THE LOST COLONY

by D M Arnold

  “What of the other charges?”

  “The three of us -- Zane, Andra and I -- have been exonerated. Mos goes to trial in a couple days. I'll need to testify, but I'll do so from Earth. I've been told the likely outcome is the murder will be ruled...”

  “Justified?”

  “...excusable. Remember, the judges ruled you -- all of you -- to be human beings in the eyes of the law. A human being has an absolute right to defend his own life and liberty. Mos will be released.”

  “You can't send him back to Varada. He killed a man. Excusable or not, they'll consider him a menace and put him down for sure.”

  “Like an Earth dog who bites a child -- even if the child provoked it. No -- he'll be granted asylum here.”

  “In a dome?”

  “Yes. I hope they keep the trial short. He's getting very weak.”

  Laida looked down. “Poor Mos. He didn't mean to, Nykkyo. I know he feels badly about it. He didn't know his own strength.”

  “I know he didn't.”

  “Will Ms Ramina receive any compensation? I know she invests in each of us. She'll lose what she invested in me.”

  “A male is worth one and a female ten -- I recall. The question of compensation to Mos's master is one of the items on the diplomatic discussion list -- quite low on the list, but on it nontheless. Ramina invested much more than money in you, Laida. I've been working with her on a way to make her whole for losing you.”

  “How?” she asked.

  “I had the fortune of meeting a remarkable family living in the Green Zone. The BSS had little difficulty tracking them down. There's a daughter who reminds me very much of you. She reminds Ramina of you, too. Her name is Lise. She's an unregistered -- and she's a oneshot. Ramina is working with the BSS to register her.”

  “To find her work?”

  “We've come up with a creative idea. Do you recall the name Fara?”

  “Of course. She's one of Ms Ramina's.”

  “Fara is sterile. Ramina knows a surgeon who will transplant one of Lise's ovaries into Fara. Apparantly it's a routine procedure on the farms for Fara's condition. He will also sterilize Lise so she need not fear a pregnancy.”

  “Yes -- it likely would be fatal to a oneshot. So, for the price of registration, Ms Ramina gets a fertile female.”

  “That, plus the doctor's fees. She will also sponsor a young woman she can love like a niece -- the sort of way she loves you. Lise will continue to live with her parents and Ramina will serve as her broker. Ramina thinks she'll have no trouble finding work. Unlike Lise's parents' broker, Ramina will let her keep her wages -- less a brokerage fee...”

  “Knowing Ramina as I do, I imagine her fee adds up to her registration and medical outlays.”

  “I believe she's thinking along those lines. In addition, Ramina gets the comfort of knowing you are safe and cared for. In exchange, she is waiving all claims against Floran and the ExoService for granting you asylum. You didn't want to spend the next ten years of your life making baby after baby -- did you?”

  Laida smiled. “No, I really didn't. It sounds like a win-win-win solution. I imagine Fara is excited about finally being able to conceive.”

  “Yes. Fertility will make her feel whole.”

  “You were able to work all this out from here?”

  “Yes. We have the Floran and Varada communications interconnect working. Which reminds me... He took his handheld vidisplay from his sash, scanned his wrist and entered a code. Then he handed it to her.

  Her eyes grew wide. “Ms Ramina!” She looked toward Nyk.

  “Take as long as you want.”

  Nyk paced around the canteen. “Yes,” he heard Laida say, “I've been given asylum here ... probably Mos, too. I'm fine ... Nykkyo's been taking good care of me ... please explain it to my mother, Ms Ramina. I know you can explain so she'll understand ... I love you, too, Ms Ramina...”

  She handed the vidisplay to him. “Thank you. I miss her ... I miss them. They are my family.” Nyk opened his arms and she fell into them. He caressed her shoulders and kissed the top of her head as she sobbed. “Now, I'll never see them again.”

  “Never say never, Laida. Situations evolve. You might very well find yourself back there, some day. Everything has a purpose. You are here for a reason. Destiny hasn't revealed it to us, yet.”

  She wiped the tears from her face. “I suppose so...”

