Title: Lifelines
Chapter: 7
Author: squeezynz@free.net.nz
Universe: Land of the Giants
Rating: PG Adventure
Archive: Please let me know where
Spoilers: spot the spoiler
Feedback: craved and cherished
Disclaimer: All AI's, just having fun

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Steve reached the first tent, his torch providing a wavering light, and discovered where Hoge was sleeping. The Professors' assistant was sleeping on a camp-bed amongst packing crates. The clutter provided excellent cover, but Steve didn't plan on sticking around to find out how good it was. He took Mark's warning quite seriously, Hoge obviously took pleasure in his work. Steve backed out of the tent, slipping under the canvas and headed off to the other tent, looming nearby. He took a shortcut under the truck, reaching the tent flap and scooting under. Inside the tent the two Scientists shared, everything had been put in order. The clutter of the previous tent was missing, as well as the convenient cover. Steve edged his way along the tent wall, getting closer to the two camp-beds towering over him. Both Giants were sound asleep. The woman had a crate for a bedside table, with a clock and a gas lamp on it. The Professor was sprawled on his back, snoring intermittently. The woman was on her side, blankets pulled up to her chin. Steve looked around for something to make his entrance with. He didn't exactly want to have to stand on either one's chest and yell at them, but he did need to make enough noise to wake one or the other, without making it too suspicious. In the corner of the tent was a work table, littered with notebooks and papers. A lamp stood at the corner of the table, with its power cord snaking under and outside the tent. Steve decided to climb that and see what presented itself on the table. It was the work of a moment to climb the cord. Once on the table he walked about, trying to read what was written but the hand writing was too crabbed to decipher. A rack of test tubes stood near the edge of the table. Some of the tubes had liquid in them, capped with cork stoppers. Steve went up to them and pushed the rack, it wobbled and Steve smiled. He had found his 'noise maker'. He made sure nothing was in the way of him pushing the rack off the table, then set his shoulder to the wooden structure and started to push. It was slow work but he felt the rack slowly slide over the papers, towards the sheer drop. One more push and the rack, with its glass tubes, began to topple. Steve stepped back and watched as the rack reached the ground with a satisfying crash. The tubes chinked and rattled as they smashed together, the fluids splashing out and spreading over the ground. Steve stayed only long enough to see the two Giants start from their sleep, the women lighting the lamp and getting out of bed to investigate. Steve started down the lamp cord as the woman reached the bench. He was half way down when she reached out and grabbed him.

" Tan...Tan, get up...we have another addition to our collection, a male...and fit and healthy too." Caron cradled Steve in her hand, looking over at her husband who was getting out of his camp-bed to see what the commotion was.

Steve decided to give them a fight and plunged his penknife into Caron's finger, drawing a bead of blood, and making Caron drop him suddenly onto the table top. She put her finger to her mouth and sucked the wound.

" Ouch...blast it, he stabbed me." Caron complained. Steve crouched on the papers, in a defensive posture, daring the Giant's to reach for him again.

" I'll get the gas, you keep him here, but be careful." Tan admonished his wife. He rummaged in a trunk at the end of the bed, producing an unmarked aerosol can which he aimed at Steve. Tan pressed the top and a cloud of white gas enveloped the man on the table. Steve coughed and swiped at the gas, trying to stand up but finding his legs suddenly useless. Caron and Tan stood at a safe distance as the tiny man collapsed onto his knees, then his side, the knife dropping from his nerveless hand.

" I'll take him to the other tent, right now. I want to get him processed while he's out cold. No time like the present." Tan rubbed his hands together in anticipation of another part of their plan coming together. Approaching the table top he picked up Steve and carried him out of the tent and around the truck, heading for the tent holding Mark and Valerie. Hoge came out, rubbing his eyes.

" What's the noise about ?" He asked.

" Caron caught another one, in our tent. I'm taking him to be processed. Go back to bed Hoge, I won't need any help with this one." Tan proceeded to the big tent, his steps carrying him past the grumbling Hoge.

Inside he lay Steve on the bench, setting out the necessary equipment to take the desired samples. First Steve was stripped and searched for any more weapons. Then the samples were taken, the measurements recorded, finally he was redressed in the same outfit as Mark and carried over to the box. Tan lifted the roof over the same side Mark and Valerie slept, but put Steve in the bedroom next door to their room. Then he turned back and started to catalogue the new samples.

