Sideshow Alley Read online

Colin took a sip of the drink and felt a warm glow spread throughout his body.

  ‘You were right, it is the ultimate game.’

  ‘That’s the way. How are things between you and your pilot these days?’

  ‘They couldn’t be better.’

  The Colonel drained his glass before saying, ‘I want to thank you for a top effort out there today. I couldn’t let you go without telling you.’

  ‘What about the others?’ Colin said.

  ‘They were pretty ordinary. They needed a kick up the arse to spur them on.’

  Colin nodded and finished his drink, then thanked the Colonel before leaving to rejoin the others.

  The mood in the mess at lunchtime was mixed and adrenalin levels still high. Most were just relieved it was over, while a few had been traumatised by the battle and stared vacantly. Fighters and pilots alike glanced at gaps at the table where absent friends used to sit and the talk was more subdued. Three more crews trooped through the doorway and a shout went up for friends thought lost. They were the fortunate ones whose craft had just been disabled. The whole mess clapped until they were seated, grateful that their friends had been spared and returned to them.

  The pilots vacated the mess just before 1300 hours and left the Weapon Officers to wait for the debriefing to commence. The Colonel breezed through the doorway not long after and went straight to the lectern, followed by Captain Jorgen.

  ‘Well Gentlemen, I see you have come through your baptism of fire unscathed, but there are some from the squadrons that didn’t.’ The Colonel looked down at the figures on his clipboard before saying, ‘We lost seven fighter craft from Juliet Squadron, six from Golf, five from Delta and three from Alpha. That’s a total of twenty-one craft lost and forty-two crew members dead!’ He paused to let it sink in before continuing, ‘Now there are always going to be casualties in battle—our aim is to keep that number to a minimum, while at the same time inflicting as much damage on our enemy as we can. I will tell you now, you’ll never do it by taking the enemy on head-to-head as you did today. You possess a much higher intelligence than them as well as the added advantage of a Battle Screen provided by the drones. Use these things to your advantage—Captain.’

  Captain Jorgen stepped up to the mike, ‘The film clip we are about to show you is from the battle in Alpha’s quadrant.’

  The wall adjacent lit up with footage of the two opposing forces as they advanced towards each other. Suddenly thirty rockets could be seen streaking towards the enemy as they flew every which way to avoid them. Five of the enemy craft erupted in a short-lived ball of flame before disintegrating, while another floated off uselessly to orbit the planet below.

  ‘That’s it. Stop the film right there!’ the Colonel yelled.

  ‘Now, do you see what I mean? The battle is just starting in Alpha’s quadrant and they have already eliminated six of the enemy. Proceed.’

  The film clip continued, showing various other actions during the battle that were commented on briefly by the Colonel. When it ended, he said, ‘The reality is that Alpha Squadron accounted for all of the enemy in its quarter today and the Lizards pulled fighters from the other quadrants to send against them—otherwise you might have ended up with a much higher casualty rate. Learn from today Gentlemen and above all, listen to your own Alpha Weapons Officer. I want all leaders to confer on tactics before each battle and get them sorted long before they hit the ramp.’

  ‘Below us is the planet Mirra, they’ve been in contact to thank us for ridding them of the Lizard plague. So you see, Gentlemen, the sacrifice was not in vain. The inhabitants below will be eternally grateful for our intervention. The Lizard Carrier you tangled with today will be licking its wounds for quite a while, but there will be others. That is all—you may go if you wish.’ The Colonel and Captain talked animatedly for a moment more before departing.

  The fighters were stunned momentarily by the revelations and turned to their friends from those wings that were there to seek confirmation. Wing Leaders sought each other out to talk tactics, while the Squadron Leaders conferred alone. Colin reiterated his belief on the use of barrages and this time they listened. He insisted they also be carried out whenever two or more enemy craft were together—stipulating their own staggered formation to circumvent the enemy from doing the same. Lastly, he apologised for not realising his own rank over them and insisting on all this earlier. To all it seemed one big learning curve.

