Moondust And Madness

by Taylor, Janelle

  Jana studied the golden cell. There was an ivory- colored étagère in one corner, filled with books and decorative art objects. Next, there was a pressurized sliding door, like one finds at a supermarket. Jana was positive it was locked, but she would check it. Positioned next to the door was a wall display with opaque windows, colored buttons, a small drawer, and a shelf. Before it was a low bar with two chairs. On the adjacent wall, another door caught her eye. There was a sofa in variegated tints of gold and cream. A raindrop swag lamp was suspended over a round, low table. She wondered why the owner of this elegant room, or its decorator, had selected a phantasmic painting to hang over the sofa. Her curious gaze continued to a square commode by the bed, which was an ivory shade like all the furniture but the bed. An octagon- shaped swag lamp was suspended over it. The bed she was lying in had sheets which were an unidentified silky golden fabric. She fingered the sensuous covers which exhibited an intricate creamy design on a gold background. Strange sensations washed over her.

  Her prison walls appeared to be of a metal in an ivory hue. She touched the wall to her left and was surprised when it registered neither cold nor hot. The carpet was a deep coin gold. She glanced up at the diffused lighting panels which were very dim at this time. There appeared to be a night light over the main door. Seeing no switches, she reasoned the controls were outside this room. It was the same with the gilded lamp at her bedside. Light and dark were at the discretion of her abductor. Jana speculated it could be hours before anyone came to check on her. She allowed her bare feet to fondle the lush carpet appreciatively. She walked around the room, studying, touching, and observing her exquisite oubliette.

  Varian’s timbre voice ordered First Lieutenant Martella Karsh to take over the meeting. She had been a wise selection by his grandfather to head up this facet of their mission. Martella was more than qualified to train these aliens and to handle any difficult problem which might arise on the ship or at one of the thirteen auctions. As a brilliant psychologist, she had been in charge of similar tasks on other starships, though she had vowed this was the last time she would accept this repulsive task. Varian welcomed her leadership and talents.

  Martella took the floor. The stately female with graying red hair and pale green eyes knew it was unnecessary to go over each person’s duties. Varian’s staff had been well versed on their training tasks. They were making excellent progress with the women from Uranus, and she expected them to do the same with the Earthlings. Her penetrating gaze slipped around the table. Despite her sterility from the plague which had inspired this enthralling custom, sixty-year-old Martella Karsh felt no envy or hostility toward these women who were heading for her world.

  The head of the psychology department supplied reports which profiled each female and alerted the staff to possible troublemakers or nonadapters. Dr. Tristan Zarcoff was to be informed of anyone who seemed headed for mental depression. The historiographer gave a concise report on Earth and Uranus, relating any historical or political event which might play a pivotal role in the women’s behaviors or personalities.

  Lieutenant Kara Curri discussed her recreational and physical conditioning schedule, which was designed to improve figures, physical and emotional health, and to inspire relaxation and friendly attitudes.

  Daxley Prada would use his data processing department to store all this individual information in his confidential computerized library banks. He would gather, analyze, correlate, and store all information concerning these women. A complete dossier would soon be available on every female.

  Security Control Chief Kyle Dykstra would be responsible for monitoring the women’s behavior from a central control room similar to closed-circuit television, from which instructions and announcements would be given.

  Martella went over the schedules she had filled out for the staff. Group assignments were made for the captives. At the beginning, the females were to be informed of the staff’s purpose and expectations. The Maffeian plight was to be explained in detail, with hopes of showing the charls they were needed and wanted. The females would discover they were to become mates to alien males whose appearances varied little, if any, from the males of their planet.

  The relaxed tone of business and lively recreational schedule planned by the staff would help to dispel the captives’ apprehensions. Within a reasonable length of time, most would adapt to their new fates. The captives’ mates usually cooperated for there was no turning back. Females who were orphaned and unattached were most usually chosen, as they adjusted quicker and easier to their new lives.

  The male officers played an important role in the forming of the charls’ positive attitudes. Luckily, this crew consisted of numerous attractive, charming, polished men who revealed wit, intelligence, good breeding, and sex appeal.

  There were matters concerning charls which angered and distressed Martella and many other Maffeians, including Tristan Zarcoff and the recent convert Varian Saar. Ever since this procedure began fifty years ago, the original laws and practices had remained intact. An alien mate had no rights under Maffeian law. As long as she was captured outside of any treaty territory and was sold to an unwed male citizen, she was the chattel of her buyer. Since there was no marriage involved, children of such a union belonged to the father, to his family in case of his death. In cases of owner death or displeasure, the mate could be sold to another male. This situation led to abuses of human rights. These women were not animals or objects. Marriage should be required. If it failed, divorce—not another sale—should end the matter. Changes were needed; these females deserved citizenship, protection, support, and basic freedoms and rights. Martella was working on bringing her views before the Supreme Council’s eyes and vote.

  Martella smiled as she realized there were many men in this very room who could make a woman’s heart flutter. Too bad their charms and good looks were overshadowed by the matchless ones of Varian Saar. She could use the aid and support of a man of Varian’s power and influence, a male surely destined to become the kadim one day. After taking part in this cruel practice during this mission, hopefully he would help her fight for the changes which were needed. If a female was good enough to sleep in a male’s bed and bear his children, she was good enough to wed!

