Chapter Four
After the discussions had finished for the day, Alyce said to the crew, "I have other duties to attend to now but I would like to invite all of you to dinner tonight."
Two Tellarans entered the chamber and Alyce introduced them, "This is Lentar and Sillay. I've asked them to show you around, to answer any questions you may have and to see to your needs." The two, a man and a woman nodded a friendly greeting towards the visitors.
Lentar was a darkly tanned man who seemed to radiate the joy of being alive. He was a person who lived very much in the moment. The silver buttons on his multi-green jacket accentuated the twinkle in his eyes when he laughed.
His partner, Sillay was a serious young woman in a light grey top and a red skirt that on closer inspection was more like a split dress-pants combination. She always seemed distracted and deep in thought when her attentions weren't required. Sillay spoke with more deliberateness than her partner, giving the impression of a person who wanted to make sure that her words would convey what she wanted before she said them.
Avon asked, "Do I understand that we're not free to wander around on our own?"
Alyce turned to him with a reassuring smile in her eyes, "You are free, Avon. You may go anywhere you wish on Tellar. Alone if you wish. I have instructed that all facilities be open to you and your crew. Lentar and Sillay are only here for your convenience."
She touched a nearby panel on the wall and the monitor lit up. "This is a public information panel. You will see them throughout Tellar. It will tell you any basic information you need and provide directions. I understand from Captain Varro that you have an interest in our military technology?"
The speed at which their needs and questions were being anticipated made Avon even more wary. These people were much too prepared to be caught out this easily. He said guardedly, "Yes. I'd like to start with your shield technology."
Alyce smiled and turned to touch the panel. "I require the location of the research facility specializing in the energy-absorbing shield technology."
The panel now showed a map with the location and address on the screen.
She told them. "The location is on the Klexxen continent. We have moving public walkways that will get you to any near location. You can ask Lentar or Sillay to provide you with a transport vehicle for farther locations. They do not need to accompany you. Will that satisfy you, Avon?"
"You're very good at satisfying needs that you can anticipate ahead of time." There was hardness to Avon's voice that conveyed more than just suspicion.
Alyce said, "You only wish to understand us. The trust does not exist yet for you. I understand."
"Do you?" asked Avon.
Argus stepped in and directed the conversation elsewhere. The group moved off while Cally held Avon back a bit.
Cally projected, * Avon? Why are you treating the Tellarans like this? You're not normally rude to people who haven't attacked you first. *
Avon sent her, * I'm rude to everyone. Isn't that what you all believe of me? * There was no light teasing manner that characterized their interactions the last few months, only an edge of bitterness.
For a split second Cally was hurt that he would say that to her, but it was quickly replaced with concern. Something was increasingly wrong with Avon.
He had always been strong, independent, aloof, not caring what others thought of him. Wanting them to think the worst. Encouraging them even.
This bitterness seemed to indicate something else.
Even in the past, he rarely applied the knife-edge of his words on her unless there was a good reason. There was no cause now. Just as there was no reason for him to be rude to the Tellarans.
You rarely needed to fear Avon's sharp tongue if you didn't make the mistake of verbally attacking him first. It was his primary defense mechanism. But if you did, you had better watch out from then on.
* Avon. * Cally brushed the hard prickly edges of Avon's mind with her own, trying to understand what was behind his attitude. She wanted to reach further inside but it was not the time of intimacy and his walls were firmly up.
Avon's jaw tightened in a grimace as he saw the brief look of hurt in Cally's eyes. He saw the flash of pain quickly change to compassion and a desire to understand. It made him angry with himself. She was important to him. That meant he should not hurt her.
Avon could feel his control slipping away slowly and he was helpless against it. * That was unfair of me. *
Cally's eyes were soft with concern. * Avon. Your mind. You're starting to lose control again. Let's ask Alyce if we can do the examinations sooner. *
* The shields are important. We could use them. *
*Avon. * Her voice was firm. * You are more important than the shields. *
The thoughts of his mind were also firm. * The shields can protect you. I can't. *
* Avon, don't do this. * Her eyes pleaded with him.
A voice interrupted them. "Are you alright?" It was Alyce. She had noticed that they hadn't followed the others.
Avon stared at her. How much of his attitude towards the Tellarans was attributable to his normal suspicious nature and how much was due to the loss of control over his own mind? Had he lost the ability to look at things rationally and objectively? Was the deterioration of his mind enhancing his normal paranoia to the point he could no longer make any kind of useful assessments? Like this, he was of no use to anyone. Cally was right. He needed medical help sooner. Avon still considered the shields more important but if he were to get help, it had to be now.
He felt Cally touch his arm. * Avon, please. *
Avon said to Alyce, "I have a suspicious nature. There was no intent to offend earlier."
Alyce said, "I understand. It has kept you alive all these years. No offence was taken."
Her gentleness was like a soothing breeze against Avon's fevered mind. It whispered of healing, kindness and acceptance. She had a natural compassion that made no demands on him. It was there for him if he was willing to take it.
Avon shook himself mentally. He didn't realize he had been staring into her eyes.
Cally said, "We were wondering if you could arrange for the meeting with your medical specialists earlier?"
Alyce looked at the silent man beside Cally and said at once, "Of course. I will arrange it right away. Most of them have to come in from other planets but they can all be here by tomorrow morning. In the meantime it may be beneficial for you to enjoy what Tellar has to offer."
**********
Lentar, one of the assistants Alyce had provided for them suggested that they go for a walk outside. He seemed very enthusiastic and was animated in his movements.
The crew had teleported directly onto the grounds of the Council building and had not left the government complex yet but taking a walk outside didn't sound all that exciting. Vila asked, "What's interesting about a walk outside?"
