GALLANT (The Innerworld Affairs Series, Book 3) (33 page)

"I know you want to think the worst of him but I can't believe Gallant has anything to do with this. He's too intelligent to try to pull off such an elaborate hoax right under our noses. I tend to think it's being done by someone who doesn't know of our existence here. I also think it's important that there's never any mention of when
soon
is."

With a sigh, Aster reluctantly agreed. "I know you're right about him. Not knowing if Cherry is safe compounded with this blind waiting for the next event is driving me over the edge. I understand we didn't have anyone near this sighting, but at least we can be prepared for the one that's supposed to take place in Washington."

"I've already assigned a team of trackers, all of whom should be able to pick up any strong surge of mental energy and follow it to its source."

"Have you contacted Falcon?"

"Yes. By sheer coincidence, he and Steve were out of the San Francisco area yesterday or they might have picked up the wave. They're standing ready if we want them to head for Washington, but I don't see the point in pulling them away from home when we have so many others in place."

"But none of them are Falcon. Send him, Rom. He should be there too."

Knowing how Aster felt about their friend, Rom didn't bother to discuss it further. He would recontact Falcon and have him head for Washington, D.C. He recalled a time when Falcon had a problem dealing with the noise and emotional intensity of Outerworld. The crowd that would undoubtedly be descending on the White House would be worse than anything he had experienced before. But Rom knew Falcon was still the best tracker they had, and if Aster wanted him there, that was reason enough to send him.

"I may agree with your logic about Voyager, but there's no question in my mind that he is involved in this somehow. All I can say is he'd better be taking good care of Cherry no matter what else he's up to."

"I'm sure he is," Rom said as he walked around the desk and helped Aster to her feet. "And knowing Cherry, I'm sure she'll make sure he gets her back here before the baby comes."

Aster narrowed her brows at him. "You may as well know, I've already decided I am
not
going into labor without Cherry."

Smiling, Rom gave her a hug. "It would be interesting to see how you manage that but we still have about two weeks left. She'll be here."

"She'd better be, or I promise you, Gallant Voyager will pay dearly."

Aster blocked Rom from reading the true source of her anxiety. He would probably be hurt if he realized just how important it was that Cherry be with her when their child was born. Rom was a part of her, but he was still a Noronian, someone who belonged there. No matter what else happened, she would always be a stranger.

In the latter months of her pregnancy, she had become dependent on the knowledge that Cherry—one of her own kind—would be there to stand by her and the baby. Cherry's absence would create a void that no one, not even Rom, could fill.

* * *

Bessima listened to the evening news in her motel room as she dressed to go out. Las Vegas was the perfect reward to herself after her spectacular performance in San Francisco. She had heard of this place, but only visiting it could make it real to her.

There was so much she wanted to see and do in the United States—such an erotic mixture of advanced civilization and primitive violence. She had been avoiding the country for fear of being caught, but now she was beginning to believe that this was the place she belonged. Her choices for power and entertainment were unlimited and her chances of discovery were much slimmer than she had imagined.

Of course, she was not fool enough to abandon her mission or the timetable. The Princess could be on her way this very minute. Yet the independence she had experienced this last year, combined with the heady sensation of ultimate power, had her hoping that the plan had fallen apart.

According to the schedule, Gallant Voyager should have gotten to Lore by now and the Princess and her council would be in the process of judging his fitness as their new leader. Assuming he accepted his responsibilities once they were explained to him, a messenger then would be sent to Illusia letting them know the invasion of Terra would move ahead as planned.

The Princess should be arriving with the new sovereign and her troops in Washington, D.C., in fifteen days and the main Illusian force should be no more than a few days behind them. Bessima intended to be at the rendezvous point as agreed, but she was going to take her time getting there.

Chapter 17

Cherry's fighting skills earned her the privilege of tagging along behind Gallant rather than being assigned to a more useful task in the lower caverns. The Princess had readily accepted his explanation that one of his personal slave's duties was to guard his back. The rough-woven sack she was given to wear, however, announced her menial position to anyone observing their passage.

They were given a tour of the underground village, including the areas where animals were bred and butchered for meat. Cherry had to keep reassuring herself that Gallant was only acting out the role these people expected him to fill, and if she ever wanted to get back to Earth, she would have to trust him and behave like an obedient slave.

One enormous cavern was used as the training field for the soldiers and an impromptu demonstration was put on for their new sovereign. For several hours, men fought men, women fought women, and women fought men. They battled with and without lethal weapons. Cherry watched in awe until the first gush of blood poured from a knife wound. After that, she kept her eyes downcast and tried not to think about what each grunt and cry signified.

"How many trained soldiers are here on Lore?" Gallant asked after the winners were duly congratulated and dismissed.

The Princess seemed to grow an inch as she answered, "We are almost one thousand strong. Our men and women have taken their responsibility to reproduce as seriously as they have trained to fight."

"I don't wish to minimize your efforts, Cousin, but how do you plan on conquering Terra with a mere handful of followers? An illusion of strength will only last so long."

