The starship’s largest nightclub hosted one of four receptions. Hundreds of dignitaries shuffled between huddles, gathered in corner booths, or sidled up to the spectacular bar, which claimed to possess every type of alcohol known to the forty planets. Her legs were stiff but willing to tough it out. Plus, she didn’t see two empty chairs.

  Symphonic music played but did not compete against the steady rhythm of talking and laughter.

  “I thought they didn’t want everyone to converge in the same place at the same time.”

  Cando scanned the scene before dropping his wine glass onto the tray of a passing server in green/white and collecting another.

  “I wouldn’t worry, hon. If there’s a fire, most of us will escape without issue.”

  She slapped his arm.

  “You’re awful. I never knew you had this dark sense of humor until I married you. Is there a connection?”

  He sipped his wine with a sly grin.

  “When a man’s happy, he’s more inclined to make jokes. Yes?”

  “Sounds like a plausible explanation.”

  Their moment alone left as fast as it came. A pair of Aeternans approached with beguiling smiles. She and Cando knew one, and were pleased to see him.

  Exeter Woolsey put away his pipe, saluted Cando, and extended his hand for Kara.

  “I’m so happy to see you both,” he said. “We started at the other receptions. We worked our way here.” He rested a hand upon the woman to his left. “Do you know Rosa Marteen?”

  “I’m not sure,” Kara said. “We might have been in the same room once back on Aeterna.”

  Rosa laughed.

  “Yes. A meeting with Lady Samantha. You wouldn’t have seen me otherwise. I work in Samantha’s diplomatic corps. I was based in Share at that time.”

  “I hear Samantha had a daughter?”

  “Yes. Her name is Grace. She’s as beautiful as her mother.”

  Kara decided to go for it and replied:

  “And I’ll bet just as loud as her father.”

  The immortals appeared stunned for a second, but they broke into laughter then looked around guardedly. Kara followed their eyes and did not see Michael in the vicinity.

  “No one is as loud as the Minister,” Exeter said. “Ask him.”

  Kara didn’t need to. She’d seen Michael milling about earlier, his staggering physique impossible to miss. To her relief, he hadn’t made his way over to say hello.

  “I wanted to thank you both for everything,” Exeter said. “If it wasn’t for you and Capt. Cortez pressing the Minister, I would’ve been left back home.”

  Cando extended a hand.

  “Very happy to help, Exeter. You deserved the opportunity. Plus, I’ll need all the help I can muster on the military subcommittee. Tough work ahead of us. We’ll be fighting a different kind of war in that room. Think you’re ready for the challenge?”

  Exeter’s face lit up.

  “Yes, sir. I’m all in.”

  “Excellent.” Cando winced. “Wait a minute. There’s something different about you, Exeter. I can’t put my fin …”

  Exeter’s shoulders sagged, and Rosa stifled a chuckle.

  “It’s the hair, sir. I’m between styles. You’re about the fifth person who’s asked.”

  “It’s a fine military cut. A far cry from orange braids.”

  Kara decided to step in.

  “I think you look very professional, Exeter. It certainly goes well with your, um, uniform.”

  His eye roll said what she overhead many delegates whisper about the Aeternans’ baroque dress. It embarrassed him.

  “None of us will say it to the Minister’s face,” he began. “This uniform is over the top. Everyone is dressed like a civilian except us.” He included Cando, who wore a beige jacket with blue tie and dark trousers. “At least we won’t have to wear it again for another week.”

  Cando threw back red wine from Indonesia Prime.

  “What kind of statement did Michael want to send?”

  “We’re here, too. See us. That’s it.”

  Rosa concurred.

  “Like many other societies, this is our coming out party, too. We only have a population of twenty-five hundred. Perhaps he doesn’t want us overlooked for our size.”

  “It’s a tried and true strategy,” Kara said. “The Chancellor caste was outnumbered thirty-five to one at their height. But they had the uniforms and the weapons. When those Guard soldiers arrived dressed head-to-toe in crimson armor, they were the majority.”

  She tried not to reflect upon those years, and certainty did not want to bring down the moment.

