Man Of Earth
SOME TIME LATER…
1
## Rodaire, the erstwhile spy for Sigma Dissonance was trussed to the cart that transported him from the cells beneath Headquarters, to the Hover Slide Dan Ward had spent the best part of an hour secure-fitting for this task, to take the criminal from the cells to the maximum security facility beneath the Hidden Fortress of Turpitude, the most secure place on the planet of White Haven ##
The Guard in charge handed Dan the manifold, "Rodaire, you are accused of espionage, sabotage and aiding and abetting the Sigma Dissonance -"
“It's a fabrication. I did none of it." interrupted Rodaire.
"You were caught red handed, Rodaire. Put him over there. I've prepared a chair for him." Dan pointed to a mid-vehicle seat that had been altered for just this purpose. The Guards wheeled Rodaire over and secured him within the chair, before leaving the Slide. The going would be slow, certainly, but it would be secure and much safer than in a Hopper. After the Guards had left the vehicle, Dan Ward plotted the course in the nav computer and flipped the switch for autopilot. The Hover Slide jumped into the air about five feet from the rough ground and jerked its way into motion, out through Sunray City gates and onto the Plains, heading restlessly for the river and the woods beyond. Dan himself moved to the back of the Slide, checking the items were securely fastened, and that the systems were functioning as they should, through the maintenance panel embedded in the wall of the craft.
"You like this sort of grunt work, Danny boy? Seems a bit beneath you?" tried Rodaire. Dan simply ignored him and continued with his checks about the craft, "Captain Ward? Do you trust them? I mean those who insist I am who they say I am? You know, I admit I am a kind of tinker, I grant you, I do lean a little to the darker side of deals, but I am certainly not this master spy they insist I am?"
Dan sniffed, "There has to be something in their accusations, and it has to be said, at a time like this, no one can take those chances."
"You mean, even if I were telling the truth? Even if you were detaining an innocent man?"
Dan suddenly stopped his work and turned. He was fired up, that was for sure, but before he could retort, the Hover Slide jerked heavily to the right as something hit the craft and the world went black.
#
## When sense returned to Dan, he slowly opened his eyes to the dust, debris and smoke that stung his eyes as he squinted in his vision ##
The chair, the one that had securely held Rodaire was now on its side and broken. The binds that kept Rodaire in the seat lay limply to the side. Dan rose frantically, searching about the craft for the criminal, for any evidence of his flight or of him having been flung from his chair. Dan was seconds away from calling in reinforcements when he heard a noise outside the craft. He moved quickly to the exit ramp, which had become dislodged from its casing upon whatever had struck the craft, and he quickly moved outside. Rodaire was standing by the large hole where the vehicle had been struck, nonchalantly examining it.
"Doesn't look like we can get this repaired too soon." explained Rodaire, without a flicker of concern.
"You were trying to escape! How did you manage to set this up?" accused Dan, still a little woozy from the crash.
"Now now, Captain Ward! If I'd have wanted to escape, I would not be standing here now, would I?"
Dan was ready with a retort, as a few blasts shot just above their heads, "Must be whoever shot at us! Get to cover!" insisted Dan. The two of them ran around the rear of the Slide, "This'll do us no good at all! I need to get to the nearest Town! The Hover Slide's comms were knocked out in the crash! Rodaire, stay close to me, alright?" Dan wasn't sure he could trust the criminal, but right now, he had little option. As they ran from the advancing shooters, Rodaire fell into pace behind Dan.
Dan was well aware that the Plains were full of oddities, and that their journey may be dangerous, but it had to be made. Suddenly, Dan and Rodaire heard a growl from within the thick tall grass, something Dan had been dreading. At that moment, the grass parted and something knocked the two men apart. It was at least the size of a small man, hirsute and with a humped back. When it turned, it showed a mouth full of yellowed and cracked teeth, yet still dangerous with it.
"Keep it occupied, while I find something to scare it off with!" declared Rodaire, to the rear of the animal. Dan was about to argue, but the beast continued to plunge for him. Luckily, Dan had on his Achillean Boots, so the bites, at least for now, slid off the protective material. Dan was unsure how long it had been, but perhaps within a minute or two, Rodaire had returned with a long branch from a nearby tree. The rustle of the leaves was enough to distract the animal, and as it turned, it became distracted by something else off in the distance, which propelled it from Dan's feet. Rodaire offered a hand to Dan, who took it.
Rodaire laughed, "I think it took a shine to you!" he remarked. Dan merely shot him a glance and moved on, toward the nearest Town. They hadn't walked more than a few metres before a Sigma Dissonance Patrol Vehicle cut across their path. They must have spotted Dan and Rodaire, because the vehicle pulled up suddenly. Dan motioned for Rodaire to find cover, but it was then that he noticed Rodaire was nowhere to be seen. He must have taken the opportunity of distraction to escape! Yet Dan had no option; he dived for cover. It was only then that he noticed he was unarmed. Dan was unarmed and the Patrol had exited their vehicle and were headed for him. Dan dug deeper into his cover, but he knew that in a few seconds, the Patrol would quite easily be able to see him. Slowly, the Patrol edged closer. Inch by inch -
Suddenly, one by one, the Patrol fell to the ground. Behind them stood Rodaire, flushed, and brandishing another loose but thicker branch, "I know, I know. Thought I'd escaped, eh?"
"It certainly seemed an option. Life was so much easier as a test pilot." agreed Dan, as he climbed into the Patrol Vehicle and set it into motion. Rodaire followed him aboard and the two drove into the nearest Town. Dan then contacted Headquarters and forced Rodaire to sit where he could see him, as they waited.
"You never said if you thought I was the self-same master spy they think I am?" asked Rodaire, killing time.
"It doesn't matter what I think, Rodaire. We are at a time of great conflict, and no one can take any chances. Though, I have to say, the times out there, when you saved me, I will remember and inform those in charge of your bravery. Perhaps it will give you a shorter sentence, or a marginally easier time, but you must understand, Rodaire - where I come from there is a saying; where there's smoke, there is fire."
"But don't you also say; innocent until proven guilty?" asked Rodaire with a smile. Dan had no time to answer the man, as the new transport had arrived.
#
The Hover Slide pulled up to the nondescript entrance to the maximum security facility beneath the Hidden Fortress of Turpitude, the most secure place on the planet of White Haven. It nestled in the opening to a cave system beyond the Plains. Dan rose from the chair he had sat upon, watching Rodaire, tied up once again, smiling his way through the journey. Once the craft's ramp lowered and a handful of Prison Guards boarded, Dan handed the manifold to the nearest one.
"Watch him closely. He’s a slippery one." explained Dan Ward, still watching the man intently. Dan had spent some of the journey studying this man named Rodaire, to see if he could detect evil, or the wrongdoing upon the man's face. He even faced the dilemma once or twice as to whether this man was actually guilty or innocent of the crimes he had been accused of. As a parting shot, Dan held the last Guard back, "Go easy on him." Something of the man must have rubbed off on Dan. He must be redeemable, or Dan was just wrong, and Dan was never wrong.
Dan Ward followed the Prison Guards as they led Rodaire to his cell, checking everything was secure, before leaving Dan alone to speak to the man.
Rodaire, as was his nature, couldn't resist one last quip as the door was slowly shut, "Didn't we have an adventure, you and I? I suppose I couldn't have asked for anything better! See you again soon, Earth Man."
Rodaire continued to smile, even as the door closed with a heavy CLUNK!
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