The Lost Colony by DM Arnold (thriller books to read .txt) 📕

“Sounds good.”

The car pulled onto the north-south arterial highway that bisected the city. Nyk pressed his hand against hers. “This, Laida, is a Floran gesture of friendship. When I press my palm against yours, I am offering you the gift of friendship and openness. If you accept, spread your fingers.”

She smiled and opened her fingers. Nyk laced his with hers.

Laida looked at their hands locked together. “This never would've happened on Varada,” she said. Nyk caressed her forearm.

Laida regarded the low, squat buildings comprising Sudal. “You don't have tall buildings like on Varada,” she remarked.

“Not in Sudal. We have plenty of tall ones in Floran City. Don't you remember?”

“I was so sick during my stay there I don't recall much.”

“ExoService headquarters -- where you were detained -- is at Government Center. Those are the tallest buildings in the entire hegemony. But here in Sudal all the buildings are built like bunkers because of the tropical storms. You'll learn about those. Do you see the heavy shutters on the windows?” She nodded. “When a storm comes, everyone will head inside, slam the shutters and wait it out.

The car sped along the highway. Nyk pointed. “On the left is Sudal's downtown. Most of the city is residential, except for the Food Service headquarters on the north and the power plant on the coast. There we generate the power to run the lamps in the domes. We use as much power in the domes as all of Floran City. We're coming up on Sudal University.”

The car veered down a ramp, slowed and approached the university. Nyk pressed a control and a joystick popped of a panel. “The groundcars are automated,” he explained, “but sometimes I like to put them on manual. It's better for giving a tour...” He manipulated the stick and guided the vehicle along the campus streets as he pointed out buildings.

Nyk stopped on a promontory. “This outcropping is part of the same geologic formation as the bluff where my home is. Down there is the ocean -- ninety percent of Floran's surface is water. To the west is the power plant. You can just make out the domes over the reactors.

He turned the car around and guided it along an access road that ran east and north. The groundcar pulled to a stop outside the Residence. By now the ruby disk of the setting sun had dropped below the western horizon and it was deep dusk.

Nyk led her inside.

“Hello, Andra,” Laida said.

“Laida -- you're looking healthy.”

She smiled and presented the backs of her hands. “Yes, thanks to your dome.”

“Is Suki around?” Nyk asked.

“She went to bed. She was exhausted from traveling.”

“I can understand that,” he replied.

“She wanted to meet Laida but she couldn't keep her eyes open.”

“Andra, do you live here, too?” Laida asked.

“Andra is companion to my wife, as well as a friend of mine.” Nyk led Laida around the house and explained how the second and third floors had no outside walls -- how they were left open to admit the breeze. Then, he led her outdoors to the bluff and they looked down at the sea.

He escorted her down the bluff and to a bowl-shaped depression lined with black sand. “This is my favorite spot. I like to lie here and look up at the sky. The night sky is Floran's most beautiful feature.” He lay on the sand and she lay beside him.

“This is beautiful.” she said. “I think I could get used to living here. But, I think I should return to the dome.

“The night's young,” Nyk replied. “We'll take the scenic route -- such as it is.”

He led her back to the groundcar and piloted it toward Sudal. “Since you'll be spending some time here, I suppose you should know your way around. I'll take you through downtown -- in case you need any services this burgh has to offer.”

“All the buildings are dark,” she said.

“Yes -- life is slower here than in Floran City. The place pretty much closes up after dark.”

“How soon is curfew?” she asked.

“No curfew here...” He gestured toward a building “That's the Central Admin offices. No doubt you'll learn about them. Everyone's life is touched by them sooner or later. Over there is the merchandise mart. There are clothing shops along that street...” He looked around “Everything's closed. In Floran City there are always some businesses open 'round the clock.”

Laida pointed toward an establishment with red and purple lights flashing around the doorway. “What's that?” she asked. “That place looks like it's open.”

“That's one of the clubs. It's where the locals go after hours.”

She nodded. “We have those on Varada -- they serve pomma beer and poteen.”

“There's no alcohol on Floran,” Nyk replied. “We do have a variety of other recreational chemicals.”

“I've always wondered what it's like in one of them. Of course, I never would be permitted in one.”

“Then, let's take a look.”

“Are you sure it's all right?”

“Of course it is.” Nyk directed the car to the curb and popped open the cowl. He gave Laida a hand as she stepped from the cockpit.

A patron left the club, approached the groundcar and climbed inside.

“He just took our car!” Laida exclaimed.

“It's a community resource.” Nyk gestured toward a kiosk. “We'll order another one when we're ready to leave. Come on inside.”

“You're sure I'm allowed?”

“I'm sure.”

“Living here will take some getting used to.”

“I think you'll catch on quickly.” He took her hand and escorted her into the club.

Inside the club was dark, with tables set in a semicircle around an empty stage. Nyk found a table and led Laida to it. She sat and looked around the room.

A young man approached and placed a polymer basket on the table. “Can I get you anything?” he asked; then his glance landed on Laida. His eyes grew wide. “You must be that green girl from the news. Welcome to Sudal.”

“She is,” Nyk replied, “and she doesn't speak the language.” He turned to her and began to interpret.

Laida held up a finger. “I speak ... little,” she replied. “Thank you.”

“We'll have a plate of soy cheese,” Nyk said, “and some water and a pitcher of Gamman ale ... a small one.”

Laida took a pencil-shaped object from the basket. “What's this?”

“It's an inhaler -- a euphoriant. A hit on one of those gives you a feeling of well-being that lasts ... for a little while.”

“How does it work?”

