The Amelioration Expedition
Chapter 10
Donte picked up the back pack and turned toward the distant butte. The safest route was the one they had planned, but he wanted to go back and investigate the animals he couldn't identify. He couldn't imagine what an ape looked like. He couldn't think of any animal that was like a human. On Purlieu, there was nothing similar to humans. Of course, both humans and Mascots had been put there by Fontalo. Warmth crawled up his neck again at the memory of the way he had insulted Chandler. He would have to be careful about that in the future. On Purlieu, everyone knew the capabilities of Mascots. It wasn't necessary to tell them. He had never thought of Mascots as being superior. In fact, he had always felt the need to prove Mascots were not inferior. It had nothing to do with all their special skills. It was the fact that they were genetically modified – not quite human, but not animals either.
They weren't on Purlieu now and these people didn't know what to expect from him. They had welcomed him from the beginning – as a human. They didn't like being reminded that he wasn't completely human. It made them feel uncomfortable. How could it make them feel inferior? Their educations were so far beyond his. He was in awe of their ability to analyze plants and determine so much from a hair or saliva. On Purlieu, he had been a leader, but compared to the complexities the leaders on Oriel faced daily, he had no leadership skills. He needed these people for this expedition more than they needed him – simply in a different way.
He liked all the members of the expedition, but he was especially thankful for Marlin. She could use some polish, but she recognized the heart of the problem and addressed it in simple terms. He didn't have to wonder how she felt about anything. It was in her expression, her tone and her words. He needed that, even if it wasn't pleasant.
Marlin was changing, though. He wasn't sure she realized it, but she was beginning to think of the team as family she could trust. When she picked up that back pack and handed it to him, she did it not only for Chandler, but for Donte as well. She put on a tough front to cover up a vulnerable core. Marlin was strong and determined. He had seen fear in her eyes at times, but she choked it down with sheer nerve. She never said a word when she was exhausted and hurting. She was determined not to slow the expedition. She didn't want anyone carrying her load in any sense of the word. She was exactly where she wanted to be and she was enjoying it.
He didn't know how yet, but he was certain that Marlin was going to be a key part of colonizing Opus. He was every bit as certain that it was his destiny to assist her. Other than protecting her, he had no idea what he was supposed to do. Protecting her was going to be a huge undertaking. Marlin didn't think she needed anyone's help, much less help from the killer of her grandfather.
His attention was jerked back to the present by a sudden feeling of conflict. He stopped and looked back at the forest below them. Marlin stopped beside him and followed his gaze.
"Are they fighting each other?"
Donte stared at her in surprise. "You feel it too?"
She shook her head. "No, I feel your anxiety and deduced from your comments earlier."
Like Rianne, she approached his skills from a logical point of view. He felt a sudden longing for Rianne. Would it ever go away? He forced his attention back to the current problem.
"I think it is a battle."
Lori followed Donte's gaze. "Wouldn't it be something if Opus was already colonized by someone else?"
Traci looked at her. "You mean like Purlieu?" When she looked at Donte, her expression was doubtful. "You seem to have a lot of knowledge about Opus – knowledge no one else has and no one knew you had."
Donte glanced at Dr. Oriana. She was watching Traci with a reflective expression. Donte sighed "I confess I have knowledge that no one knew I had, but I've never set foot on Opus before this expedition and as far as I know, neither has anyone from Purlieu. We didn't colonize Opus and as I said, I don't think these are humans."
Chandler lifted a brow. "And I assume they are not Mascots."
Donte chuckled. "Definitely not Mascots."
Dr. Oriana had shifted her attention to the forest, but at his last answer, she turned and looked at him. "That's something I've always wondered. Do all Mascots know when they meet another Mascot – even if they don't know them?"
Donte nodded. "Yes, male or female."
"How?"
Donte shrugged. "I don't know. It's just different."
His answer wasn't deliberately vague, but he didn't think there was any way he could explain it. Something else occurred to him, though. The only way Mascots could be on Opus was if Fontalo had put them there.
Dr. Oriana gave him a troubled look. "What is it, Donte?"
Donte hesitated. It was only a thought, but possibly one that no one had considered. "Fontalo created the Mascots and put them on Purlieu. What if they created other life forms and put them on Opus?"
They all stared at him, obviously considering the idea for the first time.
Dr. Oriana sighed. "It's possible. They destroyed all the records about the creation of the Mascots. We could have used some of it to improve medicine. If they had created other life forms, they would have destroyed those records as well." She sighed again. "But that's just theory. If we had DNA, we might be able to determine if it came from Oriel, but if the life forms originally came from Opus and were altered…." She shrugged and left the thought incomplete.
David looked at Dr. Oriana. "They certainly would have been aware of Opus and it's hard to believe they wouldn't have investigated it. Maybe it wasn't a choice of which planet to put people on. Maybe they were experimenting with both."
Dr. Oriana nodded. "They were under contract with the GEF, but that doesn't mean they weren't freelancing." She shrugged again. "All of this is speculation. We have to deal with reality, regardless of what it is."
Dr. Oriana followed Marlin as Donte led them toward the butte. He was quiet and reflective, as was Marlin. Donte would do what he promised to do no matter what happened. It was Marlin that concerned her at the moment. Did she know something? Surely her grandfather wouldn't have confided in a six-year-old, but he might have confided in his daughter. Was that why his daughter was so adamantly against Donte and the Mascots? Did Marlin still consider Donte an enemy? She appeared to be warming to him.
There was something more that troubled her about Marlin. In the last day she had noticed a different shape to Marlin's stomach. The baby had changed position. She still had over a month to go until her due date and both she and the baby were healthy. Still, hiking would likely become more difficult as she progressed.
