Chapter Nine
"I feel like shouting, 'All aboard!"
Olivia laughed and clapped her hands. Annara frowned at her.
They continued across the platform and stood in line to board the massive steam-powered transport. Olivia remembered the previous time she’d been aboard, back when she’d been one of thousands herded into the carriages bound for the slave farm. Now she and the others were heading out on a mission that could make or break the new government on BloodDark. It generated mixed feelings.
One small backpack was all they were allowed to bring because of space issues, so she'd packed a sweater, just in case she felt cold as they traveled across the dark plains toward the sunlit side.
As they waited to board, Olivia braided her thick mass of bleached hair in order to put it up and out of her way. There were no air conditioners on the transport, and when they got to the warmer side of the planet, she'd be glad to have it off her neck. She turned to her dark-haired friend who was fortunate to have short, straight hair, noting Annara wore the same unhappy expression she’d had since the council meeting.
"Oh, come on. Lighten up, Annara. Hernando said this is going to be the ultimate party. This year's big event on the BloodDark social calendar—and we're invited. We're VIPs, no less."
Annara's scowl grew more intense. "This is a serious matter. It's not a country picnic."
"What would you know about picnics?"
"Only from what I've read in those novels you've given me. Earthers have a lot of extra time on their hands if they can sit around and eat their meals in the grass—whatever grass is."
Olivia bit her tongue to keep from laughing. "I forget there's not much grass in these parts," she managed after a few minutes. "Still, there's no reason not to enjoy the train ride itself as a vacation. When we get to the protective device, then you can go into your serious, professional security person mode. Until then, relax and go with the flow."
Annara grunted. "All right. I'll relax as soon as I get to my seat."
"Fair enough."
The lines of travelers continued as far as the eye could see in the dim red light reflected from the ponderous gas giant rising above them. Olivia recognized at least ninety percent of the crowd as coming from Clan Alpha House. Many brought their "mail order brides" and servants. Most of the servants would be disembarking at the Alphans' farms and surrounding villages in the penumbra zone to visit friends and family; still, a good number planned to travel on from the half-lit/half-dark area to the side of the world bathed in perpetual light, especially that part known as the Mosaic Desert. They couldn't wait to see the ancient weapon the Alphans claimed would keep the dreaded Kloog at bay.
The Kloog, their long-time mortal enemies. Why would they attack now? Olivia frowned as she contemplated the timing of recent events. Of all times in BloodDark's history, why attack so soon in the period of budding Earth - BloodDark relations? Wouldn't it have been better for the Kloog to attack before Earth knew of the other world's existence—before Earth could come to BloodDark's aid?
"Annara, can you explain to me why the Alphans felt it was imperative to repair the protective device at this point in time?”
Her fellow Resistance fighter looked about the buzzing crowd, front, back, left and right. They took a step forward in the slow-moving line to board. Annara lowered her voice. "Olivia, this isn't the best place to discuss things of a sensitive nature."
"I know it isn't. Still, something doesn't make sense to me. How did NASA or the European Space Agency or whoever know for certain the... ancient foe... were on their way to BloodDark?"
"I will check my notes of the interview with Moreau's family when we get on the transport." Annara bit her lip. "It's a good question, and one which only adds to my suspicions of Clan Alpha's motives."
"The Alphans? Really? Not the Earthers—I mean Earthlings?"
Annara shrugged. "Both, the more I think about it. How would Earth agencies know what to look for in the skies? Did the Alphans give them technological details to help identify these spaceships, or did the Earthers volunteer that they saw something unusual and the Alphans overreacted?"
"Exactly. It could be a little of each, plus something else we haven't quite determined yet."
The line moved forward again, and the two friends fell into a thought-filled silence. Her fellow Earthlings’ behaviors were beginning to trouble Olivia. They just didn’t add up. Roland Grundfest had kidnapped her, Hernando, Annara, and Valori in an attempt to bring the BloodDark ambassador over to his side in the illegal Clan Alpha artwork dealings. Their quick escape from Grundfest's clutches meant they’d never found out what the billionaire's true motivations were.
