Lyil, while looking at Ben with an expression of friendliness, touched the palm lock with her fingertips, and then smiled as the door slid open. "Would you like to come in?" she asked in her usual, calm manner.
In anticipation of his answer, she walked in ahead of him and turned on the lights.
Without saying 'yes,' Ben followed her lead and stepped through the doorway and into her apartment.
This was the second time during his first three nights on Galactus that Lyil had asked him into her apartment. From her actions on the first night, it appeared there was no sexual intention. She liked him, and Ben could sense an attraction, but Lyil wasn't willing to go any further than a goodnight kiss, a friendly smile, and a handshake. It was evident she didn't want to get involved romantically, and instead considered him a friend and enjoyed his company.
Ben understood it, or at least he thought he did, and he accepted it, with a slight disappointment. Certainly she was a beautiful woman, but it was more than that that caused him to feel a letdown. During the two nights he had spent with her, going out on the town, he had found her to be a vibrant, wonderful woman. She was outgoing with a touch-of-class. She had warmth and generosity, and people liked her. She had lots of friends—almost to the point of annoyance. Everywhere they went, to dinner or even walking along the sidewalk, people stopped to talk to her. It was almost impossible to have a conversation without being interrupted, and the only time they could truly be together, one on one, was when they were alone in her apartment.
The funny thing was, Ben didn't want to get involved with anyone at this time in his life, anyway. He had his swording, which took up a lot of his time, and then there was his research, and now an expedition to Ar. If they found a computer complex, it would take several years of researching, cataloging and documenting in order to create a history from the archeological discoveries. And then there was . . . It seemed there was always something, which kept him from getting involved with a woman. When he was in school, while his friends were out finding romance, he was practicing on the swording mats. And when he went to the Cyton School of Higher Learning he spent most of his time studying for his PhD in archaehistory, and at the same time he was preparing for the Galactic Games. His romantic life got off to a slow start, which was the reason for his shyness around women. Oh sure, he was confident on the swording mat, or in the classroom, or around people in general, but when it came to one particular woman with whom there was a possible relationship, he always backed off a little, waiting to see if there would be anything more than just a friendship.
A casual relationship was convenient, and that was all he had ever had with a woman. His fame as a swordsman had brought a lot of women into his life, but he had never met one with whom he thought he could have a permanent relationship.
Until now.
He had only known her for a few days, but there was something about Lyil, which made him think, for the first time in his life, he had met someone with whom he could be serious. It occurred to him, you can’t always determine why you’re attracted to someone, but with Lyil it could have been because she had a quality, which most beautiful women didn’t have. She had heart. She had a genuine concern for the needs of other people. She had . . . .
He decided he liked her for many reasons, but it didn’t matter. She made it clear that she didn't want a romantic relationship with him.
During another time or place he may have tried to overcome her indifference toward him, and to get her to view him in a romantic light, however, as it was, with everything that was going on, . . .
Ben looked around the room. By his standards not only was the location of the apartment, with its bay window overlooking the Galaef's grand park, well chosen, but also the construction of the building was, especially the walls with a hue of three-dimensional radiation, most pleasing to look upon. On his professor's salary he would never be able to afford such an apartment.
Lyil had done a great job of choosing furniture and decorating—a talent in which Ben was severely lacking. In the middle of the spacious living room there were two form-fitting chairs, one in which he was sitting, and both of which faced opposite a form-fitting couch. Recessed into the wall, with easy viewing from the couch, was a very expensive, dual capability viewer screen (it could be used for entertainment or for contacting another party). There was also a wet bar, a soft pile carpet, and various pieces of artwork which sat on small tables or hung on the walls. The room was lighted with several adjustable vitalites, which were on stands in different corners and with one hanging from the ceiling.
Ben hadn't seen any of the other rooms, but considering what he had seen here, he was sure they were just as nice.
Lyil unstrapped her phasor and set it on a small table. "I'm sorry about this," she said, indicating the weapon. "It's in my job description. I have to wear it at all times," she paused, "except in my home, and even then the rules of the job recommend we keep it close at hand."
