Bedwell-Grimes, Stephanie - Starr Struck

8/12/2019 Bedwell-Grimes, Stephanie - Starr Struck

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STARR STRUCK

And

BE NE AT H A M IL LI ON S TA RS

By

Stephanie Bedwell-Grime

copyright by Stephanie Bedwell-Grime, April 2005

C ov er A rt b y E li za B la ck , c op yr ig ht A pr il 2 00 5

New Concepts Publishing

L ake P ar k, G A 3 16 36

www.newconceptspublishing.com

T hi s i s a w or k o f f ic ti on . A ll c ha ra ct er s, e ve nt s, a nd p la ce s a re o f t he a ut ho r' s i ma gi na ti on a nd n ot t o b e

con fu sed w it h f act. A ny r es em bl an ce t o l iv in g p er so ns o r event s i s m er el y coi ncid en ce.

STARR STRUCK

Diamond points of light glowed through shimmering fog, turning the dance floor into a silver wonderland.

S wi rl in g t hr ou gh t he g li tt er in g m is t w as s ur el y as clo se t o d an ci ng amo ng t he s tars as o ne cou ld g et . I t

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E ve ry r ac e i n t he g al ax y w as r ep re se nt ed o n t he g ue st l is t, e vi de nc e o f t he s uc ce ss o f t he f at he r o f t he

bride as an intergalactic merchant. Opal lilies sprouted from every table not occupied with food.

S cu lp tu res o f A nt ar ean i ce t ow er ed abo ve t he b an qu et t ab le. A s tr ol li ng m in st rel w ov e h is w ay t hr ou gh

t he g ar den, h is O ct ar ian h ar p l eavi ng b eh in d t he s cent o f s ky -b lu e- pi nk r os es t o aug ment h is p oi gn an t

melody.

I n t he m id st o f i t a ll , Z el in a s ho ne l ik e a s ta r. H er s hi mm er in g d re ss r ef le ct ed a w at er fa ll o f c ol or a s s hem ov ed . H er e ye s p os it iv el y g lo we d w it h t he k in d o f j oy o nl y b ri de s c ou ld r ad ia te . W he n t he g ro om g az ed

u po n h is n ew b ri de, h is f ace p os it iv el y l it u p w it h d el ig ht .

T he q ui et g ar dens d rew h er att en ti on b ack t o t he w in do w. W it hi n t he d ar k s yn th i- gl as s an i mage b eg an

t o f or m. F ai nt a nd e th er ea l, i t t oo k a m om en t t o r ec og ni ze t he j ew el -g re en e ye s s ta ri ng b ac k a t h er f ro m

t he g lass . T ho se i ncredi bl e eyes, f ramed b y b lo nd cur ls cou ld o nl y b el on g t o Q ui ll an S tarr . W it h a cry ,

s he w hi rl ed t o f ace h im .

B u t t he f lo or b eh in d h er w as e mp ty .

Tr em bl in g, s he t ur ned v er y s lo wl y b ack t o t he w in do w. B ut t he s yn th et ic g lass r ev ealed o nl y t he

panoramic view of the garden and the station. It couldn't have been Quillan, she told herself sternly.

Q ui ll an w as l on g g on e. A dr iana s tared s us pi ci ou sl y at t he emp ty w in e g lass i n h er h an d.

M us t be t he wi ne .

I n t ry in g t o s qu el ch t he m em or ie s, s he 'd p er ha ps d ru nk m or e t ha n s he s ho ul d. T he w in e a nd t he t an gl e o f

emo ti on s t hi s d ay i nv ok ed w er e w hat h ad h er con ju ri ng i mages o f Q ui ll an S tarr , t he m an w ho 'd w al ked

o ut o f h er l if e a nd t ak en h er he ar t w it h h im .

I t w as t oo e as y t o s ink i nt o t he me mor y of hi s c are ss , t he w ay hi s powe rf ul a rm s f el t s o r ight a round he r.H is d ar in g n at ur e b ro ug ht o ut t he c ou ra ge i n h er . H e' d e nc ou ra ge d h er t o b ec om e m or e t ha n s he w as .

R ef lect ed i n h is ado ri ng eyes, s he h ad f el t con fi dent . .. b eaut if ul . P ro mp ted b y t he p hant om i n t he g lass ,

h er m in d s up pl ied t he r es t o f t he d et ai ls : g ol den cur ls t hat t um bl ed o ver h is s ho ul ders i n an u nr ul y w av e,

f ul l l ips , f ar t oo s en sua l f or t he ha rd m as cu li ne l in es o f h is f ac e. A s A dr ia na w el l r em em be re d, h e h ad a

s mi le t hat cou ld charm t he d ev il .

H e' d charm ed even t he cyn ical h yp er dr iv e s peci al is t. C harm ed h er , s to len h er h eart and t hen

d is ap pe ar ed w it ho ut a t ra ce . S in ce t he n, s he 'd g iv en u p o n a rr og an t p il ot s. H er n ew l if e w en t o n j us t f in e

w it ho ut a m an , s he 'd d ec id ed . A t l ea st i t w as p re di ct ab le . P re di ct ab ly b or in g. S et ti ng d ow n h er g la ss o n

t he n ea re st t ab le , s he h ea de d f or t he l ad ie s r oo m.

T he r el at iv e q ui et o f t he s leek w hi te cub icle w as s oo th in g. T he s tark l ig ht in g and h eavy m ak eu p

c on sp ir ed t o m ak e h er s ki n a pp ea r e ve n p al er t ha n u su al . D el ic at e p ea rl s f li ck er ed i n a c lo ud o f c ri ms on

h ai r, h el d i n p la ce b y s pr ay s he w as s ur e c ou ld d ou bl e a s s pa ce sh ip h ul l a dh es iv e. S he t uc ke d a c ur l t ha t

h ad s om eh ow e sc ap ed t he s ty li st 's a tt en ti on s b eh in d h er e ar a nd p re pa re d h er se lf t o r et ur n t o t he p ar ty .

F am il ia r g re en e ye s m et h er s. A s ta rt le d c ry b ur st f ro m h er l ip s.

A dr iana s pr an g b ackw ar d, col li di ng w it h t he b at hr oo m' s coo l m et al w al l. F or s ev er al s econ ds s he cou ld

d o n o m or e t ha n s ta re i n d is be li ef a t t he g ho st ly f igu re i n t he m ir ror .

I t w as Q ui ll an a ll r ig ht . B ut i ns te ad o f t he a do ri ng g az e s he r em em be re d s o w el l, h is f ac e w as t or me nt ed .



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Haunted.

Go ld en c ur ls f an ne d ou t f ro m h is f ac e i n a b ur ni sh ed m an e. E ve n t he h ar d p la ne s o f h is c he ek s w er e

s tr ai ne d a s i f h e f ou gh t a ga in st a p ow er fu l w in d. S tr on g h an ds s tr uc k o ut b ef or e h im l ik e c la ws a s h e

battled against the gale that threatened to toss him into oblivion. His mouth moved, shaping her name.

Then something else.

I n r ap t amazement , s he m an ag ed t o d ecip her t he f ir st s yl labl e, " Tel- -"

L ike t he a ft er im ag e o f a br ig ht f la sh , h e f ad ed s lo wl y f ro m vi ew , l ea vi ng h er t o s ta re b ac k i nt o h er o wn

bewildered expression in the mirror.

"Quillan--" She reached for his disappearing image in the mirror, brushing her fingertips against the cold

barrier of the glass.

Wh at t he s ta rs a m I doi ng?

B en eath h er f in gers t he m ir ro r o ff er ed o nl y t he r ef lect io n o f h er o wn h an d.

L os in g m y m in d, cam e t he ans wer.

Could visiting Rendezvous Station for the first time since Starr left unhinge her completely?

N on sens e, t he r at io nal p ar t o f h er b rain s up pl ied. I 'm a h yp er dr iv e s peci al is t. I 'm r es po ns ib le f or q uali ty

a ss ur an ce o n l ig ht s pe ed e ng in es i n a n e nt ir e s ec to r o f t he g al ax y. I s pe ak t en l an gu ag es . I 'v e s ee n t hi ng s

t hat w ou ld m ak e a g ro wn m an cri ng e. I d id n' t t hi nk t here w as any th in g i n k no wn s pace t hat cou ld u nh in ge

me....

The thought trailed off into frightening notions. Was she going crazy?

C er ta in ly s he m is se d S ta rr . S he 'd l ov ed h im w it h a ll h er h ea rt . A dr ia na f el t t he w ou nd o f h is b et ra ya l a s

k eenl y as i f i t w er e o nl y y es terd ay . B ut i n t he m on th s s in ce h is d is ap pear an ce s he'd t hr ow n h er self i nt o

h er w or k, a nd s he h ad p ro sp er ed . S he n ow o ve rs aw s hi py ar ds o n s pa ce s ta ti on s f ro m R ig el t o M al va r

and everywhere in between.

" If t hi s i s s om e k in d of j ok e. .. ." H er vo ic e e ch oe d o ff t he m et al w al ls o f t he e mp ty c ub ic le . " It i sn 't f un ny ,"

she finished quietly.

F eeli ng i ncreas in gl y f oo li sh w it h each p as si ng s econ d, s he i ns pect ed t he w al ls , even t he s pace b eh in d t he

s an it ar y f acil it ies. B ut excep t f or t he v en ti lati on s haft and t he d oo r, t he m et al cub icle w as w it ho ut s eams .

A nd t he t oi let d id n' t con ceal any th in g t hat cou ld b e u sed as p ro ject io n equ ip ment .

A dr ia na l ea ne d a ga in st t he c oo l m et al a nd s hut h er e ye s. I n h er m in d' s e ye s he c ou ld s ti ll s ee Q ui ll an

cal li ng t o h er , h is l ip s t raci ng t hat l as t s yl labl e, " Tel- -"

"Tell me what?" she whispered. "That you're sorry?"

* * * *



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" Yo u' re c ut ti ng i t t oo c los e, " s he 'd t ol d h im on t ha t l as t d ay . " Wh at i f y ou g et w ayl ai d? "

Qu il lan h ad o nl y l au gh ed i n t hat eas yg oi ng m an ner o f h is . " St op w or ry in g. A w eek i s m or e t han eno ug h

t im e t o m ake i t t o M al va r a nd b ac k. Be si de s," he 'd a dd ed pl ayf ul ly. " It 's ba d l uc k f or t he gr oom t o s eethe bride until the wedding."

B ut t he d ay b ef or e t he w ed di ng , S ta rr s ti ll w as n' t b ac k a t R en de zv ou s S ta ti on . B y t he m or ni ng o f t he

c er em on y A dr ia na w as s ic k w it h w or ry . E ve n w he n t he w ed di ng d at e h ad c om e a nd g on e, s ti ll s he

hope d t ha t it wa s a ll a bi g mi st ake , t ha t h e'd s impl y be en he ld up.

Th en c am e t he n ew s t ha t S ta rr 's s hi p, T he Ne ed le , ha d be en i n do ck f or t he p as t we ek . A nd Qu il la n

S ta rr w as no wh er e t o b e f ou nd .

H e' d a lw ay s b ee n r ec kl es s, o ld f ri en ds a ss ur ed h er . T he y w er e s ur pr is ed t hi s r om an ce h ad l as te d a t a ll .R um or ha d i t t ha t Q ui ll an S ta rr l ef t a g al ax y o f h ea rt br ea k i n h is w ak e.

A dr ia na s ho ok h er h ea d t o c le ar i t o f t he t ho ug ht s t ha t e ve n n ow h ov er ed d an ge ro us ly b en ea th h er c al m

ext er io r. Z el in a' s w ed di ng and t he coi ncid en ce i n t he d at es h ad t ur ned h er t ho ug ht s t o Q ui ll an . S he w as

t ir ed f ro m t he t rans -g al ax y f li gh t. O nce t he g oo d- by es w er e s ai d, s he cou ld g ratefu ll y r et ir e t o h er r oo m,

s le ep o ff t he w in e a nd m ak e a f re sh s ta rt t om or ro w.

S ti ll t here w as s om et hi ng i n t hat g ho st ly t or tu red f ace, b e i t v is io n o r d el us io n, t hat w as s o u nl ik e t he

overconfident Quillan she remembered, it chilled her.

