“Is that a serious question?” Jane snapped. “We’re stranded outside of known space waiting for the Conclave to find us and burn us into the ground, and you’re asking me if there’s something wrong.”
“I’m asking if there’s something wrong with you,” I said. “You were jumping down everyone’s throat in there. We’re in a bad situation but you and I need to stay focused. And diplomatic, if at all possible.”
“You’re the diplomatic one,” Jane said.
“Fine,” I said. “But you’re not helping me.”
Jane appeared to be counting to ten in her head. And then again. “I’m sorry,” she said. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“Tell me what’s going on,” I said.
“Not now,” Jane said. “Later. When we’re by ourselves.”
“We are by ourselves,” I said.
“Turn around,” Jane said. I turned. Savitri was there. I turned back to Jane, but she had walked away for a moment.
“Everything okay?” Savitri asked, watching Jane walk off.
“If I knew I would tell you,” I said. I waited for a snappy comeback from Savitri. It didn’t come, which in itself told me about Savitri’s frame of mind. “Has anyone noticed our planet problem?” I asked her.
“I don’t think so,” Savitri said. “Most people are like you—sorry—and they don’t actually know what the planet looks like. Now, your absence has been noted. Yours and all the colony reps’ as well. But no one seems to think there’s anything sinister about it. You people are supposed to meet and talk about the colony, after all. I do know Kranjic is looking for you, but I think he’s just looking for a quote from you about the celebration and the skip.”
“Okay,” I said.
“Anytime you want to tell me what else is going on, that would be fine, too,” Savitri said. I started to give a rote, flip response and froze when I saw the look in her eye. “Soon, Savitri,” I said. “I promise. We just have a couple things to work out.”
“All right, boss,” Savitri said. She relaxed just a little.
“Do me a favor,” I said. “Track down Hickory or Dickory for me. I need to talk to them about something.”
“You think they know something about this?” Savitri asked.
“I know they know something about this,” I said. “I just need to find out how much they know. Tell them to meet me in my quarters later.”
“Will do,” Savitri said. “I’ll find Zo?. They’re always within a thirty-meter radius of her. I think it’s beginning to annoy her, too. Seems they make her new boyfriend nervous.”
“This would be that Enzo kid,” I said.
“That’s the one,” Savitri said. “Nice boy.”
“When we land I think I’ll have Hickory and Dickory take him for a nice long walk,” I said.
“I think it’s interesting that in the middle of a crisis you can still think of ways to hamstring a boy sweet on your daughter,” Savitri said. “In a twisted way it’s almost admirable.”
I grinned. Savitri grinned back, which was my hope and intent. “One has to have priorities,” I said. Savitri rolled her eyes and left.
A few minutes later Jane reappeared, carrying two cups. She handed one to me. “Tea,” she said. “Peace offering.”
“Thanks,” I said, taking it.
Jane motioned toward the door, where the colony reps were. “Any news?”
“Nothing,” I said. “I haven’t even been listening in.”
“Do you have any plan for what you’re going to do if they decide our plan is full of crap?” Jane asked.
“I’m glad you asked,” I said. “I haven’t the slightest idea what to do then.”
“Thinking ahead, I see,” Jane said, and sipped her tea.
“Don’t sass me,” I said. “That’s Savitri’s job.”
“Look. Here comes Kranjic,” Jane said, motioning down the hall, where the reporter had appeared, Beata as ever in tow. “If you want, I could just take him out for you.”
“But that would leave Beata a widow,” I said.
“I don’t think she would mind,” Jane said.
“We’ll let him live for now,” I said.
“Perry, Sagan,” Kranjic said. “Look, I know I’m not your favorite person, but do you think you might give me a line or two about the skip? I promise I’ll make you look nice.”
The door to the conference room opened, and Trujillo looked out.
“Hold on, Jann,” I said to Kranjic. “I’ll have something for you in a minute.” Jane and I went back into the conference room; I heard Kranjic give an audible sigh before we closed the door.
I turned to the colonist reps. “Well?” I asked.
“There wasn’t much to discuss,” Trujillo said. “We’ve decided that for now, at least, we should do as the Colonial Union suggested.”
“Okay, good,” I said. “Thank you.”
“What we want to know from you now is what we should tell our people,” Trujillo said.
“Tell them the truth,” Jane said. “All of it.”
“You were just saying how the CU has been deceiving us,” I said to Trujillo. “Let’s not go down the same road.”