by Niranjan K
Lucas was breathing hard. He looked angry, but there was also a slump to his shoulders. “So, I guess I’ll have to give you that authorisation,” he grated out.
“That’ll be best,” Alexander agreed. “But it’ll have to be backdated.”
“Amir will take care of it,” Lucas said, as he rose. “Let’s get back before the room is gone.”
“One more thing,” Alexander said. “I probably don’t have to tell you this, but I’d appreciate it if you keep who I am a secret,”
“Or else?” Lucas asked.
Alexander shrugged, but didn’t answer, and Lucas sighed.
“Fine,” he said.
They stepped out and Amir looked at them.
“Back so soon? What did you talk about?”
“Catching up,” Lucas said. “Amir, I need a backdated authorisation for my son’s custody in Mr. Selwood’s name. How soon can you do it?”
“Your son is with him?” Joyce asked. “And you didn’t know?”
“It’s not as if I could’ve just called and informed him,” Alexander said.
“Raul didn’t know either.” Joyce sounded suspicious.
“Niek misled him, I’m afraid,” Alexander said. “He knows the consequences if anyone finds out he’s with me without authorisation.”
“I thought he is 15,” Amir was on the monitors again. “How could he know something like that?”
“He has an affinity for the law,” Alexander said, smiling. “He knows more laws than my entire legal department.”
Lucas was staring at him strangely, and Amir hummed. “I’ll have this ready within an hour. When will you be leaving, Mr. Selwood?”
“Tomorrow morning,” he said. “And call me Alexander, please. We’re all allies now.”
His eyes met Lucas’ quizzically and the man turned his face away, saying heavily. “I suppose we are.”
Nineteen
Lucas sat down next to Amir, going through the document of authorisation that he’d prepared. They couldn't afford any loophole that would enable the State to get their hands on Niek. He was conscious of Selwood’s presence in the background, discussing the schematics of the suit with Joyce. He’d almost forgotten that Selwood had been brilliant at one time, and that he had been almost as good as Amir. Was it so surprising he still was? It was that brilliance that had made him so successful a criminal. Selwood’s crimes had never been proven, and he had never received a fair trial that Lucas knew of, but he didn’t need proof. Selwood was guilty. Lucas knew it with every fibre of his being. It was one of the few immutable things in his life, like his love for Niek and his allegiance to the Resistance, especially now that Zain was leading it.
He found himself looking at Selwood again, at the closely cropped hair and clean shaven face. Selwood had changed. He used no disguise, but Lucas could never mistake him, the memory of their only two meetings still burning fresh in his mind. That had been so long ago, and Selwood was no longer the same man. Lucas wouldn’t have believed his claim, but he’d taken in Niek, and what was more, Niek had lied to protect him. There was also the way he spoke of Niek, the softened expression on his face, the fond smile, the tone of his voice. Either Selwood was a better actor than Lucas knew, or he cared for Niek.
Perhaps Selwood cared for Niek, but did that really change who he was? How could he be certain that he wouldn’t use Niek for leverage if it suited him? Lucas looked at the document he was holding. He was giving the rights to his son to a man he hated, a man he believed wouldn’t think twice about betraying him. Would Selwood really do that, though? He could still hear the gentleness that had crept into his voice when he spoke of Niek, and the fury and passion with which he had fought for this document.
At the moment, Lucas was out of options. He couldn't go back and he couldn't bring Niek here, not until Ignis was made habitable, and that could take years now since no one had any idea how long the vetting process by the State would take. Selwood was covering his own ass, and they had no choice but to accept it. Just like he had no choice now. He couldn’t think of anyone else he could leave Niek with. Leaving him with anyone related to the Resistance was risky not just to them, but to Niek as well. Selwood was his best option at the moment.
“This is okay,” he said, his voice sounding scratchy. He wasn’t used to silence. He smiled at Amir. “Thank you.” He turned to Selwood. “Do you want to go through it?”
