ROMULUS (The Innerworld Affairs Series, Book 1) Page 7

  Aster shoved the books back on the shelf and returned to the bed. Her eyes closed but her mind would not go to sleep. She was tired and irritable and she was angry with Cherry for talking her into the cruise and angry with herself for accepting the invitation.

  Cherry had decided it was her duty to break Aster's mundane routine of working, eating and sleeping. The little nag had fretted about her being a workaholic, had harassed her about being devoted to a dead man and had threatened her with the dangers of celibacy. Aster had declined every social invitation Cherry had issued. Recently, Cherry had gotten desperate enough to resort to deceit and trickery by setting Aster up with several coincidental meetings with nice, eligible men.

  To put an end to Cherry's good-intentioned harassment, Aster had finally agreed to go along on the Feinsteins' four-day fishing trip. She had even tolerated the flight from San Francisco to Fort Lauderdale. Between battling her own fear of flying and tolerating Cherry's garrulous companion, Harold, Aster had started regretting her decision before they ever boarded the ill-fated yacht.

  How ironic that she had made Cherry swear that the long, quiet weekend was not another elaborate ploy to introduce her to yet another perfect playmate. Aster had thought being stuck on a private yacht with a strange man was the most unwelcome thing that could happen. If only it had been that simple.

  She had not wanted to get out and socialize. Her life had been fine just the way it was.

  Her relationship with Dennis hadn't been based on the kind of intense physical attraction that was glorified in romance novels, but she had loved him—as much as she was capable. The important thing was that she had felt safe and comfortable with him, not frightened as she was now. None of this would have happened if Dennis had not gotten himself killed.

  Ah, Dennis, how could you abandon me too? She cried inwardly and for the thousandth time she repeated that she could count on no one but herself. If Aster had been alone in that room, she might have given in to the urge to have a good sob session. Instead, she pictured Dennis's face and willed herself to dream of him.

  Several hours of deep sleep passed before her will was manifested but no sooner was she dreaming of her lost love than the other dream took over. Dennis's crooked grin straightened. The face was no longer Dennis's but the other man's. She could feel his strong arms encircling her, as they had so many times before in this dream world. Her heart beat faster, knowing that she would awaken in another moment, unfulfilled and confused because it always ended abruptly before his lips touched hers. His body heat scorched her as he lowered his head. For the first time in this recurring dream, Aster slid her arms around his neck and rose up on her tiptoes to accept his caress. And for the first time, she whispered the name she had waited a lifetime to learn. "Romulus."

  Aster's body jerked awake, damp with perspiration. Frantically, her gaze searched the darkened room. Everyone was asleep.

  Feeling disoriented, she glanced at her wrist to see the time before remembering she no longer owned a watch. She wasn't even sure time had any relevance in this place with a fake sun.

  Deciding to freshen up before anyone else stirred, she thought she'd try out the facilities manager and supply station in the kitchen. She knew there must be instructions in one of the manuals but didn't want to disturb anyone by turning on a light in the main room. Though it wasn't like her to simply take a stab at something, the circumstances she found herself in were hardly normal.

  She stood in the kitchen, took a calming breath and did what Cherry had done earlier. "Hello?"

  "How may I help you?" a friendly voice responded.

  "I'd like a dress."

  "Specify style."

  Aster thought of one of the outfits she'd packed for the cruise. "A sundress. Do you know what that is?"

  "Translating. Ready. Touch the image when you see the preferred style."

  Instantly, the front of one cabinet became a monitor and a dozen sundresses flashed on the screen.

  Aster touched one with a fitted bodice, wide straps and slightly flared skirt. "Can you take that one and make the neckline higher and rounded instead of a vee?"

  "Complying." The modified design appeared the next moment. "Advise color and material."

  Aster was almost enjoying herself. "Turquoise and polished cotton."

  "Translating. Scanning for size." A light strobe shot out from the screen and outlined Aster's body from head to toe then vanished. About a minute later, the manager spoke again. "Completed. Your apparel is in bin three."

