Chapter 19: 18: LOCKDOWN

Elias had no issue shoving the hard metal muzzle of his pistol between the eyes of a parasite—the sweet spot—and pulling the trigger, blasting it to pieces. Doing that was easy. Once irreversible rabidity set in a host ceased being human and was a shell of whoever the creature once was. A number of studies indicated that hosts suffered intense agony while rabid but were unable to die. Disabling them led to some relief. Terminating them by piercing their undead hearts and activating their instant decay mechanisms ended the problem entirely.

What did make Elias hesitate was reaching out to Capitol Arbiter Ovadia Pendergast, though it wasn’t fear that stopped him from the task. More that he never knew the right things to say to make things better. Ovadia wasn’t the best at constructive conversation herself. However, Elias had spent a full work day fighting through the scarlet letter of Silatem’s suspension to spur Union’s justice ministries to institute emergency lockdown measures. In the early evening hours of Harvest Eve he reached out to Ovadia as a sector official to notify her of what would happen next.

He prepared for the call in the secure private booths of Silatem’s COM center located in Capitol City in their flagship HQ. The booths were sleek and comfortable there, created that way as an intentional contrast to the kinds of secure conversations usually held within. Elias allowed his body to sink into the cushions and remained there for an extended while, watching the blank screen in front of him without movement or thought. Thirty-eight years of collected exhaustion in his body surfaced for that time, until he pushed the feelings away as a mere inconvenience. He was the leader. No time to feel sorry for himself or wallow in weakness. Wouldn’t show what the job did to anyone that wasn’t a Pendergast.

Elias pulled a small round device out of his pocket and unlocked into a tiny collapsible flashlight, twisting it once toward the front of each eye and blasting himself with a dose of high intensity light therapy. Each dose, Silatem’s R&D advised him, was good for the equivalent of twelve hours of sleep. He had a feeling he’d need every bit of that artificial refresher going forward.

“SatCOM, engage,” he said once he’d collected himself enough to continue his task. The blank screen activated, syncing his credentials to the false COM identity he’d generated with his intelligence clearance. “Connect to SA-1 Ovadia Pendergast, Central Zone Altir, Sterling City.”

A blinking yellow circle projected from the screen as the COM network activated to establish the link. Ovadia’s public Union Ministry ID information displayed beneath the indicator light, listing her rank and position within the Ministry of Justice beneath her image. Her communications at their family estate in Sterling City, an affluent location within high-tier Altir, were as protected as any official coordinate in the capitol, so he didn’t expect to gain direct access to the Pendergast home. He knew, at least, that during the late afternoon hour at such a point in the season that she’d likely be there, preparing for another of her parties, monitoring her contacts from a distance.

“Good day, Para-City Movers,” responded the automated answering message once the link was established. “Please advise name and title for access.”

“Director John Adam,” said Elias. “Chief Executive Officer.”

“Thank you Director John Adam, Chief Executive Officer. Please leave detailed correspondence regarding the reason for your link today. Disconnect once your transmission is complete. Thank you.”

A tritone indicated it was time for Elias to leave a message. He cleared his throat and spoke in an authoritative tone.

“Good day, Arbiter Pendergast. This is Director John Adam of Para-City Movers. Thank you for confirming your appointment to donate all the furniture in your home to a demolition test site in Isrenia—at your expense, no less. Your heart’s as big as your pockets. The effort will be put to good use seeing how much we can possibly destroy in the shortest amount of time. We’ll be charging your personal account the agreed upon 20,000 gilar advance immediately with follow-up discussion regarding the remaining balance—”

Ovadia cut in without waiting for him to finish, as he expected. A dry, haughty laugh was her greeting as her actual image appeared in the projection to address him. The stern Pendergast matriarch, out of her ministry robes and dressed in an elegant dark blue evening gown, scoffed, her face twisting with displeasure. His own clear-blue eyes glared back at him.

