Kuriko remained silent, and her more observant followers did likewise. She leaned forward over the table and quietly said, “Leticia, do not speak again. Do you understand?”
Leticia slowly lowered her arm, and just stared at Kuriko.
“Leticia,” Kuriko demanded in a calm but stern voice. “Did―you―understand me?”
“Yes.”
“Then shut up.” Kuriko composed herself, then placed her hands behind her back. “Let us not be hasty. We will slowly and methodically take what we need. We will initially store it here.”
“Initially?” one of her officers asked. “Where else, other than here?”
Kuriko produced a map and unfolded it on the tabletop. All her commanders watched as Kuriko gently flattened the map. It was obvious she had studied and planned this document for a very long time, for it was replete with military symbols she had made, and she had written notes all over it.
She leaned over what, to her, was a sacred document, studying it intently for several minutes in silence. At last, she rose up, and slowly pointed at the map with a laser indicator. When she spoke, her voice was low, and deadly serious.
“Here in the north part of this sector is the colony,” she pointed it out on the map. “South, some thirty kilometers, lies the clinic which the colonists plan to destroy. Southeast of the clinic about forty-five kilometers is the old manufacturing and assembly factory. Years ago, when the trouble started with the Indigs, the factory was abandoned, its personnel called back because the factory was too isolated and exposed.”
Kuriko looked around, particularly at those she knew to be rather dense. “Are you all following me? Any questions so far?”
No one made a comment.
Kuriko nodded, and continued. “The factory building is still there. A recent patrol conducted by some of Captain McLauren’s men discovered it is still a viable habitat. This will become our base of operations until rescue.”
Her commanders around the table all grinned, nodded and grunted their approval.
“Quiet!” Kuriko ordered. “The Indigs destroyed the bridge over the river Kau E’tay about five clicks west of the factory, and, though this may slow our efforts, I plan to incorporate it into our defense once we are in place. East of the bridge is an elevated road on either side of which is a swamp no man can get through. Therefore, if we’re attacked, they will have to take that road.
“We will slowly, carefully, and clandestinely begin to prepare the factory for our occupation and defense. This must remain a closely guarded secret.”
Kuriko paused and looked at each face. “If we’re discovered, we’ll either be jailed, or turned out into the Blue, and that’s a death sentence. I want you to explain that to your people.”
The impact of her words had hit home, even among the dullest of her commanders.
“Once we make our move, the colonists will try to stop us; obviously, they do not wish to see the return of the IIEA.
“Anyone of our people who betrays our confidence, intentionally or not, will be put to death. Make sure all our people know this, as well.”
○O○
On the one-year anniversary of Fau'Paut'Us, the liberation of Antyllus, another celebration was held that would become an annual event. The party was in the streets and plazas of the still rising foundations of Kulan Kaus, this time the party also extended inside the city of New Roanoke. In addition to the local food prepared in the E’meset fashion, the Tuva ― as the colonists were called by the E’meset ― brought out the meats, vegetables and fruits provided to them by the E’meset, but prepared as Earth dishes. There were also some Earth fruits and vegetables, grown in New Roanoke’s hydroponics gardens. And to wash it all down they enjoyed New Roanoke beer, wine, and spirits.
Music, too, abounded … from E’meset melodies and trills, to new and old favorite Earth tunes.
Almost everyone was present. Many of the former mercs were absent, despite Kuriko’s insistence that they all attend and act happy, few did. Kuriko knew they would be conspicuous by their absence.
Tanny and her roommate, Cindy Mira, and a few others from her laboratory were outside enjoying the party.
Tanny was standing inside a dome near an older woman, in her late thirties, eating, and watching Cindy and a So torrie, an E’meset warrior, dance together.
Tanny watched the gyrations of the E’meset male and was very much taken aback. “My,” she said to the woman on her right, unaware she was a Xenoanthropologist, “this is a very, ah, stimulating dance.”
