“All right,” Richard said reluctantly. “Let’s get it over with.”
With dispatch they rolled Mura up inside the coverlet. Then with Richard at the head and Michael at the foot, they carried her across the lawn to Richard’s cottage. They had a little trouble navigating her in through the door since it was relatively narrow.
“Jeez,” Michael complained. “Carrying a body is a little like carrying a mattress. It’s harder than you’d think.”
“That’s because it’s so much dead weight,” Richard said, smirking at the double meaning.
They dumped the body in the middle of the floor. While Michael unraveled the blanket, Richard went to the refrigerator and emptied it. Since this was his second time through the body-in-the-refrigerator routine, he knew exactly what to do, meaning to get Mura inside required a complete rearrangement of the contents.
“All right,” Richard said. “Give me a hand.”
Together they got Mura wedged into place. She was taller and heavier than Sart, so she was a tighter fit. In the end, they had to leave a few containers out.
Richard straightened up after finally managing to get the door to shut. “This has got to stop,” he said.
“What?” Michael asked.
“Knocking off these Interterrans,” Richard said. “We’re out of refrigerators.”
“Very funny,” Michael said. “How come I’m not laughing?”
“Don’t make me answer that, birdbrain,” Richard said.
“I’ll tell you what it really means,” Michael said. “We gotta get our asses out of Interterra! With two bodies, the chances of someone stumbling across one has just doubled.”
“You should have thought of that before you knocked her off,” Richard said.
“I’m telling you, I didn’t have any choice!” Michael yelled. “I didn’t want to ice her, but she wouldn’t shut up.”
“Don’t shout!” Richard said. “You’re right. We got to get the hell out of here. The only good news is that it seems the straightlaced admiral is thinking the same way we are.”
Suzanne couldn’t remember the last time she’d swum in the nude, and she was pleasantly shocked by the sensation as she struck out across the pool. And although she was mildly self-conscious about being naked, especially given Garona’s perfect form, she wasn’t as uptight as she had imagined she’d be. It was probably because Garona made her feel so accepted the way she was despite her physical imperfections.
Reaching the far end of the pool, Suzanne flipped over and, with a burst of speed, swam back to where Garona was contentedly sitting at the edge with just his feet in the water. She grasped one of his ankles and succeeded in pulling him into the water. They ducked under the water and embraced.
Eventually tiring of their underwater play, they swam to the side, and hauled themselves out of the water. With the slight breeze wafting in from the open end of the room, Suzanne felt gooseflesh pop out along the backs of her arms and the sides of her thighs. “I’m glad you came back tonight,” she said. She was genuinely glad to see him.
“I’m glad, too,” Garona said. “I was anticipating it all day.”
“I wasn’t sure if you would come back,” Suzanne said. “To be honest, I was worried you wouldn’t. I’m afraid I acted immaturely last night.”
“What do you mean?”
“I should have made a clearer choice,” Suzanne said. “Either I should not have allowed you to stay or, having done so, I should have acted more appropriately. What I did was somewhere in between.”
“I enjoyed every minute,” Garona said. “Our interaction was not goal-oriented. The idea was just to spend time together, which we did.”
Suzanne gazed at Garona appreciatively, silently lamenting that it required a trip to a surreal, mythic world to find such a sensitive, giving, and handsome man. As her mind naturally drifted to the idea of taking him back with her, the thought yanked her back to the reality of whether she was ever going to be able to go back herself. It also brought up the other, major unanswered question. “Garona, can you tell me why we’ve been brought to Interterra?” Suzanne asked suddenly.
Garona sighed. “I am sorry,” he said. “I cannot interfere with Arak. You and your group are his charges.”
“Just telling me why we’re here would be interfering?”
“Yes,” Garona said without hesitation. “Please don’t put me in that position. I want so much to be open and honest with you, but in that sphere I cannot, and it distresses me to have to deny you anything.”
Suzanne stared into her new friend’s face and could see his sincerity. “I’m sorry for asking,” she said. She lifted her hand and he lifted his. They slowly pressed palms. Suzanne smiled with contentment; she was becoming pleasantly acclimated to the Interterran embrace.
“Perhaps I should ask how Arak is doing with his orientation?” Garona said.
“I’d say very well,” Suzanne commented. “He and Sufa are such gracious hosts.”
“But of course,” Garona said. “They were lucky to get such an interesting group. I heard that they have already taken you out into the city. Did you enjoy that?”
“It was fascinating,” Suzanne said. “We visited the death center and the spawning center as well as Arak and Sufa’s home.”
“Such rapid progress,” Garona commented. “I’m impressed indeed. I’ve never heard of second-generation humans progressing so quickly. What is your reaction to what you have seen and heard? I can hardly imagine how extraordinary it must be for you.”
“The expression beyond belief has never been so appropriate.”
“Have you found anything disturbing?”
Suzanne tried to figure out if Garona wanted the truth or platitudes.
“There was one thing that bothered me,” Suzanne began, deciding to give Garona honesty. She went on to explain her negative reaction to the implant process.
