Intelligent Design: Revelations to Apocalypse (35 page)

“Finally, Delta Team has returned,” Farrell said. There was no annoyance in his voice—it was just a statement.

Andrea looked briefly to her right and caught sight of three large owls flying low to swoop in on something. Ever since owls, falcons, and eagles had been introduced to the new subterranean biosphere, their species had thrived. It was nice to see some Earther creatures on Terra. She looked back down and saw that the majority of the group had decided to accept drinks and join in the dancing and eating.

“How long overdue were they?”

“Twenty-two hours. They were with Terran guides and were to link up with Dux Cloelius and Centurion Dea Data at the new perimeter. I do like these Terrans. They are methodical, deliberate, and think of preservation while they explore,” Farrell said as Andrea caught what she thought was a worried look. “Is it me, or is it just his team back? No Terrans?” he asked.

Perez watched the young officer wave off multiple advances from dancing, near-naked Terran women even as nearly all his soldiers gave in to the offers of food, water, and dance. Large dogs, all barking with tails wagging, added to the noise. Prized creatures of a once-dogless planet, all dogs were kept in secure areas to keep them from harm. Adding to the canine populations were foxes and wolf pups, now also integrated into the Terran climate.

In the midst of the celebrations, a dark, muscular man in his thirties started heading her way. Perez became self-conscious about her hair and wondered if her skin looked clean. Then she had a sudden urge to cover up. The soldier, for his part, wore BDU pants and issued boots—and a sweaty tank top as well. He had a light pack but he looked weighted down with his own weapons. The young man, Captain Michaels, slowly walked up the left ramp with his assault rifle in his hand and a newly acquired mug of liquid he had graciously accepted from below.

“Captain Michaels? Where have you been, son? Alpha and Bravo teams got back twelve hours before you did—I was about to send out a search party.” Again, Perez was impressed by Farrell’s ability to command without fear. He reminded her of the many Terrans she had come to respect.

Captain Michaels came to a stop. While the area was considered to be secure, Farrell insisted on field behaviors at all time when in Hades—soldiers were always heavily armed, always in pairs at a minimum, and no saluting.

“Sir, sorry for the delay. It looks like the centurion and her teams have exceeded their search parameters and are farther than we expected,” he said. He slung his weapon over his shoulder, pulled a map out of his pocket, and handed it to the general. His lips were chapped—it was easy to see he was exhausted and tired.

Suddenly, a shout came from the camps below and all heads looked up. Perez caught sight of two large bats circling the camp. Suddenly, two smaller screaming eagles flew above her and toward the larger prey. Their screeches were impressive and must have startled the bats. Perez’s hand tightened involuntarily on her weapons. As the dark bats exited with eagles on their tail, Farrell spoke again.

“At ease, son. Take a couple of sips and give a summary of your report,” he said as he scanned the map.

The young soldier complied, taking little time to organize his thoughts. Perez watched him. She did find him attractive, like many of the soldiers that had followed Farrell to the new world. There were not many—220 soldiers in total, and some with families. There were also a number of scientists, but much to her chagrin, there were few that she found herself even remotely interested in. She was surprised that nearly all of the Earther females were very friendly to her. Farrell’s assessment was that she was a great role model.

“General? Ms. Perez? With respect, these Terrans, especially the women, are as skilled as they are crazy,” Michaels said in all seriousness.

Perez burst out laughing. Farrell continued reading as if nothing had happened. After her hearty outburst, Perez picked up the conversation before Farrell could discipline the young captain again.

“Tell me something I don’t know, Michaels. What did you see? What’s important to know, and can Earthers live out there?” Perez asked as she pointed out to the grand vista of hell. She was glad the captain recovered quickly and responded.

