Shadows of Golstar (84 page)

“What
of the birthing centers and temples?”

*Well,
I severed the power and posted Sentinels at each of the birthing centers’
entrances. After the announcements, I will have the buildings all stripped of
their contents, so they can’t be re-used. No one will be brainwashing babies
ever again.*

*As
to the temples, the control orbs remain powered down.*

“You
were unsuccessful in reprogramming them?”

*Sharné,
I couldn’t even begin to. It seems the programming was controlled by human
technicians under control of the Grand Patriarch’s office. There is a master
interface sub-center located within each of the Sanctums, where I’m electronically
blocked from admission. I guess the Founder wanted autonomous control over the
minds of his subjects. In addition, access to the sub-centers is limited to
those who know how to disarm the fail-safes. I could physically send some tech
bots down, but a destruction sequence could be triggered before I deciphered
the code. I know you wanted to wean the people off the damn things gradually,
but if we can’t gain access to the centers fairly quickly, they may have to go
cold turkey.*

“They
are hopelessly addicted to the orbs’ emanations, and I fear what may happen in
the days to come.” She remembered her own withdrawal aboard the
Holmes
and the internal anguish that she had undergone. In spite of her filtered
exposure to the orbs, she still suffered. She did not want to think about the
anger and confusion that would be experienced by millions of people exposed to
the orbs over the years without the limited benefit of the filtering gems. She
did not doubt the dire consequences that would result.

“Hec,
please connect me to Uncle Talin.” Hec immediately complied and for the next
twenty minutes, a heated discussion ensued. At its end, in exchange for exile
instead of imprisonment for the soon-to-be-deposed ruling families, Talin
agreed to allow some specially equipped robots to access the Sanctums without
interference.

“I
never understood what a cold and heartless man my uncle could be. He really
isn’t much different than my father. The names he called me when he found where
my loyalties now lie were ah... imaginative. I suppose when you encounter a
society is as sick as ours, you should only have to look as far as to those who
spread the disease.” She shook her sadly. “Hec, once you gain entrance, please
install the required interfaces into the Sanctum so that you may establish and
maintain access to all of its resources in the future. I want no further
interference from my uncle or anyone else from the government until matters are
settled. In the meantime, is there any way that you can shut down the power to
the other Sanctums?”

*They’re
isolated from the power grids, but I’ll wager their schematics are located in
Berralton’s Sanctum. I should be able to figure something out.*

“Good,
thank you Hec,” she said and looked over at Owens. He had walked back to the
pond and was sitting on a stone seat. Sensing her gaze, he turned toward
her.  Fatigue had sharpened his features and she frowned as he yawned
tiredly. She was about to say something when Hec interrupted her.

Hec’s
voice was low
, *Sharné, I don’t know how to say this, but I have some more
news. I’ve known about it for a little while, but I didn’t know how to break it
to you. I’m afraid it’s about your Father.*

“What
has he done?”

*No,
it’s nothing like that. Damn, I’m lousy at this sort of thing.  Sharné,
I’m sorry I have to tell you that he has died.*

Her
face went white as the meaning of Hec’s words sank in.

*We
have him to thank for triggering the virus in the Controllers. But I guess that
when he realized what would happen as a result, he just couldn’t live with the
consequences. I’m so sorry*.

Owens
stood up and began to walk towards her, then hesitated, wondering if she would
welcome the comfort of his arms. He watched as her face slowly regained its
color. “I am alright, Owens, really, I am alright. Yes, he was my father, but I
am not sorry he is gone. He murdered my mother and perpetuated a crime against
humanity, a crime I can never forgive. To me, he died a long time ago.” A
single tear trailed down her cheek. She wiped it away with the back of her hand
and asked Hec about the funeral arrangements. Hec told her of the arrangements
and of his heroic status.

She
smiled bitterly, “Even from the grave, he still manipulates Golstar. Well, that
too will change.” The resolve in her voice strengthened. “Yes, when our people
are ready, they shall know the truth, and the sooner the better.” She looked
over at Owens and said, “I believe I could use that hug now.” She was
immediately enveloped in the warmth of his arms. They stayed like that for a
number of minutes. She looked up at him, “Thank you.”

He
smiled warmly at her, “My pleasure.” Then his expression changed comically as
he vainly tried to fight off a yawn.

She
gently disengaged herself and looked at him critically, “You are dead tired.
When was the last time that you slept?”

He
only shrugged in response.

She
said, “I think that we both could use some sleep. We will need to think clearly
in the coming days.” She looked up and said, “Hec, you are in command. Unless
there is an emergency, would you allow us some privacy for the next eight hours
or so?”

*Of
course. I’ll shut off the monitors. When you need to contact me, use the manual
call pad. Sleep well.*
A tone then
sounded. Hec had signed off.

“It
is time for us to go to bed,” she ordered.

He
grinned at her, “Now that’s an invitation I can’t refuse.”

She
blushed, “Sleep first and, and then, well...”

There
was a quiet, rustling sound and Owens turned in its direction. A tidy stack of clothing
and a few pieces of hardcopy rested on the main table. Owens walked over and
looked down at the items and then picked up the hardcopy. “It’s from Hec. He
sent us some fresh changes of clothing, a couple of dressing gowns, directions
for the bathrooms and how the pool can double as a bath.” As he skimmed the
directions he said, “Oh, and there’s food in the stasis cube.”

She
was looking at the floor distractedly, “That was thoughtful; now help me put
these two sleeping pads together.” He put the directions back on the table and
helped her join the two pads into one large bed. Before he could comment on the
obvious sleeping arrangements, she said, “Thank you, now may I please see those
directions? I am going to take a shower, or whatever the Trah-tang equivalent
may be.” A little nonplused, he handed her the directions and the smaller robe
and then watched as she marched off into the bathroom.

