The Ticket

Kane scratched the back of his head, thinking. Of course, part of him wanted to exaggerate a little for this seemingly pompous guest – out of pride and solidarity for his planet and his people. But on the other hand, his conscience and common sense told him it would be wrong to mislead Maarv, whose large golden eyes radiated sincerity, openness, and a kind of childlike wonder. Kane felt ashamed of his sly thought, coughed awkwardly, and looked away.

«I think humanity is still very, very far from such abilities. To us, it looks like a miracle. Probably no person has ever lived who didn’t dream of wonders like teleportation, regeneration, or eternal life.»

Maarv paused, lowering his gaze for a moment as if weighing each word, then looked back at Kane. «We have been studying your emotional nature for quite some time», he said slowly, «and have concluded that humans are not yet ready to live long lives – you lack the necessary experience, for you have never had such opportunities.» He lifted one hand slightly, as though brushing aside an invisible objection. «On the other hand, human psychology remains a great mystery to us precisely because of this brevity, and perhaps if your lives were much longer, your values and perceptions would become clearer to us.»

He let out a quiet breath, his golden eyes narrowing in thought. «With your current priorities, a long life could become a difficult burden, a heavy load, losing its sharpness and meaning.» A faint, almost apologetic smile crossed his face. «One of the reasons I came here is to learn to understand you – to discover what drives you, and whether we can cooperate in the future. Much depends on this.»

His expression grew more intent. «I would very much like you to take me to your keepers of wisdom, or your elders.»

Kane tried to make sense of everything Maarv had said, realizing he meant contact with some high-ranking government official. But, he thought, what good would come of those long-since complacent bureaucrats, equally distant from real people, their daily needs, and reality itself? The only true «elder» he could think of was the old man at the stadium. Yes, in fact, he really was the perfect version of an elder – a genuine «keeper of wisdom.»

«But it’s going to be quite a walk», Kane said, glancing regretfully at his mangled car. «Unless, of course, we use some of your miracle-tech and, shall we say, teleport straight to where we need to be?»

«You see…» Maarv hesitated, a trace of embarrassment on his face. «In theory it’s possible. But to open a portal requires such an enormous amount of energy that it would make my location immediately detectable. My visit was not sanctioned by my command. No doubt by now they’ve realized I’m missing and want to bring me back. That would be extremely undesirable before I’ve completed my mission.»

He folded his hands together, as if trying to steady the thought. «It is far safer to try repairing your transport – that will not require much energy.»

Through the telepathic device, Kane caught all of Maarv’s unease and anxiety, and he realized just how much the alien was risking by taking such a dangerous yet noble step. Of course, Kane thought, I have to help him, no matter what! We need to get to the old man at the stadium as soon as possible and get Maarv into different clothes.

«Looking like this», Kane said aloud, «you’d better not be walking around here.»

At Maarv’s questioning look, Kane explained that it would be wiser not to attract too much attention – just in case. Showing up in public dressed like that was the same as parading down the street banging a drum and shouting, «I’ve come from another planet on a secret mission!» He smirked. «And surely you don’t want to spend the rest of your long life giving out autographs, do you?»

Chapter 5

The car dissolved into the now-familiar crimson glow. Before Kane’s stunned eyes, the wreck of twisted metal began to transform: smoothing, unfolding, stretching into place, until familiar contours reemerged. From some unseen distance the hood and part of the engine came gliding back, settling neatly as though they had never left. The windows followed—splinters gathering into delicate webs before vanishing altogether. Moments later, a flawless car stood before him, without the faintest trace of damage.

«How… how is that even possible!» Kane cried, overwhelmed. «This is beyond belief!»

«There is nothing unusual about the regeneration of matter», Maarv answered almost indifferently. «Everything that exists carries what we call a memory. The device merely restores the molecules to their given state. The real danger lies in overreaching – or, in certain cases, in missing the mark.»

Kane gave a crooked smile. «I wonder, do you still have any ruins left in your world? Ancient monuments, crumbled stones, anything to remind you of history?»