* * * *

Sh e wa s dr ea mi ng, s he k ne w i t e ve n a s s he s ta re d a t t he s ta rs c ar ee ni ng by on T he N ee dl e' s v ie w

s cr ee n. S ta rr h ad v an is he d; h is s hi p h ad b ee n i mp ou nd ed . T he re w as n o w ay s he c ou ld b e o n t he b ri dg e

o f T he N ee dl e. A nd t he n w it h t he c in em at ic e as e o f d re am s, h er s ur ro un di ng s c ha ng ed a nd s he f ou nd

h er self i n t he cramp ed cab in S tarr j ok in gl y cal led t he C ap tain 's Q uart er s.

S tr on g a rm s c lo se d a ro un d h er , p ul li ng h er c lo se . T he re w as b ar el y r oo m f or b ot h o f t he m o n t he b un k.

H is h ot m ou th c ov er ed h er s, b lo ck in g o ut t he n ee d f or t ho ug ht o r b re at h.

S ta rr a lw ay s d id k no w h ow t o e nd a n a rg um en t. A nd h ad t he y a rg ue d! B ut n ei th er h er p le as n or h er

t hr ea ts h ad s uc ce ed ed i n c on vi nc in g S ta rr t o c ha ng e h is p la ns f or a l as t r un t o M al va r b ef or e t he ir

wedding.

" Ev er yt hi ng w il l b e f in e, y ou 'l l s ee," h e' d ass ur ed h er , f ir st w it h w or ds , t hen w it h g en tl e k is ses t hat s oo n

d eg en er at ed t o an o ct op us o f f um bl in g h an ds .

W it hi n m in ut es t heir f li gh t s ui ts l ay i n a p ud dl e o f clo th o n t he m et al f lo or , and Q ui ll an w as d ev ot in g t he

s um of h is a tt ent ion t o c on vi nc in g h er t o s ee t he s it ua ti on h is w ay . A s u su al h e t em pt ed h er i n a w ay s he

cou ld n' t r es is t. P leas an tl y s at ed f ro m t heir l ov em ak in g, s he'd f ou nd i t h ar d t o o bj ect.



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Y et , i n s om e f og gy p oc ke t o f he r mi nd, s he kne w i t ha dn' t ha ppe ne d t ha t w ay a t a ll . The d re am wa s a ll

m ix ed u p, a s i f h er m em or ie s h ad b ee n t hr ow n i nt o a g ia nt b le nd er . T he a rg um en t h ad t ak en p la ce i n he r

h ot el r oo m o n R en dezv ou s S tati on . S tarr h ad l ef t t he n ex t m or ni ng . A gain st h er w is hes. I n s pi te o f h er

tears.

Y ou c an k ee p y ou r k is se s, Q ui ll an , b ec au se y ou d id n' t c om e b ac k.

S he w an te d t o t el l h im t ha t. A t t he m om en t i t s ee me d d es pe ra te ly i mp or ta nt . B ut t he d re am s to le t he

t ho ug ht f ro m h er . S tarr 's t on gu e m in gl ed w it h h er s, d es tr oy in g all h op e o f con vers at io n. H e m ov ed ,

s ur pr is in gl y agi le i n t he r es tr icti on s o f h is n ar ro w b un k, g at heri ng h er u nd er h im . H e s ho wered h er

s houl de rs i n a ho t r ai n o f k is se s. Ad ri an a ga spe d a s he t ook t he pe ak of on e br ea st i n h is mo ut h. H er

h and s t an gl ed i n h is g ol de n c ur ls a s s he p ul le d h is he ad h ar de r a ga in st he r.

" Le t' s n ot a rg ue , R ia na ," h e w hi sp er ed a s he mo ve d t o t as te he r ot he r br ea st . " We d o h av e t he r es t o f

our lives...."

H is t or tu ou s m ou th d ip pe d l ow er , c ov er in g h er s mo ot h a bd om en w it h a t ra il o f k is se s t ha t l ed t o t he

alr eady m oi st s po t b et ween h er t hi gh s. A dr iana m oaned, m an eu veri ng h er self as w el l as s he cou ld i n t he

t ig ht con fi nes t o r ecei ve m or e o f t ho se ecs tati c k is ses.

H e m ov ed t hen, cov er in g h er b od y w it h h is o wn . S he f el t h is erect io n p ress in g again st h er m oi st o peni ng

a nd s he kne w h e w ant ed t hi s a s muc h a s s he di d. T he ir mout hs m et a s he e nt er ed h er . She f el t t he

pleasant tightness as her body stretched to accommodate him. She groaned in impatience as he withdrew

and t hen p res sed g en tl y d eeper .

B ut s ud denl y h e w as p ul li ng away f ro m h er , f ad in g i nt o t he m is ty l ay er s o f s leep . S he g rasp ed aft er h is

r eced in g f or m, f in di ng o nl y air w here h er f in gers h ad b een l aced t hr ou gh t he s of tn es s o f h is r io to us cur ls .L oo ki ng u p a t t he s hi ny m et al o f t he c ab in a bo ve h er , s he s aw h im r ef le ct ed i n t he c hr om e.

" He lp m e. .. ." S he h ea rd h is v oi ce a s c er ta in ly a s i f h e' d w hi sp er ed i n h er e ar .

" Wh er e a re y ou Q ui ll an ?! " T he w al ls t hr ew h er v oi ce s ha rp ly b ac k a t h er . " Wh at 's w ro ng , w ha t d o I

do?"

Fo r a s ec on d s he s aw h is f ac e, s ti ll f ai nt ly r ef le ct ed ba ck a t h er i n t he s hi ny m et al . " Te le -- " s he t ho ug ht he

said.

"Quillan, no!" she screamed. Her fingertips brushed the smooth metal surface. Helplessly, she watched

a s h is i ma ge f ad ed un ti l s he w as l oo ki ng i nt o t he r ef le ct io n of h er o wn a mb er e ye s.

* * * *

A dr iana s at u p, a s cr eam d yi ng o n h er l ip s. T he N eedl e' s i nt er io r d is so lv ed i nt o h er d ream , l eavi ng o nl y

the unfamiliar surroundings of the strange hotel room on Rendezvous Station.

S he r ub be d i mp at ie nt ly a t t he s tr ea k o f t ea rs d ry in g o n h er f ac e. W ha t' s w ro ng w it h m e? W hy a m I



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d ream in g o f Q ui ll an ? W hy n ow aft er all t hi s t im e?

H e w as t ry in g t o t el l he r s om et hi ng. " Te le -- " E ve n no w s he c ou ld he ar h is vo ic e i n he r m in d.

"Tele--what?" she wondered desperately.

B ut t he n ig ht h ad n o a ns we rs f or h er .

* * * *

T he i nt er co m b ee pe d, j ar ri ng h er f ro m t he h ea vy d ep th s o f s le ep .

"Subspace transmission incoming," the computer informed her. Still half asleep, Adriana pressed the

r eceiv e b ut t on . Z el in a' s con cer ned f ace b li nk ed o nt o t he s cr een b ef or e h er .

" Hey Z el in a, y ou 'r e s up po sed t o b e o n y ou r h on ey mo on . D on 't y ou h av e any th in g b et ter t o d o?" A dr iana

asked playfully.

" I w as w or ri ed abo ut y ou . Y ou d id n' t s eem y ou rs el f l as t n ig ht ."

" I' m t ir ed , t ha t' s a ll ." S he t ri ed t o i nj ec t s om e l ig ht ne ss i nt o h er v oi ce . A bo ve a ll s he d id n' t w an t t o w or ry

h er b es t f ri en d o n h er h on ey mo on .

" It 's h im , i sn 't i t?" Z el in a ask ed , w it h t he b lu nt ness o nl y a b es t f ri en d cou ld g et away w it h.

" Do n' t b e s il ly . I t' s l ik e I s ai d, I 'm j us t a l it tl e w or n o ut f ro m w or ki ng s o h ar d. "

" No ns en se . I k no w t ha t l oo k. Y ou h ad i t f or m on th s a ft er h e l ef t. "

"Z el in a, p leas e! " A dr iana d id h er b es t t o s ou nd r ig ht eo us ly i nd ig nant . T he l as t t hi ng s he w an ted t o d o

w as t o h av e a s ub sp ac e c on ve rs at io n a bo ut Q ui ll an S ta rr . T he c al l m us t b e c os ti ng a f or tu ne a s i t w as .

H av in g b een f ri en ds s in ce t hey w er e chi ld ren, Z el in a h ad a s ix th s en se w hen i t cam e t o A dr iana's m oo ds .

I f s he w as n' t car ef ul , s he'd h av e Z el in a p layi ng l on g d is tance p sy ch iatr is t. " Can' t w e d is cu ss t hi s w hen

you're back from your honeymoon?"

O nc e o n t he s ce nt o f A dr ia na 's d is tr es s, Z el in a w as n ot s o e as y d is su ad ed . " Ar e y ou s ur e y ou 'r e a ll

r ig ht ? I can alw ay s t el epo rt b ack. .. ."

" Ar e y ou c ra zy ? Y ou 'r e a bo ut t o e mb ar k o n a w ee k' s h on ey mo on o n t he m os t e xp en si ve p le as ur e p la ne t

t hi s s id e of O ri on a nd a ll y ou c an t hi nk o f i s g et ti ng b ac k t o R en de zv ou s S ta ti on ? I f y ou a re n' t h ap py w it h

y ou r a cc om mo da ti on s, I 'd b e h ap py t o t ra de p la ce s w it h y ou ."

T here w as a l on g p au se. Z el in a r eg ar ded h er s us pi ci ou sl y. " Ok ay ," s he s ai d f in al ly . " See y ou i n a w eek. "

By t hen I 'l l h av e m ys el f b ack t og et her.

Wi th a de ep s igh , s he l ay ba ck on t he be d a nd c al le d t o t he r oo m' s c om pu te r f or l ight .



8/34

I m us t r ea ll y l oo k l ik e I n ee d he lp i f Z el ina w an ts t o t el epo rt h om e. .. . T he t ho ug ht l in ge re d i n h er m ind ,

resonating with something else she'd recently heard.

Teleport. Tele-port. Tele.

A b la st o f c ol d a ir f ro m t he r oo m' s v en ti la ti on s ys te m s ho t d ow n h er s pi ne . S he p ul le d t he b la nk et s

s nu gl y aro un d h er s ho ul ders . C ou ld t he g ho st o f Q ui ll an S tarr act uall y b e t ry in g t o t el l h er s om et hi ngabo ut t he t elepo rt er?

" Wh at a re y ou t ry in g t o t el l m e, S ta rr ?" s he a sk ed t he e mp ty r oo m.

N o o ne a ns we re d h er .

I t w as t oo m uch t o t hi nk abo ut b ef or e b reak fast . Z el in a' s f at her w as t hr ow in g a m or ni ng -aft er b ru nch t o

cel eb rate h is d au gh ter' s m ar ri ag e. S in ce s he w as p ract ical ly f am il y, s he w as o bl ig at ed t o att en d.

* * * *

An hour later, Adriana was hurrying through the bright corridors of Rendezvous Station, intent on finding

t he r es ta ur an t Z el in a' s f at he r h ad c ho se n. A he ad , s il ve r d oo rs w ho os he d o pe n a nd a p ai r o f X ub ia ns

cam e g ib beri ng o ut , eyest al ks w av in g v ig or ou sl y. W hi le i t l oo ked t o b e a f ur io us alt er cati on , s he cou ld n' t

h el p hi di ng a s mi le . T he p ai r we re q ui te ob vi ou sl y l ov er s. I t w as a s tr an ge l aw o f t he u ni ve rs e t ha t o nl y t he

people you cared deeply for could make you so angry. She was about to continue on her route, when the

f lash in g r ed s ig n abo ve t he X ub ians ' h eads cau gh t h er att en ti on .

TELEPORTER STATION.

Su dde nl y t he f ra gm ent s of t he dr ea m s he h ad t ri ed t o bur y i n t he de pt hs of he r m ind l ea pt t o the

forefront.

" He lp m e, " h e' d b eg ge d h er . S ta rr h ad g on e m is si ng h er e o n R en de zv ou s S ta ti on n ea rl y a y ea r a go . T he

f ir st ve st ig es o f d ou bt e ch oe d i n h er m ind . C ou ld i t b e h e h ad n' t b al ke d a t t he t ho ug ht o f l if el on g

commitment after all, that something terrible had happened to him instead?

S ta rr 's s hi p h ad b ee n f ou nd i n d oc k, h is c ar go u nd el iv er ed . H ad S ta rr 's r ep ut at io n o f b ei ng f oo tl oo se a nd

fancy-free prevented the authorities from looking into the circumstances of his disappearance and solving

of the mystery?