He looked at the phasor. "It doesn't bother me," he said. "Actually, for some reason, which I hope isn't twisted, I kind of like it." He admired a woman with authority, a woman with confidence, a woman who wasn't afraid to move forward with the moment. Maybe her gun personified this in his subconscious mind.
Lyil smiled. She walked over to the wet bar. "Same as before?" She guessed his answer and poured a non-alcoholic drink into a glass and then she poured herself one.
"That'll be fine," he answered.
She handed him the drink and sat down on the couch across from him. Using an oblong object she swirled the drink in her glass. "Rumor has it, if they find what you're looking for, you'll be leaving in about four weeks."
Ben sipped his drink and set it on a small table, which was situated in front of the chair. "I've always found that rumors, like myths, have a certain amount of truth behind them. The problem is—you just never know how much."
Lyil laughed softly. "You can believe there's more truth than fiction in this rumor. In fact, the expedition left this morning and with the equipment they have, it shouldn't take them longer than three weeks to survey the entire planet."
After a moment’s hesitation Ben said, in his off-handed manner, "Well, you know, if I'm having too much fun here, I might not want to go." He wasn't serious, but he was having a good time with Lyil.
The night before last, and then again tonight she had taken him to an elegant restaurant. The food, the surroundings, the band, and the atmosphere were great, but more than that she was fun to be with. They had pleasant, and sometimes interesting conversations. And they made each other laugh.
He sat silently sipping his drink. Finally, to take his mind off future possibilities, he asked, "So, what planet are you from? I notice your Komotu has a slightly sibilant sound to it."
Lyil leaned back on the couch. "I'm from an obscure little planet near the edge of the Galaxy. I'm sure you haven't heard of it. Our Solar System has fourteen planets, two of which are inhabited." She crossed her legs in a womanly fashion. "There really isn't anything out of the ordinary about my planet, nothing which would bring it to the attention of the news media nor would be of any interest to an outsider."
"Do you miss it?"
"I miss my family, but I don't necessarily miss the life style. It's not bad, but what I have here is much nicer, plus, I like my job."
And your family?"
"I have two sisters and a brother, and both my parents are alive and healthy."
"They must have been disappointed when they found out you would be going to a planet so far away."
Lyil shrugged her shoulders. "Actually they became quite excited. I'm only the second person from my planet to be chosen for G-staff, and it made me an over-night celebrity." She took a sip of her drink. "They were happy for me. Besides they know I'll be coming home when I retire after twenty Galactus years. By that time I'll have enough money, and I'll be able to settle into a new life and raise a family."
“Sounds like a plan,"
said Ben. He had a habit of translating ancient Earth colloquialisms into Komotu. It all started in fun, when he and Dr. Suzn were translating the Earth books. Now he found himself doing it more frequently, even when talking to strangers. It suddenly occurred to him that it might be offensive. “I hope my use of archaic phrases doesn’t bother you.”
“Not at all, in fact, the more I get to know you, the more I realize how you like to keep a conversation from becoming dull.” She emitted a small laugh. "Tell me about your family," she said as her laugh turned into a smile.
"I only have one brother, but we're close. So I don't miss not having any other brothers or sisters. And both my parents are alive and well, . . . ." He paused considering the situation, "but I suppose you already know about my family."
Lyil looked calmly surprised. "Why do you say that?"
Now it was Ben's turn to be surprised. "Why? . . . Because you're a security agent and interview analyst. It's your job to check people out before . . . "
"Oh, I see what you mean," Lyil smiled. "But that's not the way it is. You see my partner, Mandril, reads the files of those being interviewed by the Galaef, and I read the files of those being interviewed by Thorne."
"So you haven't read my files?"
"No. I didn't think it was necessary, or fair since I offered to show you the city. And if there had been anything I should have known, Mandril would have told me."
Ben set his drink on the small table in front of him. "Well I can't say I wouldn't have read your file if the roles were reversed."
"That's okay," she smiled, "I don't have anything to hide."
