d. m. arnold - earthbound 01 - earthbound

8/10/2019 D. M. Arnold - Earthbound 01 - Earthbound

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1 - - N ykk yo

Nykkyo Kyhana dreamed of a blue world. It was the same as he had dreamt for the past ten

n ig ht s: Th e f la sh o f a w ar p j um p a nd he f ou nd hi ms el f l ook in g do wn a t a b lue or b f le ck ed w it h w hi te a nd

s ee mi ng ly s ma ll e no ug h t o h ol d i n t he p al m o f h is h an d. H e b eg an t o f al l, a cc el er at ing t ow ar d t he pl ane t - -a l on e, n ak ed f ig ur e f al li ng t hr ou gh t he v oi d. T he s ap ph ir e s ph er e g rew t o o verw helm in g s ize as h e f el l,

expanding to fill his field of vision...

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H e w ok e w it h a s ta rt , b re at hl es s a nd h is h ea rt r ac in g. B es id e h im l ay h is w if e S en ta , h er f ac e

t ur ned f ro m h im and h id den b y u nr ul y l ocks o f r ed h ai r. A s haft o f g ol den m or ni ng s un li gh t s tr eamed

t hr ou gh t he archw ay l eadi ng t o t he b al co ny .

N y k a ro se , s ho we re d a nd d re ss ed i n a t un ic a ndxarpa . H e s te ppe d o nt o t he b al co ny o f t he

a pa rt me nt h e s ha re d w it h S en ta , l oo ke d d ow n 3 53 s to ri es t o t he s tr ee t a nd w at ch ed t he o ra ng e s unbronze the city. It was 6636.031 APF, the 31st Floran day of the 6,636th Floran year after PlanetFall.

H e t ur ne d f ro m t he b al co ny a nd s to pp ed t o r eg ar d a m ed al li on h an gi ng o n t he w al l. I t w as a

go lde n di sk wi th a gr ee n s to ne s et a t i ts c ent er a nd i nc is ed w it h t hr ee o dd s ym bo ls . A t t he t op wa s a n

u pr ig ht w it h t wo c ro ss ba rs . N ex t, c lo ck wi se , w er e t wo s la sh es t il te d t ow ar d e ac h o th er 's t op s.

C lo ck wi se a ga in w as a no th er u pr ig ht , b en t t o t he l ow er l ef t a nd c ro ss ed w it h a s in gl e s tr ok e.

Nyk l ift ed t he pe nda nt f rom i ts hange r a nd c radl ed i t i n his pa lm. He note d a fl aw whe re i t had

been bent and straightened. The disk was an artifact from the founding days of his world. He felt pride to

h ol d i t; a nd m el an ch ol y a s h e r ec al le d h ow h e h ad a cq ui re d i t. I t h ad b el on ge d t o h is f at he r.

S en ta s to od n ud e i n t he d oo rw ay t o t he ir b ed ro om . Yo u d id n' t s le ep w el l l as t n ig ht , s he s ai d.

Yo ur t os si ng and t ur ni ng k ep t m e u p.

You're right,ko r l yt a , h e r ep li ed . I d id n' t. T ho ug ht s o f m y t rans it t om or ro w k ep t d is tu rb in g

m e. H is g aze r et ur ned t o t he g ol den p en dant and h e t raced t he m ys teri ou s f ig ur es w it h h is f in gert ip .

Ny kk yo K yh an a - - t he k ee pe r o f t he c re st .

Wh y d o y ou m oc k m e s o? I 'm p ro ud o f m y K yh an a b lo od . F or t wo h un dr ed g en er at io ns t hi s

pendant has been passed from grandfather to father upon the birth of the first grandchild. It won't ber ig ht fu ll y m in e u nt il yo u a nd I h av e a c hi ld . W ha t a re t he o dd s o f t ha t, S en ta ? H er e ye s n ar ro we d.

St ra ng er t hi ng s h av e h ap pe ne d, I s up po se . H ow d o y ou t hi nk D ad w ou ld r ea ct t o l ea rn h is s on f in al ly

made something of himself?

S en ta f ol de d h er a rm s a nd s ig he d. I d on 't u nd er st an d h ow y ou c an c on si de r a o ne -y ea r

ExoAgency tour making something of yourself. You'll still need a career after you return.

N yk i gn or ed S en ta 's r em ar k. H e h uf fe d m oi st ur e o nt o t he p en da nt a nd b uf fe d i t o n h is t un ic . I

s upp os e t hi s s houl d be i n a mu se um. I t i s a n ob je ct w e k now wa s c ra ft ed on Ea rt h. B y r ig ht , i t b el ongs t o

all t he F lo ran p eo pl e. M ay be I 'l l d on at e i t alo ng w it h m y t rans lati on o f K oi ch i' s j ou rn al , o nce I f in is h i t.

H e r ep la ce d t he o bj ec t o n i ts h oo k, r et ur ne d t o t he b al co ny a nd l oo ke d o ut . F lo ra n C it y' s u rb an

l an ds cape s tr et ch ed b ef or e h im t o t he h or izon . H e s aw t he s tr eets f il li ng w it h g ro un dcar s and f oo t t raff ic.

Tubecars sped through the transparent, tubular roadways lacing together the city's mile-high skyscrapers,

and s ki mm er s f lew f ro m r oo ft op t o r oo ft op . S en ta s to od b es id e h im .

Th e H ig h L eg is latu re i s i n s es si on t od ay , h e s ai d. No d ou bt d eb at in g t he w is do m o f r el ocat in g

t he p ol it y' s c ap it al t o a c ol on y p la ne t. I u nd er st an d t he D el ta ns a re m ak in g a c as e f or t he h on or . I w is h

t hey w ou ld . I t m ig ht r el ieve s om e o f t he t raff ic.

Wi ll y ou b e s ta ti on ed i n a c it y? s he a sk ed.

In a s mall cit y. I t' s s mall er t han S ud al . T he p op ul at io n' s abo ut f if ty t ho us an d.



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Co me, I 'l l h eat s om e b reakf as t. H e f ol l ow ed h er t o t he apart ment 's k it ch en and b eg an b rewi ng

a p ot of g re en t ea . Sh e r et ri eve d a pa ir of p re fa b m ea ls , w ar me d t he m a nd p lu nke d t he t ra ys o nt o t he

table.

Nyk s at a cross f rom hi s wife a nd regarded her as s he a te. For an ins tant she s eemed to him a

s tr an ge r. H e h ad m ar ri ed h er e ig ht F lo ra n y ea rs a go - - s ho rt ly a ft er t he s hu tt le c ra sh h ad c la im ed h isparents. Like most Florans', his was an arranged marriage. Veska had insisted on it.

I' ll b e h om e e ar ly t od ay , S en ta s ai d, to p re pa re f or y ou r f ar ew el l p ar ty .

N yk w as d re ad in g t he p ar ty . I' m n ot l oo ki ng f or wa rd t o i t, h e r ep li ed .

I d on 't k no w w ha t' s w ro ng w it h y ou - - w hy y ou 'r e s o a dv er se t o h av in g a l it tl e f un .

To mor row I g o o ff wo rl d f or a ye ar . An Ag enc y t ou r o f du ty s ee me d a go od i de a wh en I

app li ed f or i t. N ow t he n ot io n i s b eg in ni ng t o d au nt m e.

I w is h y ou h ad n' t c ho se n t ha t a ss ig nm en t. I r at he r y ou h ad s ig ne d o nt o a s co ut c ru is er , i ns te ad .

Y ou m ig ht h av e s er ved o n t he v es sel t hat d is co vers o ur n ex t col on y p lanet.

Might-haves don't count.

You certainly wouldn't have gone through such arduous training and you wouldn't find yourself

alo ne o n a h os ti le w or ld .

I t' s h ar dl y t hat. I t' s d if ferent , b ut i t' s n ot h os ti le. I d on 't m in d w or ki ng alo ne. M y A gency t rain in g

i s m or e t han adequ at e. I 'm s ur e I 'l l s ur vi ve E ar th .

N yk 's g az e f oc us ed o n t he c oi n- si ze d t at to o o n S en ta 's r ig ht d el to id - - t he m ar ri ag e c re st b in di ng

h er t o t he K yh an a l in e. T he d es ig n w as i de nt ic al t o t he o ne o n t he p en da nt , a nd h e w or e h er f am il y

emb lem o n h is r ig ht u pp er arm . T he s am e K yh an a i ns ig ni a h ad ado rn ed t he s ho ul der o f N yk 's m ot her.

He r ec al le d h is c ul tur al t ra ini ng . On Ea rt h - - or , a t l ea st i n t he c or ne r o f i t whe re h e w as h ea de d

- - b ri de s a nd g ro om s s el ec te d e ac h ot he r on t he b as is o f l ov e. He w on de re d i f t he Ea rt h a da ge w as

c or re ct - - i f a ma n m ar ri ed a w oma n s im il ar t o hi s mo the r. I f i t we re s o, h e m us ed, t he n w ha t a bout Se nt a

w ou ld r em in d h im o f h is m ot her? T hey cer tain ly d id n' t l oo k ali ke. H is m ot her h ad b een a l ar ge-f ramed

w om an w it h t he s an dy ha ir a nd bl ue -g re y e ye s s he p as se d o n t o he r s on - - r ou nd , s of t - - a tt ra ct ive , i n amatronly way.

S en ta f requ en tl y w as m is taken f or a g ir l h al f h er age.

H e s co op ed a s po on fu l o f h is b re ak fa st a nd w on de re d i f i t w or ke d t he o th er w ay a ro un d. W ou ld

a n E ar th w om an c ho os e a h us ba nd w ho r em in de d h er o f h er f at he r? W ha t a bo ut h im se lf w as s im il ar t o

V es ka ? O ne s im il ar it y h e d id r ec og ni ze - - t ow ar d t he e nd , h is p ar en ts h ad b ee n i nc ap ab le o f b eg in ni ng a

conversation without it degenerating into an argument.

Yo u k no w, S en ta s ai d w it ho ut l oo ki ng u p, Ex oA gent s h av e d ied t here. S om e w er e b ur ned

alive.

T ha t w as h un dr ed s o f y ea rs a go . W e' ve h ad n o p ro bl em s w it h F lo ra n A ge nt s o n E ar th f or



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g en er at io ns . T he A gency i s a cri ti cal arm o f t he S er vi ce. I 'l l b e m ak in g a v al uabl e con tr ib ut io n t o t he

h ealt h and w el fare o f o ur p eo pl e.

Think what you like.

Th e Age nc y i s how we obt ai n f re sh g ene s t o ke ep our f oo d a nd f ibe r c rops he al thy . As a

g en et icis t y ou m us t app reci at e t he i mp or tance o f t hat. N yk s co op ed ano th er s po on fu l. I w is h y ouh ad n' t p la nn ed t hi s p ar ty . I 'd p re fe r t o h av e a q ui et e ve ni ng a lo ne w it h m y t ho ug ht s. H e s ip pe d h is t ea .

And with you,ko r l yt a .

I t hi nk y ou 'd r at he r h av e a q ui et e ve ni ng a lo ne i n y ou r s tu dy . Y ou 'd p ro ba bl y p re fe r a q ui et

l if et im e i n t he re . W hy c an 't y ou s ee t on ig ht a s a l as t c ha nc e t o h av e s om e f un b ef or e y ou s ta rt y ou r

assignment?

Se nt a, I k no w t on ig ht 's e ve nt i s r ea ll y f or y ou r e nj oy me nt . Y ou 'r e w el l a wa re I d on 't l ik e t he se

o ccas io ns and I n ev er f eel com fo rt ab le at t hem.

Y ou 'r e i nh ib it ed , N yk . I t m us t b e t hat p ro vi ncial u pb ri ng in g o f y ou rs . Y ou 'r e i n t he C it y, n ow .

You shou ld re ga rd toni ght a s a c ha nc e t o ge t i t out of your s ys te m. You' ll be on Ea rt h a l ong t ime .

I nd ul gi ng a t on e of t he se pa rt ie s i n n o w ay d im in is he s w ha t y ou a nd I ha ve . I 'v e i nv it ed s om e ve ry

beautiful men and women. The Arodsu twins will be here. They were flirting with you at last year's lab

party, I recall. Aren't you the least bit curious about them?

Cu ri ou s, p er haps .. . a l it tl e, h e s aid .

Th en , u se t hi s a s a n o pp or tu ni ty t o s at is fy y ou r c ur io si ty . T he p ar ty i s i n y ou r h on or . N o o ne

would refuse you.

I d on 't l ik e m ak in g i nt im at e w it h s tr an gers , and I h ar dl y k no w t hem. I 'l l b et I 'l l h ar dl y k no w

anyone.

