Title: Suspicion
Chapter: 1
Author: squeezynz@free.net.nz
Universe: Land of the Giants
Rating: PG, adventure
Archive: Sure, just inform me, please
Spoilers: Minor one's for The Golden Cage, helps if you read Surrender, but not completely vital.
Feedback: very happy when I get it
Disclaimer: owe it all to IA.....no money, no fowl *cluck*

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It was now three weeks since the arrival of the Windsifter to the Spindrift camp, the stripping down and alterations for both ships were nearing completion. All the cargo had been unloaded, checked and catalogued, anything not able to be used was stacked and stored in the near empty passenger cabin of the Spindrift. All the packing material had been recycled, the crates coming in useful for making new boxes to store provisions and to create smaller containers for the stowing of loose gear. The Spindrift had come under intense activity, the group having decided to salvage what they could and transfer anything useable to the new spacecraft. All the passenger seats had been unbolted and put into the now empty cargo hold, they had decided to keep the two spare seats just in case. Fitzhugh queried the decision, asking " Just in case of what ?". He was reminded, by several people, of all the other Earth traveller's they had encountered over the years, if there was a chance of taking any new passengers, they wanted the means to do so.

They had made a preliminary launch date of two weeks from the start of the strip-down, to be ready to leave their old campsite. The decision was not taken lightly. They had argued for and against for almost two days, but eventually a decision was reached, with the wholehearted backing of everyone. The camp had split into two parties, those who were needed to complete the removal's and installation's, and the other to maintain the supplies needed to keep the worker's fed and watered. Activity in the forest around their camp had been light, with nearly no Giants sighted, and certainly none who came near enough to cause a worry. The excitement around the two ships was stretching nerves to their limits, occasionally erupting into arguments about various items, those that were wanted and those really needed. Despite the Windsifter being bigger than the Spindrift, in it's cargo area, there was still limited space once all the passenger's had been accommodated. Personal luggage had to be checked over and weeded out, non-essential items taken back to the Spindrift, and personal effects packed into as small a case as possible. The glass and metal container's which, up till now, had been stored at the 'pantry' cave, were now being secured around the edge of the main cabin. It was agreed by all that wherever they ended up, they should be able to set up a working camp in short order, so the beds were broken down and stowed, along with as many of the working spare parts stripped from the engines and cockpit of the Spindrift. It would be a tight squeeze to get everything in, and Steve worried about all the extra weight, but at the end of the whole operation they were all pleased that so much had been salvaged.

It was the last night before they finally decamped, there was a decent sized bonfire burning outside the Spindrift, all the remaining furniture not already packed was being burnt, together with any items that they didn't want the Giants to get a hold of. The ultimate fate of the Spindrift was to be a gigantic firework display as they flew away. No-one was entirely happy about that, but it had been made plain to everyone that the Giant's couldn't be allowed to get their hands on the ship, there was too much technology left behind that could be deciphered by the Giant scientists, so it was decided to blow up the Spindrift after they were safely away. It was likely to attract some attention so they would set the charges on a timer to go off after they had launched.

The girls, Betty and Valerie, had whipped up a tasty meal from those perishables that needed finishing up. Fitzhugh was rubbing his hands in glee at the prospect of a giant sized meal. Steve and Mark were finishing up, securing the last item's in the Windsifter, Barry was with Dan at the outpost, keeping watch for any Giant activity. Valerie had a portable transistor radio set up outside, picking up a music station to set the mood for their last meal with the Spindrift. They had almost come to consider the ship as another member of the team, so an appropriate send-off was the least they could do. Betty had nearly finished setting up the bowls and plates, ready to call everyone to the table, when the radio programme was interrupted by a high pitched squeal, then a voice announcing an important news flash. Steve and Mark came out of the Windsifter in answer to Betty's call, and, together with Valerie and Fitzhugh gathered round to listen. The announcer was talking about a prison break on the outskirts of the city. There was talk of a search party, using dog's, that very night. Apparently the convict's had been seen entering the forest and the Supreme Council had approved an all point's bulletin, in conjunction with the deployment of the entire police force to be used in the manhunt.

The Little People listened in horror as the radio speaker started detailing the area's that were now under curfew until the crisis was over. Mark got out the maps they had of their immediate area. As the radio continued to specify the area's under restrictions it became clear they were right at the epicentre of the search area. They would be surrounded by Giant's and dog's and convict's before the night was over. Steve looked grim and turned to Mark for confirmation that his suspicions were correct.

