The Search for Ulyssa

by Heidi J. Leavitt

  Of course he is. Mikal is crazy.

  But do you realize what this means? He was watching for me after class! He does care.

  Yes. Dina was amused. So what are you going to do about it?

  Kendra twisted a strap from her pack and frowned. She just needed the right words. But nothing came to mind. Bren didn’t say anything either. He didn’t even look her direction. Once they turned onto Civil Strip, she stopped, trying to catch her breath. She couldn’t keep going at Bren’s pace for long, especially with the heavy jumpbag.

  Bren stopped instantly and came back to her side. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I forgot that you’re a shrimp.”

  Kendra stared at him and then broke into a wide smile, her tension from the meeting with Mikal dissolving.

  “That’s the Bren I know and love,” she said. “The one who thinks I’m some kind of slimy sea creature.”

  Much better than calling you a stuck-up brat.

  Kendra’s happiness fizzled just a little. Do you have to remind me of the exact words, Dina?

  “I’ve called you worse.” Bren’s eyes dropped to the ground, obviously recalling the same words as Dina. “I’m sorry, Kendra. I can’t believe what I said. I’ve been kicking myself ever since.”

  “I’ll forgive you if you’ll forgive me,” she said. “And you have to promise to study with me again,” she added.

  “Deal.” He held out his hand. “Here. Give me your bag. I’ll walk you home at shrimp pace.”

  ♦

  The very next day, Kendra met Bren after their seminars at their old meeting spot at the wall. They chatted easily as they headed over to the library, everything seemingly back to normal, as if the past months without speaking to each other had never happened. But as they reached the study room, Kendra held her breath.

  Zara looked up as they walked in the door and gasped, then rapidly swiveled to gaze at the wall. Bren stopped short at the doorway. He raised an eyebrow at Kendra, his lips pressing to a line. But she smiled at him and gestured into the room, and Bren sighed before trudging over to the table and dropping heavily into a chair. Kendra joined him and pulled out the day’s Denicorizen lesson.

  “Does anybody understand this past present tense stuff? Because I’m completely stumped.”

  For a moment, there was complete silence. Finally, Bren pulled out his own copy of the lesson. “I think I get it. I’ll explain it to you.”

  The rest of the study session was stilted and awkward, with Kendra having to do the oral practice with both Bren and Zara because they still wouldn’t speak to each other. But she counted it as a triumph when Bren said goodbye to both of them by name, and she figured Zara would come around eventually. It would just take some time.

  ♦

  You were right about these two, Dina observed as they listened to Zara and Bren trying to hold a halting conversation in Denicorizen about where to buy the best off-planet goods.

  You’d never guess that two months ago they wouldn’t speak to each other, Kendra said happily. Zara’s shy and she’s never had anything to do with a Kratian before. She just needed some repeated exposure.

  I don’t think repeated exposure would work for Hugo. Or any of Mikal’s scowling friends.

  Eh. Who needs Hugo or Mikal anyway?

  Or for any of those Denicorizens who have joined the Brotherhood.

  Kendra shivered. Don’t remind me. The terrorist attacks by the Brotherhood were increasing. It was growing unsafe for any Citizens to venture out into the city. Not only that, the Brotherhood was targeting anyone who prospered from the trade with the Union. She wondered if Mikal would continue to argue in favor of the Brotherhood’s favorite tenets if they attacked one of his father’s businesses.

  The way things are going, we’re never going to get to look for Ulyssa, Kendra said. Even if I hadn’t promised Aunt Andie to stay in the complex, I wouldn’t dare to leave it now.

  Surely the Denicorizen government will get in under control soon, said Dina. The Armada didn’t take very long to end the Roran Uprising.

  Yes, but it doesn’t sound like the CPF soldiers are anywhere as good as the Armada ones.

  Well, the Armada has a base here too. Aren’t they helping?

  “Do you think this stuff with the Brotherhood will end soon?” she asked out loud. Bren and Zara both turned to her in surprise.

  “What makes you ask that?” Bren’s tone was wary.

