ROMULUS (The Innerworld Affairs Series, Book 1)

by Marilyn Campbell

"We heard the machines start beeping at the same time you walked up." Wink's eyelids fluttered nervously.

  "Okay, you two may as well go."

  As soon as Wink and Cooper left, Underwood's big fist latched onto a glass bottle beside the bed and hurled it against the wall. Clear fluid streaked down the wall to join the broken glass on the floor.

  "Damn! They got him. Right from under my nose. I should have come straight here and had you examine him later but, no, I wanted to be sure he was the real thing. Damn it all to hell!"

  The doctor was not sure if he was expected to respond. "They who? You heard your men. No one's been in or out of here but me."

  "His people, you idiot. What do you think this was, some sort of locked-room mystery? We're underground, Quinn. There is only one way out. They beamed him out, just like in a movie. Thank god I had the woman followed. Maybe I'll discover something about her. Damn! You said there was a ring. I want to see it. Now!"

  Doctor Quinn fetched the ring as quickly as his feet would carry him and placed it in Underwood's palm. Underwood felt its considerable weight and held it to the light. The design in the center caught his eye and when he touched the stone, he found it could be moved.

  "This is not merely a gaudy ring, Quinn. It's bait. They will send someone back for it, I'm positive. And when they do, I'll be ready. Yes, next time, I'll be ready for them."

  * * *

  Falcon gave Aster's hand a gentle squeeze as Doctor Gemina walked toward them.

  The doctor nodded briefly to Falcon, who stood beside Aster like a lion guarding his cub.

  "Romulus will be fine in a few hours. He was heavily drugged but we're cleansing his system now. They used some rather primitive chemicals on him. While he's recuperating, we can do both of your post-journey physicals."

  "No, I can't." Aster shook her head. "At least not yet. I have a job to finish."

  Falcon placed his hand on her shoulder. "Let someone else do it, Aster. You have had enough adventure."

  "I'm afraid that's irrelevant, Falcon. Romulus promised Doctor Houston we would meet her and another scientist in New York tonight. We're past due but I'm sure they'd wait all night if necessary. If someone else went to meet them, he'd have to waste precious time convincing them he was legitimate. Doctor Houston already trusts me."

  Falcon nodded once. "Shall we go?"

  Aster smiled broadly at her new friend. "Thank you, Falcon. I knew you'd understand. There's only one other problem. We have to take someone else with us. Do you know Professor Schontivian?"

  The elderly professor was not at all pleased with the turn of events but once they arrived in the lobby of Le Parker Meridien, he relaxed. Using a house phone, Aster informed Doctor Houston they had arrived and got directions to her suite.

  Kate opened the door then narrowed her brows at the two men who accompanied Aster inside. "Where is Romulus?"

  "He was abducted during the night." Kate gaped at her in shock. "Apparently someone learned that he was special. He's being cared for right now in Innerworld. So, I've brought you another expert. This is Professor Schontivian." She gestured to him then to Falcon. "And this is Falcon, my guardian angel."

  The black-garbed man with the dark glasses looked the opposite of angelic but Kate smiled and shook both men's hands. "I'm Kate Houston. This is Professor David Ingram."

  As Aster shook his hand and introduced herself, it occurred to her that his electrified crop of white hair made him look a bit like Albert Einstein.

  David was anxious to get started. "It's incredible—the asteroid, alien communication. Kate started spouting formulas for a fuel unlike anything we have on the drawing boards. I'm sorry that Romulus had such a bad experience during his visit. Do you know who was responsible?"

  "Are you familiar with a man named Gordon Underwood?" Falcon questioned in return.

  Kate, Professor Ingram and Aster showed their surprise. Kate answered, "Of course. His institute is one of the benefactors of this observatory. The man's a famous philanthropist."

  Aster quickly added, "He's a financial genius with a rather loose code of ethics. Why do you ask?"

