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  Daeven. She should comm him too, confront him, find out what his problem with her was. How much did he really know about her past? She had to find out why she was attracted to him, even though he was completely wrong for her. It wasn’t as wrong as being attracted to Yohzad, but at least Yohzad liked her back, maybe. The possibilities were so confusing, it made learning the ins and outs of import and export cycles seem easy by comparison.

  That's how Jita had found her at lunchtime, hunched over her terminal trying to memorize agricultural stats.

  "Biotech swears they checked it thoroughly. It's not bad once you get past the look of it." Jita demonstrated by swallowing a generous amount of the goop. "It slides along your tongue before slipping down your throat. You really can't chew it."

  "What are the red bits?" Tamarja asked, seeing a few of them had lodged in Jita's teeth.

  "Seeds. I think it's a fruit, but baked." Jita ran her tongue along her lips, sucking back the red ooze before eating another scoop. "It's really good. I signed out a sample for you because I figured you weren't going to the dining hall, and I was looking for an excuse to get away from the desk."

  "After yesterday, I need to be ready to run when the director comms." Tamarja inhaled a mouthful of the goo before she lost her courage. Jita wasn't completely wrong. The taste did have a spicy kick, unlike any fruit she'd ever eaten, but the texture…seemed to liquefy once it hit the back of her throat. "Do you actually like being used as a test subject for the biotechs?"

  Jita dropped her scoop into her empty dish and placed it next to Tamarja's message node before leaning back on her elbows. "I don't mind. I kind of like the idea of supporting Dawn's Landing, even if it means eating gooey stuff from unknown food sources. If Dawn's Landing succeeds, we all succeed. It's a cozy little colony and beats living on an overstuffed urban landscape like Bregarlos."

  A glop of goo lodged in Tamarja's throat. Jita was at her side in a second, thumping her back.

  "Are you okay?"

  Tamarja nodded but coughed for her effort. "Thanks," she gasped, getting her voice back. "So you said you're from Bregarlos."

  "Well, I'm not really from there." She wrinkled her nose. "I was born on Regarlin, core-ward from Bregarlos, but not as close to the Unity Homeport as Hoondas. We moved to Bregarlos when I started school, and I stayed there until I got this job."

  Tamarja hesitated. "I was on Bregarlos. Briefly, only to attend flight school. It did seem very crowded."

  Jita returned to the bed and flopped on it. "Yeah, one of the reasons why I left even though most of my sisters stayed. They love the sprawling metropolis and its endless entertainment districts. Mom certainly never lacked for work. She's a civil engineer. Once every piece of land had been built over, and she started working on sea floor construction, I decided it was time to get out, find my own space and a little peace and quiet.

  "Don't get me wrong." Jita sat up straighter, checking her cream-colored uniform. Tamarja would worry too about green goop stains if her uniform weren't already green. "Bregarlos is certainly better than other planets. It's politically stable and has solid contracts with Manitac. It won't suffer the fate of Stratos."

  Tamarja had never heard of Stratos but nodded as if she had. She hadn't heard of a lot of things in the two years she could remember. Making a mental note to check the broadcast ‘net for information on Stratos, she tried to think of something to say. "The Stratos situation didn't really affect me. Flight school came first, especially since Manitac was picking up the bill."

  Jita nodded sympathetically. "I understand. We didn't have any connection with Stratos, either. I was also in school at that time, taking courses in hospitality offered by Manitac. I lucked out when Dawn's Landing posted its hiring notice. Most folks don't want to live this far out from civilization, but for me it's heavenly."

  They sat together in silence. While Jita might view Dawn's Landing as a relief from an overcrowded metropolis, to Tamarja, Dawn's Landing was just another prison—albeit a gentler one. Yet she wasn't the only one who had an opportunity to change her life here on Dawn's Landing. Anyone committing to live and work this far from the Unity Homeport knew they would be living the life of pioneers. Manitac and its network of slipstreams might provide some contact with civilization, but for the most part, AuRaKaz's employees were on their own.

