by neetha Napew
“Fascinating, assuming we survive it.”
Yasuko refilled his cup. “Thanks,” he said. “Yasuko, is George gay?”
She looked up at him, “Why would you ask such a question?”
“You can be frank with me. This is between us. I won't breathe a word to anyone, not even Suki.”
“Why would you ask?” she demanded.
“Last night while we were playing go, George asked if I were gay, so I asked him if he was.”
“You didn't!”
“Yes, and his reaction was stronger than I anticipated -- it frightened me a bit. I started thinking perhaps George's obsession with Suki's lesbianism might be because...”
“Because it reflects something in his own personality? Something that makes him uncomfortable?” Yasuko sat, looked into Nyk's eyes and shook her head. “You are treading on dangerous ground, Nick. I recommend you drop it.”
“Whether he is or isn't has no bearing on how I feel toward him. It could explain his distress with Suki's nature, though.”
“George has been a good and faithful husband.”
“I don't want him to fear being open with me. I know I'm different -- that I'm not like other men on this planet.”
“We're all unique, Nick. It's what makes this world such an interesting place.”
“I couldn't have said it better myself.”
“Please -- don't pursue this. George probably regrets bringing the subject up in the first place.”
“Consider the topic closed. I love him, Yasuko. I love all of you -- and I'm happier than I've been in years, feeling part of a family again.” He rinsed his cup and placed it in the kitchen sink. “Well, I'm off to my grind. I'll see you later.” He headed for the door.
“Wait, Nick.” He turned toward her. “I wanted to say... George and I love you, too. You really are a son to us. If anything should happen to Sukiko, I hope...”
Nyk held her and stroked a tear off her face, “I'll never let any of you out of my life.” He kissed her forehead. “I'll see you for dinner.”
* * *
Nyk flipped open his laptop computer and powered it up. In his email was a message from Illya Kronta, requesting a call. He opened a vidphone window and entered Kronta's locator code.
“Nykkyo, we're still waiting to hold that interview with Andra.”
“She's still on Lexal.”
“We could do it via vidphone.”
“I haven't spoken to her. Illya, when you have three parties each on different worlds with different day lengths, it can be hard to mesh.”
“Nyk -- I get the distinct impression you're less than eager to help us arrange an interview.”
“I've been told this Lexal affair falls outside my domain of responsibility.”
“That sounds like Seymor. Listen, Nyk -- perhaps I can appeal to your sense of duty as a Floran citizen. I feel I should fill you in on what we now know. The arms shipments Zander engineered no doubt went to Lexal, but the trail ends there. We have more on Rud Vadima -- he was known to have traveled to Earth with Zander for paramilitary training. This gives us links between all the players.”
“Who are?”
“Zander, Andra, Vadima, Janna and Wygann. We know of at least one meeting between Vadima and Zander that Andra attended.”
“That's not surprising -- Zander kept her on a short tether. He even smuggled her to Earth.”
“Is that so? That ties her even tighter into it.”
“I think not, Illya. Think about what it must've been like for her -- stuck on an alien world, not knowing the language or customs. She was an unwitting pawn.”
“Don't underestimate ax'amfin witches, Nyk. They're trained just for such intrigue. If she were on Earth for weapons and tactics training...”
“Illya, I know and trust Andra. She tells me she knew nothing of Zander's doings and I believe her.”
“I'd really like to get a dose of truth drug into her to know for sure.”
“You've developed this theory and you're attempting to make the facts fit,” Nyk replied. “Take the Vadima link -- according to Wygann's own statement, Vadima left his administration over two years ago and his whereabouts are unknown.”
“We have no way to verify Wygann's assertion. For that matter, we can't corroborate anything he says. He claims his colony is open, yet he refuses to permit High Legislature officials to inspect his labs.”
“That's at least partly understandable, given the mutual distrust between Wygann and the current HL.”