  When finished some stayed on and poker schools sprang up, while Colin and Tiddles opted to go to the gym. There were a number of pilots already using the facility, Kyla and Eric among them. They approached their fighters on seeing them.

  ‘So what did the Colonel have to say?’ Kyla asked.

  ‘He was impressed with the barrages this morning, so we’ll be implementing them across the board,’ Colin confirmed.

  Eric was already looking at him in a new light in view of all the reports floating about the Pilots’ Quarters. He addressed Tiddles, ‘Is this so?’ and got a reassuring nod. ‘So next time we go out…?’

  ‘It should be on our terms,’ Tiddles told him, and Eric nodded his head gratefully.

  Still with time on their hands after the gym, Colin dragged Tiddles off to the library and introduced him to the Lexicon of Known Planets. He was impressed, especially when Colin brought Mirra up onscreen. It seemed its inhabitants were an ancient race, the planet itself being sandy with huge tracts of water dividing its lands. The larger cities that dominated the main ports embraced the space age, using its technology and transport. While in the hinterlands where the waters flooded the fertile valleys, they still farmed in the traditional way.

  When they had seen enough, Colin took Tiddles to his favourite place—the planetarium. From the viewing deck they could just make out the planet turning slowly beneath them through the swirling mass of cloud that covered it. Looking out and up though, only the blackness of space was visible. While they were there an announcement came over the P.A.

  ‘The Carrier Redemption will be orbiting while maintenance is carried out on its fighter fleet. Limited local leave is available for those who wish, starting from 0900 hours tomorrow morning. Leave will be according to wing and for six hours duration. For more information see the main noticeboard.’

  The two friends gave each other a high five.

  ‘It doesn’t get any better than this,’ Colin exclaimed.

  After the evening meal they checked out the noticeboard for any updates. It seemed the film that night was another Bogart and most importantly, the news confirming leave on the planet below them.

  When Colin returned to the mess that night it was in full swing. The hostesses were working the crews, hitting on those still traumatised or grieving to rebuild their shattered egos. Sami was working flat-out as well. His newest tatt was an honour roll with ‘Redemption’ at the top, and space for engagements fought. Some of the hardier fighters waited patiently, and naturally Mirra went into the first slot. Jimmy was playing poker and had corrupted Pee Wee, who filled one of the vacancies at the table. The beer flowed and only a handful watched the movie, despite its classic status.

  Someone offered Colin a beer—he looked up to see the Green Alpha fighter he and Jack had helped out that morning. He smiled and took it, then shook hands with the fellow before he departed.

  Kyla left Eric and the other pilots she was sitting with and joined him.

  ‘Are you going ashore tomorrow?’ she asked.

  ‘Bloody oath,’ he told her, ‘are you?’

  He watched as she nodded her pretty head.

  ‘Then I’ll see you there.’

  He motioned to Queenie, ‘Do you want one, too?’

  ‘I’ll pass. See you tomorrow,’ she said, before rejoining her friends.

  Eric smiled as he watched Colin and Queenie depart.

  ‘He’s a strange fellow, that one,’ he told Kyla on her return.

  Shore Leave

  Colin visited the library again before
breakfast the next morning and brought up a map of the main city of Chugra, where they would be spending their leave. He looked at all the points of interest and made several hard copies to give to Tiddles, Jimmy and Co.

  At 0800 the Colonel held a short, but moving service for those lost in battle. There were no remains, just their names entered on the Redemption’s Honour Roll. Small consolation for any of the Zylon pilot’s grieving parents, while those of their Earth counterparts would never know the true fate of their loved ones, just the knowledge that they were deceased and a payout to compensate for their loss.

  The Prathkos guarded the teleporter and before anyone could beam down they had to front the paymaster who had set up a table opposite, in order that spending credits could be drawn to cover their expenses below. Colin withdrew the money he had won days before and followed Kyla after she had beamed down. He found that the Colonel had set up his tent on the lawns of some officious looking building, with Prathkos guarding that end as well.

