The Purlieu Experiment
Chapter 19
Copyright 2015 & 2021
Akira stared out the tram window at the green fields of Libertad, still trying to absorb the shock of change. Never in her life had she been treated with so much respect. She would have relived every humiliating step of her life to achieve this moment. It wouldn't last, but she was going to savor it as long as she could. The four of them sat in seats facing each other. Chait sat directly across from her. They had been given seats by the window so that they could get a close look at the country. Donte sat beside her and Kenyon opposite him. They were being treated with honor now, but she was afraid of what would happen when they reached their destination and the president discovered that they had held his son captive for thirty years.
She glanced at Chait, staring out the window in a reflective pose. He should be concerned about what the President would do when he discovered he had tortured Kenyon by allowing him to escape almost to the border before recapturing him. Of course, Kenyon had complicated the issue by taking other captives with him. Personally, she applauded his courage and tenacity, but he had to know it would make things worse for him. They had finally resorted to putting him in chains. Sima said they could not execute a Mascot from another colony. The way she saw it, Sima didn't want Kenyon to leave at all. It was a hopeless situation. She obviously desired him, but would not have relations with someone from another colony. Every time he tried to escape; she would have him working for her at the complex where she could keep an eye on him. Kenyon would get into trouble flirting with women in front of her. When she finally broke his spirit by forcing him to vow that he would not try to escape with other captives, she lost interest in him and sent him to the river country.
Akira could understand Sima's frustration. She even understood Kenyon's hatred for her. Akira had been sent many times to verify that he was still in the river area. It had made her a part of something she despised. She agreed with the closed borders in theory. After all, it had saved them the horror of the plague. She even agreed that there should be a quarantine for those who came in uninvited - as if anyone was ever invited. Holding them captive was another thing - especially for thirty years. Each time she went to check on Kenyon, she secretly hoped he had escaped, but he was always there. She had cursed the people who thought this was wrong but never did anything to change it. Unfortunately, that included her as well. She had argued endlessly with Sima about the logic of it. The captives were not a health threat, but in the eyes of Sima and the council, they were a threat. If they were released, not only would others violate the borders, but the colonies of the captives might retaliate. Then came Donte. Sima couldn't wait to gather her private lynch crowd, once again making Akira part of it. Only this time she outdid herself. Donte's story about the Nyumbani killing his mate and children had gripped their hearts. Some of them had lost relatives in the recent raid by the Nyumbani. Donte had killed Farasi and rescued the sister of their president. Sima wasn't expecting sympathy for him, nor was she prepared for his honorable method of shifting his good deeds to Akira. In short, he had mesmerized them, the way he had Akira. His knowledge about the airfield and spaceships had been the final step. Of course, he hadn’t divulged that information, she had, but he possessed it, all the same. They no longer saw him as an intruder. What they saw before them was a messenger. It was time for change. She would like to have been present when the council told Sima that Donte was a diplomat. Equally interesting would have been their argument that led to the release of Kenyon. She had been so concerned that he would take a captive with him, but Sima's statement that he was a test release may have been the reason he left without confrontation. Both Kenyon and Sima had to know that it was the beginning of the end for captivity - and probably for Sima's presidency as well.
In a way, she felt sorry for Sima. Until Donte came along, Akira had felt dominated by what she considered an inferior gender. Until their confrontation near the border, she had believed he was the exception. Strangely enough, it was Chait's submission that made her realize that men were much stronger than she had imagined. Chait could have turned back at that point. If the truth were known, he probably considered it. But what happened that day was not about strength or weakness. It wasn't about hierarchy. It was about negotiation. Donte, on the other hand, had gone a step too far when he told Chait that he would blacken his eye. Chait had met Donte's challenge, but like Kenyon, he had seen the advantage of submission. It wasn't about Akira's honor. It was about seeing that airfield and getting aboard a spaceship. She always knew women understood the art of negotiation, but she had never recognized that men did the same thing. She had always assumed that they had an advantage simply by being born men. That was Sima's idea, and where did it get her? Sure, she was president, but her personal life was full of short-term conquests. With Kenyon, she hadn't even got that far.
That moment near the river had been a turning point for her with regard to Donte as well. Kenyon's comment about bringing the children along had hit her hard. She was closer to Kenyon's age than she was Donte's. Up to that point, Donte's strength had not inspired her to be strong. Quite the contrary. When had she started leaning on him? She wasn't in love with him. She was attracted to him, sure, but at her age she should know the difference between infatuation and love. Their kiss had not been born of sexual attraction alone. Donte was a lot of man in many ways, but the biggest factor was the sharing of what they had been through. They had both been humiliated beyond capacity. They had found companionship and understanding in each other. She would be forever grateful for what Donte had done, but she wasn't in love with him. For some reason, that thought was a relief.
She turned from the window. Both Chait and Kenyon were dozing, but Donte was watching her.
"You've been quiet since we reached Libertad. Have I said something to offend you?"
She smiled. "No. I've been thinking, that's all."
He smiled. "I suppose all of this is a little overwhelming."
Kenyon opened his eyes and she turned back to the window. "I feel free for the first time in my life." She could feel Kenyon's gaze boring into her but he said nothing. "I can't explain it," she said. "I'm not sure I even understand it."
"Is that why you said you would be glad to get across the border?" Kenyon asked.
She nodded. She wanted to cry, but couldn't explain that feeling either. What was happening to her? "I don't want to go back." Until she heard her own voice, she wasn't aware she was speaking out loud.
Chait lifted his head and stared at her. "Sometimes I think you're crazy."
She sighed. "Sometimes I would agree." She looked at Donte. "Is there someplace I could lie down for a while? I don't feel well."