“He also claims no weapons have been shipped to Lexal, yet we know the shipments went there, and we know weapons do exist on the colony.”
“I spoke to Princess Janna the other day.”
“YOU spoke to Janna? She hasn't answered any of our inquiries.”
“She gave me her locator code -- as a friend of Andra.”
“You have Janna's personal locator code? Could you share it with me?”
“I'm sorry Illya -- I was given it in confidence. It is the personal code of the wife of a colonial chancellor. Besides, it wouldn't do you any good -- unless you're on her access list.”
“Of course -- you're right.”
“Illya -- if the HL would meet Janna or Wygann half-way, I'm sure they'd reciprocate. I found Janna to be open and pleasant.”
“I'm afraid too many bridges have been burned -- and I'd expect nothing less from another ax'amfin witch. What did she say to you?”
“She showed me the gun she was issued. I'm no expert in firearms, but it looked nothing like any Earth pistol I've ever seen. She was given it for defensive purposes -- the same reason she wears a personal shield.”
“Janna wears a shield?”
“I believe so -- I don't know for sure.”
“What makes you think she does?”
“Look at photoimages of her. Ever since we broke up Zander's operation she's been wearing a heavy belt. I think it conceals a shield generator. When I was speaking with her she was startled and reached for it.”
“A shield... I wonder where that technology came from.”
“It's stronger evidence their arms program is defensive in nature.”
“On the contrary -- what would be more offensive than a shielded and invulnerable attack force? Nyk -- I appreciate your loyalty to your ... friend. You don't have the benefit of the information I have.”
“Perhaps lack of information is itself a benefit.”
“All right -- what is your theory regarding the whereabouts of those Earth arms?”
“I believe Lexal was a trans-shipment point. The planetary population is only a hundred million or so.”
“One-fifty,” Illya interjected.
“Nonetheless, there must be vast tracts of empty land there. An ExoScout could park outside the heliopause and send shuttlecars down to the surface. Once there, the arms shipments could be broken down, dispersed and quietly taken to a more densely populated colony -- like Altia.”
“Your theory works equally well for the smuggling of weapons into Wygann's hands.” Kronta drummed his fingers against his desk. “Nyk, I'm going to confide in you information of the utmost sensitivity. Please set your comm cipher to strongest security.”
Kronta's image broke up. Nyk entered his pass code and the image reformed.
“Nyk, have you ever heard of the Defense Research Labs.”
“Yes -- formed to preserve Earth weapons technology so we'd be prepared in the event our ExoScouts encountered hostile alien life forms.”
“The labs have done more than preserve Earth technology.”
“What do you mean? Are you talking about nuclear weapons?
“I've heard credible reports of energy beam technology. You didn't hear me say that.”
Nyk sat slack-jawed. “I can't imagine our people armed with beam weapons.”
“After the Ricin Plot, the HL authorized mobilizing this technology and the formation of an inter-colonial strike force.”
“Are we talking colo
ny-against-colony?”
“No -- the force can only be deployed under HL authority. The intent is to take preemptive action against a colony deemed a threat to the peace of the Floran Hegemony.”
“You think Lexal poses such a threat?”
“Some in the HL believe so.”
“Illya, I know Mykko Wygann has made enemies in the HL. That in itself doesn't make him a threat.”
“Nyk, I am the ExoService liaison to the High Legislature committee overseeing the strike force. The committee sees a window of opportunity to move against Lexal if it is warranted.”
“Window of opportunity?”
“Yes, Nyk -- Wygann's delegation has been recalled to Lexal for consultation after he failed to sway a resolution on colonial security. The HL is in a difficult position. On the one hand, let's assume the Lexalese are arming offensively. Wygann could overrun several colonies before the HL could react.”
“Hence the push for a preemptive strike...”
“To take out their offensive machinery before it can be brought to bear.”
“What if Lexal has no offensive capacity? How will the HL react to an assault on an innocent colony?”