  ‘Are you waiting for Eric?’ he asked.

  ‘No way, I want to enjoy myself,’ she said, grabbing his arm and walking off with him.

  ‘So how did you go last night?’

  ‘If you mean with Queenie, then good—I always sleep soundly after a session with her.’

  ‘I could well imagine, although there would be many who never slept at all.’

  ‘I don’t know about that, the Colonel has been doing this for years. He’s got it worked out that something is always happening, so the crews don’t dwell overly on any one thing. Take this leave for instance.’

  Kyla thought about what he had said, ‘You could be right.’

  The Mirrans were a tall thin race, tanned from years of living under the hot sun. A few of the local people started to appear, wearing hooded loose flowing garb to repel the soaring heat.

  Colin took his bearings from the map as they walked toward the cities centre, etched against the skyline. So far there was no evidence of the Lizards ever being there. The streets were wide and clean, lined with palm like trees.

  Kyla led the way to a café. A squat whitewashed mud-brick building with tables out the front. They went inside to where it was cooler and seated themselves as the owner hovered nearby.

  ‘Tell me, what beverages do you serve?’ Colin asked. It was more a test of the owner’s linguistic skills.

  He responded admirably, providing them with a menu and running his finger down the list of drinks, ‘That would depend on your tastes, Sir.’

  Colin looked over to Kyla who said, ‘I’ll have something refreshing. A fruit drink perhaps?’

  ‘Make that two, please,’ Colin said, and the owner disappeared to return minutes later with citrus drinks and a plate full of sliced melon.

  ‘Thank you. Tell me, the Lizard men—there is no evidence of them being here?’

  ‘That is because we held our ground until your people arrived, but the north of the city is devastated along with all of the outlying areas,’ the owner said, before withdrawing.

  While they sat eating the melon, Colin regaled Kyla with the story of how the Colonel had ‘recruited’ the entire intake of Weapon Officers from the one show, using the very same tent and teleporter now set up in Chugra. They could both see the funny side and laughed.

  ‘Tell me, are you still enjoying it?’ Kyla asked.

  ‘Yes, every second of it.’

  ‘And what about Tiddles, does he like it as well?’

  ‘I believe so, but he has some quaint idea of going home afterwards and marrying my sister.’

  ‘Quaint?’

  ‘She doesn’t even know he’s alive. He’ll get back and find there’s nothing for him.’

  ‘So you think he’ll serve another hitch?’

  ‘In all probability, yes, I think he will.’

  ‘What about you? Isn’t there anyone that you’d like to see again?’

  Colin shook his head and watched as she demolished the last of the melon, its golden flesh against the green of hers and the whiteness of her teeth as she tore the fruit from the rind. Long black lashes momentarily covered her cobalt blue eyes as the warm air wafted her scent about him.

  He took out the map and they went over the sights on offer, both opting for the ‘Hanging Gardens’, plus the Bazaar along the way. They got the directions from the café owner when settling the bill and made to go, but Kyla pulled back and froze.

  ‘It’s Eric!’

  Colin looked out of the doorway as Eric walked past the building, searching the way in front for Kyla. There were other Legionnaires in the vicinity as well, so they waited until the coast was clear. When it had, they crossed over the street and entered into the winding alleyway that led to the older part of the city.

  Kyla felt for Colin’s hand and held it.

  ‘I’d hate it if we parted and I got lost,’ she explained.

  The alleyway came out on a huge open marketplace, where hawkers were selling everything from fish to live fowl and goats, plus every type of fruit and vegetable imaginable. The two legionnaires walked past the shopfronts surrounding the market and stopped occasionally to check out their wares. Carpets and rich tapestries abounded, so too watches and ornaments of every kind. Kyla paused at one that sold jewellery and tried on several armbands before moving on. They reached the halfway point in the bazaar and caught a glimpse of the gardens ahead through an alleyway of whitewashed mud brick houses. The new city loomed behind in stark contrast—its glass and stone buildings towering high in the air.

