He stood up to leave. “One more thing. I read your file, Imala. You uncovered a lot of dirt on my father. It cost you your job. I know you may think otherwise, but my father wasn’t involved in those business practices. He has some dishonest employees, and he’s dealing with them. In the meantime, I want to settle the issue. Whatever back taxes and tariffs my father may owe, I want to know about it. I will see to it that it’s paid. My father won’t be running this company forever. And when it’s mine, I don’t want any dirty laundry. There’s a link in that amount I gave you. Send me everything you found, and I’ll take care of it.”
Imala nodded, surprised. “I will.”
“Good. Now get the supplies and bring them to the dock.”
“Wing H16,” said Imala.
“Right,” said Lem. He adjusted his coat and checked his cufflinks, as if he thought a photographer might be waiting right outside the door. Then he turned and walked out, his security retinue falling into step behind him.
When he was gone, Victor said, “Is it just me or did the smell of flowers go away when he and his stink walked in?”
“I don’t trust him either,” said Imala, looking down at her wrist pad. “But I’m not going to argue with this.” She tapped him on the chest with the back of her hand and moved for the exit. “Come on, space born. You and I just declared war on the Formics.”
CHAPTER 24
Blood and Ashes
At dinner, Mazer sat cross-legged on the farmhouse floor across from Danwen and Bingwen. It was the third night in a row eating rice and boiled bamboo shoots. Mazer finished his portion and set down his leaf bowl. “I’m well enough to move now. I should set out in the morning.”
Bingwen looked panicked. “You can’t. We have to stay together. Tell him, Grandfather.”
“You do not command your elders, Bingwen,” said Danwen. “Mazer must do what he thinks is best.”
“But … you can’t leave us,” said Bingwen. “I saved you. You have to protect us. You owe us.”
“Bingwen!” Danwen clapped his hands together so loudly it was like thunder inside the farmhouse. “You dishonor me. Outside. Clean the pots.”
“Yes, Grandfather.” The boy bowed low and scurried off.
“You will forgive my grandson, Mazer. He is young and loose lipped and knows little respect.”
“He’s right,” said Mazer. “I do owe you.”
“You owe us nothing. We are alive because of you. There is no debt between us.”
“You should go north,” said Mazer. “You can’t stay here. There aren’t any more supplies in the valley. You need food, fresh water. You’ve only stayed this long because of me, and for that I’m grateful, but I can’t allow you to endanger yourselves anymore on my behalf. Let me take you north until we find another group or family you can travel with. Then I’ll leave you and come south.”
“To the lander? I cannot talk you out of such folly?”
“Destroying the landers is the only way to end this war.”
Danwen exhaled. “I am an old man, Mazer. Too old for war, with you or the Formics. If you say you must go south, I will not try to stop you. Although I will allow you to escort us to a family or group. The boy doesn’t feel safe with me, and I don’t blame him. I can do little to defend us. He deserves better. We will leave at first light.”
“Thank you,” said Mazer. “Also, and I hope you take no offense at this, Ye Ye Danwen, but after the war, I want to help Bingwen get into a school. He has told me how hard it is to get an education here. With your blessing I would like to enroll him somewhere. In a private school in Beijing perhaps. Or in Guangzhou. I will pay for it. For as long as I can. I owe him that.”
Danwen reached out and patted Mazer’s hand. “You are a good man, Mazer Rackham. You have my blessing. Bingwen is a rare boy. You will say I am biased, but I believe he is one in a thousand. Maybe one in a million. Do you think a child could be wiser than most adults, Mazer?”
“I do now.”
Danwen laughed. “Yes. A very wise boy. You should ask him how to destroy the lander. I would not be surprised if he had the answer.”
That night Danwen insisted on taking first watch. He sat in the doorway of the farmhouse with the sword lying across his lap. Mazer lay down near the window on the far side of the room with a view of the night sky. He stared up at the millions of stars, wondering if the mothership had been destroyed. Maybe the Formics here in China were all that was left of them.
“Mazer.” A whisper.
Mazer turned. Bingwen was beside him, sitting on the floor hugging his knees tightly to his chest.
“I am sorry for asking you to stay. That was selfish.”
“You don’t have to apologize, Bingwen. I’d stay if I could. I’m sorry I can’t.”
The boy nodded but didn’t leave.
Mazer waited. Bingwen stared at the floor.
“Is there something else you wanted to say, Bingwen?”
The boy nodded, but he didn’t look at Mazer. “You must tell Grandfather something. Before you leave. I cannot tell him. I have tried many times, but the words won’t come.”
Mazer waited. The boy said nothing.
“What must I tell him, Bingwen?”