by M. D. Cooper
“Now I’m confused,” Tony said.
“What we mean to say is,” Erin said, “if you want to remember anything at all about your journey, take it easy in the cocktail lounge. On the other hand, who wants to remember a run of the mill trip between planets?” She took a sip of cream soda and fleetingly wished that her drink was another Quantum, or even a Slippery Black Hole.
“So, how have things been going up here?” asked Tony.
Erin launched into a long, detailed explanation of all the work the team had completed since his previous visit, highlighting the effort involved in situating the structural arms and the four starships it took to do each one simultaneously.
After ten minutes or so, she noticed that his attention had flagged. She had a suspicion that it had done so several minutes before, so she quickly filled him in on only the last few, important details.
“You haven’t heard anything from the Trojan government, then?” asked Tony when she’d wrapped up.
“No,” Erin replied. “Not a peep. Why? Do you think I should have?”
“Probably not. The legislature must be preoccupied with all the protests.” In response to her ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about’ expression, Tony continued. “The movement to secede, remember?”
“Damn!” she exclaimed. “It’s escalated to protests? In the streets?”
“Yeah, marches and everything. Nonviolent, though. I’m surprised you haven’t noticed, it’s been on all the media outlets.”
“I guess I need to pay more attention to the feeds. Most of my focus these days is on my inbound shipments from the moons and Carthage,” said Erin.
“Well, maybe you should check them more,” Tony said. “Remember the extra budget you were saying you needed to properly fit out all the decks for future expansion? Do you think a seceded Troy will want to spend their credits on a space station, or might they think the money would be better spent elsewhere?”
“Hey,” said Erin, “I thought you came here to say goodbye, not ruin my day!”
Tony smiled ruefully. “Sorry. But forewarned is forearmed.”
“Yeah, OK. I get it.”
“I don’t know what would be best for you to do,” he admitted. “But maybe keep an eye on the political situation from now on.”
“OK. Thanks for the tip.”
“Thanks for your advice about the cocktails on the Odyssey.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
STELLAR DATE: 05.11.8941 (Adjusted Years)
LOCATION: Family home, eastern shores of Ithaca
REGION: Troy, New Canaan System
Isa was in her closet, trying to decide what to wear for the grand opening of the gallery that evening. She was tense, unable to shake the feeling that the event could make or break her business, even though she knew that probably wasn’t true.
At least she had a large dollop of luck on her side. The worsening political situation on Troy had prompted New Canaan’s governor to pay a visit, and Isa had seized the opportunity offered in both fists and invited Tanis and Joe to her gala.
Tanis had accepted, and Isa’s grand opening had transformed from simply one more business starting up in Heliopolis, into the media event of the year. The governor’s presence would provide an abundance of free publicity. Isa couldn’t have wished for a better coincidence in timing. The only downside was that Tanis’s presence would clearly affiliate Isa and her gallery with the political faction that was against secession, but she didn’t care about that. She was against Troy’s secession. She thought it was a stupid idea, and if that put people off visiting her business, so be it.
She expected reporters from the popular media outlets to show up, but she had limited the press passes to only two. She didn’t want to impose on Tanis by allowing her to be swamped by journalists all evening. The rest of the media representatives could wait outside the venue and maybe catch a glimpse of the governor arriving and leaving.
Isa took out one of her favorite dresses. The shade of deep green complemented her skin and hair, and the dress fit well, narrowing to her waist before flaring out over her hips and then tapering to handkerchief points halfway down her calves. She put on the dress and fastened it at the back. Then she set about fixing her hair. It was a pain in the ass to put it up in a bun, so she rarely bothered, but this occasion called for a classy look.
As she worked, Isa ran through a mental list of the opening’s attendees. Erin and Martin were coming, naturally, and she asked them to invite their colleagues to help make up the numbers. Jude would be there too, though probably not for the entire evening. Much as she loved her son, Isa didn’t want the event ruined by the crying of a tired child. It had been agreed upon that if it all got to be too much for Jude, Martin would take him home.
Isa had also remembered to send an invite to Elora Pennypuddy. It made professional sense to include the other artists in the event. Singh had readily agreed to come, as had the handful of parents Isa had gotten to know at the daycare center Jude attended. She had also told Tanis to feel free to invite any Trojan dignitaries she knew.
Roughly thirty people would be attending the opening, which was a good number for the available space. She hadn’t decided whether the attendees would be able to participate in one of the installations. Four were set up and ready to use, but she would see how the evening went. If everyone began to relax, then a trip on one of her landscape journeys would add to the fun, but if the atmosphere remained sedate and formal, she wouldn’t suggest it.
Isa checked her reflection in a mirror and pulled two strands of hair down from her bun to frame her face. Satisfied that her appearance would pass muster, she tried to find the little suit she’d had specially made for Jude for the occasion. She’d been avoiding dressing him until the last minute so that he didn’t have time to dirty it before they left. The suit seemed to have disappeared, however. She wondered if Martin had taken it and was getting Jude dressed himself.