Dan had watched what had happened since the Giant first entered the tent, he hoped Steve wasn't about to regret his decision. Dan slipped back to where Betty waited.

" Steve's in the box now, he'll be out for a time, so we may as well settle back down and wait." Dan told Betty.

Mark had seen the Giant putting Steve into the room next door while feigning sleep. Valerie had stirred as well, a quickly whispered instruction keeping her still until the Giant closed the roof again. Then they both got up and hurried to the next room. Steve was sprawled bonelessly on one of the beds, dressed in the same grey strip as Mark. Valerie sat next to him, checking him for injuries but pleased to report nothing but some bruising.

" Steve, can you hear me, it's Valerie...Steve ?" She tried to rouse the senseless man. Mark pulled out the radio and tried calling Dan.

" Mark to Dan, come in Dan."

" Dan here, is Steve with you ?"

" Just been delivered, he's out cold, so we'll have to wait for him to wake up." Mark explained.

" The Professor is still in the tent, we'll have to wait atleast until he leaves." Dan informed them.

" Give us a call when he does, Mark out."

" I don't like to leave him here alone, Mark." Valerie said. She held Steve's hand while he remained unconscious.

" We might as well use the other bed, atleast we'll know when he wakes up . Come on." Mark held out his hand for Valerie. She let go of Steve and got up, moving to the other bed and lying down. Mark tucked the radio under the pillow and followed her.

" I hope this plan works."

" So do I...try to get some sleep, it'll be morning soon." Mark whispered.

Dan and Betty watched Tan as he fiddled and wrote in his journal. Dan echoed Valerie's concerns for the success of the rescue plan. He had contacted the Windsifter after Steve had left. Barry had been on watch and reported everything quiet at the ship. Fitzhugh and Marna were indulging their indolent natures and making the most of the work free days. Barry had been entertaining Chipper and keeping watch from the rock-pile lookout. Fitzhugh had taken care of the provisions that Valerie and Betty had found. Processing them had provided them all with something to do during the long wait for their shipmates to return. Dan reassured Barry they would be back soon, hoping it was true.

Tan finally left the tent, yawning, the dawn light heralding the new day. Dan gave Mark a quick call, advising him. Mark reported that Steve was still out cold and to wait for his call. Dan thumped his fist against the side of the box in frustration after signing off. Betty gave him an understanding look and came over to stand next to him.

" Steve will be fine Dan, there's not a bit of good worrying, he wanted to do this." Betty tried to explain.

" I know that Betty, doesn't make it sit any better though."

" I need to stretch my legs, this waiting is giving me cramps, care to join me." Betty gave Dan an encouraging smile. Dan huffed, then smiled back.

" Sure, I need to exercise these fidgets out as well. Lets take a look at the other side of this tent, we may find something useful."

They set off, jogging to get the blood circulating in the pre-dawn chill. They completed a circuit of the tent, arriving back at the box half an hour later.

" I needed that, feel alot warmer too." Betty puffed.

" Let's find something for breakfast." Dan rummaged in their rucksack, finding the last of the food and water, sharing it with Betty.

" I hope they have more food in there, we're going to have to trek back on empty if they don't." Dan observed. Betty shrugged.

" We've done that before. How else do you think I maintain this fashionable shape." she quipped, patting her slim waistline.

Dan smiled and handed her the bottle. They ate their breakfast in companionable silence, only the dawn chorus of the birds to herald the sun's rise. Light was spilling through the tent doorway before the Giants put in an appearance. The female Giant, Caron, entered first. She had a piece of bread in her hand that she munched while going over the notes of the night before. The Professor came in shortly afterwards with a small platter of food. He lowered it into the box. Then the two Giants sat together and compared notes and observations. Dan and Betty watched, hoping to hear from Mark.

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Steve thrashed and moaned, in the grip of a nightmare. Mark woke, hearing Steve's incoherent groan. He shook Valerie awake, getting up and approaching the man twisting on the bed. Valerie went out of the room in search of a drink of water for Steve, remembering how dry she had been after experiencing the Giant's gas. Mark sat on the bed next to Steve and shook his shoulder.

