The Amelioration Expedition
Chapter 32
As she learned more of Gerk's language, Marlin began asking him questions about the different primate groups and the female primate who had visited the cavern. The simplicity of their language and not knowing their culture made it difficult to structure the questions and interpret the answers with any assurance of complete accuracy. Often, when she talked to Gerk, Donte, Chandler and Rianne were present. Each of them contributed a perspective that helped form a general picture of what was happening with the primates.
As near as they could tell, the battle Donte had sensed was the day the females were taken captive. They were captured while collecting water during a hunting trip. Apparently, this was the first time captives had been returned and that was what inspired Gerk to follow Donte. The Yora, a tribe that lived far away, came occasionally to capture females from the Quaet – Gerk's clan.
Marlin asked Gerk if there were other clans. He said there were many, including some who lived in the mountains. She asked him if they were like the group who captured the females. He didn't understand the question, so she asked him if they had feet like his. He looked at his feet as if wondering what was wrong with his feet. She pointed at his great toe and he nodded. He said the mountain people had toes like the Yora, but they didn't take captives.
Their conversation led to the female they had seen in the cave. Marlin wanted to know why she didn't help them. After an extended conversation, she still wasn't certain that she completely understood what he was telling her. The older female's name was Meka, and apparently her age made her the leader of the women. The Yora forced her to go into the cavern and collect water because they thought it was occupied by evil spirits. Gerk went on to explain that Meka had seen Donte and the group at the mesa, so she didn't think he was an evil spirit. She didn't want to tell her captors about him because she was afraid they would kill him. She wanted to help him, and she was the one who threw the animal into the cavern. She was beaten for stealing food, but Gerk proudly claimed that Meka didn't tell them about Donte. When Marlin asked why Meka didn't leave the ladder down for them, he simply said that she was being watched.
Donte asked if the Yora were the ones hanging around when they were rescued. Gerk told them Meka said the Yora had been watching the base camp and the flying people were a common topic at their campfires. They wanted to drive the flying people from what they considered to be their territory. They observed all the shuttles during the rescue and decided they had to do something. They burned the basket and contents so that their God would not punish them for consorting with the flying people. Then they attacked the base camp, but found it empty. They destroyed everything so the evil spirits would leave. While they were destroying the base camp, the females escaped. Meka led them to Donte, hoping he would help them as she had helped him by bringing him the food.
Donte smiled at Marlin. "She felt such compassion for us that she risked her life, and yet we thought she didn't care."
Actually, she had been the one who thought Meka didn't feel compassion for them. Donte must have felt differently about it, because he continued to appeal to her. No wonder Meka only gave them food once. Did the Yora still think Donte was an evil spirit?
Marlin asked Gerk if the Quaet believed in God. He said they had a different God than the Yora. She would liked to have learned more about the God each of them worshiped, but Donte took the conversation in another direction and they never got back to her question.
Later, when she said something to Donte about it, he shrugged.
"What difference does it make?"
"I don't know if it makes any difference. I just think it would be interesting to know. Maybe it would help us understand their conflict."
Donte shook his head. "I doubt anyone would fight over what God someone else worshiped."
Marlin stared at him. He had taken naïve to an entire new level. "Of course they would. It happens on Oriel." She sighed. "You were willing to fight the Yora to protect the female primates."
"Yes, but that had nothing to do with what God they worshiped."
"Maybe it did. Maybe taking captives is part of their religion."
"It's not the same." He changed the subject and she wasn't willing to get back into it with him. People did fight in the name of religion – at least they did on Oriel. Ultimately, Oriel would decide what to do about the situation. She didn't have to resolve every issue before the colonists arrived. At least now they had some idea what they might be facing. In any mass of people, there would always be some who were militant. Maybe that was what Donte was trying to say. Maybe they used God as an excuse for their aggression.
***
When the Lyra arrived, Donte took one of its shuttles to welcome his new crew. Gerk wanted to go with him and Donte consented. Gerk wouldn't have any idea what he was walking into and he might find the flight unpleasant, but nothing would do him actual harm. Gerk had been bathing frequently and Donte gave him a clean shirt to wear.
Donte left Saar in charge of the troops on Opus and took Quade, Akira, Rianne and Marlin with him. It was the first time he had piloted the shuttle since before Gerk joined them and Gerk appeared confused when Donte sat in the pilot's seat. Gerk buckled into a seat and gave Donte a nervous grin. Donte admired Gerk. He was a fine example of a brave person. Everything was new to him and he was understandably frightened, but it never stopped him.
