General points:  13   Aliens   "Something pulled me down to the sphere," he began. "I didn't know what was happening. I remember my hands beginning to feel odd, like a sort of magnetic attraction towards the surface; then it moved quickly along my arms and body. By the time I realised I was being pulled down there was no time to react. I was being sucked with increasing force until my hands struck and plunged into the peculiar surface material. I remember fearing that my suit might be damaged. I tried to shield my head as best I could but instead of a hard impact or even a soft one I felt myself actually going through the surface." At that point he paused as if reliving the fear and confusion that he must have felt at the time. "It was like a liquid. Well it was a liquid really, but very light and fluid, not viscous as you might expect. I was pulled through very quickly and I remember my suit pressing against my body. I felt sure I was about to be killed, I'd forgotten about the cable. I imagined the liquid carried on right into the sphere. Then suddenly the pressing sensation stopped, I had emerged on the inside. My eyes had been tight shut but when I opened them I could see. The light was not very bright and the filter in my helmet made it even darker. I was still falling and started to brace myself for the impact when the cable locked. I continued down as it stretched but soon reached the limit of extension then bounced back upwards. If you hadn't locked the cable just then I would have been killed for certain. "The inner surface wasn't smooth; it seemed like a sort of honeycomb structure. Then I was pulled back through the liquid and you know the rest." "Was anything moving inside?" asked Knight. "I don't think so, nothing caught my attention anyway." And then in a sudden burst of zeal added, "We need to go down again and explore that inner surface more fully." Knight began to feel weak in the knees. He knew that Sharma would not be allowed down again, at least not so soon after such a shattering experience. So it would be his turn. Suddenly he felt much less inquisitive. "Control here, suggest Knight makes the next investigation, and take a number four instrumentation package." "Acknowledged," answered Knight, his fears confirmed. Strangely the roles were now reversed. Sharma, in a state of post-near-disaster euphoria became full of enthusiasm and suggested all kinds of checks and exploration hints, while Knight just wanted to get on with the job as quickly as possible. He first made a thorough inspection of Sharma's suit to see if the liquid had done any damage, half hoping that it had, but found none. "Ten metres to go," advised Sharma. "No change, proceeding normally," replied Knight. But inwardly he felt anything but normal. In fact a deep sense of foreboding had taken hold of him. This strange vessel with its own gravity and mysterious liquid skin was altogether too alien, a product of an overwhelmingly superior technology and a thing not to be tampered with. Why did we have to try to pre-empt whatever the aliens had in mind? His instincts warned him off strongly but there was no way out, other than a straight refusal to proceed. And that was out, he knew that if he gave in to that temptation there was no way he could ever live with himself afterwards. Just take things one step at a time Sharma had counselled, and Knight was finding it not such bad advice after all. He tried to control his racing imagination by filling his mind with the task immediately ahead, prohibiting thoughts of anything more. He could feel the gravitational effect now, and forced himself to observe and report as objectively as possible. "Gravitational field noticeable just under two metres from the surface, release cable more slowly now." It was working, the more he involved himself in the current task the less room there was for anxiety. He turned off his manoeuvring jets and allowed the sphere's own gravity to keep him stable. "Touching surface now, continue at same rate." The cable very gently controlled his descent. He slowly became immersed in the surface liquid and found the sensation peculiar but not too unpleasant. "Proceeding normally, continue," said Knight. "Acknowledged," replied Sharma, "you're one metre into the skin now." He could monitor the surface thickness accurately by the length of cable paid out. Knight was blind as yet. He had little sensation of movement and relied on his outstretched arms to tell him when they were out of the liquid. Only then would he know that he was about to emerge. Several times the knowledge of where he was and what he was doing welled up inside his mind and threatened to seize him with panic. Several times he almost cried out to be pulled back to safety but somehow resisted. Sharma's advice was sound but instinct was a powerful force to do battle with. "Two metres into the surface, you're doing fine Damian, remember I'm right behind you," called Sharma's reassuring voice. "Thanks." The contact helped more than Sharma would ever know. It was quite literally Knight's lifeline, both physically and psychologically. "Emerging now," he proclaimed tensely, "stop after another metre." Soon he felt himself clear of the liquid skin, only one more task and he could see what was to be seen. Hurriedly he unclipped a tiny instrument from his suit and with trembling hands scanned the interior for harmful radiation. The sensation was one of acute vulnerability hanging there helpless and blind, but he dare not reduce the intensity of his filter until this