With a laugh, she said, "Let us return to the main hall as we talk. The council will be gathering now to eat and we have something very special planned for afterward." As they started walking, she explained how they intended to take over Cherry's home planet without having to raise a single weapon—although they would be ready to do so if necessary.

Cherry was glad she wasn't permitted to speak because she was rendered speechless by the explanation. Gallant managed to hide his shock under a thick blanket of skepticism. "And exactly when am I supposed to be making this grand appearance as the Supreme Being to whom all Terrans will automatically bow down?"

"By this time, Bessima will have warned the inhabitants all over the planet to expect you soon. The precise moment is flexible according to when our fleet arrives but now that you are here, there is no reason to put off our departure. Preparations will begin tomorrow. There is one small adjustment you will need to make though."

"An adjustment?"

"The eye patch you wear. Josep said it is not concealing any flaw and instructed Bessima to project an image of you without it to make you appear less... evil. I hope you can manage without it."

He shrugged, not willing to let her know the reason he wore it. She might interpret his occasional inability to control his illusions as a weakness. "If I must. But I'm still not clear on the rest of the plan after the Terrans accept my supremacy."

"It is quite simple. We know where the twelve doorways in and out of Innerworld are. As soon as we arrive, we will install explosive devices at each location, set to detonate if anyone attempts to open one of the doors. The tunnel beneath would be destroyed in seconds. In other words, we would have the power to seal the colony off from the rest of the universe. Simultaneous to our arrival there, a message will be delivered to the Ruling Tribunal on Norona and the Consociation, informing them that Terra is under our control and we are holding Innerworld hostage."

It was immediately clear to Cherry that Honorbound was seriously underinformed if she truly thought a takeover would be that simple. Why hadn't Josep advised her more realistically?

Gallant nodded and stroked his chin. "So far, so good. What demands will we be making?"

"Of primary importance, of course, they will remove the barrier around Illusia and they will turn over control of the Consociation to us. When pushed for a concession in exchange for a peaceful surrender, we will agree to allow limited trade—controlled and taxed by us, of course—between Norona and Innerworld, as long as they agree not to interfere with our rule on Terra."

They reached the main hall before Gallant had a chance to form another question. Most of the members were already at the table and the Princess motioned for Gallant to take the place he had had last night. Cherry didn't wait to be told to sit down behind him since she wanted to remain as inconspicuous as possible.

The Princess went on to give Gallant more specific details of how the fleet of ships from Lore and Illusia would set up a protective guard around Terra and how they expected to maintain control once it was handed to them.

Cherry was under the impression they had forgotten her presence until Honorbound suddenly snapped her fingers at her.

"Girl! Come here."

Cherry rose and took a few steps forward but stayed well out of her reach.

"Your master has given us permission to question you, and since you do not know the hand language of the slaves, I will allow you to speak. Josep has told us much about your people but he never mentioned that they have great strength. Is your fighting ability typical?"

No!

Cherry blinked in surprise. Someone had sent her a thought without physically touching her. As tempting as it was to glance around the table to see if she could figure out who it was, she carefully kept her gaze lowered and spoke in a humble tone. "No... your highness. I'm... very unusual. My aggressive nature was one of the reasons I was sold into slavery to begin with."

"In that case, would you describe Terrans as a passive race?"

Yes!

Again Cherry sensed rather than heard the words. "Usually, that is true." Based on what she'd listened to so far, she added, "They're a very spiritual people. Religion is very important to them."

Honorbound's face was a picture of satisfaction. "Excellent." She asked Cherry a series of questions about Terra's defenses, which Cherry swore she knew nothing of, being such a lowly slave as she was. With regard to any extrasensory talents of her people or their ability to travel through space, Cherry was able to answer with complete honesty.

"Which country on Terra has the most influence?" the Princess asked.

Cherry hesitated, hoping to be told the correct answer, but her mentor must have decided she was doing fine on her own. "The United States of America—where I'm from."

"Are you then familiar with the White House?"

"Of course. There's where the President lives," Cherry answered in a childlike voice.

"And if this President believes something, will the other countries believe it also?"

"I would think so, yes."

The Princess turned toward Josep, nodded, then smiled at Gallant. "Your slave has answered honestly and confirmed what I had already been told."

Cherry purposely did not glance at Josep. She was almost positive he was the one feeding her and Gallant advice.
Why?
And if he could send thoughts so easily without touching her, would he also be able to read hers, or, as with Mar-Dot, was it only one way? She needed more information before she could puzzle this one out. With a loud clap, the Princess ordered the food and drink to be served and that was the end of her interrogation as well as all other discussion.

This time she was prepared when a servant tossed her some food that looked like a turkey wing and a purple banana. Although she had witnessed the barbarians' behavior the evening before, she still wondered if talking through the meal would really be worse than all the vile noises they made while they gorged themselves. She almost laughed out loud when Gallant belched in midchew. No one had better table manners than he did. Undoubtedly that was more of his mother's influence but he was doing a fine job of keeping it hidden at the moment.