by Rebecca Rode
“Thank you,” I told him, and he nodded back at me. I couldn’t read his smooth expression. He didn’t seem surprised at all about my age. Maybe this wouldn’t go so badly after all.
“Four hours?” Jasper whispered. “This thing must be supersonic.”
The engine clicked and hummed, then rose in pitch. I glanced out at the city I had grown to love and the people I loved even more. The crowd outside moved backward, squinting to see inside the windows.
The hatch began to close.
As the crowd shoved their way backward, only Vance remained. Our gazes locked, his face full of anguish. I knew the look on my face reflected his. I should have turned away and pretended like everything was fine, but it wasn’t. Leaving without Vance felt wrong. This involved him as much as me. We were trying to unite our people, after all.
So much could happen in two weeks. What if he was right and an assassin took me out? What if the war began while I was gone? I hadn’t had the chance to tell him good-bye, to tell him how much he meant to me. Maybe he really didn’t know. If he knew, he’d be sitting next to me.
I saw my own thoughts reflected in the depths of his dark eyes. His gaze flicked to the closing door and then back at me.
Before I could blink, he was sprinting for the hatch.
My guards and the escort gasped as Vance leaped into the air. My breath caught and my heart seemed to stop as the door continued to close. He slid through the small opening, then tucked and rolled as the door closed with a pressurized whoosh.
He jumped to his feet, still breathless, taking in the stares of my companions. Then he looked at me sheepishly. “I know I’m supposed to be a responsible leader, but I can’t let you do this alone.”
I ripped my seat belt off and threw myself at him, nearly throwing him back to the floor. He caught me in his arms and chuckled. His body felt so solid, so warm.
Vance was here. He’d chosen me.
“You will be my undoing, Ametrine Dowell,” he whispered.
“Maybe that’s the plan,” I said with a delighted laugh, and planted my lips on his before he could say anything more.
A guilty mantra ran through my mind over and over as the airship approached the dock.
You promised.
Treena, her head tucked against my shoulder, shuddered in her sleep. She gave a quiet sigh, then her head dropped again in slumber. I smiled at her for a moment, then lifted my hand to brush her cheek. My fingers stopped at her plump lips. Her eyes remained closed, but her mouth turned upward in a grin.
“Hey, beautiful,” I whispered. “I hate to wake you up, Madam Ambassador, but it looks like we’re almost there.”
Her eyes fluttered open and focused on me. They were the color of melted chocolate, and the warmth they held under my gaze was intoxicating. Her grin widened. “I’m so glad you came.”
“Me too.” But a heavy guilt sat in my stomach at the words.
“Did you figure out how to contact them?”
My settlement. They didn’t know I was on the other side of the ocean. I’d dropped all my responsibilities when I leaped onto this machine. I could only hope they wouldn’t shatter into a hundred shards while I was gone, because Treena needed me more right now.
But that didn’t stop the mantra parading through my head. Water. Defenses. Crops.
You promised.
“I’ll call them when we reach your quarters,” I told her, forcing an assurance I didn’t feel into my tone. I wasn’t even sure I could reach them from here. Our communications in the valley were ancient.
Treena nodded and craned her neck to see out the window. Rays of light filtered in, indicating the early morning sunrise. We’d passed through the entire night in a matter of hours.
“Madam Ambassador,” the escort said. He’d spent the entire flight sitting on a chair near the front and watching us, batting his eyes like there was something stuck in them. It was like guy was half robot. Yet another reason I hadn’t slept despite the darkness outside. “We’re pulling up to the docks.”
The guards behind us began talking under their breaths. Finley, a blonde with hard eyes and muscular shoulders, sent a glare in my direction. Couldn’t exactly blame her, seeing as I’d taken over her job as captain of the guard. She’d been demoted to a simple soldier under an outlander. Good old NORA prejudice. It almost felt like home again.
Treena pulled away reluctantly, then buried her face in my chest. “I can’t believe we’re doing this.”
