Planerbound

by neetha Napew

  He pointed toward the blue sphere below. “Take one last look, korlyta. I'm about to trigger the jump.”

  Nyk pressed the warp coil trigger. The bubble became opaque and the coil discharge shook the shuttle. Transparency returned and he began homing onto the relay station transponders. He approached the shuttle bay, parked the craft and began bay repressurization.

  Suki stood in the workroom, trembling. “You knew... you knew... How long have you known? This thing the other week -- Labor day Saturday -- that was a dry run!”

  “That was an error in the transcript. I learned of the genealogy when I went for the hearing. Andra forwarded the encyclopedia entry the day before yesterday.”

  “Last night -- we talked of death and spirits -- this was what you meant, wasn't it? I'll never see Mom or Nicky again.” She began weeping.

  “Korlyta -- the choices were ... to let you die ... or to let you live -- on another world. There was no third choice. You say you don't believe in an afterlife. Well -- you're in it. Call it heaven, hell or purgatory -- this is your afterlife.”

  “No... no... oh, God, Nykkyo -- oh, God, I don't know what to do...”

  “Go to Floran. Live out your natural life. Andra will be there for you. I'll call you -- I'll call every day. I'll send you photos and tell you of Nicky's progress. You'll see his first step and hear his first words. I'll visit -- as often as I can. And -- when my work here is done ... I'll return to Floran and we'll be together again forever -- and die in each other's arms.”

  “It's like prison -- to be kept forever from the people and places and things I love. To be kept from my baby -- my family. It's cruel, Nykkyo. You shouldn't have interfered!”

  “Destiny is cruel and She's singled us out for exceptional cruelty. But -- you will be with your family. Somewhere between one in a hundred and one in a thousand Florans have Kyhana blood in their veins -- your blood, korlyta. You're their mother -- a couple hundred times removed. You will be with your progeny -- on the world THEY built.”

  “I'd rather be dead ... I'd rather die, Nykkyo!”

  “If you'd really rather die -- I can arrange it.”

  “How?”

  He opened the door on a man-sized transparent tube. “Your afterlife has an escape hatch. This is an emergency stasis chamber. Once I put you into stasis -- you're dead. It's quick and painless. It would destroy me, but I would do it for you.”

  She poked her head into the chamber.

  “Normally, patients are kept in stasis until reanimated. I used it to save you when you cut your wrists. Please don't make me use it now.”

  Suki stood with her hand on the stasis chamber hatch. “Quick and painless?”

  “One moment you're conscious -- the next you're not. If you really wish death, you may have it. The choice is yours. I was sure you'd prefer life.”

  “What will you do with my body?”

  He put up his hands. “Eject it into space.”

  “If I died today, then I die today. How do I get into this?”

  “Don't make me do this, Suki.”

  “How?”

  Nyk pressed a control and a table extended from the chamber. “Lie on this.”

  She sat on the table and stretched out, her feet pointing into the tube. Nyk pressed a control and the table slid into the chamber. “You're sure?”

  She nodded. “Just don't tell me when.”

  He closed and latched the chamber hatch. Suki closed her eyes and clenched her fists. A touch of the master control brought the stasis field generator into standby. He looked into her face through the transparent tube, tears streaming down his. Then, he took a deep breath and placed his finger on the actuator. “Goodbye, korlyta.”

  “Wait, Nick!” she yelled. “Stop! NYKKYO -- STOP!” He opened the hatch. “I changed my mind. You're giving me a gift -- a wonderful gift -- I'd be horribly foolish to refuse. I choose life -- I'd rather be two hundred lightyears away than nowhere at all. I'll go to Floran. Now, get me out of this thing.”

  Nyk pressed the control to extend the table. Suki swung her feet to the floor and stood. He threw his arms around her and held her. “I knew you would,” he said. “I knew you would.”

  “If this is heaven -- then you must be some sort of an angel -- flitting between here and Earth. There were times I was convinced you were heaven-sent.” She held him. “To do all this for me...”

