The Creature - Book Two of the Marcus II Series

by Bonnie Somerville

  Kaley awoke before dawn as usual. She opened her eyes and just looked over the treetops. Her tree house was almost at the top of the canopy of the forest. It was as close to living in the trees as any human had ever come. This planet was meant to be an experiment to see if humans could survive on a remote planet without outside interference using only their intellect to help them survive. Some of the most prominent scientists of their age had made the journey. The colony would be a Utopia of sorts and the scientists would not allow the exploitation of the planet in any way. The resources would not be torn from the ground as on some mining planets and shipped back to Terra. Terra had run out of natural resources long ago leaving it an empty wasteland. The trees and minerals, even The People on Marcus II were safe. The only drawback was that they were so far out on the outskirts of the known universe they were good and truly on their own. That fact had served them well because for over a hundred and fifty years they had been left alone. The disadvantage was that when the genetic material brought from Terra was lost they had no way of replacing it without making a distress call and that was not acceptable, especially not after the trouble they’d encountered just getting there in the first place.

  When the samples were destroyed some of the geneticists had to become a little creative about how they went about sustaining and growing a population. The things they had done were top secret and in some cases unethical but they justified it by saying that something had to be done and that they had little choice.

  Even all these generations later the exact details of the genetic manipulation done by Dr. Conrad Drummond was a mystery. Only a few of the leaders knew the truth and some of the details were still very much a mystery. Only when the colony had become very concerned for their future did they send a message to Terra and a research team dispatched to Marcus II. Needless to say this was done with considerable thought being given to the consequences but they were desperate. They still didn’t want interference from Terra. Marcus II was their own little piece of paradise and they wanted to keep it that way. The People lived in a well-rounded close knit community that had virtually no crime. Having people from Terra there could change everything.

  In the end the research team found out what the problem was and recommended discontinuing the use of all crops brought from Terra. One member of the research team did find something very strange about the genetic make-up of some of the colonists. Drs. Stephanie Diamond and Sara Keeting had opted to stay on Marcus II and had started relationships with members of the “Royal” family, the Murrays. Thus their curiosity about the DNA brought up questions amongst the colonists. The family brought them into the fold and revealed some of the colonies secrets. The new doctors gave their word not to interfere in the inner workings of the colony. The last thing they wanted to do was destabilize the colony that they’d come to love and who had taken them in as family and one of their own.

  Kaley was as unique a human being as was the rest of her family. She was from a group that resided in the Northern most community of Dori’s Cove. She was a gorgeous woman tall and slender and very athletic. Kaley’s white hair was accentuated by her porcelain complexion and violet eyes. That’s what had intrigued the scientists from Terra. They knew these were not features common to humans on Terra. The other part that made her unique was the fact that she had so much trouble living indoors and in the town proper. She did because she loved Rachael and Rachael was a member of the Royal family. The fact that Rachael’s job was to travel to different towns and outlying homesteads to coordinate with their leaders made it easier for Kaley. They spent a significant amount of time on the road or camped out.

  When Kaley and Rachael had some free time they always went to where Kaley felt the most comfortable, in the forest canopy. She had a particular affinity for the forest and the local primate species, the Kubu as well as their cousins the Pendek. She could sit out on the feeding platform and they would come right up to her touching her hair and taking food from her hands like Dian Fossey or Jane Goodall although those two women knew better than to feed their study subjects.

  Kaley opened her eyes and thought she saw something very strange. Well not so much strange as surprising. She thought she saw a humanoid figure sleeping in a tree close to her. She blinked to clear the film that had accumulated over her eyes during her slumber and reopened her eyes once more to find the being had disappeared.

