Planet Of No Return

19: End of a Mission

“What jurisdiction do your military authorities have over us?” Brion said.

Hegedus’s composure had returned. “Come, Brion, I explained that fully not a few minutes ago. This country is at war. Martial law prevails. You were found in a war zone, tampering with a vital piece of military equipment. Be happy that we are a civilized people and did not have you shot on the spot.”

“And what is your reason for holding me?” Lea asked. “Your thugs dropped grenades on me, then kidnapped me. Is that what ‘civilized people’ do?”

“Yes. When you are on a spying mission in a war zone. But, please, let us not quarrel. Consider yourselves our guests for the time being. Privileged guests, for you are the first offworlders to ever have set foot upon our planet. Though we have our political differences, Gyongyos and Opole are in complete agreement about one thing. There is a complete ban on offworld contact. We both sought refuge here from the wars of the Breakdown. The rest of the inhabited galaxy has nothing to offer us.”

“The wars have been over for a thousand years,” Brion said. “Aren’t you being a little paranoid?”

“Not in the slightest. We are complete unto ourselves here. We need nothing from the outside. But outside influence might bring pressures, insidious political movements that might destroy our happy way of life. It is a gamble that we can only lose. Therefore we maintain a strict no-contact policy. Now, if you will excuse me. Sergeant.”

The door opened the instant he had spoken the words and the Sergeant came in, stamping his heavy boots as he came to attention. Brion recognized that stern, military face. He was the same man who had led the squad that captured him. Hegedus went to the door.

“The Sergeant will stay with you until I return. Ask him for anything you might need. You should be getting hungry by now.”

Brion was scarcely aware that Hegedus had left, for the mention of hunger had brought the sudden realization to him that he was famished. He felt as though it had been weeks since last he ate. Hunger had been forgotten in the rush of events — but it sprang upon him now like a ravenous animal: his stomach growled loudly.

“Sergeant — can you get us some food?”

“Yes, sir. What would you like?”

“Do you have steaks on this planet?”

“We’re not uncivilized — of course we do. And beer as well …”

“For two if you don’t mind,” Lea said. “Rare. I want to forget completely about dehydrated protein rations for as long as I can.”

The Sergeant nodded and spoke a quick order into his helmet microphone. Brion felt his gastric juices surging against his stomach wall. The few minutes that passed before the meal arrived seemed like hours. A soldier came in with the large tray, set it on the table and left. They attacked the food.

“Best steak I have ever had,” Brion mumbled around a giant mouthful.

“Not to mention the best beer,” Lea said, sighing as she lowered the frosted glass. “You people ought to run tours to this place from the vegetarian planets. Show them what good food is like,”

“Yes, m’am,” the Sergeant replied, eyes firmly front, his jaw set and stern. “Why don’t you join us in a beer?” Brion said.

“Not on duty.” Voice toneless, eyes never moving from the far wall.

“What did you do before you went into the army, Sergeant?” Lea asked, nibbling delicately on her food now that the first rush of hunger had been removed. Brion looked at her out of the corners of his eyes and nodded slightly.

“Always been in the army.”

“And the rest of your family? In the army too — or perhaps working in factories …” The question seemed harmless enough; but the Sergeant knew better. He moved his eyes just enough to glower down at Lea, then looked back to the wall.

“No discussions while on duty.”

End of conversation. But Lea would not be put off. “All right, no discussions. But can you tell us about the war? Do you supervise it or watch it or anything?”

“Military secret, not to be discussed. But everyone on Arao watches the war. On television every day, all day, very popular too. People bet on different results. Very exciting for everyone.”

“I’m sure that it is,” Brion said. What was it he had read in a history book once about bread and circuses? “I don’t wish to pry, and of course you won’t answer if it is a military secret. But do both countries on this planet use the same DMT facility to reach Selm-II? The one where you picked me up.”

