Somehow she was now beside him then beneath him and they were on a bed of straw.
"I love you," he murmured as his hands and mouth aroused a hunger that had her trembling. She felt him against her, hard and ready to join their bodies together. But as she lay there, breathlessly awaiting the moment, Gianni and Higgs appeared in their white gloves and MP helmets and lifted his body off hers.
Tarla watched them escort him away, his wrists cuffed and his ankles shackled. "But he said he loves me," she cried. "He couldn't have done any of the things you're accusing him of. I know. Do you hear me? I know it's not true!" Gianni looked back at her and laughed.
The real sound of laughter pierced the dreamy veil and brought Tarla abruptly awake. She immediately realized that the giggles were coming from Robin and Lee and had nothing to do with her, but her heart still pounded from imagined desperation.
"Oops," Robin said when she noticed Tarla sitting upright. "Sorry about that."
Tarla waved away her apology. "It's okay. I'm surprised I fell asleep."
"We all did," Robin said with a shrug. "There's coffee if you need some."
Tarla knew she needed something but she wasn't sure exactly what. A flash of sexual need from her dream teased her drowsy mind and she promptly swept it away. But there was a piece she couldn't ignore so easily. She actually did know Logan was innocent. But what good would it do to defend him? They weren't even on Earth any more. And her conviction didn't come from evidence anyone would accept anyway.
Except Logan. Because he knows the truth. And might appreciate having someone else know it as well, no matter how she came to know it.
By promising herself to examine that thought at a later, more appropriate time, she was able to focus on the present.
"You'd think they'd at least send us a message to let us know what's going on," Tarla stated to the room in general. "This waiting without knowing how long it's been is driving me crazy."
"Now that you're up, do you mind if we watch another program?" Robin asked.
"No, but how about the news first?"
Robin turned on the entertainment center and selected the news. The weather report was followed by the same sports news they'd heard before. Tarla was about to tell Robin to switch it when the picture changed to the Imperial Prefect and her Domestic Affairs Advisor exiting a room and being surrounded by reporters.
"Why did you call an emergency session of Parliament, Madam Prefect?" one reporter called out.
"What took all night to decide?" asked another.
"Why was the media excluded?"
Iris raised a hand and the crowd held their breath. "We apologize for any inconveniences or hurt feelings. A situation of utmost delicacy has occurred and, until all the parties involved have agreed on the actions to be taken, it will have to remain confidential."
"Until when?"
"Your constituents have a right to know what this delicate situation is!"
Parisia spoke in Iris's ear. She was clearly insisting her Advisor make another statement, much to that woman's disapproval. After another exchange, Iris straightened her shoulders and stepped forward. "Parisia will answer all your questions at an open media conference at three o'clock this afternoon in the Grand Hall. She respectfully requests that you do not browbeat any other members of Parliament until then. They have had a long night also and have been sworn to confidentiality."
Robin said, "That's got to be about us, right?"
"Sh-sh-sh," Tarla sounded as the picture switched back to the commentator.
"That was just moments ago and, as you heard, we have to wait six more hours to find out what all the secrecy is about. For some educated guesses from women around the nation, we go now to our roving reporters..."
"Six more hours," Tarla muttered. "Assuming they keep similar time to us, that makes it about nine in the morning. Good heavens! We've already been gone more than a day."
"Can you imagine what everyone back on the farm is thinking?" Alicia asked. "They must be—"
The front door opened and Parisia and Iris entered. Robin turned off the entertainment center and they all rose expectantly.
"We apologize for the delay," Parisia said. "It was quite... complicated. Please be seated. We have several matters to discuss with you."
They all sat, the Heart women on one side of the table, the Earth women on the other, but no one tried to pretend they were at ease. The tension in the room was too thick to cut with polite greetings and pleasant smiles and neither faction bothered to make the effort.
Tarla understood that in a bargaining situation, whoever talks first usually loses. She wondered if the person who first said that had ever tried to sit quietly while his or her freedom was on the line. Thankfully, Iris didn't abide by that theory.
"Yesterday we introduced ourselves to you but we did not insist you reciprocate. As a show of respect, we invite you to use our birth names, Iris and Parisia and, in return, it would be helpful to know something about each of you. We are aware that you were all involved in a violent confrontation—a war—before you came here. We'd be interested in knowing what your contributions were in that conflict."
"I'm Tarla. I'm a trauma nurse. I was a captain in the Army, which makes me the senior ranking officer of the women stranded here."
"Robin. I'm a mech/tech, uh, mechanic and technician. I can repair anything with an engine in it, with or without a computer."
"Alicia, helicopter pilot. But I'm qualified to fly other craft too."
"Lee. I was in the infantry during the war, but back home I own a martial arts school."
Parisia wrinkled her brow. "That phrase is not familiar. What sort of art is taught at your school?"
"The art of self-defense, strong mind, strong body."
Parisia's eyes widened. "Were you one of the women who had the violent encounter with two men the first night?"