"Neither do I," said Ben quickly and then more slowly he brushed back his hair with his hand as he pondered for a moment, "and maybe you haven't read my files, but you do have an advantage over me."
Lyil quickly sobered, but said and then asked, "No I don't. What do you mean?"
"You've seen me in the nude. That's what I mean."
Lyil became serious. "Maybe you were nude, but I didn't look. It wouldn't be professional."
Ben wagged his finger at her. "Am I supposed to believe that? Not even a little peek?"
"That’s right.” She smiled sweetly. “I may have inadvertently seen you. It's difficult not to when we have to check you out, but there is never an intent to 'check it out.' The fact is we are too busy doing our job and making sure that you are of no threat to the Galaef to be looking or to be taking a personal interest.”
"Nevertheless . . ." said Ben. Then he hesitated and seemingly changed the subject. "You seem to be a fair person. I mean you haven't even read my files."
"Yes. So?"
"Then I think it would only be fair if I got a quick glance."
"Of me?" Lyil laughed. "In the nude?"
"Of course."
"Forget it. The only way you'll ever see me in the nude is if my clothes catch on fire, and you have to help me rip them off."
Ben looked around, but decided not to ask for a light. "So what do you like to do for fun besides eating at extravagant restaurants and going to the theatre?"
"Among other things, such as vacationing on a white sandy beach, I like to watch swording matches," she replied. She leaned forward and swept her long red hair over her shoulders. "As a matter of fact a friend of mine took me to a swording match last night."
Ben grimaced. "A friend?"
"Yes, Tam. She's a Tarmorian, and her husband is in the tournament. Actually she was too, but she lost in the second round."
"You like swording?"
Lyil thought for a moment. "Not when I was younger, but after I moved to Galactus I made friends with some of the Tarmorians, and they got me interested. Now I really enjoy it." She paused and then asked, "Do you like to watch swording?"
Ben nodded his head, and then shook it. "It goes beyond that," he answered. "The fact is I am a swordsman."
A delicate smile crossed her lips as if to say that was one more thing they had in common. And then she asked, "Why don't we go see a match tomorrow night? Rand, my friend's husband, is still in the tournament."
"Actually,” said Ben, “I'm going to be in the tournament myself."
There was a puzzled look on Lyil's face. So Ben added, "I signed up yesterday."
"Signed up? But they just finished the third round, and I've been told they only let in expert swordsmen after the third round." She paused, waiting for Ben to say something, but he remained silent. "Are you an expert swordsman?" she asked.
"I'm the top Master Swordsman on my planet, and . . . "
"I thought poll ball was the international sport on Cyton?"
"That's true, but there are a lot of other sports and swording is one of them."
Ben smiled. He didn't know why it mattered since they weren't going to have a relationship, but he liked the idea that she was interested in swording.
"I would really like to watch you in a match," she said. "If you're a top swordsman on your planet, you must be pretty good."
Ben noticed she said 'a top swordsman' instead of 'the top swordsman,' but he decided not to say anything. It wasn't important, and it wasn’t in his nature to be boisterous.
She took a sip of her drink and then set the glass down. "What time is your match?" she asked. And then, with a second thought and in a questioning tone, she added, "You know I have to work tomorrow?"
Ben shifted in his chair for a more comfortable position. "My first match is three o'clock tomorrow afternoon, and if I win, then I have another one at seven."
"That's great," she said. Then her smile was quickly supplanted by a concerned look. “I just want you to know that if you lose your match, it’s okay, and win or lose," she continued, "I know a great little restaurant in the Outer City."
She looked at the watch on her wrist and then stood up.
Ben knew it was time for him to leave.
For the second time that week she said to him, "I have to be at work early," and then she added, "Why don't I meet you at the front gate of the arena at six o'clock? If you've won, I can watch your next match. If not, we can have dinner."
Ben stood up and before he could answer Lyil moved in a little closer. He gave her a good night kiss, which lingered a little longer than the night before.
"Good night," she said as they parted. "See you tomorrow."
"Good night."
Ben could still feel her long, wavy red hair in his hands as he left her apartment and walked into the pleasant night air.
Chapter Five