PART I

CHAPTER 1

The instructions on the silver shovel were patronisingly clear:

"Insert pointed end into ground. Apply pressurewith foot. Lift soil. Discard soil. Repeat if necessary. IMPORTANT: PLEASE DO NOT USE SHOVEL AS A BLUDGEONING ORCUTTING WEAPON!"

The words were a product of the ridiculous litigious society of the modern United States of America.
America: A country where children's Superhero costumes are required to bear the ridiculous label: "WARNING!Cape does not actually allow the gift of flight." Just in case little Johnny decides to take a header outof the window.
America: birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, John Wayne, Boston Low and Charles Manson.
America: the land of the brave and the home of the free.
America: Paul's home and a country almost two million light-years away!

Paul's dig - "The Dig", as he had begun to call it - was not going well. Paul was a big guy and was nostranger to hard manual work but this job just didn't agree with him.
He had been in many bad places before. He'd worked the treacherous water mines of Mars and fought for a bloodyyear and a half in the icy gladiator arena of Europa and lived to tell the tale and show off the scars. He hadspent time incarcerated (unfairly, in his opinion) on the prison planet of Khylok, and only escaped after personallyleading a bloody riot and then hacking off the warden's head with a small fire axe. He supposed that amongst acertain group of people he was considered a famous hero. Other considered him a criminal mad man. He would probablyhave agreed with both groups.
The wind howled like a demon and threatened to blow him from his feet.
'This place,' Paul thought. 'Jeezus! Why did I ever come to a planet named after the seventh circle of Hades itself!'
'Cocytus!' Paul rolled the word around his mouth, hoping that he'd got that darn tricky pronunciation right. 'Whata place!'
'Whassat yoo say, boss?' asked one of the brawny men working next to him.
'Shut the hell up, Fox, and keep digging!' he barked at his stupid redneck crony.
The man glowered at Paul for a moment as he considered landing a right hook on his mean boss's scarred face. Thestooge quickly decided he was no match for the bull-necked Texan and turned back to his labour.
Paul painfully straightened up and dropping his shovel he walked through the busy men and into the hastily erectedshelter. Pouring a beer, Paul considered the strange world that he had found himself on:

How could there be so much joy and so much pain contained on one small world. On one hand, one had the beautifulcities and mysterious, labyrinthine underground kingdoms. On the other hand, there was the hellish naked surfaceof the planet - most of it stubbornly uninhabitable even 50 years after Low's first contact.
It was this surface that Paul's gang of shady characters now assaulted with their glorified gardening implements:Hoping that an old holo-map given by an untrustworthy stranger would hold the key to their ascension from the gutter.
Looking through the plastic window of the tent, Paul spied the lights of the Water Palace gleaming in the distance.They shone like accusing eyes in the dark of the Cocytain night yet Paul wished that he were there right now.
Aquilaria was a place of great beauty. It was the major city of the planet and a place devoted to the simple joysof life. The sprawling many-domed citadel was a symphony of beautiful sound; a mosaic of unimaginable colour; acentre of advanced knowledge and a place of perfect peace and contentment all in one!
The few humans who gained entrance to Aquilaria found themselves living in a world much removed from any they knew.There was no hunger, no crime and no war. No want or hurt. Paul imagined it must be like heaven. In such a placeeven a man with a past like his could surely find peace and contentment.
Sitting on his bunk, Paul closed his eyes he tried to visualise what Aquilaria must be like from the grainy broadcastshe had seen many years ago in a lunar gulag:
In his mind he heard the musical sound of running water. Intricately designed fountains tinkled and splashed inevery decorated courtyard. Huge domes made of green and yellow tinted glass housed gigantic cocytan-built waterfalls,which tumbled from unimaginable heights into wide, fathomless pools of delicious crystal clear water. Paul wrylyimagined that it he ever made it inside he would be torn between unimaginable joy and an overwhelming urge to goto the toilet!
The Cocytans themselves would regularly gather to drink and swim and fly and play around these many water sources.Everyone knew that as a species, the Cocytans loved the water. Paul always thought it odd that such grave and noblecreatures could take so child-like a delight in the simple pleasures of H20.
Paul knew very little of their history or culture. So the only clue he had to their love of the water came fromThe Plaque - a huge golden sign written in Cocytan glyphs which Paul knew hung over the flower garlanded entranceto Aquilaria. The Plaque read:

"We love the water.
But now my people live in an eternal desert, neither drinking nor thirsting.
If only they could thirst again and then drink.
If only they could dive into the sea and hear the roaring of the waterfall."

Paul did not know The Plaque's meaning nor who had spoken such poignantwords.

