Mutant Star

by Karen Haber

  Rick sank down next to Skerry. There was no pulse. No vital signs at all. He looked at the dead man in astonishment. “I didn’t mean to kill him—”

  Alanna’s face contorted and her eyes filled with rage.

  “You did. You murdered him because he told me the truth.”

  Ethan Hawkins entered the room at a run. “What the hell?” Stunned, he looked down at Skerry. “But I know this man,” he said. “I saved his life once, surely.” Hawkins turned to Rick. “What’s happened here? Where’s your father?”

  Rick tried to talk. His voice was gone.

  “This was our father,” Alanna said hoarsely. Tears streamed from her eyes. “Rick killed him.”

  “Your father?” Hawkins looked in bewilderment from one to the other. “I don’t understand.” He shook his head and made a gesture with one hand as though brushing away cobwebs. “But never mind that now.” He turned to the wallscreen. “Get a doctor to level five. Emergency.”

  “Rick,” Alanna pleaded. “You can do anything.”

  He stared at her. “I can’t bring a dead man back to life,” he whispered.

  “Murderer! You’re a liar and a murderer! You can t-jump, can’t you? You once told me you could jump through time. Well, go back now and save him!”

  Rick’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Alanna, I can’t change the past. Can’t change what has already happened. Don’t you think if I believed I could do it, I would?”

  She watched him through slitted eyes. “I hate you. You killed him. And I wish you were dead instead.” She jumped to her feet and ran toward the door, her hair a wild mane streaming out behind her.

  “Wait,” Rick said. “Please, Alanna, let me explain.” But she didn’t wait. She was gone.

  Rick looked up. Hawkins gazed at him stonily.

  “I don’t begin to understand what’s happened here,” the colonel said. “But it’s going to have to be sorted out. And I’ve got to call the authorities on this, Rick.” He paused. “Was he really your father?”

  For a moment Rick stared numbly at Hawkins. Then he looked at the corpse. Something like a sob shook him and he t-jumped away from the room, back to his suite.

  “Alanna?”

  It was empty. Where was she? He had to find her. Had to make her understand. Forgive.

  Click!

  Rick tried the door. It was locked from the outside. Hawkins’s work? Had to be. The colonel probably figured I’d come back here and decided to try holding me under house arrest until the Orbital Police arrive. Well, he had a surprise coming, did the colonel.

  Rick t-jumped to Hawkins’s office and locked the door from the inside. Then he set a shield in place, lining the suite, and settled into Hawkins’s big gray leather desk chair to consider his options.

  He could t-jump back to Earth. Or to the Moon. Maybe take Alanna with him.

  But he had to find her first.

  He forced himself to copy Hawkins’s voice. “Leporello, scan the Pavilion for Alanna. Ignore all other requests.”

  “Right away. I think I’ve located her.”

  “Where is she?”

  “In the fourth sector.”

  “Where? Be more specific, Leporello. Don’t play games.” His voice, ragged with emotion, cracked and returned to its higher register.

  The sim frowned. “You are not Hawkins. You produced a good voice impersonation. But your real vocal pattern matches that of Rick Akimura. I do not serve you.” The screen went dark.

  Shit. Damn simulacrum.

  There was a hammering at the door.

  A muffled bass voice shouted his name. “Rick! Open up.”

  The next sound was the low whine of a laser rifle. The perimeter of the door glowed red, yellow, then white. The scent of hot metal filled the room. With a screech the door leaned inward and fell, scattering metal debris in every direction.

  Hawkins stood in the hallway with what looked like a small army of men in green Aria Corp. security uniforms.

  I’ll send you all to Mars, Rick thought. Into space. Yeah.

  But his excitement turned to horror as he imagined their vacuum-ravaged corpses. Saw Skerry’s face, his dead smile. No, Rick thought. Too many of them. I don’t think I can do it. I don’t want to.

  “Rick, the police are on the way,” Hawkins said. “Stop running.”

  “Like hell.” He tried to t-jump. Couldn’t. Something was in the way. He scanned the hall. Hawkins had managed to rig some kind of neural-field generator that set up just enough interference to prevent him from jumping. Collapsed his shields. Clever colonel. Almost clever enough.