  * * *

  At the same time not far from the conference room, Jana couldn’t decide what the furniture was made from for it neither felt nor appeared to be wood, or metal, or plastic. Jana went to the étagère. The books were in a foreign language and on a variety of subjects, as she could tell from the illustrations. Most of the objets d’art were statuettes of what she took to be imaginary creatures. The figurines appeared to be either brass or gold. The books were covered in aureate bindings with indecipherable lettering. Jana surmised they had been specially bound in matching covers. There was a striking model of a spaceship which was constructed with the finest details; clearly it was handmade and quite valuable. If she wasn’t mistaken, that was gold trim on the ivory-colored ship! She dared not handle it. Her perceptive mind grasped several facts. Either her abductor was foreign, or he wanted her to believe he was. The various books suggested he had diverse interests. She returned each object to its place, noting there wasn’t a speck of dust or a single stain on any item or furnishing in the room.

  Jana moved to the first door. She promptly realized either it did not open by floor pressure or was locked. Since there were no buttons, knobs, or controls in sight, she was definitely sealed inside this golden room.

  Jana entered the space between the eating bar and wall unit. There were recessed spaces, of which three contained units with smoky-glass doors. Two units resembled microwave ovens without controls. The top unit had one button beside it. To the left of the lower unit was a small drawer which contained numerous metal objects, the size and shape of a credit card. She wondered if the perforations on them were a computer code. Over the drawer was a narrow slit, the size of the metal cards. She was tempted to check out this conclusion, but changed her mind. It wasn
’t wise to tamper with unfamiliar equipment.

  The next recessed unit opened like a laundry chute and made a whoosh when she closed it; it was perhaps a garbage disposal. In the niche above it, there was a device for dispensing liquids. She surmised that the row of four buttons by the door offered various selections. The surface of those buttons revealed foreign symbols which she couldn’t read. Evidently this was some type of sophisticated, possibly experimental, food center. Only dishes and food were missing. She glanced under the bar and found nothing.

  Perhaps she would be served through one of the devices. Perhaps she would be kept secluded until her captor’s demands were met. Her hope for survival and release grew as she surmised he did not want her to be able to identify him. Jana eyed the other door, then gingerly approached it. The swishing sound and instant opening of the door startled her. She hastily backed up a few steps and the door closed. When the rapid pounding of her heart slowed to normal, she summoned her courage to continue her exploration, and she stepped to the door. It instantly slid open to reveal an elaborate bathroom. She ascended two steps, then the door closed automatically behind her.

  To her left, there was a lengthy vanity with two gold-colored sinks and a row of buttons beside each one. The entire wall above it was a huge mirror. In her state of intrigue and astonishment, she failed to notice her scanty attire.

  A gold or brass chair sat before the vanity. The floor was tiled in an artistic pattern of gold and ivory to form flowers, and the toilet and sunken tub matched the color of the double sinks. The end wall was spanned with closets. The gold and ivory color scheme exuded a powerful aura of wealth, beauty, and serenity. This boudoir was definitely designed to soothe the mind, body, and eye.

  Jana wondered if she was the first prisoner to occupy this suite. It seemed illogical for a kidnapper to be concerned with his victim’s comfort and fears. She rambled through the vanity drawers and cabinets for clues. Most of the products were from foreign markets; she could not read the wording on their packaging. Anything a female could need was there, along with her regular bath necessities. She questioned if this supply was intentional or coincidental. Jana’s eyes narrowed in suspicion and her heart began to pound forcefully. Had her captor gone to such trouble to please her or to calm her fears? Did such accuracy in selecting her choice of products mean her captor had observed her for a long time? Did he know her other likes and dislikes?

  She asked herself why she kept thinking “captor” and “he,” not “they” or “captors”? Whatever instinct caused her to believe the towering man with a perfect physique was responsible for her abduction and imminent fate could not be ignored. She had sensed his raw power and authority. The other men were nothing more than friends or followers or paid assistants. These lush surroundings caused panic within Jana. A kidnapped victim wasn’t usually handled this way, was she?

  Her eyes caught sight of the closets. She went to them and threw the doors open wide. She stared at the wardrobe inside. It was very elegant and extremely feminine. Someone certainly had good, and expensive, taste. She could not help but notice the fabrics were very soft. Although there were outfits for any and every occasion, she instantly realized the majority of the clothing was for lounging, sleeping, or formal wear. When all she really needed were jeans and T-shirts for a short period of captivity. This observation panicked her. Surely these garments were not meant for her, or for a lengthy stay!

  She hastily checked the sizes. Everything would fit her. She checked the shoes—her size. She pulled open the drawers, which were arranged in a vertical row to her right. Once more every single item of underclothing was in her size. She cringed in rising apprehension at this discovery.

