EarthBound

by D M Arnold

  “Andra, do you have any idea how much it disturbs me to know how badly you've been mistreated? The school mistreated you, even before Zander. What a waste of your talent, of your intellect. I've hated the finishing schools -- the concept of turning human beings into ... property. I've always believed the schools an abomination. Now I've seen firsthand the results of their work. This entire institution must be abolished.”

  “Without them I wouldn't be. I was made for the schools, Nyk. My parents realized they had the genetic raw material to produce a candidate for the schools. This was an asset they desired to exploit and they had little else. It took them years, working with genetic counselors, before they came up with ... me.”

  “Then you are one good thing to come from that institution.”

  “But, Nyk, I'm not unique. All my classmates -- all those who went before me were all very much alike. Each of my classmates was a bright, pretty girl, full of hope and a love of life. I have no idea where they went, to whom they were assigned. I'm sure not all are as miserable as I. Not every man is like Zander.” She stroked his face again. “Not every man is like you.”

  Nyk held her and stroked her arm. “I've been trying to understand Zander. He was my closest childhood friend and I loved him like a brother. I never imagined he has such evil in him. I wonder if the kindness he showed me was genuine. Or, was he playing an elaborate practical joke on me, picking on me like the village idiot? Was I his village idiot, too blinded by stupidity or need to see what everyone else must've seen he was doing? Was I blissfully ignorant I was his laughing stock? Perhaps I was...” He closed his eyes and pursed his lips. She stroked his face and kissed his cheek.

  The vidisplay signaled an incoming call. Nyk arose, slipped into a tunic and answered the call with a wristscan. He saw Suki's image.

  “Nykkyo, it's good to see you in Floran dress. I think your arms and shoulders look so sexy in that tunic.” He smiled. “Nykkyo, my mom's been after me about the abortion again. She's wondering what sort of man would promise to help and support me and then disappear for an open-ended length of time.”

  “I wish I could tell you when this'll be over. Seymor might need my help on this end, and I need his okay for my transit. I will return, Suki. I promise. Nothing will keep me away.”

  Suki began to wipe tears from her eyes. “Mom also told me that she'd pay for the abortion, but if I carry the child to term, it'll be my responsibility. I don't have medical insurance, and I can't afford the doctor's bills. I had a bad fight with my father last night, too. I wish you were here -- I think he's afraid of you. He doesn't hassle me when you're here. It's almost like I'm regressing to when I was in high school. That's the reason I left in the first place. And I had my first bad case of morning sickness today. I was late for my job at the university, and there's a deadline coming up.

  “Nykkyo, I'm sorry to dump all this on you, but I told you I can't do this alone. It's not fair to demand you to put up with all this, either. I know what you say about destiny, about my role. I know I must do this. I miss you and I hope you can come home soon. I don't know how I'll manage or what to tell Mom. I'm scared, Nykkyo!” She started crying. “Now I'm a basket case and blubbering away. You must think I'm an emotional, weak, foolish woman. I'm so sorry.” She sobbed. “I can't stop crying!” She wept, her body shaking.

  “Suki... Suki, everything will be all right. The fact that I'm speaking to you means everything will be all right.” She looked into the camera and began to regain her composure. She sniffed and wiped her eyes. Nyk kissed his fingers and pressed them to the camera. She responded with the same.

  “This helps. Maybe some of this is my hormones raging from being pregnant. I'll try to get my act together; I'll try to be strong. I hope you'll be home soon. I love you, Nykkyo. You're all I have.”

  “I love you, too.” The vidisplay went blank.

  He felt Andra's hand on his shoulder. “Was that your Earth woman?” she asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Why was she so upset?”

  “She's pregnant...”

  “Say no more.” Andra stepped back, her eyes wide. “Are you the...”

  “No, of course not. Our relationship is strictly platonic.”

  Andra looked into his eyes. “Nyk, do you love her?”

  “I love Suki with a depth that astounds me. Ever since I laid eyes on that woman, I've awakened and retired to thoughts of her. I dream of her. I'll die thinking of her.”