Rubbing
his chin, he happened to look down on his soiled and torn clothes. He could use
a little freshening up himself. Remembering the instructions he had scanned, he
grabbed the large robe and walked over to the pool. He found the three small
faux rocks that were the pool’s controls and put the robe on a nearby stone
seat. He then pressed the middle stone and waited. It took less than a minute
for soft wisps of steam to begin rising off the water’s surface. A musical
chime sounded, indicating that the bath was ready. He quickly disrobed and
stepped in, the water coming up well above his waist.

The
water was warm, just shy of being uncomfortable, in other words, it was
perfect. He found the raised seat-like platform on the pool’s floor. He sat
down and it immediately molded to his contours, then it lowered until only his
neck and head were exposed. The water began to ripple, and tiny whirlpools
began to form, moving back forth, surrounding and caressing his body. He
smelled a scent not unlike lavender emanating from the water which transitioned
from its crystal clarity into a more opaque, emerald green. He dipped his head
under the water, scrubbing his hair.

Sluicing
the water off of his hair, he settled back into his seat and sighed as the
warm, moving water massaged his tired muscles. He was feeling more relaxed than
he had in months. He was starting to close his eyes when a soft voice said,
“That looks enticing.”

He
looked up and saw that Sharné was standing at the far edge of the pool, wearing
the robe. “What happened to your shower?”

“The
bathroom was a little intimidating, and as I read the directions, a bath sounded
much more appealing. I see that you had the same idea.”

“Well,
come on in, there’s plenty of room and the water’s fine, I mean really fine.”
He told her about the way the seats worked beneath the water’s surface and made
a show of turning his head away from her. He heard the small splash as she
entered the pool and heard her dip her head into the water.

“You
can turn around now,” she said a moment later.

He
did and saw that she was less than an arm’s length away, up to her neck in the water,
her wet hair plastered against her head. Eddies danced on the water’s surface
around her and she smiled in appreciation of the fluid massage. He saw only
tantalizing hints of her body in the tinted water. If he wanted, he could reach
over and touch her. He found himself getting aroused at the thought of her bare
skin so close to his. So he was gratified when she started to speak. He could
definitely use a little distraction.

She
said, “Owens, you know that the customs of our society would be characterized
as archaic and straight-laced by your people. Intimacy between men and women is
not discussed in public, and marriage is often the result of a business or
political expediency rather than a romantic commitment between two people. Even
innocent public displays of affection are frowned upon.”

He
nodded.

“I
know now that much of our inhibitions were the result the Control Orbs’
influence. But that doesn’t change the fact that our ingrained behavior and
moral code is different from that of Confederated Planets.”

“Well,
yes and no,” Owens replied.  “I suppose that some of the member planets
might think of your customs as out of the mainstream, but certainly not all. I
know of at least two that have very similar customs to yours, ah… but without
the artificial mind influencing.” Then he paused, considering, “You know, as
much as I complain about my government, it does have some upsides. Every
chartered planet is allowed its own regional governance, and moral standards
can vary quite a lot from planet to planet, of course all within certain
limits. Confederated Planets enforces the Basic Code for Civil Behavior and the
Uniform Criminal Code of Law, something I’m fairly familiar with, being an
ex-cop. But even so, it still allows a fairly wide variance in planetary
societies.”

She
nodded, “I see. As with all of my people, I was raised within the strictures of
the Way of the Light, my mind molded by control orbs. But now that I have been
away from their influence and in being with you… well, I have changed in ways I
had not thought possible.” Her tone became more intimate, “I am feeling things
I never had imagined. Yes, I have changed and I am still changing, but I still
have much to learn, so I ask you to be patient with me.”

“Hey,”
he grinned, “I’m the picture of patience. I thought I did pretty well back on
the
Holmes.
” He started to say more, but stopped when he felt her gentle
touch on his arm beneath the water.

She
leaned over and breathed into his ear, “You know, for all of your bravery and
intelligence, you can be incredibly thick at times.” And before he could
respond, she turned his head and her lips pressed into his, her sweet tongue
meeting his with tender urgency. It wasn’t long before their kisses grew in
passion and after a few more moments, she murmured, “I have never been with a
man, have never truly wanted a man… before now. I want you Janus Owens, with
all my heart. I want you now.”

They
both stood, turning into each other, joining into an ardent embrace, the water
sloughing off their shoulders. Her soft lips pressed into his with increased
urgency, and he felt her firm breasts pressing into his chest. The warm silk of
her skin was a tender caress, as he drew her in closer. His heart began to beat
faster as his desire became almost unbearable. With her arms now encircling his
neck, in one fluid motion, he picked her up and stepped out of the pool. They
were both oblivious to the swirling blasts of warm air, drying their damp skin
and hair as he carried her over to the make-shift bed.

After
laying her down gently, starting at her neck, his lips began a gentle journey,
giving careful attention to her lovely breasts, meandering down her slightly
rounded stomach and culminating in the sweet warmth between her firm
thighs. 

Her
increasing cries of pleasure to his ministrations elicited a flush within his
own flesh, the heat of their shared passion now barely constrained.
 
When they could no longer deny themselves,
they began to make love, the first of what would be many times that night. They
began slowly at first with gentle, tentative explorations, discovering each
other with mutual delight. Then later, with growing ardor, their love-making
culminating in fiery releases, their cries of passion mingling, becoming one.
Afterward, still in each other's arms, they drifted into the blissful,
dreamless sleep of contented lovers.