Knollig: A Terraneu Novel ( Book 2) (11 page)

“My mate likes to say we are a mix between the Old West and Star Trek.”
Kniam was winding down his speech. “If that helps you to understand what life
will be like?” He looked at the gathered women and finished with, “You have an
hour to make the decision if you want to go ahead to our planet, or back to
yours. Just be warned that your life on Terraneu will not be the same as on
Earth.” He gestured for them to take their leave into the camp, “The Council
members and myself will be available for any questions you might have.”

At this point Kniam was not going to inform the women that the medical
change would make them “solar powered”, or that they would live for eight
hundred to a thousand years. That would be too much of a temptation and impact
their decision. He had just stressed that there were further changes they would
face on Terraneu. He also hadn’t told them that their living quarters were
extremely comfortable and as Mairi had thought, luxurious. The more they
thought it was going to be a little “rough” the happier a surprise it would be
when they saw the reality.

Mairi stayed outside answering additional questions, and if a woman
decided she wanted to go to Terraneu, Knollig had told her to have those
females wait in the meeting dome. If the decision was to go back to Earth, then
she showed them to the medical dome. Those women were all sent back at once at the
end of the day. Out of one hundred and five women, only fifteen were to be sent
back to Earth. For one reason or another.

She recalled one such female that had been taking in a group of women
debating to stay or go back. The woman’s name was Michelle.

“I want the one that gave us the welcome speech.” Michelle had said.

“He already said he has a mate waiting for him on Terraneu. You are not
allowed to interfere with someone that is already mated.”

Another woman, a nice blond agreed, “You have to follow the rules. They
stressed how important it was going to be.”

Michelle just looked at the group around her like they were all crazy,
“What do I care about that. If they can’t send me back why shouldn’t I get the
life I want on this
Terraneu
?”

Another brunette just glared at Michelle, “Because they are not like any
men we have experienced before on Earth. They are bound by a deep genetic code
to be honorable. Were you even listening? Besides even if you were to try for
that man, and he is so hot my clothes are melting, his
mate
might have a
say in the matter.”

“I never had any problem getting what I wanted on Earth, there are ways
to make a man do what you want.
 
If you
know what I mean…but looking at the lot of you, I would say you don’t.”
Michelle gave the middle-aged women a once over. “I don’t care what they say
about rules.”

She had then wandered from the group. They all just muttered about “some
people never learn…” and “there is always one in every group who thinks they
are above everyone else!” and “I know her type. The one that is always trying
to steal another’s man! Talk about High School mentality.”

 
Mairi had heard enough. She ran
to catch up to Michelle. When she was closer she called out, “Hello there. Have
you made a decision? Are you bound for Earth or Terraneu?” Mairi asked in all
innocence.

“I want to go to Terraneu.” Michelle stated, “You can lead me to the tent
I need?”

Mairi didn’t hesitate, “Yes. I can lead you to the tent you need.” She
was telling the truth, this woman needed the tent back to Earth! Amber would
have a fit if she knew this female was talking about seducing her mate. Women
like Michelle would only cause discord on Terraneu, and she needed to be sent
back. She led Michelle into the medical tent. Then it was lights out, memory wiped…and
into the waiting room for the trip to Earth.

Mairi reflected on what she had gathered of the women Kneus had chosen.
They all had a common thread. They were single, no family, no one would miss
them. Almost all of them were generally older, if she had to guess between the
ages of 30-46. Not old in her opinion, but with enough smarts to realize this
was a good deal. She saw the women casting glances at the men from Terraneu
that were milling around. She didn’t blame them the males were all very attractive.
She had tried to keep an eye out for Knollig as much as possible. She wasn’t
able to interact with him much, a touch here…a smile there. They were so busy
answering questions, and helping women the rest of time went by quickly.

After the allotted hour, Kniam surprised the women with another speech.

“You have all chosen to try life on Terraneu, and we are honor bound to
tell you what that entails before you make a final decision. I want to explain
the further changes to you before you go through our portal. Please wait to ask
any questions until it has all been explained.” He paused, “One of the things
you will need is to go through is a medical fix. Mairi is an example of what
you can expect.”

 
Mairi had stepped forward to
confirm that the medical fix was quite amazing.