W ha t h ad p os se ss ed h im t o t ak e a l as t m in ut e t el ep or te r t ri p? W he re c ou ld h e p os si bl y h av e b ee n g oi ng

w it h h is s hi p s it ti ng on do ck , f ul l of a c ar go h e i ns is te d w as a n ur ge nt de li ve ry ?

Surely they would have known something was wrong.... Wouldn't they?

H er f ee t p ro pe ll ed h er f or wa rd . A dr ia na w as a lm os t a t t he a rr iv al s g at e b ef or e s he r ea li ze d w he re s he

w as h ead ed.

S he l eaned again st t he g lass and s cann ed t he s tr eam o f arr iv in g p as seng er s. T hi s w as l un acy, s ur el y.



9/34

S ta rr w as s up po se d t o h av e m ad e o ne l as t r un t o M al va r, h au li ng a c ar go o f h ea vy m ac hi ne ry p ar ts .

Whi le he m ight ha ve bee n t he be st pi lot t hi s si de of Ri gel a nd a ha lf de ce nt m ec ha ni c, he had a de ep

m is tr us t o f t el ep or ters , w ou ld n' t b e cau gh t any wh er e n ear o ne, p referr in g t he r el at iv e d an gers o f f as ter

t ha n l ig ht t ra ve l t o w ha t h e c al le d t he s ca tt er in g o f h is c om po ne nt p ar ts o ve r h al f o f k no wn s pa ce .

A t al l M al va ri an s te pp ed f ro m t he t el ep or te r p ad t o t he n oi sy w el co me o f a h oa rd o f f am il y m em be rs .

A dr iana s ig hed. W hat am I l oo ki ng f or h er e?

W av in g i ts eyest al ks i n g reet in g, a s qu at X ub ian w as t he n ex t arr iv al t hr ou gh t he g at e. A ll aro un d h er

reunions of families and friends were taking place. Joyful hugs, welcoming smiles and squeals of delight

f il led t he arr iv al l ou ng e. T he g at e cycled, p repari ng t o s pew f or th ano th er p as seng er . A dr iana s tared i nt o

t he t el ep or ter' s s wi rl in g m is t and t ri ed t o t hi nk u p excus es f or h er u ncharact er is ti c b eh av io r.

I n t he m ids t o f t he t el ep or te r' s h az e, a p ai r o f gr ee n e ye s b eg an t o t ak e s ha pe . A s ha rp g as p e sc ap ed h er

l ip s, d rawi ng t he att en ti on o f t he X ub ians n earb y. A dr iana cov er ed h er m ou th w it h h er h an d. D id n' t

any on e els e s ee t he g ho st ly i mage o f a m an f or mi ng ?

I 'm l os ing i t f or s ur e.

A nd y et f ro m o ut o f t he g ho st ly w eb o f t he t ra ns po rt er s ys te m, t ho se h au nt ed e me ra ld e ye s s ta re d b ac k

at h er . B lo nd h ai r b il lo wed o ut o ver h is s ho ul ders , b ar el y d is cern ib le again st t he b ackg ro un d o f g lo wi ng

a to ms . B en ea th i t s he c ou ld s ee t he u nm is ta ka bl e o ut li ne o f a p ai r o f b ro ad s ho ul de rs . A dr ia na p re ss ed

h er p al m again st t he g lass . T hen h e w as d is in tegr at in g, l os t i n t he t wi st in g cen ter o f t he t el ep or ter.

" Qu il lan, " s he w hi sp er ed , s qu in ti ng t o b ri ng h im b ack i nt o f ocus . A mi ds t t he chu rn in g s ea o f energ y s he

s aw t he f li ck er o f h is e ye s. L ik e a t el ev is io n p ic tu re g on e t o s no w, h is f or m f ad ed . F or a m om en t s he

t ho ug ht s he s aw t he j ag ged o ut li ne o f h is j aw , t he f ul l l ip s w ho se s il ken f eel s he cou ld s ti ll con ju re every

t im e s he c lo se d h er e ye s. H is m ou th s ha pe d h er n am e. A nd s om et hi ng e ls e.

"For today...."

A nd t he n t he re w as o nl y s pa ce a bo ve t he f lo or p ad o f t he t el ep or te r' s m ec ha ni sm .

C oo l g la ss b en ea th h er p al m b ro ug ht h er b ac k t o t he p re se nt . T he t um ul t o f t he a rr iv al s l ou ng e c am e

crash in g b ack i nt o h er s en ses. P eo pl e d rew away f ro m h er , t hr ow in g s us pi ci ou s l oo ks o ver t heir

s ho ul de rs . E ve n t he X ub ia ns g av e h er a w id e b er th a s t he y p as se d. A nd n o w on de r, s he t ho ug ht . T o

t he m I m us t l oo k l ik e a c ra zy w om an t al ki ng t o a n e mp ty s he et o f gl as s.

B ut b ef or e s he t ur ned h er self i n f or p sy ch iatr ic t es ts , t he s ci en ti st i ns id e h er d em an ded t he r id dl e b e

s ol ved. L as t n ig ht s he h ad b een cau gh t u p i n t he s en ti ment al it y o f Z el in a' s w ed di ng . L as t n ig ht s he'd d rank

m or e w in e t ha n w as g oo d f or h er . T od ay s he s to od b ef or e t he t el ep or te r, a wa ke a nd s ob er . A nd s ti ll ,

s he 'd w it ne ss ed a n e ve nt t ha t h ad h ap pe ne d t oo m an y t im es t o b e s he er c oi nc id en ce .

H is h au nt ed e ye s f la sh ed b ef or e h er m in d' s e ye . A nd i n t ha t i ns ta nt s he w as s ud de nl y c er ta in o f o ne

t hi ng . N ev er m in d w hat p eo pl e s ai d abo ut Q ui ll an S tarr . S om et hi ng awf ul h ad h ap pened t o h im . A dr iana

i nt en ded t o f in d o ut exact ly w hat.

* * * *



10/34

Z el in a' s f at her t oo k a s us pi ci ou s v iew o f h er s ud den i nt er es t i n t el ep or ter t echn ol og y. B ut s he w as t he

best friend of his only daughter and nearly as dear to him. As chief merchant on Rendezvous Station, his

i nf lu en ce w as con si derabl e, and h e r el uctant ly agr eed t o accom pany h er o n h er v is it t o t he m an ag er o f t he

Teleporter Station.

A nn oy ed at h av in g h is b us y d ay i nt er ru pt ed , t he m an ag er g lared at h er acr os s h is p ri st in e chr om e d es k.

F rom t he l oo k t he t wo m en e xc ha ng ed u po n gr ee ti ng , s he c ou ld t el l h e w as o nl y g ra nt in g he r a f ew

m inu te s o f h is t im e a s a p er so na l f av or t o Z el in a' s f at he r.

" Wh en ev er s om eo ne t ak es a t el ep or ter j ou rn ey ," h e exp lain ed w it h s tr ai ned p at ience, " a cop y o f t heir

D NA i s p la ce d i n a f il e l oc ke d f or s af e k ee pi ng w it h t he ir o wn p er so na l p as sw or d. T he p as sw or d i s k ep t

i n a s pe ci al f il e w it h t he ir i ns ur an ce d oc um en ts i n c as e o f a n e me rg en cy . N ow s in ce t he re w as n o r ec or d

o f M r. S tarr ' s all eg ed t el ep or ter j ou rn ey , h e i s d eemed t o h av e g on e m is si ng u nd er o th er cir cu ms tances .

H is f il e h as b ee n f or wa rde d t o t he I nt er ga la ct ic P ol ic e. I f yo u w is h t o p ur su e t he m at te r f ur th er , y ou w il l

ha ve t o c ont ac t t he m. Ho we ve r, r ec or ds a re p ur ge d on a r eg ul ar ba si s. S o i f y ou h ave a qu er y t o f il e, Iw ou ld s ug gest y ou d o i t i n w it hi n t he n ex t o h, " h e con su lt ed t he chr on o o n h is w ri st , " fi ve h ou rs ."

A dr iana s ucked i n h er b reat h. I n exact ly f iv e h ou rs , i t w ou ld b e t he o ne-y ear ann iv er sary o f Q ui ll an 's

disappearance.

* * * *

A dr iana l ef t t he T el ep or ter o ff ice m or e f ru st rated t han w hen s he cam e. S he p ol it el y t hank ed Z el in a' s

f at he r, a ss ur ed h im f or t he t en th t im e t ha t y es , s he w as p er fe ct ly f in e, a nd h ea de d o ff d ow n t he c or ri do r

t ow ar d h er h ot el r oo m.

She ha d be en t hr oug h a ll of t hi s a ye ar a go. The f ac t t ha t St ar r w as w el l kno wn t o be a s co und re l

w or ke d a ga in st h im . T o m ak e m at te rs w or se , t he re w as n o r ec or d o f S ta rr t ak in g a t el ep or te r t ri p,

m ak in g i t a pp ea r a ll t he m or e a s t ho ug h h e h ad p la nn ed t o d is ap pe ar f or t he r um or ed r ea so n.

W ha te ve r t he r ea so n f or h is u np la nn ed t ri p, s he h ad f iv e h ou rs t o f in d o ut w ha t b ef or e a ll r ec or d o f S ta rr

w as er as ed f o rev er .

* * * *

A dr ia na s at b ef or e t he t er mi na l i n h er h ot el r oo m a nd w at ch ed t im e c re ep f or wa rd o n t he c hr on o. I t h ad

t ak en h er f if te en m in ut es t o w al k b ac k f ro m t he T el ep or te r O ff ic e a nd a no th er f iv e t o c al l u p a d ri nk a nd

a b it e t o e at f ro m t he r oo m' s p ro ce ss or , w hi ch l ef t h er f ou r h ou rs a nd 4 0 m in ut es t o s ol ve t he m ys te ry

before Starr's essence was dumped from the police files.

The chrono clicked. Another minute lost.



11/34

I t t oo k h er ano th er f if teen t o n av ig at e h er w ay t hr ou gh t he n et wo rk . A nd s ur e eno ug h, t he t el ep or ter f il es

w er e l oc ke d a s s ec ur el y a s a s af e.

H er f in ge rs h ov er ed a bo ve t he k ey bo ar d. I f h e h ad t ak en a t el ep or te r t ri p, w ha t c od e c ou ld S ta rr

possibly have used to safeguard the essence of his being? She typed in "Needle."

A CC ES S D EN IE D, t he s cr een r es po nd ed p ro mp tl y. A dr iana s wo re s of tl y and t yp ed i n " Th e N eedl e."

A CC ES S D EN IE D, t he s cr ee n s pa t b ac k a nd t ur fe d h er o ut o f t he s ys te m.

F ou r h ou rs l at er , s he' d t ri ed every p os si bl e com bi nati on o f l et ters and n um bers s he cou ld t hi nk o f, b ot h

t he ir n am es s pe ll ed f or wa rd a nd b ac kw ar d, S ta rr 's b ir th d at e, h er s, e ve n t he d at e t he y m et .

4 0 m in ut es l ef t. A dr ia na d ru mm ed he r f ing er s a ga in st t he d es k a nd t ri ed t o c al m t he c yc lo ne o f t er ror i n

h er g ut . T he m em or y o f t ho se h au nt ed eyes w as i nd el ib ly eng raved i n h er m in d.

Though malfunctions were extremely rare, there were a million ways a teleporter transmission could go

w ro ng . I nt er fer en ce, cr os s ed s ig nal s, t ech ni cal ly b ot h w er e p os s ib le. H or ro r s to ri es d at ed b ack f ro m t he

d aw n o f s pace t ravel. I t chi ll ed h er t o t hi nk o f Q ui ll an t rapp ed b et ween d im en si on s, b el on gi ng n ei th er t o

t hi s w or ld n or t he n ex t.

B ur ie d i n t he m ul ti tu de o f f ac ts s he k ne w a bo ut Q ui ll an S ta rr w as t he k ey t o u nl oc k h is f at e. A dr ia na

t ype d ' gr ee n' f or t he c ol or o f h is e ye s. W he n t ha t d id n' t w or k s he t ri ed ' am be r' t he c ol or of h er s. Re d f or

t he c ol or o f h er h ai r d id n' t p ro ve a ny m or e s uc ce ss fu l.

I n t he b ack o f h er m in d w as t he n ag gi ng s us pi ci on t here w as s om et hi ng s he s ho ul d k no w, s om et hi ng s he

s hou ld h av e t hou gh t o f. W ha t h ad he b ee n t ry in g t o t el l h er ?

