Planetbound by DM Arnold (best contemporary novels TXT) 📕

“Classified?” Andra asked.

“For the same reason as the Floran Encyclopedia entries,” Nyk interjected. Andra nodded.

“Since those genealogies are classified,” Golmya continued, “It would be unlikely someone could produce such a convincing forgery. I would very much like to examine the original, however.”

“Korlo,” Nyk said while attempting to maintain a dispassionate composure, “the genealogy lists a pair of deaths on 1 September, 2001. Would it be possible to see the corresponding entry in the Encyclopedia?”

“What is the current Earth date?”

“April 5, 2001.”

“I'm afraid not -- that material is classified.”

“Are there any assurances I could give?” Nyk asked.

“It wouldn't help, Nykkyo. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't give you that information. You see -- even I don't have access to it."'

Nyk lay on his back on his childhood bed. The storm shutters were open and the nighttime land breeze wafted through the open structure of the Residence. He could hear the surf washing against the rocks at the base of the bluff.

Andra pulled herself against him. She kissed his cheek. He stroked her arm and shoulder. “Oh, Andra -- I still don't know what I'll do.”

“I'm in anguish, too, Nyk.”

“I have to get over it. This is Destiny's plan. What a cruel plan -- to give us this love and then take her from me. To take Nicky's mother...”

“She's enriched me, Nyk. We'll always keep a place for her in our hearts.”

“Listen to us -- we're talking as if she's already dead. She's not -- not yet. I don't think she'd approve our grieving like this -- do you?”

Andra shook her head.

“Then, let's carry on with life. That is what I'll do -- I'll return to Earth and pretend I know nothing of September 1.”

“Let's -- we can celebrate your exoneration -- and, the fact you're returning to her in two days.”

“My shuttle leaves in two segments,” Nyk said to Andra. “I don't know how I'll function, cursed as I am with this knowledge.”

“You are better off knowing.”

“According to that genealogy -- I marry her. I must do it quickly -- before September 1. You're right -- I am better off knowing. I must marry her and become Nicky's legal stepfather.”

“Remember, Nyk -- anything you need of me -- I'll do. Without hesitation, I'll do anything to help.”

He reached into his xarpa and withdrew a green polycard. “I almost forgot...” He stepped into his study and placed a vidphone call.

“Janna -- the day we discussed has arrived.”

“Then, by now you must be exonerated. Congratulations.”

“It's a bittersweet victory -- with more bitter than sweet. I'll let Andra explain.”

“Let me speak with her.”

Nyk stepped from the study. “Andra -- someone to speak with you on the vidphone. Take it in my study.”

“For me?” She stepped into the study and closed the door.

Andra emerged, her eyes red from crying. “Janna told me. I asked for her help and she didn't shirk.”

“It was the least she could do after you helped her.”

“I told her of you and Sukiko -- she's deeply troubled and offers any help she can.”

“I knew she would. Not even the powers of a princess can help me, I'm afraid. Well -- I'm off. I must be on the packet that's being diverted to Earth for me.”

“Stay in touch, Nyk.”

Nyk lay, holding Suki under his arm. She brushed tears from his face. “I'm happy to see you, too.” She kissed his cheek. “It was quite a reunion we just had.”

“Suki -- let's make love every night -- without fail -- no excuses, no too tired or headaches.” She kissed his cheek again. “And another thing -- let's plan the ceremony. My divorce with Senta is final. She withdrew her objections -- there's nothing in our way.”

“We have plenty of time,” she replied. “We don't need a piece of...”

“No -- you and I don't need that piece of parchment. But -- Nicky does. Suki -- What am I?”

“You're my Nick -- my fiancé.”

“I'm nothing -- in the eyes of Earth law, I am nothing. I'm your live-in boyfriend. If ... anything were to happen to you -- what would become of Nicky? I have no claim on him. Suki -- I came here to replace the man who was to be in your life. It would all be for nothing if...”

She caressed his face. “I never thought of it that way.”

“If I were your husband and his legal stepfather -- I might have a stronger argument for custody if...”

“All right -- we'll set a date and plan a wedding. I think a fall wedding would be pretty -- with the leaves on the trees turning colors. Maybe the second week of October.”

“No -- it has to be sooner -- right away, if possible -- mid August at the latest.”

“Mid August? Nick -- it takes time to organize.”

“I'm sure you and your mother can put your heads together and come up with something.”

She ran her hand along his arm. “What are weddings like on your world?”

“Remember -- marriage on Floran is more about family alignment. There are love matches, but most are for furthering family politics. There's no religion on Floran. The services are civil -- performed by a magistrate. They're usually done in the home, with a handful of guests -- close relatives and friends.”

“That sounds nice,” she replied. “I had the big, overblown event for my first wedding. I swore I'd never go through that again.” She closed her eyes. “Yes -- I can begin to visualize it. I'll talk to Mom tomorrow. She'll be over the moon.”

Nykkyo carried his briefcase to the lower level. Yasuko handed him an envelope. “For you -- it was in yesterday's mail. It looks like it's from Jonathan.”

“Thanks.” He slipped the envelope into his pocket.

Suki took his hand and headed with him out the door. “Commuting to this job at Pace is almost like the one at NYU,” she said. “Just a few stops further downtown. What did you get from Uncle Jonathan?”

