It was tempting to run back to him and askhim to come with her, but she knew her uncle had been correct—Earthneeded their military commander. What if some other enemy used thewar on Malara as an opportunity to attack? Logan would be wasted asa babysitter, even for someone as symbolically important asZia.
Still, when she finally turned her back onhim and walked toward the transport, she felt more alone than she’dever felt in her life. And it didn’t help to know that Rem Stonewas somewhere inside the launch bay, waiting for her.
* * * *
Rem watched from a discreet distance as Ziaand Commander Logan said their good-byes. They seemed soclose—almost like father and daughter. It was a charming sight.
It was also depressing, because he knew bothof them were furious at him at this moment. They had come so closeto being a team, the three of them. Then Rem had destroyed thatcamaraderie with his blunt remarks about his father’sinnocence.
What choice did you have? he askedhimself, his anger over the situation resurfacing. You couldn’tjust let that frigging slimesucker parade you onstage like thepresident’s personal lapdog.
Apparently, Jared had believed Rem would beso grateful for a crumb of publicity that he would blithely followtheir instructions—instructions that benefited Jared and hispolitical ambitions, rather than the mission, or Zia, or least ofall Rem.
Rem hadn’t meant to go as far as he’d gone,though. That was why he had limited questions to ones about themission.
And it had been going so well. Right up tothe moment when that OmniVid reporter questioned his father’shonor—
“Stone!”
Rem whirled to see Jared bearing down on him,his expression murderous as he shouted, “Give me one good reasonnot to pull you off this mission right here, right now.”
Rem arched a mocking eyebrow. “I can give youtwo. The Malarans need me, and I can protect Zia. I’m the onlysoldier to ever win all three Exemplars. The Malarans know it, Ziaknows it, and the voters know it. Not to mention that they’d allknow my remarks hit a nerve if you remove me now.”
Jared’s cheeks grew scarlet. “Your remarksdidn’t embarrass anyone but you. I put aside our politicalrivalry and gave you the honor of addressing the world. And youused it to make a campaign speech. You’re just like your father,and I mean that in the worst sense possible.”
Stunned, Rem retorted, “Just like my father?You mean I’m a threat to your administration? What’s next? You’llframe me for murder, the way you and Elena framed Dad?”
“Your father was a traitor who got what hedeserved. And someday, so will you. With any luck, the Alluvanswill crush you like the insect you are. It’ll save me the troubleof having to do it myself.” Jared grinned to accentuate theharshness of his words. “And by the way, don’t bother telling Zia Isaid that. Thanks to your performance today, she’ll never believe aword you say again. You broke her heart with that speech of yours,Stone. I suppose I should thank you for that.”
“Unbelievable,” Rem murmured. “She’s yourniece.”
“And I love her. That’s why I’m determined toprotect her from you, whatever the cost.” The president’s lipcurled in disgust. “Now get out of my sight.”
“Gladly.” Rem turned away and strode towardthe launch area, more anxious than ever to grab a few minutes alonewith Zia before the flight. Not that he intended to tell her whatJared had said, because unfortunately, the president was correctabout one thing—Zia wasn’t going to trust Rem now, at least not fora while. Still, he needed to explain himself to her right away,before any more damage could be done.
He found her standing just outside thethreshold to the transport, as though she literally couldn’t bringherself to cross it.
“Hey, Zee.”
She glared back at him. “I don’t want to talkabout it. Let’s just go inside and get this over with.”
“Come on, Zee. Let me explain. I couldn’t letthem think I was afraid to take questions. That I was ashamed of myfamily.”
She turned to face him, her eyes narrowed.“I’ve been begging my uncle not to make this about politics.Telling him that you and I are a team. Thanks for making me looklike a frigging idiot.”
“Zee—”
“Drop it!” She exhaled sharply, then pointedtoward the interior of the transport, where Dr. Fuller stood withHumber. “I need to talk to my doctor before I go.”
“Are you okay?”
She rolled her eyes, clearly mocking him.Then she called out, “Dr. Fuller! Thanks for coming!” and strodeaway from Rem.
* * * *
To Zia, Dr. Fuller was a welcome distraction,even though his presence reminded her of yet another source ofstress—her fear that she’d disgrace herself by panicking in thesuspension chamber. She had seen pictures and vids, and knew theindividual capsules were cramped. The fact that they weretransparent, allowing the occupant to look out while beinganesthetized, didn’t really help matters, especially when thechamber would also be filling up with water vapor, a prospectthat—thanks to Jenni—now frightened her to death.
Fuller hurried to meet her. “Zia? Your unclesaid you needed to talk to me. Have you experienced some delayedside effects from the test? Or from that damned helmet? If so, wemay need to postpone this voyage if not reconsider itentirely.”
“I’m fine.” She grabbed his elbow and draggedhim into an empty changing room. “I need your help, Doctor. I’mafraid I’ll embarrass Earth in front of our allies by freaking outwhen they try to put me in suspension.”
Fuller’s tense expression melted into asmile. “The claustrophobia? It didn’t bother you in the RTX tubeyesterday, remember? That’s because you were supplied with extraoxygen. And the suspension chambers have a similar system. Trustme, you won’t experience any symptoms.”
“It fills up with water vapor, not oxygen.I’ve seen that in the vids.”
The doctor grimaced and nodded. “True. Butvery slowly. You’ll be sound asleep before it becomes dense. Andit’s highly breathable, especially given how suppressed yourmetabolism will be during the journey.”
Zia shook her head. “Remember my friendJenni? She almost drowned a few years ago. She’s told
