The Project

Chapter 33

The Project Chapter 33

At this point, Drok's mother and brother entered. Dropping what appeared to be a cross bow, she cried out with joy as she reached her arms around Drok and hugged him as hard as she could. Alex thought she looked like an sss that was aging gracefully. No flab, she too looked as though she could bust his head with one whack. Drok's brother was standing nearby holding a rather fancy looking cross bow, not much different than the ones he'd seen at the sporting goods store in Cortez. He would have to get a closer look at these weapons the first chance he got. Drok's brother was giving everyone concerned looks, he seemed glad his older brother was home, but who were these other people?"

To Alex, he was every bit as muscular as Drok just a little shorter; finally, Blaagis was able to call for order, as he introduced everyone there. Drok's mother was named Chasi, while his brother was called Udel. Both were giving Arna and Garmik strange looks like they might kill them at any moment. Drok noticed this asking his mother what was wrong.

"Nothing…Nothing is wrong, it's just that I have never seen mechanical people before." This caused Blaagis to give him a puzzled look, but then he immediately dismissed her comments. Alex and Kelly then drew her attention

"And what do we have here?"

"You have Alex Russom and Kelly Parkinson; we're from the planet earth."

"Planet earth eh?" Said Chasi, "Are you full grown or still children?"

Alex didn't care for her attitude, what the hell was her problem?"

"We're teenagers!" Injected Kelly, "We're here with Arna and Garmik over there. Not liking where the conversation seemed to be heading, Alex asked.

"Those are some cool crossbows, did you make them?"

"Are you familiar with these weapons?" Asked Drok's mother.

"Sure," he replied, they've been around on earth for at least a thousand years. The modern ones are made with better materials, more metal and composite materials, but basically the same weapon created a long time ago."

"Have you ever fired one?" Asked Udel.

"Uhh no, although they still make them, they are primarily used for hunting, I prefer a gun."

"A gun?" Asked Chasi, "What is that?" Alex thought that he'd mentioned something that maybe he shouldn't have. Looking around at Arna, Garmik and even Drok, he received no indication one way or another.

"Well it's just a weapon we use to hunt with," said Alex, rather hastily.

Drok's mother had already moved on to talking about the fact that she hadn't planned on cooking supper because of the party honoring Drok.

"There will be plenty of food; I shot a barbong this morning, so Udel and I were down at the square getting it ready to roast for this evening. A barbong, as Alex and the others were to learn was similar to a feral hog. Alex described a Shadox, but from the description, a barbong was somewhat larger, quicker afoot, and vicious when cornered. They roamed in packs like feral hogs, or the Shadox, and were fond of rooting up the local halx crop.

Alex thought it best that he not say any more about his AR, or even his shotgun, maybe these people would take a shine to the novelty of firearms, and try to wangle him out of his.

"Well the party should be getting under way about now," announced Chasi, "Let's be off." As the group slowly headed for the village square Alex noticed that Udel and Bria had struck up a conversation, with he telling jokes, and she laughing at them. Alex and Kelly more or less headed up the rear, taking time to carefully observe the village, as well as the canyon it was tucked into. As before he noticed the homes were neat and well kept, a feature he found hard to square with these "Incredible hulks" and their sss wives, but here was the proof so what could he say?

As they neared the square, they could hear the sound of drums beating; Alex didn't pay much attention at first, caught up in the crowds of people spilling out into the street looking for a good time. The closer they got, the drums became more pronounced, in fact Alex began to notice that it had a really rocking beat. He wasn't the only one either, Kelly started to rock to the beat as well. There was also the sound of a clarinet, or something that sounded like one. The crowd was dancing and clapping, and from the looks of things doing a lot of drinking as well. The drummers were knocking out an irresistible beat; Alex called out to Kelly,

"Hey Kelly, let's dance!" A big smile appeared on her face as the two of them just let the music take over. Alex found it strange a culture like this would have music like this, but then a lot of things about these people wasn't making much sense. Right now, it was time to dance and just have a good time. Kelly seemed to be having a good time as well really getting into her dance. Others were now hopping and jumping around, but unlike Alex and Kelly who were dancing, but not physically touching each other the other dancers were. People were grabbing their partners and tossing them around and even picking them up.

The music seemed to have a hypnotic effect on everybody but by now Alex and Kelly were having to concentrate more on avoiding the other dancers who were now quite exuberant and bumping into each other. Alex was forced to grab Kelly and pull her out of the way from a couple lost in themselves that would have rolled right over her.

The dance had now taken on an ominous and edgy tone; both teens moved off to the side watching the whole thing become something short of a controlled street brawl. They didn't seem to be in any danger, so Alex looked around for his hosts but they weren't readily visible. Hungry and thirsty, they sought out the barbong roast where the Gri'Foda equivalent of beer was also being served. Alex then spotted Drok and his dad, but they were laughing and talking with a group of other men. Someone shoved a plate piled with steaming meat and something that looked like diced red potatoes, along with a large mug of beer. Kelly was equally equipped, so they sought out a large flat rock where they could sit, and observe the festivities at a safe distance.

Both Alex and Kelly remarked at how good the food tasted,

"I don't know about you," said Kelly, "But this is some damn good barbeque. The meat's not greasy, just a bit dry but that's all right, I hate most pork barbeque."

"Same here," replied Alex, "These halax taste just like red potatoes, pretty good sauce on 'em as well." As they were eating, Alex asked,

"Is there anything about this planet that seems strange to you?" She looked around and shrugged.

"Other than that drum music being a little out-of-place for people like these, not really…Why?"

"I don't know, this whole place just doesn't seem…Right, sss's and Incredible Hulks, only they aren't green, but red, and all looking like they would pound the crap out of you at the slightest provocation."

