Chapter 16: Dome, Sweet Dome

Nyk held Andra’s hand as he climbed the spiral staircase of the Residence in Sudal. He spotted Suki, ran to her and threw his arms around her. “You’re home!”

“I came in on the morning packet, and I am exhausted. I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve had sleep ... and I don’t want to know.”

“I’m well acquainted with the packet-lag phenomenon,” Nyk replied.

“How did your hearing go?”

Nyk and Andra held their left fists aloft. “The monitoring bands are gone, aren’t they?”

“What was the resolution?”

“There were two issues. The first one hinged on whether or not our cargo comprised people or things. If they were things, then our mutiny would not have been justified, however, if they were people, then we were right to take whatever action was necessary to prevent an illegal activity.”

“And, the second?”

“Whether or not the crew knew they were committing an illegal activity.”

“In other words,” Suki replied, “fact and intent.”

“You’re becoming familiar with Floran law,” Nyk said. “Proving the novonids are thinking beings wasn’t difficult. Our counsel put Laida in the box and she performed flawlessly. Once he had that victory, he had them trapped on the second issue.”

“How so?” Suki asked.

“Zane came to the rescue,” Andra interjected. “His testimony, augmented by truth drug, focused on the secrecy of bringing them aboard, and the fact Captain Hayt ordered ejecting the 501’s cargo into space.”

“In other words,” Suki replied, “the crew knew they were doing something wrong.”

“Specifically,” Nyk said, “Captain Hayt knew HE was doing something wrong. Then, Morsk invoked the duty-of-care doctrine. Since the first officer and the rest went along with the captain, it meant either they were in on it, or they violated their duty-of-care. Every Floran has a duty-of-care to the law that supercedes any chain-of-command.”

“They were damned either way.”

“Kronta told me Morsk was good. I didn’t realize how good. It was so simple, but the prosecution was blind-sided by it. The panel ruled four-to-one in our favor on the second issue. As soon as the ruling was delivered, the crew began to sing like canaries...”

“What’s a canary?” Andra asked.

“ ... They fingered the group on Gamma-5 responsible, and the group on Gamma-5 have agreed to cooperate in identifying their counterparts on Varada. This cooperation has helped sooth tender feelings on the Varadan side. That, plus returning all the novonids except for Laida and Mos.”

“Won’t the novonids be executed there?” Suki asked.

“They’ve been turned over to the BSS. The Varadans promise they’ll review each case.”

“What is a canary?” Andra repeated.

“It’s an Earth bird,” Suki replied.

“Oh...”

“Laida has been offered asylum here,” Nyk continued, “based on her fear of reprisal on her homeworld.”

“And, Mos?”

“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.”