It was a long flight between Nevada and Brazil. It gave Clara plenty of time to look through the notes that Animalia Ambassadoria made regarding what was needed to restore the hotel to a proper colony. Though the more Clara read, the more she frowned. The earlier idea of allowing the plants currently growing there remain as part of the jungle theme was clearly a bad idea. The structure of the hotel was weak enough as it is without the plants' roots and trunks destabilizing it further. In fact, looking at the laundry list of various things that Abby's group had listed, it was a wonder the hotel hadn't collapsed already.
Rick was walking back with some refreshments when he saw the frown on his wife's face. "Is something wrong?" he asked, offering her a cup of coffee.
Clara gratefully took the cup and drank a long swig. She had missed coffee a lot during her pregnancy. She lowered the cup and said, "I've been reading the group's notes about the hotel. At this point, I'm wondering which is less expensive: restoring the entire hotel or knocking it down and rebuilding it from scratch."
"I'm not sure if the Brazilian government would be able to cover building a new hotel," said Rick, "And we do have all the resources, technology, and equipment to do it."
"Yes, but transporting all of that to the hotel's location is not going to be easy," said Clara with a sigh.
"Does that mean you're not going to make a new colony?" asked an alto voice. The two cougars looked up to see their fellow passenger, er, passengers. Ianthe and Iphis were interested to see their native Brazil again, especially where there was going to be a new Animalia colony.
"No, Ianthe," said Clara, "Setting up a new colony there won't be impossible. But it's not going to happen nearly as fast as with Mieni Atoll."
"How long do you think it might take?" asked Ianthe.
"That depends on how badly the hotel's structure has deteriorated," said Clara, "But my current is guess is that it'll take a few months, if not the rest of the year at the very least."
"And that's if we don't have our resources divided with other colonies," said Rick.
"You're going to make more?" asked Iphis with interest.
"Well, considering how big a success that Mieni has been, we have been considering creating another island resort in the Caribbean," said Clara, "There are quite a few potential islands that could be built on, but we still need to narrow it down."
"There's also been a lot of requests from the African Animalians that we set up a resort in the Serengeti," said Rick, "But we're not entirely optimistic about how well that could work."
"Why not?" asked Iphis.
"Well, Africa is not a safe place," said Richard, "And I'm not just talking about the dangerous predators, the disease-carrying insects, and the potential natural disasters. The various countries there have not been very stable in the last two centuries. I can think of three possible ways for humans to be a greater threat to an Animalian colony in Africa than anything natural. One; Muslim extremists would consider us blasphemous abominations and would try to kill us. Two; some warlord or an army-for-hire would want to change their men into bestial super-soldiers and raid us so they could get the virus. Three; poachers."
"Just poachers? Really?" asked Clara skeptically.
"If some idiot big game hunter was willing to shoot a well-known lion for a trophy, what's to stop even stupider hunters from targeting Animalians?" asked Richard, "The elephants and rhinos would probably be in greater danger if hunters think they would be an easy way to get tusks and horns."
There was a very grim silence at that. Clara, Iphis, and Ianthe were born ordinary animals and only hunted for food before they were uplifted. They soon learned of how humans hunted animals just for sport and had driven many species into extinction and even more into endangerment because of their reckless disregard for nature.
Eventually, Clara said, "Not all of Africa is like that. There are some places that are more stable. South Africa might be the best place to have an Animalia resort."
"Maybe, but let's not set our hearts on it," said Richard, "We might find acceptance in our country and several others, but there are others where we're considered freaks and the law wouldn't protect us."
Clara reached over and grasped Richard's hand. "That's what the International Animalia Convention is all about," she said soothingly, "We're showing the world that we are a valid community and equal among them. We might not get an African resort any time in the near future, but we're laying the groundwork that will make it possible someday. Perhaps by next year, Animalia will be accepted enough by the world that persecuting and hunting us will be intolerable. In time, we'll have a safe haven in Africa for those who wish to go there."
Richard sighed and said, "You're right. The things I saw in the Iraqi War... Well, let's just say it's made me a lot more cynical and skeptical about human tolerance."
Clara stood up and kissed Richard. "That's why I wanted you to be my mate," said Clara, "Despite the horrors you have seen, you're still a good man with the ability to hope and a deep devotion for your country."
"Aw...that's so sweet," said Ianthe dreamily.
"Ok, you guys are getting a little mushy," said Iphis bluntly.
"Oh, have a heart, Iphis," said Ianthe.
"We have a heart to spare," said Iphis.
"Don't mind hir. Shi's still a little cranky we haven't found our mates yet," said Ianthe.
"Yes we have," said Iphis, "We just haven't seen them face-to-face yet."
"Have you really found a pair that quickly?" asked Rick.
"Well, maybe," said Iphis, "We've just been talking to each other by webchat. They seem like a nice enough couple, but we won't know for sure until we meet for real."
"They ought to be coming here for the IAC and see us in the bodybuilding competition," said Ianthe.
"Well, we'll have to hurry and get back as soon as we can," said Clara.
"Besides, Clara has a lot of duties back home regarding the IAC," said Rick.
"I was also thinking about our children, dear," said Clara in a slightly annoyed tone.
"That goes without saying," said Rich, "So no more than one day to look at the hotel, right?"
"No longer if I can help it," said Clara before turning to the twins and saying, "I'm sorry that your visit is being cut short."
"We weren't expecting a long stay anyways," said Iphis.
"Just as long as we're back home in plenty of time," said Ianthe.
"There's no need to worry about that," said Clara.