Token of Esteem

"They altered a lot more than themselves. The post, the computer, the weapons. Shit, they not only learned English, they monitored our com and cut it off when it was convenient for them. They caught our idioms and slang and used them on me. Used human psychology on me. What did they want?"

"There’s a bigger hole there now than the one you saw when they broke in.

It’s nothing more than an excavation actually, except for the rubble. Their ship was inside, covered by the stones. We never had a clue. They must’ve been trying to colonize Mars before we got here. They adapted to the atmosphere. Now the whole pyramid is gone; took off like a bat out of hell. The materialist people are going insane about the loss. They’re thinking about rebuilding the damned thing. We’re still tracking the ship, but it’s pretty far out. Is that what you came here for?"

"Not really, sir," answered Pook. "Aliens are out of my league. I meant to ask you about Medford. You know, any suspicions? I was on his trail."

"No doubt about it. Found a buried case of Infinity cartridges on his watch. He was your smuggler. Liaison gave him great cover."

"So, when the aliens got to him, they got the bullets," stated Pook.

"That’s the way I see it," said Budge.

"Why did they even bother bringing me to the post in the first place?"

"It must have been the timing. Obviously they were very well informed. Who knows how long they’ve been studying us? Years, probably. No doubt you came on the scene when they were about to make their breakthrough. I’m afraid you broke up their little routine, a monkey-wrench in their delicate plans."

"The imposter could have killed me in the cruiser on the way to the post. He already killed three others. By any chance, were they in or out of their suits like Mully when they were killed?"

"I can answer that," said Zeke. "They were out of ‘em."

"Then that must be the answer. They didn’t know if the gun would work on me. Clever bastards. Systematic. Why did they come after me at the end like that? It doesn’t make much sense."

"Maybe," said Budge. "You lucked out. They haven’t been confrontational until today. I think they were creating a diversion, making a big ruckus just in case we were on to them, like a preventive procedure. By the way, there is one thing I can’t figure out."

"Yeah," said Pook suspiciously.

"How did you fire your weapon through the scanner’s energy field?"

"Ah. Hmm. I’m afraid that’s classified information, sir."

"I thought so. Will you be going right back to Luna, after your report?"

"I’ve been studying on that. My superiors take a dim view of lucking out. Do you have any routine chores around here?"

"Hah! That’s a good one. Well, I’ve got to get back. There’s a lot to do, now that we don’t need that post any more."

"Just a second, Lieutenant. I have one last question. It’s personal."

"Sure. You’re entitled."

"Did I get him? Did I get the rat who made that diversion?" Budge and Zeke looked at each other for just a second. Pook saw them smile a little and then the Lieutenant nodded to the medico.

"The rescue squad leader saw the alien disintegrate when you hit it," said Zeke. "We don’t really know if the creature died. It could have vacated the premises to join its friends. The odd thing is that the aliens didn’t leave right away, like they could have."

"What do you mean?" asked Pook.

"It wasn’t until after the incident here. You were out, of course."

"What incident?"

"We only turned our backs for a second. There was a big noise in the hall outside. I guess it was also a diversion. Had to be. When I turned around I saw the sergeant standing next to you, right where I am now."

"Ciccelo? But, you said he was dead?"

"I only blinked once, but he disappeared. Right in front of me. He left this on your chest." Zeke took a silver object out of his pocket and handed it to Pook. It was a tiny, gleaming pyramid.

"I recollect," said Pook smiling. "He promised me. If I did a good job, he said he’d remember me." Infirmary lights sparkled off the facets into his eyes.