Tel--

With trembling fingers, Adriana entered the letters T-E-L.

A nd f ou nd h er self b ar red f ro m t he s ys tem again .

It t oo k h er a no th er t en m in ut es t o e va de t he s ys te m' s d ef en se s a nd g et h er se lf b ac k i nt o t he t el ep or te r' s

h ig h- se cu ri ty d ir ec to ry . ' Te l- -' s he w as s ur e h e' d s ai d. O r w as i t ' Te le -' ? A dr ia na t yp ed T , a nd p ra ye d t o

O ct ar ia n go d o f l uc k. Sh e t ype d E a nd h el d h er b re at h. L w as e nt er ed w it h a c ar ef ul ly wo rde d p ra ye r t ot he X ub ia n g od de ss o f g oo d f or tu ne . O n t he f in al E s he s hu t h er e ye s a nd w ai te d.

C au ti ou sl y, s he o pe ne d o ne e ye a nd s wo re f lu en tl y i n f ru st ra ti on . O n a b la ck s cr ee n, t wo r ed w or ds

flashed mockingly.

ACCESS DENIED.

" Th in k A dr iana," s he w hi sp er ed . " Wh at els e d id h e s ay ?"

F ragm en ts o f a w el l- kn ow n m el od y ech oed t hr ou gh h er m in d.



12/34

S a y f or t oda y t ha t y ou a re m ine

Befo re t he n ig ht com es b et ween u s. ..

Their song!

A dr ia na g la nc ed a t t he c hr on o. N in e m in ut es l ef t. S wa ll ow in g h ar d, s he c lo se d h er e ye s a nd t yp ed " Fo r

Today".

T he s cr een r econ fi gu red and s he f ou nd h er self adm it ted t o t he m os t b as ic element o f Q ui ll an S tarr , h is

g en et ic c od e. N ow a ll s he h ad t o d o w as f ee d t ha t i nf or ma ti on t o t he t el ep or te r f il e. A cc or di ng t o t he or y,

w he n t he t wo m er ge d, i t w ou ld r et ri ev e t he s ca tt er in g o f S ta rr 's c om po ne nt p ar ts a nd p ut t he p ie ce s o f

t he p uz zl e b ac k t og et he r. A cc or di ng t o t he or y o f c ou rs e, t o h er k no wl ed ge t he f ai l- sa fe h ad n ev er b ee n

used.

A dr ia na 's f in ge rs h ov er ed a bo ve t he k ey s. T hi s w as t he p ar t s he s im pl y c ou ld n' t m es s u p. T ro ub le w as ,

s he d id n' t h av e t he f ai nt es t i de a w ha t s he w as d oi ng .

T he c hr on o c li ck ed . S ev en m in ut es . D o i t n ow , t he r at io na l p ar t o f h er b ra in a rg ue d. N ow , o r Q ui ll an

S tarr w il l b e l os t f or ev er .

Bu t I r ea ll y d on 't h av e a c lu e w ha t I 'm d oi ng , t he d ou bt ful p ar t o f h er m in d i ns is te d. I 'm a h yp er dr iv e

s pe ci al is t, no t a ne tw or k e xp er t. F ro m o ut o f t he c or ne r of h er e ye , s he w at ch ed t he c hr on o c ou nt d ow n

another minute lost.

I t w as n ow o r n ev er , A dr ia na d ec id ed . P ra yi ng t o e ve ry G od s he c ou ld n am e, s he l oc at ed t he t el ep or te r f il e a nd f ed i t St ar r' s da ta .

F or a l on g m om en t, s he w as s ur e s om et hi ng h ad g on e t er ri bl y w ro ng . T he a ir a ro un d h er c ri nk le d. L ik e

s tari ng t hr ou gh a w at er fall , s he w at ch ed as r eali ty w ar ped. T he atm os ph er e i n t he cub icle p ri ck led w it h

static.

T hr ou gh t he t wi st in g a ir b et we en t he m, a p ai r o f g re en e ye s s ta re d o ut a t h er f ro m a c lo ud o f b lo nd c ur ls .

B el ow s he cou ld s ee t he b eg in ni ng s o f a s tr on g, r ou gh ly -s tu bb led j aw f or mi ng . B ro ad s ho ul ders emerg ed ,

t ap er in g d ow n t o n ar ro w h ip s and w el l- mu scled l eg s. C au gh t i n a s ea o f r ip pl in g m ol ecul es , h e h ov er ed

between dimensions.

F in al ly t he n et d is in tegr at ed and i t r eall y w as Q ui ll an S tarr s tand in g b ef or e h er .

H e l oo ked at h er i n d azed con fu si on . " Ri an a, " h e w hi sp er ed h oars el y.

A nd p as se d o ut c ol d.

C ro uchi ng b ef or e h im , A dr iana s tr et ch ed o ut a t en tati ve h an d. H er f in gers b ru sh ed t he r ou gh m at er ial o f

h is g ray f li gh t s ui t, f eeli ng h ar d m us cl e b en eath . S he r an h er h an ds o ver b ro ad s ho ul ders and acr os s t he

s mo ot h p lane o f h is chest . H e w as r eal, all r ig ht . M os t d ef in it el y s ol id .

H is e ye li ds f li ck er ed, g iv in g he r a g li mp se o f t he e me ra ld e ye s s he r em em be re d s o w el l. A l ow m oa n

escaped h is l ip s.



13/34

" Qu il lan! " A dr iana g ri pp ed h im b y t he s ho ul ders and s ho ok h im h ar d. " Wake u p, S tarr , d am n y ou !"

A t h er h ar sh c om ma nd , h e b li nk ed , o nc e, t wi ce . T he h ar d p la ne s o f h is f ac e s of te ne d, h is s en su ou s l ip s

cur ved i nt o a s mi le.

H e r each ed f or h er , p ul li ng h er d ow n i nt o h is arm s. " Ri an a, " h e w hi sp er ed again st h er ear . " I t ho ug ht y ouw er e an ang el ."

* * * *

" It w as . .. c ol d. L ik e b ei ng p ie rc ed b y a m il li on n ee dl es ," S ta rr t ol d h er a s t he y h ud dl ed t og et he r u nd er

t he b la nk et s i n h er h ot el r oo m. H e s hu dd er ed a nd g ul pe d d ow n a m ou th fu l o f s tr on g M al va ri an t ea l ac edw it h b ra nd y. " Th e c ol d w as i n m y m in d. I c ou ld n' t c onc en tr at e. A ll I k ne w w as t ha t s om et hi ng h ad g on e

t er ri bl y w ro ng . .. and I t ho ug ht o f y ou ."

B en ea th t he c ov er s h e w as w ar m, m os t c er ta in ly a p ar t o f t hi s d im en si on . W ha te ve r h ad h ap pe ne d, i t

d id n' t m at te r n ow . Q ui ll an w as t he re i n h er a rm s. S he h ug ge d h im c lo se r. " It 's o ka y, I g ot y ou b ac k. "

" Yo u g ot m e ba ck ," S ta rr r ep ea te d a nd p ut t he c up a si de .

S tr ong ha nds t angl ed i n he r h ai r a s he c uppe d t he ba ck of he r h ea d a nd t il te d he r f ac e t o r ec ei ve hi s k is s.

W ar m l ips t ea se d h er s a pa rt . The t ip of hi s t on gue t ra ce d t he o ut li ne of he r l ips . I t s ee me d a s i f he wou ld

continue in his reacquaintance, but suddenly he stopped.

" Ho w l on g?" h e ask ed , h is l ip s m ov in g again st h er s. " Ho w l on g h av e I b een g on e?"

A dr iana l ev er ed h er self f ro m h is emb race and p laced h er h an ds o n h is s ho ul ders . U nd er g ol den b ro ws ,

h is e ye s n ar ro we d, a s h e s en se d t he b ad n ew s c om in g.

" Qu il lan, i t' s b een alm os t a y ear. "

S tarr r an a h an d t hr ou gh h is l on g b lo nd h ai r, t ou sl in g alr eady d is heveled cur ls . " An ent ir e y ear?"

S he n o dd ed.

"Then my ship--"

Adriana swallowed hard. "I'm afraid it's been impounded."

" Th ey 'l l h av e s ol d i t b y n ow ," h e s ai d h ol lo wl y.

" Peop le s ai d y ou 'd r un o ff ," A dr iana b lu rt ed . T he w or ds t um bl ed o ver each o th er i nt o t he s il en ce. " Th ey

t ho ug ht y ou w er e t ry in g t o g et ou t o f y ou r w ed di ng v ow s. T he y wo ul dn 't be li ev e m e w he n I s ai d

s om et hi ng w as w ro ng . I f I h ad n' t com e b ack t o R en dezv ou s S tati on f or Z el in a' s w ed di ng -- "

Sh e s to pp ed . N o ne ed t o t el l h im j us t how c lo se h e' d c om e t o ob li vi on .



14/34

T he h or ro r i n S ta rr 's e ye s d ee pe ne d. " I m is se d o ur w ed di ng -- "

U na bl e t o h ol d b ac k t he t ea rs t ha t s pi ll ed o ve r o nt o h er c he ek s, A dr ia na c ou ld o nl y n od .

" An d y ou t ho ug ht I -- "

" Ev er yo ne s ai d y ou g ot c ol d f ee t. T he y t ol d m e t he w or st s to ri es . I t ho ug ht y ou 'd c ha ng ed y ou r m in d

about marrying me."

H is f ac e s of te ne d i nt o a n e xp re ss io n t ha t w as a t o nc e c ar in g a nd w ou nd ed .

" Ri an a, " h e s ai d, l oo ki ng i nt en tl y i nt o h er eyes. " I w en t t o b uy y ou a w ed di ng p resent ."

"You what?"

" R em em ber t ho se X ub ian d iamo nd ear ri ng s y ou h ad y ou r h eart s et o n?"

V ag uely , A dr iana r em em bered cov et in g t he m at ch ed p ai r o f d azzl in g s to nes. D ur in g t he y ear t hat

f ol lo wed S tarr 's d is ap pearance, a p ai r o f b au bl es, n o m at t er h ow f in e, j us t h ad n' t s eemed i mp or tant

anymore. "What about them?"

" I wa s goi ng t o us e t he f irs t pa ym ent f rom the M al va r r un t o buy the m f or you. I t al ke d a buddy who

w or ke d a t t he t el ep or te r s ta ti on i nt o s en di ng m e t hr ou gh f or f re e w he n n o o ne w as l oo ki ng ."

" Th at 's w hy t he re w as n o r ec or d o f y ou r t ri p! " T he p ie ce s o f t he p uz zl e w er e c om in g t og et he r, a nd t he

picture they formed wasn't the one she'd been expecting. "You made that last run to Malvar so you'd

ha ve t he mo ne y t o bu y m e a w ed di ng gi ft ?"

Starr nodded solemnly.

"I w as afr ai d t he t ho ug ht o f l if el on g com mi tm en t w as m ak in g y ou n er vo us . I t ho ug ht y ou w an ted t o g et

away f ro m m e f or awh il e. "

" No w w hy w oul d I w ant t o g et a wa y f ro m y ou? " H e p ul le d h er c los er . " You 'r e t he l ig ht i n m y l if e. "

" Bu t w hat abo ut t he s to ri es abo ut all t ho se o th er w om en ?"

"Like all stories," he said laughing, "they're greatly exaggerated."

"They're not true?"

" Mo st ly f ab ri cati on s, I ass ur e y ou . T hey g o w it h t he t er ri to ry o f b ei ng a h ot sh ot p il ot ."

A dr ia na l ea ne d a ga in st h im , r ea ss ur ed b y t he b ea ti ng o f h is h ea rt t ha t h e w as i n f ac t v er y r ea l a nd t he re

with her.

" So ," S tarr ask ed . " Ar e w e s ti ll eng ag ed ?" T he w or ds w er e s po ken i n h is u su al s el f- co nf id en t s ty le, b ut

t he l oo k on h is f ac e w as a ny th in g b ut .

Sh e s mi le d r ea ss ur ing ly up a t h im . " I h av e a w ho le s le w o f w ed di ng pl an s j us t wa it in g t o go ."



15/34

Bu t St ar r w as s ha ki ng h is he ad . " We c an ha ve a pa rt y l at er . I w ant u s ma rr ie d be for e t he d ay i s don e. I

don't want to run the risk of you misunderstanding my intentions again."

