Title: Surrender
Chapter: 1
Author: Squeezynz@free.net.nz
Universe: Land of the Giants
Rating: PG, Adventure
Spoilers: Hardly
Archive: Sure, just let me know
Feedback: drop a line or two to a starving artist ?
Disclaimer: blah blah blah Irwin Allen blah blah.....not
mine, wish they were.........you know the rest

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After three months of almost continuous rain, the crew and passengers of the spacecraft, Spindrift, awoke one morning to brilliant sunshine and clear blue skies. Everyone was deliriously happy with their change in fortune, but no one expected it to last.

It did.

Finally they were released from their enforced inactivity, and were once more able to plan forays into the city and suburbs for supplies and news. Of course the onset of fine weather also meant the return of the Giant population to their usual pursuits in the forest, but that was almost welcomed by the Little People after months spent in close confinement. Obviously there had been periods when they had been able to get away from each other, but overall the rain had tested their friendships and inventiveness to the limits of endurance. About the only person had been truly happy with the enforced idleness had been Betty. She had been a keen needlewoman on Earth, and now she had put her talents to good use by completing new outfits for all the group, most urgently for a fast growing Barry, now a teenager. The thread that was used for all this industry had been acquired when the Giants had, what can only be described as, an inorganic rubbish collection. All manner of odd household items had been thrown out and left on the sidewalk edges for collection by the rubbish trucks. It had proved very fruitful for the Little People. Betty had sent the men on the treasure hunt with a very precise list of wants and needs. For the most part they had succeeded in finding all the items. Betty was more than happy with the materials the men found. Like the linen hankies, perfect for shirts, or the spools of silk thread, that, when the thread was separated into its single threads, proved to be fine enough for her to use with her small and carefully guarded pack of Earth size needles.

Besides the sewing items for Betty, Valerie had put in a request for more bedding, not just blankets but, if possible, real beds. The search for these turned up successful when they found a dolls house, broken down one side, but with most of its remaining furniture intact. One item was a metal bunk-bed set, and another a single metal-frame bed. Barry was more than happy to trade in his rickety twig camp-bed for the top bunk, and Fitzhugh finally stopped complaining about his sleeping arrangements when he got the bottom bunk below Barry. They had also made a more permanent arrangement for those that had to sleep outside. The rain had made it essential that some sort of hard roof sheltered the beds. With that thought in mind a sheet of thin corrugated metal, the reflective lining of a light fitting, became the roof of the new sleep-out. The walls had to make do with a collection of various canvas squares, found in a dressmakers sample folder. When daubed with clay and camouflaged with bracken they made effective barriers against the wind and wet. More material squares used by a furniture maker, provided wool and velveteen-like fabrics, which boosted their threadbare supply of blankets.

Even their shoe collection had been added to when a box was found with dolls clothes that very nearly fitted them for size. The shoes tended to be rather impractical for the girls, but a few knee-high boots were found that could be made to fit, and the men found what looked like army boots. Dan likened them to what some Earth army dolls had worn, and kept calling Steve 'Action Jo' until Steve wrestled him, and Dan promised to shut up amid much laughter from everyone.

By the end of the two weeks that the collection was available for raiding, they had nearly fulfilled every member of the groups wish-list. Except for Mark's, and he wasn't surprised because of the nature of the things he needed. Radium and Radioactive isotopes, not to mention hydrogen cell housing, were not exactly part of a Giants usual household. In point of fact, on this planet, the stores he really needed were only available in Government laboratories and secure warehouses. Alot of it was still experimental here on the Giant planet and finding it, let alone getting it, was a constant sore point.