“In summary, the land is hostile to human life. Me and my team could make it out there, but I would insist on rotating out every six months. These Terrans, on the other hand, seem to just love it. Our escorts drew lots to see who had to bring us back so the others could stay, and then once they saw our base camps, they took off, too. Setting traps, hunting, and chasing down the rats and the bats was only half of it. Some of the Terrans were taking mineral samples while still others were cooking up their kills with zeal. At the same time, they made sure to not harm female creatures or creatures in their prime or youth. They’re doing a good job of not exhausting the resources. General, it’s a huge party out there for them. And in this perpetual day, they don’t sleep. Even with our weapons available, they prefer to use spears and swords, longbows and knives. The only things missing are a case of beer, surf, steak, and bonfires on the beach.”

Perez looked down to see distant campfires flickering in the flat area of moss and ferns that had been named “Perez Plateau.” They looked like specks. Another warm wind blew in.

“I think they’ve got the bonfire thing under control,” Farrell said.

“Yes, sir” the captain said. He took another swig and then continued with his report.

“In summary, I suggest that we Earthers stay back, where it’s more amenable to our softer way of life, while the inhabitants of this world embrace the frontiers. I’ve met a lot of different people on Terra, sir. This is by far the most alien but the most familiar and wonderful place I’ve ever been,” Michaels said.

Perez looked closely at him to see his brown eyes sparkle a bit. There was also a slight slur that caught her attention. She smiled as Farrell shortened the distance between them.

“Are you all right, Captain Michaels? You’re not going to go native on me, are you?” Farrell asked. The captain looked suddenly guilty, as if the general had read his mind. His denial came too quick.

“No sir! I was just…uh…Caught up in the moment, sir,” he said. He took another sip of his drink. Perez’s sense of smell was blinded by the fish, mint, and barbecuing rat odors wafting in the warm breeze. It took her just a moment longer to catch the faint smell of the Terran elixir made from chestnuts—a mixture she experienced as vodka.

“All right, captain. At ease and return to your team. Get some rest and have the extended report for me in twelve,” Farrell said.

“Yes, sir,” was the captain’s response. He nodded and started to walk around Perez—until he realized that he was heading in the wrong direction to join the party below.

Perez watched Farrell gaze after him as a faint smile came across his face.

“Is it me, or did the young captain have alcohol on his breath?” Perez asked. She was again impressed with Farrell’s immediate response—as if he had already anticipated the question.

“For sure. This planet, this place has an effect on us all. No one escapes its powers.”

Perez waited a moment before she asked her next question: “Affects us all?”

Farrell spoke as he looked behind her. “The drums, fire, hunting, music, and dancing—all of it appeals to our primitive nature that we kept well-wrapped on Earth.”

Perez looked him up and down. “You miss Earth already? Really?” Perez asked.

“Nope. It’s a difference I can adapt to. Here on Terra, and especially on the frontier, I swear my people are just waiting for any excuse to run bare-ass with the Terrans. And the Terrans are eager for them to join. It has Colonel Walter Kurtz or a
Heart of Darkness
feel to it. It awakens the primitive soul,” the general said.

Perez followed his gaze behind her until it fell upon a relatively large group of Terrans heavily outfitted with multiple weapons, Terran and Earther. Unlike Farrell’s troops, who donned backpacks, there might have been two full packs among the entire twelve-member hunting party. Before she could take in the entire group, Vista ran up to embrace her.

“Praetor! Can you believe it? Mother and our clan are off to meet Centurion Dea Data and Dux Cloelius!”

Perez bent over to embrace her small friend. She pressed the girl into her. Andrea felt both thrilled Vista was spending more time with her mother and clan, and worried about her on the frontier. “No way!” she said with feigned enthusiasm.

“Will you join us, Perez? It would be so much fun. You can finally shed those clothes, since most of us are used to your hairless body now,” Vista said. Her energy and smile were contagious.

Farrell’s expression was that of a doting grandfather.

“Not all of us are ready for that,” she heard a strong female say from behind her. Perez felt herself stiffen in the presence of her adopted Terran family. Dimitra never spoke directly to her outside the coliseum. It was always through proxy or not all.

“Dimitra, House of Ferris,” Perez said. Perez automatically looked down to the ground as a means of making sure Dimitra knew she was deferring to her. A large, strong hand the size of a male Earther’s hand—but normal for a Terran female—gently touched her chin and raised it. She was surprised to see that Dimitra, the stoic, had made such a gentle move and was peering into her eyes.