The Sergeant gave him a cold penetrating look while he made his mind up. “No military secret there. Same facility used by both. Accurate check made that way to see that disarmament is equilateral at all times.”

“Then what is there to stop one side — the enemy of course — from lying in wait outside to ambush your forces as they emerge?”

“Milneutzone, sir. Known about by everyone who watches television. Coded radio broadcasts prevent any weapons of war from being used within a thirty mile radius of the Delta Beacon. A military neutralized zone.”

“That explains it,” Brion said. “Coming up the valley towards the beacon I confronted a tank with a broken tread. Otherwise it was fully operational. It aimed its guns at me — but never fired. Is that your milneutzone?”

“Probably, sir. Guns won’t fire inside thirty miles.”

“Did you ever wish that war would end so you …”

“No more questions!” The Sergeant barked the words loudly and harshly. The conversation was obviously at an end. They finished the meal in silence. Had just finished when Hegedus returned. The Sergeant snapped to attention, turned and left.

“I sincerely hope that you enjoyed your food

“That’s enough!” Brion’s voice was as rough as the Sergeant’s. “No politeness. Just tell us what happened.”

Hegedus extended this little moment of torture by crossing the room and sitting down before he spoke. After first crossing his legs and smoothing a crease from his trousers.

“I am the bearer of very good tidings. Although you have caused us immense amounts of trouble and disturbance, we are not an unjust people. We do not believe in killing the messenger who brings the bad news. It has been decided to return you at once to Selm-II. All of your equipment will be returned to you upon your arrival there and a staff car will take you to the plain where you can send for your ship. This will be the only machine of ours operating, so you need not be afraid. As soon as you leave it, it will become immobilized as well. The Delta Beacon will also be destroyed as you pass through. All contact with Selm-II will end. Forever.”

“You are letting us go — just like that?” Lea seemed shocked — this was the last thing she had expected.

“Why not? I said that we were humane. You were only doing your duty as you saw it — as we do ours. You intended us no injury, nor will you be able to do us any injury in the future.”

“What if we do? What if we tell the galaxy about you, so people can come here …”

Hegedus smiled coldly while Brion shook his head in a solemn no. “It won’t be that easy — or even possible. There are millions, probably billions, of stars in this lenticular galaxy. How can we ever find this solar system? We haven’t a clue — we have never even seen the sun so we have no idea of even what type it is. Or in what direction it lies. We’re out of luck. When the delta beacon goes, so goes all contact with Arao. Forever. Unless they want to contact us.”

“No chance in the slightest of that,” Hegedus said. “And what you say is perfectly true. We do not want your interference, nor will we ever have it. Officially I have forgotten your subversive Party Statements — but personally I know how you feel. Your quasi-beneficent Cultural Relationships Foundation won’t be sneaking in here to change our happy way of life. To stir up the workers and create dissention. We like the way we are. You are not going to change anything. We will go now. The less you know about us the happier we will be. Sergeant!”

“Sir!” the Sergeant said, throwing open the door the instant the command had been given.

“Have your squad take these two to the transmission area at once. They are to talk to no one on the way.”

“As you command, sir!”

There were eight men in the squad, heavily armed and fully equipped. They entered the room with much stamping and clattering of equipment. With guns at the ready, they formed up in obedience to the Sergeant’s shouted orders. Lea had been holding her temper, but all this stamping and shouting and military nonsense was too much for her.

“Murderous madness! You people are the most stupid — “

“Silence!” the Sergeant bellowed, shoving her towards the door. Aiming his drawn pistol at Brion’s instinctive motion towards him. “Follow orders and you won’t be hurt. Forward … march!”

There was absolutely nothing they could do. Brion held Lea’s arm, felt it shaking, and knew it was rage not fear. He felt the same way. Frustrated. He was willing to try anything — but nothing he did would affect the outcome. They were going back to Selm-II. Alive or dead. And the insanity and waste of this war would continue as long as the planet had resources left to plunder.