Selwood rose and came to the monitors, and Lucas was reminded of a predator, like the ones they watched in the history lessons, the ones they had when humanity still called Earth their only home. He got up, and walked away, observing the man. Selwood went through the document more quickly, probably because he wasn’t distracted by other matters. He nodded as he looked at Amir and then at Lucas.
“It seems fine, but do you mind if I have Niek go through it as well? It’s not yet his bedtime.”
That surprised Lucas. That Niek had a bedtime, that Selwood knew that he ought to have one, that he obviously trusted Niek and that his words about Niek’s affinity for law were sincerely meant- it was all strange. But then, perhaps was it so strange? After all, what did he actually know of Selwood except his reputation? Perhaps, this was what he had been like, back then too. How would he know?
Except there was the indisputable fact that Selwood had been responsible for the death of children younger than Niek. Was this his way of assuaging his guilt?
“How will you send it to him?” Amir asked. “Nishati?”
“Yes,” Selwood nodded. Perhaps he should start calling the man Alexander. After all, he had taken care of Niek for two years. Perhaps calling him Alexander would help lessen the dislike and mistrust he had for him.
“I don’t like him,” Joyce whispered from beside him.
“Raul’s technology,” Alexander took out his pad, “Quinn, have this sent to Niek,”
Lucas could hear no reply, but the document in his hand disappeared.
Amir started asking about Quinn and Lucas said softly to Joyce, “I thought you liked him. The two of you seemed to get along well.”
“He’s brilliant,” Joyce said, echoing Lucas’ thoughts from before, “About technology, anyway, but I see the way you look at him, and... you don’t trust him, and that makes me cautious.” Her gaze on Amir was concerned. “I can’t blame Amir for being fascinated, though. He doesn’t know anyone who can talk to him about all that stuff.”
He could see that. “Are you still going to Nges today?”
“Someone has to go and pick up our supplies,” she said. “I don’t see either of you getting off your asses.” her tone was teasing, and there was a smile on her face as she spoke. Lucas managed to smile back.
“When is Zain coming over?” she asked.
“I think you’re likely to miss him,” Lucas said.
Joyce didn’t seem to mind. She didn’t know Zain well, not like he or Amir did. Lucas felt a fierce surge of pride when he thought of Zain. He was doing a difficult job and he was doing it so well. He was the one who had come up with the plan of Raul investing in Habitat companies so that those who wanted to escape the state could be shipped off to Ignis as volunteers. It had been easier in the early days, but not for the last one year since Thaxter had placed DNA Scanners in all space ports. Lucas was hopeful that his latest invention could fool the scanners. They would need a real DNA Scanner for a test, which seemed impossible at the moment.
There was a brief lull in their conversation and Amir’s animated voice petered to a stop.
“Where does Niek stay when you’re away?” Lucas asked. “If you’re keeping his presence a secret, you can hardly ask someone else to take care of him in your absence.”
“David, a friend and employee of mine, knows.” Alexander said.
“And is he trustworthy?” Lucas asked, instantly suspicious of anyone Alexander might call a friend.
“He has a daughter of his own, so he understands what’s at stake,” Alexander said. “And yes, I trust him, and so
does Niek.”
“Wait a minute,” Joyce said. “Is this David Flett? The inventor of the modified cryo technology who took McManus Corp to court and won?”
“The very same,” Alexander replied, looking pleased.
“So, you sponsored his lawsuit?” Amir asked, almost bouncing with excitement.
Alexander smiled. “Yes.”
Lucas was surprised and impressed at the same time. David Flett was a hero to struggling inventors everywhere. The man who had taken a Corporate who had stolen his invention to court and won. They had often wondered aloud who had funded his lawsuit. Alexander was surprising him every moment, and yet, Lucas could not bring himself to fully trust him.
“Niek wants to talk to you,” Alexander said, looking at Lucas.
