“It will not be easy to refurbish such a ship for your use,” said Gallant.
Wolfe seemed uninterested in the Titan ship, which confirmed Gallant’s previous suspicion that Wolfe’s request to have the ship was a ruse.
Gallant changed the subject by asking, “Tell me how you developed the planetary force field. What’s its design? What’s its power source? Can we use any of its capabilities to defeat the Titans?”
“Ah. I see we’ve another scene to play out, don’t we? I’m not prepared to reveal that information yet. If you’ll excuse me, I have other business I must attend to. Good day, Lieutenant Gallant,” said Wolfe, standing to dismiss him.
They exchanged a macho grip-fest handshake—each tried to out-tough the other.
Finally Gallant left.
CHAPTER 18
PORTRAIT
In a prime corner of Hallo, a small well-landscaped verdant strip called Freedom Park catered to the town’s social, and more collaborative, citizens. In the center of the park was a monument dedicated to those taken by the Titans—a statue of Cyrus Wolfe, his arms extended as if he were gathering everyone to his bosom—along with several posted signs, presumably indications of protests, or dissensions over local issues involving housing and government services.
One day after his vexing meetings with Hepburn and Wolfe, Gallant wandered into Freedom Park. A few dozen people and their children were strolling through, or lounging about, taking in the ambiance, having picnics, playing games, jogging, or sitting with rapt attention, enjoying the music of a strolling guitar player.
He wanted to learn more about the people of this estranged planet, but he was stopped short when he spied a familiar figure.
Alaina stood in the main courtyard, oblivious to her own stature, painting the portrait of a vivacious five-year-old child who was sitting on the grass playing with a small toy.
Approaching Alaina from behind, Gallant admired her figure—stately and beautiful—poised before an easel, paintbrush in her right hand, dabbing flesh tone color onto the cherubic expression of the little girl. Her long graceful brushstrokes captured the appealing vivid image of the child—compelling him to conclude Alaina was an exceptional artist.
He walked slowly, taking in the sight and stopping several meters behind her. In accordance with the sunny tropical weather, she was dressed in a pleasant flower print blouse and light blue pants highlighting her slender figure.
“Alaina?” His voice came close to her ear, giving her a start. “Alaina?”
She must have recognized his voice immediately because he was greeted with a stunning smile as she turned her head toward him.
“Henry.”
Flustered for the moment, she turned back to her painting and the posing child as if reluctant to break her rapport. After a final stab of paint, she pulled a cloth over the painting and set down her brush on her easel.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come up behind you like that,” said Gallant, begging for forgiveness, yet unrepentant.
“No, not at all. It was silly of me—my mind was far away,” she said. She did not change her stance or move about; she merely returned his gaze.
She was dressed so differently from their days in the jungle, and her demeanor was likewise so demure that he wondered,
Is this Alaina, or an impostor designed to confuse me, more than usual—if that were even possible?
Alaina cast an approving eye over Gallant’s newly tailored and sharply pressed uniform.
“I know that look,” Gallant said, reaching toward her and touching her shoulder.
“Oh,” she murmured.
“What’s this strange magic you have over men?”
“Why, what do you mean?” she asked innocently, pursing her sexy pouty lips.
Gallant laughed out loud at her pose.
“Well, individually, I will admit men can be something of a puzzle, but I find a solution after a bit.”
“And then what?”
“Why then I move on to something, or someone, more challenging of course.”
“Is that your plan for me? Dropping me because I’m no longer so different, or intriguing?”
“But, Henry, you’re so handsome in your uniform. I’ve always found you fascinating.”
Gallant was trying to sort out his own feelings. Despite his excitement to find Alaina, he wasn’t sure how this day would play out.
“I’m here to learn more about Elysium’s people,” Gallant explained. Suddenly he didn’t want to admit he had been hoping to see her despite his ostentatious excuse.
“You’re not looking for another adventure then?” she asked, her voice trailing off as she tilted her head slightly to one side, her questioning eyes growing wide, her body language exhibiting a curled tension.
Gallant hesitated—the question appeared superficially guileless—but he suspected if he plumbed its depths, he could find hidden meaning.
“Well, ah, . . . maybe, but, after our escapade in the jungle, I expected to find you—well, I guess I don’t know what I expected. But I didn’t expect to discover your artistic flare.”
“I’m here enjoying one of my favorite hobbies. I do have business to conduct later this afternoon, but I’m free for lunch, if you’re interested.”
Gallant was consciously watching her face while listening intently to her words. He enjoyed the pitch and sound of her articulation and was sufficiently distracted that he didn’t answer immediately.
“Well, are you interested?” she asked, apparently miffed he hadn’t jumped at the chance.
“And does your business occur after lunch?” he asked.
“Much later this afternoon.”
“Splendid, then you’ll have time to spend with me after lunch,” he said, exceedingly pleased—not quite daring to recall their first night in the jungle, yet hoping nonetheless. He knew what he’d like to have happen this afternoon, but Alaina’s behavior and their present circumstances were so different from their danger-filled adventure in the jungle, he was lost on how to proceed.
“What do you think of my efforts?” she asked, changing the subject as if she had read his mind. She pulled back the cloth covering her portrait.
