GABRIEL (The Innerworld Affairs Series, Book 4) by Marilyn Campbell
Authors: Marilyn Campbell
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realistically simulated to enhance visitors' sensual pleasure. "Yes, as a matter of fact, Professor, I do know a bit of the environmental history of Outerworld."
"Oh, of course. For a moment I forgot who your mother is. Aster Mackenzie's contributions to the planet will be legendary."
She laughed. "At least that's what Lantana told us, but my mother found it hard to believe. She's really a very modest person."
"Would you care for a Caress?" Gabriel offered, holding open the bag he had brought from his room.
Shara peeked inside to make sure she understood precisely what he was offering. Recognizing the red shimmer-wrapped hearts, she dipped her hand in and brought out one of the dark chocoberry treats. "Thank you. Where did you find these?"
"I always bring a supply with me. They're my only bad habit."
She didn't buy that for a minute. Gabriel unwrapped a sweet as if it were a rare treasure then placed it in his mouth. His expression left no doubt about his extreme enjoyment as he savored the chocoberry slowly melting in the heat of his mouth. Shara felt a bit like a voyeur as he performed the blatantly sensual act. Dragging her gaze away from him, she ate the piece she had chosen for herself. It was good but not that good.
"I'm glad you decided to end the silent treatment," Gabriel said when he finished his chocoberry. "We do need to go over your plans."
Shara started to correct him about why she had shown up at his door but realized her desire to have a confrontation with him had melted along with the chocoberry. For a few minutes at least, she wanted to continue the peaceful mood he was attempting to establish. Discussing her specific plans was a sure way of destroying that mood, particularly since she had no intention of including him in them. Yet she was aware that any information she could glean from him could be helpful. She decided to see if she could get him talking instead of the other way around.
"From what I've read about the time of the rebellion, the insurgents were scattered over the planet, but at the end, the leaders all gathered in First Province to rise against the Ruling Tribunal. Obviously, I'm hoping to hit that time period."
"Hoping?" Gabriel asked, carefully watching Shara's eyes for clues.
"Yes, hoping. Lantana had not perfected the tempometer. I can program it for the year I want, but, according to his notes, I may end up as much as a century off. I'm counting on the theory that there are eddies and flows in time, and certain events—those with historical significance—have a stronger pull than other times."
"If you're right, there shouldn't be a problem. Nothing in that time period was as significant as the rebellion and colonization of Innerworld Terra."
They came to a small pond and sat down on two smooth boulders. Shara tested the temperature of the water with her fingers and smiled when a group of tiny fish rushed to the surface. "Sorry, guys, all we have is sweets." After a moment, she returned her attention to Gabriel. "I've been reading about that era but I'd appreciate anything you could tell me that might help prepare me."
Ferrine had told Shara that Gabriel spent very little time lecturing but it was immediately apparent that he enjoyed it. With no further encouragement on Shara's part, he shared his knowledge and love for the past. Rather than the sort of dry dissertation she remembered from some of the professors of history she had had in the academy, Gabriel made the past come alive for her.
He described the fears of the Noronian leaders as the shortage of energy began to threaten their way of life and the renewed hopes for a glowing future after the discovery of volterrin in Terra's core. Likewise, he gave her an insight into the motivations of the rebels. The fuel crisis had given them a golden opportunity to spread their views and gather followers, despite the fact that they had previously been considered fanatics.
"The leaders of the movement called themselves Friends
"Oh, of course. For a moment I forgot who your mother is. Aster Mackenzie's contributions to the planet will be legendary."
She laughed. "At least that's what Lantana told us, but my mother found it hard to believe. She's really a very modest person."
"Would you care for a Caress?" Gabriel offered, holding open the bag he had brought from his room.
Shara peeked inside to make sure she understood precisely what he was offering. Recognizing the red shimmer-wrapped hearts, she dipped her hand in and brought out one of the dark chocoberry treats. "Thank you. Where did you find these?"
"I always bring a supply with me. They're my only bad habit."
She didn't buy that for a minute. Gabriel unwrapped a sweet as if it were a rare treasure then placed it in his mouth. His expression left no doubt about his extreme enjoyment as he savored the chocoberry slowly melting in the heat of his mouth. Shara felt a bit like a voyeur as he performed the blatantly sensual act. Dragging her gaze away from him, she ate the piece she had chosen for herself. It was good but not that good.
"I'm glad you decided to end the silent treatment," Gabriel said when he finished his chocoberry. "We do need to go over your plans."
Shara started to correct him about why she had shown up at his door but realized her desire to have a confrontation with him had melted along with the chocoberry. For a few minutes at least, she wanted to continue the peaceful mood he was attempting to establish. Discussing her specific plans was a sure way of destroying that mood, particularly since she had no intention of including him in them. Yet she was aware that any information she could glean from him could be helpful. She decided to see if she could get him talking instead of the other way around.
"From what I've read about the time of the rebellion, the insurgents were scattered over the planet, but at the end, the leaders all gathered in First Province to rise against the Ruling Tribunal. Obviously, I'm hoping to hit that time period."
"Hoping?" Gabriel asked, carefully watching Shara's eyes for clues.
"Yes, hoping. Lantana had not perfected the tempometer. I can program it for the year I want, but, according to his notes, I may end up as much as a century off. I'm counting on the theory that there are eddies and flows in time, and certain events—those with historical significance—have a stronger pull than other times."
"If you're right, there shouldn't be a problem. Nothing in that time period was as significant as the rebellion and colonization of Innerworld Terra."
They came to a small pond and sat down on two smooth boulders. Shara tested the temperature of the water with her fingers and smiled when a group of tiny fish rushed to the surface. "Sorry, guys, all we have is sweets." After a moment, she returned her attention to Gabriel. "I've been reading about that era but I'd appreciate anything you could tell me that might help prepare me."
Ferrine had told Shara that Gabriel spent very little time lecturing but it was immediately apparent that he enjoyed it. With no further encouragement on Shara's part, he shared his knowledge and love for the past. Rather than the sort of dry dissertation she remembered from some of the professors of history she had had in the academy, Gabriel made the past come alive for her.
He described the fears of the Noronian leaders as the shortage of energy began to threaten their way of life and the renewed hopes for a glowing future after the discovery of volterrin in Terra's core. Likewise, he gave her an insight into the motivations of the rebels. The fuel crisis had given them a golden opportunity to spread their views and gather followers, despite the fact that they had previously been considered fanatics.
"The leaders of the movement called themselves Friends
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