"For the Love of Gaia" ã
Copyright 1998 by Felioness (felioness@printwizard.net)
Disclaimer #1: This is a futuristic Uber-Xena work of romantic fiction. The
characters of Xena, Gabrielle, Ephiny, Iolaus, Solari and, oh yes, Argo, belong to
MCA/Universal, and are used without intent for commercial profits. Author's copyright does
not extend to said characters. The author retains all rights automatically attached to the
creation of this work and to the independently created characters. In other words, they're
all MINE!
Disclaimer #2: This story depicts a love/sexual relationship between two
consenting adult women. Nothing too graphic, just a PG-13 rating. Im in this one for
the plot ; - ). If you are under 18 years of age or if this type of story is illegal in
the state or country in which you live, please do not read it. If depictions of this
nature disturb you, have a cup of herbal tea and a long hot bath. You really need to
relax.
Disclaimer #3: Violence warning. This story contains references to abusive
behavior necessary for plot development. Ive tried to keep graphic descriptions to a
minimum, but if this sort of thing disturbs you, please stop now.
Disclaimer #4: Apologies and acknowledgment to Gene Roddenberry for the
unauthorized loan of food replicators and holo suites. I found them to be rather useful
home appliances. To get yours today, call Ronco at 1-888-555-1212.
This story is Book 2 in The Colonization Trilogy. Trying to read this
before Book 1, The Amphipolis Expedition, will be like watching The Empire
Strikes Back without watching Star Was first. You'll still understand the main story, but
the nuances will be lost.
Special thanks to Barbara Maclay for her dramatic renderings of Commander Xandra
Lawless and Dr. Brie O'Conner. To see them for yourself, just click the links or visit
Barbara's Home Page at www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Bungalow/2591/graphics/.
Be sure to check out her other delightful Xena artwork.
Also many thanks to my beta readers who tactfully smoothed out all the rough edges.
I welcome all constructive feedback, all bigots will be sent to the great recycle bin
in the sky.
Dedicated to D.C. (Damn Cat), twenty year companion of my friend
Diane.
May you hunt with the Gods.
For the Love of Gaia
Part IV
by Felioness
-
- Chapter 13
-
- Stephanie walked slowly toward the house on the hill, her strength sapped by the
slightest physical exertion in the afternoon stillness and heat. Supposedly off duty
today, shed put in the extra hours that helped make up for Xandras medical
leave of absence. Between the pilot and several other senior officers, Xandras place
in the colonial government was secured until she gave birth and was able to return to work
in her full capacity.
-
- Approaching the peak of the slope, Stephanie stepped into the shade of the tall trees
with a sigh of relief. Living in climate controlled, artificial environments all her life
left her unprepared for the summer heat of Gaia. Pausing for a moment to catch her breath
and wipe the sweat from her brow, she caught sight of her commander lying peacefully in
her hammock. The large, fat tabby snuggled against her body had managed to find space next
to Xandras swelling belly and was sleeping peacefully with his front paws draped
over the babys nesting place.
-
- Stephanie smiled and called softly to Xandra as she continued to approach. The commander
had been quite testy lately and had made it clear that she didnt like anyone
"sneaking up on her." Stephanie suspected this new sensitivity was a combination
of her recent traumatic experience with DuMonte and her advancing pregnancy. She was
secretly sorry for Brie, having to put up with Xandras moodiness all the time. As
she recalled, Brie had been one of the happiest, least emotionally volatile pregnant women
shed ever known. It didnt seem fair that the even-tempered doctor had to deal
with Xandras downright bitchiness, but Brie seemed to take it all in stride.
-
- Xandras eyes fluttered as she reluctantly awakened to the sound of her
seconds voice. Stretching her tall, now ungainly frame, she dislodged her sleeping
companion who found himself unceremoniously dumped from the hammock onto the soft grass
below. Meowing indignantly, he stretched himself and sauntered lazily onto the porch in
search of food and water.
-
- "Sorry Argo, Im getting too big to sleep with." Xandra yawned wide and
sat up, her gaze turning on the intruder who ruined their catnaps. "What brings you
to visit in this ghastly heat?"
-
- Stephanie relaxed a bit, trying to gauge Xandras mood. "Well, I wanted to see
how you were feeling after the council session this morning. I know you were uncomfortable
about having to execute DuMonte
but I wanted you to know that Id have done the
same thing in your position."
- Xandra sighed and leaned back as she answered. "Thanks, but youll never
really know what it felt like. I havent even told Brie
Im afraid
to."
-
- "You enjoyed it didnt you?" Stephanie paused, raising her hand
against Xandras defensiveness. "Its okay
I would have enjoyed it
too. I wished I had killed the bastard in the shuttle bay, but there was no way I could
get to him without endangering you and Sandy."
-
- "Its not the same Steph
that would have been in battle, I killed him in
cold-blood
and it gave me such pleasure, I cant even begin to describe
it." Xandras voice dropped to its lowest register as she continued. "I had
a choice
hed never have gotten out of the airlock. I chose to space him.
