Weight of Gravity

by Sheron Wood McCartha

  “The way the Alysians are behaving toward the Terrans, you are the last person Elija would welcome on his doorstep.”

  “How about Merek?” Richard had that pouty expression on his face that boded trouble and indicated a stubborn streak was on its way.

  In a flash, inspiration hit. “What about Angel? If we introduced Elija to Angel, he’d fling his door wide open.”

  Her husband’s expression became thoughtful. He closed his eyes and tapped a finger against his lips. “Trace has been wanting someone to check out the Homestead, but Elija’s been very reluctant to let anyone other than certain vetted personnel inside. That makes us uneasy about what is going on in there.”

  “How about I go armed with a baby and look over the place for you. Alexa could accompany me. Elija has always been fond of her.”

  “I want Angel to go with you two.”

  “When can we leave?”

  ***

  Leaving took longer than an impatient Elise could tolerate. If she had been in charge, they’d already be on their way. Nevertheless, the idea of exploring the Diechwrathe Mountains and more foreign parts of the planet excited her.

  Determined to get in shape, she went on a strict diet and cajoled Amanda and Alexa to walk around the garden’s perimeter with her every day while Tempest napped. Meanwhile, Tempest grew from infant to baby to toddler.

  In a twist of events, Merek’s assailants dropped all charges. At Trace’s instigation, I.N.Sys located a local security camera, which had recorded the whole episode, sound included.

  Richard thanked Trace and profusely breathed a sigh of relief. A public trial would have sparked unrest. Trace had recognized a volatile situation and mentioned the threat of it to the mayor. Further investigation unearthed a street side cam video and proved beyond all doubt Merek’s protest of self-defense.

  But Trace wanted a favor in return.

  As departure day drew near, one of Trace’s top agents, Deuce Card, showed up unexpectedly at the house. Young for the responsibilities he carried, Deuce cut a flashy figure in his shimmering cream shirt and pearl-gray pants. A myriad of accessories, communication equipment disguised as jewelry, adorned his body. When Elise opened her door, he stood on the step, adjusting an ear bud as he chatted at the air.

  He looked up and focused on Elise. “Hi again.” He grinned at her, popped out the device, and put it away.

  Surprised at Deuce’s arrival, Elise turned to Richard, her eyes full of questions.

  “Come in.” Richard waved him past Elise, who suspected a secret plot had been hatched behind her back.

  Merek entered from another room, wearing an innocent expression. “Is Deuce here yet?” He eyed the entry, searching for him.

  Pointing to the agent on her doorstep, she asked, “Why is he here?” Her eyes narrowed as she cocked her head. “What are you three up to?”

  “This is an incredible opportunity,” her husband began as he settled her, Merek, and Deuce into their living room. “I owe Trace for his help in Merek’s case. In passing conversation, I mentioned your trip to the Homestead.”

  Drinks and snacks magically appeared.

  She furrowed her brow and exchanged quizzical glances with Merek, who gazed away. He was obviously in on the scheme, whatever it was.

  Deuce cleared his throat. “We know that Elija’s family to you.” Here, he paused to brush back wayward ash brown curls around his face and adjust a belt studded with communication gear. “But we need to better know what’s going on inside the Homestead.”

  “Whoa.” Elise sat up straight and shot an angry glance at Richard. “You’re not asking me to spy, are you?”

  A flush suffused Deuce’s cinnamon-colored skin. “Nothing that dramatic. Just keep your eyes open and notice stuff. Explore a bit. Find out how many residents live there. There’s a lot of construction going on. We think they’re building research facilities, but we don’t know for what purpose. It worries us. Merek made a deal with us. If we got him off the abuse charge, he agreed to go to the Homestead with you and help investigate.”

  Merek shifted in his seat. “Amanda’s not happy that I’ll be gone so long, but she agreed.”

  “What are we looking for?” Elise sipped a drink to moisten her suddenly dry mouth.

  “We’re not sure. We know Carter spent a lot of time there due to a nearby clean-air installation project. We know he’s a genius inventor, but we want to be sure he designed harvesters, not weapons.”

