Akkady was the granddaughter of Arkady |
The Senator's daughter, Vyky, is assigned two body guards. By law, one is a member of the IFP (Myquel) and the other is SUP (Lunanna). Like most people at this time, 30,000 years in our future, Vyky has some telepathic abilities and she notices that something is wrong with Lunanna's mind. Eventually, it is revealed that Lunanna is actually a positronic robot (probot), working to help establish Galaxia.
Mind Static device |
Myquel is a Galactic Guardian and carries a Mind Static device that is to be used if and when an agent of the Second Foundation tries to take control of Vyky's mind. However, Vyky is skeptical about the 'myth' that some Second Foundationers still exist, a few having survived the purge that took place hundreds of years previously on Terminus. Myquel states that it is only because of the continued efforts of Second Foundationers that the galaxy is being rapidly converted to SUP-majority worlds. Lunanna tells Vyky that Myquel is an IFP fanatic and a poor looser who can't accept that he is on the wrong side of history.
Grean the Kac'hin (image credits) |
⎯ The Galaxiad
Ymena and Vyky had grown up in a rural community on Noxtid and they had little tolerance for big bustling cities. Ymena said in return: I need only suffer this hive and its swarms for six years... Oh, look! Over there... I see Senator Pechuff!
a poster of the Individual Freedom Party |
Daysyn Pechuff warmly shook Ymena's hand. "Welcome! We should go directly to the Senatorium and get you linked in. The session opening ceremony is in just three hours. It will be brief, but you don't want to miss it. Sometimes there is an attempt to call an emergency vote during such sessions."
While Senator Pechuff spoke to Ymena, Vyky held her mother's other hand, helping her to step over the railing. Vyky then easily stepped over it herself, raising first one long leg and then the other. Ymena told Daysyn and the rest of the delegation, "This is my daughter, Vyky."
With great dismay, Daysyn said, "Your daughter?" He briefly shook Vyky's hand and glanced up and down along the full length of her long lean body. Dayson was appalled by the bright pink suit she was wearing. "I was not told that you were bringing any family members to Mysyny." Turning his attention back to Ymena, Dayson continued, "You indicated that your husband refuses to leave Noxtid."
Ymena explained, "Vyky recently completed her studies on Terminus and upon arriving home she decided to accompany me here."Daysyn gestured across the expanse of the transport plaza and said, "Let's proceed to the Senatorium." He turned to one of the other IFP officials and said, "Contact Security, have them arrange for Vyky's escort. I want a Guardian at the Office of Records within ten minutes!"Vyky told Senator Pechuff, "I just survived four years on Terminus. I can get around without an escort."
Daysyn said, "Terminus is a solid Socialist planet... conditions are very different here on Mysyny where the population is evenly split. There have been recent cases of politically-motivated kidnappings and I'm not going to take chances with your safety."
Ymena complained, "Nobody even knows that Vyky is here! I assure you, she will quietly blend in and lose herself in a big city. She'll vacation here for a few weeks and then return to Noxtid."
They went up the broad steps at the front of the Senatorium and into the East Rotunda. Giant globes of all the major Sector worlds hung above their heads. Daysyn gestured towards the far side of the Rotunda where the Office of Records was located. "Ymena, as a Sector Senator your life is no longer entirely your own. The Party can not afford to demonstrate any weakness." He glanced again at Vyky. "Who knows, your daughter might follow in your foot steps and one day become an important member of IFP herself... but not if we now foolishly leave her open to SUP malevolence."
Vyky patiently explained to Daysyn, "I'm a writer, not a politician, so don't imagine that I have political ambitions."
Senator Pechuff, Senator Nodeseph and Vyky entered the Office of Records. The rest of the welcoming delegation returned to their regular duties. Daysyn approached a comdesk under a sign that said REGISTRATION and PERSONNEL.
A clerk looked up from his work at the desk and said, "Good afternoon, Senator Pechuff."
Senator Pechuff felt the side of Ymena's scalp and detected a small metallic object nestled in her hair close the the skin and suggested, "You have another prosthetic..."
Ymena nodded. "I was expecting to wear both devices as long as my daughter is here."
