SEABIRD: A Romantic Fantasy

by Jac Eddins

  The clasp on Gina’s cape had come loose and, rather than fuss with it, she set the garment on the end of a nearby table where blankets and towels were stacked in order to give the baby her full attention. The miniature Aquan gazed up at her with wide dark eyes and seemed to smile.

  "She’s beautiful," Gina whispered. Kayahla moved on to the next guests then along the partition to display the tiny Princess to her people. Aquans, male and female watched with obvious emotion. Gina found tears streaming down her own cheeks.

  "This is a very big occasion for Dath," Dano said softly.

  "So I see! But, when–"

  Everyone else focused on the presentation of the Princess and Dano patiently explained. "Aquan women lay eggs. They are placed in a warm saltwater bath until the husband fertilizes them. Then they’re kept in incubators for about six months, until the infant grows too large for the shell and can survive in the world. When the time comes, it’s a very big celebration, especially if the infant is a future ruler."

  "I see. Then Aquans and humans can’t–"

  "Not at all. Not in a physical way. Aquans do enjoy close contact, what we’d call ‘snuggling’, and are usually devoted to their mates. Besides that they form special bonds of friendship. Their mates and special friends are called ‘kyra or kyro’. That’s close to our word ‘beloved’."

  All this time Gina had been a little jealous of the statuesque Aquan women who appeared to find Dano attractive. She sighed. According to Muriela there were still plenty of Terran women in the domes. Why didn’t he make some move to let her know he found her attractive? Several times he had been about to kiss her and then stopped. She finally admitted to herself she wanted that kiss!

  "What happens now?" Gina asked him.

  "They have to return the baby to her incubator before much longer. Everyone will leave here and return to the ballroom." He laughed. "–and celebrate for a good part of the night."

  As Dano predicted, Kayahla soon returned the tiny infant to her bed and the large group filed from the room along with the proud family. Dano and Gina strolled along toward the back of the line, in no rush. Suddenly, Gina remembered her gift box with the pendant. She had placed the box in the inside pocket of her cape and left the cape in the nursery.

  "I’ll be right back," she called to Dano and headed in the direction of the nursery again.

  They had not been gone more than a few minutes, but the nursery was not the same. Three of the incubators had been overturned and the tiny babies lay amid the wreckage. One of them cried in a pitiful small voice. A man held an Aquan nurse by the throat.

  Gina screamed.

  The man, a Terran, shoved the half-conscious nurse. She fell to the floor. He rushed at Gina, his hand grazing her jaw when she dodged his blow. Off balance, she, too, went sprawling.

  Dano had followed her and entered the room at that moment. The man rushed past him.

  One glance was all he needed. He shouted out to the group now far down the long hallway. "Stop him! He tried to kill the Princess!"

  None of those celebrating the event had weapons, but from one of the side rooms came a palace guard. He must have heard Dano and didn't hesitate. He fired a searing ray from his sidearm and the man dropped at once.

  Chaos followed. Kayahla and most of the women rushed to the nursery to see to the infants. They immediately set to saving them and clearing the debris. Some of the males searched the area and found the doctor unconscious in the medicine room. Meanwhile, the dazed nurse sat crying. "He wanted to know which was the Princess–or he’d kill us all."

  Alaro sent the guardsman to summon the rest of the soldiers from the guard station. The assassin was dead, a pity, for he could not answer questions.

  Dano lifted Gina from where she had fallen and held her close. "I’m so sorry," he murmured. "I had no idea of any of this when I brought you here!"

  "I’m all right," she insisted, but held just as tightly to him. "Are the babies…?"

  One of the women overheard her and gave her a pat on the shoulder. "They are tougher than they look. Only one has a serious injury and the doctor believes the boy will survive. Thank a merciful Divinity you arrived when you did to save them."

  * * * *

  Dano spoke quickly with Alaro before taking Gina away from the scene. She was badly shaken by what she had seen and her hand trembled in his. On their way Dano ordered the guard to have brandy brought to her room. A messenger with a bottle arrived moments after they did. Dano got a pair of water glasses from the bathroom and poured stiff drinks.

