The Sands of Borrowed Time (35 page)

Alignment

             
Summer strolled back from the truck with her sleeping bag under her arm, looking up into the clear night sky.

              Why so many?
she thought. 
Too many!  It just doesn’t make sense.  Who's out there to see them all, to bath in their warmth? 
Dagger awoke, stretching his legs, excited as he saw Summer returning.  He ran towards her, looking fresh with a spring in his stride.  He peered up at her, his tongue hanging from his mouth as he panted his warm breath into the cold night air.  He gave a friendly bark, Summer looking down at him, giggling at his cheeky face.

              “Hello, happy boy!  What's happening?”  Dagger barked again, leaning up onto her knees to get his head stroked.  “Why so many Dagger?  Tell me that!” she said as she pointed to the night sky.  Dagger glanced up, his eyes wide open with curiosity.  He ran back to the fire, peering behind to check that Summer was following.  As she neared the fire, she knelt down, unrolling the sleeping bag onto the sand.  She yawned, taking a full ladle, the remains of the evening’s soup that was still simmering in a pot over the fire.  She poured half into her mug, the rest into Dagger’s bowl.  They both ate heartily in silence, relishing the peppery taste of the broth.  Isla was snoring beside her, David quiet in his slumber, both looking oblivious to the World.  She finished her meal and got into her sleeping bag, Dagger curling up beside her, licking his lips.  She yawned but felt restless, staring up at the stars again as she stroked Dagger’s rough fur.

             
Let's hope they all stay in one piece, at least for tonight,
she thought;
one has done enough damage,
glancing across to where the supernova was rising, it's glow brightening as it approached from below the horizon. 
So much power in each one.  Imagine if they all exploded at the same time!  Fuck! I’d shit the bed! 
She watched as a satellite slowly drifted through the night sky, appearing just like a star, twinkling as it passed overhead. 
If David is right about his little conspiracy theory, I wonder if they still use them?  They’re just stuck there, in their orbits, going round and round, but no-one is listening to them anymore.  Maybe they're getting lonely, getting cold, like us down on the ground, transmitting their data ever louder with each orbit, hoping someday that someone will talk back?  Huh?  It's stopped! 
The satellite just hung there, like the stars, almost overhead.  Summer noted its position at the tip of the Big Dipper. 
A worthy place to stop,
she thought;
but who stopped it? 
Summer shook Isla, who awoke straight away.

              “What?” she mumbled.  “It's so warm.  Hope you're not burning over there, Dagger?”  Dagger looked up sleepily, his eyes half open, too tired to be concerned with Isla’s remark.

              “Up there, by the Dipper,” Summer said.  “A satellite suddenly stopped in its tracks.”

              “So?” Isla replied, closing her eyes again.

              “Well, isn’t that a bit odd?”

              “Ask David.”

              “He’s asleep,” Summer said without checking.

              “So was I, and soon to be again,” she said.  She yawned and turned away from the fire, snoring almost immediately.

             
Charming, no one wants to know,
she thought as she looked to Dagger, his eyes also closed, his breathing deep and heavy. 
I’m the only witness,
as she looked up at the stationary satellite. 
God, and now there's two more! 
She noticed the others, coming from opposite directions; they stopped, one by one, and converged near the first. 
What's going on? This is beginning to creep me out!

              “
Isla, Isla, wake up, wake up!” Summer said as she shook her arm.  Isla gave out a grunt as she awoke again, looking at Summer bewildered.  Dagger stretched, half opening one eye.

              “What now?”

              “Now there's three, hanging there like the points of a cosmic triangle.”

              “Really?”

              “Yes!”

              “So?”

              “So, it can't be coincidence, surely?”

              “Ask David, he's the sensible one.”  Summer turned to look at David, who was still asleep, his head tucked below the opening of his sleeping bag.  Summer was just about to speak again when she heard Isla resume her snoring.

