Children of Hope (51 page)

“No!” My voice was shrill. “Not there!” It had been my prison. I strove for calm. “Could we go home?
Olympiad
?”

“Home.” Fath’s voice was soft. “Yes, I’ll be going aloft in a bit. The aliens await. But first I’ve work here. Would you wait on the ship for me?”

“No, sir.” Somehow, I managed to meet his eye. After all we’d been through, it was vile to defy him.

“If I ordered it?”

My voice was a whisper. “I’d disobey.”

A sigh. “I won’t force you. And I can’t take the shuttle just yet. Once I’m aloft I don’t think I’ll see groundside for quite a while.”

I recalled Fath supine, white-faced, his stretcher lifted through the lock to
Olympiad,
when he and I and Mik …” I swallowed.

“Jerence, I’ll need transport for Randy; he’s reeling on his feet and needs refuge.”

Mr Branstead said, “Why not my home? I’d be happy to—”

“To Carr Plantation.” My voice was unsteady. “Please, Fath. Just for a while.” Let me pretend my life of late was only a fading nightmare.

Fath and Mr Branstead exchanged glances. “It’s as good a base as any, Jerence. I’ll stay with him while we sort things out. If you’ve men to spare, find Andori. He’s a viper, and will cause us no end of harm.” With exquisite care, Fath lay soft fingers on my inflamed shoulder. “Come along, son.”

I
T WAS A SULTRY
midday, and Mom was nowhere to be found. Annette, the cook, said she’d gone to Centraltown for a church meeting. I wondered if Mom had even been aware of my trial; Limeys unpredictably faded in and out of their chemdreams.

Escaping the baleful sun, I brushed past a squad of the guards Mr Branstead had sent to watch over us, and stood gratefully below a cooling vent in the hall outside the study.

Having an escort embarrassed me; I’d known Sergeant Zack Martel’s brother Rafe for years. I felt I was playing at soldiers, and half expected them to salute.

Scant hours past, I’d been awaiting a death sentence, Fath had been a fugitive. Now, in bizarre anticlimax, I trudged up two flights to my room, eased myself onto my old familiar bed, kicked off my shoes.

Popping a pair of painkillers did nothing to ease the throb of my absent arm. I wondered if I’d ever get used to it. In the heli, Fath had spoken soothingly of a prosth, but I would have none of it, and told him so, perhaps rather mulishly. He’d frowned, and let the matter drop.

I tried to rest, as Fath had bidden, but it was no use. After a time, I struggled into my shoes and padded downstairs.

In the spartan room that had been Anth’s study, Fath spoke into the caller, his expression grim. “It wasn’t interfering, sir. If you’ll recall, I was shanghaied.” I tiptoed in, took a seat, making sure he saw me. I would
not
be accused of eavesdropping. Never again.

Admiral Kenzig’s tone was waspish. “But after escaping, you returned to overthrow the lawfully constituted—”

“Oh, nonsense.” A pause. “Sir.” Outside camera range, Fath patted my knee reassuringly. “Anthony Carr headed a government long recognized by the U.N., despite Ambassador McEwan’s wish that it be otherwise. Anthony appointed Branstead as chief of staff and deputy Stadholder. After Carr was killed in the attempted coup, Jerence was the only member of government free from coercion. He restored order.”

“Is that so?” It was a growl. “Was it Branstead who burst through the Cathedral doors and bade U.N.N.S. personnel arrest the Bishop? It’s not the Navy’s role to intervene in changes of colonial government, no matter—”

Fath’s fingers drummed on the desktop, sign of a gathering storm. “Whom, exactly, did you want burned, Admiral? Me, or my ship’s boy?”

Kenzig said only, “That’s uncalled for, Mr SecGen.”

Fath paid no heed. “I was lured from
Olympiad,
kidnapped, put on trial for my life. Does Naval policy condone such infamy?”

“Certainly not, but once you were freed—”

“If not for Randy, I’d be ashes, drifting in the wind. Should I have allowed the Bishops to put him to death? He was a member of my ship’s company, and a U.N. citizen.”

“Only because you made him so.”

“You’re saying naturalized citizens have no right to our protection?”

“Bless it, Seafort, don’t twist my words.”

For a long moment Fath was silent. “Sir, we all know why Andori was sent here: to promote recolonialization. He’ll support any government that aids his cause. McEwan is firmly in their camp. Are you?”

At the door, a shadow.

I jumped up. “Mom!” I yearned to fall in her arms, rest my head on her shoulder. I’d been through so much, the world had turned upside—

She bared her teeth. “What’s
he
doing here?”

