Christmas in Zonei - 20. Christmas with Family

Kim stared at the man in front of him in disbelief. Was this really his father? His memories of his father were vague but he had looked at pictures of him often enough. The man did look like his father. He had aged, of course, but still looked young for his forty-five years. His full head of salt and pepper hair was cropped close. He was a few inches taller than Kim, and from what Kim could see of his body—he was dressed in a fitted black tee and tight blue jeans—he was incredibly fit. The man was smiling at him, a great, huge grin. That smile he recognized.

Somehow, incredibly, his father stood before him.

“Dad!” Kim threw himself into his father’s arms, blinking back the tears that threatened to overflow. As the older man’s wrapped him into a tight hug, a lump bloomed in his throat. He buried his face in his father’s neck, the long-forgotten herbal scent washing over him along with a million memories of his earliest years.

Caught up in the maelstrom of his emotions, he barely noticed when he was shuffled into the small unit and Raeden closed the door behind them. Finally, taking a deep breath, he pulled away from the clinging hold he had on his father to look him in his face again.

Hiroshi was still smiling, the corners of his eyes crinkling. Kim became aware that his face was wet and he quickly drew the back of his hand across his cheeks.

“How … how can you possibly be alive after all these years?” Kim’s happiness and astonishment was tempered with a flare of hurt and anger. Had his father abandoned them?

“Please…” His father’s voice was low and calm. He released his hold on Kim’s shoulders, but touched his arm gently. “Sit. Relax. Let me make you some tea. Then I will answer your questions.” He gestured toward a pile of cushions scattered across the floor and Kim looked around the room in surprise.

The heavy curtain that had separated the room into two halves was gone and bright winter sun shone through the windows. The worn overstuffed chairs had also disappeared and in their place were a large woven tatami mat, seating cushions, and throw pillows. The plastic boxes that held Kim’s things were stacked neatly in a corner, but a Japanese-style, dark wood, modular unit, with drawers and cupboards, took up one whole wall.

The next thing Kim noticed was that the room was warm. Looking around, he spotted a large modern space heater, plugged into the PowMon. How lovely it would have been to have had that while he’d lived here. His father obviously had means. More questions came to mind, but he bit them back. Perhaps sensing his impatience, Raeden took his hand, led him over to the cushions, and settled down with him.

He waited with high anticipation while his father went through the ritual of making tea. It seemed surreal to be sitting in his old unit watching his father making tea in his old teapot. He fidgeted and Raeden laid a calming hand on his knee.

Leaning close, Raeden said quietly, “Merry Christmas, Kim!”

“This is your present for me?” Kim asked, agog.

“Yes. Do you like it?”

“I’m overwhelmed! I … I never imagined… ” He let out a short laugh. “Of course, I like it. I love it! Oh my God! My dad! How on earth did you find him? You did find him? He didn’t just come back on his own?”

“Michelle found him,” Raeden replied, “but I’ll let him tell you his story.”

Hiroshi had placed the tea set on a small tray which he now set on the floor in front of them. Dropping gracefully onto one of the cushions, he said, “I’m sorry. I still need to buy a zashiki table.”

Kim could only guess that his father meant the short tables that Japanese used when they were sitting on the floor. Another pang of loss swept over him; if he’d grown up with his father around, he would surely have known this already.

Hiroshi smiled at him, a sort of wistful smile as if he knew what Kim was thinking. He served in silence, settled back, and took a sip of tea. “So, what I am going to tell you is for your ears only. Do I have your agreement that my story does not leave this room?”

Both Kim and Raeden nodded solemnly.

“You are, of course, familiar with the Corporations’s former policy of testing everyone for telepathic inclinations?”

“Former policy?” Kim echoed. He’d wondered why he’d never been tested, but wasn’t aware that the government had discontinued the program.

“A few years ago they decided that the results they were getting were not worth the expense. You were never tested, were you?”

Kim shook his head. “No, never.”

His father smiled tightly. “I’m glad.”

“So what happened to you? Where have you been all these years?”