Lucas stared at him. Niek? How was it possible? Most communication devices did not work in Ignis. The media walls worked only because of the genius of both Amir and Joyce. Amir had also built a communication app which allowed them to text one another across planets, but it required a device on one end to interface, or so Amir said. Yet, Alexander had said talk, not text. Talk.
Alexander was still looking at him. He’s waiting for my reply. Lucas nodded, unable to speak. His heart was racing, but also soaring and his mouth was dry, though he felt as light as air.
“Do you want a holographic projection, or a screen?” Alexander asked.
“Screen, please,” Lucas said, his voice sounding breathless even to his own years. A holographic projection might fool him; he didn’t want to break down, not in front of everyone.
“Just a minute, Quinn,” Alexander turned to Amir. “Do you mind if Quinn interfaces with one of your monitors?”
“Nope. Not if you let me have a look at him later.” Amir grinned at him.
“He’ll probably love that,” Alexander smiled. “Quinn, if you’re ready?”
Niek’s face appeared on one of the monitors.
“Dad?” He said.
Lucas’ heart lurched at the sight of his son. He looked well, a bit thin, but still good. Seeing a grainy image from a surveillance cam was not the same as seeing Niek like this.
“Niek,” he said as he moved forward. “Niek..”
His eyes drank in the sight of his child. His hair was longer, and his face had become more chiselled, his cheekbones standing out. He had changed, was older, and yet he looked the same. His eyes were very bright, and Lucas blinked back his own tears.
“How are you?”
It was so very inadequate and he nearly kicked himself, but his throat was too tight and he sat down, his legs and hands shaking. He was aware of Joyce herding Amir and Alexander out of the room into the corridor which led to the living quarters. The door shut without noise and Lucas was alone with his son.
“I’m okay, Dad. How’re you? You’re okay? Alexander told me you must be, but I was afraid. God, I was so scared, Dad...”
Niek’s voice broke and Lucas held out his hand and touched the monitor, wishing he could just hold his son. Perhaps he should have opted for the projection, though he didn’t think he would have been able to hug one either.
“I’m okay,” he said, swallowing the lump in his throat. “Are you... you live with Mr. Selwood now.”
It wasn’t a question. The real questions were the ones that stuck in his throat. How is he treating you? Are you happy there? Are you getting enough to eat? How do you like living in his house?
Niek seemed to understand somehow. “He has been really good, Dad. Cooking’s almost as bad as yours, but the bots are good at it, and there’s always the synthesiser and take out. I’m good, I guess... he’s not you, you know? And I’ve missed you, I’ve missed you a lot.” he paused. “You’re coming to get me soon, aren’t you? I mean, this... this authorisation... it’s only temporary, right?”
“Niek...” He didn’t know what to say. Niek looked so hopeful that his heart ached. “You don’t know how much I want to come and get you, but it’s too risky at the moment. I promise you that I’ll send for you as soon as I can.”
Niek lowered his face. “Okay,” he mumbled. When he lifted his head, his eyes were too bright. “Is Alexander there? Can I talk to him?”
“He’s just gone to the other room. Hang on, I’ll go get him.”
“No, it’s okay. I just wanted to ask him when he was coming home.”
“Not enjoying yourself there?” Lucas tried to inject some lightness into his tone.
Niek rolled his eyes. “David is okay, but his daughter...” He grimaced. “It’s no fun when a seven year old is stalking you. And she is. Really. But her new tutor is really cool.”
Lucas smiled, but the ache in his chest only deepened. “Looks like you’re having fun,” he smiled, even as his vision blurred.
“I wish you were here,” Niek said, sounding so lost that Lucas wanted to say to hell with the Resistance. But it was not an option, not for him. It never had been.
“I do too, kiddo,” he said, softly. “We’ll be together soon, I promise. We’ll be a family again.”
Niek smiled, “I’d love that. Bye Dad, it’s nearing my bedtime, and you won’t believe the fuss David makes.”
