Title: Ghost Town-the alternative universe rewrite
Chapter: Seven
Author: squeezynz@free.net.nz
Rating: PG
For all the other guff, see Ch.1

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Steve and Dan watched Ackman leave the town, use the remote control and reset the forcefield. After the Giant had left, the two men set about searching the control room for anything they could use to deactivate the machinery. After three hours of fruitless frustration, Steve and Dan made their way out of the small shack, down the wooden steps and headed back towards the town limits to find a sheltered spot to consider their next move. To make their situation more fraught, the sun was starting to dip below the trees, signalling that the afternoon was coming to a close. If they couldn't find a way in, they would have to spend an uncomfortable night out in the open, something neither man relished.

Fortunately for the Little People, Ackman had continued his town beyond the limit of the forcefield, and built storage sheds for his various toys. Dan used a length of timber to force the lock on a large barn situated close to the railway track. Inside they found another remote-control truck, this time painted red, and a number of chassis and motors, as yet incomplete.

" I would guess that this is where Ackman store's his ongoing projects, lucky for us," said Dan, running his hand over the bright paint of the trucks bonnet and reaching to open the door of the cab. " So I know where I'm sleeping tonight, how about you Steve ?" he joked, pulling himself into the cab and bouncing on the front seat while grinning at the man standing in front of the red truck with his arms folded.

" Dan, what would happen if we drove this truck through the forcefield ?" said Steve deep in thought.

Dan regarded his friend, his expression perplexed as he rested his chin on his crossed hands where they gripped the steering wheel.

" I imagine alot of sparks and one fried truck, not to mention the fools inside it,"

" Yeah, that's what I thought, but what if we insulated the cab, so we didn't touch the framework or chassis, would we get through then ?"

Dan continued to regard his Captain with an expression bordering on the incredulous.

" You're serious, aren't you ?"

" Why not, we can't help the others out here, we need to keep together, that snake may not be the only wild life that gets into the town. I don't see Fitzhugh or Barry being able to help fend off the next surprise visitor, do you ?"

" No, I agree with you on that, but we don't know if this thing will even run,"

" Then lets find out. I'll climb on the back and see if the battery has any juice, you try the ignition when I give you the signal," Steve didn't wait for Dan answer, just walked to the back of the truck and climbed on board. There was already a battery behind the cab, its terminals lying loose on the floor of the flatbed. Picking one up, Steve screwed it firmly to the top of the battery, then picked up the other, leaning over the side of the cab to let Dan know to be ready. Receiving confirmation that Dan was poised to flip the ignition switch, Steve connected the second terminal and stood back. This time the horn didn't immediately start blaring, but a second after Steve registered the lack, the engine started to turn over, then roared into life, the motor settling down to a steady hum once Dan took his foot off the accelerator.

Jumping down Steve hung over the door of the driver's side to check that everything was performing as it should be.

" Does it have brakes ?"

" As we haven't careened out of the barn, I would say we have brakes," Dan replied, pointing to a hand brake lever under the dash. Steve grinned at his co-pilot and signalled for him to cut the motor.

" Let's see what we can find to keep us from getting fried,"

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Mark was finally feeling like his old self again. When Ackman had deposited him at the guest house the old man had also dropped off a load of supplies, including various items of clothing as well as bottles and jars of dry goods. He figured they must have been salvaged from the ship that had crashed, as Mark found Earth brand labels on most of the items. In the couple of hours since he'd been reunited with half of his friends, he'd been told of the girls harrowing experience with the snake, largely by Betty as Valerie was still keeping unusually quiet, letting her blond friend bring the others up to date. Then Mark told them of his adventures up at the Giants' house, of his escape from Lizzie and eventual recapture by Ackman. Barry had been surprised that Mark had given himself up voluntarily but when Mark explained about Lizzie's plans for him, they all understood his desire to get as far away from the Giant girl as possible, by whatever means available.

" Sometimes even a Giant can seem an acceptable alternative," said Mark, handing his empty plate to Betty. They were sitting around the kitchen table, finishing up a serving of the stew left by Ackman earlier in the day. Most of them had been more than ready for the food, Fitzhugh characteristically asking for seconds before most had finished their first. Only Valerie picked at her plate, her silence overlooked in the exchange of adventures and general bustle. Now she sat at the end of the table, picking at the stew as it cooled one her plate. Mark noticed but made no comment, his curiosity piqued but his manners precluding prying. He was more worried by the continued absence of Steve and Dan, with the day drawing in, he was impatient to find out how they had fared with the Giant controls.

" I'm going to see if I can find Steve and Dan, we need to make contact before it gets dark. Fitzhugh, you're with me."

" But I think I should stay here, just in case," spluttered Fitzhugh, his visions of sleeping off the meal rapidly disappearing.

" And I think you should come with me, so lets move,"

" Can we help, Mark ?" asked Betty, taking Fitzhugh's plate away.

" We shouldn't be out too long, I'll send Fitzhugh back if there's a problem."