“All right, Director 20-Grand,” she spat. “I don’t know which idiot on your end authorized that order but fire him. Today. Your incompetence staggers the mind. What pathetic administrative efforts your company must have—”

The arbiter stopped mid-sentence, recognizing at last who sat opposite her in the link. Her mouth parted in surprise and Elias said nothing, only watched her in return. Another chuckle escaped her, this time full of genuine mirth.

“Well,” she said. “John. Adam. Para-City…parasite. Very cute, Elias. Every time you contact me you give Silatem a different alias. This one I’m partial to, I’ll admit. You’re clever when it’s in your interests.”

“Hello, Ma,” replied Elias. “Nice talking to you again. You look nice—the blue suits you. Ready for another party tonight, I suppose. Sorry I couldn’t make the fundraiser. I did try to make it.”

“I’m not surprised, Elias. A surprise would be if you actually showed up to something important for your family. And, it’s Harvest Eve. Of course there’s a party tonight. There’s a party every night of the season until Ascension’s over.”

“Yeah. Stupid to even ask. I meant that apology, by the way. Up to you how you feel about it.”

“Hm.”

“Anyway…” He cleared his throat again. “How are you?”

Ovadia leaned back in her seat and raised a sedasig to her mouth, inhaling. A fluid cloud of white smoke loosed around her head. She inspected him with a slow once-over, assessing the changes in his appearance from their last conversation. Her head shook with disapproval.

“That awful haircut of yours is overgrown. So’s the beard bristling out of your face. You look a mess when you know full well how to be presentable. Awful habit you’re forming.”

Elias ran a hand over his cropped hair and unshaved face, feeling the unkempt growth on both. “Not a habit. Haven’t had time to pretty up lately, Ma. Been kinda busy.”

“There it is. I saw it when you touched your head. That ink on your hand.” Ovadia inhaled again, watching him without blinking. “That mark that lets your killer friends know you’re a killer too.”

He glanced at the symbol marked on the webbing between the thumb and forefinger of his favorite firing hand. “It’s a tattoo, Ma," he said. "It’s not going anywhere unless I do something about it. And I’m not.”

“Because you still do those kinds of jobs.”

“Not often, but I’m still active. It helps with Silatem’s operations to do favors for friends. Keeps Union safe too.”

“You’re supposed to stay in your office,” said Ovadia flatly. “That’s your job. That’s what a company president does. Not…gallivanting around the world shooting that gun of yours every which way.”

“Gallivanting. Nice. That’s not what I do, though. You know that so don’t be like that. I stay in my office when it’s possible but that’s not always the case.”

“I warned your father about that whole clandestine business. He didn’t listen and neither do you. You see…what happened to him.” Ovadia faltered for a moment. After fifteen years she still stalled at the mention of those days, as if the wound of seeing her cherished husband slaughtered happened only moments ago. “You never listen, Elias,” she scolded. “I won’t think about you and what you’re doing. That would mean I have to worry about you. I’m not going to worry over you. I can’t worry anymore. You’ll send me to an early grave right alongside you.”

Elias swallowed a sigh. “I run a legitimate business, Ma. All my tasks for Union and otherwise are legitimate too. Yes, I work clandestine and it’s dangerous but the world’s dangerous. Look at this planet. That’s the way things are here. Let’s move on, please.”

“Do you have one of those guns on you right now? Those weapons that can tear you apart in seconds with ammunition?”

He chuckled. “That’s all you think about when you talk to me, huh? Whether I have a weapon or not. If I’ve killed anyone or anything lately.”

“Wouldn’t be much of a mother if I didn’t know when you were hiding something from me.” She exhaled once more, this time flicking off the sedasig and laying it aside. “I can already tell you’ve killed since the last time we spoke a short pair of days ago. Where’s your weapon?”

“I’m not hiding it.” Elias withdrew his pistol from the holster at his side and dangled it in front of Ovadia’s projection. “Look at this firearm, Ma. She’s gorgeous. Classic. Special. Love lookin’ at her.”

“Ugh. Put it away. Don’t point it at me.”

“I’m not…pointing…ah. Nevermind.” He re-holstered, keeping his stare on Ovadia. “Not like I can shoot you through a projection.”

“Don’t appreciate the humor.”

