by D M Arnold
“So? Why don't they just pump him full of truth drug and interrogate him?”
“There's a complication. This young man is an ore-worker.”
“Again, so?”
“Altian ore workers are given medical implants to counteract the toxic fumes and solvents they're exposed to.”
“Once again, so?”
“That implant will interact with truth drug with fatal results.”
Nyk nodded. “I saw one of those in action on Lexal.”
“No interrogator will touch a man known to be an Altian ore-worker. It's why they're favored as foot soldiers for The Seven.”
“They're interrogation-proof. How does Dyppa fit into this?”
“The man's name is Manrei ... Manrei Lom.”
“Lom!” He closed his eyes and winced.
“I'll fill you in with the rest...”
“Seymor -- I know the rest already. The authorities are looking for anyone with a connection to Lom. They sent out an all-points bulletin, and you're on their mailing list. You told them of Dyppa. I should've kept my big mouth shut.”
“I have an obligation -- and so do you. I'm a Floran first. The Seven are a threat to the entire hegemony.”
“You've no need to apologize. I'd have done the same ... maybe. I imagine they wish to interrogate her.”
“You got it, lad. You ARE a natural at this.”
“And, you want me to make sure she gets on the packet here and gets off on Altia. It's going to be a tough sell. She told me she has no desire to return there -- ever.”
“They've issued a warrant for her. She has no choice.”
“A warrant?”
“Nyk -- if that girl has anything to do with The Seven -- they'll have a warrant out for YOU.”
“She doesn't, Seymor.”
“Are you sure? What about her familiarity with those codes? You're her sponsor. I think you should go with her. If she should go up and then disappear -- it'll fall hard on you.”
“You don't really believe that's likely -- do you?”
“Nyk -- we've discussed this before. You're the finest Agent to come through here during my tenure, but you have this unfortunate tendency to let emotion cloud your reason. Young Dyppa is an Altian pschyco-addict with a record -- three strikes in my book.”
“She's a good kid who strayed and is now on the right path. If someone doesn't give her a chance, how will she ever prove herself? We've gone over this, Seymor. I trust my gut.”
“This office isn't a church or a charity, Nyk.”
Nyk looked at the itinerary. “All right, I'll go with her.” He sighed. “I've been getting all the plum assignments lately. I had no idea being an Assistant Agent-in-Chief was this rough. What's your job like?”
Seymor's eyes twinkled. “Well, lad -- if you do it right... You can delegate most of the rough stuff to your Assistant Agent-in-Chief.”
Nyk proffered a faint smile. “Let me make a phone call...”
* * *
The taxi dropped Nyk off in front of the college union. He looked at his watch -- it was one in the afternoon. He dug his wallet out of his pocket, removed the staff card he had used during his first tour and flashed it for the guard at the door.
He stepped to the coffee bar and ordered a mocha latte from the barista. This he carried to a table, sat and sipped it.
Memories of the place filled his mind. He was sitting at the table at which he had met Suki. He had been onworld only a few days and had decided to take lunch here in the union. He had just scooped a spoonful of chili when a woman's voice said...
“Excuse me. May I join you? I think this is the only empty seat.”
Nyk was jolted from his reverie. He looked up and saw a short, slightly overweight young woman with a tray. “Please do,” he replied.
“Did I startle you?”
“No -- your voice sounded like ... someone I know.”
She extended her hand. “I'm Crystal.”
He took her hand. “Nick -- Nick Kane. Pleased to meet you.” He made eye contact and stifled his shock. Her irises were bright orange-yellow and the pupils were vertical slits.
She pointed to her eye. “Contact lenses. I belong to a role-playing club here on campus. We're meeting after my class. I'm going in my persona as Lilea -- an alien woman from the planet of Anthea ... you know, from The Man Who Fell to Earth?”
Nyk shrugged.
She picked up her sandwich. “I'm fascinated with the notion of life on other planets,” she continued. “Do you think there's intelligent life in the universe?”
“If you consider humans intelligent,” he replied, “yes.”
She smiled. “No -- on other worlds. I think it's not only possible but likely. Maybe beings from other planets are here, right now -- walking among us.”
He sipped his latte. “I suppose anything's possible.”
“I wonder if their intent is benign, or if they mean us harm.”
“Benign, I would hope,” Nyk replied.
Crystal wolfed down her lettuce and sprouts sandwich. “Well -- I'm late for class. It was nice meeting you, Nick.”
“Mi zidiri mu plaka es't,” he replied. “Zi dev dulxe takta hav.”
“What did you say?”
“I said, it was my pleasure speaking with you. Have a nice day.”
“What language was that?”
He whispered. “It was Lingwafloran, the language of Planet Floran ... two hundred lightyears distant in the direction of the great star Deneb.”
Crystal's jaw dropped. “COOL! You should join our club!”
Nykkyo walked form the union to the house and unlocked the front door. It was now mid- afternoon and he figured Dyppa was at the lab. He sat in a chair, locked his fingers behind his head and waited.
Dusk was falling when the door opened. Dyppa walked in carrying a paper grocery sack. She headed to the kitchen and set it on the counter.
“Dyppa,” he said.