  Kaley blinked a few more times, she was sure she’d seen something. Rachael came out onto the balcony stretching. Rachael leaned over her lover and kissed her on the cheek. “Good morning honey. Did you sleep well?” she said. “I saw her again. I’m not nuts!” Kaley proclaimed. “Of course you’re not. Who are we talking about?” Rachael said from back inside the tree house. She had gone back in to make the Marcus II version of coffee. “The creature I was telling you about yesterday. I woke up and saw her sleeping in the crook of that tree over there.” She said pointing to a nearby tree. Rachael looked out the window to where Kaley was pointing. “What did the creature look like?” She replied. “She looked humanoid. She definitely wasn’t a Kubu or Pendek.” Kaley went to the balcony railing closest to where the creature had disappeared into the trees. “It’s ok my friend. We won’t hurt you I promise.” Kaley called into the trees. Eventually she came back to the bench under the kitchen window where Rachael was sitting holding the coffees. Rachael handed her one. Kaley took a loud sip and sighed. She could enjoy this coffee while pregnant since this indigenous variety didn’t have caffeine. It was one of her guilty pleasures.

  Kaley enjoyed having her coffee with Rachael in relative peace and quiet before the events of the day commenced. Rachael placed her hand on Kaley’s thigh and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Do you think it’s such a good idea to be sleeping in a hammock on a balcony a hundred feet off the ground while you’re pregnant? I don’t want you or our child put in any danger.” Rachael said looking at Kaley as she said this. “Everything is fine Rach. I’m at home up here more than I am on the ground in a cob house. I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize our child. I want her to grow up here. She’ll be part of me and will love the trees as much as I do.” Kaley looked over at Rachael. “I know honey, I love you so much and I love your passion for the forest and I want you to pass on that passion to our daughter.” Rachael said smiling.

  Kaley and Rachael had been one of the first couples to be inseminated with the new samples brought from Terra. Kaley would not only be the birth mother but the genetic mother of the child. All the children in her family had her complexion, hair and eye color and it seemed they also had her affinity for nature.

  When Rachael first brought Kaley home to meet the family they all were a little startled to see her unique appearance. Many members of the community seemed a little standoffish at first. They had never seen anyone from Dori’s Cove before but they soon came to love her. She went from strange to exotic overnight. Kaley had paved the way for all Dori’s Cove residents to be readily accepted. That transformation came in no small part due to her close relationship to Rachael. Now when Kaley’s family members came to Cambridge Landing they were inundated with potential suitors and extreme amounts of flirting by almost anyone who was single.

  Kaley’s pregnancy was progressing perfectly. She was physically strong but seemingly more robust on a genetic level than some of the other colonists. A group of Pendek arrived at the feeding platform. It was called that but hadn’t been used for that purpose in some time. Kaley used it to attract the Pendek in the beginning but they needed no such enticement now. They seemed to enjoy the company of Kaley and Rachael.

  Kaley saw her favorite Pendek, a female she had named Clover. Clover had brought her young to the feeding platform. Kaley could have sworn she was showing off her offspring. She went into the house to retrieve some fruit and nuts she’d collected previously for the Pendek as a treat. She bent under the railing of the balcony and climbed across to the platform. She knew better than to approach the Pendek directly let alone a female with child. R
achael was a little concerned that the female might think Kaley a threat but she also knew that she had to trust that Kaley knew what she was doing. Kaley sat close to the edge of the platform a few feet away from Clover. She took some fruit and nuts out of her pocket and started munching on them. Clover looked over curiously craning her neck to see what Kaley was eating.

  Clover inched closer while the rest of the troop watched on. Kaley glanced at Clover briefly and then turned her back to her. This made Clover even more curious so she strode right up to Kaley and sat down next to her. Kaley and Clover had a close and loving relationship and on many occasions Rachael had observed Kaley and Clover grooming each other and sharing food. Today Kaley offered Clover some food which Clover took readily. The rest of the troop moved closer. Clover put some nuts into her mouth and the rest she distributed amongst the others in the troop. These Pendek cooperated in almost every aspect of their lives. They shared food, protected each other, comforted one another and even baby sat offspring. They also interbred with their cousins the Kubu creating some mixed breed specimens.