" We're going to have to move up our schedule...how far are we from lifting off ?"

" We're ready to go now, it only needs the remote detonators to be reset and we can load up and leave. It means flying through the forest at night, but that shouldn't be a worry now I've combined the two radar tracker's, and included the infared scope in our flight controls. You shouldn't have any major problem. The only concern I have is that we haven't had a test flight to see how all the extra weight will affect the ships' performance. I would have liked the extra time to do some tests on the flaps and manoeuvring jets" said Mark.

" Those test's will have to be done on the wing...I'll contact Dan and get him and Barry back here...Valerie you'd better douse that fire and stow the meal, we'll have to eat and run. Those Giant search parties are not going to be far away."

Just as Steve reached for his handheld radio it squawked and Dan's voice could be heard calling in.

" Spindrift, this is Dan, do you read me ?"

" We hear you Dan..what's the news ?"

" We're coming in, there's alot of activity out here, plus we have a visitor....an old flame of Mark's "

Steve shot a surprised look at Mark, who was staring at Steve's radio as if it were a snake. There was only one person who qualified for Dan's cryptic remark and Mark was torn between hope and dismay. Both emotion's must have shown on his face because Valerie quickly came up and slipped her hand into his, catching his attention away from his thoughts.

" You're thinking its Marna, aren't you ?" she asked.

Mark ignored Valerie's question. " Steve, ask Dan who it is...we don't need any surprises right now."

" Dan, this is Steve...come in please "

Steve's radio crackled with static. Dan must have switched off his receiver and was even now on his way back with Barry and their visitor.

Betty had continued to monitor the broadcast and now called Steve over to listen to the latest update.

" They're talking about the convict's that have escaped, they were part of a gang of bank robber's." she relayed. "When will Dan be back, did he give any indication ?"

" He and Barry were at the outpost by the twisted tree, that's about half an hour from the camp. He's mentioned a possible extra passenger, better get everything packed up and stowed, we'll be taking off as soon as they get back."

Mark had brushed past Valerie, heading towards the Spindrift to reset the explosive charges. His emotions were in turmoil. If it was Marna then it was surely going to set a cat amongst the pigeon's. He had got over his attraction to Marna, which, although intense at the time was tempered by his acceptance that she was nothing more than a pretty puppet for the Giants. He knew he should have said something to Valerie to put her mind at rest, but he had been so surprised by Dan's pointed reference that his mind had become overwhelmed with his memories of the last encounter with the beautiful Marna. He felt a twinge of shame when he recalled his fight with Steve over his old mentor's daughter. He had been so totally bowled over by the connection with his past that he had been blinded by the improbability of her survival without her parent's, dependance on the Giants for everything she needed. Not surprising then that she viewed the Giant scientist's that held her captive from a different perspective than Mark. As far as Marna was concerned, the Giant's were her protector's, providing her with everything she needed, it was the only life she knew, and she was loath to give it up, even for love of Mark. He had thought that the whole episode was well behind him and wouldn't effect his relationship with Valerie at all, but now, his thoughtless reaction to Dan's news had most probably raised a whole slew of doubts in Valerie's mind, which his rejection of her would now reinforce.

Valerie had gaped in surprise when Mark brushed past her, she had expected some comment, but for him to completely ignore her came as a huge surprise. She clasped her hand's together, fingering the ring she now wore on the third finger of her left hand. Mark had given her his platinum signet ring shortly after their return with the Windsifter. He hadn't made a big deal about it, just taken her to one side, slipped the ring off his right hand and placed it on her left. No declarations of undying love, from either of them, but long tender look's, and several lingering kisses had left Valerie with no doubts that she was now well and truly spoken for. They had all been too busy with the refit of the two ship's to dwell on what was surely a huge step forward in their relationship, but Valerie had expected to spend some time doing just that in their next quiet break. Now it would seem that the possible return of Marna would throw all their progress open to doubt and uncertainty.

Valerie decided to leave well enough alone until Dan's visitor arrived and see how Mark dealt with the awkward meeting. It would certainly add to what was already a highly emotional situation.