Lee grinned and pointed at Alicia. "She was the other one."
"Amazing," Parisia murmured, shaking her head. "We realize you must be quite anxious to begin negotiations and I assure you we have a proposition that should interest you. However, it will be much easier to work out details if we each understand a little more about the other's background and philosophy."
For quite a while she and Iris asked questions which mainly focused on Earth's recent war, what the women's specific duties were, how it began and how it ended. Tarla supplied most of the general answers, with the other women offering personal details when requested.
When Iris and Parisia were satisfied with what they'd learned about the war, they took turns describing their culture and how it had taken a different direction from Earth's. Though Tarla and her team had gleaned a good deal of information from the Fictionvision programs, they listened attentively, particularly when Iris related the legend of the Velids' attack on Heart and subsequent transfer of power from men to women.
"No one is certain about what actually happened or whether men were ever really in control. All recorded history begins centuries after the women enslaved the remaining men. The legend has survived primarily as a reminder of why men must not be allowed to exercise their natural urges. Based on what you've told us about this last war on Earth, we have acted wisely."
Tarla felt as though she should come to the defense of her planet but the facts were against her. "Nevertheless, Earth is our home. We wish to return to our families and friends."
Robin sat forward. "And our men may have some terrible characteristics but we prefer them that way to what your antidote turns them into. Obviously, at least one of your women thought the same way."
Parisia blushed and cleared her throat. "With regard to your captive, we have confirmed everything you claimed, except that she is Nadia, not Parisia. What she did was not sanctioned by Parliament, nor would it ever be. It has been decided that her punishment will be to remain in the commune for five years, at which time her case will be reviewed. Thus, we have no wish to bargain for her release."
Tarla'
s heart stopped and started again with a lurch. It was exactly what they had feared. She made herself keep breathing while she waited to hear what sort of decision had been made about them.
"However," Parisia said after giving her words time to sink in, "we wish to bargain for your services instead."
The four Earth women shared surprised glances. They had thought the game was over when it had barely begun.
"Iris related the positive aspects of our society. We are quite proud to boast of thousands of years of peaceful, nonviolent existence. But one of the reasons this has been possible is because we have no enemies in our solar system. No one has forced us to defend our world.
"Recently it has come to our attention that faster-than-light travel has been developed on other planets, making it possible for beings from distant galaxies to visit us one day. We would like to believe they would come in peace, to exchange ideas or establish trade. But that would be dangerously naïve of us."
Iris picked up the narrative from there. "Parisia has just spent most of the night convincing Parliament that we can no longer assume that we are safe in our peaceful system and that we need to be prepared in the event of an alien attack."
"That sounds reasonable," Tarla said.
"To you perhaps," Parisia replied. "But this is a radical idea here. You see, we have no army, no defense system, no weapons of any kind. It will take vast sums of money to implement a plan of any sort and there is no budget allocation for such. Without being able to see an immediate threat, several members of Parliament are strongly against diverting funds from ongoing projects."
"This is where we have you to thank," Iris interjected. "The loudest opponents to Parisia's defense proposal—as we anticipated—were Nadia's supporters. Once they were shown proof of what she had done, they were only too happy to withdraw their support of her and back Parisia."
Tarla thought she heard an opening to start bargaining, but she couldn't be sure. It seemed too easy. "I'm glad to hear that our efforts weren't completely wasted."
Iris's wrinkled face relaxed into a near smile. "And now you are wondering if it was enough to trade for your freedom."
Tarla was relieved to hear that they were finally getting to the crux of this discussion.
"Very simply, the answer is no," Parisia stated before Tarla could confirm Iris's supposition. "However, I told you we have a proposition and, in a moment, you will understand why we took such a circuitous route to get to it. Our lack of a defense system and weaponry is only part of our problem. Even with Parliament approving the funds needed, we still lack something vital to our defense—the attitude necessary to commit violence.
"Our people abhor physical aggression. There's not a single person on this planet who has ever purposely harmed another sentient being. Of course, there is the possibility that the proper attitude could be attained by certain select individuals... in time. Unfortunately, we may not have that time."
"I thought you said there was no immediate threat," Tarla said when Parisia paused for more than a moment.
Parisia and Iris shared an apprehensive glance. It was becoming quite clear to Tarla that the Advisor was the more cautious of the two and, though they seemed to be in accord most of the time, Parisia occasionally ignored Iris's advice to play it safe.
This time Parisia hedged. "There is no impending danger that we are certain of. Just an unsubstantiated rumor. If it turns out to be true, we must be prepared. If it is false, it would still be wise to have a defense system in place against a possible threat at some later date.
"As I was saying, none of the citizens of Heart have the necessary attitude to implement a viable defense plan in the near future. You, on the other hand, have lived with violence all your lives and have very recent experience with a deadly confrontation on a planetary scale. Thus you have an ability that we wish to utilize.