vital check had been made. The check proved negative so he hastily returned the unit and fumbled with the filter control to restore his precious sense of sight. Contrary to Sharma's report he found it quite bright inside. He looked down fearfully, but the sight that met his eyes was so strange that he instantly felt that he was dreaming. The reaction was completely automatic, as if something in the mind constantly monitors the inflow of information for credibility. When the limit is reached a signal is triggered that says in effect 'this isn't real, don't take it seriously any more.' Then Sharma's voice re-established a point of credibility and the sensation passed. "Damian, everything OK? We're waiting for some pictures." Knight was supposed to pan the camera across the inner surface from his vantage point high up to give a permanent recording for future detailed analysis before proceeding further. But he was unable to reply. He was totally absorbed in the scene below, fascinated, delighted, and afraid. There, barely twenty metres away were the aliens, about a dozen, wandering over the inner surface quite unaware of the odd creature looking down at them. They were apparently engaged in some routine task, their actions quiet and unhurried, almost mechanical. Each appeared to be allocated a specific area and moved across it in a systematic fashion, pausing here and there to examine some part of the surface more closely. "Damian acknowledge please," came Sharma's insistent voice. Knight hurriedly tried to turn the volume down, fearful that the aliens might hear, but the message had ended by the time he reached the control. "Acknowledged," he whispered, "there's a group of aliens directly below me, they are busy with some task and haven't noticed me yet, I'll hook-up the camera." The guesses had all been wrong. These creatures were neither monsters nor gods; they were neither terrifying nor repulsive. They were somewhat similar in general appearance to kangaroos but smaller, with strong rear legs but no tail. Their main peculiarity was in having three pairs of forelimbs, the front pair being used to assist in walking while the others were neatly tucked into their sides. Their heads were merely continuations of their bodies, they had no discernible necks. Knight had difficulty in making out their facial features as they were all looking down, conscious only of their work at the surface. Their skin or whatever it was that covered their bodies was pale yellow, the colour of newly hatched chicks, and here and there were flecks of darker yellow, the whole appearance being really quite acceptable. Knight was captivated by the scene, so much so the he failed to notice the radiation detector slipping slowly from the clip on his suit. In his haste to adjust the helmet filter he had not secured the device properly. He noticed it drop though. It had gone about three metres when it caught his eye. There was nothing he could do so he waited, cringing, breath held, all thought suspended. It looked at first as though it might hit one of the creatures below, but fortunately it landed just off to one side, the resounding clatter echoing back and forth between the surfaces. The little creatures all jumped up in the air as the device landed, just like startled children, and then stood quite still. Knight waited to be discovered, not daring to break the new silence, uncanny in its intensity. Surprisingly none looked up, and slowly they resumed their work. When the one nearest the device saw it, it picked it up, examined it with meticulous care, and then slowly began to turn its head upwards. Two large black eyes swept the inner edge of the liquid surface until they were looking straight up at Knight. The poor creature fell backwards in fright and some of its nearest colleagues turned to see what had caused the sudden alarm. Then, like frightened rabbits they bounded away in gigantic leaps to an opening in the structure, jostling each other in their desperation to get through. Within only seconds of being discovered Knight was alone, not knowing what to do and his heart pounding like a hammer in his chest. His instincts told him to retreat but something stopped him. If he went now he would probably never know the outcome of his discovery. If he could stand to wait he would at least see what would happen. Once again Sharma helped him in his dilemma, a dependable source of reassurance, taking away the element of urgency. "Don't panic Damian, my hand is on the cable control, you'll be out of there in a second if you give the word. Hang on as long as you can, maybe nothing else will happen." "OK Cyrus, I'll be all right. I'll set the camera to wide angle, if you see something before I do you can let me know or pull me out if it looks dangerous." Try as he might he could not keep a distinct tremor from his voice. He was scared and felt sure that everyone would know it. He fixed his eyes on the opening where the aliens had disappeared, occasionally glancing briefly away for signs of activity from any other direction. Five minutes passed. It seemed like a lifetime. Gradually his heart slowed. Perhaps Sharma was right, perhaps nothing more would happen. After ten minutes he was feeling quite calm again and began to take some measurements of pressure, temperature, light composition and so on, and to pan the camera over the inner surface as originally intended. Periodically he paused to study the opening, but he became convinced that he had seen the last of the timid aliens. He was about to check the