Zia turned to see the huge mammal stridingtoward her. There was no sign of either Rem or Humber.
Carrak announced briskly, “You will return toyour hotel with the ambassador. Captain Stone will continue toperform in the simulator.”
Zia winced. “Perform?”
“He must be doing well,” Maryakwhispered.
“Yes,” Carrak drawled. “He’s doing very well.Better than you did on your first try, Maryak. Better thanyou did on your tenth try, in fact.”
“Mother!”
Carrak’s eyes darkened to jet black. “Escortthis delicate Earth flower and her guards to the transport. Ourambassador is waiting for her there.”
Zia’s head was spinning. “Delicateflower?”
“Is that not what you are? Go withMaryak.”
“Does Rem know I’m leaving?”
“He has progressed three levels and isattempting to conquer the fourth. Are you asking me to interrupthim?”
“No.” Zia jutted her chin forward. “And justfor the record, I’m not a delicate flower. I’m a pilot. Of acolossus.”
“What are you saying?” Carrak demanded. “Thatyou wish to fight in the first challenge?”
Zia drew back, intimidated. “No, of coursenot.”
The general’s laugh was harsh. “No, you donot wish that. Go to the hotel, delicate flower. I will see youagain tomorrow.”
It sounded more like a threat than aforecast, and Zia was glad when Carrak spun away and marched out ofthe room without waiting for an answer.
“Cripes.” Zia gave Maryak a sympatheticsmile. “She’s your mother?”
The female pilot nodded unhappily.
“I can’t believe you called her a slut.”
Maryak shrugged. “She has her way ofinsulting me. And I have my way also.”
Zia tried not to laugh, but it bubbledthrough. “It’s so hilarious, Maryak.”
“Yes.” Maryak giggled impishly. “Come along,delicate flower. I must take you to the transport before the slutcomes back and insults us again.”
“Right.” Zia grinned and motioned for theMalaran guards to follow them. It seemed strange leaving withoutRem, but she wasn’t about to interrupt his fantasy-come-true justbecause she was feeling outnumbered by Malarans. She had threeperfectly good humans waiting for her at the hotel, didn’t she? AndHumber was waiting too, so she took one last glance behind herself,then hurried up the steps to the transport.
* * * *
The army, navy, and marine guards greeted Ziawith brisk enthusiasm. When she explained Rem’s absence, LieutenantHarada was quick to remind her that Captain Stone wasn’t really atrained bodyguard like they were, so she needn’t worry, or miss himtoo much.
She liked the hint of rivalry, imagining thatRem’s three Exemplar medals and privileged position as Zia’s“escort” in the suspension chamber had grated on the other men.Vowing to stroke their egos regularly, she trailed them for a tourof their new surroundings: three suites on an otherwise empty andheavily guarded floor of Pangua’s finest hotel.
Zia’s quarters were luxurious: a huge bedroomoverlooking a park, a large living and dining area, and a completekitchen—not that any of the gleaming appliances looked familiar toher at all.
Flanking her rooms were two other suites, onefor Rem, the other for the honor guard. The men explained that theywould rotate shifts so that two of them were always awake and nearto Zia. At night, two active guards would be stationed in herliving room, with the third asleep nearby on a cot.
Humber offered to leave the four Malaransoldiers on permanent duty as well, but Zia could see that herhonor guard was offended by the suggestion, so she reminded Humberthat there was a guard at the elevator door and several others inthe lobby. That would be more than enough extra protection.
She knew Humber was torn—he wanted to staywith her but had other duties in his role as ambassador thatrequired his presence at the prime minister’s office. He alsowanted to steal as many precious moments with his family aspossible. She urged him to go home, but asked first if he’d showher how to use the vid equipment in her bedroom so she couldconduct some research while she waited for Rem to return.
“It is thought-activated,” he explained,leading her into the room and motioning for her to sit on the bedwhile he adjusted the freestanding monitor. “What subject interestsyou? Malaran history? Mechs? The Battle of the Canyons?”
She hesitated before admitting, “How aboutthe trial of Aengus Stone? Is that too Earth-ish to be available uphere?”
Humber gave her a long, hard stare. “CaptainStone upset you with his speech at the press conference?”
“He’s so sure his father was framed,” sheexplained. “Obviously we studied it in school, which must have beenso awful for Rem in his school. But I never paid attentionto the details, and now I feel like I need to know them. Tounderstand him. And to be sure.”
“To be sure that your mother did not framehis father? You cannot possibly believe that of her,” Humbermurmured.
“No. But Rem does. And he’s . . .well, he’s Rem. I want to be able to discuss it with himintelligently.”
Humber arched an eyebrow. “But when it comesto his father, he is just a child. Not a grown man.”
“I know. I know.” She shook her head. “MaybeI should just drop it.”
“I was there, you know,” Humber told her.
“There?”
“At the trial. And for the events thatpreceded it. I can provide background if you would like.”
Zia stared at him for a moment, then nodded.“I’d be so grateful, Mr. Ambassador.”
The title brought a smile to his lips, and heturned toward the forty-inch screen. It came to life instantly,showing a wide view of a hearing being conducted by the UnitedStates Senate. “You will see your mother the president speak first.Then her vice president—Aengus Stone.”
A lump formed in Zia’s throat at the sight ofher mother, looking young and pretty, despite her attempts—viastern hairstyle and minimal makeup—to look older and moredignified. “Mom . . .”
“She was amazing,” Humber said quietly. “Allalone, except for her little girl and Aengus, the man she trustedthe most in the world.”
“What?”
“After your father died, Aengus and his wifewere her closest friends. You do not remember that, but it isso.”
As Zia