“I was on my deathbed back on Earth.” She started. “I had terminal
cancer, and was in hospice care for my final days. I had lost all of my hair,
muscle tone and vitality. I was in constant pain and being medicated waiting
for death. In exchange for letting the Council stage you on his property,
before coming here to Antilles my grandfather bargained for a second chance for
me on Terraneu.” Mairi looked around at the women, “When I went through the
medical fix six months ago, I came out like this. All of the damage to my body
was healed, and I was ‘fixed ‘to look like this. I will be 40 years old in a
few months.” That had the crowd gasping and chatting in their seats. Some women
were looking around shocked.

Kniam stepped forward again holding up his hands for silence, “You will
also be ‘fixed’ to no longer consume food, in fact your body will quite
violently reject food you try to consume.” He grimaced, “I know this because
when my mate tried to eat fruit, I ended up wearing it.” Some of the women in
the crowed laughed at the image, he waited for the laughter to stop then
continued, “You will use our two suns for energy. Your cells will re-generate
at an accelerated rate, keeping you the same as you come out of the medical
unit for eight hundred to a thousand years.”

The women in the crowd erupted with shouts, “Are you saying we will be
alive for a thousand years?” one woman burst out, “Looking like that?”

Again Kniam waited for the chatter to die down, “I know it seems like a
long time, your cells will eventually lose the ability to regenerate. It has
been explained that it is like an Earth battery. You can only recharge them so
many times.”

Kniam looked around at the others, Knollig mouthed “living conditions.”

“Oh yes.” Kniam smiled, “The living conditions are more ‘Star Trek’ than
‘Old West’. Our living domes are quite comfortable, luxurious even according to
my mate and Mairi. You will find them very comfortable. The only things you
might miss are Earth technologies. We don’t have things like your ‘Internet’,
or ‘television’. We spend our time in the sun, doing outdoor activities and
socializing, or in the industrial domes working.”

Kniam got serious, “I have to stress that we will expect utter adherence
to the rules. For the safety and peace of mind of the male and female
population. There will be no deviation allowed. All offenders will be punished
to the fullest extent of the law. We do ask our community members their opinion
on all matters, but don’t mistake our society to be a democracy. The Council
rules for the betterment of our people, and we will act accordingly.”

Then Kniam had requested anyone not wishing to undergo the changes, and
accept that lifestyle please come forward, there was still time to send them
back to Earth. Nobody came forward. So in groups of
five, they were sent forward to Terraneu. The port pad to Earth was readied,
and the women who had requested to go, or otherwise chosen were bundled up and
sent back.

Before she knew it, Mairi had to say good-bye to her grandfather. He had
been given a shopping list for the next time the port pad was active. It
contained things like, sporting equipment, hairbrushes and accessories, and
most importantly…one of everything baby! Rockers, bouncers, and strollers…whatever
they could fit in the next shipment! Her grandfather raised his eyebrows at the
“baby” items. Mairi just reassured him that it wasn’t needed yet. Which was
true. It wouldn’t be needed for another six or seven months.

It was finally his turn being the last to depart. It had been a horrible
experience seeing him on that port pad. His final words echoed in her mind,
“I’ll see you in six months, Mairi.” Then he had disappeared in a blue flash.

Their time was up, even if they changed their minds, none of the women
that were now on Terraneu would be going back to Earth.

When Mairi stepped off the port pad on Terraneu she expected some type of
chaos. She hadn’t expected what was before her eyes when she got to the path
out of the port dome. Amber had been busy! The whole square and adjacent domes
were lit up like Christmas trees! There were lights hanging from dome to dome,
around all the benches and along the pathways. There were colorful streamers
blowing on the wind.
 
It was in a
word…breathtaking!

Knollig had stopped next to her, taking in all the decorations. Kniam and
Thian didn’t make it past them before stopping and staring around in wonder.

“Surprise!” Amber came from around the dome, with her friend Jen. They
were both laughing, “You should see your faces!” Walking up to her mate, she
gave him a lingering kiss, and then tucked herself into his arm. He was still
so shocked at the sight before him, he hadn’t made to hold her.

Amber leaned out of Kniam’s embrace to grab her friends hand to pull her
over, “Kniam this is Jennifer.” She introduced the others, “Jen…this is Kniam,
Mairi, Knollig, Knaleg, and I believe you have already met Thian.”

“It’s nice to meet you. May I call you Jen or do you prefer Jennifer?”
Mairi shook hands with the pretty brunette. It was obvious to Mairi that she
hadn’t quite gotten over the shock of her new appearance.

“Please, everyone…call me Jen.” She held out her hand.

Kniam shook it gently, “I have heard so much about you Jen. Your arrival
has been all Amber has spoken of for the last few weeks.”

