Abduction (15 page)
Authors: Robin Cook
Tags: #Fiction, #Suspense, #Onbekend, #Unabridged Audio - Fiction, #Suspense & Thriller
Suzanne picked up her own fork to gauge its weight. "I was thinking about that earlier," she said.
"Surprisingly enough, I believe it is."
"No shit!" Michael said. He picked up the plate and hefted the two items. "We got a small fortune here." "We're being treated okay for the moment," Donald said, returning to the main topic. "You think it is going to change?" Perry asked. "It could change in a second," Donald said with a snap of his fingers. "As soon as they've gotten whatever it is they want, who knows what will happen. We're completely vulnerable." "It could change, but I don't think it will," Suzanne said. "How can you be so sure?" Donald demanded. "I can't be sure," Suzanne admitted. "But it stands to reason. Look around. These people, whoever they are, are so advanced. They don't need anything from us. In fact I think we stand to learn extraordinary things from them."
"I know we've been avoiding this issue," Perry said. "But when you say they are so advanced, are you suggesting that these people are aliens?" Perry's question brought on another period of silence. No one knew quite what to think much less say. "You mean like people from another planet?" Michael said finally. "I don't know what I'm suggesting," Suzanne said. "But we all experienced the astounding ride in the saucer. It must represent some kind of maglev technology that none of us has ever heard of. And we're supposed to be under the ocean, which I still have trouble accepting. But I have to tell all of you. The Mohorovicic discontinuity definitely exists, and no one ever has been able to explain it." Richard waved a dismissive hand. "These people are no aliens. Christ, did you see those girls! Hell, I've seen a lot of movies about aliens, and they sure didn't look like these people." "They could be altering their appearance to our liking," Suzanne said. "Yeah," Michael said. "That's what I thought at first. We're dreaming they look so good." "That's why I don't give a goddamn," Richard said. "It's what's in my mind that counts. If I think they're gorgeous, they're gorgeous."
"The real issue is their motives," Donald said. "It was no accident that brought us here. It's even more apparent that we were literally sucked down that shaft. They want something from us or we'd already be dead."
"I think you are right that we were specifically brought here," Suzanne said. "Sufa admitted several things to me. First, she confirmed that what we'd gone through was a decontamination." "But why were we decontaminated?" Perry asked.
"Surprisingly enough, I believe it is."
"No shit!" Michael said. He picked up the plate and hefted the two items. "We got a small fortune here." "We're being treated okay for the moment," Donald said, returning to the main topic. "You think it is going to change?" Perry asked. "It could change in a second," Donald said with a snap of his fingers. "As soon as they've gotten whatever it is they want, who knows what will happen. We're completely vulnerable." "It could change, but I don't think it will," Suzanne said. "How can you be so sure?" Donald demanded. "I can't be sure," Suzanne admitted. "But it stands to reason. Look around. These people, whoever they are, are so advanced. They don't need anything from us. In fact I think we stand to learn extraordinary things from them."
"I know we've been avoiding this issue," Perry said. "But when you say they are so advanced, are you suggesting that these people are aliens?" Perry's question brought on another period of silence. No one knew quite what to think much less say. "You mean like people from another planet?" Michael said finally. "I don't know what I'm suggesting," Suzanne said. "But we all experienced the astounding ride in the saucer. It must represent some kind of maglev technology that none of us has ever heard of. And we're supposed to be under the ocean, which I still have trouble accepting. But I have to tell all of you. The Mohorovicic discontinuity definitely exists, and no one ever has been able to explain it." Richard waved a dismissive hand. "These people are no aliens. Christ, did you see those girls! Hell, I've seen a lot of movies about aliens, and they sure didn't look like these people." "They could be altering their appearance to our liking," Suzanne said. "Yeah," Michael said. "That's what I thought at first. We're dreaming they look so good." "That's why I don't give a goddamn," Richard said. "It's what's in my mind that counts. If I think they're gorgeous, they're gorgeous."
"The real issue is their motives," Donald said. "It was no accident that brought us here. It's even more apparent that we were literally sucked down that shaft. They want something from us or we'd already be dead."
