by Gian Bordin
By then, the screams of terror of the shoppers echoed through the mall and assailed her mind. People started running in all directions, ignoring the repeated shouts of "freeze" issued by the metallic voice. Atun again grabbed her hand, pulled her quickly into a nearby shop and ran through several adjacent neighboring stores. In the last he picked up in passing two caps from a bin, paying by throwing a credit note on the counter. He put one on himself and gave her the other, pulling its sunshade firmly into her face, and then they joined the frantic rush from the mall.
"These crowds don’t behave that much differently than the savages," were Yuen-mong’s first words, as they walked past the church up toward the Young mansion.
Atun glanced at her and suddenly burst out laughing. She sensed that it was both a release of tension and amusement. "You’re the most amazing woman in the world. You just destroyed the entire security system in the mall, and all you have to say is that their behavior is no different from the savages… You know that sooner or later they’ll identify us, and we’ll be in trouble. It’s an absolute rule that everybody freezes when ordered by security."
"But he pointed a gun at me. Did you expect me to just let it happen?"
"No, I doubt you could, even if you wanted. Twenty years on Aros cannot be wiped by a few days on Andromatis."
She cast him an amused glance.
"Maybe Syd Twan can help getting us out of trouble."
She pondered that for a moment and then said: "Yes, I think we should ask him."
They walked along in silence for a while, Atun occasionally shaking his head. "Where did you learn these jujitsu skills?"
"My father was a black belt and he taught me when I was still a small child. Look, that mansion up there is my grandfather’s residence."
"Looks forbidding."
"Yes, it does."
A butler ushered them into Ko Young’s office and asked them to wait for a few minutes, apologizing that Mr. Young had just been called away by an emergency. The dimly-lit office, huge as all rooms in the house, was sparsely furnished. She admired the paintings on the walls.
Atun pointed to a large still life. "A Quarasie, worth several million."
"Who is Quarasie?"
"He revived traditional oil painting early in the last century and is famous for his still life oils."
Three charcoal drawings between the two windows that opened into the courtyard drew her attention. One was of a little girl that she thought looked remarkably like Mai. All three were signed by Ko Young.
"Look," she murmured, pointing to the signature. Although she had readily agreed with Syd to speak to her uncle, she had not been looking forward to the meeting, but seeing these drawings cheered her up. She liked this unexpected side of her uncle. It made him more human.
He entered the office after about fifteen minutes, an upset and preoccupied mind preceding him. Atun briefly looked at her when he saw his face, and she guessed his thoughts.
"Ah, you are waiting," he said. "I just had to attend to an emergency."
Do important men never apologize? she questioned and replied: "I hope nothing serious in your family."
"No, Foundation security matters. There was a serious disturbance at the mall, but we will get to the bottom of it."
Not before we have warned Syd Twan. "Yes, I heard that you are on the governing body of the Foundation," she replied smiling. Then she turned to Atun and continued: "This is Atun Caruna. It was thanks to his shuttle that I was rescued from Aros."
Ko Young thanked him in a rather stiff manner for rescuing his niece. She caught Atun’s eyes in time, and he simply acknowledged it. Her uncle asked about his professional background and advised him to get in touch with UniCom’s exploration division, that he was certain they would offer him a suitable job. He then asked them to take seats and sat behind his desk.
"My niece, you asked to see me. How can I help you?"
"Uncle, I first want to thank you for administering my mother’s property during all these years, and —"
He raised his right hand and interrupted her: "It was my duty as her brother, and her interests are also mine."
"Nevertheless, you increased her wealth greatly."
"I will be happy to do the same for you."
"This is the reason for coming to you. I have several projects that I would like to pursue and that may require substantial funds at short notice."
He glanced at her sharply and raised his eyebrows. "All the more reason why you need my wise counsel. What kind of projects?"
"Some have to do with returning to Aros, others are still vague and need considerable further investigation, but nevertheless may involve quite sizable investments at short notice. I would rather wait until those have been firmed up a bit more before I approach you for advice… I understand that most of my mother’s wealth is in UniCom shares. I would like to ask you to sell them for me." She felt Atun’s surprised reaction.
"You want to sell your most valuable asset? This is unheard of and clearly shows that you do not appreciate the unique position of the Young family and of UniCom. Anyway, it is impossible, since a change of ownership in Young shares has to be sanctioned by the Dengs."
"I understand that as long as the sale is within the family, the Dengs do not have to be consulted. I offer these shares to you."
She felt the quick rise in interest, followed by cunning.
"Your block of UniCom shares is huge, and I do not have the funds to buy them."
"Even if I offer them to you at a price below the market rate?" She sensed she was playing right into his greed.
He thought about that for several seconds. "It would have to be quite a substantial discount."
"Please make an offer, uncle."
"At least ten percent below market."
"And you would make the funds available within a month?"
Again he cogitated on that. "To raise an amount of that size I would need two months at the least."
"OK, 90 percent of today’s market value, payable in full two months from now." She felt him waver and then greed seemed to win out.
