Read Online Retreat And Adapt (A Galaxy Unknown) by Thomas DePrima - Free Book Online
Authors: Thomas DePrima
Ads: Link
cold like it does here at the Potomac base, but you might see a little snow in winter, and it never gets burning hot in summer like it does in parts of Arizona. The temperate weather, combined with a good average rainfall and dozens of enormous fresh-water reservoirs for irrigation in the event of a slight drought, makes it ideal for crop production. Now that the atmosphere is clearing, the farms have become productive again, with expectations that crop yields will continue to improve in coming years as the topsoil is replaced and improved. The tenant farmers have all returned over recent years and I expect we'll find a number of active communities on the peninsula."
"It sounds lovely," Annette said. "I admit that I've been warming to the idea a little more each year. I just didn't want to go there alone and be the only human among an alien culture."
"You should have said something, Mother," Marisa said. "I would have gone with you so you didn't feel alone."
"So, it's decided," Jenetta said, "we'll all go to the family estate on Obotymot. Do you need to do some shopping before we go?"
"Are you kidding?" Marisa said. "Of course we need to do some shopping before we go. We'll need new clothes suitable for the climate and, of course, a few new pairs of shoes."
"Okay, but let's not go overboard. I have no idea what the fashions are like there at present. Besides, there's a dressmaker on staff at the palace. She'll be able to assist with tailoring clothes we purchase on the planet or perhaps even prepare new clothing."
* * *
A week later, the Ares left Earth orbit. Its primary destination was Higgins Space Station, but it would make a quick side trip to Obotymot on the way. Two civilian guests, members of the Nordakian Royal Family Carver, had come aboard for the trip and been assigned quarters on the VIP deck.
The Ares reached Obotymot in just sixty-four GST hours. After establishing a stable orbit around the planet, Admiral Carver and her two guests boarded a shuttle for the ride down to the surface. Since this was a vacation, Lt. Commander Ashraf remained aboard the ship and would monitor communications in case something of importance arrived, but a large security team accompanied Jenetta. Planetary sub-orbit traffic control immediately cleared a route to the royal palace on the Gavistee peninsula, and the shuttle landed at the pad on the palace grounds within thirty minutes. Three oh-gee limos were waiting to accept the guests, cats, and security team for the short ride to the main house. They could easily have walked, but the luggage had to be ferried there anyway.
"Oh, Jen, this is soooo beautiful," Annette Carver said to her daughter as they pulled up in front of the palace.
"The palace or the countryside?"
"Both. Everything. It's all so grand. I can't believe it's all yours."
"Ours, Momma. It's the official estate of the Family Carver. Uh, don't show surprise by what happens next."
"What's going to happen next?"
"You'll see," Jenetta said as the vehicle came to a halt and someone opened the door.
Jenetta led the way, being the Azula. The entire palace staff, all of whom had already adopted Jenetta's skin color, had turned out to greet them. As Jenetta stepped from the vehicle, all but one of the entire staff of males dropped to one knee and bowed their heads, while the women bowed their heads and remained staring down at the ground.
"What are they doing?" her mother whispered.
"Showing their respect," Jenetta whispered back. "I'll explain later."
A very dignified Nordakian, whom Jenetta instantly recognized as her chamberlain, stepped forward and then dropped to one knee and stared at the ground.
"Chamberlain Yaghutol, please raise your head and stand up," Jenetta said.
The Nordakian rose and smiled. "Greetings, My Lady. It's wonderful to finally be able to welcome you home."
"Thank you, Chamberlain. I'm happy to be here. The palace and grounds look magnificent. You've done a marvelous job
"It sounds lovely," Annette said. "I admit that I've been warming to the idea a little more each year. I just didn't want to go there alone and be the only human among an alien culture."
"You should have said something, Mother," Marisa said. "I would have gone with you so you didn't feel alone."
"So, it's decided," Jenetta said, "we'll all go to the family estate on Obotymot. Do you need to do some shopping before we go?"
"Are you kidding?" Marisa said. "Of course we need to do some shopping before we go. We'll need new clothes suitable for the climate and, of course, a few new pairs of shoes."
"Okay, but let's not go overboard. I have no idea what the fashions are like there at present. Besides, there's a dressmaker on staff at the palace. She'll be able to assist with tailoring clothes we purchase on the planet or perhaps even prepare new clothing."
* * *
A week later, the Ares left Earth orbit. Its primary destination was Higgins Space Station, but it would make a quick side trip to Obotymot on the way. Two civilian guests, members of the Nordakian Royal Family Carver, had come aboard for the trip and been assigned quarters on the VIP deck.
The Ares reached Obotymot in just sixty-four GST hours. After establishing a stable orbit around the planet, Admiral Carver and her two guests boarded a shuttle for the ride down to the surface. Since this was a vacation, Lt. Commander Ashraf remained aboard the ship and would monitor communications in case something of importance arrived, but a large security team accompanied Jenetta. Planetary sub-orbit traffic control immediately cleared a route to the royal palace on the Gavistee peninsula, and the shuttle landed at the pad on the palace grounds within thirty minutes. Three oh-gee limos were waiting to accept the guests, cats, and security team for the short ride to the main house. They could easily have walked, but the luggage had to be ferried there anyway.
"Oh, Jen, this is soooo beautiful," Annette Carver said to her daughter as they pulled up in front of the palace.
"The palace or the countryside?"
"Both. Everything. It's all so grand. I can't believe it's all yours."
"Ours, Momma. It's the official estate of the Family Carver. Uh, don't show surprise by what happens next."
"What's going to happen next?"
"You'll see," Jenetta said as the vehicle came to a halt and someone opened the door.
Jenetta led the way, being the Azula. The entire palace staff, all of whom had already adopted Jenetta's skin color, had turned out to greet them. As Jenetta stepped from the vehicle, all but one of the entire staff of males dropped to one knee and bowed their heads, while the women bowed their heads and remained staring down at the ground.
"What are they doing?" her mother whispered.
"Showing their respect," Jenetta whispered back. "I'll explain later."
A very dignified Nordakian, whom Jenetta instantly recognized as her chamberlain, stepped forward and then dropped to one knee and stared at the ground.
"Chamberlain Yaghutol, please raise your head and stand up," Jenetta said.
The Nordakian rose and smiled. "Greetings, My Lady. It's wonderful to finally be able to welcome you home."
"Thank you, Chamberlain. I'm happy to be here. The palace and grounds look magnificent. You've done a marvelous job
Similar Books
