by Kate Donovan
The applause was polite, but not overwhelming, which Zia attributed to the ban on questioning. She didn’t really blame the reporters. This was probably the biggest single story of their careers. But as Jared Quito began to speak about his faith in the alliance and his confidence in Zia and Rem, the crowd grew silent and attentive.
He was more eloquent than she’d ever heard him, and when he ended with a tribute to Zia—“not as her president, but as her proud, adoring uncle”—she had to choke back a sob. When he was done, he walked over to her and hugged her, and the vids went wild.
Then the press secretary announced her three new bodyguards: Sergeant Pao, Ensign Jackson, and Lieutenant Harada. They stood and took a bow, and Zia leaned forward enough to wave to them, pleased with their no-nonsense attitudes and muscular builds. She knew she should have saluted, but wasn’t sure she could pull it off. She’d have to ask Rem to teach her.
Finally, the press secretary introduced Rem, recounting his excellent academic record, his unprecedented three Exemplars, and finally, the fact that he was Finn Stone’s grandson. Reminding the crowd that there would be no questions, he turned the microphone over to the handsome young pilot, who seemed as surprised as Zia by the fact he had been so openly included.
So don’t squander it, she warned him silently. You look so gorgeous. And you’re doing such a brave thing. Let that be enough. Prove to my uncle once and for all that there’s more to you than just a massive grudge against our family.
The audience clapped with gusto, and Zia relaxed a bit, especially when Rem began to talk, his tone confident and unhurried without a hint of nervousness. She knew that if he would just be himself—the unselfish, courageous, fun guy, not the brooding grouch—he’d be fine.
He thanked the reporters, then surprised everyone by saying, “I appreciate the press secretary’s willingness to run interference for me, but since I didn’t prepare a speech, I don’t mind answering a couple of questions about the mission if you’ve got them.”
“What’s he doing?” Jared muttered. “Damned ingrate. I knew we shouldn’t have risked this.”
“Hush,” Zia insisted. “He said ‘questions about the mission.’ I’m sure that’s all he meant, too.”
Every hand in the audience was up and waving frantically, and Rem selected a young woman from the back row, who asked, “What’s it like spending time with Zia? We hear you two have been inseparable since the medal ceremony. Is it as romantic as it sounds?”
Rem waited for the ripple of amused buzzing to subside. Then he admitted, “She’s pretty amazing, as you know. But we need to focus on our mission. That’s all that matters for now. And then there’s the fact that Commander Logan ordered me to keep my hands off her, so . . .”
The audience laughed, and so did Zia. With a few simple words, Rem had told them so much about himself: that he admired Quito’s granddaughter; that he took his duty seriously; that he respected authority; and that he had a charming sense of humor. Most important, he was confident. Borderline cocky.
And his new fans were eating that up.
Then he called on an OmniVid reporter who had been impatiently waving her hand to catch his attention.
“Captain Stone,” she began boldly. “This mission to Malara is vital to the future of every person on Earth, but for you in particular, isn’t that true? Medals are nice, but isn’t this your perfect chance to restore your family’s honor?”
Rem shrugged. “Our reputation, yes. Our honor? That has never wavered, because my father never did anything wrong. He didn’t kill that guard or betray his country. And I don’t believe he killed himself either.”
Zia struggled to keep her face expressionless despite the shock at hearing how correct her uncle had been about Rem and his agenda.
The audience seemed shocked too, but Rem was cool and matter-of-fact as he added, “To the extent my mission to Malara can help persuade people of my father’s innocence, then yes—it has a special purpose for me. But the main reason I’m going is to repay the Malarans and to protect the granddaughter of Quito the Great.”
In an instant the reporters were on their feet, impatiently waving their hands, but the press secretary stepped up to the microphone, edging Rem aside. “We need to keep this moving, folks. Lift-off is less than two hours away. And there’s someone else I’m sure you want to say good-bye to. So let me present Earth’s most precious natural resource, Captain Zia Quito.”
Still stunned, Zia waited until Rem had returned to his seat, not wanting to come within spitting distance of him, at least for the moment. Then she walked up to the podium and flashed a wistful smile at the audience, who were clapping loudly. “Hi, everyone.”
The reporters shouted “Hi, Zee!” as though they were each on a first-name basis with her, which was more or less true. She’d been interacting with the vid services since she was six years old. Answering their questions, posing for pictures, enjoying the attention without really needing it. And the reporters loved her for it, especially because, on a slow news day, they could always count on her to do something mildly scandalous or fogheaded.
But when current events grew volatile or grim, she usually faded into the background, making this a slightly new experience for her and for OmniVid and company. Today, she was an active part of history. And worse, her mother had just been attacked—obliquely maybe, but not even “ZeeZee” Quito could have missed what Rem Stone had really meant by his remarks.
Taking a slow, steadying breath, she addressed them sincerely. “As you know, I’ve never been much for politics, and I’m not going to start now. The only piece of history I care about today—the only piece I’ll answer questions on—is our debt to Malara. They saved us fifty years ago, and now we have a chance to reciprocate. So, if you want to ask about that, feel free.”