Sad as it sounded, Paul dearly wished he could live out his poor sinner's life in the beautiful Cocytan city. Buteven though he was geographically close, he was still far, far away from Aquilaria. The Cocytan's would never allowa seven times convicted felon such as himself into the hallowed domes of their home.
So he had only seen the blessed city from afar and from the hi-res prison of the TV screen. Paul had to remaina tiny speck on the vast surface of Cocytus. The thick material of the encounter suit providing little protectionfrom the howling wind and biting dust.
The big man sighed and strode back into the cold night. He scooped up his shovel and dug furiously at the packedsoil. He was harbouring the notion that he had been the victim of a cruel hoax. If he were and they didn't findwhat they were looking for soon he had no doubt that his men would turn on him like the dogs they were. Damn! Clasuswas a bloody liar!

CHAPTER 2

He had met the Cocytan under the most unusual circumstances.
Paul had supposed there were only a dozen Cocytans living on Earth at any given time. They occupied positions ofgreat power in Earth's society. They were the scientists and teachers, the politicians and spiritual leaders ofour small world. So Paul was astounded when he entered through the filthy metal door into Joe's Den, one of theseediest dives he knew, and saw the huge Cocytan standing patiently at the bar.
If you've never seen a Cocytan in real life before then you can't help but be astounded. This specimen was evenlarger than most of his fellows - the alien easily took up the space of three human males.
Paul was surprised it had even managed to fit through the door. It's oval head, sat atop a thick snake-like neck,which banged and scraped the yellowing roof. Unusually, the fury grey body was matted and mangy, unlike the meticulouslygroomed shining pelts of other Cocytans that Paul had seen on TV.
Although he did not know why Paul was struck with the conviction that this creature was old, ancient even, amongstit's long-lived kind.
Paul just stood in the doorway and gaped. The sight was just too much for him to take in; Bikers, Tranks, Regeners,Game Heads and Dokeys filled all the nooks and crannies of the bar with their festering bodies. They grimly drank,snorted, smoked and injected their poison of choice. At the bar itself stood an assortment of various street trash.Each shouting and jostling his fellows as they tried to attract the attention of the rough looking woman workingthe bar, in their desperate need to quickly and violently bludgeon their senses.
And then there was the Cocytan: Aloof, dignified and ignored by all and sundry, it stood patiently with it's dinosaur-likeclaws hanging in space as it swayed it's almost equine head back and forth as if searching for something or someone.
Paul tore his eyes away from the creature and stumbled over to a familiar face in the crowd - an old guy with awild beard, prune-like face and a battered old leather jacket with the word "Polecats" emblazoned onthe back.
'What the hell is that?' he asked Ben, the hoary old barfly.
'Huh?' the old biker looked up from his drink.
'That bloody thing! What is it?' Paul hissed.
Ben stared, bleary eyed, along Paul's finger. 'Him,' Ben drawled. 'He's been in here all day. Almost gave me aheart attack when he came stompin' in the joint like he owned the place.'
'He's been here all day,' Paul was astonished. 'What's he been doing?'
Ben snorted. 'He ain't been doin' nothing. 'Cept kick the crap out of old Boisey's gang when they tried to get'I'm to leave.'
'What all of them?'
'Yep!' Ben grinned a happy toothless grin. Paul knew that the old coot had received a few kickings from Boisey'svicious cronies himself. 'Big Bertha had to call the ambulance and everything. Boisey must 'ave had himself a brokenback or summit! They had to stretcher that bastard outta here!'
The old man took a big swig of beer and dribbled most of it into his yellow tangled beard. 'Since then he ain'tbeen doing anything. Just standing at the bar and scaring the customers. I think that maybe he's waiting for someone.'
'Oh, yeah,' said Paul. Like who?'
Ben frowned. 'I dunno. Maybe he's … he's…' he tailed off with a look of horror plastered over his face. His eyesglared over Paul's shoulder. 'Oh, fuck…' he wheezed.
Paul turned and found he was looking into a virtual wall of hair. His gazed travelled upwards past the thick neck,past the strange beard-like fringe of chin hair and further up till he was staring into a pair of lime green pupil-lesseyes. Before him stood the Cocytan.
'Oh, Shit,' the words forced their way unconsciously through Paul's lips.
'Shit,' the Cocytan mimicked. It's voice sounded distorted and far off, like a man talking through a sheet of thickice. There was a momentary hesitation and then the Cocytan continued. 'Ah, yes. Shit. An obscene Anglo-Saxon wordused to describe excrement or the act of deification. It can also mean to tease or try to deceive. It may be usedto describe one's possessions or to describe a poor item or product.' The Cocytan's eyes glowed brightly. 'A mosteffective word, Mr Knight. I am wondering … for which purpose do you use this word now?'
Paul's mouth flapped like a dying fish and he did not answer.
The Cocytan waited patiently. 'Please, Mr Knight,' it said after the silence had become more than uncomfortable.'Do not be afraid. I wish you no harm. In fact, I may be able to assist you and in turn you may be able to assistme. Will you allow me to convey you to a more … private setting.'
'How do you know me?' Paul demanded.
The Cocytan seemed to smile although Paul could see no mouth. 'I have been making discreet enquiries in this area.Your name was mentioned as a resourceful man who could aid me in my … business. I was told I could find you here- and here you are!'
The alien gracefully laid it's clawed hand on Paul's shoulder. Paul instinctively grabbed the strange, thick wristand made to push it away. However, before he could, his groping hand felt the hard, inhuman muscles beneath theskin. Paul suddenly realised just how strong the alien's limb actually was underneath the covering of surprisinglysilky skin. He remembered hearing rumours of the Cocytans legendary strength and endurance, and he suddenly realisedthat this strange looking alien could quite happily mash him like a bug.
'You would be wise to remove your hand,' the Cocytan stated flatly. 'My name … is Clasus. I am a member of an orderboth high and noble. You and your kind are not worthy to even look upon my fair countenance!'
Paul's felt his hand removed from the Cocytan's arm and placed firmly against his shaking body.
'This is better,' Clasus said and fixed Paul with his fiery eyes. 'You WILL come with me and by the grace of TheAncient Ones you WILL help me, even though others have forsaken my wisdom.'
The seedy environs of the bar seemed to fade away and in Paul's eyes were replaced with a blinding white light.Clasus remained, however, solid and immovable; he appeared to have grown in stature. His mangy coat of dirty hairhad vanished and was replaced by a fine, well-groomed coat of glittering golden fur. He wore upon his head a goldand silver crown upon which was inlaid many precious and strange jewels that glowed with a bright inner fire. Atear rolled down Paul's cheek - he had never before see such a beautiful sight.
'I will come with you,' he managed to croak.
'This pleases me,' said Clasus. In an instant the bar with all of its noise and reeking smell reappeared and Paulfelt quite ashamed of his tears. 'Let us go.'
Paul did not protest, as he was lead from the bar and into the warm, balmy night. The collective bar patrons silentlywatched the pair leave and Paul knew that he was in trouble. Respect was everything for a man of dubious meansin a hive like LA. People - dangerous people - would not like the idea of a guy like Paul openly crying and thenbeing manhandled by a goddam stinkin' holier-than-thou Cocytan. He knew that no matter what happened that nightthat he would had to leave and go far away. He had no idea just how far he would end up going.
Ben watched them go. 'Crazy bastards!' he said with feeling.

