The biologist was squatting at a safe distance watching the convulsive struggles of the dragon with fascinated eyes.
Yes, please do not destroy it utterly. A snake-a flying snake! But that is not
possible!
Maybe not on Terra, Kimber reminded him. What can we say is possible or impossible here? Jorge, put it out of its misery!
The green ray clipped the top of the creatures head and it went limp on the sand. Tas approached it gingerly, keeping as far as he could from the tail barb still exuding the yellow venom. Rogan went back down the beach to retrieve his spider collection, and Dard picked up and wiped his knife clean.
Flying snakes and swimming spiders, the communications techneer held out his stick for their appraisal. Im going to be afraid to sit down out here-anything may pop up now,
Tas was plainly torn between the now tractable dragon and the water dwellers Rogan had brought him. All this"- his pudgy hands indicated the world of cliffs, sand and sea -"new, unclassified.
Gully holstered his gun. He was frowning at the ceaseless waves.
What do you make of those, Sim? he demanded of the pilot, pointing to a low bank of clouds slowly expanding up the rim of the sky.
On earth, Id say a storm.
Might be a bad one, too, Rogan commented. And we have no shelter but the ship. At least this is summer- were warm enough.
You think so? asked Dard with some reason. The sea wind was rising, to become a wet lash with an icy bite in its flail. The temperature was dropping fast.
Kimber studied the clouds. Id say we better get back.
But when he turned inland his gasp brought them all around.
They had left the star ship on an even keel. Now it listed so that its nose pointed down the valley away from the sea.
A good half hour later Kimber got to his feet, relief mirrored on his face. One of the fins had broken through the fused coating the jet heat had put on the beach. But beneath the splintered glass crust it had found rock support -it would slip no farther. The scarred sides towering above them were no longer mirror bright as they had been in the Cleft, she had too many years, too long a voyage behind her. But she was not going to fail them.
Rock all right, Kimber repeated the statement he had made so joyfully a few minutes before. The ledge slants a little, which is why she canted that way. But shell stand. And, he did not need to draw their attention to the darkness closing in, maybe its some more luck at work again. With her nose pointing away from this breeze, shes less likely to come a cropper, even if it turns out to be a full-sized blow.
Dard held on to the rail of the ramp. The wind screamed around them, stirring up devils born of the powdery sand, which filled unwary eyes and any mouth that bad the misfortune to be open. The dust had already driven Kordov inside, his precious dragon in a pair of forceps. He was more interested in that and Rogans spiders than he now was in the ship.
Full- sized blow? drawled Rogan. This has the makings of a hurricane if Im any judge. And unless you fellas want to be buried alive in these marching sand dunes, youd better run for cover. As long as youre sure were not going to land bottom side up, I think its time to adjourn.
Dard followed him up the ramp just in time to escape a miniature sandstorm through which the other two had to fight their way. There was a brushing-off party in the air lock, but, as they climbed back to the crews quarters Dard could still taste grit in his mouth and hear it crunch under his feet.
Kordov was not to be found in the control cabin or bunk room when Kimber and the other two sat on the bunks and Dard dropped down cross-legged on the floor. The ship was vibrating under him. Could the wind have risen to that pitch already? It was Rogan who answered that.
Like to see whats happening out there? He got up and went into the control cabin.
Kimber and Dard got up to follow, but cully shook his head.
What you dont know, doesnt hurt you much, he remarked. And I dont see anything exciting about a sandstorm.
It was true that when Rogan adjusted the visa-screen there was little for them to see. The storm had brought night and obscurity. With an exclamation of annoyance, the techneer clicked off the viewer and they drifted back to find Cully asleep and Kordov climbing up to join them.
Your spiders, he burst out as soon as he sighted Rogan, are plants!
But they moved! protested Dard. They had legs.
Kordov shook his head. Roots, not legs. And plants they are in spite of being mobile. Some form of aquatic fungi.
Toadstools with legs yet! Rogan laughed. Next, trees with arms, I suppose. What about the dragon-was he a flying cabbage?
Kordov did not need any urging to discuss the dragon.
Poisonous reptile-and carnivorous. We shall have to beware of them. But it was full grown, we need not worry.
About their coming in larger sizes? asked the relaxed Kimber in a lazy voice. Let us be thankful for small favors and hope that they do a lot of that screeching when they go ahunting. But now-let us think about tomorrow.
And tomorrow-and tomorrow Rogan repeated sleepily hut Cully sat up thoroughly aroused.
When do we wake up the others? he wanted to know.
And are we going to stay right here?
Kordov locked his fingers behind his head and leaned back against the wall of the cabin. I will revive Dr. Skort - Carlee-in the morning. She can help me with the others. Do you intend to explore the immediate terrain then? We should decide soon whether to stay here or try to find semi-permanent headquarters elsewhere.
There is just one thing, said Kimber, I can lift ship again, yes. But I cant guarantee another safe landing. The fuel he shrugged. I dont know how long our voyage here lasted, but if we hadnt made this landfall when we did, we might not have been able to come in at all.
So? Kordovs lips shaped a soundless whistle. Then we had better be very sure before we think of a move. What about taking out the sled?
Ill break it out first thing tomorrow. That is, I will if this storm blows itself out by then. I dont propose to take that contraption up in a high wind-the bugs arent out of it yet, Kimber retorted.
And how about food? Cully asked. Specifically here and now for us, and objectively for the rest when they wake up.
Specifically, Kordov opened one of the storage cabinets and took out five small packages which he tossed around to the company. Concentrates. But, youre right, supplies are not going to last forever. We shall not be able to awaken all our company until we are reasonably sure of food and shelter. But-well get Harmon out of storage and have him investigate the soil up river where the vegetation is so thick. The exploration party might also hunt.
Not dragons, I hope, Rogan mumbled through a mouthful of the dry concentrate cake. I have a distinct feeling dragons will not agree with my internal arrangements! Or traveling fungi either
For the first time Dard ventured to break in upon his elders. Some fungi-mushrooms-are good. He had no desire to lunch off red spiders, but he knew what real hunger meant and if it were a question of being hungry or eating swimming mushrooms, he could close his eyes and eat.
Just so, Kordov beamed at him. And we shall investigate the food value of these. I shall get the hamsters out of cold storage and try the local products on them.
So if they dont curl up and go blue in the face we feast, Kimber stretched and yawned. Since we have quite a full day before us tomorrow, suppose we hit the sack now. Toss for the bunks and the acceleration pads.