The Amelioration Expedition
Chapter 24
Dr. Oriana decided she needed an attitude adjustment after the conversation last night with Marlin and Donte. No wonder Arlo had shifted his alliance to his daughter. Marlin had changed – and in no small way. A month ago, Marlin wouldn't have admitted that she had made a mistake, much less accept responsibility for her actions. She had apologized to Donte for making their conversation public. Marlin's response had been justified. Donte was accustomed to being in control and not having his requests questioned. Once again, he had forgotten his place. His concern had been for Rianne. Marlin had no idea how protective Donte could be toward his family, but she was likely to find out.
The building of the new structures so far from the main camp might become an issue, especially if the primates became aggressive. She refused to call them Opus Natives, but primates included humans, mascots and apes. That was about as broad an umbrella as she was willing to spread. Donte was probably wasting his time with them but, as Marlin had said, they should at least let him try.
Dr. Oriana and the rest of her team spent the day in the lab with their samples from the day before while the new arrivals set up their camp. Donte and Marlin had decided they should all stay close together, so the tents were erected around the base camp. They had a large tent where they cooked and ate, with three smaller tents that could accommodate four people each, as they were equipped with bunks.
Their permanent camp was beginning to resemble a small town. Dr. Oriana hadn't felt so secure since they had landed on Opus. Donte's Premier Infantry was well equipped. No doubt they were equally well trained. They didn't bow to Donte or salute him, but there was never any question about who they considered their commander. Donte's orders were soft spoken requests, and the response was instantaneous.
While Donte's troops set up camp, Marlin and Rianne worked on the plans for the buildings on what they referred to as the colonial dock, or station. Traci and Chandler jokingly called it Marlin's Castle. Compared to their modest permanent camp, it would be a castle. Marlin laughed and said she didn't care what they called it. The colonists would probably give it a name.
To Dr. Oriana's surprise, all four of Donte's new arrivals were Mascots, and two of them were female. Most surprising was the fact that two of the mascots were mates. Famke, the female, and Joep, the male, were skilled carpenter and stoneworkers. They both had gray eyes and hair that was almost white. They were an attractive couple and smiled frequently. Marlin latched onto them immediately.
Gara, and Myrick interested Dr. Oriana the most, and Donte tentatively assigned them to her team. Gara was a beautiful green-eyed red-head who had 75 years experience as a nurse. Myrick was an experienced pilot who had served on the Lyra when they were making test runs on Opus. Myrick had the most beautiful deep violet eyes that Dr. Oriana had ever seen. He had long golden blond hair that he tied at the nape of his neck with a cord.
Some at Fontalo would be furious at the "contamination" of the expedition with mascots. She hadn't heard from Arlo yet, but she imagined he would be pleased. Marlin didn't appear to mind.
Their team had expanded from the original seven to eighteen people – ten of them mascots. More than half of the people preparing for the colonists now were from Purlieu. When she said something to Donte, he merely shrugged.
"Purlieu is an ally of Oriel. We can help and we wish to help. This will give the Premier Infantry even more experience. All these troops are happy to be here. Their lives can get mundane. Purlieu is less than three weeks away. We are your nearest neighbor if you need help."
It was a comforting explanation and they could certainly use the help. Hopefully Marlin wouldn't get too comfortable with them. This wasn't Purlieu's expedition and they didn't want to get into a situation where they were outnumbered or abandoned in the event of some controversy.
***
Marlin felt intimidated by all the uniforms. This wasn't supposed to be a military operation. If Donte were so inclined, he could take over the operation by force. She might not have thought about that had it not been for the fact that Donte now slept in a tent with his troops and took his meals with them. To be fair, he was probably more accustomed to their diet. As for sleeping quarters, he might feel his absence would make more room for the others. Still, it wasn't necessary for the troops to be in uniform on Opus. When she mentioned that fact to Donte, he listened and replied with his usual broad perspective.
"I'm sure it would be more comfortable for them without the uniforms as well, but they are military troops and that's probably all they have with them."
Warmth crawled up Marlin's neck. "Oh. I didn't think about that."
Donte smiled. "You have no reason to be concerned about them intervening. They are here to assist the colonization and protect the expedition, if that becomes necessary. I thought that when you started building, they would come in handy there."
"Of course they will. I don't mean to sound ungrateful. It's just that…all those uniforms make it feel like a military occupation."
Donte's attention drifted absently to the men sitting in the tent. "I suppose that's the purpose of a uniform," he mused. He shrugged. "My guess is that they feel more out of place than you do. They are ready to work. They like being active."
