“We cannot help going into a building if the path takes us there,” Rive pointed out. “The path only appeared for us when we went through the building as it had directed us.”
“Rive is right, but maybe we can try to avoid talking to people,” Tem suggested. He frowned. “What do you think is the deal with the ‘Peace Drops’ that old male kept pushing on us?”
“He said they helped get rid of ‘mental turmoil and distress,’” Terra said, shaking her head. “I think what he really meant was, they get rid of emotions.”
“Mistress Bodikin did tell us that the inhabitants of DY-12 don’t have any emotions,” Tem said thoughtfully.
“Yes, but she didn’t say why they don’t have any,” Rive said. “I think maybe these ‘Peace Drops,’ which apparently everyone here takes, might have something to do with it.”
“And they’re all under the eye of that fucking Watcher—whoever the hell that is,” V’rone growled.
“They also appear to be living in some kind of authoritarian society that doesn’t tolerate any differences among its citizens,” Rive put in. “To be unique in DY-12 society is to be noncompliant and subject to punishment or ‘re-education’.”
“All of which means we could be in trouble,” Terra murmured. She bit her lip, feeling worried. Because the four of them were definitely different from the citizens of DY-12. In fact, they couldn’t be more different if they tried!
She looked down at her flower dress and the huge form of the Monstrum warriors around her. She’d pointed out before that the four of them stuck out like a sore thumb in the monochrome crowds—but she hadn’t dreamed that being different could get them into trouble! At any rate, Mistress Bodikin certainly hadn’t warned them of this problem. It made her wonder what other information the Yonnite Mistress had withheld.
“What should we do?” Tem asked—clearly the Soul of the colony was thinking along the same lines she was. “Should we try to hide until it’s dark—wait and follow the path then?”
“But we don’t know what kind of day/night cycle this planet has,” Rive objected. “We could be hiding for hours or even days—and we do have a time limit on this mission.”
They all looked up at the cloudy gray sky overhead. It was utterly featureless with no sign of a sun or any other heavenly body that might be supplying the weak, grayish light. It was impossible to know if it was early morning or mid afternoon or nearly evening, Terra thought.
“I say we keep going,” V’rone said. “Just put our heads down and follow along as fast as we fucking can and try not to attract any more attention than we already have.”
“Nobody seems to be looking at us,” Terra pointed out, as they all continued walking swiftly down the lighted path. The Monstrum had awfully long strides and she was having to hurry to keep up. She was also finding that the kitten heels with their flower tops weren’t the best footwear for speed walking. In fact, she was beginning to wish she’d changed clothes before starting our on this mission—what had she been thinking, wearing her Yonnie Six finery through the portal?
“That’s because curiosity is an emotion and none of these people have emotions—or they’re not supposed to, anyway,” Rive said, frowning.
“The shop keeper was probably only interested in us because we were in his venue,” Tem added.
“Well, let’s just hope he doesn’t…doesn’t call the Peace Keepers he mentioned,” Terra panted. “I think they may be the…the DY-12 version of the…the police.” Honestly, she wasn’t sure how much longer she could keep up this awkward pace. The kitten heels weren’t meant for any kind of running and she was nearly jogging at this point!
It was Tem who saw her problem first.
“V’rone—our Lady is in trouble,” he exclaimed.
“What?” V’rone glanced over at her and frowned. “Can’t keep up, little Terra?” he asked. Without waiting for her answer or breaking his stride, the leader of the colony leaned over and swung Terra up into his arms.
“Hey!” she protested breathlessly. “You don’t have to—”
“Yes I do, if we’re going to make some time,” he growled. “Your little human legs are too damn short and we need to get through this world and over to the next one before they catch on that we don’t fucking belong here.”
“But…but I’m too heavy to carry,” she pointed out. “You’ll hurt your back!”
V’rone barked an incredulous laugh.
“Is that what you think? Why—was that ex-mate of yours too puny to lift a female with curves? That’s pretty fucking pathetic if you ask me.”
“Oh, well…” Terra had never thought of it like that. And the big Monstrum didn’t seem to be having any trouble carrying her, even though they were nearly running down the lighted path now.
“Any male who isn’t strong enough to carry an Elite in times of danger, doesn’t deserve to have one,” V’rone remarked as though this was a known fact. “Why would you Join with a male like that in the first place, anyway?”