" Wake up Steve, its Mark...wake up."

Steve's eye's snapped open, he was panting, still in the throws of his dream. " Mark ?" he gasped shakily. Valerie came back with the water, handing it to Mark . Steve ran his hand over his face, turning onto his side and accepting the drink from Mark.

" Oh god....it's not a dream..." Steve whispered, his voice rough.

" Sorry Steve, its all too real." Said Mark.

Mark stood as Steve swung his legs over the edge of the bed and sat up.

" Don't try and get up too quickly, you haven't had long to let the gas get out of your system." Mark cautioned.

" Well I guess my plan worked then."

" Like a charm." Valerie sat on the bed opposite the two men. Steve took in his new clothes, seeing Mark wearing the same.

" I needed a new set of threads, I'd prefer another colour though."

" Sorry, job lot..." Mark stated. Steve looked over at Valerie, seeing her tunic.

" Isn't that like what Marna wore...." His voice tailed off as he realised it was exactly what Marna had worn. Proof undeniable.

Valerie spread her hands and shrugged in reply.

" I've been in touch with Dan, they're just waiting for you to wake up before carrying out your instructions." said Mark.

" Are the Giants back in the tent ?" Steve asked.

" I don't know, I'll call Dan and find out." Mark turned and took the radio from Valerie.

" Mark to Dan, come in Dan."

" Dan here...is Steve awake yet ?"

" Yes he is...are the Giants out there ?"

" Yes, both of them."

" Let us know when they leave."

" Sure, Dan out."

" Let's see the rest of this place. I need to use the facilities." Steve stood up. He passed Mark and went to the door. Mark hid the radio and together with Valerie followed Steve out to the living room.

" Bathroom's through that door, Steve." Mark indicated the door and Steve smiled his gratitude.

Valerie picked up the platter off the floor and placed it on the table. She refilled a jug from the tap and placed three plates and cups in front of the chairs. Mark gathered up the books he's left there the night before and put them back in the bookshelf. Steve returned and sat down heavily on one of the chairs.

" I'll be back in a minute." Valerie said, heading for the bathroom door herself.

" It's really some set-up here. They sure want us to be comfortable." Steve reached for a hunk of bread, pleased to find it fresh and fragrant.

" Apparently we're very important to their success, pedigree pets you might say." said Mark.

" Any thoughts on their ultimate purpose for us ?" asked Steve.

Mark shrugged. " No idea....breeding colony ?" he said.

Valerie came through the door as Mark finished speaking, catching his last comment.

" Breeding colony ? What are we...cattle ?" Valerie exclaimed.

" I was only speculating, I have no idea what they want us for." Mark hastened to reassure her. Valerie moved to the table and sat down. Mark handed her a plate.

" I hardly think three women and three men is sufficient for a breeding programme. I also don't see Betty or Marna, or myself for that matter, prepared to become brood hens for some Giant's experiment. It's grotesque." Valerie was becoming furious at the idea.

" I don't think it will come to that, we intend to leave here before it gets much further. Remember ?" Steve reasoned. He had only just finished speaking when the television came on and Professor Tan's image appeared. Mark swivelled around in his seat to see properly. Steve stared, curious to learn what the Giant's next move would be.

Professor Tan smiled broadly, please to see Steve up and about.

" I see your friend has recovered nicely. Please introduce us Mark."

Mark glanced at Steve for the okay before speaking. Steve nodded imperceptibly.

" This is Steve Burton...... Steve, this is Professor Tan."

" Nice to see you join your friends, I hope the other's won't be far away ?" said Tan.

" What other's ?" Steve asked, looking blankly at the Professor.

" I see, going to be a uncooperative as your friends, never mind, we will catch you all....eventually." said Tan. The screen went dark.

" Sure of himself, isn't he." Steve remarked.

" No reason why not, his experience of our kind is Marna, and she was as easy as they come." said Mark.

" That could work in our favour. They won't expect us to behave very differently and maybe relax their guard." Steve rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

They finished their breakfast and spent the next couple of hours, talking over their plans or perusing the books. Dan and Betty kept watch, seeing the Giant scientists trek in and out of the tent over the period of the day, never leaving for very long, and never both out at the same time. It was very frustrating, and very nerve racking.

