The Project

Chapter 32

The Project Chapter 32

Ussen Ommo seemed to have a haze over the entire planet, they traveled at what Alex guessed was around twenty thousand feet so as to get a good view of things, what Alex and the others saw simply made them gasp.

Alex thought they could have been flying over the Sahara or some vast desert. Arna monitored the scanner which indicated "hot spots" of contamination. They were high enough not to have to worry, but they wouldn't be able to land in those areas.

There were no trees, no structures of any kind, absolute total wasteland. Eventually they began to arrive over very rocky terrain but still no vegetation of any kind, just stark brutal rock. Then they began to spot the remains of extremely large structures scattered on the ground some of them partially covered with sand or soil.

All that wreckage you see down there," explained Drok, "Are all that's left of incredible fighting machines. Most of them are contaminated by whatever powered them. Shortly we will travel over an area you simply won't believe."

Both Alex and Bria were commenting on the fact that they weren't seeing any trees, or vegetation of any kind,

"I don't know who these people were," he whispered to Bria, "But they sure f****d this planet up." Both Bria and Kelly were equally upset by what they were seeing,

"This is unreal," replied Bria, "We dwarves have had our little "spats" with our neighbors in the past, but we didn't literally erase every trace of vegetation. "

"I think it was the weapons they were using, chemical or nuc's, or some sort of radioactive contamination like that." Bria acted puzzled by his comments but said nothing.

Soon they began to over fly places Alex and his friends thought were ruined cities.

"Aren't those ruined cities?" Asked Alex, pointing to the massive wreckage appearing on the scanner.

"No," replied Drok, shaking his head.

"Those are the remains of war machines, they are just so thick on the ground they resemble ruined cities."

They continued to pass over areas so thick with debris and wreckage Alex doubted anyone could even walk there. In fact, he began to use the special eyepiece on his headset to study the scanner images much closer. All he could do was shudder as he observed scenes that made the pictures of Berlin, Hiroshima, and Stalingrad look like nothing.

As he became more familiar with the eyepiece, he focused it on areas especially thick with wreckage. Finally he could begin to see evidence of structures, and destroyed buildings. He also discovered that if he concentrated on looking at something, the image he was seeing became 3D.

"Those are the places most contaminated," pointed out Drok, we can continue to view the destruction if you like, but it's rather pointless, the "green" area is not that far away, come, let's go there."

All readily agreed, Alex flipped up the eyepiece, and replied,

I'm so sorry Drok, my own planet are experts at war as well, but even we haven't done anything as bad as this."

"There's nothing to be sorry about," replied Drok, "We will retain the worst areas, if only for those who wish to see what war can lead to. The cleansing of Ussen Ommo will take many yarns; we will slowly expand out from the "green" area skirting the worst areas. We will recover, you will see."

Drok directed Arna towards the only place on the planet that contained any vegetation, and where the only settlement existed.

"That is Shongvac, the capitol, and only settlement on Ussen Ommo," announced Drok, as they approached a large area that looked to be nestled in a large box canyon, there also appeared to be a small lake at one end, the canyon walls rising up around it. Alex expected to see a collection of rude huts and shacks, but instead saw structures built of brick and stone, there were also structures that looked to be built up along the canyon walls. Drok indicated to Arna that she should land in a cleared area near the open end of the canyon as that was the planet's "official" landing port.

"That must be my new office and communications tower, over on the edge of the landing area," said Drok, "Airron told me they were constructing one." Alex looked at a small building with what appeared to be a steel spire next to it sitting between the landing area and the mouth of the canyon.

"Is this where you and Gideon landed before?" Asked Kelly.

"No," she replied I think it was on the other side of the planet."

As they landed, Alex kept an inconspicuous eye on the radiation indicator, but it stayed in the "no danger" level. When they exited the craft it seemed to be in the high 70's to Alex but with a very slight breeze.