David was the closest to her, so she confided in him – to an extent.
"I think it's about time we started thinking about finding a permanent base camp."
David glanced at Marlin and nodded at Donte. "I'm betting he would be the best judge of where. I wouldn't be surprised if he had some good ideas about how to build it."
Dr. Oriana smiled. "I think you're probably right. He certainly appears to be at home in this primitive environment. I wonder why that is."
David shrugged. "Genetics would be my guess. Didn't you say this is what the Mascots were created to do? He wants to do it. Let him – unless you don't trust him."
"I have to admit there have been times when I questioned my instinct to follow him, but the truth is; I'd trust him with my life. I've seen him defend his people. He is one wily foe."
"Well, you're the expedition leader. Do what you think is best. I'll back you."
Dr. Oriana waited until they made their evening camp before broaching the subject, and then she made sure everyone was involved. They had set up the tent and were gathered around a campfire outside. Donte was drifting around the edges, probably patrolling, and all the others were quietly staring at the fire, drinking coffee.
"I think it's time to consider building a more secure base camp – something with solid walls and roof."
David glanced at her and looked at the others. Everyone, including Donte, was listening to her. She continued.
"I was thinking about where we should build it. We need a water source for bathing, but I haven't seen anything except the lake and that doesn't look like a good place to defend ourselves if necessary."
Donte remained silent. All the others looked at each other but no one spoke at first. Finally, Marlin broke the silence.
"It would be nice if we could set up some kind of preliminary lab here on Opus. If we had a few tools like hatchets, picks and shovels…couldn't we use wood and stone to construct a sturdy building. I've done a lot of research on colonizing and that was one of the things I considered…the tools needed. I know Dad included some in the cargo."
Dr. Oriana had expected Donte to pitch in with an idea, but Marlin sounded as if she had given the idea a lot of thought.
Marlin went to her backpack and dug a sketch pad out of it. Returning to the others, she placed it near the fire where they had enough light to see it and everyone gathered around – even Donte. Marlin's sketches were detailed and clear.
"I thought we could dig a trench around the exterior and use rocks and clay for the foundation." Marlin explained. "I noticed there are plenty of both. If we chopped down a few straight trees, we would have poles to support a roof."
When Dr. Oriana glanced up at Donte, he was smiling at her. Maybe he was right about Marlin's leadership skills. She had not only anticipated the need for a base camp, but given a lot of thought about constructing it.
Dr. Oriana nodded and looked at Marlin. "How would you like to be in charge of that project?" She was probably the best qualified and it would keep her in one place.
Marlin looked surprised. "Seriously?" She looked doubtful. "Or are you only trying to get me out of the way?"
That girl didn't miss a thing. The answer she got had better be both honest and plausible. Dr. Oriana looked to Donte for assistance and he immediately offered it.
"Marlin, hiking is going to get more difficult for you. We wouldn't want to leave you behind or send you back to the spaceship and I don't think you'd like that either. It wouldn't be fair after all the effort you have put into this." He touched the paper. "We need you here. This is truly insightful. I think this would work perfectly as soon as we find the right spot. Captain McKillum could send some men down with the supplies. I'm sure they wouldn't have a clue how to begin building this. We would need someone here to direct them. You also have the skills needed to build an effective lab. This could work out very well for everyone…assuming you were willing."
Marlin looked uncertain. She was probably concerned that she was being manipulated, but Donte had presented it in a logical way and none of it could be denied. Still, it was Donte speaking and she generally rebelled against anything he said. Maybe she was waiting for the conditions. Ultimately, David was the one who presented that part.
"You'll eventually have to go back to the ship anyway. You're getting close to your due date, aren't you?"
Before Marlin could respond, Donte came to her defense. "Why? Giving birth isn't a medical emergency. Women have been doing it alone for centuries. Dr. Oriana is here in case something goes wrong."
David gave Donte a wry smile. "Our women aren't accustomed to stepping to the side and squatting under a bush to give birth. She'll need things you don't provide on Purlieu."
Donte gave him a level look. "She'll be walking around cleaning up after herself while you're still passed out on the floor."
Dr. Oriana couldn't contain a grin. David was finding out that Donte was a formidable force when he defended someone. Donte's tone and stance said clearly what his lips didn't – back down.
David looked into his coffee cup and swirled the liquid. His face was flushed, but it was difficult to determine if he was angry or embarrassed. He finally looked up at Donte with a chagrinned smile. "You're probably right."
Marlin cleared her throat as she gave Donte and David a stern look. "Once again I'd like to remind you that Dr. Oriana is the one who will make the decisions." She looked at Dr. Oriana. "I'll do whatever she says, but I think that decision can wait for another month."
Dr. Oriana sobered. "Thank you, Marlin. I don't agree with your timetable, but I do agree with Donte. Giving birth is a natural process and it could happen here on Opus as safely as on the Spero – if we have a decent shelter. Just think. This will be the first baby born on Opus." She sighed. "In any case, it sounds to me like Marlin has the right answer. Tomorrow we'll spend some time searching for a good location." She looked at Donte. "You will be in charge of that decision."
Donte looked uncomfortable. "I don't want to be difficult, but I think your geologists would probably be more qualified to make that decision."
"I suppose you're right. I was thinking more in terms of defense, in which case you are the most qualified here." She sighed. "All right. You, David and Lori will decide the location." She waved a hand. "Off with you. I've got other concerns. Marlin, Traci, Chandler and I need to discuss what we need for a lab and infirmary."
They split up in groups; Marlin's group working with her plans and Donte's group studying the maps.
Soft Science Fiction