“WHAA!” She spun around. “Oh, it's you.” She put her hand on her breast. “You SCARED me.”
“I'm sorry. Dyppa, tonight we need to make a transit.”
“To where?”
“To Altia.”
“NO! I am NOT going back there!”
“Dyppa, you don't have a choice. They've issued an interrogation warrant for you.”
“Interrogation?” Tears were beginning to form in her eyes. “Why interrogate ME? I haven't done anything! I've paid my debt to that society.”
“Dyppa -- trust me...”
“TRUST you? You came here to send me up and back to that ... that ... that hell of a planet!”
“No, Dyppa. I feel as badly about this as you do.”
“There's no way you could feel as badly about Altia as I do.”
“Dyppa, calm down. I'll go with you. We'll go to Altia and meet with a security officer. You'll be interrogated; you'll spend half a day recovering from the drug and then we come back to Earth. It's that simple.”
“SIMPLE? Interrogated about what?”
“About The Seven.”
“I know absolutely nothing about The Seven.”
“Then -- you have nothing to fear, do you?”
“I've never been interrogated before...”
“I have. It's no fun, but it's no big deal, either. You won't remember anything. Any discomfort from the drug wears off quickly.”
“Why would they think I know anything about The Seven?”
“I'm afraid that's my fault. It seems a man named Manrei Lom has been detained under suspicion of association with The Seven. I told Seymor about your friend Lom. ”
Her eyes grew wide and she held her hand over her mouth. “You didn't!”
“No -- I didn't tell him any details of your relationship. I was intrigued by the name -- that's all. I told him you fell in love with a man named Lom, and that set into motion the events that brought you here. That's ALL I told Seymor.”
“You're sure.”
He made an X
on his chest. “Cross my heart.”
“Still...”
“I know, I know. You told me that in confidence and I violated it. I'm terribly sorry, and I'll never do anything like that again. I should've kept my yap shut.”
She sighed. “So many there will want to harm me. Their motto is, never forget ... and, rarely forgive.”
“You won't be out of sight of me or Altian security. No one will be able to harm you. No one knows you're coming. Dyppa -- as I said -- you don't have a choice. Well -- you do. Your choice is to go voluntarily or to be dragged there.”
“I'd almost rather be dragged there -- I'd have security officers around me. Then, when the interrogation comes back negative...”
“Volunteering always helps your cause.”
“I suppose...” She looked down. “I don't even know if this Manrei Lom is MY Lom. I don't even know if it was his real name.”
“The investigators are desperate to follow any lead. The Seven has made another threat.”
She nodded. “And, afterward -- I come back here?”
“Assuming your interrogation proves your innocence -- and I have every confidence it will -- yes, you come back here.”
“Promise?” He made another X. “All right -- I volunteer.”
“Why don't we go someplace nice for dinner?”
* * *
Nyk sat across from her and scanned a menu. He looked up. Dyppa sat with her arms folded, her menu closed on the table. “Buck up. There's really nothing to worry about.”
“Why don't you believe me?”
“I DO believe you.”
“Why don't THEY believe me?”
“They don't even know you.”
“Why can't you vouch for me?”
“If it were that simple -- I would in an instant.”
She picked up the menu and set it down again. “I'm not hungry.”
“Please, Dyppa -- let's have a nice meal before this ordeal.”
“You said it! ORDEAL! That's what it is.”
“I was speaking figuratively.” He picked up the menu and handed it to her. “Suki introduced me to this place. They make a nice manicotti here.”
“Whatever.”
The waitress approached. “Two manicotti.”
“Anything to drink?”
“Water for me.” He looked at Dyppa.
“Just water,” she replied.
The waitress picked up the menus and left.
“Now, Dyppa -- tell me what you DO know about The Seven.”
“I really know nothing.”
“I can't believe anyone could grow up on that planet and not know something.”
“Believe it.”
“What about the independence movement?”
“What about it?” she asked.
“Tell me about it.”
“Well... We Altians feel we're being unfairly used.”
“Used how?”
“What do you know of my world?”
“I know it's where most of Floran's mineral wealth comes from.”
She nodded. “And, do you know where that wealth goes?” He shook his head. “It certainly doesn't stay on Altia. We're tired of being oppressed.”
“Oppressed? Isn't that too strong a word?”
“Coming from an oppressor's lips, I suppose it is.”
“Dyppa -- do YOU favor the independence movement?”
“There isn't a single Altian who doesn't support it to some degree.”
“What is your degree?”
“I really don't know. My degree changes from day to day.” She shook her head. “No one who hasn't lived there could understand.”
“Try me. I'm an understanding sort of guy.”
“You know Altia is completely dependant on Floran for our food supply. We have no means to feed ourselves.”
“Other colonies are in the same situation.”
“Maybe so. But -- Floran is NOT completely dependent on Altia for minerals. Floran can turn to T-Delta or another colony. So -- if Altians start demanding a few more credits per tonne of pig aluminum or cobalt ... the next thing we know -- there's no trade. If there's no trade -- there's no food. YOU define the terms of OUR standard of living.”
“Not ME, Dyppa.” He pondered. “I think what you're describing sounds terribly unfair.”
