All Chapters of Center Land (Book 3 of Kendra's Journey): Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Since it was a given that Trudy would not be their best way to get the queen’s cooperation, they searched for Gilda.  It took some time to track her down, but they finally found her as she was coming out of a large, modest looking, red brick building.“What are you doing wandering about?” she scolded.  “You’re supposed to remain in the guest house until summoned.”“We need to see the queen,” Kendra bluntly informed her.Gilda studied them for an excruciatingly long moment before nodding.  “She’d have called for you soon, anyway.  Follow me.”To their surprise, she turned on her heels and reentered the modest looking building that she’d just exited.  They gave each other a curious look before hurrying to catch up with her.  Given that she was twice their size, her legs allowed her to walk at a pace that demanded that they -Rex included- practically jog to

Despite the fact that Dr. Mac hovered over her every move, Olga managed to complete the alteration of the virus in the matter of a few days without the good doctor grasping too much of the formula. It wasn’t that Olga was being greedy as much as it was that, until she completely trusted these unusual people, she didn’t want them to have access to something so valuable.With the formula completed, the next step was to get the queen’s permission to test it on the alien.“The queen captured the prisoner two years hence,” Dr. Mac said, thoughtfully.  “It was creeping around our perimeter.  No one knows why. It won’t speak.  We have a treaty with the aliens, so our queen contacted their leader to complain about it and the leader told us to kill the intruder. It’s amazing how little they care for each other; or any living thing, for that matter.  The queen couldn’t justify killing the alien simply beca

“We should be able to move on in another day or so,” Olga said as she settled herself onto the arm of the chair that Arthur was resting in.  “I’ve injected an alien with the altered virus.”“They have an alien on premises?” Kendra gasped with nervous trepidation.Seeing her reaction, Olga gave her a gentle smile. “He’s been locked in a cell below ground for two years.   We’re safe from him.”“I’ve never seen an alien,” Alice mused as she leaned against the back of Felix’s chair.Realizing that she was standing behind him, Felix stood up and offered the chair to her.  Impressed by his act of chivalry, she smiled and accepted while suggesting that he sit on the arm like Olga was.  His brief hesitation made her instantly aware of her skin affliction.  Because of this, his consequent warm smile, and the casual way that he eventually settled

When Arthur, Pete, and Alice finally returned a few hours later, they wore looks of frustration on their faces.  Arthur explained that they were each pulled into a room, one after the other, where a grueling interrogation took place by the queen’s right hand while she silently sat and listened.  Questions from how long they’d lived in inner earth to how well they knew Olga were put to them in so many different forms that it became both confusing and frustrating.“It was as if they were trying to trip me up with my answers,” Arthur complained.“Right?”  Alice snipped as she flopped into a nearby chair.  “My brain feels like mush.  They just kept asking the same thing over and over again in a different format.”“I need a nap,” Pete grumbled as he eased himself into a chair.  “What was that all about, anyway?”“It would be one thing if they simply aske

By the time Arthur and Alice were thrust into the cell, the group had come up with a solution for their lack of privacy that gave them some semblance of comfort while taking care of personal needs.  The women had seriously considered pointing out their dilemma and asking to be moved to a separate cell, but, then, thought better of it.  Staying together would allow them the chance to put their wits to work as a unified group and come up with a means of escape.  So, when nature called, they swallowed their pride and braced themselves to endure the humiliation as they made the announcement of their body’s need so that the others could stand with their backs turned toward the individual until the person announced that all was clear.The lack of consideration for their comfort and modesty made Kendra equate the amazons to aliens on the surface who treated humans like they were no better than animals.Several hours passed before Olga was yanked from the