If y ou wo ul d' ve gi ve n m e t he na me s o f s om e o f y ou r a m f t en , I 'd ha ve i nv it ed t he m, t oo . O h, I

f or got - - y ou don 't h ave a ny . How c an you ha ve f ri ends t o i nv it e i f y ou c an' t t ak e t he t roubl e t o m ake a

few?

Le t m e s ee t he g ue st l is t,ko r l yt a . S en ta h an de d h im a d at ac el . N yk i ns er te d i t i nt o a v id is pl ay

a nd s ca nn ed t he l is t w it h a f ro wn . I w as r ig ht . I h ar dl y kn ow a ny on e. H ow m an y of t he se n um be r a mon g

your conquests?

Wh y d oe s m y s oc ia l l if e b ot he r y ou s o?

It d oe sn 't , S en ta - - i t a ma ze s m e.

It m us t, o r y ou w ou ld n' t k eep b ri ng in g i t u p. W e d o h av e o ur u nd er st an di ng .

As y ou l ik e t o r em in d m e. H e l oo ke d i nt o h er g re en e ye s. I' m s or ry - - t ho ug ht s a bo ut t he

m is si on h av e p ut m e i nt o a n o dd m ood . H e r et ur ne d h is g az e t o t he v id is pl ay . Ar e a ny o f t he w om en o n

this list fertile?

No - - n on e h av e a pp li ed f or b ir th l ic en se s.



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That hardly helps.

N yk f li pp ed t he s cr ee n t o t he R om an c ha ra ct er s a nd r ea d a p ar ag ra ph i n t he o ri gi na l E sp er an to .

H e t ra ns la te d t he p as sa ge - - o ne i n w hi ch K oi ch i l am en te d t he l os s o f h is w if e S ar ah t he y ea r b ef or e.

Ko ic hi w ro te t ha t a bo ut t we nt y y ea rs a ft er P la ne tF al l. S uc h p at ho s. D o y ou s ee w ha t a s en si ti ve

journalist he was? And, Esperanto wasn't his first language -- English was.

Yo u k no w, N yk , i f y ou h ad app li ed y ou rs el f t ow ar d y ou r s tu di es w it h h al f t he d il ig en ce as

learning Esperanto, you might have that Food Service position today.

Th at j ob w as n ot hi ng b ut d at a p us hi ng . E st im at e t hi s, p lan f or t hat, m easu re p ro du ct iv it y, i nv en t

l am e s lo ga ns f or i nc en ti ve p ro gr am s. I h ave n o i nt er es t i n t ha t s or t o f w or k, a nd y ou k no w i t.

Y ou 'l l n ee d s om e s or t o f c ar ee r. S he h ea de d f ro m t he s tu dy . I' m g oi ng t o g et d re ss ed .

N yk l ac ed h is f in ge rs b eh in d h is h ea d a nd r eg ar de d t he s cr ee n o f E sp er an to . H e h ad r ea d s om eo f t he o th er m at er ial d at in g f ro m t he f ou nd in g o f h is w or ld . T heFloran ' s l og w as p re se rv ed a nd

t ra ns la te d, a s w er e s hi pb oa rd d ia ri es k ep t b y C ap ta in T y D av is a nd o th er c re wm at es . N yk k ne w o f t he

m is si on , l au nched i n t he o peni ng y ears o f E ar th 's t went y- th ir d cen tu ry . I t w as t hat w or ld 's f ir st att em pt t o

f or m a c ol on y o n a p la ne t o rb it in g B et a C en ta ur i, a s ta r s o c lo se a s a s to ne 's t hr ow i n i nt er st el la r t er ms .

Something went wrong when theFloran ' s w ar p c oi l w as t ri gg er ed . T he v es se l w as t hr ow n t wo

h un dr ed l ig ht year s o ff cou rs e and f iv e t ho us an d E ar th y ears i nt o t he p as t. I t w as K oi ch i K yh an a w ho

d is co ve re d t he c ol on is ts ' o nl y c ha nc e f or s ur vi va l - - t he p la ne t t he y n am ed a ft er t he ir v es se l. I t w as t he

w or ld N yk a nd a b il li on a nd a h al f o th er s n ow c al le d h om e. N yk t ou ch ed t he v id is pl ay a nd b ro ug ht u p a

photoimage.

Is t ha t K oi ch i? h e h ea rd S en ta a sk f ro m b eh in d h im a s s he l ac ed h er s an da ls .

Yes.

He l oo ks n ot hi ng l ik e any on e o n t hi s w or ld .

Ou r f am il y o ri gi nated i n an E ar th r eg io n cal led J ap an . K oi ch 's f eatu res are t yp ical ly J ap an es e.

Note his black hair, the shape of his eyes and his yellow-brown complexion. You can see a trace of his

f eatu res i n m y eyes.

S en ta l oo ke d a t h im a nd l au gh ed , Th in k w ha t y ou w an t, N yk ky o, b ut y ou r e ye s l oo k l ik e

everyone else's.

Exactly. Interbreeding in the early years eliminated the racial diversity of the original settlers.

Now, Florans come only in shades of blond. You're a bit of an oddity with your red hair. Floran eyes

r et ain a hi nt of As ia n i nf lue nc e a nd you r e ye s ha ve i t, t oo. He l ea ne d ba ck. Oh, h ow I wi sh I c oul d

e xp er ie nc e E ar th a s K oi ch i d es cr ib es i t. I t' s t wo h un dr ed y ea rs y et b ef or e h is t im e. N yk r et ur ne d h is

att en ti on t o t he v id is pl ay . I w ou ld g iv e any th in g n ow f or a b ow l o f m y m ot her' smiso s ou p, h e

t rans lat ed . I w on der w hatmiso is.

Nyk , I 'm h ea de d t o t he l ab , S ent a s ai d f ro m t he l iv in g r oo m. My s ki mm er w il l b e h er e a ny

m om en t. D on 't f or get t he d ru gs f or t on ig ht 's p ar ty .



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He s te pp ed f ro m t he s tu dy . Of c ou rs e n ot .

He re 's t he l is t. S he h an de d h im a d at ac el . Th an k y ou , N yk . I 'l l s ee y ou t hi s a ft er no on .

N yk s aw t he s ki mm er a pp ro ac h a nd h ov er a dj ac en t t o t he ir b al co ny . H e g la nc ed a t t he F oo d

S er vi ce e mb le m o n i ts s id e - - a s ty li ze d a gr id om e w it hi n a w re at h o f w he at s ta lk s. A w id e d oo r s wu ng

u pw ar d a nd a s ta ir wa y dr op pe d t o t he ba lc on y f lo or . T he p il ot s te pp ed o ut a nd s to od b y t he op en do or .

N yk a cc om pa ni ed h is w if e t o t he b al co ny . S en ta k is se d h is c he ek a nd h ea de d t ow ar d t he

s ki mm er . Go od m or ni ng , D r K yh an a, t he p il ot s ai d. H e n od de d a t N yk . Mr K yh an a.

Re z, I 'l l b e c om in g h om e e ar ly , s he s ai d t o t he p il ot , It 'l l m ak e a s ho rt da y f or y ou .

Th an k y ou m a' m, h e r ep li ed a s h e h el pe d S en ta i nt o t he s ki mm er . H e g av e N yk t he t wo -f in ge r

F lo ra n s al ut e, c li mb ed a bo ar d a nd s hu t t he d oo r. N yk w at ch ed a s t he s ki mm er d is ap pe ar ed i nt o t he

distance.

N yk r et ur ne d t o h is s tu dy a nd w or ke d o n t he j ou rn al u nt il h e b eg an t o f ee l h un gr y. H e s el ec te d a

s we et b ea n p as te a nd r ic e c ake a nd op ene d a bot tl e of a n e ff er ve sc ent b lue l iq ui d. T he t im e on t he

v id is pl ay c au gh t h is e ye - - i f S en ta r et ur ne d a nd h e h ad n' t p ro cu re d t ho se d ru gs , t he re w ou ld b e t ro ub le .

H e w as he d d ow n t he l as t o f t he r ic e c ak e a nd d epo si te d t he e mp ty p ac ka ge s i nt o t he w as te r epr oc es so r.

Th e l if t t ook hi m t o t ube ca r pl at fo rm o n t he 10 0t h l eve l a nd h e a ppr oa ch ed a k ios k. H e pr es se d

h is r ig ht w ri st t o t he s ca np ad . I t c hi rp ed a s i t r ea d h is p er so na l i de nt if ic at io n c od e f ro m a m ic ro ch ip

i mp lant ed i n h is m et acar pal b on e. Go od aft er no on , N yk ky o K yh an a, a s yn th es ized v oi ce cam e f ro m

t he k io sk . Wh er e d o y ou w an t t o g o t od ay ? A l is t o f d es ti na ti on s a pp ea re d o n a v id is pl ay .

Arcade, two-fifty-seventh street. The vidisplay showed an image of the mall. Confirmed.

T he f ar e f or t he r id e w as c om pu te d a nd d ed uc te d f ro m h is C en tr al A dm in s pe nd in g a cc ou nt .

We a po lo gi ze f or t he d el ay i n o ur s er vi ce , s ai d t he v oi ce f ro m t he k io sk . Ha ve a g oo d d ay .

H e p ac ed a ro un d t he p la tf or m. O ve rh ea d, t he s ky w as a d ee p, l ap is l az ul i b lu e a nd c on st el la ti on s

o f b ri gh ter s tars w er e v is ib le i n b ro ad d ay li gh t. T he b ul let- sh ap ed v eh icle r ol led o nt o t he p latf or m and i ts

t r an sp ar en t cow l s l id b ack.

Ny k c li mb ed i n a nd s et tl ed i nt o h is s ea t. Ca r, g o, h e c om ma nd ed . T he c ow l s li d f or wa rd a nd

t he c ar a cc el er at ed i nt o a t ra ns pa re nt t ub e s us pe nd ed h ig h a bo ve s tr ee t l ev el . I t s li d, p ro pe ll ed b y i tsi nert ial s in k, alo ng t he t ub e. T he v eh icle s lo wed and v eered i nt o a t wo -l an e t ub e, t hen accel er at ed . T he

car j oi ned o th er s i n a b al let cho reog raph ed b y C en tr al A dm in t rans po rt at io n com pu ters .

T he t ub ec ar a rr iv ed a t t he m al l. N yk c li mb ed o ut a nd w al ke d i nt o t he d ru g s to re . H e r ev ie we d

S en ta's l is t o n a h an dh el d v id is pl ay h e car ri ed t ucked i n h isxarpa . H e be ga n s el ec ti ng i te ms f ro m t he

arr ay o f i nt ox ican ts o n s al e i n t he g ov er nm en t- ru n s ho p.

T he s ho p a tt en da nt c al le d t o h im , Ha ve y ou s ee n t hi s? I t' s b ra nd n ew . T hi s w il l d ou bl e a

w om an 's e nd ur an ce . N yk p ic ke d u p a f ew o f t he n ew p ro du ct . H e g at he re d a c ol le ct io n o f

inhibition-relaxant and euphoriant inhalers, psychedelic tabs and some injectibles. He paid for his

purchase with a press of his wrist to the scanpad.

N yk p ro ce ed ed d ow n t he m al l c on co ur se t o t he f oo d s to re a nd b eg an s el ec ti ng r ef re sh me nt s. H e



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w he re t he w ed di ng c re st w ou ld b e. I' ve s er ve d h al f a f if te en -y ea r s en te nc e. I n t wo y ea rs , m y s en te nc e i s

up f or r ev ie w. I m ight be gr an te d pa ro le . I 'l l go do wn t o Ti na m a nd do s ome c rop t endi ng . Or ma ybe t o

o ne o f t he c ol on ie s. I 'l l e nt er a m in in g c am p o n T -D el ta a nd s ta rt o ve r, t he re .. .

T he m an f in is he d t he p ac k o f w af er s. Th an k y ou , s ir . T ha nk y ou f or t ak ing p it y o n t hi s w re tc h.

H e c ru mp le d t he e mp ty p ac ka ge a nd be ga n t o t os s i t on t he s ide wa lk.

I' ll t ak e t ha t. N yk t oo k t he w ra pp er . T he f el on g av e h im t he t wo - f in ge r F lo ra n s al ut e a nd

w al ke d a wa y. N yk h ur ri ed t ow ar d h is a pa rt me nt b ui ld in g. H e t os se d t he e mp ty p ac ka ge i nt o t he w as te

r epr oc es so r a t t he e nt ra nc e a nd r od e t he l if t t o t he 3 53 rd f lo or . A pr es s of h is w ri st a ga in st t he s ca np ad

o pe ne d t he d oo r. S ent a w as a t t he l ab , b ut h e e xp ec te d h er s ho rt ly . H e s et t he d ru gs a nd gr oc er ie s on

t he k it ch en c ou nt er a nd h ea de d f or h is s tu dy .