“Come on,” I said, lowering her to standing position and rising to my feet. “At the very least, we’re getting an all-expense-paid vacation overseas, courtesy of NORA. How kind of Dresden.”
She chuckled. “Indeed. How do I look?”
I smoothed a wayward lock of hair behind her ear. She’d replaced her usual uniform with a tight skirt and jacket, and she looked much like images of the Old America professionals I’d seen over the years. Apparently textile experts in NORA had insisted this was the style in Liverpool. I had to tear my eyes away from her legs. She’d never shown that much skin before. At least not with me around.
“If you can’t focus on my face, I’m in trouble,” Treena teased, then gave me a quick peck on the cheek. “Very well. I’m ready.” She gave a little gasp and ran to the window. “Oh. Look!”
When the escort said we were pulling up to the docks, I’d pictured an airport. But what greeted us outside the windows truly was a dock—a long platform standing over a wide river’s expanse of dark-green water. Across the way was a huge metal ship that extended far overhead.
“A shipping port,” Treena breathed as she gazed out the window beside me. “Airships and water ships, all parked next to each other above the water. I can’t even believe what I’m seeing.”
I agreed with her, but even more incredible was the view of the city beyond the docks. Several tall skyscrapers extended into the atmosphere, which wasn’t all that unusual except for the rows of transport traffic—in the air.
“Welcome to Liverpool,” the robot-like escort said as his fingers flew across the screen again. “With your cooperation, we’ll first conduct a radiation scan. When the hatch opens, please step out one at a time and walk through the archway on the dock. We’ll proceed to your next manner of transportation once everyone has been cleared.”
Treena frowned and leaned over to me. “They think we live in some wasteland, don’t they?”
“It’s not untrue,” Jasper said. “I’ll go first.”
“No, I’ll go first,” Finley said, shooting me a look. “It would be my honor, Ambassador.”
“Is this really necessary?” I asked the escort.
“I’m afraid so. Every emissary is required to undergo a scan, so I hope you don’t feel singled out. It’s for everyone’s protection.” More blinking. I looked more closely and realized the man had something in his eye—something round and reflective. Some kind of implant?
Treena nodded to Finley, and the woman stepped out the main hatch and onto the platform. She entered the archway, paused, and continued through it. I half expected the arch to zap her with some ultratech laser beam, but there was nothing. A robotic voice said, “Noncritical foreign matter detected. Radiation level two.”
The escort nodded like he wasn’t surprised. “She’s clear. Anything under six is acceptable. Next?”
“What’s the foreign matter about?” Jasper asked.
“I’m not sure, but as long as it’s noncritical, you’re welcome here. Please proceed.”
Jasper went next, then Chan, then the twelve guards. Nobody crumbled into a pile of dust, and all had the same result: radiation level two, foreign matter detected. I motioned for Treena to go next. She opened her mouth to argue, then thought better of it and went. Same result.
I stepped out last. A series of lights swept upward, then down, and a whoosh of air came from overhead. Then it was over.
“No radiation detected,” the computer woman said in the archway. That was it. Not that I cared
what a computer said about my chemical makeup. The NORA captain, Finley, stared at me with an arched eyebrow, but she said nothing.
Treena was too distracted to note my results. She stared in wonder at the view in front of us, her mouth slightly agape. As I followed her gaze, it was easy to see why. I’d seen rivers before, but they’d been little more than streams. The huge expanse of a river before us was almost like an ocean in itself. Blue-green waves swept into each other from every direction, collided, and continued on like they’d done for thousands upon thousands of years. The city behind us almost seemed an insult to such natural beauty.
“The River Mersey,” the escort said, carrying Treena’s bags. “Shipping port for hundreds of years. Ocean’s not too far.”
“It’s incredible,” Treena said, turning to take it all in. “Oh. And look at the sun!”