They reached the stadium with the first rays of dawn. A soft pink sunrise spread across a clear sky, promising a beautiful day. Maarv, struck by the colors, stopped instinctively, staring in wonder at the rising sun. «Seldom have I witnessed such beauty», he murmured.

«Yes», Kane agreed. «Moments like this can almost redeem the sheer pointlessness of existence which, in our parts, is not so rare. The average citizen doesn’t get many chances.»

«One must never despair», Maarv said, this time using his voice. It was strong, resonant, and unusually deep. «The future always holds new and uncharted horizons.» He gestured toward Kane as the man handed back the small plate. «The confluator is no longer needed. The analysis of your language is complete, the upload finished. Now I can speak almost fluently, though without sophistication.»

Kane smirked. «That’s already a strong opening. I can’t imagine what it’ll be like once the sophistication comes in.»

The old man greeted Kane with his usual warmth, though with a hint of puzzlement. «Back for another run? And you’ve brought a friend?»

«I’m not that obsessed with my health», Kane said with a crooked grin. «Allow me to introduce my… er… yes, my new friend! That’s right. And he’s come to us from very far away», he added, casting a meaningful glance at the ceiling. «Practically dropped on my head – no better way to put it. And he’s very eager to change clothes!»

The old man, who even at his age caught on to things at half a word, jumped from his chair in surprise. «Well then, any friend of my friends is a friend of mine», he said with a smile. «Let me introduce myself – I’m John. John Bozen. Once a physicist, now retired.»

He opened a locker and pulled out several bags of clothing. «As it happens, only the largest sizes are left. So far, they haven’t fit anyone.»

Dressed in sweatpants and a hoodie, the massive Maarv now looked like a serious athlete straight out of a bodybuilding magazine.

«You could make quite a sporting career here», John remarked.

«Perhaps here – yes», Maarv replied, studying the shoes with curiosity as he pulled them on. «But by our standards I’m fairly average physically. I was always drawn to science rather than a military path. With us, it is mainly the warrior caste that devotes itself to heavy physical training, and to a much lesser extent, the long-range space explorers.»

«Well then, that’s just as well», the old man said with a smile. «Otherwise, I can’t imagine where we would’ve found clothes big enough to fit you if you were any larger. Now, we need to get something to eat. After that, we’ll head over to my shack.»

Chapter 6

«And one more thing, Abuun», the commanding voice from the comm-screen continued, «we know you have sent someone from your team down to Fraal. We do not know what goals you intend to pursue, or whether it was an accident, but in light of recent events, his presence on that planet is utterly unacceptable.»

After a brief pause, the voice pressed on. «If you do not follow the latest directives to the letter, we cannot guarantee his safety. The stakes are far too high for us to take such risks!»

There was no mistaking the raw menace in those words, in the merciless undertone of the speaker – it left no room for double meaning. Though every fiber of his being bristled with indignation and Abuun longed to hurl something at the screen, he forced himself to nod and salute. A moment later, the transmission ended.

«The military somehow managed to turn the tide, seize the initiative, and, imposing their will on the Senate, began to act», he said, pacing across the comm room, the lines of his face drawn tight with anger. He stopped abruptly and turned to Draam, whom he had urgently summoned. «Nothing good has ever come at the mere mention of the head of the Caste of Warriors, and I just had a direct conversation with him!»

He slammed a heavy hand down on the console, making the instruments quiver. «Together with someone from the leadership of the Caste of Scholars, they ‘found’ a so-called compromise solution – they released a Genemode on Fraal.»

Abuun drew in a sharp breath, then jabbed a finger toward the viewport as if pointing straight to the planet itself. «We must locate Maarv immediately before he is harmed. Soon the military’s agents, hunter-drones, and worse will be prowling there. And that leaves him with extremely slim chances of survival.»

«I’ll start by breaking every bone in him myself», Draam grunted, though beneath the roughness he was genuinely anxious for Maarv’s safety. «Finding him wouldn’t be hard, but we can’t do it openly – those warhawks are already on our tail. If they know Maarv is on Fraal, then they’re watching our every move. I reckon Maarv will contact us himself soon», he went on, voice hardening. «He has enough equipment to detect the Genemode, and he understands better than any of us what that means for the Fraalians.»