  “I'd do more if I could. I'd have saved George, too -- if I had known how...” He embraced her and wept.

  “It's okay,” she said, “it's okay...” She held him and stroked the back of his head until he calmed. He looked into her face and she smiled. “So, what's next?”

  “You know the drill -- decontamination and wait for the packet.”

  * * *

  Suki adjusted a lifxarpa. “When you visit -- bring me some bras. I know your people aren't big on underwear.”

  “I'll bring whatever you want.”

  “You had this ... rescue planned. How did you know...”

  “I didn't. Mine was a contingency plan -- and then, everything fell into place. I figured if you were in the tower, you'd have to be there first thing in the morning. You couldn't have arrived after the attack was in progress -- you'd have been turned away. You said it's a twenty-minute walk from Pace.”

  “You timed it all out.”

  “I walked with you yesterday to estimate the timing of the train, and how far to Pace. The only snag was when I followed you from Grand Central. I missed your train and was convinced I had lost you. You owe your life to your conversation with your dean.”

  “Maybe not. If he hadn't delayed me, I might have been in and out of Daddy's office before the attack.”

  “Might-haves...”

  “...don't count,” she said, completing his sentence.

  “I spent the rest of yesterday arranging details...” Nyk heard and felt a thud reverberate through the relay station. “...like the packet diversion. Come, korlyta -- the moment of our parting draws near. Remember -- even if we're apart, we're together. I'll never stop loving you. Love is communication -- we'll always have each other so long as we can communicate. Will you remember?”

  “How could I forget?”

  “Take care of yourself.”

  “You take care of yourself. I'm getting off easy -- YOU have to raise Nicky as a single dad.” A tear ran down her face. “Take care of Mom -- okay?”

  He nodded. “I feel sorriest for your mother. It'll be hard for her.”

  The docking tunnel door opened and Andra emerged. She opened her arms to Suki and embraced her. “Sukiko -- I sorry am -- but happy too.”

  Nyk embraced Andra and kissed her. “You said you'd do whatever I needed. I need you to love and care for my korlyta.”

  “I do and I shall. This request is no burden, Nyk.”

  He held Suki. “'Til we meet again.”

  Suki followed Andra into the docking tunnel. The airlock door closed. Nyk watched the packet pull away and vanish into her warp jump.

  * * *

  Nyk piloted the bubble shuttle to a rooftop landing. He climbed out and began hooking the safety tethers. Seymor approached from the sliding doors.

  “I'm in shock,” Seymor said. “The whole city -- the whole country is. It'll be days before we can get into the office -- maybe weeks. I'm glad my office faces north.”

  Nyk headed into the penthouse. “I'm numb.”

  Seymor put his arm around him. “Once the plane hit -- I realized what your game was. It was a gutsy thing you did.”

  “I couldn't bear the thought of her dying -- especially that way.”

  “If I were in your position, I'd have done the same -- assuming I'd have thought of it. With that sort of thinking and execution -- you'll make a first-rate Agent-in-Chief, Nyk -- a better one than me.”

  “I wish I could've saved her father, too.”

  “You did all you could. Lad ... I'm sure there will be legal issues. If I can help in any way...”

 
“Well -- they're probably both intestate. George's estate will go to Yasuko and Suki's -- what there is of it -- will go to me as her husband. My big concern is Nicky. Now, I wish I had married her before he was born -- then, there'd be no question.”

  “I'll look into it. My gut tells me you have little to worry about.”

  Nyk looked at his watch. “It's one in the morning. I wonder if I can get a cab to Queens.”

  Seymor shook his head. “I'll drive you.” Nyk followed him to the elevator.

  * * *

  The car pulled up to the house in Queens. “I'm dreading this,” Nyk said.

  “Good luck and good courage, lad. Take as long as you need.” He nodded and stepped from the car.

  Nyk climbed the steps. He gave Seymor the two-fingered Floran salute, then unlocked the door. Yasuko was pacing and holding a tissue. He opened his arms to her.