“Frankly, it could bring down the government. Nyk, I'd like you to travel to Lexal, look around and see if you can find any evidence of Wygann using Earth weapons technology.”
“Me?”
“Yes, Nyk. You're in a unique position. Through your friendship with Andra, you have an entre into the Lexalese palace.”
“Which is it, Illya? Do you want to bring charges against her or use her as a double agent? Or, both?”
“Our window of opportunity won't remain open for long. If Wygann launches his own strike while we sit on our hands, then the consequences will be just as dire. I can't order you to do this, Nyk.”
“I'm sorry, Illya but I must refuse. I'm a botanist -- I have no training in undercover operations. I have a huge backlog of work to do here. There must be someone who'd be a better choice.”
“You have Earth experience. Our planetbound agents wouldn't recognize an Earth firearm if they tripped over one. And, you have a contact inside the Lexalese palace. We need this intelligence, Nyk. Lives are at stake.”
Nyk pondered for a moment. “If there is to be a strike, I'd hate to think of Andra stuck there in the middle of it.”
“There you go, Nyk. Go to Lexal and bring Andra home for her safety.”
“So you can file charges? Interrogate her?”
“Bring credible evidence of her lack of involvement and that won't happen.”
“All right, Illya. I'll do it -- a trip to Lexal and back. And, I'll see if I can witness any Lexalese security forces carrying weapons of Earth design or manufacture. In return, if I don't -- you agree to stop pursuing Andra.”
“Do you agree to be open-minded about her possible participation?”
Nyk sighed. “Yes, Illya. I'm a Floran first. If I find evidence of Andra's involvement, I'll be the first to testify.”
“Good. Then we have a deal.” The vidphone session terminated.
“But, I won't find it,” Nyk muttered. He poked his head into Seymor's office. “Well, it appears this Lexal weapons business has suddenly been thrust into our domain of responsibility.”
“What do you mean?”
“Kronta just asked me to travel to Lexal to fetch Andra home. While there, I'm to do some intelligence gathering.”
“If Kronta is asking you to do this, I can't tell you not to.”
“Kronta seems convinced Andra is in the middle of some plot.”
“Do you think so?”
“I don't know what to think. Andra swears she isn't -- but...”
“But what?” Seymor asked.
“But ... I don't know. Everyone calls the ax'amfinen witches. Maybe I am too trusting -- maybe I shouldn't take what a woman says at face value. Maybe you're right when you say I become too emotionally involved... How do you deal with it when someone you trust looks you in the eye and tells you a lie? Now, I'm being asked to do the same.”
“What do you mean?” Seymor asked.
“I'm to go to Lexal under the pretense of bringing Andra home for her safety -- yet I know full well a contingent of Internal Affairs officers will be waiting for her. I feel like a traitor.”
“Lad -- if it turns out she's a traitor -- then you'll feel good. If not -- she'll be exonerated, and you'll feel good about that.”
“I'll feel awful either way. She asked me to trust her, and she says she trusts me.”
“When do you make transit?”
“It's out and back -- no more than a couple of days. I'll call Veska to arrange a packet diversion. Can you do without me for two or three days?”
“We'll have to.”
“Any ideas on how to get to the relay station?”
“Why don't you give Grynnya a call? She's never busy.”
6 -- Janna
Nykkyo sat at Grynnya's kitchen table. “Thanks for doing this,” he said.
“Don't worry about it. Dinner's almost ready. I hope you like salisbury steak. Would you like another Coke?”
“No thanks.”
She stood behind him and fingered his hair. “Have you thought any more about my offer? Remember, you owe me a night.”
“Grynnya, I have a happy relationship with Suki.”
“Yes, your Earth woman. Some day she'll come to appreciate the Floran approach. When she does -- I have dibs!” She pulled a gallon jug of red wine from her refrigerator. “I had to cancel a date tonight -- with Leo. Oh, well -- duty calls, I suppose.” She opened a cabinet. “For you?”
