"How'd he react to Aria's progress?"

  She chuckled, “He seemed rather impressed."

  "Good. Impressed enough to call off the hounds?"

  She grinned. “They aren't exactly his hounds, Ed."

  "Maybe not, but he knows their owner pretty well. He also knows there's no longer any way to abscond with Ellen and Aria. Sanchez and Evans are just a local pickup team. Think Stan would pull them off the case and send a negotiator?"

  Credit where it's due; even as Sanchez and Evans startled and sat up straight with ‘what the hell?!’ expressions, Angie's eyes never left mine. She did give me a small smile, though, as she asked, “What sort of negotiations?"

  "Earthside jobs for Ellen and Robert and the usual relocation help. Turns out they're all tired of living in a big metal ball. Ellen misses the seasons and Aria likes having a sky."

  Her smile widened. “I definitely think it's worth asking. Want me to call him now?"

  Nodding, I said, “Yeah, couldn't hurt. The sooner we get everybody settled, the sooner this flap will die down. We could probably be ready to chat by tomorrow afternoon."

  Sanchez broke her silence with, “Excuse me? What do you mean ‘we'? Are you trying to include yourself?"

  Angie turned her screen to the left a bit and Sanchez strode into view looking stern. She placed her hands on the desk and leaned assertively toward the screen as she said, “You're just the guy who drove their getaway car. You aided and abetted their escape from lawful detention. They may have something worth negotiation, but you don't."

  Meeting her gaze, I said, “Lawful? Nope, not with an unsigned warrant. We just took a flitter ride, Sanchez. And if you interrupt my conversation with Angie again, I'll stun you."

  Her eyes flared, then became cautious. Looking past the screen at Angie, Sanchez asked, “Could he really do that?"

  With a nod, Angie chuckled, “Oh, yes. Definitely."

  Looking a bit dubious, Sanchez asked, “How?"

  "Through the screen interface."

  Sanchez still looked a bit dubious. I said, “Sanchez,” to get her attention, then sent a light stun at her left arm. It folded instantly and she used her right arm to recover and lever herself up off the desk. Backing away, she held her left arm close to herself as she stared warily at me.

  I turned to Angie and asked, “So we're on for tomorrow?"

  Angie grinningly replied, “Yes, we are, unless Stan objects, and I really doubt he will."

  "Good ‘nuff, ma'am. See you then."

  "Okay. Goodnight, Ed."

  She dropped the link. I watched through the probe as Sanchez angrily told Evans they were leaving, then headed for the door. Evans took a moment to extend a hand to Angie and said, “Good evening, Major Horn,” then followed Sanchez.

  From behind me, Ellen said, “Well, that was interesting."

  Turning to face her, I said, “Glad to have entertained you,” then called Stephanie.

  She appeared beside Ellen with, “Yes, Ed?” and Ellen's eyes got huge as she tried to contain and conceal her shock.

  "Would your law firm like some new business, ma'am? I know a couple of ladies who could probably benefit from having a lawyer on hand tomorrow."

  Ellen blinked at Steph for a moment, then asked, “You have a law firm?"

  Grinning, Steph said, “Indeed so. Until now, it has specialized in matters involving field-using devices, but I think my team might enjoy a new field-related challenge."

  I asked, “Could you have someone at Carrington to deal with the feds in the morning?"

  "Of course.” Turning to Ellen, Steph gestured toward the other flitter and said, “Let's go over a few things this evening so I can assemble a briefing."

  They were still intently yakking an hour later. I read a bit and killed a bag of chips, then got ready for bed.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Possibly because I turned in early, I woke up early. It was still pitch dark as I checked the time and headed for the bathroom with my coffee mug. Six-fourteen. Damn. Well, not necessarily damn, I guess. I felt rested enough and had no urge to go back to bed.

  Sipping my new coffee, I had the cluster of flitters set course for Carrington and put up a screen to check email. Perhaps halfway to Carrington, I felt an awareness of sorts happen on one of the other flitters just before Lori sent me a ping.

  "Yes'm?"

  "We're on our way to Carrington, right?"