  Was that why Daeven was here? Yohzad had said Daeven had asked for a transfer. What did he think of Dawn's Landing and the AuRaKaz operation? She really wanted to know, but asking him those questions was less important than discovering the source of his hostility.

  "So did you stop by here just to introduce me to green goop?" She reached over and delicately placed her half-finished portion into Jita's empty dish.

  Jita shook her head. "No, my sister actually sent me here to invite you to a party she and my brother-in-law are throwing. It started as a welcoming party for my sister, but now it's a thanks for rescuing my nephew celebration. You and Daeven would be the guests of honor."

  A party? For her? Her and Daeven? Oh, by the Stars, what did she know of parties? She couldn't remember ever attending one.

  Would she and Daeven have to stand together, with a crowd of people staring at them? They would ask questions. They'd want to know more about her. The first question they'd ask would be where are you from? The simplest of questions, but one she had no answer for. The second question would be why are you here? A question she absolutely did not want to answer under any circumstances. Absently, she reached back and rubbed the nubs of her collar.

  Still, Daeven would be there. They would ask him the same questions. He didn't seem the type who liked answering questions any more than she did. Knowing Daeven would be in the same hot seat as her made the situation a little more bearable. The knot in her stomach started to unwind.

  Jita must have misread the changing expressions on her face. "Look, I understand. The last thing you want is to get caught away from Facility Prime when the director comms. It's just that the trade delegates are showing up in a few days, and your rescue of my nephew is sort of an excuse for everyone to have one last fun-filled day before we're up to our ears in Manitac formality. We'll all be under pressure once the delegates arrive. I'll be on call just like you, trying to keep everyone happy. We employees need a party. It'll hardly be the only one you'll encounter over the next day or so. The director isn't stupid—she knows that folks need to let loose once in a while."

  "What should I expect?" Tamarja pushed out of her chair and wandered over to her closet. Not only was her wardrobe uninspiring, it was almost nonexistent.

  "Food, music, dancing. Nothing extravagant, and there will be youngsters there. Don't dress up, don't bring anything. The neighbors will take care of that. I have access to a floater, so we can go together. It won't take too long, and I promise to bring you right back if you get commed."

  Tamarja turned back to see Jita's hopeful eyes. If she was ever going to make friends and learn how to be social, she couldn't be turning down opportunities. She might not remember her past, but she could build a new one. Perhaps Yohzad could supply her with reasonably bland answers. "All right, all right. I'll go. Now get out of here while I figure out what I'm going to wear."

  She walked back to the bed and pulled Jita up onto her feet before pushing her toward the door. Jita smiled, her freckles crinkling across her nose. "Thanks, Tamarja. I do appreciate it, and I know my family will as well."

  Her new friend whistled a lively tune until the door reformed and cut off her song. Tamarja's own smile dissolved as she leaned back against the wall. A party. With Daeven, whom she had planned to confront. Now what should she do?

  Chapter Twelve

  At least with Jita, Tamarja didn't have to worry about making conversation. Jita kept a running commentary on Dawn's Landing as they floated their way toward Twenty-Two. This time Tamarja actually listened and even managed to ask questions. It kept her nerves under control, kept her from thinking of what would happen when she saw Daeven
.

  Would he talk to her? Would he ignore her? Would the others notice and ask her what was wrong? What would she say to these strangers?

  She could understand Jita's joy at living and working on this out-of-the-way colony. The isolation Manitac had forced on her during her flight school training had left her with few coping skills when dealing with crowds of people. On Bregarlos, this was a blessing. From what little she'd seen from the air, the oldest colony of the Unity territories was wall-to-wall with people and stacks upon stacks of skyscraping habitats and commercial ventures. Advanced pollution monitors kept the air breathable and the water clean, but people had to either love their neighbors or go crazy from the crowded conditions.

  On Dawn's Landing, there was room to move and see the sky without bumping into people.