  “Then, Senta was right. She believes your Earth woman has displaced her as your love object. She has, hasn't she?”

  “I don't know if Senta ever was my love object. I respect her -- I welcome her as a friend. I don't think I ever loved her. I certainly don't love her as I love Suki. And I'm sure Senta has never loved me.”

  “Then, after this? You're not returning to Senta, are you?”

  “Andra, when I'm done with this business I intend to return to Earth and spend my life with Suki at my side. It's the role Destiny's defining for me. I've interfered with her life, and I must replace the man who was to be her husband.”

  “Why must you?”

  “I told you she's a distant ancestor. There's a straight line ancestry from Sukiko Kyhana to me, and it runs through the child in her womb.”

  “Are you sure?”

  He picked up his xarpa and removed the pin. “Look at this -- do you recognize it?”

  “It looks like the pendant at Senta's apartment.”

  “It's at the museum, now. This was made by the same man -- Suki's grandfather.” He turned it over. “The same initials -- the same design. Is that proof enough?” Andra held the pin. “Suki's unborn child is the founder of my family line. She doesn't have the strength to raise him alone. I fear for her child -- and if I fear for that child, I must also fear for our entire race.”

  She returned the pin. “So that's why you wanted Zander's help for transit to Earth.”

  “Yes, and there I discovered evidence of his illegal activities.”

  “What will you do on Earth?”

  “I don't know -- find a job sweeping floors if necessary. This is why Destiny gave me the love I have for her. We'll live our lives almost as husband and wife. There'll be one difference.”

  “What difference?”

  “We'll be celibate. I love her, but I cannot consummate that love.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because of our relationship. Suki is my direct ancestor. It would be incest.”

  “How many degrees of separation are there between you?”

  “At least two hundred.”

  “No one would consider that incestuous.”

  “No Floran would. Attitudes on Earth are far different. There, if two people share linear consanguinity, their relationship is incestuous -- no matter how many degrees of separation.”

  “But no one need know.”

  “Suki does know, and it's her culture I must respect.”

  “Nykkyo, I shouldn't tell you this because I've been sworn to secrecy. I'll tell you because it's not right for two to have your sort of love and not share the gift. Senta knows something about your line. She discovered it while she was sequencing a hair.”

  “A hair? What does she know?”

  “I don't know the details, so you must ask her. You must press her on this, Nykkyo.”

  Nyk opened a pair of breakfast packages, set them on the kitchen table and brewed some green tea. “This is my favorite,” he said, “as much as anything on this planet can be. The green tea's as good as anything found on Earth, though.” Nyk reached across the table and touched her hand. She stroked his forearm. “Your skin is so light and clear. You hardly have any coloring at all. I know I'm not dark, but next to you I look as dark as Suki. She once said a meal and conversation, with good food, enjoyed among good friends is one of life's greatest pleasures. You and I are good friends, so we're halfway there.”

  The vidisplay signaled another call. Nyk scanned his wrist and saw Seymor sitt
ing at his desk. The New York City skyline was visible through the window behind his desk, and it made Nyk homesick. Seymor addressed him in English. “Nykkyo, we're making progress. There'll be a major realignment in the Service as a result of this.”

  “How much longer?” Nyk asked, also in English.

  “I wish I had the answer to that one, myself. We're concerned for Baxa's wife. Is she still with you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Don't let her out of your sight. There are some who think she's an accessory.”

  “I think they're wrong. She's incapable of involvement in something like that.”

  “She's an ax'amfin.”

  “She's a sweet girl.”

  “Ax'amfinen are witches, Nyk. They're sweet on the surface but vicious underneath.”

  “Andra's not like that.”

  “Nykkyo, I don't like it when I see a good Agent become emotionally involved. I saw it with the Earth woman, and I fear I'm seeing it now.”

  “It's not emotion, it's logic. I don't believe she's any more than an innocent bystander in all this.”