  "When I touched the physician's mind before we took Romulus out, I learned he was working for Gordon Underwood and the facility we were in was owned by the Underwood Institute. The doctor had no idea why he had been ordered to examine Romulus. From the perversions I saw in that man's mind, Romulus was lucky we reached him before the doctor was given permission to use him for one of his private experiments."

  "It wouldn't take much imagination to suppose what Underwood might want with Romulus," Aster reflected, "but how did he know we were here?"

  Kate's eyes became very sad. "I didn't think anything of it at the time." She sighed aloud. "After you left, I discovered my intercom had been open while Romulus gave me his information. It is possible my assistant, Walter, overheard our conversation and relayed it. That would mean he had a connection to the Underwood Institute. It's hard for me to believe Walter would do such a terrible thing. He was a very devoted employee and as close to a son as I ever had. I'm afraid we'll never know for certain now."

  "Why do you say that?" Aster asked.

  "Walter died of a heart attack last night on his way home. His neighbor called before I left this morning." Kate wiped the dampness from her eyes. "Walter had a lot of stress in his personal life. Now it appears he was spying too."

  "There doesn't seem to be much we can do about it," David concluded. "Even if Walter was alive, we couldn't bring any charges against Underwood without bringing up Romulus and his world. Who would believe us?"

  Kate thought for a moment. "You're right about that. But perhaps there's a way I could stir up an investigation about Walter's death. For all we know, Underwood precipitated Walter's death to keep him from talking to anyone about what he knew."

  Aster wanted to see Underwood punished too but she knew it would never happen—not with his clout. Although she had never met him, she knew of him. Their foundations were often at cross-purposes. "At this point I just want to be able to assure Romulus that his mission was a success when he awakens."

  "Of course," Kate said. "We've contacted the Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams and they are already working on the special meeting we discussed. As soon as we get confirmation that it's been set, David and I will start putting in calls to our colleagues around the world. We'll ask them to put the pressure on their governments to cooperate."

  Aster relaxed. "It sounds good so far." She turned to David. "I'm glad Kate started filling you in. Professor Schontivian can answer any questions you have. Meanwhile, I'd like to discuss something with Kate." Like a true guardian angel, Falcon remained at her side.

  She recalled her exact promise to Rom and what she was about to do would not involve passing on any of Innerworld's advanced technology.

  "I realize you have more than enough to do in the next few days, but I'm going to burden you a little further. As Rom told you yesterday, the Noronians have a law against aggressively interfering with Outerworld's culture. He convinced me there are good reasons for that and I would never do anything to jeopardize him or his world. But there is something you can do for them."

  Kate smiled. "After what his people have done for us, no request would be too great."

  "I'm sure I don't have to tell you that Planet Earth is dying. What I learned from Rom, though, is that his world could eventually be sealed off because of Outerworld's neglect. It's already affecting their tunnels and creating havoc with their monitoring systems. In spite of their need to continue to trade with their home planet, they are under orders not to help Outerworlders solve the problem. It's hoped the people on the surface will grow up and learn to treat their world with respect on their own.

  "There are efforts being made throughout the world, but it's not enough. Preserving our environment needs to become mandatory, not just a token effort by a few countries.

  "Soon you'll be meeting with the Security Council of the United Natio
ns. While you have the attention of some of the most powerful people on this planet, I'm hoping you might make a connection with one or two who would be receptive to receiving suggestions from the Mackenzie Foundation—for the future of Outerworld and Innerworld."

  "Honestly, I'm not sure if anything short of an alien visit would make any difference but I promise to do my best. I'll also give you my promise to stir up more support among my colleagues." Kate got a pad and pen to jot down notes as Aster hit the highlights of various projects the Foundation had in the works.

  When they were finished, Aster had something of her own to write. She could not let The Mackenzie Foundation turn into something like The Underwood Institute. She wrote a letter to her attorney, explaining that she had not in fact disappeared at sea and thus, was not to be declared dead. But for health reasons she had been forced to take an immediate and lengthy sabbatical. She named a trustee who had always backed her completely to act as director in her absence and gave that trustee her proxy for all votes until she returned. That would keep the wolves at bay for a while at least.

