Return Of The Fontalo
by Linda Rigsbee
Chapter 23
“This is Captain Shea of the Lepus, a Fontalo ship,” a female voice on the speaker informed them. “Please identify your ship.”
Donte looked at Vidal. Vidal lifted his brows and pointed three fingers at his chest, as if to say “Me?” When Donte nodded, Vidal leaned toward the speaker.
“This is Commander Vidal of the Azar, from Purlieu.”
After a long silence, Captain Shea spoke in a confused tone. “What is the Azar doing this far from Purlieu?”
Vidal responded without hesitation. “We are being escorted to Oriel by the Centaurus.”
Another long silence. “Why?”
“Purlieu needs representation.”
Donte smiled. Vidal had obviously given a lot of thought to what he would say if he was questioned by another Fontalo ship. It was yet another thing he liked about Vidal. He was unassuming in his command; yet he accepted responsibility without hesitation. Vidal had a good mind and used it creatively.
“What happened to Commander…” She paused and they could hear papers being moved around. “Xever,” she concluded, stumbling over the name as if she was reading it.
“He died a few years ago. I replaced him.”
“Are you a Mascot?”
“No.”
“And yet you are the commander of the Azar.”
“That is correct. A lot of things have changed since Fontalo abandoned Purlieu.”
“We didn’t…” She sighed. “Where is the Columba – Captain Pacilio’s ship?”
That was a good question. Donte had been wondering. They should have caught up by now. He would have suspected that it returned to Purlieu, but if it had, he would have had word from Gerritt or one of the others about it. They contacted each other daily, but they had said nothing about the Columba.
“They left Purlieu a day after we did, following us.” Vidal said. “The Azar is a faster ship, so we didn’t expect them to be directly behind us.”
Donte smiled again. They didn’t want the Fontalo ship to be directly behind them – or behind them at all, for that matter. They had a plan to avoid that, which was why they were watching for the arrival of the Columba so closely.
“Have you tried to contact them – or have they contacted you recently?”
“No.”
There was another long silence. Captain Shea was probably trying to contact the Columba.
“We cannot contact them. They may be in trouble.”
Donte instantly felt ashamed. They were so happy to have the captain far behind that they hadn’t even considered the safety of his ship and crew. When he didn’t try to contact them, they thought no contact was a good thing.
Vidal turned to Saul. “Do a power search and see if you can locate the Fontalo ship.”
More technology they could thank Nieke for. It would have assisted them in finding the Fontalo ship before it reached Purlieu. Once again, he felt shame for what he had done to her. He had let emotion rob Purlieu. It had been a bitter lesson, but he had learned it.
“When was the last time you talked to them?” Captain Shea continued.
“The day after we left Purlieu - weeks ago. They were being monitored by the Baigh until they were out of range. All was well at that point.”
“The Baigh…” More papers shuffled. “That’s commanded by Niall, right?”
“No. Niall died over eight years ago. Cadha is the commander now. She has been since Fontalo left.”
“Cadha. Is she a Mascot?"
"Yes."
"What about the Moeder – is that still Adriaan, or has he died too? What is happening there with all these commanders dying?”
“Adriaan still commands the Moeder. Most of the Mascots died from complications of the plague – the serum given to them by Fontalo.”
She sighed again. “These people were alive when we left.”
Donte suppressed an urge to set her straight. Vidal was handling the situation admirably. When Fontalo left, Quade had been near death, as was Pieter.
They were interrupted briefly by Saul. “I found it. The ship is moving toward us, but it isn’t as close as it should be. I tried to contact them, but I’m not getting a response.”
Vidal frowned. “Are they moving at a normal pace?”
“Yes.”
Vidal addressed Captain Shea. “We have located the Columba. It’s still about two weeks behind us. It must have stopped for some reason. We have tried to contact them, but they don’t respond.” He hesitated a moment. “We’ll stop and I’ll send an airship back to check on them. It can travel that distance in a fraction of the time it would take you to get there.”