atmosphere when a flash of colour set his heart racing again and brought his fear back in full force. Something was happening, there was a movement on the inside of the opening but he could not yet make out any details. "Watch the opening Damian, something's happening there." Sharma had seen it as well. That was a comfort; he would be ready to pull him out at a moment's notice if the need arose. A few seconds later out stepped a different type of alien. It was much larger than the others and dull red in colour. It was still similar in general appearance but the rear legs were much bigger in relation to the rest of its body than the others and it appeared about two metres tall. This creature was not timid. It strode out on its powerful legs and was followed closely by the yellow ones which jumped about excitedly. No sound was made that Knight could detect, except for the soft pad, pad, of the large creature's feet as it moved along. He kept the camera trained squarely on this new arrival. If it made any sudden move or threatened in any way Knight wanted Sharma to see it and get him out. Luckily it was not armed, or at least there was no sign of any weapons. It wore no apparent clothing, and what served as its hands were empty. Slowly the creature circled him, stopping every now and then to study him from various angles. A silent order must have been given for three of the small yellow creatures looked sharply at their leader then raced back to the opening. They reappeared a few seconds later, carrying what looked like a small lifebelt. They took it over to the red alien and proceeded to put it over its head, now bent forward to allow them to reach. Then, to Knight's amazement, the creature floated away from the surface and up towards the inner edge of the liquid skin. It continued circling as it rose, observing all it could. When level with Knight it approached slowly and cautiously, watching all the time. Knight pointed the camera steadily at the creature; he was feeling none too happy about this encounter. There was no reason to suspect hostility, as yet only curiosity had been evident and that was entirely reasonable in the circumstances. Its face was clearly visible now, two great eyes set close together and completely black. There were no visible ears or mouth, but there was a small protrusion where the nose should have been. Its appearance was not unpleasant taken altogether. It wore a rather surprised expression, somewhat like a bushbaby, which Knight found a little comical. "Say the word and your out," said Sharma, none too confident himself. "Wait a bit, but be ready," replied Knight steadily. The tables were well and truly turned. The investigator was under investigation, the observer observed. The creature made no sudden movements, but slowly and continuously came closer and closer. Knight realised that it would not be able to see his face because of the reflective coating on his helmet, and was aware that he must present a peculiar sight indeed. The creature was directly in front of him now and stared right into his helmet. The situation suddenly struck Knight as very funny, this odd but friendly looking creature peering in at him, cautious but inquisitive. He had an urge to extend a hand, as one may do to a friendly dog, but resisted. The creature gently touched his arm, perhaps examining the texture of his suit, and Knight was allowed a close view of the hands on each of its forelimbs. The front ones were muscular but the others very delicate. Several multi-jointed fingers extended from hemispherical pads on each hand, each finger apparently able to move to any position on the pad. It worked its way all over his suit and equipment, feeling, studying, questioning. Knight found the experience a little embarrassing, but did not feel that he was in any danger. He responded by slowly extending a hand towards the creature. As he touched one of its arms it stiffened and stopped moving momentarily, then peered again into the helmet as if trying to see the controller of this peculiar body. It allowed him to run his hands over its arms and side. Knight had little sensation through his thick gloves, but the impression was of a hard body, much harder than human flesh. It was difficult to tell whether what he could see was really skin, or some form of short fur, scales, feathers or other covering. Its movements were very fluid, whatever it was that served as a skeleton must have been well covered by whatever it was that served as flesh. It resumed its examination of its visitor, now oblivious to Knight's attention to its own body. At one point it had one of its arms across his chest and another round his back, and Knight had the distressing thought that if he was pulled out now the creature would come with him, and to its death. He began to feel acutely uneasy; as long as it was holding him like this he was effectively trapped. It was not deliberate he felt sure, in fact if the creature was aware of this possibility it would surely release him for the sake of its own safety. He was about to mention this to Sharma when without any warning the creature lifted him up, the sudden and unexpected force making him breathe out involuntarily. It was too late. If only he had been quick-witted enough to have foreseen this. The creature had deftly lifted him to release the tension on the cable that was holding him then detached it from his suit leaving him completely helpless. And now he was being taken gently down to the inner surface below, and to what else he dare not guess. Â