Garona nodded. “I can appreciate your point of view,” he said. “It is a natural consequence of your Judeo-Christian roots, which puts such high value on the individual. But I assure you we do as well. The child’s essence is not ignored but rather added to the implanted essence. It is a mutually beneficial process, a true symbiosis.”
“But how can an unborn’s essence compete with that of a learned adult?”
“It is not a competition,” Garona said. “Both benefit, although obviously the child benefits the most. I can tell you, as someone who has gone through the process countless times, I have been strongly influenced by each essence from each body. It is definitely an additive process.”
“It seems like a rationalization,” Suzanne said. “But I’ll try to keep an open mind.”
“I hope you do,” Garona said. “I’m sure Arak plans to return to this issue in the didactic sessions. Remember, today’s outing was not to explain things thoroughly but rather to help overcome the usual disbelief with which our visitors initially struggle.”
“I’m aware of that,” Suzanne said. “But it is true I tend to forget. So thank you for reminding me.”
“My pleasure,” Garona said.
“You’re a sensitive, beautiful man, Garona,” Suzanne said with all sincerity. “It is a delight to be with you.” She found herself wondering what it would be like to walk with him on the beach at Malibu or to drive on Route 1 around Big Sur. One thing that Interterra lacked was an ocean, and as an oceanographer, the ocean was central to Suzanne’s universe.
“You are a beautiful woman. You’re extraordinarily entertaining.”
“Thanks to my alluring primitiveness,” Suzanne said. She guessed Garona imagined he was complimenting her, but she would have preferred a word other than entertaining, especially after Donald’s complaint.
“Your primitiveness is endearing,” Garona agreed.
Briefly Suzanne entertained the idea of letting Garona know her response to being called primitive, but she resisted. At this stage of their relationship she wanted to be positive. Instead she said, “Garona
, there’s something I want you to know about me.”
Garona pricked his ears.
“I want you to know I don’t have another lover. I did, but that ended.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Garona said. “The only thing that matters is that you are here this moment.”
“It matters to me,” Suzanne said mildly hurt. “It matters to me a lot.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The morning of the secondary humans’ second full day in Interterra began similarly to the first day. Suzanne and Perry were offhand with each other about their previous evening’s experiences and eager for what the day was to bring. Donald was less enthusiastic and a touch morose. Richard and Michael were tense and silent, and when they did talk, it was only about leaving. Donald had to shut them up when Arak made his entrance.
After bringing the group back to the same conference room they used the day before, Arak and Sufa launched into an educational session that dragged on for hours. This was mainly a scientific discussion that included the way Interterra tapped the earth’s geothermal energy; how the Interterran climate was maintained, including the mechanism used to generate the nightly rain; how bioluminescent technology was used to provide even lighting both indoors and out; how water, oxygen, and carbon dioxide were handled; and how photosynthetic and chemosynthetic food plants were grown hydroponically.
As the image on the floor screen faded and the general illumination began to return, the only two secondary humans paying attention were Suzanne and Perry. Donald was staring off, obviously absorbed in his own thoughts. Richard and Michael were fast asleep. As the lighting reached its apogee both divers revived, and they and Donald tried to make it appear as if they had been listening all along.
“In conclusion for this morning’s session,” Arak said, seemingly mindless of certain parties’ inattention, “I’m sure you have a clearer idea of why we have remained here in our subterranean world, that is, in addition to the microbial issue. In contrast to what transpires on the earth’s surface, we have been able to construct a perfectly stable environment with no climatic fluctuations such as ice ages or other weather-related disasters; essentially limitless, pollution-free energy; and a completely adequate and replenishable food source.”
“Is plankton your exclusive source of protein?” Suzanne asked. She and Perry remained fascinated by all the scientific revelations.
“The major source,” Arak said. “The other source is vegetable protein. We used to use some fish species, but we stopped when we became concerned about the ability of larger sea animals to be able to replenish themselves. Unfortunately, this is a lesson secondary humans seem unwilling to accept.”
“Particularly with whales and cod,” Suzanne said.
“Exactly,” Arak said. He looked around the room at the others. “Any more questions before we go back out into the field?”
“Arak, I have a question,” Donald said.
“Of course,” Arak said. He was pleased. Donald had thus far shown very little interest in participating.
“I’d like to know why we were brought here,” Donald said.
“I was hoping you had a question about what we have been discussing,” Arak said.
“It’s hard for me to concentrate on technical matters when I don’t know why I’m here.”
“I see,” Arak said. He bent over and conferred in a hushed whisper with Sufa and the Blacks. Then, leaning back, he added, “Unfortunately, I cannot answer your question completely since we have been specifically proscribed from telling you the main reason why you are here. But I can say this: one of the reasons was to stop the attempted drilling into the Saranta exit port, which I can happily say was accomplished. I can also assure you that today you will learn the main reason. Will that suffice for the moment?”
“I suppose,” Donald said. “But if we’re going to learn, I don’t see why you can’t tell us now.”
“Because of protocol,” Arak said.