Betty was the first to see the small party return. Dan came into view first, carrying the rope and grappling hook, then Barry hurrying Chipper along by his lead, finally they got their first look at the 'visitor'. It was Marna, but vastly changed from the coiffed and sophisticated women last seen in the glass jar. Marna seemed to have fallen on hard times since Mark had left her at the Giant's compound. Her fine blond hair was in disarray, her lavender tunic was smudged and ripped in places, her legs and feet scratched and scraped. Betty ran forward to help her as she stumbled and would have fallen, Steve wasn't far behind, supporting Marna's slight weight as she drooped from exhaustion. Valerie brought a bottle of water over, to help the dishevelled woman and to give herself a close up view of what she now considered her rival. Mark, hearing the commotion came out of the Spindrift and stood briefly at the top of the short step's, taking in Marna's appearance.

The blonde beauty had settled on a rock with Steve's help, and Betty helped her by holding the bottle as she took a long drink of the cool water. Marna looked up and caught sight of Mark standing there, watching the scene, she gave an incoherent cry and lurched towards him, tripping in her haste and would have ended up on the ground if Mark hadn't moved swiftly to catch her in his arms before she fell. Marna started saying his name, over and over, sobbing into his shirt, throwing her arm's about his neck and looking like she was never going to let go. Mark looked at his friends over her tangled hair, seeing the eye's of Steve and Dan slide away in embarrassment, Betty looking anywhere but at Mark and Marna, and as for Valerie, Mark saw her turn and leave the campsite, clearly unable to stand the sight of Marna sobbing in Mark's arms. Fitzhugh was the only one not abashed by the sight of the distressed girl. He had been very appreciative of the girls beauty when he saw her, that first time, long ago. Now he was outraged that the 'poor girl' had been so abused to be reduced to such a state. He wished that it was his chest that Marna leaned against in such distress. Feelings he'd thought long dead suddenly rose up, feelings of protectiveness, and jealousy of Mark's right to hold her. Fitzhugh stepped forward as Mark tried to prise Marna away so they could start to dress her injuries and establish just what had happened to her since they had last seen her.

" Let me help you, Marna" offered Fitzhugh, and he was rewarded when Marna lifted her head and gave him a watery smile. Mark led her back to the rock and she sat, Fitzhugh taking her hand and patting it as he cooed over her cut's and bruises. Betty came back with a bowl of water and a cloth to start cleaning up the scrapes, while Steve brought Dan up to date with the news about the manhunt and rescheduled take-off.

" We need to start the pre-flight checks, can you get going on that and I'll make sure everything is aboard that's going with us " asked Steve.

" Sure, I'll take care of that....Steve, I couldn't leave her out there in that state " said Dan.

" I know you couldn't, it's alright, we'll be out of here before any Giants come looking for her, or us."

Dan took off at a jog, wanting to get the Windsifter ready for lift off in record time. Barry tagged along behind Dan, pulling Chipper.

Fitzhugh and Betty had managed to calm the distraught Marna, cleaned up her injuries and straightened her appearance. She was still looking up at Mark with adoration shining out of her freshly washed face. Steve could feel tension building. He pinched the bridge of his nose in an effort to relieve the pressure behind his sinus. With the prospect of all their lives dependant on his steady hand's and flying ability, the last thing he needed was this emotionally tense situation to get out of control. He walked over to the group around Marna and decided to get them moving.

" People, we need to move this party to the Windsifter, Fitzhugh take Marna to the ship, Betty go with her and get her settled into a seat. We can get all the answer's we need later, right now we need to leave here, urgently." Steve turned to Mark.

" Are the charges reset ?"

" All ready to blow...only need this remote detonator to start a chain reaction, they won't find anything bigger than a cigarette packet left after we leave." Mark replied.

" Okay then, one last check around the campsite then get ourselves on board and we're out of here ." Steve turned to do just that as Valerie came back into view, carrying the last of the bedrolls, no longer needed now.

" Get to the ship, Valerie, we're doing the last check's now."

" Fine, I'll pack these away before I strap in." She avoided looking at Mark and quickly made her way to the Windsifter. Mark stood with his head down, wondering how his day had gone from good to disastrous in a matter of an hour. He went back into the Spindrift one last time to check all was ready, then joined Steve and together the men ran towards the waiting ship, already they could hear the sound of dog's baying in the distance, the manhunt would be on top of them soon, they needed to hurry. Steve leapt the steps first, then Mark quickly jumped in, pulling the steps up and closing the hatchway. Steve flung himself into the cockpit, practically falling into the pilot's chair, Dan was busy flipping switches and keeping half an eye on the radar scope.