When the shuttle broke free of the Opus' gravitational pull, Gerk's eyes grew wide. Weightlessness was once described to Donte as a feeling of falling. He hadn't ever thought of it that way, but it made sense. Marlin put a hand on Gerk's arm and reassured him that they were all feeling the same way and it would be better when they reached the spaceship. No doubt, he understood little of what she was telling him, but he was probably comforted by her calm voice and touch.
As they approached the Lyra, Gerk began chattering so fast that they couldn't understand what he was saying. Space was daunting enough, but the size of the space ship still impressed Donte after all the years of service.
Once Donte guided the shuttle up inside the Lyra and docked, Gerk finally calmed. He was hesitant about getting out of the shuttle, but followed Donte.
Commander Elimu met them and shook hands with everyone, including Gerk. Marlin took the responsibility of translating to Gerk. He was accustomed to seeing the light green uniforms, but when one of the troops bowed to Donte, he obviously didn't know what to think. Marlin looked like she wanted to say something, but thought better of it. Rianne lifted her brows, but said nothing.
Donte turned to the trooper. "I appreciate your expression of respect, but please ask the troops not to bow to me. It makes some people feel uncomfortable."
The trooper glanced at Marlin and returned his attention to Donte. "Yes Monomi. We have a reception waiting for you in the dining area."
Donte smiled and took Rianne by the arm. "Let's not keep them waiting."
The Lyra had a large dining area and it was packed with troops. When Donte entered the room, they stood and waited for everyone with him to take a seat before they sat at their tables. Elimu formally introduced Donte and everyone with him before turning to a trooper who was holding what looked like an item of clothing.
Elimu lifted the bundle from the trooper's hands with a formal gesture and turned to Donte. "This is the uniform that Purlieu has designed especially for you."
Donte stood and Elimu placed it in his hands. Elimu looked at Marlin. "On Purlieu, the uniforms of each colony are different colors. The darker the color, the higher the rank. We decided that Donte's uniform should be black."
Donte placed the uniform on the table and carefully unfolded the jacket, holding it up so everyone could see it. The jacket was waist length and decorated with golden colored braid. It was an attractive uniform, and he certainly appreciated the thought, but when would he have occasion to wear it?
He glanced around the room. They expected him to say something.
"I'm deeply honored by the position and thankful for all the people who chose to serve on the Lyra. Some of the troops on Opus have been there a while and would probably enjoy switching places with you. I will try to keep rotating troops so everyone has benefit of the training. Of course, Elimu will be coordinating the changes with me." He looked at Marlin. "We will probably be working with Opus for several months." His attention returned to the troops. "We're expecting a cargo ship from Oriel sometime in the next week or so. It will be carrying about three hundred colonists. No doubt we will need more troops to assist with the unloading at the colonial dock."
He turned to his guests. "I think most of you know my father, Quade; his mate, Akira and my mate, Rianne. This is Marlin, from Oriel. She is organizing the colonizing of Opus." He placed a hand on Gerk's shoulder. "This is Gerk, an Opus native and my faithful comrade."
After the reception, Donte took a shuttle to the Spero and picked up the last of his things and transferred them to the Lyra. Gerk was fascinated with the musical instrument, so Donte decided to take the instrument to Opus when he returned and try to teach Gerk to play it.
***
Marlin was surprised when Donte returned from the Spero with an ornate bouzouki. She was as fascinated with it as Gerk, but not for the same reason. She looked at Donte.
"Did this come from Oriel or was it made on Purlieu?"
"I think it came from Oriel. It's been handed down through the family over the years. A friend gave it to Pieter and he gave it to me."
"Can you play it?"
In answer, Donte played a short tune. He lifted a brow at Marlin. "Let's sing that lullaby together."
At first Marlin was embarrassed, but everyone urged them to sing together. Donte began playing the tune and started to sing. She shrugged and began singing with him. Gerk grinned and nodded all the way through it, and when they finished, everyone applauded. It wasn't professional quality, but it was fun.
"Why don't you bring it to Opus and play it for all of us?" She looked at Rianne. I wonder if the colonists will bring musical instruments with them."
Rianne smiled. "I'm sure someone will have one. There will be few other forms of entertainment for a while. Surely they realize that."
Marlin lifted her brows. "I didn't."