Donald nodded reluctantly. “As a career naval officer, I suppose I can accept that.”
“Any other questions about today’s presentation?” Arak asked.
“I’m a bit overwhelmed at the moment,” Perry admitted. “But I’m sure I’ll have questions as the day progresses.”
“Well, then,” Arak said. “Let’s begin our excursion. With what you have heard this morning, where would you like to visit first?”
“How about the Earth Surface Museum?” Donald suggested before anyone else could respond.
“Yeah!” Michael blurted enthusiastically. “The place with the ’Vette out front.”
“You’d like to see the Earth Surface Museum?” Arak questioned with obvious bewilderment. He glanced at Sufa. Her reaction was the same.
“I think it would be interesting,” Donald said.
“Me, too,” Michael said.
“But why?” Arak questioned. “Pardon our surprise, but with all the things we have been telling you, we’re mystified that you would rather look back than forward.”
Donald shrugged. “Maybe it’s just a touch of nostalgia.”
“Seeing what you have chosen to display might give us a feeling for your response to our world,” Suzanne offered. She wasn’t as interested in seeing the museum as the other sites Arak had been describing, but was happy to support Donald’s request.
“Very well,” Arak said agreeably. “The Earth Surface Museum shall be our first stop of the day.”
Everyone got to their feet. For the first time Donald acted eager, especially when they got outside. He asked Arak to show them how to call an air taxi, and Arak was happy to oblige. Arak went a step further and had Donald place his palm on the taxi’s center black table and give the destination command.
“That was easy,” Donald said as the craft silently and effortlessly rose, then shot off in the corresponding direction.
“Of course,” Arak said. “It’s meant to be easy.”
All of the visitors found the air taxi rides mesmerizing. They never tired of the vista of the city and the surrounding area. With craning necks they tried to take in everything, but it was difficult; there was so much to see and the vehicle was moving at an astounding speed. Within a few minutes they found themselves hovering at the entrance to the museum, a half dozen yards from the barnacle-encrusted Chevrolet Corvette.
“God, I loved that car,” Michael said with a wistful sigh as he climbed from the air taxi. He paused and gazed longingly at the monument. “I was dating Dorothy Drexler at the time. I don’t know which had the better body.”
“Did they both need an ignition key to get them started?” Richard asked with a smirk.
Michael took a swipe at his buddy with an open palm, but Richard evaded it with ease. Then he danced briefly on his toes like a professional boxer before taking a swing of his own.
“No fighting,” Donald snapped, insinuating himself between the two divers.
“Your Corvette might have been fine for you and Dorothy,” Suzanne said, “but I feel rather embarrassed the Interterrans feel that this symbolizes our culture.”
“It does suggest we’re rather superficial,” Perry agreed. “Besides being rusty and in sorry shape.”
“Superficial and materialistic,” Suzanne said, “which, I suppose, is probably the case when you think about it.”
“You’re reading too much into the symbolism,” Arak said. “The reason we have put it here at the front of the museum is much simpler. Since we are now relegated to observing you from afar to keep from being detected by your advancing technology, the automobile is what we notice most. From a great distance it almost appears that the cars are the dominant life form on the surface of the earth, with secondary humans acting like robots to take care of them.”
Suzanne had trouble suppressing a laugh at such an absurd suggestion, but when she thought about it, she could understand how it might seem from a distance.
“What is more symbolic is the design of the museum itself,” Arak said.
> All eyes turned to the building. Up close, the structure possessed an overpowering sepulchral aura. Four and five stories tall, it was composed of rectilinear segments either stacked or at right angles to create a complicated, sharply geometric form. Most segments were covered with square fenestrations.
“The building symbolizes secondary human urban architecture,” Arak commented.
“It’s rather ugly in its boxiness,” Suzanne said.
“It isn’t pleasing to the eye,” Arak admitted. “Nor are most of your cities, which are essentially so many boxlike skyscrapers built on grids.”
“There are some exceptions,” Suzanne said.
“A few,” Arak agreed. “But unfortunately, most of the architectural lessons the Atlanteans bestowed on your ancient forebears have been lost or disregarded.”
“It’s an enormous building,” Perry commented. It covered the equivalent of a modern city block.
“It needs to be,” Arak said. “We have an extensive earth surface collection. Remember, we’re talking about a time span of millions upon millions of years.”
“So the museum is not just of secondary human culture?” Suzanne asked.
“Not at all,” Arak said. “It is also the whole panoply of current earth surface evolution. Of course, we have been mostly interested in the last ten thousand years or so for obvious reasons. Although that segment of time represents a mere eyeblink in comparison to the period as a whole, we have concentrated our collections on it.”
“What about dinosaurs?” Perry questioned.
“We have a small but representative exhibit of preserved specimens,” Arak said. Then he added as an aside:
“Such frightfully violent creatures!” He shook his head as if experiencing a passing wave of nausea.
“I want to see that exhibit,” Perry said eagerly. “I’ve been dying to know what color dinosaurs were.”
“For the most part they were a rather nondescript gray-green,” Arak said. “Rather ugly if you must know.”