by D M Arnold
“Andra, that looks like you standing beside him!”
“Gads, Nyk!” Seymor said. “You're right.”
“Is that you?” Nyk asked.
“No,” she replied.
“Who is it? If it's not you, it's your twin.”
“It's Janna.” Tears formed in her eyes. “Janna... Oh, Janna!”
“That's Mykko Wygann, chancellor of the Lexal colony,” Kronta said, “with his consort and wife. She's known on Lexal as Princess Janna.”
“Was she your roommate and friend?”
“Yes. I miss Janna. I miss her so much. I didn't know she went to Lexal, or that she married.”
“No wonder your classmates called you the twins.”
“There've been rumors,” Kronta continued. “Wygann is turning Lexal into an armed camp. Zander must've been supplying Wygann with Earth weaponry.”
“That explains the triangular trade,” Seymor said. “Floran diamonds are free for the asking. Zander arranged to have them cut and polished. There are plenty of buyers in New York for cut-rate gems. He found one willing to pay cash. I imagine finding an arms dealer willing to take his cash was no great difficulty, either.”
“Andra, why?” Nyk asked. “Why would Zander do this?”
“Revenge ... To avenge Gunder.”
“Gunder?” Nyk asked. “To avenge Gunder Baxa? Andra, I knew him when he worked for the Food Service. No one ever did harm to him.”
“No, Nyk,” Kronta said. “About thirty-five years ago, a junta seized control of the Lexal colony. Gunder Baxa was that regime's security chief. The junta was deposed by a political alliance led by one Zygon Vellod ... and by Mykko Wygann. Gunder was exiled.”
“He came to Floran and slipped into the Sudalese population,” Nyk said. “I never knew, and I'm sure neither did my dad. What did Zander say of revenge?”
“He said Mykko and Lexal were in for a surprise,” Andra replied. “Lexal will soon have a new princess.”
“This gives us a primary hypothesis,” Kronta said. “Wygann deposed the junta and forced Zander's father into exile. Zander is arming Wygann's forces on Lexal. He intends a double-cross to turn those forces against Wygann. Zander wants to establish himself as chancellor, and he'd have his own princess bride at his side.”
“That's too ambitious a project for one man,” Seymor replied.
“That's where Altia comes in,” Nyk said. “The ricin affair started on Altia. The Altians want independence, and the ricin plot was an attempt to draw attention to their cause. Zander's been spending time on Altia. Let's suppose the Altians are providing personnel and materiel. Once Zander seizes control of Lexal, he can form an alliance with the Altian faction.”
“We're looking at civil war!” Kronta exclaimed.
“How unprepared are we for that,” Nyk added. “There must be an ExoService connection, too. Zander has at least one Exo cruiser at his disposal.”
“And a tie-in with Vebinad Academy,” said Kronta.
“Yes, Zander chose Andra because she's a ringer for Janna. Could it work? I thought Zander had snapped -- he'd gone crazy. This isn't madness -- it's cold, calculated ambition.”
“Thank you, Nykkyo,” Kronta said. “Thank Andra for us. This gives us what we needed.” The vidisplay went dark.
Nyk turned and stroked her hair. “Andra, now you will sleep. You will sleep until the drug frees you, and when you wake, you will have forgotten all this.” She closed her eyes and her breathing became deep and regular. Nyk kissed her forehead and resumed his seat near her. He closed his eyes and put his head back.
16 -- Zander
Andra's hand on Nyk's knee woke him and he looked up. “How are you feeling?” he asked.
“I'm always light-headed after a dose of that mixture. I'll be all right. Did you get what you were looking for?”
“Unfortunately, yes. Zander's is a dangerous gambit. Can I bring you anything?”
“Yes. Bring me the shell.”
Nyk fetched the cephalopod shell. He handed it to her and she held it across her lap. She took his hand as he sat near her.
“Nyk, I wanted to say ... I've cherished the past few days, despite the circumstances. You've been so kind and so caring...” She squeezed his hand. “... so healing. Nyk, I love you.”
“I know you do. Andra, I'm honored to know you and to be your friend- for-life.”
“I can tell you're trying hard not to, but it would mean so much to hear you say you love me, just a bit.”
“I can't love you. I've pledged my heart and soul to another.”
“To your Earth woman?”