N yk h ea rd t he s ou nd o f t he s ki mm er d oo r. H e w al ke d i nt o t he k it ch en . S en ta w as e xa mi ni ng h is

purchases. Is this new? She held up an injector cartridge.

Y es , i t' s a n ew f em al e end ur an ce enh an cer.

Well , I w an t t o t ry t hat t on ig ht .

Yo u h ar dl y n eed i t, S en ta.

S he exami ned t he g ro ceri es. Yo u d id n' t g et t he s nack w af er s?

...No ... I ca n go out now a nd ge t s ome .

S he s co wl ed . No , d on 't w as te a t ri p. W e' ll m an ag e w it ho ut t he m. I p ut t he m o n t he l is t b ec au se

I k no w y ou l ik e t he m. I s we ar , N yk , y ou 'r e d et er mi ne d n ot t o e nj oy y ou rs el f t on ig ht . S he o pe ne d acab in et d oo r, w it hd rew a s tack o f p ol ym er f ib er b as kets and b eg an f il li ng t hem w it h t he i nh al er s and

injector cartridges.

I w ant t o do s ome mor e wor k on K oi chi 's j our na l un ti l i t' s c los er t o t he t ime of t he pa rt y. I t m ay

be a while before I can get back to it".

Ta ke t he se o n y ou r w ay t o y ou r l it tl e s an ct ua ry . P le as e, N yk ky o, t ry t o e nj oy y ou rs el f t on ig ht - -

a nd t ry t o t hi nk f ir st of t he n ee ds of our gu es ts . I s t ha t t oo m uc h t o a sk ?

H e t oo k t he b as ke ts , pl op pe d t he m o nt o a t abl e a nd h ea de d t o t he s tud y, p ul li ng t he do or s hutbehind him. There, he picked up a datacel containing Koichi's journal. Nyk had not translated the journal

i n a s ys te ma ti c f as hi on . H e h ad s ta rt ed w it h e as ie r p as sa ge s a nd w or ke d h is w ay t o t he m or e d if fi cu lt

o nes as h is g rasp o f t he ancient E sp er an to l an gu ag e i mp ro ved. N ow h e w as s tr ug gl in g w it h an ent ry f ro m

ear ly i n t he j ou rn al . H e t rans lated:

5 . 00 1 A PF

To da y be gi ns our s ixt h or bi t a rou nd t he or ang e s ta r we now kn ow a s ou r s un . W e h ave a gr ee d o n s ome

c on ve nt io ns f or t he r ec or di ng o f t he p as sa ge o f t im e. O ur y ea r h as n ow b ee n a cc ur at el y m ea su re d t o b e

25 1. 724 F lo ra n da ys l on g. W e ha ve a gr ee d t he f ir st da y o f e ac h n ew y ea r s ha ll b e m ar ke d by t he

c on ju nc ti on o f ou r s un a nd t he s ta r D en eb , w hi ch i s b ri gh t e no ugh t o b e s ee n i n d ay li gh t.

W he n b ot h D en eb a nd o ur s un a re s im ul ta ne ous ly a t t he z en it h, i t i s a n ew y ea r. E ve ry f ou rt h y ea r w il l b e



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s ho rt en ed b y o ne d ay t o a cc om mo da te t he n ea rl y t hr ee f ou rt hs o f a n e xt ra d ay i n t he r ev ol ut io na ry p er io d

- - a na lo go us t o t he p ra ct ic e o f L ea p Y ea r on E ar th , e xc ep t o ur L ea p Y ea r s ha ll b e s ho rt er b y o ne d ay,

r at he r t ha n l on ge r. A s f or m ar ki ng o f t im e d ur in g t he d ay , w e h av e a gr ee d t o s pl it e ac h d ay i nt o t wo

m er id ians , t he Z en it h m er id ian, m ar ked b y t he s un b ei ng at i ts zen it h, and t he N ad ir m er id ian. E ach

m er id ian s hall b e d iv id ed i nt o eig ht s eg ment s, and each s eg ment i nt o o ne h un dr ed d iv is io ns . W e h av e

d el ib er at el y avo id ed t he u se o f E ar th t er mi no lo gy o f h ou rs , m in ut es , s econ ds , m on th s and w eeks . S o f ar ,

t here h as b een s cant i nt er es t i n car ry in g f or ward E ar th h ol id ay s. .. .

T he s tu dy d oo r s li d o pe n. Ny k, o ur g ue st s w il l b e h er e a ny m om en t. P le as e g et r ea dy f or t he

party. He saved the text of his translation and switched off the vidisplay.

2 - - G re en ! E ve ry wh er e G re en !

Nyk stood on the balcony watching the sky darken and dimmer stars appear. I hope that's not

w ha t y ou 'r e w ea ri ng , h e h ea rd S en ta s ay . Yo u l oo k l ik e y ou 'r e r ea dy f or a d ay a t t he o ff ic e i ns te ad o f

having some fun.

I'm comfortable in this.

Wo ul dn' t you be m or e c omf or ta bl e i n t he r obe I ga ve yo u? Y ou k now whi ch one I m ea n. I t

m at ch es w ha t I 'm w ea ri ng . N ow w hy d on 't y ou g o c ha ng e? O ur g ue st s w il l b e h er e a ny m om en t.

N yk w al ked i nt o t hei r b ed ro om , k icked o ff h is s an dals , r em ov ed h isxarpa and t un ic, and s li pp ed

i nt o t he s ho rt , s le ev el es s r ob e. T he d oo rc hi me s ou nd ed . H e w al ke d b ar ef oo t t o t he f ro nt d oo r a nd

o pen ed i t .

T he f ir st g ue st s, a p ai r o f y oun g w om en w it h d ar k b lon d h ai r, w al ke d i n a nd s li pp ed of f t he ir

s an da ls . T he y w er e t he A ro ds u t wi ns , d re ss ed i n r ev ea li ng c os tu me s t o b e m ir ro r i ma ge s o f e ac h o th er .Hell o, g ir ls . I t' s K at ha and R at ha, i sn 't i t?

I' m R at ha , t he o ne o n t he l ef t s ai d. H er t wi n g ig gl ed .

N yk e ye d t he c ol or fu l, a bs tr ac t b od y a rt o n t he ir s ho ul de rs a nd t hi gh s. Th os e a re . .. i mp re ss iv e

d ecor at io ns . D o t hey r ub o ff ?

Kath a g ig gl ed . No t u nt il w e w an t t hem t o.

Th ey g o a ll t he w ay u p, R at ha a dd ed, l if ti ng h er h em . Se e?

N yk avert ed h is g aze and g es tu red t ow ar d t he l iv in g r oo m. Sent a i s exp ecti ng y ou .



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H e g re et ed m or e g ue st s, m os t o f w ho m f lo ck ed a ro un d S en ta . A y ou ng m an a pp ro ac he d N yk

and h an ded h im an i nh al er . N yk s mi led and t hank ed h im , t hen cir cu lated t hr ou gh t he g uest s and s li pp ed i t

back into the basket of euphoriants.

T he d oo rchi me s ou nd ed agai n. N yk o pened t he d oo r and r ecog ni zed S en ta' s s ki mm er p il ot .

Re z - - c om e o n i n. I 'm s ur pr is ed y ou d id n' t j us t d ro p i n o nt o t he b al co ny . I w as n' t e xp ec ti ng y ou .

R ez l oo ke d a t h is f ee t. Dr K yh an a i nv it ed m e t hi s a ft er no on . I f t he re 's a p ro bl em .. .

N yk s ho ok h is h ead. If S en ta i nv it ed y ou , y ou 'r e m or e t han w el co me. S he's i n t he l iv in g r oo m.

R ez n od de d a n a ck no wl ed ge me nt , h ea de d t ow ar d S en ta a nd e mb ra ce d a nd k is se d h er . N yk r ol le d h is

e ye s a s h e s aw h er t ak e R ez 's h an d a nd l ea d hi m t ow ar d t he gu es t r oom .

An auburn-haired young woman approached him. Hi, I'm Kyra.

Pl ea se d t o m ee t y ou , I 'm N yk ky o.

S he ha nd ed h im a n i nj ec to r a nd l if te d he r h em . Pl ea se i nj ec t m e. I c an 't d o i t m ys el f.

N yk s aw i t w as l oa de d w it h a n o rg as m e nh an ce r. H e r em ov ed t he n ee dl e g ua rd . S he c lo se d h er

e ye s a nd t ur ne d h er h ea d a s h e d ro ve t he n ee dl e i nt o h er t hi gh a nd t ri gg er ed t he s pr in g- lo ad ed d ev ic e.

Do ne , h e s ai d w it hd ra wi ng t he n ee dl e a nd r ep la ci ng t he g ua rd . Th at w as n' t t oo b ad w as i t? H e

ej ect ed t h e s p en t cart r id ge.

No - - I h ar dl y f el t a ny th in g. S he p ut h er a rm s a ro un d h im a nd r es te d h er h ea d a ga in st h is

s ho ul de r. It 's f un ny , I c an i nj ec t s om eo ne e ls e, b ut n ot m ys el f. .. S he p re ss ed a nd r oc ke d h er h ip s

a ga in st h is . I' m s ta rt in g t o f ee l i t, a lr ea dy . H e h el d h er f or a m om en t, a nd t he n h ea rd t he d oo rc hi me .

Ex cu se m e, h e s ai d a nd h ea de d t ow ar d t he d oo r, f li ck in g t he s pe nt c ar tr id ge i nt o t he w as te

r ep ro ce ss or . H e o pe ne d t he d oo r a nd s aw Z an de r B ax a a nd h is w if e.

Ny kk yo , i t' s b ee n y ea rs . N yk t ap pe d h is l ef t w ri st t o Z an de r' s. Th is i s A nd ra . N yk r eg ar de d

Za nd er 's w if e. S he w as dr es se d i n a t uni c a ndlifxarpa . A nd ra h ad o at -s tr aw w hi te h ai r, a la ba st er s ki n

a nd e ye s o f t he p al es t l ig ht b lu e, a lm os t w hi te . H er s as h m at ch ed h er e ye s. S he w as t al l w it h l on g n ec k

a nd l eg s a nd s le nd er a rm s. N yk n ot ed t he d ia mo nd -s ha pe d B ax a m ar ri ag e c re st t at to oe d o n h er r ig ht

a rm - - t he b la ck i nk c on tr as te d a ga in st h er c re am y s ki n.

A nd ra e xt en de d h er h an d. I' m p le as ed t o m ee t y ou , s he s ai d, m ak in g a h in t o f a c ur ts y.

I' m p leas ed t o m eet y ou , t oo . H el p y ou rs elf t o t he r ecr eati on al chemi cal s. N yk g es t ur ed t ow ar d

t he b as ke ts o n t he t ab le .

S he s mi le d. I d on' t us e t he m, b ut t ha nk y ou s o m uc h f or o ff er in g.

N yk s aw h is w if e a pp ea r f ro m t he m id st o f t he c ro wd . He ll o, I 'm S en ta . S he l ed A nd ra t ow ar d

t he cru sh o f g uest s i n t heir l iv in g r oo m.

N yk a cc om pa ni ed Z an de r t ow ar d t he b as ke ts . It 's q ui te a c ro wd , Z an de r s ai d.

I d on 't e ve n k no w t he n am es o f m os t o f t he se p eo pl e. T he y' re a ll S en ta 's f ri en ds .



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Za nd er pl uc ke d a pa ir of i nha le rs f rom a ba sk et , ha nde d on e t o N yk , p ut t he ot he r t o hi s l ips a nd

i nha le d. Nyk di d t he s ame , but he he ld hi s i n s uch a wa y a s t o a void i nha li ng mos t of it s c ha rge . Za nde r

c lo se d h is e ye s a nd h el d h is b re at h f or a f ew m om en ts , t he n e xh al ed s lo wl y t hr ou gh hi s n os e. N yk f ei gn ed

a c oug h a nd Z an de r s la pp ed h im o n t he ba ck .

Yo u h av en 't chang ed , N yk ky o. Y ou n ev er cou ld h an dl e d ru gs .

N yk t os sed t he s pent i nh al er s i nt o t he w as te r epr ocess or . Wh at ' s h ap peni ng i n t he A gency?

