To The Stars

The Road had dropped down from the mountain slopes to the coastal plain, and as it fell the landscape had changed completely. Gone were the rocky slopes and the occasional bush with a precarious roothold in the scree. It was jungle now, high, thick jungle that cut out all sight of the ocean and only permitted a narrow view of the sky. There was plenty of evidence here that the jungle was trying to retake the Road. Burned trees and vegetation were on both sides now, where they had been bulldozed aside by the tanks that had gone on ahead. There was animal life, too, dark forms glimpsed briefly in the shadows beside the Road. At one point a line of green flying creatures had floated slowly out of the jungle and across the Road. Two of them had smashed into the engine’s windshield, to slowly slide away leaving blue smears of blood behind. Jan washed away the traces with the touch of a button. The engine was back on autopilot and there was little to do except watch the tunnel of the Road open up ahead.

“Tired, Otakar?” he asked.

“A little. A night’s sleep will help.”

“But tomorrow will be a long day, and every day after that. Even if we spell each other at the wheel, it’s going to be hard because we won’t be able to rest, not just changing places between driver and co-driver.” Jan had the beginnings of an idea and he worked at it. “What we need are more co-drivers. For this engine and all the others. That way we could have an experienced driver at the wheel all the time and the one off duty can get his eyes shut.”

“There aren’t any other drivers.”

“I know that, but we could train some as we go.”

Otakar grunted and shook his head. “No way. Every man with a trace of technical ability is already on a job. Or like your ex-mechanic Decio, who is back on the farm where he belongs. I don’t want any farmers in the driving compartment.”

“You’re right — but only half right. What about training some women as drivers?” Jan smiled as Otakar’s jaw dropped.

“But… women don’t drive. Women are just women.”

“Only in this outpost of hell, my boy. Even on Earth the exams are strictly competitive and workers rise as high as their ability allows, irrespective of their sex. It makes sound economic sense. I see no reason why the same thing can t be done here. Find the girls with ability and train them for the job.”

“The Hradil is not going to like this, or any of the Family Heads.”

“Of course not — and what difference does it make? This is an emergency and we need emergency measures.” Mention of The Hradil brought a sweeter name to mind from the same family. He smiled at the thought. “Have you ever noticed the embroidery that Alzbeta Mahrova does?”

“I have a piece, traded it from the family.”

“Well that takes patience, skill, concentration—”

“All the traits of a successful driver!” Otakar was smiling now too. “This mad idea may work. It will sure make life a bit brighter during the drive.”

I’m for that,” Ryzo’s voice called out from the speaker; he had been listening on the intercom to the conversation. “Wouldn’t like to have me train a radio operator or two?”

“You might very well. Later. Right now we want to put together a list of women we know who might have ability in this direction. But don’t say a word outside of this compartment. I want to hit the Elders with this later, when they are tired and off-balance.”

Night fell before they reached the break in the Road. They were climbing again and the rock wall rose up on their right, while to the left the Road ended only in blackness. Jan slowed the speed of the trains gradually as a blip appeared on the nose radar. When he caught a glimpse of metal ahead on the Road he cut the high beams of his lights and sent out the stop signal.

“Begin braking now.

As his own train slowed he knew that, stretching far back into the night, the long column of trains was also reducing speed continually. As they slowed to a complete stop Otakar entered the time in his log, then began shutting down the engine for standby. Jan rose and stretched. He was tired-but knew the night’s work was just beginning.

“Nine hundred and eighty-seven kilometers today,” Otakar said, entering the figure in the log.

“That’s fine.” Jan massaged the tired muscles in his legs. “That leaves us only something like twenty-six thousand more to go.

“The longest journey begins with but a single turn of the wheel,” Emo said, popping up from the engine room hatch.

“You can just keep your folk philosophy to yourself. Shut down the engine, put all systems on standby and start pulling that brake valve from car seven. By the time you get it out I’ll bring you a replacement. And check the filter as well.”