“My brother works for them. Requiem turned him into a killer.”
Haas cursed under her breath and turned away.
“Did you know, Kieran?”
She shook her head.
“I wasn’t sure. When I heard he arrived yesterday for leave, I suspected. The timing was too close. Trevor, I’m sorry.”
Trevor’s voice quivered. His eyes welled with water.
“I won’t hurt him. I can’t.”
She hugged Trevor. Haas felt like an ordinary, caring woman in his arms, not the Collectorate’s most powerful politician.
“Understood,” she whispered. “But it makes what we have to do next even harder.”
“Which is?”
“I want you to leave through Level 5. Take the lift. We’re due at the spaceport in twenty minutes. Landing zone 12.”
His stomach knotted.
“Why?”
“A contingent from the Guardian fleet’s replacement is arriving. They’ll want a tour of the station. You’ll be appointed a military liaison.” She swallowed hard. “I need you to be on your best behavior. Stay composed at all times.”
“What aren’t you telling me?”
Haas offered an apology before she explained.
Trevor wasn’t shocked by the news, though he might have been on any other day. Stacked against everything else, it seemed par for the course.
24
TREVOR TOOK A MOMENT for himself alone on the spaceport’s observation platform. He linked into Master Control to hear comms between Portmaster Shee and the command deck of the Guardian fleet’s replacement. Routine business, for the most part. The new ship arrived ahead of schedule, like everything else on Requiem’s timetable.
“The cynics are right,” Trevor said to no one. “Life is a cruel joke. Players strutting on a stage. Sound and fury signifying nothing.”
Mau answered.
“The Enzathi disagrees. Life is bountiful surprise.”
Trevor laughed. Was this how his days would play out from now on?
“Sorry, Mau. I didn’t ask for a debate. We’ll need to set ground rules if this partnership is going to work.”
Mau inched forward, his quarter-smile shifting to half-smile.
“Then you agree with the Enzathi’s proposal?”
“Two hours is not enough time. If I give myself to you, I’ll never be the same.”
“All bags grow and change. Same is static. Static is impossible.”
Trevor tightened his grip on the balustrade.
“Humans. We are called humans. If you won’t translate even that one word, how I can trust you or your proposal?”
Mau forced a complete smile.
“The Enzathi will try to accommodate.”
“Thank you, Mau. I’ll call upon you the next time I want your contribution. Please go.”
When did he start addressing the avatar as if he were the original man? Yeah, maybe the barriers lowered too soon.
The Enzathi’s proposal made too much sense. Its timing too perfect. Its goal equally terrifying and exhilarating. It gave Trevor a fighting chance beyond anything Kieran Haas might have in mind.
If I do this, I can’t come back.
What was the alternative? Release the Enzathi. Free it to find a more suitable vessel. Hope the new union did not add to the long list of darkening threats.
I can do this without their help. I know it.
The moment he saw the military Scramjet pass through the cascade barrier, Trevor’s confidence took a dive.
“This day will not end.”
