Perfect Worlds Omnibus
Page 34
“Atfirstitwasbelievedthesepiecesofmetalwerefromourownculture,which iswhyittookdecadestogetthemfromthemilitary.Whenwewerefinallyable tostudythem,wedatedthemattenthousandyearsold,fromnearlythesame periodasthetablet.”
“Sothey’refromanaliencraft?”
“It’sverylikely.Whatwedoknowisthere’snowaytheycouldhavebeen producedbyanysocietyonPheraatthetime.”
Taigaveherthesamepityingsmileastherestofthefaculty.“Iftherewere aliens,whywouldtheymakeaprimitivecityandleavemessagesinstone?”
“It’shighlylikelytheirequipmentwasdestroyedinthecrash.Andstone lastsmuchlongerthancomputerchips,withouttheworryofcompatibility.”
Heshruggedoffherargument.“Howdoyouknowwe’llfindsomethingon thisKifplace?”
“Becausetheyleftusamap.”Shehitthebuttonagain.Theimageof anotherstoneappeared.Thisonewaspockmarkedwithdotsandlines.“Dr.
Markefoundthisinherexplorationofthecity.Shethoughtitwasacalendar, butit’snot.It’sastarchart.Ifyoulookatthatdotatthetopofthechart,it’s labeledwiththeirwordfor‘Home.’WhenIcross-referencedwhatwasonthe stonetoourstarcharts,itlinedupperfectlywithKif.”
Fromthetoneofhisvoice,Taistillwasn’tconvinced.“Howlongarewe goingtobethere?”
“Twomonths.That’sallthemilitarywillallowus.Amilitaryshipwill takeusoutthereandthenleaveuswiththelabmodule.Oncetheyreturn,we havetogoback.SoIhopeyou’reupforalotofexercise,becausewe’llbe movingfasttocoverasmuchgroundaswecan.”
“Icantakecareofmyself.”
“Good.I’llgiveyoueverythingIhaveondisksoyoucanstudyit.Idon’t expectyoutolearnthelanguageoftheancients,butyoumightwanttoatleast familiarizeyourselfwithsomeoftheirsymbols.We’lldiscussitsomemore oncewegetaboard.”
“Great.”
“Ihopeyou’lltreatthisasagreatopportunity,”Karisaid.Shetriednotto letherfrustrationcreepintohervoice.“Ifwe’resuccessful,ournameswillgo downinhistoryastheoneswhomadeperhapsthegreatestscientificdiscovery inPheranhistory.”
Taifixedafakesmiletohisface.“I’mgladyouchosemeforthis opportunity,Dr.Chomar.Iwon’tletyoudown.”
TheyshookhandsandthenTaileft,armedwithadiskforhimtostudy later.Karidoubtedhewouldspendmuchtimeonit,notasmuchasshealready had.Evenherownassistantthoughtshewasmad.Shesighedagainandthen decidedtocallValtothankherforbelievinginher.
Part1:DarkVoyage
Chapter1
WhenLieutenantJeriPoldarhadagreedtoaccompanyValonthismission, shehadthoughtitwouldbeastheship’spilot.Shesoonfoundouttheship couldflyitselfmostoftheway.Instead,herprimarydutiesontheshipwere thoseofanannytoitsyoungestoccupant.
Shedidn’tbothertosmilewhensheenteredthestateroom.Foramoment Jeristoodinthedoorwaytostareatthegirl’scolossalbulkthattookupthe entiretwinmattress.Shesuppressedashivertothinkshehadoncebeeneven fatterthanthat,thatsheandValhadneededtobuyabiggermattresstofitboth ofthemonthebed.
Shestilldidn’tsmile,butshetriedtoputasmileintohervoiceasshesaid,
“Timetogetup!”
Thegirldidn’tmove.Jericalledoutagaintonoavail.Shewouldhaveno choicebuttoshakethemountainofflabcoveredbyathingrayblanket.“Come on,youcan’tstayinbedallday.”
