The Amelioration Expedition
Chapter 31
Gerritt's fear that he would never see Donte again was echoed by the cabinet. Where Gerritt had accepted the inevitable, the cabinet set about doing something to make sure Donte returned. Everyone agreed that they couldn't afford to lose Donte. Dalziel had been working with all the spaceship commanders and all the colony leaders since the return of the Lyra and they thought they had a plan that would benefit everyone. Dalziel said that what made Donte such a good ruler was the fact that he was a superb commander. Donte didn't want to spend his life on a spaceship. He liked what he was doing on Opus. That gave Dalziel an idea that appealed to everyone.
They had all agreed that the Lyra should belong to Donte. He had declined, not only because he didn't want to live on a spaceship, but because there were so many people involved in the freedom of Purlieu that he felt he didn't deserve it. The recent situation in Opus made it clear that a dedicated rescue ship could be useful for training as well. Who was better qualified to train people than Donte?
Their plan, if Donte would accept, was to make Donte Supreme Commander over the Lyra, allowing the current spaceship commander to remain, but making him answer to Donte. That way, Donte wouldn't have to be on the Lyra all the time – only when there was a mission. That would include practice on uninhabited planets; assisting colonies on Purlieu and Opus; and possibly even assisting in the exploration of new planets.
Gerritt thought the plan was ingenious. Everyone needed to feel wanted, but Donte knew the difference between a manufactured position and one for which he was a good fit. He would instantly recognize this as a good fit. Donte didn't need false praise. He knew his value, and how his talents were best used. Being Ruler of Bergen didn't permit him to use those talents to their fullest. This position would. Even Donte had to know that no one was better qualified than he was for the new position.
The cabinet focused on getting Donte into a position other than the Ruler of Bergen. That part encouraged Gerritt. Bergen was ready to rule itself. That was what Donte wanted, and that was what Gerritt wanted. When the cabinet asked him who he was going to name as a second, he felt relieved. He was moving out of Donte's shadow and he liked being in the light.
***
Donte and Rianne were helping Dr. Oriana and Marlin carry boxes of supplies into the new lab when Donte's medallion beeped. He tapped it and Captain McKillum said he was transferring a call from the Ruler of Bergen.
Donte looked at Rianne, who looked anxious. Something must be happening in Bergen. When Gerritt answered, everyone in the room listened with a certain degree of apprehension.
"Donte, this is Gerritt," he began. Formally, Gerritt always addressed him as Monomi, not Donte. Maybe it was a personal call.
"How are things going?" Donte asked.
"Very well, actually. We've all been working on something and I've been elected to be the one to ask you what you think about it."
Donte frowned. "It must be pretty bad if no one wants to talk to me about it."
"No…I don't think you'll disapprove…I hope you don't. All the colonies have approved the idea." He paused a moment before launching into an explanation of what they had decided to do.
Donte was speechless for a minute. Rianne gasped and covered her mouth with both hands, her eyes wide. Dr. Oriana and Marlin looked at each other in shocked silence.
Donte finally found his voice. "I don't know what to say."
"Does that mean you're not interested?"
"No…I'm interested. Of course I'm interested…and honored, but…"
There was a touch of humor in Gerritt's tone. "Please don't tell me you don't deserve this, because all of us agree you do and you wouldn't want to argue with all of us." His tone became serious. "Surely even you know that you are the best qualified."
There hadn't been enough time to give it much thought. It was such a massive plan that he was having trouble trying to imagine the responsibilities – and possibilities.
"Look," Gerritt said. "We've had a month to discuss this among all of us and I've given you only a moment to think about it. You're interested. I'll go with that for right now. Think about it and contact me with any questions – unless you have some right now."
Donte looked at the others. "When do you want this to take effect, and what about my commitment to Opus?"
"It could take effect immediately, and what you're doing on Opus is exactly the kind of thing we're talking about. The only difference is that you will be working for Purlieu instead of Oriel, or Fontalo. Talk to them about it. The way I see it, they could only gain from the change. We'll stock the Lyra and send it your way as soon as you agree. I have more qualified people who have volunteered than the Lyra could hold. Tell me what you need."
Donte took a deep breath. "Let me discuss it with the people here and I'll get back with you."
"I'll be waiting for your call."
When Donte terminated the communication, he still wasn't sure what to say. "This is an unexpected turn of events." His gaze fell on Rianne. Her eyes were still wide, but she had lowered her hands. How did she feel about the change?
"What do you think, Rianne?" he asked.
"I think Gerritt is right. No one is more qualified for the position than you."
"Possibly, but what about you? Could you live that way?"
She smiled. "Are you kidding? I'd love it."
Donte turned to Dr. Oriana and Marlin. "What do you think? Would this change disrupt your plans? Would it help or should I wait?"
***
Marlin was still trying to comprehend what Gerritt had told Donte when he asked if it would disrupt their plans. She wasn't sure if she had lost all her help or gained more. Working with Donte required constant adjustments. And yet, if it were not for Donte and his troops, she would be nowhere near her goal. She didn't want to become dependent on them, but she had.