“You're a Floran. You're a member of the society that imposes our lifestyle on us.” She looked down at the table. “So -- now are you going to leave me on Altia? Send me up because of my beliefs? My politics?” Her eyes brimmed. “I'll bet now you really DO regret that night in Scottsdale!”
“Absolutely not. I think everyone is entitled to their own beliefs. I might not agree with you, but I support unconditionally your right to believe what you wish.” He reached across the table and touched the back of her hand. She snatched it away. He turned his hand palm-up and looked into her eyes. “I won't argue politics with you. Your beliefs do NOT change my opinion of you -- or, my admiration.”
“Really?”
“Really.” She pressed her palm against his. “And, I DON'T regret Scottsdale.”
“Do you mean that?”
“I do.”
“I'm sorry, Nyk. This whole interrogation thing has me upset.”
He squeezed her hand. “Me, too. I don't blame you a bit.” He sipped some water. “What do you think independence will bring Altia?”
“The ability to set our own terms.”
“But Dyppa -- those terms are set by economics. Your political independence has nothing to do with it. I think you'll lose more than you'll gain by leaving the hegemony.”
“I don't know about that. I do know this -- no matter how strongly I want independence, The Seven is going about it the wrong way. The right way is to work with the new Altian Senate -- to express the will of the people and to create a voice that can be heard in the High Legislature.”
“I'm with you on that,” Nyk replied.
“It was also wrong for the High Legislature to dissolve our senate and to put our world under Floran direct rule.”
“That was done as an interim step after the Ricin plot,” Nyk explained. “Remember -- Floran isn't the same as the HL.”
“It was during direct rule the seeds of the independence movement were sown.”
“Dyppa -- I won't dispute that the situation on Altia was poorly managed. I think the most productive solution is for all of us to let bygones be bygones and work together to improve things. Agreed?”
She smiled. “Agreed.”
The waitress set two plates of manicotti before them. Nyk cut a piece with the edge of his fork. “Have you been offworld?” he asked. “Aside from Earth and Floran City, that is.”
She shook her head. “No. How about you?”
“I spent some time on Lexal.”
Her eyes narrowed. “That is one colony I cannot tolerate.”
“Why not?” he asked. “You've never been there.”
“All Altians swear an oath against them.”
“Dyppa -- during my stay on Lexal, I didn't hear a single Lexalese swear an oath against Altia. What reason do you have to dislike them? Have the Lexalese ever fired upon your capital?”
“No...”
“Have they ever attempted to murder your leaders?”
“Not to my knowledge.”
“Have they supplied arms and men to insurgents wanting to overthrow your government?”
“I don't think so.”
“Dyppa -- Altia did all of those against Lexal.”
“Those were defensive, pre-emptive actions,” she replied. “We did so to protect our own interests.”
“Lexal is a tiny colony with less than 150 million inhabitants. It doesn't make sense for them to invade Altia. At least, it doesn't make sense to me.”
“We wanted to send a message. We wanted to show our enemies Altia is a force not to be trifled with.”
“Don't you think attacking a colony less than a tenth Altia's size might've sent a d
ifferent sort of message?”
She looked up. “I thought you weren't going to argue with me.”
“Dyppa, were you in favor of Altia's Lexalese adventure?”
She gazed at him, her eyes narrowing. “No one asked me for MY permission, Nykkyo. Altian citizens didn't know about it until it was well underway.” She sipped some water. “It looked to me like a lose-lose proposition. In the best case, we'd have an offworld territory to administer. It would've stretched our security forces even thinner.”
“Altia intended to annex Lexal?” Nyk asked. “What would be gained by that?”
“Arable land.”
“You would've used Lexal as your breadbasket. That hardly sounds defensive or pre-emptive.”
“It was one way to break the monopoly the Food Service holds over us.”
“Don't you think the resources Altia expended building arms and deep- space shuttles would've been better applied toward food production? Dyppa -- if we can grow food on Floran, you can grow it on Altia.”
“I didn't say I agreed with it, did I? Anyway -- it failed, and it set us backward. Our deep-space fleet was grounded and now we're forced to pay reparations.”
“Don't you believe Lexal deserves compensation for what Altia did?”
“But -- Lexal has such wealth,” she protested.
“Ah yes... Now it comes out. Lexal was once an agricultural colony dependent on the rest of the Hegemony for minerals and manufactured goods. Food from the homeworld and Gamma-5 were cheaper than from Lexal, so there was no market. The planet was a collective of subsistence farmers. Mykko Wygann changed all that. He built Lexal into a strong, self-sufficient economy. Dyppa -- Altia needs to follow the Lexalese pattern -- not wallow in despair and envy.”
“It's easy for you to say. What about Mykko Wygann and his ax'amfin princess? Altia is criticized for being a government of thugs and Wygann gets away with crowning himself Chancellor-for-Life. He marries an ax'amfin witch who then assumes the trappings of royalty.”
“Wygann was asked to be Chancellor-for-Life by his own people -- the same ones who call Janna their princess. The Lexalese want it this way. It gives them a fairy tale to live out and enjoy.”
