The Purlieu Experiment
Chapter 15
Copyright 2015 & 2021
Akira led Donte and Kenyon to her sister's office. They sat down in front of Sima's desk and stared at each other. Akira had said all she was going to say, but she was a long way from finished with Donte's defense. She would see that Donte got out of Lochfowk alive if she had to sneak him out and be banished from the colony forever.
Kenyon was the first to speak. "Akira, that was quite a speech you made." His gaze came back to Donte. "You're quite the historian. I didn't know all that and I'll wager no one else in that room did either. I was sitting there wondering how you knew all that when Akira told us." He shook his head. "I served three years on the Moeder, but I didn’t take the time to go through the books and records the way you did. In fact, I don’t know anyone who has. When we went in there, I thought you didn't have a prayer. Now I wouldn't be surprised if they honored you somehow."
Donte shook his head. "I can only hope they were listening. They appeared to be interested."
Akira looked at Kenyon. "You should have heard him talking to the Nyumbani and King Neirin. And you should have seen the way he caught the Nyumbani raider. I've never seen anyone leap off the back of a camelus that way."
Donte laughed. "It seemed like a good idea until I got in the air."
"He hit the ground running. It was magnificent!"
The door opened and Sima entered. Donte stood and she smiled. "Sit down Donte. This isn't going to take long."
Akira's hopes plunged. How often had she heard that from her older sister? It usually preceded punishment.
Sima sat at her desk and pulled a piece of paper out. She scribbled a few things on it before fixing her gaze on Akira.
"You made a convincing speech. Even Chait was impressed. I want to hear that fowl story."
Her attention focused on Donte. "You made quite an impression on my sister, and the council. You won everyone over." She smiled. "I see why Akira thinks you are so special. You are." She watched him a moment and when Donte didn't respond, she sighed. "Donte, the council and I have decided you are not an intruder. You are, in fact, a diplomat. Therefore, you have been given diplomatic immunity. You are free to come into and leave this colony at your discretion."
Donte’s voice was gentle and strong. "Thank you."
Sima tapped her pencil on the desk, regarding him with renewed interest. "I think you are the only one who isn't surprised by that decision."
Donte smiled. "Perhaps I had more faith in your character than you did."
She smiled back at him, her eyes twinkling. "Perhaps." She turned her attention on Kenyon.
"I watched you during their speeches, Kenyon. It was the first time I saw respect in your eyes for Akira. Perhaps there is hope for you yet. Fia had an interesting proposition, and we all decided to try it. You will be a test release for our colony. As of this minute, you have been relieved of your vow. You may leave Lochfowk. I must caution you that your behavior will reflect on all the others. We will evaluate your situation one year from now. If we decide your release has not caused any problems, we will begin releasing others."
Kenyon stared at her for a moment, as if waiting for more. When his gaze shifted to Akira it was troubled. It occurred to her that he was considering taking some captives with him. Surely he wouldn't endanger Donte that way.
Sima turned her attention back to Donte, who was watching her and Kenyon with a startled expression. "Chait wants to go with you when you leave. He wants to see that airfield and visit the library." She sighed. "I wouldn't be surprised if he wants to find proof to refute what you have told us."
Donte looked confused. "I welcome the competition."
"Is this something that can be done? Can a Lochfowk citizen go to Libertad without an invitation?"
Donte nodded. "Libertad has been welcoming other colonists since before The Parliament left. The Parliament simply didn't know about it."
Sima's brows lifted. "That explains a lot." She turned her attention back to Kenyon. You may go or stay, as you wish, but we do ask that you safely escort Donte and Chait to the border.
Kenyon shrugged. "As you wish."
Akira watched him until he looked at her. She wanted so badly to tell him not to mess things up for everyone, but she didn't want to say anything in front of Sima that would give her any reason to change her mind.
Sima stood. "Donte, Kenyon, you are both dismissed."
Donte and Kenyon stood and walked to the door. Donte had the door partially opened when Sima added a request.
"Kenyon, find Donte something more suitable to wear."