“You are Praetor, now, Perez the Younger. You need not bow to family members. Your crest displays scientist, warrior, and explorer. Impressive to hold three stations when any one of those would be noble,” she said.

Speechless at first, Perez did her best to respond without showing complete surprise. “Thank you,” was all she could muster.

“No thanks required. We now have an expedition to begin. Medicus Paeoniis says you are not to leave without him to join us, but he will be able to leave in ten cycles—” Dimitra started before she was interrupted by her daughters’ outburst. All three, with Vista in the lead, yelled out questions and squeals of shock.

“
Ten
cycles? We are going to go native for more than ten cycles? Mother!” they shouted.

A mystic smile appeared on Dimitra’s face. The shouts of her entire party receded as they took the right ramp down to the launch base camp. The barking dogs announced their arrival, which was soon followed by escalating shouts of joy and music.

Yes. I am the nice one,
Dimitra said to herself.

Perez was still piecing together the thought of her and the doctor heading out when Dimitra re-engaged her.

“As you are part of my family, know that should you be interested in Medicus Paeoniis joining our clan, I am open to such an arrangement. A healer in our house would be enviable,” Dimitra said. While her tone was matter-of-fact, Perez felt her face and every exposed part of her body blush. Her brown skin had a dark red hue when flushed that she knew made her blend into her dark background. General Farrell caught the meaning and took a sudden interest in the map, as if he had just found the fountain of youth.

“Ah…yes.” Perez said.

If there was any embarrassment on Dimitra’s part, she revealed nothing. Instead, she nodded at Farrell and moved to follow her family, who was making a magnificent ruckus below. Perez watched silently at her elegant departure and took in the breadth of the unusual exchange.

“I’m guessing that was a big moment. Does that mean you’re officially engaged to the doctor? I’ve met him for dinner a couple of times. For a Terran, he is striking looking and has an excellent intellect,” Farrell said.

Perez turned and looked at him to see if there was any noticeable sarcasm in his voice. She was about to say something when she detected the light in the caverns growing brighter at first and then slowly subsiding, although it remained slightly brighter than it had been before. The entire cavern was noticeably more illuminated. A moment later, there was a barely perceptible movement of the plates underneath her feet. The silence was deafening. Another warm wind vented down from the surface as subdued reflections of lightning and distant thunder rolled on.

After a moment, when nothing more followed, a roar came from below. Even though Perez was happy that Terra, as expected, was less likely to experience damage due to its limited atmosphere and safe position from meteors behind the sun, she despaired for Earth. She immediately worried about her father and hoped he had made sure to shelter in their modified underground facility. It would not have been unlike him to be the last one to get to safety, making sure everyone else was settled first.

I’m sure Reich will make sure he’s safe.

Her look of worry must have been obvious.

“I’m sure he’s fine. Reich and your father are good at surviving. The modifications they made to the ark and the resources they had to save themselves and others were endless,” Farrell said.

“Yes. They probably are all right,” she said. Shaking off her fears, she shifted to another subject.

“Well, General, let’s go to what you military people call ‘top-side’ and take a look at the additional sun. We can also do a thorough check on the habitat rings and land structures. My fear is that all the Terrans will pretend that everything is destroyed up there and all head here for one big party.”

“Well, there already are about a billion of you folks down here. With all the launching of expeditions and exploration happening, you have less than half of your population at risk above. Based on the depth and size of this subterranean world, three billion more could live here and come across very few people for some time. It’s the Wild West out there,” he said.

“Sure is. Maybe more Earthers will come here and live above ground,” she added.

“I hope so.”

Perez smiled at his use of “you folks,” as if she were a born and raised Terran. She marched to the well-lit and heavily guarded entrance. The guards were there to make sure that the arrivals were authorized for shore leave, as it was now called. After a moment of contemplation, she decided that after all her time on Terra, maybe she
was
Terran.