Fire and Ice

“It shall be dark soon” commented Father Brown looking toward the sky, “we have only a few hours of daylight”

“Tomorrow could be the last day” Crane said softly as he returned to the skeletal remains of his ship. He looked about the flame licked metal and shook his head, “how much do you know?” he asked the newcomer suddenly.

“Very little” admitted Brown, “I have spent most of my time here, just surviving and avoiding those creatures”

“Are there many of them?”

Brown shook his head, “no, thankfully there are but few”

“Yes, but what have you learned about this place”

Father Brown sat on a twisted piece of metal and shook his head, “I have learned the Lord has abandoned this place and its people”

“Enough of the fucking religious shit!” raged Crane, “tomorrow could be our last day, and I for one don’t want to stand here and listen to your religious lecture!”

“Please gentlemen, can we remember where we are” Aston James dismounted the Pony carefully and eased the sleeping body of Cadet Darby forward on the neck of the steed and strolled across the the arguing pair and stood between them.

“I know exactly where we are, on fucking doomed planet with only one day left before...boom!” he threw his hands up in the air dramatically as his words hung in the air.

“Doomed planet, I have seen no evidence of this” declared Father Brown.

“Then what the hell have you been doing!”

“Surviving” The air between the two men staled under their encounter of words.

“I think we should pool our resources and share what we have learned” said James softly, placing his palm against the chest of both men. “I for one would like to hear your story Father” he added looking toward Father Brown, “after all, you are the reason why we are both here” he indicated toward himself and Captain Crane as he spoke, “we do have the right to ask what happened”

Father Brown nodded, “forgive me” said the priest bowing his head slightly allowing the sun to glare off his bald head, “I, for my part am deeply suspicious of your arrival after what I have seen”

“And how do we know who the hell you are!” snapped Crane rounding on the holy man.

“I understand your fear captain, but I am not the one whom you should be scared of...I take it you have met Lady Theye?” Crane nodded, “it is she who wields the power here, and it is she who holds the power of life and death. She rules absolute”

“What of the colony?” asked James, “we are led to believe the village is the remains of the settlement”

Father Brown nodded, “I was dispatched by H.O.S.T to assist the local populace in a purely advisory capacity, simply local disputes that needed a mediator. Our organisation is an adjudicator force designed to assist newly established colony based facilities and assist with a peaceful resolution. We arrived, myself and my ward; Sister Harper on the edge of the jungle and walked through the forest until we arrived at the colony. We had expected a new colony, with large clean buildings and a keen populace, but we were unexpectant of the conditions on our arrival”

“Go on” urged James as Father Brown warmed his hands on a small fire in the fragments of the ship. He looked around the debris and shook his head at the damage.

“Yes” he stammered, “the people were violent beyond belief. We were attacked on our arrival by savages, our clothes torn from our bodies and our flesh tortured. I struggled to hold my faith as I watched as the men of the village defiled my ward, over and over until she bled. I can still hear her cries for mercy as they used her body for their pleasure” he paused as he struggled with the memories, “we were taken from the domes and into the trees where I was greeted by the ruler of this world; Lady Theye. She is as cruel as she is regal and rules with a strong hand. Anyone who dares defy her are fed to her pets, the Flurries”

“Those creatures, there native” stated Crane looking through the trees and into the forest beyond.

“No, that’s just it” sighed Brown, “the planet was completely unoccupied by any form of life until the colonists arrived, that was why it was earmarked for colonisation”

“Then they were brought here”

“Yes, sort of...they are the colonists”

Lady Theye stood staring out of the palace window at the distant rising plume of smoke, “they are not back” it was more of a statement than a question and the Chamberlain bowed his head low under her scrutiny.

“No my Lady, none of the creatures have returned”

She looked toward the empty cage in the corner of the room and sighed, trying to hold her temper, “pity” she spat, “Kris was my favourite” she turned back to the window and gazed across her kingdom, “one must assume then that they are dead” she added simply, “inform the warriors that they will enter the jungle and bring me the captives...alive” she smiled as she turned to face the Chamberlain, “I wish to know how they killed my pretties” she paused as the Chamberlain walked toward the exit, “and inform them, the one who brings me the travellers shall be rewarded”

“My Lady” purred the Chamberlain, “what shall I tell them the reward is”

“Me” she turned smiling, “I wish to have a new husband, the others bore me so. Tell them whoever captures the travellers they shall be rewarded with my body”

“But, my Lady” gasped the Chamberlain, “they are but two of them”

“Then my fun shall be doubled” she announced as she lowered her ample frame into her throne, “now begone! Out of my sight!”

“How can they be the colonists!” exclaimed Crane incredulously

“It is this planet” replied Brown, “consider this captain, how long does a civilisation take to evolve to the next generation?” his question was met by blank stares from both men causing Father Brown to continue, “and what if that evolution was thrown into reverse by a natural phenomenon we have not encountered before...this is what you have here”

“Surely” interjected James, “it is god’s divinity that we progress in his image”

“No” said Brown shaking his head, “on this planet, the rules of nature are opposite. As the planet revolves in a clockwise orbit, it rolls on its axis as it goes around its sun” his hands moved as he demonstrated his point to the men, “the act of changing its orbit, forced nature to accelerate its growth patterns and the populace to destabilise their natural evolution. You must consider how many generations have stepped on this planet, not nearly enough to cause a devolution to the extent we have experienced. The villagers are the actual colonists, not descendants of them”

“That is not possible” breathed Crane

“And the Flurries?”

