Planetbound by DM Arnold (best contemporary novels TXT) 📕

Nyk stood in his cell. An attendant opened the door. “Nykkyo Kyhana.” A middle- aged man in an official-looking xarpa addressed Nyk. “I'll be representing you at your hearing.”

“Illya,” Nyk replied. “Illya Kronta. Good to see you again.”

“I wish it were under more pleasant circumstances. How are you feeling?”

“No unpleasant after-effects. Where's Suki?”

“She's being cared for. I suppose you know what Agency Enforcement is asking.”

“To keep me onworld, and to quarantine her.”

“I'm afraid so. Nyk -- I have the transcript of your interrogation here. I think it helps your cause.”

“How?”

“It proves you acted in good faith based on your beliefs. There was no malice -- no ulterior motives -- you were convinced you were acting in the best interest of the Hegemony. You did the right thing, not signing Tomyka's no-contest agreement. It was drafted with the assumption of malicious intent.”

“I wasn't about to admit to something I didn't do. May I see the transcript?” Kronta handed Nyk a vidisplay. He began scrolling through the document. “I'm glad I don't recall any of it. Some of this is deeply humiliating.” He handed the vidisplay to Kronta. “Now what?”

“Let's work together and begin planning your defense.”

“You told me you're a Kyhana scholar.”

“Yes, Nyk -- I've been reading your translation of Koichi's journal. I found it fascinating.”

“I think there may be evidence in the journal. I'd like access to my datacels.”

“You'll need a vidisplay, too. I'll see what I can arrange.”

Nyk paced in the interview room. “You heard the arguments and what Agency Enforcement is asking the committee,” Kronta said.

“Why can't Suki stand before the committee and hear what they have to say?”

“She's an offworlder.”

“Her fate's being debated as if she were ... I don't know what -- some possession.”

“I had an off-the-record conversation with one of Tomyka's aides. Tomyka will agree to have the infant returned to Earth -- after she delivers it, of course.”

“And, Suki?”

“Quarantine.”

Nyk looked at Kronta with tears in his eyes. “It's inhumane -- to separate a mother from her child, never to be seen again.”

“There's much more at stake than one individual.”

“She'd be so unhappy here -- unbearably miserable.”

“Tomyka will put forth the proposition if she can't be happy here, it might be a kindness to ... to euthanize her.”

“No!” Nyk stood and looked out the narrow window onto the groundcar lot. “I thought we were a civilized people, Illya.”

“I'd hate to have it come to that. Nyk, I am on your side in this. I do understand how you feel.”

“How could you understand? How could anyone understand who hasn't lived it?”

“What makes you assume I haven't lived it? I started my career as an ExoAgent on Earth. I'm the only one on the committee who has -- the rest have come up through other branches. I was stationed in Paris, using the Earth name of Pierre LaCroix.”

“So, you've seen Earth.”

“Nyk, sit down and listen to what I have to say.” Nyk returned to his seat across from Kronta. “I too, fell in love with an Earth woman. Her name was Daphne, and she was an American student spending some time in Paris. Unfortunately, she learned of my true nature.”

“Was she quarantined? Euthanized?”

“No -- my Agent-in-Chief handled the affair with delicacy. I was sent up -- before my tour ended. My record shows the reason was an 'indiscretion' -- Agency jargon for an inappropriate relationship with a member of that planet's population. No mention was made of my true infraction. Daphne promised never to tell another soul.”

“Did she keep that promise?”

“I have no idea. I was pulled from the field without ever seeing her again. I don't know if she's dead or alive.” He pressed his hand to his eyes. “I love her to this day ... So, you see Nyk -- I do understand what you're going through.”

“Is Daphne on the critical path to the Centauri mission?”

“No. Fortunately, there's no link between her line and the members of the Floran crew. I've used my authority to go through the family records as far as I can -- but I see no evidence of a link.”

“If your superiors discovered...”

“I'm sure they'd push to quarantine her, too. Destiny has a way of punishing us temporal offenders, Nyk. My punishment is to enforce the very rule I violated. If Daphne has kept her promise -- and I believe she has -- then she and Sukiko are the only Earth people who know of our existence and mission. That's assuming Daphne is still alive.”

“How many other Florans know of Daphne?”

“My Agent-in-Chief retired and passed away a number of years ago. Only you and I know, now. I'm telling you this to demonstrate I am sincere when I say I understand what you're going through, and I am on your side. I trust you won't use this information to my disadvantage.”

“Of course not, Illya. I harbor no ill will against Daphne. I wouldn't want to see her harmed for what certainly was not her fault.”

“You are a good man, Nykkyo -- better than some on the committee who would see me harmed through injury to her.”

“Tomyka?”

“I name no names.”

“Illya, the lineage between Suki and Koichi Kyhana is nearly beyond doubt. Let's assume she does adjust to quarantine -- let's go so far as to assume she gives up her child willingly. There are still temporal implications. Without my interference, she would have had to play a role in her son's formation. Without her influence, her son might not found the family line -- Koichi might not develop into the man he was -- he might choose another career and not join the Centauri mission. The results are just as disastrous to us.”

“That, Nyk, is the strongest argument in favor of returning her to Earth.”

“The same can be extended to me. Without my interference, Suki would likely have had a man in her life. Destiny chose me to replace him.”

“That is more tenuous, Nyk. Who's to say the circumstances of her pregnancy wouldn't have fallen exactly as they did without your interference? She might very well be waiting for the man who will help her form her son.”

“It was evidence for that claim I was searching for before I was ... interrupted,” Nyk replied.