“Wasn’t making a joke.”

“War invites more war. You’ll see and you’ll learn. More violence will come once you’re finished with yours.”

“Well, even if you don’t want the fight other people bring it to you. That’s why I’m around. Pa believed that too. So did every man that’s held this chair for Silatem and it’s why we’re a success. We don’t sit around waiting to be destroyed by turmoil.”

“Hm.” Her icy gaze remained locked onto his as well. “Speaking of Silatem, I see in the Justice archives that the suspension you won for Silatem is still in effect. Lots of activity on it, reviews and transfers of the file, without confirmed response. What’s taking so long?”

“Working on it,” replied Elias. “As far as the delay…ask your coworkers. You shouldn’t be discussing that with me anyway. Conflict of interest.”

“I’m not giving you a legal opinion from Union on what to do. Don’t relay any details. I just want you to tell me you have it under control and that you’ll continue making sure Silatem’s a success.”

“I do and I will.”

“Good.” She chuckled darkly, looking aside. “What did Delaurin say again…? 'Don’t lose your head like John did.’”

Elias sparked at her mention of Senator Delaurin’s comment, the one that made him throw that clean right hook at Delaurin in the Wildland Coalition’s embassy chambers in Altir after repeated passive insults thrown in his direction.

“Oh…that sniveling little fuck,” she said. “I wanted him to suffer. I wouldn’t have minded being the one to wring his skinny little neck. I’m glad he’s feeling pain.”

“So you understand why I did what I did,” said Elias. “Perfectly. Don’t give me a hard time over it.”

“I never said I didn’t understand. But you were stupid for doing it. You’re president now, responsible for hundreds of thousands of lives. Your emotions are meaningless, even if they’re justified. So many are counting on you to do this right.”

Elias ran his hand over the scruff of hair on scalp, nodding. “Fine. I agree, Ma. Won’t happen again.”

She remained stern. “Tell me why you called on Harvest Eve. I don’t believe that now you’re planning on stopping by for the holidays because you finally miss us.”

“I want to, just like I wanted to go to your fundraiser. Something keeps coming up otherwise I’d be there. I’m still trying to figure out a way to come for a visit.”

“You want to visit us…for what?”

“Say hi. See how Adam’s doing. Visit the estate and see how things are with everyone.”

“Sure. But it’s not going to happen. I can see in your face that this call isn't for good news.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry.” Elias turned serious. “This is privileged information regarding an upcoming PHS emergency health and safety advisement," he said. "I’ll be relaying intelligence to you as a contracted field agent for UIA, according to your position for MOJ as Capitol Arbiter with SA S-1 clearance. Please agree for the record in order to proceed.”

Ovadia waited until he’d recited his agent code to verify the transmission before responding, assuming the role of her office and abandoning their personal conversation. “Transmission accepted,” she said. “Proceed, Agent.”

“Beginning at zero hour, a mandatory quarantine of every resident in the Central, North, North-North, North-West, and North-North West will be implemented,” he said. “More may follow. You won’t be able to leave your homes for the Harvest holiday. It’ll affect those parties of yours. I’m sorry.”

“Quarantine,” repeated Ovadia. “Means there’s an outbreak. How many, exactly, are infected within Union borders? What’s the scope of this?”

“We’re in the process of clarifying that.”

“In the process. Clarifying.” She scoffed. “Don’t hide the meaning, Elias. What the fuck is going on in those sectors?”

“Problems,” replied Elias. “Looks like the work of rebels again. CDPD’s already securing the red zones and at the tail end of today’s hearings over this we got the go-ahead to secure residential areas starting with Asylum. We’ll be moving fast.”

“Any deaths?”

“Yes. Several intelligence officers and sector personnel. A notable loss from Defense.”

“How close is the activity to Asylum?”

“Already infiltrated.”

“God…damnit.” Ovadia clenched her teeth and looked away, anger glinting in her narrow gaze. “How did they do it?”

“A source said this was forming behind the scenes for years. Silatem’s lost assets from recent attacks, most likely related to the unrest. Union has too. Ma—we’ve got traitors sympathetic to hostiles hiding in the system. They’re striking now. During Harvest. Again.”

