by Clara Woods
“Nathan Dreistein, pleased to meet you,” he said, smiling at her under bushy eyebrows that seemed to almost cover his eyes. If it weren’t for the calm and erect way in which he held his shoulders—broad for someone in an ambassador position—the man could have been described as the harmless, grandfatherly type.
As it was though, she could see a man used to being in charge. And used to being right, no doubt. He was still smiling noncommittally, but in a way that tried to put her in her spot. Lenah couldn’t hide her annoyance as he sat down at the table opposite her. She was separated from him by a wall of potentially deadly laser beams. They were still holding her friends hostage in a cell, and this man looked like he was going talk about the weather. Tentatively, she reached out with her talent, but once more, she found nothing. No hint of Nathan Dreistein’s mind.
“I apologize if your stay here has been unpleasant. I fear we must take utter precaution in this matter. I understand you are part of the Callo family?”
So that was how this was going to play out? Why was he asking, anyway? They had already addressed Lenah by her name and still put her in a cell.
“Yes, Lenah Callo,” she said, trying to not show her true emotions.
The ambassador nodded. “Timothy Callo’s only daughter. Even here in orbit of Arcadia, we’ve heard of your family.”
Lenah smiled sweetly at him, a practiced motion her face had performed many times. Astur, her home planet, lay in the fringes of UPL space, and even though it was the local metropolis, it was over a week away by warp bubble to humanity’s main settlements like Galtaca or Arcadia. Astur was backwater. Something people from these planets never hesitated to point out.
Nathan Dreistein nodded at Lenah. “With your family’s destiny tied so closely to Cheung Corp, I see why you wanted to step out of the shadow. I understand you are attempting to reach corporate status. However, that cannot be done by stealing and kidnapping. You did steal the Mapstone from your father’s house, took it all over the galaxy, and when Miss Cheung caught up with you, you kidnapped and mistreated her.” His tone made it clear it wasn’t a question. “I have spoken with your father, and he has assured me this wasn’t done on his command. While your enthusiasm to become part of the elite is honorable, you have clearly overstepped your boundaries, Miss Callo.”
“I… What?” Lenah inwardly cringed at her lack of finesse, but what she hadn’t expected was for the conversation to take this route. She was here to talk about the Mapstone and the Cava Dara. Now she realized the foolishness of that expectation. She’d been part of this world her whole life and only been away from Starwide Research for a month. She shouldn’t have so easily forgotten their way of constant scheming.
“Ambassador, no matter who stole the stone, what is important is only the message it carries. Besides, wasn’t it UPL who posted all over the starnet a request to have the stone brought here—no matter how and by whom? You didn’t care about theft when you posted that, and now you accuse me of stealing?”
“I understand your anger. You must be in a difficult situation.” The ambassador’s voice was calm. If Lenah could have punched some of that friendliness out of him, she would have. Instead, she clenched her fists under the table. Punching a laser barrier most definitely wouldn’t help her case. Or her health.
“Trying to make ends meet for the first time in your life. I understand your father has cut you off from all your accounts. And rightfully so.”
He knew more than her. She had left her usual wristpiece, the one that was linked to her accounts, back home to be untraceable for the meeting with the informant in Port Dumas.
“Ambassador Dreistein, there are more important things we need to talk about. Very soon, we won’t have the luxury to care about who stole what and who got caught in some corporate power struggle. I have seen something, and it is of utmost importance to humanity. Let me show you.”
She opened the folder on her wristpiece where she had recorded the video from the Syrr princess. Dreistein raised a bushy eyebrow but didn’t interrupt. Finally, a good sign. Maybe she could do this even without mind magic.
They watched in silence as the video started showing how the Syrr king was warned by the Cassidian high priest and moved on to how the king ingested three stones identical to the Mapstone. Finally, the video showed the winged Cava Dara, Cassidian Angels of Revenge, and how they came down to attack the peaceful Syrr population.
“This is the message of the Mapstone?” Dreistein said when the video ended after a short monologue by the Syrr princess herself. One in her native language of hisses and tonalities they couldn’t understand. He scratched his chin in an absent gesture. “I have to say, I expected more.”
“More? Has Miss Cheung told you that the Cassidian High Priest gave her the same warning?” Lenah realized her voice sounded desperate, but his lack of understanding about the importance of this left her baffled. What else had he expected of this message? “Has Miss Cheung also told you that she planned to handle this threat with just her own army?” Lenah needed for UPL to understand what was happening, no matter the cost. Even if it meant losing Starwide Research its position in queue to receive corporate status.
“This is big, Ambassador. These creatures, the Cava Dara, are coming for humanity. We saw some of them depart Masis III, and very soon, we might see images like this one, but instead of the long-forgotten inhabitants of Masis III, it will be human civilians being killed.”
“Miss Callo, you seem to be underestimating our military strength. A few ancient creatures against all the space force that we have? That the Cheung army has? In fact, Miss Cheung has already assured me that her army can handle the situation more than adequately. Such as was her plan from the very beginning.”
That at least explained why Lenah had to wait here for so long. They’d talked to Corinna first.
