Page 92 of The Outcast
“I want access to a certain technology that the Motherlands have. And I want Shelly Summers to help me on a project I’m working on.”
We all stared at him. He might as well have told us that he wanted us to teach him how to change into a dragon.
“Victor, that’s impossible,” Freya exclaimed. “Surely, your geography isn’t so bad that you don’t realize the difference between the Northlands and the Motherlands. Shelly Summers is a Motlander. We have no say in what she works on.”
He smiled at Freya. “I assure you my geography is just fine. You are related to Councilman Jonah, who is, as we all know, powerful and influential in the Motherlands. I’m sure he could entice Shelly to join an international project. It might be fun for her to work with another genius for a change.”
“If you’re friends with her, why haven’t you just asked her?”
Victor seemed to consider my question. “I did, but Shelly has many people who wish to work with her, and she is tied up in a bunch of projects. She said that she would if she wasn’t so busy. I’m simply asking that you help convince her to prioritize my project.”
“Look, Victor, you’re wasting our time,” Indiana said with a sigh of impatience. “You know damn well that we can’t order Shelly to work with you. If you need a genius, then ask Freya to help you.”
Victor made a sound of amusement. “Remind me again of your engineering degree, Freya.”
Thor puffed up his chest. “My sister isn’t an engineer, but she’s still a genius.”
“Enlighten me in what areas her genius shines.”
Thor began listing Freya’s accomplishments with endless social projects and improvement to the people and animals of the Northlands. “Everyone knows that if you have a tricky problem you go to Freya because even though she may not be an expert, her ability to ask questions and think outside the box is legendary.”
“Thor, please stop,” Freya said with a tiny shake of her head.
Just then, the woman from the bedroom came out, now showered and dressed. She was attractive and walked over to kiss Victor’s chin whispering in French, “I’ll see you around, sexy. I’m available later this week. Just call me.”
Victor sat stoically, just waiting for the woman to walk out and close the door after herself before he continued our conversation. “You know, Thor, with all your bragging about your sister, I’m wondering if a test of her abilities might be in order.”
“What test?” Thor asked.
With the edge of his lips lifted, Victor addressed Freya. “I can guarantee that Banni will be free to marry Sparrow, if you are able to use your so-called genius to convince Jonah to give me access to the technology I need, and for Shelly Summers to help me on my project.”
Freya angled her head. “Thor forgot to mention one more of my abilities. I have an excellent instinct for when I’m being manipulated.”
Victor chuckled and threw up his hands. “What a shame that you came all this way for nothing. I hope you’ll have a pleasant trip home and that the young woman waiting for Banni won’t be too disappointed.”
“Be reasonable,” Freya told him. “Banni already donated his sperm when he was seventeen. He has given you more than a decade of dangerous Explorer work. Can’t you do something nice for another human being without putting your own needs first for once?”
“Ah, but Freya, you forget that I’m not doing it for me. The project I’m working on will help my people. I assure you that I’m being quite selfless here.”
“If you want my help then at least tell me what technology it is that you want access to.”
Victor moved in his seat. “The Motherlands have successfully brought back extinct animal species, and I want to study how they do that.”
“You want to bring back extinct animals here in Europe?”
“To be more specific, I want to prevent the extinction of more animals. I want to boost the population of important species.”
“All right.” Freya sat with her arms folded around her waist. “I’ll talk to Shelly and Jonah and do my best, but I doubt Jonah will listen to me.”
Shifting his gaze to Aubri, Victor said, “Jonah is your brother-in-law.”
“Yes.” Aubri had kept her promise and refrained from insulting Victor as she normally did. “So?”
With a direct stare, he told her, “Maybe you can help Freya convince him.” Shifting to French he added, “I would consider it apersonal favor.”
I saw the way Aubri swallowed hard and looked to Indiana before she gave a tiny nod and answered, “I’m all about saving animals. I’ll be happy to talk to Jonah.”
Thor and Freya gave Aubri a strange look as if they were surprised by her readiness to help Victor, but I understood that he had just called in the favor she owed him for not reporting me.
