Secrets of the South

By C. S. Arle

What lies beyond the Seran-Cova?

Find out in this exciting, action-packed, sci-fi thriller, as an impoverished medical student, unhappy with his lot, decides to make a new life for himself on another world but has his plans dramatically altered when he stumbles onto a covert mission.

He is hunted as he tries to help a family with their own difficulties, but taking a chance, he joins up with an expedition seeking a legendary treasure.

However, the prospect is also hazardous, as it requires travelling to a strange, distant planet where hostilities have just begun between warring aliens.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley
• Release date: Jul 4, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463551257

C. S. Arle

C. S. Arle hails from the UK where he has worked with top agencies and studios as an originator, artist and copywriter. Thereafter, he worked as a creative consultant and as a freelancer for many large companies and some famous names. Besides being an author, he has wide and varied interests including art, music, photography, carpentry, natural history, science and technology, space research and exploration, and automotive development. In his younger years, he was keen on sport and played cricket, badminton and soccer—participating for the school team. He now concentrates on his writing and illustrative work.

Book preview

Secrets of the South

Published by Austin Macauley at Smashwords

Copyright 2018, C.S. Arle

The right of C.S. Arle Irving to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the

Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All Rights Reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without written permission. No paragraph of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted save with the written permission of the publisher, or in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1956 (as amended). Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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A CIP catalogue record for this title is

Available from the British Library.

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www.austinmacauley.com

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Secrets of the South, 2018

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd.

ISBN 978-1-78878-580-8 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-78878-581-5 (Hardback)

ISBN 978-1-78878-582-2 (E-Book)

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First Published in 2018

Austin Macauley Publishers.LTD/

CGC-33-01, 25 Canada Square

Canary Wharf, London E14 5LQ

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Secrets Of The South

This fictional story may contain places, locations or other names similar, if not identical, to those in our world as it is at this time but absolutely no offence is intended by their usage, and any names or characters mentioned that might resemble or match, in part or whole, those of persons or peoples existing anywhere is purely coincidental.

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Contents

Chapter 1. The Mulhullan Incident

Chapter 2. Trouble for Renad

Chapter 3. Juppa

Chapter 4. The Affair at Zarez Castle

Chapter 5. A Frantic Night

Chapter 6. Roberto Explains

Chapter 7. Preparations

Chapter 8. Telvia

Chapter 9. Candice Closes In

Chapter 10. Diapolon

Chapter 11. Dranamede

Chapter 12. Dapla

Chapter 13. The Ra-Zeen

Chapter 14. The Marrada

Chapter 15. Leya

Chapter 16. Salatova

Chapter 17. Botelo’s Dilemma

Chapter 18. Vision in the Flames

Chapter 19. Surprise Attack

Chapter 20. A Race Against Time

Chapter 21. Problems at Enzera

Chapter 22. Terror in Mrahan

Chapter 23. A Turn of Events

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Chapter 1

The Mulhullan Incident

Moving his position for a better view, Cris Renad looked out from a first-floor window of the old, shabby-looking Chintelle Apartment building. Diagonally opposite, a spaceship, and the object of his attention, was silhouetted against a vivid sunset. He watched the giant craft as it came in to land at Wailo – the prime capital city and main space terminal of the planet Mondreius. Renad stood for a while longer at the window as unloading of the ship’s cargo had begun, but becoming bored with it, he walked away. He retired to a tatty armchair, flopping into it with tiredness from the sweltering heat; the orange glow in the room doing nothing to alleviate the feeling.

Renad opened a can of beer and drank directly from it, consuming the liquid in a series of continuous gulps. Having finished all of it, he put the empty container by some other empties on a low table in front of him. He then picked up another full can from the floor and, opening it, took a quick swig, then placed it near at hand. Lighting himself a cigarette, his eyes wandered to other clutter on the table, as he put an expended match in an overcrowded ashtray. That it was Purdu’s doing, he was in no doubt for there were empty chocolate wrappers screwed up amongst the litter. His passion for narcotic-laced confections was known to both him and Luten Bryce, and though all three of them shared the apartment to afford the hefty rent, it was an uneasy association. Bryce made no bones that he disliked Purdu with his long, matted blonde hair, scruffy appearance, slovenly manner and questionable behaviour. And was perhaps more than a little envious of the Mulvian’s unaccountable success with members of the opposite sex. Renad had no regard to Purdu either way, though he had always found him a distracting influence in the past when trying to knuckle down to his studies. Though he did not blame Purdu entirely for his own shortcomings at the medical centre and his failure to qualify in the fourth term.