"Well at least it's not some damn desert anyway." Bria pointed to the "welcoming" committee that was coming their way, Drok stepped to the front of the group and raised his hand palm out. At this signal, the local's began to walk faster, and even began to cheer. As they got closer, Alex could see that all appeared to be wearing everyday type clothing, pants and shirts but nothing colorful. He chuckled to himself as he imagined them as a bunch of bikers, or wrestlers, but definitely people not to f**k with. There were several women and even a scattering of children, all looking like "bust-ass" bruisers. The women were actually not bad looking, but still looked like Amazons or women wrestlers. "So this is what constitutes the survivors of the war," he thought.

The people formed a large circle around the group as Drok introduced them and told everyone he was glad to be back.

Then a large man stepped forward reaching out to grip Drok's outstretched hand. Alex assumed he must be Drok's father, and judging by their grip he guessed they could crush coal in their locked hands and make diamonds.

"Welcome home Drok it has been too long, we received word that you have been named as a representative of the Oxynian Trading Company, and I see you brought friends."

"Yes I did father," replied Drok. "This is Garmik; the purifiers are to be built on his planet, with some of his people coming here to dismantle the scrap. They are all androids that will be able to work in contaminated areas. This is Arna, Garmik's friend and our pilot. Bria is the daughter of the king of Doradus; they too are experts at metal working. Finally we have two young people from a distant world called earth. Everyone, this is my father Blaagis." They all shook hands with him, but trying to grip his massive paw was practically impossible.

"Where's mother?" Asked Drok,

She and your brother are out hunting, they should be returning soon, come let's get your things and return home. Come everybody, we have much to talk about."

Not knowing exactly what the situation would be, Alex, Kelly and Bria returned to the ship and grabbed their flight bags, then followed the procession as it headed back into the canyon. As they walked, all three took the opportunity to study their surroundings. The red rock canyon reminded Alex of places in his home state; Kelly even thought the place reminded her of the "Garden of the Gods," near Colorado Springs. Although the rest of the planet was bereft of plant life it certainly wasn't lacking here. Getting a closer look at the homes, Alex could see pride, it was obvious they didn't have much else, but judging from the neatness, and orderliness these Gri'Foda certainly had pride in themselves, always a good sign. The brick and stone had obviously come from nearby but he also noticed something else. Where there would normally be wooden trim around the house back on earth, there was metal. The roofs were of painted metal sheeting, and various trim was metal. It gave the homes somewhat of a commercial look, but he guessed that wood was in such short supply here metal was substituted, probably scavenged from all the wreckage no doubt.

Alex also noticed that all the homes were somewhat larger than he was used to seeing, especially the doors, they too looked to be metal. Drok's father led them to a modest looking place along a dirt, but well groomed street nestled between two other houses with the rear facing one wall of the canyon. Stopping at the front door, Blaagis held his hand up, and announced to the crowd behind them.

"We will be at the party shortly; I wish to speak with my son, as well as his guests first." Everybody cheered their approval, dispersing back to their homes. Entering the home, Alex took careful note of the furnishings, and interior. The walls appeared to be plastered and painted bright colors with various designs and symbols all over them. The furniture all seemed to be made of wood.

However, he noticed what looked like a small table, and a couple chairs were made of metal, and looked like they were salvaged from a spacecraft, or possibly some sort of vehicle. Blaagis indicated that everyone should sit while he admired his son for a moment.

"Shongvak is throwing a party in your honor," announced Blaagis, but it will begin a little later, right now I wish to know more of this plan of yours to restore Ussen Ommo." Drok grinned, and leaned back in his chair,

"Well nothing will happen until those purifiers are built, and transported here I don't know if any of Garmik's people will arrive here first, that won't be up to me. Like we told you father, the purifiers will hopefully be built on Xindus, Garmik's home world, but all this has to be arranged with the council that runs his planet. All that, will be handled at their end by Deev Mocon, and Zeb Kifire the Oxynian representatives on Fort Kamata, which oversees that part of the Golian Empire."