Vidal instructed his crew to stop the Azar and launch an airship to investigate. “I need two volunteers.”
“I’ll go,” Donte said.
Vidal shook his head. “No Mascots.”
“You’ll need someone who can speak their language.”
Vidal looked at him and smiled. “Thanks to your influence, I have a wide range of choices.”
Donte frowned. “My influence?”
“When you started teaching people to speak the old language, I had a flood of cadets who wanted to learn. I sent them where you learned – to the library on the Moeder.”
Donte smiled. “I guess you have no need for me.”
Vidal lifted his brows. “On the contrary, this mission would be a complete failure without you. That doesn’t mean you have to be involved in every detail, though.”
Donte slapped him on the back affectionately. “It’s comforting knowing that I can leave things in your competent hands. If you need me; I’ll be eating my morning meal in the dining area.
He left the control area with a feeling that things would work out. When he entered the dining area, everyone had left but Quade, Akira, Neirin, Beier, Rianne and the children.
Rianne stood as he approached their table. “I’ll go get your food. I asked them to put it aside for you.”
As she left to get the food, Donte sat down at the table. Beier gave him a sour look. “Nieke went to volunteer for the airship mission back to the Columba.”
Donte frowned. “How did she know about it so quickly?”
Beier nodded at a speaker on the wall. “They announced it a few minutes ago.”
Donte glanced at the speaker. “She would be an excellent choice.”
As it turned out, Nieke wasn’t the only one interested. Cheska also volunteered. Vidal chose both of them. Donte couldn’t think of a better team for that mission. Nieke was one of the best pilots he had ever met – woman or man. She was a better than average mechanic and had high skills in communications technology. Nieke being a colonist and Cheska being from Oriel; the captain would have nothing against either of them. Cheska suggested using one of the airships from the Centaurus. It was a good idea. Donte and Vidal had been wondering how Nieke and Cheska would signal the ship that they wanted to dock if the Fontalo ship couldn’t communicate. The captain would probably welcome the assistance of an airship from Oriel.
****
After two days on an airship with Nieke, Cheska discovered that the trooper had a wealth of information that might be used to defend Mascots. Most of it concerned Donte, but that was no surprise. Nieke didn’t divulge anything private about him, and most of the information was probably general knowledge to everyone except to Cheska. Nieke related the story about Donte’s first mate’s murder and the murder of their children. Then she told the story about Donte’s life in Nyumbani, the birth of his children, his near execution and his escape with Akira into Anialwch. She described his meeting with Neirin and later the Lochfowk council. She explained the captives and their release.
The problem with talking to Donte only was that he gave the credit for everything to everyone else. That wasn’t the case with Nieke. She gave all the credit to Donte. Nieke and Donte were more alike than Cheska had ever imagined. Nieke was an amazing person…for the same reason Donte was. She devoted all her time to learning and understanding everything. As far as Cheska could tell, Nieke had only one fault – her devotion to Donte. She never spoke of Donte in a suggestive way, and she obviously thought Rianne was a good mate for Donte. She said Donte was the kindest, gentlest, most honorable man she had ever known. Cheska had to agree, although she would have added most frustrating to the list.
Other than her obvious obsession with Donte, Nieke seemed to be a logical minded person, not given to fantasies. They were nearing the Fontalo ship when Nieke confessed something that shocked Cheska. They were discussing the fact that Mascots and colonists could not have children, yet some Mascots had mates that were colonists. Nieke was quiet for a long time before she finally spoke in a casual tone.
“I know what Fontalo says about Mascots and colonists not being able to produce children, but sometimes I wonder. What about the mixes? She looked at Cheska. “I don’t know why I feel this way and I know it can never happen because he would never be unfaithful to Rianne, but…I have always felt that Donte and I could have a child.” She shrugged and looked away. “Maybe it’s merely wishful thinking, but I feel certain it could happen.”
Cheska stared at her, too shocked to respond at first. Nieke’s expression and tone indicated she was mystified by the persistent intuition. When Cheska finally found her voice, she could only think of one response.