Finallythegirlresponded,“Whynot?”
“Well,silly,foronethingyou’llneedtousethebathroom.”
“Sogetmeabedpan.I’msureValwouldlovethat.”
“Let’snotstartthatagain.You’regoingtostopfeelingsorryforyourself andgetoutofthisbed.Thenwe’regoingtogetyoutothebathroomforanice warmbath.”
“I’msureyou’lllovethat.”
No,Jerididn’tliketobathethegirl,butshehadnochoice.Thegirlwas incapableofcaringforherself.Notbecauseofherbulk,butbecauseshewas blind.Thiswasevidentwhenthegirlfinallyrolledoverandrevealedhereyes withtheirnearlywhiteirises.ThegirlheldoutachubbyhandforJeritograb.
Jerididherbestnottogrunttooloudlyasshehoistedthegirlintoaseated position.Shebrushedtheblanketawayfromthegirltorevealabodythat bulgedwithfatfromalmosteverypartofher.Themassivestomachthatrested onherthighspressedtightagainstthefadedpinknightgownshewore;soonits seamswouldprobablygiveway.
Jeriforcedherselftosmilewithhervoiceagainasshesaid,“Now,upwe go.”Andagainshetriednottogrunttoomuchasshehelpedthegirltostand.
Foramomentthegirlwobbled,butthenshegrabbedtheedgeofthebedto steadyherself.Jerihelpedtoorienthertofacethebathroom.“It’sjusttensteps ahead,”Jerisaid.
“Iknow.”Thegirlwaddledforwardoneunsteadystepatatime.Thefirst fewtimestheyhaddonethis,thegirlhadreliedonJeritoguideher,butsoon enoughshelearnedthewayherself.ThisallowedJeritogointothebathroomto
startthewaterinthetub.Runningwaterlikethisaboardaspaceshipwasa luxurythatcouldnothaveexistedbeforeValandtheStoneofChange.Toobad thatluxurywaswastedonthegirl.
Jeritookthegirl’shandonceshemadeittothebathroomdoor.Shehelped thegirlovertothetoilet,butthegirlcouldhandletherestbyherself.Jeri stoppedthewaterforthetub,judgingitwouldbeenough.Shehadtobecareful givenhowmuchwaterthegirl’sbodydisplacedonceshesatdown.
TheworstpartforJeriwaswhenshehadtohelpthegirlintothetub.As muchasshewantedtoclosehereyes,shecouldn’t.Shewasforcedtostareat theripplingfleshofthegirlthatwascompletewithstretchmarksdespitethat shewasonlyelevenyearsold.Everymorning,thethoughtranthroughJeri’s mindthatthiswasawarningtoherofwhatshecouldbecomeifshebetrayed Val.Afterall,ithadonlybeentwoyearsagowhenValandthegirlhadbeen lovers.
Backthenthegirlhadn’tbeenachild.Shehadbeenanadult,olderthan Jericurrentlywas.Shehadbeenascientistandagoodwoman.Sometimes, whenshewassureshewasalone,Jericriedtothinkofwhathadbecomeofthe girl.Theyhadworkedtogetherinanofficeonceoverayearagoandifnotfor thegirl’sunflagginggoodness,Jeriwouldsurelyhavegonemad.
Shedoesn’tdeservethis,Jerithoughtassherubbedshampoointothegirl’s shortbrownhair.ShehadalwaysbeensokindtoJeriwhentheyhadworked together,evenwhenJerihadn’tdeservedit.Jerihadbeendifferentbackthenas well;shehadbeenselfishandvain,preoccupiedwithfindingarichmanto marry.Thathadbeenbeforeshe’dmetVal,beforeshe’dfalleninlove.
ButValhadbeentheonetodothistothegirl,despitethattheyhadbeen friendssincechildhoodandoncehadbeenpracticallymarried.Jeritriednotto thinktoohardaboutwhatthismeantforherrelationshipwithVal,howeasilyit couldbeoverandshemightendupbeingcalledMolegirlandrequiring someonetohelpherbathe.
