Chapter 5
The red glow of the setting sun warmly embraced the travelers as they descended from the Salvage. Appolus led them to their accommodations, explaining that they would be more comfortable away from the ship while it was being repaired. He added that Don would have to stay aboard the Jupiter, however, until accommodations could be modified to suit his special needs. Actually, Don preferred remaining on the ship so he could keep an eye on it, but something still nagged at him about things not being as wonderful as they seemed to the others.
The women were brought into an opulent building that was similar to a spa resort back on Earth. When Maureen learned that there were separate facilities for men and women, she at first balked at not being allowed to stay with her husband, but John soothed her by telling her that she could keep an eye on the girls. Dr. Smith and John were housed in a separate male facility that had the basic necessities, and Will was sent to a children's ward in the same building.
The medical director of the spa, named Phiscus, informed the women that a scan would be performed on them to determine if their inner biology was the same as their own species. They saw no harm in this and the process was innocuous and quick. Afterwards, they were treated to messages and facials and a whirlpool bath that soothed and eased their muscles and minds. Penny was in heaven, as was Maureen, who appreciated these small luxuries. Judy was anxious to speak with Phiscus about Don's physical status, but the medical director had stated that the other men of their group would need to be evaluated before proceeding to assess their "weaker" member.
Only young men staffed the spa, which was a bit embarrassing at first, but the women found them to be quite professional in their approach, almost like medical practitioners. Maureen's masseuse carried a translator device so he and his team could fulfill every whim of the women who were assigned to him. As they were enjoying their massages, Maureen asked why there appeared to be so few women on the planet.
"Unfortunately men have always outnumbered women on our planet. Since there is a devastating disease that is affecting only women, it has reached crisis proportions."
Judy asked, "Gannon said that your medical facilities are quite sophisticated. Can't they find a cure for the disease?"
"Medical procedures can help those who are strong enough to recover. If an illness leaves one weak, nothing can be done for them."
"What do you mean weak?"
"For example the women's disease results in a gradual paralysis of the body. Nothing can be done to help them."
"That can't be true! My fiancé was paralyzed a few months ago and Phiscus promised he would examine him."
"What is a 'fiancé'?"
"He is the one that I have promised to marry or bond with for the rest of my life."
Maureen added, "It's called marriage. Do you have such an institution here, Mr. Uh…?"
"Kairon."
"Mr. Kairon?"
"It would be impossible to maintain an exclusive relationship with one woman. Then there would not be enough 'vessels' for our procreation. We must share in order to propagate our species to the fullest extent possible, because it would be unheard of for a man not to have off-spring."
Penny asked, "Doesn't that cause a problem? I mean, what if a man and woman fall in love with each other, how do they share?"
"There is no choice in the matter. The purpose of women in this society is to become vessels for the men. It is the only honorable way for them to live. In fact it is a high status for them to be chosen by a Tier 1 male. I, unfortunately, am a Tier 3, so I will not have a first choice for a woman, but I am still assured of a vessel. One thing I do not understand. Why would you want to bond with a man who cannot procreate?"
Judy replied, "Because I love him."
After being put through a series of tests, John and Dr. Smith were asked if they would mind being of service to their society by helping with various jobs for which they were suited. Feeling that they needed to repay their hosts in some manner, they agreed. Will was left to his own devices among the younger males, but he found that they were unfriendly towards him, so he went exploring on his own. No one seemed to pay attention to a young, lone male, and he had free access to many areas of the habitat.
He found a long, dark building that was isolated from the others, and he wondered what went on in the strange looking place. At first he thought it was a hospital, because the people who went in all seemed to be very old, hurt, or in pain. One had a badly broken leg and another was dragged into the building with his legs dangling uselessly behind him. He shuddered at that last sight, because it reminded him of Don. The thing that bothered him the most was that many people went in, but no one came out. He went to the male barracks to speak with his father, but couldn't find him or Dr. Smith, so Will made his way back to the Jupiter.
The clanging of metal against metal could be heard echoing throughout the repair facility, which was fairly deserted. Will found Don trying to attach a piece of metal to cover the breach in the hull, but he was having a difficult time of it.
