Knollig: A Terraneu Novel ( Book 2) Read online

  Knollig moved in her hold to look down, “I’m sure we could find an Oasis here on Antilles.” His hands had started to wander her body, making their way south…

  “We have to stop Knollig. The meetings for tomorrow’s procedures are more important. We really should be getting back.” Mairi insisted.

  Knollig was just opening his mouth to say something, when he got a blank look on his face. Mairi waited for him to get done “talking.”

  “You are right sweet Mairi, they are waiting for us to start. We need to return to camp.”

  He grabbed her hand to hold, and together they walked back to camp. They had a lot to cover, then it would time for sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a big day!

  Chapter Seventeen

  On Earth the day of “Operation Females”

  Kneus stared up at the ceiling, going over the plans for the next twelve hours in his mind again. The last six months of preparation came down to what happened today. He smiled to himself in the dark, Callum McPherson was a force of nature. If this whole venture succeeded it would be because of him. Kneus was in awe of the man and what he was able to accomplish.

  They had used the Internet and found over one hundred women in the last six months that fit the profile they were looking for. Since the current facility wouldn’t house near that many women, Callum had come up with a plan to house them in the local village. Kneus was pretty sure they had used up every available room the other Inns and Spas had to offer. It was the middle of winter, so having the female’s camp outside wasn’t an option. Maybe next spring, if the weather allowed they could go that route.

  As it was they were planning “a trip” for the women today. In cycles of ten, every fifteen minutes the females would be sent through the portal. That would give the men on Antilles time to revive the unconscious ones, and wouldn’t leave the women standing around waiting too long.

  Jennifer had arrived, and was quite a handful. She had charged in expecting to see her friend Amber right away, and was not happy with waiting. She would definitely be one of the first to go through today Kneus decided. The sooner those two got together the better for his peace of mind.

  He had worked on gathering the items Amber had requested, and Callum McPherson was going to be delivering it to Antilles. It had given him some solace to work on an electronic device that would hold the music she wanted, and would hopefully be compatible with that on Terraneu. Kneus was sure that anything he sent could be replicated, or reverse engineered. It was the content that he was concerned about. She had asked for all music, but there was some that he was sure she wouldn’t like. There was a lot of screaming, and the added melody was not pleasant. Some were even downright violent.

  Kneus had also been busy downloading books. He had managed quite a library of work by the time he had to get the equipment ready for transport to Antilles. Between Callum and himself they had spent quite a lot of Earth money. He figured it was well spent if it kept the females busy and happy. The books would give the men something to do learning to read. He had also purchased random art and crafting items that Amber had suggested. What he was able to find would be easy to replicate or make, they just needed a template to build off of.

  Deciding he might as well get the day started, Kneus rolled out of bed. He tried not to let the fact that his people depended on the success of the day ahead of him weigh too heavily upon his mind.

  It was time to face the future.

  Chapter Eighteen

  It was time. Mairi along with everyone on the Council, Zerxix and some of his “men” were all waiting. There was a sudden humming, a flash of blue florescent light and a frail older man appeared, crumpled on the port pad.

  “Grandpa…!” Mairi cried out and ran over to kneel down next to her grandfather. There was a military style bag next to him that Mairi just pushed aside with a clunk. Gently taking his head in her lap, “Grandpa…wake up.” She coaxed.

  Knollig was suddenly next to her, lifting the elderly man off the port pad as if his weight was insignificant. Which was impressive given her grandfather was in full winter clothing. It was December in Scotland after all. Someone else grabbed the bag to bring it along.

  “We can take him to the recovery dome Mairi, he will be more comfortable there.” Knollig started off in that direction with everyone following close behind. There was some elbow pushing at the opening to the dome, when everyone tried to follow too closely. In the end they all kind of stumbled through like a damn bursting.

  Mairi glared over her shoulder at the males, then rushed to her grandfather’s side.

