The Amelioration Expedition
Chapter 28
Dr. Oriana' hands had been full when her medallion beeped, but Quade had instantly tapped his. It was a good thing, because Donte began to speak without introduction. Dr. Oriana's pulse jumped and raced as he quickly told them to barricade themselves in the building and then went on to summons all his troops.
Gara had dropped what she was doing and hurried out of the room. Quade and Akira were right behind her, directing the others to stand bunks against the two windows. All the activity, and probably the smell of fear, prompted Gezant to start fussing. Before Marlin could reach her, Rianne lifted her from her cradle and spoke to her in a calm and reassuring voice. Everything had happened so quickly that the Mascots had everything secured before any of the others completely comprehended what was happening.
With the door shut and both windows covered, their only knowledge of what was happening outside had come from Donte's observations and commands on the medallions. It had gradually become clear that they were about to be attacked by primates. When Donte said there were two groups and one was chasing the other, Dr. Oriana had immediately thought of the battle he had sensed when they first came to Opus.
The only indication that Donte's troops were with him was the scurry of feet when he issued a command. They neither questioned his assessment of the situation nor his response. Of course, that was the way it should be. She shouldn't be surprised. The only people she had observed questioning his command were Captain Pacilio and Marlin. This was something beyond military obedience, though – beyond their respect and admiration for him. They thoroughly trusted Donte. When he said there were two groups approaching and described the mood of each, they knew he was right. This was why Donte was revered. This was why people jumped at the opportunity to serve with and for him. This was why Marlin had hired him, and why Arlo had approved.
When Donte asked for Chandler and Marlin, she had been puzzled at first. She could understand him asking for Chandler. He was an anthropologist. Anthropology was one of the subjects included in Marlin's education too, but it surprised her that Donte understood what that field of science entailed. Maybe he didn't. Donte was observant, and both Marlin and Chandler had seen the primates before. Both believed they were not apes. Donte's instinct on that had been accurate too. Dr. Oriana had chastised him for not retaliating, but now it was clear that if he had, he might have retaliated against the wrong group. She either trusted him or she didn't. She couldn't turn on him every time things didn't make sense to her.
Marlin followed Chandler out the door and paused when she saw the group of female primates. She recognized the older one as the one that they had seen in the cavern. The primate held her arms as if she were holding a baby. Marlin nodded, unsure if she was merely trying to indicate she recognized her or if she was asking where the baby was.
Chandler gently took Marlin's arm and led her toward Donte. Donte turned to them, but his troops kept their attention on the primates they were facing.
Donte looked from Marlin to Chandler. "I have no experience or knowledge with primitive people. Is this a mating ritual or is it actually aggression? These females are frightened of the males."
Marlin looked back at the group of females. They didn't appear to be frightened of Donte or his troops. Of course, right now they were protecting them. She looked at Chandler. "I wonder if they are being captured to use as slaves." She sighed. "Or if they are escaped slaves."
Chandler frowned. "On Oriel, we don't interfere with other cultures."
Donte frowned. "The use of slaves isn't a culture. It's an act of aggression."
Chandler nodded. "Obviously that's the case on Purlieu." He thought about it for a moment. "You said you have equines on Purlieu that you use for transportation. Is this something the equines want to do, or do you capture them and force them to do it?"
Donte's neck turned red. "These are not animals. They are people."
"Maybe. Have you ever watched a stallion? Mating isn't gentle and the females are forced to stay in the herd even if they would rather go with another stallion."
Donte looked uncomfortable. "I won't stand back and let them take these females against their will."
Marlin felt the same way, but Chandler had a point. If this was part of their culture, they shouldn't interfere.
Chandler sighed. "Donte, do you want these females for yourself?"
Donte looked startled. "Of course not."
"If this is part of their culture, that's probably what they are thinking."
Donte looked back at the males for a few minutes and then looked at the females. He finally shook his head. "I won't give the females to them." He looked at Marlin. "I wouldn't give you to someone who might hurt you."
He had a good point, but if they kept the females, the males would almost certainly become aggressive toward them. This was what Donte had been trying to avoid.
Donte turned and walked to the male leader, who was finally standing. He walked behind the man and slowly made his way down the line of male primates.
Marlin was certain he was sensing their mood, but she had no idea why. This wasn't something Donte could decide without the input of everyone. They weren't here to dictate the culture of the natives. They were here to colonize the planet. Maybe they needed to select a different area.
Donte left the male primates and returned to Marlin and Chandler. "If this is part of their culture, then we have no right to challenge it." He looked at the females. "When someone runs to you for help, you help them." He looked at Marlin. "We must do what we believe is right, regardless of their culture. Perhaps they are not human, but we are."
He was taking a stand and she couldn't say she disagreed with him. "It could start a war," she said.