Their food stores received an unexpected boost when the rubbish collection turned up a pharmaceutical sample case, filled with tiny stoppered glass bottles, and small tin boxes, used to store all manner of odd powders and liquids. Once they had been cleaned out they made excellent receptacles for storing their precious food stuffs, keeping the dry goods free from damp, and keeping the insects from the perishables. They had found a clean dry cave not far from the ship soon after they had become settled in that spot and they used this as their pantry, keeping all the bottle and jars there safe. The sample box had also revealed a hidden bonus. It had a very fine, green baize-like lining, that lifted easily away from the wooden sides. When this was draped over the Spindrift it totally concealed the ship from above. It also covered the new lean-to area and provided necessary protection from the sun and rain. It was lightweight enough that the three men could lift it off the ship when the solar batteries needed recharging.

The camp was now really taking on an air of permanence, that Fitzhugh grumbled didn't bode well for their ever leaving this place.

Mark and Valerie hadn't discussed their feeling with their friends about the revelations made between them in the shack. They had agreed that hope was their one real tool for survival. He felt, and Valerie agreed with him, that it was more than likely that Steve and Dan had already reached their own conclusions regarding the space worthiness of the Spindrift, but like them, had decided to leave the status quo for the time being, as mending the ship gave everyone a purpose. As long as they weren't in any direct danger, Mark didn't think that the truth could do anything but hurt their present situation. He had worked as diligently as anyone, since the initial crash, to repair what he could, but, as the days passed into months, and then years, he had felt the sparks of hope that maybe, just maybe they had a shot of getting off this world, become dimmer. He kept all this to himself, for the most part, only confiding his fears to Valerie , but she, unlike him, still stubbornly held onto a tiny flicker of hope. They had, however, resolved a solution to their sleeping arrangements. No one had been particularly surprised when Mark and Valerie returned from their trip and announced that they intended to move their bedding closer together, a solution being found when a section of the Spindrift main cabin was curtained off, giving the pair an illusion of privacy. Betty still slept in the remainder of the cabin, so they were never truly alone, but it was sufficient for the time being. Of course Fitzhugh had to complain about Mark getting to sleep 'inside' but he soon stopped when the bunkbeds made an appearance and he got to sleep better. Fitzhugh hadn't had a really good nights sleep since his leg had been broken. It had mended well, but he had suffered during the months of damp, the rain making his leg ache constantly. He had been let off the more strenuous activities for that reason and now kept watch over the camp and the radios, more often than not.

It was now a couple of months after Mark and Valerie's adventure with the kidnappers, and they finally got to see the newspaper articles written at the time and find out the fate of Kettick and Travin. Dan had found the paper under a rubbish bin, at the edge of the park. It transpired that the boy's parents were important political figures, a husband and wife lawyer team that were strong activists in the Giants form of government. They were both independently wealthy, but only had the one child, so they had become easy targets for the crooks. No mention had been made in the article of the Little Peoples involvement with freeing the boy, Terril, but Mark didn't mind, and Valerie was just happy the boy escaped unharmed, and was now back with his parents.

" At least someone got their happy ending " was the only comment she made.

Betty had been quite indignant that their part in the crime had been ignored, she felt that all they ever got was bad publicity, and one of the few times they get a chance to prove that they aren't a terrible threat to the Giants, it was all hushed up.

" You'd think someone would have wanted to see the full story published, even if only to make a political point " Betty said.

" I guess we're just not front page news anymore " Dan was standing behind Betty outside the ship. They had all gathered to read the newspaper and it was providing some lively debate. Betty just shrugged and turning, went back into the ship.

" I don't see any mention of the SID or Kobick in any of the articles, isn't that a bit strange? " said Mark. Steve pointed to an article about the current government session with the Special Council.

" Maybe they're too caught up with all the recent election issues." He scanned down the article, looking for any mention of familiar names.

" I don't see anything much, in fact. Its all basic political rhetoric, nothing of any substance or meaning " He let his corner of the paper drop in disgust, " some things obviously don't change, whatever part of the universe you happen to be in." Steve turned away, and took a mug from Valerie as she came down the steps from the Spindrift with a tray.

" Thanks Val, how's lunch coming ?" Valerie passed Steve and handed the tray around to Mark and Dan.