Kidnapping a diplomatic representative wasn't something you do on a whim, so why had Grundfest risked it? Olivia intuited there could be one good reason—he expected an enormous payoff. Grundfest made millions from BloodDark artwork and artifact sales, but those paychecks would be pocket change compared to selling information about the Pure Bloods' scientific achievements, genetics, and technology.
Were Portal technology and DNA manipulation techniques the only things Grundfest wanted to sell? What about the weapon lying under the sand in the desert? Selling military hardware to those who made it their business to keep up with all new means of making war would fill the bombastic billionaire's pockets with more gold than even he could count.
Olivia felt sick to her stomach. She saw it all, now. While Hernando shook hands, made trade deals, and planned cultural exchanges with the smiling government representatives and business-types of Earth for the good of BloodDark, they, in turn, had tricked advanced technological information out of Clan Alpha by playing into their fears about an imminent Kloog attack.
Or was she reading too much into a standard diplomatic mission? Had she become a conspiracy theorist, complete with tinfoil hat? She needed hard evidence if she was going to bring charges of conspiracy and collusion. And what would it mean to the budding relationship between their two worlds if she did prove her theory? Would Earthlings—would she, Olivia Brown—be welcomed on BloodDark again?
"The line is moving at last," Annara announced, breaking into her painful musings.
"Thank goodness. We need to get to the Mosaic Desert—and fast."
Annara narrowed her eyes and looked askance at Olivia. "Whatever happened to your 'relax and enjoy yourself' attitude?"
"Later." Olivia exhaled a long held breath. "Later."
Within a few minutes, they boarded and found their accommodations. As associates of the ruling council, they were placed in the front car, which held the councilors, security officers, and high-ranking members of Clan Alpha. Olivia searched the various levels of sitting rooms and sleeping bunks for signs of Hernando and Valori.
"Where could they be?" she wondered aloud as she returned to her assigned seat a short time later. "I know for a fact Hernando is coming, and he promised Valori would come as well, but I can't find them anywhere."
"No one has seen much of Valori since this whole thing was exposed at the Alphans' feasting hall," Annara admitted. She took her seat by the window and stared out at the crowd milling about on the platform. "Ah, I see Hernando with Caveman and some of the Deltan Portal technicians approaching now. Dradix is there, too. It's good we're bringing some independent scientists to verify the truth of Clan Alpha's claims about the protective device."
"I agree. How many security personnel do we have on board?"
"A good number." Annara quirked an eyebrow and shifted in her seat. "You've never been curious as to the security precautions before. What's different?"
Olivia averted her gaze. "It's not what as much as who. There are a few things I need to ask Caveman and Hernando and some of the others once they're aboard before I jump to conclusions." Which I've already done, but I have good reason to... I harbor no illusions about how selfish my species will act under these kinds of circumstances.
Annara patted her hand. "Take your own advice and try to
relax, okay? We'll need your clear head and observational skills at their best when we get there. You often pick up on many pertinent details others dismiss."
"I'm a regular Sherlock Holmes, huh?"
"The fictional detective?" Annara laughed. "You're better. You don't use illicit chemicals or set fire to dried leaves in a pipe to inhale. Humans acted very odd in those days."
Humans still do when it suits their purposes. "You're telling me." Olivia smiled. "Thanks for keeping me focused, Annara."
Somehow, Olivia didn't think anyone would be able to miss the signs this time, wearing a deer-stalker cap or not.
Olivia observed passengers boarding from her seat window until at last, Hernando and the other councilors, advisors, and scientists came on board. The seats around her and Annara were filling up with other low level functionaries, so Hernando and the others must have reserved seats in another compartment.
