Return Of The Fontalo
by Linda Rigsbee
Chapter 26
Donte contacted Purlieu on a regular schedule, which was how he learned that Donica had given birth to a little red-headed girl she named Elspeth. Mother and daughter were doing well. The cabinet was probably happy to see little children in the Groot Thuis again. It was a reminder of how important this mission was.
With Chait in a work camp and Fontalo far away, things were quiet on Purlieu. The ship that had been assigned to assist Cheska had joined them to assure their safety. They didn’t say from what, but Donte assumed it was Fontalo. Cheska’s ship was reassigned to another area. After the Centaurus left the convoy, the rest of the ships moved faster.
They could see Oriel clearly for three days before they reached the spaceship docking area. According to Captain Shea, shuttles ran from the dock to the planet several times a day. Oriel claimed space for a distance surrounding the planet. Donte and Vidal decided to stop the Azar outside that zone and ride a shuttle to the docking area.
Cheska had made arrangements with the GEF to get Donte, his family, Neirin, Nieke, Beier, Tabia, Quade and Akira to a safe place on Oriel. A dedicated shuttle was scheduled to pick them up at the dock.
The dock was a frightening experience in itself. Donte had never seen so many people together. There were hundreds of people in all frames of mind. It was impossible to determine which emotions were directed at him or his entourage. From the time they arrived, they attracted more than their share of attention. Cheska sent a message saying that their dedicated shuttle had been delayed. The media had managed to get there ahead of schedule.
Donte held Andras in one arm and Rianne by the other hand at all times. Rianne didn’t let go of Petra’s hand – not that Petra would have allowed her to do so. Tabia stayed close to Donte. Everywhere Donte turned, a camera was pointed at them. Quade kept an arm around Akira and Neirin kept an eye on Nieke, but that was about all he could do. Beier and Nieke were doing their best to keep the curious reporters a safe distance from the group until the shuttle arrived.
Donte had reached the point that he was ready to hop any shuttle to get away when he saw the first familiar green uniform. Within seconds they were surrounded by the Premier Infantry and guided to a restricted area.
Nieke had contacted Cheska and she had gained clearance for the Premier Infantry until the dedicated shuttle arrived.
Nieke looked around. “Isn’t this exciting?”
Donte looked at Neirin, who grinned and shook his head. Donte turned back to Nieke. “This is the kind of excitement I would rather live without.”
Nieke’s eyes expressed humor. “All you old people worry about everything.”
Donte laughed. “We have enough experience to know there is something to worry about.”
While there was some truth to what he was saying, Nieke had as much experience at this sort of thing as he did. They were both learning today. The difference was that Nieke didn’t sense the presence and emotions of those around her. Donte felt overwhelmed by that superpower in their current setting.
A man in a gray suit stopped and talked to one of the infantry troops. When Donte looked at the man, he was instantly alert.
Andras stiffened. “Daddy?”
Donte looked at him. His expression revealed the concern Donte felt.
Donte turned and handed Andras to Quade. “He senses something wrong. Everyone, get back toward the wall and spread out.”
He didn’t wait to see if they did as he instructed. He knew they would. Beier and Nieke were instantly beside him as he walked toward the man.
The man smiled and held a hand out to Donte. “I’m Roger Lomas with GEL, the Galactic Exploration League. I apologize for the delay. At the last minute the Judicial Coalition decided that you were their responsibility. When your own infantry had to be called in to protect you, they decided they shouldn’t have interfered.”
Donte shook the man’s hand. He wasn’t telling the truth. Donte looked at the infantry trooper, speaking in the language of Lochfowk. “This man is an impostor.”
No one questioned Donte’s statement. The trooper tapped his communications medallion and spoke into it.
The man who called himself Roger looked from Donte to the trooper. “I was told that you speak our language.”
Donte spoke in the old language. “I speak your language. What is your purpose here?”
“I am to escort you to the GEL, where you will be protected until it is time for you to testify.”
Once again, the man lied. More concerning to Donte was the fact that he knew why they were there.
Donte glanced up as Fyfe, the infantry commander, approached them. His attention was riveted on Roger, but he spoke to Donte in the Lochfowk language. “What would you like us to do with him?”
Donte spoke in the old language. “I’d like to know what has happened to the real Roger Lomas.”
The man tried to run from them, but he was instantly tackled by four people. Beier and Nieke released him to the trooper and Fyfe. The man’s stunned expression turned on Donte. “How did you know?”