Sillay said to Lentar, "They probably have other interests."
Lentar was amiable. "It's very beautiful. I thought you might like it since you're cooped up in confined spaces most of the time."
Cally said, "I would like to see something beautiful."
Avon's preference would have been the 'other interests' option but a brief glance at Cally told him that she wanted him to join her. He knew that she would not consider going to a research facility as very relaxing. "We both would."
Vila and Corinne looked at each other. "Actually, we were thinking of going shopping. Corinne wanted some new clothes."
Corinne self-consciously tugged at the ends of her functional brown shirt as everyone turned their attentions to her clothing.
Cally wondered why Vila had never introduced Corinne to the clothing storage rooms on the Justice. She smiled and said, "That's an excellent idea." Either Vila had been too blinded by his interest in Corinne to notice what she was wearing or he hadn't wanted to run the risk of hurting her. She had been too preoccupied with Avon herself.
Lentar said with a big smile, "I know just the place. It's an open-air market not far from here. We can take the scenic route. That way we can do both."
Argus stared at him and then the pleased faces of Corinne, Cally and Vila. Like Avon, he would have preferred the 'other interests' option. He was a soldier. His taste in clothes was limited by anything that he could wear into a battle and looked uniform-like.
He had deliberately gotten away from the all black outfits of his Federation days; though a dark grey shirt was his only deviation. Reya had been getting him to branch out into at least one more colour, dark greens but at least she still picked something vaguely military. She knew that anything else made him feel inappropriately dressed.
He was curious about Tellar society and the concept of a matriarchy though. Reya had expressed an interest in it. She wanted to introduce some of the ideas into the planet she had been given by her brother. Argus said, "It might be interesting."
Sester didn't mind the suggestion at all. He thrived in situations where he could study people. An open-air market sounded like a good place to get a better feel for ordinary Tellar society.
**********
Vila remarked, "I feel naked."
They had been walking and taking the moving public walkways for half an hour, traversing through beautiful avenues lined with flowers and green plants. Low-rise residences were naturally blended into the landscape.
Vila felt like he had snuck into one of the elite Alpha grids.
Open spaces with greenery and flowing water; where you could only see the living stacks of human beings squashed together like the layers of a nutri-wafer from a far distance, as if it were on a different continent. Places where you could look up and see the artificial skies reflected on the inner surface of the dome above.
Usually the lower grades only heard of such things as stories told by labourers assigned to serve those grids. Alphas didn't like getting their own hands dirty.
Vila kept looking around nervously, expecting the security people to swoop down on him any minute and deliver him to one of the Rehab Centres for the geographically challenged. Lower grades weren't allowed to walk on the hallowed streets reserved for the elites.
Avon glanced over at him. "You're fully clothed."
"I'm not talking about that. It's just that…well, I'm not sure why."
Sester's mind had been very active since arriving on Tellar. He remarked absently, "It's because of the buildings."
Vila turned his head to look at him, "Eh? What buildings?" His eyes swept their surroundings in vain for buildings he couldn't see.
Sester said, "Exactly."
Avon also looked around him curiously. His mind was also very busy. "Of course."
Vila looked at one of them and then the other. His eyes narrowed. If he didn't know these two were mortal enemies, he'd swear that they were both pulling one over on him in their dry, superior-Alpha way. "What do you mean, of course?"
Avon turned expressionless eyes towards him; either that or he was doing a very good imitation of a straight man in a comedy act, which would be exceedingly strange and make Vila wonder if they were about to go through another spate of alien possessions. He remembered a time when there seemed to be one every other week. But usually the victim had been Cally. Maybe Avon's mind thing with Cally was making him more vulnerable. Vila stopped these ideas before his mouth began running away with his random thoughts. It would not do to suggest that to Avon. The man had promised not to call him a fool anymore, but there had to be exceptions.
Avon said in an almost bored tone, "You said, 'what buildings?' and I agreed with you."
"I still don't…wait a minute." Vila eyes swept the landscape again but this time he looked upwards. Shafts of sunlight touched his face with gentle warmth and the rays extended through wisps of clouds like a work of art. The sun! It was beautiful, just like the pictures in old obscure archives on Earth. He took a deep breath and then his face broke out into a huge smile that extended from ear-to-ear. Fresh, clean air! Not the recycled air of the domes or ships. Not the pollution-rich atmosphere of most of the Federated worlds that were lucky enough not to live under domes. Not the harsh climates of the numerous human-unfriendly worlds. There was a crisp, sweet quality to this air.
Vila sounded almost as enthusiastic as Lentar. "This is amazing. I can see why you love it."
Avon and Sester stared at each other. For a moment, they almost shared the look of two amused Alphas but Avon's eyes hardened and he looked away.
Sester didn't say anything but there was a resigned look on his face.
Lentar said, "I hate being cooped up inside. I like any job that takes me out here."
Sillay had noticed Avon's enquiring look. She asked, "Is there something wrong?"
Avon asked, "Where are the populated areas?"
She seemed perplexed by his question. "This is a populated area."
Vila asked, "Where are the tall buildings? Your megaplexes? Where everyone else lives?"
There was an uncomprehending look on Sillay's face. "I don't understand."
Vila could almost feel the cramped air of home as he remembered the Earth domes and the grids where the Delta grades lived.
Sester clarified, "Vila is wondering about your class structure."
Vila turned to him with a question in his eyes. "I am?"
Avon said with amusement, "In your own simple way, you have asked the relevant question."
Argus said, "Yes, one we're all very interested in."