Oh , t he s am e- ol d- s am e- ol d. Y ou s t ar t a t ou r t om or r ow , I u nd er st and . Y ou w il l enj oy y ou rs el f , I

can ass ur e y ou . A gency ass ig nm en ts are t he m os t r ew ar di ng i n t he ent ir e E xo Serv ice. W e' re a clo se-k ni t

gr ou p a nd we t ak e c ar e of e ac h ot he r. Fo r e ve ry on e' s s af et y, yo u m ig ht no t kn ow t he n am es a nd

l oc at io ns o f o th er A ge nt s. B ut w e' re t he re , a nd w e h el p e ac h o th er o ut . H e p ut h is a rm a ro un d A nd ra

a nd s he s mi le d. Th e A ge nc y' s b ee n g oo d t o m e.

Co me o n, N yk - - h av e s om e f un ! S en ta app ro ached h im , s tagg er i ng .

Se nt a, y ou r r ob e i s o pe n, N yk s ai d.

So w ha t? I 'm e nj oy in g m ys el f. W hy d on 't y ou o pe n y ou r r ob e a nd e nj oy y ou rs el f? Y ou 'r e s o

s ti ff , N yk . .. e xc ep t w he re i t c ou nt s. L oo se n u p a nd h av e s om e f un ! I i nv it ed t he p re tt ie st g ir ls a nd b oy s I

k no w. C om e o n - - u se t on ig ht t o g et i t o ut o f y ou r s ys te m. Y ou 'l l b e E ar th bo un d a l on g t im e.

Se nt a' s r ig ht , Z an de r s ai d. Yo u' ll h av e t o k ee p y ou r h an ds o ff t he E ar th g ir ls . I f S ey mo r k ne w

yo u e ve n l ooke d t wi ce a t a n Ea rt h w om an, he 'd bo unc e yo u ba ck he re s o f as t you r he ad wo ul d s pi n.

I d on 't e nj oy i nt im ac y w it h s tr an ge rs , a nd I d on 't k no w t he n am es o f m os t o f t he se p eo pl e.

B es id es , I 'm s av ing m y de si re f or y ou , f or w he n I 'm h om e o n l ea ve .

Ma yb e y ou 'd l ik e t o s pe nd s om e o f t ha t d es ir e r ig ht n ow. .. S he l oo ke d u p. .. . A ndr a, c an I g et

you anything?

I' d l ike a c up of wa te r, i f i t' s n ot t oo muc h t roubl e.

Not a t a ll . C ome wi th m e. S en ta l oo ke d a t N yk . I' ll be b ac k f or yo u, l at er . S he l ed An dr a by

t he h an d t ow ar d t he k it chen.

Za nde r he ld up hi s ha nd. Go a he ad a nd e nj oy And ra . Yo u k now he r na me , a t l ea st . I 'l l c al l he r o ver. H e w ai ted u nt il s he g lanced h is w ay . It 's t he t rain in g, N yk . T hey' re t au gh t t o w at ch t heir

com pani on s f or s ig nals . H e m ad e a s li gh t g es tu re w it h h is t hu mb and A nd ra s tart ed w al ki ng t ow ar d

them.

Th an ks , b ut I 'm n ot i n t he r ig ht m ood f or a ny o f t hi s. E nj oy y our se lf , Z an de r. D on 't l et m e s po il

your fun.

If y ou s ay s o. Z an der f li ck ed h is i nd ex f in ger. A nd ra n od ded, t ur ned and r ej oi ned S en ta. Sh e' s

t oo m uc h w om an f or y ou , a ny wa y. H e h ea de d f or t he b as ke ts o n t he t ab le .

N yk ky o eyed t he f es ti vi ti es . C ou pl es w er e o n t he f lo or k is si ng and g ro pi ng each o th er . H e

gl an ce d i nt o hi s be dr oom a nd s aw a f our some on hi s be d - - a t angl e of a rms a nd l egs . Und oubt ed ly t he y

i nclu ded t he A ro ds u t wi ns ; h e r ol led h is eyes. A y ou ng m an h e o bs er ved ear li er p op pi ng p sy ch ed el ic t ab s



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d an ce d t o m us ic i n h is h ea d. S en ta s to od w it h h er a rm a ro un d A nd ra 's w ai st t al ki ng t o a g ro up o f

women.

N yk s aw K yr a s it ti ng o n Z an de r' s l ap . T he y w er e c ar es si ng e ac h o th er a nd s he h ad o pe ne d h is

r ob e a nd s li pp ed i t o ff h is s ho ul de rs . O ne o f t he m en s wi pe d a b as ke t o f e up ho ri an t i nh al er s f ro m t he

t ab le a nd t oo k i t t o t he b al co ny . T he t ra di ti on al m en 's c au cu s w as f or mi ng t he re a nd a n oi sy d is cu ss io n o f

s po rt s and p ol i ti cs w as u nd er way.

H e s li nk ed alo ng t he w al l o f t he apart ment . A y ou ng w om an w ho h ad o veri nd ul ged i n eup ho ri an ts

t ri ppe d ove r hi m, f el l t o t he f loo r a nd he he lpe d he r t o he r f ee t. He s te ppe d o ve r a y oung m an w ho hi t hi s

l im it a nd h ad p as se d o ut .

N yk r ea ch ed t he d oo r t o h is s tu dy . H e s li pp ed t hr ou gh , p ul le d i t s hu t, s wi tc he d o n t he v id is pl ay

and began translating.

Ny k l ay on h is ba ck, c ra cke d hi s e ye s ope ne d a nd c los ed t he m a ga in. Se nt a l ay be si de hi m. H e

recollected the previous evening with a groan.

Wh at t im e di d yo u c om e t o be d? s he a ske d.

I d id n' t l ook . T ha t pa rt y ke pt m e u p t oo l at e.

It w as n' t t he p ar ty . Y ou w er e s ti ll i n y ou r s tu dy w he n I c am e t o b ed . S he r ol le d f ro m h im .

I wa nt t o t ry t o ge t s ome m or e s le ep be fo re i t' s t im e t o g et u p, he r epl ie d. A c loc k b ui lt i nt o a

panel by the bed chimed -- Nadir-four. Nyk groaned again.

H e a ros e a nd f ou nd a c ol d b re ak fa st p ac ka ge ; he a te ha lf a nd t os se d t he r em ai nd er i nt o t he

w as te r ep ro ce ss or . S en ta w as s ho we ri ng a s h e d re ss ed i n a t un ic a nd p ow de r- bl uexarpa an d p ac ke d h is

travel gear.

S he s to od b eh in d h im . Wasn 't A nd ra g or geou s?

I d id n' t n ot ic e. I d id n ot ic e h ow p ho ny s he w as .

Ph on y? W hat d o y ou m ean?

I d on 't u se t hem, b ut t hank y ou s o m uch f or o ff er in g, N yk s ai d i mi tati ng A nd ra and m ocki ng

he r c ur ts y. It w as e noug h t o m ake o ne g ag. An d how s he d ot es on Za nd er . T he y' ve be en ma rr ie d mo re

t ha n t hr ee y ea rs a nd s he s ti ck s t o h im l ike g lu e, l ik e a n ew ly we d. I t w as t he m os t n au se at in g d is pl ay . Y ou

n ev er g av e m e t hat k in d o f att en ti on .

Pe rh ap s h e d es er ve s i t. W he re d o t he y l iv e?

Za nde r ha s a n a pa rt me nt s ome whe re i n t he c it y. H e a ls o ha s a hom e on Ea rt h, a nd h e s pe nd s

m or e t im e t here t han h er e.

Ma yb e I 'l l g iv e A nd ra a c al l. S he p ro ba bl y h as s om e f re e t im e o n h er h an ds .

I h op e y ou 'r e n ot con si deri ng add in g h er t o y ou r l is t o f con qu es ts .



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I t ho ug ht A nd ra w as s we et a nd I 'd e nj oy h av in g h er a s a f ri en d.

Sent a, s om et im es . .. I j us t can 't b el ieve i t.

Ar e y ou s ay in g y ou do n' t w an t m e t o h ave h er a s m y f ri end ?

Have any on e y ou w an t as y ou r f ri en d.

Bu t y ou d on 't a pp ro ve o f h er , d o y ou ?

You kno w h ow I f ee l a bout t heax'amfinen a nd t he s ch oo ls t ha t p ro du ce t he m. I w ou ld n' t h av e

a t hi ng t o do wit h a ny of t he m.

Do yo u t hi nk A ndr a i s s om eho w . .. l es s t ha n h uma n? D o y ou t hi nk t he b lo od f lo wi ng i n h er ve in s

i s s om e c ol or o th er t ha n r ed ? S en ta s ho ok h er h ea d. Th is i s s o u nl ik e y ou , N yk .

The whole institution is an abomination and must be abolished.

An dr a i s n ot t he i ns ti tu ti on . S he's a p leas an t y ou ng w om an .

Sh e enabl es i t. W it ho ut t he l ik es o f h er t he i ns ti tu ti on w ou ld s tarv e t o d eath .

Wh at d o y ou k no w o f h ow t he f in is hi ng s ch oo ls o perate?

I k no w e no ug h - - e no ug h t o f or m a l ow o pi ni on o f a ny on e w ho 'd e nr ol l t he re .

I h ad a n o pp or tun it y t o t al k w it h A ndr a l as t n ig ht w hi le y ou w er e ho le d u p i n y ou r s tu dy. I tw as n' t he r c hoi ce t o e nr ol l. H er p ar ent s s ol d h er t o t he s ch oo l. I 'l l be t yo u d id n' t kn ow t ha t, N yk . S he

w as o nl y f if te en a nd s he h as n' t s ee n n or s po ke n w it h t he m s inc e. I f y ou h ad m ing le d w it h o ur g ue st s, i f

y ou h ad eng ag ed t hem i n con vers at io n r at her t han s eq uest er in g y ou rs el f i n y ou r s tu dy , y ou m ig ht h av e

l earn ed s om et hi ng abo ut A nd ra. Y ou even m ig ht h av e m ad e a f ew f ri en ds .

I l ea ve i n a c ou pl e s eg me nt s f or a y ea rl on g a ss ig nm en t o n E ar th . I 'd r at he r w e n ot s pe nd o ur

parting moments arguing. If you want to be friendly with Andra, it's fine with me.

I d on 't n eed y ou r app ro val , N yk ky o.

As y ou 'v e d em on st rated m an y t im es o ver t he y ears .

Wh at i s t ha t s up po se d t o m ea n?

Se nt a, c an w e d ro p i t?

A s y ou w is h, s he s ai d a s s he s el ec te d c lo th es f ro m h er w ar dr ob e. S he s li pp ed i nt o h er t un ic

a nd d on ne d alifxarpa , s ec ur in g i t w it h a p in e mb la zo ne d w it h t he K yh an a c re st . I' m s or ry I w on 't b e

a bl e t o s ee y ou o ff , b ut w e' re h av in g a n a pp al li ng ly b us y t im e a t t he l ab s. Y ou' ll c al l o nc e y ou 'r e t he re ,

won't you?

Y es . W e h av e a c om m s ta ti on m oo re d a bo ve t he ir s un 's n or th p ol e. T he s ta ti on c on ne ct s u s

with our communications systems, and also ties into the Earth computer network. Communicating with



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you will be as easy as if I were in Suda l and you were he re.

Wh at are y ou r p lans ?

I' m t ak in g t he t rain t o t he f us io n p lant t hi s m or ni ng . M y p acket l eaves at zen it h.

W hy t he p ow er p lant ?

To col lect d iamo nd s f ro m t he ash pi le. I m us t b ri ng at l east a h al f- k il og ram o f d iamo nd cry st al s

t o t he A gent -i n- Ch ief. T he A gency s el ls t hem o n E ar th and t he p ro ceed s f un d o ur o perati on s t here.

I d on 't u nd er st an d t he v al ue o f t ho se r oc ks o n t ha t w or ld , s he s ai d, g la nc in g t ow ar d t he

balcony. My skimmer's here. Nyk gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Good luck on your

assignment.

I' ll b e i n t ou ch . H e w at ch ed h er cli mb i nt o t he s ki mm er .

N yk s te pp ed o ff t he s hu tt le a nd o nt o t he t ra ns it p la tf or m, a l ar ge s pa ce po rt i n s yn ch ro no us o rb it .

H e h eaded t ow ar d t he d ep ar tu re l ou ng e f or t he i nt ers tel lar p ackets . H is f at her- in -l aw s po tt ed h im and

w av ed h im i nt o h is o ff ice. Hell o, m y f ri en d and s on .

Ve sk a. I 'm o n m y w ay t o E ar th .

Y es , I 'v e d iv er te d t he G am ma -5 p ac ke t f or y ou r b en ef it . H ow d oe s S en ta f ee l a bo ut y ou r

assignment?

Sh e' s n ot h ap py a bo ut i t. S he 'd r at he r I 'd s ig ne d a bo ar d a s co ut c ru is er .