Donte didn’t respond as the trooper and Fyfe tugged the man away. His superpower had prevented a possible disaster. That much was a frightening thought, but he was also comforted in the knowledge that he was still working within The Prophesy. He hadn’t gone off track in coming to Oriel.
They waited a long time before a tall lean man in a dark suit approached them leading a troop of armed uniformed men. Donte felt no animosity and turned to look at Andras. He was on Quade’s knee, smiling and happy. When Donte looked at the others, he found them watching him anxiously. He smiled and walked out to meet the tall man.
The man’s grip was firm when he shook Donte’s hand. His expression was solemn. “I don’t know how you knew, but I’m grateful you did. This was an infiltration by Fontalo. The shuttle they intended for you to ride has been confiscated so it can be examined. The impostor is in custody. It isn’t much consolation, I know, but this incident will surely help your cause.”
Donte shook his hand and looked into his eyes. There was no deception in his words.
“Oh, by the way,” the man added. “I’m the real Roger Lomas from the GEL. Welcome to Oriel. There are a lot of people looking forward to seeing you.” He hesitated, looking uncertain. “I hope you’re Donte.”
Donte smiled. “I am Donte.”
The man’s smile was genuine. “Would you all like to come with me? The shuttle is ready to leave for Oriel and we have comfortable accommodations for you there.”
Donte turned and motioned to the others. Beier stood a short distance from Donte and Nieke stood between Quade and Neirin. Donte turned back to Roger. “What about the Premier Infantry?”
Roger glanced at the green uniformed men. “I don’t have clearance for them. It would take a while to get that…and another shuttle…but if it would make you feel more comfortable….
Donte nodded at Beier. “No, I have Beier…and Nieke. You have your men.”
Roger nodded. “Your shuttle is still docked for them?”
Donte motioned to Fyfe and he immediately joined them. He bowed slightly to Donte. “Yes, Monomi?”
“We’ll be going with the real Roger Lomas on a shuttle to Oriel. Is your shuttle still here?”
“Yes, Monomi.”
“Thank you for your assistance. You can return to the Azar now.”
“Yes, Monomi.” He turned and motioned to the troops. They marched away.
Donte watched them until they disappeared into the crowd. Hopefully he had made the right decision. When he returned his attention to Roger, he found the man watching him with a reflective expression.
Whatever was on his mind, Roger didn’t reveal it. Without another word about the Premier Infantry, Roger and his troops led Donte and his group to the shuttle. The media stood back, possibly out of respect, or even fear of the armed troops.
Within minutes, they were secure on the shuttle, headed to Oriel. Fortunately, it was an uneventful ride to Oriel. The shuttle landed on top of a tall building and they were escorted inside through quiet corridors to their rooms.
About mid-day a woman brought them some food. Donte explained that they only ate twice a day and she made arrangements for food to be delivered at those times. While she was there, she explained to them how to use a machine she called a television, or TV. The people of Oriel reduced many things into letters representing the word or words. After she left, they watched the TV for a while, but finally shut it off. It was confusing because they would be watching something and suddenly someone would be talking about some piece of equipment that made no sense at all. First, they covered the floor with rugs that couldn’t be taken out to dust, and then they manufactured special equipment to clean them. The next thing they knew, it would shift back to what they had been watching. They changed channels, but it was all basically the same. There was something interesting about a family trying to live in what they called a wilderness. It looked a lot like Purlieu. They kept interrupting with something unrelated and when they went back to the program, they would explain what had happened ten minutes before. People on Oriel must have short memories.
There was a news broadcast that displayed recordings of their group on the space dock – even the part where the impostor had been hauled off. Their interpretation of the incident was interesting, if inaccurate. Apparently, they didn’t bother to ask anyone who knew what happened. They simply reported their interpretation of what they had observed. They might as well have shown the recording without comment and let people draw their own conclusions. It would have been more interesting that way.
Having separate rooms was nice, but they all spent most of their time in one room so they could enjoy each other’s company. Sometimes they gazed out the window in wonder at the traffic on the streets below. None of them had ever seen a car. It was amusing watching the things they did. Below them were five lanes marked on a hard surface road. They were generally full of cars. People would cross the road, dodging cars. It was amazing – and chaotic.
Later the woman brought some books, a newspaper and board games. One of the games was like their word chips, but it had different rules. They took the chips and used them like their game at home. There weren’t enough chips, though.
Donte and Rianne were intrigued with the newspaper. Purlieu might enjoy something like that. The books intended for the children were for children much younger, but they all enjoyed a few of the other books that Donte and Rianne read to them.