Sillay's eyes brightened with comprehension. "There is no class structure in the Tellar Union. Every person is treated equally and with respect."
Sester said, "But not equal respect."
Sillay regarded Sester carefully, her intelligent eyes measuring him. "That is true but not in the way you're thinking."
Avon asked sceptically, "What other way is there?"
Sillay said, "It is human nature to respect certain things more than others. We appreciate achievement and extraordinary displays of courage and honour. Because of their role, we regard those in authority differently."
Sester said, "That's normal behaviour for any culture, not just human."
Sillay said, "True. In many cultures it forms into a formal or informal privilege structure of some kind with certain groups having more advantages than others do. Usually based on wealth, power, position, the strength of dominating characteristics or where you are born in the social structure. Even luck at times. Some groups are devalued and hold little respect because they lack one or all of these aspects."
Avon was absently rubbing his left wrist. He said, "That is also normal behaviour."
Cally looked at him curiously. She was aware of a shift in Avon's awareness during this conversation.
Sillay turned to Avon, "Only if we allow it to be. We value everyone equally in our society. Everyone's contribution is respected. We do not practice different levels of service. If you need medical attention, you will receive the best care that we are capable of giving."
Vila liked what he was hearing. If it was true. Like Avon, he maintained a healthy scepticism. "You mean you get what you need and you don't have to pay for it?"
Lentar had been quiet so far during this conversation because this was not his area of expertise but now he spoke up. "Yes. It doesn't matter who you are."
"I like that," said Vila. His eyes took on a thoughtful, faraway look. The medical facilities for Deltas were overcrowded and barely adequate. He remembered friends who had suffered or died because they couldn't get the help they needed. Getting sick or injured could be very expensive if you didn't work for someone who took care of you.
Sester asked, "You say that there are no differences in privilege in your society but you also acknowledged that human beings have a tendency to respect some people more than others."
Sillay said, "That's true. But that is on an individual basis, not on a societal one."
The conversation was interrupted as they arrived at the bustling open-air market.
**********
Colourful and busy stalls lined several avenues. It was hard to know where to begin.
Lentar led the way as he said, "The clothing ones are on the next street." Crowds of people made the atmosphere festive and vibrant. Decorative banners stretched high above their heads. Holographic images modelled the wares of each stall.
As they followed Lentar, Corinne leaned towards Vila and with a small anxious voice asked, "Vila, I never thought to ask before. Do you…have any money? I don't have anything."
Vila smiled and took a personal credit marker from his inner vest pocket. It was the one that the Pleasure City people had given to him. With Avon's help, he was even richer now than when he started. Avon had used all kinds of complex algorithms to predict stock market trends. It was amazing what a few credits, a little bit of creativity and a lot of brainpower could achieve.
Vila showed the small rectangular marker to Corinne. The sunlight glinted off the shiny surface and revealed the embedded identification crystals in it. He said expansively, "You've come to the right man. With this I could buy everything on this street." Corinne's eyes crinkled with interest as she looked at it.
Vila said, "They should take Federation Standard Credits. If not, there's probably a place where we could exchange them for local currency."
The next street was a clothes and accessories shopper's paradise. Every type of garment you could think of and a few you couldn't imagine. Corinne was wide-eyed and so was Vila at times. These Tellarans were much more colourful and freer in their expressions of clothing than Federation society and definitely more than Chandaran.
People only dressed stiffly here if that was their current mood. It was not a reflection of their society.
Vila thought it was time to introduce Corinne to another Earth custom. "You can shop until you drop and then we can come back again tomorrow for some more."
Corinne looked puzzled. "That doesn't sound very healthy."
"I mean, you don't literally drop. You just shop until you're too tired to shop anymore."
The puzzled look still had not left Corinne's face. "Why? Is this like exercising?"
"Exercising?" Now Vila looked confused. The idea didn't seem to be getting through.
Cally clarified, "What Vila means is that you can shop as much as you want."
"Oh."
They went into a shop that specialized in blouses that had a slight sheen to the material. Corinne searched through the various displays and found several designs she liked.
The shopkeeper was an elderly woman with a long fingers and expressive hands. She asked with a friendly smile, "Would you like to see what they would look like on you?"
"Yes, I'd love that," said Corinne.
The lady picked up a small oval device, pointed it towards her and directed, "Don't move. I'll make a holographic image of you." She turned it on and soft beams reached out towards Corinne and bathed her in blue light.
They all watched with interest as the woman made a slow circuit around Corinne. When she was done, the woman inserted the oval into a unit on her table. She switched it on and a second Corinne appeared in front of them.
"That's me!" exclaimed Corinne.
"It's like the ones at Pleasure City," said Vila.
They all walked around the second Corinne, looking at the image. All except Avon who was examining the projection unit. "It's similar technology but a more advanced version."
The elderly shopkeeper inserted the first of Corinne's choices into the imager. The holographic Corinne's brown shirt was replaced with a shimmering cream blouse with a faint design of an orange and white feathered bird embossed into the material.
Corinne looked at it critically. "What do you think, Vila?"
After the fifth blouse and similar descriptions of "That's wonderful" Corinne realized that Vila might not be the best person to be asking for fashion advice. Cally lent a hand.
Corinne finally settled on two beautiful blouses, one a simple white hatch-patterned blouse with a rounded collar and another one with understated white and blue flowers. She said to the shopkeeper, "I'll take these two."
The woman went to get her choices while Vila asked, "Are you sure you don't want more?"
"No. Two's enough."
"That's right. There are more shops," said Vila.
The shopkeeper came back with a flat box and handed it to Corinne.
Vila extended the credit marker towards her. "Do you take Federation Standard?"