"Well how long will this take?" Asked Drok's father,

"Actually not that long," injected Garmik.

"The purifiers will be assembled in space; however the decks and various components such as the engines, crew area, the bridge, factory areas will be constructed on the ground according to standard prints. Believe me sir; this is the sort of thing my people specialize in. According to Airron Deegom back on Grieshah Gra, the project has a high priority so I would guess around six to seven months. Those purifiers are spacecraft in their own right so it's just a matter of flying them here."

"He's right," added Drok, don't worry. Garmik is here to get an idea of the challenges awaiting the machines, as well as the androids that will come to dismantle the wreckage.

Blaagis frowned, then replied,

"I worry Drok, I worry that something will go wrong and we will be forgotten again." Drok shook his head in disagreement, while his father spoke to the others.

"I don't know how much Drok has told you about Ussen Ommo, but we find ourselves in a situation here. The planet is contaminated from the effects of a long ago war, if you have flown over the surface, you have no doubt seen the vast destruction…It is a heritage we want no part of, it is a ghost we wish to be rid of."

Alex took a chance, and spoke up.

"Sir, we did fly over your planet, I saw with my own eyes the incredible destruction yet still find what I saw hard to believe. So you wish to be completely rid of all traces, as well as any reminders of your past?" Blaagis nodded his head.

"Yes. I don't know how many yarns I have to live, but it is my only wish to remain alive long enough to see every trace of wreckage and destruction totally wiped from this accursed world. These purifier machines will scrub the land pushing back the contaminated areas then the scavengers can come and rid us of all those ghastly reminders moldering out there in the dead lands." Alex was quite surprised at his response and attitude towards Ussen Ommo's past, tragic history or not.

Drok and Garmik patiently explained to Blaagis more details of the plan everybody was hoping would save the planet. Alex was puzzled by all this interest in scrap metal but asking Drok, he was told.

"If all this was just about simple scrap metal, I certainly wouldn't be here, nor would there be any talk about salvaging. All that wreckage we flew over is loaded with certain metals that cost a fortune to produce from ore. And not only that, all that wreckage contains electronics. Naturally, all of it is obsolete, but again, all of it contains rare metals, and derivatives highly sought after. This is what will pay for the purifiers to restore the health of the soil and the land."

"I take it there are places that contain wreckage that are not contaminated," asked Alex.

"Oh yes," replied Blaagis, over the yarns, we have dragged teggons of scrap across the dead lands using it in our homes, that table and those chairs are all part of it. We excel in metalworking fabricating all manor of things from the scrap."

Alex then asked,

"What prevents hordes of scavengers from coming here and just helping themselves?"

"A number of yarns ago, we entered into an agreement with the Oxynian Trading Company," explained Drok. In exchange for protection they get a percentage on scrap recovery. Until recently, things just dragged along, but after taking a scholarship to Dy Meda University I felt the only way to speed things up as it were was to become part of the organization and become directly involved with the rejuvenation of my planet. I also suspect that the demand for rare metals and electronic scrap is driving this effort as well, but that's all right, everyone benefits from this."

Drok's father then lowered his voice,

"There is another reason why no one attempts to plunder us…Over the yarns; we often come across spacecraft just sitting out near wreckage sites. There is no one around, the ships are empty, yet everything is as though they just stepped out and intend to return. Since we do not know haw to fly these craft, they are still out there, we scavenge what we need some of these craft have carried land vehicles some which you will see later on."

"So you've got people disappearing without a trace out there?" Asked Bria.

"We will never know how many." Garmik then asked,

"I wasn't aware of this fact, this concerns me, what about the people who will be coming from Xindus." Drok grinned,

"But aren't all your people androids?"

"Yes, but what difference will that make?" Questioned Garmik.

"Whatever is out there will have absolutely no effect on androids. I don't know why, but believe me you have absolutely nothing to worry about."

Well I certainly hope you are right," replied Garmik, "I'm responsible for their welfare.