Reacquaintance

By Lotta Bangs

Magdalena has trapped the man who has been torturing and killing her over eight lives. She still loves him, but cannot trust him, knowing that he is a pawn controlled by Someone Else. Has she unwittingly doomed herself? Her Utopia, Galen is a haven for everyone else, but not for her. It leaves her vulnerable to too many forces bent on draining, using, destroying or tearing her apart. She is trying to gather her allies, but they too have agendas of their own. Worst of all, she cannot remember what it is that she must do and is unsure whether she can survive the next step.
This is the book which sets up the whole series and introduces the backgrounds of the main characters. If you’re new to Science Fiction, please start reading the series here.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lotta Bangs
• Release date: Oct 25, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301691708

Lotta Bangs

I’m Aussie, way over 35, thankfully and very happily divorced, and have a wonderful daughter who very occasionally beta-reads for me. A few years ago we had 13 cats; we just lost another, so now only one of those remains. We have added 6 more over the years, including the sweet feral ragdoll which is my Facebook avatar. I generally prefer female cats, but have also had some magnificent males. I couldn’t live without cats, just wish their lives were longer. I’m having a lot of problems adjusting to social media which doesn’t leave me enough time for writing and editing, so I won’t be expanding my web presence any time soon. If you want to know about NEW RELEASES and SPECIALS you will need to FRIEND ME ON FACEBOOK. I have announced coupons to get a new release free here, but apparently nobody reads author biographies. Of course my books are what you are really interested in. Originally, I wrote a long continuous story, starting at Reacquaintance, told from Ro’s POV. Then when Ro disappeared for a year or so, I had to use Taj to fill in the gaps, and she proved so feisty and interesting, that I added in her back story, starting with Getting to Galen and continuing in The Deep End. After Thxx’s Story, the various POVs continue in the same stream. I had to break up my huge tomes into installments that could be published separately as I finished editing them. I’m afraid my writing was quite stuffy at first, with convoluted 12- to 15-line sentences, turgid half-page paragraphs, and a lot of pompous pontification and personal political opinion which the story didn’t need. I had to rip out a lot before I could publish. I think the books are greatly improved now. I was giving away my books for free for most of a year, hoping to develop a fan base quickly, but learned that people don’t value what is free. Though over 20K copies have been downloaded, very few seem to have been read, and even fewer have been reviewed. I was unlucky to attract an ill-wisher who thought it amusing to devalue every one of my few 5-star reviews. Perhaps that put off others from reviewing. Certainly, without good reviews, few readers cared to buy my books, so if you have enjoyed them, I really would appreciate a short review. With the next book, The Power of Art, I will be doubling all my prices, so they’ll never be cheaper than they are now. I believe that I am the only person writing Utopian books today, though mine are nothing like the political satires of yesteryear. My books are based on the power of love to bring out the best in everybody, to develop their souls and help them to evolve into higher beings. Ro started Galen, and she, Taj and their men lead their people to make Galen a true Utopia which reaches out to the stars. Cat lovers will adore Brinna, my sentient sabretooth, though we have intelligent dogs and dinosaurs too. Though you couldn’t call my series a space opera, I do have a space battle planned, probably the cutest ever written, but that is still a way off. I really will have to buckle down and get more books edited and published so I can write some more.

Book preview

Silent Waiting Part 1

Reacquaintance

Lotta Bangs

Smashwords Edition

ISBN: 9781301691708

PUBLISHED BY:

Lotta Bangs on Smashwords

Reacquaintance 59,944 words

Copyright 26 October 2012 by Lotta Bangs

Cover by coverageart

Model photographed by Marcus Ranum www.ranum.com

Cover title fonts: Bangkok, Baskerville Semibold Italic

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author / publisher except for the use of brief quotations in critical articles or reviews.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. Please do not re-sell or give away this eBook to other people. If you would like to share this eBook with another person, please purchase/obtain an additional copy for each reader or send them to Smashwords to obtain their own copy.

If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to smashwords.com and purchase/obtain your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work and many years this author has spent at her crash-prone computer to produce this series.

This is a work of fiction and does not in any way advocate irresponsible personal or sexual behavior. Names, places, businesses, characters, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, actual events or locales is purely coincidental.

Dedicated in homage to James Cameron, whose creation

Dark Angel, inspired me to start writing. Thank you.

This was where I began.

However, my characters wouldn’t obey and play nice.

They each went their own twisted way.

Perhaps that was for the best.

Acknowledgement: My thanks also to my beta-reader Amanda for the welcome criticism, suggestions, arguments and support.

And especially for the HoloBombs.