“Elias—”

“We’re on top of it,” he assured her. “Don’t worry.”

“I am worried,” she said.

“Just stay on the grounds with the guards. Make sure Adam stays close too.”

“Adam’s not here,” replied Ovadia faintly.

“What?” Elias leaned forward. “Where is he?”

Ovadia’s steel exterior cracked for that moment and to Elias, she looked nervous—as unsure and afraid as she’d looked when John announced the emergency trip to Vangral after winning election as Union General. John had promised her that the trip was quick and all would be fine—that he was about to make a huge stride in Union’s relations with the volatile nation. That was at the height of the Time Of Trouble when there were signs of possible victory for Union and its allies. However, John wasn’t fine at the end. The admiral, newly elected prominent world leader, never came back from the wildlands.

“Adam…told me he was going to some party tonight,” said Ovadia. “Out with his friends. Something with the other seniors. I didn’t mind since he’d be over for the big day—you know, for Harvest. He needs his space since he’s almost a man. A man…like you. And he’ll be gone soon, leaving for his own path without a second look behind him.”

“Contact him,” said Elias. “Tell him to get back to the estate. Now. No parties tonight for anyone. Can’t risk it.”

“All right. Hold…hold on.”

He waited while Ovadia used her COM device to link with Adam. After a wait she looked at him again, shaking her head.

“No response. I tried twice. He might be avoiding my contact. Probably out somewhere doing something he shouldn’t be doing, like all these damn kids.”

“Where was he last? His quarter at Cloverland?”

“Aye.” Ovadia’s brow lined with concern. “I think so. But I don’t know if he’d be there now, the parade’s started and a lot of other sector celebrations are underway.”

“I’ll find him,” said Elias.

“Aren’t you busy?” she replied.

“I am. But…” Elias shrugged. “I’ll delegate some tasks. Fit in a quick errand. It’ll get busy after quarantine and after the suspension’s lifted so the best time for that is now.”

“I appreciate your help.”

“Okay. No problem. Send me the coordinates to his dorm. I’ll link over the key with my direct device details—”

“I still have it.”

“You do. Okay. Good.”

A short silence followed. Elias cleared his throat once more, ready to bid Ovadia goodbye and disconnect. Ovadia spoke first, reaching for the sedasig again.

“When this is over,” she said. “Maybe you should stop by. Like you said.”

He paused. “You actually want me to visit?”

“If you’re in the area. If you have the time. Sure. Would be a nice change of pace.” The sedasig flew to her mouth. “I’ll cook. You still like spicy food?”

“Ah…sure.” He nodded. “I do.”

A distant expression filled her gaze. “It’s been a while but I remember my way around the kitchen. You liked my cooking—that heirloom family stew. You and Adam did, years ago. Leftovers never lasted long in the cryo-box.”

“That’s right. Came from your great-grandmother in Isrenia, didn’t it? She showed you how to make it herself before she passed.”

“Aye. We had some good memories, all of us. With John, too, when Adam was a wee one. Didn’t we?”

“Aye.”

“I’ll give the staff the night off.”

“Sounds good.”

“Okay.”

“So, moving on,” said Elias. “I’ll contact you when I have an update, Arbiter. Cancel that party of yours and stay close to your security forces.”

“Understood, Agent.”

Her mouth moved without sound and the link disconnected, replaced by the blank screen. Elias rose from his seat, exiting the COM booth back into the main area, his mind now on locating Adam. He walked with swift intent down the long hallway leading to the Silatem executive offices, a path lined floor to ceiling with glass partitions. Through them he could see the milling bodies of the department’s staff at work, trying to maintain Silatem’s operations as best as they could from HQ under their suspension limitations.

His next communication would be to the men in his auto-assigned field squad to alert them of his next action. They were the only other ones authorized to travel armed within Union at the moment and Elias would need all the help he could get.