" It's getting crowded out there, Steve."

" I see it, Dan, lets get this show on the road....pre-flight's all green, solar batteries at full capacity, ready to release brakes," Steve continued to run down the checklist as Dan marked them all off in the affirmative.

In the cabin the passenger's were strapping themselves in, Barry had Chipper in his wicker basket, clutched to his chest. Fitzhugh was fussing round Marna, making sure she was securely fastened in her seat. Valerie and Betty were seated and gripping the arms of their chairs. Mark was stowing the last of the loose gear in the cargo netting, finally marching Fitzhugh to his seat and getting him belted in. Mark got to his own seat and buckled up as the Windsifter started to move. He held the remote detonator in his hand, just waiting for the signal from Steve to blow their home for the last three years to smithereens. There were no window's in this cargo area, so the only people to see the death of the Spindrift would be their Captain and Leader, Steve Burton, with Dan the only other witness. Mark wished they had been able to have that farewell party that Betty and Valerie had planned, it would have been a fitting tribute to the ship that had been the cornerstone of their survival on this planet. Now they were heading for part's unknown and it felt like they were leaving a member of their group behind. Barry had started to sniffle, using his sleeve to wipe his nose and eye's, trying to hide his distress from his grown up friends. Mark felt he should let Barry know it was okay to cry, he felt a lump in his own throat with the thought of leaving what had become a familiar friend. Valerie was sitting with her face averted, eye's closed, Betty was chewing on a ragged nail, Marna had her head back, eye's wide, this being her first experience in a spaceship. Maybe, Mark thought, she was remembering her first flight so many year's ago with her parents. Fitzhugh was fixedly gazing at the back of Marna's seat, a silly grin plastered on his face. Mark wondered how Marna would react to Fitzhugh's desire to be her champion. Mark wished him luck.

Steve had got the Windsifter positioned in line with the makeshift runway ,he powered up the engine's so that the roar was clearly audible inside the cockpit. He signalled to Dan, then opened the throttle wide as Dan released the brakes. The ship lurched forward, gathering speed, bumping over the runway. Dan changed the angle of the lifters and Steve hauled on the control stick to raise the nose, with a rush and a blur of tree's past the viewport the Windsifter rose effortlessly into the night. Steve banked her round to fly over the campsite, clearly seeing the hulk of their abandoned spacecraft below. He looked back at Mark in the cabin behind and raised his hand, the signal for Mark to detonate the charges. Mark glanced down at the device in his hands, then he pressed the button of the radio detonator. They could all hear a muffled boom as the chain of explosive's blew the remains of the Spindrift into a million pieces, leaving behind a cloud of debris where their camp had once been. Steve fought the controls as the updraft of the explosion caught the ship in it's wake, but they quickly passed over and started to climb, grabbing air as the engines roared.

The tree's loomed out of the dark like massive tower's, but the addition of the infared scope made seeing them a whole lot easier. They continued to climb, wanting to far outstrip any Giants in the search party that may have weapons below them. There were a couple of flashes as they passed through some lower branches, possibly from trigger happy Giants, but they were well out of range and still climbing. In the cabin, everyone was being pushed back into the cushioned seating, all the passengers, except Marna, welcoming the feel of the g-forces indicating they were really moving up and away from the forest they'd known for so long.

Steve reached the canopy of the forest, half an hour into the flight, having climbed steadily since leaving the ground. Once clear of the branches he leveled off and the sleek ship sped over the tops of the trees like an arrow. Their initial destination was the coast of this particular continent, briefly glimpsed when they flew over it in a balloon so long ago. After that they would plot a course over the whole of the planet in the hope's of finding a place they could be safe. They still intended to attempt a flight home, but they needed time and a safe haven to let them work out the necessary calculation's, based on their knowledge accumulated so far, before they would risk a deep space expedition in search of the space warp.

For now, Steve revelled in the knowledge that for once, he was in his element, flying a craft that out performed anything he had flown before, finally out of the reach of any Giant threats.

At that precise moment, life was pretty damn good.