“There you are,” said Erin, poking her head into the closet.
“You’re home at last. I was worrying you might not make it.”
“I wouldn’t miss this for all New Canaan. I had some things to pick up in Heliopolis on my way home. Hey, I recognize that.” Erin walked up to Isa and gently grasped her shoulders. “That’s what you were wearing the first time we met.”
“That’s right,” Isa replied. “You have a good memory.”
“As if I could forget.” Erin wrapped her in a hug. Releasing her, she said, “But Martin and I have bought something different for you to wear. Come and look.”
Taking Isa’s hand, she led her out to the bedroom and across to the bed, where a flat, rectangular box lay.
“Is it a dress?” asked Isa. “This is so sweet of you guys.”
“Isa, you’ve been working like crazy to get your art business off the ground, as well as looking after our son more than half the time. Of course we got you something. It’s the least we can do to show our appreciation. Go on, open it.”
Isa lifted the lid off the box and unwrapped the tissue paper to find a folded black dress. She took the dress out and held it up.
“Core, Erin, it’s beautiful.”
The material was delicate and reflected the light in a soft sheen. The fabric’s texture felt strange but also vaguely familiar.
“Go and put it on,” Erin urged. “It should fit perfectly. I tried it on myself, since we’re almost the same size.”
Isa returned to the closet and slipped out of her old dress. Erin had been correct: the new dress fit smoothly over her curves. It was a little lower at the front than she was usually comfortable with, but for the occasion, it wasn’t inappropriate. She picked out her black shoes to match.
“I love it,” she said as she returned to the bedroom. “How do I look?”
“Stunning.”
Erin was still wearing her work clothes.
“What are you going to wear?” Isa asked her.
“Darn it. I hadn’t thought about it. I
guess I can find something that looks halfway decent.”
“Why don’t you wear the dress I was wearing? Like you said, we’re the same size.”
“Your dress?” Erin looked surprised and more than a little alarmed. “I haven’t worn a dress in…I can’t remember the last time I wore a dress—other than trying that one on, of course.”
“Why not make an exception tonight? You would look great, I’m sure.”
“OK. I’ll do it. Just for you. But there’s something else we have to do first.” Her eyes flicked upward as she spoke on the Link. “Wait here for a minute.”
She walked out of the bedroom, and Isa heard her footsteps going down the stairs. A moment later, more footsteps resounded from the staircase. Heavier and lighter ones than Erin’s. Martin and Jude were coming up to the bedroom.
Martin entered the bedroom first, wearing a suit. Isa’s mouth fell open. She was so used to seeing her husband in old swim shorts and a worn t-shirt, his hair rough with salt water and uncombed, that she almost didn’t recognize him. He looked amazing. But Jude stood next to him, and the little boy outshone his father.
Jude’s suit was identical to Martin’s, only about ten times smaller. What a pair they make.
Jude’s cherubic little face was grinning, as if he knew the deepest secret in the world.
Erin stood behind them both.
“Give Mommy Isa her present, Jude.”
“Another gift?” Isa asked. “You guys are spoiling me.”
“Not any more than you deserve,” Martin said.
Jude ran forward, bringing a box out from behind his back. Isa reached out, and he thrust the box into her hands.
“Open it, Mommy Isa. Open it! It’s so pretty!” He bounced up and down in excitement.
“Don’t spoil the surprise, Jude,” said Martin. “Let her find out for herself.”
Isa undid the small catch and opened the box. When she saw what lay inside, she gasped.
“Sweet stars, this is too much. It’s beautiful, but I can’t accept it.”
Sitting on the red velvet cushion inside was a necklace made of a silvery metal. Five slim chains looped across the front, studded thickly with pearls and opals. They linked together into a single chain that went around the back of the neck.
“This must have cost a fortune. What’s it made of?”
“Rhodium,” Erin replied, “with a little platinum mixed in.”
“Rhodium?” Isa squeaked. “I appreciate the gesture, but I really can’t accept this. I can’t wear it. I’ll be too worried I’ll lose it.”
“Stop being silly,” said Erin. “Turn around and let me put it on you.”
“But—”
“Isa,” Erin said, “if you don’t wear this necklace, all Martin’s work will go to waste. He grew those pearls for you at his site on the Med.”
Isa’s gaze lifted to Martin’s. He nodded. “I seeded the oysters the day after you gave birth to Jude, and I harvested the pearls before we packed up everything to send to Troy.”
Tears sprang to Isa’s eyes.
“And I mined those opals for you from an asteroid,” Erin added.
“You did?” asked Isa.
“No, I didn’t, actually.” Erin chuckled. “I bought them at the jeweler in Heliopolis where I commissioned the necklace. There, it’s on.” She kissed the back of Isa’s neck.
The necklace felt cool and light against Isa’s skin. The jewelry was easily the most expensive thing she’d ever worn. It was probably worth more than all the credit she’d earned in the last decade. She could feel herself choking up.
