ROMULUS (The Innerworld Affairs Series, Book 1) (38 page)

"Of course," Kate said. "We've contacted the Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams and they are already working on the special meeting we discussed. As soon as we get confirmation that it's been set, David and I will start putting in calls to our colleagues around the world. We'll ask them to put the pressure on their governments to cooperate."

Aster relaxed. "It sounds good so far." She turned to David. "I'm glad Kate started filling you in. Professor Schontivian can answer any questions you have. Meanwhile, I'd like to discuss something with Kate." Like a true guardian angel, Falcon remained at her side.

She recalled her exact promise to Rom and what she was about to do would not involve passing on any of Innerworld's advanced technology.

"I realize you have more than enough to do in the next few days, but I'm going to burden you a little further. As Rom told you yesterday, the Noronians have a law against aggressively interfering with Outerworld's culture. He convinced me there are good reasons for that and I would never do anything to jeopardize him or his world. But there is something you can do for them."

Kate smiled. "After what his people have done for us, no request would be too great."

"I'm sure I don't have to tell you that Planet Earth is dying. What I learned from Rom, though, is that his world could eventually be sealed off because of Outerworld's neglect. It's already affecting their tunnels and creating havoc with their monitoring systems. In spite of their need to continue to trade with their home planet, they are under orders not to help Outerworlders solve the problem. It's hoped the people on the surface will grow up and learn to treat their world with respect on their own.

"There are efforts being made throughout the world, but it's not enough. Preserving our environment needs to become mandatory, not just a token effort by a few countries.

"Soon you'll be meeting with the Security Council of the United Nations. While you have the attention of some of the most powerful people on this planet, I'm hoping you might make a connection with one or two who would be receptive to receiving suggestions from the Mackenzie Foundation—for the future of Outerworld and Innerworld."

"Honestly, I'm not sure if anything short of an alien visit would make any difference but I promise to do my best. I'll also give you my promise to stir up more support among my colleagues." Kate got a pad and pen to jot down notes as Aster hit the highlights of various projects the Foundation had in the works.

When they were finished, Aster had something of her own to write. She could not let The Mackenzie Foundation turn into something like The Underwood Institute. She wrote a letter to her attorney, explaining that she had not in fact disappeared at sea and thus, was not to be declared dead. But for health reasons she had been forced to take an immediate and lengthy sabbatical. She named a trustee who had always backed her completely to act as director in her absence and gave that trustee her proxy for all votes until she returned. That would keep the wolves at bay for a while at least.

The letter went on to say that if she did not return to San Francisco within one year, her entire estate was to be donated to The Mackenzie Foundation, with the stipulation that all monies be used toward rehabilitating and protecting the environment.

She borrowed Kate's cell phone and had Falcon do a video recording of her reading the letter and sitting with Kate and David as they witnessed the document. Aster instructed Kate to email the video to her attorney and the trustee. Then she asked her to make three copies of the letter, one for herself and one for Kate to hold... just in case any question of authenticity ever arose. The original was to go to the attorney and the other copy was to be sent to the trustee, along with a personal note introducing Doctor Houston as his new best friend on the international stage. A huge weight was now lifted from her mind.

As if perfectly timed with the completion of their duties, the phone rang. David listened to someone intently for several minutes. When he hung up, he was grinning. "An emergency session of the Security Council is set for eight o'clock tomorrow morning. I told them we'd be there with bells on."

"I wish I could be there too," Aster replied with a wink at Kate, "but I'm sure we'll hear all about it."

David shook his head. "I doubt it. Even with the threat minimized, news of an oncoming asteroid could cause global panic so I'm betting the entire operation will be kept under wraps."

As they said their good-byes and extended good wishes, Aster saw David fold Kate's hand into his. She would have her happy ending after all.

* * *

The first thing Rom's eyes focused on was the sleeping beauty curled up in the chair next to his bed. Slowly, his mind came awake. The last thing he could recall clearly was holding Aster in a bed in Outerworld. This room resembled one in Medical in Car-Tem. How had they gotten here?

Aster murmured in her sleep and Rom decided to wake her up through her homing device and moved his fingers to program his ring to her signal. But it was gone. He sat up just as Falcon entered the room.

"So, you decided to rejoin the living. Stay in bed. I will let the doctor know you are awake." Falcon turned and left but his voice had awakened Aster.

She rushed to Rom, propelling him flat on the bed with her weight. Smothering his face with urgent kisses, her hands reacquainted themselves with the feel of him.

Rom lay still for her mad caresses. When he felt her calm down, he pulled her the rest of the way onto the bed.

"Aster? Shalla? What happened?"

She was still holding him as if her life depended on it. "I was so afraid I'd lost you." Piece by piece, Aster relayed what had occurred, with the exception of her private moment with Falcon and what she had asked Kate to do for her. He would find it out eventually, but not today.