  Jana opened a small drawer and revealed numerous necklaces, pierced earrings, bracelets, and rings. She gaped in disbelief. She lifted several pieces and carefully studied them. If they were fakes, they were the best replicas she had ever seen. This gem collection was worth a large fortune! Jana dropped the expensive stones as if they had suddenly singed her fingers. She closed the doors and leaned against them, breathing rapidly. This situation was becoming more and more perplexing and alarming. What did such a wealthy man want from her? Why had he gone to such expense and trouble? Did he hope to assure a compliant prisoner? What kinky game or intricate scheme was he planning for her? White slavery? Jana scolded her wild imagination. Surely this room belonged to a female who was her size. It was all coincidence. Surely this man was only interested in ransom. There was no reason to harm her. He controlled her food, air, and light supplies. Her life was in his hands. Wasn’t that enough power over her? They, she reminded herself; there were three to five men involved.

  As her eyes darted frantically, they touched on the mirror and widened in horrified shock. She stared at the silky apricot nightgown she was wearing. Her face reddened, then paled, as she realized someone had placed this gown on her while she was unconscious. Had the leader done it? Had…The words “white slavery” and “kinky” thundered across her frightened mind again. Surely those hoodlums in black leather had been hired to abduct her. No doubt their incompetence had spurred their bosses into action. What secret and lewd game were these men playing?

  Jana fumed in humiliation. She opened the closet doors to search for her own dress. As she pushed aside the garments in her vain search, she blushed in modesty at how provocative, romantic, and revealing many of the dresses were. Surely he—they didn’t expect her to wear those clothes and…And what, she wondered fearfully. She selected and dressed in a soft brushed knit in ice blue. How long had she been here drugged?

  Jana crossed the room, eager yet reluctant to learn her fate. The door automatically opened and she reentered her golden cell. She paced, trying to reason out this alarming puzzle. In turn, she sat on the sofa, the bed, the chairs, and ended up partially reclining on the sofa. She absently fingered the soft material of the dress she had put on. She toyed with her curls. She jumped up to pace again. She fretted, How much longer will they ignore me? When will they tell me something? She hated this frightening uncertainty and torturous waiting.

  “Anything else?” Martella asked. She had hopes that Varian’s high opinion of Jana would open his eyes and heart to changing the situation involving the charls.

  Tristan stated, “I’m very impressed by their profiles and appearances.”

  “All, or one in particular?” Nigel jested with a smile so broad his dimples were vividly displayed. Now that they were heading home and trying to do something beneficial for the captives and Earth, moods were lightening.

  Tristan’s bright blue eyes twinkled with merriment and guilt. He shuffled the papers before him as he recovered his poise, relieved that Martella knew the truth, for they had become very close during this assignment.

  Nigel couldn’t resist another jest. “Why, Tris, I do believe I’ve touched a tender spot. For which girl, or need I even ask?”

  “Come on, Nigel, you know me better than that.”

  “Sure I do,” the first officer murmured playfully. “It wouldn’t be for that medical research beauty by any chance, would it?”

  A revealing sparkle lit Tristan’s piercing eyes. “I’ll admit Jana does impress me greatly—exceptional beauty and brains—a rare combination.”

  Varian spoke up for the first time. “Martella has already noted and planned for this special case. Do your best with her training. Besides being the focal point at our auctions, she’s very special like Tris said.”

  Varian’s apparent interest in this woman stilled any further chatter about her. He had been annoyed at having her openly and casually discussed. The mere mention of her name had sent warm tremors up his spine and reminded him of last night. But the viewing of her videotapes and pictures had been his undoing! Yet he was unaware of the heat in his voice and eyes as he had spoken of her.

  The training staff found this development baffling and surprising. It registered in Tristan’s mind that Varian was more than slightly intrigued by Jana. Martel
la was pleased by Varian’s attitude and comments. Nigel thought he knew the reason behind them, his private scheme to defeat Ryker.

  “Any more comments or questions?” Martella asked once more. She hoped the men would not spoil her plans by placing Varian on the defensive with their jokes about “an alien enchantress.” She needed to provide Varian time and privacy with Jana. When no one spoke up, she dismissed them. Without defying orders, she had to figure out a way to thwart Jana’s auction to an unworthy man. If only Varian would keep Jana, fall in love with her.

  As each staff member departed to plan his schedule, Varian gathered his reports and tapes to head for the privacy of his quarters. But first, he would check out his “cargo” from the central monitors, and he intended to view one woman in particular…

  Once more Jana began to roam her prison. Why didn’t someone come, at least to bring food and drink? She had been awake for hours and was hungry. Her rambling thoughts returned to the scene of her abduction. She wondered how they had pulled that vanishing trick with those two hoodlums. “A sly tactic to terrify me. Evaporate into thin air? Impossible! It was a controlled illusion.”

  Jana walked past the sofa and stopped to look at the painting above it. Suddenly Jana realized she was staring at a red light in the fake pond of the picture. She lifted her head and stared at a surveillance camera mounted in the corner. A glowing light indicated it was on. Was there a hidden microphone somewhere? Now she understood why they hadn’t come to check on her! She went to see if a camera was mounted in the bathroom. No, at least they would allow her some privacy. A horrifying thought came to mind. What if this mirror was one of those two-way glasses? This new discovery was too much! It was time for some answers! At least time to learn how many captors were holding her.