ROMULUS (The Innerworld Affairs Series, Book 1) by Marilyn Campbell Page A

where he's been."
    "First, we do not use the title Mister here. You may call me Romulus, or if you prefer something more formal, Chief Romulus, but it's not necessary. Next, we will not send anyone back for any reason. That is not negotiable." He recalled the report on Sheila Feinstein. "I gather you are unaware that the disease was eliminated from your body while you were under the beam. Not only are you not dying but you both have many years left to enjoy life. You're barely middle-aged by our standards. A few visits to our medical facilities and you'll be feeling like youngsters again."
    Sheila and Paul hugged each other tightly, tears of joy flowing freely down their weathered cheeks.
    Romulus permitted a smile to soften his purposefully stern expression for a moment. "I hope we will eventually discover something that will please the rest of you just as much, or at least make up for what you left behind."
    He looked at Aster but the brunette spoke up.
    "Hi, I'm Cherry Cochran, and I want to know something a little more personal. I mean, are you human or is that some kind of super bodysuit?"
    The unexpected question caused snickers around the table and Romulus had to struggle not to join in. Clearing his throat, he quickly regained control. "Occasionally I monitor Outerworld media, so I have a fair idea where you would get such an idea. Let me assure you, we are humanoids. The differences between us are mostly technological."
    Aster struggled with a problem of her own and it was far from Cherry's silly concerns. Anxiety overwhelmed her. She felt her heart constrict and her head was woozy. Her lungs strained for air in a room that had become a vacuum.
    Too many times in her life, events beyond her control had turned her upside down. After Dennis's death, she had prayed for a little peace, for everything to remain stagnant for a while. But this time the change was beyond her imagination. She had to do something and she employed the relaxation technique she used many times before. Calm down, breathe deeply, count to three. Repeat.
    Feeling some relief, she had exchanged her panic for anger. "Excuse me for interrupting," Aster cut in impatiently. "It seems to me there are more than technological differences between us. The woman who was with me said the nurse 'touched' my mind and learned things about me. Are you all able to read our minds? How are we supposed to deal with that? And what other secrets haven't you told us about?"
    Unable to stay seated another minute, Aster stood up and paced restlessly behind the chairs. The frown on Romulus's face told her she had brought up one of the subjects that he would rather have avoided but his tone of voice remained amiable.
    "I can see how that might have upset you but it's not as frightening as it sounds. Yes, we have expanded mental capabilities, some more than others. However, you will learn that we put great store in individual privacy, not that we have anything to hide from each other or from you.
    "In certain situations, such as an emergency, we have the right to touch or read your mind but only to the extent to provide help. Otherwise, it is required that you give the other person your permission. We are bound by a code of honesty and I am sure you will come to trust us eventually."
    " Trust you ? I not only do not trust you, Chief Romulus, I don't even believe in you. This could be some sort of group hallucination. And if not, if what you've told us is real, then that's even worse. I mean, who do you think you are anyway? Snatching people out of their world, rearranging their whole lives to fit yours and aren't we lucky that we're here! I have responsibilities and a job that I love out there. Besides, the whole premise of our being in the center of the Earth is ludicrous. Everyone knows the inner core of our planet is a ball of fire.
    "And what about the rest of you? Sitting there nodding and smiling like this man has the right to do what he's done!" Aster was picking up