Steve and Mark were just debating the relative merits of a book on engineering principles when the roof was unexpectedly removed and a hand reached in. Valerie screamed a warning but Mark couldn't do more than get to his feet before the hand grasped him and lifted him out of the box, leaving Steve and Valerie stunned and shocked at the speed of his removal.

" MARKKK...." Valerie cried out. Steve stood frozen, unsure what to do.

The roof was replaced and silence fell again. Valerie covered her face with her hands. Steve quickly came over and put his arm around the girl, himself overcome with surprise.

" I...I didn't hear a thing, is that what happened before ?" he asked.

Valerie nodded, not trusting herself to speak. They went over to a bench and sat down, Steve trying to comfort Valerie.

" Did Mark have the radio on him ?"

" N..o..no...he left it in the bedroom where you were." Valerie said.

" Stay here, I'm going to contact Dan, see if he can shed some light on what's happening out there." Steve gave her a squeeze then got up and hurried out of the room.

" Dan this is Steve, come in Dan."

" Dan here....Steve what's going on, who was taken from the box ?"

" It was Mark, we don't know why, can you see or hear anything ?"

" Not alot, I can get closer though, hang on."

Steve waited patiently as Dan positioned himself closer to the work bench the two Giants huddled over. Dan heard a choked off cry that sounded suspiciously like Mark. He gulped and thumbed on the radio.

" Steve, I'm near the table so speak quietly." Dan whispered," I don't know what's going on, but I don't think its very pleasant for Mark."

Another muffled cry of pain reached Dan, making him wince in sympathy.

" Steve, you'd better prepare Val, I don't think Mark's going to be too good when they return him." Dan quickly covered the microphone as a louder scream reached him, making him blanch.

" Dan, is there anything you can do to distract them, get them away from the bench...anything at all ?" Steve asked urgently.

" I can try. Dan out." He switched off the radio, just as another, fainter cry came from the bench top.

Gritting his teeth, he made his way silently back to a distraught Betty.

" Oh Dan, what's happening. Who's on the table."

" It's Mark. We have to try and distract them."

" Is there anything we can set fire too, not in here but outside ?" Betty asked.

" Let's take a look."

Dan and Betty slid under the tarpaulin. Keeping close to the canvas they ran to the back of the tent, directly behind where the workbench sat. There was a cleared area, then the truck and the other tents.

" Let's check out the truck, maybe we can do something there." Dan suggested. Together they ran past the guy ropes and pegs, reaching the truck and dropping, breathless to the grass underneath. Dan looked up, scanning the underside of the vehicle, hoping for inspiration.

He saw what looked like a wire dangling under the engine bay. He tugged and finding it secure, used it to climb up under the hood. Using a torch he swung the light around, searching for the petrol line, or even the battery. He hoped to start a fire or electrical short, whatever would produce the most smoke and bring the Giants running.

Betty reached the engine bay behind him.

" Look for a fuel line or electrical cable." Dan instructed. They hunted around and found what looked like an oil radiator, which was covered in dark oily residue.

" Can we get this oil to smoke ?" Betty asked. Dan looked around and saw a rag stuffed into a hole, obviously used by the Giants to wipe their hands on.

" Lets get that rag over here, we can set that alight as a fuse, it should give us time to get out before the oil ignites."

Dan carefully reached for the rag, pulling it over, with Betty's help, and stuffing it around the oil radiator. He motioned Betty to start back down the wire and wait for him on the ground. Once she had gone Dan pulled out his lighter and set about getting the rag to ignite.

Being oily the rag caught quickly, Dan had to leap back as the flames licked back towards him. He watched it to make sure it had really caught before quickly climbing down the wire. Smoke was starting to fill the engine bay and leak out of the bonnet. Dan and Betty ran quickly back to the big tent, around the back and slipped under the canvas just as smoke began to billow out of the truck.

Professor Tan poked his head out of the tent, he had smelt the smoke and had gone to investigate, saw the truck and shouted for Hoge and his wife. Caron scooped up Mark and deposited him back inside the box before rushing off to assist her husband.