He nodded. "I know. I don't want that, but wouldn't it eventually happen anyway?"
"You're not going to give the females to them."
"I won't, and it won't happen here and now. If Fontalo wants to do that, I won't try to stop them, but neither will I help."
He was making it clear enough. He had drawn a moral line that he wouldn't cross. She couldn't blame him. In fact, she admired him for it. Still, they couldn't keep the females and they couldn't work with the constant threat of attack from the males.
Donte sighed. "If we allow them to capture female primates, will they stop at Opus natives?"
Chandler lifted a brow. "He has a point. What was it Dr. Oriana said about teaching them to leave us alone? They were aggressive toward Donte and his men. If Donte had not been armed, the leader might have killed him. They ransacked our camp, for whatever reason. They clearly thought they had the upper hand. Maybe it's time to take a stand."
Donte's reaction might be valid. When the colonists arrived, there would be women and children. They might be easier for the male primates to capture. Chandler was right. The primates had made the first aggressive move when they ransacked their camp while they were gone. Dr. Oriana was right when she said that if they didn't show strength, the primates would become bolder and more dangerous. Donte had given them the benefit of the doubt, and he had been the one who stood up to them when they became a threat.
Marlin turned and looked at the male primates. The big question now was what to do with them. Her gaze fell on the leader and she recoiled inside at the look in his eye. She had seen that look before. He wasn't looking at her as a different species. She frowned and looked at the male primate's feet. The large toe on each foot was separated from the others by a gap. She turned and looked at the feet of the females. All of them had great toes that were not only separated, but further down on the foot.
Donte took her arm and stepped between her and the primate, his stance and expression clearly challenging. For a moment the leader met that challenge. Suddenly he turned, grabbed his spear and walked away. The other primates did the same.
Donte turned back to Marlin. "Don't go off alone."
A cold chill ran up her spine. It hadn't been her imagination. Donte had seen it too. He was right. The primates wouldn't stop at Opus Natives.
Marlin and Chandler turned toward the females, but Donte had stopped and turned back in the direction of the males. His troops had not been dismissed and they were still waiting. Donte pulled out his laser weapon and opened it. He adjusted it and closed the lid. He slid back the cover and waited a moment. Finally, he lifted it, and pointed at something. He fired and there was an explosion in the forest. They could hear the primates running away through the forest.
Saar gave Donte a wry smile. "That should give them something to think about."
Marlin frowned at Donte. "Why did you do that? They were leaving."
Donte dismissed his troops and looked down at her. "Were they?"
Marlin looked at Saar and he shrugged. "I'm sure he sensed that they had stopped."
Would she ever get to the point that she trusted him, or was that a bad idea? She had never seen him show off or be unnecessarily aggressive, but that didn't mean he wasn't capable of it. No doubt he did sense they had stopped. His ability to channel his psychic skill was nothing short of amazing. But then, he'd had sixty years to master it. Was it possible she could do the same thing?
Marlin dismissed the subject and turned to their next problem…what to do with the female primates.
The older female looked at Donte and pointed in the direction of one of the shuttles. She said something and when Donte didn't respond, she pointed at Donte, then herself and at one of the shuttles.
Donte began walking toward the shuttle and they all followed. Marlin followed them. Did they want to see inside the shuttle or ride in it?
As Donte approached the shuttle, the females stopped and the older one spoke to him. He turned and she pointed past the shuttle, toward the land to the north of them.
"I think she wants you to go with them," Marlin said.
Chandler joined them. "Maybe they want you to escort them home."
"I don't think that's a good idea," Dr. Oriana said as she joined them.
"I agree with you," Donte said to Dr. Oriana. "We can't communicate with them, so we have no idea what they want or what to expect." He looked at the primate. "I don't know, but I wonder if they were captured and, since I was instrumental in their rescue, they want me to escort them to safety. Of course, even if I did, their people might see me as a threat."
Marlin looked up at him. "So, what are you going to do?"
Donte looked up as his father joined the group. "Whether it was my intent or not, they have become my responsibility."
Marlin was surprised when Quade nodded agreement. She looked from Quade to Donte. "Why is that?"
Donte's brows shot up. "Do you want the responsibility?"
She frowned. "No, but why can't they simply go home. They seem to know where that is – and it's in the opposite direction from where the males left."
Donte nodded. "And exactly where the males would expect them to go."
It didn't require much intelligence to realize that the males could circle around and recapture them. So why hadn't she thought of it?
Marlin shook her head. "They can't stay with us."
"No," Donte said. "I think in the morning, if I can get them into the shuttle, I'll try to take them home."
"But you just said you don't know where their home is," Dr. Oriana said.
"No, but apparently they do." Donte lifted a brow at her. "What do you think? Would you like to visit a primate village?"
She blinked in surprise. "Tomorrow morning?"