Li fe o n a n E xo Sc ou t' s h ar dl y a s tr ol l i n t he p ar k. M an y o f t ho se c ru is er s s pe nd l on g s tr et ch es

o ut o f r an ge o f t he c om m n et . A t l ea st o n E ar th , y ou h av e c om mu ni ca ti on s. I 'm a lw ay s m or e t ha n h ap py

t o d iv er t a p ac ke t t o b ri ng y ou h om e i f y ou 'r e n ee de d.

T el l t ha t t o y ou r s te pd au gh te r, N yk r ep li ed , un le ss s he w an ts m e o ut o f r ea ch f or a y ea r.

Yo ur p ac ke t b oa rd s a t p or t t hr ee , m id dl e l ev el . G oo d l uc k o n y ou r m is si on .

N yk ky o p ic ke d u p a c as e l oa de d w it h e mp ty s ta si s c an is te rs a nd c ap su le s. H e s te pp ed i nt o t he

l if t, r od e i t t o t he m id dl e l ev el a nd p ro ce ed ed t o t he d ep ar tu re l ou ng e.

H e c ou ld s ee t he p ac ke t t hr ou gh t he v ie wp or ts . I t w as d oc ke d w it h t he t ra ns it p la tf or m a nd b ei ng

s er vi ced b y t en der s hu tt les. N yk ent er ed t hr ou gh t he d ocki ng t un nel, f ou nd h is s eat and b el ted h im self i n.

He gl anc ed ou t t he vi ew por t f or a f ina l l ook a t hi s wor ld - - a n i nd igo s phe re s us pe nde d i n t he bl ac k of

space.

T he p acket' s ai rl ock s hu t. T he s t ar li ner d et ached f ro m t he p lat fo rm and s ped away. T he v iewp or t

s hu tt er s c lo se d a nd t he s ub ju mp j ol te d t he s hi p. T he v es se l h ad l ef t o rb it a nd w as n ow o ut si de F lo ra n' s

h el io paus e. A no th er i nd icat or f lash ed t o s ig nal t he i nt er st el lar j um p. H e f el t t he j ol t as t he w ar p coi l f ir ed ,

rupturing the timespace fabric and permitting the starliner to travel two hundred lightyears in an instant.The viewports opened.



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N yk c ou ld s ee t he c om m r el ay s ta ti on a s t he p ac ke t a pp ro ac he d i n a d oc ki ng m an eu ve r. H e

w al ked t hr ou gh t he d ocki ng t un nel i nt o t he s tati on 's m ai n w or kr oo m. A s ho rt , o ld er m an w it h r eced in g

g rey h ai r g reet ed h im . H e w as S ey mo r, t he A gent -i n- Ch ief f or N or th A meri can O perati on s.

Z an de r h ad t ol d N yk o f S ey mo r - - t ha t h e h ad g ro wn f on d o f a n E ar th l if es ty le . Se ym or 's

s po ng ed a p er so nal f or tu ne f ro m A gency cof fers , a f or tu ne w or th less t o h im o n t he h om ew or ld . I t' s n o

w on de r h e n ev er s et s f oo t o ff t ha t p la ne t.

S eym or add ress ed N yk i n E ng li sh , Gr eeti ng s, N yk ky o K yh an a. F ro m n ow o n, y ou w il l ans wer

onl y t o t he na me N ic k Ka ne . You r wi fe 's n ame i s Ci nd y. You w er e b or n on t he 27t h of Apr il 1974 i n

A ug us t a, G eo rg ia, and y ou r p ar en ts ar e d eceas ed . Y ou r as si gn ed l ocale i s n ear M il wauk ee, W is co ns in .

T he w ar dr oo m i s o ve r t he re . S el ec t s om e a pp ro pr ia te E ar th c lo th in g a nd w e' ll h ea d d ow n. I t' s

S ep temb er , s o y ou w on 't n eed any th in g t oo w ar m.

Ny k f ou nd a pa ir o f j ea ns a nd a po lo s hi rt a nd s el ec te d a pa ir o f r unn ing s hoe s. Ve ry g ood , l ad .

Y ou l oo k ever y b it t he u ni vers i ty r es ear ch er . H er e ar e y ou r i dent it y p ap er s - - b ir th cert if i cate, p as s po rt

a nd So ci al S ec ur it y c ar d. Th is i s a d ebi t c ar d y ou m ay us e t o a cc es s f und s de pos it ed i n you r dr awaccou nt . I b el ieve y ou h av e s om et hi ng f or m e. N yk t ur ned o ver t he b ag o f d iamo nd s. S ey mo r exami ned

t he c ont en ts a nd s co wl ed . Ne xt t im e, b ri ng b ig ge r o ne s. T he se w il l d o f or n ow . I w il l b e r id in g t o t he

s ur face w it h y ou . Y ou are q uali fi ed t o o perate a s hu tt lecar, y es ?

Yes, I've had the required simulator training.

Si mu lato rs and t he R eal T hi ng are l ik e T heor y and P ract ice, S ey mo r l ectu red. In t heor y,

t he y' re t he s am e. I n p ra ct ic e, t he y a lm os t n ev er a re . I w an t y ou t o t ak e t he c on tr ol s.

Nyk initiated pre-launch diagnostics and tested doorseals. He started shuttlebay decompression

a nd t he b ay d oo r r et ra ct ed . T he s hu tt le r ol le d f or wa rd a nd l ea pt i nt o s pa ce . H e c he ck ed t he s ub ju mpc oo rd in at es a nd p re ss ed t he a ct ua to r. T he w ar p c oi l d is ch ar ge d w it h a b an g. T he w in do ws a nd

w in ds cr een l ig ht en ed and h e s aw a d eep b lu e p lanet f leck ed w it h w hi te, s wi mm in g i n t he v oi d. A s t he

craft d es cend ed t he s ph er e g rew u nt il i t f il led h is f ield o f v is io n.

Well d on e, l ad , S ey mo r s ai d. I' d t hi nk y ou 'v e d on e t hi s a d ozen t im es .

I h av e - - i n m y d re am s. H e c om pu te d a n o rb it al i ns er ti on v ec to r, e xe cu te d i t, a nd a ct iv at ed

cou nt er meas ur es t o m ak e t he craft i nv is ib le t o E ar th r ad ar .

S ey mo r p oi nt ed t o a c on tr ol o n t he p an el . Yo u c an u se t he t im el in e ve rn ie r t o m ak e s li gh tt em po ra l a dj us tm en ts i n y ou r w ar p s ub ju mp . T he g oa l i s t o a rr iv e w he n N or th A me ri ca i s i n t he d ea d o f

ni ght . We 'r e a bi t e ar ly a nd w e' ll ha ve t o s it in or bi t a whi le b efo re we r is k s et ti ng down. You c an s ave

s om e t im e b y adj us ti ng y ou r v er ni er , r em em ber t hat. I t' s a l it tl e t ri ck y, b ut y ou 'l l g et t he h an g o f i t.

S ey mo r g av e N yk t he g o- ah ea d f or l an di ng . H e n os ed t he c ar d ow n u si ng i ts i ne rt ia l s in k t o

abs or b r e- en tr y f or ces. T he s hu tt lecar l an ded o n t ar get, a q ui et cou nt ry r oad. H is f in al d es ti nati on w as

programmed into the navigational computer. At Seymor's direction, Nyk piloted it into a small city near

M il wa uk ee a nd p ar ke d i n t he d ri ve wa y o f a h ou se .

Do n' t p ow er d ow n t he c ra ft y et , S ey mo r c hi de d a s N yk b eg an t o s wi tc h o ff t he l if e- su pp or t

s ys te m. We m us t p ul l i t i nt o t he ga ra ge . T hi s v es se l r es em bl es a n E ar th a ut om ob il e a t a g la nc e, bu t w e

d on 't w an t c ur io si ty -s ee ke rs t ak in g t oo c lo se a l oo k. S ey mo r s te pp ed o ut . H e u nl oc ke d a nd o pe ne d t he

g ar ag e d oo r and m ot io ned N yk i ns i de.



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N yk p re ss ed t he u ni st ic k f or wa rd a nd t he s hu tt le ca r r ol le d i nt o t he g ar ag e. Ok ay , s ec ur e i t. H e

i ni ti at ed a n o rd er ly s hu td ow n. T he c ra ft w en t d ar k a nd h e s at i n i t f or s ev er al m om en ts . T he n h e o pe ne d

t he d oor a nd p ut hi s f oo t on to t he h ar d- pa cke d d ir t f loo r. A qu iv er r an u p a nd do wn h is s pi ne - - he w as

n ow o n E ar th ! H e i nh al ed t he s me ll s t he p la ce e xu de d.

Co me a lo ng , l ad . N yk w al ke d f ro m t he g ar ag e a nd g la nc ed a ro un d. T he d im g lo w o f s tr ee tl am ps i ll um in at ed t he u nd er si de s of l ea ve s o n t he t re es l in in g t he s tr ee t. H e l oo ke d a t t he h ou se s. A ll w er e

s im il ar b ut e ac h d if fe re d i n d et ai l. M an y h ad c ar s p ar ke d i n t he ir d ri ve wa ys . H e h ea rd t he s ou nd s o f t he

slumbering city, of sparse late-night traffic on the distant main highway and buzzing from the trees.

S ey mo r c li mb ed t he s te ps l ea di ng t o t he f ro nt p or ch o f t he h ou se a nd b ec ko ne d N yk t o f ol lo w

h im . H e o pe ne d t he d oo r a nd N yk s te pp ed i ns id e. As y ou r ec al l f ro m y ou r t ra in in g, E ar th d ay s a re

s ho rt er t ha n F lo ra n d ay s. Y ou 'l l n ee d s om e t im e t o b ec om e a cc us to me d t o t he m. T hi s i s y ou r

home-away-from-home.

T he h ou se w as a n o ld er , t wo -s to ry d we ll in g o n a s ma ll c it y l ot . S ey mo r p oi nt ed o ut t he k it ch en ,bath, and bedrooms. The furniture was old and battered, with wear showing on the upholstery. Seymor

l ed h im u ps ta ir s a nd i nt o a b ed ro om c on ve rt ed t o a s tu dy .

H e h an de d N yk a s ma ll , b la ck d ev ic e w it h a b ut to n. He re i s t he m os t i mp or ta nt f ea tu re . P re ss

t he b ut to n. N yk p re ss ed i t a nd a w al l o f b oo ks he lv es s wu ng o pe n t o r ev ea l a c on ce al ed r oo m b eh in d.

I ns id e w as a r ac k o f e qu ip me nt , s om e o f i t F lo ra n a nd s om e o f E ar th o ri gi n.

Th is i s o ne o f o ur com mu ni cati on s u pl in ks . T here i s a G ravN et t rans du cer con ceal ed b en eath

t he r oo f. T hi s e qu ip me nt i s a G ra vN et t ra ns ce iv er , a nd t hi s i s a p ro to co l a da pt er . S ey mo r p oi nt ed t o

a no th er r ac k. Th at i s a ll E ar th e qu ip me nt , c on ne ct ed t o a h ig h- sp ee d d at a c ir cu it . T hi s h ou se i s o ne o f

five such facilities in North America. Remember, under no circumstances should any Floran technologybe left lying about the house. Keep it in this room, and keep this room shut and locked unless you have a

s pe ci fi c ne ed t o us e i t. N ow .. . i t' s t wo i n t he m or ni ng , a nd I t hi nk we 'd bot h be ne fi t f rom a f ew hour s'

s leep . W e' ll con cl ud e t he b ri ef in g i n d ay li gh t. S ey mo r r et ir ed t o t he h ou se's s pare b ed ro om .

N yk w al ked aro un d t he d ar kened h ou se. T he k it chen cabi nets and r ef r ig er ato r w er e emp ty . H e

s at o n t he s of a i n t he l iv in g r oo m. B ui lt -i n b oo ks he lv es s to od v ac an t e xc ep t f or a n o ld t el ev is io n s et . H e

c li mb ed t he s ta ir s t o t he m as te r b ed ro om , s tr et ch ed o ut o n t he b ed i n h is c lo th es a nd s hu t h is e ye s.

D aw n' s f ir st l ig ht r ou se d N yk . H e d es ce nd ed t he s ta ir s f ro m t he m as te r b ed ro om . S ey mo r h ad n' t

a ri se n, s o h e de ci de d t o l oo k a t t he p la ne t' s s igh ts i n da yl ig ht . H e op en ed t he f ron t doo r, s to od o n t he

porch and felt the cool dampness of the morning air. Walking onto the lawn, he stooped to pick a blade

of gr as s, put i t i n hi s m out h, a nd c he we d i t. A gr in s pr ea d a cr os s hi s f ac e.