The woman did not take it from him. "We don't take those."
Vila was prepared. "Is there a place I can exchange some for local currency?"
The woman replied, "No."
"What?" asked a confused Vila. "Then how do I buy something?"
Sillay, who had been talking to Avon, looked up and said, "You don't need to buy it."
Vila was flabbergasted. "You mean its free? But…that's unnatural…"
Avon seemed very interested in this. He remarked to Vila, "It puts you out of business."
Vila looked lost. "But…what would people steal?"
Sester asked Sillay, "I imagine this applies to food as well and any essential item required for a basic standard of life?"
Sillay nodded, "Yes, you're correct."
As they continued shopping, Cally was becoming increasingly worried. Avon was restlessly rubbing his palms together and the tension level in his mind had increased. There was something strange going on in his head. She was careful about intruding on his thoughts but she had to make sure. He had started exhibiting signs of mental breakdown earlier and would have to be monitored carefully before the examinations tomorrow. She asked tentatively, * Avon, are you all right? *
When he looked at her, Avon's eyes contained an expression she never expected to see here. He said almost in a mental whisper, * Wealth is not the only reality for these people. * She recognized the look now as well as the tone in his mental voice. It was wonder and discovery. She had only seen this look in their bedroom and when he was making some kind of scientific or technological breakthrough.
**********
Argus was irritated when he left the others to go back to the ship. It had nothing to do with the Tellarans. Well, in a way it did, but only indirectly. Sester had come with him. As he left the teleport room, he turned on Sester and trying not to sound as annoyed as he was, "Stop following me around."
Sester said amiably, "I'm not."
Argus snapped, "Then why are you here? Following me?" The other man's pleasant attitude always set him on edge.
"I'm going to see how Reya is. I imagine you're doing the same thing. It's just a juxtaposition of purposes. Nothing more."
A low grumble formed deep in Argus's throat but he quashed it down before it turned into an audible growl of displeasure. "See her some other time." He turned his back on his rival and continued walking towards the medical unit. Reya had been put in one of the smaller observation rooms so she could continue the rest of her recovery.
Sester smiled and watched the other man walk away for a moment and then he followed. "You'd like it if I never saw her again, wouldn't you?"
"The thought had crossed my mind." Argus was trying very hard to avoid a snarl from forming or picking Sester up and locking him up somewhere for a while. Just for his own peace of mind. Unfortunately, he wasn't that kind of man. At least, not when he was himself. All he could do was keep walking forward and grind his teeth in frustration.
Sester said with calculation, "I've arranged the meeting with Servalan."
Argus jerked to a stop and stood stock-still. Controlled energy radiated from him as he turned around slowly. "When?"
"Anytime. She was very interested."
Argus's jaw tightened. "Did she say what she wanted?"
"She said that the price could be negotiated. It would depend on you."
Argus had an uneasy feeling that Servalan already had a price in mind and he doubted he would like it one bit. "I'll talk to her if the Tellaran's can't help Avon. Not a moment before."
Sester said with approval, "That's a smart thing to do. It's never wise to give Servalan an advantage over you unless you don't have a choice. And even then, make sure you can escape it."
Argus scowled as he remembered that it was already too late to avoid that.
Chapter Five
Avon was suspended by invisible forces in the medical examination chamber. It was an odd feeling, being firmly supported in midair but not feeling any force against his body. He could move if he wanted to but it felt comfortable lying still. Faintly warmed air blew gently across his nearly naked body. He was relaxed as he waited for the examinations to begin. Cally's mind was not touching his but she was allowing him to feel her as a comforting presence nearby.
It was silent. Peaceful. His restless mind wandered, finding things to think about. He randomly noted that being in this chamber could have triggered unpleasant memories. It could have reminded him of similar states at the Detention Centre, when he was immobilized and helpless, waiting for whatever horrors were about to be visited on his mind and body. But there was no hint of memories surfacing. Only a clinical detachment noting this fact.
* Avon. * Cally's presence brushed his mind gently.
* Cally. Are they ready? * Avon's response was cool and impassive, but with the faint touch of warmth he had adopted in their mental communications.
The 'they' referred to the half dozen medical specialists who were here for his benefit. They operated the various control panels just outside the chamber.
Cally projected to him, * Yes, they will begin shortly. I wanted you to know that I will be here if you need me. I will not leave you. *
Avon turned his head to look at her through the clear partition. This was something they already knew without saying. No further words were necessary between them.
Cally felt the need to verbalize it; a redundant act of sentiment but he understood that it was important for her.
A calm and competent female voice spoke and echoed within the chamber. "Avon, this is Dr. Kendric. We are about to begin. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them. You can also request us to stop at any time. Just give us an indication."
Avon's own voice sounded hallow within the chamber; a cool, scientific tone, as if he was also an observer rather than the subject. "I understand."
"To begin with, we will use the genovariance scanners to build a genetic profile."
A genetic profile of him? Avon was not about to let them do anything until he understood what it was they were doing. "For what purpose?"
Dr. Kendric had a professional and reassuring manner, which made this much easier for Avon. "From information provided by you and Sester, you have indicated that there were alterations done to your mind and body using conditioning, microsurgery and the use of drugs. We want to determine if any alterations were also made on a genetic level."
Avon's heart skipped a beat of fear, quickly quashed by his will. He had never considered this. For some reason this idea was even more of a violation than what had already been done to him. He was aware of his heart beating faster and his lungs expanding for more oxygen to meet the needs of this new stress.
He had not been aware of any genetic manipulation being done but of course, there were many times he had been unconscious. There was no knowing what they had really done to him.