  When Clover was close enough Kaley had the opportunity to get a clear view of the young one. It looked a little strange almost as if it had too many limbs. Kaley was a little startled, she knew a specimen like that had little chance of survival in the wild. Kaley felt badly for the poor creature. Clover leaned closer to look in Kaley’s pocket for more treats when all of a sudden another head popped up from under Clover’s armpit. Kaley smiled broadly, it wasn’t a malformed infant but twins. There were two perfectly healthy gorgeous little Pendek with white hair and orange stripes. “What is it?” Rachael whispered loudly. “It’s twins! They’re beautiful and they look strong and healthy.” Kaley called back. Rachael sighed in relief as she had become almost as attached to the Pendek as Kaley. Clover sat closer to Kaley and put her arm around her shoulder. Kaley sat very still waiting to see what would happen next. The Pendek babies looked up at Kaley and the little brave one reached out and touched her. After a few minutes the little one climbed over to Kaley’s shoulder and then into her arms snuggling up close. Clover seemed to sense or perhaps she could smell the difference in Kaley’s scent. It was almost like she knew Kaley would be having a little one of her own soon.

  Eno watched from the shelter of the dense canopy. The Pendek baby was in Kaley’s arms. Even Eno hadn’t been able to get that close to the youngsters. This Kaley was something special she was sure of it. The Pendek were trusting creatures but their children were still protected and never put in harms’ way. Eno watched for a long time. She wished she could be the one sitting on the platform with Kaley. ~

  Chapter Two

  Rachael packed up her gear and prepared to descend the almost one hundred feet down the tree house ladder to the forest floor. Kaley wanted very much to stay longer and find out more about their visitor. She stood on the balcony feeling like she was being watched. “Are you ready Kaley? We should head out if we are going to make it to Cambridge Landing before dark.” Kaley took one more look into the canopy. “Ok I’ll be right there.” She called down to Rachael. Kaley turned her attention back to the treetops. “I’m Kaley and that’s Rachael. We have to go away for a while. We’ll be travelling north to visit my family in Dori’s Cove. I want to see them before I’m not able to travel; I’ll be too big soon. You can join us if you want. You are safe with us; we are your friends.” Kaley took one last look around. She could have sworn she saw a branch shake. “If you don’t want to join us we’ll be back in a few weeks, maybe a month. I know you’re out there and I want to get to know you. Ok, I have to go now. Feel free to use the house.”

  Kaley quickly made her way down to the ground. She took one last look behind her and ran to catch up with Rachael. “Do you want me to carry your gear?” Rachael asked. Kaley gave Rachael a loving smile. She knew Rach was trying to take care of her. “No thank you honey I’m good.” Rachael eyed her lover admiringly. She loved how she looked when they first got together but what had really attracted her was Kaley was so different than anyone she had ever known. Not just her looks but her personality and character. When she had first thought of asking her out Rachael thought Kaley would turn her down but she took the chance. Kaley had seemed surprised at the invitation but had readily accepted. Rachael still marveled thinking that this wonderfully exotic woman had actually gone out with her and not only that but had stuck around. Every day she was thankful for meeting Kaley; she loved her so much, they were soul mates.

  Just outside Cambridge Landing the couple stopped to rest. Rachael made sure Kaley stopped often; she didn’t want her to over exert herself. “Do you know how sexy you are?” Rachael said to Kaley in a loud whisper. Kaley smiled blushing slightly. “You know you don’t need to be so protective of me. I’m as strong as a horse. It’s sweet but completely unnecessary.” She protested. Rachael furrowed her brows. “It’s an age old tradition to protect ones’ spouse when they are pregnant. You’re going to have to humor me.” Rachael pulled Kaley into a warm embrace and Kaley melted into her. “You’ve been quiet this past hour or so, what’s up?” Rach asked kissing Kaley on the temple. “Just the usual; you know I feel anxiety when I return to the city. I can’t help it, It’s just the way I am.” Kaley said taking a deep cleansing breath. “Are you thinking about your mysterious friend?” Rach said trying to distract her. “A little, I can’t help but think that I might have been able to get her to come in closer if I had stuck around.” She said. “I don’t mind you staying in Cambridge Landing but I don’t want you out at the tree house alone. I would be worried sick.” Rachael said seriously. “No it’s ok. I want to see my mom and sister. It might be a while before I can travel again. Besides I don’t want to be without you for so long.” Kaley admitted. Rachael smiled, she loved when Kaley said things like that. Her heart swelled with love and pride and yes a little bit of lust.

