Page 91 of The Outcast
“When did you get a home-bot?” I exclaimed in surprise.
“I’m testing it out for a friend.”
“What friend?” I asked in an accusatory tone, because it provoked me that Victor lived in such luxury when people like me lived in small tents, risking our lives to secure components for the work he did.
“Shelly Summers from the Motherlands.”
“Shelly isn’t your friend,” Aubri said with her brow lowered.
Victor didn’t blink but had that arrogant smile on his lips. “She and I understand each other. We exchange ideas and I test stuff for her, giving her valuable feedback.”
Thor cut through in a firm tone, “We’re not here to talk about Shelly Summers. It’s a small matter, but we need a guarantee that Banni can stay in the Northlands for as long as he wishes to.”
Victor looked to me and then back to Thor. “You came all this way to ask that question?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I fell in love with a woman that I wish to marry,” I explained.
Victor stared at me and then he rubbed his forehead using his right hand. “I should have known. That’s what celibacy does to a man.” With atsksound, he shook his head lightly. “Come on, Banni, you’re just confused. Don’t let these people talk you into signing a contract like that. You’ll regret it if you do.”
“It’s not like that,” I said, but Victor dipped his head to his bedroom door. “Yvette can help you think straight again. Go see if she’s open to another round of sex.”
“Please,” Freya snorted before looking away.
“Banni doesn’t want to fuck some stranger,” Aubri declared. “He wants you to guarantee that he can stay in the Northlands and be with Sparrow.”
Victor rolled his thumb while watching me intently. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”
“A hundred percent. I don’t expect you to understand but the feeling of love is more powerful than anything I’ve ever experienced.”
“Then love her if you must, but why come here and ask for a guarantee when you already have permission to work in the Northlands? Why not try loving her for a year or two and see if it bores you?”
“That wouldn’t work,” Thor said firmly. “We can’t allow Sparrow to gamble with her future without a guarantee. In a year or two there could be children involved and we won’t allow you to tear a husband from his wife and children.”
“Hmm…” Turning back to me, Victor spoke in an ominous tone, “Do you understand that what they’re asking you to do is give up your freedom?”
Thor stepped in. “Are you sure you want to talk about freedom? We wouldn’t be here if Banni was a free man. All of you are chained to this country, deprived of the freedom to love each other. In the Northlands Banni can be who he wants to be. People respect him for his work and one of our finest women loves him and wants to start a family with him.”
Victor stood for a long moment as if contemplating Thor’s words. With a side glance to Freya, he moved to sit down on a chair facing all of us.
“Each to his own, I guess. Tell me, though, if I’m to present this to our prime minister and get a guarantee for Banni, what are you giving us in return?”
“Sixty-seven Explorers,” Thor said.
“That’s already agreed upon. Surely you must have something to offer in exchange for the guarantee.”
Thor arched a brow. “Our offer to you is a renewed commitment to deliver Explorers. We’re already offering you a grand gift.”
“That was in exchange for our people having access to a social media platform.”
“Yes. Consider Banni’s freedom a late addition to that deal.”
Victor’s gaze fixed on the large windows and then he spoke in a level tone. “I see what you’re doing, but it won’t work. I’m happy to do you this favor if you in return get me something that I want.”
“What would that be?” Thor asked.