  “He is fine Mairi, I think he might be waking up.” Knollig reassured her, and sure enough. Her grandfather let out a soft moan and then opened his eyes slowly.

  “Grandpa!” Mairi leaned over him, giving him a rib-crushing hug and raining kisses on his face! “I can’t believe you are finally here!” Mairi started laughing and crying at the same time. “You don’t know how I’ve worried over this past six months.” She was talking so fast the poor men were trying to keep up, “For you to pass up a chance to come here right away, and to bargain so that I could come first!” Mairi gave up trying to speak coherently and just held her grandfather for a few minutes.

  Knollig stepped behind her, “Mairi, as you can see has been completely cured of her sickness.”

  Mairi gasped, “Grandpa, I want you to meet Knollig. He is Kneus and Kniam’s brother. “After a pause, and a cough from Knaleg, Mairi said, “Oh and there is Knaleg too.” She looked over at Knaleg and shrugged, “Sorry. I didn’t mean to leave you off the list.” She waved around the room, “These men are all on the Council, there is Asteen.” He did a quick bow at this name. “Thian.” He also bowed, “and Ailech.” Mairi thought for a second…”Ohhh…and Zerxix, sorry…he is not on the Council, but is Antillean. He protects the port pad for us and trades for goods with Terraneu.” Mairi looked around, “Did I forget anyone?”

  Her grandfather was just laying there with his mouth in an O. Realizing this might be their only chance to get a word in edgewise, all the males started talking at once.

  Kniam thought to welcome her grandfather.

  Knollig stated he was glad to meet the grandfather of his mate. (She would be having a chat about proper timing with Knollig later.)

  Thian offered that he was grateful for the use of the land in Scotland.

  Knaleg grouched about her forgetting his name in the list of brothers, because he felt he was the best looking.

  Zerxix just made some clicking noises she didn’t understand.

  Kniam broke into everyone’s chatter, “Maybe we should let the grandfather talk. He might have something important to tell us since he is the first person through the portal.”

  Everyone got quiet and looked to her grandfather.

  “I was sent through with the things Amber asked for. Kneus is a wiz with the computers of earth and I think he has copies of every piece of music, and every book ever written downloaded on a transfer box he created. He thinks it will be able to work, or be made compatible with your existing systems. There is also a reader he thinks that can be replicated and made compatible for the books. He plans on sending some sporting equipment back the next time. We wanted to make sure this transfer went off first, and Amber did say the music was important.”

  “We are grateful for the items my mate feels are essential. Thank you for bringing them.” Kniam patted her grandfather on the shoulder.

  Something was bothering her, then she realized what it was, “What happened to your brogue?”

  He just looked confused, “I am talking like I normally do.”

  Knollig took pity on her and explained, “The medical unit…when it “cleaned” you, makes it so you can understand and speak our language. You are speaking English, just your brain is taking out the brogue.”

  Mairi just shook her head. That was another thing that would probably never make sense to her. Hearing and speaking another language, and not even knowing she was doing
it.

  “Kneus was going to start sending women about thirty minutes after I was through. All we told them was that this was a second chance at a better life, and they needed to take a leap of faith.” Her grandfather continued, “Kneus sent me to make sure that you got the devices and if there was any information you needed to pass on to him.”

  Mairi’s brow furrowed, “How would we get a message to him? The women we send back wouldn’t be able to pass it along since their memory is getting wiped.” She paused, “I suppose we could put it in one of their hands, so Kneus would be sure to see it.”

  Her grandfather tensed for a second then stated, “I am going back to Earth Mairi.”

  She was frozen in shock for one second, and then vehemently shook her head, “NO! You were promised the medical fix, and a life on Terraneu too. You have to come back with us!”

  Her grandfather looked around at the other males and asked quietly, “May I have a moment with Mairi in private please.”

  The others all nodded and left the dome to wait. Knollig looked torn. Her grandfather had asked for privacy, but he was her mate and wanted to stay.