I wanted to watch his face as he realized what was happening. I enjoyed
watching him being torn apart. I felt
pleasure. Its a side of me that
Ive never given into before, never really allowed myself to indulge. This time I
just couldnt stop myself. Hed hurt so many people I love, I just wanted to
hurt him back."
-
- "Xan
I dont know what to say. Ive never hated anyone that much,
but I think if I did, Id have enjoyed it too. I do know one thing
if hed
succeeded in killing you, hed have killed our son and I think that justifies anything
you did to him."
-
- Xandra lowered her gaze uncomfortably. "Steph
I owe you an apology for that. I
should have told you I was pregnant. But you know I had to go after Sandy no matter
what the cost. You cant know what he would have done to her
I knew, and I
couldnt let it happen."
-
- "Its okay, I understand. I was mad at first that youd put our child in
danger, but then I looked at Sandy and I understood. I knew youd manage to get away
from him, I never doubted that. In a way, Im glad I didnt know you were
pregnant until it was all over. Id have been chewing nails waiting. As it was, I had
my hands full with the settlement and Brie. She was a whirlwind Xandra; planning, getting
the council to revert to military government, setting up the caves for the pregnant
mothers and the children. I figured shed fall apart with you up there, but she
surprised us all. She never lost hope
except maybe for a little while the night I
brought Sandy home. But she pulled herself together and worked even harder. Shes a
very special lady."
-
- "I know
I wish I knew what gods I pleased to deserve her." Xandra smiled,
the tension visibly leaving her body as she spoke of her soulmate. " Shes been
so good to me and Ive been such a bitch. Im not doing well with this pregnancy
thing. My hormones are going wild and theyve definitely taken control. I can stay
away from most people, but she lives here and shes so patient with me."
-
- "Yeah, well
my turn is coming up soon. Ive managed to put them off until
you are on your feet again, but then I have to do my civic duty and join the
swelling ranks of the pregnant." Stephanie grinned painfully at her play
on words. "I hope I handle it like Brie, but I have the nastiest feeling that
Im going to follow in your footsteps instead. I just hope Penny can handle it.
Shes so very controlled
you know, a place for everything and everything in
its place. If I start acting like a hormone-driven pregnant woman, she just might
run for the hills."
-
- Xandra chuckled at the thought of her quarter-master dealing with an over-emotional
expectant mother. "Tell you what, if you start feeling too bitchy, Ill come
over and you can yell at me instead."
-
- The two women continued to chat easily as the day waned, each feeling more at ease than
they had in weeks. Now more friends than commander and pilot, their shared experiences and
the pending birth of their child provided a strong foundation for a relationship neither
of them had enjoyed before. The face of Gaia was changing and her new inhabitants could
not help but change with her.
Brie floated up from the deep well of unconsciousness, dampness on her pale cheeks
reminding her of the pain shed shared with her patient. Shifting uncomfortably under
the weight on her chest, she realized that Arianna still lay snuggled against her breast,
quietly sobbing. She raised her hand to stroke the young womans impossibly soft hair
with great care. For the Love of Gaia, I hope she survives. Ive never felt so
much pain in anyone
much less an empath. I dont think I could have lived
through what she has. I wish DuMonte were still alive so I could kill him myself.
- Surprised by the strength of her own hatred, Brie swallowed back her anger, afraid that
the woman-child in her arms would sense her overwhelming emotion. Empaths, by nature, were
averse to killing even the tiniest living thing. The doctor now realized that this must be
an inbred quality designed to prevent them from using their mental powers for harm rather
than good. She now knew in her heart that she could have ripped DuMonte apart from the
inside without a second thought, and this was a very frightening possibility. I wonder
if the geneticists know about that. With all this talk about breeding for psychic ability,
theyd better be made aware of it fast.
-
- She opened her eyes to find Sara watching the monitors intently. The medics
expression was intense and tears wet her smooth cheeks as they flowed freely from her dark
expressive eyes.
-
- "Sara
" Brie whispered quietly so as not to wake Arianna.
-
- Sara turned to face her friend, her voice heavy with concern. "Brie, are you
alright? I almost lost you both, I was so afraid."
-
- "Yeah, I think so. I just want to go home and sleep. Can you stay with her? I think
shell come around soon and I dont want her left alone." Brie eased her
body from underneath the young woman, sliding a pillow under her head as she slipped away.
-
- Sara rushed to her side, helping her to her feet. "Of course, I can stay as long as
she needs me. Ill just plan to sleep here tonight."
-
- "Thanks Sara, somehow I think you are exactly what she needs." Brie
stared intently into the dark womans eyes, her words laced with hidden meaning.
"I think you know what I mean."
-
- "Yeah
I do." Sara smiled sadly. "Ill be here for her when she
wakes
and as long as she needs me after that. No one else knows what I went through.
You are the only one I trusted enough to tell. Youve helped me heal my past and now
its my turn to help someone else."
-
- Brie nodded knowingly and turned toward the door, exhaustion evident in every movement.