"Are you serious? I must strongly advise you against such a foolish act."
"Yes, I am serious, a few credits up or down hardly matter. What I need is assurance to have access to the funds at short notice."
"I have warned you against, but if you insist, I do not want to stand in your way. It is though a shame that you sever all ties with UniCom by this. UniCom is what has made the Young family great."
"I am sure you will appreciate that I never developed the strong bond of loyalty to my family of origin as did you and my cousins. So it is rather different for me.’ She paused. "With shares no longer part of my property, I also think that it would be unfair to ask you to continue administering the remaining funds."
"You need not worry about that. I have competent people to look after such things."
"All the more reason for not burdening you with it, since that will take them away from their other work. I have asked Syd Twan, and he is willing to do it, obviously at a cost, provided you give your consent. I presume that you trust him fully." She was banking on complete openness to force his hand, that he would not like it to be known that he was trying to control her.
He frowned and then shrugged his shoulders. "Again, if you insist, I do not want to stand in your way. It is considerable work to manage huge funds like yours properly."
"And you think that Syd Twan’s firm will be capable of doing this?"
"Oh yes, his is the most prestigious law and financial trust management firm on Andromatis. The funds will be in good hands. I will get in touch with Syd and make all arrangements for the transfer and the change of hands of the shares."
"Thank you, uncle. I knew you would understand."
"Frankly, I don’t understand you, but then you did not grow up in the privileged environment of the Sanctum. Is there anything else?"
"No, not really."
"By the way, as I assume
d, the research file of your father did not contain anything that we did not know yet. I am surprised, there was nothing more than that. I vaguely remember he was working on a project that he once hinted to me would revolutionize communications."
Here he comes again. Could it really have been one of my family? "Yes, I once overheard my parents talk about something he referred to as the project of his life. I think that is how he put it. Yes, the greatest project of his life." She felt Atun’s sudden surge of anxiety. "And he deplored that he could not continue with this research, but I was only ten at that time and did not really understand what they were talking about."
"Were there no printed documents on Vishnu relating to it? I know your father always preferred print to electronic files."
She looked questioningly at Atun. "Did you see anything?" she asked, while sending him at the same time calming vibes.
"Not that I remember, but I can have another look. When we cleaned out the ship yesterday, I saw no printed documents referring to research. There were only your parent’s books and some pencil drawings."
"Pencil drawings?"
"Yes, drawings that my mother made of my father," she interjected. "Uncle, we don’t want to take more of your precious time. Again thank you for receiving us and for your willingness to help me out." She got up and Atun followed. "Mai has graciously invited us for afternoon tea."
"Her quarters are on the second floor down the corridor. Just follow the loud music, and you will find her." Saying that he activated the comunit on his desk.
The music actually served as guide, as did the state of excitement of the young woman. When she responded to Yuen-mong’s knock on the door, her face was flushed, and she exclaimed: "Have you heard the news? There was a riot in the Mall and security was unable to quell it. Did you see anything when you came up? … Oh, I’m sorry, I haven’t even given you an opportunity to introduce me to Mr. Caruna." She smiled at Atun, who responded. "Come in. You like tea or coffee."
"Tea for me, Mai, thank you," replied Yuen-mong, and Atun said: "The same, thanks."
Mai entered a command into the comunit on an ornate small desk built into a wall, saying at the same time: "Tea will be served soon."
Her lounge looked over the garden, the lake a shimmering light blue below. Yuen-mong went to the window. "What a fabulous view."
"You could have the same if you lived here, but did you see or hear anything when you passed by the Mall? Or did you come by taxi?"
"No, we walked and, yes, we saw quite a commotion at one point —"
"I think near what’s called the Foundation Plaza?" interjected Atun.
"Yes, that’s just behind the Mall. You know this is the first riot during my lifetime and I missed it. Since they installed that new security system, nothing serious has ever happened, except for some minor scuffles with thieving domestics."
"But why would you want to witness a riot?" questioned Atun. "Isn’t that rather dangerous? You could get hurt."
"Oh no, not with the new security system."
"But didn’t you just say that it couldn’t quell the riot?"
Blushing, she continued: "It was apparently because the shoppers panicked and rather than freeze, as they should have, they began fleeing. There will be a new security education drive soon, I guess."
Yuen-mong’s attention was drawn to a clay sculpture of a young girl that was partially completed. "Is this your work, Mai?"
Embarrassed, she quickly wanted to cover it with a sheet.
"No, let me admire it. It is beautiful; don’t you agree, Atun?"
"Yes, the face looks alive. Remarkable."
"You like it? You really do?" Both her tone of voice and face expressed a mixture of disbelief and hope.
"Yes. You are very talented," Yuen-mong said with an encouraging smile. "Do you do commissions for people?"
The excitement left Mai’s face. "No, it’s only a hobby. In fact, you’re one of a few who has ever seen any of my sculptures."
"Are you willing to show us others you’ve made?"
"You really want to see them?" Again that hope.