Silent Waiting Part 1: Reacquaintance

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Reacquaintance

Chapter 2 Leading and Reading Langdon

Chapter 3 JC, Sperm Power and Sobriquets

Chapter 4 Flowers and Compliments

Chapter 5 Head of Galen Security

Chapter 6 How Galen Works

Chapter 7 Breastfeeding

Chapter 8 Life Force and Food

Chapter 9 Child Education and Galenite

Chapter 10 Maggie and the Bots

Chapter 11 Establishing Galen

Chapter 12 The Outside Recession

Chapter 13 Environmental Problems

Chapter 14 Racial Mother

Chapter 15 Magdalena and Mohammed

Chapter 16 Mags, Mo and the Ogre Prince

Chapter17_Mags_and_the_Punished_Sheik

Chapter 18 Sideplay

Chapter 19 The Nuclear Secret

Chapter 20 Patriotism

Chapter 21 Mags’ Early History

Chapter 22 The Baby Milk Scandal

Chapter 23 Atrocities, TV and NZ

Chapter 24 Rehabilitation and Goals

Chapter 25 Birthday Vid and Learning to Heal

Chapter 26 Miriam and Yeshuah

Chapter 27 After the Power Flash

Author’s Note

Silent Waiting Part 1

Reacquaintance

Chapter 1

Reacquaintance

Damn! I was so nervous. I really did not want to do this. It was too soon. I wasn’t ready for him yet. I had too many problems already without taking on more. I needed help and support, not more flaming responsibilities.

I probably should not have made Maggie love him; I think that was my biggest error. She was still very immature, still is, even now.

Maggie had immediately become wildly enthused with Lang’s quixotic little games. She invented a practical HoloVision system. Then set up millions of giant HoloVids in public areas worldwide. Just to abet Lang in his fool Bruce Wayne fantasy.

Ostensibly these were supposed to be a public service to connect people to important information. All paid for by advertising—and they are profitable. But really it was so Maggie could drop untraceable HoloBombs to play his little Wise Monkeys pirate programmes wherever he wants in the United States.

His short programmes dish the dirt on corrupt officials and organized crime figures. And especially the powerful controllers behind those people in very high places of whom Lang didn’t approve.

So now I have to come to the rescue before these enemies have him blown to smithereens.

I stepped out of the portal, walked up to his door, took a deep steadying breath and knocked. I checked my wristcomm again and sighed nervously. In just a few seconds the long years of waiting, and soon the torture and murders, would be ended.

It had been hard enough to stay away since I’d first seen him five years ago. At that medical convention in Chicago. But the last six months had shown just how much agony I could bear. This would definitely be the last time. He would never put either of us through that again.

As always, I’d picked him out immediately in that huge crowd. If there’d been ten million people, instead of only 30,000, I still would have seen him instantly. The blaze of that aura drew my eyes as if they were magnetized.

He’d immediately felt the connection too. He recognized my presence. Started to turn his head. But I’d quickly shut the door and escaped. Saddened that my love felt so lonely since his divorce.

I’d only glimpsed the back of his head and one ear. So I wasn’t sure what he looked like till I saw photos. But there had been a soft light blue overlay on the coruscating white brilliance. And that particular light blue aura shade indicates loneliness, as I well knew. Mine almost matched his. Though with the addition of rose, mine was more of a soft pinky-mauve.

Footsteps approached. I took another deep, calming breath, tightened all my controls, and stepped inside as the door opened. The box slid in behind me.

Cahdo stood stunned; unable to speak as his eyes took me in. The old life memories overwhelmed him. Before he could move again, Taj stalked into the entry hall. She glared at me.

You’re Langdon’s destiny lady, aren’t you? she accused. I smiled and nodded. We all looked at the doorway she had just used, as Langdon wheeled himself through. His eyes locked on mine.

He almost snapped: About time you showed up. Where were you the last five years?

Growing up, I said wistfully, and building you an empire.

Oh, he was gorgeous. Even while he tried so hard to look angry, his aura fountained welcoming showers of brilliant blue-white sparks. These met and melted into mine.

I wanted to melt into him, too.

I took a step forward, clasped the hand he offered, and powered him, as he stood and stepped into my embrace and finally broke the eye-lock.

Aah, what feelings it roused to hold him again after so long. So very long since the last time we were adult together. I could so easily believe everything his body was saying to mine. If it weren’t for those eight lives between then and now.

His arms felt secure, his lips softly brushing my jaw. His warm breath on my skin sent new waves of fire through me. Shame he was 6cm shorter. My heels and big hair made the height difference worse. Why hadn’t I been warned?