She murmured, “I don’t know what to say,” but the words came out high-pitched and were barely intelligible.
“You don’t need to say anything,” Erin said. “We love you, and we wanted to show you just how much on what could be one of the most important nights of your life.”
Isa’s capacity for speech deserted her. Erin gave her another hug, and Martin wrapped his arms around them both. Jude jumped up and down, asking to be let in to the ‘snuggle’. Martin bent down and picked his son up, holding him in the crook of his arm.
Isa sniffed. Her face buried in Erin’s shoulder, she asked, “What’s this dress made of?”
“Silk,” Erin replied.
Silk. That was why the texture had felt familiar. Isa’s new dress was made of the same material as the sheets in their hotel room in Athens.
“So, as well as the most beautiful and expensive necklace I’ve ever owned,” said Isa, “you got me a dress made of worm cloth?”
“We did,” Martin replied. “I’m glad you’re grateful.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
STELLAR DATE: 05.11.8941 (Adjusted Years)
LOCATION: Isa’s gallery, Heliopolis, Ithaca
REGION: Troy, New Canaan System
Erin flew them in Isa’s aircar to the roof of her art gallery. It turned out to be a wise decision. A crowd had already gathered outside the entrance in the street below. Erin guessed that media reps had been the first to arrive, and then passersby had stopped to see what was happening. But arriving by air didn’t mean the family escaped the news drones, which hovered around as they exited the vehicle.
“Ignore them,” Erin said to Martin, who was visibly annoyed and shielding Jude’s face as he carried him over to the hatch.
Isa opened the small door and, gathering the skirt of her dress in one hand, descended the steps. Martin followed her, but halfway down, he paused and looked upward into the starry sky.
“Something wrong?” Erin asked.
“I don’t think so. Only I thought I heard the engine of a big ship.”
He stepped down the remaining treads to the bottom of the stairs.
Tanis laughed.
“Tanis is going to arrive via aircar too,” Erin told Isa when she reached the upper mezzanine. “I explained about the media situation.”
Isa closed the hatch. “I hope reporters don’t turn this evening into a disaster. I’m so happy Tanis could come, but I want her and Joe to have a good time, not be bombarded with questions about the political situation.”
“I wouldn’t worry about Tanis if I were you,” replied Erin. “If anyone can look after themselves, it’s her. What’s more important is that the focus of this event isn’t on the governor of New Canaan. Your art gallery is what this is all supposed to be about.”
Isa’s eyes flicked upward. “The caterers are here.”
“I’ll go down and let them in,” said Martin.
“I’ll come with you,” said Isa.
Martin handed Jude to Erin and he and Isa took the elevator.
Erin had brought a bag of toys to keep Jude busy. Holding it in one hand, she grasped Jude’s hand with the other and walked with him down the stepped bridge that crossed to the lower mezzanine.
“Whooo,” Jude said, peering through the balcony rails at the first floor. “Look. Daddy and Mommy Isa.”
“Yeah, there they are.” Erin stopped to watch what was happening below.
Isa had opened the door to the caterers, but as the workers and automatons carrying covered trays were entering, other people were pushing through the portal, trying to sneak inside along with the servers. Martin was quick to push them out again.
Erin bit her lip. Isa had worked her ass off to set
up her art business; she hoped the evening would be a success. And she hoped that Tanis’s attendance would be more of a benefit than a detriment.
Music started up, and the lighting softened. The party was about to begin.
Erin was looking forward to having a good time. She hadn’t done much except work or relax at the house on the coast for a while. It would also be great to catch up with Tanis and Joe about everything that had been happening in Carthage.
She descended the rest of the staircase to the lower mezzanine and then took the elevator to the first floor.
“You’re performing your bouncer duties a little too well,” Erin told Martin when she reached the door. “You ejected two of my engineers along with the reporters.”
“Shoot,” Martin said. “It’s hard to tell who’s who. They’re all claiming they were invited.”
“I’ll identify the ones I know,” said Erin, approaching the door.
“Hold on,” said Isa as she returned from showing the caterers where to set up. “I’ll deal with this.”
She jerked the door open, causing several people who had been leaning on it to fall inward and hit the floor. Ignoring the sprawling journalists, she yelled, “If you don’t have an invite, back off to the other side of the road, or I’m calling the police! The governor of New Canaan will be here tonight, and she doesn’t take shit from anyone.”
Erin snorted with laughter. Dressed in black silk, bedecked in highly expensive jewelery, her hair beautifully styled, Isa looked like a queen… But her character had been forged as an enslaved miner at Sirius, and that wouldn’t ever change.
Isa’s tirade had the desired effect. The uninvited separated from the invited and grumpily shuffled across the street, though their drones remained, hovering annoyingly close to the entrance. Erin spotted Linch and MacCarthy and beckoned them over. Isa allowed one of her new friends in too.