H e b eg an l oo ki ng a ro un d a tt em pt in g t o i de nt if y s om e o f t he p la nt s h e s aw . A n a sh t re e, h e

t hou gh t, a m ap le a nd a n o ak . N yk wa lk ed t o t he oa k a nd s tr oke d i ts b ar k. T he ho us e c aug ht h is a tt ent ion

a nd h e c om pa re d i t wi th h is m en ta l i ma ge o f t he o ne K oi chi d es cr ibe d i n h is j ou rn al .

S ey mo r cal led t o h im and h e and w en t i ns id e. Wh at 's y ou r i mp ress io n o f t he p lace i n d ay li gh t?

Gr een! T he v eg et at io n' s g reen . E very wh er e, g reen . I 'm t rain ed i n t he app earance o f E ar thplants, but seeing it for real!



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T hi s h ou se m us t b e s im il ar t o t he o ne K oi ch i d es cr ib es i n h is j ou rn al . I t' s i n N ew Y or k, i n

Q ue en s, a nd i t b el on ge d t o t he f am il y f or t wo h un dr ed y ea rs b ef or e h im . Y ou 'r e s ta ti on ed i n N ew Y or k,

y ou m ig ht 'v e g on e p as t i t.

Ne w Y or k' s a b ig p la ce , l ad , a nd I r ar el y g et t o Q ue en s. L et 's c on ti nu e t he b ri ef in g. H e h an de d

Nyk a black device. This is a laptop computer. It may be primitive by Floran standards, but these do

w or k, m os t o f t he t im e. T he y g et t he j ob d on e, a nd w e c an e li mi na te t he r is k o f a ss ig ni ng y ou F lo ra ncom mu ni cati on s d ev ices . T hese h av e r ev ol ut io ni zed t he w ay w e d o o ur j ob s. E ven f iv e y ears ago , y ou

w ou ld n' t b el ie ve t he w or ry I h ad w he n o ne o f o ur a ge nt s n ee de d c on ta ct w it h t he h om ew or ld . W it h

t hese, w e' ve eli mi nated t he n eed t o i ss ue h om ew or ld t echn ol og y i nt o t he f ield , excep t u nd er s peci al

circumstances.

W he n c on ne ct ed t o a ny d at a p or t i n t he w or ld , y ou m ay u se i t t o c om mu ni ca te w it h m ys el f o r

o th er E xo Ag en ts v ia E ar th I nt er net email . Y ou all h av e cod ed i dent if iers . I f y ou o r ano th er agent i s

o ff -p la ne t, m es sa ge s a re r ou te d a nd s en t v ia G ra vN et f or d el iv er y o n F lo ra n o r a ny c ol on y p la ne t.

T hi s c om pu te r c an a ls o a cc es s t he F lo ra n T ac hN et . I 'l l s ho w y ou h ow . M ay be y ou 'd l ik e t os pe ak t o y ou r l ov el y w if e. I f y ou w ou ld l ik e f or h er t o s ee y ou on he r e nd , y ou m us t a tt ac h t hi s m in ia tu re

c am er a, w hi ch c li ps t o t he t op o f t he d is pl ay p an el . S ey mo r m an ip ul at ed t he k ey bo ar d a nd a b lu e

w in do w a pp ea re d o n t he s cr ee n, t he n a n i ma ge . I t w as S en ta .

Hiko r l yt a . I m ade i t t o Ea rt h. Nyk e xc ha nge d s ma ll ta lk wi th he r.

Se ym or i nt er ru pt ed h im , We m us t g o t o t he l ab . I 'l l i nt ro du ce y ou t o t he c ol le ge b ra ss a s

F lo ra nC o' s n ew b ot an is t. A s l on g a s t he y c an k ee p c as hi ng o ur c he ck s t he y' ll l ea ve y ou a lo ne . A re y ou

h un gr y? N yk s ai d h e w as . Go od . A s p ar t o f t he d ea l w it h t he s ch oo l t he y i ss ue u s a u ni ve rs it y s ta ff

c ar d. I t i s u se ful a s i t a ll ow s yo u t o t ak e m ea ls a t t he u ni ve rs it y u ni on , w hi ch i s a s ho rt d is ta nc e f ro m t he

l ab , q ui te c on ve ni en t. T he f oo d i s n ot v er y g oo d, b ut i t i s e xp en si ve .

S ey mo r e sc or te d N yk t o t he c am pu s o ff ic es a nd o bt ai ne d k ey s t o t he l ab a nd N yk' s s ta ff c ar d.

Yo u' ll b e f ine , l ad . I f yo u ne ed a ny thi ng, y ou c an c al l m e or s en d m e a n e ma il m es sa ge . I t' s a ll i n y ou r

t ra in in g p ac ke t. W el l, I 'm o ff t o N ew Y or k. E nj oy ! H e p ic ke d u p t he s ac k o f r aw d ia mo nd s a nd l ef t.

3 -- S ukiko

Nykkyo unlocked the door to the Chem Annex building, entered the lab and looked around. Old

l ab or at or y b en ch es w er e c ov er ed i n y ea rs ' w or th o f d us t a nd g ri me . S ey mo r h ad t ol d h im t he s tr uc tu re 's

h is to ry . B ui lt i n t he m id 1 97 0s , t he w oo d- fr am e b ui ld in g h ad p ro vi ded a t em po rary h om e f or t he

C hemi st ry D ep ar tm en t' s g radu at e s ch oo l. W hen t he S ci en ce C en ter o pened i n 1 99 0, t he u ni vers it y

aband on ed t he ann ex as a r es ear ch f acil it y. H e w al ked alo ng t he con cr et e f lo or , ass ess in g t he eff or t

r eq ui re d t o m ak e t he p la ce u sa bl e. S ey mo r h ad h ir ed a c le an in g c re w a nd N yk a wa it ed t he ir a rr iv al .



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Zand er t ol d m e A gency ass ig nm en ts are t he m os t r ew ar di ng i n t he S er vi ce.

Yo u' re g et ti ng exact ly w hat y ou d es er ve f or b el ievi ng o ne o f y ou r f ri en ds i ns tead o f m e.

Vesk a s ay s l if e abo ar d a s co ut 's t ou gh er t han y ou m ig ht i magi ne.

Think what you want.

Ny k t er mi na te d t he c al l a nd f lo pp ed o n h is b ed .

T he r epl acement p ow er con ver ter arr iv ed and t he s tas is can is t er s w er e w or ki ng , con cealed i n t he

l ocked f il in g cab in et s. N yk t es ted t he equ ip ment b y p laci ng a s tr aw berr y f ro m t he g ro cery i nt o a s tasi s

c ap sul e. H e p la ce d a no the r i n a p et ri di sh s it ti ng on t he l ab be nc h. No w, a w ee k l at er , t he be rr y i n t he

di sh wa s m ol dy a nd gr ot ty wh il e t he one i n t he c aps ul e wa s a s fr es h a s th e da y he bought it .

H e h ad p ro du ced cul tu res o f s om e v eg et ab les b y i so lati ng i nd iv id ual p lant cel ls and p ut ti ng t hem

i nt o a n ut ri en t br ot h. A ft er a f ew da ys h e h ad l it tl e p la nt le ts . H e c ou ld c re at e a n e nt ir e l iv ing p la nt f ro m t hesmallest cell sample.

I t w as no w n oo n a nd h e d ec ide d t o di ne a t t he un io n. H e f la sh ed hi s s ta ff c ar d a t t he d oo r, s too d

i n l in e a nd b ou ght a b ow l o f v ege ta ri an c hi li . Hi s s ca n of t he d in in g r oom f oun d a s in gl e e mp ty t ab le n ea r

t he r ea r d oo r. H e s co op ed a s po on fu l o f c hi li a nd r ea ct ed w it h p le as ur e a nd p ai n t o t he m ix o f f la vo rs .

A wo ma n' s vo ic e s ta rt le d h im . Do y ou m in d i f I j oi n y ou? I t hi nk t hi s i s t he o nl y e mpt y s ea t.

Please do.

S he s at a cr os s f ro m h im a nd b eg an e at in g h er l un ch , f ix in g h er e ye s o n h er t ra y. N yk c om pa re d

h er app earance t o h is m em or y o f K oi ch i. S he h ad t he s am e b lack h ai r and y el lo w- br ow n com pl ex io n.

H er f ace w as an o val w it h p ro mi nent cheek bo nes and f ul l l ip s. S he w as p et it e, w it h a w el l- pr op or ti on ed

f ig ur e. H er e ye s w er e d ee p b ro wn a nd h ad a p ro no un ce d e pi ca nt hi c f ol d, m or e s o t ha n K oi ch i' s. S he

w as b eaut if ul , and N yk cou ld n' t avo id s tari ng at h er .

Ex cu se m e - - a re y ou a J ap an es e? h e a sk ed .

No . I 'm a n A me ri ca n. H e m ad e e ye c on ta ct , a nd t he n s he l oo ke d d ow n. My m ot he r i s

J ap an es e. M y f at he r' s f am il y c am e f ro m J ap an a t t he t ur n o f t he c en tu ry . S he t oo k a b it e f ro m a t un a

salad sandwich.

N yk s co op ed a no th er s po on fu l a nd g az ed a t h er . Yo u h av e t he m os t b ea ut if ul e ye s. I 'v e n ev er

s ee n e ye s s o d ar k.

S he g la nc ed u p, l oo ke d d ow n, g ul pe d h er m ou th fu l a nd g ra sp ed h er t ra y. If y ou 'l l e xc us e m e, I

h av e a c la ss .

N yk w at che d a s s he s to od, du mp ed he r t ra y a nd w al ke d o ut . H e f ol low ed h er t o t he d oo r a nd

o bs er ved h er p ro ceed i nt o a class ro om b ui ld in g. H e est im at ed s he w as abo ut h is age, m ay be s li gh tl y

o ld er . N yk w as 3 1 F lo ra n y ea rs o ld , a bo ut 2 5 E ar th y ea rs . S he 's n ot l ik el y a s tu de nt , h e f ig ur ed , p er ha psan assistant professor.



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N yk h ad t ri ed t o m an eu ve r h im se lf c lo se e no ug h t o t he J ap an es e- Am er ic an w om an t o s ta rt a

c onve rs at io n, bu t s he a lw ays s ee me d j us t ou t o f r ea ch or he ade d t he wr ong wa y. No w he s at i n t he uni on

d in in g r oo m a nd s aw h er e nt er c ar ry in g a t ra y. S he w al ke d t ow ar d h is t ab le , s to pp ed , t ur ne d a nd s to od

w ai ti ng f or ano th er t o emp ty .

He p ic ke d u p hi s t ra y a nd c ar ri ed i t t o he r t abl e. Ma y I pl ea se j oi n y ou ? Sh e m ade a h an dge st ur e t ha t s ai d, d o w ha t yo u wa nt . I' ve be en l ook ing f or y ou f or t he p as t t wo w ee ks . I s us pe ct yo u' ve

been avoiding me. I wanted to speak with you.

She l oo ke d up a t h im. Why do you w ant t o s pe ak wi th m e?

I' ve s o w an te d t o m ee t a J ap an es e. I w as h op in g y ou c ou ld a ns we r s om e q ue st io ns .

S he g la nc ed a t t he c lo ck . I d on 't h av e t im e. I t ea ch t wo c la ss es a nd I o nl y h av e f if te en m in ut es

for lunch.

I w or k i n t he C he m A nn ex b ui ld ing . C ou ld yo u c om e o ve r a ft er c la ss ?

H er eyes n ar ro wed. If I com e and ans wer y ou r q uest io ns , w il l y ou q ui t b ot heri ng m e?

I promise.

My l as t c la ss i s ove r a t 3: 30 . I 'l l c om e a ft er t he n. S he pi ck ed u p he r t ra y a nd l ef t.

N yk r et ur ne d t o t he l ab a nd t end ed hi s c ul tu re s. H e w at ch ed t he c loc k. A t 3 :4 5 h e h ea rd

s om eon e o pe n t he d oo r t o t he l ab .

S he w al ke d i n. I t ho ug ht t hi s b ui ld in g w as a ba nd on ed . O ka y, I 'm h er e, b ut I 'm w ar ni ng y ou . I

do n' t t ake f unny s tuf f. I 'm f ro m N ew Y or k. S he he ld up h er ba g. I h ave p epp er s pr ay a nd I 'm not

a fr ai d t o u se i t. S o l et 's h av e y ou r q ue st io ns .

What ismiso soup?