Kenzig glowered. “My task is to protect U.N. Naval—”

I put a finger to my lips, glanced at the caller.

“Get him
out
!” Imperiously, Mom pointed toward the helipad.

Fath frowned. “With due respect, sir, the situation doesn’t permit equivocation.”

My jaw dropped. The Admiral was, after all, Fath’s superior. A word from him could remove Fath from command, former SecGen or no.

But it was Kenzig who retreated. “You put us in an extremely awkward … You arrested the
Bishop
! The Bishop of the Reunified Church that underlies our government!”

Mom hissed, “Excommunicate! Spawn of Satan!” Did she mean Fath, or me? I waved her silent. For years, she’d ranted without cause, succumbing to maudlin sentiment moments afterward. We’d learned to pay little heed.

“Actually, I
rearrested
Scanlen.” Fath’s tone was dry. “Awaiting trial, he escaped custody of the Commonweal of Hope Nation.”

“He’s still our Bishop!”

“And a fallible human.” Fath. “Not above law.”

Mom’s voice was shrill. “I’ll call the Home Guard!” Good; the last we knew, the Home Guard was firmly in Mr Branstead’s hands.

The Admiral said, “Scanlen’s above civil law. Only the Church itself can—”

“That’s at home, sir. In an independent commonweal, he’s subject to—”

“Damn it, Seafort!”

Fath ignored the blasphemy. “
Are
you in their camp, sir? Will you help McEwan recolonialize Hope Nation?”

A long, reluctant pause. “That’s not my brief.”

Gently, I shut the study door on Mom’s frozen glare, crept back to my seat.

“Very well.” If Fath felt relief at the Admiral’s capitulation, he gave no sign. “I propose we help Mr Branstead’s government restore order, then withdraw.”

“The Patriarchs will be outraged if I leave Scanlen in colonial hands …”

“I’ll escort him home for trial. No doubt Branstead will be relieved.”

“No, we’ll lodge no charges. You’ll make it clear the Bishop was expelled by the Commonweal, that we didn’t force him home. When will you go aloft?”

“As soon as possible. As you’ll recall, a fish is standing off
Olympiad’
s bow waiting to resume negotiations.”

“Ahh, about that … Don’t you think the matter should be referred to home system? They’ll send a team—”

“No.” Into the silence Fath added, “I don’t think so. The aliens can’t wait. Surely you agree, sir.”

“Well—”

“Precisely. Is there anything else?” Pointedly, Fath looked at his watch.

“I suppose not. Shall we enter it in the Log that you engaged the aliens in discussions of your own initiative?”

“I have no objection, sir.”

“Very well.” They rang off.

“Whew.” After a moment, Fath favored me with a scowl. “What are you doing out of bed?”

“Couldn’t sleep.” I tried to shrug, was brought up short with a stab of pain. “Are you in trouble?”

“No doubt Mr Kenzig will be glad to see the last of me. What was that commotion in the doorway?”

“Mom wanted—” I snapped my mouth shut.

“Yes?”

I said reluctantly, “Wanted you gone.”

“Ahh.” A pause. “I should have realized. I’ll stay with Jerence.”

“No!” It was almost a shout. “You’re my guest, Fath.” Did he understand the dishonor to Carr Plantation, to our family, if he were made unwelcome? Beyond that, far more important, he was Dad’s closest friend, the father I’d …” I swallowed hard.

“I can’t stay if Sandra objects …”

“Let her prong herself.” My tone was reckless.

“Derek loved her.” His tone reproved me, as it ought.

“I don’t—” I grimaced. “I’ll talk to her.” Perhaps she’d already have forgotten.

“Let me know soon.” He turned back to the caller.

I found Mom in a padded kitchen chair, staring moodily at a cup of coffee. Before I could say a word, she grated, “I wish you’d killed him.”

It took my breath away. “Do you remember our visit, when you let him kiss your hand?”

“Yes, I’m not senile. Seafort has charm, that beguiled your father. He has the arrogance that made him SecGen. And he had contempt for God and His Church.”

That was utterly unfair. “You don’t know—”

“Don’t tell me what I know, child!” She slammed her palm on the countertop, slopping a spoonful of coffee. “I know it’s mortal sin to consort with an excommunicate,
and I want him out of my house
!”

“He’s my father.”

“Derek Anthony Carr is your father!”

Steady, son.

Was it Dad or Fath who whispered? No matter.

“I invited him, Mom.” I made my tone reasonable. “There’s a bond of hospitality.” She was a Carr, and before that, a Winthrop; how could she not understand?

