Knollig: A Terraneu Novel ( Book 2) Read online

  “What is the matter, you have moisture in your eyes which means sadness?” Knollig paced back to her bed and patted her shoulder.

  His sweetly awkward attempt to console her made her laugh, “I was just thinking about how I have failed my grandfather so much, yet he wanted this second chance for me.”

  Knollig sat next to her on the bed, “Why would you feel that you have failed your grandfather?”

  Mairi looked under her lashes at Knollig, she didn’t want him to think less of her…but she wanted to be truthful with him too. “I went away to school when he wanted me to stay closer to home. Then instead of returning when schooling was done, I stayed away for a really long time. By the time I did move closer to him, I was diagnosed with cancer and just became another burden to him.”

  Knollig grabbed her hand, “On Earth is it a custom to never leave the home of a grandparent?”

  Mairi was enjoying the feel of holding his hand. It was strong and comforting. “No.” she hurried to answer, before he wondered at her silence. “Though some cultures on Earth it is customary to live together with multiple members of your family. Where I am, or should I say ‘was’ from, it isn’t a custom for families to stay together.”

  “If it is not expected to stay in the same location, why do you feel such pain at staying away?”

  Mairi tried to put her feelings into words he would understand, “I guess it hurts me so much now, because I realize that I was all my grandfather had. I was young and living my life, but he had given everything he had to raise me. I repaid his love and kindness by walking away.”

  Knollig took a deep breath, “I don’t know your grandfather, but I can tell he is a man of honor. I don’t think he feels any anger at you for following your dream and living away from him. He must admire the strength and courage it took to go out on your own.”

  Mairi was trying to hold his gaze but couldn’t, “I’m not so strong or courageous. I didn’t even fight my illness as hard as I could have. I choose not to have more chemo and radiation because I knew it was pointless.” She shrugged, “If I was stronger I would have fought harder.”

  Knollig put his hand under her chin and lifted her to face him, “Everything happens for a reason. If you had poisoned your body too badly, the medical unit might not have worked on you. It can only fix so much damage. Even we have our limitations.”

  Knollig seemed to realize that they had gotten off track, “There is more you have to be told Mairi. It isn’t just that the damage to your body that was repaired. You have been changed.” He stood up, “You are no longer the same on an atomic level.”

  Mairi’s brow furrowed, “What do you mean atomic level?”

  Knollig paced in front of her bed, “When the original fathers landed here, they made some hard decisions about our survival. With two suns, Solarus Minor and Solarus Major, our best chance at unlimited energy was going to be solar. They changed our cells at the atomic level to become solar powered. We use the suns for energy, getting daily exposure is all we require. We don’t consume food…although we do have need of water.” He paused to see how Mairi was taking this news. She seemed to be shocked, so he paused to give her time to work it all out in her head.

  She surprised him with her easy acceptance, “I can see how that would work! The advanced technology to do something like that would be incredible! If you use the suns for energy, that means that your…I guess I mean ‘our’ cells could regenerate at an increased rate.” Mairi paused on a gasp…she had done the math in her head, and now questioned Knollig, “How long does the rejuvenation last? When do the cells de-grade and become like a battery…holding less and less power?”

  “We are able to live for between eight hundred and a thousand years.” Knollig informed her quietly.

  Eight hundred to a thousand years, the number was staggering! She had a lot of questions, and would love to get her hands on the medical information in their database. They couldn’t have many kinks in their cloning methods to be able to live that long!

  “So I have eight hundred to a thousand years to live here on Terraneu?” Mairi started laughing. She laughed so hard she thought her sides were going to split. For the longest time she thought she had no time left. She had come to accept that she had no more chances at doing the things she had wanted. She had accepted that she wasn’t going to have a family of her own, travel the world and see new sites, learn new languages, get a new job, meet new people, and have a great hobby that she loved. Maybe even write an award-winning novel…Ok maybe the last one was a stretch.

  From what they had told her, she was on a planet full of men that wanted a mate! Not just a hook-up or one night stand, these men were clamoring for a “wife” or partner. Whatever they called it, the end game was the same…marriage and commitment. She would have her pick of men and make lots of babies if she wanted. She wasn’t just going to visit a new county, she had traveled to a whole new planet! She could do any job, make as many friends as she wanted, and she could write anything she wanted. Even maybe make up an award to give to herself if she really wanted accolades!

  Knollig was waiting patiently for her to compose herself, with a gasp she said “I’m so sorry Knollig. I just find it incredibly ironic that everything I thought I had lost due to my illness, I now have in spades here on Terraneu.” She wiped her eyes.

  “Mairi, if you are feeling well enough I can show you to your housing unit. Then give you a small tour of Terraneu if you would like.” Knollig was waiting at the doorway for her.

  Mairi hesitated then moved toward Knollig, “May I ask you something personal?”

  He didn’t hesitate, “You may ask me anything.”

  “Is there a woman you are mated to already? Did any other females come through besides Amber?” She held her breath waiting for an answer. She wanted Knollig, but wasn’t going to interfere with a budding relationship.