"In summary, we are asking you to create a defense system which would encompass everything from plans and strategy to weaponry and implementation. It is our hope that while you are doing that, we will find volunteers within our society willing to carry out your plans. Training those women for their new duties would also fall under your jurisdiction."
If Tarla had been given a hundred chances to guess what Parisia had been leading to, she would never have come up with the right conclusion. "As much as we would like to make a deal here, I'm afraid you've overestimated our capabilities. We're not experts at waging war. We've merely learned how to survive in a violent world."
"Which is more than we know how to do," Parisia countered. "In some ways, our technology has advanced far beyond yours but with instruction we believe you could comprehend it. You would simply have to determine ways to redirect the use of that technology for our defense. The four of you have most of the basic expertise needed—leadership, mechanical and navigational ability, and the proper attitude for defense. I assume the other six women have worthy skills that could be contributed as well."
Tarla sighed. "It's not—"
"Wait," Iris said, holding up her hand to stop Tarla's protest. "First hear what we are offering. In exchange for creating and implementing a defense system, your women will be given complete freedom in our society. After your work for us is done, we will allow any of your people—women and men—to return to Earth if you still wish to do so at that time."
"So you do know how to do it!" Tarla exclaimed. "You lied?"
Iris shrugged.
"But Nadia said the magnetic pull went only one way."
Parisia arched an eyebrow. "Nadia also told you her name was Parisia."
"Will you give us a moment, please?" Tarla stood and motioned for Robin, Lee and Alicia to follow her to the kitchenette for a whispered conference. She was hoping one of the others had some alternative ideas, but they were as bewildered as she was by the unexpected proposition.
None of them believed they were capable of doing what was being asked of them. It was possible that Parisia could stretch out their duties indefinitely just by saying the defense system was not yet finished to their satisfaction. They had no reason to trust Parisia or Iris about anything.
But they had offered to send them home to earth.
With nothing better to offer, they seemed to have no choice but to accept and negotiate for the best terms possible.
Tarla waited several tense seconds after they were reseated to present their counter-offer. "We will attempt to create a defense system, but you must free all the Earth people on the farm immediately. No more antidotes for women or men. And finally we wish to set a specific time period for our return to Earth—upon completion of the defense system or six months from today, whichever comes sooner."
Parisia and Iris reflected little surprise at the demands. In fact, they didn't even need a private conversation for Parisia to give their reply. "Six months is unreasonable. Remember, we will need you to train our volunteers after the system is in place. One year, and you put in at least six full days every week during that time. Next , we will agree not to medicate your women, but under no circumstances will we release the Earth men from the commune, with or without the antidote."
"That's understandable," Tarla said with a nod, having been certain that was what they would say about the men. "Considering the structure of your society and the personalities of some of the men in our group, I can see how it could present a number of difficulties if they were all released at one time. On the other hand, there are men in the commune whose expertise far outweighs our own. It would be foolish not to take advantage of their talents and skills. Allow half of our men to leave the farm, drug-free, and you'll have a better defense system than anything we could create alone and it will be in place in half the time."
This time Parisia and Iris did need a private conference, and it took several minutes before they agreed on the next concession.
After they returned to the group, Parisia said, "Releasing even one unmedicated Earth male among Heart women is an incredible risk that we would prefer not to
take. And yet, we understand that committing violence and waging war are deeds more suited to men. Therefore, we have a final compromise to offer, but it will have to be a completely confidential one. If you do not agree, you will be returned to the commune and we will not have further discussions with any of you."
Tarla frowned but nodded her understanding.
"We propose that you choose ten men, and only ten, whose skills would be most helpful in completing this project. Each of the ten women may keep one of those men with her in the residence we will provide. She will be held responsible for his behavior. To outsiders it must appear that the men are your servants and that you are all abiding by our laws governing contact between the genders. Also, the men must behave as though they are taking the required antidote.
"If anyone suspects that the laws are being broken, our deal will be automatically negated. Naturally, Iris will review everything you need to know in advance of your integration. Do you accept these terms?"
Tarla summarized the deal as it now stood, then asked Robin, Lee and Alicia if they had questions or were ready to decide. Reluctantly, all four voted to accept.
"It's better than returning to the farm and vegetating for a century while waiting to die," Robin said with a sigh.
"We'll do it," Tarla told Parisia in a much more confident tone than she felt. The problems they would have to overcome were mindboggling—not the least of which was selecting the ten men to be freed and pairing them up with the women.
Chapter 13
By keeping her soft underbelly flat on the floor and all fifty of her legs curled tightly against the hard black shell of her back, Yeoman Ugmish assumed the most proper pose of respect as she slithered quietly into her superior's niche. She waited until he twisted the top half of his segmented body toward her and rubbed his antennae together.
"Was the mission a sssuccesss?" Commander Xytoc hissed through the narrow space between his two front fangs.
LOGAN (The Innerworld Affairs Series, Book 5) Page 17