☼ ☼ ☼

Talitha sat at the small desk in her quarter at Cloverland, tracing the pill that Jackal gave her along the surface in winding patterns while deep in thought. The stamp was there on the silver capsule, just as Jackal said, and the make was verified by Jonah with a quick check in Union’s PHS databases using his father’s credentials. Not only was it a legitimate formula but the med was trademarked to Silatem, the company she hoped to join.

She plucked a bright berry from the vase of ripe suipon blossoms at her side and popped it into her mouth, tasting the sweet juice as it spilled on her tongue as she considered her options. The holo-clock glimmered on her wall, displaying that it was almost time to get ready for the party after her long nap to recover from salugalu. That awful costume of hers she was stuck with now…she’d figure out how to make it presentable. Kalum assured her that they’d be able to fix the ensemble into something less embarrassing, however her excitement for Harvest Eve had tempered since the hallucinations. Looking good was the last thought on her mind.

A sharp knock against the window made her hop. She froze and stared at her window, hidden behind gauzy curtains. After a few seconds the knock sounded again, quick and loud, followed by a sudden noise. She rose, recognizing the source right away from a prior encounter, and hurried over to the window, squinting as she peered outside. A grazing touch against the sensors at the base of the frame unlocked the opening and glided it apart to let in the cooling Harvest breeze.

You are reading story Native Blood: The Cursed Planet (Book1) at novel35.com

Another hard slap against the glass as it rose made Talitha curse She yelled, irritation tight in her words, leaning out of the window once she could squeeze through.

“Hey!” she yelled. “Quit that. You almost hit me! What’s your problem, ace? Are you blind?”

A rustling sound from below caught Talitha's attention. She glanced down and backed away as an athletic figure, a male, maneuvered over several garden ornaments stationed outside. She heard him curse with frustration and grabbed onto his wrist once he was in reach, helping him inside. He caught hold of the ledge and hoisted himself into the bedroom as Talitha stood aside with a hand on her hip, waiting for him to regain his senses.

“Fucking hell,” grunted Adam, dusting his clothes off with a scowl and flicking back his hair. “Shit isn’t getting easier and I swear they’re shifting those ornaments further back every season. I know it’s been a while since we shared intel but…I’m over this method. Really.”

“Nobody told you to come by,” retorted Talitha. “Nobody asked you for intel, especially to deliver it that way. Stop complaining. This is shit we did as juniors, when we were much dumber than we are now. We’re not juniors anymore.”

“Yeah, but I don’t want to talk to you over COM. Not about this. And you're over here which is why I’m here now too.”

“What’s going on?” Talitha frowned. “Something wrong? You look serious.”

“Yeah. Something’s wrong.”

“What?”

“Joe told me—”

“Oh. I see.” She nodded. “What did he say?”

“A lot of shit.” Adam’s keen gaze flitted over her quarter. “About ol’ Jack, that penthouse, Jacky’s drugs. All of it. The lead singer of Blood Fang’s a bigger piece of shit than I first thought. So, tell me straight—where’s the crap he gave you?”

“Are you serious?” Talitha chuckled when Adam began inspecting her surroundings. “You came all the way here after your big Concord event for that? Go pick up Gracie, like you said you were doing. Don’t worry about me. This is my issue alone and I’ll deal with it alone.”

“Forget Grace. I’ll pick her up when I get there. She’ll survive. If you’ve forgotten already—and I hope not, because you owe me—the only reason I’m taking her out is to help you. If you die on me then all that effort’s kind of a waste. Don’t you think?”

“I’m not dying. Wow.”

“It could happen, especially the way you’re operating lately.” He scoffed. “Some fucking hunter’s pill, huh? That’s what I heard you’re holding.” Adam stopped his search to peer at her. “SCR17-8-5F-Y006, a Silatem med. I checked the code against the data I’ve got in my company archives. It’s not even the latest formula, recipe’s over a decade old and was released during the Time Of Trouble. Only used for testing these days. That’s why Joe had to use higher credentials to find it. Don’t know why Jackal had one but you shouldn’t be taking it. Or Purple. Or anything from that world.”

“I was just holding onto it,” replied Talitha. “It’s a last case option, in case I get really desperate. I’m sure Jonah told you about my hallucinations—”

“Bad trips. Yeah. One of the side effects of that garbage you’re using.”