  “I’ve just wanted to get out and see the sights of Roma,” she said with a casual wave of her hand. “But it doesn’t seem like I’ll ever get to at this rate.”

  Zara sniffed. “Societal unrest is, unfortunately, common in places that have not yet become truly civilized. I do not think Corizen will suddenly grow more refined or moral.”

  “Yeah, if only Corizen would just start teaching their children proper civilized behavior using the commentaries of Motambique, all of this would go away.” Bren snorted.

  “An education in the commentaries would certainly help, but I believe they need to begin with the basic morals first,” Zara said seriously, not recognizing Bren’s sarcasm. Kendra stifled a smile. Zara still had a long way to go if she was going to be her family’s company representative on Corizen.

  Maybe there will be a miracle and the new Denicorizen president will somehow fix all this, Kendra said wistfully.

  It will take a miracle for us to find Ulyssa, even if we manage to get out of the complex.

  Hey, why not? Come on, two miracles isn’t too much to ask for!

  Always the optimist. One of the reasons I love you, Kendra.

  They had no idea that the first miracle was already brewing back at the Ambassador House.

  11. Plans in Motion

  That evening when Aunt Andie called the girls in to sit at the kitchen table, Kendra was wary, wondering what terrible new tragedy had befallen the city. After all, the kitchen table was her aunt’s “serious talk” location, used whenever she wanted to discuss something with the girls that was likely to be upsetting—whether it was a rule like a new curfew or news about another violent demonstration by the Brotherhood.

  However, once Tiran and Kendra were both seated at the table, looking uneasily and expectantly at her, Aunt Andie shocked them both by asking if they would like to attend the inaugural ball.

  “Really?” exclaimed Kendra excitedly. Her aunt explained that the ball was held the same day the new president took office. It was an extremely high-class affair, with politicians and wealthy, influential Denicorizens mingling with invited foreign dignitaries.

  “The security at the ball will be very tight, and of course the Union ambassador needs to attend,” Aunt Andie explained.

  “But that includes us too?” Kendra asked, barely suppressing her excitement. An actual chance to get out of the complex! And best of all, to go right to the Palace, just like she wanted to.

  It is perfect, agreed Dina happily. With so many guests, if there is an isithunzi shadowing people, our chances are that much better of finding one.

  “Our invitation includes the entire family—plus one guest each,” her aunt explained. “If you want to bring a date, you may, though I imagine they’ll have to be approved by security.”

  Kendra waved away the idea of a date, though she did glance sideways at Tiran. Her cousin’s sparkling eyes told her all she needed to know. Tiran was already planning to invite Markus. Though how she planned to still keep her relationship with him secret from her parents if he came to the ball was a mystery.

  Maybe we’ll find Ulyssa, Kendra said hopefully. Wouldn’t that be wonderful if we found her in just a couple of months?

  Out loud, she asked a more prosaic question. “Will I get to use the dances they are teaching us?”

  Her aunt confirmed that yes, the inaugural ball was one where only the formal set dances would be performed. They wou
ld also need dresses. At first Kendra got even more excited—they would have to leave the complex to go shopping, surely, which would be another opportunity for Dina to search for others like her—but Aunt Andie explained that there were merchants that would come to the families in the complex. Both girls would get to choose a dress from the merchants, and then it would be altered if needed.

  That sounds like I’m going to end up with somebody’s shop rejects, Kendra mourned. She loved pretty clothes, and one of the best parts of attending a formal ball would be getting to dress up.

  I doubt it, Dina said encouragingly. Whatever merchants sell to the diplomats and Armada families in the complex probably bring their best stuff.

  I hope so. Granted, they are probably charging prices worthy of a space baron.

  Well, your aunt sounds willing to pay it. This must be a very special event indeed.

  ♦

  That night, Tiran slipped into Kendra’s room after Aunt Andie had gone to bed. Kendra was nearly ready for bed herself; she had changed into a sleep shirt and robe and was sitting on her window seat, gazing out at over the complex. The larger moon (elder moon, she corrected herself, remembering what the Denicorizens called it) had not yet set, but the younger moon had already risen. It cast the strangest shadows on the expanse of gardens that stretched out from the house. Tiran sat beside her.