  Elise began, “Carter wouldn't…”

  Deuce leaned forward. “Oh, please. He has before. His projects haven’t all been cleaner bots and garden tools.” He glanced at Richard. “Also, I happen to know his son is there.”

  “Son? You’re saying Carter has a son? You’re sure?” She felt the blood drain from her face.

  A clone. I suggested to John that he should clone Carter, and he may have gone and done it.

  Without thinking, Merek shifted in his chair. “More likely John has …”

  Interrupting him before Merek blurted out sensitive information, Elise said, “Carter mentioned a girl there he liked.” Elise tossed Merek a glare.

  Thankfully, he caught on and shut up. Richard didn’t need to know about Terran cloning techniques.

  “Okay. Okay.” Deuce waved a hand. “Observe and see what’s going on. Report anything unusual. Most likely, Elija will allow you into places he wouldn’t let anyone else. Go there. Ask to visit where you notice unusual activity.”

  She barely could find her voice. “You really do want me to spy on the Homestead.”

  Richard patted her hand. “We need to make sure everything is okay, and he’s not mounting an army to take over Alysia. If that is what’s going on, you and Merek are the only ones in a position to uncover it.”

  She was furious at his attempted manipulations but managed to hold onto her temper …. but barely. She scowled at him.

  He put his hand up, warding back her anger. “Bashar, Deuce, and I rescued your Terrans. We helped your side; now, we need you to help us.”

  Deuce slanted his head and offered a wise nod.

  Elise gritted her teeth in frustration. “Those at the Homestead, and elsewhere, only want to make a quiet life as farmers and merchants, raise a family.”

  Richard spread his hands. “Then, they will be welcomed here. We just want to be sure that’s their goal.”

  “What about Angel?” she asked.

  Richard put his hand on her arm. “Angel will join you after you arrive. Alexa is going also. Use her wisely. She’s not trained and might say something that could compromise the situation.”

  “And I won’t?”

  Deuce nodded. “You’re smarter. You were a commander of a fleet. I haven't forgotten.”

  She didn’t think that was how she wanted to receive her validation, but her parched ego took it anyway. As back-handed as his comment might be, at least he recognized her worth. She had begun to doubt he did.

  Richard continued. “Besides, Elija won’t let anyone at the Homestead hurt you. He’s in your Captains’ Club.”

  “This might help.” Deuce reached for a bag. “The pin attaches to most materials and is a sensitive camera and recorder.” He pulled out of another item. “This watch can transmit information or communicate like a phone.”

  He handed one to each, then reached back into the bag and retrieved a weapon. “This works like a stun gun if you get into a situation where your life is in danger.”

  Learning forward, Elise said, “Are you crazy? If I go into his home loaded with that stuff, he’ll throw me out.”

  Deuce held up a hand. “We’re packing it into a small lined case that blocks scanners. Tuck it into your suitcase.”

  A frown crinkled her brow. “I’m not comfortable with this whole idea.” She pushed away the bag.

  Deuce had the grace to appear chagrined. “We’d like to avoid a war. Alysians outnumber you by a wide margin, but your people have a more sophisticated technology. The damage t
o both sides would be catastrophic if war came. Richard donated a large piece of land for your people to live on, but we fear what they are doing there. Help us, Elise.

  Elise eyed the stack of surveillance equipment and wrinkled her nose. “I’ll make no promises,” she answered.

  Chapter 9

  The Homestead

  Elise shifted a restless daughter around on her hip and stared at the intricately carved wooden entrance. The Homestead stood much grander than she’d expected. Large vertically planked logs framed several elegant picture windows. Stately trees and thick shrubbery surrounded the place, which nestled into a majestic mountainside.

  Wide-eyed and mesmerized, Tempest’s tiny head swiveled around to regard the nearby swaying greenery. Her eyes blinked as leaves rustled next to her. The breeze stirred her hair, causing the child to rub her face and sneeze.

  Merek reached out. “Let me take her. You knock.”

  The door opened and a smiling Elija said, “Welcome to the Homestead. Can we help with your baggage?”

  Shifting Tempest, Merek responded, “Thanks. That would be great.”