It’s been too long. I’ve missed you so much. I signalled to Cahdo to bring up the chair.

I can’t hold you much longer, Love. You’ll have to sit down again now. I gently eased him into the chair, holding just his fingertips.

Lang bit his lip and gave a little lopsided grin.

Thank you, he said softly. It felt good to be able to stand and walk again, if only for minutes. Your powers have grown Magdalena.

More than you know. Don’t worry, Love, you’ll be dancing at our wedding in a month, and carrying me over the threshold all on your own.

He glanced at the box parked casually against the wall.

Is that the dead Langdon Kane? Who was the poor bastard?

Still quick, Lang, I grinned. You’re right; it’s the crucifixion all over again. But you won’t feel any pain this time. That lump of meat is only a copy of a drug-raddled, alcoholic dream-addict I found downtown.

I wheeled him into the living room, with some difficulty. Neither of us could bear to let go of the other for even a moment. After a little fumbling, we figured it out and make a wobbly forward progress.

We were both laughing when we reached the sofa, where I sat. Now we could hold both hands at once. It wasn’t enough; but this wasn’t the place. And there was still much to do.

Cahdo and Taj had followed, fascinated. The box slid after me. It picked itself a central position, and began disgorging a stream of smaller boxes. These busily went about their appointed tasks. They packed and cleared away every item, replacing it with an MC (Molecular Copy).

Lang watched bemused.

How long do we have?

Nearly two hours.

Then what . . .?

They’ll fire missiles from two directions. That pattern will obliterate everything in here except your comm. room. They’re saving that for proof of your nefarious activities. And they want your records. They want to see what incriminating information you’ve got on them, their enemies and their competitors.

The neighbours . . .?

Are safe. I’ve temporarily ’frozen the floor and adjoining walls. Nothing will get through. It’s going to be the most accurate display of marksmanship the Army’s ever seen. The boxes will un’freeze the walls, add a few scorch marks. And they’ll check that everything looks okay after we leave.

The US Army?

Yes, Special Ops. You’ve annoyed too many well-connected people, Langdon.

Taj had parked herself on the arm of a copied chair. Cahdo stood undecided, shaking slightly. I beckoned him over and touched his hand.

He immediately relaxed and sat beside me, my hand over his for a few moments, as I adjusted Langdon’s sight.

Taj watched me like a predatory cat; poised, ready to attack or flee in an instant.

Her extraordinary genetic inheritance had resulted in a strikingly beautiful face. Full bee-stung lips, huge, deep, dark eyes, lovely high cheekbones, clear olive skin—similar to mine. Her dark, longish hair rather lank and a bit straggly today. And a superb petite body. All sleek feminine grace, and lithe flowing strength.

And, of course, she was just the right height for Langdon. Making me feel ordinary, scrawny and gangling in comparison. There was a slight tic in Taj’s cheek.

Do you need Tryptophan? I asked.

Her eyes narrowed. After a few seconds she nodded.

I removed Lang’s now superfluous glasses. Cahdo joined me as I walked over to the box. He placed his hand under mine as I made the necessary alterations to the eyes and body. It needed to resemble more closely what Langdon’s would look like if he had lived the junkie’s life. I positioned the spectacles, and collected the containers.

"If you take some B6, multi-B and St John’s wort with the Tryptophan, relief will come much faster. B6 alone helps. You need it to convert tryptophan to serotonin. Each B-group vitamin works best in the presence of all the others in the group. St John’s wort, or Hypericum, increases the availability of serotonin to the brain. They’re all water soluble, so you can’t overdose easily.

Also, eat lots of raw carrots and celery in salads, coleslaw or juice to make more serotonin. Nobody outside Galen gets a decent diet anymore. Not even Langdon here, judging by all the garbage he’s carrying inside. You all need good organic fruit and vegetables.

Taj stared at me strangely. She swallowed the handful of pills and capsules I shook out for her. I left her the containers.

Her eyes were drawn to the body, now outside the box and clearly visible.

Langdon also, was interested. Is it like me inside, too?

"No, Darling, it’s genetically identical now. But it’s staying a skinny, wasted junkie. With cirrhosis, a shrunken, scorched brain and all the other marks of a dissolute life. ’Fraid you’ve been hitting the stuff extra hard since the accident. Probably been a junkie since before the Pulse.

I changed the rotgut in his stomach into imported Scotch whisky, to give it that rich boy touch. Should I give him HIV too, d’you think?

Don’t you dare, woman! Let me die with some dignity, please. I need to keep at least a little self-respect. His eyes danced.

He found this amusing?

