Carrak took a sip of water. “You are correctthat strategy is an essential element. But it is one we can planahead of time. And during the battle, the rules allow the threepilots to be in communication with one another. So you and I canprovide counsel to her as the battle unfolds. Aside from strategy,the most important skills for piloting a colossus are balance andaim. If her instincts are good in such areas—half as good as thefirst Quito’s were—she may perform well. If nothing else, she willbe fearless. I have seen that. She is not only brave, she loves thethrill of putting on the helmet. And today I learned that she canbe selfless. It is a promising combination, especially given thealternatives.”
Rem wanted to protest, but forced himself toconsider what Carrak had said. Aim and balance? Zia had both. Hehad learned that during their sky paddle game. Instincts?Yeah, she had those too. And courage to the point of recklessness.Just like Daniel Quito.
And selflessness? Wasn’t that the realproblem? She had too much of it. She was willing to give her lifefor Malara, which would have been admirable, except it wasn’ther responsibility. It would make more sense to stickLieutenant Harada in a simulator for a crash course in piloting—atleast he was a trained professional who had chosen amilitary career.
Carrak’s brow arched as though she could hearRem’s thoughts. “Perhaps you worry over nothing. I did not promiseCaptain Quito she would pilot a giant in the actual challenge. Ipromised she could help, and she can. By trying her best to becomea pilot. Three days from now, if she has not developedsufficiently, we will choose someone else. But in the meantime, herloyalty will inspire all of Malara. And our Alluvan enemies willhear that she is practicing with us—ready to bring the Quito giantinto the challenge—and they will be unnerved.”
“Another mind grub? Now?” Rem shookhis head. “She deserves better than that, General Carrak. She madethat offer in good faith. If you’re just using her for show, youshould at least tell her. I know you don’t respect her, but that’sbecause you don’t know her. If you did, you’d want to protect herwith your life, the way I do.”
“By sending her back to Earth?”
Rem nodded.
Carrak motioned for him to move to her sideof the desk, and he did so quickly, suspecting that her lungs werehurting with every ounce of effort she expended.
When he was right in front of her, Carraksaid, “If we lose the challenge, there will be no place on Malaraor Earth that is safe for Zia Quito.”
Rem winced. “What do you mean?”
“She is the object of their challenge.”Carrak took another sip of water, then explained. “Everyone thinksAlluva wants to punish Malara, or to win ten percent of our greatwealth as their challenge bounty, but that is not so. Why did theyrebuild so quickly? Why are they willing to risk all thatrebuilding on this challenge? Because they were humiliated byDaniel Quito—an inferior Earthling—and they wish to prove to alltheir potential enemies that it was a fluke.”
Rem stared in disbelief.
“It is true,” Carrak murmured. “The onlyreason they came after Malara first was to cripple us so that wecould not rush to the defense of Earth again. Once they are donehere, they will go to Earth and threaten to annihilate it ifPresident Jared Quito does not turn Zia—the last realQuito—over to them. And what do you think he will do?”
“No,” Rem whispered. “Not even Jared Quitowould be that foul. To betray Zia? The people of Earth wouldn’tstand for it.”
“He will do it in secret. The Alluvans willassure him that she is all they want. He will hand her over. Theywill send her to Alluva to be humiliated and executed. And thenthey will kill Jared Quito and plunder Earth. Or at least,” sheadded coolly, “that is my guess. Are you willing to gamble that Iam wrong?”
Rem walked back to his chair and sat down,completely shaken. “We can’t send her back, then.”
“She is safer here with us,” Carrak agreed.“And Captain Stone?”
“Yes, General?”
She surprised him by getting up out of herwheelchair and towering over the desk, her expression livid. “Neveragain question my allegiance to Zia Quito. I will not tolerate it.Your feelings for her are conflicted because of your father.Mine are not. Is that understood?”
“Yes, General. Crystal clear.”
“Well then . . .” She sank back into herchair. “I need to rest. And you need to find her andencourage her. She needs your support, so give it withoutquestion.”
“Yes, General.” Rem stood and walked to thedoor.
“Captain Stone?”
“Yes, General?”
Carrak gave him a sympathetic smile. “Muchrests on your shoulders. And on mine. But as you said, we chosethis life for the glory of it. I have had the honor of provingmyself in battle. In four days, you will have the same opportunity.A chance to show the universe what you are made of. Think aboutthat when the weight grows heavy.”
“When the weight grows heavy, I’ll thinkabout Zee,” Rem replied, adding quietly, “You said my feelingsabout her are conflicted because of my father, but that isn’t true.At least, not anymore. So don’t you ever question myallegiance to her again. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Captain. That is clear.” Carrak wavedhim away dismissively. “Pick up your Malaran uniform and select abunk. You are going to need them both.”
* * * *
Rem found Zia on the observation deck,staring out at the Quito giant, which had been towed to the middleof the practice field. Beside it was the red-and-silver Quitoskirmisher, all prepped and ready for battle. It was an inspiringsight, and he had a feeling Zia was reacting the same way hewas—with worship coupled with excitement coupled with a sense ofcomplete and utter confusion.
“Zee?”
She turned to him, and he noted that she waswearing a black leather Malaran vest over her usual one-pieceflight suit.
“That looks good,” he murmured.
“I decided the leather pants were too much,”she said with a halfhearted smile. “See the emblem they designedfor us?”
He moved closer and nodded with approval atthe patch, which depicted the letters Q/S superimposed on ablue-and-green Earth. “Nice. Quito and Stone—together again. Ourgrandfathers would be