  When Aster held the dress out in front of her, she had to admit, the process was pretty cool. She requested panties and low-heeled sandals. She learned jewelry of any kind had to be purchased.

  The bathroom was as well-equipped as any of the better hotels she had stayed in, including grooming supplies and a selection of makeup. Telling herself she would feel even better if she pretended she was getting ready to go to work, she put on a little lipstick and mascara.

  She could not find any hairpins, so she let her unruly waves hang loose. Just like her grandmother, her hair was thick and had gone completely gray when she was twenty. When she tucked it into a tight bun, she looked older and much less conspicuous. At five foot ten with silver hair, that was no small accomplishment.

  By the time she was finished, the rest of the group was awake, getting cleaned up or having breakfast. Feeling more appropriately attired, she managed to smile and greet the others pleasantly. Everyone gave a sigh of relief when three of the caretakers appeared and announced they would be taken on a tour of the city and moved into their new residences without further delay.

  Nick's caretaker addressed Aster and Cherry. "Oona and Perd have been delayed. It is requested that you stay here awhile longer." The android did not wait for a reply before leaving to catch up with the departing group.

  The two women shrugged their shoulders and sat back down, neither caring to speculate what the delay meant.

  * * *

  "Good morning, ladies," Romulus said pleasantly as he entered the room. He managed to smile, but his insides were in turmoil. One look at Aster negated a night of convincing himself she was nothing special.

  "Good morning, Chief Romulus," Aster finally said in a strained voice. "We were told to wait here."

  "Yes, I know. Your caretakers were needed for other duties. I'll be taking the two of you on your tour and they will meet you at your apartments later." It was not a lie. He had given them another assignment. He had considered testing his responses by being alone with Aster but, from his experience with other new arrivals, guessed she might be more comfortable if her friend accompanied them.

  Cherry jumped to her feet. "Hey, now that's what I call getting the royal treatment, huh, Aster!"

  Rom saw Aster narrow her eyes at her friend and wondered what it meant... until she spoke directly to him.

  "Thank you for stepping in, Chief Romulus, but I would have thought you would be much too busy writing manuals about Outerworlders and manipulating the lives of us wretchedly inferior beings. Certainly there must be another android you could assign to us."

  Cherry's eyes widened. "Aster Mackenzie! He has offered us his personal hospitality and we're going to accept... gratefully."

  Romulus shook his head. "After what happened last evening, I'm sure you're wondering who to believe." He caught Aster's telltale gasp. "No, I have not been reading your mind. But that's what I would have been thinking. I want the chance to show you that our colony is quite safe for you to enter and enjoy. Karl worked for me for years. Someone put him up to his actions yesterday and we have not yet determined who it was or the reason for it. We are convinced, though, that no one means to do you any harm.

  "There are Innerworlders who have not yet accepted Terrans, er Outerworlders, as equals. They still remember another time and the violence Terrans are prone to. To put it into perspective, remember the Italian or Irish immigrants who entered your America in the late 1800s. They were treated unfairly, even hated by so
me, but they persevered and eventually blended into the population.

  "In a relatively short time we have made great progress in integrating your people into our society and most of my people have accepted them as their friends and neighbors. I was not trying to hide any of this from you yesterday. I just believe it's too much information to bring up on a new arrival's first day."

  Cherry punched Aster's arm. "See? Isn't that what I said?"

  Aster was only giving his explanation one ear. Her mind was busy formulating a plan in which he would be a key player. But she would have to be cordial to him to make it work. "And how do you feel about Terrans?"

  She saw a flash of heat in his eyes but he quickly quashed whatever his first reply would have been. Instead, he simply said, "We are all human beings, Miss Mackenzie. Now, if you will accept my company, I will endeavor not to manipulate you."