  "We're almost there," Jita announced, swerving the floater around the edge of the tree-lined canyon. "You probably already noticed that Twenty-Two isn't like the other habitats. Less preplanned, more individualized homes. No apartments. Ianyin, my brother-in-law, was the one who suggested it. The director resisted, not wanting to cause envy among the newcomers, but Ianyin convinced her that some of the old-timers would like their own space, especially those who brought their kids. In the case of my family, that's lots of kids."

  "So it's only families that live here?"

  "Mostly, though seniority does play into the selection process."

  "And no compressors to get folks there without a floater?" It was one of the odder things about Dawn's Landing that didn't make sense.

  "Nope. The director is firm on that. Showcasing Dawn's Landing is everyone's job, and you can't do that if you only travel by compressors."

  Which was exactly what Daeven had said.

  The floater swerved again, heading up a steep incline. Tamarja looked out the view pane at the mountains rising around them now. She remembered that odd flash of light she had seen while rescuing Jita's nephew. Perhaps she could ask one of the locals what it might be.

  A few minutes later, the floater pulled up next to a large cabin-style habitat. It actually looked as if it were made from real wood. Already a dozen or so people milled around while children of various ages scampered about.

  Dissolving the door, Tamarja exited and started to stretch, but Jita grabbed her hand and dragged her to the front door, shouting greetings to everyone they passed before leading Tamarja inside.

  Tamarja immediately recognized Ornit as the mother she'd stood next to on Jarvis Station. She should have known by the wavy red hair that matched Jita's. Ornit pulled both Jita and Tamarja into a warm hug. With a yell, a mountain of a man ordered all kids within earshot to abandon whatever trouble they were getting into and to greet their aunt.

  Disengaging from Ornit's embrace, Tamarja plastered what she hoped was a sincere smile on her face. Ianyin Telori waved his hand at a mix of a half dozen red-haired kids. "You, of course, know who Ravid is." He pointed to the boy she had rescued, who blushed and muttered something she couldn't hear. "As for the rest of them, just yell Telori and they'll all come running. Then you can pick out which one you want to throttle."

  That garnered a chorus of groans. Seeing them all together, the kids poking at each other as the elders continued their greetings, Tamarja had to look away for a moment as fog started to cloud her sight. She must have attended a party like this once. Maybe her own parents used to shower her with affection at the top of their lungs.

  Not that it mattered now. She'd never remember, and her family—assuming she really had one—would have moved on with their lives. They would have assumed she had been completely mind-wiped and lost to them forever. It would be as if she were dead. Taking a deep breath, Tamarja refocused on the here and now.

  Behind her, the cabin door dissolved again. The group congregating in the foyer surged forward to give the newcomers more room. Tamarja moved with the group, looking over her shoulder to see who had arrived.

  Daeven, and he'd brought a friend.

  She was tall and tough-looking, not as bone thin as Tamarja, but certainly without Jita's curves. Her close-cropped hair showed off her sharp cheekbones, which emphasized her wide, open smile when she looked at Daeven. Like most of the other guests, she dressed in casual trousers, but her shirt was more formfitting. She walked with the confidence of someone who had no concerns about what others thought.

  Tamarja ducked her head as Daeven led his guest over to the mass of Teloris. Absently, Tamarja ran her hands over her own brown pants, the only nonuniform ones she owned. When had her hands gotten so sweaty?

  "Daeven Blayde!" Ianyin slapped a meaty hand on Daeven's back, almost pitching him forward. "Who's your friend?"

  "Serriga," he answered, dropping a casual arm around the woman's shoulders.

  The introductions went around again, but Tamarja didn't hear because she couldn't help but stare at Daeven. The blue of his shirt matched the exact shade of his eyes, and the muscles in his arms bulged out from under the short sleeves. When he finally looked at her, he didn't look hostile or angry, just controlled. She tried to match his control with her own, but her skin felt decidedly tingly, her fingers restless.

  Gray rolled through her mind, catching Tamarja off guard. It receded as soon as she turned her attention to it. Why now? Why when I'm only thinking about Daeven? More speculation to complicate her already confused assumptions.

  "Our guests of honor are here!" Ianyin bellowed. "It's time for a toast!"