  “Speaking of Michael,” Cando said. “I haven’t heard reports of disturbances or unreasonable demands. Is he behaving?”

  Exeter craned his neck to sneak a peek across the vast room. Kara followed his eyes. She latched onto Michael, an easy find. He laughed it up with Vice-Premier Rikard Bryznewieski, his old friend from Earth. Ham stood close by, drink in hand, his face stoic.

  “As long as he’s around people he doesn’t consider a threat, he’s fine. The Minister is unpredictable these days.”

  “You think his attitude will change when negotiations begin?”

  “He doesn’t have a filter.”

  “True,” Cando said. “Five minutes with him can be a whirlwind.”

  “They expect us to work long hours. Committees will need extra time to dig out from the mess he’s bound to make.”

  Kara did not expect Exeter to take such a blunt assessment.

  “You’re worried, Exeter. Should we be concerned he’ll send the conference off-track?”

  Rosa patted Exeter. Was she asking him to take a step back?

  “He’s just one man, but he’s not prone to compromise.” Exeter sipped on sanque. “He’s afraid we’ll be taken advantage of.”

  “We won’t let that happen. We’ve seen Aeterna. We appreciate what your people have built. I hope Michael realizes everyone is being asked to sacrifice for a greater good.”

  “He is,” Rosa said. “Before we left, Lady Samantha spoke to the team and laid out a set of diplomatic principles she hoped we’d follow. I have no doubt she spoke to her husband at great length.”

  Kara tried to find encouragement in those words.

  “Every Aeternan who’s ever talked about them said Samantha has a calming effect on Michael.”

  Rosa nodded. “I’ve seen it in action. She’s an impressive woman.”

  “I wish she could have attended.”

  “The only problem,” Exeter said, “is that Samantha is a hundred twenty light-years away. If he snaps, she can’t reel him in.”

  “That’s where you’ll have to step up, Exeter.”

  The Aeternan sighed with a quick shake of the head.

  “The Minister and I aren’t on the best terms. Don’t worry. It’ll pass. He’ll turn to his sycophants. He has Col. Stannes, for one.” He pointed to the man at Michael’s side. “And there’s always his grateful mouthpiece, Rikhi Syed.”

  Cando made note of both.

  “Stannes has a good military mind. I spoke to him a few times. Syed is a different breed.”

  “Sweet man,” Kara said. “Highly devoted.”

  “Sometimes to a fault,” Rosa added. “But he means well. Michael was his champion from the beginning. I’ve watched Rikhi grow over the years. He was shy and insecure, if you can believe it.”

  “You were kids back then, Michael included.”

  “We had to grow up fast, which I guess is ironic for immortals.”

  She tapped Rosa’s glass.

  “But not unique, I can assure you.”

  Exeter kept his focus on the distant confab, his eyes glazed and his lips pursed. Kara saw VP Rikard walking away from Michael, who turned his attention to Ham.

  “That could be a good sign,” she told Exeter. “They haven’t spoken much in the past few months.”

  “Is Capt. Cortez still angry about what the Minister tried to do?”

  “Of course. We all are. With good reason, don’t you think?”

  “I do. I had hoped maybe they would’ve moved past it by now.”

  “Michael has never apologized,” Cando said. “That’s a problem. He was prepared to take Scylla. If our crew had resisted, Exeter, he would have ordered them killed. That would have left him with quite a quandary about what to do with those of us on the ground.”

  Exeter bowed his head.

  “I know, sir. It was shameful.”

  “Capt. Cortez has never demanded an apology. He hoped Michael would be big enough to step forward on his own. Failing that, Ham vowed to maintain our working alliance for the sake of peace.”

  Kara grabbed Exeter’s hand.

  “He’s trying to do the right thing. Ham has many regrets about past failures. He doesn’t want to make an enemy of Aeterna.”

  Exeter shrugged.

  “I don’t know Capt. Cortez like the rest of you, but the Talons accepted him as Scylla’s captain. I suppose that says everything.”