  The look he was giving her was not that of a superior being looking down on a lesser one. If anything, his eyes were... pleading with her. She nodded and rose. The smile returned to his face as he showed them the way.

  On the ground floor they approached a moving walkway and Romulus explained, "My commuter is in the rear of the building. This mover runs through the entire complex."

  When Aster saw him support Cherry's elbow to assist her onto the track, she tried to avoid his touch by stepping on before he had a chance to help her. The walkway moved fairly slowly, but in her rush she lost her balance. Before she could grab the handrail to right herself, he stepped on behind her, supporting each of her elbows with a firm grasp.

  The effect of the sudden contact shocked Aster into immobility. His supportive hold became a caress as his palms eased along her forearms. The flexed muscles of his chest pressed against her back and the warmth of his arms around her made tiny hairline fractures in her shield of ice.

  Aster's subconscious quickly sent out the alert that her defenses had been breached and she abruptly jerked out of his hold. "Thank you for your help but I can manage on my own if you don't mind."

  She was appalled by her momentary weakness but worse, she knew Cherry had witnessed the incident by the way her shoulders shook with silent laughter. Cherry, the little matchmaker, would make the most of this situation.

  Romulus coughed, cleared his throat and took a step backward. He had only meant to be of assistance, but the feel of her in his arms again had been intoxicating. His palms burned from the contact. His entire being responded to her presence, shattering his innocent intentions. It was almost as if—

  No! It could not be time.

  He began doubting his good sense at wanting to spend the morning with her. He had no business becoming personally acquainted with new arrivals as the complications were sometimes insurmountable. That's why android caretakers were used.

  Romulus cleared his throat again and dove into his role as their escort. "This complex contains medical, financial and counseling offices for employment, housing and education. I believe you'll both be visiting career counselors tomorrow morning. Here's where we get off." This time Aster accepted his assistance without a fuss.

  There was only one vehicle in the small lot as they exited and Cherry ran ahead to get a closer look.

  "Damn! Would you look at this car!" She stroked the shiny red finish with her fingers as she circled the vehicle. It was long and lean, like a convertible Lamborghini, except it had no wheels. The body sat flush with the ground.

  Romulus touched something behind the driver's seat and a section in the rear of the car slid open to reveal a small seat.

  "Well, what d'ya know—a rumble seat!" Cherry climbed in, not waiting for him to open the door.

  Romulus grinned at the young woman's exuberance as he held the door open for Aster then folded himself in behind the steering bar. The reports had noted that the two were very close and yet, their reactions to his world were nearly direct opposites. He was certain there was much more to discover about Aster than Cherry but it would take a lot more than a superficial mind-touch performed by an indifferent nurse. Such a discovery would take time and a more in-depth study, perhaps a hands-on approach.

  He slammed the door on that thought. What the drek was wrong with him?

  With a whisper of air, the car rose off the ground and glided above the roadway. "This next cluster of buildings is the Cultural Center. Here you will find the museum, art gallery and, my personal favorite, the main library. Despite our technological advancements, most Noronians have a fondness for physical art, including books."

  "Chief Romulus..." Aster began.

  "Please, call me Romulus or better yet, Rom."

  "And you call us Cherry and Aster," Cherry quickly countered and received a warning glare from Aster.

  "All right... Romulus," Aster conceded, "you mentioned the library yesterday also. Would I find books like we have or just more manuals?"

  He winced at her repeated sarcasm about his manuals. "We have a great number of novels and non-fiction works from both our worlds as well as many others."

  On another street they passed a park filled with people of all ages and a sparkling blue-green lake on which several sailboats floated and around which three bicyclists raced.

  Cherry leaned forward. "Why, it looks like Sausalito. If it wasn't for this car, I'd think we were still in California. Hey, kid, remember the first time we tried sailing and ended up in the Bay?" The two of them laughed out loud at the memory.

  Rom's heart tripped at the harmonic sound of Aster's husky laughter combined with Cherry's little-girl giggle. The way his body responded to everything the silver-haired female did was putting him on edge.