"I think you are right that we were specifically brought here," Suzanne said. "Sufa admitted several things to me. First, she confirmed that what we'd gone through was a decontamination." "But why were we decontaminated?" Perry asked.
"She didn't say," Suzanne said. "But she admitted that they have had visitors like us in the past."
"Now that is interesting," Donald said. "Did she say what happened to them?" "No, she didn't," Suzanne said.
"Well, you guys can worry yourselves sick," Richard commented. Then he put his head back and yelled. "Worker clones, come!"
Instantly two humanoids appeared, one male and one female. Richard took one look at the female and glanced at Michael conspiratorially. "Pay dirt!" he whispered with unbridled excitement. "Richard," Suzanne called. "I want you to promise that you will not do anything that will embarrass us or put us in jeopardy as a group."
"What are you, my mother?" he asked. Then he glanced up at the female worker clone and said: "How about some more of that dessert, honey?" "Me, too," Michael said. He clanked his golden fork on his golden dish. Donald started to rise but Perry restrained him again. "No fighting," Perry said. "It's no use." Richard smiled provocatively at Donald, relishing the man's frustration and anger. A soft chime interrupted the muted background music and echoed about the room. A moment later Arak energetically swept into view. He was attired in the standard fashion with a small addition. Around his neck was a plain blue velvet ribbon that perfectly matched the particular blue hue of his eyes. It was tied in a simple bow.
"Hello, my friends," he called exuberantly. "I trust that your meal was to your liking." "It was great," Richard answered. "But what is it made out of? I mean, it doesn't look anything like what it tastes like."
"It's mostly planktonic proteins and vegetable carbohydrates," Arak said. He rubbed his hands enthusiastically. "Now then! What about the celebration I mentioned to you earlier? You have no idea how many people here in Saranta are extremely pleased about your arrival to our city. We've had to turn people away. You see, we're not a city that gets many visitors from your world: certainly not like Atlantis to the east or Barsama to the west. Everyone is anxious to meet you. So that brings us to the pivotal question: are you willing to come over to the pavilion or are you too tired from the decon?" "Where's the pavilion?" Michael asked.
"Right there," Arak said, pointing out the open end of the dining hall. "The celebration is to be held in the pavilion here on the visitors' palace grounds. It's very convenient. In fact it's only a little more than a hundred yards, so we can walk. What do you all say?" "Count me in," Richard said. "I never pass up a party." "Likewise," Michael said.
"Now that is interesting," Donald said. "Did she say what happened to them?" "No, she didn't," Suzanne said.
"Well, you guys can worry yourselves sick," Richard commented. Then he put his head back and yelled. "Worker clones, come!"
Instantly two humanoids appeared, one male and one female. Richard took one look at the female and glanced at Michael conspiratorially. "Pay dirt!" he whispered with unbridled excitement. "Richard," Suzanne called. "I want you to promise that you will not do anything that will embarrass us or put us in jeopardy as a group."
"What are you, my mother?" he asked. Then he glanced up at the female worker clone and said: "How about some more of that dessert, honey?" "Me, too," Michael said. He clanked his golden fork on his golden dish. Donald started to rise but Perry restrained him again. "No fighting," Perry said. "It's no use." Richard smiled provocatively at Donald, relishing the man's frustration and anger. A soft chime interrupted the muted background music and echoed about the room. A moment later Arak energetically swept into view. He was attired in the standard fashion with a small addition. Around his neck was a plain blue velvet ribbon that perfectly matched the particular blue hue of his eyes. It was tied in a simple bow.
"Hello, my friends," he called exuberantly. "I trust that your meal was to your liking." "It was great," Richard answered. "But what is it made out of? I mean, it doesn't look anything like what it tastes like."
"It's mostly planktonic proteins and vegetable carbohydrates," Arak said. He rubbed his hands enthusiastically. "Now then! What about the celebration I mentioned to you earlier? You have no idea how many people here in Saranta are extremely pleased about your arrival to our city. We've had to turn people away. You see, we're not a city that gets many visitors from your world: certainly not like Atlantis to the east or Barsama to the west. Everyone is anxious to meet you. So that brings us to the pivotal question: are you willing to come over to the pavilion or are you too tired from the decon?" "Where's the pavilion?" Michael asked.
