Chapter 3
The doors to the lift opened, and they exited onto the platform at the top of the dome. Heather stood next to Devlon inside the above-ground structure as they waited for transportation to come and get them.
“Did you really want to talk to me about baby gifts?” Heather asked suspiciously.
“No, I didn’t.”
“Then what?”
“I was curious why you would insist on rebuilding the underground homes, when the domes offer more than enough space.”
“Like I said before, we don’t trust the dome leaders, who are mostly military. They turned away so many people and left them to die.”
“If you’re angry with your government’s decisions, why not let us relocate you to a more livable planet? Or relocate your people to Drasta?”
“How do we know that the grass is greener on your side?”
“I don’t know what that means. You have no vegetation above ground.”
“It means that things always sound and look better somewhere else, but when you get there it could be worse than where you came from.”
“I would think anywhere would be better than living in dark, some times dirty tunnels.”
“Are your people prepared to give us weapons if we relocate?”
He didn’t answer her, but looked off into the distance. She already knew what he would say, anyway. She didn’t blame him; her people had basically destroyed themselves with weapons meant for their own defense.
“Moving to another planet without a means to protect ourselves leaves us vulnerable to attack by other species. Also, relocating to Drasta isn’t a cure-all for our problems. There are Drastans who don’t like humans and who would resist a major influx of them.”
“I’ll be speaking to the high chancellor of Drasta about the humans emigrating to Drasta being allowed citizenship. Those who are mated will automatically be granted full citizen rights but those who are not mated, will need to go through the citizenship process.”
“I know the easiest and best thing would be to relocate us, but if we ever hope to reclaim our planet, we’ll need to be here to help rebuild. You must think all of us humans are crazy and idiotic for causing such destruction to our own world.”
He paused before responding. “At first I may have believed that. Some of your people are crazy and idiotic, but not all of you are. I try to look at the situation as if I were in your place, and I have to grudgingly admit I’d probably make some of the same decisions that your leaders are making—that you’re making.”
She understood what he was trying to say. “You understand our need for those in the tribes to keep their foothold within the subway tunnels?”
“I do. That’s your leverage, your means of making sure that your government and the dome leaders deal with you fairly.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. He really did understand why it was so important. “That’s exactly it.”
“However, we cannot allow your people to interfere with our humanitarian efforts. We’ve spent too much time, energy, resources, and manpower. There have been lives lost, and only now are we starting to get some of the peace back that this place desperately needs.”
How could she argue with any of that? “You’re right.” He looked so stunned that she agreed with him, it was almost comical. “I can see reason, Commander.”
“Call me Devlon.”
She bit her lip before repeating his name softly. “Devlon.” As she looked up at him, she felt a spark between them. The heat from his body was like a blanket surrounding her. Heather lost herself in his eyes; they were dark and mysterious, making her wonder what secrets he hid. She was so caught up in his eyes and heat, she didn’t even realize they had moved closer together until they were barely a few inches apart.
“You could come to Drasta,” Devlon said in a deep voice.
Heather shook her head. “Not while my people still need me. Besides, I don’t have anyone on Drasta.”
As if remembering that he shouldn’t get involved, he took a step back from her. “Whereas you have a husband here on Earth.”
She rolled her eyes. They were back at this again. She moved further away from him. “So, you’re going with me to the tunnels now?”
“Yes. I have a few hours I can spare, and then I need to return to the command ship to make further arrangements.”