They marched down the long metal corridor, footsteps thudding in step. Four soldiers before them, four to the rear. And the Sergeant, a menacing guardian, just a pace behind them.

“If there were only something we could do,” Lea said.

“There’s nothing. You can’t worry yourself over it. We’ve done our best. The war is over on Selm-II, the people there will be taken care of.”

“But what about the people on this planet? Are their lives to be stunted and deprived by this useless war …”

“No talking,” the Sergeant shouted, so close behind them that his voice hurt their ears. “I’ll do the talking here. Eyes front. Keep walking.”

And then he spoke again, in a whisper so quiet they could just make it out above the sound of the marching boots.

“We’re not all like Hegedus, you know. He’s a general. He didn’t tell you that. We have over six thousand generals in the army. Make more money than a sergeant does, let me tell you. Don’t turn around or we’re done for! That room was well bugged. I heard everything said. No bugs in this hall. Only a few moments left. People like me, its the army or the factories. Work a nine day week in the factories. No meat, ever. That was a general’s steak you had. It’s got to end. Maybe you people can help. Tell everyone about us. Tell them we need help. Bad.”

There was a large door at the end of the corridor, guarded by two soldiers. The door opened as they approached.

“This is it,” the whispered voice said. “You, Brion Brandd, turn around and say something before we reach the door. I’ll push you. Have your hand over your chest …now!”

Brion took one step, then another. Did the man mean it? Or was this a sadistic trap set by Hegedus? They were almost at the door. It might simply be a plan to kill them both …

“Do it!” Lea hissed. “Or, damn you, I will!”

“You can’t make us leave like this,” Brion shouted, turning on his heel.

“Just shut your mouth!” The Sergeant shouted angrily, slamming his hand into Brion’s chest so hard that he was pushed backwards, falling. “Pick him up! Drag him in! The woman too!”

Rough hands seized them both, hauling them forward through the door and into the large room beyond. Hurling them down onto the scratched metal flooring. The soldiers stepped back, guns pointed as they withdrew.

“Put those on,” the Sergeant ordered, as technicians advanced with a pair of the thick black suits.

They were dressed in silence, the suits sealed, the faceplates snapped shut. Then they were alone in the middle of the metal-plated area. Brion raised his hand in farewell when the force hit them …

They were standing on hard rock, a warm sun shining down on them. Brion whirled about at the sound of a sudden explosion; the Delta Beacon was just a mass of smoking rubble. He stripped off his suit, then helped Lea with hers.

“What happened?” she said, the instant her head was free of the helmet.

“He gave me this,” Brion said, slowly opening his hand. A scrap of folded paper lay on his palm. He opened it slowly and smiled at the row of numbers that had been hastily scribbled there.

“Is that what I think it is?” Lea asked.

“It is. Galactic coordinates. A stellar position relative to the navigational centerpoint. A star, a sun …”

“With a planet named Arao in orbit around it! Aren’t the Cultural Relationships people going to have a fine time designing a social structure that is a little more responsible to the people than the present one.”

“Anything would be an improvement. I want to volunteer for this assignment. This is one I am going to enjoy!”

“Say we. It may be years before it is done, but I promise to be patient. Because at the end of all that waiting I’ll be able to see the expression on Hegedus’s face when we walk into the room.”

The sun hung over the valley, reflecting bright glints from the small tracked vehicle standing there. As they walked over to it the engine started and it vibrated gently, waiting for them to enter

“The last machine,” Brion said as they closed the door and the vehicle started forward.

There was a box on the seat with all of their equipment still intact inside of it, Lea took out the radio and handed it to Brion. “Please call the life ship. Give it urgent instructions so it will be waiting for us when we get out of this place. I’ve had enough of this planet — as well as the last one.”

When the canyon emerged onto the grassy plain the silver needle of the spacecraft was standing there before them. The robot car stopped — and the engine died away into silence.

After all the centuries of destruction, the war was finally done.