“Yes,” the woman replied with a smile. “The E’meset’s dancing is designed to arouse and stimulate a member of the opposite sex. Males demonstrate their strength while trying to arouse their female dance partner. The females also dance in a provocative manner to illustrate both their fertility and sexual appeal to all male observers. They each can, through small nuances of the dance, let a prospect know of their interest or lack thereof. We have also discovered that their pheromones have a scent many times stronger than ours, and that the individual can control the release of the hormone. All designed, of course, to lead the species to reproduce.”
“All that in a dance?”
“Surely, you are aware that human dancing is part of a fertility ritual, as well. Our gyrations are just a bit more…subtle.”
Tanny thought a moment, then asked, “You don’t think that E’meset fellow desires to…to mate with Cindy, do you?”
“He’s male, isn’t he?” The woman laughed.
“Surely they are aware that a union of our two species is not possible?”
“I have to disagree.”
“Really, I would think such a conclusion beyond debate,” Tanny insisted.
The woman smiled. “If you’ve had your eyes open here tonight, you noticed that their equipment is the same as ours. And the reproduction procedure is exactly the same.”
“Yes, but there is a lot more to procreation than sex, genetically—”
“We are only now being allowed by the E’meset to study them, but let me assure you, they are human enough to breed with us and produce healthy offspring.”
“I’m a doctor of exobiology.” Tanny was indignant. “By simple visual observation, one can see it is not possible that we are of the same—”
“It’s been done.”
“What?”
“E’meset women have produced children by Earth fathers, and Earth women have given birth to children by E’meset fathers. It’s been done. They are few, granted, but it is now indisputable biological fact. We are of the same species.”
Tanny stood there, mute for quite some time, then asked, “Has any study been done on these couples and their offspring?”
“No. You see the E’meset laid claim to the children and their parents the moment they are aware of conception, and they have protected them from us … violently at times. They used to fear that any children raised by the Ukse would become, well, vampires.”
“Vampires? As Major Mitchel discussed in his report?”
“Exactly.”
“And this word…Ukse?” Tanny asked.
“It’s what they used to call us, a derogatory term basically calling us the people of one color or monochrome. We Ukse, regardless of our race, are only one color, be it black, brown, red, yellow or white. Monochrome.”
“But now they call us Tuva,” Tanny observed.
“Yes, it means friends. Ironic, don’t you think? They call us friends … and we call them peacocks.”
“Yes…I guess so.”
Cindy returned to the dome, escorted by the tall Peacock who did not leave, but sat in the orange and blue grass about three meters from the airlock watching the other dancers.
“Whoa!” Cindy said, pulling off her respirator and rejoining Tanny. “Now, that guy can dance! And did you see his six…I mean eight pack? Umm, umm!”
Tanny approached her roommate, glanced about, then in a low tone inquired, “Cindy, has it occurred to you that the social no
rms of these people are vastly different from ours? Do you understand that you may be signaling to this fellow that you might be amenable to mating with him?”
Cindy shook out her hair from being mashed down by her respirator, and with a mischievous grin replied, “Well…I won’t deny I am curious,” and she giggled.
“Cindy! I’m surprised at you. Do you know there are stories of human women being impregnated by these…men?”
“Well, yes. Honey, I’m no virgin, and I have the implant.”
“You would seriously consider sleeping with one of them?” Tanny was aghast.
“Tanny, honey, as I understand it, sleeping is the last thing you do in bed with one of them.”
Tanny and Cindy donned their respirators and left the dome, then were immediately set upon by the dancing E’meset.
“Tanny, I want you to meet Kok’etan. Kok’etan, this is my friend Tanny.”
Tanny stuck out her hand and said, “Hello.”
Kok’etan took her hand in both of his and smiled down on her. “There are many beauty women in the Tuva clan,” he said.
“Thank you. If you two will excuse me, I think I’ve had all the party I can stand. Good night.”