He could not discount the possibility. The Federation had the knowledge. He had witnessed firsthand their work and experimentation in this area on many occasions.
Had they done this to him as well? A sickening feeling stirred in his stomach and the unwelcome rise of a panic reaction.
Must not think of it now. There was nothing he could do. Let the medical specialists determine the truth. It was not rational to fear something before there was any proof.
Unfortunately, his mind was no longer capable of convincing the rest of him to react rationally. It could not use logic to dig out the thin shards of fear that had already buried itself in his consciousness.
Dr. Kendric asked with concern, "Avon? Are you all right for us to continue? Do you require further explanations? I know it's a disturbing idea but be assured that we are here to help you. We will do the best that we can for you."
The reactions in Avon's body were betraying him to the cold, unfeeling machines that read every change in his physical condition. "Proceed."
"The scanners will produce a slight sensation but it will not be painful. Do not be alarmed."
Avon stared at the curved surface of the chamber as he waited for the examination to begin. Green beams of light radiated from the surfaces all around him and touched his body. They generated a tingling sensation as they penetrated through him.
There was a momentary stab of alarm at this violation of his body. The idea of it would horrify him if he allowed it to. He had to maintain control.
Focus. What technology was this? Dr. Kendric called it a variance scanner. That indicated that it compared…
**********
Cally eyes closed as the bright green rays bathed Avon's body. She opened up her awareness of him as far as she could.
Familiar Avon-impressions came to her. Control. Momentary panic. Fear. Focus. Thinking.
She read the gamut of emotions without trying to interfere. He was thinking now. She recognized the mental energy. Avon had reduced his experience to a mental exercise. Most likely analyzing the technology of the scanner he was unfamiliar with.
A rush of excited voices made her open her eyes. The Tellaran doctors were gathered around Dr. Kendric's monitor and peering into it intently. Their faces were full of amazement and many questions.
Cally asked, "Is there something wrong?"
They looked up at her as if they had almost forgotten she was there.
Dr. Kendric said, "These readings are…unexpected."
Cally asked, "In what way?" Did they already have evidence of genetic tampering? It had only been a few minutes since the examination had begun.
Kendric's eyes were bright with excitement. "I don't like to say before we've completed the readings. And that won't be for a couple of hours yet. But the indications so far, from the little we've seen, are...unexpected."
Cally was still none the wiser. She wondered if Dr. Kendric was going to make her wait until after the scan was completed before telling her. She wasn't sure she had the patience. "Can you tell me what you've found so far?"
Dr. Kendric asked, "Has Avon ever mentioned being part of a eugenics program?"
"He's never made any reference to one. But that does not mean that he wasn't. He's a very private man."
Dr. Kendric nodded. "I understand. We'll have to wait to ask him when the examination is over."
Cally was full of questions now. "You've found indications that he may have been?"
"At the moment it's merely speculation but early signs are that his cellular tissue and genetic material are of a high calibre."
A vague memory tickled Cally's mind but she couldn't grasp hold of it. She asked, "You don't think it's naturally occurring?"
Dr. Kendric pursed her lips. "It is possible but the likelihood is rare." She looked down at her monitor and the flowing streams of data being reflected on the screen. Her eyes were wide. "It's almost statistically impossible to have this consistent a calibre across so many areas. Unless it was artificially engineered."
Cally remembered. The Ultras!
She had been a disembodied consciousness adrift and wandering after the Ultras had liberated her mind from her body. It had been a strange experience. Her brain pattern had been transferred to a memory tube. All her thoughts, memories and emotions filed away like pieces of data. But that part that was her was still free. She wasn't sure if her psi abilities had made it possible or whether this was a normal occurrence. It had been such a disturbing experience that she had never thought to ask Avon what he had felt after his own transference.
She had existed as an unseen shadow, passing through the walls and corridors of Ultraworld in order to find answers and perhaps a way to return to her own body. Her explorations had brought her to Avon as he lay inclined and restrained, trying to fight the power of the Core as it tried to force him to sleep.
Anger had filled her as she saw him struggle. She had tried to project her thoughts to him but his pre-occupied mind had not heard her. Cally had stayed with him, trying with a vain hope that she could help him in some way by sending him strength and encouragement. He had lasted a long time, longer than most in the Ultras experience.
She could hear their conversations as they studied him, marvelling at his ability to resist. They said that he had a strong mind and body.
And something else. The relevant piece of information that had triggered this memory in her mind.
After his brain has been cleansed, it will be absorbed. The Core needs new cellular tissue of such high caliber.
That was it. As she listened further to the discussion between the two Ultras, they had been very interested in this specimen they had captured. He was unusual. They were excited that the Core would be able to absorb both him and a telepath.
They had captured Tarrant too. He was an Alpha like Avon, but they didn't seem to think him of any value except as a menial. They weren't interested in him as material for the Core. Something about Avon made him stand out even compared to another Alpha.
Dr. Kendric had said that Avon's cellular tissue and genetic material were of a high calibre. Was he the result of a Terran breeding program? Or was there something more sinister at work?
Cally remembered the times they had run into Federation attempts at genetic manipulation. She had no doubts that the Federation would not have any scruples about how it was used.
To create the perfect soldier? An intelligent drone that would follow any order? Using cybernetics, they already had the mutoids. They already used conditioning on their soldiers.
What would they do if they could create their own geniuses? Ones who would do anything they were ordered to do, without conscience?
Was Avon the result of one of their attempts? If so, they had not been entirely successful. They had created their genius but they couldn't control everything about him. He would not kill unless he had no choice.
Cally had found it strange that Avon had never worked to improve their weaponry systems.