“CanIhavethesoap?”Molegirlmumbled.
“Hereyougo,”Jerisaid.Shepressedthebarintothegirl’shand.Jeri didn’tliketothinkofthegirlas“Molegirl,”butthegirl’srealnamewas forbidden.Jeritriednottouseiteveninherownmindifshecouldhelpit.
TherewasnowaytotellifValwouldhearherifshedid;Jerididn’tknowthe fullextentoftheStone’spowerandshewasafraidtofindout.
Shetriedtosoundcheeryasshesaid,“Makesureyouscrubeverythingnice andhard.”
“Iwishyouwouldn’tsayitlikethat.”
“I’msorry.”
Afewminuteswentbyinsilencewhilethegirlsplashedaroundinthetub asshescrubbedherselfdown.Ittookawhileto
getallthenooksandcrannies herrollsoffatcreated.Whenshewasfinished,thegirlpassedthebarofsoapto Jeri.JeriputitawayfortomorrowandthenhelpedMolegirltogettoherfeet.
JeriwasalwaysquickwiththetoweltocoverMolegirl’snakedbody.She letthegirldryherselfoffandthenturnedhertofacethedoorway.“It’sjustten stepsaheadtothebed.YouwaittherewhileIfetchyourclothes.”
“Iknow,”thegirlsnapped.ShewaddledaheadwhileJeridrainedthetub.
ThenJeriwenttofetchthegirl’sclothes.Shehadonlyoneoutfit:afloralprint dressthatfitherbodyassnuglyasthenightgownandapairofclunkyblack shoes.Jeriretrievedtheseaswellasthegirl’sunmentionables.
Jerihadtoholdeacharticleouttomakesureitfacedtherightdirection.
PerhapsMolegirlcouldhavefiguredthisoutherself,butJerididn’twanttorisk shemightwearherdressorunderwearbackwards.Afterafewminutes, Molegirlwasreadyforanotherday.
“Now,let’sgogetyousomebreakfast,”Jerisaid.Shetookthegirl’shand toleadhertowardsthemesshall.
***
Bythetimetheyarrivedatthemesshall,Molegirlhadbeguntowheeze andsweatdrenchedherforehead.Thethreetripstoandfromthemesshall constitutedherexercisefortheday.Jeriresistedtheurgetogroantoseethe messhallwasalreadyoccupiedbyidenticaltwinsdressedingrimycadet uniforms.
“We’dbetterhurry,”Sherisaid.
“BeforeMolegirleatseverything,”hertwinsisterTerifinished.
“Wehaveplentyoffood,”Jerisnapped.“Andifwerunout,Valcanmake ussomemore.”
ThementionofVal’snameshutthetwinsup.They,likeher,knewbetter thantosayanythingdisparagingabouttheirpatron,lesttheyendupasMolegirls orsomethingworse.
“It’sallright,”Sheribegan.
“Weweregoingbacktoworkanyway,”Terifinished.
“Seeyoulater,Molegirl,”theysaidinunison,followedbygiggling wickedly.
“Don’tmindthem,”Jerisaid.
“Idon’t,”thegirlsaid.“IknowwhatIam.I’mafreak.”
“That’snottrue.You’rejustateensybitoverweight.”
“Teensybitoverweightforanewbornelephant.”
“Youshouldn’tsaythingslikethat,”Jerichided.Shealwaysworriedat
timeslikethatthegirlmightactuallyturnintoanelephantorsomeother creature.“YoustayhereandI’llgogetyousomethingtoeat.”
Jerihurriedintothegalley,whereshefoundKari’sbreakfastwaiting.
Therewasatraythesizeofanaircardoorheapedwithgreasyfood.Jeri’s stomachchurnedatthesightofit.Withasighsheheftedthetrayandthen carrieditbacktothetable.