“An installment from selling the gems.” He slit open the envelope and showed her the check inside.

Suki whistled. “You and he must be doing all right.”

Nyk sat on the desk in Seymor's office. “Seymor, I need a personal favor.”

“What's that?”

“I need to borrow five hundred thousand dollars.”

Seymor stared at him. “A half-million? Whatever for?”

“There's some property on Long Island I want to buy -- a summer house. The seller is asking three-quarters of a million. I have about a quarter-million put away.”

“A quarter million dollars -- where on Earth would you get that sort of money?”

“I've brought some Floran diamonds of my own, and Suki's uncle is moving them into the market.”

“So -- you're the one responsible. Lev told me some Chinaman in Queens was starting to eat our breakfast.”

“He's Japanese... I don't want to hurt the Agency's business, Seymor. We're sticking to gems under four carats. So far, we've sold a few dozen. I'm sorry -- I should've told you sooner.”

“Don't worry about it, lad -- it's nothing Earthbound agents haven't been doing for hundreds of years. Consider it a perk of being stationed here. Besides ... Lev will be retiring soon. It's good to have another pipeline into the market.”

“I think I can pay you back within a year or two -- it's just the owner wants to close in the next couple of weeks. Suki's dad has offered to loan me the money -- but I don't wish to be beholding to him.”

“I trust you, Nyk. I'll draw up a promissory note and I can have a check cut this afternoon. Are you sure a half million is enough? You'll have some expenses.”

“Add any contingency you think I need. I appreciate it, Seymor.”

“By the way, lad... If, by chance, you haven't filled the position of best man...”

“I'd be honored, Seymor.”

“No, Nyk. The honor is mine.”

Nyk stood on a chair adjusting an object atop a tall cabinet in the living room. Suki approached him. “What are you doing?”

“This is a wireless video camera. I'm going to videotape the rehearsal to make sure we have good coverage.”

“Are you going to videotape the ceremony?”

“If you'd like. I'm setting up this camera so Andra can see the wedding. I'll feed the signal into the laptop computer. Before the ceremony, I'll start a vidphone session and she can watch the whole thing. It'll be the middle of the night on Floran, but she said she'll stay up to watch, and to be with us as best she can.”

Nyk stepped off the chair and returned it to the row from which he had taken it. The living room had been transformed. Furniture had been moved or removed, folding chairs to accommodate the twenty-odd guests had been placed in rows, and a podium for the presiding judge had been set up. A folding table for the catered reception was set against a wall.

Suki's mother walked into the room. “This all looks delightful,” Nyk said to her. “You've gone to so much effort for us. It's gift, Yasuko -- an expression of love. How much more needs to be done?”

“The florist is delivering the flowers tomorrow. Our participants should be here any moment for the rehearsal. It will be a unique ceremony, with elements of a Japanese and a western wedding.”

The doorbell rang and Yasuko answered it. A Japanese woman lugging a log-shaped device entered. She and Yasuko bowed and greeted each other in Japanese. Yasuko turned to Nyk and Suki, “This is Yuriko Sakai, and she'll be providing the music.”

Nyk and Suki bowed to her. “Pleased to meet you,” he said.

“The pleasure's mine,” Yuriko replied in accented English. Yasuko pointed to the platform they used for meals and Yuriko looked it over. “This will do fine,” she said and she began setting up and tuning her koto. She played a traditional Japanese tune.

Nyk whispered to Suki, “That music affects me the same way as miso soup. I feel it, resonating deep inside me.”

Suki's father walked in the front door accompanied by a large, stocky man. “Greetings, all. This is Donald Hassinger, the judge who'll be presiding over your ceremony.” Nyk and Suki approached him. “You know my daughter Sukiko. This is her fiancé, Nick Kane.”

“It's been years since I last saw Sukiko. Mr Kane, nice to meet you.”

“Thank you, your Honor for taking the time to preside over our ceremony.”

“Please -- we're not in my courtroom. Call me Don. And, the pleasure's mine. I don't get too many opportunities to perform these. In recent years the trend has been for church weddings -- even for non-believers. It has cut down on my trade.”

The doorbell rang again. A young man escorted a slightly-built woman into the house. She wore opaque glasses and carried a white cane. Suki approached her and took her hand. “Thank you for coming.”

“This is my brother Joe,” Cathy replied. “Thanks, Joe. I'll be all right. Where's Nick?”

“Over here.”

Cathy stepped to him and he embraced her.

The doorbell rang and Nyk opened the door. Seymor stepped inside, looked around the room and spotted the judge. “Don!”

“Phil,” the judge replied and they shook hands. “What do you have to do with this auspicious event?”

“I'm the best man. Nick's my assistant -- one of my finest associates. He is my finest associate, truth be known.”

“How do you two know each other?” Nyk asked.

“Phil took one of my classes when I was teaching law at Queens College. I taught a night-school class there.”

“It's a small universe, isn't it?” Nyk remarked to Seymor. “Suki's dad knows Don from his undergraduate days.”

Don consulted his watch. “George, how much time do we have?”

“The limo will be here at seven to take us to dinner.”

“We have time to run through this two or three times, to make sure everyone knows their cues. Yasuko, where's the staging point?”

“The kitchen.”

Don reviewed a sheet of paper. “Let's line up ...