“Good night, Tanny,” Cindy said. “Don’t leave the lights on for me.”
Tanny just nodded and headed back toward the city. She was approaching the Temple of Lu’aya when she noticed a solitary figure climbing the steep stairway. As the light of the bonfire flashed across his respirator-clad face Tanny noticed it was Captain Rastaban. It had been a year since she’d seen him in the hospital. She had often wondered what had become of him.
She knew that shouting at him over the noise of the party would be futile. He’d not hear her above this revelry. She wondered why he was going up there. No one ever went up there for frivolous reasons. Without really knowing why, Tanny followed him up the steps.
He arrived at the top several minutes before her. The E’meset kept glowing stones, about softball size, in handmade nets on either side of the door because it was dark inside, both day and night, to the Tuva. Tanny could see one stone was missing. She stepped to the right of the wide door and peeked inside. There in the back, was the glow of the Volessa stone.
She crept slowly inside and saw the captain standing in the back. He was holding the stone up above his shoulder and looking at the frescos and the other magnificent art on the wall.
“Excuse me,” Tanny said. “You’re Captain Rastaban, are you not?”
“No. I am just Nash Rastaban now. Please, call me Nash. You are Doctor Eltanie … Aus, Aus … tralia right?”
Tanny laughed. “Eltanie Austrini. Please, call me Tanny. How’s your arm?”
“My arm? Oh, my arm…just fine, thank you. You were a nurse in the hospital that night.”
“No, just helping. We spoke, if you recall.”
“I do recall. That night I encountered very few friendly faces, understandably. Yours is the one I remember.”
“Well, we didn’t start out too friendly that night. I was decidedly unfriendly. But all that’s behind us now, Nash.”
His eyes turned slowly away from Tanny as he looked again at the illustrations. “Do you know the story they have painted here?” Nash asked.
“No.”
“Starting by the door it’s the story of the fight to free themselves from us. Not you—us, the bad guys…from me. Right here is a picture of us bleeding them to death in the clinic. I didn’t know about what was happening in the clinic, but I was a part of this. How can I make amends, what apology would be sufficient?” He hung his head and whispered, “I’m responsible for this.”
“I don’t see how,” Tanny responded.
“I allowed myself and my men to be led by a madman. I never questioned a single order. I just marched out like a robot. Those SUBs in the city have more humanity in their little fingers than―” His voice trailed off.
“Is that why you came up here all alone on this festive night? To wallow in self-pity and continue to blame yourself?”
Nash casually glanced at Tanny before returning his attention to wall. “I come up here regularly as a reminder that my solitude is punishment for my evil.”
“You are truly a penitent man, Nash. I think you’ll find forgiveness among all here.”
“You do? Do you think Major Mitchel will forgive me for killing so many of his people, his friends?”
“In truth, I don’t know. I have met him on occasion, and he seems a good man. The stories of him are not the stories of a vengeful man. Perhaps you should ask him?”
Nash looked at Tanny, and halfheartedly smiled. “My enemy, my friend, eh?”
“I don’t believe Major Mitchel has or wants any more enemies.”
“Well, the next time we are sharing a table over dinner I’ll ask him.”
“I think you should.”
“Let’s go outside,” Nash suggested and turned toward Tanny and the door.
Outside, they stood to the right of the steps and looked down on the massive party.
“You know,” Nash said, “this day holds a completely different meaning for the losers.”
“Nash, those people are celebrating the end of a war and a new beginning. You have the same reasons to celebrate. This can be a new beginning for you, if you’ll let go of the past and make a new future for yourself. You can be as happy as you want to be.”
Nash smiled again. Tanny noted the smile and how handsome the man was when he did smile. “You make it sound so easy. Just forget the past and be happy. Just like that?”
“Yes, Nash. Just like that.”
○O○
Over the next few weeks, Tanny seemed to inadvertently run into Nash all over New Roanoke. And he seemed to have a lot of business near the biology labs.