  Elise realized that Merek hadn’t had a chance to study Elija up close. Once captain of the Valiant in her fleet, Elija was now patriarch to a major Terran establishment they called the Homestead. He strongly resembled his clone-sibling, except for his male gender. He had her brilliant violet eyes and short, auburn hair. As he greeted them, he rubbed his close-cropped beard, which gave him a gentleman farmer appearance. “That drive up the mountain can be daunting.” Elija bent his head and stepped aside. “Come in.”

  Merek nodded. “Quite the challenge for those who have spent a lifetime enclosed in a metal ship.” He scrutinized the area. “But we made it.”

  A sigh came from Elise. “I wasn’t sure for a while.”

  Amanda shrugged off a jacket. “At times, I expected we would just sail off the edge into the open air.”

  The comment caused Elija to frown, as he signaled for a young man to take their bags, then waved them inside.

  A cozy room on their left held a stone fireplace and big, comfortable magenta chairs in a semi-circle around a small wooden table. An impressive oil painting of a waterfall spilling down a forested mountain covered a large portion of one wall. More artwork of landscapes and wild animals decorated nearby walls. A deep-piled, navy and magenta-toned floral rug complemented the chairs and lay overtop a hardwood floor.

  Elise scrubbed her hair back as she glanced around. “Whew. I don’t remember that ride being so intimidating. The sky just went on and on out over the edge of the road. The trees loomed over us on both sides, making a green tunnel while we corkscrewed higher and higher.”

  Elija gestured them to seats while Merek lay Tempest in a playpen that a helper unfolded nearby. “It’s hard to get used to… but you do. Please sit and relax.”

  Straightening, Merek said, “I don’t think I ever could get used to driving over that rough terrain.”

  “The mountain roads can be treacherous, but we like it that way.” Elija grinned. “Few outsiders risk venturing up here. Also, last winter was brutal and left a lot of potholes while also carving out a few edges of the road. We also had to move some heavy boulders that blocked the way.”

  “We noticed,” grumbled Merek.

  A table rumbled in, reminding Elise of one of Carter’s cleaner bots. It stopped at her side, and the lid popped open to emit a spicy scent that wafted up from two steaming mugs.

  “Help yourself.” Elija eased into a chair while a bot dumped logs onto the fire. Bright flames sparked up, causing Elise to startle.

  Elija put out a hand to steady her. “I know that after living on a spaceship your entire life, an open fire takes getting used to.”

  “I sense Carter’s influence here,” Elise noted as she delicately lifted out a mug of tea from the table bot. Her hands trembled lifting the cup. An open fire on board a ship was a death warrant. Every nerve in her body shouted danger, but she managed to control her fear and take a sip.

  Thankfully, noticing her attempt at control, Elija said, “He’s a genius with machines, especially robots.”

  “Merek mentioned that his son was here.” Elise peered over at Elija and raised an eyebrow.

  “When Luttrell last visited, he mentioned your suggestion that Carter be cloned.” Elija shrugged. “I told him I would take them and raise them if he did the deed.”

  “Them!” Elise snapped upright, almost spilling her tea. “Explain.”

  Tempest let out a startled cry and began to fuss.

  Elise rooted around in her carry bag and produced a bottle that Merek fed to the child. She stared at Elija.

  Immediately, the baby quieted.

  Elija’s penetrating eyes slanted a look at her. “We Terrans will need Carter’s genius in the future, wouldn’t you agree? It only makes sense to reproduce him. Besides, John wanted to take one, and I wanted one.”

  Elise snorted, “John wouldn’t be capable of parenting a child, much less one of Carter’s clones. They always considered each other adversaries.”

  Elija pursed his lips. “But it turned out that Beth is capable. Rumor has it that his long-time assistant bore him a child. I heard she is now raising the two together.”

  Elise regretted that the former Elise hadn’t been given the opportunity. Her original and John had been lovers with little hope of offspring. So now, John’s natural child was a bonus, and, God, Carter’s clone too. “Beth looked pregnant last time I saw her." She stared into the cup as steam from the drink rose into her face. The warmth and moisture eased the chill as memories swarmed in her head.