  "Take it," he ordered, but with a gentleness she had not seen in him before. Gina didn’t argue.

  By the time Alaro joined them, a half-hour later, Gina had calmed. The prince appeared haggard and drawn.

  "That was close," he told Dano. "The baby was not hurt in spite of the fall. Too many things are happening of late. I sent that guard to summon the others, but he never did. Then, we found the true guard who was supposed to be on duty, dead, in a closet room, stripped of his uniform." Alaro bowed and shook his head. "He was an old man and was given an easy post. It cost him his life. I knew him well."

  "You can’t blame yourself," Dano began.

  Alaro waved him quiet. "I can’t, yet I can. Clearly, my enemies are growing bolder. If the man had succeeded in harming my daughter, most of the Aquans of Dath would have turned on the Terrans. As it is, there will be anger."

  "Did you search the body?" Dano asked.

  "I had it sent to the dead room. Tomorrow is time enough."

  Gina turned trouble filled eyes to Alaro. "Your people will blame the Terrans?"

  "I’m afraid so."

  Dano squinted, staring at Gina, and frowned. "What is that smudge on your face? I hadn’t noticed it before."

  "I don’t know." Gina reached up to touch her chin where Dano pointed. A dark mark appeared on her hand. "It feels like … make-up. Theatrical make-up." She smiled a little. "I was in Little Theater while I was in college."

  "But how?"

  Her eyes widened in realization. "That’s where he touched me! The killer!"

  "But why make-up?" Alaro frowned.

  "Maybe because that ‘Terran’ wasn’t Terran," Dano answered. "And the phony ‘guard’ killed him to keep the secret. He used a laser gun – no blood to show the assassin wasn't human. It may not be the Terrans at all, but the Aquans who want to blame the Terrans. That would make a good excuse to attack them!"

  "You could be right." Alaro went to the wall panel and lifted the communication device. He ordered a full company of guards to stand watch at the Dead Room to be certain no one claimed the body. He came away scowling. "Someone has already tried to get in there. The guard prevented it. He’s earned himself a bonus this night!"

  Once again he turned to Dano. "We’ll examine this in the morning. I’m stretched too thin and tired. Get some sleep."

  "We will," Dano replied. "You’ll need it. There are some other things you need to know – in the morning."

  CHAPTER 15

  "You were right," Alaro admitted.

  Dano put on an injured look. "You seem surprised. Am I not usually right?"

  "I don’t think you want me to answer that. At least, not honestly," Alaro laughed.

  Dano grinned. "To tell the truth, I checked with the officer on duty aboard the Seabird. Captain Enero is taking her out on a supply run tomorrow. The seamen are ashore today with orders to report in early tomorrow. This restaurant appears to be Miko’s favorite haunt, and it is mealtime."

  Alaro nodded. "Flawless logic."

  Dano and Alaro watched the crowded room from outside. Dano could tell Alaro had some doubts as to how they should proceed.

  "If we go in, from what we’ve heard, the place will empty in a hurry," Alaro mused. "I don’t wish to harm this restaurant’s livelihood."

  "A Royal favor would compensate him nicely," Dano advised him. "He could boast the prince finds his beer the best in Dath." Dano smiled. "Which it is, so you w
ouldn’t compromise your honesty."

  "I take it you’ve been here before, then."

  "It’s the favorite of all the Terran seamen assigned to the Seabird."

  "I see. And this is the first you’ve thought to tell me about this good beer?"

  "Before Dano could think of an answer, Alaro waved him ahead into the establishment.

  As Alaro predicted, the patrons no longer sipped drinks and ate leisurely. The Aquans, in particular, downed their drinks and left. Dano watched them go and speculated on how many had been there simply enjoying the good beer, and how many others spied on the Terran sailors who congregated there.

  Miko sat in a booth near the rear of the room, facing away, and had not noticed their entry. He appeared deep in his own thoughts while he sipped the amber brew. Dano’s hand touching his shoulder from behind startled him and he stood quickly, bumping the table and sending the liquid sloshing in his mug. His eyes widened with recognition.