Predictably, the OmniVid reporters were quick to raise their hands, but she followed Rem’s example and called on someone from the local vid service first. “Harry?”
His expression was somber. “The Vekzori are still active on Malara. Given the fact that they killed your father and tried to kill your mother, aren’t you worried about running into them?”
“I’m not afraid of sniveling cowards. Next question?”
The reporters seemed shocked by her bluntness. Then an OmniVid reporter called out, “Do you trust Jeremiah Stone?”
“Yes,” Zia replied. “And so should you. He’s risking his life for you, isn’t he? Next question?”
“He says there’s no romance,” the reporter persisted. “Is that true?”
“Yes. Can we change the subject, please? Allison? Did you have a question?”
The only fashion reporter in the audience gave her a grateful smile. “Tell us about your experience with the giant last night. What were your feelings when you put the helmet on?”
Zia’s pulse quickened. “Honestly? I felt like my life was just beginning. Like it finally had a purpose. Of course, my mother always said I’d do anything to avoid school, so that’s probably part of it too.”
Everyone laughed, and Zia’s stomach finally unclenched.
Then her least favorite OmniVid representative stuck his hand in the air, and she was tempted to cut off further questions. But she had just said she despised cowards, so she gritted her teeth and gave the man a nod. “Yes?”
“You mentioned your mother. Don’t you think Captain Stone’s remarks here today were a direct attack on her? It was her eyewitness testimony that convicted Aengus Stone, wasn’t it?”
“You know,” she murmured, looking out over the sea of faces. “I’m pretty disappointed in all of you today.” When they began shifting and shuffling, visibly guilty, she laughed and explained. “Not one of you mentioned my new uniform! And you call yourself vidhounds?”
They chuckled, and a few even called out compliments, referring to her as Captain ZeeZee. Not exactly the exit she wanted to make, but better than a public grudge match with Rem, so she forced herself to keep smiling.
/> “I’d better run. I’ve got a date with a gorgeous guy, and considering that he’s sixty feet tall and made of steel, I really don’t want to keep him waiting.”
* * * *
The cheers and good wishes resounded in her ears as she gave her uncle a final hug—a long one so that the vids would be happy. She hugged the vice president too, even though she barely knew the guy, who spent most of his time on the East Coast—an arrangement begun by Elena to thwart opportunities for assassinating both leaders at once. Apparently today was worth the risk.
She had been hoping to avoid Commander Logan completely, but he had other ideas, taking her by the arm and insisting on escorting her to the launch site.
“I don’t want to argue,” she told the big man quietly.
“Neither do I. So just promise me you’ll be careful. Wear your oxygen mask religiously, and do whatever Captain Stone tells you to do.”
“What?” She stopped walking and stared up at him. “Didn’t you hear what he just said to OmniVid? He has an agenda, just like my uncle says.”
“That agenda will protect you. If anything happens to you on Malara, his career—not to mention his political ambitions—will be finished. Rem knows that, so he’ll make sure you’re safe.”
“But how can I trust him after that stupid stunt?”
“He’s Finn Stone’s grandson. He’ll do the right thing even if it kills him.” Logan touched her cheek. “You have to trust him, Zee. He’s all you’ve got. We don’t have an ambassador on Malara, thanks to their crappy air. And Humber has more of an agenda than Stone. So you’ve got no choice. It’s Rem or no one.”
Zia looked straight into Logan’s dark brown eyes and silently acknowledged the truth: she should have welcomed him along as a bodyguard. Now it was too late.
He seemed to read her thoughts. “You’ll be fine. Just wear your mask and stay close to Stone. And trust your instincts—you’re Daniel Quito reborn, remember? He’d be so proud of you, Zee.”
She bit her lip, then gave him a halfhearted salute, thinking he’d laugh at the gesture. But to her surprise he reached for her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed it.
“For luck,” he explained, his voice hoarse.
Confused but also touched, she nodded. “Thanks. I promise I’ll wear my mask. And I’ll be back soon.”
“It shouldn’t take long for a Quito and a Stone to kick Alluva’s ass,” he agreed. “I’ll expect a full report, Captain.”
“Right.” She edged away from him and toward the launch bay door. “Thanks, Commander.”
Unbelievable, she added to herself.
The last thing she had expected from Sean Logan was a show of unqualified support, and she memorized the words to replay in her head later. She memorized the sight of him too, standing with his feet planted wide apart, his hands on his hips, his smile radiating warmth and power.
It was tempting to run back to him and ask him to come with her, but she knew her uncle had been correct—Earth needed their military commander. What if some other enemy used the war on Malara as an opportunity to attack? Logan would be wasted as a babysitter, even for someone as symbolically important as Zia.
Still, when she finally turned her back on him and walked toward the transport, she felt more alone than she’d ever felt in her life. And it didn’t help to know that Rem Stone was somewhere inside the launch bay, waiting for her.