Donte shut the door and turned to face her. His voice was still soft, but it had an edge to it that Akira had never heard.
"This is the robe that was given me by King Neirin. I am honored to wear it." He untied the belt. "However, if that offends your people, I will be glad to wear the clothing that the Nyumbani gave me to escort Akira across snow capped mountains and scorching desert." He pulled the robe open to reveal the hide."
Sima calmly looked him over from head to toe. Her gaze finally came back to his eyes. "Nice, but I'm afraid that would be even less appropriate attire." When he continued to challenge her, she smiled. "Although I'm sure the women would like it better."
Donte closed the robe and tied it, his gaze still holding hers. "I would like some trousers."
It came as no surprise that Donte decided to compromise, but he had never acted in such a rebellious way before - at least not since she had met him. Was it a personality conflict, or did Donte resent Sima’s authority because she was a woman?
Kenyon opened the door and looked at Donte. "Let's go, brother."
Donte turned and walked out the door without further comment."
"You offended him." Akira said as soon as he left.
Sima nodded, still watching the door as if she expected him to return. "I suppose so." She finally turned her attention to Akira and sighed. "He has an adorable accent."
Akira nodded. "He is adorable."
When Sima’s brows lifted, Akira’s face warmed. "I was talking about his personality."
Sima gave her a sly smile. "Oh, so you don’t think he’s at all attractive…physically?"
Akira’s face burned. There was no point denying the obvious. "I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better-looking man – or one that was less aware of it."
Sima laughed. "Oh, don’t be naïve. I’m sure he is well aware, and knows how to use it to his best advantage."
Akira considered that thought. It was hard to believe Donte was totally unaware of his good looks. Still, in all the time she had been with him, he had never attempted to use his charms for personal gain – or anything else. She shrugged. "He is a man of honor."
Sima sobered. "Does he know you are in love with him?"
Akira caught her breath and stared at her sister for a moment. The idea of being in love had never occurred to her before. Was it possible? She desired him, but that wasn't love…was it? She shook her head. "I don't know that I am."
Sima smiled. "Good. Keep it that way. It could come to no good. That boy is going places. He's going to be someone."
Akira looked down, staring at her hands. Would it always be this way? She wanted to travel, but Chait was going instead. She shouldn't get interested in Donte because he was going to be somebody. She was going to be no one? She wore a robe like Donte, but Sima had to insult Donte. She didn't intend to. She was probably being cute. She obviously liked him and thought he was special. She wasn't alone in that area. She looked up at Sima.
"King Neirin's daughter had a vision that he was going to exchange vows with her when she turned nineteen."
Sima frowned. "How old is his daughter?"
"Nine."
Sima tipped her head back, staring at the ceiling. "I wonder what he'll be doing for the next ten years."
Akira stood. "I seriously doubt he'll be waiting on her to grow up. He wants a family." She turned to the door. "I'm going home to bathe and change. After that I'll get something to eat and go to bed."
Sima sat up. "I'm sorry. I didn't even think about the fact that you might be hungry and..."
Akira waved a hand in dismissal. "I understand. You had a lot to think about. I will see you tomorrow."
After walking to her cottage, the first thing Akira did was take a bath and change clothes. Refreshed, she wandered around the house; for the first time thinking about all the things she had taken for granted. She ran a hand over the cherished books on her shelf. There were only five and they were old, but they were books, all the same. She had read them many times. What was the library on the spaceship like? Did Libertad have a library? She moved to her kitchen, still well stocked with food. She could eat anytime she wanted to - as much as she wanted. She was surrounded by people who were proud of their colony. She still had a mother and father, though their farm was far enough away that she didn't often visit. She had a large choice of healthy fertile Mascots to choose from. She was free to come and go as she wished, unlike Kenyon and the other captives. At least now Kenyon was free.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. She opened the door to find Donte standing on the porch, dressed in the traditional white cotton shirt and trousers of the Lochfowk. She glanced around him.
"Where is Kenyon?"
"He said he wanted to talk to someone before he left tomorrow."