  He stared at the red-paneled wall by the door, It began to vibrate, to jiggle and bulge. In slow motion, the wall buckled and collapsed. Then faster. Huge fragments came down, crushing the neural-field generator, cutting off its power.

  Rick nodded in satisfaction. Then the world exploded. It felt as though a girder had smashed the side of his face. His head rocked back until he thought his neck would crack. Had part of the wall gotten him as well? No. Hawkins. He’d punched him with his left hand. The prosthetic arm. Another punch like that and Rick would be unconscious. Head throbbing, he gathered his telekinetic strength. Shoved Hawkins back, away, against the window wall. Tossed a desk at him. Missed. His vision was blurry. Hard to concentrate.

  He slumped to his knees.

  “Get him,” Hawkins shouted. “Before he wrecks the place.”

  The pack of uniformed men surrounded Rick. Behind them, the room was beginning to go dark. No. No. Rick shook back the darkness, took a deep breath, and t-jumped one more time.

  ***

  Julian paced the length of his room, then paced it again. Someone had to miss him eventually. Eva. His parents. Maybe Rick would tire of playing this game and let him out.

  He heard the sound of somebody trying the lock. The door rattled. Then there was a muffled explosion. The door flew open and Ethan Hawkins walked in. His green stretch suit was ripped, his face smudged with dirt.

  “Colonel?”

  “Those damned locks,” Hawkins said. “First I have to break into my own office. Now your room. Why the hell was your door sealed?”

  “My brother locked me in.”

  Hawkins held up his hand wearily. “I should have known. Say no more. That’s what I’m here about.”

  “Rick? What’s he done?”

  Hawkins sat down heavily on the wallseat. “I’m not good at giving bad news, Julian. Apparently, he’s killed your father.”

  “My father! Skerry, you mean?”

  Hawkins nodded grimly. “He’s dead. They had some kind of telepathic duel, I think. Happened a couple of minutes ago. I gather he’d come to visit and Rick didn’t like it.”

  “Skerry here? Why? And Rick killed him?” Julian felt the room swirl around him. He sank down on the jellbed.

  “Steady,” said Hawkins. “We need clear heads now. Your brother’s run amok. He may destroy the whole Pavilion and kill us all if we’re not careful.”

  “The police—”

  “Called ’em already. But once they’re here, how do they cope with a supermutant?” Hawkins’s expression was wry. “I doubt they’ll have more luck than I did.”

  “He’s gone crazy.”

  “I’m afraid so.” Hawkins stared at Julian. “He’s your brother. You’ll have to do something.”

  Julian glared at Hawkins. “Like what? He’s had me locked in here for three days. What do you propose, Colonel? That I slap his wrist?”

  “Surely you have some mutant techniques to use.”

  “Oh, right. Just reach into my mutant grab bag and pull out a cure?” Julian laughed. “Bad news, Colonel. I’m as powerless here as you are. Just a simple telepath. Rick is something completely new. Nobody knows how to deal with him.”

  “Then he’ll have to be killed.”

  “No!”

  Hawkins’s look was almost sympathetic. “I know how you feel.”

  “I don’t think so, Colonel.” Julia
n’s anger came bubbling out. “First you take the woman I love. Now you want to kill my twin brother. No, I doubt very much that you could understand my emotions right now.”

  “Took the woman you love?” Hawkins’s eyes were wide. “Eva? But I had no idea. That you and she—”

  “Didn’t you? Didn’t you?”

  Hawkins shook his head wearily. “I’m sorry, Julian. This is certainly no time to discuss it. But for what it’s worth, I sincerely love her. I want to marry her.”

  “That makes me feel much better,” Julian said bitterly.

  “Guess I deserve that.”

  “Maybe.” Julian wanted to say more. But wasn’t Eva really better off with Hawkins? He had been kidding himself. Their fabulous romance had been nothing more than a diversion for Eva. She needed somebody else. Someone like the colonel. Julian took a deep breath. “Look, let’s drop it.”

  Hawkins nodded. “Rick’s the real problem here.”

  “I know that what he’s done is horrifying,” Julian said. “I don’t really understand what’s happened to him. And it’s smart to be wary of him.” Grimly, he thought of Rick’s plans for Hawkins. “But regardless of what he’s done, I can’t let you kill my brother.”

