Flight of the Golden Harpy Page 22

  Shail nodded.

  “Star date twenty-two-sixty. Today is the sixth anniversary of the crash, and we pretty much have given up hope of a rescue. To date we lost two more men to animals and another to a fall. Without women, we’re very lonely, but our cook, Sam Wise, found a root and made spirits. This pleased the men. A young man named Jack Harper made a pet out of a tall flying monkey. One of the Spanish boys named them loco eagles, since the creatures are so crazy they fly right to us. I’m concerned with Harper, and afraid the boy is losing it here. After the loco eagle was shot and wounded, he refused to let the cook have it. Oddly enough, the loco eagle is rather affectionate. I believe it thinks Harper is its mate. There is nothing else to report. Captain James, out.

  “This is the seventh anniversary since the crash. It’s been a rather strange year. The female loca eagle had a baby a few months ago. Except for a tail and some feathers on her shoulders, the baby looks like a little girl. Now every guy in camp wants his own female loca. It shows how desperate they’ve become. Captain James, out.”

  Shail glared at the screen. “Turn it off.” He paced the helm and finally stopped. “Is this how we were made, Kari? Men made us?”

  Kari bit her bottom lip and didn’t answer.

  “We are better than humans.” He shook his head. “Go on. I must know this truth.” Kari hit the key, and the next log entry popped on the screen.

  “Star year twenty-eight seventy-two. Tomorrow is my birthday, and I’ll be sixty-five years old. Don’t know how many more times I can climb the mountain, and…” He glanced at the panel. “The power pack is low. Well, I broke down and, like the rest of my crew, took a loca eagle for a wife. My crew made a gift of a rare yellow-winged loca. It may be sick, but she won my heart. I’ve never been happier with a female. She’s affectionate and constantly nuzzles me. We have created a whole new race by procreating with these loving animals. My two sons and four daughters make my life complete. The boys have yellow wings like their mother and can fly, and they taunt my little girls, but they are intelligent and the gentlest of beings. Every morning the village is filled with their chatter. My blond fledglings stand out from the other brown-haired and winged fledglings. My oldest boy rules the roost.” Captain James chuckled. “He takes after his old man; won’t back down to anyone or anything. God help me, I love him more than my life. We named them harpies after Jack Harper. He started this all. Captain James, out.”

  Kari stopped the log and looked at Shail. “We were named after a man, Jack Harper, not the ugly thieving monsters from ancient Greek mythology. There’s one more,” she said, and an old man appeared on the screen.

  “Star year, hell I don’t know the date, but I think I’m eighty-five years old. I figure I haven’t been to The Princess in twenty years. My son flew me up here. Before I died, I wanted to make this final log for the harpies. I’m a grandfather with seventeen beautiful grandchildren, and every generation they grow more handsome. My son rules the others. He was chosen because he’s wise and defends his flock with his life, and his compassion is beyond reproach. He’s a better leader than I ever was. I brought him to the old spaceship to tell him that this is where the harpies began.

  “Besides me and three others, all of the ship’s crew is dead. We sit and talk about our offspring and what the future holds for them. If someday other men come to the planet, I’m sure they’ll be impressed with the harpies. They have mankind’s best qualities; gentleness, honor, and they’re smart.” James sighed. “Thank God they didn’t take after us men. We came here, killed the animals, and cut down the trees, but it was our kids who taught us to respect one another and all life. They’re a fine race without a malicious bone in them.”

  “Father, it grows late, and I fear the mountain wind shall be too cold for you,” said a soft male voice beyond the screen.

  “I’m almost finished, son,” James said.

  “Anyway, I’m leaving the log as a record so the harpies know how they were created, and if men find it, they’ll know the harpies are their brothers and should be treated with equal respect. I guess that’s all. I’m ready, son. I want to be home before my great-grandson is born. Do you think…?” James’ voice trailed off, forgetting to shut down the equipment.

  Shail placed his hand against the blank screen. “I wish all men were like this one. He was kind and loved us.”

  Kari pulled the disc out and held it to his face. “Shail, do you know what this means?”