On the second day, Donte, Quade and Neirin were instructed to meet with a legal team for their defense. The meeting was in the hotel where they were staying, so Donte had Beier stay with the women and children and took Tabia and Nieke with them. Donte felt Nieke was as important to their case as they were.
They rode a lift down to the fourth floor and knocked on the door of the room number they were given. A gray-haired man with black rimmed classes opened the door and let them in. Three men sat on one side of a long table made of shiny dark wood and Donte’s group sat on the other.
The gray-haired man looked at him over his glasses. “My name is Erin Lotrim. He indicated the others, beginning with the man nearest him. “This is Tony Epson and Rafe Epson of Epson and Epson law firm. We have been instructed to represent you in this case.”
None of the men stood or offered a handshake. The atmosphere was neither friendly nor unfriendly. Donte didn’t sense animosity. In fact, he sensed nothing at all.
“I’m Donte, and this is Quade, Neirin, Tabia and Nieke.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” they all replied in unison.
Donte glanced at Quade. He lifted a brow, but otherwise didn’t respond.
Erin studied a stack of papers for a moment. Finally, he lifted his gaze to Donte. “You are the ruler of Bergen?” His tone indicated surprise.
“Yes.”
Erin eyed him for a few minutes. “You’re a Mascot.”
“Yes.”
They all looked at Donte for a few minutes before Erin moved on to Quade. “You’re the ruler of Libertad.”
“No, I’m the president of Libertad. I was elected to the position by the colonists of Libertad.”
Erin nodded and marked something on his paper. He lifted his gaze to Neirin. “And you are the King of Anialwch. Did I pronounce that correctly?”
“Yes, I’m the king of Anialwch,” Neirin answered, correcting the pronunciation.
Erin nodded again. “You and Quade are also Mascots.”
“Yes,” Neirin said.
Erin focused his attention on Tabia, his gaze running over her plain skirt and blouse as he spoke to her in a condescending tone. “You belong to one of these men, I presume?”
She glanced at Donte, obviously not sure how to respond. Donte answered for her. Tabia represents Nyumbani. She’s a Mascot and a doctor.”
Erin looked at Donte for a moment. “Not a ruler.”
“No.”
He glanced at Nieke. “And you, young lady, what country are you from?”
“Colony,” Nieke corrected. “I’m from Vlaktes.”
He frowned. “I don’t see a Vlaktes on here. Is that on Purlieu?”
Nieke glanced at Donte and back at Erin. “Vlaktes is a sub-colony of Bergen.”
“Oh. Are you the queen?”
“No, I’m a colonist – and I’m not a Mascot.”
Erin looked at Donte. “Then why is she here? We need you to follow our directions precisely.”
Donte was momentarily surprised to silence by Erin’s tone and attitude. “The people present represent all of Purlieu, not merely the Mascot population.”
Erin was silent a moment. “Our firm has been assigned to represent the Mascots of Fontalo. We are not concerned with…”
“We do not belong to Fontalo,” Donte interrupted forcefully. “We are humans, not animals to be bought, sold and terminated on a whim.”
Erin continued to watch him. “It will do you no good to be hostile toward us.”
Donte stood. “I don’t think it’s going to do us any good to talk to you at all.” He glanced at the others. “They will make their decision, but I have made mine.”
He turned and walked from the room. It wasn’t anger that drove him from the room. It was an overpowering feeling of futility. Those men neither knew nor cared anything about Purlieu. They were as cold and calculating as Fontalo. If this was the only assistance they had, they might as well have none at all.
Before he made it to the lift, he was joined by the others. They were quiet until they reached the corridor to their rooms.
“Now what?” Quade asked.
Donte shrugged. “Now we wait. If I had simply requested a new team, I doubt if anything would have been done until it was too late. With that kind of team, we’d be better off representing ourselves. But I think they can and will do better. I wouldn’t be surprised to discover that Fontalo has generously offered to provide that team.”
Quade and Neirin grinned, but said nothing more.
Donte sighed. “I only know what Cheska told me about the legal system, but I feel the defense must be made in the name of Purlieu, not the Mascots. The Mascots at this point are crucial to the survival of Purlieu. Hopefully that will change as the years pass, but right now they need us as much as we need them. The two cannot be separated.”
Shortly after they returned to their rooms, Roger came to Donte. He was obviously upset.
“Donte, you have insulted one of the best legal teams on Purlieu. You can’t just get up and walk out of the room because you don’t like something they say. Now they will bill the GFL for this session. The GFL is understandably upset. They are paying the hotel bill already.”