“Does Donte know you feel this way?”
Nieke gave her a wry smile. “I’m not crazy. It would upset Donte and Rianne if they heard me say such a thing. It’s just that…well, you’re a scientist. Is there any way to determine if that is possible…aside from the obvious?”
“We could use artificial insemination, but even if you didn’t conceive, we wouldn’t be certain that it wasn’t possible.”
Nieke frowned. “No, I don’t mean to prove by my having his child. Donte would never consent to that, and neither would I. I’m not a host. I mean are there any lab results – like genetic testing – that might indicate if it is possible?”
“Why would Donte object to AI? I can understand why you would. That would mean having a baby that maybe you wouldn’t want…”
Nieke shook her head. “You don’t understand. I don’t want to have a baby with Donte – unless we were mates, which is never going to happen. I merely want to know if this intuition is correct. If it’s true, wouldn’t that prove that Mascots are human?”
Cheska smiled. “You want me to make logic out of an illogical idea.”
Nieke shrugged and smiled. “I guess that’s about it. I’ve been plagued by the idea for years – that maybe somehow I was meant to do this like Donte was meant to fill The Prophesy.” She sighed. “I thought maybe it would prove that when Mascots mix, they become more human.”
Cheska frowned. “What Prophesy?”
Nieke’s gaze searched Cheska’s face. “Donte never told you about The Prophesy? Nobody told you about The Prophesy?”
Cheska slowly shook her head. “No. Tell me.”
Nieke hesitated only a few minutes before telling the entire story. Cheska stared at the airship panel. “That’s amazing.” She looked at Nieke. “So, what are Donte’s superpowers?”
Nieke shrugged again. “I don’t think he wants that known and I don’t think it would help his defense on Oriel. They don’t need another reason to point a finger at Mascots. That has nothing to do with being a Mascot. It’s The Prophesy.”
They said nothing more about the subject, but Cheska kept remembering Nieke’s remark about not being a host. Nieke would welcome a baby if she was Donte’s mate, but considered AI a detached method of hosting an alien body. What a strange perspective. Either way, it would be Donte’s baby. If she truly loved him, what difference did it make? Cheska could have understood if Nieke didn’t want a baby, but she obviously did want one.
“What about you?” Nieke asked. “Do you have a love, or children?”
Cheska shook her head. “I made a decision early in life. Either I could have a career or a husband and babies. I chose to have a career.”
Nieke was quiet for a while, probably thinking about that. “Do you ever regret that decision?”
“Sometimes, but most of the time I’m happy with my decision.”
It was normal to want a baby with the man a woman loved. Nieke might be confusing that desire with what she referred to as intuition. Still, was it possible? Was that the real reason Fontalo didn’t want them to mix?
***
When Nieke approached the Columba, she began radioing them. No matter what frequency she used, the ship didn’t respond. She slowed the airship almost to a stop and let the Columba come over them. She moved the airship up into the Columba, slipping it into a dock and waiting until the door sealed against the dock and opened.
When they entered the spaceship, there were troops with lasers aimed at them. Cheska turned pale, but didn’t react in any other way. It was a reception that Nieke expected. It was merely good security. How would they know the intent of an airship that they could not contact?
They were searched for weapons before being escorted to the captain. Nieke had never seen the captain but had heard descriptions of him, so when he greeted them, she knew who he was. Cheska shook his hand and introduced him to Nieke.
He shook Nieke’s hand and eyed her up and down. His satisfied gaze finally came back to her face. “You are a colonist of Purlieu?”
She met his gaze. “Yes.”
He looked at her hair and eyes. “You are from Bergen?”
She shook her head. “Vlaktes.”
“But you were on Donte’s ship.”
“I was on the Azar. Vidal is the commander.”
His smile was not kind. “Donte is Vidal’s commander.”
Nieke didn’t respond. Donte’s position was temporary and he didn’t interfere with the actual commanding of the ship, but that wasn’t what the captain wanted to hear. She saw no point in arguing with him.