"Right there," Arak said, pointing out the open end of the dining hall. "The celebration is to be held in the pavilion here on the visitors' palace grounds. It's very convenient. In fact it's only a little more than a hundred yards, so we can walk. What do you all say?" "Count me in," Richard said. "I never pass up a party." "Likewise," Michael said.
"Splendid!" Arak said. "What about the rest of you?"
There was an awkward silence. Perry eventually cleared his throat. "Arak, to be truthful, we're a little nervous."
"I'd use a stronger word," Donald said. "Frankly, before we do anything, we'd like to have some idea who you people are and why we are here. We know our presence is not an accident. To put it bluntly, we know we were abducted."
"I empathize with your concerns and your curiosity," Arak said. He spread his hands palms up in a conciliatory gesture. "But, please, for tonight allow my experience to prevail. I've dealt with visitors to our world before, not terribly many, it is true, and not in as large a group, but still enough to know what is best. Tomorrow I will answer all your questions." "Why wait?" Donald demanded. "Why not tell us now?" "You don't realize how stressful the decon procedure was," Arak said. "Can you at least tell us how long the procedure lasted?" Suzanne asked. "A little more than one of your months," Arak said. "We were asleep for over a month?" Michael questioned in disbelief. "Essentially, yes," Arak said. "And it's stressful on the brain as well as the body. Tomorrow you will have to deal with more startling information. We've learned that it is easier to absorb when our visitors are rested. Even one night makes a big difference. So please, tonight relax, either here together or alone in your lodges or, best of all, with us at our celebration of your arrival." Perry searched Arak's face. The man's blue eyes held his gaze and exuded a sincerity he could not deny. "Okay," he said. "At this point I don't think I can sleep anyway. So, I'll come, but tomorrow I'm going to hold you to your word."
"Fair enough," Arak said. He looked at Suzanne. "And Dr. Newell, what is your pleasure?" "I'll come," Suzanne said.
"Marvelous," Arak said. "And you, Mr. Fuller? What is your decision?" "No," Donald said. "Under the circumstances I would find celebrating rather difficult." "Very well," Arak said, rubbing his hands again in obvious delight. "This is wonderful indeed. I'm glad most of you are willing to come. There would have been a lot of disappointed people if I had returned alone. Mr. Fuller, I understand your feelings and respect them. Please enjoy your rest. The worker clones will do your bidding."
Donald nodded morosely.
"Now, let's get on our way," Arak said to the others. He motioned toward the open end of the dining hall.
There was an awkward silence. Perry eventually cleared his throat. "Arak, to be truthful, we're a little nervous."
"I'd use a stronger word," Donald said. "Frankly, before we do anything, we'd like to have some idea who you people are and why we are here. We know our presence is not an accident. To put it bluntly, we know we were abducted."
"I empathize with your concerns and your curiosity," Arak said. He spread his hands palms up in a conciliatory gesture. "But, please, for tonight allow my experience to prevail. I've dealt with visitors to our world before, not terribly many, it is true, and not in as large a group, but still enough to know what is best. Tomorrow I will answer all your questions." "Why wait?" Donald demanded. "Why not tell us now?" "You don't realize how stressful the decon procedure was," Arak said. "Can you at least tell us how long the procedure lasted?" Suzanne asked. "A little more than one of your months," Arak said. "We were asleep for over a month?" Michael questioned in disbelief. "Essentially, yes," Arak said. "And it's stressful on the brain as well as the body. Tomorrow you will have to deal with more startling information. We've learned that it is easier to absorb when our visitors are rested. Even one night makes a big difference. So please, tonight relax, either here together or alone in your lodges or, best of all, with us at our celebration of your arrival." Perry searched Arak's face. The man's blue eyes held his gaze and exuded a sincerity he could not deny. "Okay," he said. "At this point I don't think I can sleep anyway. So, I'll come, but tomorrow I'm going to hold you to your word."
"Fair enough," Arak said. He looked at Suzanne. "And Dr. Newell, what is your pleasure?" "I'll come," Suzanne said.
