Menagerie - Martin Day [84]
The symbolism was obvious enough. She ran from the room.
'This is the realm of the Rocarbies,' announced the Dugraq as they descended a large metal stairway.
'I feel like I'm being watched,' said Jamie, looking around in the darkness nervously.
'You almost certainly are,' said the Dugraq. 'The Rocarbies are very territorial creatures. They've probably been tracking us since we crossed the main thoroughfare.'
'I can't say I'm looking forward to this meeting,' admitted Defrabax, at the rear of the party.
They stepped off the stairs and into a small tunnel which led to a long, gently curved slab of concrete. One side ran to the curved walls, the other touched only shadows.
The Dugraq paused in the centre of the expanse, staring mournfully at the redundant video screens that lined the far wall. 'Doubtless they once encouraged the purchasing of products,' said the little creature quietly 'Products to take away the fear of death and disguise age beneath layers of rubbish. And where are those people now? Where are the items that once promised everything short of immortality?'
'You're very philosophical,' muttered Defrabax sourly.
'Perhaps we should apply our intellects to the —'
'Such scorn makes you almost indiscernible from the Rocarbies,' retorted the Dugraq. 'No wonder you got on so well.'
'This is not the time for arguments,' said Jamie.
'No?' said Defrabax. 'Tell me when it is, and I'll give that little rat a clip around the nose.'
'You human!' shouted the Dugraq, his lips curling around the insulting word. 'There is no beauty in your mind!'
Defrabax's intended reply was cut short as the wide tunnel resounded to the sound of creatures roaring. Jamie glanced quickly both ways and saw ape-like creatures coming towards them, heads thrown back, teeth bared.
Large numbers of the creatures were pulling themselves on to the platform from the darkness with their huge arms. As the first group approached them on all fours Jamie realized that escape was futile. 'I presume these are the creatures we're here to see?' he asked.
The Dugraq nodded.
'Then we won't need to run away?'
'Let's hope not,' said Defrabax.
They allowed themselves to be surrounded by a ring of chattering apes. After a few moments an enormous grizzled creature pushed its way through the crowd and made straight for Defrabax. Its stare was fixed on the old man.
'You have come down to us,' it stated as the other creatures became quiet.
'I have,' said Defrabax. 'Things did not go well on the surface.'
'We know,' replied the Rocarby leader. 'You have come to explain. There will be no explanations now. We shall go up.
Take the light that we want.'
'No,' said Defrabax. 'You mustn't. You must —'
'You tell us nothing now,' said the creature. 'Rocarbies take their share of the light!' The creatures behind the leader began to jump up and down, whooping in delight.
'That's not why we came down here,' said the Dugraq.
The leader turned to examine Jamie and the scout for the first time.
'You are with this bad man.'
The Dugraq realized that the Rocarby was asking a question. 'We're here to help you,' he replied.
'Defrabax was here to help us,' said the Rocarby bitterly.
'You don't understand,' said Jamie. 'There are some creatures down here that have been . . . brought back to life.
They will kill you.'
'They can try,' said the Rocarby. 'We not concerned.'
'But you must listen to us,' said Jamie. 'Your lives are in danger.'
The Rocarby ignored the protestation. 'What we do now.
Go up to the light. And Defrabax. Came down to the dark.
He stay here forever. Rocarbies not happy. Cheated.'
'But I didn't cheat you!' shouted Defrabax. 'My intentions towards you were entirely reasonable.'
The Rocarby leader shook its head in a strangely human way. 'We will kill you. Keep you here forever.'
'Please, sit down,' said Araboam,