No Way Back by Unknown Page B

cave.
    “You will see,” Drum replied cryptically as he rolled up the fur mat. The fur was a lot smaller since Drum had cut off one end and fashioned a loincloth for Jake. “All our people wear these,” he’d explained. In the heat of the day, Jake would’ve preferred his climate-controlled flight suit, but he didn’t want to insult Drum by refusing his gift. Besides, it was more convenient given all the fucking they’d been doing. A wall had crumbled inside Jake and a never-ending flood of desire gushed through him. Drum spoiled him with attention, laughter, food, and of course, sex. And he couldn’t get enough. Drum was a drug, and he was addicted.
    Guilt hit him when he emerged into the sunlight and didn’t even try to communicate with the Earth ship, but the feeling passed quickly when Drum pointed out a pair of insects with glowing wings fluttering through the tall grass. He’d send a message with his status later to the exploration company that had financed his trip, asking them to update his family on Earth, too. In a short walking distance, he marveled at the many insect species living on this planet that he’d never seen before. So much to discover!
    While he collected some samples along the way, he didn’t have enough specimen containers for everything he spied. Plus, he didn’t want to slow Drum down too much. He’d said it was a full day’s walk to his home. He’d have plenty of time later to explore.
    When the temperature rose to its daily peak, they stopped beneath a lone tree in the midst of the far-reaching plain. The low open canopy of branches didn’t provide solid shade, but Drum staked the fur so it cast a long shadow on the low grass beneath the tree. As an added bonus, the tree provided nuts in a hard shell that Drum crushed with his powerful fist.
    “There is plenty of protein out here on the plains,” Jake noted, stretching out in the shade. His injured ankle ached. “Do you have fruit or vegetables on Alishontakawa?”
    “They grow closer to the canyon river.”
    “Do you live near this river?”
    “Yes.” Drum hesitated for a moment, staring out across the flat land. “It is where my ancestors built our city.”
    Jake pictured cliff dwellings like the Native Americans had built in the desert. He’d always been fascinated by the talent and labor that must’ve gone into the multilevel rooms. He hoped Drum had plenty of furs to soften his rock bed.
    Disappointment settled on his shoulders when they finally reached the deep canyon. “I don’t see a river there.”
    “You will.” Drum started down the winding path that clung to the canyon walls. “We shield our city from intruders. That’s how we’ve lived in peace so long.”
    “How do you shield a whole city and a river?” he asked irritably. His ankle had swollen on the long trek and throbbed incessantly. The pain affected his mood.
    His steps faltered as he watched Drum’s body disappear from his feet up as he descended the cliff. His floating head turned around to face him and then his outstretched arm reappeared, popping up from nowhere. “It’s safe, Jake. Come.” When Jake didn’t move, Drum smiled at him reassuringly. “The probe deflector field over the city is distorting your view. As soon as you pass through it, you’ll see the river, and much more.” He beckoned to him. “Come with me and be amazed.”
    With raised brows, he grasped Drum’s hand just to make sure he wasn’t a projection of some kind. They descended through the thin electromagnetic field without incident, thankfully. The sight that greeted him stole his breath away.
    There was a river at the bottom of the canyon, all right. All around it though sprawled a brilliant white city with modern buildings, multi-car transports weaving through the sky, and a huge video board that looked like it was playing news clips of universal events. In contrast to the modern setting, the brown-speckled inhabitants wore nothing but loincloths, just as