             
Can I get another witness?
she thought as she opened her arms in despair.  She looked back up at the satellites, hanging there mysteriously in the sky. 
That just doesn’t happen by itself.  Never! 
She glanced over to the hills, her attention caught as the supernova’s outer ring was beginning to peak over the horizon in a shimmer of blues and greens. 
Here comes more trouble,
she giggled nervously to herself.  She lay back down, enjoying the warmth of the fire and closed her eyes.  She lay there listening to the crackle of the burning wood beside her.  There was a bright flash.  She immediately opened her eyes to be greeted by the dark night sky.  The satellites were still there. 
Maybe it was the supernova brightening the sky as it came over the horizon,
she thought, closing her eyes again.  She lay there unable to sleep.  Suddenly a red flicker danced across her eyelids.  She opened her eyes and leant up. 
Wow!
  Above her, between the satellites, was a bright red laser beam that pointed to the surface of the Earth, somewhere down south, past the escarpment of the hills.  Then there were bright flashes as thin green rays of light scintillated up to the supernova. 
Shit!
she thought as her thoughts began to race with a mixture of panic and excitement.  She turned to grab Isla, but as she did, the sky strobed brightly, but briefly, before all the lights vanished.  She looked up with a mixture of awe and fear as the supernova twinkled innocently in the sky as it had done so for as long as she could remember.  The satellites started to move apart as she looked across to Isla and David.

              “Isla! Isla! David! David!” she shouted, “Wake up you bastards!”  Dagger suddenly stood up and barked, looking startled.  He gave out a long whimper, then sighed.

              “What now?” Isla complained.

              “Well, the satellites…”

              “Tell me tomorrow,” Isla protested, covering her head with her sleeping bag as she dug herself deeper in.  Dagger lay back down, sure the commotion was over, and rested his chin on Summer’s thigh, watching her with an anxious look.

             
I would be worried at this point,
Summer thought as she stroked Daggers head. 
David was right; they’re alive and well, and so is their technology. 
She looked across, but David was still fast asleep. 
Why in hell would they need a laser beam, a laser beam from space? 
Summer deliberated as she stroked daggers head.
And down south?    There's sod all there!  And what of the supernova?  What was that all about? 
Dagger’s ears pricked up as if he was listening to her thoughts, turning his head slightly as if sympathetic to them.  She looked up and searched the sky, but the satellites were gone. 
They’re not going to believe me in the morning,
Summer thought. 
Who would? 
 
 
               

Best Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

“Come on!” Riana exclaimed, hurrying her sister along the beach and out towards the stranded ship.  The tide had rolled out far the last couple of nights, and the girls saw an opportunity to easily walk to the vessel.  They went in secret, impatient to wait for Leon, who seemed more preoccupied with the oil fields he had haphazardly discovered.  They could not stay away, keen to know what was onboard, what treasures lay hidden in those containers.  There were just too many for them all to be empty, they had deliberated.

              “Smells a bit ripe, doesn’t it, like all the fish have croaked,” Rhoswen said, holding her hand over her nose.

              “That’s seaweed you can smell my dear sister, the stuff that’s dried and died on the beach.”

              The ship had sunk well into the sandbank, under its weight, still listing to one side.

              “Looks well stuck,” Riana said as they neared the hull.  Rhoswen nodded as she looked up to the containers towering above them.

              “The containers look ready to slip off, though,” she said.

              “They’ll be fine,” Riana replied as she took the rope hanging on her shoulder and unwound it.

              “Let's go around the other side and take advantage of the list,” Riana said.  “There will be a nice slope for us to climb up that way.” 

It was still dark by time the girls had managed to get up onto the deck and the moon was just beginning to breach the horizon.  They rested there, looking out at the dark cliffs surrounding the cove.

              “Leon is going to love us when we come back,” Riana said as she watched the large, orange moon sitting on the horizon.

              “We need to find something first,” Rhoswen replied, not so hopeful, “and something of use.”

              “Otherwise, we will keep this little trip to ourselves,” Riana quickly interrupted, winking at her sister. 

Rhoswen giggled, “Hopefully there will be no surprises tonight like the last time.”  Riana nodded, tapping the gun holstered to her side.

“I suppose we better get searching before the moon gives us away,” Riana said as she grabbed the rails and lifted herself up.  She held her arm down to Rhoswen and pulled her up.

“Which way?” Riana asked, looking around the ship.  Rhoswen shrugged as Riana decided to walk towards the stern.  Riana followed, rubbing her arms as the cold night air began to bite.  Seagulls squabbled on the beach below them, searching for food that ceased to be plentiful a long time ago.  Rhoswen saw one land on the rails beside them, staring at them with tired hope.

“I remember when they used to be plump,” Riana said as they looked at its pitiful, scrawny body.  She waved the gull away, and it flew off with a cry, only for it to immediately return, walking down the rails beside them, watching and following them.