Rather than a dull brownish red, the setting sun was a large golden circle shimmering like liquid metal. “That’s the way it’s supposed to be,” I told her. “It probably was before.”
She nodded, not needing an explanation.
The dock underfoot vibrated. We looked up to find a crowd of a dozen men and women shoving their way toward us at a run, many carrying huge bags and equipment.
“They know you’re here,” the escort said with an apologetic smile.
“Get back.” I shoved Treena behind me and whipped out my stunner.
“Relax,” Jasper said quickly. “It’s just the paparazzi. Everyone smile and look happy to be here. Treena, it’s you they’re here to see.”
Finley wisely positioned herself on the other side of Treena as the crowd arrived. Her hand hovered over her own stunner.
“Madam Ambassador,” a woman called out with a thick accent. “Please tell us why you requested an invitation to the convention this year. What is the state of your republic?”
“We heard rumors of a battle a few weeks back,” a man shouted. “Tell us what happened. Who attacked?”
The questions came quicker now, like bullets from a rifle.
“How old are you?”
“How did you become your country’s ambassador?”
“Most of your land is uninhabitable, yet there’s a thriving civilization in the center of it. What’s the secret to your survival?”
“What do you hope to accomplish during your time here?”
I scanned the crowd but didn’t see any sign of weapons as we walked. No shifty eyes, although most did the same rapid blinking thing our escort had. Strange. If an assassin were hidden in this group, I’d never know them from the others. And even if someone looked suspicious, I’d have to be very careful here. Invited or not, we were only visitors, and subject to their laws.
I hated politics.
“Stand aside for His Royal Highness, Prince Augustus,” a man called out from behind the crowd.
At that, the paparazzi quieted and backed up against the edges of the dock, some nervously eyeing their devices and the water below. Others gave a slight bow as a man with light-brown skin sauntered down the aisle. His black hair was closely cropped, as were his goatee and thickly groomed eyebrows. He wore a white suit and tie, the suit’s shoulders sharp, its collar decorated with some kind of gold medal. A red sash draped across his shoulder. He was young, about twenty or so.
“Prince Augustus, Earl of Kensor, at your service, Madam Ambassador,” he said, and gave a slight bow to Treena. “I apologize for the radiation scan, but you know how regulations are. These conventions are messy enough as it is.” He winked.
No, politics were fine. I hated this guy more.
Treena placed a hand on my arm and smiled at the prince. “Thanks for your kind greeting, and the scan is understandable. I’m happy to answer the press’s questions, but perhaps a scheduled conference would be a more appropriate venue. I’m a bit tired from our journey.”
Tired from our journey. Now she was even talking like them.
The prince smiled again, revealing a row of blinding-white teeth. “Of course. I’m happy to accompany you to your flat myself. Your new security detail is waiting there.”
“Wait a second,” I broke in again. “New security?”
“I’m afraid that particular change is relatively new,” the prince said. “Dreadfully dull. We had to move up the date of the event because of security concerns. The new policy states that personal guards may be used inside your flat, but it is the hosting nation who bears the responsibility of guarding the lives of our honored guests about the city, and so on and so forth.”
Were all the other ambassadors greeted by princes too, or just the young, pretty ones? “With all due respect, Your Royal Highness,” I said. “We have some security concerns as well. I’m not leaving her side.”
The prince’s false smile slipped, but he covered it well. He took note of my black shirt and trousers, so different from the NORA guard uniforms. “You’re welcome to accompany her anywhere except inside official convention meetings. We’ll simply provide her with an additional escort about the city, and they’ll be stationed outside her building as well. Please know that Ambassador Dowell’s safety is our highest priority.”
“Thank you,” Treena said sweetly, then shot me a warning look. “If you’d be so kind as to show the way.”
The prince held out an arm. She took it and nodded to the crowd, who lowered their heads as she and the prince passed. The rest of us followed.
I scanned the air transports lined along the docks. All similar in size and model to the one we’d used. Unless President Chiu had come in a British vessel, he wasn’t here. Yet.
