The Lexal Affair, DM Arnold [i wanna iguana read aloud .TXT] 📗

code -- as a friend of Andra.”

“You have Janna's personal locator code? Could you share it with me?”

“I'm sorry Illya -- I was given it in confidence. It is the personal code of the wife of a colonial chancellor. Besides, it wouldn't do you any good -- unless you're on her access list.”

“Of course -- you're right.”

“Illya -- if the HL would meet Janna or Wygann half-way, I'm sure they'd reciprocate. I found Janna to be open and pleasant.”

“I'm afraid too many bridges have been burned -- and I'd expect nothing less from another ax'amfin witch. What did she say to you?”

“She showed me the gun she was issued. I'm no expert in firearms, but it looked nothing like any Earth pistol I've ever seen. She was given it for defensive purposes -- the same reason she wears a personal shield.”

“Janna wears a shield?”

“I believe so -- I don't know for sure.”

“What makes you think she does?”

“Look at photoimages of her. Ever since we broke up Zander's operation she's been wearing a heavy belt. I think it conceals a shield generator. When I was speaking with her she was startled and reached for it.”

“A shield... I wonder where that technology came from.”

“It's stronger evidence their arms program is defensive in nature.”

“On the contrary -- what would be more offensive than a shielded and invulnerable attack force? Nyk -- I appreciate your loyalty to your ... friend. You don't have the benefit of the information I have.”

“Perhaps lack of information is itself a benefit.”

“All right -- what is your theory regarding the whereabouts of those Earth arms?”

“I believe Lexal was a trans-shipment point. The planetary population is only a hundred million or so.”

“One-fifty,” Illya interjected.

“Nonetheless, there must be vast tracts of empty land there. An ExoScout could park outside the heliopause and send shuttlecars down to the surface. Once there, the arms shipments could be broken down, dispersed and quietly taken to a more densely populated colony -- like Altia.”

“Your theory works equally well for the smuggling of weapons into Wygann's hands.” Kronta drummed his fingers against his desk. “Nyk, I'm going to confide in you information of the utmost sensitivity. Please set your comm cipher to strongest security.”

Kronta's image broke up. Nyk entered his pass code and the image reformed.

“Nyk, have you ever heard of the Defense Research Labs.”

“Yes -- formed to preserve Earth weapons technology so we'd be prepared in the event our ExoScouts encountered hostile alien life forms.”

“The labs have done more than preserve Earth technology.”

“What do you mean? Are you talking about nuclear weapons?

“I've heard credible reports of energy beam technology. You didn't hear me say that.”

Nyk sat slack-jawed. “I can't imagine our people armed with beam weapons.”

“After the Ricin Plot, the HL authorized mobilizing this technology and the formation of an inter-colonial strike force.”

“Are we talking colony-against-colony?”

“No -- the force can only be deployed under HL authority. The intent is to take preemptive action against a colony deemed a threat to the peace of the Floran Hegemony.”

“You think Lexal poses such a threat?”

“Some in the HL believe so.”

“Illya, I don't know much about Lexal, except that it's a small and distant colony. It makes no sense for somesuch to threaten other, larger ones.”

“Mankind's history is replete with zealous, megalomaniacs leading small bands and overrunning larger, peaceful societies.”

“Do you believe Wygann is one of those?” Nyk asked.

“Many in the HL do.”

“Well, I can't imagine Andra associating with anyone like that.”

“You can't, can you? Ax'amfinen operate with a different moral compass than you or I -- and it would be a serious error to underestimate their wiles. They owe their loyalties first and foremost to their institution, and to each other. When one of them calls upon another, she will obey. Didn't you say Andra and Janna were classmates?”

“Roommates, to be precise,” Nyk replied.

“There you have it. Janna put forth the call and Andra responded.”

“Illya, I refuse to believe Andra is like that; and from what I've seen of Janna I don't believe she's like that, either.”

“It's an old story, Nyk. The so-called finishing schools would've been banned long ago if the power brokers didn't find their graduates so useful for doing dirty work.”

“This is why the HL wants to move against Lexal? It sounds like so much unsubstantiated rumor and innuendo to me.”

“Nyk, I am the ExoService liaison to the High Legislature committee overseeing the strike force. The committee sees a window of opportunity to move against Lexal if it is warranted.”

“Window of opportunity?”

“Yes, Nyk -- Wygann's delegation has been recalled to Lexal for consultation after he failed to sway a resolution on colonial security. The HL is in a difficult position. On the one hand, let's assume the Lexalese are arming offensively. Wygann could overrun several colonies before the HL could react.”

“Hence the push for a preemptive strike...”

“To take out their offensive machinery before it can be brought to bear.”

“What if Lexal has no offensive capacity? How will the HL react to an assault on an innocent colony?”

“Frankly, it could bring down the government. Nyk, I'd like you to travel to Lexal, look around and see if you can find any evidence of Wygann using Earth weapons technology.”

“Me?”

“Yes, Nyk. You're in a unique position. Through your friendship with Andra, you have an entré into the Lexalese palace.”

“Which is it, Illya? Do you want to bring charges against her or use her as a double agent? Or, both?”

“Our window of opportunity won't remain open for long. If Wygann launches his own strike while we sit on our hands, then the consequences will be just as dire. I can't order you to do this, Nyk.”

“I'm sorry, Illya but I must refuse. I'm a botanist -- I have no training in undercover operations. I have a huge backlog of work to do here. There must be someone who'd be a better choice.”