“Quite good. Impressive, actually. What else are you skilled at?” Gallant realized the conversation was going to get more awkward before it got better.
“My grandfather has encouraged me in a full academic and art program, in addition to a strenuous athletic routine.”
“All that and yet you find time to fairly shine in the sunlight.”
“Oh, I see. You’re being charming.” Alaina seemed to enjoy Gallant’s attention.
Leaning forward, she touched his hand.
Looking at her hand resting on his, he asked, “Have you had much experience with ‘charmers’?”
“Well, the sample of eligible young men on Elysium is limited, but I’ve managed to garner an adequate knowledge of male behavior.”
“I would imagine it has been a troublesome effort.”
“Well, so far.”
“What about Junior?”
“He has been insufferable since I came back from the jungle. I’d prefer you didn’t speak of him.” She looked around as if checking to see if they were under SSP observation.
Gallant also checked to see if his usual trailing detail were somewhere nearby. To his satisfaction, he saw none.
“I’m sorry. I won’t bring him up again, only stay with me, talk to me. Lunch is a good start—plus as much of the afternoon as you have available. I promise to be on my best behavior.”
With a thoughtful look on her face, she pulled a small trinket from a pocket within the folds of her pants and touched it briefly as if examining a schedule.
“Oh, don’t look so dubious,” he said. “You already asked me to lunch. There’s much we can enjoy together this afternoon.”
Color rose in her cheeks. “Then come to my house. We’ll have lunch. Grandfather’s gone for the day. He’s off explorin
g the jungle.”
Gallant’s face lit up. “Yes. Until you’re ready, I’ll sit here, quietly, on this bench, and let you finish your painting.”
“You needn’t doubt I will come,” she said.
“I’ll wait here. Observing your work is fine with me.”
“I’ve found saying yes to you leads to much less trouble than a precipitous no,” said Alaina.
She continued to fuss with her painting and made a valiant attempt to add more flourishes and finishes, but she was clearly distracted, and her progress was slow. Finally she sighed and said, “It’s no use. We might as well leave now. You’ve got to help carry all my paraphernalia.”
Gallant was so eager he jumped up and began gathering her canvases, paints, and easel.
She took one look at his excitement and laughed.
When they reached the Hepburn house, the AI opened the door and she led him along a corridor to a side of the house which opened into an intriguing area he hadn’t visited before. This new space was off-set from the main entrance of the house, where he was accustomed to meeting Professor Hepburn.
They walked into a room with paintings along the wall and a small table with fine art sculptures. Sunlight streamed into the room from a large window and fell upon a charming sitting area with a table. His mind wandered as he looked at the drawings around the room. Portraits, landscapes, and even abstract art showed a wide variety of talent. These were possessions of hers, small bits of artistic flair, all of which he assumed were her own work.
He viewed the exhibits with a keen interest and when he paid particular interest in an item, she said, “Ah, oh,” but nothing more.
“It’s good of you to allow me into your personal gallery. All your work?”
She blushed. “Perhaps. You’ll have to discover that for yourself.”
“Why? How will I discover that? What is there to unearth?”
“Oh, come, sit down.” She led him to a chair by the table. “Really, Henry. Just because I jumped on your flyer and we had an exciting adventure, you shouldn’t feel you know everything about me. I had a life before we met, you know. I think interesting people are complicated—aren’t you?”
“I guess I’ve got a lot to learn about a great many things,” he said, enjoying the sweetness of the day.
“Lunch,” she said and touched a popped up virtual screen.
The AI activated an auto-tray in the center table. It displayed many of the Elysium food stuffs Gallant had tried before, but the fresh food was still a delight to him. He was sufficiently familiar with the items now he was able to select several tasty pieces to place on his plate. After Alaina had filled hers as well, the two quietly ate their meal while they talked.
“Do you find my dwelling funny?” she asked. “To me, it’s a haven.”
As she spoke, she self-consciously got up and moved various items on different shelves into altered positions.
“It’s all delightfully arranged and displayed,” said Gallant.
“My friends ridicule the hodgepodge assortment of my efforts,” she said. Then stumbling on to a new tack she said, “You said you had questions. Please stop examining the art and let’s talk while you eat.”
“Tell me about the people you know, your friends. Do you have many friends?”
“Enough. We are a small community, but close enough so we are aware of each other’s business on a daily basis. Grandfather mostly keeps to himself, so I am left with a great deal of time to find my own diversions. I lived my whole life in this city. The people here are my entire universe. We are, after all, a collection of beings transplanted from another star. My friends support my causes and we rally to each other’s needs.” She leaned back in her chair.
“What about traveling to other islands?”
“Yes, I have traveled to the nearby islands. With my friends, we’ve visited more distant island groups. We’re fairly independent here, and I don’t feel restricted in any way.”
“Really, not restricted? By your grandfather, by Wolfe, by Junior?” asked Gallant.
“Wolfe dominates our decisions politically. He sets out the agenda for the year and the people carry out the tasks. Junior is mostly talk and threats, but no real action, so I do what I want.”
“I can see from you face there is more to say.”