“You already spoke with her? Did she also mention that she has made a big name for herself in the criminal underworld?”
The ambassador didn’t react apart from giving Lenah one of his smiles. Did he know and not care? Or did he not believe Lenah, thinking she would now resort to some desperate accusation to have her voice heard? She shook her head. It would seem that Corinna was also better than Lenah at convincing people without using her abilities. It was no surprise that he had spoken to Corinna first. After all, Cheung Corp was a recognized corporation, including the rights to a position in the UPL assembly, humanity’s most important political instance, and it had an army.
“Miss Cheung sees that you acted out of the ambition to elevate Starwide Research’s status, a feeling she can well understand. She has also assured me that while her trip in your custody wasn’t the most pleasant, you didn’t maliciously try to injure her.”
Lenah, whose mouth had slowly dropped open while he spoke, closed it with a snap, but he continued before she could speak.
“She is willing to forgo any charges against you and Starwide Research. You are free to go. Best to take that ship you arrived on, and that you seem to have grown so fond of, back home, where your father is waiting. But I recommend you attend tonight’s celebration dinner in honor of Miss Cheung. Surely, you would like to apologize to her.”
“You are throwing a party in her honor?”
“Of course, or would you disagree she has gone through some great suffering in her mission to help humanity and to make one of UPL’s finest corporate armies shine?” He paused dramatically, apparently waiting for Lenah to chime in with her utmost respect for Corinna. She didn’t.
“Because, if you disagree, I might have to keep you and your friends as guests for some additional time.”
Even without her abilities, Lenah could clearly hear the threat. Suck it up and play the game, or lose.
She had been part of this world long enough to know that it was always better to keep playing. “Of course. I would enjoy attending the dinner and get a chance to speak to Miss Cheung personally.” She couldn’t say apologize, but it seemed enough for A
mbassador Dreistein, who lifted a hand.
Instantly, the door behind him opened, and the same man who had greeted them on UPL station came in.
“Walk Miss Callo and her entourage to one of our guest rooms. And if you could, find them something decent to wear for tonight’s festivities.”
Both their gazes went to Lenah’s ripped, black blazer.
“Of course, sir.”
They both left Lenah alone in the room, then, shortly after, the door behind her opened.
“Miss Callo, if you’d please follow me.
5 Reunited
“My crew, where are they?” Lenah asked, and not for the first time. The man’s stoic mask fell, and he sighed, turning toward Lenah. Their eyes met. “They’re just behind us and their rooms will be right next to yours.” He waved around the doors visible every few meters in the white corridor. His gaze lingered on Lenah, and she thought that implied honesty. Still without her abilities, that was the most she could ask for.
“This is your room. The dinner is in one hour,” he said matter-of-factly, then held a door open and nodded a goodbye as Lenah stepped into the lavish room beyond.
She barely heard the door close as she took in the floral motif of the tapestry, the equally detailed cloth on the bedspread with its golden borders, and the multiple colors of the couch. Her gaze fell on the outfit they’d apparently given her for the dinner party. At least, whoever had chosen it, hadn’t assumed she dressed like her bedspread. A blouse with a dark-red collar and a tight, sleeveless vest of the same color—and of the latest fashion—lay on the couch topped off by black velvet pants with red knee inlays and fine-heeled black pumps. The type where the heel was so thin, it was impossible not to tremble and wobble in them.
Lenah scanned the room again, trying to see if there was anything useful in here, but she had to admit, she didn’t know herself what she was looking for. A way back to her friends? A map back to the Rambler? The stone? No, she had absolutely no expectation of getting it back. And that wasn’t the worst of it. UPL wouldn’t prepare for what was to come and wouldn’t pay Lenah’s group for it either. It seemed they had turned out to be less reliable business partners than the Craff smuggler on Lunara Station. He’d paid promptly and as promised upon delivery.
Instead, here they were, all thanks to Corinna Cheung’s mercy. A mercy Corinna granted, because she thought she had won. She’d be able to deal with the Cava Dara, thinking herself the next Asturian or even galactic hero, whereas the next thing for Lenah was to leave in bad graces. Did that mean that it was simply over? Would Lenah sit back and watch how the Cava Dara flew down on Asturis I like a swarm of death? She knew her answer to that. Determination started to push away the helplessness.
“No, we’ll keep playing the game,” she murmured, grabbing the outfit from the couch and making her way into the bathroom. After all, she’d been trained to do this her whole life.
An inadvertent moan escaped Lenah when she stepped into the bathroom. The shower was bigger than the Star Rambler’s complete lavatory unit. Just what she needed before a stiff social function. Nonetheless, Lenah tried to not linger under the hot water too long, forcing herself to step out and don the clothes that had been laid out for her. Everything fit perfectly. Adjusting her hair in a tight, high bun and even using some make-up that the bathroom provided, Lenah finally left the tall heels behind and instead grabbed her boots. She wasn’t all too sure the evening would go over smoothly. Playing the game or not, she had limits.
She took a last look in the mirror where corporate Lenah, daughter of Timothy Callo, was looking back at her for the first time in a month. Lenah had framed her eyes with dark-brown shadows, the same color as her eyes, inserting just a little bit of gold into each corner. Feeling safe in the familiar look, she stepped back and would have almost tripped despite the boots, when she realized who was standing there, looking amazing.
