“Friday Fiction” Series: War Ruins…
[Note from Steve: From time to time, I’ll post free short fiction here—short stories or novellas from A. B. Carolan or me. You can download more—see the list on my “Free Stuff & Contests” web page. This one from A. B. might be a fitting albeit humorous epitaph for 2020, or at least for the four-year aberration that was Donald J. Trump. If you don’t like that, you’re part of the problem…so please do not read this story.]
War Ruins
Copyright 2021, A. B. Carolan
“There was a conventional warfare fought on this continent, your excellency.”
K’Pak kicked aside some shards only to uncover more bones. “You mean non-nuclear? We know the natives had nuclear power. The defunct power plants are well-documented.”
“More so on other continents. Perhaps they didn’t know how to make bombs. Or didn’t want to.”
“That’s conjecture, and it would be surprising for primitives. I need facts, K’Glim. We’re scientists who deal in facts, not conjectures. The sooner you young people learn that, the better.”
“My team has prepared a briefing for you, your excellency. There are many artifacts and fossilized remains to back up our arguments. Armies were defending and attacking all through this continent, up and down the coasts mainly, but also in some central urban areas. Possibly an intense civil war took place.”
“Let’s see your evidence then. You must might have the first piece of interesting research for this planetary site.” The lead scientist spun around, his four eyes locking onto a distant figure. “What’s that?”
K’Glim followed K’Pak’s line-of-sight to where a two-eyed creature stood among some ruins staring at them. The young scientist rubbed his top two eyes, an expression of surprise.
“I believe he’s one of them, your excellency. A very young one.”
“How can that be? I thought the survey ship indicated they were extinct. We can’t colonize here if the natives are still around. And this continent is the only suitable one for that.”
Everywhere else the planet’s land masses were arid and inhospitable. The only usable land left was on this continent, with its huge river meandering right down its middle, draining most of the continent. Such a river system would be perfect for creating a self-sustainable colony.
Their ten-year task was to find anything useful for their museums, relics from yet another planet that they thought had committed suicide.
But if there were survivors?
***
K’Glim and many of the other students soon forgot about their back-breaking research; they trailed behind K’Pak and K’Glim as the young native presumably led them to his tribe. K’Glim heard some mutterings about walking into a trap, but he doubted the youngster was that devious. He had genuflected to K’Pak. Perhaps recognizing that the tall scientist was their leader? And with their firepower, no primitive tribe could stand up to them anyway.
The youngster didn’t seem to fear them, though, but when they arrived at the caves, some of his people did.
It was soon apparent that their civilization was partly intact. Of course, none of the equipment used in that civil war long ago was still around, but they had language. The tribal leaders pointed at their visitors and seemed to be having an intense discussion while the females moaned and swayed, prostrated on the ground, and even younger children eyed them with suspicion.
Soon a larger native separated from the group and approached the scientists. He was smeared in some ceremonial orange dye. He was older than the rest, so K’Pak assumed he was the tribe’s chief or shaman. His hair was dyed too and its layers were combed over each other to hide his baldness. He bowed to K’Pak and then pointed at all the scientists.
“Blue state?” he said.
K’Pak thought the native might be giving the scientific group a name, but he decided to get more personal. First rule about dealing with primitives: Establish a personal connection. He pointed to himself. “K’Pak.”
The native apparently got the idea. He pounded his chest that was covered with sparse, gray fur, belying the color of his hair. “King Donald the Sixth,” he said.
***
Comments are always welcome.
ABC sci-fi mysteries for young adults. My Irish collaborator, A. B. Carolan, whom I met when visiting Blarney Castle (I hope the irony is evident), also writes novels. The Secret Lab, The Secret of the Urns, and Mind Games all feature young girls who rise above their adversity to make a difference. They’re sci-fi because they take place in my sci-fi universe; mystery because the stories are in the grand tradition of Asimov’s sci-fi mystery novels and Heinlein’s Podkayne of Mars novella. They’re ideal reading for all young adults (they make for excellent reading and book reports for those doing remote schooling) and adults who are young at heart (or who need to find quality books for their home-schoolers to read). Available wherever fine ebooks are sold, and also available in print format. Go beyond Harry Potter to true sci-fi.
Around the world and to the stars! In libris libertas!
