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| Lpnet1-100 The Lost Planet Chapter 1: Accident with an Asteroid Chapter 2: Stranded in Space Chapter 3: Survival in Solitude Chapter 4: The Ancient Temple Chapter 5: A Virtual Reality Experience Chapter 6: The Crystal Records Chapter 7: The Knowledge of Tranqua Chapter 8: The Meta- Hydrovector Chapter 9: The Long, Hard Work Chapter 10: The Project Complete Chapter 11: The Crystal Fantasy Chapter 12: The Key of Vitreos |
The
Lost Planet
Chapter 22. The
Trouble with Martians
The Tranquan village resembled an exotic cross between a college campus and a cultural park. There were several large, stone structures scattered about wide amidst rolling hills and blue-green trees. The structures were uniquely Tranquan, refined monuments of art, heavy metal and marble palaces and courts. In between the structures were mazes of walkway, shrubbery, flowers, pools of water, and grassy parkways. T’rwani guided us to the left and we flew towards the side of the mountains. We flew up the hillside, over the trees, and landed on a grassy field beneath a great cleft of stone. We retracted the sails, removed the jetpaks, and left them by a large boulder in the shade. About 100 meters away was a large stone structure somewhat overgrown by vines in the one corner facing the mountains. We walked to it, while T’rwani talked about it. "It is called Onzark, after the entity of the forest. It is an open sanctuary for all to visit. We can get free food and drink, and rest if we have need." We walked through a grove of trees, crossed a babbling brook, and followed the stone walkway around a shrub-lined circle of grass with a water-fountain in the center. The central fountainhead was a stone statue of a tree, with water sprouting from its many irregular branches. "I feel like I'm back at school," I admitted, "on Earth." She smiled, and explained, "This is a place of knowledge too. Each of the structures is devoted to a singular field of Tranquan knowledge. Onzark contains all the Tranquan knowledge related to trees and forests." We reached the edge of the structure and I was impressed. It was a great, wondrous structure of stone, with metal domes, tree-like columns, and curvaceous terraces aligned with various plants and flowers. It was hard to think that it would all be lost in the very near future. We walked up a long flight of stone steps and stopped at the top on the terrace. T'rwani pointed to an area below us in the garden, where five different trees stood growing in a perfect line. "Those five trees are the most dominant on the continent," she said. "It is also true that Tranqua contains five major continents of land." "Interesting," I admitted, and looked further along the terrace. Under the high dome, between the great stone columns, was a colorful little lounge, with a salad bar and several tables. Potted plants and trees aligned the walls, pillboxes, and corners. Beyond the salad bar was a great stone case of steps leading to higher levels. We received bowls and chose from a variety of vegetables, fruits, and breads, then received cups of juice. Some of the tables were taken by early risers, but most were vacant. We sat at a table nearest the terrace and ate. It was reminiscent of the first time I enjoyed exotic food from the orient, but uniquely different. The natives at the other tables ignored us, as did the others passing by. While my own complexion was somewhat light, T'rwani was a slightly darker violet, though still, by Tranquan standards, also light herself. But at least I wasn't pink, like the Martians. Due to a light bronze coloring in my skin, which in the light of Tranqua's day appeared to make me darker than usual, I was more apt to be taken as a Tranquan than a Martian. According to T'rwani, the variations in skin-tone of the Tranquan peoples accounted for a wide range, though the dominant color was blue-violet. "I could really get to like this," I admitted. "Are there places like this all over Tranqua?" "Yes," T'rwani said, "these structures are our main schools and businesses. The entire life of each Tranquan revolves around this. Of course, each has its own business, all are not the same." I was interested. If we really intended to build a temple of Tranqua on Callisto, this experience and the knowledge gained could be extremely helpful. Seeing it through the crystals was one thing, to know it was to live it. "Then there is a structure," I said, with interest, devoted to the sea?" "Oh yes," T'rwani said, "it is on the other side of the valley, across the river. It is called Vitreos. We can see it from here." She left the table, disposed of the bowl and cup in a sink by the wall, and