“You snap off the end, put it to your lips and draw in a deep breath.”

“Is it safe?”

“All the recreational drugs here are safe and non-addictive. These are a big part of Floran culture.”

“I mean, is it safe for me?”

“I don't know,” Nyk replied. “Without knowing how your brain chemistry differs from ours -- I wouldn't recommend it.”

She held it toward him. “Are you going to?”

“No, thanks. I don't indulge in those much.”

Laida returned the object to the basket. The waiter placed on the table a pitcher of a pale blue, fizzy liquid. He set two empty beakers on the table. Nyk handed the basket of inhalers to him and made a hand gesture that said, no thanks.

The waiter nodded. “I'll bring your cheese and water.”

Nyk poured from the pitcher into one of the beakers. “What's that?” Laida asked.

“Gamman ale -- it's flavored with a vine that's native to Gamma-5. The resulting brew is mildly intoxicating ... but that's not why I drink it. I like the flavor.”

“Is it sweet?”

“Not particularly. Try some.” He poured another and handed it to her. Laida sipped some. “I'd go slowly, if I were you,” he advised, “until we know how you react to it.”

She pressed her hand to her right side, then stifled a burp. “The bubbles...”

“How does it feel in your stomach?”

“Agreeable...”

“And the taste?”

“Mmm...” She sipped more. “I like it.”

The waiter placed two water tumblers on the table and a plate piled with white cubes. “May I bring anything else?” he asked.

“We're fine for now,” Nyk replied.

He took a step backward and regarded Laida. “The band will play soon,” he said with slow and careful enunciation. “Enjoy yourselves.”

“Thank you,” Laida replied. “He's nice,” she said as their server headed toward other patrons. She glanced around the room. “People are pointing and staring at me.”

“They've never seen anyone like you before. They know who you are. Your story has been in the news.”

“What if someone takes offense that I'm here?”

“They won't. It's more likely they're delighted to have someone of importance in their midst. Not much interesting happens in Sudal. You're giving them something to tell their families in the morning: 'Guess who was at the club last night.'”

“Do you really think so?”

“Certainly -- I could hear them murmuring about you. I grew up here, Laida -- I know how they are. You'll need to get accustomed to the stares. Andra had to, and so did Suki. They won't treat you poorly for being different. If anything, they'll treat you better.” Nyk picked up a piece of soy cheese. “This is something you and I both can enjoy.”

Laida bit a piece and smiled. She picked up her glass of ale and began to sip from it.

“Wait...” Nyk picked up his and tapped its rim to hers. “A gesture of mutual enjoyment.”

“Is that a Floran custom?”

“No -- an Earth one.”

Laida sipped some more and set down the beaker. “I think I'm feeling it,” she said.

“How does it make you feel?”

“Giddy, a bit... And, relaxed and very happy to be here.”

A trio of musicians took seats on the stage and began playing. Nyk leaned toward Laida. “This music is in the Sudal country style. It's popular here, but considered trite and clichéd in Floran City.”

“I like it,” she replied. “Do you?”

“I like any musical genre, so long as it's well done. I know you have music on Varada.”

“Yes -- Ms Ramina will sing songs to the little ones to calm them. My mother learned some and sings them, too.”

“Do you know any?” Nyk asked.

“Yes ... a few.”

“Maybe you'll sing them.”

“I'm too shy,” she replied; then picked up her beaker. “Maybe after some more of this.” She gestured toward the floor before the stage. “Look! They're dancing.”

“Yes -- it's a popular activity.”

“I've always wanted to try dancing.” She watched the couples on the floor. “Let's try it,” she said.

“Oh, no,” Nyk replied, “not me. I'm no dancer. I'm terribly awkward and clumsy; and I don't know any of the moves. I'd be an embarrassment to both of us.”

Laida continued to watch the dance floor. The band began playing a slow number. “Look now,” she said. “They're just standing and holding each other and moving to the music. You could do that, couldn't you?”

“Well...”

“Please?”

“I suppose... If I step on your foot, don't say I didn't warn you.”

“If you step on my foot I promise I won't cry out.” Laida headed for the dance floor.

Nyk stood with her and placed his arms around her. He swayed to the right and she to the left. “You lead,” he said. She looked up and smiled, and he gazed into her orange eyes. “You're a very pretty girl when you smile.” Laida looked away. “I mean it, Laida. You are.”

He felt her warmth against his body. She lay her face against his shoulder. He held her and caressed her neck and the back of her bald head. Nyk could feel firmness in the muscles in her back as she moved to the music. He inhaled her scent and regarded the smooth, green skin of her upper arms.

“This feels good,” she said softly. “Do you know what would happen if we tried this on Varada?”

“I have an inkling.”

Nyk closed his eyes and followed Laida's lead as she swayed in time with the music. The number ended. Nyk opened his eyes and discovered they were alone in the middle of the dance floor with a spotlight trained on them. He could feel his face reddening as he lead Laida back to their table.

“I hate being at the center of attention,” he said, “even though they were all looking at you.” The band began playing another tune. “This is a girls' number. It's traditional for them to play a girls' tune and then a boys' one. This way, each gets a chance to strut their stuff in front of their partners.”

A blond girl from another table approached Laida. “Join us,” she said.

“She doesn't speak the language,” Nyk replied.

The girl gestured. Laida stood and followed her to the dance floor. Nyk watched as the girl demonstrated dance moves and Laida imitated. The tempo increased, the moves became more vigorous and Laida kept pace.

The number ended; the girl embraced Laida, kissed her forehead and lead her back to the table to a smattering of applause from other patrons. “She's good,” she said and gave Laida a little