"Do you play a musical instrument?" Rianne asked.
Marlin laughed. "No. Maybe that's why I didn't think of it. I did bring some books."
Donte glanced at Rianne. "Maybe we could exchange books. I've read all mine."
When they got back to Opus, Marlin told Dr. Oriana about Donte's musical instrument. "I thought about having Donte sing, but I never thought about musical instruments. Isn't that strange?"
Dr. Oriana sighed. "Everything is so different here that we don't know what to think. I'm going to be glad to get back to the Taurus and something approaching a normal life."
"Not me. I'm so excited about the arrival of the colonists that I can hardly wait."
"Well, you're still young. I'm getting old."
Chandler was only seven years younger than Dr. Oriana and he was looking forward to the kind of work Donte did. Would he tire of it? If he did, he could always go back to Oriel. There was only one thing on Oriel that she knew she would miss – and that was Reyse.
***
Reyse watched the screen on the forward deck as the cargo ship approached Opus. It looked little different than Oriel. It was night in the area where they would land the first shuttles. They would wait until morning.
There were two spaceships waiting for them. One was the Spero, owned by Fontalo, and the other was the Lyra, owned by Purlieu. The Spero would take the expedition team back to Oriel once they had the colonists settled. When the cargo ship was unloaded, it would return to Oriel, leaving the Lyra to assist as long as they needed help. He was surprised to learn that Chandler had joined the crew of the Lyra. Of course, Fontalo would have lost him when the team returned to Oriel anyway. He was only a temporary Fontalo employee. The same was true of Lori, who had decided to stay on Opus. He was pleased to hear that Marlin had decided to stay on Opus with her daughter. Arlo wasn't as pleased, but he had suspected it would happen.
Reyse was anxious about meeting Marlin. No one had told her that he was the representative. She wouldn't know until he stepped off the shuttle to meet them. How would she react? Would she change her mind about staying on Opus?
Reyse didn't get much sleep that night and he was ready to go early in the morning. To avoid congestion, they had decided to send a few shuttles at a time. He was in the first shuttle.
As they approached the landing site, he was amazed to see a large two-story log structure and outbuildings. There were corrals and a rock wall around a large area. Men in light green uniforms expertly directed the landing and stood back as the expedition team came out to meet them. The first person he saw was Marlin and she was carrying a baby. When the shuttle door opened, he took a deep breath and let it out slowly before stepping out of the shuttle.
***
Marlin got up early in the morning, eager to meet the first shuttles. She dressed Gezant and fed her before the shuttles arrived. When Dr. Oriana announced that the shuttles were arriving, Marlin joined the group to welcome them. Arlo had assured her that the representative wasn't going to replace her, but they were supposed to work together. He hadn't told her the name of the representative – only that it was a man. It would have been nice to greet him using his name, but she would give him the opportunity to introduce himself as well as the other colonists.
The Premier Infantry directed the shuttle to the designated landing area and stepped back, leaving the expedition team to do the rest. Marlin stood beside Dr. Oriana as they waited for the shuttle door to open. A few moments lapsed before the first person stepped out.
Marlin gasped. "Reyse!"
Reyse looked uncertain. "Marlin," he finally said. "I'm the representative for Fontalo." He held out a hand.
Marlin shifted Gezant to her left arm and shook his hand, still too surprised to say anything.
He released her hand and looked at Gezant. "This must be your daughter."
Marlin finally found her voice. "Yes. Her name is Gezant."
Reyse smiled. "That's an unusual name. She's beautiful – like her mother."
If she had known Reyse was the representative, she wasn't sure she would have been any more composed. She had resigned herself to the fact that she would never see him again. Now all she could think about was why he was here.
She opened her mouth to welcome him in his official capacity, but what came out was "I'm sorry."
His gaze came back to her face. "So am I." He reached for Gezant. "Could I hold her?"
Marlin shifted Gezant so that Reyse could lift her from her arms. Gezant hesitated only a moment before leaning toward him. Reyse grinned as he lifted her into his arms. He kissed her on the forehead and turned to the people who had arrived on the shuttle with him. He introduced all ten of them, but Marlin wasn't sure she would remember any name but Reyse.
Marlin introduced Dr. Oriana, Lori, Tracy, Chandler and what's his name. David introduced himself with a twinkle in his eyes.
"I'm forgettable David."
Marlin's face flamed, but everyone else appeared to be amused.