Daysyn nodded. "Ah, yes, the Werefe telepaq. I've never seen one before." He had not actually seen Ymena's. "It is quite small, so I think we can make an adjustment..." He told the clerk, "Please make a quick alteration to her Senatorial telepaq so that it can rest on top of this other device."
The clerk said, "The telepaq technician will want to make an appointment and spend at least an hour taking measurements and synthesizing a new-"
Senator Pechuff impatiently interrupted the clerk. "Make an appointment for that careful fitting to be done tomorrow." Daysyn was in a rush. "Today we don't have time for perfection."
The clerk nodded and asked Ymena to sit in the chair behind the comdesk. He made a few quick measurements of the Werefe telepaq and then took out a set of tools and began modifying the linkages between the modules of the Senatorial telepaq.
Two others, a man and a woman had just entered the office from the Rotunda. Senator Pechuff approached one of them and asked, "Myquel, are you here to help with our little emergency?"
Myquel wore a severe black jumpsuit that looked almost like a uniform. He saluted Daysyn and replied, "I was in the barracks and off duty. I was apparently the most readily available Guardian when your emergency request arrived.""Well, I'm glad it was you!" Daysyn gestured towards Vyky. "Here is the emergency... Senator Nodeseph's daughter, Vyky, just arrived on planet. She plans to vacation on Mysyny for a time and then depart. As long as she is here, I want her watched."
"Understood, sir."
Vyky objected, "Well, I don't understand. I can take care of myself. I doubt if Myquel will help at all. If he follows me around it will only attract attention."
Senator Nodeseff now had her hat in her hand with the new telepaq securely held in place by a head band. The new telepaq would link her to the other Senators and, indeed, could also establish communications links to all the other residents of Mysyny who were part of the Galaxia network. Via the Senatorial telepaq, Daysyn told Ymena: Please tell your daughter that she can either sit inside your apartment or she can go out sightseeing, with an escort. It is her choice.
On their own separate circuit, the two women from Noxtid were telepathically and privately linked by means of their Werefe telepaqs. Ymena placed a hand on her daughter's arm and they walked towards the door: Let's meet for dinner after the Senate session. Ymena glanced at Myquel. You will be locked inside my apartment unless you accept this escort.
Vyky shrugged, glanced over her shoulder towards Myquel and then quickly walked out the door: See you for dinner, mom. I'll find out if this dolt can keep up with me!
Vyky walked quickly with long legs thrusting her along on bounding strides in the relatively low gravity of Mysyny. She paused in the center of the Rotunda, looking up at the globe symbolizing her home world of Noxtid. Myquel was there at her side. He said, "I can't seem to connect to your telepaq." He flicked his eyes upwards briefly to follow her gaze then asked, "What channel are you using?"
Vyky looked at him and noticed that the woman who had arrived in the office with Myquel had also followed her. Vyky muttered to Myquel, "I think we are being followed."Myquel glanced at the woman and gestured towards her. "This is Lunanna, my counterpart in the SUP."
Lunanna stepped close to Vyky and said, "By law, all escort details for family members of legislators must include at least one member of each party."
Vyky tried to scan Lunanna's mind, but she sensed an anomalous pattern of brain activity. Myquel was emitting a more typical electrical brainwave pattern. She told her two escorts, "Maybe you two can entertain each other while have a look around." She took off, almost at a run and soon was skipping down the steps in front of the Senatorium with both and Lunanna and Myquel trying to keep up, following along and trying not to create the appearance that they were chasing after Vyky.
Five minutes later they passed through the East Gate of the Legislative Complex and into the busy surroundings of a city street. The wild dash across the Legislative District by Vyky had only served to convince her that she was not going to easily escape from either Lunanna or Myquel. She looked down the street in one direction then up the street in the other direction. Throngs of pedestrians were going in and out of the Gate and swarms of aircars now filled the sky above. They were no longer shielded from the weather by a platgren dome. Vyky sighed and looked more carefully at Myquel. His eyes seemed to be spiraling around in their sockets as he tried to continually scan their surroundings. Lunanna was gazing in the opposite direction, also scanning the crowd. "I wish I had my coat. It is colder out here than I expected."