  "Yup. Be there in about fifteen. We can park upstairs and let them sleep in or kick a trash can through the barracks and have the bugler blow Reville. Your choice, ma'am."

  Lori chuckled, “Let them sleep. We were up late with Pythia."

  She got out of bed and headed for the bathroom. I felt another awareness happen over there. Prob'ly just somebody waking up a bit. A few minutes later Lori joined me by my console and I noticed her giving me a studious look. I sipped and said nothing, zapping some spam and pulling up the next message. Lori got comfortable in her seat and sighed audibly.

  I said, “If you want to talk, stop dropping hints and do it."

  She sipped and said, “Okay. Are we doing the right thing?"

  "Yup."

  "How can you be so sure?"

  "Look at probable ramifications, Lori. Doing anything else would make them pariahs or fugitives. Or both."

  Lori was silent for a time, then said, “I guess so. I just don't like what I think is going to happen."

  Giving her a glance, I asked, “And that is...?"

  She sighed heavily, as if already weary, “I think their immediate future will be a kind of hell, Ed. Endless questions, tests, and study. When one agency finishes, another will begin. It'll go on and on."

  Sipping my coffee, I replied, “Nah. Very doubtful. She's only eight and she'll have her mum and one of Steph's lawyers to keep the lab rats at bay."

  Sitting up slightly, Lori said, “And that's something else. Why wasn't I offered one of Steph's lawyers when you found me?"

  As if confessing a secret, I said, “Well ... y'see, ma'am ... none of us really liked you way back then. We all thought you were a snooty little brat and we hoped they'd test you until your ears popped and your eyes bugged out."

  Her expression turned droll as she rolled her eyes and said, “Yeah, sure. Why, really?"

  "She started the firm a couple of years after you came along. It's been all about getting certain field devices legalized."

  Lori sipped again, then asked, “What do you think is going to happen down there today?"

  "A meet and greet. Statements of interest. Well behaved people discussing matters."

  "Why do you think that?"

  Taking my eyes off the screen to give her a direct look, I said, “Because I'll stun the first sumbitch who gets pushy."

  Snorting a chuckle, Lori said, “Okay, but why else? I mean, look how all this began."

  "Everybody wants something, Lori. Ellen and Aria want a fairly normal life on Earth. The feds want to know Aria isn't and won't be dangerous. 3rd World wants to know—probably desperately—how and why naturals are popping up on Earth, but nowhere else. So do the feds. Everybody can probably get most or all of what they want, but they'll have to hammer out details and compromise a bit to make it happen."

  As I spoke, I received a ping from Athena and said, “Hi, Athena. Care to drop in for coffee?"

  She appeared to our left and said, “Thanks, but no coffee. Kemor has delivered a reply from Robert Wilson."

  "Great. When everybody's up, we'll put it on a screen."

  From the other flitter, Ellen said, “I'll get Aria up. Give us a few minutes to get ready."

  I put up a four-foot screen and we stood by until Ellen arrived with Aria, then Athena fed the message to the screen.

  Robert appeared and began his message with, “Ellen. Aria. It was wonderful to see you both were okay. I'd have replied sooner, but I've been up to my butt in security people for the last day and a half. They called it ‘protective custody', but it was actually just isolation with a lot of questioning. About ten minutes ago, they brought me back to our apartment. Whatever you've done down there has really stirred things up."

  He took a breath and adjusted his screen a bit, then sat back in a large brown office chair and said, “It looks as if I'll be joining you in a day or two. There are people packing our things in the next room. Sandy came by and asked what was going on. I didn't know what I could safely tell her so I said you'd talk to her when you could.” He sighed and said, “Well, we wanted to go back to Earth anyway. I just never expected it to be like this."

  There was more such chat, but nothing that seemed useful. No surprise. Security people would tell him as little as possible on general principles. All he really knew was that he and everything they owned was being shipped to Earth with an escort on the next transport.

  He chuckled tightly, “They wouldn't call them ‘guards'. As if it wasn't obvious as hell. But at least I won't be traveling in chains. I don't think so, anyway."

