Taming a Planet (Trapped in Time Book 2) (29 page)

Maxius, Lyla, and Mark stared at the targets and they turned to Harvey. Lyla said, “What’s going on, Harvey? This is spooky.”

Harvey took a breath and exhaled slowly. “There is a lot we don’t know about the human mind. We know there are stories about how twins seem to know what each of them are thinking. I’ve been watching Melody and I’m certain that if she’s different in any way from Harmony, I’ve not seen it.”

Mark said, “What do you mean?”

Harvey turned and looked in Mark’s eyes, “I don’t want to believe it but it’s like the same person existed in two different lives. I really think that Melody knows everything that Harmony knew just below the surface of her consciousness. I also suspect that Harmony also knew everything Melody knew. They were connected in a way that we can’t understand. I think I know why Harmony’s last request was for Andy to save her sister.”

Lyla said, “Why?”

“She was telling him to save her.”

Maxius shook his head, “That’s impossible.”

“Then explain how she has never picked up a rifle and hit all four bull’s eyes with a wind blowing? None of you could do it and you’ve fired rifles.”

Maxius looked at Melody transfixed on the target and looked back at Harvey, “What do you think is going on in her mind?”

“She’s confused and mixed up. I hope she can handle this.”

• • •

Andy waited patiently and watched Melody continue to stare at the targets. After ten minutes she said without looking at him, “How did you know?”

“You are too much alike.”

“She’s inside of me.”

“No, she’s part of you. She is you.”

Melody turned and looked at Andy. “I can’t accept that.”

Andy stared at her and said, “Come with me.” He took her hand and pulled her back toward the archery targets. They passed the four leaders and they remained where they were standing. They arrived at Andy’s bundle and he reached down into it and pulled out a pouch and picked up a red blaster inside a holster. He strapped the blaster around Melody’s waist and said, “You can defend your Cursor. Use this blaster and always carry a rifle. I don’t think anything will endanger you.”

“But…”

Andy put his index finger on Melody’s lips and handed her a dark colored pouch, “There is a book inside this that I want you to read. Get Maxius to gather provisions from storage that will last you about four weeks.”

“But…”

Andy shook his head, “Forty miles south of here is another cave and you open it by pulling the switch to the left side of it. Melody will barely fit inside but she will fit. Take this book and read it without anyone around to interrupt you. You can read, can’t you?”

“Not the language you normally speak.”

“This is written in English.”

“Who wrote this?”

Andy smiled, “Someone that I know closely. When you finish it, come back. Will you do this for me?”

Melody stared at Andy and after a moment nodded.

Andy sighed, “Good.” He turned and walked away as Harvey and the others walked up. Melody looked at them and Harvey saw the pouch she was holding, “What are you doing with that?”

“Andy has asked me to read it.”

Harvey looked at Andy walking away and turned back to Melody, “Please take care of it. It is beyond value.”

Melody nodded, “Maxius, he asked me to get you to give me enough provisions to last four weeks.”

“WHAT?”

Harvey looked at Maxius and said, “Our leader has issued an order.”

Maxius looked at Harvey and then looked at Melody, “Come with me.” Melody went with him and two warriors assisted her taking the supplies to the Cursor pen. She saddled Melody and hooked the provisions to the saddle. She climbed up and slung the rifle over her shoulder. Lyla looked at her, “Where are you going?”

“Andy gave me a place to go about forty miles south of here. I’m pretty certain I can find it.”

Lyla looked up at the sun, “It’s going to be dark in a few hours. Are you sure you want to leave now?”

Melody looked down at Lyla, “If I don’t go now, I won’t. Thanks, Lyla for all you’ve done. You are really a good friend.” Melody nudged the huge Cursor with her knees and it turned and exploded away from the pen. Lyla’s mouth fell open and she knew that Melody would arrive at her destination long before sunset. They were a small dot in the distance and getting smaller as she watched them.

• • •

Melody sat on her Cursor and forgot her anxiety as they rocketed down the beach. Andy was right about Melody’s speed, it was unbelievable and the giant cursor loved running. Melody knew they could have run all the way to the cave but she wanted time out in the open. She slowed and felt the love of her Cursor. It was a tight fit when they arrived at the cave, but Andy was right. Melody was able to crawl inside.

