The Site by Carlos Valrand

Author:Carlos Valrand
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Carlos Valrand
Published: 2021-02-22T10:37:39+00:00

2

Charles directed the transport module to take them to the factory structure. It lifted them to the sixth level of the Bithian compound, shuttled through a channel interchange, and then moved them quickly along the tunnel to the space dock. There the module slowed down again.

“Cupahr rejected again my request to stop the training—the encounters with the beasts,” Charles said.

July’s green eyes met his. “His orders come from the Resseps,” she said after a while.

“Where do the creatures come from, July?”

“Some are reproductions of animals from various Dramtes worlds, others are induced mutations.”

“Reproductions?”

“Biological constructs.”

“I don’t understand why they insist on those insane stunts. I could get killed.”

“You must do as they ask, Chasrydel,” July said. “You are protected. No permanent harm will befall you.”

Their module lurched imperceptibly and then accelerated along the tunnel leading to the factory. A moment later it came to a stop. The rim of its doorway cleared, and Charles and July walked through to a gray platform.

It was Charles’ first visit to the factory. He watched as a slender bronze-skinned man in a blue uniform, trailed by a levitating chromium cylinder, entered the transport module they had just left.

“I had not seen anyone in blue before,” Charles said.

“He is a Nesdelsen technician,” July said. “A few of them work at the crystal farm.”

July adjusted the fit of a small white bag she carried slung over her shoulder. It contained instruments they would need later on.

The platform stopped abruptly fifty feet ahead. Beyond was a vast open space. A cluster of people stood a short distance away, near the edge of the platform. Two wore white, the other two green.

“Remarkable event, Kliettaes Chasrydel,” one of the four called out.

Charles recognized the short, wiry body and long gray hair of Eberenze Fermilo. He and July returned the greeting and approached the waiting officials.

As they neared the group, Charles noted the chasm beyond. Huge cylindrical shapes rose to meet massive girders one hundred feet above. They plunged hundreds of feet below, amidst spherical shapes and dozens of small platforms. He could see workers milling about across the enormous cavity, four hundred feet away. Some whizzed by on air cars that flew between platforms. His ears were assaulted with the strident sounds of numerous machines.

Fermilo introduced the Indane-Aliemts as Obiredes Dahlgers and her aide, Kneth Fernoch. Dahlgers’ bronze skin had more gold in it than any of the other aliens Charles had met. Her narrow face held harsh angles softened by a permanent smile and flowing gray hair. Fernoch was tall and athletic, with inquisitive yellow eyes.

Fermilo’s attendant was a statuesque android with neatly cropped white hair. She carried a hripitur in her hand and a light rod, an imdermi, clipped to a silver belt. Her name was Roxelan.

“We are ready to proceed, Kliettaes,” Fermilo said.

“I have made arrangements for our transportation, Master,” Charles said. “Please follow us.”

They walked in a group to the transport area and boarded a waiting module. July brought out a hripitur from her bag and pressed a sequence of keys on the recording device.

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