Silently she slipped into the cool of the evening and headed for home, confident that her
patient was in good hands. Who knows, she wondered as she labored up the hill
homeward, maybe they can heal each other? Lord knows they both deserve it.
-
- Sara watched her mentor as she trudged the path from the infirmary to her house on the
hill, love and admiration filling her heart for this brilliant, caring woman who had
helped her with her own inner demons. Turning back to the tortured young woman curled
tightly against her pillow, Sara sighed. I hope Im up to this. Shes hurt
every bit as much as I was and its worse for an empath. Well, I can only try
-
- Xandra slept uneasily without her partners warm body snuggled next to her. She was
utterly exhausted from the ungodly heat of the day and the awkward weight of her swollen
body. She ached from head to toe and her ankles were swelled so badly that she could no
longer find any shoes that would fit her. The expression "barefoot and pregnant"
had taken on a whole new meaning. She knew she was next to impossible to live with the
last few weeks, but she was grateful that Brie put up with her. Fleetingly she wondered
what was keeping her soulmate as her eyes slid shut once again.
-
- Brie slipped quietly into their bedroom in an effort not to wake her sleeping soulmate.
Xandras soft snores caused her to smile. Xandra only snored when she slept on her
back, something she had been forced to do now that her body was rounded with child. She
hated everything about being pregnant and let everyone around her know it. Sleeping on her
back was just one of the many indignities forced on her by her condition.
-
- Brie was glad that it wouldnt last much longer. She was just about at the end of
her patience, but Xandra didnt know that. Her partner was so wrapped up in her own
discomfort that she hadnt noticed the dark circles under Bries eyes. The
doctor was also pulling extra hours to fill in with the gap left by Xandras absence.
That combined with extra work at home, caring for Sandy almost single-handedly and her own
foolish decision to get pregnant again herself left Brie craving sleep with a vengeance.
-
- Undressing in the dark, she was acutely aware of the changes taking place in her body.
Her breasts were beginning to swell and she felt a slight roundness to her belly. Xandra
had been so wrapped up in herself that she had yet to notice the changes in her
partners body. Brie hoped she could keep it her own secret until after Xandra gave
birth. Her decision to take on Xandras further reproductive responsibilities would
be appreciated later, but now it would only irritate her soulmate.
-
- Reluctantly she pulled a light sleep shirt over her head. She would have preferred to
sleep nude in the heat of summer, but she was trying to hide her condition from Xandra. As
she stretched out on her side of the bed, Xandra rolled toward her and pulled Brie into
the circle of her arms. Brie felt the baby move restlessly and Xandra murmured sleepily in
her ear. "I love you."
-
- Brie smiled as she thought of the two tiny beings growing under her own heart.
Twins
partly hers and partly Xandras. Brushing her lips softly against
Xandras cheek, she whispered back. "I love you too."
-
- Smiling contentedly, both expectant mothers snuggled sleepily, each comforted by the
presence of the other.
-
- Chapter 14
-
- Late Fall
-
- Sara found herself presiding over the tribunal council session. With Xandra and Brie
abstaining from participation except as witnesses for the accused, she had been selected
by default and, although she too planned to abstain, she would vote in case of a tie. She
had become close with the young empath facing charges over the last few months and found
that she could no longer remain impartial.
-
- Todays tribunal was the first in a series of planned proceedings to determine the
fate of the sleepers. After the latest debacle with DuMonte, the colonists realized that
they could no longer depend on cryo technology to defer their decisions. Even Bries
ecological issues had been set aside, although temporarily, so that the council could
focus on the fate of the pirates.
-
- Sara cleared her throat as she rose from her seat, the room suddenly silent awaiting her
words. "Citizens, we are here today to hear the case of Arianna DuMonte, accused of
space piracy and kidnapping. We have all read the charges against the accused. Who will
speak in her defense?"
-
- Xandra rose awkwardly from her seat and stepped forward. Turning to face the council
chamber, she spoke. "I will speak in her defense, as will others after me."
-
- Sara smiled as she stepped around the table offering Xandra a seat. "I think we can
dispense with formalities in light of your condition, Councilperson. Besides, you have
always been just as effective seated as you are on your feet."
-
- Only weeks from her due date, Xandra gratefully eased her heavy frame into the offered
chair and murmured her thanks. Gathering her thoughts, she raised her eyes to gaze at the
council-members seated across from her, making eye contact with each one before
proceeding.
-
- "I have known Arianna since she was a small child. I served for a number of years
under the command of her father, Aaron DuMonte and during that time, I became close with
Arianna. Id always suspected that DuMonte regularly abused his wife Carla, but he
was a clever man and never allowed any outward signs of his actions. Carla was quiet and
had been under psychiatric treatment since adolescence. At the time, psychic talents were
rare and often went misdiagnosed as mental illness. Carla was probably an empath, like her
daughter, but was never tested. First her parents, then her husband had her treated for
mental instability instead.
