“We weren’t in the right part of Balco, and we didn’t have time anyway to look for it, last time we were down there.” Hal’s voice was warm, and she grinned.
“Yes, that was such a busy trip—running for our lives, getting captured, avoiding being blown up. It’s a shame we never had time to catch sight of the way station.”
He laughed. “Well, you have time now. How are things going?”
“Good. I went shopping, and I’m about to have dinner with my new Grihan besties.” She was over the five minutes by now, but she didn’t think they’d mind.
“Who are they? If they’re military, I might have met them.”
She told him, and she could almost see him shaking his head.
“Never heard of either of them. But you think they’re up to it?” he asked.
“They’ve been very professional, and friendly as well. I like them.” She was glad about that, because it would have been a much less pleasant holiday if she hadn’t.
“I’m being called to the bridge, so I have to go, but I’ll try to connect via Larga Ways tomorrow.” His tone didn’t change, but she thought there was a thread of urgency in his voice.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
“So far. We’re stuck in a holding pattern, patrolling up and down the space boundary. I’ll be glad to get home.”
“I’ll be glad when you get home, too.” She was always thrilled when he indicated that he saw Larga Ways as home. Because she had come to see the way station that way, too.
They said their goodbyes, and when Fee headed back down the stairs, she found Trayla and Natta already sitting down, serving up dinner, as if they had been listening for her to come down the stairs.
“Sorry. Just getting updates from the way station and . . .” She paused.
Trayla tilted her head. “And . . .?”
“And Hal Vakeri.” She smiled as she began to eat. She never knew how to categorize their relationship in a way that satisfied both Earth and Grihan terms.
“I’d heard you were involved with him.” Natta leaned back in his chair, legs stretched out.
“How did that happen?” Trayla asked. “He’s captain of a battleship.”
“TheIlliumwas the battleship that found me,” Fiona said. “Hal saved me from the Garmman.” She realized that other than her discussions with her fellow Earth friends and the Class 5s, she’d never talked about this with anyone.
“The Garmman.” Natta looked blank, then gave a nod. “I’d forgotten you weren’t with the Tecran when you were found. It feels like a long time ago, but it hasn’t been much over a year since this all started.”
“About a year,” Fiona agreed. “And you’re right, a lot has happened in that time.”
“What were the Garmman doing with you?” Trayla asked. She took a sip from her glass. “I don’t think I ever heard that story.”
“The Tecran panicked when Rose was discovered by the Grih, so they offloaded me on the Garmman, on a trader headed toward Larga Ways and Balco. There was a secret Tecran bunker in the Balcoan desert, and they were supposed to deliver me there.” Like a package, Fiona thought, suddenly wishing the conversation hadn’t taken this turn.
“Not a good time?” Trayla was watching her, and Fiona realized her expression must be telling the whole story.
“Not a good time,” Fiona agreed. “And let’s leave it there. I’d say it was long in the past, but you’ve already been briefed by the admiral about the possible assassination plot against me.”
“That’s why the Garmman are behind it? Because of you being found on one of their traders?” Natta sounded incredulous.
“Apparently they think I’ve got it out for them on Larga Ways because of it. They think if I’m gone, they’ll save on berthing fees and tariffs.”
“That’s . . . messed up.” Trayla scraped her plate clean. “While you were upstairs, Natta and I decided we’ll take it in turns to go back to our apartments and grab some clothes and things—enough for a couple of days.”
Fiona nodded. She didn’t think having a guard around the clock was strictly necessary, but she liked them, and it made sense to be cautious.
“What’s up for tomorrow?” Natta asked as they stood to clear up.