He paused for a moment, then snapped to his feet, shaking his shoulders. « My friend, we’ve been through so many tight spots already – we’ll get out of this one too!»

«True», Abuun replied, his voice grim. “But this time we must think carefully about how to outplay the Senate and the Caste of Warriors, or this scrape could be our last.”

«Clear as day», Draam agreed. «They won’t leave us alone now. So we must act, and act decisively!»

Chapter 7

Kane woke suddenly, not at once realizing he was not at home. The events of the past days whirled through his mind, once again leaving him astonished at everything that had happened. He stepped outside and saw that Maarv and John had not gone to bed at all. They were sitting in the gazebo, deep in conversation.

«Join us, son», John called out cheerfully. «We’ve just started breakfast, and we have plenty to discuss.» He sighed. «Not long ago, our star-born friend’s mysterious device began pulsing and flashing like a Christmas tree. Maarv tinkered with it a bit, and came to a conclusion one not at all encouraging for any of us.»

«The Genemode is a highly dangerous virus of intellectual selection», Maarv said, his brow furrowing as he turned the small device over in his hands. «My people have released it upon your planet.» He hesitated, his golden eyes darkening. «It has been used only a handful of times in my memory… but never has anyone studied how quickly it might act in your atmosphere.»

He set the device down on the table and folded his long fingers together, as though to steady himself. «Its consequences are almost always the same and invariably grim. Not all of us believe we have the right to use it, but some of our leaders hide behind «security concerns» and other such nonsense, seeking only their own advantage.»

A faint sigh escaped him. «As far as I know, the virus works in stages, with intervals ranging from weeks to months. In the first stage, it eliminates all mature human subjects carrying active level-two mental pathogens. In the second, it destroys all those whose intellectual level falls below Class C. And then, after some further time…» Maarv’s voice trailed off. His gaze fixed on nothing, as though he could already see the shadow of what came next. For a long moment he remained silent, his golden eyes reflecting a dread too heavy to be put into words.

«I’ll spell it out, son – after all, we’ve been talking all night, haven’t we?» John brightened despite his weary face. «In the first stage of this strange virus, roughly and speaking very broadly, all the criminals, chronic drunks, addicts – and, God willing, the corrupt, inhuman politicians will die off. Experience shows there are no fewer criminals among them; in short, all the refuse of society. And to be honest, I wouldn’t waste a heartbeat mourning their loss.

But in the second stage – and beyond – arise some excellent chances for the rest of us to depart this world altogether!» He gave a dry, almost scholarly chuckle, as though making a grim joke at his own expense. «Maarv isn’t certain how our atmosphere might affect the virus, whether it will hasten it or slow it, but with the current intellectual codings, that Class C threshold will almost certainly prove beyond our reach, as it has on every other world before. And after that… well, let us hope we never learn what comes next.»

He glanced at Maarv, his expression softening. «As a scientist, he carries the weight of guilt for what his people have unleashed, and he’s proposing a plan – one he’ll explain to you himself.»

«If we don’t take action and stop the Genemode, it could wipe out all of humanity within a few months – perhaps even sooner. At my own risk, I contacted my ship and received the necessary coordinates. I want to ask you, Kane and John», Maarv went on, visibly troubled, «can I count on your help? My colleagues believe that the presence of native representatives of the planet in our group may be the key element for the mission’s success.

However, I must warn you: what we’re about to do may be deadly dangerous, and our chances of success are extremely slim. Still», he added with a flicker of wry honesty, «you don’t have much of a choice, but there is a chance to see many new things.»

Kane pinched himself hard – was he really awake, or was this just another dream? Could it be that he was about to experience all this, even see it with his own eyes? He was not the kind of man who needed much persuading.

«What’s there to discuss, Maarv? Of course we’re in! Isn’t that right, John? This concerns us directly!» Kane turned to the old man, who immediately seemed to revive, almost looking younger.

«Well, we’ve nothing to lose», John replied, “except perhaps dropping dead a little earlier», he added philosophically. «At least it would be in good company and in an interesting setting! But tell me – how exactly does this Genemode work? How does it manifest itself?»

