They didn’t look too happy about it, but didas she asked. Then she gave Humber a sympathetic smile. “Was Loganawful while I was in the tube?”
“Worried, as we all were. But not excessivelycombative.”
“He thinks I’m a match.”
“Yes,” Humber murmured. “I realized that whenhe became so protective. He will try to prevent you from going toMalara. And I admit, I cannot blame him for that.”
She could see the question in the Malaran’seyes, and told him simply, “I don’t know, Humber. It wasexciting—and like you said, that’s a good sign. But it’s not like Ifelt— What’s that word? Synergy? Nothing like that. It was morelike me against the machine. So . . .”
“The important thing is that you tried. Itwas brave of you, Zia. Malara will always be grateful for yourdemonstration of loyalty.”
She glanced toward the doorway. “Thecommander’s probably ordering Rem to hide me somewhere, so I’dbetter get out there. You’ll call me right away? Ninety minutes,right? I can’t wait to know for sure.”
Almost immediately she regretted the show ofconfidence.
Don’t get poor Humber’s hopes up. Rememberhow you lost focus at the very end? That probably ruined yourscore.
The thought made her sigh. She had alwayshated exams, and had never cared about grades, so this was a newexperience. And ironically, she would be better off if she failedthis particular test.
An unexpected shiver ran through her, and sheadmitted in a rush of honesty, “I don’t know what to expect,Humber. Or even what I want. You said I’m brave, but I thinkit’s because this is just a game to me so far. Like everything elsein my life. Except—well, in ninety minutes, it might not be a gameanymore. I guess then we’ll see how brave I really am.”
* * * *
During the time Zia was being tested, Rem hadgotten a taste of what it might be like to serve directly underCommander Sean Logan, and he now prayed that would never happen.The guy was a first-class rock crusher.
Fortunately, Logan had spent most of the timeglaring at the Malarans, not Rem. But every once in a while, he hadasked Rem a vague question, supposedly about girls, or loyalty, orpolitics in general, but the message had been pretty clear—handsoff Zia.
Interesting timing, since Rem had beenthinking about putting his hands on her ever since theirgame on the beach. Not that he really believed he’d have theopportunity. Despite the fact that she had shown guts and talentduring sky paddle, the possibility that she’d match Quito at therequired level—over ninety-five percent—seemed remote. Rem would goto Malara alone, where the females had two rows of breasts and werecovered with fur. Nice mammals, he was sure, but he had a feelinghe’d be aching for a glimpse of Zia Quito before long.
And a glimpse was all he could hope for, evenhere on Earth, because Logan wasn’t going to allow Rem to getwithin three feet of her. He was more rabid on the subject than thepresident! More like a father than a friend of the family. Almost arival, except there was no reason for rivalry. For one thing, Loganwas Rem’s commander in chief—he could literally order him to stayaway from her.
More important, the guy was too old to have athing for a seventeen-year-old girl. And if the stories were true,Logan had his hands full—female-wise. Despite the burns that haddisfigured half his face, women reportedly went crazy over him. Sowhy would he waste time with a girl who could get him into serioustrouble?
“What are you thinking about, Lieutenant?”Logan asked him as they settled at a picnic table in the courtyardof the medical building.
“Sir?”
Logan scowled. “If you’re thinking about thepresident’s niece, I advise you to stop it, or you’ll have biggerproblems than piloting a skirmisher against an Alluvan. Just puther out of your mind. She isn’t going to Malara with you. And bythe time you get back, she’ll have forgotten all about this littleseduction attempt of yours.”
Rem forced himself to respond with a simple,“Yes, sir.”
Logan leaned closer. “You’re hoping I’mwrong? That somehow she’ll pass that test and then convince us tolet her go with you? Well, guess what? If Zia goes to Malara,I’m going too. As her bodyguard. Is that clear?”
Rem groaned inwardly. “Yes, sir. That’sclear.”
“Maybe now you don’t want to go after all?Speak up, Lieutenant. I can arrange to have you stay behind. Noproblem.”
“I’d like to go, sir. With your permission.I’ve been studying the skirmisher every chance I get, and I’mconfident I can make a contribution.” He met Logan’s gaze evenly.“And since Quito’s granddaughter won’t be going, it’s important todemonstrate our commitment to Malara in another way. By sendingme. Don’t you agree, sir?”
“You think that makes you a hero?” Loganbegan, then he growled under his breath. “There she is. Let me dothe talking.”
“Yes, sir.” Rem turned and smiled at Zia,grateful to her for the rescue. She had changed into white jeansand a sleeveless red blouse, and with her thick hair hanging inwaves down her back, she looked like a vid star.
Which of course she was in a sense. The lensloved her for obvious reasons.
“Power down, Lieutenant,” Logan warned. Thenhe stood and motioned for Zia to take the seat next to him, acrossfrom Rem. “How are you feeling, Zee?”
“Fine, thanks.” She settled into place, thenbeamed. “So? Have you two been plotting ways to keep me safe?”
“Absolutely,” Logan said with a grin.“Lieutenant Stone and I are of one mind on that subject.”
She rolled her golden eyes. “Who are youkidding? You want me to stay, Rem wants me to go.Right?”
“Actually,” Logan told her, “the lieutenantwants you to stay here too. His main concern is your safety, andobviously, you’ll be safer here than on Malara.”
Zia seemed surprised, and sent Rem aninquiring glance. “Really? Oh . . . wait. Let me guess. Logan’sbullying you?” She turned to the commander and frowned. “Leave himalone. And while you’re at it, leave me alone. If you can’tsupport my decisions, then you should just go away.”
Logan shrugged. “Obviously, I’ll try to talkyou out of going. But if you go, I’ll support you. In fact, I wasjust explaining to Lieutenant Stone that if that happens,
