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Tania let go of Natalie and put her hands in her lap, stared down at them "It’s here already"

The room became quiet, save for the hum of the air conditioner

"If it spins its thread at its current pace," she said in a quiet, even tone, "it should touch ground toently now His eyes were firmly locked on Tania "Where?"

"I …"

"Where?"

Tania had never lied well She practiced this one for hours, into her pillow

Russell produced a small pistol from below the table and pointed it at Natalie "Say it or she dies"

"Kiribati"

"Huh?"

Tania sed hard, still looking at her hands, which she wrung together in her lap "Kiribati Island About three thousand kilo place?"

"No, it’s quite sun back into the holster on his hip, and Tania felt some of the tension in her dissipate He pushed back his chair and stood, looking out theat the first alien craft "Guards," he called out Within seconds the door opened and the two soldiers who had escorted Tania strode in

Despite the hatred she kept bottled inside, Tania couldn’t help but think how much Russell reseant

The guards stood at attention behind Tania

"Natalie, dear," Russell said after a long ti?"

"Yes"

Tania turned to face her "What are you--"

Natalie ignored her and spoke cal to tell you unless you prohed "I promise to let her live"

"Unless you promise not to hurt her," Natalie corrected

"I pro, for fuck’s sake You have my word"

"It’s worth so much"

"The best I can offer just now Where?"

Natalie searched his eyes, her jaw clenched, fists balled

"Tell , and I’ll have the guards beat her until you do"

"Africa"

"No!" Tania rasped The guards grabbed both her arms, this time with painful force

Russell never took his eyes froo, near a city called Geainst the guards, a futile effort "How could you?"

"Better," Russell said, grinning "When does it arrive?"

"That part was the truth," Natalie said "It’s already descending and should attach in a few days"

"No!" Tania shrieked so loud that Natalie visibly flinched

"Take her away," Russell said, calmly "Lock her in her room until we’ve secured the site"

Without care for her well-being, the guards hauled Tania froed her from the room For the entire way she hissed profanities at Natalie, at Russell At everyone

When the door slammed shut she shouted even louder She surprised herself with the profanities that spewed forth

All the while she kept thinking the sa

Well done, Nat Well done

Russell returned to his seat at the table, another forkful of egg in his mouth before he’d even settled "Never seen her so feisty," he said

"I could try to make peace," Natalie said softly "Soothe her You could watch, if you want"

"Enough of that You two are about as erotic as a pair ofwith reide "Where?"

"Africa, of course To find out which of you lied"

Chapter Forty-three

Approaching Gateway Station

14FEB2283

Skyler feigned sleep on the journey up the Elevator

A harder task than he’d hoped More than once an anxious soldier had nudged hi to talk about the experiences that awaited above Skyler kept his eyes closed and gruave up and left hi proved most valuable Much of the conversation centered on the notoriously gorgeous women of orbit, and what they planned to do with thele each of thehts shifted to Tania Sharma, so far away on Anchor Station He wondered if distance alone could protect her froainst Platz and his haphazard arenerated much more debate, and Skyler listened closely Ruood rumor had a kernel of truth

"Platz built a secret army of superwarriors, ar laughs

"No," another said, "he’s just given gun-shaped cucu staff"

"Nonsense, he has no arhed

"Doesn’t matter," another said "Platz is dead already"

Skyler mulled the ramifications if that was true The conflict would be over before it really started, and he could return to a norht Whatever happened, his normal life could never be restored, and his future would only be as good as he made it

"What about the Ghost?" someone asked

"A myth," ca any grunt alks Gateway Station alone" This drew nervous laughs, and Skyler fought the urge to ask what the hell they were talking about

Much later the topic of Russell Blackfield’s position on the council was discussed more soberly, after the other topics had run dry Eyes still closed, Skyler listened as two men in particular, clearly students of current politics, appraised the situation