"Good, because I intend to go back to the building site tomorrow. I think their presence would make us more comfortable about the Opus Natives."
Donte smiled. "Their experience in building will make you equally grateful for their presence. They were hand selected for those skills." He glanced around. "This primitive environment won't slow them down and they have equipment in the shuttles."
Marlin lifted her brows. "Oh? Do they happen to have a wagon and a couple of horses?"
Donte laughed. "I hate to bring up the subject of Mascot abilities again, but Mascots are much stronger than colonists. I doubt there will be anything they can't handle."
"Oh. So that's why they sent only Mascots." She frowned. "But what about the women?"
"They aren't as strong as the men, but they are probably stronger than the men you brought with you." He grinned. "You wouldn't want to get into a tussle with Rianne. You'd lose."
The idea of fighting with Rianne was ludicrous. Marlin shook her head and grinned. "I must confess I've never been in a physical fight. I'll trust that you know how strong Rianne would be in a tussle."
Other than a mischievous look, Donte didn't respond.
Marlin changed the subject. "I want to start on the colonial dock tomorrow morning. Which people are supposed to go with me?"
"I'll let Paden know he is assigned to you; and Famke and Joep, of course. Lucas and Akida will be a lot of help as well. That will give you six people to help. You'll be surprised how much work they can get done in a day."
Marlin frowned. "Six? That's only five."
Donte lifted a brow. "Don't' forget Rianne."
Marlin sighed. "Yes, I keep forgetting she has so many skills."
Donte gave a short humorless laugh. "I think you're having trouble forgetting she's a woman."
"That doesn't have anything to do with it…" Marlin stopped. Or did it? Up to that point she had assigned Rianne only chores that traditionally belonged to women – housework, cooking, childcare – and only recognized her otherwise for her experience in colonizing. Rianne was more than all those things. She had a good brain and an able body."
Donte grinned. "I'll make sure everyone is ready early in the morning.
***
Rianne stood in the doorway to the base camp and watched while Donte talked to Marlin. Donte liked Marlin. That much was obvious. Did he love her? Marlin was fond of Donte. That, too, was obvious. Maybe it was a case of seeing only what she wanted to see, but it didn't appear to Rianne that they liked each other in a romantic way.
She glanced back to check on Gezant, who was still sleeping peacefully in her basket. When her gaze returned to Donte, he was walking toward her. After more than thirty years with him, his lithe and graceful stride still made her pulse race.
He looked up and met her gaze, holding it until he stopped in front of her.
"Marlin plans to start on the building tomorrow morning. I assigned her some help. Dr. Oriana will be going into the field tomorrow morning too. I'll need Famke and Joep the next day to do some work at the cavern." He continued to tell her their plans.
Rianne gazed up at him, barely aware of what he was telling her. It wasn't as though she lacked interest in what they were doing. It had taken her over thirty years to realize that, as important as family was to her, this was the kind of work she liked. Of course, she would rather be doing it beside Donte. She needed to talk to him, but they were never alone. She needed to tell him that it wasn't his fault she left. They needed to talk before it was too late.
"Are you all right?" he asked, looking concerned.
She looked down – away from his eyes. "I'm fine," she mumbled, but she wasn't fine. She would never be fine again until she was back in his life. That might never happen. Her eyes stung with unshed tears.
He lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him. "What is it, Rianne? Do you regret coming here? Are we working you too hard?"
"I want to be here," she answered, trying to sound enthusiastic. "I like this kind of work."
Gezant began to fuss. She probably heard Donte's voice. Donte released Rianne's chin, but stood for a moment looking down at her. She waited, hoping he would do something to let her know he cared.
Gezant wailed her indignation that no one was coming to her aid. Donte turned and walked into the room, scooping her from the basket.
"Gezant, what's your problem?"
Gezant ceased her temper fit and stared at his face. Donte lifted her to his shoulder and patted her gently on the back. His gaze returned to Rianne.
If she didn't say something – anything – the moment would be gone. She met his gaze. "It wasn't your fault."
"Why," he asked softly. "Why did you leave?"
She sighed. "Haven't you ever done something impulsive that you regretted later but couldn't figure out how to resolve?"
He exhaled in one agonizing word. "Nyumbani."
Dr. Oriana came into the room from the lab. "Oh, there you are, Donte. I wanted to talk to you. Do you have a minute?"