  “Nonetheless, don't let her out of your sight.” The vidphone screen went dark. Nyk paced around the main living floor.

  “What's the matter? You look upset. What did he say?” Nyk stood directly in front of her, placed his hands on her waist and looked into her eyes. “What is it, Nyk?”

  “Andra, I need to hear it from you. I need to hear you say you had nothing to do with Zander's plotting.”

  “I know nothing about it. I've told you I know nothing.”

  “Swear to me you had nothing to do with it. After our talk of bonding, of friends for life --after last night, after amften -- I need to hear you swear to it.”

  “I swear, Nyk, I know nothing of what he was doing -- nothing. It's the truth, Nyk. Honestly, it's the truth. I know nothing.” Tears were filling her eyes. “I could never lie to a friend-for-life. We must trust each other with our lives.”

  Nyk embraced her. “I believe you. Forgive me, but I needed to know for true. Some of the evidence implicates you, Andra. You may be detained for questioning.”

  “Please don't worry about me, Nyk. I have nothing to fear. I'll submit to interrogation willingly.”

  “I do worry. Truth drugs have been outlawed on this world because ... because sometimes the person being interrogated ... isn't the same, afterward.”

  “Worrying won't make things better. I trust you, Nyk.” She rested her head on his shoulder and he caressed her hair. “Do you think it would be safe to go outside?”

  “Probably. I'll go up to the observation deck and scout around, and if it looks clear, we'll take a walk on the bluff. I'll go crazy if we have to stay cooped up inside.”

  Nyk held her hand and led her around the perimeter of the Residence. He stopped at an outcropping of basalt and pointed to a memorial plaque.

  In loving memory

  Xarvo Kyhana, born 6569.084, died 6627.147

  Jylla Retsa Kyhana, born 6571.201, died 6627.147

  They loved the sea nearly as deeply as they loved each other

  “Your parents?” she asked.

  “Yes. I took them for granted when I was a boy. Even now, part of me doesn't want to believe they're gone. It's why I can't sleep in their bedrooms.”

  He and Andra walked out on the bluff. Andra stood at the edge and leaned into the breeze, extending her arms as if to embrace it. Nyk stood beside her and put his arm around her. She leaned against him as he savored the breeze. “The surf's even more violent today,” Nyk said. “We forgot to check for a forecast, but by the looks of things, a storm will hit us during the night.” He pointed to a grey line of storm clouds hugging the eastern horizon.

  Andra pointed to an object in the distance. “What's that?” Something was riding the sea, rising and falling in and out of view with the waves.

  Nyk shielded his eyes with his hand. “Probably the University of Sudal research vessel.” He looked a bit longer. “Or maybe it's someone watching the house. We'd better go back.” He pointed skyward toward an aircraft circling overhead.

  He walked briskly into the Residence, closed the shutters and checked the vidisplay. “I was right, there is a storm approaching. It's category one, not a big one. It shouldn't last more than a day or so.” He sat on a bench, trying to calm himself. She sat beside him. “I'm spooked, Andra. With this storm coming, we can't even walk on the bluff to take my mind off it.”

  * * *

  The storm winds howled. Nyk sat at the kitchen table playing with the wrapper from a luncheon package, folding it and refolding it into abstract shapes. The vidisplay signaled a call. He answered with a wristscan.

  Seymor spoke in English. “Nyk, is Andra around?”

  “She's upstairs, resting.”

  “The investigators want to question her. We think she may know something.”

  “Andra told me she was taught to ignore what goes on around her. She was taught to let it in one ear and out the other, and I believe her.”

  “She may have seen something or heard something that could be of use to us. We can't coerce her, but I hoped she might volunteer.”

  “I'll speak with her.” The vidphone session went dark.

  Nyk climbed the stairs to the third level. The door to his mother's bedroom was partway shut. He rapped on the door, opened it and walked in. Andra was reclining in her tunic. She looked up at him.

  “Seymor would like it if you'd answer some questions about Zander.”

