Storm on Venus by Bentley R. A

Author:Bentley, R. A. [Bentley, R. A.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2013-11-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Gathered at one end of the long-house the survivors of the tzin raid gazed miserably out at the afternoon rain. Behind them the big communal building was crowded with sheltering thaalid, the hunters resting in their hammocks, the females working at various indoor chores. Normally, these activities would be accompanied by much jolly banter and the occasional burst of snickering, high-pitched laughter, but today they went about their business in dejected silence. They, too, were mourning the loss of their once-feared Goddess whom they had learned to trust and love. Even the juveniles seemed listless and subdued. Occasionally the scene would be briefly illuminated by a jagged flash of lightning but that only served to accentuate the general gloom.

'You know, I've been thinking,' said Charles, who had been prowling restlessly about. 'Grave though our situation is, there may yet be one positive aspect to it.'

The Professor looked cynically up at him. 'Then I should be very pleased to hear of it, for I cannot imagine what it might be.'

'It is simply this. Before the tzinid attacked, we were faced with the starkest of choices; to remain with these creatures indefinitely or throw ourselves upon the uncertain mercy of that searching ship. It now appears, however, that there are civilised beings living here in Dameefu, and perhaps not far off. If only we can find them, we may be able to gain some advantage in dealing with them. At the least we should be among our own kind.'

Freddy stared at him in amazement. 'Civilised! They have stolen Daphne! I can still hear the poor child's cries, and the Migraani's too. You might consider that civilised behaviour; I certainly don't.'

'What I mean is that they are clearly not savages,' said Charles calmly. 'They have at their disposal some pretty impressive machinery and that must suggest civilisation of a kind. Also, it was not just anyone they stole. It can surely have been no accident that they took the Queen-Goddess. One can speculate upon their motives, but I think we may safely assume that they won't harm her. Isn't that right, Tuuntu?'

The Tuuntu appeared to hesitate before replying. 'If they are Venusians, yes,' he agreed. 'The Voorni is our only guarantee of security against the thaalid. It is every man's duty to protect her.'

'That is what I surmised,' said Charles. 'Indeed, she may well be safer in their hands than she was here, for one false move might have set these creatures against her. As for the rest of us, it's possible that they are unaware of our existence, or indifferent to it. If we can present ourselves as harmless members of her entourage, it may be possible to gain their confidence, and perhaps even negotiate safe passage out of Dameefu. They may well have other forms of transport beside these metal men.'

'But all that is purest speculation!' protested Freddy. 'These people, if they are people, must live deep in the jungle, where no other humans dare go. They may be brigands or outlaws of some kind.

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