  “See that large twinkling light?” she said, pointing out the brightest star in the sky. It didn’t seem to be moving, so it couldn’t be a ship or a shuttle, but it was too large to be a real star. “That’s the interstellar gate. When I first moved to Roma, my grandmother taught me to make wishes on it. She told me that if you could see the gate when both moons were up, your wish would come true.” Tiran sighed blissfully. “My wish I didn’t even know to wish for came true tonight. I never dreamed we’d get to go to the inaugural ball!”

  Kendra smiled widely. “Me too! I’m surprised your mom is willing to go. I would have thought she’d worry about the danger.”

  Tiran shook her head. “It will be swarming with security. The Palace Guard is the best on the planet, maybe even better than the Armada.”

  The girls sat silently for just a second, staring out the window, before Kendra said, “Soooo . . . Markus? Are you going to invite him?”

  Tiran smiled, tracing an invisible flower on the windowpane. “Yes,” she admitted.

  “But how are you planning to do that without anybody finding out? Are you planning to tell your parents about him?”

  “No way! I won’t have him come with us. But I can request his invitation from security directly. Then he can just meet me there.”

  Kendra raised an eyebrow. “And your parents still won’t notice when you dance with him?”

  This is a crazy plan, agreed Dina skeptically.

  Tiran shook her head. “It will be crowded with people, and my parents will barely spend any time dancing. Just wait and see. Any social event I’ve ever seen them at, my dad ends up talking with boring politicians the whole time while Mom catches up with her Denicorizen friends she rarely gets to see. Besides, can you imagine my mom dancing?”

  Both girls giggled. “It does sound ridiculous. Aunt Andie seems like the last person to hit a dance floor.”

  Dina snorted. Says the biggest pair of library mice I’ve ever seen. Shows what you know. Back on Zenith your aunt spent hours every week dancing in nightclubs—I don’t know if she ever set foot in a library.

  I’m not a library mouse! protested Kendra.

  You practically live in the library. Though I think Bren doubles your library time, Dina observed. You should take Bren to the inaugural ball.

  Kendra flushed. Tiran stared at her in bewilderment, tilting her head to one side.

  “Are you OK?” She’d noticed the silent conversation.

  Kendra laughed nervously. “Yeah. I just . . . the craziest thought came out of nowhere, and it distracted me, I guess.”

  “Oh, share!” Tiran begged. “It has to do with the ball, right? Did you think of someone to invite too?” Her eyes widened. “You’re going to invite that Hugo guy!”

  Kendra made gagging noises. Tiran’s eyes glinted mischievously.

  “Or . . . I know! You’re going to take Mikal. He is a fine specimen of manhood. Though with his current crazy ideas, I don’t think security will clear him. Will you be too disappointed if he can’t go?”

  “Tiran!” Kendra grabbed a decorative pillow from the seat beside her and pummeled her cousin’s shoulder with it. Tiran raised her hands, trying to fend off the blows, and collapsed backward against the wall, laughing uncontrollably.

  “You are going to wake your mom up,” warned Kendra.

  Tiran pulled the pillow from Kendra’s hands and used it to smother her laughter until she had herself under control again. Kendra just shook her head at her cousin’s sudden goofiness. She hadn’t seen Tiran act like this for months. Not since Uncle Casey went off-planet.

  Finally, Tiran sobered enough to ask again. “Well, who are you going to ask, Kendra? You can’t tell me you weren’t thinking of someone.”

  Kendra twisted her fingers nervously.

  “I thought of asking Bren,” she admitted.

  Tiran frowned thoughtfully. “Bren? Dancing?”

  “I meant asking him as a friend,” Kendra rushed to explain. “He would enjoy it—once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, you know. Besides, he actually follows local politics. He’d probably want to go listen to the new president.”

  The corner of Tiran’s mouth quirked up.

  I don’t think she believes me.

