The Lost Colony, DM Arnold [ebook reader for laptop TXT] 📗

“Well... Mos killed one man and severely injured another. He'll have a separate hearing. Andra, Zane and I have all been exonerated.”

Andra held up her thumb and forefinger. “They came this close to recommending Nyk and Zane receive commendations.”

“They didn't,” Nyk added, “because we were simply exercising our duty-of-care.”

“They couldn't reward you for doing something the others are being punished for not doing,” Suki observed.

“They did find it in themselves to reward Zane -- with a promotion. Not for exercising his duty-of-care, but for bringing the 501 to safety.”

“What will happen to the Gammans?” Suki asked.

“Tomyka Wells is missing. Her courier left Varadan space when news of the seizing of the 501 reached there. So far, they've found no trace of her shuttle.”

“Which means...”

“Either she's gone underground, or her shuttle is lost in hyperspace. It's a dangerous approach to Varada, and even more dangerous on departure.”

“On Gamma-5,” Andra added, “they've detained that colony's agricultural minister.”

“So, Nykkyo -- now, are you headed home?” Suki asked.

“Tomorrow. Tonight I have some unfinished business.”

“With Laida?” Suki asked. “You want to do the amften thing with her, don't you.”

“No ... no -- I just wanted to say good bye to her.”

“Be honest, Nykkyo -- you want to do more than that.”

“I am fond of her.”

“You're a Floran. You don't need my permission.”

“You're my wife. I'd like your approval.”

“What I've said before holds -- I admire your taste in women. If you like Laida, I'm sure I would, too.”

“I'm sure you would.”

“I'm way too tired to think about lovemaking tonight, so go do the amften thing with Laida. Besides -- fair's fair. I've made a few amften, myself.”

Nyk looked at her. “Really? Who?”

“I'm not the sort to kiss and tell. You haven't named all YOUR amften.”

“You know who they are.”

“All of them? Are you sure?”

“Men or women?” he asked. Suki smiled. “Suki, at least tell me if your amften are men or women.”

“Nykkyo,” Andra said, “I do believe I'm seeing a tinge of jealousy.”

“You know -- I think you're right,” Suki replied.

“No ... no... I'm ... just ... curious.”

Suki stepped to him, put her arms around his waist and kissed his cheek. “Both.”

“Okay,” Nyk said. “Maybe I don't want to know more. We're all Florans here, after all. This IS a cherished tradition we're talking about.”

“Nykkyo -- just go have your time with Laida. Kiss her for me, too. I'm going to bed.”

Nyk approached the agridome and walked through the airlock. He spotted Laida standing near a hydroponic bed of wheat sprouts. She was bare-foot, bare-chested and wearing a pair of white shorts.

She looked up and waved. “Nykkyo!”

“You're looking good.” He scanned her from head to toe and then locked his gaze between her forehead and clavicle. “My father once advised me ... when I encounter a lady dressed as you are -- I must look her in the eye.”

“I would never go abroad like this on my homeworld,” she replied. “However; here, many of the croptenders do so I decided to follow.”

“Florans are casual about nudity -- especially here in Sudal, since it's so warm.”

“This light agrees with me,” she said and held out her arms. “I love how it feels on my skin.”

“You look very dark and green.”

“You must tell me, Nykkyo. Are the other croptenders artificial beings?”

“No. Why do you ask?”

“Because they have brown skin, while other Florans are white.”

“It's because of the artificial sunlight,” he replied. “All Florans would look that way if exposed to it. Croptenders are the only ones who spend much time under the lamps.”

“That's right. You don't need sun to live.”

“Too much sun is bad for us. That's why croptenders wear the big hats. Even still, they get enough sunlight to give them suntan.”

She smiled. “Suntan... I get sungreen...”

“The weak native sun makes the rest of us look pasty-pale. The populations of some of the colonies get tanned, too.”

“This light is stronger even than on Varada,” she replied.

“It's not too strong for you, is it?”