  “What? No. Amber is the only female we have found, that is why we are so desperate to get more through the portal, so that the other males can have mates.” He looked surprised that she had asked him.

  Mairi moved to the doorway, “So you are free to engage in a relationship if a female shows an interest or asks you?” Mairi hinted.

  When he just stood there, his mouth gaping, she burst out laughing. When she composed herself she just said, “Sorry, women can be blunt. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.” Before he could respond she added. “I would love a tour of my new home.”

  She knew that Knollig didn’t have a female he was committed to so as far as she was concerned he was fair game! She had almost died and wasn’t wasting any more time. She was attracted to him, and not just physically. He had seen beyond the outside appearance, looked to her character and found her attractive. She was going to get to know him better, and if her first instincts were correct, then she would make Knollig hers…whatever it took.

  “Remember you are a valued member of the community Mairi, whatever you wish we will try to make happen for you.” Knollig gestured toward the open door, and Mairi stepped out into a whole new world.

  Chapter Five

  Knollig was describing the city of Terraneu infrastructure to her, “All of the buildings in the compound have eight walls, twelve feet long to make a perfect octagonal shape with about 700 sq. ft. of useable space inside. The walls could be removed, doors widened, computer consoles added/removed. It is a very functional system.”

  Knollig was pointing to the domes they had just left. “These four are the Square. They have the medical, technology, port pad and caging domes. These four were built by the original fathers, and are the only domes in an enclosed wall. The “Square” as we call it is also the only space that is guarded, and gate access is the only way in or out.” Knollig paused, “Though if my brother Knaleg has his way, New Haven will also be guarded.” At her confused look he hurried to explain, “New Haven is the community just to the south of here for family units. When a female has chosen the male she wants for her mate, they can move
to New Haven. Currently only Amber and Kniam live there. The units are all on individual solar power, so there is no drain on resources. We can have one, two or one hundred units running it doesn’t matter.”

  They continued along a path. Knollig explaining as they went, “The rest of the living quarters and industrial domes are all spaced out in ‘rings’ radiating out from the Square. We left space in between each ring to allow for personal balconies and landscaping. There are also four larger, twenty-foot wide travel paths going from the center of each wall. Walking paths were placed, five feet wide in front of each ring, and behind each ring to make an interconnected space. The domes are broken into “zones”. They are NW, SW, SE, and NE. The first ring has five living pods or domes in each zone. The second ring has nine, the third has thirteen, and the fourth has seventeen and so on.”

  He was waving his hands animatedly as he talked, “So if you were requested to go to R2-SE2, you would find the dome you were looking for in the second ring, in the SE zone, number 2 position. It is efficient and maximizes the usage of space, and we are able to shut down a zone if population needs didn’t require its use.” Knollig took a deep breath, “We were in the medical dome, which is NE-1 and your quarters are going to be where Amber used to reside in the complex. R1-NW5. There were some alterations made to it, but you can return it to normal if you wish. There is currently no one occupying the R1-NW4 space. That used to be Kniams.”

  As they had walked along, she saw a colorful space ahead of her. In a sea of green grass, there was one dome that had flowers planted along the paths. That had to be Amber’s old living dome, now hers.

  “This is it Mairi. This is to be your home until you find a mate.” He stopped just where she had expected. The flower strewn paths on both sides filled her senses with their perfume. She inhaled deeply and smiled. She liked the addition of the flowers.

  “Is there a special way to get inside?” She turned to ask Knollig and was struck at the intent look on his face. “Is something wrong?”

  “You had a strange look on your face as you inhaled the smell of the flowers…it looked like, I don’t know exactly…?”

  Mairi laughed huskily, “I think the flowers smell very nice, I was enjoying their scent.”

  Knollig had stepped closer to her when she started laughing, he was standing so close now the vest he was wearing brushed against her thin gown. Her body reacted instantly, and she started to lean forward.

  “This is how you access this space. It has been programmed to open for you alone.” He wrapped his fingers around her wrist to bring her hand to the console. His palm pressed ever so gently against the top of her hand, she couldn’t even see hers under his. When her palm was flat against the space required with a slight beep the door opened.

  Mairi’s gaze swept around and found it was actually very nice. She could see some type of chaise couch that could use pillows. She supposed some could be made for her, she would ask for green ones since that was her favorite color. There were some chairs with end tables and in different spaces around the room were flowers. Growing right out of the ground?!

  “How do the flowers grow like that?” She asked Knollig who had stepped around her to walk into the living space.

  “We have an absorbent material that is safe to install in the ground, in any shape required. The flowers can grow in it as long as they are watered every so often. It is the same material used in the bathing space.” He gestured at a doorway.

  Carefully she passed through the doorway Knollig had indicated into the attached space, she gasped in surprise…this wasn’t a bathroom, but a bedroom!

  Knollig had followed her, “The doorway used to just be curtains, but Amber requested we not use that to reach “private” spaces. The other domes still have the curtain, if a females requests doors they can be added. Since this space hasn’t been altered back you have a door.