went back out on the terrace. "See," she pointed, as I followed her closely. "It is just over the trees, against the hills. The river is wider at that point, and there is a levy and a small lake." It was quite a distance, but there it was, another great stone structure, about 2 or 3 kilometers away. "Come, we can go to it," she said, and led the way along the terrace, as we joined hands. There should be a vehicle we can use, in the lot." After a walk of at least 100 meters, along terraces and down steps, we reached a small lot with about ten small vehicles in it. "Free public transportation?" I said, and got in the seat beside her. "What powers it?" "The roof has solar-cells," she said, "and it has stored electrical power in the back." She pressed a button, flipped a switch, and took the wheel. We drove out of the lot and onto a small shady street. T'rwani smiled as we zoomed along at about 25 kph. It was a unique ride, since it was open to the air on both sides and made absolutely no sound whatsoever. The rising sun flickered through the trees overhead, in a lightening blue-violet sky. We turned out on a somewhat wider street with some light traffic. We drove for about 2 kilometers and passed by 2 different structures equal in grandeur to the Onzark. We drove onto another small avenue without traffic, around the curve of a hill, and over a small, stone bridge. "The stream leading from the temple," she said, "has been joined with many tributaries, and continues to grow. There are many springs in the mountains and hills." Further down the small river was a levy with three docks, and on the other side, a reservoir of water. We parked the vehicle in a small, stone lot, by a group of similar vehicles, and got on our feet. Ahead of us stood the structure devoted to the seas of Tranqua, Vitreos. To one side of it was a lake about 100 meters wide, and opposite it, on the other side, hills and forest. As we walked past a fountain, across a garden, and headed for the steps, we were intercepted by 2 uniformed Guardians. When the lead Guardian confronted us, he was surprised. "My lady," he said, "Excuse us. We were not informed of your visit." Then he looked at me curiously and said, "Who are you? You look familiar." T'rwani came to my rescue. "This is my uncle," she said, "is that a crime, officer?" He met her smile and laughed. "Of course not, Most High," he said and explained. Ever since Mars attacked Loeki, we've been told to report anything out of the ordinary." "I'm sorry," T'rwani said. "That must make things quite difficult for you." He nodded and said, "We'd appreciate it if you let us know about such visits in advance. Excuse us." T'rwani excused them and then led me up the steps. "Tension is high," she said. "It's the war." She stopped at the top on the terrace and looked out over the garden at the lake. Her mood had become very sober and melancholy. "What is it?" I said, feeling her change and rubbing shoulder to shoulder by the rail. "It's not fair," she said, and sobbed lightly. "Tranqua should never be destroyed." I agreed and started to guide her along the terrace with an arm and gentle understanding. Suddenly, we were attacked by three Martian thugs out of nowhere. While two kept me busy, the largest had T'rwani and dragged her away. I did a dance, chopped one in the back, and kicked the other in the face. One pulled out a sword as the other fell back, so I pulled out my gun and zapped him hard in the chest. As I turned on the other, he got up and decided to run away. I aimed to shoot, then recalled T'rwani, and ran in pursuit of her. I ran across the hall between columns and stopped on the terrace. Over the rail, in the garden grass, I saw them. T'rwani was being taken into an air-lifter vehicle. I aimed to shoot just as it took to the air. Too late. I needed a vehicle. If only I'd carried the jetpak! Now what? I didn't expect this. Seconds later, as I wondered what to do, the 2 Guardians we'd seen earlier arrived on the scene. "They took T'rwani," I said, "by force!" The lead Guardian spoke to me as the second began to report over a hand radio-unit. "If you really are her uncle," the man said, "you should come with us." "You have a vehicle?" "Yes," he said, and I followed. |
Chapter 14: The Asteroid Miners Chapter 15: T’rwani and Tranqua Chapter 16: The Europan Pirates Chapter 17: A Clone for a Companion Chapter 18: A Skirmish in Space Chapter 19: The Story of Tranqua Chapter 20: Dealing with the AMV Chapter 21: The Tranquan Transverser Chapter 22: The Trouble with Martians Chapter 23: The Martian Consulate, Zykura Chapter 24: Hexnot, Mars Chapter 25: The Final Cataclysm |
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