  “It means you and I carry the man’s blood.”

  “Yes, but it’s solid proof we’re related to humans, and better yet, it exonerates the male harpies. We didn’t become related to humans because male harpies stole and raped women. The disc tells us we have the human DNA because men mated with the loca eagles. The captain’s log could put a stop to the hunting. Harpies are not animals, but another race of mortals. Captain James left the log so humans would respect the harpies.”

  “It comes too late to be of use. Tomorrow the moons shall be round, and I must fly to the gathering. We shall hold the swarms back so the innocent humans can flee to the stars, but after seven lights, my flock loses this control, and the swarm shall descend on all towns, craving human flesh. Kari, I shall not risk my males to save foolish humans who refuse to go. Once the humans escape, we shall attack the swarm. To destroy a swarm, a male harpy must out-fly and guide it. Some harpies shall die. The swarm amounts must be down before the next rise of the round moons. If we have failed, the land may be lost.”

  “I understand the deadline, but if I took the log to the humans, and you were convinced that they would stop hunting harpies, couldn’t you destroy the swarms before they reached the towns? You intend to destroy the beetles anyway.”

  Shail paced the room. “I am not sure I could be convinced, and there is no trust. Once the swarms are gone, it is more likely the men shall continue the hunt. The greed for our valuable wings leans toward this choice. Letting the humans live and flee is more than fair when they have killed many in the flocks. You ask a lot of me.”

  “I do ask a lot, but Shail, you have an advantage. The humans will learn that without harpies, the beetles will take over the planet. Fearing the return of the swarms, the humans would protect the harpies now and in the future. The hunting would end.”

  “It may be wiser to drive them to the stars and end the threat. Let them seek other lands and inflict their cruelty. We have had our fill.”

  “There are many good humans here and many of them will die. There aren’t enough spaceships to evacuate the planet in time.”

  “Female, you make my head hurt. Take the captain’s words and do what you must. I shall think on this. If I save the humans, I could be killing my flock.”

  Kari leaped up and kissed him. She dropped to her knees, removing the power pack and placing it back into the portable communicator. “I’m calling Doc. He’ll know the right people to look at the disc, and I can ask him about your broken wing.” She pushed the com keys. “I have to go outside. The satellite doesn’t pick up in here.” She crawled through the crushed doorway, and Shail followed.

  They reached the cliff as the light faded. Kari started to push a key when Shail caught her wrist. “To now tell that the harpies control the swarms would be unwise,” he said and released her.

  “I won’t tell.” Kari hit the keys, and Doc appeared on the small screen. “Hello, Doc. It’s Kari Turner, the girl with the golden harpy.”

  “Kari, I’ve been thinking about you,” Doc said. “How are you and your handsome male?”

  “We’re fine, but I need to know when his splint can come off,” she yelled over the wind.

  “So you still got him.” Doc chuckled. “Well, let’s see.” He rubbed his beard. “He’s young with strong bones, should’ve healed quickly, and it’s the lower bone on the wing, not that much stress. Bet that high-strung fellow is itching to fly. Probably could come off now, but he better take it easy. The wing would be more stable if he waited a few more weeks. How�
��s he treating you?”

  “He’s a real gentleman, Doc, in the truest sense of the word. I’ve never been happier.” Kari clasped Shail’s hand.

  “Say, there’s a friend of yours here, Dr. Watkins. We’ve been working on the harpy study and discussing you and the golden quite a bit.”

  “Dr. Watkins is there? Can you put him on the com?” she asked.

  Watkins appeared on the screen. “Hello, Miss Turner. Did I hear you correctly? You still own the golden harpy?”

  Kari pulled Shail toward the screen. “Here he is.”

  Watkins stared at Shail. “Dr. White told me he was a stunning creature. Can you bring him here so I could get a blood sample for my research?”

  Shail hissed at the man’s image on the screen.

  “That was definitely a no,” Kari laughed, “but I’ll be picking up my vehicle in the morning and plan to be back in Westend tomorrow night. I’m bringing solid proof that can help the harpies and your research.”