"Will! Am I glad you're here! I could use your help, because I can't do this by myself."
Will took hold of the metal piece and held it while Don drove the rivets in place. "Don, there's something really wrong on this planet."
"Tell me about it. I've been thinking the same thing, and I haven't even seen anything beyond their ship."
"They sent Mom, Judy and Penny into this place that looked like a palace. Dad, Dr. Smith and I were brought to a building that had only men there, but I slipped out and found this building that's isolated from the rest of the town. I thought it was a hospital, but people go in and nobody seems to come out."
After he drove the last rivet in, Don stopped and asked, "Wait a minute. How do they get in?"
"Two guards come out to take the people in, and they all seem to be really hurt or old. The last one I saw… well the last one reminded me of you."
Don's stomach churned in anticipation. "What do you mean?"
"They dragged him in with his legs just…"
He interrupted, "I get it..." He stared at his rivet gun and added, "We just might have the reincarnation of the Third Reich here."
Will was puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"Extermination of the weak and infirm. Does your father know any of this?"
"No, I couldn't find him. I guess he and Dr. Smith are out working somewhere."
He tossed the tools aside and spit out, "If I could just get out of this chair, I could do something."
"There are steps everywhere in the town. You know, I did see a few hover bikes. Maybe you can use one of those to get around? They're not too big and I've seen people ride them up and down steps."
"Hover bike… you mean like a motorcycle?"
"Yeah, but they don't have wheels. They run on air, and there are a bunch of them right here in the repair yard. I guess they either need to be fixed or are already done."
"On air, huh? Well, I'll take a look if I can get to them. Maybe we can grab one or two. In the meantime, I need you to go back to the barracks. It's close to dinnertime and they might miss you. Try to get your father and Dr. Smith back here, and then we'll decide what to do."
Dinner was delectable, as usual, for all of the women who were housed in the palace-like spa. Maureen was somewhat disconcerted with the discussion she had earlier in the day with the masseuse, and was anxious to find her husband and return to the Jupiter with her daughters. Before she had a chance to leave, however, Appolus joined them when dessert was served. Maureen hoped that he could tell her the whereabouts of her husband and son, as she needed to speak with them.
"My apologies, Madam, but the men are having their dinner at the moment. At the end of the evening, I will see what I can do to get a message to Mr. Robinson."
Maureen's suspicions were now doubled and she was determined to find a way to escape the overbearing charms of their host. Excusing herself to use the ladies room, she managed to sneak out of the building through a side entrance. Not sure where the men were at the moment, she made her way back to the Jupiter, hoping that Don was still aboard.
Judy was sure that her mother had taken that opportunity to escape, and she took Penny's arm, preparing to follow her. Appolus, however, took that moment to place his arm around her shoulders and whispered that the announcements would soon be made.
"Announcements? For what?" Judy asked.
"Well, the physical examinations of all of the women in the room have been completed, and they will now be told if they have been certified to be vessels for Tier 1, Tier 2 or Tier 3 men. Your mother, due to her advanced age, can only be given to a Tier 3 male. You and your sister, however, have been approved for a male of Tier 1 status. You both have achieved the highest status that a woman can hold in our society. You and your sister will be rewarded most handsomely by our leaders."
Before Judy had a chance to respond, she found that Penny had been escorted out of the room with a small group of young women.
"Where are they taking my sister?"
"She and the other women who have not yet been chosen by a male will be kept in a separate part of this facility until they are claimed."
"I want to stay with my sister."
"No, Miss Judy, I'm afraid that is impossible. She will be well taken care of, so please don't fret over her. You, on the other hand, have been claimed by a Tier 1 male. Since your medical evaluation showed that you are now at your most fertile, the, what you would call, bonding ceremony will occur tonight. I am supremely happy to inform you that I, Appolus and Tier 1 male, have claimed you as my vessel."
Appolus bowed deeply and kissed her hand. The blood drained from her face and her voice failed her. All she could think was, 'Don, Dad, somebody please save me...'