  No, Dina said with a small laugh. But then, anyone who knows anything about Bren wouldn’t think of him “enjoying” dancing.

  He’s gotten so much better, Kendra defended. And you know he would like to meet all the important people.

  Keep telling yourself that, Kendra. Maybe you’ll convince yourself. I don’t believe you any more than Tiran does.

  ♦

  Bren stared at her in shock when she asked him. His mouth dropped open, and his wide eyes grew even wider.

  “You want me to do what?” The disbelief was so thick, she might as well have asked him to run away and become a miner on the Blue Plains with her. Eventually the silence grew so long that Kendra wanted to writhe in mortification.

  Well, this was a mistake! she panicked to Dina. How do I get out of it with the least embarrassment to us both? Do I say, “Never mind, I was just joking”? She struggled to keep her outward expression neutral. He didn’t need to know she was seconds from bolting from the room. It was humiliating enough as it was that he couldn’t even bring himself to consider attending a ball with her.

  You can’t back out now, Dina ordered firmly. Muster up some fake confidence and issue the invitation again. Brazen it out, girl. You can do it.

  Kendra swallowed. Her throat was as dry as a parched, pocked moon. “I . . . will you attend the inaugural ball with me?” she asked again, trying to fake the confidence that she did not feel at all. “As my guest?”

  “That’s what I thought you said.” He started to pace, clearly ill at ease with this request.

  “I know you don’t like dancing,” Kendra hurried to reassure. “But you don’t have to dance even once if you don’t want to. You can just go as my friend. Critique the new president’s speech for me.” She darted a hopeful glance at his face from underneath her long eyelashes.

  Bren abruptly stopped pacing and dropped onto the bench.

  “You want to go with me as a friend?” he clarified gruffly.

  “Yes,” she said, relieved to be on steady ground. She did want to go as friends. There was no one she’d rather spend the evening with. Tiran would be barely any fun at all, distracted as she would be with Markus.

  “OK,” he finally said, exhaling in a long gust. “I’ll go with you. As long
as I don’t have to dance.”

  “I promise!”

  ♦

  When Tiran went to the security office to request an invitation for Markus, Kendra went along with her. It was surprisingly easy. The security officer on duty verified the family’s invitation to the inaugural ball, took the names of their intended guests, and ran them through a terminal program that confirmed both had International Complex security clearance and no flags on their names. The guard explained that both Bren’s and Markus’s security profiles would be added to the guest list, and they would need to present their invitations and go through the same security screening at the Palace that they did to enter the complex. Then he handed them two thick cards of textured ivory paper. Kendra gave him her brightest smile as a thank-you, and they headed out. It had taken no longer than five minutes.

  Outside, both girls stopped to read the invitations. Kendra rubbed the embossed lettering with a sigh. “It’s almost too beautiful to give away.”

  Tiran laughed at her. “Well, you can keep it as a souvenir then and leave Bren at home. I’m pretty sure that he’d prefer to skip the ball.”

  “No way. He’s not getting out of this that easily. Let’s take it to him right now!”

  Someone’s awfully eager for this.

  It’s a ball, Dina! Of course I’m eager!

  Tiran raised an eyebrow. “I don’t think you need me along to deliver an invitation. Besides, I was hoping to walk with Markus again today.” Kendra knew that Tiran met with Markus secretly in the bio park nearly every day. But surely she could miss one day?

  “Please? Please-please-please?”

  Tiran still looked reluctant, so Kendra threw down her trump card. “Come on, you owe me! Who has been covering for you all this time? Can’t you take a break from Markus for just one hour? You can go straight to the gardens afterward.”

  Tiran sighed. “Oh, all right.”

  When they arrived at Bren’s dorm room, Mikal opened the door with a flourish. Kendra suppressed a groan with effort. Why couldn’t Mikal be off somewhere else, anywhere else?

  “Well, if it isn’t the high and mighty Tiran Morten and the elusive Kendra Forrest,” he said loudly. “Took you long enough to drop by.” Tiran shot a long-suffering look at Kendra, who pretended she didn’t see it.