A bell rang, warning of their imminent departure. Unlike Earth trains, the massive locomotive engine didn't start slow and gradually build speed. Instead, BloodDark engines were catapulted from their wheelhouse and thrust onto the rails like a rocket launching, attaining speeds which would make a Japanese bullet train conductor envious. Hernando and the others needed to take their seats right away so they wouldn't get thrown about as the train left the station.
Annara closed her eyes and balled her fists. Olivia could tell this wasn't her friend's favorite part of traveling by BloodDark steam transport. Olivia clutched the sides of her armrest in preparation as the deafening hum of the machinery revved up for the slingshot push down the tracks.
"Wouldn't it be nice if Earth had a few steam transports like this?" she shouted over the noise. "It would save on those long waits at the airport with all those security checks."
"Useless security checks," Annara replied through clenched teeth. "Our plane was still hijacked, and we were kidnapped, weren't we?"
The hum raised in pitch. The platform bell rang again to warn the last of the well-wishers to vacant the platform forthwith so the shockwave wouldn't blow them over. The transport's departure could not be aborted now.
"Earthers don't understand that by telling travelers up front what security procedures they'll go through, you give away your advantage," Annara continued. "How can you catch a criminal off guard if he or she can work out ahead of time how to avoid detection?"
"Very good point." Olivia felt the vibrations increase as the launching device engaged. She screwed her eyes shut. "Here we go."
So, this is how it must have felt to go up into space in those very first rockets... Portal transportation is pure bliss by comparison, provided you take the motion sickness medicine. This must be one of the new, faster engines. The one they sent us out to the farm on traveled as fast as a snail. This thing's a cheetah on meth.
I'd like to see a cheetah in the wild someday. Hernando's thoughts calmed Olivia's nerves. Soon they'd reach their cruising speed, and she could stand up and move about the car. There are few cheetahs left in the wild, or so I was told by one of the African ambassadors at a conference. Their habitat is being destroyed. I asked him if he thought they could adapt to life on BloodDark in the deserts. He appeared quite interested in the idea.
We could save the cheetahs by bringing them to BloodDark? Olivia smiled to herself. The intense vibrations were leveling off, and a few brave souls stood up to test their travel legs before toppling back into their seats. Let's take notes on the terrain, prey, and weather and get back to him. Perhaps working together is the answer.
The answer to saving the cheetahs?
She couldn't keep her doubts from him. The answer to saving both our worlds.
More passengers were standing and moving about now. Olivia noticed Annara had drifted off to sleep after closing her eyes for the launch. She got to her feet without making a sound and headed to Hernando's compartment with a minimum of staggering in the aisles. Hearing Hernando's thoughts earlier gave her the sense he was located on the level above her. Sure enough, she spotted him standing on the observation deck one level above hers, deep in conversation with Caveman.
"I see you've got your steam transport legs already." Caveman winked at her as she approached. "This brings back happy memories, eh?"
Olivia laughed. "Yeah, how could I ever forget our scenic train ride to the mines, where we infiltrated and took over BloodDark City?" She took Hernando's offered hand and squeezed. "I can come back later if I'm interrupting an important discussion."
Hernando grinned. "No, stay. We're just reminiscing."
"About how the abandoned mines would make an excellent place to hide some of the more aggressive forms of BloodDark technology?"
Caveman looked askance at her. "You've been working with the new Alphan high priestess? You're reading minds."
"You're such a joker, Caveman." She smiled, trying to keep her tone light to cover the anxiousness she felt. "Why did they ever elect you head of the council? Your fabulous wit?"
"Of course."
She glanced over at Hernando. Where is Valori?
Valori said she'd meet us at Penumbra City.
She's not taking the steam transport?
Hernando shrugged.
Olivia frowned at the news, but returned to her attention to Caveman. "Caveman, may I ask you a question?"
The graying redhead shrugged. "You may ask. Whether I answer it or not is another matter."
"Very funny." Olivia shook her head at his weak attempt at humor. "Is the ruling council keeping tabs on the humans who've visited BloodDark, particularly those who are currently here? Is there a complete log somewhere, noting their reason for traveling to BloodDark and their estimated date of departure?"