As Renad leant over to get another can of beer, he noticed a crumpled box on the floor. He picked it up and folded the shiny black cardboard out more or less into its original shape. He saw that it was a chocolate box and on the lid in elegant gold lettering read: EXELL’S EXTREME CONFECTION. Renad was in no doubt as to what the word ‘extreme’ referred, as Exell was the maker and purveyor of all drink and foodstuffs that had some amount of chemical stimulant added amongst the ingredients. This he knew to be mainly turgeen, and in some instances the harder ameline and vitral hallucinogens and their derivatives. He was also of no doubt that in this case the concentrations would be regarded as ‘full’, as there was a warning to this effect on the box in smaller print and that the contents were for adult consumption only. As he looked at the illustrations of the chocolates that were depicted on the sides of the box, he wondered where Purdu had obtained the sweets. Not that this would have been a problem as most of the Mondreiun population were consumers of turgeen, even though it was supposed to be illegal; the Exell brand had also been banned on other worlds, but supplies on Mondreius would not be hard to find, for though Exell products came from somewhere off-world the smuggling and black-market trade was rife and lucrative.

In a way, Renad could understand why turgeen was so popular on the planet because the Mondreiuns’ lot was not a happy one. There was much poverty and the climate was hot, uncomfortable and almost unbearable at times; therefore, there was little else to do than enjoy some simple and lazy form of recreation. Having much more appeal than ordinary alcohol or similar stimulant commodities, and being slightly cheaper, products infused with turgeen were considered the obvious choice; even though long-term effects of using the drug were known to be harmful and in some cases fatal.

Disease was also prevalent and widespread, and why Solomon’s Hospital, with its vast complex, was so situated at Wailo to try and deal with, and research into, the many illnesses and deep-rooted problems of the Mondreiun inhabitants, and those of other planets.

Crime was a problem too, of which Renad had had first-hand experience. For, just a few days ago, he had withdrawn the last of his depleted fund from the bank, only to have it stolen from his room on the following day. Whether Purdu or one of his dubious acquaintances had taken the money, he did not know or care anymore. And tonight he was determined to drown his sorrows. Briefly, the knowledge that he would not be able to continue at the hospital disturbed him especially as his father had sent him there, and it had been his wish to see him return to Chandos as a successful doctor. He wiped the corner of his eye then drew heavily on his cigarette before returning his attention to the chocolate box.

With curiosity, Renad opened the lid and saw that, not surprisingly, it was empty of confections. However, there was a glossy card inside, which depicted all the chocolate contents with a description of each underneath. He took the card out and flattened it between his fingers. Evidently, there had been twenty sweets in all, with the top layer of ten being milk chocolate and the bottom layer was of dark chocolate, and according to the information, of a more potent nature. It made for interesting reading, not least of all, for the fancy names, such as languid lemon, resplendent rose, venturous violet; and as for orgasmic orange, he dared not to think what effect it would have on the consumer. Renad went through some of the smaller print but soon tired of it, so he put the card back inside, closed the lid and flung the box on to the table, wondering where its original purchaser might be now.

Purdu was in fact in his own Spartan room, sitting on the floor with his back against the wall. By his side and his drooping hand was an empty chocolate wrapper. Having partaken of the Exell confection ‘bewitching blue’, he stared with a glazed expression at the opposite wall. Upon its surface, a myriad of moving intersecting shapes developed and formed into fantastic patterns. An inane but contented smile spread on his face, as the pretty ever-changing display made up of every conceivable shade of pastel blue and lilac continued serenely and unrelenting; all created by the illusion-inducing turgeen, coursing through his veins. Mindless of any deleterious effect the drug was having on him, Purdu was, for the moment, relaxed in his thoughts. Not only this, it was all so refreshingly cooling and a welcome relief after a day’s hard work in the tiring heat.

