Chapter 5

We slept late, then just laid there snuggling for the longest time. It was comfortable for me, and he seemed to enjoy it, so I’ll say we both felt right together. Spending the morning just chatting like a couple of newlyweds was fun in itself, but we had to get to a party. An inquisition of, hopefully, the most friendly kind.

Upon arrival, I felt out of place, dressed in shorts, a tight little top, and high heels, but then a couple of other women showed up dressed similarly, so that set me at ease. Brad showed up with Ashley and while she was wearing a bit of a more conservative top, her miniskirt wasn’t at all conservative, nor were her high heeled sandals. I no longer felt like a display piece in a shop window. I felt more like part of the gang.

When the questioning started, I found out that the women were actually elected representatives and members of the aforementioned Homeland Security Committee. Wow.

I was able to explain just about everything I knew, down to our hyplex drives, not how they worked, but how I operated them, as well as the shields that kept us from dying when we were in hyplex dimensioning. I had to explain that thousands of the forces of gravity, applied instantaneously, especially as measured on a larger planet, will basically turn a human body into a pinkish mist. I asked them not to ask me how I knew that. It was not a fun memory.

Not one of them gave less than a groan of disdain. I had a following.

I was asked about life on Omega, and the difference between Omega and Omega One. I explained the difference between our countries and planets, but briefly, since as soon as I started, they all nodded, understanding the implications of what I was saying. Alpha ... sorry, Sol Earth was that way, too, with many continents all divided up politically into countries. That was before the Scalar. Even before that, many countries were blending, joining together to form larger more feasible countries, I was told. “Sounds like so many other worlds,” I offered.

They stumped me when they asked me why Omega One was called that when the capitol, New Columbia, had a unique name, as did other countries on the planet. I had no idea. I’d never learned that. I’d never asked and had never been exposed to the subject. I did tell them I’d try to find out if it was important. They laughed and said there were much more pressing issues to worry about. True.

Brad then spoke to the group, informing them of his intentions with Charlie, having him return to Omega with me as their emissary, working on trade and technology purchases and the like. He announced the promotion, and his new title, stating he would most probably be replaced by his deputy, then his deputy would be replaced as soon as a decision on that could be made.

These were nice people for the most part. One man, a member of the governor’s staff, a legal person, if I recall, was a bit direct and wanted to know the real reason I was there and if I was actually a scout for a larger force coming behind me. No matter what I said, I don’t think I was able to put his mind at ease. Rhonda, one of the elected women, told me during a break when we ate, that I would never be able to make him happy, no matter what I said. He was a doomsday naysayer, she added, telling me not to let him make me feel uncomfortable.