"Marvelous," Arak said. "And you, Mr. Fuller? What is your decision?" "No," Donald said. "Under the circumstances I would find celebrating rather difficult." "Very well," Arak said, rubbing his hands again in obvious delight. "This is wonderful indeed. I'm glad most of you are willing to come. There would have been a lot of disappointed people if I had returned alone. Mr. Fuller, I understand your feelings and respect them. Please enjoy your rest. The worker clones will do your bidding."
Donald nodded morosely.
"Now, let's get on our way," Arak said to the others. He motioned toward the open end of the dining hall.
"Will there be eats at this party?" Richard asked.
"Absolutely," Arak said. "The finest Saranta can muster." "Then I'll skip seconds on my dessert," Richard said. He tossed his spoon onto the table, stood up, stretched, and belched loudly.
Suzanne glared at him. "Richard, have some respect for the rest of us even if you don't have it for yourself."
"But I do," Richard said with a sly smile. "I restrained myself from farting in this mixed company." Arak laughed. "Richard, you are going to be a big hit. You're delightfully primitive." "Are you yanking my chain?" Richard asked. "Not at all," Arak said. "You'll be in great demand, I assure you. Come on! Let's show you off!" With a wave, Arak started toward the open end of the room. "All right!" Richard said, giving Michael an enthusiastic thumbs-up sign. Michael returned it with equal exuberance.
"Let's party!" Michael cried. The two divers eagerly followed Arak. Suzanne looked at Perry, who shrugged and said, "This is crazy, going to a celebration under these circumstances, but we might as well take it all in stride." Then she glanced at Donald. "Are you sure you don't want to come?" "Yeah, I'm sure," Donald said gloomily. "But if you two want to fraternize, be my guests." "I'm going because I might learn some more," Suzanne said. "Not to fraternize, as you put it." "Come on!" Perry called from the far end of the room. "We'll see you later," Suzanne said. She hurried after Perry and the others, who were already on their way across the lawn.
Donald mulled over what Arak had said. All he knew for sure was that he didn't trust him. From Donald's point of view the man was too ingratiating. All this fantastic hospitality had to be some kind of trap. Yet Donald had no idea for what purpose other than to get them off their guard. Donald turned and looked out the end of the room. The group was halfway to the columned pavilion and silhouetted against its illuminated exterior. Redirecting his eyes, Donald stared at the two worker clones, who were standing motionless to the side against the wall. They appeared so human it was hard for Donald to believe they were part machine as Arak had said. Maybe it was just another lie, Donald thought.
"Worker, I want some more drink," Donald said.
"Absolutely," Arak said. "The finest Saranta can muster." "Then I'll skip seconds on my dessert," Richard said. He tossed his spoon onto the table, stood up, stretched, and belched loudly.
Suzanne glared at him. "Richard, have some respect for the rest of us even if you don't have it for yourself."
"But I do," Richard said with a sly smile. "I restrained myself from farting in this mixed company." Arak laughed. "Richard, you are going to be a big hit. You're delightfully primitive." "Are you yanking my chain?" Richard asked. "Not at all," Arak said. "You'll be in great demand, I assure you. Come on! Let's show you off!" With a wave, Arak started toward the open end of the room. "All right!" Richard said, giving Michael an enthusiastic thumbs-up sign. Michael returned it with equal exuberance.
"Let's party!" Michael cried. The two divers eagerly followed Arak. Suzanne looked at Perry, who shrugged and said, "This is crazy, going to a celebration under these circumstances, but we might as well take it all in stride." Then she glanced at Donald. "Are you sure you don't want to come?" "Yeah, I'm sure," Donald said gloomily. "But if you two want to fraternize, be my guests." "I'm going because I might learn some more," Suzanne said. "Not to fraternize, as you put it." "Come on!" Perry called from the far end of the room. "We'll see you later," Suzanne said. She hurried after Perry and the others, who were already on their way across the lawn.