  “Then go talk to him. Make him turn himself in. Otherwise, if he starts to destroy the Pavilion and threatens our lives, I’ll have to take steps.”

  “Where is he?”

  Hawkins turned to the wallscreen. “Leporello?”

  The screen remained dark.

  “Damn. Rick’s gotten to the holocircuits.” Hawkins flicked on his wristscreen. “Leporello?”

  “Yes, Colonel?”

  “Can you trace Rick Akimura?”

  “By airlock five. He’s in the prep room.”

  Hawkins’s eyes met Julian’s. His gaze seemed to contain an equal measure of determination and pity. He nodded once. “Good luck.”

  ***

  Deck five was deserted. Julian pushed the keypad of the prep room. The door wouldn’t budge.

  “Rick?”

  Go away.

  “Rick, let me in.”

  No.

  Give me five minutes. Please. That’s all I ask.

  Silence.

  It’s about Alanna.

  There was a click. With a whispered sigh, the door slid open. The room was dark save for the cool glow of the distant stars. Rick sat against the far wall. There was a large bruise on the side of his face. His eyes glittered in the dim light.

  Julian fought the fear clutching at his stomach. He’s your brother, he thought. Don’t be afraid.

  What about Alanna?

  Rick, did you kill Skerry? Did you really kill our father?

  Do you know where Alanna is now?

  Answer me, dammit!

  Why did you come here?

  Because Hawkins told me you’d lost your mind and killed Skerry.

  Get out. Get out or I’ll kill you, too.

  Then kill me.

  Julian waited, heart pounding. Did Rick mean it? Probably he did.

  Would he fry him? Shrivel him with a mindblast? Or would Rick be sending him hurtling out into the vacuum to choke and die?

  Seconds ticked slowly past.

  Julian began to grow impatient.

  What’s going on, Rick? Why don’t you get it over with?

  Get out of here, Julian.

  I thought you were going to kill me.

  I said get out of here.

  Make me.

  With a furious cry, Rick launched himself at his brother, knocking Julian to the floor. They grappled desperately, wrestling almost in the same way they had as children. Rick had usually won those childhood games, his superior strength a match for Julian’s telepathic hallucinations. Now he came close to pinning Julian to the floor as he reached for his neck. Julian felt steely fingers close around his windpipe. The room began to darken.

  He’s going to kill me, Julian thought in amazement. My brother is really going to kill me. No. I’ve got to stop him. Save him.

  He gathered his strength and forced words out. His voice was a harsh, laughable croak. “Brother,” he said. “I love you.”

  Rick froze. His eyes widened. For a moment, his grip grew tighter. Then the strength seemed to seep out of his hands.

  “What did you say?”

  “I love you, Rick. I love you.”

  “Love me?” he said. Tears snaked down Rick’s cheeks. “What are you saying? I’m trying to kill you. And you tell me you love me. How can you love me? You always were an asshole, Julian.”

  Sobbing and laughing all at the same time, Rick released Julian and collapsed on top of him.

  The laughter died away and the sobbing grew stronger. Julian cradled his brother awkwardly, patting his shoulder.

  After a long moment Rick pulled free and sat up, pale and dejected.

  “I didn’t mean to hurt him,” he said. His voice was hollow. “Skerry told Alanna everything. He was going to take her away. I was angry. Didn’t think. But I didn’t want to kill him. Don’t want to kill anybody. Do you believe me?”

  “Yes. I guess so.”

  “The visions, Julian—they came crowding in on me so fast, all those things I saw. The future—somebody’s future—so exciting. Exhilarating. But I couldn’t understand. I don’t understand all of it. And I didn’t want any of it.” Rick paused. He was trembling. “Kind of drove me out of my mind, I guess. I didn’t know how to handle these new powers. And now. Now it’s too late.” His voice cracked over a sob. Rick was silent again, struggling to master himself. Finally he looked up. “What am I going to do? Tell me, Julian. Tell me.”

  Julian met his bleary gaze. “There’s only one thing you can do,” he said. “You’ve got to turn yourself in.” He reached out toward his brother.