“They are a result of the injured...the sick. The planet infects them and they become brutal mindless beasts” Father James glanced back at his Pony and the resting form of Cadet Darby as she slept on the device. “She could be infected” Brown stated.

“She may not be” replied James shaking his head, “she’s not showing any signs”

“Isn’t she?” asked Brown as they all stood staring at the injured woman.

Thoryn glanced behind him with a satisfied smug grin spreading across his face as he pushed through the undergrowth. “You knew we wouldn’t leave you” whispered Seeka as she pulled level with the older child. He nodded and looked at her smiling, “that was not fair” she complained.

“You did not have to come”

“Yes we did, and you know it” she chided him, “we need you”

Thoryn nodded, “I will protect you” he promised.

“I still wonder about Tomas” she admitted ruefully, “we do not know what happened to him”

“He was a coward” stated Thoryn, “he ran away”

“You cannot know that, he may be hurt. He may need help”

“Then he shall not have it” declared Thoryn, “he chose his path, as have we”

“He chose nothing and you know it!” snapped Seeka, “he is missing and we have left him”

“Then he may be dead” said Thoryn simply.

“Who’s dead” stammered Beilal quietly behind them.

“Hush child!” snapped Thoryn

“Leave her alone!” raged Seeka as she reached for the young girls’ hand and gripped it firmly, “she’s young and scared. She does not need you scaring her with tales of wild beasts”

“I did not mention beasts, he may simply have fallen”

“Thoryn!” she snapped and gripped the girls hand tighter making the child winch under her grip, “Oh, I’m sorry little one” she apologised, “does it still hurt?” she knelt by Beilal and reached for her bandaged hand. The young girl nodded, and snatched her hand away as tears formed in her eyes. “Once we rest we shall find some mud to cool the sore” she smiled at Beilal and ran her hand through the girls blonde hair. Beilal smiled back, but looked over the shoulder at the disappearing form of Thoryn in the distance. Her eyes narrowed as he pushed through the trees and disappeared from view.

“I tell you she has no infection!” snapped James as he rose form his seated position and crossed to Cadet Darby.

“Your affection is touching” said Brown, “but you may have to face the decision to put her down if she becomes a danger”

“She is not infected!” he turned on his fellow priest and stared into his soul, his hand clutching the cross at his throat, “she is protected”

“By you?” queried Brown.

“Yes” said James defiantly, “and by a greater force”

“I question that” remarked Brown.

“Your faith has been tested Father” said James, “mine is born from anger and death by my own hand. She is protected and that is final. I will not let you harm a hair on her head” his fingers touched her red hair gingerly and he looked at her still body and smiled.

“If she is or she isn’t that still doesn’t help us” stated Crane.

“The planet?” asked Brown looking for clarity from Captain Crane who nodded his agreement. “This I have no knowledge, please indulge me”

“Our instruments detected an unusual degree in the axis of the planet’s rotation, one that was not detected in the initial surveys” began Crane, “further information gained by the computer systems in the colony show a possible decay within the planets core and could lead to an ultimate disintegration of the outer crust”

“You said tomorrow”

“If the systems are correct, then tomorrow will be the last dawn this planet sees”

“Could the computer be suffering from the same corruption as the populace?” enquired Brown.

“Highly unlikely” commented Crane, “the system is infallible”

“But it is possible” interrupted James still standing with Cadet Darby, “we cannot rule out the possibility that the files may be corrupt”

“Then, what is our course?” asked Brown glancing between the two men. A silence descended across the copse as they considered their options.

“We are lost” said Crane eventually.

“Nonsense, we must have faith” said James.

“If the planet does blow, how do we get off it?”

“Your craft?” said Brown suddenly looking at James, “I assume it is safe”

“Yes, it is in a low level orbit above the planet”

“Standard issue”. Father James nodded, “then we have the opportunity to escape in that” he said triumphantly.

“And the souls we were sent to save?”

“As much as I believe they should atone for their sins, we are obliged to save them” Brown said reluctantly.

“What should our recourse be then?” said James looking at the captain.

“How should I know!” snapped Crane suddenly, “I don’t know what to do”

“Take command captain” urged James, “we have a ship in orbit, and a colony of people to save”

Captain Everton Crane looked about the copse at his destroyed vessel, then at the two priest. He knew they had the answers, but wanted to make the captain to interact and make a decision. He sighed heavily, “our communicators should be able to keep in contact with your vessel” he said looking toward Reverend James, so we have essentially one day to save as many people as we can from the village and ourselves. How many can your ship hold?”

James shook his head, “it is only a small class-two exploration dart, capable of holding a maximum of eight”

“That’s not enough” moaned Crane.