Whenshecameback,shewasn’tsurprisedtofindValhadsnuckintothe messhall.Shesatinthecorneroftheroomintheforestcamouflagefatigues sheworedespitethattheywereindeepspace.“I’mjustmorecomfortablethis way,”ValhadsaidandJerihadleftitatthat.
ValputafingertoherlipstoindicateJerishouldn’tgiveawayherpresence toMolegirl.Itprobablywasn’tasurpriseasValdidthisforeverymeal.She watchedwithanamusedgrinasJerisetthetraydowninfrontofMolegirl.
“Hereyougo.Digin.”
Molegirldidn’tattackthetrayoffoodasValprobablyhopedshewoulddo.
Instead,shegentlypattedthetrayandthenpluckedapastryfromit.Sheateit daintily,asifthiswerebrunchinafancyrestaurant.Jeritookonepastryoffthe trayforherselfandthenfetchedacupofcoffee.WhileMolegirlcontinuedto nibbleherfood,Jerireadsomeshipefficiencyreports.
Valwatchedherformerloverforawhile,untilhersmilefaded.Shecleared herthroatandthensaid,“What’sthematter,isn’tMolegirlhungry?”
“Notreally,”thegirlmumbled.
“Comeon,webothknowyou’re alwayshungry.”Aboltofwhitelight stabbedthroughMolegirl.Jeriheldherbreathasshewatchedthegirlshrinka fewcentimeters.Thatextraheightcompactedintoweightthatpushedher stomachoutfarther,untilJeriwascertainthegirlwouldn’tbeabletobreathe.
Thefloraldressexpandedslightlytoaccommodatehernewgirth.
MolegirlpattedherstomachandthenturnedhersightlesseyestoVal.
“HowoldamInow?”
“Ten.Unlessyouwantittobenine,you’dbettercleanyourplateinthe nextfiveminutes.”
Molegirlcontinuedtoeatasslowlyasbefore.JerisawVal’sfreckled cheeksreddenasherragebuilt.JerihurriedovertoputahandonMolegirl’s shoulder.Shebentdowntowhisper,“Don’tdothis.Justeatthefood.”
“She’snotgoingtokillme,”Molegirlsaid.HereyesfixedonValdespite thatshecouldn’tseeanything.“Thatwouldn’tbeany fun.”
“Maybenot,butshe’llmakeyouababyorsomethingworse.Isthatwhat youwant?”
“Idon’tcare.”
OncueMolegirlshrankafewmorecentimeters,herbodygettingwiderat thesametime.JerilookedupatVal.“Val,don’tdothis. Please.”
“I’dsuggestyoustayoutofthis.ThisisbetweenMolegirlandme.”
“ButI’mtheonewhohastotakecareofher.Idon’twanttohaveto changeherdirtydiapers.”
Val’seyesnarrowed.Jeriwaitedfortheflashofwhitelighttoindicateshe hadusedtheStoneofChange.Nothinghappened.Valfinallystoodandsaid,
“Makesuresheeatsallofit.I’llbeonthebridge.”
“Yes,ma’am,”Jerisaid.ShesnappedasalutethatValdidn’treturn.Jeri satdownnexttoMolegirlatthetable.Sherubbedthegirl’sshoulder.“You shouldn’tmakeherangry.”
“Idon’tcare.”
“WellIdocare.AndnotjustbecauseIdon’twanttochangeyourdirty diapers.”Shetousledthegirl’shairandthenadded,“You’remyfriend.”
“Amnot.”
“Yesyouare.Youhelpedusthroughthoseawfultimesattheoffice.We nevercouldhaveheldoutaslongaswedidwithoutyou.”
“Sowhat?Youallgaveintohimintheend.”
“Iknow,butthatwasn’tyourfault.Youdideverythingyoucould.”
“Exceptchopoffhishead.”
“Youcouldn’tdothat.Noneofuscould.”