  “Grandfather this is Knollig. He is my mate. On Terraneu that means a husband and wife.” Mairi introduced the two men again.

  “Mr. Grandfather McPherson sir,” Knollig was obviously nervous about meeting her grandfather, Mairi held back her laugh so that he wouldn’t be offended. “Mairi has told me so much about you, and my brother has added to that story. You are truly a great man, and I am honored to be mated to Mairi. May I stay to hear what it is you want to discuss with her?”

  Her grandfather was great man, but Knollig didn’t need to go overboard…Mairi grumped to herself.

  Her grandfather took Knollig’s measure and must have liked what he saw. With a mischievous glint in his eyes he said, “Yes. You can stay. I would like to know, are you treating my granddaughter well?”

  “Yes sir. I think that Mairi is very happy as my mate.”

  “Is that so?” Her grandfather drawled out. “Are you sure son?”

  Knollig swallowed hard, uncertainty in his face, “I treat her with care and respect. She is everything to me. Why even this morning I woke up to worship…” Mairi turned bright red and slapped a hand over Knollig’s mouth. Her grandfather did not need to know how he had woken her up!

  “We are very happy grandfather!” Mairi hurried before she couldn’t talk at all. Knollig was busy kissing the palm of her hand, and she was quickly loosing focus with the conversation.

  “I can see you are meant for each other. Take care that you don’t take advantage of a good thing. Communication is the key…now where was I?” He looked around, thoughtful for a moment. “Ah. Yes. I delivered the bag of techno stuff that Kneus made. I got to see you Mairi. Now I need to wait until the women are settled then I’m going back.”

  Mairi pressed for answers while she still could, “But why grandfather? Why do you have to go back?”

  Her grandfather had stood up, and was quickly removing winter gear. It was warmer on Antilles and he didn’t need the extra clothing. He set everything on the cot that he had just gotten off of.

  “Because if I don’t Kneus might not make it back either.” He stated.

  Knollig was instantly alert, “What is wrong with Kneus? Is he ill? Did something happen to him?” He got the intent look on his face, then all the Council rushed back in.

  “What is this about Kneus?” Kniam stormed forward.

  Her grandfather held his ground, surprising against these giant men, especially Knaleg. “I was just saying that I am going back, because if I don’t Kneus might not make it back either.” Her grandfather was eyeing Knollig with an odd expression.

  Mairi decided to explain, “I don’t know if Kneus mentioned they can talk telepathically. Knollig just told the males of the Council what you had said about Kneus.”

  “Hmmm. He might have mentioned it, but if he did it didn’t stick.” He tapped his head. “So, I am going back because I said I would keep Kneus safe and help him adjust to life on Earth. That is the problem…he is having trouble adjusting.”

  Knollig, Kniam and Knaleg all puffed up in indignation over the idea that their brother was somehow not capable of adjusting to a situation. They were all about to interrupt when Mairi placed a comforting hand on Knollig.

  “Let him finish. This isn’t anything against Kneus.” She soothed.

  Her grandfather instantly agreed, “He is the most intelligent, admirable, talented person I have ever met. I am honored to call him my friend.” He got a sad look in his eyes. “Life on Earth is just so different than what I gather he experienced on Terraneu.”

  Mairi could understand and relayed to the men, “The two planets have absolutely nothing in common except a genetic link from thousands of years ago. Kneus is being exposed to things he never would have imagined possible.”

  “I can attest to the truth of that also.” Kniam offered, “I did a search on their ‘Internet’ and the things I saw.” He grimaced. “So you are offering to go back and help Kneus until the last of the females we need are here. Then you will come to Terraneu?”

  “Yes. I am content with that decision.” Her grandfather assured, “After seeing Mairi, and knowing she has been healed, and found a new life with Knollig. I will see Kneus through this thing.” Her grandfather took his vows as seriously as the men on Terraneu. He would see Kneus safely home if he could.

