Planet Of No Return

“No, I stayed at the site. But I was captured by soldiers, two days after you left. They came up quietly and called to me. I remembered what you had said so I fired at them, even when I couldn’t see them. There were explosions around me, shells of some kind I imagine, and clouds of smoke. I tried to get away, but there must have been gas of some kind in the smoke. I remember falling, and that’s all until I woke up here a little while ago. A woman came in, she didn’t say anything, just led me here. Except I don’t know where here is or what is happening?” There was an edge of hysteria to her voice now and he could see that she was wringing her hands tightly together. He stepped forward and took them in his.

“It’s all right now. I know little more than you do, but not much. I followed the valley until it ended in a box canyon, a dead end. Then men and soldiers appeared, seized me the same as they did you, and I woke up in this room. I don’t think they mean us injury, they would have had all the time they need for that. But who are they — and how did they find you? We need some answers …”

“And you shall have them,” Hegedus said, coming through the open door. “Dr. Morees, will you please be seated. You too, Brion …”

“How do you know my name?” Lea asked.

“Your associate here told us. We have very advanced techniques, drugs and machines, that can extract a person’s memories. It is done harmlessly and there are no after-effects. We learned from Brion about your mission, and where you were waiting for him, so we went to get you before you suffered any more discomforts on that wild world. I’m sorry about the gas, but we knew that you were armed and on your guard. And we also know all about the fine work you are both doing for the Cultural Relationships Foundation. We deeply regret that you have had such difficulties, and our only desire now is to make amends.”

“You can start right now by telling us what is happening on Selm-II,” Brion said.

“I shall be more than happy to. That is why I am here with you now. Sit down, please. Is there anything you might like? Something to eat or drink…"

“Nothing. Except that explanation.” Brion’s patience was exhausted and he snapped the words. Lea nodded assent.

Hegedus sat down across from them and steepled his fingers on his crossed knees. “To explain exactly what has happened I am afraid that I must tell you a brief history of this world, the planet named Arao …”

“Then — we are no longer on Selm-II?” Lea asked, slightly dazed. Hegedus shook his head.

“You are thousands of light years away, on a planet orbiting a totally different sun. Arao. Our historical research has revealed that this planet was one of the very last to be settled before the Breakdown of the Earth Empire. In fact it was settled by refugees fleeing from the wars that were beginning to flare up right across the known galaxy. My ancestors wished to live in peace and the only way they saw to accomplish this was through heroic struggle, through stealth, hard work and immense sacrifice.”

“Would you mind getting the story a little bit closer to the present day,” Lea interrupted. “We’ve all seen a bit of struggle and sacrifice.”

“Of course! I apologize. But the background is necessary. Please bear with me a moment or two longer. As I said, two interstellar spacers were obtained, the survivors boarded them and ships headed out into deep space, their course unknown except to a very few. A planet had been discovered, fertile and uninhabited — and far beyond the outermost reaches of the colonized galaxy. Thus they came to Arao, and every year we of the Opole honour Settlement Day with ceremony …” He caught the glare in Lea’s eye and hurried on.

“But less than a century after we had settled here, on the more verdant of the two great continents this planet is blessed with, sudden tragedy struck. A fleet of great warships descended upon us, remnants of a space armada that had been crushed in battle. They were doing as we did, fleeing the Breakdown. At first there was conflict and death, many perished and the destruction was terrible to behold. But although they had the stronger weapons we had the greater numbers. In the end wisdom prevailed and peace was finally made before mutual destruction seized us both. The invaders agreed to settle on Gyongyos, the other continent, half a world away from us. They did so, and have remained there ever since.