“Oh no -- it feels very good. I've stored so much sunlight, I probably glow inside.”

“You can store sunlight?” Nyk asked.

“Certainly. Do you remember us talking of how a full stomach feels?”

“Agreeable, yes...”

“Being full of sunlight is an even more agreeable sensation. I feel I could go many days in the shade -- if I had to. I've never been this full of light. I love the feeling.”

“Laida -- where do you store it?”

She ran her hands along her ribcage. “Inside.”

“But, how? Certainly not as fat deposits.”

“No,” she replied. “We don't store fat -- we store sunlight.”

“Where do you feel it?”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“When you have a full stomach -- you feel it in your stomach. Where do you feel full of sunlight?”

“All over -- it feels all over good. Besides...” She pressed her hand below her right ribcage. “Your stomach might be full...” She pointed to her head. “...but your feelings are up here. There's no reason why you shouldn't feel a full stomach in your elbow or your toe, is there?”

“I suppose one reason is so you won't keep putting more into it. An overly-full stomach can be quite a disagreeable sensation.”

“I suppose...”

“Can you be overly full of sunlight?”

“No,” she replied. “Once I'm full, I'm full -- I can't store any more. The light still feels good on my skin. I love it. This is the best light I've ever had, and I feel so good in it.”

“It must be very odd, being you,” he said. “To feel such a way about sunlight ... to savor it like a meal.”

“I was thinking the same about you,” she replied. “How odd it must be to feel burned by the sun.”

He watched her pluck material from the planting bed. “What are you doing?” he asked.

“I'm culling the wheat sprouts. When I first did this, one of the other workers scolded me. I tried to explain that by culling, you give the remaining plants room to grow and they become stronger and more productive. So, they're letting me care for this bed my way -- to see if it works. It gives me something to do. I like to be busy in the sun.” She smiled. “I've been drinking the hydroponic nutrient broth.” She giggled. “That surprised them, too. Now, if I can only find some protein.”

“Let's wander over here.” He directed her toward a canteen with tables and vending machines. He scanned his wrist and purchased a package. “This is soybean cheese. See how this feels in your stomach.”

Laida opened the package and began eating. “Interesting -- agreeable.” She took another bite and pressed her hand on her abdomen. “Mmm... Nykkyo -- can you explain to me this new Laida Law? One of the croptenders told me there's a law named after me.”

“Yes. Your interpreter explained to you the judges' ruling on your status -- that in the eyes of Floran law, you are human. No one in this hegemony may own, buy, sell, trade or lease you or any of your kind.”

“Yes -- here, you and I are equals.”

He shook his head. “No, Laida. I am not nor ever will be your equal. You are smarter, stronger and braver than I am. You and I are peers, and I am proud of it. That panel's ruling has been cemented by a law passed in the High Legislature -- one binding on all the colonies. It guarantees your freedom; and, once you set foot on Floran soil it grants you automatic citizenship.”

“Citizenship?” she asked.

“Yes. You are now a citizen -- a member of our society.”

“I'm overwhelmed. Wait 'til news of this reaches Varada.”

“There's another part to the law,” Nyk replied. “The second part makes it illegal for Floran vessels to transport any Varadan without proper credentials. These credentials include an exit visa issued by Varadan authorities. Heavy penalties are imposed for anyone involved in such transit without the necessary paperwork.”

She looked at her feet. “I can see we're not as welcome here as I had been led to believe.”

“The law applies to ALL Varadans, Laida -- Homo Sapiens as well as Homo Novo.”

“Maybe so. Which species do you think will have trouble obtaining visas?”

“The first part of the law truly reflects Floran thinking, Laida. You ARE welcome here.”

“Then, why the second part?”

“It was a compromise. In order for Varada to continue in our dialogues, we had to enact such a restriction.”

“Why have a dialogue at all, then?”

“Floran is committed to eventual reunification with Varada -- with all Varadans enjoying full rights within the Hegemony.”