  “Exeter, one of his biggest regrets was not finding a way to protect you last year. Turning you over to Dayton Romilius still grates at him.”

  Exeter nodded. “We talked about it a while back. I told him he didn’t need to feel guilty. I was hurt by what he did; but if he had saved me, the entire crew might have been killed. I never would’ve found a home with my people.”

  The entire time Exeter spoke, his eyes remained locked on the distant conversation, which was now animated. Michael stabbed a finger at Ham’s chest.

  “That does not look like an apology,” Cando said, his attention also diverted.

  “We should go over there,” Exeter told Rosa. “I don’t want Capt. Cortez to feel like immortals are ganging up on him.”

  Cando wagged a dismissive finger.

  “Hamilton Cortez can stand his ground just fine.”

  “All the same, I should see if I can lower the temperature. We don’t need the Minister causing a scene on the first day.”

  “We understand, Exeter.”

  “It’s been great seeing you again.”

  “Our door is open throughout the conference.”

  Rosa raised her glass.

  “Until next time.”

  Other dignitaries approached as the Aeternans walked away. Kara leaned in to her husband and whispered.

  “Am I imagining things, or was something off about Exeter?”

  “I think the moment is a bit big for him. That kid’s been through a lot in his life. Now he has to navigate around Michael. What’s the Hokki expression? Oh, yes. For all the rings!”

  * * *

  A few minutes earlier

  Ham felt obliged to watch old buddies Michael and Rikard share stories of their time in the Solomon insurgency. It was a self-indulgent collection of insider tales best recounted among those who were actually on Earth. Relating them in front of a Chancellor-born man didn’t seem to matter a wit.

  Rikard had caught up with Ham early in the gala to thank him for delivering the genetic therapy research. He summed up the progress and vowed Ham would one day receive public credit for his service along with Aldo Cabrise, the inventor of the potential cure. Ham wanted none of it, but Rikard wasn’t in the market to say no. He intended to give credit after the conclusion of successful trials.

  Rikard said it would help voters make up their minds, knowing two former Chancellors had worked with the unity government to make a cure possible. Ham played nice when he heard Rikard revising history on the spot. Frankly, he had bigger concerns.

  He wanted to make his way across the room to Cando and Kara, but Rikard wrangled him toward Michael. This was yet another reason to tighten ties between Earth and Aeterna, the VP said.

  The gene therapy wasn’t brought up for thirty minutes, as the two dropped immediately into a trip down memory lane. The immortals flanking Michael – Col. Llewyn Stannes and Information Minister Rikhi Syed – laughed and smiled as if the memories also belonged to them.

  The conversation turned to Rikard’s original intent when Michael invited the VP to Aeterna.

  “We’ll blow your mind,” Michael said. “When the conference is done, what say you take a side trip? I got a sweet ride. Worm will do the trick in thirty-two standard minutes. I’ll get you home before supper. Next time, you’ll bring Matthias with you.”

  “We’ll see. He’s a homebody these days. At any rate, thanks are in order. I’ve been talking to Hamilton about …”

  And away he went, telling the story of how Ham used back channels and his old Special Services contacts to get the gene collapse cure into the government’s hands. As Rikard laid out the narrative, including the latest news, Michael listened with a status-quo forced smile. On occasion, his eyes flickered toward Ham. He showed no reaction when Rikard dropped Aldo Cabrise’s name.

  “The next time you see Mr. Cabrise, please pass along the thanks of United Earth.”

  “I’ll be sure to track him down,” Michael said through clenched teeth. “He’s an old man but always on the move.”

  “This has been wonderful catching up, Michael. We should find time to converse in a private setting.”

  “Can’t wait, dude.”

  Rikard said his farewells and mingled elsewhere. Ham took that as his cue.

  “He’s a loyal friend,” Ham said. “I find it intriguing the path you two have taken.”

  “How so?”

  “Rikard didn’t say it outright, but he might be ruling a planet in a few years. It would be quite a story. Young insurgents rise from the rank of assassins to lord over two of the most consequential worlds in the galaxy.”

  “Sounds like a bestseller. I’d buy a copy.”