  Robert was running out of things to say rather quickly. Also no surprise. He'd have been careful about what he said, not knowing what was in store for himself or his family. He also seemed to be trying to keep his tone light, but it was readily apparent he'd been pretty shaken and confused.

  "Aria,” said Robert, “I've watched what you did a dozen times, honey! It's amazing! Sara was right all along!” He paused and seemed to refer to something on his desk, then said, “Ed, I'm going to assume you'll see this sooner or later. Thank you. That's all I can think to say at the moment. Just thanks.” The door chime sounded and he glanced in that direction, then said, “Someone's at the door, so I'll wrap this up. Ellen. Aria. I'm okay and I love you both. Stay safe and I'll be there as soon as possible. Goodbye for now.” He poked his ‘off’ icon.

  There was silence aboard the flitter. Aria looked both happy and deeply disturbed at the same time. Ellen's eyes were brimming. When I looked at Lori, she coughed softly and said, “Well, at least he's okay and on his way down."

  I said, “Cheer up, ladies. He may be worried sick right now, but he'll get the whole picture when he gets here. Or sooner. We could even send him an update before we go to breakfast."

  That idea was received with enthusiasm. The ladies put together a message. I tacked on some thoughts about how things would probably go and Athena sent the note to Kemor.

  By that time we'd begun our descent to Carrington. I sent probes ahead to have a look around. Sanchez and Evans and their people weren't on base. Too early for them? Probably not.

  I sent a probe to Angie's office, but she wasn't there. Well, duh. Of course not. It was breakfast time. The probe found her in the mess hall, sitting at a table with Wallace, three guys in suits, and a female Air Force second lieutenant.

  When I pinged her, she answered with a screen and, “My, my, aren't you up rather early today?"

  "I've been up for close to an hour, ma'am. I'm just all a-twitter at the prospect of seeing you again."

  She laughed, “I think I'd buy a ticket to see you all a-twitter about anything."

  "Yeah? Think back two days or so. How about buying us a mess hall breakfast? We'll be there in about five minutes."

  "Sure, I could do that. See you when you get here, Ed."

  We signed off, but I left the probe above her table to see what, if anything, would happen. Angie looked at her watch and said, “They can use ranges six and nine until noon or so. Steph said Brenda Pierson would be handling things. She'll be here at about nine."

  Wallace nodded. “Good. She may be kind of young, but she's damned good and she's tough."

  They sipped coffee and chatted as we settled near the admin building's steps. I canceled the probe and stepped off the deck.

  "All ashore, ladies. Angie's in the mess hall."

  Ellen and Lori stood up with a sort of wary determination. Aria looked at them, then at me. I shrugged and smiled and she seemed to take that as her cue, hopping off the flitter and looking back at the others expectantly. Lori hopped off the deck and Ellen took my hand as she stepped down.

  As we walked into the mess hall, Angie and Wallace greeted us cordially. Angie told us which ranges would be open and said that since no flitter would be involved, it didn't matter whether Aria achieved a passing score.

  Aria said, “Yes, it does. I want a passing score."

  Angie said, “Aria, those are flitter ranges. Do you know what that means?"

  "I think so. Ed showed me what to expect."

  Looking at me, Angie asked, “You told her she could match a flitter?"

  "No, I told her she could probably pass the range. If I can do it, so can she. If not today, later."

  "There's nothing on file about you passing the ranges."

  "Not everything I do makes it to the files, milady. I wanted to see if I could do it, so I tried it. Only got a seventy-eight ‘cuz I'm not as fast as a flitter."

  Wallace seemed to give that some thought, then asked, “You really got all the pop-ups right?"

  "Yup. Even the lady who fell out of the window behind me."

  He laughed, “I set that one up just for you."

  "Figures. I caught her about a yard from the sidewalk."

  Ellen asked, “Caught her? What kind of a course is that?"

  Wallace said, “A rescue course with a simulated building fire. The dummy was on the fourth floor.” Looking at me, he asked, “How did you know it was there at all?"

  "I saw her falling in the bus window's reflection."

  "Uh, huh. How'd you catch her?"

  "The easy way. I sent a field pad under her."

  He regarded me quietly for a moment, then said, “You wouldn't have had time to turn around, Ed."