“The day I never returned home to you and your mother was the day I was tested for telepathic abilities. As soon as they saw my score, they whisked me away to be studied, poked, prodded, and trained. I’ve been a prisoner ever since.”

Kim stared at his father in horror. “Seventeen years! They’ve kept you prisoner this whole time?”

His father nodded. Kim glanced at Raeden. The big mod’s face was stony and while anger was radiating from him, there was no surprise. Raeden had obviously already known this.

“But you … you are well?” Kim asked. His father looked healthy.

Hiroshi let out a mirthless laugh, shaking his head. “Recently, I’ve been mostly left alone. Confined but not molested. The early years—when they didn’t know what they were doing and I had no means to defend myself—those years were rough. I’ve been imprisoned in virtual solitude for quite some time now. I am sure it has taken its toll on my psyche. I cannot judge my own mental health. Nevertheless, I am alive and functioning still, and I’ve been reunited with my son, so that is something.

Kim threw himself at his father, pulling him into a tight embrace. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry,” he murmured into his father’s neck. After a brief moment he realized that Hiroshi was not hugging him back; his body was stiff as a board. He started to pull away and his father patted him awkwardly on the shoulder.

“You will have to forgive me. I’m not used to such close contact.”

The lump that had been in Kim’s throat since he’d entered the unit swelled to choking proportions.

“It’s okay, Kim,” Hiroshi said gruffly. “I know it’s normal for family to comfort one another. It will take some time before I adjust, but I enjoyed your hug.”

Kim nodded and retreated back to his own cushion where Raeden wrapped a comforting arm around him. Kim snuggled into Raeden’s warmth. Not trusting himself to speak, he nodded at his father to continue his story.

“So, as I said, the beginning years were rough. I missed you and your mother terribly. Every day I chafed against confinement and fought my captors with every means I had available to me. Their restraints were unassailable and the more I fought them openly, the harsher their punishments became.

“But they were training me in telepathy during this time. I learned a great deal and started picking up on their thoughts. I realized the hopelessness of my situation and ceased to fight them openly. But I never gave up hope of escape—well, sometimes in my darkest hours hope would desert me—but when I saw the sun again it would always return. I thought of you and mother constantly and wondered how you were doing. Worried about how you would cope without my income. It looks like you managed to keep your Zonei status, at least.” He smiled again, a small wan smile. “When I am done with my story, I would very much like to hear yours.”

“Of course. There’s not much to tell.”

Hiroshi cocked an eyebrow at him and looked meaningfully at the giant mod whose lap Kim was practically sitting in.

“Well … until I met Raeden, anyway.” He felt heat rising in his cheeks and quickly turned the conversation back to his father. “So, what did the Corporation want from you?”

“They wished to train me to be one their spies, but I didn’t want to work for them. And I certainly didn’t want to comb through peoples thoughts and report on them. The more I resisted the harsher their methods became.”

Kim shuddered. He did not want to imagine what his father had gone through, but sitting on his slate-blue cushion, telling them his story, the older man was composed. A deep sense of calm emanated from him and Kim wondered at its source.

As if reading his thoughts, Hiroshi said, “I have studied the old ways. I meditate daily for at least an hour. It has been a balm to my soul.”

Kim nodded.

Your father is amazing. Raeden spoke clearly in his mind and Kim noticed a minute widening of his father’s eyes.

I think he can hear us, Kim responded.

Hiroshi smiled. Yes, I can. I’m sorry. I did not mean to eavesdrop, but your mental conversation is as clear to me as if you had spoken aloud.

“But the information I received is that you lost your telepathic abilities,” Raeden said, speaking aloud.

Kim’s father nodded. “Yes. It was how I survived. How I eventually escaped—with your help, of course. It would have taken me another year or two to do it on my own.”

Both Kim and Raeden looked at him expectantly, waiting for further explanation.

