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self at the edge of a large, irregular space bordered on all sides by the convex
walls of tents. In the centre of the space was a gently rippling sphere of water
perhaps thirty metres across. Growing from the sphere in all directions was a
profusion of vegetation, among it small trees which arced from the water and
curved inwards again when they reached the walls of the surrounding tents.
Water dripped constantly from the leaves of the trees back into the central
mass, making the soft chiming sound she had been following. The biolumi-
nescence in the water was a deep electric violet shot through with gold, and
didn t seem to vary in colour.
The trees were festooned with monkeys. Perhaps a hundred of them. With-
out exception the creatures fur glowed with a pale rose-coloured light. Ber-
nice was struck by the unusual and uniform configuration of bioluminescence.
The air here was cool, just slightly below body temperature, scented with
a delicate mixture of olbas and cinnamon; an unusual fragrance, yet one so
appropriate its presence might have been designed.
Then again, Bernice was forced to consider that what might be attractive to
her senses might be a load of old junk to the monkeys.
Perhaps it s the rubbish tip, she thought. If so it ought to win prizes.
 The monkeys call it  the deathpool . The voice was Midnight s. He had
wrapped part of himself around a branch about ten metres or so away from
her, close enough to the water for her to be able to see his reflection in the
ripples.
She smiled a greeting.  Why do they call it that? she asked curiously.
 Watch.
As Midnight spoke Bernice became aware of a faint sound, an ululating
wail which rippled around the pool, grew to a frightening intensity.  What s
happening? Are they in pain?
Midnight s sibilant reply was lost as the wails turned into heart-rending
screams of agony. The monkeys clinging to the branches around the pool
began to writhe. The sound was awful. Bernice was shocked into immobility
by the pain in the multitude of voices.
And then one by one the monkeys began to fall into the pool. No, Bernice
realized, not fall. They were diving. Deliberately.
 I didn t know the monkeys were amphibious.
 They aren t.
Bernice felt her head swim.  Then they ll drown! We have to  
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She began to move, but far too late. The last monkey hurled itself into the
pool, vanished beneath the water leaving a glittering splash of rose droplets
and a lingering scream of the purest agony.
The scream echoed away amongst the tents.
Shaken, Bernice moved towards Midnight, instinctively seeking companion-
ship, no matter how odd. She stared at her strange companion, eyes wide with
horror.  Animals, she whispered.  They were like animals. No intelligence. All
gone . . . 
 It s an easy thing to understand. Midnight s voice shimmered above the
lapping of water.
 What do you mean? Bernice asked.  It s not as if  
Before she could finish her sentence Midnight released his hold on the
branch and propelled himself towards the water.
Her mind dissolving in a wash of horror, Bernice remained frozen for a
fraction of a second. Then, grabbing hold of the nearest branch, she threw
herself towards Midnight. She collided with him, wrapped her arms around
his leathery torso and let her momentum change their course.
It wasn t enough. Together they plunged into the gently rippling pool. Ber-
nice gasped with surprise as the water closed over her head, thoughts whirling
through her mind.
 changed, something s pulling us! The gravity must be 
 drown. You can drown in two centimetres of water let alone 
 the bodies, where are all the bodies 
Then the thoughts were driven from her mind by the overwhelming need
to draw breath.
Renewing her grip on one of the lumps of crystal projecting from Midnight s
body, she began to kick, trying to guide them back to the surface. Midnight
himself was a limp mass in her arms, uncaring, unmoving. In another moment
Bernice kicked their way clear of the water. Gasping for breath, she went limp
herself, exhausted; allowing their combined momentum to carry them away
from the pool and back into the surrounding vegetation.
The nearby jellyfish pulsed indignantly with a stronger light for a few mo-
ments, then settled down once more to their motionless contemplation.
 What the hell do you think you re playing at? she hissed when they were
firmly anchored to a strong branch once more. Then she sighed.  No, don t
bother to answer that. She regained her breath.  Guess I got my wash. She
tried to wring out her clothes, gave up after a minute; zero gravity made the
task impossible. She stared at Midnight, her teeth chattering with reaction, no
humour in her face.  I m cold, wet and pissed off, she said pointedly.  Would
you care to tell me why I m cold, wet and pissed off?
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Midnight hesitated.  I can remember things, he said.  Odd things, unlinked, [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]