              “He’s the smart one,” Rhoswen said as she tossed it a stale biscuit from her pocket.

              “And you’re the soft one,” Riana teased.

              “It probably knows more about the ship than anyone.  Just trying to make contact,” Rhoswen said.

              “You got to be kidding me?” Riana asked.

              Rhoswen giggled, “Of course!”

              “Thank fuck for that,” Rhoswen said in a huff as the seagull swallowed it in one gulp, the shape of the biscuit easily visible as it slid down its thin neck.  “And what do we have here, in this little hut?” she continued as she peered through its window, wiping the dried salt off it with her sleeve.

              “Why not just go in through the door,” Rhoswen joked, ushering her in with her hands.  Riana smiled as she switched on her torch and walked in through the open door.  The inside was filled with dust covered cobwebs that hung heavy from corner to corner.  Rhoswen brushed them aside with her torch, Riana's face creasing with repulsion.

              “Let's go, there's nothing in here apart from dead spiders,” Rhoswen said.

              “Wait,” Riana replied as she pulled open a drawer on the desk before them.  She looked eagerly inside.  “Fuck all, there's only a map,” she continued, disappointed as she opened it up.  Rhoswen switched on her torch revealing a map of the west coast and most of the western half of America.

              “Looks like they ended up in the right place,” Riana said without much interest.  She was about to fold it back up when Rhoswen stopped her.

              “Wait, looks like they mapped out their delivery points to,” Rhoswen added as she looked at the yellow circles that had been placed across the western half of America.  “They would have been busy boys if the supernova hadn’t hit.” 

“Yes,” Riana replied looking deep in thought. She began looking more curiously, thinking it strange that many circles were well inland rather than on the coast. 
Why would it matter to anyone on the ship, it would only dock at the coast?  Maybe they shipped the delivery guys as well?

              “What is it, Riana?” Rhoswen asked, seeing the concern grow on her sister's face.

              “Nothing, let's go,” she abruptly said as she folded the map back up.  “You're right, there's nothing but dead spiders in here.”  As they walked towards the door, they noticed a biohazard mask hanging from the door.  The girls looked at each other with bewilderment.

              “Maybe they were shipping shit,” Riana said.

              “Shit?”

              “Yes, shit, toxic waste and other such crap.”

              “They did that?”

              “I guess so?”

              “But not into America?”

Riana shrugged, “Maybe the circles on the map were collection points?”

“That's why the containers are empty?”

Riana shrugged again, feeling something didn’t quite add up.  Outside she opened the map again and held it under the light of the moon.

“They’re not circles, they’re more like stars or flames,” she said.

“Well that's it the then, they must have come to collect waste from incineration points,” Rhoswen said.  “The containers are either empty or full of shit.”  Riana didn’t look convinced as she stared at the map, her mind in overdrive.

“Something’s not quite right about this,” she finally said.  “It's a container ship, not a ship equipped for toxic waste.  She sighed and folded up the map and stuffed it in her rucksack.  “I think we’re connecting the wrong dots here.”  She looked at Riana, holding her hands in the air, “Where next?”

Rhoswen pointed to the stern to where they were originally heading.  They walked along the gangway and towards the containers, the seagull returning to follow them along the rails.

“Looks like you've made a new friend there,” Riana said.  “He's back for more!”

“You’ve wiped me out clean,” Rhoswen said, looking at the bird, holding out the open palms of her hands.  The gull squeaked in dismay but continued to follow them regardless.  “Some folks you just can’t tell,” Rhoswen continued, feeling sorry for it.

“Now then, where does one begin?” Riana said, looking at the stack of containers before them.

“Perhaps with the one in front of us?” Rhoswen suggested.

“It has a padlock, though?”

“You have a hammer.”

“Ok, here goes nothing,” Riana said as she put her rucksack on the ground and pulled out the hammer.  It felt heavy in her hand as she swung it through the air.  The seagull squawked as it flew to the ground beside them, curious as to what else was in the rucksack.  “Careful little birdie, don't go upsetting me with a hammer in my hand.”  She swung the hammer at the padlock as the gull fluttered off over the rails, crying with fright as it did so.  There was a loud clang as the hammer smashed into the padlock, its rusty arm snapping instantly.