“You have Earth experience. Our planetbound agents wouldn't recognize an Earth firearm if they tripped over one. And, you have a contact inside the Lexalese palace. We need this intelligence, Nyk. Lives are at stake.”

Nyk pondered for a moment. “If there is to be a strike, I'd hate to think of Andra stuck there in the middle of it.”

“There you go, Nyk. Go to Lexal and bring Andra home for her safety.”

“So you can file charges? Interrogate her?”

“Bring credible evidence of her lack of involvement and that won't happen.”

“All right, Illya. I'll do it -- a trip to Lexal and back. And, I'll see if I can witness any Lexalese security forces carrying weapons of Earth design or manufacture. In return, if I don't -- you agree to stop pursuing Andra.”

“Do you agree to be open-minded about her possible participation?”

Nyk sighed. “Yes, Illya. I'm a Floran first. If I find evidence of Andra's involvement, I'll be the first to testify.”

“Good. Then we have a deal.” The vidphone session terminated.

“But, I won't find it,” Nyk muttered. He poked his head into Seymor's office. “Well, it appears this Lexal weapons business has suddenly been thrust into our domain of responsibility.”

“What do you mean?”

“Kronta just asked me to travel to Lexal to fetch Andra home. While there, I'm to do some intelligence gathering.”

“If Kronta is asking you to do this, I can't tell you not to.”

“Kronta seems convinced Andra is in the middle of some plot.”

“Do you think so?”

“I don't know what to think. Andra swears she isn't -- but...”

“But what?” Seymor asked.

“But ... I don't know. Everyone calls the ax'amfinen witches. Maybe I am too trusting -- maybe I shouldn't take what a woman says at face value. Maybe you're right when you say I become too emotionally involved... How do you deal with it when someone you trust looks you in the eye and tells you a lie? Now, I'm being asked to do the same.”

“What do you mean?” Seymor asked.

“I'm to go to Lexal under the pretense of bringing Andra home for her safety -- yet I know full well a contingent of Internal Affairs officers will be waiting for her. I feel like a traitor.”

“Lad -- if it turns out she's a traitor -- then you'll feel good. If not -- she'll be exonerated, and you'll feel good about that.”

“I'll feel awful either way. She asked me to trust her, and she says she trusts me.”

“When do you make transit?”

“It's out and back -- no more than a couple of days. I'll call Veska to arrange a packet diversion. Can you do without me for two or three days?”

“We'll have to.”

“Any ideas on how to get to the relay station?”

“Why don't you give Grynnya a call? She's never busy.”

6 -- Janna

Nykkyo sat at Grynnya's kitchen table. “Thanks for doing this,” he said.

“Don't worry about it. Dinner's almost ready. I hope you like Salisbury steak. Would you like another Coke?”

“No thanks.”

She stood behind him and fingered his hair. “Have you thought any more about my offer? Remember, you owe me a night.”

“Grynnya, I have a happy relationship with Suki.”

“Yes, your Earth woman. Some day she'll come to appreciate the Floran approach. When she does -- I have dibs!” She pulled a gallon jug of red wine from her refrigerator. “I had to cancel a date tonight -- with Leo. Oh, well -- duty calls, I suppose.” She opened a cabinet. “For you?”

“Why not?”

She withdrew a pair of glasses and poured one for Nyk. “I'll make mine a short one, since I'm flying.” She filled hers half-way. “Leo's set some sort of a record with me -- most of them don't last this long. There have been a couple Earth men I was sorry to lose.”

“What about another Earthbound Floran?”

“Precious few of those come by. There's you and Seymor.” She sipped her wine. “Leo's happy to keep things on a strictly physical level and that suits me fine. You're lucky -- having a partner you can trust. You told me your woman has seen the homeworld.”

“She attempted suicide. When I found her she had no pulse.”

“It sounds to me like a successful suicide.”

“I took her to Floran to be reanimated.”

“A gutsy move -- I admire your courage.”

“I had no choice. My friendship with her triggered a chain of events leading to her suicide. I'm guilty of temporal interference. You are looking at a temporal offender. I've framed my own destiny -- I must replace the man who was to be in her life.”

“You're not going to be maudlin again, are you?” Nyk smiled and shook his head. Grynnya looked into the oven. “I think dinner's ready. We'll make transit as soon as it's dark.”

The inbound packet approached the transit platform and docked. Nyk stepped out and headed for his connection to the Myataxya and Lexal outbound packet. He passed Veska's office and poked his head in. “Veska -- Dad...”

“My son and friend,” Veska said.

“I'm on a tight connection. I thought I'd say hi.”

Veska stood, embraced him and kissed his forehead. “Maybe now's not the time to trouble you with Senta.”

“Why? What's Senta doing?”

“She's been speaking with a solicitor, looking for ways to make your separation more difficult.”

“It's rather cut and dried, isn't it? I left her -- I've taken permanent residence in a place out of her reach. I was her dependant, so I'm not injuring her financially. She has so many lovers she can't claim loss of companionship.”

“It's the principal with her,” Veska replied. “I'm trying to make her see reason. The truth about you and me hasn't helped my relationship with her.”

“There's nothing she can do to alter the outcome.”

“No, but she can make the process unpleasant -- and that's what she's attempting to do.”

“What is it with women? Do they exist solely to make men miserable?”

Veska smiled. “But -- it's such a delightful misery, isn't it? Well, have a nice trip to Lexal.”

“See you in a couple of days.” Nyk headed toward the departure lounge for the outbound packet.

The packet pulled into a parking orbit around Lexal and waited for the shuttle