  “I’ll be looking forward to it, and to seeing you again,” Watkins said, and they disconnected.

  * * *

  Shail and Kari went back inside the spaceship. “I do not wish that you travel alone in the vehicle,” he said. “I can fly you to your father’s home.”

  “It’s too risky to come to the estate, and you heard Doc. That’s a hundred-mile flight with my weight. It will tax your wing. Besides, I may need the vehicle. You can take me to the cabin. It’s a short flight along the ocean.” She sensed his worry for her safety. “I’ll be all right. The harpies keep the swarms off my father’s estate, and if I run into hunters, they’ll think I’m a woman. Wild harpies don’t travel in vehicles.”

  Shail sniffled toward a doorway, and one of the few remaining male harpies appeared and bowed to Shail. “Go to the islands and fetch an older and reliable fledgling,” he relayed to the male. “At dawn have him meet me at the small human structure to the south. The fledgling shall be responsible for watching over my mate.” The male nodded and left for the crevice. “I would prefer an adult,” Shail said to Kari, “but all are needed at the gathering. The fledgling shall be the eyes and ears of the harpies. If trouble comes, he can retrieve the males who guard the borders of the estate.”

  “All right, if it makes you feel better.”

  They returned to their room, and Kari carefully removed the splint from Shail’s wing. He stretched it out and saw the new feathers that had replaced the damaged ones. He fluttered off the floor, testing the wing and felt the weakness from injury and lack of use. His mate was right. With her weight, a long flight to the estate would bring soreness, and he needed strong wings for the days ahead.

  Kari and Shail curled up on the moss, knowing this was their last night together. Having missed her period, Kari told him she was definitely pregnant, and it was no longer harpy intuition. The bond that night was for pleasure and the possibility of loss.

  Shail caressed her slender body, noticing every detail. The memory would have to sustain him in the grueling weeks ahead. She quivered and wiggled against him, her body stimulating his. He slowly made love to her, wishing the night would last forever.

  Their uncertain future together heightened the sex drive. With each consummation, Shail rested briefly, and at his mate’s urging, performed all night. At dawn their bodies were soaking wet with sweat. He feverishly copulated to release one last climax. Rapidly pumping, he consummated the final bonding and collapsed beside her. His heart pounding, he gasped for air with limbs so weak he could barely move. He closed his eyes and felt his female stroke his exhausted body. She kissed his cheek and cuddled next to him. He placed his arms around her and drifted to sleep.

  13

  The sun was sinking into the horizon when John Turner stepped out of the hover and slung his traveling bag over a shoulder. After a tiring flight from Terrance, he headed for the house. Charlie greeted him at the door. “Were you able to speak to any of them?” Charlie asked.

  “I talk to a guy named Harry. He was the only hunter left still able to talk. One kid is in a coma, and the other guy…” John raised his eyebrows. “The golden beat him so badly he’s a vegetable and paralyzed for life. Kari’s harpy is getting damn mean. This is his second attack on hunters.”

  “Maybe the golden has reasons. What did this Harry say?”

  John entered the house and dropped the bag by the door. “Not much. Didn’t say he saw Kari, but the location confirms we were close on their tail. The attack was several mountain ranges north of the cabin.” John walked into the den. “What’s the latest on the swarms? There was a major hit above Terrance while I was there. Those people are getting plenty nervous.”

  Charlie pulled out a map of the outback and laid it on John’s desk. “Here and here.” He pointed on the map. “There have been numerous swarm strikes on hunting lodges. The hits have been so fast and frequent that the death toll of hunters is unknown. Only yesterday four hunters were killed in their vehicle outside of Westend.”

  “No towns?” John asked.

  “Not yet, and none have hit the estate. The governor has ordered a voluntary evacuation of the outback towns.”

  John eased into his chair. “Guess we’ve been lucky. I just hope the swarms stay away from the northern mountain range and Kari. You really think she’s safe with the harpies?”

  “I’ve seen the harpies fly. They can easily out-fly the beetles.”

  “The harbor is gone, and most of my men have left for Hampton. I can’t rebuild without help, and there’s no sense with these swarms. Tomorrow I plan to head back up to those mountains and hope to pick up her trail.”