However, Purdu’s artificial haven was soon to be disturbed when he noticed strange squiggles on the opposite wall, a couple of feet from the floor. They coalesced into an erratic band, moving around a circular patch that was becoming smaller in the middle. At first, Purdu thought it some peculiar aspect of his hallucinatory experience, but when dirty cream flakes fell from its centre, he realised it was actually plaster dropping to the floor. He did not have to wait long to find out the cause, as the ugly head of a mong lice appeared from the hole it had just burrowed; its vicious teeth glinted in the light as its antennae twitched to and fro.

Purdu slowly lowered his hand to his side without turning his head or making any sudden movement that might alert the loathsome creature. He felt the floor to his right and picked up a ray gun. As the numerous frontal legs of the insect tried to pull the rear part of its fat, fleshy belly through the aperture, Purdu brought the weapon to bear and squeezed the trigger.

Renad, who had fallen asleep, was awakened by the resultant bang of the discharged firearm. He jumped up, but in his drunken state was not sure of what had disturbed him. He lit himself a cigarette and finding a can of beer that was still half full, he took a sip then leant back in his chair. After a few minutes, the tall dark figure of Bryce entered the room.

‘Didn’t you hear a noise just then?’ he enquired and clearly annoyed.

‘I heard something, what was it?’ returned Renad.

‘That Mulvian misfit – Purdu – has taken to playing about with a gun – he’s just blasted a hole in the wall of his room!’

‘Where is he now?’

‘Sitting in there – stoned out of his mind!’

‘I’d leave him be, then,’ advised Renad.

‘Where did he get that weapon?’

‘Where does he get anything?’ replied Renad.

‘He’ll do somebody an injury…’

‘Or himself,’ interrupted Renad.

‘We should be so lucky,’ said Bryce without humour.

‘What was he aiming at, anyway?’

‘He’s shot one of those filthy mong lice. They’ve found a way in again.’

‘The poor critters are just trying to get out of the infernal heat, like everyone else.’

‘I’m not having the vile things in here – I’ll have a word with Santos, the landlord, about it…’

‘He’ll just wonder why you’re making such a fuss – have you seen the fellow’s ankles?’

‘Er… no.’

‘They’re covered in bites from the wretched things.’

‘Well, I don’t intend to get bitten by the horrid bugs. I’ll get him to put some poison down.’

‘He’ll not thank you for that, you know how Mondreiuns consider the insects a delicacy.’

‘Yes, and the awful stench that comes wafting down the corridor, when he’s frying up the things on that portable stove in his office, is sickening!’ declared Bryce.

‘I agree with you there,’ said Renad.

‘No wonder the planet is disease-ridden. And Purdu is making this place look like a pigsty,’ added Bryce, glancing around the interior.

‘I’ll mention it to him.’

‘I’m not surprised he got the push from the hospital. What does he do now?’

‘He works at one of the plants for handling and processing hazardous materials, they’re not too particular about who they employ, or can get, to do the dangerous work,’ informed Renad.

‘Anyway, why don’t you have a word with him yourself about his…?’

‘I’ve no wish to get near to him – by this time, he’s probably radioactive!’ said Bryce, a flicker of a smile playing momentarily on his face.

‘You’re a cold fish, Luten. You worry me…’

‘You worry me, too. You’re getting to look more like Purdu every day,’ retorted Bryce. ‘And what’s in that beer you’re drinking?’

‘Just natural unadulterated ingredients,’ answered Renad truthfully.

‘And the cigarette?’

‘You know I never touch the stuff, in any form!’

‘I have my doubts about that.’

‘Please yourself,’ said Renad casually.

‘What will you do now that you’ve flunked?’ enquired Bryce, changing the subject.

‘I’ve no idea. Since the untimely death of my father, my allowance has run out.’

‘Did he not make provision or leave you any other monies?’