  “And you can always call. Laida -- it appears you'll be in Sudal for a while. I thought I'd show you some of the sights.”

  “Do you mean, outside the dome?”

  “It's dusk -- they'll be shutting off the lamps anyway.”

  “Yes, they will be... Let me change.”

  Nyk followed her to a corner near a storage shed adjacent to the hydroponic beds. Some screens had been set up. She stepped behind them. “Mr Hasse set this up for me -- so I could have some privacy.” She emerged from behind the screen wearing a Floran white, sleeveless tunic. “Some of the crop tenders donated old clothing.”

  “You look great in Floran clothing, Laida.”

  “I'll bet you say that to all the women.”

  He smiled. “Well -- I do think the female figure is flattered by a Floran tunic.”

  “I knew it!”

  “But, you look especially good -- with your dark skin against the white fabric. I'll remember to look for a deep green lifxarpa for you, the next time I'm in Floran City.”

  “No -- please, not green.”

  “Then orange -- to match your eyes.”

  He led her outside to the groundcar and opened it. She sat beside him and Nyk programmed destinations. “I'll show you Sudal University. It's where Andra and my wife work. I'll show you downtown Sudal and then we'll take a look at my childhood home.”

  “Sounds good.”

  The car pulled onto the north-south arterial highway that bisected the city. Nyk pressed his hand against hers. “This, Laida, is a Floran gesture of friendship. When I press my palm against yours, I am offering you the gift of friendship and openness. If you accept, spread your fingers.”

  She smiled and opened her fingers. Nyk laced his with hers.

  Laida looked at their hands locked together. “This never would've happened on Varada,” she said. Nyk caressed her forearm. He pointed out landmarks as the car headed south and explained the tropical storm shutters all the buildings sported.

  The groundcar pulled to a stop outside the Residence. By now the ruby disk of the setting sun had dropped below the western horizon and it was deep dusk. Nyk led her inside. “Hello, Andra,” Laida said.

  “Laida -- you're looking healthy.”

  She smiled and presented the backs of her hands. “Yes, thanks to your dome.”

  “Is Suki around?” Nyk asked.

  “She went to bed. She was exhausted from traveling.”

  “I can understand that,” he replied.

  “She wanted to meet Laida but she couldn't keep her eyes open.”

  “Andra, do you live here, too?” Laida asked.

  “Andra is companion to my wife, as well as a friend of mine.” Nyk led Laida around the house and explained how the second and third floors had no outside walls -- how they were left open to admit the breeze. Then, he led her outdoors to the bluff and they looked down at the sea.

  He escorted her down the bluff and to a bowl-shaped depression lined with black sand. “This is my favorite spot. I like to lie here and look up at the sky. The night sky is Floran's most beautiful feature.” He lay on the sand and she lay beside him.

  “This is beautiful.” she said. “I think I could get used to living here. And, you have been so sweet to me.”

  “I care for you very much, Laida. I understand why Ramina loves you so. Laida, there's something else... Here, on Floran we have a tradition called amften. It's when two people become dear friends and seal the bond by sharing the gift. That's what amften means -- special friends.”

  “The gift?”

  “Love m
aking.”

  “You want to make love with me?” She sat up. “I'm flattered, Nykkyo. I really am.” She shook her head. “I can't.”

  “Why not?”

  “It would violate a very deep and old taboo -- one from the days when my kind first emerged. Varadans find the notion abhorrent.”

  “I'm a Floran, Laida. The color of your skin makes no difference to me. It's your persona I admire. It's no one's fault your persona chose your body in which to live.”

  She smiled. “Does that sort of talk work reliably for you?”

  He returned her smile. “Most of the time. I do care for you very much. I am sincere.”

  “I know you are. Nykkyo -- you might not be a Varadan... But, I am. The taboo works the other way, too. Something deep inside me finds the notion of sex between my kind and yours ... revolting.”

  “Laida, you are more human than most of the people I deal with day-to-day. Take it as an insult or a compliment -- it's the truth.”