"A cold front came through this morning." Myquel suggested, "I'll take you to Senator Nodeseph's apartment. Your luggage has been sent there."
"No, my coat is back on Noxtid." She looked off down the street. "Let's find a shop where I can pick up some warmer clothes."Lunanna pointed along the boulevard. "There is Rupert's."
Vyky strolled down the street with Myquel close by her right side and Lunanna to her left. She asked, "You two have worked together before?"
Lunanna replied, "Yes, we have."
Vyky was growing increasingly alarmed by the strange brain activity pattern she was detecting from Lunanna. She asked Myquel, "What's wrong with her... brain damage?"
Myquel laughed, "I don't think so. Being an ardent SUP member does not necessarily imply that someone is stupid or mentally defective."
Vyky insisted, "I've never felt a mind like hers."
"It is you who seem strange to me." Lunanna added, "There are many different gene patterns scattered through the galaxy. For example, you are the first Werefe who I've met."
They were approaching the storefront for Rupert's Emporium. The window displays depicted what Vyky assumed were currently popular clothing styles of Mysyny. "We are a small minority group on Noxtid. I'm surprised you've heard of us."
They passed through an archway and into Rupert's. Lunanna said, "I've been researching your mother ever since I was assigned to escort you."
Myquel gestured to one side of the store. "Fall season apparel is over here."
Surprised to see Myquel walking off towards the back of the store, Vyky began looking at the nearest display rack that held shoes and accessories. Lunanna was right at her elbow, offering a steady steam of advice about warm, water-proof footwear. Vyky placed a hand on Lunanna's back and guided her towards a brightly colored display. "This looks like the style you are wearing. Will it keep me warm?" Even with her hand close to Lunanna, Vyky could not detect any of the electrical emanations from the other woman that normally accompanied human brain activity.A minute later, Vyky turned a corner near a display rack and there was Myquel holding out towards her a black pantsuit that seemed quite similar in design to what he was wearing. He suggested, "Try this on, Vyky, I think it is your size."
She laughed and asked, "Do you have a weird preference for black clothing?"
He replied, "Black is one of the traditional IFP colors."
Vyky glanced at the brightly decorated Lunanna. "Her clothing is pretty and also functional."
Myquel advised, "You don't want to dress like a Socialist. Your mother might suffer shame."
Vyky asked incredulously, "Do you really dress differently just because you are in different political parties?" Sensing that was exactly the case, she shrugged and took the black pantsuit from Myquel. She marched into a changing room and closed the door behind her. The material of the new suit was soft and rich. Vyky began to take off her top, but then stopped. She had never completely depilated her body. From her breasts to her upper thighs she was still very hairy, like a normal Werefe. She decided to now dress in two layers of clothes.She slipped the black suit on over the light pajama-like suit she was wearing and looked at the display screen of the videoproj, luxuriating in the warmth provided by the new jumpsuit. Satisfied with Myquel's selection, he stepped out of the dressing room and found that both of her escorts were just outside the dressing room door, in their usual pose of looking in opposite directions, as if they were a well-coordinated team. Vyky walked quickly out of the store and continued down the street, now much more comfortable in the cool autumn air.
Vyky was enjoying the unique architectural nuances of that Mysyny street and she was also now playing the guessing game of identify passing SUP and IFP members by their clothing. Half the crowd was dressed in subdued browns and grays while the other half wore bright colors. Occasionally pausing to look in storefront windows, Vyky made her way down the street, gradually becoming a bit sad to discover that beyond cosmetic surface design differences, the elements of life on Mysyny all seemed to be pretty much the same here as they had been on Terminus. Galaxia was gradually turning all 25,000,000 human-settled planets of the galaxy into a homogeneous soup with no space for the unusual. Vyky was shaken out of her thoughts when a woman approached and Myquel pushed her away. Vyky asked, "What is going on?"Lunanna explained, "She claims to be a reporter. She wants to interview you, but she has no appointment."The woman shouted at Myquel, "Let me speak to her! She won't even acknowledge my comsig."
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