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Seriously? The other soldiers watchdown death row "Oh, you know" I try not to sound as annoyed as I ane is" I try for a sood at insincerity, not ain Blinking away the stars, I stuuy in the room more out of place than I am But the stooped man in the shabby hat is nowhere to be found

Maybe he left? But so a party like this and then slip out without a fuss Maybe he’s seated now, hiding aain, this ti the patrons more closely

They’re all packed full of people All except one My gaze falls on a girl sitting alone in a booth, watching the croith detached interest Her fair, flawless skin says she’s one of theaze says she’s better, above, untouchable

She’s wearing the saaze for a moment--she sure as hell wears the color better than any sailor I know Hair: red, falling down past her shoulders Nose: a little snub, but that makes her more pretty, not less It ht word She’s a knockout

Soirl’s face tickles at the back ofup the connection, she catches irls like her, so I don’t knohy I keep watching her, or why I saze away It’s the nervousin and out of the crowd His stooped posture is gone, and with his eyes fixed on soh the press of bodies He’s got a goal--and it’s the girl in the blue dress

I waste no ti in and out of the crowd politely I shove between a pair of startled elderly gentleotten there first He’s leaning close, speaking low and fast He’sto spit out what he cairl jerks back, leaning away Then the crowd closes up between us, and they’re out of sight

I reach down to lay a hand on un, and hiss between my teeth as I realize it’s not there The e li its contents crashing to the floor The crowd recoils, finally giving rabbed her elbow, urgent She’s trying to pull away, eyes flashing up, looking around for soet one step closer before a er’s shoulder He has an equally self-important friend with him, and two officers, a ht in his eyes doesn’t belong here, and I can see they uardian jerks the ainst the officers, who take hi, either forh-and-tumble sort they learn in the colonies If he did, he’d be able to handle these desk jockeys and their sloppy forrabbing at the nape of his neck More force than I would use, for so to talk to the girl in the blue dress, but they’re handling it I stop by the adjacent booth, still trying to catchfree of the soldiers, and turns back toward the girl As the rooe to his voice is audible "You have to speak to your father about this, please We’re dying for lack of tech, he needs to give the colonists ives out as one of the officers delivers a blow to his sto away fro of onlookers

The redhead beats me to it She’s on her feet in a swift movement that draws the attention of everyone in the room in a way the scuffle didn’t Whoever she is, she’s a showstopper

"Enough!" She has a voice well suited to delivering ulti?"

I knew I liked her for a reason

When I step forward, she’s holding thelare that could fell a platoon For a ister my presence, and scan my shoulders for my stars and bars Rank aside, we’re different in every way Myservice, bureaucratic efficiencies My promotions were made in the field Theirs, behind a desk They’ve never had blood on their hands But for once, I’lad of my newfound status The two soldiers come reluctantly to attention--both of them are older, and I can tell it rankles to have to salute an eighteen-year-old Funny hoas old enough by sixteen to drink, fight, and vote, but even two years later, I’ate-crasher He’s breathing quick and shallow, like he’s pretty sure so to fire hi sure I sound calm "If there’s a problem, I can help this man find the door" Without more violence