Mercury (40 page)

“…four million deaths,” the elder Yamagata’s voice was rasping. “That is a heavy burden to bear, my son.”

Nobu nodded. Unbidden, a childhood memory rushed upon him. He was six years old, and he had run down one of the house’s cats with his electric go-cart. His father loomed before him, his face stern. Young Nobu admitted he’d killed the cat, and even confessed that it was no accident; he’d deliberately tried to hit the animal.

“I thought it would get out of my way,” he said. “It was too fat and lazy to save itself.”

Father’s face showed surprise for an instant, then he regained his self-control. “That creature’s life was in your hands,” he said. “It was your responsibility to protect it, not to kill it. The world is filled with fat and lazy creatures. You have no right to kill them simply because they get in your way.” And he walked away from his son. No punishment, although Nobu drove his go-cart with greater care afterward. For a while.

“Four million deaths,” his father’s voice rasped from the audio speaker. “And mine, too. I’m dying because of the skytower.”

Nobu’s eyes widened. Father! I’ve murdered you!

Aloud, he cried, “What have I done? What have I done?”

As if he could hear his son’s sudden anguish, Saito Yamagata gasped, “If you have any… feelings for me … come to Mercury. Finish … my work. Please, Nobu. Give us… the stars.”

His father’s voice went silent. Nobuhiko sank back against his desk chair. The intimate office was lit only by the lamp on his desk, a single pool of light against the shadows.

Nobu fingered the controls in his chair’s armrest that turned the office ceiling transparent. Leaning his head back, he saw the stars glittering in the dark night sky.

Father went to Mercury to atone for his sins, Nobuhiko thought. Now he expects me to do the same to atone for my own.

His lips curled into an ironic smile. Leave everything and traipse off to Mercury to build power satellites that will propel a starship. How like Father. Always trying to make me live up to my responsibilities.

Nobu got to his feet. I suppose I could direct the star project from here, he thought. I can visit Mercury but I don’t have to remain there permanently.

He knew he was fooling himself. As he left his office and rejoined his family, he wondered how long it would take to travel to Alpha Centauri.