"I apologize," Reyse said to Marlin. "Someone should have told you." He looked at the others. "Marlin and I have known each other for years and she hasn't been told I was going to be the representative for Fontalo. She is understandably unprepared."
Unprepared was a nice word for totally flustered. Yes, someone should have told her – her father or Reyse, for starters. Of more concern to her was why they didn't tell her. They had five months. Surely in that amount of time they could have figured out how to tell her. What did they think she would do; throw a tantrum? Frankly, she couldn't think of anyone who would be a better fit for the position – or anyone she would like to see more than Reyse.
Slowly the fog cleared and she regained composure. Reyse explained that the people in the first shuttle with him were clergy, lawyers, doctors and officials who had been elected by the colonists on the trip to Opus.
The first shuttle lifted off the landing dock as another shuttle arrived. Dr. Oriana told Marlin she would welcome that group, so Marlin took the first group to see the station.
Marlin looked at Reyse. "I don't know how we would have gotten all this ready if it hadn't been for Purlieu. They built the headquarters and all of the outbuilding – as well as the wall to protect tents from the…wildlife. The Lyra brought solar panels so we have electricity, and they built the water tower. Basically, everything you see here, they built."
"Is Donte still here, or is he on the Lyra?" Reyse asked.
"Yes, he and Rianne are around here somewhere. He's organizing the landing and preparing for the unloading of livestock." She indicated her medallion. "I can contact him if you need to talk to him."
Reyse glanced around at the others. "I think we'd all like to meet him."
Everyone agreed, so Marlin tapped her medallion. "Donte, are you and Rianne at a point where you can come to the station?"
"Yes," he answered immediately. "We'll be there in a few minutes."
They were at the base of the stairs when Donte and Rianne came through the front door. Everyone turned to greet them. Marlin made the introductions.
"This is Donte and Rianne, from Purlieu." She introduced the couple to all the officials.
They all shook hands. Reyse was still holding Gezant and when she saw Donte. She squealed in delight, leaning forward and reaching for him.
Donte laughed as he lifted her from Reyse's arms. All the while he held her; she explored his face with her fingers. Marlin finally reclaimed her.
"Gezant likes Donte more than anyone, I think – even me."
Reyse's expression was reflective, his gaze going from Donte to Gezant. Whatever was on his mind, stayed there.
Donte looked uncomfortable and Rianne slipped an arm through his. She laced her fingers through his and smiled up at him. "I think Saar and Paden are expecting us to help them prepare food for the colonists."
Donte smiled down at her and turned to Marlin. "If you don't need us…"
Marlin smiled at Rianne. "We'll talk to you later. We wouldn't want to delay the preparation of food."
Donte and Rianne said goodbye and left the room, still holding hands.
Marlin turned to take them all upstairs. It was going to be a long day because she desperately wanted to talk to Reyse alone.
***
Donte's troops worked throughout the day, organizing the landing and unloading of the huge cargo shuttles. Donte had never seen shuttles that big. Gerk was overwhelmed by the strange people and animals. He stayed in the tent all day. Donte kept Shadow in an enclosed area so she wouldn't be in the way.
By evening the corrals were full of bovines and equines. The barns held the smaller stock and fowl in cages. The colonists made a tent city inside the stone walls and the building was full.
Donte left the organizing to Marlin and the colonists. That was their job and he had another problem on his mind. Several times throughout the day he had sensed the presence of primates in the forest. When he told Gerk, he was alarmed. He was certain it wasn't his people. He thought it was the Yora. Gerk confessed he hadn't actually seen them but since they were hanging around during the rescue, it was certainly possible they were out there now. For what purpose – curiosity?
Donte alerted his troops that they would have a full night watch. It was unlikely that the Yora would try to attack them as long as they stayed together, but it was possible that they might attack anyone who went off alone. For that reason, he advised Marlin of the situation.
Marlin listened and looked at Reyse. She explained the problem the Yora presented. "We need to warn the colonists about straying from the station."
"There's more," Donte said. "I also sensed the presence of a feline several times."
Marlin groaned. "Lions; just what we need. Do you think it was more than one?"
"I don't know. I sensed it at different times, so it could have been, or it might have been the same one coming back. The animals would probably be an attraction." He thought about it a moment. "Or maybe the felines are attracted to the Yora."