Donte stared at the man. “Why weren’t we told that this was a problem?”
Roger looked confused. “What is a problem?”
Donte sighed. “On Purlieu, when you host someone, you don’t expect them to pay anything. I realize this isn’t Purlieu, but you could have told us that the GFL didn’t want to host us.”
Roger blinked. “It isn’t like that at all. We do want to host you, but…” He stopped and shrugged. “I suppose that’s a little like inviting someone to supper and reminding them how much it costs, isn’t it?” He thought about it a moment. “But then, I wouldn’t expect them to complain about the food, either.”
Beier’s voice was crisp. “Nor would you want to feed them something they would find unpalatable,”
Donte shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. We are causing a problem. We need to resolve that issue.” He looked at Roger. “But not by compromising Purlieu or the Mascots.”
Roger was quiet a few moments, obviously thinking about the situation. Donte said nothing, allowing him to mastermind in silence. After a while Roger looked at Donte. “I think I have a solution. Wait here while I talk to someone.” He pulled a phone from his pocket and began tapping on it as he left the room.
Roger stood in the hallway talking to someone in the corridor for a while. When he returned, he was smiling. “I think I have the perfect solution for everyone involved.
I have been talking to John and Lovita McKillum. He’s a retired judge and she’s a retired congresswoman. They have a 650-acre farm outside of Ovaltown and they have offered to host you on their farm in the Purlieu way – free. They have been fighting Fontalo for most of their lives and their son has a law firm in a nearby city. They want to represent you pro-bono. If you don’t get anything in the law suit, they don’t charge you a fee. This is a great opportunity for you because, instead of trying to defend yourselves, you would be charging Fontalo with a crime.” He paused. “There is only one hitch. They can’t provide you with protection. I think Judge McKillum can convince the government to let your infantry come in - and they have facilities for them.”
Donte looked at Rianne. The word farm probably caught her attention more than anything else. It sounded like a good match. They could probably assist them with some of the farm work and cooking. He liked the idea of charging Fontalo with a crime. He didn’t care anything about money, of course, but he would like to see Fontalo convicted of the crime they committed on Purlieu. So many people died or suffered the way Quade and Pieter had. It seemed to him that Purlieu stood a better chance of reaching freedom if they could reveal how Fontalo had treated them.
Donte nodded. “It sounds good to me.”
The others agreed
***
Neirin was surprised when Nieke came to his room to talk to him about what Donte had done.
“I was shocked,” she said. “I knew he could be stubborn, but I’ve never seen him so impatient.”
When Neirin didn’t respond, she sighed. “How would you have handled it?”
He could hardly believe his ears. Nieke was not only questioning Donte, but seeking Neirin’s advice.
“Well, first you have to remember that Donte senses things that the rest of us don’t. In this case, I think that what he sensed told him not only that the conversation was futile, but what we said might be used against Purlieu or the Mascots.” He shrugged. “To answer your question, I probably would have asked them who sent them. Donte wasn’t the only one who wondered if Fontalo had sent them. Both Quade and I wondered the same thing. I felt they were being rude to you and Tabia. I realize that Donte doesn’t think of himself as being more important than the rest of us, but the fact is, he is the highest-ranking official on Purlieu, and they knew that. To talk to him the way they did was inexcusable. Donte didn’t fixate on that, though. He put all those things together and knew that team wasn’t going to work out. Why waste time with someone who not only isn’t listening, but is being disrespectful as well?”
Nieke nodded. “You’re right, of course. I should have known he knew what he was doing. It seemed so out of character for him.” She shrugged. “I guess I haven’t been around him enough to know if that’s unusual.”
Neirin chuckled. “I have a feeling that Donte makes up his mind pretty quickly. In any case, you shouldn’t assume he’s right. I’m not suggesting that you defy his authority, but if something doesn’t seem right, you can ask him to clarify. He will. In the process, he may reconsider his course of action. Quade talked to him about leaving Beier behind. Donte thought about it and decided Beier had earned the opportunity to go along.”
Nieke nodded again. “Beier was pretty upset about being left to rule Bergen. I felt sorry for him.” She shrugged. “But I didn’t say anything to Donte.”
“Donte’s not infallible. He knows that.” He smiled down at her. “I’m personally glad to hear that you questioned his judgment. I’m equally pleased that you chose to discuss it with me.”
Her smile was shy. “I knew I could trust you.”
Soft Science Fiction