Jen eyed Kniam up and down, “I find that hard to believe, but thank you.
It really is nice to meet you.”

Knaleg was next and he bent low over her hand, and placed a kiss on her
knuckles. “Welcome to Terraneu. You are a most desired addition to our
community.”

Thian turned a bright red, and wrestled himself in front of Knaleg.
Taking Jens hand from him and gently pulled her over, blocking her from the
others view.

“We meet again. Are you pleased with the medical treatment?” Thian asked
Jen in a throaty whisper.

“Yes. I must say not eating is going to be weird until I get used to
it…but the rest.” She gestured over her hair, and body under the toga dress. “I
don’t have any problem getting used to this.” Jen gave a hearty laugh, not
giggling or simpering. Just a belly laugh that was contagious.

“I am glad to hear this Jen.” Thian started to lead her along the
romantically lit path, “It has been such a long day for all of us. Would you
like to see your living quarters? I would be happy to make sure you find yours.
Also, allow me to give you a tour of Terraneu tomorrow.”

“You can give me a tour of the whole planet?” Jen teased.

Thian was nonplussed for a moment, and then laughed…”I am sorry. We call
the city of the original fathers Terraneu, and the planet is also Terraneu. We
never expected to gain enough population to name it anything else. Now there is
New Haven.” He had stepped closer to pull her along, “That is for couples that
choose to be mates.” Thians voice had turned sultry, the hand moving her along
had slipped to her back.

Amber huffed, “I already showed…”

Jen looked over her shoulder and gave Amber a knowing look, “I would love
a tour, Thian.” She put her arm around his middle, “I am at Mairis old place
since she moved out. Do you know where that is?”

“Yes…Jen…I myself have living quarters nearby that location.”

“You don’t say…” Jen looked over her shoulder to yell, “It was nice to
meet you all. Thank you for the warm welcome.”

Amber yelled back, “See you tomorrow Jen…we can meet in the square for a
morning walk.” Jen just waved her hand over her shoulder.

“Well, how do you like that!?” Ambers began, then couldn’t help herself
and started laughing. “Oh well, one down, two hundred or so to go!”

Knaleg just frowned, “Why is it that every female seems to attach to the
first male she sees?”

Mairi thought for a second, “When you are attracted to someone, you just
feel it. It doesn’t matter if they are the first male or the hundredth. You
will have your chance Knaleg. It just looks like Jen and Thian hit it off.”

Knaleg snorted, “I did not see any hitting, if I had that is a punishable
offense.”

Mairi ignored Amber’s burst of laughter to explain, “Not physically
hit…it is just a saying that means they liked each other right away.”

Knaleg seemed to relax, “Oh that is good then. I hope to ‘hit it off’
with a female soon.”

Amber put her arms around him, “You will Knaleg. I’m sure of it.”

Knollig moved to Mairi, “It has been a long day for everyone. I think it
best to go to our living quarters and get some sleep.”

Knaleg nodded, “Good night everyone.”

Kniam and Amber moved to join Knollig and Mairi for the walk to New
Haven.

Amber gasped and said, “Oh. Before I forget, I planned a dance for
tomorrow night! I just have to figure out the music box Kneus sent.”

The males froze, their expressions horrified.

Mairi looked up at Knollig questioningly, “What’s wrong?”

“What…is a dance?” he croaked.

~*~*~*

“You have to hand it to Amber, she knows how to throw a party.” Mairi
remarked to Knollig. Somehow Amber had gotten temporary fountains on four
corners of the square of four. The lights were still flickering around every
dome, bench and walkway. The colorful streamers were flowing in the wind. It
was a very romantic setting. The rains had just ended and there was the added
moisture dancing on the lights giving them a magical glow.

Mairi had worked with Amber and Jen all morning to figure out the music.
There had been a moment of panic when Amber had clicked on the 80’s music
button. Immediately out of the speaker, “Dum…da-dum…da-da-da-da-da-dum…Dum…”
Amber had slapped her hand down on the stop button, and all the women had
turned to each other and laughed.

“What was that?” Mairi laughed, “Mozart?!”

“I think Kneus mistook your desire for 1980’s music with 1780’s” Jen
teased.

“There has to be 1980’s music on here somewhere, we’ll find it.” Amber
was determinedly hitting buttons now in her quest for music. When she finally
found it, she made a mix of the 1980’s to current artists on a play list for
the dance.

“What do you think?” Amber and Kniam joined them at their spot by a
bench.

Knollig smiled, “You did a very good job Amber. The square and pathways
look very nice!” Amber beamed at the compliment.

