Sima stood. “The choice isn’t for Kia to make. You all have debated this issue before. How many of you agree to release the captives to Donte?”
Slowly, each of the council members raised their hands. Kia looked around the table and shrugged, raising his hand as well. It was unanimous.
Akira stood and looked at Kia. “I respect and admire Donte. If your life depended on him as much as mine did for a while, you would too.” She looked at Sima. “Donte deserves the same respect you give Quade. I wouldn’t be surprised if one day we all find ourselves reporting to him.”
Sima smiled at Akira. “Point taken. I certainly didn’t intend him any disrespect, and I think you are right about his destiny.” Her gaze dropped to Kia. “Whatever he becomes in the future, right now he still outranks you, so talk to him respectfully.” She turned her attention back to Akira. “Could you get our guests and bring them here?”
Akira brought Donte and Quade back into the room where they were informed of the decision. They looked at each other, obviously relieved. They didn’t like the confrontation any more than the council did. Donte went to Sima’s office to plan the details; the council went to their respective jobs; and Akira took Quade to see the hospital.
CHAPTER 26
Donte was up early the next morning. It was a good thing, because the first captives arrived shortly afterward. There were only three in the main colony. Two of the captives, Mateo and Tomas, were originally from Libertad and the third, Fane, from Anialwch. All had heavy beards and worn, soiled clothing. They were thin and looked exhausted.
None of these men were mascots, which meant that instead of protecting the colonists, the Lochfowk were now enslaving them. It was not his mission to lecture Lochfowk but something had to be said. He needed to talk to Sima about some assistance anyway, so he assumed responsibility for the task.
Sima came out to get him and brought him to her office. When they were seated, she gave him her full attention. “What can I do for you, Monomi?”
Her sudden professional attitude was concerning, but he had a job to do, so he addressed her with equal respect. “Nomi, I needed to get some assistance with housing and feeding for the captives until we have all of them ready to go. If you could offer a campsite where we could all be together, that would be a big help.”
Sima watched him for a moment. “I’ll look into that and send someone to advise you.” When he didn’t respond, she lifted her brows. “Is that all?”
“No.” He wasn’t sure how to bring up the subject so that she didn’t take offense. Maybe there was no way. “I wanted to talk to you about something else. I know you have not been president for a long time and I’m not sure how much of this you know.” He shrugged. “The original purpose of the mascots was to guide and protect the humans – the colonists. We have drifted away from that and are now treating the mascots as if they were more important.”
She studied his face for a moment. “We deserve better than that, Donte. We are humans.”
He nodded. “Maybe, but we certainly don’t deserve to be treated better than the colonists. All three men who were brought to us this morning were colonists, not mascots.”
“I thought you would find that fact reassuring – that they were not mascots.”
“Why? They were never a health threat during the plague.”
She thought about that a minute and shrugged. “Maybe I do place the value of mascots above the colonists.”
“Farasi turned on his colonists.” Donte said gently. “He thought he was better than them. We have to be very careful that we don’t start thinking that way.”
She leaned back in her chair. “You have an unusual perspective on this.” She smiled. “I’m not sure I like it, but you may be right…and just when I was starting to accept you as royalty.”
Donte stood and gave her a sardonic smile. “I’m not royalty. Supposedly I was programmed to rule. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but I don’t take the responsibility lightly. If we aren’t here to protect and serve the humans…colonists, then we should not be in control.”
Sima stood. “I suspect you never do anything half way.” She offered her hand. “I’ll send someone to help you today.”
Help arrived in the form of Chait. At first Donte was annoyed, but it was soon clear that Chait had been instructed to work with them. Chait listened as Donte explained their needs.
“We have an old abandoned warehouse by the lake. It’s not very nice and it needs cleaned, but it would give you a place to sleep out of the weather. You’re welcome to use it. I can send a crew to clean it.”
Donte smiled. “That won’t be necessary. I’m sure we can do any required cleaning.” He paused. Maybe they were in the process of doing something about his next concern. “The captives need clothes, bedding and food.”
Chait looked down and shuffled his feet. “We didn’t realize they were being treated that way.”
“I understand,” Donte said, shoving aside the annoying thought that Chait was again making excuses. “Could you help us rectify the situation now?”
Chait lifted his head. “Sure.” I’ll send some food and clothes to the warehouse.”
Within a few hours they were cleaning and setting up in the warehouse. When Akira and Quade arrived from the hospital, they immediately examined the captives. It was obvious that Quade was appalled at their overall condition, but his response to Akira was medically professional.
Donte was helping Felte set up a cook stove when a soft voce spoke behind him.
“Monomi?”
Donte turned to find a thin young woman dressed in worn clothing. “Donte.” He corrected.
She held out her hands to him, offering what looked like soap bars. “I thought you all might find these…I mean, if you are going to be here a few days…”
Donte accepted one of the bars and lifted it to his nose. It was fragrant. He smiled. “This is a thoughtful gift.”
