The Rylerran Gateway

by Mark Ian Kendrick

  “Naylon,” Kella asked, “why would you need to go to another planet to study life on ours?”

  “Good question. It’s not asked often enough either. In fact, I had to put plenty of detail about that in my grant request. You see, long ago it was determined that if there’s life on one planet in a solar system, there’s most likely a signature of life all over the entire system.”

  “A signature?” Kella asked.

  Naylon almost felt uncomfortable bringing it up but he had to. Because it was about Earth. He didn’t want to even say that word, mostly because of Darreth. “I’ll explain. The theory was brought to the fore about eight hundred years ago, back on Earth.” He looked around. Good. No one so much as flinched when he mentioned Earth. Not even Darreth. “In the late 20th century a meteorite was found on one of the icy continents in the southern hemisphere.”

  “Antarctica,” Tann stated glibly.

  “Right,” he said, impressed. It came as a surprise to Naylon that Tann might know Earth’s continents. “Once it was examined, they determined it had been ejected from Mars, the fourth planet in the system; most likely jettisoned from a large meteorite impact. Further examination led to the tentative conclusion that it contained fossilized remains of Martian life forms. The claims were never proven with that particular meteorite, but another one found elsewhere on Earth about a century later provided ample proof. Once regular expeditions started going to Mars they discovered that fossils had been carried back and forth between Earth and Mars. They even learned that DNA from live microbes had survived the fiery re-entry into each of the planets’ atmospheres. Later, once the Jovian moons were explored, scientists discovered microbial life forms in the subsurface Europan and Ganymedean oceans with the same DNA coding as those in the inner planets. The theory that life in a solar system mixes between planets had been proven beyond any doubt.”

  “Serious?” Tann asked.

  “Serious as star travel. In my humble opinion it’s one of the most important discoveries in human history.”

  Siloy spoke up now. “So, you think the same thing has happened here in our two systems.”

  “That fact has been established for quite some time now. The DNA evidence is all there. It’s just that the environments on Andakar and Rylerra created completely different evolutionary paths just like in the Sol system. Our task is to find out where the Rylerran samples came from and determine if there are more. We’d like to determine when the mixing occurred and when the two evolutionary paths diverged. It’s quite unfortunate the samples we found in the museum weren’t properly labeled. That would have narrowed down the search considerably. As it is, we’ve had to use Rylerran satellite survey information to isolate probable sites to start our digs. As you know our solar systems are unique in that we have two planets in two life zones. None of the other Inhabs have two planets that harbor life on temperate worlds.”

  Siloy nodded, aware of that fact, but never giving it much thought until now. “This grant that the museum provided. It’s fully funded?”

  “Nearly. They didn’t provide for a ship or a pilot. But that’s been taken care of.”

  “How so?” Siloy asked.

  “Darreth offered to pilot a ship for us. Our primary site’s in the northern hemisphere and it’s summertime there right now. At least for the next four months. It’s almost shirtsleeve weather.”

  Tann looked at his brother. “How are you getting there?”

  “An H-180.”

  “Who’s going?”

  “Me, Naylon and his colleague Merek. I have the time off so I’m staying with them, then flying them back.”

  “Those shuttles have room for eight,” Tann announced in a suddenly hopeful manner.

  Kella looked up at him, her eyes wide, knowing what was coming next.

  Darreth pointed his fork at Tann. “No,” he said with a decided dismissal.

  “Darreth,” Tann said in a decidedly pleading tone. “You promised.”

  Naylon looked at the two of them staring at each other. “Promised what?” he asked Darreth.

  Darreth ignored the question. “There’s no way,” he firmly retorted, still looking squarely at his little brother.

  Naylon leaned back in his chair, watching their interaction take place. “What did you promise him?” he asked softly. Naylon glanced over at Siloy who looked like he was enjoying the interaction.

  “That I’d take him to Rylerra the next time I went. Just to look around. You know, to visit another planet.”

  Naylon looked first at Darreth’s father, then to Kella, then into Tann’s pleading eyes. Finally, he took in Darreth’s steadfast gaze at his brother. “I can authorize clearance, Darreth. Insurance covers everyone. It’s only for fifteen days anyway. That’s with transit time. He’ll have to stay with us the entire time, but I can assure everyone it will be an adventure he’ll never forget.”

  Darreth shook his head then waved the idea off with his hand. “It’s too dangerous.”

  “Darreth!” Tann interjected. “He just said I could go!”

  “I said you can’t.”

  “He’ll just need warm clothing,” Naylon told him.

  Siloy intervened, heading off an obvious argument. “I think Darreth’s being overly cautious, as usual. I say he can go,” he said with a ring of finality in his voice. He looked at Naylon. “When are you leaving?”

  “Darreth said he can have the ship ready in three weeks.”

  “Perfect. Tann’s out of school by then.”

  Tann was so excited he stood up, almost knocking his chair over in the process. He shot his fist into the air with almost childlike enthusiasm. “Light speed!”

  “I can’t believe you said that,” Darreth told Naylon. “He has no business on Rylerra.”

  “It’s not dangerous unless he gets frostbite. What’s the big deal?”