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Steve and Valerie were sitting at the table when the roof was opened and the hand deposited Mark in a heap on the floor. Valerie gave a cry and ran over to the motionless body. Steve went to the other side and gently turned Mark over. Mark hadn't made a sound since being put back, Steve checked his pulse, finding it steady but weak. Lifting his t-shirt provoked a shocked gasp from Valerie. Mark looked as though someone had worked him over with a four-by-two. His chest was covered in bruises. The welts going down his arms. Steve turned him over and discovered his back was just as bruised. Mark's face was also marked by cuts.

" They said they wouldn't hurt us...." Valerie whispered, faintly.

" I don't understand either, we need to get him onto a bed." said Steve. Valerie helped Steve to lift Mark over his shoulder, then she ran to the sink and gathered some clothes and a bowl of water and followed Steve to the bedroom where he laid Mark gently down. Valerie sat down on the bed and gently sponged Marks face, willing him to open his eyes or say something. The cold water seemed to revive him. Mark slowly blinked his eyes and looked up into the concerned faces around him.

" Back here again....this is getting to be a habit." said Mark.

" What happened out there...?" asked Steve. Valerie held Mark's head up to take a sip of water from the glass left by the bed.

" I have no idea, they just started using these pliers type implements on me, as if trying to see how much pain I'd take." Mark grimaced as he tried to ease his back off the bed.

" Dan created a diversion to draw the Giants away." Valerie told him.

" I'll thank Dan, next time I see him." said Mark.

" We're getting out of here tonight, I don't want to wait a moment longer than necessary." Steve growled.

Mark just nodded then winced when his back moved against the bedclothes.

" I'll go along with that...tell Dan to be ready at the first opportunity." said Mark.

" Take it easy Mark, I'll go and pack what I can of the food and water, we'll need as much as we can carry. It's still a two day journey back to the Windsifter." said Steve, then he turned and left them.

" My poor backs going to have more tracks than a train station at this rate." Mark joked, trying to raise a smile on Valerie's sober face.

" I just want us out of this nightmare." said Valerie.

" Me to."

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It took the Giants half an hour to get the fire under control. Dan's smoke diversion worked better than he ever expected. Professor Tan came back to the big tent only briefly, to pick up his notes and leave again. Hoge was kept at the truck, trying to repair the damage, and the Professor's wife was in the back of the truck checking for any after effect of the smoke on the equipment.

Dan had reached the hole he'd made the day before and enlarged it. The smell of oily smoke would easily mask any burning made by them. He scored a round shape in the plywood. Then he passed the cutter through the hole to Steve. Following Dan's knocking Steve scored another circular shape on the inside. After an hour Steve had finished. Mark had recovered enough to join him, and together they kicked at the weakened panel. They took turns, Dan and Betty on one side, Steve and Mark on the other. Valerie had packed the food left over from the morning, filling their water bottles and also rolling and folding the bedding into another pack, using rope passed by Betty through the hole.

After an hour of effort they broke through a big enough hole for Valerie to squeeze through. Fifteen minutes later and the hole was large enough for Mark and Steve to use.

" What about out gear, Valerie needs something more substantial to wear and we have no shoes." said Mark.

" What would you suggest, we're lucky to have this time to escape, I don't want to jeopardise our advantage." Steve answered.

" We're not going to get far without our boots." Mark persisted.

Steve growled in frustration, as much as he hated to admit it, Mark was right. Already Valerie was rubbing her arms, finding the tunic inadequate.

" All right, we make it fast. If we don't find anything within twenty minutes, we're out of here, boots or no boots." Steve turned and started to run to the power lead hanging from the workbench.

" Dan, keep watch at the tent doorway, Val, Betty take the packs and find a hiding place outside the tent, we'll be as quick as we can." Mark turned after speaking and dashed after Steve.

Valerie and Betty grabbed the packs and pushed their way under the canvas. Dan ran to the doorway, seeing Hoge still at the truck and no sign of the other two Giants.

Mark and Steve reached the table top, looking around for any sign of their missing belongings.

" Let's try over there, where they took the samples." said Mark.

They had just about given up their search and turned back to rejoin their friends when Steve noticed a flash of red. Behind a stack of books they found a shoe-box, out of one corner was a leg of Steve's red flight uniform. Mark pushed the lid off and looked inside. All their clothes were there, plus a few other items of clothing. Steve tossed the clothes out so that Mark could bundle them together with a length of rope. Finally they made it back to the floor, just as Dan ran around the end of the box.

