Battlefield Earth

Chapter 5

Terl's next actions were carefully observed by keen Scottish eyes in the hills.

Late the previous afternoon Terl had gone tearing off in an executive tank at high speed. He had headed toward the ancient city to the north and entered it.

About noon he left the ruins there and came roaring down the remains of the overgrown highway to the Academy.

Terl got out of the tank, faceplate of the breathe-mask glinting in the sun, and strode in a free and relaxed fashion in the direction of the sentry who came forward.

There was very little at the Academy now; a housekeeping unit and three Scot sentries, usually light-duty invalids recovering from some mishap.

This one had his arm in splints and in a sling. “What can I do for you, sir?” said the sentry in acceptable Psychlo.

Terl looked around. No vehicles left here– no, there was the tail of a small passenger plane. Must have them all up at the mine. Probably even ru

He looked at the sentry. Probably ru

He was wondering how to communicate with this animal. It had not registered on him that he had been addressed in Psychlo, simply because he didn't believe it. Animals were stupid.

Terl made gestures with his paws, indicating the height and beard of the head animal. He went through a pantomime of looking around, sweeping his arm toward himself and pointing at the spot beside him. Very difficult to get anything across to an animal.

“You probably mean Jo

Terl nodded absently and wandered off. He'd probably have to wait until they flew up to the mine and brought him back, but that was quite all right.

He realized with an expansive good feeling that he now had lots of time; but more than that, he had freedom. He could go where he pleased and do what he pleased. He flexed his arms and wandered off. It might be an accursed planet but he had space now. It was as though invisible walls had been moved off him and miles away.

Some horses were grazing in a nearby park. Terl, to pass the time, practiced drawing his belt gun and firing. One by one he broke their legs. The resulting screaming of the agonized mounts was quite satisfactory. He was just as fast on the draw as ever, just as accurate. At two hundred yards, even! A black horse. Four draws, four fires. The horse was a skidding cloud of snow. What a caterwaul! Delicious.

Jo

“Want to try?” said Terl, pretending to hand over the gun.

Jo

Jo

This was a much-changed Terl, very like his old self.

“Let's walk,” said Terl.

With a signal of the hand that Terl did not see, an angry Jo

“Well, animal,” said Terl. “I see you are getting along just fine. I suppose you are trying for a second pocket.”

“Yes,” said Jo

“Fine, fine,” said Terl. “Need any equipment? Any supplies? Just say the word. Got a list with you?” Jo

“Fine,” said Jo

“And if you want to talk to me, just flash a light through the glass at my quarters, three short flashes and I’ll come out and we can talk. Right?”

Jo

“Well, you just ask the right party,” said Terl, patting himself on the chest.

“What I don't know about mining has never been written up!” He laughed loudly.

Indeed this was a different Terl, thought Jo

They were still out in a field and hidden from view by a knoll.

“Now to business,” said Terl. “On Day 89 you are to deliver my gold to this building in the old city up there.” He took a picture out of his pocket and showed it to Jo

It said on the building: “United States Mint.” Jo

“Day 89,” said Terl. “Two hours after sunset. Don't be seen. There's a room I’ve fixed up. Put it in there.”

Jo

“Have you got a flatbed ground truck?” asked Terl. “No? I’ll give you one.” He became impressive, commanding. “Now listen carefully: you and two other animals, no more, are to arrive at that exact time. You, personal. Tell the others you won't return until Day 93 and you'll bring them their pay. From Day 89 to 93 I have some other things for you to do. Understand? You personally and two animals, no more; the rest stay at the mine. Right?”

Jo

Yes, Terl certainly did. So Jo

Terl glanced up to be sure there was no overhead surveillance and then hunkered down. He fondled the nets of gold, some of the quartz still sticking to it. He spent some time at it and then stood up with a paw signal to put it away. Jo

Gazing at the bag, Terl let out a long sigh into his breathe-mask. “Beautiful,” he said. “Beautiful.”

He came out of it. “So on Day 89, I get a ton of gold, right?” He patted his pocket where the remote control lay. “And then on Day 93 you get your payoff!"

“Why the delay?” said Jo

“Oh, you've got a few things to do,” said Terl. “But never fear, animal. Come Day 93 you will be paid off. With interest. Compounded. I promise you very faithfully!” He laughed a huge guffaw into his mask, and Jo

“You'll get everything that's coming to you, animal!” said Terl. “Let's walk back to the car.”

Never in his whole life had Terl felt so good. He recalled from the Scotland trip how eager they were for pay. This animal was going to get paid on Day 89! Then he could kill the females. With no fear of “psychic powers.” Delicious!

“Goodbye, animal,” he said, and drove off in great spirits.