"Yes, we keep track of who's here and who isn't. Since the council controls the only Portal capable of transporting people, we know who is arriving, when they're leaving, and what they're up to while they're on BloodDark."
Olivia bit her lip. "It's all self-reported information, though, right?"
Caveman furrowed his brow. "Now that you mention it... We do take their word for their reasons for coming here."
"I know for a fact how easy it is to trick the system, since I lied and said I was my friend Jace's sister to travel here this last time as a mail order vampire bride."
"Yes, the mail order bride business is a big problem." Caveman sighed and threw up his hands. "I've been hounding the council on the leniency we've given Clan Alpha on allowing humans to immigrate, but they voted for it. The other clans are eager to follow suit, but so far, we've allowed the Alphans alone this opportunity. It's a test program, and I'll venture to say it's the last time it's going to happen."
"I've blown it for everyone?" Thinking of what a happy couple Kate and Mahvet made, Olivia felt guilty, but now wasn't the time or place to argue otherwise. "I'll accept the blame for the first attempt going awry, but with a few tweaks, I think it'll work out fine in the end. I just wondered if the council has a list of occupations of visiting humans BloodDark as of today."
"We'd have the list at the embassy on Earth," Hernando said. "It's part of the visa application, listing an occupation. You came as Lauren Petrowski and listed your occupation as 'student' as I recall."
"I did."
Hernando quirked an eyebrow. "It's how I tracked you down, because I remembered you telling me at Thanksgiving how Jace's sister dropped out of college and was unemployed when she first applied to emigrate. The inconsistency jumped out at me. After I interviewed Jace and he confessed how he'd helped you assume Lauren's identity... Well, I told your parents. I had to talk them out of having him charged with a crime."
"Wow." Olivia flinched. "Thanks for going to bat for Jace. I didn't realize my folks would be so upset."
"I know I'd be more than upset if my child had disappeared." Caveman put an arm around her shoulders and gave her a hug. "They did the right thing sending Hernando back from BloodDark to check up on you and to temporarily shut down our border, as it is."
> Olivia's jaw dropped open in surprise. "You mean... no one can transport to or from BloodDark?"
Hernando nodded. "Not since I arrived. Only communiqués to the embassy are allowed. We thought it best."
"Good idea," Olivia said. "We might catch whoever is responsible in the act."
"In the act?" Caveman frowned. "We caught the culprits—the Clan Alpha leadership—illegally selling artifacts. You think there's another crime happening now?"
"Don't ask me how, but I know there is." Olivia turned to Hernando. "Before you left Earth, did your office recently approve of any visa applications from military personnel or top level rocket scientists or engineers?"
"I don't believe so."
"Think hard. Anyone at all in a related occupation?"
Hernando furrowed his brow and pursed his lips as he wracked his memory. "Hmm, we did receive several requests this past month from archeologists wanting to join expeditions on BloodDark to search for ancient artifacts."
Olivia clapped her hands. "We're onto something. Tell me more."
"I made note of these archeologists because of the Pure Blood artifacts showing up in museums on Earth this past year. At the time they requested visas, I thought perhaps these museum showings had inspired Earth's archeologists to want to see things firsthand. Their credentials all checked out—twenty-five of them with their assistants altogether."
"Wow, a good number of people." Olivia couched her next questions in as delicate a manner possible. "Where on BloodDark did these archeologists say they wanted to travel to? Were there several archeological sites or just one big site in particular?"
Hernando's jaw dropped and his eyes widened. "I believe they all said they were headed to the edge of the Mosaic Desert. They were going there via Penumbra City."
"All of them were going to one destination?" Olivia felt a shiver of dread dancing along her nerves. She turned to Caveman.
"Before you ask, I'll tell you—there aren't any Council-authorized archeological excavations right now in the Penumbra City region," Caveman confirmed. "Long story short, we don't always know what goes on down there."
Olivia's Decision Page 8