Zhor gave her that blank stare she found so frustrating and irritating—because she was almost sure he actuallydidunderstand—mostly—and was just pretending he didn’t.
She stamped her foot. “This is serious! Don’t play games now! I heard machines when we left! Those are just the start ... if I don’t get back and tell them they have to stop. We’ll have to get people in here to figure out what happened and what the current situation is for the people here and if there’s anything we can or should do. Then there’ll be negotiations for treaties and arrangements to buy land if that’s agreeable.
“But none of whatshouldhappen is going to if I don’t get back!”
She turned to study the city again. “I really need to get down there. I should have some hard evidence with me to back me up when I go to talk to them—something that can’t be disputed or discounted.
“Not that I think they’d be stupid enough to just ignore it. They’d be in a world of shit if they just forged on without checking it out, but it could make things a lot easier—maybe move things along more quickly.”
“No.”
Annika whipped a shocked look at him.
“Bad ting dere. Make Ah-na sick, die.”
She blinked at him. “But, I’ve been vaccinated ... never mind,” she added when it abruptly occurred to her thathehadn’t been vaccinated and he could be vulnerable. He might not be. He’d survived this long and that seemed to point to at least some resistance to the disease, but she didn’t want to bet his life on it—especially when it wasn’t at all necessary. “I don’t see any point in arguing about it. I don’t really need it. It would have been helpful to have some physical proof ....” She shrugged. “I do have to go back, though. Really.”
Zhor frowned, studied her for a long moment and then motioned for her to get back into her safety harness.
She wasn’t convinced that he’d understood her or was willing to take her back, but she complied. She sure as hell didn’t want to get left!
She was more convinced after he took flight that he either hadn’t understood or he’d decided to ignore her demand to be taken back, but she hadn’t expected it to be easy or simple. She was going to have to work to convince him—and/or make him understand.
It wasn’t just about her anymore. It was about him—everyone he knew—any life he hoped for.
If no one stopped the company, they would completely take over and do any damned thing they wanted to do!
And the natives were just going to get majorly screwed!