  “Nick! Oh, Nick -- I'm so happy to see you. Do you know?” He nodded. “I fear the worst for George and Sukiko. As soon as I heard ... I tried calling George's office but couldn't get through. Then, I called Pace. They told me Sukiko had dropped off some exams and was headed over there -- she never returned. Oh, God, Nick!”

  Nyk held her as she sobbed against him. He stroked the back of her head. Her sobbing became weeping -- then wailing. “It's my fault!” she blubbered. “I sent her there with that damned paper. Oh, Nick! I killed my own daughter! How can you forgive me?”

  “You did nothing of the sort,” he replied. She continued to wail. “Please, Yasuko -- I don't think either George or Suki would want to see you grieve so.”

  “My grief is my own,” she replied between sobs. “I feel like the bottom of my heart has been blown away.”

  “It could be days before we know...”

  “I already know... George's office was two floors above where the plane hit. No one could've survived...” She wailed again. “Why? Why would anyone want to harm George or my baby? They never hurt anyone!”

  “I don't understand it. There's such a wealth of diversity on this world. Why can't the inhabitants of this rock enrich each other through friendship and understanding? Why is it easier to hate and destroy? If I grow old here, I'll never understand.”

  Yasuko clutched him as he held her. “How can you take things so calmly, Nick?”

  “Everything happens for a reason. We're all following the paths Destiny traces for us -- paths we have no choice but to follow. She may not reveal Her reasons in our lifetimes -- but there IS a purpose for everything.”

  “Do you really believe there's some master plan for the universe?”

  “I don't believe in God -- I have to believe in something.”

  “And, your belief makes it easier for you.”

  “It makes it easier not to feel guilt. I know I did all I could do.” He looked into her eyes and his began to brim over. “Oh, Yasuko,” he sobbed, “I'll miss them so much!”

  She embraced him again and kissed his cheek. “So will I.”

  Nyk began to regain his composure. “I'm exhausted,” he said. “I know it's pointless, but I'm going to try to get some sleep. You should, too.”

  She nodded. “Good night, Nick.”

  * * *

  Nyk brought Nicky into the kitchen and plopped him into his high chair. “He's all changed and washed -- ready for his breakfast.”

  Yasuko produced some strained baby food and began feeding him. “Nick ...”

  “Yes, Yasuko?”

  “I know now there's nothing keeping you here, but I hope...”

  “Yasuko -- this is my home.”

  “I was thinking -- if, at some point ... you'd like to bring a ... a companion into the house ... another woman...” She brushed away tears. “I'd be willing to love her like a daughter.”

  “It won't happen. Suki is the one true love of my life. I'd never replace her.”

  “But -- Nicky needs a woman's touch.”

  “He has yours.”

  “I might not be here forever. Nothing's forever -- as yesterday demonstrated.”

  Nyk poured a cup of coffee for himself. “Did you sleep at all?”

  She shook her head. “Not anything worth the name sleep.”

  “Me neither,” he replied.

  “Going to bed alone will be the hardest thing. All my demons come out at night.”

  Nyk stood and caressed her back. “Yasuko -- if there are nights in which you need someone -- I'm here.”

  She looked at him agape. “Nick -- I'd never...”

  “I don't mean anything physical. If you need someone to hold you -- to keep the demons at bay -- or a shoulder to cry upon...” He tapped his chest. “I'm here for you.”

  She shook her head. “It wouldn't be proper.”

  “Not proper for two people who love each other to comfort each other in their hour of distress? Yasuko -- trust me -- I'd never do anything improper with you.”

  “I do trust you, Nick. It's myself I don't trust.” She cleared away Nicky's breakfast bowl and gave him a set of plastic discs on a ring. “So, what do we do, today?”

  “I doubt I can get to my office. I guess we sit and wait -- and play with Nicky.”

  * * *

  Nyk lay on his bed with the laptop computer propped on a pillow. “How are you doing?” he asked.