‘Apparently not,’ said Renad, unsure of whether Bryce’s questioning was born out of a genuine concern for his well-being or merely a worry about where the rent money for their accommodation was going to come from.

‘How unfortunate,’ said Bryce.

‘What will you do?’ asked Renad.

‘Carry on with my managerial course at the Ryan Institute –I’ve only a short time to do now…’

‘Then what?’

‘Er… a professional position somewhere,’ hesitated Bryce vaguely. ‘Anyway, I’ll go and look for Santos, and try and get him to deal with the mong lice.’

When Bryce had left the room, Renad got to his feet and walked towards a mirror on the wall. He saw that his insufferable flatmate’s comments about his appearance were not without foundation as he looked a mess. His longish brown hair was lank, and he had a messy stubble on his face from lack of shaving. The t-shirt he wore was dirty with various stains and had two large circles of wet perspiration around the armpits. A quick sniff in that area also revealed that he had body odour. At that point, he determined to do something about it when he was able.

As he stared in the mirror, it occurred to him that his falling attendance at the medical centre was not for lack of interest or that he was without the necessary ability, of this he felt sure. It was largely due to an uncertainty of whether he was actually suited for the profession, or, indeed, whether he wanted to pursue it at all. Whatever he would have decided, had circumstances been different, was debatable but now any continuance was impossible. In a way, Renad was relieved, although he had been deeply saddened by his father’s death, his demise had taken the matter out of his hands. Now he felt free to do as he wanted.

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted as the door opened and Purdu burst into the room.

‘That lousy Luten has just had a go at me!’ he seethed, still slightly intoxicated.

‘He thinks the same about both of us…’ began Renad with a trace of a smile.

‘Who does he think he is to talk to me like…?’

‘If it’s any consolation, he’s had a few words to say to me, too.’

‘What makes him so all-perfect?’

‘Don’t forget he’s no vice Bryce.’

Purdu smiled.

‘You’re right, Cris. He’s also hard-hearted…’

‘I would agree with that, but he’s not always wrong.’

‘Are all Arkens like him?’

‘Possibly – who knows?’

‘Where is he now?’

‘Gone to see Santos about the mong lice problem.’

‘Well, that’s something at least.’

‘God only knows what Santos will say to him when he tells him about the hole in the wall.’

Purdu laughed. ‘I had the damn gun on the wrong setting,’ he admitted, but noticeably with a little embarrassment. ‘It’s a wonder I managed to fire it at all,’ he added and holding out his shaking hand.

‘Nez, take my friendly advice as a medical man and try to kick the turgeen habit…’

‘Ex-medical man,’ corrected Purdu.

‘As you say,’ said Renad, a little hurt by the comment.

At that moment, Bryce walked into the room.

‘I’ve had a word with Santos and he flatly refused to use poison for the pests…’

‘That doesn’t surprise me,’ said Renad.

‘But he has promised to deal with the matter by putting a few more traps around and placing a close-proximity shield over the hole in the wall as a temporary measure until it can be repaired properly.’

‘Now that does surprise me,’ admitted Renad. ‘Why is he so amenable all of a sudden?’

‘However, there will be an extra charge for it all…’ continued Bryce.

‘Ah,’ said Renad, and nodding his head with understanding.

‘I’ll foot the bill,’ said Purdu. ‘Just let me know how much.’

‘I will, when he tells me.’

‘But will he do what he has said? He’s made promises before,’ said Renad dubiously.

‘Hopefully, he’s already put the shield in position and activated it. But I advise you both to check your rooms before retiring and use your cot screens.’

‘Don’t worry, I will!’ said Purdu with a shudder, as he walked to the door.

After assuring Bryce that he had not seen any mong lice in the lounge, Renad told him he was also retiring early. He went to his bedroom and, switching on the light, he closed the door behind him. Opening a drawer of a cabinet, he withdrew a torch and shone it around the floor and in the corners but could see no activity of the large insects. Confident that the room was clear of threat, he undressed throwing his smelly clothes into a heap and then climbed into bed beside them, though he activated the electronic cot screen to be entirely certain of protection. The low-energy field hummed as a soft green transparency formed like a cocoon over him and to the extremities of the bed. Renad lay there for a while contemplating his plan for the morrow but soon fell asleep.

