EarthBound

by D M Arnold

  “The Veska line's broken?”

  “Yes -- five generations ago, a woman's contraceptive implant capsule malfunctioned, she became pregnant and refused to terminate the pregnancy. As a result, a son was born without benefit of birth license to an unwed mother. Have you ever seen the crest of a broken line?”

  “No.”

  Veska took a polycard and drew a pair of triangles in a circle. “This is the crest of the legitimate branch of my family.” He drew a slash through the circle. “This is what my bride would have to wear. There are women who don't care. Jylla cared. She didn't want a broken crest applied to her arm, or her children suffering the stigma of a broken line. She wanted to give her children the gift of the Kyhana surname, one of the most prestigious in existence. But she wanted at least one of her children to be fathered by me.

  “She convinced Xarvo to support her in applying for the birth license. He wanted genetic counseling, to produce the best of the best their genes could supply. She insisted their first should be a natural child.”

  “And she secretly employed contraceptives with ... her husband?”

  “Yes, as if it were necessary. Xarvo and Jylla were never truly compatible. You know they kept separate bedrooms.”

  “So when you came to Sudal on your vacations, it wasn't the sea or the Residence that drew you. It was my mom.”

  “And you, Nykkyo. I'll never forget the assignation. Xarvo was busy with his agridome plans and crop forecasts. Jylla scheduled a sabbatical day from the product development labs and we met at their apartment -- it was before the Residence was constructed.” Veska pressed his hand to his eyes. “You were conceived in love, Nyk. There's something special about a man and a woman making love to conceive a child.”

  “Something I'll never experience. My ... father was a cuckold. Did he ever know?”

  Veska shook his head. “No.”

  “I think he must've suspected. I was so unlike him -- I never had his drive or ambition -- or his talent. He wanted desperately for a son to follow in his footsteps. I had no interest. I was a disappointment to him. I knew that early on.”

  “You were a sensitive and inquisitive child, Nyk -- and a gentle one. You had a love of nature, the stars, and, of course, the sea. Those destined for leadership are gifted with certain traits. You were gifted with others.”

  “Why didn't my mother tell me?”

  “She planned to. At my apartment I have a datacel containing a letter she wrote to you on the day of your birth. She intended to give it to you on your day of majority. She gave me a copy for safekeeping, in case...” Veska wiped a tear from his face.

  “I'm past majority now,” Nyk said.

  “I never found the right opportunity to broach the subject. I procrastinated. I didn't want to hurt you. I knew how much being a Kyhana meant to you.”

  “So many wish not to hurt me, I end up hurt more.”

  “I'm sorry, Nyk. When I go home, I'll transmit the letter to you.”

  “No -- I don't want to read it.”

  “I'll transmit it and you can save it. You may decide you want to read it some day. They are the words of a mother to the son she loved. Your mother did love you.”

  “And the reason you insisted Senta and I marry? Not to bind to the Kyhana line, as I believed.”

  “No. I was concerned for you. You were miserable after the shuttle crash, and you couldn't keep up with your studies. I had no idea what was to become of you. I wanted to make sure you were cared for. You are my boy, and I love you.”

  “Senta was on her way to a brilliant career.”

  “Yes -- she had a guaranteed position with the Food Service after she completed her studies. I knew you'd have a roof over your head and meals on your table. I couldn't bear the thought of my boy petitioning for maintenance or living in a group home.”

  “You didn't want a wife for me -- you wanted a mother. Senta's not a good substitute for a mother, Veska.”

  A smile broke across Veska's face. “I suppose you're right about that.”

  “After the ricin affair, Senta leapt over those Food Service positions. She's successful beyond anyone's expectations.”

  “I am proud of her ... and of you too, Nyk. I was pleased with your acceptance into the ExoAgency, and of how you handled yourself in the Baxa ruckus. You've exceeded my expectations, also.”

  “Everyone's expectations of me appear to have been rather modest.”

  “Seymor has had nothing but good to say of you. Hearing it makes me very proud.”

  “What of Lydda?”

  “She found herself in a loveless marriage with an abusive husband. They moved to the T-Delta colony, and worked in one of the mines there. Lydda was quite athletic -- she enjoyed the physical labor. Senta was born on T-Delta.

  “As their marriage fell into acrimony, I pleaded with her to leave him, to file for separation, and to return to Floran. Of course, we could never marry, but she could be my amfin. She would, she promised me, once this or that happened, or the promotion came through. Then, the explosion ... and she was gone.” He shook his head.

  “My only consolation is the accident that took my Lydda also claimed her tormentor. A hollow consolation, I can assure you. She asked me to wait. I'm still waiting.”

  “I'm so sorry, Veska.”

  “That was more than thirty years ago, Nyk. We're well past sorry. After the accident, I adopted Senta. She wasn't a year old. I did so she'd have a modicum of a family, and to have a bit of Lydda close to me. Senta always looked like her mother. Now she's grown and the resemblance is remarkable. She's a great comfort to me.”

  “You know I'm petitioning for dissolution of our marriage.”

  “Yes, I know. It pains me to see Senta unhappy. It also pains me to see my boy unhappy.”

  “Senta doesn't really care. I'm not unhappy. I've found my true destiny, and it lies on the third planet orbiting a yellow star. And, with Suki at my side.”

  “I'm pleased for you, Nyk. You are doing the right thing, although I can't let Senta hear me say that. It's what Lydda and I, or Jylla and I, for that matter, never had the courage nor the means nor the opportunity to do.” Veska stood, opened his arms to Nyk and embraced him. “I've longed to do this, Nykkyo -- to hug my boy as father and son.” He kissed Nyk's forehead. “What are your plans?”

  “I'll meet with Seymor first thing. He has an assignment I might find acceptable. If so, I'll be an Earthbound ExoAgent. If not -- I was prepared to go native once. I am still.”

  “I trust you'll find Seymor's offer attractive. Take care, my son and friend, and please stop by. Even Earthbound Agents find their ways to the homeworld from time to time. Have a good transit.”

  Nyk exchanged the Floran salute with his father and headed to the departure lounge.

  * * *

  Nykkyo trudged up the stairs to the FloranCo offices. “Hi, Jaquie. Is the Big Guy in?”

  “He's expecting you, Mr Kane. Welcome back.”

  Nyk poked his head into the inner office. Seymor was talking on the telephone but he gestured Nyk to enter and take a seat. “I'm happy to see you here in New York, Nykkyo,” he said upon completing his call. “I understand you're interested in a full-time assignment here. I think we can accommodate you.”

  “I had an inkling you might have something for me.”

  “Do you have an inkling of what it might be?”

  “I thought it might be Zander's old assignment, of engineering identities for new Agents.”

  “I'm sorry, Nyk. I've already given that assignment to another Agent.”

  “Oh.”

  “I hope you're not too disappointed.”

  “It sounded like something I'd like to do.”

  “What I had in mind was something a bit different. I'd like to offer you the position of Assistant Agent-in-Chief for North American Operations. It's a training post, and if you do well, you'd be the prime candidate for my position, when I retire. You can work out of the vacant office next to min
e. I've been impressed with your ability to get things done, Nyk, and so has Kronta. I think you're a natural for this.”

  “Has Kronta forgiven my earlier behavior?”

  Seymor squinted at Nyk. “Kronta and I have agreed we were mistaken in thinking you brought an Earth woman onworld.”

  “What about Aahhn's report?”

  “Your doctor friend's report was sufficiently vague as to preclude anyone inferring his patient was an offworlder.”

  “Why would Kronta do this?” Nyk asked.

  “Why? Because neither of us want to see you spend the rest of your life planetbound on the homeworld. You're too valuable a contributor here. Your record notes you engaged in an indiscretion with a native.”

  “An indiscretion -- Agency jargon for a too-friendly relationship.”

  “Yes -- you were sent up for that infraction, and your involvement in the Baxa affair is construed as a mitigating factor. We're doing our damndest to keep Agency Enforcement out of this, Nyk. They take a dim view of Florans contaminating the Earth population.”

  “Seymor, I have a duty to tell you. I intend to stay here on Earth, to spend my life alongside Suki. I'll do this whether or not I have an Agency post.”

  Seymor stood and looked out his window. “You are determined to make this difficult for me. Up to now, I've been willing to let my Agents' private lives be their own business. Most have restricted themselves to casual relationships.”

  “I was willing to go native once. I'll do it now.”

  Seymor sat and drummed his fingers on his desk. “You are an excellent contributor, Nyk. You're results-oriented, tenacious and a natural political troubleshooter. You also have an unfortunate tendency toward emotional involvement.”

  “My involvement with Suki transcends emotion. I'm doing this because it's what Destiny demands of me. Suki's practically an honorary Floran. She supports us one hundred percent.”

  Seymor stared at Nyk. “You haven't told me any of this. I prefer to remain ignorant of my Agents' personal lives. So long as you do nothing to jeopardize our mission, you're free live whatever private life you want.”

  “I have as much to lose as anyone from temporal contamination, Seymor -- maybe more. Don't you trust me?”

  Seymor cracked a smile and nodded. “You'd still be planetbound, otherwise. You'll need to be discreet. If Agency Enforcement gets wind of this...”

  “Thank you, Seymor.”

  “Take a few days to think it over. Get acquainted with the lifestyle. There's no place in the galaxy like New York City.”

  “No need -- I'll accept the assignment. When do I start?”

  “On Monday. Be here at nine sharp and wear business attire. Good to have you back, lad.”

  * * *

  Nyk walked ten blocks to the Canal Street subway station and rode the train to Queens. He climbed the steps to the Kyhana household and rang the bell. Yasuko opened the door. “Sukiko's at her job at NYU. Come into the kitchen. Would you like a snack? I have some biscuits.”

  He followed her into the kitchen and sat at the table. She set a plate of sweet biscuits before him. “Nick, would you mind telling me your intentions? How long will you be here, this time?”

  “I'm here permanently. I intend to live with Sukiko, to help her bear and raise her child. I intend to ask her to marry me.”

  Yasuko's eyes widened. “You want to marry her?” She looked at him for a long moment. “I wish you luck, Nick. You will need it.”

  “We'll not rush into it. She is the one, great, true love of my life, Yasuko. I intend to stand by her, to live my life with her and to die in her arms, if Destiny permits. You asked my intentions, and I've told you.” Nyk opened his arms and embraced her. “Yasuko, my parents have been dead for eight years. I love feeling part of a family again.” He kissed her forehead. “I love you all.” She proffered a faint smile. “May I help with dinner?”

  “You may set the table,” Yasuko replied, pointing to a stack of bowls.

  He set the table with chopsticks. The front door opened and Suki walked in. She ran toward Nyk. He picked her up. She locked her legs around him and peppered his face with kisses.

  “I promised I'd be back. I'm here for good.” He handed her the silver pin. “I'm returning this to you. Maybe it did bring me luck. Suki, I found I do have something I can give you.”

  “Where is it?” she asked.

  “I can't here -- maybe after dinner. Let's go upstairs and talk.” He held her hand and ascended the stairs.

  Suki stood in her bedroom and began to change her clothes. “What happened on Floran?”

  “I don't know where to begin. I've petitioned for dissolution of my marriage with Senta.”

  “Because of me?” she asked.

  “No -- because of Senta and me. The man who orchestrated the smuggling is dead.” Nyk related the story of Andra and Zander.

  “You mean your advanced civilization practices a near slave trade in genetically engineered women?”

  “Yes -- it's a shame, a disgrace. Andra and I discovered we're kindred spirits. We became good friends and lovers. She wants to meet you, some day, and I hope it'll be possible. I'm sure you'll like her.”

  “You're in love with Andra?”

  “A bit. Not the way I love you, Suki. I could never love anyone the way I love you.”

  She stopped undressing. “Did you sleep together?”

  “Yes,” he replied. “Suki, I think it's important we be honest with each other. Otherwise, our relationship won't last. I'll never keep anything from you.”

  “Did you make love?”

  “Yes, we did.”

  “Oh! I'm so, so jealous! I'll be honest with you about that. I won't keep that from you.”

  “Suki, please understand -- sex to a Floran means something different than to an Earth person.”

  “How different can it be?”

  “To a Floran, sex is nothing more than a means to express friendship. It's a gift, the gift of pleasure and intimacy. Florans offer each other sex almost the way Americans offer each other snacks. It's how friends bond on my world. It's social.”

  “I'll bet it's social.”

  “Suki, I know there's much more emotional involvement with it on Earth. I could feel it between us.”

  She glowered at him. “I can't believe you'd come storming in here and announce, 'I'm home! I've been unfaithful!' I never imagined you'd leave and come home in love with another woman!”

  “Nothing about Andra and me needs threaten how you and I feel toward each other. Faithfulness is different to a Floran. We'd think Earth notions of sexual fidelity laughable. But we take commitment and family more seriously than here. This is the Floran nature.”

  “Nykkyo, I have news for you. An Earth woman doesn't like it when the man she loves and wants barges in and boasts he got laid by another woman. That's the Earth nature.”

  “I'm not boasting. You asked me, and I don't want to lie to you. Suki, no Floran would think what Andra and I did was in any way improper, nor would one believe someone would object.”

  “I'm not a Floran!” He approached her and reached to stroke her hair. “Get away from me. Don't touch me.” She pulled away and turned her back to him. “Was it good for you? Was it? Are you going to tell me the truth about that, or are you going to lie and say you hated every second of it?”

  “Suki, this is ridiculous. I don't want us to have this sort of exchange. I expect this with Senta, not you.”

  He could see hurt and anger in her eyes. “So I'm like Senta, now, am I? Fine, Nykkyo. Just fine. Go back to Senta. Go back to your touchy-feely homeworld. Get out of here. Get out!”

  Nyk trudged down the stairs to the main level. Yasuko approached him. “Is something wrong?”

  “Suki and I had a misunderstanding.”

  Yasuko shook her head. “She was so looking forward to seeing you. I'm sorry you're having this disagreement. I should tell you, although I love my daughter, I don't delude myself. She can
be difficult, and she can harbor resentment. One thing George and I learned early on was how to have an argument and then kiss and make up.”

  “I'm prepared for some nights on the sofa if necessary,” Nyk replied.

  “We have a guest room. Feel free -- you'd be more comfortable. Come, dinner's ready.”

  * * *

  Nyk climbed the stairs to the apartment and rapped on the door. He opened it and walked in. Suki was lying on her stomach. “Suki? Are you all right? You didn't come down for dinner.”

  “Go away.” He sat beside her. “I said go away. I don't want to see you.”

  Nyk picked up his laptop computer and packed it into his case. He descended the stairs. He could hear Suki sobbing in the apartment above.

  “May I use your telephone?” he asked Yasuko. “I'll call a cab.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “I think I should go to a hotel for the night. It'll give her a chance to calm down.”

  She shook her head. “Nick, you can't let this deter you. This is how she is -- she takes a long time to get over things. But she will get over it. Please, use the guest room.”

  “Are you sure? It seemed she made her desires known quite clearly.” Nyk picked up the phone and requested a taxi.

  He took his bag and headed out the front door. Yasuko called to him. “Nick, if you feel you must go ... please call us and let us know where you are.”

  He stepped out the front door, set his bag on the sidewalk and waited for the cab.

  “Where to?” the cabby asked him.

  “Hotel.”

  “Which hotel?”

  “I don't care, the closest one that's likely to have a vacant room.”

  “Missus throw ya out? I'll take ya to the Anchor.”

  Nyk checked into the motel and unlocked his assigned room. The air was stale and carried lingering traces of cigarette smoke. He picked up the telephone and called the Kyhana household. “Yasuko? It's Nick. I'm at the Anchor -- room 201.”