| Excerpt - Chapter 1:
Rachael came back to Feodar’s World in style, wafted
through the new ground level portal in the rear seat of a luxurious
ground effect vehicle. The outgoing Federation Ambassador greeted her in
full uniform, his orders and decorations gleaming in the sunlight.
Yet, she was nervous. Twelve months of intense therapy
were not part of the normal qualification for a Federation Ambassador
and her decision to arrive in a plain federation uniform, without
insignia or rank, suddenly seemed flawed.wed.
“You’ll find a lot changed.” The Ambassador was smiling
as he entered the vehicle and sat down beside her. “You’re a local
heroine, the obvious choice as my replacement. The President has
expressed his pleasure at your appointment and has asked to see you
immediately.”
“He has?” Rachael whispered a prayer her choice of the
plain uniform and chignon hairstyle would remind the President of the
meal they’d shared together as agents. He’d complimented her appearance
then and it might tempt him to forgive her part in what happened after
that meal.
Her companion sensed her unease. “He says this world
owes you honor and he has a personal debt.”
“Yes. I betrayed him and sabotaged his ship.” She
wondered whether the President was referring to his promise in the
restaurant to spank her and smiled nervously. It would be a novel way to
start a diplomatic relationship.
“He holds no grudges, but you’ve drawn a tough
assignment. He’s a skilled negotiator and his loyalty to his people
makes him incorruptible.”
“His people? I thought he was First Family and him being
the son of an Elite a part of his operational legend.” Her briefing
hadn’t mentioned this.
“He undoubtedly worked with them, but the Elite of
Trygon now claims him as a son and the records back it up. He was sent
off world to prepare him for his role in deposing the pontiff. Joining
the First Family would be a logical step.”
“Why not us?” She knew the answer, but she was curious
what reason a trained diplomat and negotiator would give.ive.
“The First Family has no record of colonization by
stealth. His father wanted no inconvenient loyalties getting in the
way.” This man had no illusions about his role.
He tapped the driver on the shoulder and they drove
towards the Temple. More surprises. Where the gate had been, a broad
thoroughfare led to a bustling market and the inner circle buildings all
boasted signs naming them university faculties.
“The priests now teach and education is free to all. The
administration disburses the income from our trading licenses to support
gifted students and is building regional schools everywhere. Be careful,
he understands our bottom line obsession and punishes transgressions by
attacking profits.” His tone was rueful. An admission of lessons learnt
the hard way.
They passed the inner circle and reached the gardens
surrounding the palace. The changes here were subtle and she had to look
hard to see the vegetables and fruits growing among the flowers of the
ornamental garden beds.
“This is part of the University too. He’s made it
self-sufficient in food and the horticulture [faculties, and] students
run it. We should catch up with him at the fish farm on the seaward side
of the estate. He’s helping in the set-up.” The Ambassador seemed
amused.
They drove around the palace and reached the beach, no
longer hemmed in by a wall, the debris used to build a causeway and
seawall enclosing a shallow lagoon. A knot of uniformed Federation
advisors stood on a barge directing the efforts of workers in the water,
the latter stripped to the waist at least—she couldn’t see if they wore
anything below the level of chest deep water.
“We’ll have to walk from here.” The Ambassador waited
for the driver to open the door. “Keep to the duck boards till we reach
the causeway.”
Rachael had added to her height with stiletto heels. She
retained the vague impression he was taller and wanted him to have no
avoidable advantage at this first official meeting. She viewed the
thirty feet of duckboards with some suspicion and hoped the causeway
surface wasn’t cobbled. A stumbling approach would do nothing to calm
her nerves.
Helped out of the vehicle by the Ambassador, she stood
for a moment, her eyes searching the crowded barge. Her memories of him
were sharp and augmented by recent holograms. She should recognize him.
“As usual, he’s in the thick of it.” The Ambassador was
amused and he pointed at the forward edge of the barge, but Rachel
recognized no one. She’d have to get closer.
The causeway surface was rough, claiming her attention
to avoid stumbles, and the gangway down to the barge tried her balance
even further, so she reached the group of Federation advisors still
puzzled. Seeing their attention was on the water, she turned, just as a
worker duck-dived to the bottom, giving her a glimpse of bare buttocks
as he disappeared. There was no sign of Jack. She turned back to the
Ambassador, who’d followed her, and found him grinning at some private
joke. She hesitated to ask the obvious question, but was saved by a
familiar voice from behind.
“Hello, Rachael. Glad you could join us. I’ll be with
you as soon as we secure the bottom netting.” The naked worker had
resurfaced, his grin showing white against the weathered brown of his
face. It was Jack.
“Hello, Mister President.” She tried to keep it formal.
“I’ve come to present my credentials.”
“You called me Jack before. Nothing important has
changed, and you don’t need credentials here. You’re welcome in any
capacity you chose to assume.” He swam the few strokes to the barge and
reached up to take her hand.
She bent down and placed her hand in his, wondering all
the time whether she was being wise. It would take little effort on his
part to tip her into the water.
He seemed to sense her thought, for his grip tightened
an instant before he relinquished her hand. “Walk back to your vehicle.
I’ll join you there as soon as I can.”
She’d forgotten the impact of those eyes. “Thank you,
Mister President. I appreciate you taking the time to speak to me.” A
flush warmed her cheeks at his smile.
His face was leaner and browner than she remembered, his
body hard and fit with physical labor, and there was an air of
contentment in his manner. This was a man doing a worthwhile job and
enjoying it. He winked deliberately as he turned away and Rachael’s
cheeks warmed further. She’d underestimated how difficult this man
would prove and he seemed determined to bypass protocol.
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