  “I want you to tell Kneus that at the first sign of any danger to either of you, the plan for more females is to be abandoned. Go into hiding until you can come though the portal safely, both of you are the top priority.” Kniam’s voice held a hard edge.

  “I hate to put a damper on the moment.” Thian broke in, “but speaking of women…they are going to arrive at any moment.”

  ~*~*~*

  What an amazing day. Ailech, Asteen and Thian were supposed to stay and oversee the clean up of the camp. Thian had begged off the duty, which had Mairi laughing to herself. She was sure there was a certain Earth female named Jennifer that would be getting a personal, “Welcome” to Terraneu.

  With Thian coming back with them, that left Kniam, Knollig, Knaleg and herself also going through in a few moments.

  While they waited Mairi thought back on the arrival of the women. The port pad had glowed every fifteen minutes for three hours. Pouring women out like sands in an hourglass. Most of them were unconscious, but a few were able to walk off on their own. Mairi did a mental note to herself to have the men check those women’s brain waves. She wasn’t sure a normal person should be able to handle that portal!

  The rest were all put in the recovery dome, and then allowed to move around until the welcome meeting. She had to admit that most of them handled the situation pretty well. After they removed their extra winter gear, they gathered in small groups and chatted about what they thought was happening. Whatever psychological voodoo Kneus had come up with on the dating site questionnaire had resulted in a lot of very open-minded candidates!

  She had remembered her promise to Amber and found Jen in the recovery dome in the first group. She had reassured her that her friend was safe, and happy. She had relayed Amber’s message word for word. Which had Jen bursting into laughter and she was immediately more relaxed. Jen was given the chance to go back to Earth. She chose Terraneu since she was tired of the struggle her life had become. The opportunity at a new start was exciting. Mairi had then requested Thian escort Jen to the Terraneu port pad. The way she was eying Thian, and the way Thian was eyeing her…Mairi thought maybe Amber would have a new job as match-maker. Wait until Thian got a look at Jen after the medical unit fixed her, although now that Mairi thought on it. Looks didn’t seem to matter to the males here.

  Kniam gave the welcome speech after everyone was gathered. By this time they were anxious to know what exactly was going on. Some thought that it was a secret government program to send like-minded women to colonize Mars. Some had theorized that they were
on some type of hallucinogenic and were being experimented on. There were other theories, but those two were Mairi’s favorites. It wasn’t until they got the welcome speech from Kniam that they realized that this might actually be happening. You have to admire the human mind though, it sure can adapt to a lot…especially if you have an active imagination. These women definitely had active imaginations…she could attest to that! The ones who remained would fit in nicely on Terraneu.

  Kniam went over the history of the males from Terraneu. He covered what had happened that precipitated the need for women. That the males were honor bound to never hurt a living thing, it was built in their genetics. If any male harmed a female knowingly they would face death as their punishment. He went over all the rules that the males had already memorized, then he stressed that the rules were not flexible in any way. The Council would enforce them to their fullest extent. If any female felt the rules were too harsh, or would be unable to live by them they could return to Earth…never the wiser. The experience of the last few hours wiped from their minds. If they chose to go on to Terraneu it was not going to be like living on Earth. The men were not the same, and the living conditions were not the same.

  “My mate likes to say we are a mix between the Old West and Star Trek.” Kniam was winding down his speech. “If that helps you to understand what life will be like?” He looked at the gathered women and finished with, “You have an hour to make the decision if you want to go ahead to our planet, or back to yours. Just be warned that your life on Terraneu will not be the same as on Earth.” He gestured for them to take their leave into the camp, “The Council members and myself will be available for any questions you might have.”

  At this point Kniam was not going to inform the women that the medical change would make them “solar powered”, or that they would live for eight hundred to a thousand years. That would be too much of a temptation and impact their decision. He had just stressed that there were further changes they would face on Terraneu. He also hadn’t told them that their living quarters were extremely comfortable and as Mairi had thought, luxurious. The more they thought it was going to be a little “rough” the happier a surprise it would be when they saw the reality.