«There are usually no external signs», Maarv answered. «At each stage, the viral bacteria accumulate within potential carriers of the programmed discrepancies. If the concentration in the body becomes critical and when the mismatches are too many – the Genemode activates, altering the molecular structure of the organism and turning it into a vaporous state within fractions of a second.»

«That sounds rather horrifying», John muttered, shaken, casting a quick glance at Kane, who, grim with thought, looked no better.

Suddenly the bracelet on Maarv’s wrist glowed, and above it appeared a holographic projection of another alien. It was Draam, who said something in his own language before the image vanished as abruptly as it had come.

«We have to leave at once», said Maarv. «We’ve been detected by a hunter, and we are in great danger! Our time is running out.»

«Run to that building!» John exclaimed, pointing toward a low stone structure nestled in greenery and draped with moss. «There’s an entrance to a bunker inside – we can hide there and slip away underground!»

Set into the concrete wall was a massive round vault door. Kane, with some effort and Maarv’s help, managed to open it, and could not help but whistle in surprise. «Now that’s a door!»

John snorted. «Left over from the previous owner. The man was a paranoiac – with a capital P.»

They stepped inside and, with combined effort, swung the enormous, weighty door shut behind them, turning the wheel of the locking mechanism several times until it clanged into place. The sound echoed down the shaft like a warning bell, then was swallowed by silence.

Descending a sheer ladder into the depths, John pulled a heavy lever. Harsh electric light sputtered to life, chasing shadows along the walls. The air smelled faintly of rust and damp stone. Long corridors stretched away in several directions, lined with shelves of dusty boxes and containers, steel cabinets, and the closed doors of storerooms as though the place had been waiting, untouched, for decades.

«It’s actually rather cozy down here», John remarked proprietorially. «One could get used to it, strolling about with an air of importance. There are even a few transformers!»

Suddenly, something thundered above them; the walls shook, and plaster and dust rained from the ceiling.

«That’s a military biodrone», Maarv said, glancing at his bracelet. «Its targets usually don’t live long. Looks like it decided not to bother with precision – it’s clearing the entire perimeter. It’s fortunate your house stands apart from the other settlements.»

«Well, judging by the racket outside, that house is history already», John said with a wry smile. «Never mind, I’ll fix it later.»

Maarv listened intently. «The noise is fading, but I doubt that losing our trail will stop them from hunting us.»

«Then», Kane whispered nervously, «I suggest we postpone sightseeing and run for our lives. That tunnel over there looks perfect for the job.»

«Yes, not a bad idea», John agreed. «But we’d better grab some gear! Some of this is bound to come in handy.»

He turned down a side corridor into a small alcove, where he pulled two compact backpacks from a cabinet. «Here! Just the essentials!» he said loudly, strapping one on with surprising vigor and snapping the buckles into place.

Kane didn’t bother to check what was inside and followed suit. He had no doubt there was nothing superfluous in them, despite their bulk and weight. Well, well! Old John, indeed! ran through his mind. Who would have thought that behind that dignified exterior and noble gray hair lurked a dyed-in-the-wool adventurer, ready for the most unexpected situations?

They walked on for quite a while before reaching another massive round door, much like the one at the entrance, complete with a heavy turning lock mechanism. Beyond it, the tunnel narrowed, and they came upon a small concrete platform with a handcar and rails that disappeared into the darkness.

«Well then, I suggest the next part of our journey be made on iron wheels», John proposed.

«Excellent suggestion», Kane agreed. «I suspect if there are rails and this handcar, these tunnels might stretch on for quite a distance.»

«And what exactly are these… biodrones?» Kane asked. «And why are they so determined to destroy us?»

Maarv didn’t answer right away. His gaze dropped, and he hesitated, as if weighing how much truth to reveal. «A hunter biodrone is a military modification of a standard research drone. Think of it as an airborne cyborg-scout, designed for offensive or blocking ground operations. Small, but with formidable firepower and an organoid intelligence. They usually hunt alone – and now, from the looks of it, it is hunting me.