Donald mulled over what Arak had said. All he knew for sure was that he didn't trust him. From Donald's point of view the man was too ingratiating. All this fantastic hospitality had to be some kind of trap. Yet Donald had no idea for what purpose other than to get them off their guard. Donald turned and looked out the end of the room. The group was halfway to the columned pavilion and silhouetted against its illuminated exterior. Redirecting his eyes, Donald stared at the two worker clones, who were standing motionless to the side against the wall. They appeared so human it was hard for Donald to believe they were part machine as Arak had said. Maybe it was just another lie, Donald thought.
"Worker, I want some more drink," Donald said.
The female worker clone immediately picked up the pitcher on the sideboard and stepped over to the
table. Her shoulder-length hair was sorrel colored. She had pale, translucent skin. Leaning over she began to fill Donald's cup.
Donald suddenly grabbed her wrist without warning. Her skin felt cold beneath his fingers. She did not jump or even appreciably respond. Instead she kept on pouring. Donald tightened his grip to get a reaction, but it was to no avail. The woman finished filling the glass then righted the pitcher despite Donald's grasp. Donald was taken aback. The woman was shockingly strong.
Tilting his head back Donald looked up into the woman's frozen face. She did not try to detach herself from his grasp but rather blankly returned his stare. Donald let go of the woman's arm. "What is your name?" he asked.
She did not respond verbally or in any other fashion. Other than rhythmical breathing there was no other movement. She didn't even blink.
"Worker clone, speak!" Donald ordered.
Silence persisted. Donald looked over at the male worker clone, but there was no response from him either.
"How come you people work and the others don't?" Donald asked. There was no response from either clone. "All right," Donald said. "Workers, leave!" Instantly the two workers went to the door from which they'd come and disappeared. Donald got up and opened the door. Beyond it, a stairway descended into darkness. Closing the door, Donald walked over to the open end of the room. He looked out at the scene. The light, which had been so bright earlier, had faded, as if the nonexistent sun had nearly set. Donald could just make out Arak and the others approaching the pavilion. He shook his head. He wondered again if he was dreaming. Everything seemed so bizarre yet disturbingly real. He felt his arms and his face. He felt normal to his touch.
Donald took a deep breath. Intuitively he knew that he was facing the most demanding mission of his career. He hoped that his training wouldn't fail him, particularly his training regarding being a prisoner of war.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
In their own scatological vernacular, Richard and Michael were "scared shitless," but their unspoken credo was to deny it. Just like their reaction to the perils of saturation diving they responded with a distorted macho bravado designed to conceal their true feelings. "Do you think those girls we saw earlier will be here at the party?" Richard asked Michael. They had
table. Her shoulder-length hair was sorrel colored. She had pale, translucent skin. Leaning over she began to fill Donald's cup.
Donald suddenly grabbed her wrist without warning. Her skin felt cold beneath his fingers. She did not jump or even appreciably respond. Instead she kept on pouring. Donald tightened his grip to get a reaction, but it was to no avail. The woman finished filling the glass then righted the pitcher despite Donald's grasp. Donald was taken aback. The woman was shockingly strong.
Tilting his head back Donald looked up into the woman's frozen face. She did not try to detach herself from his grasp but rather blankly returned his stare. Donald let go of the woman's arm. "What is your name?" he asked.
She did not respond verbally or in any other fashion. Other than rhythmical breathing there was no other movement. She didn't even blink.
"Worker clone, speak!" Donald ordered.
Silence persisted. Donald looked over at the male worker clone, but there was no response from him either.
"How come you people work and the others don't?" Donald asked. There was no response from either clone. "All right," Donald said. "Workers, leave!" Instantly the two workers went to the door from which they'd come and disappeared. Donald got up and opened the door. Beyond it, a stairway descended into darkness. Closing the door, Donald walked over to the open end of the room. He looked out at the scene. The light, which had been so bright earlier, had faded, as if the nonexistent sun had nearly set. Donald could just make out Arak and the others approaching the pavilion. He shook his head. He wondered again if he was dreaming. Everything seemed so bizarre yet disturbingly real. He felt his arms and his face. He felt normal to his touch.