  “From you I'll accept it as a compliment. Believe me, Nykkyo -- it's nothing personal. Part of me would like to, but this is something I can't get past.”

  “I understand.”

  “Please take me back to the dome.”

  Nyk led her to the groundcar and rode in silence toward the northern outskirts of Sudal. He felt Laida's palm against his. He spread and locked his fingers with hers. She squeezed his hand.

  “Laida, I love you.”

  “I know you do. With your kindness and all you've done for me -- I have no doubt.”

  “I love you even if we can never consummate...”

  “Never say never, Nykkyo. Instead, let's say not now. Besides -- I'm a virgin. I don't know how to. I have to read up on the practice, first.”

  “Well ... why didn't you say so? I have a strict policy. I do not go around defiling virgins. It's a policy I never violate.”

  “Never?” she asked.

  “Almost never.”

  The car stopped outside the dome. “Good night, Nykkyo. Thank you for everything.”

  “Laida -- Tomorrow I return to Earth, and I don't know when I'll be back or see you again. Will you let me sleep with you tonight? I won't force myself on you. I'd never do that to anyone. I just want to hold you in my arms before I leave. Would that be all right?”

  She broke into a smile. “Yes -- I think it would be.”

  He escorted her inside and followed her to the corner where the screens were set up. He stretched out on a mattress that was lying on the dome floor. Laida lay beside him. He gazed into her orange eyes and stroked her cheek with the backs of his fingers.

  “The stars on this world are so bright,” she said.

  “Yes... You are a beautiful young woman, Laida.”

  “No. I'm not a woman.”

  “The judges said so -- here, you are a woman.”

  “Wouldn't I be prettier to you with long hair and light skin?”

  “Your persona would be just as beautiful in any body. No, Laida -- your features are what make you, you.” She touched his head and pulled her hand back. “It's all right -- go ahead.”

  Laida ran her fingers through his hair. “What strange stuff this is...”

  “Would it be all right if I kissed you goodnight?” he asked.

  “Okay...” He brought his lips to hers. Then, he lay on his back and coaxed her against him. He slipped his arm around her and she snuggled against him. “Mmm... This does feel good.”

  “It feels even better after lovemaking...” Her eyes turned to his, she cracked a smile and shook her head. “You can't blame a guy for trying...”

  “You don't appreciate how much I overcame agreeing to this. If you and I had been caught like this on Varada -- it would've been certain death for me and a heavy sentence for you.”

  “Have you ever slept in someone's arms before?”

  “Never. This is the first time.”

  “I'm sure it won't be the last.”

  “Nykkyo?”

  “Yes, Laida.”

  “I love you, too.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “I know you do.” He lay looking up through the dome roof at the stars as she drifted to sleep.

  * * *

  Nyk stepped into the kitchen and poured some green tea. He set his cup next to Suki's and pulled up a stool. “Bon'matina.”

  “Bon'matina.”

  “Are you all rested up from your travel?”

  “Mmm... I slept like a log. Are YOU all amften-ed up with Laida after last night?”

  “No.”

  “No?”

  “No -- she refused me.”

  “She refused YOU? What is the matter with the girl?”

  “She has her reasons and I agree with them.”

  “Now, you're off to Earth?”

  “Yes -- Dyppa is picking me up on the relay station and I fly from Milwaukee to LaGuardia. I don't know what I'm going to tell your mom about my absence.”

  Suki giggled. “Mom probably thinks you're a CIA operative or something.

  * * *

  Nyk trod down the jetway and into the concourse at LaGuardia. He spotted Seymor waiting outside the security checkpoint. “Welcome home, lad.”

  “Seymor -- I figured it out.”

  “Figured what out?”

  “Why trouble seems so intent on seeking me out. It's not me -- it's Kronta. HE's the one with the dark cloud over his head. The problem is, it never rains on HIM -- only on his associates.”

  “What makes you think it's Kronta?”

  “I got involved in that Lexal thing with the guns at Kronta's request. It was the same with the Tulsa virus, and now this. Kronta was responsible for my involvement with Suki in the first place -- in an indirect way, at least. Whenever Kronta is involved -- trouble is lurking around the corner. Seymor -- next time Kronta has some assignment for me -- tell him I'm indisposed. Take the assignment yourself if you don't believe me. Just make sure your insurance is paid up.”