T he w om an l oo ke d a t h im f or s ev er al m om en ts . S he s ta rt ed t o g ig gl e, a nd t he n s he p ut h er h an d

ov er he r mo ut h. I' m n ot l au gh ing a t you . I t' s j us t .. . I d idn 't e xp ec t . .. w el l, I don 't kn ow w ha t I e xp ec te d.

I t c er ta in ly w as n' t f or s om e g uy t o p ra ct ic al ly s ta lk m e f or t wo w ee ks , l ur e m e i nt o a c re ep y d es er te d

building and then ask aboutmiso s ou p! S he b eg an t o r eg ai n h er c om po su re .

I' m t er ri bl y s or ry . I h ad n o i de amiso s ou p w as f un ny s tu ff . I m eant n o o ff en se.

She giggled again. There's nothing funny aboutmiso . I t' s f er me nt ed s oyb ea n p as te . I t c om es i n a

va ri et y of f la vo rs a nd c ol or s a nd i t' s u se d t o ma ke a l ot of J apa ne se f oo ds .

W ha t d oe s i t t as te l ik e?

Aw ful . Bu t I d on' t l ike J apa ne se f ood . I t' s s o f is hy a nd s moky a nd s al ty. D o yo u ha ve a l ot mor e

questions?

Oh, yes.



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Ok ay , I 'l l a ns we r t he m, b ut n ot h er e. T hi s g lo om y o ld b ar n g iv es m e t he c re ep s. I 'l l m ak e a d ea l

wi th you. We 'l l w al k ove r t o t he uni on a nd you c an buy m e a c of fe e. Fo r a s l ong a s t ha t c of fe e l as ts , I 'l l

a ns we r y ou r q ue st io ns . I s i t a d ea l?

N yk w al ke d w it h h er t ow ar d t he u ni on . I t w as a c oo l, l at e O ct ob er a ft er no on a nd d ri ed l ea ve s

cru nched u nd er fo ot . If y ou d on 't l ik e J apanes e f oo d, w hat d o y ou l i ke?

No f ai r. I w on 't a ns we r a ny m or e q ue st io ns u nt il I h av e m y c of fe e. W e h av e a d ea l.

I' m s or ry . N yk f ix ed h is g az e o n t he s id ew al k a s h e w al ke d.

S he g ig gl ed . I' m p as s io nate abo ut I nd ian f oo d. T hat' s east I nd ian, n ot N at iv e A meri can . I d on 't

ha ve i t t oo of te n. The re i sn' t a goo d I ndi an r es ta ur ant i n t hi s t ow n, s o I ha ve t o ma ke i t my se lf . I r ar el y do

t ha t t he se d ay s b ec au se i t' s no f un g oi ng t hr ou gh a ll t ha t w or k j us t f or m e.

I t' s g et ti ng col d, N yk s ai d.

It 'l l g et even col der. I s t hi s y ou r f ir st w in ter h er e?

Y es , i t i s.

Mi ne t oo , a lt ho ug h i t c er ta in ly g et s c ol d i n N ew Y or k. H e o pe ne d t he d oo r t o t he u ni on , h el d i t

f or h er a nd g es tu re d f or h er t o p re ce de h im . Th an ks . .. I 'l l f in d a t ab le w hi le y ou g et t he c of fe e. S he

pointed toward the coffee bar. Mocha latte double-tall.

N yk s te pp ed t o t he c ou nt er . Do y ou h av e . .. m ak ka -l ot y?

Do y ou m ean m ocha l at te? t he att en dant ask ed .

Y es - - t ha t' s i t.

What size?

. .. Do ub le -t al l . .. t wo o f t ho se , p le as e. H e t ur ne d a nd w at ch ed t he w om an w or k h er w ay

t ow ar d a v ac ant t ab le a nd r em ov e he r c oa t. Sh e wa s we ar ing a kn it t op a nd s ca rf , w ra p s ki rt a nd b la ck

t ig ht s. S he s mi led and w av ed at h im .

Sh e t ook a b ru sh f rom he r b ag , r em ove d he r he adb an d a nd he ld i t i n he r t ee th a s s he br us he ds hi ny b lack h ai r ext en di ng h al fw ay d ow n h er b ack. T hen, s he exami ned h er self i n a m ir ro r, r et ur ned h er

i mp le me nt s t o h er b ag a nd s na pp ed i t s hu t.

Th at 'l l b e s ix t hi rt y- si x. N yk w hi rl ed aro un d, d ug a cru mp led t en - d ol lar b il l f ro m h is p ocket

a nd h an de d i t t o t he a tt en da nt . H e p ic ke d u p t he c of fe es a nd h ea de d t ow ar d t he t ab le . Yo ur c ha ng e,

s ir . N yk t ur ned and r etr ieved t hr ee s in gl es and s om e coi ns .

I di dn 't k now w ha t t o or de r s o I 'm h avi ng w ha t yo u' re ha vi ng, h e s ai d a s he ha nd ed he r a c up.

Be for e we s ta rt , I wa nt y ou t o a ns we r a qu es ti on of m ine , s he s ai d.

All right...



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W hat i s y ou r n am e?

...Nick Kane...

S he e xt en de d h er h an d. I' m S uk ik o. I 'm p le as ed t o m ee t y ou , N ic k. P le as e f or gi ve m y b eh av io r

t ow ar d y ou e ar li er . I t w as m y d ef en se s a ct in g u p.

I' m p le as ed t o m ee t y ou , t oo , S uk ik o. T ha t' s a p re tt y n am e.

My m ot he r w an te d m e t o h av e a J ap an es e n am e. I w an te d a n A me ri ca n o ne , s om et hi ng l ik e . ..

J es si ca . Sh e s ip pe d he r c of fe e. No w, N ic k, wh at di d y ou w an t t o a sk m e?

H e t oo k a s ip a nd hi s e ye s p opp ed . Wh at do t he y p ut i nt o on e o f t he se ? he a ske d, l oo ki ng a t

t he c up .

Co ff ee , m il k, c oc oa . .. a l it tl e s ug ar , m ay be a t ou ch o f c inn am on . D on 't y ou l ik e i t?

It 's d if fe re nt . H e t oo k a no th er s ip . A c ur io us b le nd o f s we et a nd b it te r. ..

Ok ay , w e' ve a dd re ss ed t he t op ic o f m oc ha l at te . S he s ip pe d f ro m h er s. Yo u s ai d y ou h ad

Japanese questions.

Ny k l ooke d a t he r f or a l on g m om ent . I c an' t r em emb er . I h ad a l is t but I c an' t r ec al l a s ingl e

o ne . H e g az ed a t h er f ac e a nd s he r et ur ne d t he e ye c on ta ct .

Sh e g la nc ed d ow n. I' d r at he r y ou n ot s ta re a t m e l ik e t ha t. I t m ak es m e u nc om fo rt ab le .

He l oo ke d d ow n a t h is c up . I' m s o s or ry . H e s wi rl ed h is c of fe e. Yo u h av e s uc h b ea ut if ul e ye s,S uk ik o. I d id n' t i nt en d t o u ps et y ou . P leas e f or gi ve m e.

It 's j us t . .. I f el t on di sp la y, a s i f. .. She gi ggl ed. .. . a s i f yo u' ve ne ve r s ee n a n As ia n be for e . .. o r

s om et hi ng . S he s ho ok h er h ea d. It 's a ll r ig ht , N ic k. I t m us t b e m y d ef en se s a ga in .

N yk s ta re d a t h is c up u nt il h e n ot ic ed s he w as c ro uc hi ng t ow ar d t he t ab le a nd l oo ki ng u p t o

i nt er cept h is s ig ht li ne. H e g lanced i nt o h er eyes and s he s mi led. My f ri en ds cal l m e S uk i. H e r et ur ned

he r s mi le a nd f ol lowe d he r e ye s wi th hi s a s s he s at up a ga in. S he t ook a not he r s ip.

Suk i, y ou s ai d y ou t ea ch a c la ss . A re yo u a p ro fe ss or ? W ha t do yo u t ea ch?

I' m n ot a p ro fe ss or . I 'm a l ec tu re r, w hi ch m ea ns I 'm b el ow a n a ss is ta nt p ro f a nd a bo ve t he g uy

t hat s weep s t he f lo or . I t each u nd er gr ad uate com parati ve r el ig io n and a s en io r- level cou rs e o n

Babylonian and Sumerian mythology. Do you teach?

No , I 'm n ot e ve n o n t he f ac ul ty . M y c om pa ny r en ts l ab s pa ce f ro m t he u ni ve rs it y. I 'm a b ot an is t

d oi ng f ie ld w or k f or F lo ra nC o. I f in d p la nt s pe ci me ns , m ak e c ul tu re s a nd s en d t he m t o t he h om e . .. l ab .

O ur l ea se g ra nt s m e u se o f t he u ni on. I 'm n ew he re a nd s ti ll f ee li ng my wa y a rou nd . M y a ss ig nm en t w il l

r un f or at l east n in e m on th s, m ay be l on ger.

So , t ha t e xp la ins w ha t y ou 'r e d oi ng i n t ha t a wf ul o ld bu il di ng. A re y ou a lo ne , o r d o yo u h ave

family with you?



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I'm here by myself.

Th en y ou 'r e l ik e m e. W e' re b ot h s tr an ge rs i n a s tr an ge l an d.

N yk s ip pe d h is c of fe e. H e g az ed a t h er e ye s, g la nc in g d ow n w he ne ve r s he l oo ke d u p a t h im .

Wh y d o y ou l ik e I nd ian f oo d?

I s tu mb led o nt o i t, alm os t b y accid en t, s he r ep li ed . I f el l i n l ov e w it h i t r ig ht away.

Is it really so different?

Oh , y es - - t he c om pl ex it y o f t he s pi ce s. .. S he c lo se d h er e ye s. Ju st t hi nk in g a bo ut i t p ut s m e

into the mood for a hotdahl . .. S he s ip pe d h er c of fe e. Wha t s or t o f f ood do y ou l ike ?

I s ubs is t o n be ans a nd r ic e f or t he m os t pa rt .

Th er e a re l ot s o f w ays t o f ix be ans a nd r ic e. I t i s a bi g wo rl d, N ic k.

I w is h I c ou ld e xp er ie nc e i t a ll , h e r ep li ed . .. . t he d iv er si ty of l if e a nd p eo pl e a nd c ul tu re o n t hi s

w or ld - - all t he d if ferent f or ms o f h um an it y. I h av e s uch l it tl e t im e h er e.

Do n' t w e all . I w is h every on e s hared y ou r v iew. I k no w f ro m p er so nal exp er ience m an y d on 't .

W hat d o y ou m ean?

Have y ou ever b een j ud ged b y y ou r p hy si cal app earance?

. .. No , I d on 't t hi nk s o.

I h av e. T he re a re m an y, r ig ht h er e i n t hi s t ow n, w ho 'l l s ee m y c ol or a nd m y e ye s a nd c on cl ud e

I 'm s om et hi ng l es s t ha n h um an . I 'v e h ad t o d ev el op a t hi ck s ki n. .. S he p in ch ed t he b ac k o f h er h an d. .. .

a thick yellow skin.

D o y ou w is h y ou w er en 't J ap an es e?

She t ook a si p of her c offe e. No, I don't wi sh that . It doe sn' t make s ense to wi sh for wha t you

can't change.

Might-haves don't count, Nyk replied.

Th ey c er ta in ly d on 't . I d o w on de r t ho ug h. .. W ha t' s i t l ik e, N ic k? W ha t' s i t l ik e b ei ng b lo nd a nd

blue-eyed and having an all-American name like Nick Kane? Nyk shrugged. I'd like to live just one

da y of m y l if e a s Ni kki Ka ne . .. oh w el l, t he gr as s i s a lw ays gr ee ne r.. .

I' m s or ry - - I 'm n ot f ol lo wi ng . W ha t g ra ss i s g re en er ?

Yo u k no w, o n t he o th er s id e o f t he f en ce .

N yk m ad e a s il en t o h. Wh er e o ne c an 't r ea ch i t. H e s mi le d. I u nd er st an d t he m et ap ho r.

I g ue ss I m ad e t he m is ta ke o f p ic ki ng t he w ro ng p ar en ts , S uk i s ai d a nd t oo k a no th er s ip . My



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m om 's o ka y, b ut t he re 'v e b ee n p le nt y o f t im es I w is h I c ou ld 'v e p ic ke d a d if fe re nt f at he r.

I c he ri sh y ou r J ap an es e h er it ag e, S uk i. W he n I t oo k t hi s a ss ig nm en t, I w as h op in g t o m ee t

someone just like you.

S he s mi led. I' m g et ti ng a b it l ig ht -h eaded f ro m b ei ng u p o n t he p ed es tal w here y ou 'r e p ut ti ng m e,

Nick. Don't you have Asians where you come from?