Donte summoned the officer and spoke to him in their language. The officer nodded eagerly and motioned for her to follow him. He led her to the back of the car they were in and lowered a ramp to the next. There he took her to one of several rooms with a bunk. She thanked him as best she could and closed the door. Alone in the compartment, she sank down on the bunk and began to cry. What she was crying about, she didn't know. Maybe because she was thoroughly disappointed in herself, or maybe because she had no idea where her life was going from here. All she knew was that she didn't want to go back home. If they would have her, she would sign up on a spaceship.
Finally, exhausted from crying, she fell asleep.
She woke to darkness, unsure where she was at first. Memory flooded her with despair again. Some of her anxiety could be attributed to the fact that only the four of them spoke her language. It wasn't as though she could blend into Libertad.
She stood and straightened her hair and clothes. Opening the door, she was startled by a man standing in the hallway. Recognizing his uniform calmed her heart, though. He led her across the cars and to the seat with the men.
Both Donte and Kenyon stood when she arrived. She took her seat and they sat down again. Donte looked at her, his gaze searching hers. He could tell she had been crying.
"Are you feeling any better?" He asked.
Kenyon watched her with an expression she had never seen on his face before. The worst thing she could imagine at the moment was that they felt sorry for her. She didn't want that.
"I am feeling better. I was tired."
"And disappointed?" Kenyon added.
She shook her head. "Only in myself." At Donte's startled look, she smiled and added: "All that beautiful country to look at and I fall asleep."
Donte smiled. "There will be plenty of time to enjoy the scenery later. We should be there soon."
When they reached their final destination, the tram hummed to a gentle stop. They were held in their area until the other passengers had left the tram. The officer opened the door for them and they emerged into a well-lit area where another officer waited for them. The first officer bade them goodbye and disappeared back inside the tram.
They were led down a ramp and into a large room where several people waited. A girl with beautiful blue eyes was practically jumping up and down, repeating Donte's name over and over again, as if she couldn't believe he was actually there. Donte hugged her close and spoke to her in their language.
Kenyon looked uncomfortable. He probably felt left out. A tall man with black hair and soft brown eyes stepped forward. He shook Kenyon's hand and said his name as if he, too, could not believe his eyes. Finally, he pulled Kenyon into a fatherly hug. Kenyon seemed stiff at first, but finally returned the affection.
Donte turned from the girl and folded the man in his arms. Kenyon stood to the side, watching. With all the hugs and greetings completed, they all turned to the guests. Donte began the introductions.
"Dad, this is Akira and Chait, from Lochfowk. Akira, Chait, this is my father, Quade, President of Libertad."
Chait grinned and stuck out his hand, palm up, for the Mascot handshake that he had refused Donte. Quade accommodated him.
"It is nice to meet you," Quade said in perfect Lochfowk. He turned to Akira, offering a hand, palm up. "Akira, that is a beautiful name."
She placed her arm on his warm palm and gripped his forearm. He shook her arm and slid his hand back to hers. Lifting her hand to his lips, he bowed slightly over it before releasing it. "I am at your service."
He turned. "You have met my sons, Donte and Kenyon. This is my youngest daughter, Donica. She and Donte are twins."
Donica's head bobbed and she smiled. "It is such a pleasure to meet all of you!"
Her Lochfowk was flawless. Akira's anxiety disappeared. She had two more people to talk to, and one of them was a female. She glanced up at Quade to find him watching her.
His neck turned red. "Excuse me for staring, but you have the most beautiful hair I have ever seen, and your eyes are such a lovely shade of green."
Kenyon was still staring at Donica and Donte. "I didn't know... I heard of Donte, but..." He held his arms out to Donica and she rushed into them.
"I have heard so much about you. Daddy loves you so much..." She hugged him. "Welcome home!"
Quade offered an elbow to Akira. "Of course, you are all exhausted. We have rooms ready for all of you."
Akira glanced at Donte. She had no idea what was expected.
Quade took her hand and tucked it into the inside of his elbow, giving it a reassuring pat. "Sometimes I forget that we are the ones who do things differently."
She smiled up at him. "It is a very nice difference."
At the carriage, Quade grasped Akira by the waist and lifted her to the seat. She scooted over, making room for Donica. Kenyon lifted Donica into the carriage the same way. They stepped aside, allowing Chait to climb into the carriage without assistance.
Quade addressed them all. "I trust Donica to keep you entertained until we get to my house. My sons and I will ride in the other carriage."
Donica smiled at them. "We were so delighted when we got Donte's message. This is simply too good to be true! I cannot tell you how upset we were when we received Donte's letter that he was to be executed the next morning. I should have known that they could not bring themselves to kill him. And Kenyon - what a surprise after all these years! Daddy is beside himself with joy." She paused long enough to take a breath. "All that was exciting enough, but to bring two emissaries from Lochfowk... She stopped; looking embarrassed. "Please excuse me for dominating the conversation."
Akira smiled. "We are excited to be here as well."
They arrived at a large white house with arched doorways and windows. Soft light came from the downstairs windows. Chait leaped out of the carriage and stood staring at the building. They had nothing in Lochfowk that even approached the elegance of the building.
Kenyon lifted his arms to Donica and she smiled sweetly as he lifted her down. He hugged her again. "Thank you for such a nice welcome home."
Quade offered his hands to Akira and she stood, leaning toward him so that he could reach her waist. He smiled as he grasped her waist and helped her down. Again, he offered his elbow and this time she accepted without hesitation. This was going to be a pleasant visit. Her stomach twisted...until they found out why Kenyon had been gone so long.
Soft Science Fiction
