Richard waved a dismissive hand. “These people are no aliens. Christ, did you see those girls! Hell, I’ve seen a lot of movies about aliens, and they sure didn’t look like these people.”
“They could be altering their appearance to our liking,” Suzanne said.
“Yeah,” Michael said. “That’s what I thought at first. We’re dreaming they look so good.”
“That’s why I don’t give a goddamn,” Richard said. “It’s what’s in my mind that counts. If I think they’re gorgeous, they’re gorgeous.”
“The real issue is their motives,” Donald said. “It was no accident that brought us here. It’s even more apparent that we were literally sucked down that shaft. They want something from us or we’d already be dead.”
“I think you are right that we were specifically brought here,” Suzanne said. “Sufa admitted several things to me. First, she confirmed that what we’d gone through was a decontamination.”
“But why were we decontaminated?” Perry asked.
“She didn’t say,” Suzanne said. “But she admitted that they have had visitors like us in the past.”
“Now that is interesting,” Donald said. “Did she say what happened to them?”
“No, she didn’t,” Suzanne said.
“Well, you guys can worry yourselves sick,” Richard commented. Then he put his head back and yelled. “Worker clones, come!”
Instantly two humanoids appeared, one male and one female. Richard took one look at the female and glanced at Michael conspiratorially. “Pay dirt!” he whispered with unbridled excitement.
“Richard,” Suzanne called. “I want you to promise that you will not do anything that will embarrass us or put us in jeopardy as a group.”
“What are you, my mother?” he asked. Then he glanced up at the female worker clone and said: “How about some more of that dessert, honey?”
“Me, too,” Michael said. He clanked his golden fork on his golden dish.
Donald started to rise but Perry restrained him again. “No fighting,” Perry said. “It’s no use.”
Richard smiled provocatively at Donald, relishing the man’s frustration and anger.
A soft chime interrupted the muted background music and echoed about the room. A moment later Arak energetically swept into view. He was attired in the standard fashion with a small addition. Around his neck was a plain blue velvet ribbon that perfectly matched the particular blue hue of his eyes. It was tied in a simple bow.
“Hello, my friends,” he called exuberantly. “I trust that your meal was to your liking.”
“It was great,” Richard answered. “But what is it made out of? I mean, it doesn’t look anything like what it tastes like.”
“It’s mostly planktonic proteins and vegetable carbohydrates,” Arak said. He rubbed his hands enthusiastically. “Now then! What about the celebration I mentioned to you earlier? You have no idea how many people here in Saranta are extremely pleased about your arrival to our city. We’ve had to turn people away. You see, we’re not a city that gets many visitors from your world: certainly not like Atlantis to the east or Barsama to the west. Everyone is anxious to meet you. So that brings us to the pivotal question: are you willing to come over to the pavilion or are you too tired from the decon?”
“Where’s the pavilion?” Michael asked.
“Right there,” Arak said, pointing out the open end of the dining hall. “The celebration is to be held in the pavilion here on the visitors’ palace grounds. It’s very convenient. In fact it’s only a little more than a hundred yards, so we can walk. What do you all say?”
“Count me in,” Richard said. “I never pass up a party.”
“Likewise,” Michael said.
“Splendid!” Arak said. “What about the rest of you?”
There was an awkward silence. Perry eventually cleared his throat. “Arak, to be truthful, we’re a little nervous.”
“I’d use a stronger word,” Donald said. “Frankly, before we do anything, we’d like to have some idea who you people are and why we are here. We know our presence is not an accident. To put it bluntly, we know we were abducted.”
“I empathize with your concerns and your curiosity,” Arak said. He spread his hands palms up in a conciliatory gesture. “But, please, for tonight allow my experience to prevail. I’ve dealt with visitors to our world before, not terribly many, it is true, and not in as large a group, but still enough to know what is best. Tomorrow I will answer all your questions.”
“Why wait?” Donald demanded. “Why not tell us now?”
“You don’t realize how stressful the decon procedure was,” Arak said.
“Can you at least tell us how long the procedure lasted?” Suzanne asked.
“A little more than one of your months,” Arak said.
“We were asleep for over a month?” Michael questioned in disbelief.
“Essentially, yes,” Arak said. “And it’s stressful on the brain as well as the body. Tomorrow you will have to deal with more startling information. We’ve learned that it is easier to absorb when our visitors are rested. Even one night makes a big difference. So please, tonight relax, either here together or alone in your lodges or, best of all, with us at our celebration of your arrival.”
Perry searched Arak’s face. The man’s blue eyes held his gaze and exuded a sincerity he could not deny. “Okay,” he said. “At this point I don’t think I can sleep anyway. So, I’ll come, but tomorrow I’m going to hold you to your word.”
“Fair enough,” Arak said. He looked at Suzanne. “And Dr. Newell, what is your pleasure?”
“I’ll come,” Suzanne said.
“Marvelous,” Arak said. “And you, Mr. Fuller? What is your decision?”
“No,” Donald said. “Under the circumstances I would find celebrating rather difficult.”
“Very well,” Arak said, rubbing his hands again in obvious delight. “This is wonderful indeed. I’m glad most of you are willing to come. There would have been a lot of disappointed people if I had returned alone. Mr. Fuller, I understand your feelings and respect them. Please enjoy your rest. The worker clones will do your bidding.”
Donald nodded morosely.
“Now, let’s get on our way,” Arak said to the others. He motioned toward the open end of the dining hall.
“Will there be eats at this party?” Richard asked.
“Absolutely,” Arak said. “The finest Saranta can muster.”
“Then I’ll skip seconds on my dessert,” Richard said. He tossed his spoon onto the table, stood up, stretched, and belched loudly.
Suzanne glared at him. “Richard, have some respect for the rest of us even if you don’t have it for yourself.”
“But I do,” Richard said with a sly smile. “I restrained myself from farting in this mixed company.”
Arak laughed. “Richard, you are going to be a big hit. You’re delightfully primitive.”
“Are you yanking my chain?” Richard asked.
“Not at all,” Arak said. “You’ll be in great demand, I assure you. Come on! Let’s show you off!” With a wave, Arak started toward the open end of the room.
“All right!” Richard said, giving Michael an enthusiastic thumbs-up sign. Michael returned it with equal exuberance.
“Let’s party!” Michael cried. The two divers eagerly followed Arak.
Suzanne looked at Perry, who shrugged and said, “This is crazy, going to a celebration under these circumstances, but we might as well take it all in stride.”
Then she glanced at Donald. “Are you sure you don’t want to come?”
“Yeah, I’m sure,” Donald said gloomily. “But if you two want to fraternize, be my guests.”
“I’m going because I might learn some more,” Suzanne said. “Not to fraternize, as you put it.”
“Come on!” Perry called from the far end of the room.
“We’ll see you later,” Suzanne said. She hurried after Perry and the others, who were already on their way across the lawn.