  Merek sipped his tea, then rubbed his brow. “Jay has a lab on the station John could use.”

  “But my ship, The New Found Hope, has John’s old, fully-equipped lab, and it’s tethered to the station.”

  Elija rubbed his forehead. “So, John’s there, most likely with the other Carter clone.”

  A young, blue-eyed blond female appeared at the door and announced, “Dinner is ready anytime you are.”

  “Thanks, Bea. We’ll come in now.” Elija stood up. “We’ve added a whole new wing to the cabin. It’s equipped with a state-of-the-art kitchen, an adjoining dining room, and a separate living room where we gather to relax.”

  “The place did look bigger, but with all the trees around, I couldn’t be sure.” Elise picked up the now cooing Tempest and began to pat her. A large belch resulted along with a great deal of laughter and attention, which the child soaked up with a wide smile and waving arms.

  Elise scanned the area and the friendly people she had been asked to spy on, and anger filled her at the task set before her.

  Chapter 10

  Meet and Greet

  What the hell am I doing here?

  Elise stared up at the ceiling of her guest room.

  She reached out to pat an empty place where Richard usually slept in their bed at home. A group of giggling girls had taken her daughter to the nurser,y and Alexa still hadn’t returned from a post dinner party. Merek was off somewhere, making the room felt achingly empty. She’d never been this alone in her life. Not even the comforting blinking lights from a ship’s bridge were around to keep her company.

  At dinner, the dining room had been packed with Terrans. They had gathered to acknowledge her and reminisce about their experiences in space. Many also commented on the Homestead, eagerly describing their current reactions to planet living.

  “The trees. I didn’t realize how big trees could grow,” one scrawny man burbled. He shoveled a spoonful of mashed potato into his mouth and kept speaking, “And so green, lots of shades of green.” He blinked at her.

  A young girl at his side with the same brown eyes and skinny build added, “And the flowers have so many colors it takes my breath away. I saw a peachy-pink, lots with yellow at the center and red tips, while some were all shades of the rainbow. Also, there are so many shapes and forms. Goodness, in my wildest dreams I never imagined
so many different plants, of all things.”

  They nodded at each other, mouths full and eyes sparkling.

  Elise recognized a few of the inhabitants in the room. She had grown up within the fleet, clone of the captain of The New Found Hope. Her entire childhood had been focused on her succeeding the original Elise. Everyone in the fleet had known Captain Fujeint and her clone. But then, Commander Reardon was killed in the battle with aliens, and Elise became fleet commander. However, effects from extended cryo, coupled with negligence in not updating nanites, resulted in her unexpected death. Long-lived, the first Elise could have lived a lot longer, and Elise series II wished she had.

  With that death, Elise Series II became Commander of the Fleet at the age of thirty-one. Following her meteoric rise, now two years later, she was simply a mother and wife who was bored out of her mind and feeling overlooked.

  A vaguely familiar face walked up to her. “I knew your mother,” the aging Lothario at her side informed her. “I went on a few dates with her.”

  An older woman joined them. She giggled and patted his arm. “Hank Grant, you are a scoundrel.”

  Elise concluded by his pleased expression that the elder Mr. Grant rather liked that role. He shot her a triumphant smile and tossed back a strong drink.

  Trying to be the diplomat, Elise said, “I remember mother said something about enjoying your dates.”

  From a chair at her right, Elija leaned forward. “Well hello, Hank. Haven’t seen you around much lately.”

  Hank turned to a woman across the table, winked, and murmured words that made her giggle. Satisfied that he had been noticed, he bowed to Elise, saying, “I hope we can talk later in a more intimate setting.” A wide grin, a wave of hand at everyone, and he moved on with a cluster of women trailing behind.

  Elija tapped Elise’s arm and whispered, “I heard Elise dumped him for Carter, which he didn’t take very well. It put his nose out of joint. Since that day, the poor man’s been trying to soothe his bruised ego by flirting with every woman in the room. It’s rather sad.”

  “I remember him now. He was a handsome playboy who never settled down. Woman loved him.”