  "Take it easy," Dano reassured him. "We’re going to join you for a mug of beer. Our prince feels I’ve been holding out on him, not telling him about the place." He lowered his voice. "And we can talk."

  * * * *

  "How do I look?"

  Dano eyed Alaro from head to toe and laughed. "Well, I certainly wouldn’t take you for a prince!"

  Alaro smiled and shook his head. "You don’t look all that dashing yourself. I wonder how many of those adoring Terran women would be attracted to you in that garb."

  "Not many," Dano admitted. He looked into the mirror and saw, rather than the black and gold clad elite of Dath, two men in the solemn dark brown of common laborers, the capes they wore were hardly more than an enlarged collar without trim. They had not tried to alter their features. People, both Aquan and Terran, tended to see what they expected. Unless they met someone who knew them well, those they chanced upon would not look farther than the workman’s’ uniforms.

  "Do you really think this wise?" Dano asked with a frown.

  "Wise or not, we have to see for ourselves."

  Miko had obtained the work uniforms and brought them to the back room of the restaurant. The three consulted there while Dano and Alaro changed clothes. The restaurant proprietor, an uncle of Miko’s, worked in the kitchen, cleaning up as if nothing unusual had happened in his place. Outside, a half dozen of Alaro’s guard waited quietly in the rest area a short distance away. Their presence kept anyone from loitering about the restaurant to spy.

  Miko told Dano and the Prince many more frightening occurrances. He hadn't told Gina about many of the disappearances and abuses of authority. If he was right in what he told them, a network of the rebels worked together to rid themselves of troublesome Terrans – along with Aquans who opposed their views. Those unfortunates who drew their wrath found themselves transferred to work in the recycling dome then vanished. Alaro meant to see the situation for himself. If he made an inspection there as prince he would not be able to talk with the workers and get real answers.

  "Could this truly be happening without us knowing?" The idea upset Dano.

  Miko nodded solemnly. "They have some people in very powerful places. Those transfers come from high up, high enough to stop all objections." He frowned. "My Lord Alaro, I fear you should not go in there. It can be very dangerous. I can go with Dano in your stead–"

  Alaro shook his head. "Much as I trust Dano, I must look into this myself. If my people are being harmed, it’s my responsibility. And, with my knowledge of officials in charge, I may be able to find just who is behind this."

  "It’s just that which can make it dangerous for you," Miko protested. "I suspect those responsible would just as soon see you out of the way and your sister on the throne."

  Alaro considered a moment. "I’m giving you the temporary rank of Commander," he told Miko. You’ll stay with my personal group of guards and, if we aren’t back by first watch, you’ll bring them in after us." With that, Alaro left them to use the communicator in the restaurant.

  Dano studied the young man. "I believe all you’ve told us. Alaro does, too, but he doesn’t want to. It’s hard for him to accept there are Aquans who would do these things. Whatever happens, you’ve earned the gratitude of Dath." He smiled. "And you can be assured Alaro won’t forget it." Dano went over to where he had left his cape and fished in its pocket. "I thought he might decide something like this, and I’m not as trusting as he. Here’s what I want you to do–"

  * * * *

  Dano and Alaro reached the recycling plant just as the afternoon shift replaced the day crew. They shuffled along, heads down, like many of the other workers. The subdued and dejected manner contrasted strongly with that of most of the workers in the subterranean domes. Given, it wasn’t the most pleasant of jobs, but neither were conditions that abysmal. Most systems were fully automated; all they needed was someone to keep an eye on them and close down the conveyers should a problem arise.

  At the entry to the plant proper an impatient, burly guard requested their badges.

  "We don’t have them yet," Dano answered for them. "We were given transfer papers yesterday."

  The guard scowled. "What dome are you from?"

  "Essex." That dome had been named by the Terrans who made up a large part of its population, and where many of the disappearances had occurred.

  "Who signed your papers?"