“Sure. But it’s happening. And you have no idea what that was like for me, side effect or not—”

“It was a really bad trip, then. One that scared the shit out of you. All the more reason for you to drop the venom. Now you see how serious it’ll get, up to and including rabidity.”

“Only at extreme doses without an actual bite. And I mean extreme. I haven’t even come close.”

“Ha. But you think you can control yourself before you get to that point, since you’re doing a fine job of it now.” Adam moved again, pushing items aside. “Almost feel like I’m obligated to get in the middle of this because the pill’s from Silatem.”

“You care that much?”

“I do care. But I also care if something bad fucking happens to you with that company formula in your system. Gives us a bad rep even if you got it illegally.”

“Well—”

“You say you have what it takes to be a hunter. That you should work for my family and our legacy. Bothering me about it before you even say ‘how’s it going?’” Adam laughed to himself, his attention on his search while Talitha watched. “Fucking joke, that’s what you are. Making awful calls already and you’re nowhere near the field.”

“Ouch. Whatever. And I wasn’t really going to take it.”

“Yeah. Sure. You do the dumbest shit.”

“Not always.”

“Enough dumb shit to make other worried, though.” Adam stopped when he passed by Talitha's desk a second time and spotted what he was looking for laying right where she'd left it. “This is it,” he said, scooping it up between his fingers and studying it close. “Aye. There’s the stamp.” He glanced at her, holding it up. “What were you doing with it, if you weren’t going to take it? Admiring it?”

“I was thinking it over,” Talitha replied. “The pill. The visions and how bad they were. But I know I shouldn’t just blindly take something without checking—”

“Great.”

Faster than she could react, Adam moved toward the window and flung the capsule outside. Talitha’s eyes widened as she rushed toward the sill, looking out at the rows of shrubs that now concealed wherever the pill had fallen.

“Adam!” she gasped. “You threw it—why? I can’t get another. I can’t go back there, and ask him. I can’t!”

"So don't." Adam folded his arms and leaned against the wall, waiting for Talitha to turn and face him. “Hate me,” he said. “I don’t care. If losing that pill’s more important that what I’m saying then I’d prefer you to hate me. We’ll leave it at that and move on. Easier for everyone.”

“Just like that, huh?” Talitha faced him, both hands on her hips this time. “No discussion. End of the line. Cold as helo.”

“Yeah. I’m not fucking around.” Adam's mouth pressed into a tight smile. “You know I’m right. The drugs are what’s bothering you so more drugs won’t fix things—especially not that one. You weren’t bitten, you’re not rabid, you’re not toxic or hostile…you don’t need it. It wasn’t made for bad dreams. Jackal’s a fucking electro singer, not a doctor.” He shook his head with disgust. “Drug kingpin too, apparently. Fucker might throw a great party but he’s not good for anything else. Forget what he told you. He’ll be booted out of here again in no time and good fucking riddance, too.”

Talitha sighed, folding her arms over her chest as she looked aside. “I hear you, Adam. I really do. But—”

“—But what?”

“It’s not that simple. None of this has been simple. I feel what I’m seeing are more than bad dreams and what I went through—that pain—was real. At least it was real to me. I still feel broken now if I think about it. But if I keep saying that I sound crazy. Makes me feel so…alone.” Talitha closed her eyes and touched her forehead. “And it’s my fault. I don’t deserve any pity for my troubles.”

“You’re not alone,” he said. “You’ve got mates. Friends like us…friends like me. You’re right that I didn’t have to come here, that I should just let you fuck yourself up because that’s what you want to do.”

“So why don’t you?”

“Next time I will. Trust me. It would be what needs to happen.” Adam studied her quietly. “I won’t force you to do better or want better for yourself. That decision's on you. But that doesn’t mean I don’t care for you. A lot. A…whole lot, Li.”

“I appreciate it,” she said, softening. “I do. You went out of your way to check on me and that’s more than I deserve. All of what you’re doing’s more than I deserve. Really.”

