Page 8 (1/2)

She held his gaze for a few seconds, aware of the stunned silence co from Zane and Tim "Two We just need two shipments"

"But I need all the bloody farm platforms, and not dropped on e is enerous offer"

There were nineteen farm platforms, and they represented the Beléive them up, she kneould either make Belém dependent on Darwin or force the abandonment of the colony’s other two space stations Neither scenario could be allowed

Tania exhaled, slowly, through her nose "Nine shipments, for nine platforms"

"Deal," he said, without hesitation

Zane stood, red-faced She’d never seen hiry before "Hold please," she said, and tapped the corresponding icon on the screen When Russell’s face vanished behind a red overlay, she ?" he barked

"Buying us time"

"You’re giving away our leverage!"

"Less than half of it," Tania said "They’ll still need us We’ll probably get fewer people now, but considering the quality of the first two shiprants is e need right now"

Zane grimaced "We should have discussed this first"

If Skyler had been in the roo’s a discussion now," he’d said to her in frustration a few days ago

Tania gathered herself "If the two of you are going to sit off ca to take that as permission to act on our behalf" The words tumbled out before she could think to soften theainst the wall His hands went to his sides and he glanced at Zane, then back "Come on, Tania, it’s not like that You’re just … the face of things"

"Just a pretty face?"

"I didn’t ht Pretty, obviously, but … can I start over?"

"Tania," Zane said, "you put too much burden on yourself This … Camp Exodus, Melville Station, all the farms, this was Neil’s plan We all followed it, we all knew the risks and knee were leaving behind You don’t have to redeem yourself"

"There’s plenty of people here who didn’t ask to co," Zane said, "but no one has yet requested to go back to Darith the food shipments, despite the blanket approval to do so"

Tania checked herself Anger had risen so quickly she’d failed to recognize it, and had let it sneak out "You’re right," she said "I’ood point Major decisions should be put to a vote, as a general rule That being said, soth Neil knew this"

"He was the ht," Zane went on, nodding "We’re overburdened dealing with all these far ninety-five percent of it to Darwin We have asus, so what’s the point?"

"My thoughts, exactly," Tania said

Tim cleared his throat His cheeks were still red from his earlier flub "Nine ship chunk of the two-year plan And half the reh to feed us all, many times over, for years after that I say we proceed"

Zane took a breath, then nodded

Tania tapped the hold icon again, and made her deal with the devil

Chapter 9

Darwin, Australia

29APR2283

RUSSELL BLACKFIELD PROWLED across the rooftop, back and forth, barely able to contain his glee

"I should call Alex first," he said to hiood

Ten , he’d been slumped over his desk, beset by problem after bloody problem A strike across the bay at the water plants Confusion and lack of cooperation fro to fly Whispers of ryfararden cohtcliff’s yard, Russell could see a handful of s off the skyscrapers that surrounded his fortress

It all came back to food And I’ve just solved that "Thank rateful sods!"

All he wanted to do was get back to orbit, away from this miserable h to placate the ain and could focus on the eous woman’s Indian neck and--

"Mr Blackfield?"

Russell spun at the voice Kip Osmak stood in the doorway that led downstairs to the office, stringy gray hair fraliest secretary in the history of mankind

"You’re supposed to bow," Russell said

"I … what--"

"I’, you moron"

Kip nodded "Sir"

After a few seconds of silence, Russell spread his hands "Well? The fuck do you want?"

"Mr Grillo is here to see you," Kip said flatly

"What the hell does he want? Is he at the gate?"

Kip stepped aside

Grillo stood in the stairwell behind hierly, as if afraid to get his shoes dirty