by neetha Napew
“Business.”
The guard scowled. “ExoAgent...” He squinted at Nyk. “Homeworld officials are unwelcome here.”
“It's personal business.”
The guard motioned him to a low platform. Nyk stood on it.
“Hold your arms out.” The guard manipulated controls on a display. “You may step down,” the guard said and then spoke to someone via vidphone. “An escort will be along shortly.”
Nyk paced outside the guard station, shivering with his arms folded. A short, chunky young woman approached him.
“Are you Nykkyo?” she asked.
“Yes, I am.”
“I'm Daya, Princess Janna's assistant. Welcome to Lexal. By the looks of things, we'll have to locate some warmer clothing for you. Come with me -- we'll see what we can find. Then I'll take you to Janna.” Daya led Nyk to a transport car for the ride into the palace.
“There's a wardroom over here,” she said. “this is a fairly common problem with visitors from Floran.”
Nyk dressed in trousers and a long-sleeved shirt. “These fashions are similar to those found on Earth,” he said.
“That's right -- you're an ExoAgent. How do you find Lexal?”
“Your planet is quite Earth-like. This is my first visit to any of the colonies.”
“Follow me and I'll take you to Janna. She's expecting you.”
Daya scanned herself into a lift to the chancellor's living quarters.
Nyk walked into a drawing room and saw Janna sitting at a desk. She was wearing the floor-length gown and the heavy belt. Nyk eyed the elaborate buckle with its jet-black cabochon.
“Thank you, Daya.” Janna dismissed her assistant with a hand gesture. Daya snapped her head, turned and left.
“Hello, Nykkyo -- I was surprised to hear from you.”
“Thank you for taking the time to meet with me, Princess.”
“Please -- it's Janna.” She turned to face him. “You caught me between engagements. Andra is a very special friend of mine, and I'm always happy to spend a few moments with one of hers. What brings you to Lexal?”
“I've come to fetch Andra home. She's required on the homeworld.”
Janna regarded him through narrowed eyes, “That sounds like an excuse -- not a reason. Andra's a big girl who hardly needs a chaperone. No -- there must be something else.”
Nyk paused and pondered. “I'll be frank, Janna. I was sent here on an espionage mission, but I feel openness and honesty are the best policies. I'm afraid I'm in a bit over my head -- I'm not trained as an undercover agent. I'm the envoy of one Illya Kronta, an ExoService overseer who's been named liaison to a High Legislature committee investigating rumors about some goings-on here. I'm to report what I find to Kronta, and he will report to the committee.”
“I appreciate your frankness, Nykkyo.” She shook her head. “The measures to which the HL stoops... What are these rumors?”
“The ExoService has proof of Earth weaponry being smuggled here. The prevailing opinion is that your husband's regime is arming offensively with illegal arms, with the intent of destabilizing neighboring colonies.”
“I've heard reports of the same rumor. It's too fantastic to be believed.”
“Kronta believes Andra is part of the plot. He wishes to interview her.”
“Andra?” She shook her head. “Ludicrous.”
“We know she was on Earth with Zander about the time the arms shipments were arranged. We also know she received weapons training there. She's proficient enough with a firearm to train you. Andra was present when certain individuals met with Zander on Floran. She may have been with him on Altia as well.”
“Do you believe any of this?” Janna asked.
“I don't know what to believe. Kronta's evidence is compelling.”
“Kronta couldn't be more wrong. The rumors are nonsense. Did he explain to you what possible gain we could expect from destabilizing the region?”
“Extending your sphere of influence. To put it baldly -- sheer power.”
“Take my word, Nykkyo -- governing this sphere is quite enough. We have no interest in projecting our control onto Altia or T-Delta. I find the notion abhorrent.”
Nyk stood, regarding Janna. He looked into her pale blue eyes. “I think I believe you.”
She proffered a faint smile. “Thank you for giving me benefit of the doubt.”
“It's not that, Janna. Andra told me how much alike you and she are. Now that I've met you in person -- I can see how remarkable the resemblance is.”