“We’ve been mates for a long while. When I thought I was losing my shit you helped me see things straight just by being there. Listening. Being concerned for me without any motives.” He nudged his jaw at her. “I’m doing the same for you.”

“Thanks. I mean it.”

“Good.”

“I’ll admit…” Talitha raised a shoulder in a slight shrug. “I almost thought about not going tonight because of the hallucinations. They were so bad that I don’t want to run into another. Especially out there in Westmont.”

“Okay.” Adam nodded slowly. “I don’t really care about Blood Fang, you know. I just said yes to going because…everyone else is going. I didn’t want to be left out.” His blue eyes met Talitha’s. “If you don’t want to go tonight you don’t have to. It’s just a dumb party. There’s so many of them and we could stand to miss one or a few.”

“I don’t want to be the only one here while the whole senior class is having the best night of their lives. I don’t want to be left out either.”

“I’ll stay with you,” he said. “The parade’s on, there’s events in Capitol City…we can have a good time doing something else. Doubt we’d be missing as much as we think. And we’d have a much better Harvest Eve together, you and I, anyway. I’m sure of it.”

“What about Gracie? It’s not that simple." Talitha cringed at the thought of the blonde. "If you cancel on her she’ll be pissed.”

Adam cringed as well at the reminder. “Yeah," he said. "Her. Fucking…forgot about her already. Fucking hell.”

“She’ll be on a rampage if you stand her up and you’re doing something with me instead. Everything will get worse.”

“You know what—I wouldn’t mind risking that. I’ll take the blame and set it right. I can handle her and I’m not afraid of her outbursts. We’ll…go out, Li. If you want. Together. I wasn’t kidding about how much I like you. It’d be fun and something different for you.”

“Well…” Talitha smoothed her hair. “I guess that sounds nice. I like the idea of no pressure…and of spending time with you, especially since I’ve been missing. I do need some new energy. But…oh.” She grimaced. “Oh no. I can’t. I really can’t.” She shook her head quickly, color flooding her face. “I made plans with Kalum. She was into the idea from the start and loves a good party. This would be the biggest one of the year and I can’t leave her behind. I really…really can’t. Not that way. Not with you. Not…now.”

“Would she really get upset if you hang out with me instead of going?” he said. “We’ve hung out without her before.”

“Oh…yeah.” Talitha’s cheeks warmed further. “Yeah. I can’t do that to her. It’s not right, the way we are. We made plans and I want to keep my plans with her so she’s happy. Maybe if she tells me she doesn’t want to go either, which might happen after meeting Jackal—she didn’t like him as much she likes his music—we can go to the parade, all of us, instead. But…she might hate me for that too. Might be worse.”

“Worse? Hm. Right. Okay.” He shrugged. “I know you two are close. I get you don’t want to hurt her feelings. If this might wreck your friendship…I guess we’ll have to stick to the original plan. No need to miss the show if cutting out with me is that much of an issue. Just thought it would be nova.”

“Yeah. We should stick to the plan. But I agree the thought’s nova. A little low-key.” Talitha tilted her head and offered him a smile. “There’s another parade tomorrow and the rest of the week. More events with games. Big costume contest, too—not that I’d win with what I’ve got. Might be fun to do if we’re not too blasted after this.”

“Yeah. Yeah.” Adam nodded. “That sounds good. We should do that.”

“Great.”

“Yeah. Great.”

“I said I’d owe you one for your help with Gracie. Maybe I’ll win you a prize. Do you prefer stuffed koujons or polymer pistols that shoot colored sparks?”

“Surprise me.”

“All right. I’ll surprise you. And we’ll have that ice after.”

“In that case—they’re doing light shows for Harvest at the sea port, some new kind of multi-angle projection that’ll reach you from the sky right on the grass. I’d like to see one of those with you. Just you. The others can come along another day.”

“Okay. We’ll get our treats there and see the show. Talk like old times. I miss our moments.”

“Ace. I miss them too.”

They chuckled. Quiet returned. Adam broke the lingering silence after a short while, meeting her gaze again.