“Valcould.”
“She’sasoldier.She’susedtothat.You’rejustascientist.Andasa scientistIknowyouwanttofindoutmoreaboutthatplanet.”
MolegirlturnedtoJeri,whoflinchedatthesightofthosepaleeyes.“That’s allyoucareabout.YoujustwanttomakesureIhelpyourgirlfriend.WellI won’t.”
“Mo—Kari,thinkaboutit.Maybethere’ssomethingontheplanetthatcan helpus,somethingtogetridofthestone.”
“Whywouldyouwanttogetridofthestone?”
“Idon’tlikewhatit’sdonetoVal.She’sbecominglike him.”
Molegirlonlysnortedatthis.Shestuffedanotherpastryintohermouth.
Asshechewednoisily,shesaid,“You’rejustasblindasIam.”
JeritriedtogetMolegirltoexplainthat,butshewouldn’t.Sheonly crammedhermouthwithfooduntilthetraywasempty.Thensheletouta heartybelchtoindicateshewasdone.“NowcanIgobacktomyroom?”
“Ofcourseyoucan.”Jerihelpedthegirlup.Thentheybeganthelongtrek backtoherstateroom.
***
WhatKarihadsaidstillgnawedatJeriwhensheslippedintothebedshe sharedwithVal.WhileValtidiedupinthebathroom,Jeristaredatthe stateroom’smetalceiling.ShetriedtounderstandwhatKarihadmeant,butit didn’tmakesense.WhatwasJeriblindabout?Valhadsufferedasmuchasany ofthematTaiLecau’shands,butshehadbeentheonlyonesmartenoughand braveenoughtoendhisreignofterror.
Valcameou
tofthebathroomdressedinanolivedrabT-shirtandshorts.
Shedidn’tsayanythingasshestompedacrosstheroomandthendroppedonto thebed.Jerileanedovertokissher,butValturnedaway.WhenJeritriedto kissheronthecheek,Valelbowedherintheribs.
OnceJerihadgottenherwindback,shesaid,“Whydidyoudothat?
What’swrong?”
Valturnedtoher,herfaceasredasithadbeenearlierinthemesshall.
“Youembarrassedmetoday.Ican’tmaintaindisciplinewhenyouundermine me.”
“I’msorry.Itjustmakesmeuncomfortabletowatchyoudothat.”Jeri lookeddownthebedatherfeet.“She’sjustalittlegirlnowandinalotofways she’slikeababy.Icouldn’tjuststandtherewhileyoutorturedherfornoteating asfastasyouwanted.”
“Poor,softheartedJeri,”Valsaidbutshewassmilingnow.“That’swhatI loveaboutyou.”
“Thanks.”
Theyfinallykissed,passionatelylikeapairofloversreunitedafteralong time.Whentheyhadtocomeupforair,Valwhispered,“Idon’tknowwhatI’d dowithoutyou.”
“Let’snotfindout.”
Theytoreateachother’sclothes.JeridecideditwasKariwhowasblindin morewaysthanone.Shedidn’tknowValanymore,notthewayJeridid.
Chapter2
ThenextmorningJeriawokewithagroan.Shetriedtositup,butherbody respondedasifitwerestuckinquicksand.Shefinallymanagedtoheaveherself intoaseatedpositionandthengasped.
AgutnotasbigasMolegirl’s,butstillplentylarge,restedonherthighs.
Shepinchedarolloffatandfeltpainlancethroughher.Sheheldoutapudgy handandflexedherstubbierfingers.Withtheseshefeltchubbycheeks,a double-chin,andhaircuttoonlyjawlengthnow.
Onceshemanagedtogetoutofbed,shewaddledovertoamirrorto confirmthesechanges.Overnightshehadputonfiftykilosatleast.WhenVal cameupbehindher,Jeriknewshe’dshrunkafewcentimetersaswell,enough thatsheandValwerethesameheight.