" I still think I would be better off staying here," Fitzhugh protested, even as Mark left the kitchen, leaving the older man to jog in his wake.

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Dan managed to get one of the heavy barn door open by using the truck as a bull-dozer. Steve had checked outside for any sign of Ackman and signalled the all clear. They were able to exit the shed without any trouble, Steve pushing the wooden door partially closed after them. Climbing back into the cab he pointed to the railway crossing that led into the Main Street.

" If we can get a good run up at the crossing, the truck will practically 'jump' into the town, straight through the forcefield,"

" I still think this is a mad idea, but as you said, we're not much use out here, and if this does work, we can use the same technique to get out again," Dan stated optimistically. Steve glanced at his co-pilot, a wry smile curling his mouth.

" That's if we don't get ourselves or the truck fried in the process,"

" Well yes, that is a consideration, Steve." Dan agreed, " we could always call it off, sleep in the barn....." seeing Steve's expression Dan grinned back. " I know, I know, just drive."

" With all the insulation in this cab we should be fine, just keep your foot on the accelerator, we need enough momentum to carry us through,"

" Hey, they didn't call me Leadfoot Erickson for nothing!" Dan exclaimed, bringing the truck around in a tight circle to face the railway crossing. He paused, taking a deep breath.

" I thought they called you that because you couldn't run for chickensh*t," Steve deadpanned, earning an wicked grin from his co-pilot.

The two men stared straight ahead as Dan gunned the motor and the truck shot forward, gathering speed as they rocketed towards the faint line that marked the limit of the town where the forcefield hummed. The approach to the railway crossing was slightly elevated and Dan pressed the accelerator flat to the floor, Steve bracing himself on the door and roof as they approached the point of no return. The engine screamed as they hit the forcefield, their forward vision filling with bright blue sparks as power crackled around them.

Mark and Fitzhugh had reached the Main Street and had a clear view of the end of the town when they heard the motor, then saw the red truck careening towards the railway line, dust kicking up behind the tyres.

" What the....!" Mark exclaimed as the truck hit the rise before the crossing and flew off the ground hitting the forcefield in a hail of sparks and lightening. Both he and Fitzhugh threw up their arms to protect their eyes as the forcefield blazed with light. A loud whump and the sound of the truck hitting the ground made them turn back to look again.

" Madness, sheer madness," moaned Fitzhugh, peering out from behind Mark to see the truck veer wildly as the driver applied the brakes.

" Madness maybe, but it worked !" whooped Mark, breaking into a run to meet the truck as it slithered to a halt, its previously bright paintwork now scorched and streaked.

Inside the cab Steve opened his eyes, his hands still gripping the dashboard and roof. The cloud of dust kicked up by the truck was clearing and he could see two figures running towards him, one of them obviously Fitzhugh but the other..." MARK!" Steve yelled, startling Dan who was still gripping the steering wheel.

" What the heck," Dan started, only to break off when the familiar face came to lean in at the window, a broad smile on his face.

" That was some light show," Mark quipped, giving both men an amused look.

" Aren't you supposed to be dead ?" said Steve, his face creased with a wide smile.

" You must have more lives than a cat, welcome back," said Dan, finally releasing his death grip on the steering wheel and flexing his fingers.

Mark was looking at the material lining the cab while Fitzhugh puffed his way over, coming to lean against the bonnet of the truck to catch his breath.

" You're crazy, all of you," he gasped.

" But it worked, Mr. Fitzhugh, we have a way out of this town," Dan told him.

" You'd better hide this truck or Ackman will catch on before we have a chance to put the plan into action," said Mark, his head turning to scan either end of the street for any sign of the Giants. " Take that alleyway over there, it takes you to the back of the buildings. I'll get that tarp in the hardware store to cover it."

" We have another canvas in the back of the truck, so we'll meet you in the alley. Fitz, hop on board, you look like you need the rest," said Steve, exchanging a look with the other two men. Fitzhugh missed the look, too preoccupied with his own labored breathing, finally clambering aboard with help from Mark. Once secure, Dan moved off slowly, the engine apparently unscathed from its encounter with the forcefield.

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Lizzie scuffed her toes on the wooden floor, her eyes drawn once more to the window and the sight of her Grandfather making his way back to the house. She had been ordered to stay in her room, the first part of her punishment, and initially had found enough to occupy herself. But as the afternoon had dragged on she found herself wondering what the Earth People were doing, whether they were still plotting to leave the town, or whether they had accepted their new life as her Grandfather's living dolls. Thinking back over the prank involving the snake, she realised her error. Her Grandfather had recognised Lizzie's pet straight away, returning the serpent to its glass cage before coming up to ring a peel over Lizzie head for endangering his life's work. Afterwards, he'd banned her from leaving her room and gone downstairs to carry on working on more stuff for the town. Pressing her forehead to the glass, Lizzie watched the sun disappear behind the trees, the sky slowly turning gold as the sun set. Suddenly a bright flash of light briefly illuminated the area beyond the trees, right where the town was.