* * * *
Rem watched from a discreet distance as Zia and Commander Logan said their good-byes. They seemed so close—almost like father and daughter. It was a charming sight.
It was also depressing, because he knew both of them were furious at him at this moment. They had come so close to being a team, the three of them. Then Rem had destroyed that camaraderie with his blunt remarks about his father’s innocence.
What choice did you have? he asked himself, his anger over the situation resurfacing. You couldn’t just let that frigging slimesucker parade you onstage like the president’s personal lapdog.
Apparently, Jared had believed Rem would be so grateful for a crumb of publicity that he would blithely follow their instructions—instructions that benefited Jared and his political ambitions, rather than the mission, or Zia, or least of all Rem.
Rem hadn’t meant to go as far as he’d gone, though. That was why he had limited questions to ones about the mission.
And it had been going so well. Right up to the moment when that OmniVid reporter questioned his father’s honor—
“Stone!”
Rem whirled to see Jared bearing down on him, his expression murderous as he shouted, “Give me one good reason not to pull you off this mission right here, right now.”
Rem arched a mocking eyebrow. “I can give you two. The Malarans need me, and I can protect Zia. I’m the only soldier to ever win all three Exemplars. The Malarans know it, Zia knows it, and the voters know it. Not to mention that they’d all know my remarks hit a nerve if you remove me now.”
Jared’s cheeks grew scarlet. “Your remarks didn’t embarrass anyone but you. I put aside our political rivalry and gave you the honor of addressing the world. And you used 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’ll frame me for murder, the way you and Elena framed Dad?”
“Your father was a traitor who got what he deserved. And someday, so will you. With any luck, the Alluvans will crush you like the insect you are. It’ll save me the trouble of having to do it myself.” Jared grinned to accentuate the harshness of his words. “And by the way, don’t bother telling Zia I said that. Thanks to your performance today, she’ll never believe a word 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 your niece.”
“And I love her. That’s why I’m determined to protect her from you, whatever the cost.” The president’s lip curled in disgust. “Now get out of my sight.”
“Gladly.” Rem turned away and strode toward the launch area, more anxious than ever to grab a few minutes alone with Zia before the flight. Not that he intended to tell her what Jared had said, because unfortunately, the president was correct about one thing—Zia wasn’t going to trust Rem now, at least not for a while. Still, he needed to explain himself to her right away, before any more damage could be done.
He found her standing just outside the threshold to the transport, as though she literally couldn’t bring herself to cross it.
“Hey, Zee.”
She glared back at him. “I don’t want to talk about it. Let’s just go inside and get this over with.”
“Come on, Zee. Let me explain. I couldn’t let them think I was afraid to take questions. That I was ashamed of my family.”
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 look like a frigging idiot.”
“Zee—”
“Drop it!” She exhaled sharply, then pointed toward the interior of the transport, where Dr. Fuller stood with Humber. “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 strode away from Rem.
* * * *
To Zia, Dr. Fuller was a welcome distraction, even though his presence reminded her of yet another source of stress—her fear that she’d disgrace herself by panicking in the suspension chamber. She had seen pictures and vids, and knew the individual capsules were cramped. The fact that they were transparent, allowing the occupant to look out while being anesthetized, didn’t really help matters, especially when the chamber would also be filling up with water vapor, a prospect that—thanks to Jenni—now frightened her to death.
> Fuller hurried to meet her. “Zia? Your uncle said you needed to talk to me. Have you experienced some delayed side effects from the test? Or from that damned helmet? If so, we may need to postpone this voyage if not reconsider it entirely.”
“I’m fine.” She grabbed his elbow and dragged him into an empty changing room. “I need your help, Doctor. I’m afraid I’ll embarrass Earth in front of our allies by freaking out when they try to put me in suspension.”
Fuller’s tense expression melted into a smile. “The claustrophobia? It didn’t bother you in the RTX tube yesterday, remember? That’s because you were supplied with extra oxygen. And the suspension chambers have a similar system. Trust me, 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. But very slowly. You’ll be sound asleep before it becomes dense. And it’s highly breathable, especially given how suppressed your metabolism will be during the journey.”
Zia shook her head. “Remember my friend Jenni? She almost drowned a few years ago. She’s told me that story a million times, and it was so scary. I know I shouldn’t think about it. And I’m sure those chambers are safe, but . . .” She gave him a hopeful smile. “Can’t you give me a half dose of calmative? Like you did the last time? No one would have to know. They’ll just think I’m brave enough to get into one of those torture chambers with a big smile on my face.”
Fuller shook his head. “It’s out of the question. What if you vomit like you did the last time? Then you really would asphyxiate.”
“I didn’t vomit last time. I only fainted, remember? And in this case, fainting would be a good thing.”
The doctor sighed. “If you’re really this worried, I can ask the Malarans if there’s something you can take. Something safe. But I know what they’ll say—that the mixture in your IV will relax you—”
