The Secret of Spring (23 page)

The
Txnghc
was topside breaking out
Snuggies
for them. The garments were paper thin and looked like shiny pink foil, but once on they proved toasty warm.

Before emerging into the raging snow storm outside, they fortified themselves with nutrition pellets from the
Txnghc's
larder. Not too tasty, but surprisingly filling. Herb stuck a few extra in his pockets.

The pilot had also dropped a dinghy outside into the choppy waters and helped lower Cling and Herb down the side. Spring slid down last with Herb's help. He caught her at the sides of her waist as she landed, and felt his breath intake as her breasts pressed up against him. Even through the foil material, she was soft and warm. Spring returned his gaze as he looked helplessly into her eyes.

"Please to sit," Cling Ling instructed. "We must not rock this craft. The water is frozen."

It certainly was. It was practically a sheet of ice, with only a few cracks here and there of dark, churning water.

"How did he ever find a space safe enough to land?" gasped
Spring
in awe of the surroundings.

"He didn't. Heat jets. They melted a place as we landed. Now we need to hurry to shore before the water freezes over again," Cling Ling said. "We wouldn't wish to be caught inside this glacier."

"No, I have no desire to turn into a Burr Side,"
Spring
said. "That's a frozen sweet," she explained to Herb.

He smiled. It was an apt analogy.

"Our pilot landed close to the delivery point," Cling Ling informed them, as he consulted a screen on the dinghy control panel. He pointed out a red blip. "If I am not mistaken, that is our destination."

"How can we see? This snow storm is getting worse," Herb complained, as
Spring
snuggled closer. Well, it was an ill wind that boded no one any good.

"I will home in with this instrument," Cling Ling said, guiding the small vessel with his covered vines. After a bit, they saw the faint glow from buildings ahead. The storm had let up in intensity and Herb gaped in disbelief. Buildings made from ice? But why not? There was certainly plenty of it available, and no danger of melting in this frozen world. A sensible use of a natural resource.

Cling Ling had run their craft as far as the crack in the ice extended. They pulled it ashore and pressed forward on foot. Fortunately, as they reached the "road" to the buildings, they discovered the walk way was heated. Only a bit of stubborn ice melted and refroze here and there as they approached the entrance of the main building.

Herb's foot found a slick piece and he slid through the door on one foot, dragging
Spring
with him. It was an outer portico, with a large door at the side. Cling Ling pressed the bright red lever and it opened to reveal an efficient, official looking business office waiting room.

"It looks so normal,"
Spring
said.

"I know what you mean," Herb agreed. "After seeing an ice building, I thought we might be greeted by Polaris bears or snowmen."

"Good day," said a voice as soft as drifted snow. "I'm Miss Frosty, Mr.
Zeroid's
secretary. So sorry to keep you waiting."

Herb's eyes bulged. That was no snowman. Snow bunny, perhaps. He ogled the tall, statuesque, platinum haired, incredibly well-grown female with skin so white it was lustrous. This ice maiden was definitely hot.

"We just arrived," he squeaked.

Spring's eyes narrowed as she pushed ahead of Herb to speak, since for reasons she didn't care to think about, he seemed to have lost his voice. "We have a delivery from Mr. Thorn," she said coldly.

"You are most welcome. We have been expecting you," the vision beamed.

"You have?" Herb croaked.

"Oh yes. Mr.
Zeroid
has been most anxious. I will let him know you have arrived safely. Please make yourselves comfortable, and if you should need anything before I return, just press this button," she said, indicating its location, "and call me." She smiled at Herb. "I am
Frigidda
."

"I don't believe that," Herb said under his breath.

"What?" Spring asked as the icy beauty departed through another door.

"Uh, nothing. I just wondered how they knew we were the ones delivering their package," he said stupidly.

"I imagine the
Txnghc
has been in communication from the ship, and even had he not been, just how many green snowmen do you think they see around here?" she said testily.

Herb decided to remain quiet. For some reason he didn't understand
Spring
had lost her usual good nature. He heard her make a barely audible snorting sound. Women could be so moody.

The three of them sat in strained silence until Miss Frosty returned to smilingly announce that Mr.
Zeroid
would see them now, indicating the doorway.

"Why, thank you, Miss ah, ah-" Herb stammered, awed for the moment by the brilliance of her sparkling white teeth.

Spring sprang to the rescue, taking his arm and tugging him along. "We mustn't keep Mr.
Zeroid
waiting, Herb. Besides, I'm sure Miss Frostbite has
work
to do."

They entered with Cling Ling moving ahead of them with his burden of HOTS. Mr.
Zeroid
rose from behind his desk to greet them. He was a large, rounded gentleman with the same snow-white coloring as his secretary. He did indeed resemble a jolly, plump snowman.

"I'll relieve you of those," he said to Cling Ling, placing the box on his desk. "You've arrived just in time, too. Our power is nearly exhausted. I've already notified our engineers. They'll be right up for those." He sat back down after indicating chairs for the trio. He seemed clearly relieved that the shipment had arrived safely.

"What were you saying about your power?" Spring asked politely.

He looked surprised. "You don't know what they're for? They are the only power source feasible for our planet. Even they don't last forever. The extreme cold, you see. Our sector had only a few more hours' heat and then, well, we are certainly glad to see you." He laughed nervously.

"But why did you wait so long to get replacements?" asked Herb.

"You really aren't aware of our situation here, are you?" asked Mr.
Zeroid
, amazed.

"Please be most kind to explain," Cling Ling said.

"Certainly. Hybrid Oxalic Taproots are only grown on P#23 under certain specialized conditions. They are not only rare and expensive, they are difficult to ship because they-"

"I think we already know why,"
Spring
interrupted wryly.