" I wonder what that was ?" Lizzie whispered, sitting up straighter on the window seat in an attempt to see past the darkening wood. Running to the door she listened, hearing nothing. Earlier she'd heard the front door bang when the housekeeper left for the day, but since then the house had been quiet. Going to her cupboard she grabbed a sweater then sat on the bed and pulled on her shoes, if the Little People had found a way through the forcefield, and the flash indicated they were trying something, she wanted to see if she could prevent it, or atleast find a way to redeem herself in her Grandfathers eyes, if not she had a few ideas to liven things up for the Little People. Going to her door, she listened again for any sign that her Grandfather was coming upstairs, then she opened the door and slipped out, shutting it quietly behind her. Creeping down the stairs, Lizzie heard him rummaging in the kitchen, a couple of pots banging together with a clang. Reaching the door she turned the latch, glancing over her shoulder to make sure she was free and clear, then hurried through, the door clicking shut behind her.

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After hiding the truck, the four men made their way back to the guest house, the light starting to fade in earnest and the temperature starting to drop. The sky had remained clear so they weren't expecting a repeat of the previous nights storm. The road had dried up during the day and the town had returned to its usual eerie quietness. Only the strange marks on the road surface, made by the snake and Ackman's boots, marred the strangely normal Main Street. As they turned into the side street, they saw the house lit up once more and the sight made them all pick up the pace. Fitzhugh even moving to the front as the thought of a soft bed beckoned enticingly.

They had just reached the sidewalk outside the building when a flaming arc fell out of the sky and landed almost ontop of Dan, the bright flames licking at his shoes as he jumped back to avoid being burnt.

" What the hell !" yelled Dan, beating the embers off his trousers as they all stared wildly around, trying to see the source. As they looked around another flaming brand flew towards Fitzhugh, who yelled and back-peddled several paces as the sparks flew around him when the firebrand hit the roadway and flipped. Steve hurried over to pat out some embers that had ignited on Fitzhugh shirt, burning black holes. The flames of the still burning matches illuminated the narrow road with lurid colour, the light reflected back by the windows of the building either side of the street. Mark and Steve started to back towards the guest house, keeping their eye's on the roof tops to spot the next missile. It appeared, arcing gracefully over the shingles, landing between the two men making them leap back to avoid the flames.

" These are Giant matches, Lizzie must be out there somewhere," shouted Mark, stamping out one of the brands as Steve threw dirt on one of the others. Soon all three matches were only giving off whiffs of smoke, the fires put out leaving blackened stumps and scorched dirt behind.

" How is she getting them past the forcefield ?" queried Dan, coming to stand next to Steve and Mark, all three scanning the rapidly darkening skyline.

" She must be inside the town, which means she has the remote control," said Steve, " what I want to know, is what does she want, is she trying to burn down the town ?"

" I wish there was someway we could contact Ackman, get him here," said Mark, as another bright flame landed in the street, casting strange shadows on the walls. Dan kicked dirt over the flames when they died down, putting out the fire.

" What about the church, wouldn't that have a bell?" asked Fitzhugh, wringing his hands and trying to press himself into the wall.

" Hey Fitzhugh's got a point, if we ring the alarm bell, that's sure to bring Ackman running, and if not, it might be enough to scare off Lizzie, if she thinks her Grandfathers heard the bell," said Dan, seeing support for his plan in Steve and Mark's expressions.

" Let's try it. Fitzhugh, you go in and warn the girls and Barry, keep them away from the windows, and stay inside. Dan, stay here incase any more flaming surprises arrive, we need to get them out as soon as possible, Mark and I will get the bell ringing to bring Ackman,"

Without waiting for agreement, Steve took off down the street, Mark keeping close behind. Fitzhugh bumbled into the house, pushing back Betty and Valerie who were just coming out, their cries of protest cut off as the door slammed shut. Dan flattened himself against the wall, his eyes searching the skies for more flaming arrows. A quick glance down the street confirmed that Steve and Mark had already reached the Main Street and were heading for the church.

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Steve and Mark reached the church and raced up the steps, flinging the wooden door wide as they entered, finding the hall full of dust and cobwebs. Looking around they saw a rope hanging down, festooned in spiders webs but intact. Jumping onto the platform, Steve took hold of the rope and pulled. Mark reached up and grabbed the rope as well, both men pulling hard. Finally they felt the rope move, the bell above them starting a small sound that became a loud peel as the gears freed up and the rope became easier to pull. The sound inside the echoing church was incredible but they continued to pull, wanting to make as much noise as possible. Eventually, Steve called a halt, and the two men left the church , their ears resounding to the sound of the bell.

" If that doesn't rouse Ackman, nothing will," said Mark, sitting down on the top step outside the church while he waited for his ears to stop ringing.

" Well it's had the desired affect on Lizzie, look," Steve pointed to where they could see the bent over figure of Lizzie hurrying away from the town.

" Let's head back, we need to fill you in on what Dan and I found," said Steve, reaching down to give Mark and hand up, "plus I want to hear how you managed to survive last night."

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