Planetbound
Copyright© 2026 by D M Arnold
Chapter 20: Destiny
Suki adjusted a lifxarpa. “When you visit — bring me some bras. I know your people aren’t big on underwear.”
“I’ll bring whatever you want.”
“You had this ... rescue planned. How did you know...”
“I didn’t. Mine was a contingency plan — and then, everything fell into place. I figured if you were in the tower, you’d have to be there first thing in the morning. You couldn’t have arrived after the attack was in progress — you’d have been turned away. You said it’s a twenty-minute walk from Pace.”
“You timed it all out.”
“I walked with you yesterday to estimate the timing of the train, and how far to Pace. The only snag was when I followed you from Grand Central. I missed your train and was convinced I had lost you. You owe your life to your conversation with your dean.”
“Maybe not. If he hadn’t delayed me, I might have been in and out of Daddy’s office before the attack.”
“Might-haves...”
“ ... don’t count,” she said, completing his sentence.
“I spent the rest of yesterday arranging details.” Nyk looked at the station’s chronometer. “We have some time before the packet is due, and I missed breakfast. Are you hungry? I could heat a couple meal packages.”
“I don’t have much of an appetite,”
“It’ll be a while before you arrive at The Residence,” he replied.
“All right, go ahead.” Nyk took a pair of meal packages from storage, put them in the warmer and pressed the button. After a few moments he retrieved them and set them on a table in the relay stations lounge.
He removed a bottle containing a pale blue liquid from a cooler. “This is some Gamman ale,” he explained. “It’s brewed from an herb only found on Gamma-5. It’s mildly intoxicating but it’s something I enjoy. Shall I pour you a glass?”
“Fine,” she said. He poured a glass and set it before her, then he poured one for himself. He handed her a utensil combining a fork and spoon. “We call this a spork.” She opened the packet and took a bite. “I had forgotten how bland the food on your planet is.”
“You had better get used to it.”
She sipped her drink. “This is quite good. I like the flavor and the carbonation. When you come to visit, also please bring me some cans of tuna — water packed. And, a can opener of the hand cranked variety.”
“I’ll bring you any other Earth item you’d like.”
Suki ate some more. “I was more hungry than I imagined,” she said. “Thanks for this.”
“We were discussing Destiny,” he said. “Is that something you believe in?”
“No,” she replied, “I’m an atheist. I don’t believe there’s some supernatural being planning the universe.”
“I don’t either.” he replied, “but I do have faith in Destiny. Faith is trusting the unprovable. Earth religions are all based on faith. There is no way anyone can develop a testable proof of the existence, or, non-existence of God.”
“You sound like a scientist,” she replied.
“I’ve been married to one. Some of it has rubbed off on me.”
“You’re right about Earth’s religions. In fact, I believe each religion is a capsule of the time in which it was formed.”
“If the existence of God could be proved,” he added, “we would not require faith because it would be fact. We would have no need of religion.”
“Agreed,” she replied.
“I think the same goes for Destiny. These out-of-body experiences you’ve had — they give me evidence that validates my faith in Destiny.”
“How so?” she asked, taking another bite.
“Each one happened at the cusp of your near death. The first one stopped your suicide after your dismissal from your post at the University.”
“It was your intervention that stopped it.”
“It convinced you that what you were doing was wrong,” he replied. “If you had been strong enough you would have called for help. I have faith that Destiny sent me to you to save you.”
“Go on.”
“If your suicide had succeeded, you would have eliminated the possibility of your descendant, Koichi, from participating in the Centauri mission. That would have eliminated Floran and we wouldn’t be here having this discussion.”
“What if someone had taken his place?” she asked.
“There would be no Kyhanas on Floran, assuming Floran even existed. There would be no me.”
“I suppose...”
“Your second out of body experience occurred when you were despondent over me leaving you. Had you succeeded, you would not have only killed yourself but your unborn child, too, also denying Destiny Koichi’s participation in the mission. Those events give me my faith in Destiny.”
“But what about this latest occurrence?” she asked. “Koichi’s ancestry is assured. Why would Destiny care this time?”
“I don’t know,” he replied, “but I have faith that Destiny has a reason.”
“And, again, you intervened.”
“Destiny, through Andra’s agency, gave me precognizance of the attack. She also sent your dean to delay you until I could catch up with you. If She wanted you dead, none of that would have happened.”
“Do you think Destiny sent the terrorists?” she asked.
“I think they had mis-guided faith in something else.”
“Nykkyo, everyone’s faith is their own. If your faith in Destiny helps you go forward, then it’s a good thing. I believe there is a different agent responsible.”
“What?”
“You, Nykkyo, and your natural problem-solving ability. I have never met anyone as sharp as you when it comes to observing events, forming a deduction, developing an action plan and executing it. I don’t need faith in Destiny when I have faith in you.”
“Well ... As long as you have faith in something I guess.”
Suki finished her meal and drained her glass. “That Gamman ale made the dinner,” she said.
“Are you feeling its effects?”
“I feel a warm emotional haze that tells me everything will be all right.”
Nyk heard and felt a thud reverberate through the relay station. “Come, korlyta — the moment of our parting draws near. Remember — even if we’re apart, we’re together. I’ll never stop loving you. Love is communication — we’ll always have each other so long as we can communicate. Will you remember?”
“I will never forget.”
“Take care of yourself.”
“You take care of yourself. I’m getting off easy — YOU have to raise Nicky as a single dad.” A tear ran down her face. “Take care of Mom — okay?”