She sat down and started a fire. Melody had eaten at the river before they entered and she was tired. She went to the stream in the rear of the cave to drink and then found a place close to Melody and lay down. Melody started to open the book and then put it down. She pulled the cutter out of its holder on the saddle and walked into the middle of the cave. She extended the blade to its maximum length. She closed her eyes and started the dance. In a few moments she opened her eyes and continued the intricate movements. Her eyes narrowed and she knew that she didn’t need to close her eyes anymore. She continued the dance until she was too tired to continue. She went to the fire, opened a pouch and took out some food. She put it down beside her and opened the book Andy had given her. She read;

“I awoke in a cave with hundreds of other humans all dressed in clothing from different times in Earth’s history. My last memory is of the giant Great White Shark bearing down on me with its eyes rolling back and a mouth full of four inch long teeth…”

Melody continued reading until late into the night. She finally found her eyes closing and she put the book back in its pouch and fell asleep. She wanted to read more but it would have to wait for the next day.

• • •

Harvey waited until the next day and called for Andy to come to the Holy Cave. Andy arrived and Harvey led him over to a secluded place and said, “I’m troubled by this development.”

“You’re not alone.”

Harvey shook his head and sighed, “My mind is telling me that it isn’t Harmony but my eyes are yelling at me to get real.”

Andy sat down and shook his head, “You and I both know at some level that this is just not possible; but Harvey, her every mannerism is exactly the same. The tone of her voice is the same. Her smile, her frown, her laugh…”

“Do you have any notion as to how this can be?”

“I’ve lost sleep thinking about this over the last two days but I think it started with the death of her family when the Destroyers took her and her sister into captivity. They were taken into a society where there was no happiness, only absolute depravity and cruelty. I know that twins normally share a connection that only they understand. I think at some level that they were connected and that connection was the only thing that kept them sane. They were the same person living in two different places. I keep remembering Harmony’s eyes as she asked me to save Melody. I think she felt the connection disappearing and knew that I had to try and save her.”

“Why?”

Andy blew out a breath and looked Harvey in the eyes, “Because the only thing that kept her sister sane was going to die with her.”

Harvey stared at Andy and said, “You know she will not love you.”

Andy stared at Harvey and said, “Harvey, you’re looking at this from the perspective of a normal person.”

“What do you mean?”

“She will have no choice but to love me. That part of Harmony is inside her. Do you really see it differently?”

Harvey thought about it and shook his head, “That could drive her insane.” Andy nodded. “Is that why you sent her away?”

“She has to be away from me until she can cope with this. I hope reading the book will also help.”

“What about you? You are a normal person. Can you love her after Harmony?”

Andy looked at Harvey, “You gave me that book for a reason. That tells me you read it.”

“At least ten times.”

“Then you should know the answer to your question.”

Harvey stared at Andy and then shook his head, “Just don’t go crazy on me.”

“I was very close to that when I planned to attack the Destroyers. I’m at peace now.”

“How do you see them responding to your message?”

“They’ll be here with a massive force in about three months.”

“How can you be certain about the time?”

“It makes sense. The wind is currently out of the east and will continue for another five months. At that point it will shift and blow from the west. That leader of theirs knows we now have more than fifty of his ships and we will then be able to use them to go after him. He’s not going to wait for the wind to change before he acts.”

Harvey rubbed his chin with his right hand and sighed, “I have to agree with you. So how do we meet them?”

“This fight will be easier than the last one.”

“Oh! I really hope you’re right. We didn’t lose anyone in the last one.”

“Chang died from the tree but essentially you’re right. They know we can be invisible but they don’t know that we can fly. That is the difference maker. They’ll believe that we stormed their ships with invisible boats. They’ll be looking for wakes approaching their vessels and open fire on any they see. Of course there won’t be any and when they arrive here, they’ll find they can do nothing to get at us.” Harvey’s eyes narrowed. Andy smiled, “We’re going to haul the cannons off half the boats to the top of the cliff where we’ll anchor them. We’ll have the crews teach us how to fire them and we’ll spend the next three months getting our accuracy down to a fine art. We control the high ground and they won’t be able to move their ships close enough to fire cannons into our Community.”

“What do you see them doing?”

“The cliffs run for hundreds of miles north and south of here. They’ll sail south and try to find a place for their forces to climb over.”

“Why would they not sail north?”

