She was destined to die anyway since Rei and Rome ended up detonating the volcano in order to destroy MASAL. However, it wasn't until Rome's Evolution that I found out she was only 12 years old. The Onsiras had a nasty streak because of their genetic makeup but it also made them age at least twice as fast a normal human beings. So while she was physically about Rome's equal, she was not emotionally prepared to deal with life and this led to her undoing. I sometimes wonder if she really wasn't that bad but rather just easily manipulated. Oh well.
Entry 1-355: December 15, 2013
Why Helome? Part 1
It was a little over eight months after the events of Rome's Evolution. Rei had made Rome and Aason a bison meat loaf. It was the first they had ever tasted one and Rei could tell by the fact that no one spoke during the meal that they loved it.
Finally, Rome put her fork down. "That was delicious!" she gushed. "I could eat that every day for the rest of my life and never grow tired of it." She stood up and started gathering up the dishes.
"Sit, please," Rei said. He grabbed her plate away from her and reached over for Aason's.
"But you cooked," she said. "It's only fair that I clean up."
"Forget it," Rei said. "You're doing your work 24/7," he said, pointing at her bloated abdomen.
Rome sat back down. "You don't need to convince me," she said. "I'm having a little trouble breathing as it is," she added.
"Should I be concerned?" Rei asked, scowling a bit. "You remember what happened with buddy boy, over there," he said, waving his hand at Aason.
"Oh, no," Rome said. "It's not nearly as bad. It's just that Lupe never gives me a break." Rome grinned.
Rei stared at her protruding belly and cocked his head to the side. Something clicked inside his head.
"Hey," he said. "You just made me think of something. You and Virga were pregnant at the same time. I love Virga and all, even though she tried to turn me into breeding stock, but..."
"But what?" Rome asked, confused.
"Why was there a colony on Helome, anyway?"
"I don't understand."
"It isn't like the Overmind to be curious. Why did the Vuduri establish an outpost there in the first place? It doesn't even make any sense."
"Oh," Rome said. "Do you want the answer we were told or what I really think?"
"What do you really think?"
"The answer is about the same. The Overmind tried to suppress the vast amount of human history from the Vuduri but there was no denying that a disaster could strike the Earth."
"You mean like The Great Dying?" Rei offered.
Tomorrow, the conversation concludes.
Entry 1-356: December 16, 2013
Why Holome? Part 2
This is Part 2 of the conversation between Rei and Rome that took place a little over eight months after the events that occurred in Rome's Evolution.
"You mean like The Great Dying?" Rei offered.
"Yes, even though we know that was man-made," Rome answered. "There was always a chance of a natural, new disease. Or an asteroid. Or a freak solar flare. It was possible that the Vuduri could be exterminated."
"I get it," Rei said. "So the Overmind was just trying to protect itself. And he told you it was for all Vuduri."
"Yes," Rome said, nodding. "There really isn't much of a difference. When the survey crew came back and announced that not only was there a habitable world orbiting Rogal Canduro but one that was actually superior to Earth, the Overmind didn't hesitate to establish a colony there."
"What about Deucado?" Rei asked. "Surely the odds of two worlds being wiped out at the same time were infinitesimal."
"I like it here, Mommy," Aason added.
"Of course you do, baby," Rome said, "this is your home. But to your point," she addressed to Rei, "remember that the Onsiras were in the background, planting seeds. The Overmind specifically kept Helome ethnically pure, Vuduri only. So Deucado was established just in case there were any mandasurte who wanted to leave Earth, they would have a place to go."
"Hmmm," Rei said. "Very clever. I'll have to think about it some more."
With that, he finished clearing the dishes and carried them into the kitchen.
Of course, we know Rome was right. The Overmind by its very nature was not naturally curious. That was established early on in Rome's Revolution. In fact, the Overmind had never ventured out to Nu2 Lupi or Beta Hydri to even see if there were habitable worlds. At least the question regarding Nu2 Lupi will be answered in the upcoming novel The Milk Run which should be available early next year.
Entry 1-357: December 17, 2013
The Book Trailer for The Ark Lords is now live!
I am thrilled to announce that the new Book Trailer for The Ark Lords is now live on YouTube. You can click on the image below and it will take you to the trailer: