Lady Lure

by Speer, Flora

  “I don’t think he blames you. Halvo looks remarkably happy to me.”

  The conversation broke off as Tarik set the course and spoke over the communications link with someone at his headquarters. Once during the ensuing flight Perri twisted around in her seat to look at Halvo. He was deep in talk with his mother. Perri feared they were discussing her future.

  “Watch the screen, now.” Tarik interrupted her troubled musings. “We are approaching Home. Does the scene look familiar to you?”

  “It is the same place,” Perri exclaimed. “I am not mistaken, yet it is different. I saw it differently.”

  “You saw it through the bird’s eyes.”

  “Does this mean I am a telepath?” Perri sounded as horrified as she felt.

  “I don’t think so. My wife, Narisa, has had several similar experiences and she is certainly not a telepath, just an unusually open-minded and sensitive person, as I suspect you are.”

  Home was a beautiful place. Standing on a beach of fine, pale sand, Perri looked around with pleasure, noting the crystal-clear lake edged by a thick forest. In the very center of the island stood a round white building that, with its row of columns and its domed roof, radiated serenity. At least a dozen blue or green Chon flew above, circling the island as if to welcome Tarik and his companions. The orange sun shone a cheerful afternoon light upon the scene.

  “Tarik, did all go well?” A slim, brown-haired woman hurried onto the beach, where Tarik’s party was disembarking from the shuttlecraft. “Herne is still operating on that poor Jugarian. I hope no one else was hurt.”

  “Three Regulans took minor wounds, but they have gone back to their ship. The rest of us are unharmed.” Tarik embraced the woman, kissing her tenderly.

  “Narisa.” Halvo came up to the couple. Breaking away from Tarik, Narisa threw her arms around his brother.

  “Halvo, it’s good to see you looking so well.” Narisa turned her gaze upon Perri, whom Halvo drew to his side with one arm about her waist while he introduced the two women.

  “You are both welcome here.” Narisa’s response was a bit cool, and Perri thought she knew why. From the way in which Narisa and Kalina were greeting each other, Perri could tell they were close. No doubt Kalina had used her previous visit to Home to voice her low opinion of Perri to her daughter-in-law.

  When Tarik offered to show Halvo around his island headquarters, and Kalina and Narisa moved off together toward the white building, Perri held back. Reid and Pelidan were removing Rolli from the cargo bay. Perri went to them.

  “Where are you taking my robot?” she demanded.

  “Tarik wants it in the central room.” They were not unfriendly. In fact, they were quite pleasant to her. Perri allowed herself to relax a little, even to smile at the man who had spoken. He was Reid, and he was one of the communications officers for the colony, though he did not seem to mind the purely physical duty of transporting Rolli, to which any Regulan male of similar rank would have objected.

  “Is there anything special we should know about Rolli?” Reid asked.

  “Just be careful of her.”

  “Her?” Reid nodded. “I take it she’s an old friend.”

  “The dearest one I have.” Perri almost said Rolli was the only friend she had, but she thought of Tarik before she spoke. She believed he was a friend, though she did not delude herself that he would defy his formidable mother for her sake.

  “Are you coming?” Reid asked her. He and Pelidan paused, holding Rolli between them. “Kalina told us not to leave you out here alone.”

  “She doesn’t need to worry that I will steal a shuttlecraft and try to escape,” Perri muttered, trudging behind the two men toward the headquarters building. “Where could I go except to one of the Regulan ships? All I can do now is accept whatever fate and Lady Kalina have decreed for me.”

  “If you want my opinion,” said Reid, who was closer to Perri than his companion and who had overheard her, “I don’t think Halvo will let anything terrible happen to you.”

  Perri wasn’t so sure. She knew Halvo liked her and enjoyed making love to her. He had even forgiven her for kidnapping him. But he had never said he loved her, nor had he mentioned the possibility of a future with her. And since Halvo had returned to his family, he no longer needed Perri for companionship. She knew little about his real life. Perhaps there was a woman in the Jurisdiction for whom he cared. With the exact punishment for her criminal act still to be decided and Kalina firmly set against her, Perri did not think she had much of a chance to win Halvo’s love.

  The inside of the headquarters building was a confusing place. It was not a large building and to Perri it appeared crowded. Tarik had told her there were twelve colonists, ten from the Jurisdiction and two who were native to Dulan’s Planet, who had joined the original group after the colony was founded. To that number were added Perri, Halvo, Kalina, Lieutenant Dysia, and Captain Jyrit, who was still in surgery. The absence of Jyrit, the two people who were operating on him, and two colonists presently on duty aboard the orbiting ship Kalina did little to ease the congestion in the central room.

  Then there were the children. Off to one side of the circular room two little boys and a tiny girl played, watched over by a woman with long, silver-gold hair who held a silver-haired baby in her arms.

  “That’s my wife, Janina, with our two children,” Reid said. He and Pelidan had just set Rolli down in the middle of the room and he had noticed Perri staring at the little ones.

  “I have never seen so many children at once,” Perri said.

  “No, I don’t suppose you have. Tarik is much more permissive about couples reproducing than Jurisdiction law allows. If our families continue to increase in size, we will soon be forced to build individual houses to hold all of us. Would you like me to introduce you to my wife?”

  “Not just now,” Perri said, faltering. “I don’t mean to be rude. I know you are trying to be helpful.”

  “I understand. It must be confusing for you to be set down among so many strangers. But we are a friendly lot. If you want to join any group, just walk up to them and tell them your name and you will be accepted.” With a smile and a quick pat on her shoulder, Reid left her to go to his wife.

  Perri watched Reid and Janina embrace. With a sad little tug at her heart she saw Reid take the baby into his arms and run a gentle hand over the child’s head before he kissed it. Perri could not remember ever before observing an expression of such loving concern. How did it feel to hold a small child in one’s arms and know it was one’s own, the product of a loving union? Perri did not think she would ever know.

  “Oh, Rolli.” She crouched beside the robot. “What will become of us?”

  “Most assuredly, some form of atonement will be required,” Rolli said, and the answer provided no comfort at all to Pern’s troubled heart. Slowly the robot turned completely around on its wheels while it took in the bustling activity in the room. “That is a most remarkable computer. It is very old, yet it has recent components added to it.” Rolli fell silent when Tank and Halvo approached.

  “It is a six-hundred-year-old computer-communicator,” Tarik said. “Narisa and I discovered it still in working order when we first came to Dulan’s Planet. Later we made additions to upgrade its capacity so it could serve the entire colony.”

  “Have you new components that could upgrade me?” Rolli asked, sounding hopeful.

  “I am sorry,” Halvo said, “but it can’t be done, Rolli. Like all Artificial Life Forms, you are forever limited by your size and your original programming. Though you have a human personality, you are incapable of growing and changing as real humans do.”

  “That isn’t true!” Perri said. “Rolli was programmed to keep me out of any danger, yet earlier today she agreed with me that I ought to fight the Regulans in order to protect you even though doing so would be dangerous to me. Her decision proved she is capable of modifying her own programming when presented with unusual situations.”
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  “That is an interesting theory.” Tank walked around the robot, looking it over before continuing. “I understand your father created this particular ALF. Perri, would you mind if I do a thorough checkup on Rolli? Halvo tells me she has been damaged and repaired recently. She may need additional work, and I would like to see exactly what is inside this unusual robot.”

  “I would be grateful.” Perri took a deep breath before adding, “There is something you ought to know about Rolli.” Tarik was the only other person in the galaxy to whom she would entrust the secret of how Melri’s memories had been implanted into Rolli’s main circuitry. She knew in her heart that Tarik would not use the information against her or Rolli. Quickly, Perri recounted Rolli’s history in a voice too low to be overheard by anyone else. Tarik looked disturbed but not shocked. When Perri was finished it was to his brother that Tarik spoke.

  “I am delighted to learn,” he said to Halvo, “that my conformist brother is at last breaking a few rules.”

  “I plan to break more than a few in the near future,” Halvo said. In a voice quiet but ringing with passion, he added, “My life has been circumscribed by Jurisdiction laws and Service regulations. I never protested because I wanted a career in the Service. Well, I had what I wanted. I was successful. I reached the highest rank possible. And then, after giving everything but life itself, I was discarded because I no longer met the physical specifications.”

  “Not entirely discarded,” Tank said. “You have an honorable position waiting for you at Capital.”

  “A desk job.” Halvo’s contempt for such a fate filled every syllable he spoke. “Meetings with diplomats of various Races. Once or twice a year someone will ask my advice on a serious matter. Occasionally, the advice I offer may actually be taken. I will never again be sent on a mission into space. Once, I would have accepted such an end to my Service career. Now, I see how empty my personal life has been. I intend to refuse that position at Capital.”

  “Good for you.” Tarik looked pleased. “What will you do then?”

  “I haven’t decided yet.” With a hint of the same teasing tone Tarik had previously used with him, Halvo said, “Perhaps I’ll stay on Dulan’s Planet.”

  “I don’t think so.” Tarik’s voice held a note of warning.

  “No,” Halvo agreed. “It wouldn’t work, would it? Don’t worry, Tarik. I will leave when Mother goes.”

  Halvo decided it was time to change the subject. He wasn’t sure whether Perri had understood all the implications of his discussion with Tarik or not, but that moment was neither the time nor the place to tell her how he felt about her.

  “We will appreciate anything you can do with Rolli,” Halvo said to Tarik.

  “I will be the only person to work on the robot,” Tank said. “Never fear, Perri. I will keep Rolli’s secret.”

  “Thank you.” Her voice was so low and she looked so dejected that Halvo seized upon the most obvious way to raise her spirits.

  “Tarik, the food processor on the Space Dragon wasn’t working,” Halvo said. “We haven’t eaten since last night.”

  “I’ll speak to Narisa. She usually has something simmering in the galley for people who come in from duty at all hours.” Tarik went to find his wife, leaving Perri and Halvo standing together.

  “Am I a Jurisdiction prisoner?” she asked. “Reid told me that Kalina wanted me inside this building. Am I forbidden to leave it?”

  “Of course not. But you must go to Capital,” Halvo said, trying to choose words that would not alarm her. “There you and I will explain to my father exactly what happened.”

  “After which I will be sent to a penal colony. Kalina will see to it.”

  “Not necessarily. I will have a few suggestions of my own to make about your rehabilitation. I can’t discuss them right now. Narisa is beckoning. It looks as if she intends to feed us.”

  He had to take an openly reluctant Perri by the elbow to make her cross the room to where Narisa was setting out plates and food on a large table. Halvo knew Perri was hungry and also thought he knew why she was hanging back. He loved his mother too much to be afraid of her, but he knew she could have a frightening impression on those who did not know her well.

  “We usually eat in shifts,” Narisa said to Halvo. “There is always someone going on duty or coming off it. Tonight will be something of a family meal, with only two non-family members present.”

  “That’s us,” Dysia said to Perri. “Perhaps we ought to sit together.”

  “A good idea.” Appreciating Dysia’s diplomatic suggestion, Halvo agreed quickly, before his mother could intervene. He thought Perri would eat more if she were some distance from Kalina. Unfortunately from Halvo’s point of view, Janina and Reid had taken all of the children for a walk around the island before bedtime, so there would be no childish distractions during the meal to draw Kalina’s attention away from Perri.

  The main course was a meaty Demarian stew, the very dish for which Halvo had been yearning for weeks. He ate heartily of it. The wine was excellent, the bread hot and fresh, and to Halvo’s great relief, Tarik seemed determined to keep the conversation focused on non-controversial subjects. Perri sat quietly between Halvo and Dysia, speaking little, though she did eat enough to please Halvo. As the meal was ending, Herne appeared from the room he used as a surgical clinic.

  “How is Jyrit?” At once Kalina was on her feet, and Dysia also left the table to confront the colony physician.

  “He will live.” Herne moved his shoulders and rubbed the back of his neck as if to release the tense muscles there.

  “I thank all the gods of Demaria for this good news,” Kalina said. “I would not want to lose a friend like Jyrit.”

  “How soon can he return to the Krontar?” Dysia asked Herne.

  “He needs twenty-four hours of complete bed rest. I have never operated on a Jugarian before, so I want to watch him carefully during the immediate postoperative period,” Herne said. “Then I would like to monitor him for another day while he is up and moving around. Your doctors on the Krontar can take care of him after that. I have been in contact with them and they agree with me about keeping him here for a while. Lady Kalina, the first officer of the Krontar asked me to inform you that, unless you wish to remain longer, the Krontar will depart for Capital forty-eight hours from now. By then, Jyrit ought to be able to withstand the shuttlecraft trip back to his ship with no problem.”

  “May I see him?” Halvo asked. “I owe Jyrit my thanks, and a full explanation.”

  “He is asleep,” Herne said.

  “Herne, I want you to do a complete physical examination on Halvo,” Kalina said. “I want to be certain he has suffered no lasting harm over the past few weeks.”

  “That won’t be necessary, Mother,” Halvo said. “Besides, Herne is too tired after the long operation on Jyrit to do an examination on me tonight.”

  By now, they had all left the table and were crowding around Herne, talking and asking more questions about Jyrit’s condition. No one was paying any attention to Perri. She slipped out of her chair and made for the entrance.

  The long, eventful day had ended. Night was falling and the twin moons sent silvery paths across the lake. It did not take long for Pern’s eyes to adjust to the semidarkness. She found a path through the trees and began to walk. She had no idea where she was going. She knew only that she wanted to get away from the scene inside the headquarters building.

  It was her fault that Captain Jyrit had nearly died, her fault that the existence of Tarik’s colony was known to both Regulans and Jurisdiction Service personnel who should never have learned of it. Worst of all, because of her, Halvo’s life had been put in danger. No wonder he had become so distant, so closed to her. He knew how much blame lay on her shoulders.

  Perri reached the side of the island nearest to the cliffs that marked the eastern shore of the lake. Across a narrow channel of water they loomed solid and dark. On that end of the island there was no beach, o
nly rough ground that dropped off into the water. Perri had to climb a little hill to reach the south shore. At the top of the rise she paused, looking at the ground beneath her feet, where there were a dozen stones set in two neat rows. One stone was larger than the others and there was a word carved on it. Perri went closer, bending down to try to read the word. It was too dark for her to see well. She touched the stone, tracing the carving with her fingertips.

  “That is Dulan’s grave,” a soft voice said. When Perri gasped and jumped back, the voice continued, “Do not be afraid, Perri. I am Osiyar.”

  “I‘m sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb you. I didn’t know anyone was here.”

  “This cemetery is the quietest place on the island. I was with Jyrit for several hours. I needed silence in which to recuperate.”

  “Herne says he will live.”

  “That must be a great comfort to you.”

  “It is a little less guilt for me to carry,” she said. Not certain she would have another chance to be alone with him, she went on. “Osiyar, Tank advised me to speak to you about a peculiar experience I had with the Chon.”

  “Indeed? I would be interested to hear of it.”

  “Good evening, Osiyar.” Dysia stepped into view. “Hello, Perri.”

  “Did they send you to look for me?” Perri cried. “Do they think I will flee the island?”

  “I am not sure anyone else has noticed your absence yet,” Dysia said. “I thought if we were together when you are found no one could accuse you of trying to run away.”

  “I do not think Perri was running away,” Osiyar said, “but, rather, running to that which she needs.”

  Before Perri could ask what the telepath meant, they were interrupted by a shrill, angry voice.

  “Can’t you leave him alone for half an hour? If he wanted to be apart from me, then you shouldn’t bother him either.”

  “Alla, my dear, we were only engaging in idle conversation,” Osiyar said in a mild way that made Perri think he was smiling indulgently, though she could not see for certain because they were all standing in shadow.