GABRIEL (The Innerworld Affairs Series, Book 4) by Marilyn Campbell Page A
Authors: Marilyn Campbell
Ads: Link
and preached a return to the old ways, before technology removed the challenge of survival from their lives. In their minds, this also meant a return to the time when there was no Ruling Tribunal or central planetary government. They wanted to give the people more freedom by putting the power back into the individual provinces. Naturally those leaders were ready to take control of the new local governments to ensure harmony.
"By the time the crisis ended, the Friends had gone from dreaming of change to believing they could force their wishes on the population. Despite the fact that peace and love were supposed to be the basis of their movement, legal protests gave way to attacks on government-owned property. A large portion of the administrative center of First Province was destroyed before the rebels were brought under control."
Shara found herself so fascinated with his tales that the afternoon sped by. On the way back to their rooms, she didn't hesitate to accept his suggestion that they dine together. Several of the crew members joined them shortly after they arrived in the dining area and the evening turned out to be surprisingly enjoyable.
The next two days followed a similar pattern. All Shara had to do was ask a few questions and Gabriel was pleased to educate her. When he had covered every aspect of the rebellion and ancient Noronian history, she urged him to tell her about his journeys.
The day before they were due to arrive on Norona, Gabriel was determined to bring their discussion back to the present. They were once again in the biodrome, sitting by the fish pond and sharing his stash of Caresses. "I think we should make some contingency plans, in case we get separated," he began.
While he outlined a procedure that he thought would be workable, Shara's mind wandered. Although she had come to appreciate his company and his vast knowledge, she hadn't lost sight of the fact that they had opposing goals. As far as she was concerned, it was still in her best interest to make the time-hop without him. For the past several days, she had successfully sidetracked him. Surely she could manage it a little longer. The moment he concluded his idea for regrouping, she asked, "Tell me about yourself. You know everything there is to know about me and all I know about you is your work."
Gabriel narrowed his brows in confusion. He could not comprehend the connection between their plans and his background. Thus far, none of their discussions had veered into personal areas. Under the circumstances, there didn't seem to be a need for an exchange of trivial information. On the other hand, Ferrine had assured him that shared confidences could put Shara into a more cooperative mood. "What do you want to know?"
She figured some basic questions could get him started talking about himself and then, as he had with other subjects, he'd carry on from there. "Where were you born? Do you have siblings? What do your parents do?"
He was automatically suspicious about what prompted this line of questioning. He had stopped revealing any information about his origins long ago, after he realized how uncomfortable it made most people. And yet, what greater confidence could he share? "Parson's Colony, one older sister, diplomatic councilors."
Shara hadn't expected him to be so forthright.
He noted her surprised expression and nodded. "My parents were two of the original twelve."
"That must have been an incredible experience," she said with sincere fascination. Though the possibility of him having superior mental powers frightened her, she also had the desire to know more about it, from both a professional and personal standpoint. "If I remember correctly, for a short time Parson's Colony was considered one of the greatest brain trusts in the galaxy, then it abruptly dissolved. Several reasons were officially cited—personality and control conflicts and something about a problem with the offspring." She scrutinized his head of soft golden
"By the time the crisis ended, the Friends had gone from dreaming of change to believing they could force their wishes on the population. Despite the fact that peace and love were supposed to be the basis of their movement, legal protests gave way to attacks on government-owned property. A large portion of the administrative center of First Province was destroyed before the rebels were brought under control."
Shara found herself so fascinated with his tales that the afternoon sped by. On the way back to their rooms, she didn't hesitate to accept his suggestion that they dine together. Several of the crew members joined them shortly after they arrived in the dining area and the evening turned out to be surprisingly enjoyable.
The next two days followed a similar pattern. All Shara had to do was ask a few questions and Gabriel was pleased to educate her. When he had covered every aspect of the rebellion and ancient Noronian history, she urged him to tell her about his journeys.
The day before they were due to arrive on Norona, Gabriel was determined to bring their discussion back to the present. They were once again in the biodrome, sitting by the fish pond and sharing his stash of Caresses. "I think we should make some contingency plans, in case we get separated," he began.
While he outlined a procedure that he thought would be workable, Shara's mind wandered. Although she had come to appreciate his company and his vast knowledge, she hadn't lost sight of the fact that they had opposing goals. As far as she was concerned, it was still in her best interest to make the time-hop without him. For the past several days, she had successfully sidetracked him. Surely she could manage it a little longer. The moment he concluded his idea for regrouping, she asked, "Tell me about yourself. You know everything there is to know about me and all I know about you is your work."
Gabriel narrowed his brows in confusion. He could not comprehend the connection between their plans and his background. Thus far, none of their discussions had veered into personal areas. Under the circumstances, there didn't seem to be a need for an exchange of trivial information. On the other hand, Ferrine had assured him that shared confidences could put Shara into a more cooperative mood. "What do you want to know?"
She figured some basic questions could get him started talking about himself and then, as he had with other subjects, he'd carry on from there. "Where were you born? Do you have siblings? What do your parents do?"
He was automatically suspicious about what prompted this line of questioning. He had stopped revealing any information about his origins long ago, after he realized how uncomfortable it made most people. And yet, what greater confidence could he share? "Parson's Colony, one older sister, diplomatic councilors."
Shara hadn't expected him to be so forthright.
He noted her surprised expression and nodded. "My parents were two of the original twelve."
"That must have been an incredible experience," she said with sincere fascination. Though the possibility of him having superior mental powers frightened her, she also had the desire to know more about it, from both a professional and personal standpoint. "If I remember correctly, for a short time Parson's Colony was considered one of the greatest brain trusts in the galaxy, then it abruptly dissolved. Several reasons were officially cited—personality and control conflicts and something about a problem with the offspring." She scrutinized his head of soft golden
Similar Books