Donald took a deep breath. Intuitively he knew that he was facing the most demanding mission of his career. He hoped that his training wouldn't fail him, particularly his training regarding being a prisoner of war.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
In their own scatological vernacular, Richard and Michael were "scared shitless," but their unspoken credo was to deny it. Just like their reaction to the perils of saturation diving they responded with a distorted macho bravado designed to conceal their true feelings. "Do you think those girls we saw earlier will be here at the party?" Richard asked Michael. They had
lagged a few steps behind the others en route to the celebration in the pavilion.
"We can always hope," Michael responded. They walked in silence for a few steps. They could hear Arak talking with Suzanne and Perry, but they didn't care to listen.
"Do you really think we were asleep for over a month?" Michael asked. Richard stopped short. "You're not going soft on me, are you?" "No!" Michael insisted. "I was just asking." Sleep had never been the solace for Michael that it was for others. As a child he used to be plagued with nightmares. After he'd gone to sleep, his father would come home drunk and beat up his mother. When he woke up, he tried to intervene, but the result was always the same: he, too, was beaten. Unfortunately, the process of sleep got inextricably associated with these episodes, so for Michael the idea of being asleep for a month was a source of enormous anxiety. "Hello!" Richard said while giving Michael a series of slaps on the face. "Anybody home?" Michael deflected Richard's irritating jabs. "Cut it out!" "Remember, we're not worrying about all this horseshit," Richard said. "There's something screwy going on here sure as shooting, but who cares. We're going to enjoy ourselves, not like that jerk, Fuller. God! Just listening to him talk makes me glad we were tossed out of the freakin' Navy. Otherwise we'd be taking orders from guys like him."
"Of course we're going to enjoy ourselves," Michael insisted. "But I was just thinking, like, you know, it's a long time to be zonked."
"Well, don't think!" Richard said. "You'll get yourself all screwed up." "All right!" Michael said.
Suzanne called out for them to catch up; she and the others were waiting. "And to top it all off, we got to deal with old mother hen," Richard added. The two divers caught up to the rest of the group, who'd stopped at the base of the steps leading up to the pavilion entrance.
"Is everything okay?" Suzanne asked them. "Peachy," Richard said, forcing a smile. "Arak just told us something you two might find interesting," Suzanne said. "I assume you've noticed how it is getting dark as if the sun had set." "We noticed," Richard said testily.
"They have night and day down here," Suzanne said. "And we learned the light comes from bioluminescence."
"We can always hope," Michael responded. They walked in silence for a few steps. They could hear Arak talking with Suzanne and Perry, but they didn't care to listen.
"Do you really think we were asleep for over a month?" Michael asked. Richard stopped short. "You're not going soft on me, are you?" "No!" Michael insisted. "I was just asking." Sleep had never been the solace for Michael that it was for others. As a child he used to be plagued with nightmares. After he'd gone to sleep, his father would come home drunk and beat up his mother. When he woke up, he tried to intervene, but the result was always the same: he, too, was beaten. Unfortunately, the process of sleep got inextricably associated with these episodes, so for Michael the idea of being asleep for a month was a source of enormous anxiety. "Hello!" Richard said while giving Michael a series of slaps on the face. "Anybody home?" Michael deflected Richard's irritating jabs. "Cut it out!" "Remember, we're not worrying about all this horseshit," Richard said. "There's something screwy going on here sure as shooting, but who cares. We're going to enjoy ourselves, not like that jerk, Fuller. God! Just listening to him talk makes me glad we were tossed out of the freakin' Navy. Otherwise we'd be taking orders from guys like him."
"Of course we're going to enjoy ourselves," Michael insisted. "But I was just thinking, like, you know, it's a long time to be zonked."
"Well, don't think!" Richard said. "You'll get yourself all screwed up." "All right!" Michael said.
Suzanne called out for them to catch up; she and the others were waiting. "And to top it all off, we got to deal with old mother hen," Richard added. The two divers caught up to the rest of the group, who'd stopped at the base of the steps leading up to the pavilion entrance.
"Is everything okay?" Suzanne asked them. "Peachy," Richard said, forcing a smile. "Arak just told us something you two might find interesting," Suzanne said. "I assume you've noticed how it is getting dark as if the sun had set." "We noticed," Richard said testily.
"They have night and day down here," Suzanne said. "And we learned the light comes from bioluminescence."