She smiled up at him. “I am Mai. Kenyon was…is my friend. I am here to help you in any way I can.” She looked around him at the stove. “I can cook.” Her gaze came back to his face, hopeful.
“We appreciate your offer…” Donte said, intending to decline her offer. She was a human; apparently one who had assisted Kenyon. She looked up at his face, obviously disappointed by the fact that he was going to turn her help away. He smiled. “We could use the help.”
Her smile was bright. “Thank you!”
He chuckled at her enthusiasm. “Thank you.”
Donte and Felte finished setting up the stove and left Mai and Akira to cook while they took the three captives down to the lake to bathe. By the time they returned, a meal was ready. Mai and Akira served the captives while Donte, the guards and Quade set up sleeping quarters for everyone using the cots and blankets that colonists were continually bringing to them. It was clear that the council did not represent the attitude of many of the colonists toward the captives. Who then, were they representing? Hopefully his conversation with Sima would make them reconsider that situation.
The following morning two more captives were delivered to the warehouse. The first was a 54 year old former Libertad colonist named Gaellan who had been a captive for 13 years. He was as scraggly as the first two, but the other man was the one who caught and held Donte’s attention. Beier was a 65-year-old captive of 30 years. His blonde hair and blue eyes identified him as originating in Bergen, but more importantly, his hairless face identified him as a mascot. He said he had come into Lochfowk before the plague. Donte looked at Quade, who raised a brow.
“I wonder how many there are.” Quade said.
Beier and Gaellan dismounted. Beier kept looking at Donte’s uniform and he acted uncomfortable. Finally he addressed Donte.
“Are you the new ruler of Bergen? What happened to Pieter?”
“Pieter is still the ruler of Bergen.” Donte said. “I am his grandson. He chose me to supersede him and I am here on official business to retrieve all the captive
s in Lochfowk.”
Beier offered Donte a palm. “I cannot imagine how this happened, Monomi, but I am grateful to you…to all of you.” He said as he turned his attention to Quade. “You are the president of Libertad. I have seen you before. Your son is a captive here.”
Quade smiled and offered a palm. “He has returned home.” He nodded at Donte. “Donte is also my son.”
Beier Shook Quade’s harm and looked Donte over again before turning back to Quade. “Anica?”
Quade nodded. “You have a lot of catching up to do.”
Beier nodded and looked at Donte again. “You look like your mother.” He straightened, coming to attention. “I will be honored to assist you in any way I can, Monomi.”
Donte indicated the warehouse. “I appreciate that, but right now my greatest concern is taking care of all the captives. We have food inside.”
With all the captives fed and clothed, they spent the evening talking about their experiences. It came as no surprise that Beier had served on the Moeder. Donte felt humbled in his presence. His experience, both on the spaceship and with the Lochfowk, was valuable to their colony. They sat and talked for a long time after the others went to bed. Beier had been living with a family in the mountains near the border of Lochfowk and Anialwch and he even spoke the language of the Anialwch. It occurred to Donte that Beier might be able to assist him in uniting the colonies.
The last three captives arrived on the third day. Elias was a 60-year-old man from Libertad who had been a captive for 20 years, but the other two were mascots that had been captured before the plague. Vayle was a 50-year-old man from Anialwch, and the last man was a 62-year-old man, Kwasi, from Nyumbani.
They had come to get all the captives, but the multitude of possibly fertile mascots from different colonies was shocking. At that point they were wishing there were more captives. It was crazy.
They stayed an extra day, letting the captives rest and eat all they wanted. They were bathed, clothed and given all the things they needed to feel human…or mascot again. The night before they left, they all sat around the stove at night, talking. It was an evening Donte didn’t think he would ever forget. He didn’t really know what it was like to be a captive. The humiliation these men had faced on a daily basis was momentous. They had survived and they were all good men. None wanted retaliation. They all simply wanted to go home.
Sima provided paperwork on each of the captives, which indicated when and where they were captured, their original colonies and other information they thought might be pertinent. Lochfowk was doing more than he asked in an effort to cooperate. It was clear that they were relieved by the opportunity to let someone else take responsibility for them.
On the day of their departure, Donte went to Sima’s office and signed the paper agreeing to accept responsibility for the freed captives.
Sima watched him sign the paper. “I’m surprised that Akira hasn’t asked to go back with you.”
Donte glanced up at her, unsure if she was referring to him personally or all of them. “Why?”
She shrugged. “She has an unusual interest in you.”
Donte finished signing the paper and handed Sima the pen. Akira’s only display of physical attraction had been due to gratitude. It occurred to him that she had a feeling of self worth when she was with him or Quade. He’d like to bring that to Sima’s attention, but wasn’t sure how to do so in a diplomatic way - one that would help Akira.
Sima was still watching him, so he smiled.
“Why would she feel attracted to me when there are so many eligible mascots in Lochfowk - her home colony? Why would she want to leave?”
Sima stared at him, obviously contemplating the question. Finally she shrugged again. “You’re different from the men here.” She handed him a paper. “Here is your copy.”