This is one of the things I don’t want to leave this room, Hiroshi said, using their mindlink. The only reason they let me go is because they no longer have any use for me. I managed to gain enough telepathic ability to fool their tests. I let my ability appear to gradually wane, of course. I didn’t want to give them any reason to study me further. Slowly, slowly, with each test they administered my score dropped. I am now, apparently, completely mundane. Have been for three years.

Kim’s heart started thumping with hope. You fooled their tests? That’s possible?

Yes. It wasn’t easy. The telepathy test involves a trained telepath reading your mind and judging how well you can sense them. Sometimes they’ll strike using a technique that is very painful to a telepath, but would not be noticeable by a mundane. You need to learn to withstand that without appearing to notice. You also need to put some thoughts on display for them to tromp through and to hide your real thoughts so well that they don’t even realize you’re hiding them. It took me a long time to perfect my techniques.

So you are a powerful mind reader? Raeden asked.

Yes. I have met no one better.

Can you train Kim to fool the testers?

Likely, but whether or not he can learn well enough before they test him is doubtful.

Kim shuddered slightly. Would they take him away from Raeden and torture him like they had his father? Then another thought occurred to him and he was horrified.

If they succeed in reading my mind, they’ll find out about you!

Yes. Hiroshi’s calm demeanor didn’t change. It was a risk I was willing to take because I don’t want to lose you to the same fate that befell me. But we have much to do. Raeden said that you will report to CorpSci next Tuesday morning to begin training as a warrior pair. I expect they will test you soon thereafter. I would like you to remain with me until then and I will spend every waking moment training you. His father grinned evilly at him. And I might not let you sleep.

Kim glanced at Raeden to see his reaction. The big man was frowning at his father and Kim sensed his trepidation. Kim trusted his father instinctively even though he really didn’t know him at all anymore. But the thought of spending time away from Raeden when they had just gotten together was an anathema. He could feel Raeden’s horror at the idea as well.

“What do you think, Kim?” Raeden asked, his voice neutral in spite of the conflicting emotions pouring off of him. “It’s up to you. I could stay here with you, if you like. I can sleep on the floor.”

Kim brightened at that thought, but then Hiroshi said, “No.” You are a distraction that he can’t afford right now. He will need all of his focus on his studies.

Taking in Kim’s expression, Hiroshi’s stance softened. “Raeden may visit every day.” He addressed his next comment to Raeden. It would be good for you to train as well. Although you already know how to shield your mind, your shields won’t hold up against a well-trained and determined interrogator. We’ll set up times for you to come train with us.

Hiroshi shifted his gaze back to Kim. “It’s decided then?”

Kim was torn but he knew that if he wanted to have any hope of fooling the telepathy tests that he should give it his all. And he desperately wanted to fool those tests. “Yes, I’ll stay with you,” he said, already feeling bereft.

Raeden patted his hand. “It’s only for six days. I think it’s the right decision—although in all the time I was with Lyzel, I never spent a single night apart from her. I’m not sure how I’ll make it on my own.”

“You’ll visit me every day,” Kim said, as much to assure himself as Raeden.

“Good. Let’s get started,” Hiroshi said, all business.

“Shall we eat lunch first?” Raeden suggested, reaching for the basket he’d set aside.

“And I still need to give you your Christmas present,” Kim reminded him. Then he turned to his father. “I’m sorry, I don’t have anything for you.”

Hiroshi laughed. “You didn’t even know you’d be seeing me, so how can I expect you to have a gift for me? And Raeden has already given me access to a small fortune, which I have been spending willy-nilly.” He addressed his next comment to Raeden. “I assure you, I will pay you back as soon as I start working.”

“You’re getting a job?” Kim asked. Somehow he couldn’t imagine his father going to work for the Corporation and there were few other jobs to be had.

“I have some ideas on how I can make money,” Hiroshi answered, “but that will need to wait until you are trained.”

As Kim got out his small package for Raeden, his father got up and went to the cupboard, returning with two beautifully wrapped packages. “I, of course, knew I’d be seeing you.”

“Oh you shouldn’t have,” Kim said.

“I’ve missed all those Christmases,” his father said, gazing at Kim wistfully. “This is for me more than for you.”

