02 Quetzals Flock

QUETZAL'S FLOCK
The way to the outer circuit of the Ship seemed considerably longer than their
inward progress. The reason became obvious, the Ship was growing as per his
instructions to prepare for a complement of ten thousand crew and passengers.
Eventually, they reached the outer girdle of corridor and erupted though the force field
without taking particular note of the visual effects.
The outer heat hit them like the blast from an old fashioned furnace. Even
Hammadi shuddered under its impact as if from a physical blow. Nothing seemed to
have changed, it was hard to believe that the Ship had risen from its resting place and
had soared off into the red-purple sky, and that they had seen the wonders of the
binary system before landing once more.
Hammadi howled his love song for the Picun, who were happily chewing their
way through a forest of Schwarm. They came at a gallop, pathetically eager to satisfy
another appetite and then moaned morosely when they discovered that they had fallen
for the old trick.
When they had ridden some way, Kane looked back at the Ship. It was
growing, but it wasn't the sort of growth you would expect when blowing up a
balloon. It was more gradual, only visible after a period of hours. Energy was being
assimilated and converted into matter. It would continue to do so, until the desired
capacity was reached. He didn't try to imagine how it was happening, he had more
serious things to think about.
He had lashed the Bole to the Picun in such a way, that it could become
operable at a moment's notice - hopefully, without blasting the ears off the long
suffering beast. If Hammadi noticed, he didn't comment. Kane had a gnawing gut
feeling that they were heading into danger, it wasn't a comfortable sensation.
"In my terms, how long will it take to get to the Encampment?"
"Two riding sessions. Can you tell me what is wrong?"
"I don't know Hammadi. I have a feeling of unrest. I sense danger - "
"From Eridos?"
Kane hesitated, it didn't go unnoticed.
"You can trust me, my father."
"If your loyalties were put to the test, with me on one side and Obeid on the
other, who would you choose?"
He was silent for a while, then:
"May it never come to that, my father. If it does - I am your Body Companion
and we have shared the cloak!"
Kane felt like hugging him - and would have done so if they hadn't been
galloping across the open plain.
"We'll ride through and make the Encampment in one ride, no matter how long
it takes!"
Hammadi didn't argue, Kane had the feeling that he was pleased. He wanted to
get back and become involved in what he surmised was an attack from Eridos. Kane
settled down for a hard and tedious journey. Once the rhythm of the ride was
established, it was a matter of staying on the back of the Picun and trying to shield the
more tender parts from permanent damage. The usual unreality of riding over the red,
endless terrain, was replaced by a sense of urgency.
Long before they could have covered the distance, Kane found himself staring
ahead, straining his eyes for some sign of the tents of Obeid. The Picun seemed
tireless, the enforced rest and gorging on the Schwarm around the Ship, had turning
out to be an advantage. They seemed almost as eager to get home as their riders.
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