Nobody has more respect for you and your odd code of ethics than I, Love. That’s why I put us through unnecessary pain and loneliness for five years. Even a hundred years ago I could have married at thirteen. But you know what it would have done to you if I had come near you now, at that age.

Langdon’s eyes filled with horror. And now . . .?

Now, it’s all legal. I smiled bitterly. I moved my hand to cup his cheek. Today, I am legally an adult. Then I gasped, and almost lost all control. He had turned his head and butterfly-kissed my fingertips one at a time. Then he nibbled gently at my palm.

I was suddenly wet and hot, control dissolving, evaporating. Butter in his hands. He was going to ruin everything. Then his eyes twinkled.

Happy birthday, Magdalena. Sorry we don’t have a cake, but we can celebrate later.

The rat fink knew exactly what he was doing to me. How could he be so callous? I’d fix that.

I made a small adjustment, removing the SaltPetre+ from his bloodstream. It worked instantly. He went white, then purple.

I let him suffer a full minute while I dug in my purse. Then I bumped his wheelchair slightly to turn him away from Taj. I crouched down so he was hidden from Cahdo too. I brazenly reached inside Langdon’s loose pants and slipped a donor cap over his hair-trigger erection. I smacked a noisy kiss onto the tip of his nose, as I tucked the offending member away again.

I was so glad that I had taken the trouble six months ago to reattach those nerves much higher in his spinal column and ensure that Langdon retained feeling there. My revenge would be exquisite.

Without the SaltPetre+ in his system, the poor guy was completely at the mercy of his own power.

Taj noticed the rearranged furniture immediately I stood up. I grinned gleefully at her. Isn’t it nice to get a man completely under one’s control?

She laughed out loud, and really relaxed for the first time.

All brisk now, I fetched a laptop and wheelchair from the box. I helped Langdon change chairs. I fitted the laptop into the chair arms. I showed him how to lock it in position, or slide it away in the storage compartment.

New improved models, I presume?

And how! Just wait until you’ve checked out the capabilities.

Cahdo fetched the old laptop. Lang transferred in the old data.

I offered a handful of necklaces.

Silver?

He nodded distractedly, and I fastened it around Lang’s neck.

Cahdo accepted a gold chain. Taj chose a thin black leather strap. I fastened each.

"Now, listen up please, this is really important. Do not ever remove your necklace unless you are safe at Galen or in a sanctuary. Nobody else can take it off you. And it will never slip off accidentally.

"Each necklace is indestructible. But it’s only the holder for the token—the little black oval charm thingie. Those come alive as soon as you put on a necklace. They connect you to Galen Central, which is a worldwide sentient computer.

If ever you are in any kind of trouble, just touch your token and say ‘Galen’ twice. Subvocalize if you don’t wish to make a sound, or if you cannot reach your token for some reason, just subvocalize ‘Galen’ three times. The right kind of help will arrive immediately. That is guaranteed. We haven’t lost a single member, since Galen started twelve years ago. Except to natural causes, of course. There’s much more, but that info will keep you safe until you are in sanctuary. Any questions?

Nobody had any.

The data dump complete, the bots wiped the electronic records thoroughly and completely. They put in vague traces of what may have been previous wiped info left after reformatting. They then installed the dummy data.

Langdon was getting excited playing with his new toy.

I pulled his chair over to the sofa, where I could keep a hand on the back of his neck as we talked.

He leaned into my hand and smiled gratefully, already comfortable with the arrangement I had made. He had noticed I now radiated vitality, understood and accepted. He didn’t need to know how I was doing it.

Okay, now I need you to authorize the sale contract so it can be registered, Dear.

Just which sale contract would that be, Dear? he asked, his eyes suddenly wary.

The one whereby you sold this whole building and all your property to Galen two weeks ago, Darling.

You forged my signature, you witch, he glared.

Of course I did, Darling, but it was for your own good. I smiled sweetly. And you drove a very hard bargain.

Just how hard a bargain? Langdon asked, still trying to act tough. I reached across and keyed in his new Bank Galen account. There was a long indrawn breath. When he looked up there was awe in his eyes, a very rare emotion for my Lang.

You could have bought the whole state for that, even before the Pulse.

Gee, I wish I’d known two weeks ago that you’d be so cheap, Dear. Then I wouldn’t have had to throw in the stock options, as well. I smiled innocently.

What stock?

Poor darling looked nervous. I was loving this. I keyed in the stock account.

Langdon went white again and bit his bottom lip.

I had to restrain myself hard to keep from kissing his mouth back to softness.

This is impossible. Are you pulling my leg now?

No, Darling.