  Rick shook him off. “Live in some jail filled with neural dampers? Medicated so I’m easier to handle? No. No way. Better to die fighting. Or maybe I should just t-jump out into space and die that way.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Julian said. “Listen to me. You’ve got to turn yourself in.”

  “Why? Because of some stupid, tragic mistake? Do you think Mom and Dad want that? Do you think Skerry would?”

  “I can’t answer for them,” Julian said, his voice mild. “I know it was a mistake. You didn’t mean it. But you killed a man. Our father.” His voice quavered treacherously. He paused, fighting for control. “Alanna, at least, might want you to pay for that.”

  “I’ve lost her,” Rick said. “That’s what hurts the most. I’ve gained all these terrific mutant powers I never wanted. Turned into some thing—I don’t even know what. And lost everybody. My entire family. Even you.”

  Julian stared at him. He had no answer for Rick.

  Poor superman, he thought. Poor, miserable supermutant.

  Rick turned to face his brother. “What can I do? I won’t turn myself in. I won’t live in a cage.”

  Beyond the Pavilion, the blue Earth was rising, growing brighter and larger with every passing second. Julian gazed at it. Then looked back at his brother and felt sorrow welling up in him. Sorrow, and deep compassion.

  “Your pressure suit,” he said. “Let me help you with it.”

  Rick stared at him, uncomprehending.

  “You have to go,” Julian said quietly.

  “Go?”

  “Yes.” Julian sealed the front of Rick’s suit. The neck. Gently, as though dressing an infant. “Go into hiding, Rick. It doesn’t matter where. Go to Mars, the Moon, the desert. Anywhere. Just so no one sees you. And stay there a long, long time. Forever, if necessary. Hide out. Cleanse your soul. Try to atone for what’s happened here.”

  Rick hesitated. He looked dazed.

  “Go on,” Julian said. “Go. Now. Goodbye, Rick.”

  Rick’s eyes met his, gold gleaming with fresh tears. He began to say something, and stopped. Then he nodded. Pressed Julian’s hand.

  The room was filled with the sound of rushing atmosphere, t
he beating of birds’ wings.

  And Julian was alone, staring through the window at the world of his birth.

  ***

  He walked out of the room. The Pavilion was silent. He felt more solitary than he had ever felt before in his life. Even that familiar sense of twinship, of having a womb companion, was gone. All he felt now was grief. Dry grief and loneliness.

  “Julian?”

  A woman’s voice, almost a whisper.

  He turned. Alanna stood in the doorway of the airlock. Her eyes were red from crying and her hair was wild.

  Wordlessly, they stared at each other. Then Julian held out his hands. Alanna took a step toward him. Stopped. “Where’s Rick?”

  “Gone. Gone far away.”

  “Oh.” And with a sigh that was also a sob, she was in his arms. “I’ll never see him again, will I?”

  “No.”

  Her shoulders shook as she wept. “Julian, I’ll never forgive him. But I still love him. Can you understand that?”

  “I think so.”

  “Won’t the police find him? Take him?”

  “Not if he’s careful.” He paused. “I think he’ll be careful.”

  “Good. It’s a good thing, isn’t it? Better than his going to jail.”

  “Yes.” Slowly, Julian stroked his sister’s dark hair. “Yes. It is.”

  “I saw it. I saw him kill Daddy. It was so terrible. Daddy tried to stop him but Rick was too strong. He went crazy.”

  “I know,” Julian said. “I’m sorry.”

  “How can I tell Mom? I can’t, Julian. I just can’t face her.”

  He nodded. “I know it will be hard. For all of our parents. But you won’t be alone.”

  She lifted her tear-streaked face and looked at him. “Poor Julian,” she said softly. “You really are on your own now, aren’t you?”

  He squeezed her hand. “Not entirely.”

  “No. I guess not.” She smiled weakly. “Lose a brother, gain a sister.” Her lips trembled. “What should we do now?”

  Julian looked out the window. The Earth was still there, a familiar, constant companion. “I’m tired of space,” he said. “Let’s go home.”

  ***

  The sun met the ocean, tinting the curve of blue water apricot, orange, and then rust before sinking out of sight. Land and sea receded under the sudden onslaught of brilliant stars. In the east, a full moon began its slow ascent.