  "Pelodo," Dano gave the name of a minor official who Miko said signed most of the transfers.

  The guard’s scowl grew deeper. "Just stay out of trouble! We don’t put up with any nonsense here. Work and mind your own business." He reached into a drawer of the desk behind him and produced two numbered identification badges. "I’ll add your data when the paperwork comes through – if ever. Those fools over at–" His voice dropped to an inaudible mumble, but the tone evinced his disapproval of the clerks in Essex. A moment later he looked up to glare at them. "Are you still here?"

  "We don’t know–" Dano began.

  "Cross the dome to the far side. You’ll see the big tanks there. That’s the heavy solid disposal. Report to the foreman there."

  Dano and Alaro followed his instructions and started on the long walk.

  "At least it isn’t the organic waste," Alaro sighed.

  Dano didn’t laugh. "Organic wastes go through pipes a foot in diameter. They couldn’t make bodies disappear there."

  "Thanks for cheering me up," Alaro replied.

  "Did you notice the other workers we’ve passed? Their badges are white. Ours are red."

  "Maybe," Alaro replied, "these are just temporary ones."

  "Could be. I hope that’s it."

  * * * *

  The supervisor at their station scarcely looked at their faces, just grunted and gave them a quick briefing on what they were to do. He muttered another surly warning they were to mind their own business and added that he would not take any ‘trouble’ from them. "You won’t get away with any nonsense in this plant," he growled before he left them to their work.

  Their jobs were simple. They watched the items fed into disposal lots and halted anything over the size limit for further crushing before it proceeded. If they saw anything they thought to be of value, which had accidentally been thrown away, they were to set it aside for a professional evaluator to check later. Dano had a moving belt of items made of fabric or wood and was to remove anything of metal which had been overlooked. Alaro tended the conveyor carrying metal objects.

  A third unit processed smaller items of plastic and glass. The worker there was an older man, Terran, and did his job silently. He gave no greeting or sign to acknowledge he even knew they were there for as long as the supervisor was present. When the supervisor disappeared completely from the area he spoke to them, softly, keeping his head bowed.

  "There are surveillance units so keep your heads down when you speak," he warned them. "What did they send you here for?"

  "I’m not sure," Dano answered for them.

  "You must have complained too loudly
about the leaders," the man went on. "I see you have red badges. They’ll monitor you closely, so be careful. If they have reason to believe you're dangerous, you’ll vanish. Always try to stay with other workers and don’t let them get you alone."

  "Thanks," Dano said.

  "Wish I could do more, but I have a family to protect," the worker said. He fell silent when the supervisor reappeared. The many huge bins of material formed a maze in that area and many workers and supervisors wandered in and out of their sight.

  A whistle blew and the conveyors slowed to a stop.

  "Midday meal," the older man said. He gestured for them to follow him. "I hope you’re not used to good food," he remarked with a wry laugh.

  All the workers from the plant gathered at tables hastily put together with sawhorses and boards. A supervisor pushed a large serving cart along the table sides and each worker, in turn, took a bowl from it. Dano regarded his with distaste. The ample pile of greasy beans and rice held no appeal. The man with the cart pointed Alaro to the dishes with Aquan food and he selected one of those.

  The men ate in silence until the supervisor pushed his emptied cart back out of sight.

  "Has it always been like this here?" Dano asked.

  The man beside Dano glanced quickly about before answering in a whisper. "Just in the last year," he said. "Be careful who you ask questions. There are some who’ll turn you in to get themselves better treatment."

  The man who they had worked beside sat on the other side of the Alaro. "They don’t like questions." He frowned. "You aren’t workmen."

  "Why would you say that?" Dano questioned.

  "Your hands. They aren’t the hands of men used to heavy labor. Clean nails, no calluses."

  "This is different from our last work," Dano admitted.

  "My name is Lenno," the older man said with a speculative frown. "It couldn’t possibly be they’re finally investigating what goes on here?"

  "Hush!" the other man said. "I have no wish to disappear!" He finished his meal and rose, leaving them as hastily as possible.