-
- While serving with DuMonte, I discovered that he was involved in illegal operations for
his own private gain. He had repeatedly used agency resources for his own purposes and the
government suffered great losses as a result. Feeling it my sworn duty to expose his
activities, I went to our superiors and divulged what I knew. We then proceeded to set a
trap for him. Caught in the web of his overwhelming greed, he took the bait and confirmed
all suspicions. He was court-marshaled, convicted and sentenced to exile outside the
bio-domes."
-
- Xandra paused as Brie came forward to offer her a drink of water. Swallowing almost the
entire glass in one gulp, she handed the glass back to Brie with a smile
"Thanks."
-
- Clearing her throat she began again. "After his conviction, DuMonte prepared to
take his family into exile with him. I heard he was headed for an outlaw compound in the
Rockies. Despite her requests for assistance from her family, Carla got no help and
without some powerful intervention, she and her daughter would be forced to leave the
safety of the bio-domes with her husband. Apparently unable to face living with DuMonte
away from the relative safety of polite society, Carla committed suicide the night before
they were to leave the city.
-
- I knew then that Arianna was in danger and I worked as quickly as possible, but he left
before I could intercede with the authorities for custody of Arianna. They granted me
custody, but it came too late to keep him from taking her away."
-
- Arianna sat spellbound by the story she had never heard before. Her eyes were locked
onto Xandras crystal blue gaze as her breath caught in her throat. She sat anxiously
waiting to hear the rest of Xandras explanation.
-
- Staring back into Ariannas sad violet eyes, Xandra continued. "I followed
them halfway around the world. Every time I almost caught up with him, DuMonte would
slither away to a new retreat, taking the child with him. Once I almost had them in
Marrakech, but he held a knife to her throat as she slept and told me to get out or
hed kill her on the spot. I knew he would do it so I was forced to let them go
again.
-
- I knew he was probably hurting her, but I had no idea how badly. She was just a child
and I had no conception that he was as warped and evil as he really was. The last time I
faced him in Hong Kong, he told me that if I kept chasing them, hed kill her. He was
tired of running and knew that threatening to murder her was the only way to stop me. I
tried to justify my compliance by telling myself that I was saving her life. That may have
been part of it, but after three years of chasing them around the world, I was just plain
tired.
-
- It was about that time that I got the news that my brother, Louis, was dying of the AIDS
virus. I wanted to go home and care for him, be with him during his last few months of
life. After he died, I immersed myself in the Amphipolis project and thoughts of Arianna
rarely broke my concentration."
-
- Pausing as she neared the end of her testimony, she drew a breath and stared directly
into Ariannas eyes as she spoke. "She was abused beyond all imagination. She
never knew that I followed just two steps behind, never quite able to touch her, to bring
her home. She thought I abandoned her, that I broke my promise to rescue her. That would
make any child learn to hate. She hated me, thats why she joined the pirates. Ari
only wanted revenge on me, not all of you. In her mind, she had every right to hate me. In
my mind I hated me too for giving up, for growing tired of the hunt, for going home to
heal my wounds while she still suffered. Without her help, DuMonte would have tortured
Sandy and probably killed me. She has already been punished enough and shes earned
redemption by her recent actions."
-
- As Xandra rose from her seat facing the council and stepped back to take her place next
to Brie, Ariannas gaze never left her face. Tears sparkled in her eyes as, for the
first time in her adult life, she realized that she had been loved. She deeply regretted
harming Xandra and her family and would placidly face any penalty the council imposed on
her.
-
- The next witness for Ariannas defense surprised everyone. From a doorway in the
back of the room, Sandra Lawless-OConner stepped forward to face the council. For a
child of four years, she walked with confidence often not found in those ten times her
age. She was every bit her mothers daughter and both women watched proudly as the
little girl hopped up into the seat Xandra had just vacated, her feet not even touching
the floor.
-
- "I like Ari." The child began, swinging her legs as she spoke. "She saved
me from the bad man. She was real scared, I could feel it, but she took care of me anyway.
He wanted to hurt me and I was really scared too, but she locked him in a room and hid me
until Mama could get there and save me. Please dont hurt her, I want her to come and
live with us."
-
- With that, the little girl hopped down from her seat and took Karyn Roses
outstretched hand. Indulgent smiles and one tear-filled violet gaze followed the
precocious child as Karyn led her from the room. Her testimony, although brief, had a
powerful effect on the council. Sandys simple words and her honest evaluation of
Ariannas emotions spoke volumes to those faced with deciding her fate.
-
- Although Sandys testimony had been short, Xandra had addressed the council for
nearly two hours and Sara thought it a good time to take a break. Art Hill came forward to
escort Arianna to a private room to refresh herself and try to eat something before once
again facing the council. The session was adjourned for lunch and Xandra wearily rose from
her chair, hands rubbing her sore back as she and Brie walked slowly toward the
settlements common kitchen to eat. Xandras appetite had outmatched even
Bries legendary love for food in the last few weeks and after the stress of the
morning session she was starving. Brie, on the other hand, couldnt eat a thing,
knowing she was to testify next.