“Yes -- she and I met when we were about fifteen. Andra joined the academy and needed a room. I needed a roommate. All the students at Vebinad looked alike -- Andra and I especially so. We've been close ever since. Our classmates called us the Twins. I was truly delighted to renew our friendship. Despite appearances, this role can be a lonely one. I enjoy Andra's company -- she takes my mind off the pressures of state.”
“Janna, did you and Andra ever find yourselves crying over the same hurt and tasting each other's tears, and thus becoming bonded fast -- friends-for-life?”
“The ritual of shared pain from Vebinad Academy. A silly ritual, really -- schoolgirl stuff. Yes, Andra and I are so bonded.”
“Andra takes that ritual seriously.”
“The ritual is silly -- we take the bonding seriously.”
“Janna, I think it's in both our interests to be friends and to trust each other.”
She smiled. “This is refreshing. You intrigue me, Nykkyo. I was about to summon my security and have you removed from this palace... Why should you and I trust each other?”
“Andra and I spent a few days together, around the time her husband was killed. She told me of how she suffered, how he mistreated her, of how her hopes were dashed, and yet she survived, was strengthened, and remains a beautiful and cheerful young woman. I found my eyes burning as she described Zander's tortures of her, of how she submitted to him in an effort to avoid his punishments, of how he used illegal drugs to force his will upon her. I cried for her, with her, and we tasted each other's tears. Andra and I are friends- for-life.”
“The deeper the hurt, the stronger the bond. Did, by any chance, this occur after you two had made love?”
“Yes, it did.”
“That doubles the bond.” Janna stood, walked to a window and looked out at the highlands in the near distance.
“So -- you and I are bonded through Andra. Friends-for-life trust each other with their lives. I must trust her and I find myself compelled to trust you, too. She trusts me, and I hope so would you.”
“An interesting approach. I'm beginning to appreciate what Andra sees in you, Nykkyo.”
“Janna, the investigators have learned of a link between your husband and Andra's.”
“That's impossible.”
“Andra and I found ourselves allied against Zander. As you know, Academy students are taught how to suppress knowledge of their companions' political activities.”
“Of course...”
“Andra agreed to interrogation under the influence of a hypnotic. She was shown a series of photoimages and she identified those who had met with Zander at their Floran City apartment. Among the photoimages was one of Rud Vadima.”
Janna spun around and looked at Nyk. “That's why you wanted to know about Vadima!”
“Janna, it appears to me you're living a charmed life. Look at your surroundings. Your planet's population is devoted to you. It seems to me you're a very lucky woman.”
“Luckier in my assignment than some, I suppose.”
“You're certainly luckier than Andra. She told me of her dreams. She dreamt of a glorious life on an exotic world. The assignment she was given was a far cry from this. And, yet she adhered to what she was taught -- the Vebinad Academy motto -- Unu Deva Feti.”
“To do one's duty.”
“Andra did hers. Janna, I look into Andra's eyes and I can only begin to imagine what she's seen and felt. Yet -- there's no anger in
her eyes. Might you be bitter if your dreams were dashed, and your life ruined? She'll never live up to her potential, now. No one would accept Zander Baxa's widow as a consort -- even though she's as beautiful, intelligent and capable as you or any Vebinad graduate. She accepts this as her duty without complaint.”
Janna turned her back to him. He walked around her and looked into her eyes again. “Think about it. She entered Vebinad Academy as did you, a bright and pretty girl full of hopes. Her dream was to live in a palace on a colony planet, to look out on snow-covered highlands or a tropical paradise -- to see moons in the sky or a double sun. Where did she go instead? To Zander's cramped apartment in the older part of Floran City. Our society had a social contract with her and it was abrogated.”
“She fulfilled her destiny,” Janna replied. “As do we all.”
“Andra was so unhappy with Zander, at the end she was ready to die before going back to him. When I found her, she had concealed an injector filled with nerve toxin. She told me she'd use it on herself willingly and eagerly before returning to him.”