" Giant coming, hurry." Dan hissed, waving to them to join him.

They reached the safety of the box as the tent flap lifted.

They didn't wait to watch what the Giant did, slipping under the edge of the tent and running to join the girls where they waited.

" Damn close, too damn close." Steve panted, pulling on his boots and jacket.

" You'll thank me later, when we have to run." Mark grunted, pulling his own boots on. Valerie was gratefully donning her shoes and pulling her dress on, over the thin tunic. They bundled the remaining clothes into Dan's empty backpack, then they turned and tried to put as much distance between them and the Giants camp as possible. Steve took the lead with Dan bringing up the rear. They ran for the first half hour, taking a route away from their original direction. Steve's plan was to circle around in an arc and eventually head back to the Windsifter. They didn't know how long before they were discovered missing, so the circuitous route would keep them well away from where the Giants were likely to look.

They kept on walking until it was full dark. Only stopping because of the obvious exhaustion of Val and Betty. They had been too busy putting distance between them and the camp to think about their own needs. Now the girls collapsed on the ground, too tired to go any further.

" Oh god...I can't move." Betty groaned.

" I'd kill for a new pair of feet." Valerie moaned, rubbing her sore calves, the muscled knotting up with cramps.

" We'll camp here for the night, you'll have to walk a tiny bit further, just to that gopher hole. I don't think it's a good idea to be outside." Steve indicated a darker patch of black under a tree root. Mark tugged Valerie to her feet, wincing as the half healed scabs on his back pulled.

Dan helped Betty to limp to the hole. They all squeezed through the narrow opening, finding it widened into a broad, sandy cave.

" Pass out the blankets Dan, I'll check the passage way for any surprises." Steve started off down the dark tunnel, his torch bouncing off the dirt walls.

Mark gathered some of the dead leaves, breaking them into small pieces. He started a small fire, heaping small twigs on. The cheerful blaze did more to chase their tiredness away, than raise the temperature in the gopher hole. The small amount of smoke wound its way up through the roof of fibrous roots, largely dissipated by the time it reached the outside.

Betty opened their food pack and passed portions around to everyone. Valerie sat huddled in a blanket, against the dirt wall. She chewed her piece of bread and absently rubbed her aching legs. Mark had gone to gather more twigs from the mouth of the hole. Dan was leaning back against the crumbly earth, his eye's closed, apparently dozing.

Steve returned, after a short while, to report the tunnel hit a dead end about a hundred feet from the entrance. What side passages there were had collapsed and become filled in. Mark came back with an armful of wood, dropping it beside the fire. He knelt down and fed the smaller pieces into the blaze, the light showing up the lines of pain on his face .

The tired fugitives ate their meal in silence, the crackle of the fire their only conversation. Mark sat next to Valerie and pulled her unresisting, blanket clad body towards him so she rested her head on his shoulder. Betty was curled up on the floor, covered by another blanket, already asleep. Dan yawned and looked over at Steve, nodding over his drawn up knees.

" Who's going on first watch ?" Dan asked.

Steve looked up and shrugged. " I don't think any of us are likely to be able to stay awake for long. We're safe enough here, this hole hasn't been used for some time."

" I agree." said Mark. " There's nothing to indicate recent animal use. Let's all get some sleep and have an early start tomorrow."

" I'll call the Windsifter tomorrow and let them know we're on our way home. Barry and Fitzhugh can start packing up the camp, ready for our immediate evacuation." Steve grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around himself, hunkering down he tried to find a soft spot on the earth floor.

Dan and Steve quickly fell asleep, joining Betty and Valerie in slumber. Mark stayed awake for a while longer, watching the fire die down. His back and chest were keeping him from sleeping, the pain a constant reminder of his recent captivity. Valerie was cuddled up against him. Mark listened to her even breaths marking the passing of the night. Eventually the fire burned down entirely, only the glowing embers left to illuminate the sleeping travellers. Mark eased himself down onto his side, using one of the packs for a pillow, wrapping a blanket tightly around himself and Valerie. Finally he closed his eye's and slept.

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