"Yes, we would," replied Atun and Yuen-mong gave him a grateful smile.
Mai took them to an adjacent room that had about a dozen sculptures, two more of the same little girl in different poses, several miniatures of adult couples, and a few animals. They studied them, praising some, commenting on others. Finally, they came to a covered life-size statue.
"May we see that one too?" Yuen-mong begged.
Mai blushed, quickly glancing at Atun. "I would rather not. It’s a nude."
"I would like to see it, please, Mai," said Yuen-mong.
Mai hesitated, briefly looked again at Atun, and then slowly removed the sheet. The female statue had a shawl draped over her shoulder, hanging well into her thighs and modestly hiding one breast. Although the face was left partially unfinished, there was no doubt that Mai had modeled herself.
"This is gorgeous, Mai. Will you do one of me one of these days, full-size, please?"
"You would be willing to pose in the nude for me?"
"Certainly, but only if you let me pay you for it. And I will have it cast in bronze and will display it in my garden. You’ll become famous."
"Foundation women don’t do art for pay, only as a hobby for themselves."
"Then it is high time that this is changed. I will see to it. I intend to shake up that Foundation a bit and bring it into the 25th century."
Mai laughed and exclaimed: "Yes, I heard that you’re already flouting the covenant by living with a man." The words were hardly out when she turned crimson, casting a quick look at Atun.
"It’s all right, Mai. I chose Atun as my mate when we were still on Aros, although he only discovered it later on," Yuen-mong answered with a smile, "and I don’t care whether the Foundation agrees with that or not."
* * *
Syd Twan was willing to see them after hours. Yuen-mong first reported that Ko Young would contact him about the management transfer of her fortune.
"He agreed like that?" Syd questioned, clearly puzzled.
"Yes, after I offered to sell him my shares in UniCom at 90 percent of today’s market value."
"You what?"
"You heard right. I sold him my shares. After that there was little point for him continuing to manage my funds."
Syd burst out laughing. "You just lost half a billion credits and you shrug it off as if you had only lost a hairpin."
"But I gained my freedom. That’s worth ten percent of my wealth."
He became serious again. "You should have let me handle that. I am certain that I could have negotiated a better deal."
"No doubt, but it would also have caused greater resentment. Like this he’s happy, because he thinks that he has made a good deal, and I’m happy because I gained my freedom."
"Your freedom is that important to you?"
"Yes, it is. Another reason for selling the shares is that I want to have ready access to all these funds at very short notice. So please keep this in mind when you invest the funds."
"May I know why?"
"You will when the time comes."
"Yuen-mong, you are the toughest, most willful woman I know. Take this as a compliment." He turned to Atun. "And what is your opinion on all this?"
Atun smiled and replied: "I have learned to trust Yuen-mong fully. She never does anything without a clear purpose."
"Right now I would like to know what that purpose is."
She did not respond to that but instead said: "There’s another matter where we, but particularly I, need your help urgently." Syd looked at her expectantly. "This afternoon, when we walked through the park to the Mall, three young men, Foundation members by their looks, called me a cripple and expected that I move aside to let them pass. When I refused, one tried to slap me and he and another got hurt —"
"So that was you? … Did you get hurt?"
"You have already heard of it?" asked Yuen-mong, while A
tun replied: "No, she didn’t, but the two young men may nurse some injuries."
"Yes, one has a broken wrist, the other a broken nose. He recently had cosmetic surgery done on it… Yuen-mong, you caused a riot and completely damaged the security system."
"Nobody points a gun at me and gets away with it, if I can help it."
He shook his head and then laughed again. "What am I going to do with you?"
"You’re going to get me out of this trouble."
"I definitely will put your case. In fact, the system isn’t supposed to point the gun at any Foundation member, let alone fire at one; so somewhere there was a lapse in the system."
"Then it might even be possible to sue them for that, right?"
He looked at her, first surprised, then with amusement. "You are right. I won’t even wait for them to accuse you, but will lodge a claim for endangering the life of a Foundation member, plus punitive damages for causing distress and embarrassment."
"Embarrassment? You mean theirs, not mine."
"OK, I’ll drop the embarrassment. Do you also want to lodge a private prosecution of the three young men?"
"No, one did nothing, the other two got their punishment."
"I think that’s wise. I need a complete statement from both of you on what happened. See Miss Blacey first thing tomorrow morning… Are there any other surprises?"
"No further surprises, but I want you to contact Pat Young and let him know that I wish to move into my mother’s house within two months."
"I told you that this is unwise."
"You did. However, I want to live in the house my mother built, where she intended to bring up her children. I need to have that link with her."
He nodded. "I understand. May I at least suggest that you give him three months time?"
"All right, three."
* * *
Friday morning they saw Miss Blacey to record their statements and later visited two manufacturers of space shuttles. They settled on the second one, a small firm. Although the owner was rather surprised by their specification for dual control, electronic and manual, he agreed to produce it since they were willing to pay his asking price which they thought was on the high end of the scale.