  The letter went on to say that if she did not return to San Francisco within one year, her entire estate was to be donated to The Mackenzie Foundation, with the stipulation that all monies be used toward rehabilitating and protecting the environment.

  She borrowed Kate's cell phone and had Falcon do a video recording of her reading the letter and sitting with Kate and David as they witnessed the document. Aster instructed Kate to email the video to her attorney and the trustee. Then she asked her to make three copies of the letter, one for herself and one for Kate to hold... just in case any question of authenticity ever arose. The original was to go to the attorney and the other copy was to be sent to the trustee, along with a personal note introducing Doctor Houston as his new best friend on the international stage. A huge weight was now lifted from her mind.

  As if perfectly timed with the completion of their duties, the phone rang. David listened to someone intently for several minutes. When he hung up, he was grinning. "An emergency session of the Security Council is set for eight o'clock tomorrow morning. I told them we'd be there with bells on."

  "I wish I could be there too," Aster replied with a wink at Kate, "but I'm sure we'll hear all about it."

  David shook his head. "I doubt it. Even with the threat minimized, news of an oncoming asteroid could cause global panic so I'm betting the entire operation will be kept under wraps."

  As they said their good-byes and extended good wishes, Aster saw David fold Kate's hand into his. She would have her happy ending after all.

  * * *

  The first thing Rom's eyes focused on was the sleeping beauty curled up in the chair next to his bed. Slowly, his mind came awake. The last thing he could recall clearly was holding Aster in a bed in Outerworld. This room resembled one in Medical in Car-Tem. How had they gotten here?

  Aster murmured in her sleep and Rom decided to wake her up through her homing device and moved his fingers to program his ring to her signal. But it was gone. He sat up just as Falcon entered the room.

  "So, you decided to rejoin the living. Stay in bed. I will let the doctor know you are awake." Falcon turned and left but his voice had awakened Aster.

  She rushed to Rom, propelling him flat on the bed with her weight. Smothering his face with urgent kisses, her hands reacquainted themselves with the feel of him.

  Rom lay still for her mad caresses. When he felt her calm down, he pulled her the rest of the way onto the bed.

  "Aster? Shalla? What happened?"

  She was still holding him as if her life depended on it. "I was so afraid I'd lost you." Piece by piece, Aster relayed what had occurred, with the exception of her private moment with Falcon and what she had asked Kate to do for her. He would find it out eventually, but not today.

  As she was winding up her tale, Falcon and the doctor reentered. "Feeling better I see," Doctor Gemina teased when he saw the lovers on the narrow bed.

  Aster's face flamed and she squirmed to get away. Rom allowed her to sit upright but refused to loosen his hold. "Aster caught me up somewhat already. Did any of you remove my ring?" They looked at each other and shook their heads.

  Aster voiced her immediate concern. "That means it's still out there. If Underwood has it, could he do anything with it?"

  Rom shrugged. "It's hard to say. He'd have to figure out how to activate it first, but even if he did, the odds against his being able to analyze its programming are astronomical."

  "Rom, the man's a genius, with time and money on his side. I would not assume the ring is harmless in his hands," Aster offered.

  Falcon added, "He radiates a totally black presence. I suggest you inform Governor Elissa when you speak to her that Underwood has the ring. If she agrees someone should go out for it, let me know. I should be able to track him easily enough."

  "Speaking of the governor," Aster said, "she asked us to meet with her as soon as you're up to it."

  "Fine. Falcon, I wonder if you could get me a uniform to wear. Then I'd appreciate your accompanying Aster and me to the debriefing."

  Governor Elissa sat spellbound throughout the recounting. Falcon made it sound as if he had done very little compared to Aster's contributions and the governor was impressed.

  "Aster, your courage is to be commended. On behalf of Innerworld, I thank you. And, Falcon, I am relieved Aster knew you well enough to call for you. No one could have done a better job for us. Now, about the ring."