Reyse ran a hand through his hair. "Wouldn't it be nice if the lions chased the Yora away?" He looked at Donte. "I'd like to see this…Gerk?"
When Reyse said the name, it sounded like he was going to throw up. Marlin didn't say anything, but her eyes expressed humor.
"He's in our tent. I think the presence of all these strange people and animals has frightened him. He's probably ready to go back home."
"Where are his people?"
Reyse looked genuinely interested. Donte instinctively liked Reyse. He had always gone with his gut feeling on that. Maybe it had something to do with his ability to sense the moods of people. Whatever it was, it had served him well in the past.
Donte pointed in the direction of their cave. "It would be a few days walk for Gerk, but with the Yora out there, it wouldn't be advisable for him to go alone."
"We could take him in one of the shuttles, couldn't we? Would he ride in a shuttle?"
Donte smiled. "Oh yes. He climbed into one with us – uninvited - the first day he met us and he's even gone to the Lyra with us."
Reyse rubbed his chin, his expression surprised. "Wow – and yet he is intimidated by these people? Of course, it's a bit chaotic out there right now." He looked at Marlin. "I'd like to visit his people. I think that would fit under my title, wouldn't it?"
Marlin shrugged. "I have a feeling that we are going to be redefining our jobs for a while until they fit the circumstances. We're on our own, to a degree."
Reyse looked at Donte. "Are you the only one who can converse with this…man?"
"No." Donte looked at Marlin. "Rianne, Marlin and Chandler can all talk to him as well as I can, and all of us have been trying to learn their language."
Marlin nodded. "Donte spends more time with him than anyone else. Gerk and Shadow follow him around all the time."
Reyse lifted a brow. "Shadow?"
Donte laughed. "I think I need to introduce you to shadow. I don't know how I would describe her, except as something similar to an equine. We found her beside her half-eaten mother. We have been taking care of her ever since."
Marlin spoke in a sarcastic tone. "You will discover that when Donte says we, he usually means me, myself and I. About the only time he claims credit is when no one wants it."
For a moment Reyse studied Marlin. Donte had the feeling he was surprised by Marlin's comment. Donte wasn't sure whether Marlin meant it as a complement, an insult or merely an observation. Unsure how it was intended, Donte didn't respond to the comment. He turned to the door as he spoke to Reyse.
"I'm going to my tent. Would you like to come now?"
"Yes," Reyse said with enthusiasm.
Reyse followed Donte to the tent and walked in with Donte. Gerk looked up at Donte and then at Reyse. He stood and held out a hand to Reyse.
Reyse looked surprised and shook his hand. He looked at Donte. "How do I say nice to meet you?"
"I don't know if they have any words to express that. Their vocabulary seems to be limited…simpler. Shaking hands is something we taught him, so I suppose the fact that you are pleased to meet him goes without saying."
Donte asked Gerk if he wanted to go home and he nodded, speaking in the language Donte had been teaching him.
"In shuttle…to morro?"
"Yes," Donte said.
Reyse's brows shot up and he smiled. "I'm impressed." He looked at Gerk. "You speak…good."
Gerk smiled and nodded vigorously.
Donte looked at Reyse. "Now I will introduce you to Shadow."
They left Gerk in the tent and Donte led Reyse to a small corral where Shadow was playing. Shadow saw Donte and raced to him, making little squeaking noises.
Reyse gasped. "What is that?"
Donte laughed. "I think it's some sort of equine."
Reyse reached out to pet Shadow and she wrapped her little trunk around his wrist. He grinned at Donte. "Oh, I see you've taught her to shake…hands…too."
Donte told him about their first meeting with the equines of Opus. "They seem friendly toward us."
"I assume there are other forms of wildlife – besides the…feline…lion?"
"Yes, but there are no aves…birds…that fly. When we were trapped in the cavern, the primates dropped some kind of bird-like animal down to us. Instead of feathers, it had skin wings. I don't know if it could fly or not."
Reyse folded his arms across the top of the enclosure and leaned on them, studying Donte. "I'd like to thank you for taking care of Marlin. She means a lot to me."
Donte nodded. "You must be her boyfriend."
Reyse studied his face. "I was."
Donte didn't want to get into that, so he turned back toward the station. "She planned all of this in detail."
Reyse nodded. "And had the Mascots build it for her."
Donte stopped and looked at him. "We all built it – for the colonists."
Reyse studied him for a moment and then smiled. "I stand corrected."
Soft Science Fiction