  The communicator buzzed on his desk, and John pushed the key. “Hello, Mr. Turner. This is Mr. Schmitt in satellite communications. I have another correspondence on your property. You will be very interested in this one. The communiqué wasn’t long enough to pinpoint the exact location, but there was a golden harpy on the screen, and the girl said her name was Kari Turner.”

  John quickly leaned forward in his seat. “Patch it through.”

  “Do you want a two-way hookup or just your daughter’s?”

  “Two-way,” John said and stared anxiously at the divided screen. Kari was speaking to Doc. “Son-of-a-bitch,” John growled when he saw the harpy. The short transmission ended.

  “So what do you think, Mr. Turner?” Schmitt said, coming back on the screen.

  “You’ll be well paid for this,” John said, and hit the off key.

  “I thought it was illegal to listen in,” Charlie said.

  “It is, but some laws are meant to be bent.” John rose from his seat. “We have them now. I can get my daughter back and kill the harpy at the same time.”

  “I heard Kari say she was happy, and he has not harmed her. She is coming back to Westend tomorrow night. Maybe we should stay here and meet her at Doc’s house.”

  “No, I’m going to end this. If I don’t, the son-of-a-bitch will come back to haunt me. This is the best shot at getting him. We’ll take Sam and Jerry in a second hover. If we get there tonight and stake it out, we can surround him before he takes off. The wind won’t be at our backs this time. Let’s go.”

  * * *

  The two hovers flew up the coast several miles off shore, and aided by the nearly full moons, the headlights were not needed. John and the other pilot landed their hovers on the beach far south of the cabin. The four men piled out and quietly crept toward the cabin. Once they reached the cabin, they fanned out, hid under jungle bushes, and set up a watch.

  As dawn broke, John radioed the other men. “They should be here any minute. No talking. Watch for my signal.”

  Charlie hid alongside John. “I’m begging you for the last time, John. Please don’t kill the harpy. Just let him go.”

  “This is the last time I want to hear that from you,” John grumbled.

  All was very still as morning came, and they searched the skies and woods for Kari and the harpy. The men finally spotted them.


  * * *

  Shail held Kari in his arms and landed in front of the familiar cabin. He set her down and stretched one wing.

  “Does it hurt?” Kari asked, using harpy telepathy when in the jungle.

  “No, it is good,” Shail answered, and looked up into the tree branches. “I do not see the fledgling. It is unnatural he be late.”

  Kari wrapped her arms around Shail’s neck and kissed him. “You worry too much. He’ll come. We could go in the cabin, and fool around while we wait.”

  “You are not satisfied?” he asked.

  “I’m always satisfied with you.” She smiled, and Shail embraced her and buried his face in her long hair and nuzzled her neck.

  “She’s got him pretty distracted,” John whispered. He signaled to the other men to close in.

  Hearing the faint sound of a man’s voice, Shail jerked his head out of Kari’s hair and sniffed the air, but it was too late. With their weapons pointed toward him and Kari, Turner and the men hurried from the bushes and raced across the small clearing toward him.

  Seeing Shail’s startled expression and his arched wings, Kari whirled around and saw her father and the others. “Fly,” she relayed.

  “I shall not risk it,” Shail relayed. “Their weapons could hit you.” He held his mate as the men surrounded them.

  “Get away from him, Kari,” John ordered.

  Kari clutched her mate. “So you can kill him? Never.”

  “Do what I say!” John yelled.

  “If you promise to let him go,” Kari said, “I’ll come home with you.”

  “I won’t promise that,” John said. “He’ll take off and be right back to ruin your life.”

  Tears coursed down Kari’s cheeks. “Can’t you see he is my life? Charlie, don’t let Dad hurt Shail.”

  “I cannot stop him,” Charlie said. “I have asked John many times to let your harpy live.”

  Kari wiped her wet face on her sleeve and glared at her father. “Is this how it was twenty years ago, Dad, when my mother tried to protect a golden male? You’ll have to kill me, too.” Her sharp words sliced through the jungle air.