“But it does have long range distress beacons”

“Excellent!” clapped Crane, “myself and Father Brown shall return to the village...” he waved away the look of horror from the priest face, “no arguments” he warned and continued, “we shall save as many of the villagers as we can” he said, “while you and Cadet Darby shall travel to the ice fields and determine the natural state of the planet. If it is indeed close to destruction, then you can witness first hand and we can begin the exodus of the people”

“I do not wish to travel back to that Harpy’s lair” stormed Brown.

“Do you wish to go with her” he pointed in the direction of Cadet Darby, “knowing what we know may happen”.

Father Brown nodded and conceded the argument, “you win captain, I shall accompany you”

“And I shall take Cadet Darby with pleasure” said James looking at them both, “she is not infected and my faith in her shall be our guide”

“Then it is decided” said Crane triumphantly, “we shall leave immediately!”

Reverend James stood in the clearing and watched the glint of metal disappear through the trees. He stood listening as the whine of the motors rescinded in the distance before turning and facing Cadet Darby. She was sitting up staring at him, a faint smile fleeting over her face. “I heard what you said” she said as he approached her. His eyes danced over her bright open face as the smile lit up her features, then drifted down her tight body and stopped at the bloody mess of her leg.

She tried to shift her weight to hide her limb from his attention. “Don’t” he said softly moving forward, holding his arms out. She flushed with slight embarrassment at his attention and watched as he knelt by her side, his hands running over the splint holding her leg in position. “Your leg needs time to heal” he continued, avoiding her eye contact.

“I don’t want you to see” she admitted, a sob erupting from her throat as she spoke.

“There is nothing to be embarrassed about” he said as he ran his hand over her leg, raising his eyes to meet hers.

“Its not that” she said smiling down at him.

“I understand” he smiled back as he stood, offering his hand to her. She took it and pulled it close to her cheek, closing her eyes under his touch.

“Father, I heard what was said” she said again.

“Do not concern yourself...”

“But I do” she looked at him through tear stained eyes, “may I confess” she said eventually. He nodded and took her hands, “what was said” she struggled to find the words, “I feel the tug in my mind” she admitted, “the pull of the planet, the hunger in my stomach, the voices in my head. I hear them!” she said through gritted teeth.

James smiled and pulled her head close to his chest, “I know you do” he said.

She pulled away shocked, “you do!” she gasped, “but you said...”

“I know what I said, and I meant it. I will protect you, from the planet and yourself. When I saw you save me from the Flurry, I saw a darkness in your eyes and I knew you were infected”

“Then why stay with me, why put yourself in danger”

“Who knows what the heart wants” he admitted shyly, “but when I look into your eyes, I see something that stirs my soul” He moved his hands away from her and pulled the silver chain over his head and placed it over her red hair and watched as it fell across her slender elegant neck. His fingers traced the line of the chain as it ran along her throat and dropped over her chest. “This will protect you” he said as his fingers played around the pendant as it hovered over her cleavage, “as long as you wear it, I shall be forever close”

“Thank you” she said looking down at the cross.

“Always” he breathed and placed a kiss on her head as he leant closer to her. She looked up at him and smiled as the sun began its slow descent in the distance. “We will stay here tonight, then leave for the ice fields first thing in the morning” He stood and walked toward the large silver steed that sat behind her own and checked the monitors on the mounts collar. A noise alerted them to movement in the trees and Reverend James held his breath as he straightened and took a cautious step toward the source of the noise.

“Be careful” she said lightly as he crossed the copse to the rustling movement of the branches. He waved her silent as he moved carefully through the debris.

“Show yourself!” he shouted loudly at the thicken. The undergrowth was pushed apart and through the vegetation a small group of children emerged from the greenery. “Children” whispered James.

“Who are you!” demanded the biggest child of the group.

“Thoryn” snapped the girl at his side, “that is not how we speak to the old ones”

“He is not one of us!” snapped the boy back.

“Thoryn...” ventured Reverend James tentatively holding out his hand.

“You know me!” exclaimed the boy.

“Lucky guess” smirked Aston James and gestured at the two children to approach.

“You see I am known across this land!” roared the boy slapping his chest hard and leaving a small red blemish across his skin.

“You idiot” laughed the girl, “he heard me speak your name” the girl turned the James and bowed, “I am Seeka, this is Thoryn and we are all that remains of the people of the land”

“My child” said James softly, “I am so sorry”

“Why?” demanded Thoryn, “you do not know our people”

“No, I meant that you are all that is left” he struggled to speak to the children and could hear a small giggle from the Pony behind him and averted his gaze to Darby who was leaning over the controls of the device smirking at his unease.

“I see” replied Thoryn.

“Are you the only ones?”

“No” stated Thoryn, “we are four” he clapped his hands and out of the bracken stepped the small form of a boy. He stood blinking in the dying sun and wiped the needles from his clothing, “this is Jai-sen...and” he peered through the the foliage as though looking for something, “Beilal” he shouted, “Beilal, come it is safe” he called. James peered into the hedgerow and could see a small pair of eyes staring back.

“Hello” he said, “you can come out. We won’t bite” he smiled as he spoke.

“I will!” screamed the feral child as it burst from the undergrowth and clawed at the throat of the priest. “I am hungry” came her voice, “I will feed”