As she was winding up her tale, Falcon and the doctor reentered. "Feeling better I see," Doctor Gemina teased when he saw the lovers on the narrow bed.

Aster's face flamed and she squirmed to get away. Rom allowed her to sit upright but refused to loosen his hold. "Aster caught me up somewhat already. Did any of you remove my ring?" They looked at each other and shook their heads.

Aster voiced her immediate concern. "That means it's still out there. If Underwood has it, could he do anything with it?"

Rom shrugged. "It's hard to say. He'd have to figure out how to activate it first, but even if he did, the odds against his being able to analyze its programming are astronomical."

"Rom, the man's a genius, with time and money on his side. I would not assume the ring is harmless in his hands," Aster offered.

Falcon added, "He radiates a totally black presence. I suggest you inform Governor Elissa when you speak to her that Underwood has the ring. If she agrees someone should go out for it, let me know. I should be able to track him easily enough."

"Speaking of the governor," Aster said, "she asked us to meet with her as soon as you're up to it."

"Fine. Falcon, I wonder if you could get me a uniform to wear. Then I'd appreciate your accompanying Aster and me to the debriefing."

Governor Elissa sat spellbound throughout the recounting. Falcon made it sound as if he had done very little compared to Aster's contributions and the governor was impressed.

"Aster, your courage is to be commended. On behalf of Innerworld, I thank you. And, Falcon, I am relieved Aster knew you well enough to call for you. No one could have done a better job for us. Now, about the ring."

Romulus cleared his throat. "Since I am the one responsible for its loss, I should—"

"No!" Aster exclaimed, effectively cutting him off.

Elissa held up her hand to quiet them both. "I certainly do not hold you responsible, Romulus. But, even if I did, I would not permit you to return. You are too valuable to this colony to risk your life again. Besides, you do not possess Falcon's skills as a tracker. He is the one I am assigning.

"I don't believe it is wise to go after the ring immediately. From your assessments of Gordon Underwood, he might have a trap ready for just such a move. We will postpone the recovery mission for a while. Let him think no one is interested in retrieving the ring. Falcon, I will advise you when the time has come for you to return to Outerworld."

Falcon nodded his head in acceptance of the future assignment.

The governor then handed a folded paper to Romulus. "This came for you. Tarla forwarded it to me in case it was urgent."

It was a formal summons to appear before the Ruling Tribunal on Norona. He was to leave on the first outgoing ship. Rom passed it to Aster.

"The summons is vague but I've heard the rumors," Elissa said. "I intend to write a lengthy report, including Aster's loyal service to us in this crisis and the ordeal she went through with that criminal due to our shortsightedness. You'll take it with you. It might help."

"We'll take it with us," interrupted Aster. "I'm going too. Romulus and I are going to be joined, with or without their approval, but we'll present our case to them first." She gazed into Rom's surprised eyes and mouthed, "I love you."

Elissa failed to hide her dismay. "Aster, Romulus, do you realize what you're saying? They are completely against such a joining and one member of the Tribunal has never been convinced of my stand on Terran rights. Your whole future hangs in the balance."

Romulus took Aster's hand. "We know... and it doesn't matter. We have to do this. I've said it before. If they don't want us to join and live here, we'll find somewhere to live where their dictates can't control us."

"I only felt it needed to be said," Elissa said with a nod of understanding. "Be careful, though. They want you very badly for governor, and I don't know what they would resort to if you balk. Use your head, not your emotions. I'll have to draw up a special permission visa for Aster to travel. The ship leaves in two days."

A short time later, Rom sat down on the bed next to his sleeping mate-to-be. The fact that he had been close to death was worth it, if it had changed Aster's mind about their joining. She would never be sorry. He would make sure of that.

He lightly kissed her parted lips and felt her shallow breath touch his cheek. His love for her was a living thing that had grown from the first moment he saw her until it had become his only reason for living. If that was not enough, she was now responsible for his being alive and safely home. What she had done was so much more than his rescuing her from Victor.

But once again they would have to prove that nothing could keep them apart. This time, the most powerful authority in the universe had to be convinced.

Part III

The Joining

Chapter 22

Aster gazed at the magnificent ships housed in the transportation hangar. They varied drastically in size and shape and Rom pointed out a few, describing their uses and different capabilities.

"The passenger ship is not in Innerworld right now. It's as large as this entire hangar and is built for comfortable travel. The carrier we'll be traveling in is built for speed with minimal attention to comfort. We won't want for anything but it's not very elegant. Here it is." The ship bore a strong resemblance to a gigantic silver pterodactyl in flight. It was about twice the size of a DC-10 jet and appeared to be molded from one solid sheet of stainless steel.