-
-
- Two hours later Brie nervously faced the council. She was a bit intimidated by the
prospect of giving testimony for one of her patients. Revealing the kind of information
she was about to relate to the council would, in most cases, be a violation of
patient-doctor confidentiality. However, in order to help her case as much as possible,
Arianna had agreed to allow Brie to divulge personal information she had obtained in the
process of empathically treating her. Just how much she said was left up to Brie.
-
- "I was responsible for treating Dr. DuMonte first on the Artemis, then here
on Gaia. When I first examined her, her primary injury was a near-fatal disrupter wound to
the lower chest, involving her right lung. Upon closer examination I noted the presence of
a tremendous amount of scar tissue on various parts of her body. Dr. DuMontes back,
buttocks and thighs are covered with a thick layer of severely damaged flesh. The location
and the nature of the scar tissue are indicative of physical abuse over long periods of
time. Although healed now, it is obvious that Dr. DuMonte endured many years of painful
torture. Additionally, I found evidence of severe burns in various locations of the body,
some too unbelievable to mention. Finally, after a complete physical evaluation, it was
discovered that Dr. DuMonte has been rendered incapable of bearing children."
-
- Brie paused in her evaluation as her audience squirmed uncomfortably in their seats,
faced with irrefutable evidence of Ariannas miserable childhood.
-
- Swallowing hard, she continued with what, for her, was the hardest part of her
evaluation. "When Dr. DuMonte failed to respond to usual treatments, I empathically
entered her mind in an attempt to bring her out of a four month coma. These methods are
usually dangerous and only used as a last effort to save a patient. Psychological melding
is not part of physical empathic healing and can cause irreparable damage to both patient
and doctor if something goes wrong."
-
- Bries voice faded to a near whisper, her eyes glazed in painful remembrance.
"The things I saw in her mind were beyond anything Ive encountered in all my
years of training and practice. I cannot even repeat most of it here. I have submitted my
logs for the councils review, but even the nature of my reports cannot convey the
level of pain I found in the deepest recesses of this womans mind. As an empath
herself, the things Dr. DuMonte was subjected to would have killed a weaker person. The
fact that she matured into a productive member of society is nothing short of
miraculous."
-
- She paused, rubbing her aching temples as she recalled her experience in Ariannas
mind. "I discovered something about myself during this process. Something that scares
me and at the same time illustrates what a good-hearted woman the doctor is. I found a
hatred in me that I didnt know was possible. I wanted to hurt the man who had
damaged this precious child. And all at once I knew I could do it from within. I never
before contemplated the powers of an empath with a desire for revenge, but I can tell you
now that it would be a horrible way to go. For a few brief moments I wanted to cause Aaron
DuMonte to writhe and burn in a hell of my making. If hed been alive, I dont
know if I could have stopped myself.
-
- Arianna treated DuMonte for cryo-sickness just days before Sandy was kidnapped. Knowing
what I know now, I dont know how she resisted killing him herself. I dont
think I could have been so charitable. She is obviously a profoundly compassionate healer
and, with additional psychological treatment, she could be a tremendous asset to the
colony. Her inability to bear children will not prevent her from contributing to the gene
pool and her empathic talents would be very valuable both as a working member of the
population and in adding dimension to the genetic diversity of future generations."
-
- Xandra was stunned by her soulmates confession of hatred towards DuMonte. She
didnt know that Brie was capable of wanting to hurt anyone, but she suddenly found
her own hate-driven actions more understandable, if not acceptable. Gently she took
Bries hand as the doctor settled in her seat and dropped her gaze, silently waiting
for the accused to take her place before the council.
-
- Dark circles showed beneath pain-filled eyes, set above sunken cheeks as Arianna faced
the council. The last few months had been hell as she continued to work with Brie and Sara
as both counselors and friends. Her fear of what the council would do to her overshadowed
her recovery, affecting both her appetite and her ability to sleep.
-
- "I freely admit to both charges against me. I am ashamed to admit that I did these
things. My actions nearly caused the deaths of Xandra and her daughter and yet they both
come here to speak for me. Dr. OConner healed me in spite of my actions against her
partner and daughter. Most important, today I finally know that Xandra didnt abandon
me
that she tried to help me. That means more to me than anything else. For the first
time in my life I have friends and that feels very good.
-
- Whether you terminate my life or allow me to become a member of the settlement, I want
you to know that I will accept my fate with a whole heart for the first time since my
mother died. But I ask you to consider the words of my friends and allow me to have a
chance at a normal life. If you do, I promise that you will never regret it."
-
- Ariannas passionate words echoed in the silent council chamber. After several long
moments, Sara rose and announced the end of the proceedings. "This council session is
adjourned. The council will retire to consider testimony and render judgement."
-
-
- Chapter 15
-
- The council debated long into the night. Coming to a decision regarding Arianna had
taken little discussion and even less time, but there were other, related issues that
needed to be dealt with and one topic lead them effortless to the next. Sara was tired and
growing bored as they considered how to handle the remainder of the sleepers.
-
- Rubbing her burning eyes, she tried to pay attention to what Karyn Rose was saying.