Not very many.

I d o f ee l y our s in ce ri ty , s he s ai d. I wa s g ui lt y o f p re -j ud gi ng yo u. I do n' t k now w hy m y s hi el ds

w en t u p. N ew Y or ke rs a re a s us pi ci ou s b un ch a nd I g ue ss I 'm s us pi ci ous f or a N ew Y or ke r. S he

l oo ke d i nt o h is e ye s. I f ee l a b it f oo li sh , n ow . S he p ic ke d u p h er e mp ty c up a nd e xa mi ne d i t. Yo u

k now - - t ha t w as on e o f yo ur b et te r c of fe es .. .

Would you like another?

Lo rd, no, I 'l l be f loa ti ng hom e f ro m t hi s one a s i s. I h ave a hu ge pi le of t es t p ape rs t o gr ade , s o

I 'd b et te r b e g oi ng . T ha nk y ou , N ic k, f or t he c of fe e.

Yo u' re w el co me. I t w as m y p leas ur e.

Ma yb e I 'l l s ee y ou a ro un d c am pu s. S he s to od a nd s ta rt ed t o a dj us t h er s ca rf . U nh ap py w it h

t he s tr uggl e i t ga ve he r, s he r emo ve d i t a nd s ta rt ed t o pu t i t on. Ny k s pi ed a pi n t ha t w as c onc ea le d

beneath it. He thought it looked like the family crest hanging on the wall of his apartment, though smaller

and in silver.

H e t ook a s te p b ac k a nd n ea rl y f el l ov er h is c ha ir . S he s li ppe d i nt o he r c oa t a nd wa lk ed t ow ar dt he d oo r. N yk f ol lo we d h er , b ut b ec am e c au gh t i n t he t ra ff ic o f a g ro up o f s tu de nt s e nt er in g t he u ni on . B y

t he t im e h e r ea che d t he d oor s he wa s go ne , a nd h e h adn' t s ee n i n w hi ch di re ct ion .

H e s at a t t he t ab le t o t hi nk. Th e pi n! H e mu st a sk h er a bou t t he pi n.N yk wa lk ed t o t he l ab w he re

h is l ap to p com pu ter w as j acked i nt o t he u ni vers it y n et wo rk , ano th er p ri vi lege g rant ed b y t he l ease. H e

brought up the school's web site, accessed the faculty directory, entered suki and pressed search. The

results were displayed.

Kyhana, Sukiko, PhD. Comparative Religion

- - C or li ss H al l 2 34 . E xt en si on 7 13 3

Myasuki, Tanaka, PhD. Chemical Engineering

- - D ra ke H al l 1 01 . E xt en si on 7 35 4

Otsuki, Michael. Admissions Assistant

- - O ld M ai n 1 32 . E xt en si on 7 27 8

H e l oo ke d a t t he f ir st e nt ry . S uk ik o K yh an a! A q ui ve r r an d ow n h is s pi ne . H e s el ec te d t he m ap

a nd l oc at ed C or li ss Ha ll . I t w as on t he o pp os it e s ide o f t he c am pus .



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My g ra nd fa th er m ad e i t. H e w as a g ol ds mi th , a j ew el er . H e b ec am e o bs es se d w it h t he o ld

cou nt ry . H e w or e t r ad it io nal clo th in g and call ed ever yo ne s o- an d- so -san, e ve n t ho ug h h e d id n' t s pe ak

the language. She giggled. Ojiisan-- that's what I had to call him --Ojiisan h ad a c ra zy i de a o ur f am il y

s ho ul d h av e a c re st , l ik e t he o ld J ap an es e n ob il it y, s o h e i nv en te d t hi s. M y f at he r h as t he o ri gi na l. I t' s

g ol d, a bo ut t hi s b ig . S he m ad e a c ir cl e w it h t he t hu mb s a nd f or ef in ge rs o f b ot h h an ds . It h as a j ad e

cab ocho n i n t he cen ter.

Jade?

Ye s. It hangs on a c ord.Ojiisan s ai d o ur f am il y s ho ul d h av e a t ra di ti on w he re t he c re st g oe s t o

t he p ar en ts o f t he n ex t g en er at io n' s f ir st - b or n. H e m ad e t hi s p in f or m y m ot he r.

N yk t ur ne d t he p in o ve r a nd s aw a n i ns cr ip ti on :To YK From TK 5/ 6/67 . YK i s y ou r m ot he r?

Yes, and T K w as m y g rand fath er . S he p oi nt ed. Th at ' s m y p ar en ts ' w ed di ng d at e.Ojiisan gave

t hi s t o M om a t t he w ed di ng .

Ho w d id y ou g et t hi s? D id y ou i nh er it i t?

Oh, Lord no -- Mom's ve ry muc h ali ve and ki cki ng. She ga ve it t o me whe n I wa s a ki d -- aft er

Ojiisan d i ed , o f cou rs e.

Sh e d oesn 't car e t o w ear y ou r f am il y emb lem?

It 's n ot a n e mb le m - - j us t a n o ld m an 's f oo li sh n ot io n. M om t hi nk s t hi s w hol e c re st b us in es s i s

rather silly.

I d on 't , h e r ep li ed a nd r et ur ne d t he p in t o h er .

You would've gotten along withOjiisan . She be ga n t o f as te n i t t o he r bl ous e. We ll , I l ike i t

because it's pretty and different.

Tha nk yo u, Suk i. I 'm s or ry I b ot he re d yo u a nd I wo n' t b ot he r yo u a ga in. H e s ta rt ed o ut t he

door.

Oh, Ni ck - - w ai t. I 'l l be a t t he uni on a t 1 1: 45 f or l unc h, i f yo u' d c ar e t o j oi n m e.

4 - - Sa d, Sa d St or ie s

Nyk entered the union and saw Suki waving to catch his attention. He brought his tray over. On



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h er s w as a t un a s al ad s an dw ic h. S he p oi nt ed t o h is . Ar e y ou a v eg et ar ia n?

H e s co ope d a s po on fu l o f t om at o s ou p. Ye s, I a m.

Yo u s ho ul d t ry s om e I nd ia n f ood . T he u ni on h as a t ok en v eg et ar ia n d is h, b ut i t' s a wf ul . O nc e

y ou 'v e t ri ed I nd ian v eg et ar ian, y ou 'l l n ev er g o b ack t o t hi s s tu ff .

I r em emb er s om e of wh at I w an te d t o a sk yo u. W ha t' st a t a m i ?

Th ey 'r e w ov en r eed m at s, a t radi ti on al f lo or cov er in g i n a J ap an es e h om e. M y p ar en ts h av e

t he m a t t he h ou se i n Q ue en s.

What aboutki m o n o ?

T ha t' s a g ar me nt , a s or t o f l ig ht we ig ht r ob e. M y m ot he r w ea rs aki m o n o n ow a nd t he n. My

parents gave me one to commemorate receiving my PhD.

I'd l ove t o s ee you i n i t.

It 's a t t he ho us e i n N ew Y or k, s he r epl ie d.

Wh at ' s asamurai ?

A w ar ri or f ro m t he f eu dal t im es . W hy are y ou i nt er es ted i n J ap an es e t hi ng s?

I wa s r ea di ng a nd c am e a cr os s t he se t er ms . I 'm s o h ap py t o ha ve m et a J ap an es e, S uk i.

I t ol d y ou, I 'm a n A me ri ca n. S he s mi le d. My m ot he r' s J ap ane se . .. t o t he c or e. I 'm n ot t oofond of that culture.

I h av e a no th er q ue st io n, S uk i. S he g la nc ed u p a t h im . Wo ul d y ou a gr ee t o m ee t f or l un ch o n a

r eg ul ar b as is ? I t' s c on ve ni en t f or m e, t he l ab 's o nl y a s ho rt w al k.

S he l oo ke d i nt o h is e ye s. Ok ay , N ic k. I 'd l ik e t ha t. W e s tr an ge rs m us t s ti ck t og et he r. H e

w al ke d w it h he r t o dr op of f hi s t ra y a nd he ade d hi s s ep ar at e w ay.

N yk c ar ri ed h is l ap to p c om pu te r h om e, s et i t o n t he k it ch en t ab le a nd p la ce d a v id ph on e c al l t o

Senta. The initiation indicator flashed ... and flashed.

H e r ea ch ed t o c an ce l t he c al l, a nd t he n S en ta 's i ma ge a pp ea re d. H er h ai r w as w et a nd d ri pp in g

a nd s he h ad a t ow el w ra pp ed a ro und h er .

Oh , i t' s y ou . S he r em ov ed t he t ow el a nd b eg an u si ng i t t o d ry h er h ai r.

Helloko r l yt a . I 'm s or ry t o c al l a t a b ad m om en t. T he t im e c onv er si on i s v er y c on fu si ng . T he

m os t r em ar ka bl e t hi ng h ap pe ne d. I m et a w om an n am ed S uk ik o K yh an a. I t hi nk s he m ig ht b e a r el at iv e.

It s ou nd s l ik e a c oi nc id en ce t o m e.

Sh e' s J ap an es e. I 'v e s ho wn y ou t he p ho to im ag e o f K oi ch i. S he l oo ks l ik e h im .



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Sh e m us t b e a v er y h om el y w om an .

T ha t' s n ot w ha t I m ea nt . S he h as K oi ch i' s f ea tu re s - - t he b la ck h ai r, t he y el lo w- br ow n

c om pl exi on a nd t he e ye s. S he a ls o h as a p in w it h o ur f am il y c re st . S he s ai d h er g ra ndf at he r d es ig ne d i t.

Yo u m ea n t hi s? S en ta p oi nt ed t o t he c re st t at to oe d o nt o h er a rm .

Ye s, t ha t. S he s ai d t he t hr ee s ym bo ls s pe ll t he n am e K yh an a. K y- Ha -N a. I 'm c ur io us t o k no w

h ow clo sely w e' re r el at ed.

Se nt a f li pp ed h er ha ir f rom t he t ow el . If you' d l ike t o know f or s ur e, t ry t o ge t a D NA s am pl e.

Yo u c an s en d i t i n a s ta si s c ap sul e a long wi th you r c ul tu re s. I 'd be gl ad t o s eque nc e i t f or yo u a nd w e c an

look for common genetic markers.

S en ta , t he re m us t b e o ve r t wo h un dr ed g en er at io ns s ep ar at in g h er f ro m m e. H ow g oo d o f a

m at ch can y ou exp ect, esp eciall y g iv en t he i nt er br eedi ng i n t he ear ly y ears ?

We c an g o i nt o t he s equ en ci ng a rc hi ve s. T he y m us t g o b ac k a t l ea st f if ty g en er at io ns . L et m e

c he ck . N yk 's v id ph on e s cr ee n w en t b la nk a s S en ta s us pe nd ed t he s es si on . H e s aw h er i ma ge r ea pp ea r.

Yes, w e can eas il y l op o ff o ne h un dr ed g en er at io ns u si ng t hese r ecor ds , m ay be m or e. T he K yh an a

r ec or ds a re r em ar ka bl y w el l p re se rv ed . W e h av e a s eq ue nc e f il e o n G or do K yh an a, w ho l iv ed a bo ut

t hi rt y- th ree h un dr ed y ears ago . T hat' ll g et u s clo ser.

H ow d o y ou s ug ge st I o bt ai n a s am pl e?

Ma yb e y ou c an c ol le ct a h ai r o r t wo . Y ou s ho ul dn 't h av e t oo m uc h t ro ub le e ng ine er ing s uc h a n

encounte r. One with the root inta ct would be all we nee d -- so, if you do get hold of a sa mple, send ita lo ng . N ow I m us t g o t o w or k. S en ta s li pp ed i nt o h er t un ic .

I' ll s ee y ou l at er ,ko r l yt a . Nyk sa id a s the sc ree n went bl ank.

Nyk pl ac ed hi s t ra y on a t abl e i n t he u ni on d ini ng r oom. Su ki s li pp ed of f he r c oa t a nd s at a cr os s

f ro m h im . I l ook f or wa rd t o l un ch h er e w it h yo u, h e s ai d.

So do I . T he pa st t hr ee we eks ha ve f low n by . W he n w e s it a nd t al k t oge th er , I f ee l a lm os t l ike a

normal human being.

N yk r egar ded h er . Yo u d on 't app ear t o h av e any abn or mal it i es .

No, my abnormalities are inside.

Do you suffer from some internal disorder?

She giggled. They're inside my head.

Oh .. . I f y ou h av e t ro ub le s y ou 'd l ik e t o t al k a bo ut , I

d. m. arnold - earthbound 01 - earthbound

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