It seems the Warrior Caste decided to play it safe and prevent even the smallest threat to their far-reaching plans for your planet.» He drew a slow breath, his expression tightening with bitterness. «My colleagues warned me such an outcome was possible, but I never imagined it would happen so quickly. Which means, gentlemen», he added, his voice quieter now, though steady, «that I am a very dangerous companion for you, and you still have time to reconsider.»

Kane sniffed impatiently and shot the alien a pointed look. «Oh, come on, Maarv! Do you really think we’d abandon you, leave you to carry the burden for us and our interests? If anything, it’s we who should be begging you to take us along – without you, we don’t stand a chance at all!»

«Well then», Maarv replied with a smile, «I suspected you weren’t the timid sort, and I was right. If all Earthlings are like you, then woe to anyone who stands in your way!»

«There are probably better ones out there», John muttered, still a little disgruntled, «but at this point, you don’t have much of a choice. Although I must admit, I’m driven by fairly selfish motives as well. After all, this means we Earthlings might also step into space one day and become part of this boundless, unexplored universe. That’s worth any risk.

And the fact that you’re doing all this for us – selflessly, at great personal risk – should tell you that we’ll do the same for you.» He tapped his dimming flashlight against the wall, then added with a faint smile, «If only out of simple gratitude.»

Maarv took a moment to reflect on what he had just heard. To him, as a member of a race long established among the galactic realms, much of it seemed almost commonplace. Yet he was genuinely moved by such understanding and concern – he found himself liking these Earthlings more and more.

He gave a self-conscious little cough into his fist. «Well then, it is a pleasure to find not only kindred spirits but reliable friends as well. And, for what it’s worth, not every race is blessed with a hunger for knowledge and a yearning for the unknown.»

After only half an hour of fumbling, John managed to coax the handcar’s engine into life, and another half-hour later they rattled out of the tunnel onto the grounds of a long-abandoned railway station. The place was shrouded in silence. Rust streaked the steel beams, weeds pushed up between the cracked concrete slabs, and a lone, broken clock still clung to the wall, its hands frozen decades ago.

Chapter 8

The station was vast, stretching for several kilometers. The tracks lay sunken a few meters into the ground, flanked on either side by a tall, timeworn fence of dark maroon brick. On the rails stood old locomotives – yellow-rusted diesels and half-dismantled electrics – along with what looked like research cars and even a small train of ancient carriages. Once, long ago, it must have been painted blue, with the faded words Restoration Train still just visible on its side.

Looking at it all, Kane felt conflicted. On the one hand, the decay stirred in him a dull ache of desolation. Yet on the other, this faded but still strangely vivid watercolor blended beautifully with the golden-red crowns of the surrounding trees. The whole scene – this post-apocalyptic landscape that might have passed for a film set in some amusement park was haunting in its strange harmony.

Suddenly, the device on Maarv’s belt seemed to stir to life, pulsing with crimson light and sending out cryptic signals.

«They’ve tracked us down after all – curse them», he said wearily, forcing himself to gather his thoughts. «And I had hoped to enjoy the view.»

«Well then, there’s nowhere to run», he murmured aloud, rising to his feet and unfolding the virtual control panel of the confluator as he moved. «I’ll try to deal with it», he declared calmly and distinctly, the way one speaks to children in difficult moments. «As for you – take this thing as far as it will go, and don’t stop. Then run, and run as fast as you can!»

A crimson shield flared to life, enveloping Maarv on all sides. «I’ll find you! If this works…» he added with a sorrowful smile to his friends, then leapt from the moving platform straight onto the railway tracks.

The handcar carrying Kane and John, swept away in the chaos of events before they could even grasp what was happening, vanished around the bend. Maarv frantically recalled the combinations of combat commands. I never thought I’d need these again, he muttered to himself while activating his weapon. But I won’t be taken down so easily, he resolved grimly, as the rapidly approaching drone came into view. Its round contours shifted to oval, and from both flanks extended the barrels of heavy atomic cannons.

Circling above him like a predator savoring its prey, the drone unleashed a barrage. They fired simultaneously. Maarv’s energy shields absorbing blasts that flared into dark ripples, steadily draining the reserves on both sides. Stray shots ripped apart the surroundings, turning derelict train cars and jagged concrete structures into molten shrapnel that sprayed in every direction.