CHAPTER 3

The map glowed green in the darkened tent. Three dim figures sat around the table, silhouetted in the faint radiantglow.
'Is it really true?' a voice asked in a language older and greater than that of mortal men. The voice sounded notunlike a gentle waterfall.
'It is true,' answered a second voice and this one sounded at once both far away and just behind your right ear.'We know this … now.'
'He must be stopped,' croaked a third voice, which sounded like footsteps on dry leaves.
'Must he?' asked the far away yet so very close voice. 'Why?'
Dry leaves voice crackled as its owner snorted in contempt. 'The past should remain in the past. It will do usno good to … dig up what should remain buried.'
'I agree!' gushed the voice like a waterfall. 'This matter almost destroyed our civilisation before. Do we reallywant to take that risk again?'
There was the sound of a button being pressed and suddenly the map winked out and a bright red light burst overhead.Three Cocytans were revealed sitting around a round, marble table in strange, cradle-like chairs made of a curiousgleaming wrought metal.
'We have learned much since the last incident,' Far-Yet-Close stated. 'Imagine what could be achieved with thisgift!'
'It is too dangerous a gift!' hissed Dry-Leaves. 'Who are we to risk everything we have achieved over the past50 years!'
Far-Yet-Close stood and fixed Dry-Leaves with his peculiar red eyes. 'We have achieved much since Boston Low releasedour fathers from their prison,' he lowered his head reverently as he spoke Boston's name. 'But what of our granddreams of old?'
Dry-Leaves leapt angrily from his chair. 'We have seen how quickly those "dreams" can turn into nightmares!I for one would rather we did not experience Space Time Six as my elders have!'
'Of course. None of us would wish that. But the fact remains that our civilisation, although it easily surpassesthat of the humans, is still a pitiful joke when compared to that of The Ancient Ones.'
'And where are these Ancient one's now? Why have they forsaken us?' piped Waterfall.
Far-Yet-Close turned his gaze upon him 'I believe we know the answer to that question.'
'Yes,' Waterfall admitted, meekly. 'I suppose there can be no doubt anymore.' The small Coctan hung his head. 'Sowhat should we do?'
Far-Yet-Close leaned forward, conspiratorially. 'Friends, it is our sworn duty to find this place before Clasus.This … insane being must not be permitted to use the secret for his own ends.'
Dry-Leaves sighed. Far-Yet-Close spoke only to him now. 'Are we agreed?'
There was no answer.
'Are we agreed?' Far-Yet-Close demanded.
'We are agreed,' Dry-Leaves stated flatly.
'And you?' the creature asked Waterfall.
Waterfall could not meet his eyes. 'I will do whatever it necessary.'
Far-Yet-Close beamed a smile that no human would have recognised as such. 'Friends, marshal your troops. We willstrike as soon as we may. Meet me at my crystal ship in Hangar 1138 when all is ready. We will … remove … theseintruders … by whatever means necessary!'

TO BE CONTINUED...

Copyright DBurr 2000

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