  Chapter 10

  Inandra Alarr’s quarters were plush. Not that other Earthers on Andakar didn’t have nice quarters. It’s just that hers had to be the very best. In fact, it was one of her first demands when she had arrived several years ago. The walls of her living room all had the latest holo-tech in them so she could surround herself with familiar images of her hometown near Vienna back on Earth. That included full sound quality of tourists on the walkways along the lake, the din of the small shops that faced the water, and the traffic further beyond.

  Virtual reality aside, her backdoor opened out to a huge swimming pool on a raised deck overlooking a fair-sized portion of the midrises of Tokaias’ western district. She had two servants, both of whom were born on Andakar, but were soon to be Citizens. She reminded herself she’d need new ones soon. It was rare when a Citizen would continue working for an off-worlder, regardless of the pay, after obtaining that status. It came with the territory and she knew it. She was well aware of the tacit tension which frequently accompanied interactions with the natives of this Inhab. It was particularly intense on Andakar.

  Taking charge was burned into Inandra’s genes. From the time she was a little girl, when she was first allowed to accompany her father to a business meeting, or more accurately, to the dinners afterwards with some of his clients, she knew she would eventually be someone of rare importance. At first, it was because of the radiant smile that won the favor of her father’s most important clients. Then it was her precocious realization at puberty that it wasn’t just her smile. Smiles alone didn’t win her father important contracts.

  After sleeping with the Nattor Designs division headquarters chief the day after her fourteenth birthday, and her father won the contract with them the day after, she realized her gifts weren’t necessarily rare, but were important. Important enough to give herself freely every chance she got.

  She was sure her father knew the dinner dates with ‘friends’ were really with division heads, upper level managers, and with the corporate lawyers ready to approve richly rewarding contracts. But daddy never spoke about it. Since those contracts were always lucrative
when ‘little Inandra’ was along, she discovered that daddy was also important. Daddy provided her with ways to hear things little girls didn’t often get to hear. Like who was really in power. Who really had direct lines of communication to even more important people. Small things like that.

  Inandra’s older brother Lerut was directly in line to take over when the time came. Family run businesses demanded that. Inandra knew that although Lerut was large and sounded important, he had a very limited capacity for obtaining major contracts her father had so deftly solidified. After all, Lerut was male. Nor was he good-looking. Later, when he married, his wife was no match for her own prowess. Indeed, Inandra’s sister-in-law had no intention of sleeping around to obtain contracts. She was well-aware of corporate law.

  Inandra knew once her father retired it would be impossible to sustain the level of profit the family had enjoyed since she had reached the age of consent. So, although family members suspected Inandra was the direct cause of the most lucrative contracts in recent years, no one had ever proven how. After all, none of the businessmen, most of whom were married, had any intention of divulging their liaisons. They also knew corporate law. She kept her trail cold and her emotions in check.

  A defect in the airlock of the transport ship had caused an explosive decompression coming back to Geosynchronous Station One from Mars when she was 23 years old. It was a once in a lifetime event, which resulted in a lawsuit that went on for years. The accident not only killed her father, but Lerut, his wife, and two of the lawyers assigned to negotiate the contract with Gusev Dome Builders. Lerut didn’t get his chance to succeed his father after all. Inandra immediately became president of Alarr Offworld, Ltd. Her mother had no interest or inclination to do so as long as money kept coming in and kept her in the luxurious lifestyle to which she herself had succumbed.

  That unfortunate circumstance immediately positioned Inandra with the means to follow her true aspirations. She didn’t intend to stop with just being president of a corporation. She wanted more. She craved more. She had even had that dream twice. The impossible dream. Each time it had woken her from a dead sleep. Her ruling an entire planet. It was something no female in the history of the Consortium had ever managed to do. Earth Central Planning and Direction Committee appointed the planetary director to each of the Inhabs. There were only 13 such directorships, since Earth was excluded from such appointments. In the history of Deep Sky Mining, only four women had been appointed to be Planetary Directors.

  Zelin Raxi was born and raised in Bonn. Zelin was single for the second time, and 38 years old, when he met the radiant Inandra long after she had become her father’s successor. Right away, he knew he was dealing with someone formidable, yet with desperate needs. He intended right away to fulfill at least one of those needs, and get one of his satisfied along the way.

  Zelin had an almost supernatural knack for extracting information from people, even when they were least aware of it. It was one of his natural talents, which he had exploited for years. He was a catalyst of sorts. Socially, he had an uncanny ability to bring disparate people together. In his business dealings, he played the role of master negotiator. In his personal life, he was smooth enough to melt even the most jaded women. Fortunately, for him that included Inandra. She had actually met her match.

  It was after their second night of passionate lovemaking that Zelin discovered Inandra’s innermost desire. Zelin was absolutely surprised to hear it, thinking it was just prattle at first. But he noted her tone. He could nearly feel her desire for such an office. Here was his chance, he realized. He figured he would be able to use her as she was using him. After all, she was sleeping with him to obtain a very lucrative contract with Kekliv Waveguide Systems where he had been working for over a decade. Zelin was tired of the non-stop work with Kekliv and longed to run a mining operation instead. After all, it was his innermost desire. Something out of the way. Something quiet. Something as lucrative but without the frenetic schedule of sales meetings he had to attend. When he discovered they both had unfulfilled goals, it was a simple matter of waiting for the right moment. He knew a few things Inandra had no idea about. He had contacts Inandra knew nothing about.