Donte glanced at Dr. Oriana and back to Rianne.
Rianne held her hands out for Gezant. "I'll take her."
Donte turned and followed Dr. Oriana to the lab. At the door he stopped and looked at Rianne.
She should have smiled or said something. Instead, she only felt frustration at the total absence of privacy. No, it wasn't only that. She was discouraged at always being a bottom priority. Was that why she left? Actually, there was no one reason. Maybe that was why she was having so much difficulty expressing why she left him. In any case, she had no right to expect high priority status after what she had done. Donte had a job to do and he hadn't been the one who invited her along. He was busy and she was distracting him from his work. Hadn't he already told her he wasn't coming back to her?
***
Donte felt concerned about Rianne. Marlin kept her busy all the time. Everyone needed a little time off now and then. He'd like to take Rianne aside and talk to her, but there was never an opportunity. Yesterday he thought she was going to tell him why she left. Instead, she asked him if he had ever done something impulsive. She said it wasn't his fault. Rianne hadn't left him on an impulse. There wasn't anything impulsive about Rianne. She left him because she was unhappy with their life together. What he wanted to know was why she had been unhappy.
Rianne was becoming an unhealthy distraction. Now, when he should be thinking about what was around them, he was thinking about Rianne. He pushed her from his mind and focused on the forest around them.
Without the aves…birds…Opus was a quiet planet. There was a variety of ground dwelling animals. Once again, he considered the idea that Fontalo had created the Opus primates, as Dr. Oriana referred to them. It was probably as accurate as the term Marlin was using. Did the primates have a language, and could he learn to converse with them? Could Marlin?
Donte suddenly sensed equines – to be more specific; frightened equines. He turned to Saar. "Get everyone into the trees. There is a herd of equines running this way."
They both called to the others and got them into the trees before they heard the thundering of the equines. What concerned Donte most was what had frightened the equines.
The equines raced by them, ears back and eyes wide with fear. They were stirring up so much dust that it was impossible to see very far, but Donte sensed an animal behind them. He was as certain about the identity of that animal as he was when he identified the equines. Donte waited until the last equine passed him before moving into a better position. He drew his laser weapon and glanced at Saar, who did the same.
When Donte returned his attention to the direction from which the equines had arrived, he found himself facing the cause of their fear. His pulse raced with anxiety. It wasn't merely a feline, but a huge one. It emerged from the dust, and it had spotted him.
Donte didn't want to harm the feline, but neither did he want to become its next meal. He had an idea. He set his laser on stun and stepped forward to meet the animal. It was wary at first. No doubt it had never seen such an animal dressed in clothing. It crouched, growling at him. Its tawny fur rippled with tensed muscles.
Donte continued to wait. The timing had to be precise. From the corner of his eye, he saw Saar lift his weapon. He wouldn't fire unless Donte's life was in imminent danger. It was nice to work with that assurance again.
The feline snarled and wiggled its posterior in preparation for a last run and leap. Finally, it must have decided that this new life form presented no threat. It lunged forward and Donte fired his weapon.
The feline screamed as the beam hit it. The feline writhed in the grass for a few minutes. Finally, it stood, giving Donte a bewildered look. Donte took a step toward it and lifted the weapon again. The feline turned and ran.
Saar lowered his weapon and slid the cover over it. As he tucked it into his pocket, he gave Donte a wry smile. "I was beginning to wonder if you'd forgotten how to use that thing. What were you waiting for; the smell of its breath?"
Donte grinned. "I thought about examining the contents of its stomach to determine if primates were on its diet."
Dr. Oriana joined them, her face pale. "You took a horrific risk. Why?"
Donte turned his attention to her. Saar probably knew what he was doing. "Are there animals on Oriel that everything leaves alone because of some adverse response?"
Dr. Oriana stared at him a moment before nodding. "Yes; nothing bothers skunks or porcupines." She thought about it for a moment. "You wanted it to fear all humans because it would associate them with the agony of the laser weapon."
Donte dropped his closed laser into his pocket. "That's what I hope to achieve, but it will take more than one time, I think." He glanced around. "I wonder how many of them there are."
Dr. Oriana shook her head. "I don't know, but we need to alert Marlin and the camp."
Donte nodded and tapped his medallion. Paden responded first. Donte told him what had happened, and described the feline.
"I don't know how many there are. This is the first time I have sensed one," Donte said. "Warn everyone to watch for them." He paused. "Are all of you listening to this?"
Myrick and Quade instantly answered, "Yes, Monomi."