“We’ll hit a million tags before the party, you know,” he said. “For the dance. Not sure if you noticed.”

Talitha laughed. “Yeah. I saw that. A million’s a lot. Most that a story featuring me’s ever gotten. It’s so stupid, though, as I wish there were a million tags on some of the other things I’ve mentioned.”

“Stupid. Sure. A million reactions would be nice on Pender-Pal business now and again. We need all the publicity we can get. It’s corked, though, that people think that about us. You know, the romance shit. It’s a jump.”

“Right, it’s corked,” she said. “Rags make up whatever gets people talking. So annoying.”

“They do. But, you know, about what they're saying, crazy as it is—I admit…”

He trailed off.

“Huh?” she said. “Admit?”

“I think you and I, ah…”

“You…and I?”

“We should—”

The door to Talitha’s quarter zipped open with a small ping of an accepted access code. Adam stopped speaking abruptly and Talitha’s attention moved aside, chest leaping at the sight of someone she’d been expecting all along…but forgot about after Adam’s arrival. Talitha flashed a smile as Kalum entered the room, peering at Adam beside her.

“Hey…Li,” said Kalum. “Hey…Adam. You’re here, with her. Alone. That’s a surprise.”

“Kala,” replied Talitha quickly, leaving Adam to meet with Kalum. “You made it. Good.”

“Of course I made it. Did you think I got lost after how often I’ve been here?” Kalum sniffed. “I’ve been contacting you for the past thirty minutes on my way over and you haven’t responded at all. My links go straight to your answering note.”

“Oh.” Talitha sparked at the notice. “Sorry. I silenced my COM when I took that nap and I guess I forgot to reactivate. No nightmares that time, thank God, so things are looking up.”

“Right. Great. No nightmares. I’m happy about that.” Kalum’s attention flitted to Talitha before settling on Adam again. “Why is Adam in your bedroom? Was he here while you were sleeping? I guess he must have also needed a nap.”

“Hey, Kalum,” said Adam, placing his hands in his pockets as he approached. “I’ve only been here a few minutes. Li was already up when I tapped on her window. I’m here because Joe told me you went to see Jackal after Li had that bad trip at your temple. I came about the pill he gave her. It’s a Silatem formulation so I had to see it myself.”

“I told her to get rid of it already,” replied Kalum.

“That’s what I came to do. And did. No more stupid pills.” Adam met Talitha’s gaze again. “No more stupid anything else either, I hope.”

“Oh.” Kalum nodded. “You got rid of the pill for her?”

“Yep. If any of you have a problem with that it stays your problem. I don’t care. It had to happen.”

“No. No problem. That’s what I wanted to do. I would’ve done it myself if you weren’t here.”

“Well, I’m here and it’s done.” He gestured at Kalum’s armful of packages. “Came by to get ready for the party?”

“Yep. With Li. We’re going together.”

“She told me that.”

“Where’s Gracie?”

“I have to head over there in a bit. Just stopped by to make sure Li was all right.”

“Well, she's fine,” said Kalum, her tone cool. “And if she’s not I'll take care of that. You don’t need to be here in the female quarters anymore. You’re too comfortable here as it is.”

“I guess…you’re right.” Adam nodded at her. “Well, we’ll see each other later then, right?”

“Yeah. Guess so.”

Adam’s gaze followed as Kalum walked primly toward Taltiha’s bed and placed the bags and packages she was carrying onto the surface, spreading them out to cover the sheets with deliberate care. Adam met Talitha’s eye again for a brief moment before returning to the still-open window.

“All right, ladies,” he said. “I’m off. Got shit to do. Meet you at the rendezvous.”

“That’s fine,” replied Kalum.

“I’ll see you around, Adam,” added Talitha. “Hopefully tonight works out. Thanks again for keeping Gracie busy. You’re a real mate.”

“Yep.”

“Later.”

“Later,” Adam replied.

Talitha waited until he’d slipped back out of her quarter the same clandestine way he’d entered and locked the window closed once he was gone. Kalum made no further comment when Talitha returned to help remove the costumes and accessories from the packages, laying them out on her bed for review.

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