"I know I would," Chandler said.
"Do you think you could get them to go into the shuttle?" Marlin asked Donte.
In answer, Donte motioned for the older primate to follow him. She hesitated only a moment before doing so, and the others followed her. Donte led them to the shuttle and opened the door. He motioned to her again and climbed inside.
The females crowded around the door and peered inside. They didn't go inside, though. Donte exited the shuttle and shut the door. He turned to the oldest female and pointed to the sun. He pointed the course it would take to sunset and then used the other hand to point to where it would rise. He pointed at each of them and himself, and then in the direction they wanted to go."
The primates began talking to each other. Finally, the older one grabbed Donte's arm and tugged on it, pointing in the direction they wanted to go - now.
Apparently, they either didn't understand or wanted no part of riding in the shuttle – or maybe they were afraid the males would return if they didn't leave soon. That was an idea that troubled Marlin as well. Exactly how far would Donte go to protect the females?
Donte gently withdrew his arm from her hand and shook his head. He was giving them a choice. Wait and go with him or go alone.
Marlin looked at Donte. "What will you do if the males return?"
He sighed. "Marlin, we have already shown them that we have superior strength and are determined to protect the females. If that isn't enough to stop them, then don't you think deadly force might be the only recourse?"
She caught her breath. "Do you mean kill them?"
"If necessary, yes."
While she agreed that deadly force might be necessary in the event of an unprovoked attacked by the primates, keeping the females in their camp might be provoking the males.
"I don't know, Donte. This is getting out of control."
She expected Donte to argue with her, but he didn't. He merely nodded and turned to his troops.
"Saar and Gara, come with me. The rest of you stay here. We may be drawing the males away from the camp. If not, watch for them. I don't think they will come back tonight." He looked at Paden. "You're responsible for the women."
Marlin frowned. "You're not going to take them wherever they want to go, are you? You just said…"
"You're right," Donte interrupted. "I'm forcing a situation on you that you don't want. I'll contact you on the medallion if I run into trouble and you can bring a shuttle. I'll sense them if they come near us."
"Chandler looked at Dr. Oriana. "I'd like to go with them."
Dr. Oriana looked at Chandler and shrugged. "If Donte is willing, it's all right with me, but you realize it could be extremely dangerous."
Marlin didn't want to go with Donte, but she didn't like the idea of him assigning someone to the women and then taking a woman with him. What kind of logic was that? Sure, Gara was one of his troops, and a mascot as well, but the primates wouldn't make that distinction. To them, she was a woman. Maybe that was what he wanted – to draw the males away from the camp.
Chandler ran to get his camera while Donte's troops packed some food. They didn't know where they were going or how long they would be gone. Marlin wouldn't feel comfortable until they returned.
***
Rianne and Paden joined the group surrounding the primates. Rianne shifted Gezant in her arms and listened as the group discussed what they were going to do with the females. It seemed to her that Marlin and Dr. Oriana were putting Donte in an impossible position. Donte would feel honor-bound to protect the females. At the same time, he didn't want to put the expedition in any more danger. It was no surprise to her that Donte decided to go against his better judgment and lead the females where they wanted to go.
When Chandler left to get his camera, Donte turned to Rianne. "I'm sorry. I don't see any way around this."
She gave him a brave smile. "I know. You'll be back safely in no time at all."
He took Gezant from her arms and handed her to Marlin. Taking Rianne's arm, he walked away from the others with her. When he stopped, she looked up at him. Donte had never been one to display affection in public, but it appeared that was going to change. She liked the idea – not an intentional display, merely not as inhibited. There had been little opportunity for privacy since they arrived on Opus.
He took her in his arms and kissed her. "That isn't a goodbye kiss," he said.
She smiled up at him. "I love you."
"I love you too." He stepped away from her. "What do you think of this situation?"
He was trying to include her. She liked the fact that he was making an effort, but it was unnecessary. She met his gaze. "I think it could easily spiral out of control. I think you should follow your instincts. That has always worked well for you."
He took her hands in his. "Stay close to the building. That male leader looked at Marlin in a way that made her feel uncomfortable. He challenged me even knowing we were a superior force. I have a bad feeling about them – like they are rogue."
Saar and Gara were ready when Chandler returned with his camera. Donte took Rianne by the hand and walked back to the group. He looked at Rianne. "I don't know how long I'll be gone."
She nodded and he released her hand. Donte motioned to the females and they eagerly led the way.
Marlin turned to Dr. Oriana and the others. "I feel like I pushed him into doing something he knew was dangerous."
Dr. Oriana gazed absently at the area where they had disappeared into the trees. "You didn't put him in that position. He did."
Quade nodded. "I agree. Donte did what he felt was right, but it was ultimately his decision and he had no right to draw you into it. He knows that."
Soft Science Fiction
