Page 34 of Surrender

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Star portals have existed since the beginning of time. Doorways between worlds in our galaxy. They are found on Earth at the convergence of ley lines, those invisible electromagnetic paths crisscrossing our globe. Our ancestors discovered them thousands of years ago.

Flourishing ancient civilizations didn’t die out and disappear. Once again, history was wrong. The people of Atlantis, the Sumerians, the Mayans – when tragedy struck their homelands, they simply migrated through the portals to worlds where fresh water flowed, crops grew abundantly, and the climate was nearly perfect.

Human beings descended from our common ancestors are alive today on a recently discovered trio of planets thousands of light years away. Islands of stability in the Universe where vast quantities of precious metals and rare minerals abound.

Iridia. Gadolinium. And the blue planet. Neodyma.

Chapter One

“Neodyma, sir?” AJ asked, surprised. “Isn’t that the planet where people refuse to accept modern technology? I thought it was populated by a handful of rough savages.”

“Compared to us, they are,” Admiral Stevens replied. “And I fear the behaviors you’ll witness there will shock you. But we need your unique talents on Neodyma, Commander Norris.”

AJ tried to imagine what sort of behavior the stern-faced admiral would deem shocking. Gladiators fighting to the death for the amusement of the citizens, as they did in ancient Rome? Human sacrifice? She knew better than to voice her gruesome thoughts. True to her military training, she stood with her back ramrod straight, waiting for him to continue.

Stevens folded his arms and gazed out the wall of glass in front of him. AJ kept her eyes on the admiral. The panoramic view of East Metropolis from his office on the 321stfloor made her dizzy.

“It seems a band of outlaws has taken over an ancient fortress in the Outlands of Neodyma, deep in the Crystal Mountains. Their charismatic leader, General Tok, is recruiting young women to come to Petra, claiming they can escape their dull lives and be loved, even worshipped, as women once were. But according to sketchy reports we’ve gotten in, once she arrives, the unlucky female becomes a sex slave, forced to submit in every way to any man rich enough to buy her or powerful enough to win her in battle.”

Sex slaves? No wonder the admiral called the behavior shocking. AJ had never met any humans who actually engaged in sexual activity with each other. Physical forms of intimacy had disappeared long ago on Earth, replaced by electro-holographic stimulation, performed either alone or in group settings. Modern technology guaranteed a satisfying climax every time, without any of the distracting emotional trauma early humans had to endure in their quest to feed their ceaseless sexual hungers.

Long ago, science learned to suppress the body’s production of estrogen and testosterone through regular, minimal doses of synthetic hormones. The primitive erotic cravings that led men and women to behave rashly disappeared, as did the threat of unwanted pregnancy.

AJ had her own holographic partner, an attractive, muscular male she’d designed. Her image of the perfect man, he came complete with an ultrasonic wand sized to bring her to orgasm swiftly and efficiently. She’d learned about the ancient practice of sexual intercourse between humans. It sounded like a messy and uncomfortable way to handle procreation. She considered herself fortunate to live in modern times.

One day, far in the future, she’d be assigned a life partner based on shared goals. Her marriage contract would include a timetable to achieve them. If they chose to procreate, she and her mate would design and conceive the child artificially, in a sterile lab, where the infant would spend its first months of life closely monitored by the latest equipment.

At the end of two years, they’d be presented with a healthy toddler free of genetic defects – a far better system than leaving a child’s fate to the old-fashioned rolling of DNA-laden dice known as intercourse.

With a start, AJ realized Stevens was still talking. She put aside the graphic images her imagination had conjured up of female sex slaves submitting to their alien captors and forced herself to pay attention.

* * *

Stevens paced back and forth in front of the glass wall, staring down at the bustling city below.

“Keeping order on these distant outposts is an ongoing problem. Frankly, Commander, the Interstellar Federation isn’t concerned about some cult indulging in obsolete sexual practices on a faraway planet. Rumor has it this rogue band is mining vast quantities of rare minerals and selling them to planets outside the Federation. With them, terrorists hold the key to building superweapons capable of taking the entire Universe hostage.”

With a sigh, he stopped and met AJ’s eyes.

“We’ve already sent out one undercover team. But, as you know, modern communication devices can’t survive the bombardment of electromagnetic forces unleashed in the portal. We’re limited to receiving live reports from our scouts or on antiquated devices – sheets of paper bearing written words. There’s been no message from the team for three months. The minister fears they’ve been captured or killed. Frankly, I’m inclined to agree with him.”

He paused, sizing up the slender woman in front of him. Shoulders back, head held high, she wore her dress whites with pride. Per regulations, her long chestnut hair was drawn back into a severe knot at the back of her head. Wide amber eyes regarded him steadily, displaying no hint of emotion.

“Command Central has decided that rather than risk the lives of another full team, this time they’ll send in a single spy. A female, more likely to be kept alive if the rumors of sex slavery are true. Because of the danger, we’re reluctant to order anyone to take on this mission. So, Commander Norris – in short, we’d like you to volunteer.”

She didn’t disappoint him. “Certainly, sir. It is an honor to be of service to the Federation.”

“We’ve prepared a cover story for you. Although you’re average in height here on Earth, women on Neodyma do not grow to six feet tall. There’s no chance of disguising yourself as a local wanting to join his cult.

“Instead, you’ll pose as a reporter eager to score the first intergalactic interview with General Tok. Appeal to his vanity. You’re going to make him a superstar, bring his amazing new concept in social structure to the entire galaxy. Assure him women everywhere will want to know how they, too, can be worshipped as goddesses.”

“But your real mission is to get as much information as you can about what’s going on in the general’s mountain fortress – and then get back here alive to tell us.”

* * *

She’d been on Neodyma for three weeks. The assignment had started out well. Although she’d been warned about the effect the star portal would have on her body, she’d ignored the advice to take a few days to recover and immediately set out finding a way to get to Petra.

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