* * * *

T wo h ou rs l at er A dr ia na a nd Q ui ll an s to od b ef or e t he a lt ar w he re Z el in a h ad s ai d h er v ow s t he e ve ni ng

before. The special effects generator with its sparkling mist and swirling stars had been dismantled and

s en t b ac k t o t he r en ta l c om pa ny . B ut t he a lt ar d ec or at ed w it h s ky -b lu e- pi nk r os es h ad y et t o b e t ak en

d ow n. T he r os es , A dr ia na n ot ed , w er e a l it tl e w il te d, b ut s he d id n' t m in d. Q ui ll an d id n' t s ee m t o n ot ic e a t

a ll a s he s ta re d a rou nd t he e mpt y ba ll room i n a we . He ha dn' t l et go of he r h and s inc e th ey' d l ef t he r hot el

r oo m. E very wh er e t hey w en t o n R en dezv ou s S tati on h e r em ar ked o n t hi ng s t hat h ad chang ed i n t he y ear

h e' d b ee n g on e. A dr ia na s hu dd er ed t o t hi nk o f w ha t i t m us t h av e b ee n l ik e f or h im t o h av e b ee n t ra pp edi n t he e th er w hi le t im e a nd l if e w en t o n a rou nd hi m. D es pi te h is o rd ea l h e s ee me d h ap py j us t t o b e n ea r

h er , t o t ou ch h er .

O nce con fr on ted w it h t he u nd en iabl e t ru th t hat Q ui ll an w as s ti ll ali ve and w el l, Z el in a' s f at her h ad

com mand eered t he g rand b al lr oo m f or a f ew m or e h ou rs . R en dezv ou s' cap tain h ad agr eed t o o ff iciate.

Z el in a' s f at her h ad i ns is ted o n g iv in g h er away, w hi le h is d au gh ter w at ch ed o n a n earb y m on it or v ia

subspace transmission.

T ur ned o ut t hey w er e g oi ng t o h av e t heir p ar ty aft er all . C hamp ag ne l ef t o ver f ro m Z el in a' s w ed di ng

chi ll ed i n chr om e w in e b uckets . A ll t he t ab les h ad f resh w hi te t ab lecl ot hs , even t ho ug h t here w er en 't

eno ug h g uest s t o f il l m or e t han o ne. O verh ead t he s tars b lazed i n b li nd in g w hi te g lo ry s et o ff again st t heblackness of the sky.

Bu t t he h an ds om e b lo nd m an b ef or e h er s to le A dr iana's att en ti on . E ven t ho ug h d ar k cir cl es r in ged h is

e ye s a nd i t l oo ke d a s t ho ug h h e m ig ht d ro p w it h e xh au st io n, h e p os it iv el y b ea me d a t h er . T he re h ad n' t

been time to arrange for wedding rings or formal announcements. That would have to wait for tomorrow,

o r p er ha ps e ve n t he d ay a ft er . T he y b ot h i nt en de d t o s ta y i n b ed t om or ro w m or ni ng , A dr ia na t ho ug ht

with a smile.

Q u il lan s eemed t o b e h av in g s im il ar t ho ug ht s. H is eyes r ov ed w it h app ro val o ver t he b ri desm ai d' s d ress

s he 'd b ou gh t f or Z el in a' s w ed di ng . T he re h ad n' t b ee n t im e t o b uy a n ew d re ss e it he r, A dr ia na t ho ug ht a ndt he n d ec id ed s he d id n' t c ar e.

T he s ta ti on 's c ap ta in r ea d t he ir v ow s. A dr ia na r ep ea te d t he p hr as es s he 'd b ee n c er ta in o nl y h ou rs a go

t ha t s he 'd n eve r ha ve a c ha nc e t o s ay. S ti ll s ta ri ng i nt o he r e ye s a s i f he f ea re d s he 'd v ani sh a t a ny s ec on d,

Q ui ll an r ep ea te d h is o wn v ow s i n a r ic h v oi ce .

T hen t he cap tain p ro no un ced t hem l if e-p ar tn er s. Z el in a' s f at her p op ped t he cor k o n a b ot t le o f

champagne.

A nd t he w ed di ng A dr ia na b ee n s ur e s he 'd n ev er h av e w as o ve r. T he y w er e m ar ri ed . Z el in a l og ge d o ff

h er s ub sp ac e t ra ns mi ss io n a nd w en t b ac k t o h er n ew h us ba nd .

A dr iana s mi led. T im e f or t he r ecep ti on and t he h on ey mo on .



16/34

Z el in a' s d ad s ee me d i nt en t o n u si ng u p t he l ef to ve r c ha mp ag ne . H e p ro po se d t oa st a ft er t oa st i n h is l ou d

booming voice and served glass after glass of the bubbly brew.

O nce t he com pu ter r ecor ds h ad b een s cr ut in ized and Q ui ll an h ad u nd er go ne a q ui ck m ed ical

exami nati on , h er b es t f ri en d' s f at her h ad l et g o h is s us pi ci on s o f Q ui ll an 's s ud den r eapp earance. N ow h e

cou ld n' t b e h ap pi er f or t he cou pl e.

O nl y a h an df ul o f p eo pl e w at ch ed a s t he y d an ce d t he ir f ir st d an ce u nd er t he t ra ns pa re nt c ei li ng o f t he

g rand b al lr oo m. S tar s b lazed o verh ead. M in us t he s peci al ef fect s g en er at or , t he h eavens h ad an aus t er e

beauty. They seemed to shine for them alone.

R ecor ded m us i c p layed f r om o verh ead s peaker s. T he m in st rel s and t he b an d t hat h ad s erenaded

Z el in a' s w ed di ng h ad l on g s in ce d ep ar ted t he s tati on en r ou te t o t heir n ex t g ig . Q ui ll an 's b od y m ov ed

again st h er s as i f t hey' d b een apart o nl y m in ut es i ns tead o f an ent ir e y ear. T hey f it t og et her p er fect ly .

S he l ea ne d h er h ea d a ga in st h is s ho ul de r, t he w ay s he a lw ay s h ad , a nd h e r es po nd ed b y r es ti ng h is h ea dagainst hers.

" Ho w s oo n b ef or e w e c an l ea ve ?" h e m ur mu re d.

A dr iana s mi led. " Zeli na's d ad w an ts a d an ce."

Quillan groaned good naturedly. "I'm dying here!"

" Sh h, " s he i ns is te d, e ve n t ho ug h s he d es pe ra te ly w an te d t o l ea ve a s w el l, t o b e a lo ne w it h Q ui ll an a nd

m ake u p f or a ll t he t im e t he y' d l os t. " He d id gi ve u s a w ed di ng ."

" Th at h e d id ," Q ui ll an s ai d. B ow in g t o Z el in a' s f at her, h e o ff er ed h is b ri de's h an d f or t he d an ce.

E ven Z el in a' s m ot her s eemed charm ed b y Q ui ll an as h e o ff er ed h er o ne o f h is d azzl in g t rademark s mi les

a nd a ske d h er t o da nc e.

Th e l as t n ot es o f t he m us ic f ad ed . T he b al lr oo m, i t s ee me d, w as b oo ke d f or a no th er e ve nt . A ft er

t hank in g Z el in a' s p ar en ts f or h os ti ng t heir s econ d w ed di ng i n s o m an y d ay s, A dr iana and Q ui ll an m ad e

t he ir wa y ba ck t o he r hot el s ui te . As s he s li d h er pa ss i nt o t he l oc k, Adr ia na r ea li ze d s he onl y ha d t he

r oo m b oo ke d f or o ne m or e d ay .

" Wha t a re w e go ing t o do ?" s he a ske d a s s he l ooke d a rou nd t he s pa rs e l od gi ng s. " You do n' t h av e a s hi p

any mo re. A nd I 'm cur rent ly p os ted t o C en taur i S tati on ."

B ut Q ui ll an g av e h er ano th er o f t ho se h eart -s to pp in g s mi les. " Th en I 'l l com e t o C en taur i S tati on w it h

y ou . I 'l l w or k a t w ha te ve r I c an u nt il I h av e e no ug h m on ey f or a no th er s hi p. .. ." A t h er s tr ic ke n l oo k, h e

hesitated.

" I d on 't t hi nk I c an b ea r t he t ho ug ht o f b ei ng s ep ar at ed f ro m y ou a ga in ," s he b lu rt ed .

" Do n' t w or ry ," h e s ai d, p ul li ng h er c lo se . " If I h av e m y w ay , w e w on 't b e s ep ar at ed a ny t im e s oo n. "

S he s ur rend er ed t o h is emb race, s ti ll m ar veli ng at h ow s ol id h e f el t.



17/34

"Whatever we decide together," Quillan said quietly, "the future is ours."

T he o ld Q ui ll an h ad r et ur ned s he m us ed . H op el es sl y o pt im is ti c, h e l iv ed i n t he m om en t and con si dered

t he f ut ur e h is f or t he t ak in g. T hat u ns hakeab le o pt im is m w as o ne o f t he t hi ng s t hat h ad i ni ti al ly d rawn h er

to him.

Q ui ll an s eemed i nt en t o n m ak in g a m ar k o n h er i mm ed iate f ut ur e as h e m an eu vered t hem t ow ar d t hebed. Still holding on to her, he proceeded to rain gentle kisses down her neck to the bodice of her gown.

G ro an in g a t t he b ar ri er , h e r ea ch ed b eh in d a nd u nd id t he z ip pe r, s o s he c ou ld s te p o ut o f t he

sky-blue-pink silk.

He r el ea se d he r t he n s o he c ou ld s te p ba ck a nd a dmi re he r. Hi s e ye s r ov ed ove r he r a s i f m emo ri zi ng

h er f or m, j us t i n c as e a no th er d is as te r b ef el l h im a nd h e n ev er s aw h er a ga in .

I t w as n' t f ai r, s he d ec id ed , t ha t h e s ho ul d b e c lo th ed w hi le s he s to od t he re o nl y i n h er l ac y u nd er we ar .

S he r ea ch ed f or t he z ip pe r t o hi s f li gh t s ui t a nd b ol dl y pu ll ed i t d own .

H e s hr ug ge d o ut of t he f or m- fi tt in g m at er ia l a nd a ll ow ed he r t o p us h i t o ff h is s ho ul de rs a nd d ra g i t d ow n

ove r hi s s li m hips . He l et go of his br ea th i n a r us h a s s he hooke d he r hands i n hi s unde rwe ar a nd pul le d

t hem d ow n t oo .

S he g av e h im t he s am e t ho ro ug h p er us al t hat h e' d g iv en h er . H e l oo ked m ag ni fi cent d ress ed o nl y i n o ne

o f h is b li nd in g s mi les. T im e h ad n' t chang ed any th in g. H e w as as h an ds om e and s ol id ly b ui lt as ever.

Qu il lan r each ed f or h er , p ul li ng h er again st h is m as cu li ne f or m. H is w ar m h an ds r oamed o ver h er b od y,

u nd oi ng t he c la sp o f h er b ra , t he n r ea ch in g w it h c al lo us ed h an ds t o p ul l t he l ac y t ho ng o ve r h er hi ps a nd

o nt o t he f lo or .

Re ac hi ng f or t he c ov er s, h e dr ew t he m b ac k. Th en he t ur ne d a nd s at do wn on t he s id e of t he b ed ,

pulling her onto his lap. Evidence of his arousal pressed against her lower belly.

S he g az ed d ow n i nt o h is h au nt ed g re en e ye s, d et er mi ne d t o w ip e a wa y t he m em or y o f t hi s l as t y ea r

s pent i n o bl iv io n. T ak in g t he l ead, s he k is sed h im .

H is l ip s w er e w ar m b en ea th h er s, a nd w he n s he s li d h er t on gu e b et we en t he m, h e m oa ne d i n i nv it at io n.

H un gr il y, s he d el ve d i nt o t he de pt hs o f h is m ou th, s av or in g t he f ee l a nd t he t as te o f h im . H e s li d hi s h an ds

u p ov er h er s hou ld er s, pu ll ing h er c los er s ti ll , a s i f he c oul dn' t ge t e no ugh o f h er .

F in al ly , h e d re w h is m ou th a wa y a nd l ow er ed t ho se s of t, w ar m l ip s t o h er b re as t. A dr ia na g as pe d i n

pleasure as his mouth closed on the rosy peak of one nipple. Teasingly, he moved to taste the other. The

pull of his lips nearly sent her over the edge and she shifted restlessly in his lap.

"Easy," he murmured, raising his head.