She suddenly became aware that everyone was watching her. What had just happened? She had taken Donte from Dr. Oriana and now Purlieu was ready to take him back. She wanted to hop up and down and scream no, but the truth was; this was out of her hands. She hadn't wanted him in the beginning and he had never actually been her employee. The dispute over the female primates had been proof of that. Donte understood that the colonists on Purlieu needed to rule themselves. It was no different with the colonists on Opus. The Mascots of Purlieu had done what they were created to do. Purlieu was a success and now they were ready to move on to Opus and other planets. How many centuries would it take for the colonists of Opus to break free? She lifted her chin and looked at Donte.
"I owe my life to you, and if it were not for your troops, we wouldn't have all this completed. Still, I don't want the colonists to depend on you and your troops. I want them to feel the pride of their own achievements."
Donte smiled. "We can help you until the colonists arrive and then leave." He looked at Dr. Oriana.
She sighed. "Marlin is right. I told you in the beginning that it wasn't necessary for you to stay as long as the expedition planned to stay. As far as I'm concerned, you have fulfilled your promise. You have no reason to feel that you owe us any more time."
Quade walked in with a box of supplies and looked at each of them before addressing Donte. "What's going on?"
Donte explained the situation to him and looked at Marlin. "If I accept this position, it would only increase my ability to assist you. As the leaders on Purlieu have pointed out; this is good training for the troops."
"You're going to need a doctor," Quade said to Donte. He smiled. "Assuming you are going to accept…and I am assuming that."
Donte looked at Rianne. "Are you sure?"
She nodded enthusiastically. "What an opportunity…for everyone involved."
"I don't know how we're going to pay you now," Marlin said. As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized that Donte was being flooded with separate perspectives. What he needed right now was time to think about all of it.
Donte's attention riveted on Marlin. "Pay me? Marlin, do you realize how much I got out of this expedition?"
She blushed. "Other than three weeks of starvation and torment?"
He laughed. "I needed this more than I knew." He looked at Rianne. "I have my mate back, which was more valuable than anything. And now I have been offered the opportunity of a lifetime. I don't think either would have happened if I hadn't joined this expedition." He looked at Marlin. "Pay me? I don't think you could give me anything of more value than I have already received." He looked at his father. "I hope that you are offering to be the Lyra doctor."
Quade nodded. "Akira and I were talking about this possibility a few days ago. We didn't know they were actually working on it. Congratulations."
Marlin jerked her mind from the self-serving mode of wondering how it would affect her. "Yes, congratulations." She offered Donte a hand and he shook it. "I'm sure you need time to think about this. We'll get things set up in here and talk to you about it later."
After Donte left the room, Dr. Oriana began removing things from one of the boxes. "The cargo ship should be here in another four or five weeks. Why don't we plan a welcoming festival and invite all of Donte's crew? They have been as much a part of all this as we have been."
Yes, Donte's crew had been as much a part of the expedition as all the rest of them. They deserved the credit, but would the knowledge encourage the colonists or would they feel overwhelmed? Only time would tell. It wasn't as if they could or should keep it a secret. A welcoming celebration would be an enjoyable way to help the colonists feel at home. She looked at Dr. Oriana.
"A celebration would be nice." She hesitated. Donte might not agree to it, but she could always ask him. "Donte can sing. He harmonized with me in the cavern when I sang lullabies to Gezant."
Dr. Oriana smiled. "If you're thinking about having him as entertainment, I think that would be a great way to introduce him to the colonists. I've heard that he and Rianne entertained Bergen by dancing."
"I was thinking that maybe if he sang with one of the colonists…." Marlin thought about it a moment. "Actually, having Donte and Rianne sing and dance might make the colonists more comfortable about the presence of the Mascots – make them feel like they are.…"
Dr. Oriana sighed. "Human?"
"Actually, I was thinking that it might make them feel less intimidated. I'm still amazed at the things they can achieve and we've had all this time to adjust." She sighed. "I wonder if the primates think we are all as capable as he is."
***
Chandler listened with interest as Dr. Oriana told them about the call Donte received from Purlieu. One question kept racing through his mind. Would Donte accept someone from Oriel on his ship?
Dr. Oriana's meeting was partly about the offer to Donte, but mostly about a celebration for the colonists. He could imagine that after all the years Dr. Oriana spent on a spaceship; she would be looking forward to a large celebration. Of course, the colonists had spent the last five months cramped in a spaceship. They would probably enjoy the celebration, but they would likely be ready to stake their claims and start building their homes.
Chandler didn't care one way or another about a celebration. He waited until Dr. Oriana stopped talking before he addressed the question uppermost on his mind.
"How long will we be here after the colonists arrive?"
Dr. Oriana looked at him. "Are you feeling a bit homesick?"
Traci laughed. "I wouldn't have believed it, but I'm ready to go back. I'd like to have a big juicy steak and some fries."