“Yes,” she said, but then remained quiet for several minutes.
“But not now?” asked Gallant.
“No. Not now.”
“Then I guess we’ve done enough talking,” said Gallant, leaning over and kissing her gently on the lips. He placed his hand on her shoulder and started to slide it down when... a loud baritone voice from the hallway interrupted them.
“Alaina, are you here? I’ve finally finished the painting. I’ll hang it here, next to your landscape piece, okay? Okay, Alaina? Huh?” A tall, lanky young man with long, jet-black, wavy hair stood in the hallway outside the sitting room with a painting in one hand, trying to attach it to the wall.
He looked into the room.
Gallant stood up beside the table and looked back.
Alaina remained frozen in her chair, not moving a muscle.
After an interminable silence, Gallant said, “I’m Henry Gallant,” extending his hand.
“Liam Larson,” said Larson, shaking Gallant’s hand.
Alaina remained sitting, unblinking. The awkward moment seemed never to end.
Finally, Larson broke the silence. “I’m glad to meet you ahead of the event. I’m sure Alaina has told you all about PUP and our action this afternoon. It’ll have greater impact with you there. Alaina will make a speech, but a show of support by you would be terrific.”
Both men turned and looked at Alaina once more.
A fox with its leg caught in a steel trap couldn’t have been more still than Alaina sitting in her chair.
“PUP?” asked Gallant, turning back to Larson.
Larson said, “Pro-United Planets. We’re rallying in support of becoming a United Planets’ colony rather than following Wolfe’s call for independence. Alaina started PUP by organizing her personal friends, and we’re beginning a campaign to gather more members starting this afternoon. We’re holding a rally at Freedom Park. I assume that is why you’re here. She discussed this with you, hasn’t she?”
“You’re a personal friend?”
“Alaina and I grew up together. We’re close, despite Cy’s threats. He hates to see anyone near Alaina.”
Larson shifted his weight and leaned his painting on the floor against the wall.
Gallant indicated the painting with a gesture. “Nice. Yours?”
“Yes. Several of these are mine. The rest of the artwork is Alaina’s, including most of the sculptures. A few of those on the lower shelf are mine, however” said Larson, pointing to several gorgeous nude statuettes. Gallant’s eyes bulged out when he recognized the model—Alaina.
“I see,” said Gallant, realizing more fully what Alaina had meant when she had stated she had a life before him—it’s complicated.
Once more both men turned and gaped at Alaina.
Gallant caught the look Alaina threw at Liam, her lips moving silently, no words sounding.
Then she said aloud, “Ah, . . . I, . . . oh, as usual, Liam, your timing is atrocious.” Alaina pouted petulantly. “I was just about to tell Henry about PUP when you stormed in uninvited.”
“I need an invitation?” asked Larson, looking questioningly at Alaina.
Gallant decided to intercede. “I’d be glad to attend the PUP rally.”
“Great, we can all go together. In fact, we can leave now,” said Liam, tossing him a companionable smile.
Gallant looked wistfully at Alaina.
Damn.
***
Gallant sat on a bench on a small hill in Freedom Park watching the people, when for the second time that day, he spied Alaina. She was surrounded by a dozen young people. They began a protest march with banners streaming from flashlight objects projecte
d into the sky, generating skywriting with a slogan for PUP.
Alaina made a stirring speech about democracy and the future opportunities of Elysium. The crowd cheered her on. Gallant was asked to speak and he managed to say how the Intrepid and the people of the UP supported Elysium in their growth and development. He promised once he returned from Earth, he would bring UP government representatives, as well as communications from their families back home.
Alaina and her group walked around the park and then marched to the town hall, attracting a growing crowd along the way.
Gallant followed the crowd and witnessed the SSP led by Junior attempting to disperse them. Junior grabbed at Alaina, but Larson quickly intervened and shielded her. Gallant was glad to see someone was willing to protect this woman, not just bully her like Junior.
Jostling and pushing prevailed for several minutes until the protestors decided to disperse of their own accord.
As they were leaving, Alaina waved to him. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Till then,” said Gallant.
CHAPTER 19
MISHAP
Brobdingnag offered a mining opportunity similar to the asteroid mining colony on Ceres. The asteroids were composed of either a carbonaceous, silicate, or metal-rich rocky core covered by an icy mantle. The materials found by the Elysium volcano were of a similar composition on the surface, but heavy transuranic metal were buried deep beneath them.
Near the mining facilities at site-M, volcanic islands of circular lava cones protruded from the rough mountainous terrain. Valleys of cooling lava flowed nearby. Meanwhile the site’s working crew carved a smooth gravel-tar landing strip for cargo flyers. They built landing beacons to guide the resource flyers to and from the mines carrying spare parts. The crew removed fabricated equipment and placed it in storage garages near Hallo in preparation for later transport to the Intrepid.
As the weeks passed, Chief Howard and the onsite Intrepid team helped run diagnostic tests and verified their mineralogical results. Gallant used his neural interface to understand the functioning of the AI mining equipment the Elysium citizens were operating and to improve their efficiency.
Henry Gallant Saga 2: Lieutenant Henry Gallant Page 14