Nothing Avon created had a directly violent or destructive purpose; they were invariably defensive in nature. Even his plans reflected this. They were intelligent attempts at defiance with as little bloodshed as possible.
Avon was perfectly capable of creating things to destroy. He did have that knowledge and he could always have directed ORAC do it. But Avon had never chosen to do that, even though it would have increased his chances of surviving considerably; especially after the crew was stuck with the dilapidated Scorpio.
Is that what happened to Avon? Had they tried to force him to work on things that were not in his nature to do? Avon had never wanted them to touch him again. What had they done to him? Was that why he turned against them?
As she speculated on these things, and Avon lay oblivious in the chamber, the Tellaran doctors were continuing their examinations. Their faces were creased in concentration and deep interest now as they tried to understand this anomaly before them.
**********
Sester was leaning back in a chair, contemplating what Servalan could have in store for Argus when the buzzer in his cabin sounded informing him of a visitor. He sighed, uncrossed his arms and lowered his legs from the comfortable position he had them on the table.
"Arg…" He began the name of the person he was expecting as the door slid open but his eyebrows raised in surprise. Vila was framed in his doorway. Sester smiled. He had not been aware that Vila was back on the ship. He looked just outside the door to the left and right. No sign of Corinne.
It was ironic; the only people who came to visit him were the ones he did not expect. He could have been annoyed if he didn't enjoy the distractions. Now only if Reya would cooperate.
He said in warm greeting, "Vila, to what do I owe this pleasure? Or have they asked you to watch me again?"
Sester stood aside, hoping that either answer would at least mean that Vila would come in.
"No. Nothing like that," Vila said as he entered. The thief seemed to be full of nervous energy. There was a hesitant look on his face as if he wasn't sure if he had come to the right place. Or it was the right place but he was reconsidering whether he should have come. It was too early to tell without more information.
Sester said conversationally, "I thought you would be with Corinne."
Vila blinked. "Actually, that's why I'm here."
"Oh?" Sester was filled with curiosity. "You've misplaced her?" A light teasing smile lifted the corner of his lips.
"This is serious," said Vila as he began pacing the room.
The casualness slipped away and Sester leaned towards him. "What's the problem?"
If this had been Reya and Argus, he would automatically have guessed some kind of argument had occurred. But as he was the least favourite person with that couple, they would both have died before coming to him for relational assistance of any kind. Although he was certain that Argus could use a few pointers. The man was incredibly dense about some things.
Sester suppressed a self-mocking smile. Rather than being a feared and respected psychostrategist, he was reduced to thinking of himself as a therapist for troubled relationships. It was a big step down. More like a chasm. He really needed a hobby of some type. Something suitably challenging and more suited to his vaunted position. Perhaps he could see if…
Sester suppressed another smile. This time a mischievous one. It would not do to contemplate that sort of idea. He did have principles of a sort and he had promised.
He gave a half-sigh instead and asked the preoccupied Vila, "Is there something I can help you with?"
Vila stopped his pacing and looked at him. He didn't stare with the kind of intensity that Avon did; that half- or fully- challenging way he had that held deep thoughts or unreadable darkness.
Vila's look was harmless, which you really couldn't say for many people these days. Not that Vila's eyes couldn't be filled with suspicion, calculation or even cynicism. He had seen all three. Vila's personality was not one that could hold onto dark thoughts for any length of time. It was not in his nature. In some ways, Vila was a very simple man. He wanted to be liked, he wanted to get along with people and he wanted to survive.
Vila seemed suddenly shy. "It's…about Corinne."
Sester kept the amusement from showing on his face. "You've said that already."
"I did?" Vila seemed unsure.
"I do have a good memory for such things. Why don't you tell me what's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong. Did she say something was wrong?" Vila's voice ended on a higher note.
"I haven't spoken to her." Which was not surprising. Vila had been monopolizing most of her time. He wondered jokingly if Corinne was even aware there were other people on the ship.
"That's good. I mean…"
There was a slight hint of something Sester identified as protectiveness or possessiveness. At times, it was hard to tell with human beings. With males, it tended to blend into each other. This increased Sester's amusement factor but he didn't allow it to show on his face. It was a private thing, not meant for relational interactions. "Vila, why don't you sit down, relax and tell me what's going on between you and Corinne."
Vila plopped down into a chair.
Sester took to the chair he had been sitting in before. "But first, tell me why you've decided to come to me. This sounds like a personal matter and we're not exactly friends. Or have you decided that I could be something other than an enemy you can play chess with?"
Vila's eyes centred on him, seeing him for the first time as himself rather than someone he had come to for help. He answered without thinking, "I've never thought of you as an enemy. I think I wanted to. Because of what you did to Avon. But I couldn't for some reason. I believe that you're sorry for what you did and you want to help him."
Sester smiled wryly. More because he knew that Vila was being honest than anything else. "Don't believe in me, Vila. That's always a mistake. I have my own agenda for everything that I do."
"You see? That's just it. Why tell me something like that?"
"You think it's because I like you?" Sester's head tilted speculatively. "Perhaps I do." A sly grin appeared on his face. "But is it enough?"
Sester's words were like puzzles wrapped inside a bigger mystery, sometimes they threatened to give Vila a headache. "What's that supposed to mean?" he asked in frustration.
"I suppose we'll both find out. But in the meantime, you still haven't told me what you wanted from me."
Vila seemed to turn awkward again. "You don't think…I'm trying to avoid the question, do you?"
Sester fixed him with a steady gaze. "You are now."
"Well, it's Corinne."
Sester tried not to sigh as he incremented the number of times Vila had already broached this topic but had gotten sidetracked.