"Yes," he continued. "We do order them well in advance, but variables such as bad crops, budget problems, or transportation can always cause hazardous delays."

"One must ask. Why rely on such questionable sources of energy?" Cling Ling asked.

"Because Hybrid, er, HOTS, are virtually the only heat and power source that won't freeze up on our world. Before they were available, we were more or less an isolated chunk of ice. They have enabled our civilization not only to interact with our own kind, but to open communication with the outside universe. Without them, we'd lose everything."

"Ah, indeed," Cling Ling agreed.

"I'm afraid persons such as Mr. Thorn realize our desperation and it's become tougher to meet his price. Oh, not that we don't want to do business," he quickly added, obviously fearing he had said too much.

"That is terrible,"
Spring
exclaimed, outraged. "We have no loyalty to Thorn, Mr.
Zeroid
. This is a one time job. So don't worry, you may speak freely. There must be something we could do to help, Cling? This is a matter of survival."

"You see the situation exactly," agreed Mr.
Zeroid
, relieved he had not spoken out of turn.

"We must bring this to the attention of the diplomatic services," said Cling Ling.

"Yes, Patty Cakes will know what to do," joined in Herb.

"Rest assured we shall apprise the proper officials, Mr.
Zeroid
. I know Paradise would not wish your planet to be exploited in this manner. There will be an inquiry, and no doubt, new regulations will follow," Cling Ling said.

"Well, that is just wonderful. Thank you all," Mr.
Zeroid
said, gratefully reaching out to shake hands all around. "It was our lucky day when you folks arrived on the scene."

"And a very bad day for one Mr. Thorn," grinned Herb.

"And Thistle," added
Spring
, giggling. "Serves him right for trying to trick us."

A short time later, they were aboard the dinghy and safely away from the dazzling Miss Frosty. They had wrapped up tightly in their
Snuggies
and braced against the storm as Cling Ling headed back to the ship. Their passage route was showing signs of icing despite the heat jets from the
Txnghc
craft. The snow had become so heavy no one could see anything. Cling Ling had to rely solely on the dinghy's instruments to guide them back.

Suddenly, the vessel came to a dead stop. "Why are we stopping here, Cling?" Spring called from beneath her hood. The snow was almost blinding.

"We have not stopped. It has stopped us. The heat jet must have dislodged some larger ice fragments and one is blocking our path through the glacier."

"Great. Could we get out and slide the boat over it?" Herb asked.

"Not advisable. This vessel has
a heated
flooring. The temperature of this ice and water are far below anything we could survive. One step outside and you would surely lose a limb," Cling Ling warned.

"We can't just sit here. Heated bottom or not, we'd freeze to death soon."

"I must agree with you, Mistress Moon," Cling Ling said.

"We have to do something," Herb said. "Call the
Txnghc
. Maybe he can help us."

"Regretfully, I have tried to alert the ship of our predicament without success. I fear the instruments have frozen."

"Wait,"
Spring
said. "I hear something. Maybe he's seen us anyway. Maybe he's coming out to get us."

"I hear it, too," Herb said. "Funny, it doesn't sound like another dinghy motor. It's more of a-crunching sound."

"You're right. Like something breaking off chunks of ice. Crunch-crunch,"
Spring
said puzzled.

The snow fall had noticeably abated while they discussed the mystery sound, which was getting considerably closer. Spring turned to look out the back of the small craft and screamed.

It was definitely a screaming situation, Herb agreed as he saw the source of the loud noise.

"Ice Eater," Cling Ling gasped. "Hit the deck," he yelled, as the gigantic jaws of the huge monster loomed above them.

Herb pulled
Spring
down and fell prone across her. If they were doomed to be eaten by the horrific beast, at least they would meet their fate together. He felt the small craft rise up on a giant wave and then plunge flatly down into the water, splashing them with liquid so
cold,
it seemed to burn through their foil clothing. Then, all was calm.

"We're alive," breathed Herb through chattering teeth, as he helped
Spring
up from the floor of the dinghy. Cling Ling was working the controls and announced they were moving again. As they watched, the monster ploughed straight ahead. If he kept to his course, he would pass directly by the ship. Cling guided the dinghy straight down the wide path made by the monster. They would soon be safely aboard.

"But why didn't he eat us?" asked
Spring
, basking in the warmth of the ship's compartment. Herb basked in the warmth of
Spring
. He was still shaking inside from their close call.

"It was an Ice Eater," Cling Ling explained. "There was never any danger of its devouring us intentionally, as its sole diet is ice. But if it had capsized our craft, which it nearly did by swimming so close, we would now be resting in an icy grave. Fortunately, that did not happen."

Cling Ling had given the information about Snowball's HOTS situation to the
Txnghc
pilot to relay to the authorities. It was useless to tell their diplomat friend since he would soon become a new person, returning to his proper place in time with the next warp. As would they all, it was to be devoutly hoped.

Herb could hardly believe it, but the warp was successful and they had connected with the illusive point which restored all to a present reality. They had reached
Kamalot
, Zygote's private moon.

Per instructions, the
Txnghc
pilot navigated to a secluded spot near a dense forest for touch down. The
Vinese
had been correct. The ship was fast, the pilot proficient. The only real danger was that the ship might have fallen apart. It had certainly been through a rough time lately. The
Txnghc
seemed unconcerned, however, and bidding them a fond farewell-for doubtless he was used to far more peaceful flights-he lifted off in a red blur toward the distant stars.

Herb had mixed feelings. While he didn't relish being stranded on some alien, artificial
planet,
neither had he the stomach for stepping foot in that rattle trap ship again. He stood staring forlornly into the silent forest. He was so tired. How could he go on? Spring joined him and took his hand in hers. Suddenly, he knew he would, even if he didn't know how.