The two divers tilted their heads back to look straight up.
"I see stars," Michael said.
"Those are relatively small pinpoints of blue-white bioluminescence," Arak said. "It was our intent to re-create the world as we knew it, which certainly included the circadian cycle. The difference from your world is that our days and nights are longer, and they are the same length year-round. Of course our years are longer as well."
"So you lived in the external world before you moved down here," Suzanne said. "Absolutely," Arak answered.
"When did you make the move?" Suzanne asked. Arak held up his hands defensively. He laughed. "We are getting ahead of ourselves. I'm not supposed to be encouraging you to ask questions this evening. Remember, that's to be tomorrow." "Just one more," Perry pleaded. "It's an easy one, I'm sure. Where do you get all your energy down here?"
Arak sighed with exasperation.
"It's the last question, I promise," Perry said. "At least for tonight." "And you are a man of your word?" Arak questioned. "For sure," Perry said.
"Our energy comes from two main sources," Arak said. "First is geothermal by tapping the earth's core. But that creates the problem of getting rid of excess heat, which we do in two ways. One by allowing magma to well up along what you people call the mid-oceanic ridge, and two by cooling with circulated seawater. The seawater heat exchange requires a large volume, which does provide us an opportunity to filter out plankton. The downside is that the process creates oceanic currents, but you people have learned to live with them, particularly the one you call the Gulf Stream. "The second source of energy is from fusion. We split water into oxygen, which we breath, and hydrogen, which we fuse. But this is the kind of discussion we'll be having tomorrow. Tonight I want you to experience and enjoy, mostly enjoy."
"And we aim to do just that," Richard said. "But tell me, is this going to be a wet or dry party?" "I'm afraid that is a term I'm not familiar with," Arak said. "It refers generally to alcohol," Richard said. "Do you people have any on hand?" "But of course," Arak said. "Wine, beer, and a particularly pure spirit we call crystal. The wine and the beer are similar to what you are used to. But the crystal is different, and I advise you to go easy until you are accustomed to it."
"I see stars," Michael said.
"Those are relatively small pinpoints of blue-white bioluminescence," Arak said. "It was our intent to re-create the world as we knew it, which certainly included the circadian cycle. The difference from your world is that our days and nights are longer, and they are the same length year-round. Of course our years are longer as well."
"So you lived in the external world before you moved down here," Suzanne said. "Absolutely," Arak answered.
"When did you make the move?" Suzanne asked. Arak held up his hands defensively. He laughed. "We are getting ahead of ourselves. I'm not supposed to be encouraging you to ask questions this evening. Remember, that's to be tomorrow." "Just one more," Perry pleaded. "It's an easy one, I'm sure. Where do you get all your energy down here?"
Arak sighed with exasperation.
"It's the last question, I promise," Perry said. "At least for tonight." "And you are a man of your word?" Arak questioned. "For sure," Perry said.
"Our energy comes from two main sources," Arak said. "First is geothermal by tapping the earth's core. But that creates the problem of getting rid of excess heat, which we do in two ways. One by allowing magma to well up along what you people call the mid-oceanic ridge, and two by cooling with circulated seawater. The seawater heat exchange requires a large volume, which does provide us an opportunity to filter out plankton. The downside is that the process creates oceanic currents, but you people have learned to live with them, particularly the one you call the Gulf Stream. "The second source of energy is from fusion. We split water into oxygen, which we breath, and hydrogen, which we fuse. But this is the kind of discussion we'll be having tomorrow. Tonight I want you to experience and enjoy, mostly enjoy."
"And we aim to do just that," Richard said. "But tell me, is this going to be a wet or dry party?" "I'm afraid that is a term I'm not familiar with," Arak said. "It refers generally to alcohol," Richard said. "Do you people have any on hand?" "But of course," Arak said. "Wine, beer, and a particularly pure spirit we call crystal. The wine and the beer are similar to what you are used to. But the crystal is different, and I advise you to go easy until you are accustomed to it."
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Bedding the Boss by Banks, Melody
Springboard by Tom Clancy
God War by James Axler
The Warning Voice by Cao Xueqin