Kim swallowed the lump in his throat and took the package that his father handed him. He let Raeden open his first. It was a long thin package that turned out to hide a traditional Japanese fighting knife, simple in design with a wooden handle and a bamboo scabbard.

Raeden’s eyes widened as he took in the treasure. He ran his finger carefully along the blade.

“It belonged to my great grandfather.”

“I … it’s very beautiful, but I can’t take this. It’s a family heirloom.”

“You are my son’s partner and protector. I want you to have it,” Hiroshi said firmly.

“Thank you. I will cherish it,” Raeden replied. He slid the knife into the inside of his boot. “Look. It fits perfectly.”

Kim thought Raeden’s claws were certainly a more effective weapon than the knife, however, it was a beautiful and unique gift. He smiled warmly at his father.

Carefully removing the exquisitely decorated paper from his own gift, he found a framed photo of his parents. They were young and sitting together on a park bench. His father was holding both of his mother’s hands in his own and they were staring into each other’s eyes. It was clear from their rapt expressions that they were very much in love. The picture was black and white and a little grainy, but it was printed on very high quality photo stock and matted in a black lacquer frame.

“Wow! It’s … I will cherish this always,” Kim said, feeling overwhelmed with emotions. His parents looked so young. “How old were you when this picture was taken? How come I’ve never seen it before?”

“We were young … younger than you are now, I think. And you haven’t seen it before because I just discovered it a few years ago.”

Kim looked at him in surprise.

“I’ve had much time on my hands, especially the past few years when they had no use for me. They let me have a laptop and access to parts of the infonet. I found a program that was designed to recognize visual patterns and trained it to look for me. Then I set it to comb through all of the old videos and photos that were available on the infonet. It found this one. I found pictures of you and your mother in the same way. I was able to find a snapshot or video of you every few months when you were growing up.”

His voice became heavy. “When Raeden told me your mother had passed away, I had already guessed as much. The past several years there have been no new images of her and the few I’ve found of you—you looked very sad and lonely.”

Kim nodded. “I was terribly lonely until I met Raeden.”

Raeden pulled him closer, hugging him tightly. “You saved my life,” he whispered into Kim’s hair.

“Well, we need to get started with your training.” His father broke the pensive mood.

“Raeden still needs to open his present from me,” Kim protested.

“Of course.” Hiroshi nodded.

Kim’s hand shook slightly as he handed Raeden his small package. “I hope you like it.”

“I’m sure I will,” Raeden responded. He made short work of the scrap of wrapping and carefully opened the box.

His eyes widened in shock as he stared at the contents. “How…?” Wonder was mixed with love and happiness poured off of Raeden.

Kim sighed in relief.

Raeden pulled him onto his lap and kissed him thoroughly until Hiroshi cleared his throat.

Kim felt his face coloring. “You like them? It’s okay?” he asked even though he had already felt that Raeden loved his gift.

“Kim, it’s amazing. How on earth did you find them?”

“My dad is not the only one who knows how to use the infonet. I just searched for used sapphire rings and then looked carefully at the photos until I found Lyzel’s in a pawnshop in Zonee. But meanwhile I also found the other one for sale too. It is yours, isn’t it?”

“Yes, we had them made as a pair.” Raeden slipped the larger ring, the twin to the tiny ring that had belonged to Lyzel, onto his finger. Then he turned to Kim with the smaller ring between his fingers, clearly intending to slide it onto Kim’s finger.

“It won’t fit me,” Kim said, “and it’s not mine anyway. I got it for you.”

“I could have it sized to fit you,” Raeden said.

Kim shook his head. “It wouldn’t feel right.”

Raeden nodded silently. “Thank you so much, Kim. I will cherish these always.” He put the tiny ring carefully back into the box and slipped it into his jacket pocket. Then he hugged Kim tightly again.

Kim sighed happily.

“Well, shall we get started with your training now?” Hiroshi interrupted his bliss.

“Not until we’ve eaten,” Raeden said, shifting Kim off his lap and reaching for the picnic basket.