Summer Planets by A. T. Nager (great YA SF novel a teenager age 19)

Page 24.

17. Dust

Behind Jared Fallon an air cab took off with a slight soughing sound in the near-evening cemetery. They had told him Eystrigg’s funeral was to be here. Mbe must be here; those State cars outside…

Raskians stood all about the bier. Mbe was the only Mercurian there. At first he seemed not to recognize Jared; a light dawned small in the tired yellowing eyes, and he motioned to Jared to stand behind him. Jared did so.

A lector was reading something in the soft, sadly sibilant tongue of Rasalhague. Crickets were beginning to chirp. A bird warbled among the towering mountains of green all around, the last of the famed Hearthclimber trees of Mercury. Another bird squawked somewhere, disturbed in its sleep. The air was soft and fragrant.

Auburn sun glow in gathering gloom; the days were turning cold, Jared decided slowly; in these times. A sad autumn was descending on the City of the Universe as it swung outward in its orbit of Aldebaran. Winter was coming deep and eternal. Jared wondered if, ages before, some man might not have stood among the uncoffered amber of the evening woods, watching sadly as the dying of the warm months rhymed with the swelling litanies for the dying in the waning of the world he had always known. Had he dreamed, dared to hope for, rebirth?

The service was over.

Chase and his followers briskly made their way out of the cemetery. They walked ahead, old men and somber young, dressed darkly, in a line across the breadth of the gravel walk. The austere faith of Chenner clung about them like frosty breath.

Mbe and Jared and some plainclothesmen followed, looking wilted in the face of unspoken epithets.

Mbe drew back with Jared. “Lieutenant, you are the only one of my men who showed up today. Thank you. What happed last night?”

“I was ill, and…I couldn’t move.”

“Hm; I hope you’re well today; well, anyway…” he nodded, engrossed…”Perez, Van Eyck, Jardin…Why didn’t they come?” He snapped a finger. “Jared, something’s afoot. They know something…They’re keeping clear of me for a reason. They know something I don’t.”

“Our lives,” Jared asked, “are we in danger now?”

“No, of course not,” Mbe said quickly. He looked strangely at Jared for an instant. He smiled reassuringly. “Won’t worry, Lieutenant. I’m still in control here, and I have my agents. I’ll handle this situation in a few hours. What I want you to do, meanwhile, is to go to the Center House for me. I’ll be there in about an hour.”

“Yes?” He was a bit hesitant, but Nothing.

“Go to my office. You’ll have to get the keys from my secretary. Take out the files on the brush wars on Shaula 09, and go over them in a general way. Have a broad resume ready for me when I get there. I know there isn’t much time, but it’s very important.” Mbe nodded and slapped him on the shoulder.

Mbe spoke briefly with the other Mercurians, and they nodded. A state car waited. The Raskians had already left. Instead of getting into the great, polished vehicle, Mbe told Jared to take the car and hurry back to Olympia House. Jared said to himself, the Delegate’s brusque manner was understandable, but annoying. Nevertheless, he entered the vehicle without further question and the driver jumped it into the air rapidly. They left Mbe and his plainclothesmen behind in a small, close group and headed uptown through the heavy traffic, with the broad, long expanse of Olympic Avenue rolling beneath them.

Thank you for reading. If you love it, tell your friends. Please post a favorable review at Amazon, Good Reads, and other online resources. If you want to thank the author, you may also buy a copy for the low price of a cup of coffee. It's called Read-a-Latte: similar (or lower) price as a latte at your favorite coffeeshop, but the book lasts forever while the beverage is quickly gone. Thank you (JTC).

TOP | MAIN