  Forty-six days later, an opportunity presented itself to him.

  Nels Hodofar was already in his early sixties when he had been appointed by Central Planning and Direction to be Andakar’s Planetary Director. He had held that post for almost eighteen years. He had been generally liked by most of the population. He was fair most of the time, although he always had Earth’s interests at heart. That’s why he was in the position. His death was met with great consternation with the Committee. Through a series of extremely lucky contacts in the Committee and a small payoff, Zelin was able to bring Inandra’s name to the top of the list of possible replacements. Her reputation was well known. Lucrative ventures always got news. The Committee had its pulse on who was who and who was not. In addition, he lobbied each voting member of the nominating committee that they wouldn’t find a better candidate than her. It was less difficult than Zelin thought to convince the right people.

  Within a month, Inandra was offered the position. She had to decide between continued ownership of her corporation or choose a lifetime appointment on Andakar. She already knew which choice to make. One of the first people she told was Zelin. He could barely contain himself when he saw the look of sheer joy on her face during the brief vidcall. She was unaware of the amount of time he had put in to make this happen.

  A message arrived a week later in Zelin’s vidbox. The mining operations manager named Bov Ghendeed on Rylerra was expected to retire in the next year. Now it was his turn to be overjoyed. Zelin’s quiet little spot might be opening up far sooner than he thought. And the favor he needed from Inandra would be due far sooner than he ever believed possible. Zelin had visited Rylerra twice several years previously on business trips. He had made a special side trip each time to visit Bov. Both times, he had wined and dined the man. Never quite knowing when his effort would pay off, he nonetheless realized that several things had finally converged in a manner he couldn’t possibly have predicted. By the time Bov retired, Inandra would have been on Andakar for quite some time. She would have ample power and significant influence with the Central Planning and Direction Committee. Recommendation by a Planetary Director for him to fill Bov’s position had immeasurable weight. In Zelin’s estimation, there was nothing better than this merger of events.

  Well, perhaps there was something better. How about the wonderful bedtime favors Inandra was so talented at? Her talents seemed to have ruined it for him. There wasn’t another woman alive he was remotely interested in anymore. How that was possible, he wasn’t sure since he had long ago lost count of the number of encounters he’d had with women. But ventures with other women, romantic or otherwise, paled in comparison to the haughty attitude she exuded, her lithe thin body, her long flowing hair, the impossible angles she could be taken in. Perhaps it was her wonderfully smooth skin, the deep green eyes that haunted him at times, and now she would soon be Andakar’s next Planetary Director, all due to his skillful maneuvering.

  And the last item alone was to be to his supreme advantage. Zelin knew what he wanted and now he could force Inandra to get it for him.

  Two weeks before Inandra was on her way to Andakar, he had her over to his private Montreux suite overlooking Lake Geneva, the very same Montreux that was Inandra’s hometown. It was a night of celebration. A night where they had both gotten very drunk. Zelin covertly activated a holorecorder. The questions he asked her were how she obtained those very first contracts for her father when she was so very young. He had his suspicions already, but he wanted to hear it from her lips. She confessed it was because she had slept with key people. It didn’t matter that she had whispered it. The holorecorder’s audio system was very sensitive and very good. Zelin told her that it turned him on to hear about the men she had slept with, so she told him more. At first he thought everything she had s
aid was nothing more than boastful lies. But the voice stress analysis he later performed told him that everything she had said was completely true. Unfortunately for her, it was highly illegal.

  The Consortium was indeed the overseer for all other corporations on all the Inhabs. The Consortium was also the largest single legal entity humans had ever created. Its efficiency was enforced by a very rigid set of laws. Laws that were strictly enforced, since it was the only way business could be run on an interplanetary scale and still work for the good of everyone. It was the Consortium’s business to make sure the population was clothed, fed, created or had jobs, and paid taxes. That required rigidly fixed standards of business. Under normal circumstances, Inandra’s private life would have prevented her from obtaining any position other than the one she currently enjoyed, which in itself was only due to nothing more than an unfortunate accident. But she had been very careful. Until she met Zelin.

  Zelin had a way of making sure that everything he did had a legitimate purpose and was well documented. Bribes were always donations. Private meetings always had a record of legitimate business containing a well-traced trail to legitimate dealings, even when they weren’t necessarily so. He wasn’t quite criminal since he was very meticulous about what he did and with whom he dealt. Thus, the holorecording. Which she suspected the next morning.

  She spied him at his vidstation watching some sort of vid. She was sure that was her in the vid, although she couldn’t be absolutely sure from where she stood. She had peeked at him through the partially opened door of his study after she was finished dressing. Zelin’s lair was supposed to be perfectly private. This was one time he slipped up.

  She had arrived at his lake house again two days after the recording had been made. She stood in his front doorway.