The Dream Factory

The Labyrinths of Karrack-Sol

The Labyrinths of Karrack-Sol 

Tommy De-Haniler stepped cautiously from the translator and looked around him. He had entered a small cave with a single entrance, a short tunnel falling away from him opening into the bright sunlight beyond. No bars, no cells, no manacles hanging on the walls and no baying inmates. 

'Mr?' A soft gravelly voice echoed around the cave. 

Tommy instinctively swung round, his legs braced he swiftly brought up his fists in front of his face. He looked sharply about him. The look on his face told of a man unafraid, untamed and ruthlessly vicious. 

At the back of the cavern sat a man hunched over a single wooden desk. In the gloom Tommy could just make out that his frame was that carried by the elderly, shrunk over the years with a fragile brittleness about it. His suit had assumed a certain familiarity with its owner, it hung upon him creased, frayed a little round the edges and worn thin with age - both it and its owner had seen better days. The man's hand hung over a large red ledger open on the desk in front of him. For a moment his bushy white eyebrows arched questioning at Tommy awaiting a response.  

He repeated his question. 'Mr?' 

Tommy took a step forward warily checking back down the tunnel for any Gorratt-hounds before turning back to the seated figure. 'Tommy De-Haniler.' 

It was a name that would have made the people of the dust ridden moons of Riddoh shudder. Tommy watched the old man for signs of any reaction.  

'Ah yes. Here we have it,' remarked old man impassively as he ran his fingers down the page. He made a swift tick in the book. 

Tommy could hear the wind buffeting the mouth of the tunnel. He rolled his hands into balls and readied himself for what might lie beyond.  

'Well then. That's the paperwork done.' The book owner rattled quietly to himself before easing his shallow frame up from the table. He gazed slightly diffidently at the heavy ledger and with an effort lifted it, struggled across to the old mechanical safe at the back of the cave and slipped it in. Closing the safe door he spun the combination lock, then brushing his hands together he shuffled across the rock strewn floor. Suddenly he looked up as if he'd forgotten Tommy was there. 'Ah, yes. There you are. I suppose you have some questions.' 

'Where am I?' 

'The planet of Karrack-Sol. You may have heard of it. It's famous for its labyrinths among a few other things. The labyrinths are the home of the Tazi worm, it makes its home in the caverns roofs. The worm has an odd bio-luminescent property that makes it glow different colours in the darkness. With billions of them lining the tunnel walls the effect is unbelievably spectacular, it would no doubt be visited more but for the nature of this planet.' He nodded reassuringly to Tommy before adding. 'In some ways you are most fortunate to have the opportunity to see them.' 

'Sure I'm lucky. Reeeaaaallly lucky.' Tommy growled, momentarily flashing his metal cased teeth. The old man looked a bit of a pushover. 'Your labyrinths, never heard of them.' 

'Ah well Mr De-Haniler that doesn't surprise me, most people have not to tell you the truth.' He gathered Tommy's arm in his hand and led him gently down the tunnel. 'Shall we walk down together so you can get a better look?' 

'Why am I here?' Tommy checked up and down the tunnel. No restraining bars, no psi correctional headsets. Just the old man.  

'Why Mr De-Haniler? We both know why you are here. The planets send their worst criminals here. It's a penal colony. Don't tell me you're innocent.' His wizened face looked up at Tommy's in mock seriousness.