Garona pricked his ears.

“I want you to know I don’t have another lover. I did, but that ended.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Garona said. “The only thing that matters is that you are here this moment.”

“It matters to me,” Suzanne said mildly hurt. “It matters to me a lot.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

The morning of the secondary humans’ second full day in Interterra began similarly to the first day. Suzanne and Perry were offhand with each other about their previous evening’s experiences and eager for what the day was to bring. Donald was less enthusiastic and a touch morose. Richard and Michael were tense and silent, and when they did talk, it was only about leaving. Donald had to shut them up when Arak made his entrance.

After bringing the group back to the same conference room they used the day before, Arak and Sufa launched into an educational session that dragged on for hours. This was mainly a scientific discussion that included the way Interterra tapped the earth’s geothermal energy; how the Interterran climate was maintained, including the mechanism used to generate the nightly rain; how bioluminescent technology was used to provide even lighting both indoors and out; how water, oxygen, and carbon dioxide were handled; and how photosynthetic and chemosynthetic food plants were grown hydroponically.

As the image on the floor screen faded and the general illumination began to return, the only two secondary humans paying attention were Suzanne and Perry. Donald was staring off, obviously absorbed in his own thoughts. Richard and Michael were fast asleep. As the lighting reached its apogee both divers revived, and they and Donald tried to make it appear as if they had been listening all along.

“In conclusion for this morning’s session,” Arak said, seemingly mindless of certain parties’ inattention, “I’m sure you have a clearer idea of why we have remained here in our subterranean world, that is, in addition to the microbial issue. In contrast to what transpires on the earth’s surface, we have been able to construct a perfectly stable environment with no climatic fluctuations such as ice ages or other weather-related disasters; essentially limitless, pollution-free energy; and a completely adequate and replenishable food source.”

“Is plankton your exclusive source of protein?” Suzanne asked. She and Perry remained fascinated by all the scientific revelations.

“The major source,” Arak said. “The other source is vegetable protein. We used to use some fish species, but we stopped when we became concerned about the ability of larger sea animals to be able to replenish themselves. Unfortunately, this is a lesson secondary humans seem unwilling to accept.”

“Particularly with whales and cod,” Suzanne said.

“Exactly,” Arak said. He looked around the room at the others. “Any more questions before we go back out into the field?”

“Arak, I have a question,” Donald said.

“Of course,” Arak said. He was pleased. Donald had thus far shown very little interest in participating.

“I’d like to know why we were brought here,” Donald said.

“I was hoping you had a question about what we have been discussing,” Arak said.

“It’s hard for me to concentrate on technical matters when I don’t know why I’m here.”

“I see,” Arak said. He bent over and conferred in a hushed whisper with Sufa and the Blacks. Then, leaning back, he added, “Unfortunately, I cannot answer your question completely since we have been specifically proscribed from telling you the main reason why you are here. But I can say this: one of the reasons was to stop the attempted drilling into the Saranta exit port, which I can happily say was accomplished. I can also assure you that today you will learn the main reason. Will that suffice for the moment?”

“I suppose,” Donald said. “But if we’re going to learn, I don’t see why you can’t tell us now.”

“Because of protocol,” Arak said.

Donald nodded reluctantly. “As a career naval officer, I suppose I can accept that.”

“Any other questions about today’s presentation?” Arak asked.

“I’m a bit overwhelmed at the moment,” Perry admitted. “But I’m sure I’ll have questions as the day progresses.”

“Well, then,” Arak said. “Let’s begin our excursion. With what you have heard this morning, where would you like to visit first?”

“How about the Earth Surface Museum?” Donald suggested before anyone else could respond.

“Yeah!” Michael blurted enthusiastically. “The place with the ’Vette out front.”

“You’d like to see the Earth Surface Museum?” Arak questioned with obvious bewilderment. He glanced at Sufa. Her reaction was the same.

“I think it would be interesting,” Donald said.

“Me, too,” Michael said.

“But why?” Arak questioned. “Pardon our surprise, but with all the things we have been telling you, we’re mystified that you would rather look back than forward.”

Donald shrugged. “Maybe it’s just a touch of nostalgia.”

“Seeing what you have chosen to display might give us a feeling for your response to our world,” Suzanne offered. She wasn’t as interested in seeing the museum as the other sites Arak had been describing, but was happy to support Donald’s request.

“Very well,” Arak said agreeably. “The Earth Surface Museum shall be our first stop of the day.”

Everyone got to their feet. For the first time Donald acted eager, especially when they got outside. He asked Arak to show them how to call an air taxi, and Arak was happy to oblige. Arak went a step further and had Donald place his palm on the taxi’s center black table and give the destination command.

“That was easy,” Donald said as the craft silently and effortlessly rose, then shot off in the corresponding direction.

“Of course,” Arak said. “It’s meant to be easy.”

All of the visitors found the air taxi rides mesmerizing. They never tired of the vista of the city and the surrounding area. With craning necks they tried to take in everything, but it was difficult; there was so much to see and the vehicle was moving at an astounding speed. Within a few minutes they found themselves hovering at the entrance to the museum, a half dozen yards from the barnacle-encrusted Chevrolet Corvette.

“God, I loved that car,” Michael said with a wistful sigh as he climbed from the air taxi. He paused and gazed longingly at the monument. “I was dating Dorothy Drexler at the time. I don’t know which had the better body.”

“Did they both need an ignition key to get them started?” Richard asked with a smirk.

Michael took a swipe at his buddy with an open palm, but Richard evaded it with ease. Then he danced briefly on his toes like a professional boxer before taking a swing of his own.

“No fighting,” Donald snapped, insinuating himself between the two divers.

“Your Corvette might have been fine for you and Dorothy,” Suzanne said, “but I feel rather embarrassed the Interterrans feel that this symbolizes our culture.”

“It does suggest we’re rather superficial,” Perry agreed. “Besides being rusty and in sorry shape.”

“Superficial and materialistic,” Suzanne said, “which, I suppose, is probably the case when you think about it.”

“You’re reading too much into the symbolism,” Arak said. “The reason we have put it here at the front of the museum is much simpler. Since we are now relegated to observing you from afar to keep from being detected by your advancing technology, the automobile is what we notice most. From a great distance it almost appears that the cars are the dominant life form on the surface of the earth, with secondary humans acting like robots to take care of them.”

Suzanne had trouble suppressing a laugh at such an absurd suggestion, but when she thought about it, she could understand how it might seem from a distance.