed miserably.

We can never be certain of that.

He turned and left her staring as he walked back to the cave.  Quickly she re-joined him.

Kevin felt the need to be alone if only for a few minutes.  The picture of Andreas One was still clear in his mind and it was too soon to even think of forgetting, let alone not acknowledging.  His demise conflicted with his personality to go inward like this, especially with someone younger like Elo as witness.  He needed to set an example of maturity.  He chided himself again for showing such weakness to anyone.  He still felt the dampness around his eyes.  Piq he could always rely on - she would remain with Elo outside the cave, giving him enough time to recover and when they returned, he would just ignore it and get on with life.  They would understand but he didn't.

After some minutes he decided it would look better if he joined them.  Kevin wiped his eyes, trying to hide the smears.  He reached for something, a handkerchief, and cleaned his face.  If only there was a good water supply here.  He discovered one part of the cave where there was a trickle.  It still wasn't enough to take water for granted. 

He was about to get up when he heard a scraping noise from above.  He smiled when he thought they'd once considered eating those lizards, the ones with the great suckers, the hands that seemed to glide over their heads, running effortless down the cave and disappearing into cavities before they could be caught or even seen properly.  This one wouldn't get away - Kevin would clobber it with a rock if only for specimen analysis.  He looked up into the darkness - that shouldn't be.  He didn't remember the ceiling being that high, it was relatively low all through the cave, but he did remember one spot where it did seem to go higher.  It must be here of course, where else could it be?  But where was the allusive lizard?  Kevin suddenly looked forward to meat on the hoof - something fresh, not out of the survival pack.  They could light a fire and they could cook, it would raise their spirits.  The taste of warm fresh food would lift the moral and make it easier for him to push his memories back into the past.  That's all he needed, an immediate ambition, something simple and practical.  He felt for his pistol, no, it had to be the hard way.  That would give him some feeling of achievement like a primitive hunter.  He lifted up a rock.  In his childhood he used to be a first class shot and he would try his skills again if he could only locate the target.

Hey, you're not going to throw that thing are you?

The voice came from high up and echoed down.  There was something wrong here - at no point in the cave did it have a cathedral like ceiling.  In the darkness he could make out the top but he knew it was high enough by the echo.

Who's there?  Show yourself or I'll shoot.

Take it easy, I'm coming down.  And drop that thing, sticks and stones can break bones.

Kevin dropped the rock though his hand rested reassuringly on the holster of his pistol as something glided down and landed in front of him.  Before Kevin could react or recover from his surprise he was grabbed and hauled up onto a ledge.  This time he did reach for his pistol but a firm hand held his wrist painfully.

Ah ha.  Rocks I can handle, that thing definitely no.  And loose that disdainful look before I really get angry.

Kevin had been caught by a series of ropes that clung to his limbs as efficiently as the lizard’s suction pads did to the roof of the cave.  But it wasn't that which raised his alarm, it was the figure before him, still holding him secure.

Who or what are you?

Robot I may be called.  Not android, not that advanced, but in many ways far higher.  As for you humans you're nothing more than my mannequin.

He grinned as he put Kevin's hands into the air.

When I get up level I'll make scrap metal out of you.

That's why you will stay where you are for the time being until you calm down and become rational.

I was born rational and without these things on my arms and legs.

Immediately the ropes lost their hold and flew back.  Kevin was left on the ledge looking up in disdain.

Well you did want to be released.  What's your complaint now?

I will not legitimize your ridiculous sense of humor with an answer.

Two more ropes swung down, catching Kevin around the waste and he was hauled up onto the upper ledge.

The trouble with you, my friend, is you lack a sense of humor at all, ridiculous or otherwise.  Why are you staring, am I that unusual?

I don't quite know what to make of you.  You have humanoid features but you're not human.  You're certainly not android and if you're robotic I've never seen one quite like you before.

What do I remind you of?  Surely my appearance must jog some latent recall in that primitive human mind.

Never in his life had Kevin felt so superior to an adversary.  In spite of his rude introduction to the alien he felt inclined to use some tact - not for his own safety but for the feelings of the one before him if indeed he was capable of feeling.

To be honest, something from my childhood.  In fact...

Kevin suddenly jumped, pushing the alien aside and looking up, expecting to see another leering figure.  Instead he was gripped from behind.

What, pray tell, was that all about?  What did you hope to achieve? asked the alien.

To find the one pulling the strings.  You may sound human and have the right gestures but you're nothing but a puppet.

Kevin was hauled around to face the alien.

What do you mean?  Who is the puppet, I had you at my mercy and you were at my command.

Your body, it's shaped in caricature of a human.

And what is that supposed to mean exactly?

