They walked through the door.
Jaspar’s quarters had the sleek lines of a state-of-the-art spaceship, and the sanodroids that whirred over the walls, floor and ceiling of the Starliner had kept it sparklingly clean – almost sterile. But his personality was still stamped on the space like a brand. The bed was draped with furs, typical of the Drakkens’ traditional outlook, but it was also piled with cushions in gold and silver velvet and brilliantly jewel-toned silks. It would be, she thought, like sleeping on a hoard of treasure. Not as lumpy, of course.
The door sealed shut behind them, leaving only a faint oval outline.
Jaspar showed Liza a small bar, with two seats that protruded from the floor like alien mushrooms. He fetched a bottle of liquor from a floating liquor cabinet and poured them each a drink in a heavy gold goblet encrusted with diamonds.
The drink burned deliciously, and had a sweet aftertaste.
“Yummy,” Liza said. “So, theoretically, if we were in that honeymoon hut you mentioned, would this stuff be there?”
“This stuff. Coffee. Anything you desire.” Jaspar sighed and set down the drink. “I would love to stay here with you for an eternity, but we should return to Far North and take my brother’s report, I suppose.”
When they tried to head back out, the door stayed stubbornly sealed.
“Door, open,” Jaspar said.
“I am sorry, but your mother has reprogrammed me. I am not allowed to let you leave here until she says that I may. However, she did ask that I play you this recording.”
Jaspar’s mother’s voice played, seemingly coming from everywhere. “You should not have banished me to the ship earlier, because it gave me time to reprogram your room. I will not be defeated,” she said. “This door has been programmed to stay shut until you contact me and tell me that you will abandon the idea of marrying the human. Your communicator has been reprogrammed also, so that you may only call me. All other forms of communication from this room are blocked now.”