“Yes, to Suki. Andra, I am your dear friend, but I can't be your lover.”
She looked into his eyes and caressed his face. “Isn't there room in that big heart of yours for some love for me? Just a little for me?”
Nyk looked away. “I don't know how to resolve this. Suki is the one, true love of my life. But I hadn't counted on falling in love with you, too. Yes, Andra. I do love you.”
“Nyk, nothing we share need threaten what you and Sukiko may have. True love is generous.”
“I wish I knew what to do.”
“I know what you must do -- when this is over you must go to her.”
“I can't believe you'd willingly send me into the arms of another woman.”
“Yes, willingly. I love you too much to bear to see you unhappy. Your happiness depends on you two being reunited. You do a poor job of concealing your feelings, Nyk. If you knew my happiness depended upon me being with another, would you stand in my way?”
“Of course not,” he replied. She guided his face to her lips.
“Go to her, Nyk. Go to your Earth woman. I hope to meet her some day. A friend of yours is a friend of mine.”
“Andra, Senta loves you far more deeply than she's ever loved me. She needs you. She doesn't want me to know, but I do. And, I know she doesn't need me. When this is over, you owe it to yourself to go to Senta and to feel what she has for you. Separate from Zander. No tribunal would refuse you. Then, go to her. She wants you and wants to help you. She can find a career for you. You can have a beautiful life, after Zander.”
“I know the career I want,” she said.
“What?”
She held up the shell. “This -- I want to study life in the sea.”
Nyk laughed. “Now, why didn't I think of that? Years ago -- my life might've been totally different.”
“Might-haves don't count.”
“No, they don't.”
* * *
Nyk heard his name. For a moment he couldn't recognize his surroundings. Slowly, in the dim light, he began to distinguish the furnishings of his childhood bedroom. Andra was beside him and shaking him. “Nyk, wake up. I thought I heard something.”
He arose and switched on the ambient lighting. “What time is it?”
“Nadir-one,” she replied. He slipped into his tunic and led her to the lower level. “There it is again,” she whispered.
Nyk approached the main entrance. He held his finger to his lips and cocked an ear toward the door. “Go shut yourself into your room! Someone's trying to scan their way into the house.”
Andra hustled up the stairs and pulled the door shut. Nyk could hear the exterior scanpad chirping. He pressed his finger against the actuator and the door opened. “Hello, Nykkyo.” A figure in Earth military fatigues stepped through the doorway and presented his wrist. Nyk demurred. “You wouldn't happen to know where a certain someone is hiding, would you? I know she's here, Nyk. I came for her. She's a critical part of my plan.” Zander walked into the lower level and headed toward the stairs.
“I demand you leave this house immediately,” Nyk said.
“You're in no position to demand anything.” Zander climbed the stairs. “Who might be behind that closed door?” He rapped on it. “Ax'amfin, I know you're in there. Open up -- I'm not leaving without you and you can't stay there forever.” He rapped on the door again.
The door unlocked
with a snap and he pulled it open. Andra emerged and glowered at him. “I'm not going with you.” She stood beside Nyk and held onto his arm. “You don't own me.”
“How pathetic you look, clinging to him.”
“Nykkyo's a fine man. He's kind and considerate. You never showed me kindness.”
“I showed you discipline. You'd be wise to cling to me. Unlike him, I have potential. Discipline is what I need to achieve it.”
“He's been protecting me.”
“Scant protection he'd offer you. This house is a good place to hide, though. I'll grant him that.” Zander approached Andra. “Come along, ax'amfin. I thought you knew better than to run away.”
She held onto Nyk. “I'm not going with you. I've tasted my freedom.”
“You weren't created to be free -- you were created to serve. What's the motto of your school? 'To do one's duty.' Do your duty, ax'amfin.”
“Nyk and I are amften -- we love each other.”
Darkness spread across Zander's face. “You love each other?” He stood squarely before Nyk. “Amften ... you screwed my ax'amfin, didn't you? Without my permission.” Nyk swallowed hard. Zander curled is lip. “Of course you did -- she stinks of you. That's totally against the rules. No one touches her without my permission.” He lifted his hand to strike Andra. “And you. You know the rules better than anyone.” She stood and faced him, holding Nyk's hand. Zander lowered his fist. “No. I mustn't damage her,” he muttered. “She's too valuable.” He turned to Nyk. “You, I can damage.”