  The crowd surged again, and Jita grabbed her hand as they all headed through the cabin and back outside to where tables filled with food and drinks waited for them. Someone pressed a cup of bubbly liquid into her free hand. Tamarja took a test sip and spat it right back out again. Definitely alcohol.

  "Jita, I can't drink this."

  Jita blinked for a second and then realized Tamarja's problem. She had to be stone-cold sober if the director commed her. "Stay here, I'll be right back." She dropped Tamarja's hand and waded her way through the ever-growing crowd.

  Ianyin started to relate the story of his son's rescue. Instead of listening to his words, Tamarja tilted her head back, letting the early-afternoon sun warm her face. Finally, she could enjoy the sunlight. In the background, she heard the water rushing through the canyon, aves chirping, and lepids buzzing. She could see why Ianyin would want to raise his family in this valley.

  A whoop echoed, and everyone took a drink. Jita hadn't returned yet, so Tamarja lightly touched her lips to the liquid, barely taking a taste. Then Ravid stood up to tell his side of the tale, not without a lot of interruptions and cheeky remarks from his friends. He ended rather sweetly, thanking Daeven and Tamarja for saving his life.

  "Pictures! Let's get an image of the three of them." Tamarja used the opportunity to hand off her drink as she allowed herself to be pushed toward the boy. Daeven met her there.

  She positioned herself next to Daeven with Ravid standing in front.

  Unexpectedly, Daeven leaned down and whispered in her ear, "I'm sorry I didn't say this before. You did an amazing job flying that shuttle. I don't know of anyone else who could have kept control with the shields down so I could jump. Great flying, Tamarja. Really great flying."

  Dazed by his confession, Tamarja turned to Daeven, scrambling to return the compliment. Before she could think of a reply, Ianyin yelled for attention. "Ready? On the count of three, say TEL-OR-EEEE."

  Tamarja automatically said the word, forcing her lips into a smile. The imager clicked. In a moment, a perfect tri-d holograph of the three of them projected into the air to rowdy applause.

  "Perfect on the first try!"

  She turned to Daeven, but Ravid got to him first. "Want to join us for a game of spheres?"

  At that moment, Serriga showed up twirling a colorful ball in one hand, a troop of kids following her.

  Daeven looked at Tamarja as if expecting her to say something. "Thanks for the compliment, Daeven. I appreciate it."

  He looked like he wanted to say so
mething else, but Jita chose that moment to arrive with Tamarja's drink, and Daeven seemed to change his mind.

  "Maybe we could talk later? When it's less crowded?" he asked, as one of the younger, braver kids strode up and started tugging on his arm.

  More confused than ever, and finding it very interesting that he should ask right in front of his friend, all Tamarja could think to say was, "Um, sure. Later."

  Daeven lost the battle with the kids and dutifully joined them and Serriga out on the lawn.

  "What was that about?" Jita asked.

  "I don't know," Tamarja answered as she absently took her glass from Jita.

  "You think he wants to ask you out?" Jita sounded excited.

  Tamarja didn't know what to feel. Her body radiated interest, but her mind only clouded over the more she thought about it. So she stopped thinking about it. He probably wanted to talk to her about some follow-up report for security.

  "I really don't know." She absently drank whatever Jita had given her—and gagged.

  "By the Stars, what is this?"

  Jita wrinkled her nose. "You don't like it?"

  "It's…" She would have said awful, but her whole mouth seemed to pucker at the bitterness. "Tell me this isn't another biotech experiment?"

  Jita patted her shoulder. "Not an experiment any longer. It's another native fruit, fully approved for human consumption. Ornit squeezed a bunch this morning. I must have grabbed the unsweetened batch. Some folks like it sweetened, others prefer it without."

  "Consider my vote for the sweetened variety."

  "Let me get you a new glass." Jita reached to take Tamarja's glass away from her.

  "No!" Tamarja clutched her drink. Guardians knew what Jita would return with. Jita opened her mouth to insist, but before she could, Tamarja interrupted. "You've already catered to me enough for one day. I'll just go inside and grab a glass of water."