David laughed and said the steak didn't sound good, but the fries did. Lori remained reflective and silent. Marlin looked down at Gezant.
"I've decided to stay here with my daughter."
Dr. Oriana looked surprised. "Have you talked to your father about that?"
She shook her head. "I'm trying to figure out how to tell him."
Chandler wasn't surprised. They had all changed to a degree, but Marlin had changed the most. It wasn't simply growing older or having a child. Marlin had remained immature because she had never found what she wanted. Marlin was happy on Opus, despite all the hardships. He understood that because arriving on Opus had opened a part of him that he didn't know existed. The trip to take the female primates back home had been a turning point for him. He thought he wanted to stay on Opus too, until he considered the possibility of a career on the Lyra. What he wanted most at the moment was for Dr. Oriana to wrap up the meeting so he could go talk to Donte.
***
Lori thought she might be the only one who wasn't surprised at Marlin's decision to stay on Opus. On the Spero, she had thought of Marlin as an unhappy woman. Of course, she didn't know the reason for Marlin's misery at the time, but Marlin had appeared content since they pulled her from the cavern.
Lori understood Marlin's fascination with Opus. She felt the same way. She wanted to stay as well, but unlike Marlin, she would have to get permission from Arlo or the representative that Fontalo was sending on the cargo ship.
That was an interesting thought. How would Marlin react to the representative? Would her position be replaced by the representative, or would they have different positions? If they had different positions, would Marlin work with the representative, or fight them the way she had fought Donte?
Gezant interrupted the meeting with a wet raspberry as she blew through her lips and then squealed with delight at her achievement. Everyone laughed. That was how the meeting found closure.
Chandler excused himself and left the building. David wandered into the other room, but all the women stayed in the lab, enthusing over Gezant. The new building had a homey secure feeling about it.
***
Rianne couldn't believe how calm Donte was about the proposition Gerritt had presented to him. He had called it the opportunity of a lifetime. It occurred to her that he was afraid she wouldn't like that kind of life. It would take a while to regain his trust and she had to be patient. After all, she was the one who had betrayed his trust.
They were removing supplies from the shuttle for the kitchen when Chandler came out of the station. He looked around and, spotting Donte, headed toward him. Rianne was certain she knew what he wanted.
Chandler began helping them with the boxes. He appeared to be having trouble deciding how he wanted to approach a subject with Donte. As they walked toward the building, carrying a large box, he finally spoke to Donte.
"Have you decided if you want to accept the job from Purlieu?"
Donte nodded. "I told Gerritt a while ago. The Lyra will be heading this way in a few days. Is there something you would like them to bring?"
Chandler looked uncertain for a moment. "No…actually, I was hoping…I wondered if you would consider…having someone from Oriel on your…as part of your crew."
Donte stopped and Chandler turned, watching him anxiously. Donte looked confused. "Are you asking me if I would consider taking you on the Lyra?"
Chandler's neck turned red. "Well…yes, as part of your crew."
Donte grinned. "I'd be honored if you joined us…" he paused and sobered. "Except we don't have wages."
Chandler shrugged. "Where would I spend it?"
"What would Dr. Oriana say?" Donte asked.
"Yeah, well…it would have to be after she dismissed all of us."
"And Fontalo? Would they be upset that I took you from them?"
Chandler grinned. "I'd like to think they would be."
They continued toward the building as Donte responded. "I hope everything works out for you. We will probably be staying close for a while. In any case, I think you would be worth the trip if we have to come back."
Chandler nodded. "I'll talk to Dr. Oriana about it." He placed his box on the counter and left the room.
Rianne looked up at Donte. "I think you will have more people wanting to go with you than you have room for on the Lyra."
He smiled. "Well, I'll probably have openings as people tire of it."
"Is Saar going to stay with you?"
He nodded. "And Paden…all the people who are here right now. Gerritt said they wanted to make Mascots a preference right now, but qualified colonists will be considered. Dalziel will be doing the screening, so most of them will probably be Premier Infantry.
Rianne winked at him. "This should get him a lot of new recruits."
When he didn't respond, she looked up at him. "Are you concerned that it might be too much for you?"
"No. I think I'm qualified and I feel comfortable about all of it except…" He took her in his arms. "I'm concerned that you might get tired of being on the go all the time."
She leaned her cheek against his warm chest. "As long as I'm with you, I'll be happy." She lifted her head and looked into his eyes. "I don't usually make the same mistake twice. The months I was away from you were the most miserable I've ever spent in my life. I thought I wanted to die."
"Rianne…" he whispered. "I missed you so. I needed you more than you knew. If I had known how you felt…"
Her eyes burned with unshed tears. "Let's not talk about that. It's behind us now."
His arms surrounded her in a gentle embrace and his lips found hers. When they finally parted, he sighed. "Why don't I start a fire in that stove and we can cook the evening meal together?"
She smiled. "I like the sound of that…together."
Soft Science Fiction