"I know you dont want to face it, but some of them wont want to be part
of our community. Worse than that, there are some of them that we wont want
here either. We cant give them a ship and let them go their merry way. They know our
coordinates and one of them is bound to come back to take what weve worked so hard
for. None of us wants to execute them. So what are the alternatives?"
-
- Xandra had been listening to the entire discussion with a pensive expression. All
theyve been able to agree on is what not to do. Shifting in her seat, she
wondered what it would be like to be comfortable, even for just a few moments. It felt
like she had been pregnant forever. As the weeks passed, she was increasingly aware of the
pain in her lower back. Her legs ached constantly and her breasts felt heavy and sore. Stop
feeling sorry for yourself and get these people focused so you can go home and lay down.
-
- Just as Xandra was about to intervene, Brie rose from her seat and addressed the
council. "I have an idea, and while it might not be the best solution, I think it's
one we can all live with."
-
- She paused for effect, waiting until she was sure she had their undivided attention.
"We could transport them to another continent on Gaia. Maybe provide some basic
supplies and equipment
nothing we couldnt make do without. Let them set up
their own settlement or kill each other off, it would be up to them.
-
- Now before you dismiss the idea as too lenient or dangerous to future generations, take
a minute to consider penal colonies in Earth history. Australia, for example,
began as a penal colony. Over time, it became one of the great nations of Earth. Exile is
not a new idea. Societies have been exiling their criminals since the beginning of time.
It is a rather benevolent way of dealing with wrong-doers, while protecting the general
population. Remember, this isnt like exiling someone to live
or
die
outside the bio-domes. If they work hard and cooperate, they can
survive
even prosper.
-
- We can chose a location as far from here as possible, but one that will enable them to
make a future for themselves without undue hardship. Without modern technology they
wont be able to return and cause trouble. As long as our ships and communications
equipment remain intact, we can even monitor their progress and intervene with another
solution if this one fails."
-
- Bries suggestion instantly became the subject of another round of intense
discussion. This time though, the council members were working out the details of what
they could do.
-
- Unable to endure the uncomfortable chair any longer, Xandra rose and moved silently
toward the door. Brie watched her soulmate leave, glad that she had finally decided to go
home and get some rest. The doctors trained eyes studied the position of the child
Xandra was carrying and she could have sworn that her partners burden was sitting
lower than it had been the day before. Shes closer than we thought. It
shouldnt be too long now. I just hope it isnt too hard on her. After all
shes been through, the possibilities for complications are endless.
-
- Brie edged her way to the door, following her soulmate into the cold night air. As tired
as the doctor was, she knew Xandra must be completely exhausted. Smiling to herself, she
picked up her pace in an effort to catch her long-legged partner. Even as large as Xandra
had become over the past few weeks, Brie had trouble keeping up with her when she was in a
hurry.
-
- "Hey there," she called to her lover. "Wait for me."
-
- Xandra paused and turned to watch Brie hurry toward her. Wrapping her arm around her
partner, she leaned down to brush her lips against Bries inviting mouth. Smiling,
the two women turned toward home and the promise of a warm bed and a good nights
sleep.
-
-
- Arianna, on the other hand, found sleep impossible. Tonight, she was alone for the first
time since awakening from the coma. Sara had stayed with her the entire time she was in
the infirmary. When she was well enough to move to regular quarters, there had been a bit
of a dilemma over where to house her. Sara had solved that easily by inviting her to stay
in the medics quarters. Although not overly large, Saras home was spacious
enough to allow the two women to live comfortably together. Hard as it was to admit, even
to herself, she found quiet pleasure in the sensitive womans company.
-
- Missing Saras comforting presence, she allowed her mind to wander. No matter how
she tried, her thoughts repeatedly returned to the revelations of the day. Closing her
eyes, she played Xandras words over in her mind. Shed meant what she had said
to the council
it didnt matter what they did to her. The gift shed been
given today could never be taken away from her. Knowing that Xandra had worked so hard to
free her from her father went a long way toward healing her battered soul.
-
- Sandys testimony had been a big surprise too. In the simple words of a child, she
had been made to look more the hero than the villain. She had been stunned to learn that
the young girl was not only an empath, but that she had been powerful enough to sense
emotions and understand them at such a tender age. Thinking back on it, she realized that
she had not developed those abilities until adolescence.
-
- Bries testimony, however, had been the strangest of all. Clinical at the onset,
the doctor had moved from just reporting the facts, to using those facts to illustrate all
the reasons Arianna should be allowed to join the colony. She had even revealed a dark
side to her own soul that had stunned Ari. For the first time, Arianna considered the real
reasons she hadnt wanted to attempt empathic healing with her father. She realized
that, once in his mind, the temptation to destroy him slowly and painfully would have been
too much to resist.
-
- A million random thoughts spun around in her mind as exhaustion slowly won out over
worry. When Sara returned, hours later, the young empath was softly snoring.