  Michael tapped his pipe and inhaled. As he blew smoke, he ribbed Rikhi Syed, whose eyes ballooned. Was he generating ideas for a new public-relations campaign?

  “I wonder,” Ham said. “Would this book tell the complete story, including all those embarrassing bits? Or would it be a whitewash?”

  Michael looked around, as if to make sure the wrong people weren’t standing within earshot.

  “I pegged you from day one, Cortez. Smug Chancellor asshole.”

  “Ex-Chancellor, if you please. And by smug, I assume you mean the one who prefers truth ahead of propaganda.”

  “Fuck you and the high horse you rode in on.”

  There it was. Ham knew the temper didn’t lie far behind the mask.

  “Actually, I rode a pony. Rikard doesn’t know you attempted to steal my ship. He doesn’t know you withheld the genetic cure for years. He doesn’t know Aldo had to smuggle it out with me, or it might never have seen the light of day. He also doesn’t know Amayas Knight is actually one of the most hated men in the galaxy.”

  “What do you want, Ham? My thanks for keeping your mouth shut?”

  “If one of those items goes public, your standing will be crippled, as will Aeterna. If all were known, including your role in sending graviton weapons to Earth, the effects would be devastating.”

  Michael surged toward Ham but did not ball his fists. He was an inch taller than Ham, but his girth diminished Scylla’s captain.

  “Threats? That’s your game, Cortez? What do I do? Fall on my fucking knees and beg forgiveness?”

  “I don’t think contrition is a word known to you. Nor I am trying to extort you, Michael.”

  “OK. I get it. You just wanna rub that shit in deep.”

  “I long ago gave up on the idea of hearing an apology.”

  “After what you pulled? Just a quick reminder, Ham. I invited your folks down to my planet. I said, ‘Mi casa, su casa.’ Then you play footsie with Aldo to steal our intellectual property.”

  “Ah. That’s what you call it. Intellectual property. You mean a potential cure for upwards of a billion human beings?”

  “That I planned to send when the time was right.”

  “When? After Aldo died and you could take full credit?”

  Michael blew smoke out his nose like a raging bull. He ordered Stannes and Syed to hang tight. He grabbed Ham and moved them to a private spot. He leaned in, his voice low.

  “You’re still pissed about Scylla. I get it. I fucked up. But don’t think I’m some rube that just fell off the tuna boat. I know what’s going on here. You’re gonna use this shit against me if I fuck up your plans for a navy.”

  “Oh, I can’t promise those secrets will stay buried, but I am not holding a gun to your head, Michael.”

  “Then what is it?”

  “I know you’ll do anything for your people, and that singular vision leads you to make reckless decisions. I believe you’re insecure, but the fear stems from something else. You harbor another secret. You’re afraid.”

  Michael blew smoke in Ham’s face, a juvenile tactic Ham had not experienced since an incident in Mal’s Drop years ago.

  “Smug asshole.”

  “It occurs to me that if an immortal is afraid of anything, and his behavior becomes erratic, the fear must be consequential.”

  “I’ve had enough of you, Cortez.”

  “You’re not the first immortal to be scared, nor the most recent. What I want is straight talk without the attendant bullshit you enjoy. Until you choose to take that path, suspicion will hang over you.”

  “You’re a priest now? You want me to show up for confession?”

  “I don’t do religion, but I am available if you wish to talk.”

  Ham ignored the large black hand planted on his right shoulder.

  “Believe it or not, Michael, I want to help.”

  Michael must have sensed the new presence, for he shifted his attention along with Ham. Two immortals, Exeter and Rosa, wore smiles as they approached. Michael released his grip.

  “Yeah, well,” Michael stammered. “It’ll be great to have the whole Scylla crew on our side. Thanks for stopping by, Captain.”

  “A pleasure, Minister Cooper.”

  Ham passed along his best to Exeter and Rosa then saw a curious collection of Chancellors enter the nightclub. He recognized the staunch physique of former soldiers of the Guard. They studied the room with a discerning eye. Ham knew their leader by reputation long before the Chancellory fell.