Hopefully he wasn't making arrangements to take captives with them. Akira rolled her eyes. "So, he abandoned you for some woman. Isn't that just like Kenyon?"
Donte shrugged. "I wouldn't know. I wanted to talk to Sima, anyway, so it didn't matter."
Akira stepped back, holding the door open. "Come in. What did you need to talk to Sima about?"
He stepped into her cottage and looked down at her. "I told her that I had promised to take you to the airfield."
Akira pushed back the excitement. "She wouldn't change her mind. She already gave Chait permission."
He nodded. "I didn't expect her to retract the permission she had already given. I argued that after what you had been through, you had earned the right to go as well."
Akira watched him. "What did she say?"
He smiled. "She seemed to think you wouldn't want to go. She doesn't know you very well, does she?"
Akira made a face. It was as she expected. "No."
"She told me you could go if you wanted to, but I would have to ask you."
Akira caught her breath. "Seriously? You wouldn't joke with me about a thing like that, would you?"
He grinned. "Is that a yes?"
She hugged him. "Thank you so much! I thought I was going to be stuck here forever!"
He laughed as he returned her hug. "I'm hungry. Where can a person get something to eat around here?"
She grabbed her pouch. "I have food here in the cottage, but I think it would be nice to go out to the eatery tonight." She glanced up at him, "Unless it would make you uncomfortable to have everyone staring at you."
He shrugged. "People have been staring at me for the last six years. Why should it bother me now?"
More than likely women had been staring at him a lot longer than that. They walked to an eatery and she used her cards to purchase a meal for each of them.
"What are the cards?" Donte asked as they sat at a table.
"We get cards for work or goods. Then we can buy things with the cards. How do you buy things in Libertad?"
Donte shrugged. "It was still the barter and credit system when I left, but they were talking about changing it."
A female voice broke into their conversation. "There you two are. I've been looking for you for quite a while."
Akira looked up as Sima came to their table. Hopefully the council hadn't changed their mind.
Donte stood, "Would you like to join us?"
Sima glanced around at the tables. "I've already had my meal." Her gaze came back to Donte. "Is she going with you?"
He nodded. "We'll be leaving in the morning."
She turned back to Akira. "I'll miss you, but I hope you have a wonderful trip."
She looked at Donte. "Whatever happens, I hope you will return."
Donte glanced at Akira. "I plan to."
After Sima left, Donte looked at Akira. "You know, she isn't a better person because she is the president any more than she is a worse person because you don't agree with her."
"I don't think that," Akira said.
"Don't you? I watch you with her and you seem to be intimidated by her."
Akira smiled. "I am. Haven't you ever been intimidated by someone?"
Donte nodded. "Halisi."
"Did you think she was a better person than you?"
"Sometimes."
Akira sighed. "We have a lot in common, you and I, despite the differences in our age and upbringing."
He watched her, swirling the water in his glass. Finally, he shrugged. "Perhaps."
They both finished their meals in comfortable silence. Akira pushed her eating utensils away and looked at Donte. "What will Libertad think of your relationship with Halisi?"
Donte wiped his mouth with a napkin. "I don't think they will approve, but I don't think they will hold it against me, either. Bergen may be a different story. They believe that a person should be intimate only with their mate."
"Then if you had exchanged vows with her, it would have been acceptable - being from another colony and all?"
Donte smiled. "I don't think being another colony would make any difference. The fact that she belongs to Nyumbani might make a difference to them."
Akira frowned. "Why?"
"Partly because of the raids, but mostly because of the attack on my mate and children. I shouldn't have gone there. Even I know that now."
"But if you hadn't gone...none of this would have happened."
"Possibly. Then again, it might have happened much earlier. Lives might have been saved if Libertad and Bergen had removed Farasi. I was already traveling and intended to visit other colonies."
"Lives - Nyumbani lives and others, would have been lost if they had invaded Nyumbani." She reminded him.
He nodded. "I've thought about that. We don't know for sure what would have happened - if only - but we know what did happen, and that's what we have to work with now. Whether what I did was right or wrong, it is done."
Soft Science Fiction