One day, as Tanny was examining a sample of E’meset lung tissue, the chip embedded under her skin by her right temple alerted her to an incoming message on her COMde, the communications device provided to all IIEA employees. She tapped the side of her head, remotely activating the device that was actually attached to her belt.
“Yes?”
“Tanny there’s a fellow here to see you…a Mister Rastaban.”
A thrill raced up her spine, but she calmly responded, “I’ll be there in a moment.”
Tanny quickly checked her appearance in her computer monitor and headed toward the front.
Nash sat quietly reading his PDA as she entered the room. He quickly turned it off and rose. “Ah, hello, Tanny.”
“Hello, Nash.”
“Hello.”
“Can I…help you with something, Nash?”
“Oh…ah, yes. This may seem a little sudden, and I apologize, but I happened to be in this sector and noted the time. I thought perhaps you might wish to have lunch…with me? I understand if you’re too busy, I should never just drop in on you and—”
“Where?”
“I’m sorry?”
“Where do you wish to have lunch, Nash?”
“Oh…well, any place you desire. I mean whatever you want. For lunch, that is.”
Tanny smiled at his obvious nervousness. “You know none of the restaurants have yet reopened, and our choices are between the existing dining facilities, right?”
“Of course.”
“Number thirty-one is nearest.”
“Thirty-one it is, then. I’ll call for a tram; they’re all functioning in this sector.”
“Let’s walk instead, shall we?”
○O○
Over the next few weeks, dinner became a regular event for them. They would meet at different dining facilities, despite the menu being identical at each.
Lunch was always problematic, dependent on their schedules. Tanny found that, when she missed lunch with Nash, she became disappointed and would lose her appetite altogether.
○O○
Nash had been assigned as a sort of handyman. He knew a little bit about many things: electrical, plumbing, carpentry, welding.
During his repair work to the city, Nash came across a room on the top floor of the first ring of sector seven. It had once been an atmospheric observation station, but during the war, the clear dome in the top had been shot and the lab destroyed. The breathable atmosphere was lost when the dome received a 20mm hole in it and the space filled with the poison from outside.
It was a wonderful space with its large windows and expansive views of the forest and hills beyond the fence.
An idea that had germinated in the back of his mind now took root. For an instant, his mind went numb, then his imagination exploded with the wildest imaginings. No, it’s not possible, he told himself. But hey…if I’m granted permission to rescue this space and convert it into an apartment, on my own time, there’s no harm in that. Even if I never used it, someone will.
○O○
At City Hall, as section Zero right in the center of the colony was now called, Nash met with Cassie O’Connell who was the Minister for Domicile Recovery and Allocation. She was the official who oversaw the recovery of damaged and destroyed housing units based on the triage of all units, and the needs of the displaced. It was her job to assign families and individuals to housing on a case-by-case basis, and Nash was surprised once more at the hope he felt every time he thought of the crazy idea that had taken hold of him. But would Mrs. O’Connell see fit to allow him to recover the apartment?
Everyone knew Cassie and her husband Mitch; they were among the defenders of JILL on Earth’s Moon, and now, heroes of Antyllus. Remembered by the E’meset within the cave of hope in the chamber called the home of our honored, with a carving of her and Mitch high on a wall.
Nash felt small in her presence, but she quickly set him at ease with her pleasant personality and her warm smile. Nash knew that Mrs. O’Connell, being a SUB, had no doubt read his complete file in seconds, and so she knew all about him before he entered her office.
He knocked, and heard her say, “Cierota.” E’meset for enter.
He opened the door, walked in and said, “Key’Etos,” as he closed the door behind him.
“Ah… Sena E’meset po’who’wah?”
“Well, yes,” Nash replied, reverting to English, “I’ve been here longer than most, and used to know several E’meset who taught me.” Cassie offered Nash a chair in front of her desk.
The Blue of Antyllus Page 3