“Why not?”
She withdrew a pair of glasses and poured a one for Nyk. “I'll make mine a short one, since I'm flying.” She filled hers half-way. “Leo's set some sort of a record with me -- most of them don't last this long. There have been a couple Earth men I was sorry to lose.”
“What about another Earthbound Floran?”
“Precious few of those come by. There's you and Seymor.” She sipped her wine. “Leo's happy to keep things on a strictly physical level and that suits me fine. You're lucky -- having a partner you can trust. You told me your woman has seen the homeworld.”
“She attempted suicide. When I found her she had no pulse.”
“It sounds to me like a successful suicide.”
“I took her to Floran to be reanimated.”
“A gutsy move -- I admire your courage.”
“I had no choice. My friendship with her triggered a chain of events leading to her suicide. I'm guilty of temporal interference. You are looking at a temporal offender. I've framed my own destiny -- I must replace the man who was to be in her life.”
“You're not going to be maudlin again, are you?” Nyk smiled and shook his head. Grynnya looked into the oven. “I think dinner's ready. We'll make transit as soon as it's dark.”
* * *
The inbound packet approached the transit platform and docked. Nyk stepped out and headed for his connection to the Myataxya and Lexal outbound packet. He passed Veska's office and poked his head in. “Veska -- Dad...”
“My son and friend,” Veska said.
“I'm on a tight connection. I thought I'd say hi.”
Veska stood, embraced him and kissed his forehead. “Maybe now's not the time to trouble you with Senta.”
“Why? What's Senta doing?”
“She's been speaking with a solicitor, looking for ways to make your separation more difficult.”
“It's rather cut and dried, isn't it? I left her -- I've taken permanent residence in a place out of her reach. I was her dependant, so I'm not injuring her financially. She has so many lovers she can't claim loss of companionship.”
“It's the principal with her,” Veska replied. “I'm trying to make her see reason. The truth about you and me hasn't helped my relationship with her.”
“There's nothing she can do to alter the outcome.”
“No, but she can
make the process unpleasant -- and that's what she's attempting to do.”
“What is it with women? Do they exist solely to make men miserable?”
Veska smiled. “But -- it's such a delightful misery, isn't it? Well, have a nice trip to Lexal.”
“See you in a couple of days.” Nyk headed toward the departure lounge for the outbound packet.
* * *
The packet pulled into a parking orbit around Lexal and waited for the shuttle to dock. Nyk watched the proceedings through the viewport. The packet airlock opened and Nyk boarded the shuttle to the colony's only shuttleport, located in the capital. Soon he was standing on the planet's surface. He looked around. The capital city was located in the rugged highlands. Snow could be seen on some of the taller peaks. Nyk could feel a stiff breeze and he felt uncomfortable in his lightweight Floran clothing. The wind blew through the trees, rustling leaves ranging from green to brown. He heard a clang, looked up and saw a Lexalese flag -- white and yellow with the colonial emblem in purple -- flapping and banging against its pole.
He walked to the groundcar lot and selected a car, opened it and climbed in. He pressed his wrist against the scanpad and requested the palace as destination. The groundcar headed from the shuttleport and onto a narrow roadway. Nyk watched the scenery whiz by as the car wound its way up switchbacks leading to the hilltop palace, dodging into lay-bys to permit oncoming traffic to pass.
He saw the palace ahead. From the road, all he could see was the outer wall, built of a brown-grey stone. Watchtowers stood at each corner and he could see guards with long arms of some sort stationed atop the wall.
The groundcar came to a halt in a visitor's lot a prudent distance from the palace. Nyk walked to a guardhouse and noticed the firearm at the sentry's side. It looked like the one Janna had shown him.
“I'm Nykkyo Kyhana. I have an appointment with the Princess.”
The guard presented him with a scanpad and Nyk pressed his wrist to it. “Are you here on business or pleasure?” the guard asked after reviewing Nyk's profile.”