-
-
- Bright sunlight flooded the council chamber as a crisp autumn breeze wafted through the
open doorway. Most of the council members were already seated when Art led Arianna to her
place at the front of the room and took his own seat. Many people had crowded into the
large room to hear the councils decision. Sara smiled reassuringly at her new friend
before rising to face the gathered citizens.
-
- "After hearing from some of our most respected citizens and many hours of
deliberation, we have made our decision. We have no precedent for judging another human
being, and agreed that we didnt want to emulate the patrician methods practiced on
Earth. The informal way we have chosen to communicate our findings in no way diminishes
their importance."
-
- Turning her gaze on the young doctor, Sara continued speaking. "Arianna DuMonte, we
have heard your story and wonder if any of us would have done as well in your position.
You have endured great hardship and survived a horrifying childhood to grow into the fine
young woman who sits among us today. A woman, who in spite of her fears, was willing to
sacrifice her life to save Xandra and Sandy. Arianna, we invite you to join us, to become
a part of our life on Gaia. We would all benefit from the addition of your skills to our
settlement and wisdom to our future."
-
- Eyes shining with unshed tears, Arianna could only nod her acceptance as she whispered
her thanks. Overwhelmed by a myriad of emotions, she lowered her head, only vaguely aware
that Sara was explaining how the council would handle the rest of the pirates. For
Arianna, there was only happiness and relief, profound gratitude and a sense of belonging.
She promised herself in that moment that she would work hard -- to become a valuable
member of this community and a valued friend to these people who had accepted and welcomed
her.
-
-
- Chapter 16
-
- Xandra forced herself to fully awaken and struggled to raise her body from their bed.
Brie had awakened earlier to put in a few hours at the infirmary before joining her
partner later in the day. Despite her overwhelming exhaustion and the nagging pains in her
lower back, she was determined to get up and get dressed. This morning her favorite hawk
was to be released and she needed to be there to say good-bye
to watch as he spread
his wings and rose from her fist one last time.
-
- Very few things caused Xandra to feel strong emotion. Her love for Brie and Sandy could
bring tears of wonder to her eyes, but something about watching another wild thing gain
its freedom spoke to her soul. It was almost as if she were being set free with
them. Of course, everything about her life on Gaia was freedom itself. Perhaps this joy
she felt was in her ability to share this wonderful feeling with the creatures in her
care.
-
- As she dressed silently, she recalled the events of the last few days. Shed spent
quite a bit of time with Arianna and had been able to let go of much of her guilt. Their
quiet talks seemed to help the other woman as well. Xandra was delighted by the way her
fellow colonists were welcoming Ari to their group. People were warm and friendly, helping
the young doctor to forget that she had once been counted among their enemies.
-
- Xandra caught her breath as a wave of pain rippled across her back and around her belly.
Brief, but powerful, it left her nearly doubled over. Regaining her control, she
straightened and rubbed her aching back. Shed had these cramps several times in the
last week. After the first one, she had hoped that she was in labor and that it would soon
be over, but each time she was disappointed.
-
- Her mind still occupied with Arianna, she slowly made her way toward the mews. She had
been delighted to see Ari smile and hoped laughter too would soon be in her grasp. The
satisfied expression of the young doctor engrossed in her work reminded Xandra of herself
at the same age. But she was most surprised by the relationship developing between Arianna
and Sara. Oh, there was nothing obvious, but the soul-full gazes and the soft lingering
touches did not escape Xandras acute powers of observation.
-
- Sighing with frustration as she struggled up the small incline to the aviary, Xandra
wondered if this baby would ever come. Maybe todays hiking excursion would hasten
her delivery. She could only hope.
-
- Entering the clearing that housed the raptor compound, Xandra was once again stunned by
the beauty of her surroundings. It seemed that the longer she lived on this gloriously
untouched planet, the greater her need to experience its wild beauty. The brightly focused
sunlight of a late autumn morning cast deep shadows across the clearing, causing the
dappled rays to alternately illuminate the brightly colored leaves of the trees
surrounding them. The brilliant carpet of fallen leaves below reflected the reds, golds
and oranges above. Xandra listened intently as the rustle of wind in the trees played
counterpoint to the crunching of leaves beneath her feet.
-
- Art had arrived a bit earlier and had made all the necessary preparations for the
days excursion. Since her injury, Art had taken over most of her work with the birds
and with her patient instruction, was now a reasonably proficient falconer. Although he
was fully capable of releasing the hawk without her supervision, Xandra wanted to be
present to release this one.
-
- "Morning Xandra, how are you feeling?" Art asked as his concerned gaze swept
over her disproportionate figure.
-
- "I feel like a whale on land and Im moving with about as much grace."
She ran her hands over the aching spot in her lower back as she spoke. "Got
everything ready?" she asked. The stocky man nodded as she continued.
"Youll have to get him out of the mews, Im afraid I cant fit
through the door." She smiled ruefully as she glanced down at her protruding belly.