  “How did the reunion with Sukiko go?” Nyk looked down and shook his head. “I figured you staged that mutiny so you'd have more time there with her.”

  “Don't joke about it, Seymor. She was teaching a course on T-Delta the whole time. We barely passed each other in the night.” He paused. “She invited me to be with her on Myataxya, if it's all right with you.”

  “When is that?”

  “It works out to be sometime in June on the Earth calendar. It's all right, Seymor, if you need me here. I'd just be underfoot there.”

  “You must go, Nyk. I can certainly spare you for that.”

  “That's if I don't get a Dear John letter before then.”

  “Come on, lad -- I'll drive you home.”

  Nyk let himself into the front door and tread softly into the house. The sound of a television came from the living room. Yasuko was sitting in a chair, dozing. He switched off the TV. “Yasuko... Yasuko...” He nudged her.

  “Oh, Nick -- you're home.”

  “Yes -- I'm home. No more assignments for a little while.”

  “Where DO you go on these ... assignments, Nick?” He looked at her. “What are you? Some sort of ... secret agent?”

  “No, Yasuko.”

  “You must be to go off where no one can get hold of you for weeks on end.”

  “Okay, Yasuko. I'll tell you the truth. Yes -- I am a secret agent, but not for the CIA or the FBI. I'm from another planet, and I'm here on a covert mission. Don't worry -- our reasons for being here are benign. We mean no harm to Earth or any of its people...”

  Yasuko continued to gaze at him with a stone face. “Nick -- your cover is safe with me. If you can't talk about, just tell me so and we'll drop it.”

  “I can't talk about it, Yasuko.”

  She nodded. “Good night, Nick.” She hoisted herself out of her chair and headed toward her bedroom.

  Epilogue -- Honeymoon

  Nykkyo sat in the passenger compartment of a livery car as its driver negotiated the streets of the Var
adan capital. It stopped outside a one-story structure in the same sector as Ramina's breedery. He handed the driver a scrip card. “Keep the change.”

  Inside the building he spotted Ramina. “Have they started?” he asked.

  “Not yet.”

  “May I see them?”

  “This way.”

  He followed Ramina into a treatment room. He looked around in the subdued lighting. Lying on a pair of cots were two novonid girls. Nyk approached the one with a thin, boyish figure. “You must be Fara,” he said.

  “You must be Nykkyo.”

  He gripped and squeezed her hand. “Good luck,” he said, then turned to the other cot. “Lise ... I thought I'd never see you again.”

  “Neither did I. I'm so happy to see you, Nykkyo. What brings you here?”

  “Ogan insisted I attend the installation of the Floran ambassador -- as the official interpreter. It's not as if Ambassador Morsk needs one -- he has had Varadan language training. I think Ogan wanted a drinking buddy.” Lise smiled. “That was yesterday. When I heard today was the big day -- I had to come see you. Where are your folks?”

  “Neither of them could get the day off. They'll be here when they can.” She peeled down the drape covering her and Nyk saw the registry tattoo on her left clavicle. “Look...”

  “I'm both happy and sad for you, Lise. I'm happy you no longer need to lurk in the shadows of the Green Zone, but I'm sad that mark must be the price of your safety.”

  “I'm happy to have it. Ms Ramina says she has an assignment for me -- babysitting a pair of Varadan children.”

  “I think you'll be good at it.”

  A medical assistant wheeled a cart of equipment into the room. “We'll get started shortly,” she announced. “I'll start by putting these probes on your head and chest...”

  “You don't start an intravenous drip?” Nyk asked.

  “No,” the attendant whispered in reply. “They're deathly afraid of needles, and I don't blame them.”

  Nyk took Lise's hand. “Are you afraid?”

  “Yes -- a little.”

  “I would be, too. Good luck and good courage, Lise.” He held her hand and she grasped his in a white-knuckled grip.