GALLANT (The Innerworld Affairs Series, Book 3) by Marilyn Campbell Page B
Authors: Marilyn Campbell
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Cherry's mind... as well as your discomfort."
Gallant smirked at her then frowned at the dainty hand that hid so much strength. Nothing was going the way he had expected on this mission. Recalling his plan to use Cherry to lure Frezlo out of hiding, he realized he would have to do some fast, believable talking. He wondered if she had any sympathies he could tap into.
Not certain what tidbit Mar-Dot might feel tempted to add to his story, he said, "All right. I'll tell you everything. But let's go to my room so we don't disturb Mar-Dot."
Cherry could see by Dot's crestfallen expression that she did not want to be left out of this discussion but she simply pursed her lips and turned away.
"Fine," Cherry said and moved away from Gallant.
He took a gulp of air into his lungs as he rose and led the way.
The moment the door closed behind her, Cherry said, "Okay, shoot."
Gallant still thought that was a very odd expression but he decided he'd better get started testing her sympathetic nature. "I suppose I could begin with my background. I don't know if I'm a Noronian by birth but I was raised on Norona. I was abandoned as a baby and adopted by a good man and woman. The only thing that was left with me was a note requesting that I be named Gallant Voyager. I possess certain characteristics that are not precisely Noronian, so there is a question of my genetic origins. However, I usually abide by the Noronian codes of behavior I was taught."
"Except when it's not convenient," Cherry added in a sarcastic tone. "If you think I'm going to feel sorry for you because you don't know who your real parents are, you've made a tactical error. You see, I was raised by my biological parents, and always wished I had been orphaned at birth. I figured any foster home had to be better than the one I was in. So forget the poor Gallant angle and try for a truthful explanation of why I'm not back in Innerworld by now."
Gallant realized his plan had backfired. Rather than instill sympathy in her, she stirred it in him. Once again damning the volatile emotions he was forced to live with, he quashed the urge to ask her more about her childhood and sat down on his bunk. Immediately he realized there was nowhere for her to sit but right next to him, which was altogether too close for his comfort. Berating himself for not taking her into the larger, less intimate facility chamber instead, he did what any civilized adult would do. He shifted to the foot of the bunk and waved her toward the other end. "Sit. Please. This will take some time and I don't like looking up while I'm talking any more than you do."
Cherry lowered herself but her crossed arms and stern expression warned him to make his explanation a very convincing one. It was time for the truth... at least enough of it to assure her cooperation. Now he would see if she bore any loyalty to Norona.
"Please understand, the mission I am on is so sensitive, I didn't even reveal details of it to Governor Romulus. He was not personally involved, however, and you are. I see now that you should have been informed of the situation right from the beginning. You must swear that what I am about to tell you will remain confidential. Millions of lives could be at stake."
Cherry clucked her tongue. "You know, you almost had me before that last line. Don't you think millions of lives is a bit much?"
Gallant sighed. "I realize you have reason not to trust me but I swear by the Noronian code of honesty I was raised with, everything I'm about to tell you is the truth."
"Okay, I promise whatever secrets you reveal will stay inside my head." She proceeded to get into a more comfortable listening position by folding her legs Indian-style on the bunk. "Aster and Rom saved millions of lives ten years ago when an asteroid was heading toward Earth. Is this something like that?"
"I'm afraid it's not that simple. For you to understand, I'll have to go back in history about four hundred years. Within the same solar
Gallant smirked at her then frowned at the dainty hand that hid so much strength. Nothing was going the way he had expected on this mission. Recalling his plan to use Cherry to lure Frezlo out of hiding, he realized he would have to do some fast, believable talking. He wondered if she had any sympathies he could tap into.
Not certain what tidbit Mar-Dot might feel tempted to add to his story, he said, "All right. I'll tell you everything. But let's go to my room so we don't disturb Mar-Dot."
Cherry could see by Dot's crestfallen expression that she did not want to be left out of this discussion but she simply pursed her lips and turned away.
"Fine," Cherry said and moved away from Gallant.
He took a gulp of air into his lungs as he rose and led the way.
The moment the door closed behind her, Cherry said, "Okay, shoot."
Gallant still thought that was a very odd expression but he decided he'd better get started testing her sympathetic nature. "I suppose I could begin with my background. I don't know if I'm a Noronian by birth but I was raised on Norona. I was abandoned as a baby and adopted by a good man and woman. The only thing that was left with me was a note requesting that I be named Gallant Voyager. I possess certain characteristics that are not precisely Noronian, so there is a question of my genetic origins. However, I usually abide by the Noronian codes of behavior I was taught."
"Except when it's not convenient," Cherry added in a sarcastic tone. "If you think I'm going to feel sorry for you because you don't know who your real parents are, you've made a tactical error. You see, I was raised by my biological parents, and always wished I had been orphaned at birth. I figured any foster home had to be better than the one I was in. So forget the poor Gallant angle and try for a truthful explanation of why I'm not back in Innerworld by now."
Gallant realized his plan had backfired. Rather than instill sympathy in her, she stirred it in him. Once again damning the volatile emotions he was forced to live with, he quashed the urge to ask her more about her childhood and sat down on his bunk. Immediately he realized there was nowhere for her to sit but right next to him, which was altogether too close for his comfort. Berating himself for not taking her into the larger, less intimate facility chamber instead, he did what any civilized adult would do. He shifted to the foot of the bunk and waved her toward the other end. "Sit. Please. This will take some time and I don't like looking up while I'm talking any more than you do."
Cherry lowered herself but her crossed arms and stern expression warned him to make his explanation a very convincing one. It was time for the truth... at least enough of it to assure her cooperation. Now he would see if she bore any loyalty to Norona.
"Please understand, the mission I am on is so sensitive, I didn't even reveal details of it to Governor Romulus. He was not personally involved, however, and you are. I see now that you should have been informed of the situation right from the beginning. You must swear that what I am about to tell you will remain confidential. Millions of lives could be at stake."
Cherry clucked her tongue. "You know, you almost had me before that last line. Don't you think millions of lives is a bit much?"
Gallant sighed. "I realize you have reason not to trust me but I swear by the Noronian code of honesty I was raised with, everything I'm about to tell you is the truth."
"Okay, I promise whatever secrets you reveal will stay inside my head." She proceeded to get into a more comfortable listening position by folding her legs Indian-style on the bunk. "Aster and Rom saved millions of lives ten years ago when an asteroid was heading toward Earth. Is this something like that?"
"I'm afraid it's not that simple. For you to understand, I'll have to go back in history about four hundred years. Within the same solar
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