“That argument has my sympathies, Nyk. Convincing the committee will be another matter.”

Nyk sat in an Internal Affairs meeting room. To his left was Illya and to his right Senta. Across from him sat Tomyka Wells and other oversight committee members. “We've heard the charges and the arguments,” Wells said. “Have we any other exhibits?”

Illya stood. “I have a recording of an interview I held with Sukiko Kyhana. The transcript is available, and I would like to enter it as an exhibit. I also would like the committee to view a portion of the interview.”

Wells glanced left and right. “I see no objections.”

Nyk looked at a vidisplay. He saw Suki sitting at a table. She was wearing an orange confinement tunic.

“What do you know of temporal interference?” Kronta asked in the recording.

“I understand how my descendants play into the forming of your world,” she replied with her responses interpreted into Floran. “I understand the importance of avoiding events that could affect the Centauri mission and alter its outcome. This isn't a role I chose -- it was thrust upon me -- but it's a role I take seriously. Nykkyo has given me a gift -- I know what will come of my child's children's children's children. How many have that privilege?”

“What would be the impact on you, personally, of temporal interference?”

She looked down and closed her eyes. “I would never have met Nykkyo.” Nyk glanced at Senta glowering at him and buried his face in his hands.

“Does he mean that much to you?”

“I owe him my life ... at least twice over. I love him. He promised to help me bear and raise my child.”

“Can you do that without him?”

“I don't want to face that prospect.”

“Face it you must.”

“I don't know. I honestly don't know. I know I could with him.”

“Can you keep knowledge of our world and mission from other members of your population?”

“Oh, yes -- for I fear the outcome of such contamination as much as you. There may be those on my world who'd profit from such knowledge. I'm not one of them -- I have far more to lose than gain from exploiting what I know.”

“Do you have anything to add?”

“Nykkyo has shown me you are a kind, gentle and generous people. I ask you to be generous now -- generous to him. Nykkyo will do your cause far more good on Earth with me than if he stays here. Please, be generous now.” The vidisplays went dark.

Tomyka stood. “We will recess briefly while the committee deliberates.”

Nyk leaned to Kronta. “Aren't you joining them?”

“I recused myself. As your advocate, I represent a conflict of interest.”

“And, it's not a conflict for Tomyka to vote?”

“She'll only cast a tie-breaker.”

“I wasn't aware you planned to show that interview. I wish you had warned me.”

“She carried herself well, Nyk. Sukiko reminds me in ways of my Daphne. I could almost hear Daphne's voice in that interview.” He put his hand on Nyk's shoulder. “I knew it would do no harm, and it might sway a vote or two.”

“Isn't the outcome a foregone conclusion?”

“If it were, we wouldn't bother holding this hearing. I've canvassed the committee. In the matter of Sukiko's fate, votes are divided. I fear they're much less so in the question of your case.”

The committee filed into the room. Tomyka Wells addressed Nyk, “Mr Kyhana, will you please stand?”

Nyk stood. She manipulated a handheld vidisplay. “Nykkyo Kyhana, after due deliberation, we have arrived at the following conclusions. First is in regard to your cohabitation with the Earth woman, in direct violation of Agency rules and regulations. For this act, you are stripped of your Agency credentials and your transit privileges are hereby revoked. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“Second is in regard to your unauthorized transit from Earth to Floran, and your unauthorized transport of an Earth person to the homeworld. This is the second time you've transported this individual, and the committee cannot allow such behavior go unanswered. You are sentenced to three years of planetbound economic incarceration, to be followed by five years of probation. Do you understand this?”

“Yes -- I understand.”

“We will not mark you as an incorrigible. Needless to say, you must be on your best behavior for the next eight years. Do you have anything to say?”

“What will become of Suki?”

“The committee has weighed the options of quarantine and returning her to Earth. We have considered the transcript of her interview, and we believe there is a greater risk of temporal interference quarantining her here than returning her to Earth. This was a narrow decision. We will make arrangements to have an Agency enforcement team return her to Earth and into the care of her parents.”

“Will I be permitted to see Suki before she leaves for Earth? She won't understand.”

Wells glared up at him. “You are remanded to the custody of your wife. This case is closed.” She stood and left the council room.

Kronta stood. “It was a satisfactory outcome. Sukiko will be returned to Earth. I believe her interview made the difference.”

“You call this satisfactory? Three years economic incarceration!”

“You were looking at ten years, Nyk. That's what Tomyka requested. I've made arrangements to speak with Sukiko and to inform her of the committee's decision. You may accompany me.”

Nyk followed Kronta to a wing of the Internal Affairs building. Kronta scanned his wrist and spoke to an attendant, who led them to an interview room. Another attendant brought Suki.

Nyk opened his arms and she fell into them. “Have you heard?” he asked.

“No.”

“They're sending you home to Earth. Kronta tells me an enforcement agent will escort you to your house in Queens.”

“What of you?”

“They've revoked my travel privileges and sentenced me to three years of economic incarceration.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means my personal ID code will be marked such that I cannot travel except on foot, use the vidphones or purchase anything except sufficient food to keep from starving. Normally, those sentenced would be turned over to a shelter, but I've been remanded into Senta's care.”

“Oh, Nykkyo!” She fell against him sobbing.

“I will keep my promise,” he whispered into her ear. “This world cannot hold me. I will find a way home to you. The question's not if but when. This time, it may take a while.”

“Three years?”

“Three Floran years -- about two and a half Earth years. You must take care of yourself.”

“I'll try.”

“I'm sorry I won't be there to help you with the birth of your