Cheska guided the conversation away from Donte. “We have been trying to contact you. The Lepus has joined our ships.”
The captain’s smile softened as he turned to Cheska. “We ran into a debris field and sustained some damage. We stopped and made repairs, but we have been unable to find the problem with the communication equipment.”
Cheska indicated Nieke. “Would you permit Nieke to look at it? She has expertise in that area.”
The captain’s brows shot up and his gaze came back to Nieke. “I am impressed. Yes, we would appreciate your assistance.” He assigned a man to take her to the communications compartment.
Nieke followed the man to the compartment, where several men were working. He explained that the captain had sent her and that she was skilled at working on communication equipment. They immediately stepped back and let her enter the compartment.
It took her longer than it would have on the ships of Purlieu, but she finally found the problem. There was no direct damage, but apparently a sudden impact had jarred a box loose. She asked the men for the tools she needed and quickly made the repair.
When they were escorted back to the captain, he was talking to Captain Shea. “We can move faster now that all the repairs are complete. We should join you in within a week.”
When he completed his communication, he turned to Nieke and extended a hand. “Thank you for making the repairs. I appreciate your assistance. You will be assigned a room so you can get some quality sleep. You can stay with us until we reach the others.”
Nieke looked him in the eye. “I’d rather go now.”
His gaze became hard and his smile lacked warmth. “I afraid I can’t allow that.”
“Would you contact Vidal and let him know we are staying here? He will be concerned if we don’t show up when he expects us.”
He removed the communications medallion from her chest with a tug so hard that it ripped a hole in her uniform. “I’m sure he will understand.”
Cheska frowned at the captain. “What is this? We came here to assist you. We have no weapons. We couldn’t harm you if we wanted to.”
The captain shrugged. “I am offering you better accommodations and a free ride back. Isn’t that expressing my gratitude?”
“You’re holding us captive and you know it,” Cheska said. “That’s illegal. You have no right to…”
“Take them to their quarters,” the captain interrupted. Without another word, he turned away from them.
Nieke couldn’t say she was surprised. In fact, she expected him to respond this way. He thought he was going to get revenge on Donte, but Donte had already prepared for this possibility.
When they were locked in their room, Cheska looked at Nieke, eyes wide. “I got us into this.”
Nieke smiled. “How did it become your fault?”
“It’s our airship. Yours are probably armed.”
Nieke laughed without humor. “I don’t think that would have helped us any.”
Cheska’s gaze dropped to Nieke’s uniform. “He took your only means of communicating.”
Nieke looked down and grimaced. “He tore a hole in my uniform.”
Cheska groaned. “I wish that was our biggest problem.”
Nieke shrugged. “It’s only for a week. Relax and enjoy the trip.”
Cheska shook her head in amazement. “How can you be so calm?”
Nieke smiled. “Will it help to get hysterical? If it will, I can do that too.”
Cheska grinned. “You sound like Donte.”
Nieke sat on the edge of one of the bunks. “I consider that a compliment. In any case, it’s no surprise. Donte was my commander for three years.” She lay back on the bed. “Donte said the captain wasn’t an honorable man.”
Cheska started to sit on the other bunk, but looked up as Nieke’s words sank in. She frowned. “Are you saying Donte expected this and he has a plan?”
Nieke nodded, putting a finger to her lips. “I’m just saying he knows what the captain is capable of.”
Cheska lay back on her bunk and pulled out a small piece of equipment and began punching numbers on it.
Nieke frowned. “Is that a communication device?”
Cheska looked up. “It’s a cellular phone, so…yes, but it’s only good on Oriel or the Centaurus where there is a network.
Nieke smiled and held out her hand. “If it sends and receives signals, I may be able to make it work for us.”
Cheska grinned and handed her the phone.
Nieke studied it for a few minutes before looking up at Cheska. “Interesting. Could I make a few adjustments?”
Cheska nodded. “It isn’t any good to me right now.”
Soft Science Fiction