Th e pa ss ion s he s aw i n hi s he at ed ga ze t ook h er br ea th a wa y. I t h ad a lw ay s be en t ha t w ay b et we en

t he m. B ut f or a n e nt ir e y ea r, s he 'd b el ie ve d s he m ig ht ne ve r f ee l t ha t k in d o f p as si on a ga in . H er h ea rt h ad

k no wn t ha t Q ui ll an S ta rr w as t he o nl y o ne f or h er . A nd s he h ad n ev er s to pp ed h op in g.

A ft er w ai ti ng s o l on g, s he cer tain ly d id n' t i nt en d t o d en y h er self n ow . S he s qu ir med again st h im , l et ti ng

h im k no w h ow b ad ly s he w ant ed h im . E sp ec ia ll y n ow t ha t h e w as r ea ll y a nd t ru ly h er s . .. f or ev er .



18/34

S en si ng h er i mp at ience, h e p laced h is w ar m, cal lo us ed h an ds b en eath h er b ut to ck s and l if ted, s li di ng h er

with agonizing slowness down the shaft of his erection.

T he p leas ur e o f h is w id th s li di ng d eep i ns id e h er w as n earl y t oo m uch t o b ear. A dr iana's eyeli ds d ri ft ed

s hut a s a s ig h of s at is fa ct io n e sc ap ed h er l ip s. S he o pe ne d t he m a ga in t o f ind h is gr ee n e ye s b la zi ng w it h

desire.

H e s et t he p ac e, s ta rt in g o ut s lo wl y, e as in g t he m i nt o a g en tl e r hy th m. H is p ow er fu l a rm s r ai se d a nd

l ow er ed h er . S he m ov ed again st h im , q ui ck en in g t heir p ace and h eard h is h us ky l au gh ter i n r et ur n. T he

o nl y s ou nd s i n t he r oo m cam e f ro m t heir q ui ck en ed b reat hi ng and h er s of t s ig hs o f p leas ur e.

T en si on w ou nd t ig ht i ns id e h er . S he r ocked again st h im , t ak in g h im d eeper s ti ll . H e r es po nd ed b y

q ui ck en in g t he ir t em po e ve n m or e. S he h ov er ed o n t he e dg e o f r el ea se , b ut s ti ll h e d ro ve h er t o g re at er

heights. She cried out, protesting this exquisite torture. His chest rumbled with his laughter.

T he n w it h on e l as t r ol l o f h is h ip s, he d ro ve t he m bo th o ve r t he e dge . T en si on s ha tt er ed i nt o r ol li ng

w ave s o f p le as ur e. S he c ri ed o ut , t hi s t im e e ve n l oud er t ha n l as t, n ot c ar ing i f a ny one i n t he a dj oi ni ngr oo ms h ea rd h er o r n ot . S he h ea rd Q ui ll an 's a ns we ri ng s ho ut o f r el ea se .

P as si on a nd r el ie f l ef t h er s pe nt . H er h ea d f el l t o h is s ho ul de r. F al li ng b ac k i nt o t he b la nk et s, h e c ra dl ed

he r c lose as if he were afra id to let go of her.

" I h op e t he r oo ms n ex t d oo r a re v ac an t, " s he s ai d h oa rs el y a ft er a m om en t.

Q ui ll an l au gh ed again , t he s am e r ich l au gh ter s he'd alw ay s l ov ed h im f or . " Well , t hey p ro babl y are n ow ."

" Th ey 'l l p ro babl y charg e u s ext ra f or all t he n oi se."

" An d I 'l l g la dl y p ay t he bi ll ," h e r ep li ed w it h a g ent le ki ss on t he t ip o f h er no se . " It w il l h av e b ee n w or th

it."

E xh au st io n cau gh t u p w it h h er . Q ui ll an r each ed d ow n t o p ul l t he cov er s u p aro un d t hem, t ucki ng t hem

both into a cocoon of warmth.

" We h av e s o m uc h t o w or k o ut ," A dr ia na s ai d d ro ws il y.

" We d o, " h e r ep li ed s ou nd in g even m or e t ir ed . " Bu t i t can all w ai t u nt il t om or ro w. "

T he y w er e q ui et f or a m om ent . A nd t he n h e s ai d, " Thi s t im e t he re w il l b e a t om or ro w f or us ."

A dr ia na h ad n ea rl y d ri ft ed o ff t o s le ep i n t he s an ct ua ry o f h is a rm s. B ut h is w or ds r ou se d h er f ro m t he

com fo rt in g d ep th s o f h er d ream s. " Yes, " s he agr eed, k no wi ng i t w as t ru e. " Th is t im e w e' ll h av e a m il li on

tomorrows."



19/34


20/34

"S o, h ow 'd i t g o? " M ar in da l oo ke d u p f ro m t he v id s cr ee n s he w as s tu dy in g.

" Ok ay ," C as si e s ai d f ar t oo q ui ck ly , d ra wi ng a s ke pt ic al g la nc e f ro m M ar in da . S he t oo k t he s ea t

o pp os it e t he C hi ef P ro to co l O ff ic er 's d es k a nd s wa ll ow ed h ar d p as t t he l um p i n h er t hr oa t. H ow w as s he

g oi ng t o t el l h er n ew b os s s he'd s er io us ly m es sed u p h er f ir st ass ig nm en t? " I g uess ," s he f in is hed l am el y.

"T he C et ians h av e alr eady b oo ked a h un dr ed s ui tes. "

"A hundred?"

" Fi ft y f or t he d el eg at es and ano th er f if ty f or t heir s er vant s. "

A t ri ck le o f d re ad w or ke d a t t he p it o f C as si e' s s to ma ch . S he 'd a ss ur ed t he A mb as sa do r h is s er va nt s

w ou ld b e acco mm od at ed as w el l .

" Th er e a re a f ew l as t m in ut e d et ai ls t o b e w or ke d o ut ." C as si e v en tu re d. H op ef ul ly , t he b os s w ou ld c lu ei n t o t he n eed f or exp er t i nt er vent io n b ef or e f if ty m al e C et ians d es cend ed u po n t he s tati on l oo ki ng f or

m at es , o r w or se, f or f em al e accom mo dati on d ur in g t he w eek o f t heir v is it . " Perh ap s y ou can h el p m e. "

M ar in da r ea ch ed a cr os s t he d es k a nd c la sp ed h er h an d. " Th is v en tu re i s g oi ng v er y w el l, e ve n b et te r

t ha n I d ar ed h op e f or . W it h t he r ev en ue f ro m t he h ot el s a nd t he e xt ra m on ey t he C et ia ns w il l s pe nd o n

t he p ro me na de , o ur r ev en ue f ig ur es o ug ht t o b e b ac k i n t he b la ck ." W it h a d is mi ss iv e p at , M ar in da

t ur ne d b ac k t o h er s cr ee n. " Yo u h an dl e i t. I h av e f ai th i n y ou , C as si e. "

F ai th , s he t ho ug ht , l eavi ng M ar in da t o h er r ev en ue cal cu lati on s. I f y ou o nl y k new. B ut M ar in da cou ld n' t

k no w and w ou ld n' t f in d o ut , C as si e v ow ed . N ot u nt il every th in g w as s af el y s ol ved, t he r ev en ue d ep os it ed

into Epsilon's accounts, and the Cetians safely off-station on their way home without incident.

Th e o nl y t hi ng t o d o, s he d ec id ed , w as t o v is it t he A mb as sa do r i n h is q ua rt er s a nd e xp la in t he w ho le

t hi ng . T he a ct io n w en t a ga in st t he s tr ic t c od es o f C et ia n s oc ia l c on du ct . B ut t he y' d b ar ed t he ir f ac es , a nd

t he A mb as sado r w as y ou ng . P er haps h e' d u nd er st an d abo ut i t b ei ng h er f ir s t ass i gn ment . P er haps i t w as

his first assignment, too.

* * * *

C as s io peia s to od b ef or e t he b ru sh ed s il ver d oo r i n t he s tati on 's m os t l ux ur i ou s cor ri do r. T hese w er e t he

h ot el s ui te s a ll ot te d t o o nl y t he m os t i mp or ta nt g ue st s. A w ee k' s s al ar y w ou ld n' t e ve n c ov er t he c os t o f a

s in gl e n ig ht , b ut r eal- water b at hs r at her t han s on ic s ho wers and s il k s heet s r at her t han s cr at ch y

s yn th i- cl ot h m ig ht j us t b e w or th i t, s he d ec id ed . S he t oo k a d ee p b re at h, r ai se d h er h an d a nd r an g f or

entry.

T oo l at e, s he r ea li ze d t ha t i n h er h as te t o s et t hi ng s s tr ai gh t s he 'd f or go tt en h er c lo ak a nd s ca rf . T he d oo r

w hi sk ed o pe n b ef or e s he c ou ld f le e. A s ta rt le d s er va nt s ta re d a t h er t hr ou gh h is s ca rf a nd g as pe d.

" Wh at i s i t? " a sk ed a d ee p m al e v oi ce f ro m a ro un d t he c or ne r.



21/34

C as si e o pe ne d h er m ou th t o p ro te st , b ut b ef or e s he c ou ld u tt er a s ou nd s he f ou nd h er se lf s ta ri ng u p i nt o

t he d ee p b lu e e ye s o f t he C et ia n A mb as sa do r. A nd h e w as n' t w ea ri ng h is c lo ak .

C lo th c lu ng t o e ve ry m us cl e o f h is b ro ad s ho ul de rs , t ap er in g d ow n l ik e a s ec on d s ki n p as t n ar ro w h ip s,

s cu lp ti ng t he area b el ow h is w ai st i n d et ai l t hat l ef t n ot hi ng at all t o t he i magi nati on . S en si ng h er p er us al ,

h e s hi ft ed h is w ei gh t, w hi ch o nl y d rew h er att en ti on m or e.

" Pr ot ocol O ff icer C as si op ei a, " h e s ai d i n t hat v oi ce o f b ur ni sh ed g ol d.

T he s er vant g as ped aud ib ly and k ey ed t he d oo r s hu t, u sh er in g h er i ns id e b ef or e any on e i n t he cor ri do r

c ou ld c at ch s ig ht o f t he s ca nd al ou s s ce ne . I f t he A mb as sa do r h ea rd t he s ou nd , h e i gn or ed i t. W it h a f li ck

o f h is h an d he s il en tl y s ent hi s a ss is ta nt t o a tt en d t o o the r d ut ie s, l ea vi ng t he t wo o f t he m s ta nd ing i n t he

foyer.

"Something is wrong, Protocol Officer Cassiopeia?"

" Ca ss ie , p le as e, " s he a ns we re d, r ea li zi ng a f ra ct io n o f a s ec on d t oo l at e t ha t s he 'd v io la te d C et ia nprotocol yet again by asking him to call her by the familiar derivative of her name, a practice reserved for

family and betrothed couples.

" Cass ie," h e r ep eated w it h ano th er o f t ho se b li nd in g s mi les. " I h op e i t i s n ot s om et hi ng s er io us . W e

a re .. .. " H e p au se d, s ea rc hi ng f or t he r ig ht w or ds , s om et hi ng s he w is he d s he 'd t ak en t he t im e t o d o

h er self . " Lo ok in g f or ward , as y ou s ay , t o o ur s tay o n E ps il on S tati on ."

"Ambassador--"

" Zo la n, " he r ep li ed. Th e s ign if ic anc e of h is r eq ue st t ha t s he c al l hi m by hi s gi ve n na me wa s no t l os t o n

h er . " Co me s it and t el l m e o f t hese d if fi cu lt ies. "

" Oh n o, I c oul dn 't i mpos e- -" T o e nt er a m an' s hom e, e ve n a ma n' s t em por ar y h om e wa s a s er ious

breach of etiquette. Marinda would have her head.

" It i s n o t ro ub le . M y a ss is ta nt , Y an di , i s o th er wi se e ng ag ed ," h e s ai d p oi nt ed ly . H e s to od b ac k,

m ot io ni ng f or h er t o ent er .

I f s he l ef t n ow , s he 'd h av e t o e nl is t M ar in da 's h el p t o s tr ai gh te n t hi ng s o ut . A s i t w as s he h ad t wo

g ri ev ou s b re ac he s o f s oc ia l c on du ct a ga in st h er . I f s he s ta ye d, s he h ad a c ha nc e t o w or k t hi ng s o ut .

B ut h e w as a lr ea dy r ea ch in g ou t f or h er , g ui di ng h er w it h a g ent le , y et f ir m t ou ch o n h er a rm i nt o t he

s it ti ng r oo m be yo nd . T he w ar mt h o f h is h an d s pr ea d u p h er a rm , p rom is in g s o m uc h m or e. Th e m an a ll

but oozed sensuality. His fleeting caress sent tingles all down her spine. That one brief touch sparked her

i magi nati on , and s he h ad t o s qu el ch i mages o f t hem ent wi ned t og et her m in us all t he v ei ls .