  ‘This view is far more beautiful than any piece of jewellery,’ Kyla said.

  ‘I’d have to agree—it’s nearly as pretty as you. But I wonder if the gardens smell as nice?’ Colin said, and Kyla laughed.

  From a distance the colours of the gardens blended together in a profusion of blue and mauve, set against a backdrop of whitewash and green foliage that crystallised more as they drew near.

  The gardens consisted of narrow beds that lined the perimeter of an old fortress. Each bed had a two metre high wall behind it and then another, right up to the top. All of them carefully planted out with vines and creepers that cascaded down in a spectacular display of coloured foliage.

  Dainty round leaves of green and silver adorned the different vines that hung over the whitewashed walls, while others were more succulent and beaded—they offset the blue, yellow, red and pink flora in their beds. All of them watered from above, using the precious water collected at the bottom and drawn back up again, by means of the same antiquated pumps from when the gardens had been conceived all those years ago.

  The Legionnaires marvelled at the complexity of the display—each one so different and yet complementing the next.

  ‘So who wins?’ Kyla asked.

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Whose scent is the sweetest?’

  Colin surveyed the flora in front of him and spied a species of exotic orchid, similar to a Stanhopea his grandmother had at home. He leaned over to smell its sickly sweet scent and indicated for Kyla to do the same. She did—and was surprised by the intensity of its fragrance. On straightening up again Colin brushed the hair from the nape of her neck and smelt the perfume there, brushing her skin lightly with his lips as he did.

  She reached out and pulled him to her, then kissed him passionately. Colin savoured every moment as he held her tightly and they both took a moment afterwards to compose themselves.

  ‘So?’ Kyla asked.

  ‘I’d say its dead even, but you don’t have to worry too much. The orchid can’t kiss like that or pilot a fighter like you can.’

  She smiled and leaned over to kiss him again, ‘So where to now?’

  ‘Back to the ship,’ Colin informed her, ‘if we stay here you’re going to drive me crazy.’

  ‘I suppose you’re right, we’ve seen and done enough for one day.’

  They walked back through the bazaar. Other Legionnaires had already found it and were sampling its wares. Once in the alleyway the
y held hands again and Colin drew Kyla into the shadows to kiss her some more.

  ‘So just what does all this mean?’ he asked.

  ‘It means that I like you of course, but let it be our little secret for now, okay?’

  ‘And how long is that?’

  ‘As long as it takes,’ she replied.

  They continued on, walking side by side when out on the street again and headed back towards the tent to beam up to the ship, then once onboard they separated and acted as if nothing had ever happened.

  Eric kept his disappointment in check during the evening meal, but his anger boiled over in the mess that night. He was furious with Kyla for not waiting for him in Chugra, and even more so for going off with Colin. They argued quietly at the table as the sounds from the movie and voices of the crews floated about them.

  ‘We never made any arrangement,’ Kyla insisted.

  ‘Yes, but we are as good as betrothed,’ Eric countered, ‘it should have been a given.’

  ‘Not if you are going to be possessive like this and another thing, it seems that Colin is enjoying himself way too much. If we do get through this hitch and he serves on, I will be honour bound to serve again also,’ she informed him.

  The news surprised Eric. It was something he hadn’t factored into his plans. Suddenly a new thought sprang to his mind, ‘And what about Tiddles, how does he feel?’

  ‘Evidently Tiddles is very much like yourself. He has some vague notion of returning to Earth to marry Colin’s sister, who doesn’t even know he exists. So in all probability he will return and serve on also.’

  All of a sudden Eric’s aspirations disintegrated and his face went blank. He looked around the mess and saw Colin and Tiddles sitting together, then watched as Queenie approached them and pull Colin from his seat before carting him away. Eric got up and joined his Weapons Officer. There were a few questions he needed to ask.

  Kyla had been watching also. She apologised to the other pilots for having to endure the outburst and then excused herself before leaving the mess also. Once out in the corridor she quickened her pace. She could see two figures in the distance and yelled, ‘Hey, wait up!’