  They finally continued on their final leg of their journey. Walking into town they were greeted by family and friends. Aunt Loki was sitting on the front porch of their house out of the heat of the direct sun. Loki was Kaley’s Aunt who had come to help with the baby and help Kaley in any way she could. They both plopped down into chairs to rest their feet and to see what was new with Aunt Loki. As they sat there “catching up” the “Queen” Catherine Murray came walking up; she was also Rachaels’ Aunt and Lokis’ best friend. The term was an honorary title used for the leader of the colony. “Rachael did you two have a nice vacation?” Catherine inquired. Catherine was not only her Aunt but her Boss. Rachael was her right hand and liaison. Aunt Kitty as many of her cousins’ called Queen Catherine was the overall leader of the Council of Elders, the Mayors of the other towns and assorted homesteads. Rachael and Kaley travelled to each community and brought back requests and concerns back to Catherine. That was a saving grace for Kaley; she always had a rough time in the town so any time they were travelling was her favorite times with Rachael. That was the best time with Rachael aside from staying out at her tree house.

  “Hi Loki, how are you holding up?” Catherine asked Loki, they had been friends since childhood. “You know damn well I hate this damn town Cat. If it weren’t for Kaley and the baby I wouldn’t even be here!” Loki scowled at Catherine. “But I miss you when you’re at the old homestead Loki.” Catherine said sincerely. “That’s because I’m the only one around here who tells you the truth without sugar coating it.” Loki mumbled. Catherine chuckled. In spite of Loki’s gruff talk and scowl Catherine knew Loki loved her and her family more than anything. She stayed in town to see her grandniece come into the world and ease the burden of a new family for Rachael and Kaley. Catherine went up onto the porch and gave Kaley a warm hug and kiss. “You look terrific Kaley; I want the two of you to have dinner with me tonight. Turning to Rachael she said. “Rachael I need you to go to Arklow and have a talk to Romi. We’ll discuss the details after dinner.” Rachael smiled and nodded. She wasn’t intimidated by Aunt Kitty but she very much wanted to please her and be worth
y of the trust and responsibility Catherine had placed in her. “Yes Auntie, we’d love to join you for dinner. We need to shower and get the dust and sweat off us from the road and then we will be right along.” Catherine nodded and said humorously. “The whole time the two of you have been gone Loki has been nesting. She’s been getting the room ready for the baby and she and Joshua the woodcarver have been working on furnishings. Joshua has built a custom dresser, changing table, rocking chair and a small cot for the bairn. It makes me smile every time I look at her; much to her consternation. I’ll see you soon.” Catherine laughed heartily.

  With that Catherine continued her journey down the street. Catherine was very much a working leader. She was never able to get very far before someone would approach her with a concern, question or idea but she smiled and made time for each and every person. That is why she was so well loved and respected. She always made each person feel like someone was listening to them.

  Kaley and Rachael entered the dining shelter to numerous shouts of greeting. Rachael had cousins and family everywhere. The name Murray went back to the original founder and first leader Moira Murray. She had six children and each of them had several children making the name Murray more popular on Marcus II than Smith on Terra.

  Dinnertime in the town was a communal event. Meals were prepared by some of the older women and people who couldn’t work in the fields any longer helped provide nutritious meals for the community. Kaley and Rachael anxiously took their bowls and took their place in line to receive their generous portion. They waved to Catherine and headed over. “Before we talk to your Aunt I wanted to ask you not to say anything about the creature I saw in the forest. At least not until I get a chance to find out what or who it really is, ok.” Kaley suggested. Rachael hadn’t really thought much about the creature since arriving back in town and there didn’t seem like much to tell at this point. “I won’t say anything to her yet but when we do know more she will have to be told.” Rachael looked Kaley in the eye. Kaley seemed concerned so Rachael gave her a reassuring smile and a small hug around the shoulders. “Don’t worry; everything will be fine I promise.”