Nyk felt Zander's fist jab into his stomach. He doubled over, the wind knocked out of him. “No one touches her, remember that. Now, ax'amfin, you're coming with me. There's an Exo scout in orbit. We mustn't keep them waiting.”
“Neither of us are going anywhere with you.” Nyk said, straightening.
“I'll die first!” Andra exclaimed.
“That's rather uncharacteristic language from you. No, you'll come and you'll come willingly. My beautiful ax'amfin. You dreamt of glamour on a far-off colony. I could never give you that. Come with me now and you can have something very close.”
“Never!”
“We'll see about that.” Zander reached into a pocket and withdrew an injector loaded with a green cartridge. He held it toward her. “Inject yourself.”
“I will not.”
“You must crave punishment. Inject yourself!”
Andra glanced across the room. Nyk followed her eyes and saw her lifxarpa draped across a sofa. She started toward Zander.
“No, Andra,” Nyk shouted. “Don't!”
“I have no choice. The more I defy him, the worse his punishment.” She took the injector, pulled off the needle guard and flashed a glance at Nyk. She jabbed the injector into her thigh, through the fabric of her tunic. Nyk heard it discharge with a snap.
“Do you see, Nykkyo? Not only are the ax'amfinen beautiful, they're smart. She just did a very smart thing.” Zander waited for the drug to seize her. Andra's eyes glazed and her eyelids drooped. Her jaw went slack, and she dropped the spent injector. “Andra, zidev m'obe. Her will's not her own, Nyk. It belongs to me. Andra, jump.” She began jumping up and down. “She'll continue until I command her to stop.”
“I believe you,” Nyk said.
“Andra, stop. She knows better than to disobey. She's unable to. Andra, you have a terrible, pounding headache.” She dropped to her knees, grasped her head and moaned. “The headache's gone.” She stood.
“Nykkyo, the thought of you and her disgusts me. I can't imagine you screwing my woman. I can barely imagine you and that scrawny redhead of yours. I must punish her -- she knows the rules.” He regarded Nyk. “Perhaps not.” Zander stroked his chin. “I wouldn't have to if it wasn't consensual ... Andra, you and he. It wasn't consensual. Tell me he forced himself on you.”
“He forced himself on me.” Her voice was flat and monotonic.
“You don't have to do this, Zander,” Nyk said.
“Tell me he raped you.”
“He raped me.”
“Don't punish her. She's suffered enough.”
“I'll punish you. You'll see where her loyalties truly lie. Andra, you hate him for this. Tell him.”
She approached Nyk with anger in her eyes. “I hate you!”
“Drug-induced loyalty,” Nyk replied. “I've seen her free from your evil mix.”
“Evil mix, how dramatic ... With each dose my control over her is more complete. Soon, I won't need the drug to command her.” He turned toward her. “Andra, spit in his eye.”
She spat in Nyk's face. “I hate you,” she screamed.
“Andra, zidev m'obe,” Nyk said. “Listen to me, obey me, not him!”
Zander laughed. “Nice try. She won't, she can't. Her will's mine. Andra, show him more how you hate him.”
She slapped Nyk across his face, nearly knocking him off balance. He touched his cheek and could feel it swelling.
“You hate him enough to kill him with your bare hands. Kill him!”
“I'll kill you.” She grasped Nyk around the neck and pressed her thumbs into his windpipe. His knees buckled. He grabbed at her forearms. She tightened her grip and his vision began to go grey.
“Stop,” Zander said. Andra released her grip. Nyk fell to the floor, gasped and felt his throat. “Andra, I can understand your hatred, but we mustn't take justice into our own hands. We'll convene a tribunal aboard the scout. I'll be the judge and you'll be the prosecutor. We'll listen to the evidence, convict him, and then you can kill him. Nykkyo, you're under arrest. I'm afraid you'll have to come with me.” Nyk made a run for the staircase. “Not so fast,” Zander said and jumped toward him.
Nyk picked up the cephalopod shell and began swinging it in Zander's direction. Zander ducked. Nyk backed away and swung the shell again. Zander ducked, but on the back swing Nyk connected and Zander's temple oozed blood.