Vila said again, "It's really Corinne and me."
Four. Sester wondered if he should step in with a little prodding.
Vila went on, "I would have asked Cally but she's busy with Avon. And Reya, well, I don't want to bother her."
Besides which you're still nervous around her. Sester thought with definite amusement.
"And well, Avon. I'm not sure what he would suggest. It might be snarky and logical but I'm looking for something…"
"A little more sensitive? Well, that rules out Argus too."
Vila looked him in the eyes and declared, "That's why I'm here. You're good with people. You know them. That's your job."
Vila still hadn't told Sester anything useful in terms of details but he was getting a very good feel for what this might be about. He was extremely good with people after all.
A therapist for troubled relationships. He should be outraged at such an abuse of his talents on something so trivial. What would his fellow elite psychostrategists be saying if they knew? Probably suggest quietly that he get back to something more important or hint at the possibility of being sent to the psych board for reassessment. There was a sudden icy chill along his spine. He had never overstepped the bounds before. He was too good at skirting the edges.
Sester smiled suddenly. He had once. For Avon. It had nearly cost him his life.
Vila looked at him strangely.
Sester said, "You don't have to worry, Vila. Just continue doing what you're currently doing with Corinne. Be gentle and let her take the lead. She'll let you know when she's ready."
Vila said, "You know, people might like to talk about things before you give them the answers."
Sester grinned. "I thought I might give you the reassurance you needed before you found a way to change the topic again. Now we can talk about it."
Vila said, "One of these days, being too smart might get you killed."
"That may be. But I'd rather die due to an excess of intelligence rather than the opposite."
"Well, I'd rather not die at all. If you don't mind."
Sester chuckled. "Now why don't you tell me about this wonderful woman that you seem to have become involved with."
Chapter Six
Vila and Corinne went back down to the open-air market that Lentar had shown them the previous day. It was just as bustling as before and equally as festive. The Tellarans seemed to have a zest for living and enjoyed each other's company.
As they took in the varied modes of dress around them, Corinne wasn't as wide-eyed as the day before. She had been particularly uncomfortable with some of the more revealing outfits some of the women wore. For her shoulders and legs were things to be covered up and not to be revealed in public.
The men she didn't have problems with. Chandaran society idolized their men and going around half-nude wasn't uncommon, especially if they were suitably endowed with appropriately large muscles. Not that the Tellaran men went around that exposed. They also didn't seem to share the obsession with musculature either which was quite a change.
She was more used to the different forms of dress now but her own taste, while tending to much more colourful and decorative clothing than her old ones, was still fairly conservative. Vila called it simple but elegant. She did love the variety of colours and the different textures and sheens of the materials. The creativity of styles was a marvel. Sometimes she would just admire the beauty of it.
The thing that amazed and affected her most was the feeling of being able to walk down a street and visit whatever shops she wanted. Pick up items, feel them in her hands, choose what tickled her fancy and take them away with her. The freedom of it overwhelmed her at times. She was glad that Vila was with her.
As she and Vila walked down a new avenue, Corinne still felt a bit self-conscious in her new white patterned blouse with the rounded collar. She had stared at herself in the reflecting surface that morning, not recognizing who was staring back at her in the beautiful clothes. It would take some getting used to.
She had a new life now. One where she didn't have to constantly be afraid of being found out. Of being branded as a wild woman and be sent to one of the Obedience Centres that her mother had been subjected to when she had first been captured.
Corinne shivered as she remembered her mother telling her about her experiences one day. She didn't often. It was something Marlena had not wanted her exposed to. She didn't want her daughter to learn to hate. But she had asked and her mother had relented one day when she was in a sad and despondent mood. Corinne knew that despite her mother's love for her father; sometimes she missed her own people terribly. She said that it was like being ripped from a place of love and drowned in a sea of hate.
Corinne had always dreamed of being able to go to Tellar and see this place where people were supposed to care about one another and valued each other no matter who they were. It seemed like an impossible paradise. She wanted to believe in it because of her mother.
It was hard to believe that she was really here.
Corinne glanced at Vila out of the corner of her eyes as they walked along and he told her a story from Earth, something about a woman whose primary characteristic seemed to be the buying and hoarding of clothing. It must have been a fanciful story because she couldn't believe that anyone would need a thousand pairs of shoes. He liked to tell her funny things to make her laugh.
She liked Vila a lot. He was very sweet and had said that she looked nice even in her old clothes. She knew that he couldn't have been telling her the truth. He was much too kind to her and she wished she could do something for him in return.
It seemed like all the giving was one way. Her mother had taught her that one should never take advantage of anyone. You must always give more than you receive. That way there would always be a surplus of caring in the world and that's what made it a better place. She had called it one of the Economics of Human Interaction. She said that it was something taught to all children on Tellar. It was what had saved their world from near self-extinction.
Corinne's attention turned back to what Vila was saying. She asked with an incredulous voice, "You mean this was a real woman?"
"She was. I mean she still is, last time I heard. That was a long time ago though. I haven't been back to Earth lately."
Corinne's forehead creased as she thought about this unbelievable woman. "I don't understand. Why would someone need that many shoes? Does footwear on Earth wear out quicker than elsewhere? Do they have a rougher terrain?"
Vila said, "She liked to have a different pair to go with all her clothes."
Corrine's eyes widened in further incredulity," You mean she has a thousand outfits of clothing too?"
"More than that."
Corinne said with a wry smile, "I think you must be joking with me again, Vila."
"No, really. It's the truth," he reassured her in his best serious face. "Some Alphas on Earth are like that. They have so much money that they don't know what to do with it. They have different values than the rest of us."