Awakened early by his alarm, Renad switched it off and deactivated the cot screen. He climbed from his bed and had a slight wash but afterwards he deliberately put on his dirty clothing. A rucksack he had previously packed, with items he deemed necessary, was removed from a cupboard and placed in readiness. He quickly wrote Bryce and Purdu a note and left it where they could find it. Picking up the bag, Renad went to a mirror to check on his unkempt appearance. Satisfied that he had the right dishevelled look about him, he then put the bag into a cardboard box he had made specifically for it, and taped it up. Renad then took the box with him to the window and opened the blind. As the light streamed in, he checked his watch as he had done at the same time for the past few days. Satisfied that the routine of shift work at the space terminal appeared not to have been altered, he left his room and quickly exited the flat. As Renad walked diagonally away from the shadow of the Chintelle Building and into bright sunlight, he saw that some of the labourers, under the cover of a shelter, were already going about their usual preparation of cooking breakfast. Whilst others were grouped around awaiting its completion, a few of them took to walking about while smoking cigarettes. One of them had gone to the side of a shed intending to sit on an oil drum. In no time at all, Renad had overpowered the man; anesthetising him with a harmless but fast-acting drug by use of a small syringe. He quickly removed his jacket and particularly his hat which, with its maroon and green crest at the peak, was the only requirement needed to show that the wearer officially belonged to the workforce. Renad put the items on and then dragged the body to the rear and out of sight.

Walking away from the shed, he joined the last few labourers that were carrying some remaining items of a consignment from the warehouse to the space terminal. In similar fashion to the others, Renad held the box on his shoulder as they proceeded single file towards the landing apron. A trace of a smile flickered on Renad’s face as he wondered what Bryce would have said had he known that he was wrong about the decline of his appearance, and that it had been by design to make himself inconspicuous among the scruffy-looking workers. For a moment, Renad felt a thrill of exhilaration with it all as he followed on and trying to keep calm.

Just before a wide ramp, two supervisors, in uniform, stood each side to ensure that the safe and speedy handling of goods was being observed.

‘Come on, we haven’t got all day! The ship is due for departure!’ shouted the one in forceful tone.

Unfortunately, in trying to comply with his order, the labourer in front of Renad stumbled, as he failed to keep pace with the others, and Renad bumped into him.

‘Hey! Watch what you’re doing!’ said the other supervisor, who walked forward and helped the man reposition the load on his shoulder. He then turned his attention to Renad and put his hand on the box to ensure it was also safely balanced, but noticing the apparent lightness of it, he hesitated in what he was doing. Being suspicious, he was about to tell Renad to put the box down when he caught a waft of his body odour. Instead of checking his clipboard, he waved it in front of his face to fan the offensive smell away and stepped back smartly. As Renad was last in line, he assumed he carried some minor but essential part of the main dispatch and, as they were running late, he ordered him forward.

‘Okay, get a move on, and don’t let that happen again or you’ll be looking for another job!’ he said sternly.

Renad needed no encouragement and, walking quickly up the ramp behind the others, he breathed a sigh of relief. In front of them was the gaping hold of an enormous spaceship. Above his head, Renad saw that it was named ‘Mulhullan’. Below the large lettering on the dirty purple exterior was the silver lettering ‘CISCO’. Renad knew this stood for the ‘Combined Intergalactic Shipping Company’ and thought that the craft must belong to their operation. At the top of the ramp, and just inside the spaceship, another official was directing the labourers to the left and to where they should put their loads. Walking further into the hold, they complied with his order. But as they went to return to the entrance, Renad, being behind them and the last in line, slipped unobserved between a clutter of cargo. He crouched down by one of the many tall stacks and peered back to see if his absence had been noticed but was relieved to see that the gang and the official were departing.

Renad put his box down and sat beside it, thrilled that he had managed to carry out his scheme to leave the wretched planet and start a new life somewhere else. Where this might be he had no