“I had no idea!”
“I watched Zander die of that same toxin -- it wasn't a pleasant sight. Andra was fully prepared to jab that needle into her own flesh. Think of how this poor girl suffered, and for the only reason she was born with certain physical traits. I know you love Andra.” Janna pressed her knuckle to her lips. “I love her, too. We came very close to losing her.” Nyk stroked a tear from his face and touched his finger to her lips. “That poor, poor girl. Let the tears flow for her, Janna.”
Her eyes filled and a tear ran down her face. Nyk touched it and transferred it to his lips. “Now, you and I have cried over the same hurt and tasted each other's tears. We're bonded fast, friends for life. We have no choice but to trust each other.”
Janna stared at Nyk and attempted to speak. Slowly she regained her composure. “Nykkyo, you are as good a man as Andra described -- perhaps better. Yes -- lets be friends and trust each other. How can we help each other?”
“We'll tell each other what we know, and figure out the rest from there. I'll go first. We know Zander was using Floran diamonds to purchase Earth weapons, and Vadima was arranging shipment. We know the weapons came to Lexal. Illya Kronta has been given the assignment to deliver to a High Legislature committee a finding on whether or not those arms are in the hands of your husband's forces.”
Janna sat and pondered.
“The committee in question,” Nyk continued, “was formed to recommend to the HL whether or not to declare Lexal a rogue colony, and whether or not to launch a police action against your regime, the first such action in our people's history. That is what I know. Now, it's your turn.”
Janna sat, staring at the floor. “Would the High Legislature really launch a strike against us? I know Mykko's policies have made him unpopular with other colonial leaders, and his successes are the envy of many. Originally, our world was founded as an agricultural and resort colony. Mykko's vision was for something more.” She looked up at Nyk, “Thank you for sharing that with me. As I told you, Rud Vadima dropped from sight two and a half Floran years ago.”
“His disappearance would coincide with Zander's stay on Earth.”
“Well, Vadima certainly was not acting as Mykko's agent. Mykko wouldn't have anything to do with Zander or any other Baxa.”
“Kronta is convinced the weapons shipments came here. If they weren't for your forces, the only other explanations would be for someone else on Lexal, or that Lexal was a transshipment point.”
“That's a question I can't answer.”
“Then tell me about your weapons program.”
“Our firearms technology was invented here. It is based on material pre-dating PlanetFall, but that's all in the public domain. When Mykko authorized the creation of our defense lab, he insisted we follow both the spirit and the letter of our colonial charter.”
“Then, none of your technology came from the Defense Research Labs?”
“No --none from the DRL or from any other off-colony source. I can take you to meet our arms-master and permit you to inspect our armory, and to see our research and development facilities. That may convince you our arms program is completely native to this planet.”
“I need no convincing. If you tell me that's the case, I believe it. We are friends-for-life.”
Janna smiled at him. “Thank you, Nyk.”
“But, Kronta is neither your nor my friend-for-life. He may need convincing. And he may need evidence strong enough to convince the committee.”
“Come with me -- I'll introduce you to our arms master.”
Daya entered carrying a portable vidisplay. “Princess, I have your afternoon schedule.”
“Daya, please clear my schedule for the rest of the day. Transmit my regrets, but this is infinitely more important.”
“Yes, Princess.” Daya snapped her head and left the chamber.
* * *
Nyk returned with Janna to her chambers carrying a datacel. “Photoimages, mechanical drawings, R&D documents. This should be enough to convince Kronta your weapons development is indeed original and within the colonial charter. I'll transmit this to him immediately.”
“Very good, Nyk. Now, were you serious about taking Andra home with you?”
“I have been instructed to bring Andra home with me -- for her safety.”