I kept my eyes riveted on Treena and the prince as we left the docks.
Liverpool was nothing like I expected. The cobblestone streets, old buildings, and crumbling cathedrals I’d studied in images in preparation for this trip did indeed exist. I just hadn’t realized they’d be tucked in between more modern skyscrapers. The tall buildings loomed over the traditional—glass over stone. Many of the taller structures had domes on top, and I caught a glimpse of greenery inside several of them. An interesting blend of old and new, bathed in the bright evening light.
Air transports sped around us, some carrying dozens of people, others a single occupant. A two-level city transport pulled up next to us. A little girl looking out the window smiled at me as the strange vehicle passed, and I waved to her.
“This must all be strange to you,” Prince Augustus said. “I’ve heard your country is . . . shall I say, a bit further behind than most.”
I turned my head to examine the prince. He sat across from us, facing backward. Two guards sat stiffly on either side of him. It was strange, seeing so many blank foreheads. I’d grown used to it in the underground settlement, but my time in NORA had apparently kicked up old habits.
Behind Prince Augustus and his guards was a large windshield. No driver. Our bubble-like transport hummed along in the air, silent and smooth, much like the high-speed air transport we’d just vacated. It was hard to believe we were traveling at all, much less gliding through the air. Another look out the window revealed we were about five stories up. How did these people even know which level of traffic to take? And everyone seemed to have the same blinking habit our escort had. I didn’t dare look too closely, but I’d spied something in the prince’s eye. It had to be some kind of special contact lens. What it did, I could only imagine.
“Not so strange,” I finally said. “Just interesting.”
I longed to snuggle up next to Vance, but, of course, that wouldn’t be appropriate here. He seemed to sense my discomfort and sat rigidly, looking behind us periodically at the vehicle carrying the rest of our travel party. Finley was the only other soldier we’d brought with us, and she sat on the other side of Vance, frowning, legs crossed to avoid touching him.
“Your guards will be fine,” Prince Augustus said again. “I’ve given orders for them to be delivered to the same destination. I hope you find your flat to your liking.”
His appearan
ce and mannerisms were as polished as I’d expect, but there was something slightly off in the way he avoided looking out the window. I couldn’t quite figure it out. A discontent, maybe?
“Pardon me, Your Royal Highness,” Vance said, “but I’m curious why they sent you. Surely there were others willing to meet an ambassador at the air docks. It seems like a waste of time for a member of the royal family.”
Prince Augustus’s easy smile widened. “I appreciate your openness. The truth is, meeting you was the most pleasant of my tasks today. Since my return from service in the air corps, my days have become dreadfully dull. Mother is trying to turn me into an aristocrat, I’m afraid.”
“You preferred the military?”
“As I believe most free spirits would. Mother was horrified when she found how good a soldier and tactician I’d become. I climbed the ranks rather quickly there, so quickly that I was given an honorable discharge and ordered home. After all, we can’t have the queen’s third son going to war.” His words were harsh, bitter.
Yep, definitely discontented. Time to change the subject.
“Forgive me if this is too personal,” I began, “but can I ask about the contact in your eye? I noticed many of the reporters have it as well.”
“Perceptive. Many of our people have implants. They allow us to speak with one another over an intricate network using specific eye movements. It’s how we request transports and exchange currency as well.”
I shivered inwardly. “So you’ve been speaking with someone else all this time. While you talked to us?”
Vance sat forward now, suspicion darkening his eyes. Great. His protectiveness would reach a new high with this revelation.
Prince Augustus held up a hand. “I see I’ve upset you. Let me assure you that our conversations have been and will remain private. I may not be the favorite child, but as a member of the royal family, my communication circuit is very intimate and of the highest security. I was simply checking to make sure our destination was prepared for your arrival. But since it makes you uncomfortable, I will switch it off now.” He closed his eyes for a full five seconds. When he opened them, the gleam in his eye was gone.