  “I'm adjusting well,” Suki replied, “so far, at least. I like this portable vidisplay. This is almost like having you in bed with me.”

  “There will be a few days every month in which the Floran and Earth nights are in sync. We can sleep together those nights.”

  “We'll need to be more careful as Nicky grows older,” she replied.

  He nodded. “How are you and Andra getting along?”

  “Wonderfully. We arrived at the house and I broke down. She held me and we both cried for the longest time. She kissed the tears from my face and bade me to do the same. Then, she said something I didn't quite understand -- about us bonding.”

  “You cried over the same hurt and tasted each other's tears. It's the Ritual of Shared Pain from Vebinad Academy. You and she are now friends-for-life. She'll lay her life down for you.”

  “I do love her, Nykkyo. I'm so sorry I doubted her. She has the most beautiful persona.”

  “Spoken like a true Floran. I know how you feel -- I was an absolute idiot about her. I spoke to Illya Kronta today and told him of your situation...”

  “Yes -- I know. He called. He thinks he can pull some strings with Central Admin and get me registered as a Floran resident.”

  “I don't know of a precedent for such.”

  “He said there was -- a number of years ago, a Floran ExoAgent let his true nature slip to an Earth woman. Agency Enforcement sent the guy up, and they snatched the girl, too. They didn't trust her to keep the secret, so they offered her exile here -- and a chance to live with her lover. She was assimilated.”

  “I've heard that story. I didn't know she was offered Floran citizenship.”

  “The Agency is happier with me here and you there than the other way around. Illya says he has an ulterior motive -- to set a precedent in the event he can convince Daphne to join us. He told me I'll need a contraceptive implant capsule and a personal ID chip.”

  “Those are no biggies.”

  “Nykkyo -- Andra told me about the contraceptive implant. It's easy for a man to say. Having an object the size of a pencil stub driven under your skin sounds a bit like a biggie to me.”

  “Every Floran girl goes through it and survives.”

  “In a way, I am looking forward to it. I realize it's one of the reasons the women on this planet all look so good, even well past middle age. Their bodies are bathed from puberty to death in benevolent, synthetic hormones.”

  “Those hormone implants have driven the incidence of some cancers -- some that are quite a problem on Earth -- almost to the vanishing point. It's a quid pro quo. Floran women gain improved health in exchange for having the state manage their fertility.”

  “Si
nce I'm not planning any more children, it sounds like a good deal to me.”

  “What do you have planned for tomorrow?”

  “Andra thinks I'd be happier if I had something to do. Tomorrow, she's taking me with her to Sudal University to talk with the assistant dean. She thinks I can create a course on Earth history the university can offer, with me as a guest lecturer.”

  “It sounds like a good idea. Are you game for that?”

  “I am -- and, it will give me an opportunity to polish my Lingwa.”

  “Have you seen Senta?”

  “She's stopped by a few times. She has her own place in Sudal -- and, she has a new lover.”

  “Only one?”

  Suki smiled. “I still have much to learn of the nuances of the language here. Senta said something that led me to believe she was propositioning me.”

  “She probably was. She craves you.”

  “Senta? Craves ME? How can you say that -- after all the trouble she made for us -- after I stole you from her?”

  “She never gave a rip about me, korlyta. She didn't care that you had ME. What bothered her was that I had YOU and she wanted you for herself. You must realize -- Senta collects lovers the way Earth kids collect butterflies. Granted, she doesn't dry them and pin them onto boards. I know she pursued Andra in order to have an ax'amfin in her collection.”

  “She wants me because I'm from Earth?”

  “And, because you're an Asian -- and, because you're a known ancestor to Koichi. What rarer specimen could she find?”

  Suki rested her chin on her fist. “I can see assimilating into this culture might not be as easy as I first imagined. Should I take her up on her offer?”

  “That's up to you. Senta is an important and powerful woman. Friendship with her could be quite useful to you.”