C as si e y an ke d h er t ho ug ht s b ac k t o t he t as k a t h an d. S he s ho ul d n ev er h av e l et h im t ou ch h er . " Sh ou ld

h av es " p il ed u p l ik e d om in oe s, r ea dy t o f al l a nd t ak e a ll h er c ar ef ul s tu di es , h er h ar d w or k, a nd h er

promotion with them. She had to set Ambassador Zolan straight. This instant.

T he i nt er io r o f t he s ui te h ad b ee n r ed ec or at ed t o s ui t C et ia n t as te s. C ur ta in s a nd t ap es tr ie s d ec or at ed t he

w al ls . P lu mp p il lo ws s er ved as s eati ng arr an gement s. H e s et tl ed h er ami ds t a f lu rr y o f s il k cus hi on s and

s at d ow n b es id e h er .



22/34

R ig ht b es id e h er . N ot t he f ac e- to -f ac e p os tu re o f n eg ot ia ti on , b ut t he c lo se ne ss o f i nt im ac y. H e s at s o

clo se s he cou ld f eel t he s oo th in g w ar mt h o f h is b od y t hr ou gh t he t hi n m at er ial o f h is clo th in g.

"Ambassador--" Cassie stuttered.

"Zolan," he repeated firmly.

" Zo lan, I -- " S he p lu ng ed ahead b ef or e h e cou ld com pl icat e t he s it uati on f ur th er . " I f ear I m ay h av e

misled you."

H is e xp re ss io n d ar ke ne d a nd s he c au gh t a g li mp se o f t he p en et ra ti ng g az e t ha t s he h ad f ir st e xp ec te d

f ro m an A mb as sado r. T hi s w as cer tain ly n ot h is f ir st ass ig nm en t. " Yo u can no t accom mo date u s h er e at

Epsilon Station?"

" Oh , n o! T he accom mo dati on s, " s he enu nciated t he cor rect w or d carefu ll y, " ar e n o p ro bl em at all . W e' re

d el ig ht ed t hat y ou 'v e cho sen E ps il on as t he s it e f or y ou r . .. con ference. "

" Go od , t he n t he re a re n o p ro bl em s. " H e u tt er ed t he d ec la ra ti on w it h t he s ur et y o f a m an w el l u se d t o

getting his way.

" I' m afr ai d t here i s o ne p ro bl em ." A gain t hat p en et rati ng g lance. " A s mall p ro bl em ," C as si e cor rect ed

quickly.

B ef or e s he c ou ld e la bo ra te , a w hi sp er o f c lo th b ro ug ht h er h ea d u p s ha rp ly . Z ol an 's s er va nt h ov er ed

n er vo us ly i n t he cor ner, Z ol an 's clo ak and s carf d an gl in g f ro m o ne h an d. T he s cand al ized l oo k h e s ho t

C as si e r ed de ne d h er c he e ks .

W hen h e s ti ll d id n' t com mand Z ol an 's att en ti on , h e clear ed h is t hr oat. Z ol an cocked a b ur ni sh edeyebrow in his direction.

"Sir, your meeting with the Gridwellian Ambassador rapidly approaches."

Z ol an g la nc ed a t t he c hr ono o n h is w ri st . " Ca ll a he ad a nd t el l h im I w il l b e de la ye d. I m us t s pe ak w it h

Protocol Officer Cassiopeia first."

" Si r! " h e p ro test ed , t hen f el l q ui ck ly s il en t as Z ol an t ur ned i n h is d ir ecti on .

" T here i s a p ro bl em ?"

C as si e c au gh t a t ra ce o f t he a nn oy an ce i n Z ol an 's v oi ce . I rr it at io n t ha t c re as ed t he g ol de n s ki n b et we en

h is b ro ws . T he s er vant , Y an di , Z ol an h ad cal led h im , b ow ed and v an is hed, t ak in g Z ol an 's clo ak and s car f

with him.

" No w t he n, C as si e, " Z ol an t ur ne d c ry st al b lu e e ye s u pon h er . " Wh at i s t hi s s ma ll p ro bl em y ou s pe ak o f? "

C au gh t i n t he w eb of h is g la nc e, i t w as h ar d t o c onc en tr at e. " I' m a fr ai d I m ay h av e g iv en y ou t he w ro ng

impression."

"Regarding what?"

" Regard in g m e, " s he s ai d q ui ck ly and g lanced away.



23/34

Z ol an 's f ro wn d eepened. " Yo u ar e n ot P ro to co l O ff i cer C as s io peia?"

" No , I -I m ean y es ." W or ds t um bl ed o ver o ne ano th er , s lu rr in g h er car ef ul ly p ract iced p ro nu nciati on . " I

am E ps il on S tati on 's P ro to co l o ff icer . T he o nl y o ne, excep t f or m y b os s, M ar in da." S he w as r am bl in g,

she realized suddenly, filling the conversation with useless words that could easily be misconstrued.

C as si e cl os ed h er m ou th .

" I d o n ot u nd er st an d. I f y ou a re P ro to co l O ff ic er , C as si op ei a a nd y ou c an a cc om mo da te u s h er e o n

Epsilon station, then what is the problem?"

C as si e f el t h er c he ek s f lu sh f ro m p in k t o w ha t c ou ld o nl y b e c ri ms on a nd c ur se d h er r ed he ad 's c ol or in g.

" I b el ie ve I m ay h av e. .. ." W ha t w as t he r ig ht w or d, s he w on de re d d es pe ra te ly ? " Ex ag ge ra te d w ha t I w as

offering."

" Yo u can no t p ro vi de u s w it h o ne h un dr ed s ui tes?"

" No , n o -- "

A t t he w or d ' no ' h e l oo ke d e ve n m or e d is tr es se d. S he s ho ul d h av e b ee n h on es t w it h M ar in da . I f s he

ha d, s he mi ght be out of a j ob, but a t l ea st t he s it ua tio n wo ul d be we ll i n ha nd a nd s he wou ldn' t be

k ee pi ng t he A mb as sa do r f ro m h is m ee ti ng . " Th e r oo ms a re a lr ea dy b oo ke d. W e a re d el ig ht ed t o h av e

y ou a s o ur g ue st s. "

"Then what," Zolan asked in exasperation, "is it?"

" Si r?" T he s er vant , h av in g b een b ru sh ed o ff o nce, n ow m er el y p ok ed h is h ead aro un d t he cor ner. " Th e

Gridwellian Ambassador--"

Z ol an h el d u p h is h an d f or s il en ce.

" Si r- -" Y an di p eeped i n d is may. " Th e G ri dw el li an A mb as sado r i s s ch ed ul ed t o d ep ar t o n t he n ex t f li gh t

t o C en ta ur i. H e i ns is ts h e m us t s pe ak w it h y ou a bo ut t he t ra de a gr ee me nt b ef or e h e l ea ve s. "

T hi s t im e Z ol an t oo k t he o ff er ed c lo ak w it h n o a rg um en t. " I' m a fr ai d w e m us t s pe ak l at er , C as si e, " h e

s ai d, l ay in g a r eass ur in g h an d u po n h er arm . S he l oo ked d ow n, s eein g t he s tr ik in g con tr as t b et ween h is

g ol de n a nd h er p al e f le sh . B en ea th t he g en tl e p re ss ur e o f h is h an d, s he f el t t he e mb er s o f d es ir e i gn it e.

O bv io us ly , h e k ne w h is w ay a ro un d a w om an 's b od y, h ow t o e nc ou ra ge , h ow t o s ed uc e.

W ho w as t hi s m an w ho c oul d e vo ke s uc h f ee li ng s i n h er ? S in ce s he 'd c om e t o E ps il on S ta ti on , h er o nl y

t ho ug ht s h ad b ee n f or h er c ar ee r, a nd n ow s he 'd n ea rl y t hr ow n i t a wa y b ec au se o f o ne m an w ho 'd

r each ed i nt o h er l if e and r earr an ged i t i n a s in gl e m eeti ng . H er r om an ti c l if e u nt il n ow h ad b een u nevent fu l

a t b es t. Y et , w it h t hi s s tr an ge r s he f el t . .. c om fo rt ab le . H is o pe n n at ur e p ut h er i ns ta nt ly a t e as e. A nd l ef t

her embarrassingly attracted.

A nd t he n a ga in , p er ha ps s he w as r ea di ng f ar t oo m uc h i nt o t he s it ua ti on . H e w as t he C et ia n

A mb as sado r. H e w as u sed t o d eali ng w it h p eo pl e f ro m d if feri ng cul tu res, even f ro m d if ferent s peci es .

Whatever the situation, she couldn't let him go without settling things between them.

" I' ll w al k w it h y ou ," s he s ai d q ui ck ly , r ea li zi ng o nc e t he w or ds h ad b ee n u tt er ed t ha t s he h ad n o c lo ak ,

n o s carf , t hat s he w as again b reak in g t he r ul es o f con vent io n. B ut Z ol an n od ded abs en tl y, h is t ho ug ht s



24/34

alr eady cen tered o n h is u pcom in g m eeti ng . H e s to od , m ot io ni ng f or h er t o p recede h im t hr ou gh t he

d oo rw ay . A s s he p as s ed , C as s ie s aw h is s er vant s ho ot ano th er d is ap pr ov in g l oo k i n h er d ir ect io n.

" Am bass ad or -- " s he s ai d w hen h e w ou ld h av e s t ro de p ur po sel y d ow n t he h al l.

S ti ll s tr id in g t oo f as t f or h er s ho rt er l eg s, Z ol an t ur ned h is att en ti on u po n h er . H is s tart li ng b lu e eyes g av e

t he i mp re ss ion s he t oo k u p h is w ho le w or ld w he n h e f ix ed h er w it h t ha t l oo k. I t f el t w on de rf ul t o b e t hec ent er of s om eon e' s w or ld . N o o ne h ad e ve r ma de h er f ee l t ha t wa y b ef or e. " Ye s, C as si e, " h e s ai d i n

t hat r es on an t v oi ce, " yo u w er e abo ut t o t el l m e o f y ou r d if fi cu lt y. "

"Yes, Ambassador--"

"Zolan," he said easily.

Z ol an c am e t o a s to p o ut si de t he G ri dw el li an A mb as sa do r' s s ui te . H e h ad o nl y t o r in g a nd t he ir

con vers at io n w ou ld end abr up tl y. A nd s he'd alr eady m ad e h im l at e.

" Zo la n, I f ea r I m ay h av e l ed t o b el ie ve I w as l oo ki ng f or m or e t ha n t ra de h er e a t E ps il on S ta ti on ," s he

blurted finally and dragged in a great breath of relief.

P oi sed t o ann ou nce h is p resence t o t he G ri dw el li an A mb as sado r, Z ol an t ur ned t ow ar d h er . T he s mi le h e

s hot he r w as l ike a r ay of s un. " Oh y es , your q ue st f or a m at e." H e l ow er ed h is ha nd , l ooke d he r i nt ent ly

i n t he f ac e. " I mu st a dm it , yo ur bol d r eque st t ook m e a ba ck. B ut , yo u ha ve c ha rm ed me ." He pa us ed

dramatically and his smile grew wider still. "I will consider your proposal of marriage."

T hat s ai d, h e r an g t he G ri dw el li an A mb as sado r' s d oo r f or ent ry , l eavi ng C as si op ei a s tand in g i n t he

hallway.

D is ma y s un k l ik e a r oc k t o t he p it o f h er s to ma ch . P ro to co l a nd m an ne rs p re ve nt ed h er f ro m p ou nd in g

o n t he d oo r. B ut s om eh ow s he h ad t o s ep ar at e t he C et ia n A mb as sa do r f ro m h is d ut ie s l on g e no ug h t o

e xp la in . H is s ch ed ul e w ou ld b e o n M ar in da 's c om pu te r. P er ha ps s he c ou ld f in d a w ay t o i nt er ce pt h im

before news of her gaffe reached Marinda.

M ar i nd a' s o ff ice w as emp ty w hen C as s ie ar ri ved b ack at E ps il on S tati on 's O ff i ce o f P ro to co l. L uck, i t

s eemed, o ff er ed o ne s mall m er cy o n t hi s i ll -f at ed d ay . L eavi ng t he r oo m i n d ar kn es s, C as si e w al ked

quietly across the floor.