  "Didn't need to. I could see most of the building in the window. I just sent a big pad to the general area."

  One of the guys at the table said, “Prove it. Do it again, sport. Catch this."

  He plucked a powdered doughnut from a nearby tray and tossed it over my head. I cast a broad exploratory field behind me and found the doughnut heading for two people entering the mess hall. Condensing the field around the doughnut, I crushed and crumbled it as I retrieved it, then quickly moved it above the doughnut tosser and let the powdery mess fall on him.

  Jumping to his feet, the guy yelled, “Motherf ... You son of a bitch! This is a five hundred dollar suit!"

  "Then you probably shouldn't act like an arrogant jerk and throw food at people while you're wearing it."

  "I didn't throw it at you, I threw it past you!"

  "It was heading for two people behind me. Guess you didn't bother to look first, huh?"

  One of the other guys at his end of the table pulled his coat back to uncover his badge and snapped, “Maybe you don't know who we are, buddy. For your information..."

  My two emerald tendrils snatched his badge off his belt and his gun out of its holster. As he recoiled in shock, I set both items on the table in front of Angie and said to him, “I'm not your ‘buddy’ and you're here with the doughnut flinger, so I don't much give a rat's ass who you are."

  Turning to Angie, I said, “They didn't send these guys to negotiate anything, did they?"

  She chuckled, “No, they didn't. These three supposedly had car trouble yesterday and ended up staying the night."

  "I know you're not that gullible, Fearless Leader."

  Angie shrugged. “You know how it is. Politics. Easier to let them stay overnight than to argue about it."

  Standing up, she slid the gun and badge across the table to their owner and said, “But now you're all leaving. Saddle up."

  The guy said, “Ma'am, we were ordered to..."

  She interrupted with a raised hand and, “Shut up. Your new orders are to get off my base. Now."

  The guy wearing the powdered doughnut blustered, “Lady, we work directly for..."

  That's as far as he got before she stunned him. He reeled back into his seat and tried to speak, but Angie said, “One more word and your friends will have to carry you out of here."

  Looking around at all three of them, she growled, “And one more time for the hard of hearing among you, gentlemen; get your asses in gear, get the hell off my base, and I damned well dare you to make me say it again."

  To the lady lieutenant, she said, “Make sure they don't have any trouble leaving as quickly as possible, Lt. Mason."

  The LT smiled and replied firmly, “Yes, ma'am,” then said, “Let's go, gentlemen,” and pointed toward the doors. The guys glowered and muttered, but they got to their feet.

  Thumbing at the LT, I said, “I like her, Major Angie."

  Angie turned to me and growled, “I'm sure you do. You just put me on the spot over a damned doughnut, Ed."

  "Did not. Those guys’ snotty attitudes are a reflection of how their honchos regard this situation. Maybe now those attitudes'll change a little before the meeting."

  The three guys weren't quite out of earshot. One glanced back to give me a dark look before they reached the corridor.

  I looked at Wallace and asked, “You think they'll get the message?"

  He nodded. “Yeah, I think so. Now here's a message for you. She's right. That incident didn't have to happen."

  Meeting his gaze, I replied, “Who threw the doughnut? It's over, Cap. Now it's time to feed these ladies and get ‘em out to the range. By the way, Robert Wilson is on his way to Earth."

  Angie said, “We know. We arranged it."

  Ellen asked tightly, “Was there some reason you didn't think to mention that to me?"

  Arching an eyebrow, Wallace said, “You were supposed to find out over breakfast. A happy surprise."

  Obviously backpedaling, Ellen managed, “Oh ... uh ... Well, in that case, I apologize. I'm definitely surprised."

  "Good.” To Angie, Wallace said, “See you later.” To us all, he said, “I'll see all of you later,” then he left the table.

  Angie muttered, “Damn,” then looked at me and said, “Let Lori run them through the ranges, Ed. You come to my office after breakfast.” She then excused herself to the others and followed Wallace out of the mess hall.

  Lori watched her go, then said softly, “Wow, Ed. You pissed off five people at once. Helluva way to start the day, dude."

 

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