“Then we would be between them and their route home. They’ll come from the south and will not encounter any problems from that direction. They’ll sail south.”

“What do you intend to do?”

“I’m not sure.”

“About what?”

“I’m trying to decide if I should take their ships, which means I will have to allow them to land their warriors, or just destroy them.”

“There are a large number of slaves on those ships.”

“I know.”

Harvey thought for a moment and said, “Have you considered that having that many ships here might entice whoever is coming from off the planet to come here?”

Andy’s head jerked up, “No, I haven’t; that is something I missed. You’re right, we need to take the ships.”

“Will that put more of us in jeopardy?”

“Of course it will; we’ll have to come within range of their rifles, but I think we can avoid major problems.”

“What if they climb the cliff and come over the top toward us?”

“It all boils down to their training. Coming over the cliff is something they’ll shy away from.”

“Why?”

“They’ve been trained to operate in formations that advance and cover each other. All they could do on top of the cliff is march toward us in ranks fifteen across. They’ll want to come overland and use what they know.” Andy paused, “Besides, if they come over the top, two archers could fly by and kill them all. There’s nowhere for them to hide on the top of the cliff.”

Harvey thought about it and after a few moments, nodded, “When are you going to start moving the cannons?”

“I need to talk to Maxius and see what he needs to hoist them up. Once he’s ready, we’ll bring the ships to start the process.”

“Let me know if I can do anything to assist you.”

Andy stood up and extended his hand, “You’ve already done more than you know.”

“Oh? How’s that?”

“That book saved me. Thanks.”

Harvey shook Andy’s hand and they felt the close bond of brothers that aren’t related. Andy left the cave and Harvey called a young assistant and gave him instructions. The assistant ran out of the cave and picked up a glider pack outside the entrance. There might be a few items that Andy could use in the coming conflict. He’d know shortly.

M
elody woke and picked up the book but saw Melody was shaking. She sighed and stood up. She dressed and quickly ate some dried meat and berries. She stared toward the entrance and Melody jumped to her feet. She stopped and had a thought. She turned around and put her hand and said, “Stop!” Melody stopped and sat down on her back legs. Melody looked the giant Cursor expectantly waiting to go outside. She knew that it was her destiny to be here at this time and place. She put her arms at her side and said, “Destiny, come.” The Cursor tilted her head and stared at her. Melody said, “Destiny, come.” The Cursor didn’t move. For the next thirty minutes Melody repeated the command with no response and she almost gave up. Then she closed her eyes and felt how much she loved the huge dinosaur and said softly, “Destiny, come.”

She kept her eyes closed and suddenly felt her huge head rubbing against her. She opened her eyes and hugged the Cursor and rubbed her jaw. “That is so good, Destiny.” She pointed to the back of the cave and Melody reluctantly moved to the back and sat down all the while wagging her huge tail. Melody said “Destiny, come.” The huge Cursor just sat and stared at her. Melody blew out a breath and softly said, “Destiny.” Melody raised her head and she said, “Come.” The Cursor trotted over.

Melody squealed and rubbed her jaw again. For the next week she refused to use Melody to command the Cursor but only called her Destiny. By the end of two weeks, the Cursor would no longer respond to her former name.

Melody opened the cave and Destiny crawled out behind Melody who had her camouflage uniform on as she scanned the clearing in front of the cave for predators. She allowed Destiny to come out and commanded her to look for predators. Destiny went up on her back legs and sniffed the air. She snorted and looked at the tree line south of them. Melody raised the whistle Maxius had given her and blew it. She saw the bushes at the edge of the tree line jerk and heard the roar of Raptors as they issued a warning as they fled from the sound. Melody pulled the red blaster out of its holster and walked with Destiny to the river where she fed on the moist vegetation. She rubbed her on the neck as she scanned the area for carnivores. Finally, Destiny finished and they walked back to the cave. Melody took the saddle from just inside the entrance and put in on the Cursor. She then turned the Cursor north and let her run for ten miles. She spun Destiny around and they ran back to the cave with Melody using her legs to direct Destiny to change direction. Destiny loved it and the sudden stops and reversal was the most fun of all. She loved sliding to a stop in the sand and whipping around to run the opposite way. They spent the morning running and both of them returned to the cave tired but fulfilled. Melody closed the entrance and ate another small meal as she opened the book and continued reading.