Zander shook his head and felt his injury. “You continue to surprise me, Nyk.” Zander pressed toward him. Nyk backed away and stumbled over a footstool. Zander lunged at him but Nyk planted the pointed end of the shell into the upholstery. The open end caught Zander in the solar plexus and he doubled over. Nyk scrambled to his feet and ran for a vidisplay.
Zander stood and headed for him. Nyk grasped the small end of the shell with both hands, lined it up with Zander's head, lifted it and brought it down. Zander dodged and it grazed his shoulder. He grabbed Nyk's wrist and bent it backwards. He dropped the shell.
Nyk wrenched free from Zander, hopped over a bench and snatched Andra's lifxarpa. He located the injector. Zander grabbed Nyk's arm and pressed a thumb into a tendon. Nyk's hand opened and the injector dropped. Zander picked it up. “What's this? Andra, catch!” He tossed the injector to her. “Dispose of this.”
Andra acknowledged with a snap of her head and headed for the waste reprocessor. Zander withdrew another injector. He grasped the needle guard in his teeth, pulled it off and spat it out. “Careful of this one, Nyk. It's poison.”
Nyk backed away from Zander and found himself in a corner. Zander advanced and touched the tip of the needle to Nyk's arm. “Don't move or you'll feel this. Andra, there's a shuttlecar parked outside. Under the seat is a polymer case. Fetch it here.” She started down the staircase. Nyk tried to edge away. Zander shook his head. “Don't, Nyk.”
Andra appeared at the top of the stairs and handed the case to Zander. “Now, down on the floor, Nyk. Face down.” Nyk lay on the floor. Zander began flipping through a collection of injector cartridges in the case. “Here we are. Don't worry, Nyk. This one's only a sedative, but a strong one. Something to make you a bit more cooperative.” Nyk started to squirm away. “Careful, Nyk. Which one do you want?” Zander removed an injector from the case, flipped it open, cocked the roller, inserted the cartridge and snapped the gadget shut. He grasped the needle guard in his teeth and pulled it off. Nyk felt Zander lift the hem of his tunic to expose his buttock.
He eyed the point Zander held to his arm.
The other needle bit into his backside. In the periphery of his vision caught some motion, and he tried not to betray what he saw. Andra was approaching Zander from behind. Something she held glinted in a shaft of light. She jabbed Zander's shoulder, and Nyk heard the snap of an injector's discharge.
“Aahhh!” Zander exclaimed, stood and dropped the injector. He started to grab for his shoulder, but fell like a board to the floor and began convulsing. His head thrashed from side to the side, his tongue slipped out and he began to froth at the mouth. He made a gurgle and was still, eyes staring at the ceiling.
Nyk removed the undischarged injector from his rear and sat up. He glanced at Zander's lifeless body, averted his gaze and pinched his lips together.
Andra knelt and threw her arms around him. “Oh, Nykkyo, I hope I didn't hurt you! I had to make it look real.” She peppered his cheek and neck with kisses.
“You made it real enough. I was convinced and so was he. How did you know to do that?”
“Colonial politics is serious business, and that's the assignment Vebinad Academy trains us for.”
“They must've also taught you acting... How did you overcome his drug mixture?”
She smiled, lifted the hem of her tunic, and showed him a green splotch on her thigh near a cut where the needle grazed her skin. He stood and embraced her and she lay her head against his shoulder.
“His post-hypnotic directive -- how did you overcome that?”
She looked into his eyes. “I don't know ... I ... I saw him threatening you and I knew I had to stop him.” She pointed to the spent injector, still embedded in Zander's flesh. “I was saving it for me.”
Nyk placed a vidphone call to Internal Affairs and was told a skimmer was being dispatched. The vidisplay began signaling an incoming call. He answered with a wristscan.
Senta's image appeared in the vidisplay. Her hair was disheveled and she had a bruise under one eye.
“Nykkyo! Oh, Nykkyo, quick! Zander's on his way there -- he came here looking for Andra. I heard the chime, opened the door and there he was -- he forced himself in and ransacked the apartment. He asked me where Andra was -- I wouldn't tell him -- he came after me with an injector. We struggled and he overpowered me -- he injected me and I lost all my will.” She began crying. “I told him Andra was in Sudal at the Residence -- I couldn't help myself -- I tried, but I couldn't keep from telling him! I know he's headed there -- he's after her. Do something! Hide her -- send her away!”