“He’ll writhe in Hell.” She sopped a puddle of coffee with her napkin.

“For Dad’s sake, let him stay.”

“For Derek’s sake. Yes, your real father would risk his soul for friendship.” A tired shrug, as if nothing mattered. “Risk yours, if you must.” A long, drifting pause. “Very well, I won’t throw your precious Captain out.”

“Thank you, Mom.” Awkwardly, I gave her a one-handed embrace, turned to go.

“It’s good you’re home.” Her voice was languid, drifting off to a far place. “I missed you.”

My eyes stung.

“By the way, what happened to your arm?”

Disconsolate, I made my way back to the study.

Fath raised an eyebrow.

“I talked to Mom. It’s all right.” A bit of an overstatement, but …

He seemed reflective. “She signed the adoption papers, you know. That limits our options.”

I blinked. “How?”

“You want me to take you aloft.”

“Of course.”

“As ship’s boy?”

I opened my mouth, shut it again. I’d demanded remission of enlistment, and Tolliver had granted it.

He followed my thought. “There’s more, son.”

I said weakly, “The shuttle.” I’d hijacked it at gunpoint.

“It presents a problem.” He pursed his lips. “Armed seizure of Naval property. Mandatory death penalty, and so on. Oh, don’t be alarmed, there’ll be no prosecution.” Fath’s tone was dry. “Tolliver won’t be amused, though privately he’s ecstatic that you freed me. But he’ll argue for a trial, to avoid favoritism.”

“Try me.”

“Yes, the Carrs pay their debts, and all that. Not this time, joey; there’ll be a finding of temporary insanity. Dr Romez won’t quibble. But it’s complicated. When you left the ship’s company, you lost U.N. citizenship, unless your adoption also separately conferred it. I think it does.” He scratched his head. “If not, by what authority do I take you aloft, or out of system?”

“Who’ll care?”

“Judge Hycliff, for one.” He’d given custody of me to the Church.

“But that government was overthrown.”

“And we restored it. See why Admiral Kenzig told me not to meddle in local affairs?” A sigh. “And of course I’ll have to reenlist you, and no doubt that will raise eyebrows as well. Oh? You didn’t think I would?”

“It didn’t matter at the time. Now …” My eyes welled. “Thank you, Fath. Sir.”

“Palabee too.” It was the next morning, and Mr Branstead paced our living room while, outside, sullen raindrops beat against the windows. “He and Andori have vanished. They could be in the Ventura Mountains, the Zone, Lord God knows where. It isn’t over.”

Fath nodded unhappily. “And the troops you sent after them …”

“I can’t be sure they’re with us.”

“Lord damn it, Jerence, I won’t leave ’til this is settled. And I must go to my ship.”

“Why?”

“An alien is floating a kilometer off our port side. I do believe he’s waiting for me. That negotiation is of utmost importance.”

“Go aloft. I’ll handle—”

“We Defused at Hope Nation at a critical moment to the Carrs, and I let Anthony’s life slip through my fingers. Derek would never forgive me. Randy—” Fath patted my knee. “—came within an inch of death as well. I won’t make that error yet again.”

“I don’t underst—”

“You’ve followed my erratic course for forty years, Jerence, old friend. I’ll see you to safe harbor.”

Mr Branstead turned abruptly, stared a long while out the window. “Thank you.” His voice was gruff.

I tried to stretch without calling attention, lest Fath send me out for privacy, as he had during a few of his calls. Now that Anth was forever gone, the only room I found of interest was the one Fath inhabited. The guest house brought sharp memories of Kevin Dakko; the kitchen and Mom’s patio chaise, a vague discomfort. My own bedroom seemed petty and small, a relic of a life long past.

Fath asked him, “Will they elect you Stadholder?”

“It’s quite possible. I’m seen as neutral, allied with none of the planter factions. And even if not, this week’s events will bestow a modicum of influence.”

Watching raindrops dreamily descend the pane, I worked out a kink in my leg.

“No doubt. Once Palabee’s caught, how he’s handled will—Randy, haven’t you something to do?”

“No, sir.” I tried to look inconspicuous.

“Isn’t there anyone you’d like to see? Old friends? Once we Fuse, you’ll be gone a long while.”

Perhaps my adventures would impress Alex Hopewell. And if Judy Win—“Oh!” I gathered my courage. “Could I go see Judy Winthrop?” If he laughed at me …

“Jerence, is it safe?”

“As anywhere, I suppose. The Winthrops are no supporters of Andori. And we’ll send your contingent of guards, mine will do for us both.”

“Aww!”

“Not without guards, son. Go wash up.”