course,” Rikka said. “As long as it does not involve treason.”
“No. Nothing like that.” Okil looked over his shoulder, but the females were all still seated in the chairs. Intrigued, Rikka waited for Okil to speak. “There is a chance that these females will breed a new generation of Karalians.”
“Isn’t that the point of bringing them here?” Rikka said, not sure why Okil would class that as a secret.
“I mean a completely new generation. There is a chance that Darl can perfect a way to reintroduce true Karalian females back on Karal.”
“You mean we won’t just have sons?” Rikka asked. That was news he never expected to hear.
“Yes. The first human female, Elissa. She had some of our DNA introduced into her body. By complete accident. Any day now she will give birth to a girl.”
“Then why the search for a planet? Why help the humans on Earth? We could just take what we need and leave them to their fate.”
“We could. But there is no guarantee that any Karalian females born will be fertile. We will not know that for another hundred years.”
“So this new colony is a back-up plan?”
“Yes,” Okil nodded.
“And what if the colony is set up and the females are fertile? Do we abandon them to their fate?”
“No. Because there will be some Karalians among them.”
“Who would be stupid enough to go and live among humans?” Rikka watched Okil’s face brighten and then he laughed. “Oh, you volunteered for the job?”
“I wouldn’t say volunteered . But yes. I will be sent to the new planet. So choose the new planet wisely. If only for my sake.”
The space cruiser touched down at the airport and before Rikka had chance to question Okil further, he had got up and moved away, to talk to the females. As Rikka scanned their faces, he wondered which one he would choose. But he found none of them appealing.
Because he would never let his emotions make such an important choice. Not when whoever he chose would bear him a son and a daughter.
Chapter Seven – Gaia
They landed on Karal, passed out of what appeared to be an airport, and, without stopping, journeyed on. Green filled the cruiser’s windows: vast expanses of grasslands, filled with animals. Some on four legs, others flying high in the air.
Her mind was reeling, trying to piece together all the colours she had seen. They circled in her head, broken fragments, like a kaleidoscope, nothing fitting together. So much life! In the short time since they had entered the Karalian atmosphere, she had seen more animals and plants than she ever had on Earth in her whole life.
“Gaia,” Issy said, touching her shoulder. The spaceship had stopped and the others were standing up, beginning to move to the hold to collect their luggage.
Gaia looked up into the concerned face of her new friend. “Sorry. I was lost in thought. Did you see those animals? They were huge.”
“ Arunda, ” Rikka said, his eyes fixed on her, no doubt weighing up how he could get her removed from the trials. If she went into shock at the sight of the animals on Karal, what would she be like in space when they found a new planet?
“They had such long necks,” Gaia said incredulously. Yes, she sounded like the town simpleton, all right.
“They move in vast herds across the grasslands,” he said. “When you leave the breeding house and journey to your new home on Karal, you will have plenty of time to see them all. Right now you need to get up and collect your luggage so we can begin.”
With no other word, and expecting them all to obey, he went to the top of the ramp, as if he couldn’t wait for his ship to be purged of humans. She unbuckled her seatbelt and got up, picking up her pack. She then followed Issy to the hold and helped her drag the heavy suitcase down the ramp.
The first breath of air she took made her brain buzz. Oxygen overload.
“Wow. The air is so clean. Have you ever smelled anything so wonderful?” Gaia