" Lunch could be a bit delayed, we're having difficulty getting the bread to bake ." Valerie replied.

" Isn't the oven Mark rigged working ?" Steve queried.

" Oh its working okay....too damn well, the sandwiches will be a bit scorched...anyone for toast ?" Valerie gave the group a wink and started back towards the ship.

Fitzhugh came out of the lean to and grabbed the last mug as Valerie turned to go back into the ship.

" Hey, I thought you'd forgotten about me again......." Fitzhugh hissed as his hands made contact with the hot mug and he blew vigorously for a few seconds to cool it down.

" I could never forget you Fitzhugh.......hey Fitz....where's Barry ?" Valerie looked around the camp site.

" Oh he took himself off with Chipper to take another look at that toy truck we found, over by the picnic area." Fitzhugh dismissed Valerie's startled expression and turned to go back towards the lean-to.

" You let him go by himself ?" Valerie quickly turned towards Steve.

" Steve, did you know Barry had gone ?" Steve looked up, as did Mark and Dan, to see Valerie looking pointedly at Steve.

" Sure I knew he had gone, he's not a child Valerie, he needs his space like the rest of us. He's got a radio, and Chipper, he'll be fine." Steve turned back to the newspaper, sipping his drink.

Valerie looked disconcerted, usually Steve was the first to show concern when a member of the group wandered off. Now he seemed almost cavalier. She looked over at Mark who gave her a shrug and a smile but quickly turned his attention back to the paper.

" Men" thought Valerie, and mentally threw her hands up into the air in exasperation. She turned to go into the ship and nearly bumped into Betty as she rushed out.

" Ooops sorry Val, didn't see you there....Steve, Barry's on the radio, wants to talk to you, urgently." Betty quickly stepped back as Steve put his mug down and jumped the steps into the ship. Mark and Dan weren't far behind, and all three men crowded into the cockpit, Betty and Valerie standing in the corridor to listen.

" Barry, this is Steve.....come in Barry " Steve grasped the mike and looked over at Mark and Dan, a crease between his eyes the only indication of his concern.

" Spindrift this is Barry, can you read me okay ?" Barry's squeaky voice sounded from the ships speakers.

" We read you Barry, what's the problem ?"

" Is Mark and Dan with you ?" Barry queried.

" They're both here Barry, go ahead " Steve gripped the mike.

" I think you need to see what I've found....I'm at the edge of the picnic area, not far from that toy truck, do you know where I mean ?"

" We know where you are Barry, what have you found ?" Steve's voice was rising as he caught Barry's urgency. Mark and Dan were watching Steve intently, trying to imagine what Barry could have found.

" Captain Burton, I think I've found another Spindrift." Barry's voice carried through the cockpit clearly.

Valerie gave a startled gasp and Betty's eyes opened wide in shock,

" Steve.....is it possible ? " Betty whispered.

Mark and Dan started talking over each other.

" No way, the boy is crazy...."

" Its not possible, he must be mistaken...."

" BE QUIET....all of you, please....Barry are you still there ?" Steve waved down the others as he talked.

" I'm still here Captain, and I'm not crazy, it is another Spindrift, but its buried somewhat.....you've got to see it."

" Okay, Barry, I believe you.....we'll bring as much as we can carry, you stay there...are there any Giants still around ?"

" No, there was a family here earlier, but they left about 20 minutes ago."

" Okay then, you hold tight and we'll be there in about an hour. Spindrift out."

Steve hung up the mike, then turned around to see every eye riveted on him. He held up his hands, as if to push them all back.

" Okay, everyone hold onto whatever you're going to say, it does sound fantastic, but Barry isn't prone to making things up. Lets gather anything that would help in an excavation, Dan ?.....you find the shovels we made last month....Mark ?......you find the torches and check the batteries, better fill the lanterns as well, I know we're a bit low on fuel oil for them, but we could be glad of them, if this moves into the night. Valerie ?.....you check the backpacks for water and provisions, Barry will be glad of something to eat and drink, and we could be away from here for awhile. Betty ?.....can you rouse Fitzhugh and bring him up to date, he'll need to be here by the radio, I want you to come with us, can you get the ropes together? Dan can give you a hand....".