Don't misunderstand me.  It's not that you're unattractive; I've seen robots as ugly as sin.  You at least appeal, but...

Were you expecting someone above holding my strings?  That I was nothing more than a glorified puppet?

Kevin agreed.

I'm afraid so.  That's exactly what you look like.

The alien blinked.

Kevin could not think of him as a proper robot - he didn't look lethal enough nor did he have the almost identical android/human characteristics.

What are you grinning about now? the alien asked.

I was just thinking I could wrap you up, put you in a box and present you as a present to my girl.

I don't know if that's bad or good, but if it's meant as some sort of patronizing motive I'm not impressed.

I was only giving an honest opinion and I'm still not convinced that your entirely self functioning.

Kevin looked up and around.  Whoever it was, was well hidden.

Listen, outlaw, I'm more aware than you will ever be.

Kevin could hear the voices drifting up from the cave and knew Elo and Piq had returned and would be searching for him.  He had to get down, but how?  The wall though not smooth presented no climbing holes and he was too high up to attempt to jump.  Then he saw it, a rope coiled near the alien.  He leapt, snared it and threw it.  It curled and snared on a crag and immediately Kevin leapt.  Hardly had he began to descend when another rope snared him around his chest and he was pulled back.

I'm sorry about that.

As soon as I get my hands free you'll be even sorrier.

You're free now.  Why don't you test that rope you wish to descend with?

The alien gave a full tension on the rope that Kevin still held in his hand and had snared to the wall of the cave.  It snapped.

That would have been you.  You would have got down but your descent would not have been gentle, you would not have survived it.

Listen whatever you are.  I appreciate what you did but I have to go, my friends are waiting.

So am I.  I was hoping you would help me.

I don't even know what you are or if you're real.  I'm sorry, I will have to return to my friends, they must have first call on my company.

Good-bye.  Good luck.  I'm sorry you could not have come to an agreement.

Kevin was lowered but before he was half way down he stopped and hung onto a crag, looking up at the mournful face.

Piq and Elo were below him.  One minute, he thought, could do no harm and he had the feeling this opportunity wouldn't come again.  There was something about the alien’s face that drew him.  He put up a hand and was then quickly hauled up.

I will listen but only for a minute.  If I'm not satisfied, if I think this is some sort of scam I go back.  Understand?

The alien nodded.

Why do you think I selected you?

Just blind luck I happened to be there alone and you saw an opportunity.

The alien shook his head.

Only a human would forget everything.  Even now you don't recognize me?

I would remember forever a face like yours.  I'm certain our paths have not crossed.

Remember Andreas One?

Kevin almost fell back in shock.

How could you have known him, he's gone?

I met you nearly a year ago but it appears that you have forgotten and have no further interest.  It's better you return to your friends.

With amazing agility the alien sprung up and was half way up the side of the cave, still climbing, when Kevin called out.

Wait, come back.  I can extend that minute to another.

The alien paused, smiled and then kept climbing.

Wait, I'm coming with you.

A moment later two ropes suddenly snared down, catching Kevin and hauling him up into a ship.

It's still not too late, you can return.  I'll give you a few more minutes to think about it, said the alien.

Andreas is dead.  His body now resides at Space Station Ork.

He was very much alive last time I saw him.

We must be talking about two different people...

The alien produced a picture, handing it to Kevin.

You look disappointed?

That isn't Andreas's face, there has been a mistake.  I'm grateful you've come to me but I'm not the one you thought I was, said Kevin.

Turn to the reverse side of that picture.

Kevin did what he was told.

It's me, but that's impossible.  I've never met this boy before nor have I ever seen you.

The ship’s hatch was open.  Kevin clung to the rope and began to climb down when he paused.  Something he remembered suddenly made sense.  The hatchway was almost closed and he yelled out.

Wait, I'm coming back.

You said you didn't recognize the face.  I have made a mistake; your image must be a coincidence, someone who looks like you.

How did you find me here?

Andreas told me.  Are you certain you don't recognize him?

Kevin didn’t know what to say.

Now I do.  This was taken millions of years before we ever met, before he was ever lured to Space Station Ork.  You can't have known him like this.

The ship was far larger than Kevin's and already they were in space.  But that was not the only point of conjecture.  The cave, he didn't think it was that deep to hide a cavity that could harbor a ship this size.  Kevin was beginning to have second thoughts.

You came with me by free choice.  If you have any regrets we can turn back.

I'm thinking about my two friends.  I should have left some message.  They will be worried, they must think I've disappeared and assumed the worst.

They will not come to any harm and neither will you.  Surely a little pain will be worth the reward.

Was there no one else you could call upon?

Andreas always spoke about you so highly.  I could think of no one else to turn to.