  She nodded at Knollig and turned to look around. There was a larger than king sized, four-post bed in front of her. It wasn't on a raised platform, but whatever type mattress they had on it was very tall. On either side were tables, and shelves. There was a doorway to what seemed to be a balcony.

  Walking toward the bed, she saw to her left another sheer curtain. She called out, “I found some of the drape material in here Knollig, and I can see why Amber would want a door to get into the bedroom.” She turned around to see where Knollig had gone, and found herself plastered from her chest to her hips against him. Knollig’s hands had gone to her hips to keep her from falling back.

  “Uh…sorry.” Mairi muttered, “I…that is…” she made the mistake of looking up.

  Knollig’s eyes were burning purple flames. He backed her into the wall using his body to press into her. His hands landed on either side of her head. “Stop me Mairi. Tell me not to kiss you.”

  She opened her mouth to say what he asked. Instead she ended up leaning into him, with her hands desperately driving into his hair to hold him against her. Her lips were plastered to his, their tongues dueling for position. She felt one of his hands grip the base of her head, fisting a great handful of her hair. The other arm tight around her waist to pull her up and into him until they fit together! She was using the wall at her back as leverage to get her front tighter against him. She felt the hard press of him against her, and she struggled to get closer.

  “Mairi…” Knollig groaned…” he tore his mouth away, “We have to stop…” he gently moved back, leaving her suddenly feeling bereft. Her lips were swollen and her eyes were heavy lidded with passion. “I promised myself I would give you time to find the perfect mate among the men here. I won’t try to pressure you with sexual advances when you are still recovering from your illness.”

  Was he serious? Did she look like she wasn’t recovered? She was almost screaming in frustration, and he was trying to be noble and walk away. After kissing her senseless…and just where had he learned to kiss like that?

  She opened her mouth to argue that she was recovered just fine, when with a wave of his hand he said, “The bathroom has water, glasses, a bathing shower/tub, and bidet for personal needs. You will find clothing in cabinets, just press buttons…” Then Knollig practically ran out of her chamber as if the hounds of hell were hot on his heels. Well so much for her tour Mairi thought with a laugh.

  Deciding to look around her space, and then go explore the rest of Terraneu, she walked through the curtain. This was supposed to be a bathroom?!

  She wandered around in amazement. The flooring was that material Knollig had told her about. She could feel it on her bare feet like sponge. There was one whole corner taken up with an indoor tropical oasis. If that was the green plant that Knollig said her eyes were like, she might have to look into a mirror to see them! Whoa!

  She touched some buttons and a tropical waterfall came out suddenly, dousing her in water! She hurriedly turned it back off. If she were to let it keep filling, the bottom would create a small pool! All of that was here, in the bathroom! The fresh air and “earthy” smells coming off the plants were relaxing, and provided a splash of color. Around to the left from the tub was a bidet looking thing. Knollig had said something about glasses for water. She would move those into a different space. She wasn’t sure about having them in the bathroom…although she hadn’t seen anywhere else to get water. She would have to ask about that. What about clothes and maybe shoes? She hadn’t noticed Amber’s feet, but she had seen the boots the men wore. She wouldn’t mind an outfit like that, but she would need a shirt.

  She rummaged around and found a drawer full of what she supposed were some kind of toga dresses and in another some sandals. She shrugged out of the gown she was wearing, which was really just two medical robes one on straight, and one on backward to cover her backside. She was sure that was Ambers doing. She put on the shoes, which were no problem to figure out. The dress was another matter altogether! No matter how hard she tried to get it right, there was a lot of skin showing! It wasn’t like she was as blessed as
Amber. She was a modest C-cup if she had to guess, and she did have to wing it because she couldn’t find a bra anywhere. There were a variety of panties, if she wanted to choose a pair. It felt almost decadent going without a bra though. Even though she didn’t need it for lift, she would have to ask Amber about making some…eventually…maybe!

  With a frustrated sigh she finally gave up on the dress. She knew she wasn’t wearing it correctly, but she couldn’t seem to get it on, and everything covered. It did flow to mid-thigh, so she wasn’t concerned with flashing her thong. It was the top that she couldn’t get right.

  With a determined bounce to her step, that almost had her spilling out the sides and front of her toga. She went in search of someone who could help. She knew just the person to look for! Knollig would undoubtedly be able to help her get the dress on correctly. Or with any luck he would be taking it off!

  Chapter Six

  Mairi paused on the walkway. She really didn’t have any idea which direction to go. She was turning this way and that when suddenly men surrounded her. She must have attracted them by just standing there. They probably wondered what the hell she was doing. Most of them were well over her 5’ 5” frame, if she had to guess…she would put the average height at 6 ft. They had the usual mix of hair color, and types of facial features. The only thing they had in common was the purple eye color.

  “Hello Earth female, welcome to Terraneu.” One stepped up to her. Only to be pushed aside by another, “Would you require help in finding something?” Yet another elbowed his way to her side, “I would be happy to walk you around the square. The other Earth female seems to enjoy that activity very much.”

  There were so many men talking and vying for her attention, she started laughing. This immediately had them frozen in place, “I was looking for Knollig, could you tell me where I might find him.”