01 Taxilas Children

TAXILA'S CHILDREN
mandibles. It then began to move in his direction like an obscene insect. Steve got nervous
and retreated.
"Now, just back off!"
It stopped and then reversed, it was capable of moving in any direction. It came to rest
again, supported on the six, thin metal limbs. Steve found he was sweating. He hadn't thought
the Bole had any more surprises but he was learning something new every day. He infused a
tone of authority into a shaking voice.
"Tell me why you haven't displayed this remarkable agility earlier? Why have you allowed
me to lug you around the universe, when you were perfectly capable of shifting yourself? No!
Don't tell me! I suppose I didn't ask."
"Affirmative."
He stared at the inanimate object and wondered if it was laughing at him. He hoped it
wasn't, the last thing he could handle would be a Bole with a sense of humour - it might even
start playing practical jokes.
"Can you handle rough terrain? Steep hillsides, tangled forest floors, wet and swampy
areas - rivers?"
"Affirmative."
"Aren't you a perfect bloody marvel?"
"Affirmative."
"Shut up!"
Somewhere in the complexity of its programming, it found that to be a synonym for 'be
silent'. It obeyed. It looked idiotic, perched there on its spindly legs. Steve knew that they
were made of the toughest plasti-steel alloy known to New Earth. They might have looked
frail but looks were deceptive - that about summed up the Bole in total. Steve began to see
the funny side of it, he had always had a feeling of inferiority where the Bole was concerned
but now the boot was on the other foot. He could have it running around like a tame dog.
They left early on the following morning. Zayez had been formally bidden farewell by his
hosts on the previous evening at the communal table. This was the only recognition of the
journey. The group of five slipped away quietly in the early light. The place seemed deserted
but it was possible that Lyot and Hepha were watching events from one of the upper
windows.
The way led towards higher country, towards distant hills behind the house. At first, the
land was cultivated. Mobs of Scarn were methodically plodding their way through their tasks,
closely supervised by the Lynxe overseers. The Scarn worked without thought, Steve
wondered if they ever reflected on their loss of freedom. They were great brutes, naked and
servile, bent low over the tasks they had been assigned. No more than intelligent animals. He
wondered if they were capable of sensing his pity - and if they did, if they understood it.
The party was silent as it toiled up the side of one of the low hills. Zayez was setting a fair
pace for an old man. He had two anonymous companions, they had not been in evidence
during the time he had been within the house. Danyk had come alone, electing to leave his
bodyguard behind. Steve had decided to leave the Bole at the house, it was a calculated risk
but he had no reason to believe that he would not return.
He hoped Zayez would act his age and slow down, having regard for the frailty of at least
one of his companions. He showed no immediate sign of doing so. Steve gritted his teeth in
the best traditions of the Academy and determined not to be the first one to complain. Danyk
took up the rear, deep in his own thoughts, perhaps he had something on his mind. Steve
thought sardonically that they presented a far from happy party. One chirpy ape between four
morose pussy cats!
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