“I assure you, Nykkyo, that she's safe and welcome here. If she wishes to return to Floran with you, that's her affair. I'd be sorry to see her go. At any rate, the next outbound packet will be tomorrow, so you must accept my hospitality for at least one night.” Janna passed her hand over a proximity pad. Daya reappeared. “Daya, please show Nykkyo to his guestroom. Give him the one adjacent to Andra's.” Daya snapped a bow and led Nykkyo down a corridor.
He sat at the vidisplay in his guestroom, inserted the datacel containing his high- security comm cipher, and placed a call to Kronta. “I've seen no evidence of any offworld arms technology in the hands of Wygann's forces,” Nyk reported. “Also, I've seen no evidence of beam weapons -- only firearms of Lexalese design and manufacture.”
“Do you have any idea where the material might have gone?”
“None so far. I do have documentation supporting Janna's claim their program is defensive and self-contained. Wygann has operated within his legal rights. I might not agree with what he has done, but I believe he was within his rights to do it. When Wygann started his defense program, he insisted his researchers avoid even the appearance of employing prohibited technology. For example, he forbid his researchers from using self-oxidized explosives to propel projectiles.”
“What does that mean?”
“He forbid them using gunpowder, Illya -- since gunpowder is an Earth technology. You won't find it on Lexal. I also have an inventory of all the guns produced by Wygann's armory and where they're deployed -- hardly enough to equip an invasion force. It's all in this documentation. I'll transmit it to you but only under the condition that it remain confidential and that it is to be destroyed after your committee has had a chance to review it.”
“So agreed.”
Nyk inserted the datacel and began transmitting the documentation.
“I'll review this. I'm planning on recommending the committee to leave Wygann alone. Do you see, Nyk? Your access to the palace paid off.”
“And Andra?”
“This appears to let her off the hook.”
“You'll stick to our bargain?”
“Yes, Nyk -- barring any new developments, we'll cease investigating Andra. What are your plans?”
“We've missed today's outbound packet. We have two seats reserved on tomorrow's flight, so I'm spending the night as Janna's guest.”
“Lucky you. I'm beginning to think your protestations about this mission were specious.”
“Good night, Illya.” The vidphone display went dark.
Nyk pressed the doorchime on Andra's door. “Come in,” she said. He walked in. “Ny
k! What are you doing here?” He put his hands on her waist and looked deeply into her eyes. “What's the matter? Nykkyo, what's wrong?”
He held her and she rested her head on his shoulder. “Kronta is wrong,” he said as he stroked her hair.
“Wrong about what?”
“About you -- about Lexal. I was sent here to bring you home -- under the pretense of guarding your safety. There are rumors of trouble brewing here. But -- the real reason was to turn you over to Internal Affairs for an interview.”
“Do they still question my role?”
“The authorities aren't interested in the truth -- they want a collar -- finding someone they can charge and make it stick.”
“If that's what it takes to clear my name, I'll go -- I'll submit to truth drug. I have nothing to fear.” She stroked a tear from his face. “My friend-for-life.” She kissed his cheek.
“I couldn't betray you.”
“The rumors are right about trouble brewing. Security is much tighter than when I first arrived. Everyone's on edge, and Janna won't let me leave the palace. I don't like it.”
“Well, we're set for transport on tomorrow's early outbound packet. How do you like the lifestyle of a princess?”
“Give me that house in Sudal. That's a palace that's more than big enough for me.”
* * *
Nyk heard the doorchime. “Come.”
The door opened and he saw Daya. “Please follow me for dinner.”
Nyk motioned for Andra to precede him and they went into the chancellor's private dining room. Daya motioned them to sit at a large, round table. Janna entered with her husband.
Mykko Wygann was a compact, well-groomed man with a presence reminding Nyk of Suki's father. Nyk thought he looked to be about sixty-five Floran years -- old enough to be Janna's father.
“Please, don't stand,” Wygann said. “Nykkyo, Janna has told me of your conversation. Thank you for your help. Believe me, making this palace an armed stronghold was never our intention -- it's for the safety of my staff and family. We're hoping to be able to relax a bit, once we've neutralized Zygon Vellod's faction.”