Resurgence

“Now just a minute.” Louis knew exactly why Hans Rebka’s face had turned red. He stood up. “The Have-It-All belongs to me, not you and not the Ethical Council. I won’t have some snotty-nosed infant tellin’ me when and how I use my own communications system.”

“Louis, desist.” Atvar H’sial placed a hairy paw on his shoulder. “Once we are on the way, we can deal with the problem of Sinara Bellstock in our own fashion. She need not trouble us for long.”

“Mr. Nenda, I am in command of this expedition. Are you saying that you refuse to follow my direction?”

“No, no, nothin’ like that.” Louis sat down again. “You know how it is, we get used to runnin’ our own ship in our own way. I overreacted. I’ll be happy to have Sinara Bellstock come with us, an’ send you messages from the Have-It-All any time she feels like it.”

“That is much better.” Graves actually smiled at Louis, before he turned again to face the whole group. “Which brings me to my own role, and the role of our other survival team members, Torran Veck and Teri Dahl. One thing that we must keep in mind is that, no matter how far in space we are separated, we remain a team unified in our objectives. We need both a nexus of communications, and a reserve capacity available to act in an emergency in support of any team component. I, Torran Veck, and Teri Dahl will serve in that capacity.”

“And Heaven help any poor bugger who has to rely on that lot to get them out of trouble.”

Louis’s remark went only to Atvar H’sial, and he had time for no more. Julian Graves, apparently well pleased with himself, was saying, “Now, I urge you to go ahead and make all necessary preparations for your assignment.” At the same time, Darya Lang and Sinara Bellstock were both on their feet and heading in his direction.

Darya pushed in front of the younger woman. “Louis, I want to wish you good luck and success. I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other again before long.” As she turned away, she added, “Last time you asked me, I refused to have dinner with you. Next time we meet, please ask me again.”

She gave him an enigmatic smile and slipped away. Before Louis had time to react, Sinara Bellstock was standing in front of him and throwing a mock salute. “Captain Nenda, survival team specialist Sinara Bellstock reporting for duty and at your service. I will be aboard the Have-It-All in less than half an hour. Whatever you want me to do, just let me know.”

She turned and headed across the chamber, leaving Louis with his mouth open and Atvar H’sial behind him, saying, “Louis Nenda, it is beyond logic why I continue a relationship with you as a business partner. The mating rituals of humans never cease to shock and amaze me. In ten thousand years of supposed civilization, they have made no progress whatsoever. Have you no shame? In the course of a lifetime, not only do you permit multiple mates, but you seek to enjoy more than one mate at the same time. Come, J’merlia.”

The Cecropian’s pheromones seethed with disapproval, as she in turn headed away and out of the chamber.

As the room emptied, Louis was left with Kallik and Archimedes and his own thoughts.

It makes no sense, no sense at all. The only woman I’ve had sex with since I met Atvar H’sial has been Glenna Omar, and At totally approves of her and thinks she’s wonderful. But women I’ve never even considered having sex with, like Darya Lang and Sinara Bellstock, make At crazy. She’s right, it is beyond logic why we keep going as business partners.

Below those thoughts, running at a far deeper level than the conscious, was an admission that Louis was not willing to make: Atvar H’sial had the power to read in detail the pheromonal products from Darya Lang, Sinara Bellstock, and Louis himself. And the other reluctant admission: pheromones don’t lie.

CHAPTER TEN A useless diversion?

Hans Rebka deliberately steered clear of Darya Lang during the day before departure. If she thought that he was angry because he would not be in charge of the expedition on Iceworld, that couldn’t be helped. Two years ago she and Hans had been so close that she could sweet talk him into revealing almost anything. In some ways he’d like to think that was still true, but he didn’t want her knowing his current intentions. He wasn’t sure he understood them himself.