“Okay, bye,” he kept staring at the blank monitor, blinking rapidly to clear his sight.
It had been like a physical pain, missing his son, an emptiness inside him, a constant ache in his heart and even in his arms. Talking to Niek hadn’t lessened any of it, but only intensified it. To see him, to hear his voice and yet not be able to hold him, to comfort him, was worse than almost anything.
The authorisation appeared on the chair next to his and he stared at it blankly.
Twenty
Zain sat down on one of the chairs in front of the media wall. The chair was too comfortable. Lucas had a big smile on his face. It had been a while since Zain had seen Lucas this relaxed and happy. Amir was bouncing on his chair, like a child, his eyes shining. If Alexander Selwood could do this, Zain was even prepared to like the man despite the fact that he had made his partnership with Raul conditional on Raul’s being successfully vetted by the State.
“So,” he said. “Selwood was what? Playing with us?”
“He certainly was messing with us,” Amir said. “Sergio should have warned us.”
“He’s back in Nges now?” Zain asked. “I would have liked to meet him.”
“He’s leaving on the early morning flight tomorrow,” Lucas said. “I told him you were coming, but he didn’t seem interested in staying. Said he had things to take care of before he left.”
“He built his own Sentient,” Amir said. “And he calls it Quinn. Sergio never told me that.”
Zain nearly rolled his eyes as Lucas said. “He said he wanted Quinn to take a survey of the planet, to select the best place for a large habitat. He says it will have to be close to Nges since people will have to come in through the spaceport, and we have limited vehicles.”
“He has a point,” Zain said. “But I’m not sure how advisable it is having a base so close to the Defender Base in the spaceport.”
“It’s an isolated Defender Base,” Lucas said. “If the worst happens, we have less distance to travel for an escape.”
If the worst happens.
Zain had told Sergio that. That they had always to be prepared for the worst. He had told Sergio to think about it, and Sergio hadn’t talked to him since. George was on Hafi, chasing down some story or he could have asked him to check on Sergio. It was possible that he was busy or resting. All that travelling couldn’t have been easy on him. He’d received word from Tripp in Prith that Sergio had called in sick.
“He has offered to buy us a DNA Scanner,” Lucas said, with a sour expression on his face. “He has also offered to reimburse Raul the cost of building his device. Out of his own pocket. He says the company will reimburse him if the partnership happens.”
“And even if it doesn’t, we’re not worse off than when we started,” Zain said. “In fact, we’re better off.”
&n
bsp; “Sergio would be so glad,” Amir said.
Zain didn’t know yet how it was that Amir and Sergio had become so close. When they had been hiding out in the safehouse on Prith, Sergio had been a frequent visitor, and Amir had been a boy, not much older than Lucas’ son was now. Somehow, it was Sergio who had managed to draw Amir out of his shell, found out he was interested in computers and the two had become fast friends. The next year they had relocated to Ignis and until Amir had invented the small device which combined with an app to help them communicate with those on other planets, their only contact with Sergio had been through verbal messages carried by the occasional visitor.
“Any idea how long the vetting process will take?” Lucas asked.
“Your guess is as good as mine,” Zain said. “I can’t blame Selwood for that condition, actually. In his shoes, I’d probably do the same.”
“He’s trying to protect his company,” Lucas said sourly.
“He has people whose livelihood depends on that company,” Amir said. “God, how am I the mature adult here?”
Zain laughed and Lucas smiled too. It was sad but true that despite his youth, Amir was mature for his age. Grave, and intense, but so he had been when Zain had first found him.
“I’m sure you’re relieved about your son,” Zain said to Lucas, trying to probe the source of his hostility for Alexander Selwood.
“I am,” Lucas said. “I talked to him. He looks well, and happy. I just wish he hadn’t lied to Raul.”
“He was protecting Alexander,” Amir said. “Which is both sad and touching at the same time.”
He’s a child; he shouldn’t have to protect anyone. The thought came unbidden into Zain’s mind.