Free Core by Viola Grace Page A

broke through the cloud layer, and Cora gasped in amazement. The ground that looked so bare and inhospitable from space was rich, green and alive with life. From the orbital station, it had looked to be a desert world.
    “Oh my. That is lovely.” She smiled and looked around at as much of the living eden that she could.
    Her friend gave her an incredulous look. “You are kidding. Does your kind like barren deserts and rock formations?”
    Cora looked around her and frowned, rubbing at her eyes. “I must be tired, because that is not what I am seeing.”
    “What are you seeing?”
    “I don’t think that this is the time or place to discuss my delusions, Sox.” Cora spoke quietly, aware that six curious pairs of ears could hear them now that the roar of wind was over.
    The sacrifices to Lero were all pretty, pure and barely adult by Vahsh standards, one of them may be the wife of the sleeping Avatar, but Cora was quite sure that the Avatar would regret it. The prospective brides had not stopped whining since they had hugged their families farewell and boarded the shuttle.
    “Well, this is one uniform that I am going to be happy to get out of, Cor. It is not only uncomfortable but humiliating.” Socorea looked down at the lizard-like red bodysuit with its deep vee to the navel.
    Cora’s was no better. Her escort uniform seemed made of cobwebs and flames, including two thigh-high armoured stockings that met the high-soled shoes. She looked like Halloween on acid. “Three days on the surface and one day back to the orbital station. You can get back to your charming gowns in no time.”
    “Here we are. Just as described, the perfectly clear landing site. Not that there isn’t an entire planet to drop on. I swear I have seen sand flats with more geographical interest.”
    Cor frowned, Sox wasn’t seeing what she was seeing. The surrounding area banked against a mountain range, and they were on a drop off that looked like it went several hundred feet straight down.
    The directions they had been given were most specific. They were to leave the shuttle and walk to the temple ruin and wait for three days. After that, they were free to leave the same way they had come.
    Cor unbuckled and got to her feet. “All right, ladies, let’s begin your journey. Sox will gather the rations, and I will walk with you to the temple.”
    Moara, Venkiil, Whelan, Quish, Saldara and the ringleader Tobeena got to their feet and followed her to the exterior hatch.
    She watched the cycle of the lock and smiled as the click indicated the availability of the exit. With a surge of delight, she opened the door and stepped into the green and growing wonderland.
    Her hyper-charged senses went into an overload of delight. She hadn’t smelled, felt or enjoyed a planet like this since she had left Earth. Her condition had earned her a trip on the Volunteer exodus, and she had never enjoyed it as much as she was doing right now.
    The expressions on the faces of the ladies with her told her that they had no appreciation for the fragrant breezes that were tugging at their skirts.
    Tobeena sneered and stepped daintily along the ground. “I can’t believe anyone would want to live here.”
    Cor could see lush grasses under the girls’ feet, but they were walking carefully as if trying not to kick up any dust.
    She shook her head and promised herself an appointment with a Minder as soon as she got back to an Alliance base that offered one. Steeling herself, she led the way to the temple grounds and inside the courtyard.
    Tents were pinned to carefully manicured grasses. Six lovely white tents, complete with pillows and bedding, waited in the central garden. Cor could not believe that no one else could see it.
    “Ladies, here are your accommodations. Please enjoy them.” Cor parroted the words that she had been told to say, and the girls carefully made their way to the tents, touching the flaps with dainty fingers.
    Sox came in with the ration packs.