If you're referring to this boy he never knew me.  It was after he evolved into another personality when we met.

Kevin sat at the control chair beside the alien.

My name's Pella and I know how you met Andreas.

Then you must know I can't change the past, no one can.

Then why did you agree to come with me?

Out of respect for a lost friend, in honor of his memory.  Even in death I will never forget him.

Pella looked at Kevin's flashes on his uniform.

Captain Rebel.  Andreas chose well his rescuer.  I go back to nearly a year ago when you both decided to leave this planet.  Have you forgotten the finer details of your first voyage or your temp?

I can't remember what did not happen.  I met Andreas a year ago when I was only fourteen - that was half my career back.  Yesterday he found me and we reminisced.  I was privileged to see him leave for the last time.  I think he must have known he was dying and he wanted to spend the last few hours with me, and he almost go away with it.  Another few minutes he would have reached his ship and died without giving me pain.  But it wasn't to be, he collapsed before reaching it and I'm glad I was honored to be the last to speak to him before his demise.

Before that.  How many days did you spend together here?

One day, no more.  We had no time for anything else, I told you he was dying.

You were more than a year together.  I'm not talking about a year before, I mean since he found you again on Skyros.

Kevin scanned his mind.  That instant he had blinked and he knew Andreas had worked some magic, real or imaginary.  But Kevin could never be certain it was just a tease.  Andreas had the advantage of being millions of years old and no one could match his knowledge of humanity, he knew every trick.

That's just a myth.  We never spend any time but yesterday together and I'd give the world to change that.

Would you?  It's still possible; all it needs is your willpower and some risk, a little sacrifice.  Is that too much to ask in memory of a friend?

Pella, Andreas has gone.  All the wishing in the world, all the remorse will not bring him back.  Not even his great knowledge could help him when his time came.

If he was that old why did he choose that time to move on?

I don't know.  I imagine it was some injury he carried, something that happened to him in the course of his search.

Kevin, Andreas was murdered.  It was only his great knowledge of his own body that gave him the endurance to find you and last that extra day.

That may be so, but I don't intend to start a crusade for his murders.  Nor will it do him any good if I did.  Revenge becomes a two edged sword and I know Andreas would not have wished it.

But you can prevent that final act that laid him low.

No one can.  But if it was possible why I?  You have demonstrated already a certain superiority, not only in technique but in knowledge.  You're best placed.

Life is not a set out plan, it's not a program that can alter or even follow.  True there is a universal intelligence which guides all events but we have no hand in that control.  Do you think for a moment if I could save Andreas I would be here?  He would have already been saved.  No, my friend, it's only you who can help and you alone.  If I can explain thousands of incidents that make up someone's lives, Andreas's, yours, mine each one affects the other like a giant jigsaw puzzle.  Pull one piece out, the whole picture has changed.

But I'm only one piece of the jigsaw.  You must take a greater part and there must be many others.  The time I last saw Andreas at Space Station Ork, how many did he touch, how many knew him?  Surely they must take a greater prominence in the course of events.

Certainly at that time, though the critical course of events were when you were together.

I think so and I only hope you are right.  But how can we change what already happened?

Simply stated, we cannot.  As you truly said the past cannot be altered but it can be modified in a certain way.  What do you know of Andreas's early life?

Virtually nothing, only that as a ranger he was trapped in Space Station Ork and that's where I found him a year ago.

No one knows.  Not I, not you, not even Andreas because it hasn't happened yet.  And that's where we're going, back to those early years.  He told me your flight skills were without exception, you will need them because we are about to face the best.

Pella, what part do you play in this?  You're not human, not even android - I don't know what you are.

And that year you were with Andreas we met.  You came to me as a guardian angel.

Chapter 2

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Kevin was still torn by indecision.  Not for himself was he afraid, but Piq and Elo would be worried.

We have to go back.

Why?  Have you gotten cold feet so quickly?  Was your friendship with Andreas so lowly valued?

Andreas has gone.  There are two down there who still rely on me.  I have to see to them, they must have first call.

We can but I wouldn't advise it, it would only complicate the formula.  They would insist on coming and that's not possible.  If you really felt for Andreas you will remain.

A signal, a message, anything.  We don't have to make contact but I must give them a sign.

I already have.  You need not be so concerned.  It will be finished by the day and surely they can exist without you for that period of time.

Kevin stared at the alien, trying to analyze, to detect any sign of falsehood.

I will hold you to that, Pella.

The alien laughed, gripping Kevin on the wrist.

You haven't changed since we last met.  You're still the same Kevin.

He un-buckled his belt and to Kevin's surprise, activated the hatch.

What are you doing?

"We're here.