There was a sudden flurry of activity as everyone shot off to complete their assignments, Steve turned back to the control console after everyone had left and checked the radar for any Giant movement in the immediate area. Then he moved back into the passenger compartment to gather together the hand-held radios from the utility drawer, and gather up his jacket.

Outside everyone had collected the equipment and piled it on top of the flat rock they used for a workbench. Mark was testing the batteries before screwing the torches back together. Valerie had the backpacks open, and was putting the torches in as Mark completed working on them. Dan and Betty had ousted Fitzhugh from his bed, and were now coiling the ropes and grapnels, piling them next to the collection of shovels and hatchets. Steve came out of the Spindrift with the radios and handed them to Dan and Mark. Finally they were ready. Mark, Dan and Steve hoisted the backpacks, leaving the ropes for Valerie and Betty to carry. Dan collected the shovels while Mark picked up the hatchets. That just left saying goodbye to Fitzhugh and they could start. Steve radioed Barry before they left to check that everything there was unchanged, Barry confirmed that all was quiet, so Steve signalled them all to move out.

Steve took the lead with Betty behind him, then Dan, Valerie and Mark in the rear. It was still only late morning, and the sun kept disappearing behind a smattering of cloud, but there was no sign of a return of the rain, and the ground had, by now, dried out, making the track easy. They walked at a brisk pace, passing comments back and forth.

" I still reckon Barry has just seen a ship-like rock."

Valerie looked back at Mark.

" That's a bit harsh, Mark, Barry's not an idiot, I don't think he'd get all excited over a rock." Valerie turned back as Dan joined the conversation.

" I've been trying to remember if any other Spindrift model craft were ever listed as missing. I know a few test flights were listed as missing over the ocean, but they were written off as prototype failures."

" Yeah, I've been trying to remember as well." said Mark.

" I don't recall any passenger flights ever just disappearing, it would be front page news....wouldn't it ?" commented Valerie.

" Yes it would be front page news, but it rather depends on the passengers, these model craft were often hired out by corporations and for private use, which is why our craft was available when all the commercial ones were grounded." remarked Steve.

They were all quiet for a little way, as the ferns had become dense and needed all their concentration not to get whipped in the face by the one in front. Betty decided to make an observation.

" I'm more interested in why we haven't found it before....I mean, we've covered that area dozens of times...and never found anything but leftovers from the picnic tables."

Dan replied " Maybe the rain we've had recently has washed it out from the soil...that could explain why we never saw it."

" That could be it Dan.....obviously its power source has been shut down or it would have registered when we made our initial sweeps of the area with the radar," said Steve.

" If the reactor had been powered down it may not have registered against the background static, " said Mark. He looked thoughtful and added " If it was powered down properly it may not be too badly damaged," he started to look excited.

" Are you thinking that it could have the parts we need to repair our own ship ?" this from Dan.

" Better than that " said Mark, " If it is undamaged, then we could use that to fly out on, and use our own ship for the spare parts."

Steve interjected " Lets not get carried away, we don't know the state of the ship or engines, lets just concentrate on getting there.....quickly."

With that the speculation ground to a halt, and the group picked up the pace, all of them keen to see what could be their ticket off the planet.

They finally arrived in the general area described by Barry. Steve spotted him first, he was standing on a rounded rock, waving madly, with Chipper wagging his tail for all he was worth. Steve started to move towards him when he stopped dead. The others bunched up behind him.

" What is it Steve, why have you stopped ?" Betty asked.

" Look at what Barry is standing on.....tell me that's not a dome." Steve gasped.

The others craned to see around Steve, wanting to confirm just what Barry was standing on top of. There was a collective rush of drawn breaths as they all realised that their speculations about the craft were quite possibly all true.

It was most definitely another Spaceship.