“Twenty minutes for the machine to gather thedata,” Humber said. “After that, it will be another ninety minutesto calculate the results.”
“Ugh. Why don’t you just hook me upinstead?”
Humber’s brow furrowed. “Hook you up?”
“To the robot. Let’s see if I can make himdance.”
One of the other Malarans spoke up. “I am Dr.Annur, Miss Quito. Perhaps I can explain why that is notpossible.”
“Wait. Let’s get Lieutenant Stone in herefirst, so he can hear it too.”
Jared exhaled sharply. “I have work to do.Zee, if you don’t mind . . . ?”
“No, of course not.”
“I’ll have someone bring you some decentclothes. You shouldn’t be running around like that. Especiallysince OmniVid will start snooping around soon.”
“Okay, thanks.” She tried to look confident.“We’ll send word as soon as we know.”
“I’m sure you won’t match—”
“Me too. It’s fine. Really.”
He seemed guilty, but just for a moment, thenhe spun on his heels and departed the room.
A minute later, Rem appeared, his expressionneutral. “The president said they’re testing you now. Are you okaywith that?”
“Of course.” She knew her smile washalfhearted. “You’re just in time. Dr. Annur wants to explain theprocess to us.”
The Malaran physician adopted a brisk tone.“Miss Quito suggested that we simply attach her to the colossus. Tosee if she could ‘make it dance.’”
Rem chuckled. “I’d like to see that.”
Annur arched a bushy eyebrow. “Unfortunately,the relationship between giant and pilot is a carefully calibratedone. The signals run in both directions, so that the robot affectsthe pilot as directly as the pilot does the robot. If the match isnot precise, serious damage can be done to the pilot’s brain. Bycontrast, there is no such danger in the testing tube, even thoughit too contains Daniel Quito’s genetic patterns, and seeks toestablish synergy with the subject. But it does so on a passivebasis that cannot cause injury. And so we use it to establish athreshold. If Miss Quito cannot score above ninety-five percent inthe machine, we do not dare ‘hook her up’ to the colossus.”
“What was the president’s score?” Remasked.
“It was less than ninety-five percent,”Humber interrupted, a hint of rebuke in his voice. “That is allthat matters.”
“Okay.” Zia coughed lightly. “I hate to admitit, Dr. Annur, but I’m a little claustrophobic. A calmative won’twork, believe me. Dr. Fuller can confirm that. So maybe you couldjust knock me out?”
“Regretfully, I cannot do that. We need youalert. Responsive. Aware of every stimuli. But as you willdiscover, there is ample air inside the chamber. You will not feeluncomfortable.”
She rolled her eyes. “Okay, let’s just get itover with.”
An angry voice from the doorway interruptedthem. “Wait! Zia? Come here. Ambassador Humber? This farce is over.Now.”
Zia turned toward the newcomer—Commander SeanLogan—and groaned. “Oh, no.”
“He looks steamed,” Rem whispered.
“He’s always steamed,” Zia assuredhim. “Especially when he’s around me.”
She could vividly remember her last directencounter with Sean Logan, almost two years earlier. He hadn’t justembarrassed her in front of friends and family that day. He hadbroken her fragile heart.
Not that he had had any idea how she felt. Hewas twenty years older than she, and saw her as a pesky child. Butshe had had a massive crush on him for years, always imagining thatthis big, powerful man with his huge arms, resonant voice,jet-black skin and romantically scarred face would sweep her offher feet one day.
Then he had called her a spoiled brat and adiscredit to her heritage. She would never, ever forget it.She had avoided him thereafter, consoling herself with theknowledge that he would be out of her life once she finishedcollege and stopped spending summers at the Hacienda.
It was the best reason yet to renouncepolitics, because Commander Logan, like his father before him, waspart of the Quito administration. His father had been the firstcommander—a position created by Daniel Quito to lead the armedforces. Later, when the Constitution had been amended to allow apresident to serve a life term if he or she could gain at leasttwo-thirds of the popular vote, the office of vice president hadbeen converted to an appointed position. The president could selector change vice presidents at will. And if the president and thevice president were both incapacitated, then the commander wouldbecome president.
Sean Logan as president? Zia sincerely hopedshe would never see that day.
That’s ancient history, Zee. You’repractically an adult now. Don’t let him bully you, she beggedherself. You’re not in the army, or navy, or whatever, so he’snot your boss. Just stand up to him.
The commander strode over to her. “I justheard about this travesty, Zee. You don’t need to worry. No one’stesting you, much less taking you to Malara.”
Before she could respond, the huge man turnedto Rem. “Congratulations, Captain Stone. Three Exemplars? I barelyearned one. I wish I could have been there yesterday to seeit.”
“Thanks, sir. It’s—it’s an honor.”
“I’m told you volunteered to help Malara.”Logan gave him a hearty pat on the back. “Good for you. Your fatherwould be proud.”
“Thanks, sir. That means a lot.”
The huge man turned back to Zia. “I hearyou’ve been brave too. Foolish but brave.”
She wanted to dazzle him with a snappyretort, but her tongue was tied in a knot, so she just stared athis massive chest and said nothing.
Fortunately, Humber came to her rescue.“Malara needs Zia, Commander. If it were less than urgent, we wouldnever have asked.”
“It’s out of the question. Ask anything else,and we’ll oblige you. But Quito’s granddaughter is off-limits.”
“It’s my decision, not yours,” Ziamurmured.
Logan arched an eyebrow. “Pardon?”
She gulped. “It’s my decision. And I’d liketo proceed with the testing. Dr. Annur? Let’s do it, please.”
Logan surprised her by chuckling. “You’llnever change, will you? Stubborn as a mule.”
“That’s right. Just like my grandfather.” Shejutted her chin forward. “The test results might surprise you,Commander. I might be more like Daniel Quito than you think.”
He stared down at her for a moment, thensuggested, “May I have a word with you? Alone?”
She hated the idea, but nodded and allowedhim to lead her away from the others.
“I’m not in the mood for a lecture,” shebegan, but he silenced her by pressing his fingertip to herlips.
Then he murmured, “Tell me the truth, Zee.