"Oh you're just being silly," replied Kelly. "Look, there's Bria and what's his name…Udel, they look like they are having a good time." Alex sighed,

"You know, you're a pretty good dancer, Kelly giggled,

"Well you're not so bad yourself, but then I suppose you went to all the school dances." He snorted,

"You think? Actually Wyatt, Nathan and I always went by ourselves hoping to pick someone up, but we always just stood around looking stupid."

"Well all I know," replied Kelly, "Is that you were really getting down out there." Alex just chuckled.

He finished eating then began to sip on his beer,

"You know this isn't half bad beer, I wonder if they make it here?"

"Well why wouldn't they?" Replied Kelly.

"Cause you need stuff like barley, hops, brewers yeast, I didn't notice a whole lot of farm fields."

"Aw who cares," replied Kelly, "All I know is that this stuff is pretty good, and nobody's "carding" me, f**k it, I wanna get drunk!" After they had finished their first mugs, both teens were still able to walk, and find their way over to the outdoor bar where one of the "hulks" was filling mugs. After they had both gotten "topped off," Alex suggested a bench under a weird looking tree where they would be out of the sun, but could be seen by their friends.

The next thing Alex remembered was waking up. Looking around, he realized that he was still sitting on the bench but Kelly wasn't around, neither was anyone else. The sky was filled with stars, along with two planets roughly the size of the moon. Thinking it was probably a good idea to head back to the ship he tried to get up but simply couldn't. Thinking that Kelly or Bria had somehow glued his pants to the bench he tried even harder, but only managed to fall down.

Thinking to himself,

"Now what the hell am I going to do, s**t! I can't get up!" Lying on his side trying to build up enough "steam" to make another try, something caught his eye.

Looking towards the street he caught the sight of three "Hulks" standing there looking around. He started to call out but at the last moment changed his mind as something about them didn't look right.

Suddenly a cold chill went down his back as he realized that he was seeing ghosts.

The three appeared to be dressed as soldiers with some sort of dull looking armor, and all carrying extremely large weapons. Two of them wore helmets that resembled Roman helmets minus the crests on the tops. They were talking to themselves and pointing but he couldn't understand them. Finally they threw their weapons over their massive shoulders and headed off in the direction of the small lake farther up the canyon. He lay there for a moment wondering just what the hell was going on.

When Alex awoke again, he was in his bunk clothes and all. Looking around his eyes focused on Garmik performing one of his inspections on an electrical system junction module.

"Garmik, who brought me back here? Garmik turned to him and replied,

"I did, Arna carried Kelly, the party was ending when we found you and Kelly passed out under a tree. Drok was afraid that Clandian beer was a bit too strong for you two.

"Wait a minute!" Exclaimed Alex, "You said that the party was ending when you brought us back here, when was that?"

"Around dusk, the sun was just starting to disappear on the horizon."

"Something's wrong here?" Thought Alex, "I remember waking up and it was well after dark, plus there wasn't anyone around except…" Another cold chill went down his spine

"f**k!" He whispered to himself.

"Where is everyone?" He asked Garmik,

"Well your friend Kelly is right over there in her bunk, although it doesn't appear that she's awake yet. Bria is off with that Udel fellow, I'm just finishing up here but then I'll be joining Drok and Arna over at his office. Later we're scheduled to take a trip out into the wasteland, Drok and his father want to show us something."

Alex slowly eased himself out of his bunk and made right for the ships head with the feeling that he was going to be sick. After five minutes of waiting, the feeling began to pass. Popping a couple aspirin, he thought he'd try and meet the day. Kelly was just climbing out of her bunk as well, and like Alex, she had to make a fast trip to the bathroom with the same results.

"I thought for sure I was going to toss," said Alex, but I waited for a few minutes and the feeling passed…Weird!"

"Same here," replied Kelly, but that was some really good beer."

"It sure was," he replied. "Say Kelly, do you remember when they brought us back here, Garmik told me it was just before it got dark, do you remember?"

"Whew!" She exclaimed, "I was three sheets to the wind, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't dark yet, Bria told me these people don't like to be out much after dark."

Alex nodded in agreement, and muttered,

"And I know why."

"What did you say?"

"Nothing, never mind," replied Alex. "Say where is Bria anyway?" Kelly snickered, "I think she spent the night with Udel." Alex belched, then replied,

"No comment."

"Now you leave her alone!" Snapped Kelly, "I like her a lot, if she wants to have a good time it's none of our business."

"Whatever." Garmik approached them and announced,

"I'm finished with my inspection let's go join Drok and Arna over at his office.

As they walked over to the new office Alex kept staring out towards the vast openness of the dead lands. The sun was starting to get hot, and the wind seemed to be picking up. Just then a strange looking vehicle went skating by; both he and Kelly did double takes as they followed what looked like a sailboat on wheels.

"The f**k!" Gasped Alex.

"The Gri'Foda call them "wind wagons," explained Garmik, "That's how they travel around the wastes."

"Way cool!" Exclaimed Kelly, "I hope we get to ride in one." Both watched as the wagon disappeared into the distance. As they approached Drok's new office, Alex noticed that it had a sort of temporary look about it, he hoped that it wasn't a reflection on Drok or this planet; hopefully, it was the way all of them were built.

The office was very bright with a futuristic look to it. The building was constructed in a sort of "I" shape, A large office on one end, with a counter area in the center with another office on the other end. Instead of an office, the room looked to be a conference room holding a rectangular table and chairs. Part of the room also contained communication equipment which Drok and Arna were discussing. Drok turned to the two teens and dryly commented,

"It would seem that Clandian beer has rather deleterious effects on you two." Kelly uttered a nervous laugh,

"Well it was good beer, what can we say?"

"Well you can say maybe next time I'll go a little easy on my drinking."