  "Not exactly Sausalito, Cherry," Aster corrected. "There's no trash in the streets and no smog in the air. In fact, it smells cleaner than a mountaintop in Colorado."

  Rom smiled at her observation. "Everything here is recycled, so there is no trash and the air is continuously filtered."

  "Filtered?" Aster asked. "Do you have a problem with pollution too?"

  He shook his head with a laugh. "Hardly. The air is filtered for the dust. That's the commodity we provide to our home planet, Norona." He stopped himself from delivering another lecture.

  "You collect dust?" Cherry giggled again. "Man, have I got a vacuum cleaner bag for you! Hey, ya know, we could sure use some of those filters back home. Aster could even provide the money to install them."

  Aster saw her opening and grabbed it. "My Foundation endows funds to protect and clean up the environment but so much of it is guesswork. We could work miracles overnight if we brought back just a little of your knowledge. Planet Earth is—"

  "No," Romulus interrupted firmly.

  "No? Just like that?"

  "No one may return to Outerworld and we are not permitted to interfere with the natural progression of your civilization."

  "But it wouldn't be interfering. You'd be helping."

  "There is nothing we can do."

  His curt words were obviously meant to officially terminate her thoughts of his aiding her world. Aster had no such intention of course, but she knew when to quit pushing and to wait for another opportunity.

  Cherry changed the subject. "Where's the mall, Rom? And the beauty salons and restaurants?"

  "The Indulgence Center has every conceivable method of pampering or entertaining yourself, including a number of interesting restaurants based on cultures beyond this galaxy. I don't know what that other word is—a mall? I try to keep up with Outerworld news but I rarely have time to absorb much more than the highlights."

  "A mall—you know, stores, places to buy things."

  "Oh, I understand now. The Indulgence Center has some physical stores, but most ordinary shopping is done through your vidcom. Your caretaker can explain it to you."

  "No more all-day mall trips hunting for the perfect pair of shoes? This is not paradise after all!" Cherry buried her head on her knees to dramatize her sorrow.

  "Don't give up on us yet, Cherry. I think you'll enjoy the Indulg
ence Center."

  As they passed through another residential area, Romulus noted, "These are an example of our more expensive, free-standing residences."

  The construction here contrasted severely with the uniformity they had seen elsewhere. One house was made of the crystal prisms, next to it was a ranch-style. There was a gingerbread house and a structure that resembled a miniature Acropolis, even one that looked like a flying saucer.

  Aster stared at the peculiar menagerie. "What a conglomeration! Oh, dear." Her eyes opened wide in concern. "Do you live in one of these?"

  "Drek, no! This area is a zone where all design controls have been lifted. I do have a free-standing residence but it's on the other side of the province in a zone that maintains strict rules on appearance."

  "Hey, ya' know, it's not my thing, but Aster's always been into architecture and design. Like, why dontcha show her your digs one of these days, Rom?"

  "Of course, Aster, if that's one of your interests, I'd be proud to show you my home."

  She kept her eyes on the road ahead but she felt him looking at her a bit too intensely for the matter at hand. Aster's thoughts leapt at the possibilities his invitation suggested. She needed to spend time with him to work on her plan but she also needed to keep it on a strictly business level. "Oh, I don't know. I gather I'll be kept pretty busy for a while." She expected him to have a follow-up comment to that, especially since he was the one in charge of everything that would be keeping her busy, but he let it drop. The level of disappointment she felt was incomprehensible.

  Rom slowed the commuter in front of a magnificent palatial estate that seemed to go on forever. "That's the Indulgence Center and the stone castle next to it is the Arena. If you recall your history about the Middle Ages, you might find the Arena games interesting."

  Aster, the perpetual student, came alert. "Middle Ages? You mean knights and jousting and fair maidens?"

  "Exactly! As a matter of fact, the other night I had my best match ever. I defeated the Black Knight, which..."