“Nice work,” Rhoswen said clapping.  Riana smiled, and they both grabbed the door and heaved it open, the door continuing to swing into the adjacent container with a loud metallic thud as they let go.  Rhoswen shined her torch inside.  Stacked one on top of another were mattresses sealed in polyethene.

“Useful for sure, if only we could carry them off,” Riana said with a sigh. 

Rhoswen prodded one with her finger, “They sure do feel comfy.”  They smashed open the next container, only to find the same.

“What is this?” Riana complained.  “Were Americans short of mattresses or something?”  The seagull flew back, perching on top of one, sure the hammer wasn't meant for it.  It dug its beak through the polyethene and pecked at the mattress below, squawking with confusion as small white feathers sprung up around its head. The girls laughed at the startled bird as it backed off and glided down to the ground around their feet.

“How many birdies in each one, my little friend?” Riana giggled, looking down at the bird, it's watery eyes the picture of sorrow.

“Oh, don't, he looks upset,” Rhoswen added.

“So, we're not going to be short of mattresses for a while,” Riana said, looking at the rest of the containers.

“Surely they all can't be full of them?” Rhoswen asked despondently.

“I’m sure they aren't,” Riana said quietly as she gazed up nervously at the sign on the container above.  On a white metal sign, attached by rivets to its door were words written in bold, red lettering.

“Unauthorised entry will result in penalty of death,” Riana read out aloud, looking across alarmed at Riana.  “What is that?”

“I don't know, and I don't intend to find out,” Rhoswen replied, looking worried.

“Oh, come on, there's no one here,” Riana said, her heart beginning to race with anticipation.

“Not a good idea, you see what it says, by penalty of death,” Riana said.  “I think we should go!”

“We must see what's in there, or we will never know!” Rhoswen said, grabbing her sister firmly by the shoulders and looking her sternly in the eyes.

“I don't want to know!”

“Best let sleeping dogs lie,” a voice suddenly said from behind them.  Rhoswen and Riana stood still, daring to look over their shoulders.

“Wait, I know that voice,” Riana said, staring at Rhoswen with cautious optimism.  Rhoswen nodded as they both slowly turned to see a girl leaning up against the rails.  It was Aveline.

“Hi girls,” she coyly said with a wave, “good to see you again.”  Her eyes began to fill with tears as she walked towards her sisters, Rhoswen’s and Riana’s mouths, wide open with shock.

“Aveline!” Riana exclaimed, running over to hug her. “Where have you been for God’s sake?”  They both broke down in tears as Rhoswen walked over to them in disbelief.

“I had almost given up on you,” Rhoswen finally stammered.

“Come, save the niceties for later, we must go,” Aveline said hurriedly, looking around with paranoia, “you have seen too much already.”  Aveline ushered them back down the gangway, her bewildered sisters complying immediately.  “Quickly now, there's a lot I need to tell you, but not here!” she whispered anxiously.

They clambered back down the ship's side, running across the beach, not stopping or saying anything until they were out of sight and in the safety of woods below the cliffs.

  Aveline turned to them, looking excited, trying to catch her breath, “Where do I begin?”

              “Maybe by telling us what's going on with that container?” Riana said, raising an eyebrow.

              “Like I said,” Aveline replied, shaking her head, “best let sleeping dogs lie.”

              “Indeed,” a man's voice said from behind the trees as they heard branches break under foot.  There was the sound of rifles being cocked as they turned to look.  All three girls stood in terror as they stared down the barrels of the guns.  Between them was a man folding his arms, his head covered by a hood, his features barely visible as he looked down to the ground.  They heard him sigh as he lifted his head, his blue eyes staring out from the darkness of the hood.  He looked at Aveline with a mixture of anger and dismay, his bloodshot eye glistening a dark velvet in the moonlight.  “They really do mean it, you know, by penalty of death,” he said as he slowly pulled back his hood.  “And my, are the dogs barking, hungry for more.”  He sighed again, standing there quiet and serene, yet his blue eyes spoke of a shocking tale as he run his finger down the scared remains of his face.  “Well, at least you know now, that your fates are sealed.  How, you probably haven't quite got.”  Rhoswen gasped as she clung onto Riana’s arm, Aveline looking at the hooded man with pleading eyes.  He saw their discomfort, waving down his hand and the rifles were lowered.  “The rest, so many people, it seems, were just taken, their innocence vapourised in an instant.  And the question is why?  That is what I intend to find out.”