Corinne was mystified at the kind of values that would produce this kind of behaviour. "They must." She looked intently into his eyes. "Are you going to be like that too?"
Vila moved his head as if he had just been hit by a jolt of energy. "Me?"
Corinne asked, "Didn't you say that you're an Alpha now? And you're very rich?"
"Oh, that. I'd almost forgotten. I'm just an honorary Alpha. Avon made me one."
"I thought he said that you were always one. You seemed very happy about it."
"Well, yes. I'm one of the good Alphas."
The puzzled look on Corinne's face was for him now. "I don't understand. You said that there wasn't such a thing as a good Alpha. That they were all…"
Vila backtracked, "I didn't mean all of them." He realized that he would have to be more careful with his words around her. His prejudices about the higher grades didn't seem right under the atmosphere of the Tellaran sky somehow. He didn't want his attitudes about these things influencing her.
She had seemed quite distressed about his views on the Alphas when he had told her about them. He imagined that they ran counter to those Economics of Human Interaction that her mother had taught her. Those ideas may work in the safe environment of the Tellar Union where everyone seemed to care about and respect each other, but those kinds of values usually meant that you would be used and taken advantage of in the Federation. It was much safer to be like Avon and pretend that you didn't care. Then there would be no one to hold over you when they wanted something.
Corinne was right. This was a dream place. It was almost like it didn't fit in the real universe.
He kept waiting for the other shoe to drop but the more he saw of the Tellar Union, the more he liked it. It was the exact opposite reaction he had to the Chandar Alliance.
They entered the first shop. It had a furry four-legged animal on its holographic banner. Corinne looked around her with curiosity but didn't move to check out the merchandise. She seemed to be waiting for him to do something.
Vila asked, "You don't like what's in here? We can go to another shop."
Corinne smiled. "We spent all that time shopping for me yesterday. I thought we could spend today shopping for what you want."
Vila had never expected this. "I don't need anything."
Corinne's face fell in disappointment. She had really wanted to do something for him. "Nothing at all?"
Vila could see that she wasn't happy. "Well, maybe…a new..." He wracked his brain for a suitable item. "Wrist chronometer." He could always use one of those fancy ones that did almost everything.
Corinne's face brightened. She took his hand and said, "Let's go find you a nice one."
**********
Avon was tired but he was not about to say anything. He had endured a lot worse. It was a condition that could be ignored by a strong enough mind. As long as it wasn't debilitating.
Dr. Tain's professional and reassuring voice echoed, "The examination is over now, Avon. We will open the chamber in a few moments."
The green glow of the scanner beams turned off. There was a brief moment of disorientation as his body readjusted to the absence of the faint energies that had bathed the cells of his body for the past…he wasn't sure how many hours.
There had been a time when he could always tell roughly how much time had passed. That was before the Centre interrogators had played havoc with his mind and kept him constantly disoriented.
Now that the exam was finished, it almost felt as if a struggle was over. Tiredness was making his eyes heavy. It was a struggle to stay awake but he couldn't yet. There were things to do first.
He heard light sounds of something moving below him and turned his head to look. A padded platform rose up to contact his body as the positional field was turned off. He could feel the burden of gravity again. There was a swishing sound as the chamber unsealed and the outside air seemed to rush in to greet him.
The first person to enter was the one person he most wanted to see. * Cally. *
Having her as a mental presence had been reassuring but he needed to see her face. The man of the mind still required what only his senses could provide.
Cally placed her hand on his chest in a gesture that was familiar to them both. The warmth of the contact; the heat from the palm of her hand touching his centre in an almost symbolic gesture. She asked, "How are you feeling?"
He placed his hand to cover hers and told her what she must already know. "A bit tired."
"Just a bit?" she asked in a teasing challenge.
"All right. Very tired."
Dr. Kendric and the other medical specialists stood off to the side while they waited to talk to him. Avon acknowledged them by looking in their direction. "Did you find anything?"
They were all looking at him intently, making him feel like a laboratory experiment gone horribly wrong. Of course, it could have been his paranoia or even the discomfort at being nearly naked and being stared at by strangers.
Kendric began carefully, "You will be glad to know that there was no genetic manipulation done at the Federation Detention Centre."
Avon could almost hear the big 'BUT' that was coming. It could have been his suspicious nature again but he didn't think so. He waited for someone to tell him the rest.
Cally surprised him by being the one to break the news. "Avon, I know that you prefer to keep your personal life private but, were you part of a Federation eugenics program?"
Avon stared at her with surprise. His said guardedly, "Not that I'm aware of. Why would you ask that?"
Dr. Kendric said to him, "It is because of the results of the genetic profile that we just completed. Your genetic makeup registers within the top ten percent of all index levels. In almost all areas."
Avon said instantly, "That's not possible. Your readings must be wrong."
"It's not naturally possible," said Kendric. "We've double checked everything and run a diagnostic on the scanner. That's why it took longer than it should have. I'm sorry about that. You must be tired. The readings are accurate though."
This was hard for Avon to digest. "That's why the question about eugenics?"
"Yes. There are only two possible explanations. One is eugenics. The other is…"
"I was genetically created?" This was even harder to accept; the idea that he had been put together like a machine to meet someone's specifications. Avon's heart began to race and his mind rebelled at the thought.
To meet the Federation's requirements. A child of the Federation.
He had vague recollections of a childhood. But the faces had always been indistinct in his memories. It had never bothered him before. Obviously, his mind had not considered anyone from his past worth remembering. Except his brother and he was gone now too, just like his past.
Now he wondered if there was a reason why he didn't have clearer memories.