People were milling about on all the walkways, almost three rings back,
but nobody was taking up dancing in the center by the square. Kniam commented
on the oddity, “Why are the males all on one side of the square, and the women
on the other?”

“It does kind of look like we’re back in High School.” Jen and Thian had
joined the group. “Maybe we should show them that they are supposed to be
dancing to the music.”

“I don’t know if that is an appropriate activity for a member of the
Council to participate in.” Thian tried desperately. His nervousness over
attempting to dance was making him grasp at straws.

“Don’t give me that excuse!” Jen smiled up at him, “Listen I love this
song, and it’s a slow one! All you have to do is hold me, and move side to
side.” Jen grabbed his hand, and dragged him over to where dancing was supposed
to be going on. The music was being amplified from the technology dome, the
song
Time after Time
by Cyndi Lauper was pulsing on the air. Jen pulled
Thian close, placing his hands on her hips. Then wrapping her arms around his
neck, they started swaying together.

“You can’t let Thian have all the fun.” Mairi grabbed Knollig and saw
that Amber and Kniam were following. Looking into Knollig’s face, she said,
“Just follow me. Feel the music, and have fun!” Stepping close she wrapped her
arms around his back so her hands were resting on his shoulders. Mairi tucked
her head under his chin and moved to the music. She was so caught up in the
feeling of Knollig’s arms around her, and living the moment, she jumped when
the song was over and the music suddenly changed.

“Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah…Thun-Der”

All the women froze and looked at each other…”
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah…Thun-Der!” There was no mistaking that guitar riff!

“AC/DC” they yelled. All of a sudden there were women on the pathways
dancing, and air guitaring. Shaking their heads, and throwing their hands in
the air. The men of Terraneu just watched in stunned disbelief, until one by
one, they were dragged into the dancing too! It didn’t matter if they knew how,
as long as they were moving.

“You’ve been…Thunderstruck!” The women were singing and laughing and
having a great time!

Mairi was dancing close to Knollig, singing along with the song. The
women stayed to dance, and kept the men moving too. They were laughing and chatting
between songs and moving away to talk if they wanted privacy. It was past
midnight, when after a particularly slow dance to the song “Amazed” by Lonestar
with Knollig that Mairi whispered it was time to find some privacy. He picked
her up, and ran as fast as he could back to their living quarters.

“I like this dancing thing Mairi, it is very stimulating.” Knollig was
busy getting his clothes off. Mairi was stepping out of hers, and they jumped
into bed and did some horizontal dancing until exhausted they finally fell
asleep.

Mairi’s last thought was the dance had been a huge success. It had really
helped break the ice between the men and women. Learning to dance gave the men
a reason to get close to the women. Taking a break from the dancing gave them a
chance to talk and hopefully find interests in common. Overall she
thought…Amber should be proud.

~*~*~*

When it came time to clean up the square, Amber had requested the
fountains be allowed to stay. Kniam and the Council had agreed, because who
would deny Amber a simple thing like a fountain? There was talk among the
community to hold a dance the day after the next portal opening to Earth. The
Council thought that would be a great idea, and had voted unanimously to allow
the dance every six months. It was commented that maybe they would need a park,
or large area that they could hold events. Since there were plans to build more
family units to the North, they could set aside land to the East for a park.
Maybe make some play equipment too. Then Mairi asked if the males had ever
thought of building a large swimming pool in Terraneu?

“We are going to need more Gnowlers if we are planning a large park
area…” Asteen noted dryly.

“I can help with planning, six months isn’t a long time to get organized.
The next dance should be even more spectacular. We could work on fireworks, the
night of the dance we could set them off to music.” Amber was bubbling over
with excited energy.

Kniam looked at her for a second and asked, “Isn’t there something else
that might be more important for you to be focused on in six months?”

Amber was confused, “What could be more important than making the women
feel welcome Kniam?” Her eyes swept around the room.

“Well, there are three things I can think of that might take precedence.”
Kniam drawled, his voice hinting at laughter.

“You are being cryptic Kniam.” Amber sighed, “Three things exactly? And
what might those be?”

Kniam had just stared at her belly for a moment, and then raised his eyes
to hers. Waiting for Amber to catch up.

Everyone was watching Amber and knew the second it finally hit her. Her
eyes got huge in her face, and her mouth opened, “Oh!”
 
The she burst into laughter. “That’s right!
In six months I might be huge pregnant, or I might be on bed rest…or I could be
home with three babies!” Amber gasped out between laughs.