02 Quetzals Flock

QUETZAL'S FLOCK
apparition grew until it filled the skyline in front of them. After some time it ceased to
be a smooth shape, slight projections on the surface became visible. The Picun had
started to tremble when their riders finally reined in.
Kane judged that they were no more than five kilometres from the base of the
Ship. It appeared to be imbedded in the plain. It loomed above them, immense,
overpowering. It was almost impossible to estimate the height, there was nothing with
which to equate. It might have been five hundred metres or five kilometres. It
reminded Kane of the asteroids orbiting the Earth or Mars. But, he judged this to be
much bigger.
Hammadi had a slight smile on his face. He was enjoying the multiple changes
of expression. He grinned in a mixture of pride and humour. Kane breathed.
"It's incredible! Why in hell's name didn't your people stay on her? Surely, you
could have lived inside, instead of wandering over the surface of this godforsaken
hell-hole of a planet!"
"You will understand when we go inside."
He nudged the Picun towards the base of the Ship. As they drew near, the
evidence of the rough landing became more obvious. Even after twenty thousand
years, the terrain was scored with great fissures, with the strata broken and raised
above them. They must have come down with one hell of a thump!
About two hundred metres from her, with the Picun coming to the point of
being unmanageable, they stopped again. Kane followed Hammadi's example and slid
to the ground. Hammadi managed to hobble them. Kane off-loaded the Bole.
Hammadi eyed the metal box with open curiosity.
"What the hell is that thing? You drag it half way across the planet and it
doesn't do anything."
Kane adopted an air of mystery and didn't answer him. He looked at the
remaining distance to the Ship. The ground was reasonably smooth, it was as hot as
hell, and he didn't see why he should expend the energy to haul it when it had what
went for legs. He made a decision.
"Activate."
Hammadi retreated slightly.
"Status."
"Integrity."
Kane flicked a glance at his son. He held his ground but looked as if he was
about to fight for his life.
"I suppose you know what a computer is?"
Hammadi shook his head and didn't take his eyes away from the talking box.
"Nothing works on the Ship
"But, you understand that a computer has something to do with the Ship?"
"Obeid used the word, but he couldn't explain it."
Kane sighed mentally, explaining the mysteries of the Ship were going to be
more traumatic for Hammadi than he had thought.
"Provide a sensory scan of the object ahead of us."
"The object in question has the appearance of an oblate spheroid. It has an
equatorial circumference of ten kilometres and a polar circumference of eight
kilometres. It has an outer skin composed of an alloy not known to the component list
of this Master Computer. The surface temperature is raised to approximately 70
degrees C, by reason of radiant heat from the giant red star, which is at an inclination
of - "
"That's enough!"
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