  Romulus cleared his throat. "Since I am the one responsible for its loss, I should—"

  "No!" Aster exclaimed, effectively cutting him off.

  Elissa held up her hand to quiet them both. "I certainly do not hold you responsible, Romulus. But, even if I did, I would not permit you to return. You are too valuable to this colony to risk your life again. Besides, you do not possess Falcon's skills as a tracker. He is the one I am assigning.

  "I don't believe it is wise to go after the ring immediately. From your assessments of Gordon Underwood, he might have a trap ready for just such a move. We will postpone the recovery mission for a while. Let him think no one is interested in retrieving the ring. Falcon, I will advise you when the time has come for you to return to Outerworld."

  Falcon nodded his head in acceptance of the future assignment.

  The governor then handed a folded paper to Romulus. "This came for you. Tarla forwarded it to me in case it was urgent."

  It was a formal summons to appear before the Ruling Tribunal on Norona. He was to leave on the first outgoing ship. Rom passed it to Aster.

  "The summons is vague but I've heard the rumors," Elissa said. "I intend to write a lengthy report, including Aster's loyal service to us in this crisis and the ordeal she went through with that criminal due to our shortsightedness. You'll take it with you. It might help."

  "We'll take it with us," interrupted Aster. "I'm going too. Romulus and I are going to be joined, with or without their approval, but we'll present our case to them first." She gazed into Rom's surprised eyes and mouthed, "I love you."

  Elissa failed to hide her dismay. "Aster, Romulus, do you realize what you're saying? They are completely against such a joining and one member of the Tribunal has never been convinced of my stand on Terran rights. Your whole future hangs in the balance."

  Romulus took Aster's hand. "We know... and it doesn't matter. We have to do this. I've said it before. If they don't want us to join and live here, we'll find somewhere to live where their dictates can't control us."

  "I only felt it needed to be said," Elissa said with a nod of understanding. "Be careful, though. They want you very badly for governor, and I don't know what they would resort to if you balk. Use your head, not your emotions. I'll have to draw up a special permission visa for Aster to travel. The ship leaves in two days."

  A short time later, Rom sat down on the bed next to his sleeping mate-to-be. The fact that he had been close to death was worth it, if it had changed Aster
's mind about their joining. She would never be sorry. He would make sure of that.

  He lightly kissed her parted lips and felt her shallow breath touch his cheek. His love for her was a living thing that had grown from the first moment he saw her until it had become his only reason for living. If that was not enough, she was now responsible for his being alive and safely home. What she had done was so much more than his rescuing her from Victor.

  But once again they would have to prove that nothing could keep them apart. This time, the most powerful authority in the universe had to be convinced.

  Part III

  The Joining

  Chapter 22

  Aster gazed at the magnificent ships housed in the transportation hangar. They varied drastically in size and shape and Rom pointed out a few, describing their uses and different capabilities.

  "The passenger ship is not in Innerworld right now. It's as large as this entire hangar and is built for comfortable travel. The carrier we'll be traveling in is built for speed with minimal attention to comfort. We won't want for anything but it's not very elegant. Here it is." The ship bore a strong resemblance to a gigantic silver pterodactyl in flight. It was about twice the size of a DC-10 jet and appeared to be molded from one solid sheet of stainless steel.

  "She's beautiful, Rom," Aster said, honestly impressed.

  "Are you ready to board?"

  "Oh, yes. I can't wait to see inside."

  "Hello, Chief Romulus. Welcome aboard," a maroon-uniformed man said as they stepped inside the ship. About the same age as Rom, the man was thin, blond and of average height and features, except for his smile. That feature was dazzling and hinted of a mischievous personality.

  "Captain Kertus, good to see you again," Rom said. "This is Aster. We're going back to Norona with you this trip."

  "I was forewarned. Hello, Aster." Kertus took her hand in his. "I'm glad to see that the jealous rumors about you bewitching the chief were ugly distortions. It was probably the other way around." The captain laughed heartily at his own joke. "Aster, would you like to sit on the bridge for take-off?"