Marlin was with Paden when he received the call from Donte about the lion. At least that was what Marlin thought the animal was. Had Donte ever seen a lion? She looked at Paden. "Why does he always use the species name?"
Paden looked confused. "Species name?"
"Yes, feline instead of cat; aves instead of bird; canine instead of dog."
Paden frowned. "What is a canine?"
Marlin sighed. "It's anything in the dog family." When he continued to look puzzled, she expanded. "Don't you have any dogs on Purlieu?"
He shook his head. "I guess not…but to answer your initial question, we have always used what you refer to as the species name. That's what we were taught."
The mascots were probably taught by the scientists and the mascots taught the colonists. Maybe they used the species name because the initial wildlife on Purlieu was somewhat different than that on Oriel.
"So, what do you call cattle?"
Paden frowned. "Cattle?"
Marlin rolled her eyes. "Mooo."
Paden laughed. "You mean Bovine's? That's something we have wondered about. Why do you have so many names for the same thing?"
"They aren't the same thing. Cattle is a group. A female is a cow and a male is a bull." She paused, realizing what he was trying to say. "Yes, they are all bovine, but the other words are more specific."
Paden nodded. "It is a difficult language to learn."
It was at that, and many people never learned all of the words. What would Opus be like two hundred years from now? Would they have their own languages, like Purlieu? She wouldn't be around to see that, but Paden might be – and Donte. Only the mascots would remember how it all started. Would people remember those who had founded Opus? Would she be in history books like Donte was? She liked that idea. Gezant would go down in history as the first child born on Opus.
She pushed the thought from her mind. If they didn't get to work, they'd all be remembered as the people who didn't have the station ready when the colonists arrived.
She warned everyone about the lion. Now they would have to watch for natives and lions. What other dangers would they face…other than crumbling ground and caverns? It was all a part of pioneering. There was always danger and the unknown. Maybe that was what made it so exciting.
The crew used her plans to mark the perimeter of the main building and measured to make sure it was square before they began digging the trenches for the foundation. They took turns with a tool that looked something like a mattock. It had a broad curved blade on one side and a point on the other side. They used the blade to break up the sod and the pointed end to pry rocks out of the way. Another person followed with a shovel that had sides. They quickly made a trench with smooth even sides.
As Rianne had pointed out, Oriel had supplied livestock and equipment for the colonization of Purlieu, and yet Purlieu had developed their own tools. Would Opus do that as they met the challenges of a new planet?
The Purlieu volunteers hadn't brought a horse or a wagon, but it soon became clear that they could function without them. What they brought was wheels. They had a set of four that strapped around the log, and some others that they attached to the underside of a flat bed they built from the first trees they felled. They even had harnesses for the men to pull the cart. They cleared brush and marked the trees they were going to use, leaving plenty of trees for shade.
While Rianne, Famke, Joep and Akida worked on the trenches, Paden and Lucas began gathering rocks. The cart was first loaded with large rocks that they brought back to the building site. There, Famke and Joep used chisels and hammers to shape them so they fit together with almost no space to spare. They worked fast and placed them in the trenches. The chipped pieces and rocks they didn't think were suitable for blocks were smashed into gravel by Paden. He was using a sledge hammer that was wedge shaped on one side. He used one side and then the other, flipping it with a toss from one hand to the other. The gravel was placed in the trench against the outside wall.
While Gezant slept with the shuttle door open so they could hear her, Marlin took her turn with the shovel or mattock. She was relieved when Rianne took her place and asked if she could prepare a snack. The people of Purlieu only ate two meals a day, but if they were working hard like this, they paused for a snack. Marlin made sure there was water available at all times. Marlin had decided that if the people of Purlieu could go without lunch, she could too.
By the time the sun lowered on the horizon, they had completed the foundation. The soil had been packed against outside of the foundation to form a berm. It looked professional and attractive. Marlin was pleased with the progress and finally felt certain that they would have the buildings ready when the colonists arrived.
They returned to the main camp with a feeling of accomplishment. Marlin was exhausted. She hadn't worked that hard in years. She'd probably be sore in the morning, but it was worth it. Donte was right. Rianne was a lot stronger and had more endurance. Tomorrow they would be short two people, but the following day they would make up for it with the addition of Donte and Saar. Tomorrow they would start felling the trees and cutting them into logs for the walls of the building. They would strip the bark from them and, when Joep and Famke joined them the next day, they would show them how to notch and place them.
Soft Science Fiction