“With the operative word being 'eventual,'” she replied. “Do the Varadans know that's your goal?”

“They do.”

“It won't happen in my lifetime. It could take generations.”

“It WILL take generations, but it WILL happen. Laida, the only way we can help improve your people's situation IS through dialogue. Floran and Varada must keep talking.”

She looked into his eyes. “I suppose you're right about that.”

“Mass emigration of novonids seeking freedom would disrupt both our societies.”

“I suppose you're right about that, too.”

“In a small way you're helping your people's cause right now. You're their ambassador, here on Floran. You'll just have to trust us, Laida.”

“I trust you, Nykkyo. If you say something is so, then I believe...”

“Then you believe it's so?”

She shook her head and smiled. “I believe you believe it's so. What of the others?”

“The rest of the novonids were returned to Varada.”

“NO!” she exclaimed. “They'll be destroyed for sure.”

“They were turned over to the BSS. No harm will come to them. The three of us -- Zane, Andra and I -- have been exonerated. Mos goes to trial in a couple days. I'll need to testify, but I'll do so from Earth. I've been told the likely outcome is the murder will be ruled...”

“Justified?”

“...excusable. Remember, the judges ruled you -- all of you -- to be human beings in the eyes of the law. A human being has an absolute right to defend his own life and liberty. Mos will be released.”

“You can't send him back to Varada. He killed a man. Excusable or not, BSS or no, they'll consider him a menace and put him down for sure.”

“Like an Earth dog who bites a child -- even if the child provoked it. No -- he'll be granted asylum here.”

“In a dome?”

“Yes. I hope they keep the trial short. He's getting very weak.”

Laida looked down. “Poor Mos. He didn't mean to, Nykkyo. I know he feels badly about it. He didn't know his own strength.”

“I know he didn't.” Nyk took his handheld vidisplay from his sash, scanned his wrist and entered a code. “Before I forget...” He handed it to her.

Her eyes grew wide. “Ms Ramina!” She looked toward Nyk.

“Take as long as you want.”

Nyk paced around the canteen. “Yes,” he heard Laida say, “I've been given asylum here ... probably Mos, too. I'm fine ... Nykkyo's been taking good care of me ... please explain it to my mother, Ms Ramina. I know you can explain so she'll understand ... I love you, too, Ms Ramina...”

She handed the vidisplay to him. “Thank you. I miss her ... I miss them. They are my family.” Nyk opened his arms and she fell into them. He caressed her shoulders and kissed the top of her head as she sobbed. “Now, I'll never see them again.”

“Never say never, Laida. Situations evolve. You might very well find yourself back there, some day. Everything has a purpose. You are here for a reason. Destiny hasn't revealed it to us, yet.”

She wiped the tears from her face. “I suppose so...”

“And you can always call. Laida -- it appears you'll be in Sudal for a while. I thought I'd show you some of the sights.”

“Do you mean, outside the dome?”

“It's dusk -- they'll be shutting off the lamps anyway.”

“Yes, they will be... Let me change.”

Nyk followed her to a corner near a storage shed adjacent to the hydroponic beds. Some screens had been set up. She stepped behind them. “Mr Hasse set this up for me -- so I could have some privacy.” She emerged from behind the screen wearing a Floran white, sleeveless tunic. “Some of the crop tenders donated old clothing.”

“You look great in Floran clothing, Laida.”

“I'll bet you say that to all the women.”

He smiled. “Well -- I do think the female figure is flattered by a Floran tunic.”

“I knew it!”

“But, you look especially good -- with your dark skin against the white fabric. I'll remember to look for a deep green lifxarpa for you, the next time I'm in Floran City.”

“No -- please, not green.”

“Then orange -- to match your eyes.”

He led her outside to the groundcar and opened it. She sat beside him and Nyk programmed destinations. “I'll show you Sudal University. It's where Andra and my wife work. I'll show you downtown Sudal and then