-
- On the workbench at the center of the clearing lay her glove, the hood and the special
jesses she had fashioned recently in her many free hours. These jesses were different from
the ones they normally used. Because this hawk would be released when they reached their
destination, his ankle straps had been removed the night before. The new jesses were made
of a very soft leather and would, with a series of twists, encircle the hawks legs in
place of the straps. She would remove these jesses just before release, leaving the hawk
unencumbered on his last flight to freedom.
-
- The hood was necessary to blind him, keeping him calm during the long walk to the
release location. Normally, she could have controlled him without the use of a hood, but
her pregnancy had left her somewhat imbalanced. He was very strong and she didnt
want to take a chance on him baiting from her fist in his excitement and knocking her
down.
-
- As the two worked to complete their preparations, they discussed the provisions Art had
made to ensure that the hawk would not starve as he learned to make his own way. They
would not normally have released the animal this late in the year, with winter
threatening, but they hoped he would find and mate with the female red tail they had
released earlier in the summer.
-
- Brie jogged breathlessly into the clearing just as they were about to leave. "Thank
goodness I got here in time. I wanted to go with you but I thought Id never get
away. It seems that half of the
- women in the settlement are going into labor this morning."
-
- Everyone but me, Xandra thought with a weary sigh. "Lets go
then."
-
- Art nodded and grabbed the newly made jesses as he turned to enter the mews that housed
the red tail hawk Xandra had aptly named Hercules. After a few minutes, he emerged with
the magnificent creature resting comfortably on his fist. Xandra stepped in closely behind
him and raised her gloved hand to press gently against the back of the hawks legs,
encouraging him to step up and back onto her own fist.
-
- Hercules keened a low greeting to the woman who had raised him. Smiling, she answered
with low, soothing sounds from the back of her throat. Raising her free hand over his
head, she lowered the hood to rest over his eyes and, grabbing the free end of the
drawstring between her teeth, she tugged gently, tightening the device securely, but
comfortably over his head.
-
- Brie fell into step with Xandra as they began their short hike to the release area.
Xandra walked slowly, the weight of the hawk on her fist straining the recently unused
muscles in her left arm. She was determined that regardless of the discomfort, she would
carry her friend to his new home in the wilds of Gaia.
-
- Enjoying the quiet of the forest, the three walked in companionable silence. The few
short miles to their destination went more slowly than usual as Brie and Art kept pace
with Xandras long but carefully placed steps. In her overburdened state, the usually
powerful woman struggled up and down the slight inclines of the wooded path. The ache in
her lower back had grown worse over the last few hours until she was now in almost
constant pain. Her companions attributed her silence to the pending loss of her beloved
Hercules, when in fact, she would revel in this triumph.
-
- Arriving in another clearing deep in the forest, Xandra scanned the area with her sharp
gaze. The faint sounds of abundant wildlife all around them insured that this would be a
good place for her friend to begin his life as a free creature. In this same spot several
months ago, they had released Demeter, the female red tail Xandra hoped would eventually
mate with Hercules. These two had been her finest rehabilitation efforts to date. They had
been monitoring Demeters movements through an electronic implant over the last few
months and knew that she still frequented this area as part of her hunting grounds.
-
- She paused to catch her breath as Brie looked on, concern evident in her emerald eyes.
Gathering her remaining strength, Xandra straightened and deftly removed the hood and
jesses from the sleek raptor. Speaking softly to the hawk as she worked, Xandra bade a
fond farewell to her friend. Handing the falconry equipment to Art, who neatly tucked
everything into a pouch at his waist, she mentally prepared for the final release.
-
- Raising her arm high above her head, Xandra keened sharply to Hercules and lifted her
fist in a sharp movement as the hawk spread his magnificent wings and rose effortlessly
into the air. As they watched, Hercules flapped his powerful wings a few times, then
riding the thermal air currents, began to soar high above them. Xandras eyes clouded
with emotion as she watched this remarkable creature glide effortlessly beyond her range
of sight.
-
- Farewell my friend she thought as the stared into the empty sky, I will miss
you.
-
- Sliding the glove from her hand, she moved to tuck it in its place at her waist, then
stopped, remembering that, presently, she had no waist. Handing the glove to Art with a
wry grin, she said, "Here, you carry this. I dont seem to have a place to put
it at the moment."
-
- As they turned to leave the clearing, Xandras expression was an odd mixture of
joy, sadness and the utter exhaustion that threatened to overwhelm her. Leaning heavily on
her soulmate as they walked, her pace was even slower than before. The pain in her back
had migrated and was now tightening the muscles in her belly with each new spasm. Still
she was able to control her expression so that Brie believed that she was simply tired
from the strenuous hike.
-
- Only a short distance from the settlement, Xandras control slipped when a
particularly brutal pain struck and she gasped loudly. A warm wetness flowed down her
legs, soaking both her tunic and the ground below her. Brie, now aware that Xandras
labor had begun, supported her lover as the pain subsided.
-
- "Umm
Xandra? I think your water just broke. Can you make it to the infirmary
or should I get someone to help us carry you?"
-
- Laughing harshly in her discomfort, Xandra responded. "Id better be able to
make it. I dont think anyone can lift me as big as Ive gotten."
-
-
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