Donte took the paper. “Why do you say that?”
She smiled. “Well, for one, you’re taller and better looking.” Her gaze traveled down his body and up again. “All over,” she added. She sobered. “All that aside, you treat us differently.”
He tilted his head to the side. “Us? Meaning women?”
She lifted her shoulders in a slight shrug. “Mostly, but all of us in Lochfowk. Like in the conference room when you said you knew we would release the captives because it was the right thing to do.”
Donte nodded. “But how does that attract Akira to me? If that was all that was involved, everyone would feel that way.” He gave her a wry smile. “And obviously that isn’t the case.”
Sima frowned, staring at the papers on her desk in an absent pose. Finally she looked up at him. “Let’s talk about how women feel about you.”
It wasn’t a subject he wanted to get into. Halisi had made it obvious that he wasn’t all that attractive - in any way.
Sima sighed. “You treat women differently than our men do…as if they are unable to take care of themselves.”
He looked her in the eye and smiled. “I insult your intelligence and it attracts you to me?”
She frowned. “I didn’t say you insulted our intelligence. In fact, you make us feel special…because we’re women, not because we are special.”
“So you think I’m insincere?”
“No! You’re twisting everything I say.”
He chuckled. “Exactly what are you trying to say?”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re maddening,” she said, lifting a stack of papers and dropping them on the desk to straighten it.”
“I’m sorry.” He said, folding the paper.
“It’s nice to be treated special sometimes…recognized for something besides your achievements.”
He nodded. “I think so.”
She curved the stack of papers in her hands absently, her gaze on nothing in particular. Finally her gaze came back to him. “She is attracted to you because when she’s with you, she feels important - valued?”
He shrugged. “It could be…or maybe she isn’t attracted to me at all. Maybe she merely appreciates me because I appreciate her.”
“Because she’s an attractive woman…the sister of the president…”
“Because she’s a warm, intelligent person who cares deeply about others - even if she is afraid to display her feelings,” he interrupted.
She nodded. “So, you’re saying you’re attracted to her as well. I knew something happened out there in the desert. She came back a different person.”
“I’m saying we became friends. There was nothing inappropriate in our relationship. I wish you wouldn’t talk about us that way. It’s disrespectful to both of us.”
Sima blushed. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I forget I’m speaking to a colony leader.”
He sighed. There was no point in discussing it with her. If she didn’t understand…maybe she would think about it later and come to a different conclusion. He tucked the papers in the inside pocket of his jacket and offered a palm to her.
“I’m glad we got this captive situation resolved in a friendly manner.”
She grasped his arm. “I’m glad to have it over, and I hope we haven’t destroyed their lives.”
He shook her arm. “I think they will adjust.”
When Donte joined the others, Quade and Akira were standing beside his equine, talking to each other. Her head was tilted back as she looked up at his face, totally absorbed in his conversation. Quade glanced up, noticed Donte and said something to Akira. For a moment they looked at each other in awkward silence.
Quade mounted his equine and Akira stood looking up at him, her hand shielding her eyes from the sun. He spoke to her again and turned his equine to join the others, who were ready to go.
They had been together every day since the captives arrived, examining and questioning them. Why had it never occurred to him that they might be attracted to each other in a way that had nothing to do with their occupations? Once again he was so focused on his problems that he failed to see those of others.
As Donte mounted his eq
uine, Quade turned his attention back from Akira.
“I wish we could take her with us. They don’t even realize what a treasure they have.”
Donte looked at him. “Does she want to go?”
He shrugged. “Probably not.”
“Why don’t you offer her a job at your hospital? She could help train other nurses. If she wants to go, she’ll probably accept. If not…”
Quade pulled his equine to an abrupt halt. “Why didn’t I think of that?” he said under his breath. He glanced back at Akira, who was still watching them. “You go ahead, I’ll catch up.” With that, he turned his equine and rode back to Akira.
The only reason Donte could think of that the option had not occurred to Quade was because he probably was thinking of her in a different capacity than a nurse.
Donte hesitated. He didn’t want to leave his father alone to catch up with them – with or without Akira in tow. It was difficult to guess how Sima would react to the idea of her sister leaving for an indefinite period of time, but his greatest concern was the feline. It was still out there somewhere. He would sense its presence, but his father wouldn’t.
Chait walked up beside him. “What’s the problem?” Chait listened to Donte’s brief explanation of why they were waiting and frowned. “Surely you know we would not harm your father.”
Donte met Chait’s injured gaze. “My concern is the feline.”
Chait’s brows lifted. “Oh.” He looked at Quade and Akira, still talking. “I will escort them to you when they are ready.” When Donte didn’t respond, Chait looked up at him. “You still don’t trust us.”
It was a fact that Donte couldn’t honestly deny. Fortunately, he didn’t have to. Quade was riding toward them. As he joined Donte, he explained.
“She wants to think about it.” He addressed Chait. “Is there a way to get a message to me if she decides to come to Libertad?”
The Purlieu Experiment, Book 1 Page 22