Cassius turned around to face Lenah, dressed in a combination of black pants and a high-collared blazer. The silver buttons on it shone and sparkled almost as much as his eyes. Deep green eyes, she couldn’t help but notice.
“Wow…I mean, you polished up nice.” She finished weakly and felt blood shooting up into her cheeks.
His face lit up. “So have you, Miss Callo. Apart from down there, I mean.” He gave her boots a significant look, then grinned.
“You should have seen the shoes that came with this outfit.”
“I’ve seen the ones that came with my outfit.” He shuddered, and Lenah realized he was still wearing his black combat boots, even though he seemed to have taken the time to clean them.
“Well, then you shouldn’t judge.”
“I wasn’t. I was merely making conversation, or isn’t commenting on the outfit one of the topics you talk about to your date in these social functions?”
“I think you’re supposed to point out your date’s perfection, not imperfection. Since you’re not my date but my companion in crime, you are entitled to have an opinion on how fast I could run away. Your comment was adequate.” She grinned.
He rubbed his chin, looked her up and down again, then let out a long breath.
Had he meant to imply they were going on a date tonight? Had she just bombed it? Would she like to go on a date with him? He did look handsome and was nice to talk to but also a totally inadequate choice for her. Luckily for Lenah, they had more important things to think about tonight. She shoved the nice image of the two of them on a date to the back of her mind.
“Ready to go?” he asked lightly, as if equally relieved that their conversation had gone back to safe topics. That was probably not a good sign for a future date, anyway. He simply had never seen Lenah in anything different than her worn out and ripped black blazer. No wonder he hardly recognized her in these clothes.
She nodded and moved toward the door.
“The others are already waiting,” Cassius commented as she passed him on her way outside and grimaced. Why?
She realized why the instant she stepped outside. Lund and Uz were talking to each other in low voices, looking stunning in their all-black outfits, but Persia, who was strutting up and down the corridor, had taken some liberties. She was also wearing a high-collared blouse and tight vest but had left at least four buttons open, showing part of an intricate bra with thin metal chains arranged to resemble lace, no doubt a remnant of her gladiator outfit.
“Uhm.” Lenah stopped dead in her tracks, making Cassius collide with her from the back.
“You all look amazing.” She forced out. “Persia, did you forget to finish dressing?”
“What do you mean? You don’t like my personal touch?”
“Have you been wearing a metal bra all this time?”
Persia touched one of the small chains. “It’s the one my gladiator outfit came with. And it’s not exactly metal. Most of it is cloth; only the lacey part on top is metal. Makes a gladiator look feral.”
“Er, sure. You wouldn’t mind closing a few more buttons on the blouse, would you? We’re not here to make male acquaintances.” She shot Cassius a look. “But to find a way out of this mess.”
“Wow, I thought you were all happy to be reunited.” Persia pursed her lips. “Seems not. And here I was, almost hugging you,” she trailed off, throwing her arms up in a dramatic gesture.
Lenah couldn’t hide her smile as she stepped closer to Persia and encased her in a hug.
“I am happy to see you,” Lenah said, though she dreaded the moment when she’d have to admit that she didn’t have the stone or the money.
“Thank the stars you’re okay. We were so worried,” Persia mumbled into her hair, pressing her so close, Lenah could feel the wires of her bra. Grimacing, she stepped out of the hug. “Yeah, I’m okay. The ambassador and I had a chat,” she said, looking around the corridor to make sure there were alone. She was worried that their status as houseguests could be revoked into prisoner status again at any time.
“So, does us being free and invit
ed to a fancy gala mean that you have the money? We’re rich?”
“No, not yet,” Lenah replied, leading the way through the corridor and shooting Persia a warning look that she finally seemed to understand. Luckily, holosigns reading ‘Evening Reception’ were indicating the way, as if someone had anticipated they’d otherwise get completely lost in the white hallways. She wondered if they were now, even here, being watched by invisible eyes. Likely.
“Lenah, what happened?” Uz asked softly as they turned into another corridor where classical music was playing from invisible speakers.
“They spoke to Corinna first, that’s what happened,” Lenah whispered, stopping and gathering everyone close.
“They totally believed her story, about how she was—and is—trying to save the galaxy, and that we were trying to reach the same fame. She also promised to address any incoming threat using only the Cheung army, something the ambassador gladly believed. I think he really didn’t want to be bothered. So, when I showed him our recording of the Cava Dara invasion on Masis III, he told me to chill out and that Corinna Cheung was already taking care of it. The big message is that we’re lucky to get out like this.”
“And the stone?” Doctor Lund asked, his eyebrows drawn into one sharp line.
“They took it.”
“They won’t give us a reward at all?” Persia said, her eyes wide.
“No.” Lenah shook her head. “After all, we’re the thieves who are lucky to get away. In fact, he specifically seemed to ask us to get away on the Rambler.”
Cassius lifted a scratched his head. “They call us thieves and then want us to keep a stolen ship? Why?”