  She shook her head. “I've told you. I'd be of no help.”

  “You must've seen something -- heard something. We must put a stop to whatever Zander's doing.” He sat on the bed. “You have some of his drug mixture with you. It acts as a hypnotic. Perhaps...”

  “No! I won't use it.”

  He held her hand. “Andra, we're bonded and friends for life. We trust each other with our lives. Won't you trust me with your mind? I'd never take advantage of you. All I want to do is to unlock some secrets so we can put an end to this.”

  She looked into his eyes, then away. She nodded. “All right, I'll do it.”

  “I'll call Seymor and make arrangements.”

  * * *

  Andra sat on a sofa in the living room. Nyk pulled a table near her and turned a vidisplay in her direction. Seymor's image was on the screen.

  “Nyk,” he said. “I have Illya Kronta standing by. He wants to hear what Andra has to say.”

  Seymor's image was joined by one of a middle-aged man in a Floran tunic. His xarpa identified him as an ExoService official. “I'm pleased to meet you, Nykkyo,” Kronta said. “I want you to know I'm a Kyhana scholar, and I've begun reading your translation of Koichi's journal. It's fascinating.”

  “Let's begin,” Seymor said.

  Nyk picked up a green cartridge and loaded it into an injector. He handed it to Andra.

  She took the injector. “After the drug takes me, you must utter the words zidev m'obe. Whoever first says that, commands me.” He nodded and placed his hand on her shoulder.

  She removed the needle guard and lifted the hem of her tunic. Her hand hesitated for a moment, then drove the needle into her skin. Nyk heard the snap of the roller pushing the drug into her thigh muscle. She withdrew the needle and replaced the needle guard.

  Nyk helped her recline on the sofa and propped her head with cushions. She folded her hands across her stomach. He watched her face as her eyes glazed and their lids grew heavy. Her lips parted and her jaw slackened.

  “Andra, zidev m'obe,” he said. Her eyes focused on him. “Andra, you now remember what you forgot about Zander. You will answer questions for me and for the gentlemen on the vidisplay.”

  “Andra, please look at this photoimage,” Kronta said. An image of a young man appeared on the screen. Nyk recognized the photo as the one who handed him the box aboard the transit platform. “Can you identify him?”

  “No.”

  “Andra, think hard,” Nyk said.


  “Don't lead her, Nyk,” Kronta said. “We mustn't contaminate her memory.”

  Andra stared at the photo. “Go deep,” Nyk said.

  Recognition spread over her face. “Yes, I remember him. He came to the apartment.”

  “How often?” Kronta asked. “Do you remember the most recent time?”

  “Dot-200. Yes, Zander gave him a box on dot-200.”

  “The day after I was there,” Nyk said.

  “Excellent,” Kronta said. “Good job, Nyk, I think we've unlocked her. Andra, I'd like you to look at some more photoimages. Tell me if you recognize any of these men.”

  Andra regarded the vidisplay. “Stop. He visited the apartment.”

  “Rud Vadima.” Kronta said. “He's assistant adjunct to the chancellor of the Lexal colony.” More images flashed by. Andra identified additional men from the group. “An interesting bunch,” Kronta remarked.

  “Yes,” Seymor added. “Some have done Agency tours.”

  “All have had Agency training and conditioning -- training for Earth assignments.”

  “Did Zander ever mention if these men were on Earth and why?” Seymor asked.

  “Yes. They were on Earth for training.”

  “What kind of training?”

  “I don't know,” she replied.

  “Military training,” Nyk conjectured. “Weapons and tactics.”

  “Andra, did you ever hear Zander speak of Earth weapons shipments?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did Zander say where the weapons were headed?” Nyk asked.

  “Lexal,” she replied.

  More photos flashed by. “Stop,” Nyk said. “Go back one.” The image was of a well-groomed late-middle-aged man in a jacket and wearing a large medallion. “Do you recognize him?”

  “No,” she said.

  “Think hard. Do you recognize him?”

  “No. I've never seen him.”