O verh ead l ig ht s b lazed. B eh in d h er s om eo ne g as ped. C as si e w hi rl ed t o f ace t he i nt ru der.

M ar in da c lu tc he d h er c he st . " Ca ss ie , y ou s ca re d m e h al f t o d ea th !"

" So rr y. " C as si e att em pt ed t o s ou nd n on ch al an t, b ut s he w as cer tain M ar in da cou ld h ear t he p ou nd in g o f

h er h ea rt f ro m a cr os s t he r oo m. " I w as j us t l ea vi ng ."

"You're here late."

" I w as a h - - j us t d ou bl e- ch ec ki ng a f ew d et ai ls r eg ar di ng t he C et ia n d el eg at io n. I t' s s uc h a n i mp or ta nt

con tr act, I w an ted t o m ak e s ur e every th in g w as all r ig ht ."

" A v er y i mp or ta nt c on tr ac t, " M ar in da a gr ee d. " Bu t y ou 'r e t o b e c om me nd ed f or y ou r h ar d w or k. I k ne w

I made the right decision promoting you."



25/34

G ui lt s ta bb ed a t C as si e' s c on sc ie nc e. F or a m om en t s he d eb at ed t el li ng M ar in da t he t ru th . S he 'd t el l h er

l at er , s he d ec id ed . O nc e s he 'd r ec ti fi ed h er m is ta ke a nd p ut t hi ng s t o r ig ht s. C as si e f or ce d t he t re mo r

f ro m h er v oi ce a nd a sk ed , " Wh at b ri ng s y ou b ac k t o t he o ff ic e s o l at e? "

M ar in da s ig hed. " Th e M al vari an A mb as sado r h as i nv it ed o ur C et ian g uest s t o a f or mal d in ner. S om eo ne

f ro m t he P ro to co l O ff ic e s ho ul d a tt en d, b ut i t m ea ns I 'l l h av e t o w or k l at e a nd I p ro mi se d T im o I 'd -- "

" I' ll d o i t, " C as si e b lu rt ed , h er o ut bu rs t s ta rt li ng t he m b ot h. T o h er s ur pr is e M ar in da s ee me d t o b e

considering the idea.

" Do y ou t hi nk y ou cou ld h an dl e i t? T he eveni ng s et ti ng m eans i t f al ls u nd er t he con vent io ns o f a C et ian

social gathering. Their social conventions are particular about such things...."

" No p ro bl em ," C as si e g ot o ut p as t t he l um p i n h er t hr oa t.

M ar in da b ri gh te ne d. " Yo u' ve d on e s uc h a g re at j ob s o f ar . I h av e t he u tm os t f ai th i n y ou , C as si e. "

* * * *

M al vari an f or mal d in ners w er e a s pect acle t o b eh ol d. S tari ng t hr ou gh t he f il m o f t he n earl y t rans parent

v ei l t hat cov er ed h er f ace i n d ef er en ce t o t he s tr ict eti qu et te o f C et ian eveni ng s ocial o ccas io ns , C as si e

m ar veled at t he d is pl ay o f col or and l ig ht .

F ro m t he m id dl e o f t he s um pt uo us ly l ai d b an qu et t ab le, t he champ ag ne f ou nt ai n b ub bl ed i n r ai nb ow

hues. Illuminated circuit boards flashed in the chests of the transparent robot waiters circulating among

the guests.

A t any o th er t im e, C as si e w ou ld h av e d el ig ht ed i n t he d is pl ay . T on ig ht h ow ev er , s he h ad o nl y o ne g oal i n

m in d: t o f in d t he C et ian A mb as sado r and s ep ar at e h im f ro m t he n ot io n s he w as p ro po si ng m ar ri ag e.

H er e ye s s et tl ed on t he s hr oude d f or m o f a ma n t oo t al l t o be a nyo ne e ls e. Fr om be ne at h t he v ei l o f hi s

h ea d s ca rf a l oc k o f g ol de n h ai r s ho ne a s b ri gh tl y a s t he s ta rs o ut si de . B et we en h is r ob e a nd h is g lo ve s

s he c au gh t a g li mp se o f h is b ro nz ed s ki n, a s h e g es tu re d w it h h is h an ds w he n h e s po ke .

S om eh ow , s he h ad t o g et c lo se e no ug h t o h av e a p ri va te w or d w it h h im . B ut C et ia n s oc ia l c on ve nt io ns

w er e s tr ict. U nm ar ri ed f em al e s tr an gers s im pl y d id n' t d em an d t im e alo ne w it h s in gl e m en . W ho k new

w hat con cl us io ns t he o th er C et ians w ou ld d raw i f s he d em an ded a p ri vate w or d w it h h im ?

M is t ak es com po un ded m is t ak es , cr eati ng m or e m is t ak es . S om eh ow s he h ad t o r each acro ss t he b ar r ier s

o f cul tu re and g al acti c s pace and m ak e Z ol an u nd er st an d.

Ex ce pt f or o ne s ma ll p ro bl em . D ee p i n h er h ea rt s he w an te d t he C et ia n' s a tt en ti on . S he c ra ve d f ar m or e

t ha n hi s a tt ent ion . S he l on ge d t o f ee l hi s br onz ed s ki n a ga in st h er o wn a nd t he w ar mt h of h is l ip s a ga ins t

h er s. I f s he a ll ow ed h er se lf o ne m om en t' s t ru th , s he h ad t o a dm it t hi s s tr an ge r f ro m a no th er s ta r a ro us ed

he r l ike n o one e ls e e ve r ha d.



26/34

" Keep t hi nk in g l ik e t hat and y ou 'l l n ot o nl y l os e y ou r j ob , b ut creat e an i nt er galact ic i ncid en t, " C as si op ei a

whispered to herself.

R ev ea li ng h er f ac e, s he h ea de d a cr os s t he f lo or t ow ar d t he C et ia n A mb as sa do r.

S he p la nn ed t o c at ch h is e ye s, t o d is cr et el y r eq ue st a m om en t t o s pe ak w it h h im f ar b ey on d t he p ry in g

e ye s of t he ot he r gu es ts . B ut s he got no f ur the r t ha n a f ew s te ps be fo re he c aught h er i n h is ga ze . Hi s e ye sbrightened.

" Pr ot ocol O ff icer C as si op ei a, " h is v oi ce w as hed o ver h er , w ar mi ng h er w it h i ts r es on an t t on es .

U nf or tu na te ly , i t a ls o d re w t he a tt en ti on o f a ll t he o th er g ue st s a t t he b an qu et . S he w as u nd er dr es se d f or

s uch an o ccas io n, w eari ng o nl y t he b ar e m in im um o f s carf and m od es t g ow n. F in e f or an o ff ice v is it , b ut

t he g ra nd d in ne r wa s f ar i n e xc es s o f w ha t s he ha d e xp ec te d. Sh e s hou ld ha ve a sk ed t o b or row o ne o f

Marinda's long gowns, Cassie thought with regret.

U nd er t he s cr ut in y o f a m ul ti tu de o f e ye s, s he f el t p ra ct ic al ly n ak ed . A s s he t ur ne d h er f ac e t o m ee t

Zolan's expectant gaze, she glimpsed Yandi's disapproving frown.

C as si e b ow ed h er h ead i n g reet in g. " Am bass ado r Z ol an ."

" Ar e y ou t o j oi n u s t hi s e ve ni ng ?" H e b ow ed i n d ef er en ce . " I w ou ld b e h on or ed i f y ou 'd b e m y gu es t. "

T he h op e i n h is v oi ce m ad e h er h ea rt t ur n o ve r. " I' m a fr ai d I c an no t, A mb as sa do r, I w an te d o nl y t o- -"

"But you must--"

C as si op ei a cas t a g lance at t he o th er d el eg at es and f ou nd t hem als o s co wl in g t hei r d is ap pr ov al .

" Am ba ss ad or , I 'm a fr ai d I 'm n ot d re ss ed f or s uc h a n a ff ai r- -"

"P ah !" Z ol an w av ed h er o bj ecti on s f ro m t he air . " Yo u l oo k w on derf ul t o m e. " H is b ri ll iant g ri n l ef t n o

d ou bt t o t he i nn uend o i n t hat com ment . C as si op ei a cur sed h er f ai r col or in g as s he f el t h er self b lu sh in g

s carl et . " Bett er t han w on derf ul ," h e w hi sp er ed f or h er h eari ng alo ne. H is b eaut if ul v oi ce, s o f ul l o f

emotion, moved her like a exquisitely executed symphony.

I n r es po ns e, C as si e b lu sh ed a d ee pe r s ha de , m uc h t o t he c ha gr in o f t he d el eg at es , a ll o f w ho m w at ch ed

the interchange with acute attention.

" I w is he d o nl y t o h av e a w or d w it h y ou , A mb as sa do r. " S he c ou ld n' t s ay p ri va te ly . I n C et ia n t ha t h el dother connotations all together. Cassie settled on "Confidentially."

Z ol an 's e ye s n ar ro we d. H e s ai d s om et hi ng i n a C et ia n d ia le ct t oo r ap id ly f or h er t o f ol lo w. M ak in g n o

a tt em pt t o h id e t he ir d is ap pr ov al , t he r es t o f t he C et ia ns m ov ed a f ew d is cr ee t f ee t a wa y.

" Ho w c an I b e o f s er vi ce , P ro to co l O ff ic er C as si op ei a? "

" We ll , I -- " C as si e b eg an , t he n n ot ic ed t he p ry in g e ye s o f a t l ea st t en o th er d el eg at es f ix ed u po n t he m.

" Co ul d w e- -" s he g la nc ed a t a h ug e i ce s cu lp tu re n es te d i n a f or es t o f f lo we rs . " Co ul d w e t al k o ve r

here?"

Zolan moved obligingly behind the sculpture. Cassie couldn't help notice that the situation must have

l oo ked even m or e i ncri mi nati ng f ro m t he o th er s id e. B ut i n a m om en t all w il l b e s or ted o ut , s he p ro mi sed



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herself.

Eye s a s bl ue a s t he Gr ea t S ea on he r ho me wo rl d l oo ke d i nt ent ly i nt o h er s.

"Something troubles you, Protocol Officer Cassiopeia?"

C as si e c ou ld n' t h el p b ut b e m ov ed b y t he c on ce rn i n h is v oi ce . P ai nf ul ly a wa re o f t he s ec on ds d ri ft in g b ya nd t he i nt er es te d g az es o n t he o th er s id e o f t he i ce s cu lp tu re , C as si e l au nc he d i nt o h er e xp la na ti on .

" Am ba ss ad or , I f ea r I h av e m is le d y ou ." S he c ou ld n' t b ea r t o k ee p l oo ki ng i nt o t ho se s ou lf ul e ye s.

C as si e f ixe d he r g az e on t he t il ed f loo r i ns te ad. " Ce ti an i s a di ff ic ul t l an gu ag e f or m e, a nd I a m s ti ll

l earn in g. .. ." T he t ru th s pr an g f ro m h er l ip s. S he h ad m eant t o adm it n ot hi ng o f t he s or t.

T iny l in es c re as ed t he c or ne rs o f h is m ou th a s h is s mi le f ad ed i nt o a f ro wn .

C as si e b eg an t o t al k f as te r. " I b el ie ve I ha ve m is le d y ou i n m y i nt en ti on s. " H er e ye s f li ck er ed u pw ar d. H e

c au ght h er g az e a nd he ld i t. " And I f ea r I m ay h av e e rr on eo us ly g iv en y ou t he i mp re ss ion I wa s l oo ki ngf or a m at e. "

Hu rt f lash ed w it hi n t ho se d ev as tati ng eyes. " Am I t o t ak e i t, " Z ol an ask ed s ol em nl y i n n ear- perf ect

S ta nd ar d, " th at y ou d o n ot w is h t o b e m y b ri de , P ro to co l O ff ic er , C as si op ei a? "

C as si e' s h ea rt s an k. S he f el t h er s to ma ch c oi l t ig ht er w it h t en si on . S he 'd e xp ec te d h im t o b e r el ie ve d,

perhaps even to think her gaffe humorous. Instead, he looked genuinely hurt.

" Th at 's n ot i t, A mb as sa do r. Y ou s ee -- " S he h el d o ut h er h an ds i n a h el pl es s g es tu re a nd f ou nd t he m

c ap tur ed b y h is . E ve n t hr ou gh t he t hi n l ea the r of h is g lo ve s, s he c oul d f ee l t he h ea t

Bedwell-Grimes, Stephanie - Starr Struck

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