Rosie tossed him a puzzled look. “What’s that?”
“I don’t have to make a speech.” Grady’s lips curled in distaste as he added, “I hate public speaking.”
“Goes double for me,” Zoe said, her fists clenched before her. “Give me a life-and-death combat situation any day. Much safer than speaking in public.”
29
Those residents of New Heb station who assembled on the main park deck for Rosie’s public gathering gawped at the sight of the two Mbekis. Standing side-by-side near the makeshift dais with its holo-emitter, the duo offered solid physical proof—incontrovertibly solid, given each man’s imposing stature—of the truth behind the startling rumors circulating throughout the station of visitors from a parallel universe.
People milled around, many carrying foldable chairs to supplement the temporary benches lining the grassy area near the platform. A few children darted between their parents’ legs, squealing with delight.
As he watched the expanding throng, Grady thought he detected a festive air—many in the crowd seemingly deciding this was an opportunity for celebration—infused with undercurrents of curiosity and apprehension. Despite the respite offered by the shattering of the Earth Galactic blockade, the station was at war, and the outcome of the conflict remained uncertain.
He eyed the two taciturn troopers—their arms crossed, blank expressions giving nothing away—and turned to Zoe. “I knew it was a smart idea to ask Sarge to attend this meeting. What more proof that we’re who we claim to be than to observe him and his doppelgänger together?”
Zoe smoothed her hair and let out a ringing laugh. “I’m not sure either man would agree with you, Boss. They don’t look very happy. I suspect neither of them enjoys being placed on public display for people to gawk at.”
“It was too good an opportunity to miss,” Grady said. “Mbeki is the only one of us whose alternate self is on the station.”
“Just so long as he doesn’t find a way to exact payback later. I suspect our sergeant is a very private person. Public exposure isn’t his thing.”
“You mean like hide our newfound stash of real coffee beans from me?”
Zoe sounded distracted as she waved her hand and said, “Nah. Something more dramatic—and painful. Like maybe give you a cracked rib the next time you two spar together.”
He slid her a sideways glance, noticing how her eyes strayed to where Rosie stood chatting with a group of inhabitants, flanked by Kotov and a watchful Prentice. Grady lowered his voice and said, “It’s for the best, you know.”
Zoe met his gaze. “You mean not telling this Rosie about my relationship with her counterpart in our reality?”
“Exactly. She’s got enough on her plate as it is.” Grady leaned closer and added, “I’m sorry to say, but she might not know how to respond to your revelation and it’d make the remainder of our time here more than a little awkward.”
Zoe sighed. “For her and me both. You’re right, unfortunately. I don’t have to like it, though.” She tugged at a lock of her hair. “I want to go over there and wrap my arms around her. Plant a big kiss on her lips.”
“You will soon, I promise,” Grady said, his tone sympathetic. “But it’ll be with your Rosie, the one you know and love. You just must be patient a little longer.”
“Yup, I hear you, though patience isn’t my superpower. When did Squirt say the fusion drive would be operational again?”
“Repairs should be completed any time now. Rosie was as good as her word about assigning top priority to have her engineers help with tearing down and recalibrating the drive during the last few days.”
“I’m not surprised,” Zoe said. “I guess this Rosie is as good at keeping her promises as mine. Plus, the possibility of an alliance with an alien race is a powerful incentive for getting Adventurer back in proper working order again so we can go find Fidelon.”
The open space near the ancient oak tree was filling up fast as more inhabitants streamed through the distant main entrance to the park deck and threaded their way along the pebble-dashed paths.
Rosie had agreed she would introduce Grady, Zoe, and Mbeki to the crowd, but wouldn’t ask any of them to make a speech. Upon reflection, Grady had relented, declaring he would be happy to say a few words when introduced and answer questions from the audience. He sensed this would be more effective at helping to convince people that he and his crew were telling the truth, instead of standing there in silence as Rosie alone spoke.
“Where’s your buddy?” Zoe asked, gazing around her.
“On combat patrol,” Grady said. “Phil commed me before setting out. Said one of their scouts had failed to return and he was concerned about the risk of renewed enemy activity in the sector. He headed out in that armed freighter of his hours ago, along with a squadron of fighters as escort.”
“Uh-oh, not sure I like the sound of that,” Zoe remarked. “Earth Galactic’s bound to take a run at New Heb sooner or later. Though from what I’ve been told, the station’s defenses are pretty formidable.”
She gestured to the reinforced synth-glass walls of the park deck, through which a twin laser cannon battery could be seen further along the station’s curved exterior, the long barrels jutting out into the void. “Even Cavill and the Gany, as powerful a vessel as she is, would think twice about mounting a frontal assault.”
Grady nodded, fidgeting as he straightened a fold in his flight jacket. He was beginning to question his decision to give a brief speech, and felt a queasy sensation worm its way into the pit of his stomach. Conscious of sweat beginning to gather at his hairline, he tried to focus on his surroundings and ignore the rising tide of terror at the thought of standing in front of the crowd.
What if they asked him questions he couldn’t—or shouldn’t—answer? Rosie had assured him she would be on hand to deflect any difficult queries. But he would still be the one standing up there, the eyes of all those strangers focused on him. “Should have kept my big mouth shut,” he muttered.
“Huh? What did you say?” Zoe asked, sending him a puzzled glance.
Caught flat-footed, not wanting to admit he was having second thoughts about giving a speech, Grady focused on what Zoe had said about New Heb. “Um…only agreeing with you that Rosie and the council have done an excellent job beefing up the station’s defensive capabilities.”
His brow furrowed as he looked at the group surrounding Rosie. “Speaking of which, I don’t see any sign of Cassandra. I half expected her to bring a basket of rotten fruit, ready to pelt me the moment I open my mouth to address the audience.”
Zoe blew out a breath. “That witch! Her not being here is a positive thing. She’d only dampen the mood. I bet she’s sulking in her apartment since she was opposed to making our presence here more widely known.”
“She’s a challenging person to deal with, no mistake,” Grady said with a rueful shake of his head. “In any universe!”
“Oh…attention on deck. Get ready to wow the multitudes, Boss. Looks like Rosie’s about to commence her speechifying.”
Grady gulped, his gaze dancing across the crowd. Just remember, he told himself. These are rebels like you. You’re among friends here. Relax. Breathe.
“You’ll probably receive a medal for bravery, you know,” Zoe murmured, watching as Rosie said something to Prentice and Kotov over her shoulder, the three of them standing alone on the stage.
“What, for our part in helping to break the blockade?” Grady said. “It wasn’t all that significant an engagement.”
Zoe snickered. “Nope, not what I meant.” She pointed to the dais. “For being courageous enough to climb up there and bare your soul to the assembled masses. Better you than me.”