He nodded. “I feel sorriest for your mother. It will be hard for her.”
The docking tunnel door opened and Andra emerged. She opened her arms to Suki and embraced her. “Sukiko — I sorry am — but happy too.”
Nyk embraced Andra and kissed her. “You said you’d do whatever I needed. I need you to love and care for my korlyta.”
“I do and I shall. This request is no burden, Nyk.”
He held Suki. “‘Til we meet again.”
Andra faced Suki and they embraced. “Andra,” Suki said, “mi z’am. First words of Lingwa Nykkyo taught me.”
Andra replied, “I you... ne, I love you, Sukiko. Now we leave ... must. Packet no wait.”
Suki followed Andra into the docking tunnel. The airlock door closed. Nyk watched the packet pull away and vanish into her warp jump.
Nyk piloted the bubble shuttle to a rooftop landing. He climbed out and began hooking the safety tethers. Seymor approached from the sliding doors.
“I’m in shock,” Seymor said. “The whole city — the whole country is. It’ll be days before we can get into the office — maybe weeks. I’m glad my office faces north.”
Nyk headed into the penthouse. “I’m numb.”
Seymor put his arm around him. “Once the plane hit — I realized what your game was. It was a gutsy thing you did.”
“I couldn’t bear the thought of her dying — especially that way.”
“If I were in your position, I’d have done the same — assuming I’d have thought of it. With that sort of thinking and execution — you’ll make a first-rate Agent-in-Chief, Nyk — a better one than me.”
“I wish I could’ve saved her father, too.”
“You did all you could. Lad ... I’m sure there will be legal issues. If I can help in any way...”
“Well — they’re probably both in testate. George’s estate will go to Yasuko and Suki’s — what there is of it — will go to me as her husband. My big concern is Nicky. Now, I wish I had married her before he was born — then, there’d be no question.”
“I’ll look into it. My gut tells me you have little to worry about.”
Nyk looked at his watch. “It’s one in the morning. I wonder if I can get a cab to Queens.”
Seymor shook his head. “I’ll drive you.” Nyk followed him to the elevator.
The car pulled up to the house in Queens. “I’m dreading this,” Nyk said.
“Good luck and good courage, lad. Take as long as you need.” He nodded and stepped from the car.
Nyk climbed the steps. He gave Seymor the two-fingered Floran salute, then unlocked the door. Yasuko was pacing and holding a tissue. He opened his arms to her.
“Nick! Oh, Nick — I’m so happy to see you. Do you know?” He nodded. “I fear the worst for George and Sukiko. As soon as I heard ... I tried calling George’s office and spoke to his secretary. He left for his appointment hasn’t been heard from. Then, I called Pace. They told me Sukiko had dropped off some exams and was headed over there — she never returned. Oh, God, Nick!”
Nyk held her as she sobbed against him. He stroked the back of her head. Her sobbing became weeping — then wailing. “It’s my fault!” she blubbered. “I sent her there with that damned paper. Oh, Nick! I killed my own daughter! How can you forgive me?”
“You did nothing of the sort,” he replied. She continued to wail. “Please, Yasuko — I don’t think either George or Suki would want to see you grieve so.”
“My grief is my own,” she replied between sobs. “I feel like the bottom of my heart has been blown away.”
“It could be days before we know...”
“I already know ... George’s appointment was two floors above where the plane hit. No one could’ve survived...” She wailed again. “Why? Why would anyone want to harm George or my baby? They never hurt anyone!”
“I don’t understand it. There’s such a wealth of diversity on this world. Why can’t the inhabitants of this rock enrich each other through friendship and understanding? Why is it easier to hate and destroy? If I grow old here, I’ll never understand.”
Yasuko clutched him as he held her. “How can you take things so calmly, Nick?”
“Everything happens for a reason. We’re all following the paths Destiny traces for us — paths we have no choice but to follow. She may not reveal Her reasons in our lifetimes — but there IS a purpose for everything.”
“Do you really believe there’s some master plan for the universe?”
“I don’t believe in God — I have to believe in something.”
“And, your belief makes it easier for you.”
“It makes it easier not to feel guilt. I know I did all I could do.” He looked into her eyes and his began to brim over. “Oh, Yasuko,” he sobbed, “I’ll miss them so much!”
She embraced him again and kissed his cheek. “So will I.”
Nyk began to regain his composure. “I’m exhausted,” he said. “I know it’s pointless, but I’m going to try to get some sleep. You should, too.”
She nodded. “Good night, Nick.”
Nyk brought Nicky into the kitchen and plopped him into his high chair. “He’s all changed and washed — ready for his breakfast.”
Yasuko produced some strained baby food and began feeding him. “Nick...”
“Yes, Yasuko?”
“I know now there’s nothing keeping you here, but I hope...”
“Yasuko — this is my home.”
“I was thinking — if, at some point ... you’d like to bring a ... a companion into the house ... another woman...” She brushed away tears. “I’d be willing to love her like a daughter.”
“It won’t happen. Suki is the one I love most in this world. I’d never replace her.”
“But — Nicky needs a woman’s touch.”
“He has yours.”
“I might not be here forever. Nothing’s forever — as yesterday demonstrated.”
Nyk poured a cup of coffee for himself. “Did you sleep at all?”
She shook her head. “Not anything worth the name sleep.”
“Me neither,” he replied.
“Going to bed alone will be the hardest thing. All my demons come out at night.”
Nyk stood and caressed her back. “Yasuko — if there are nights in which you need someone — I’m here.”
She looked at him agape. “Nick — I’d never...”