“Hmmm,” Liriili said, “It is wise to keep one’s assets in the family. Perhaps we should send emissaries back to this new uncle of our people to discuss a favored trade agreement.”
“I believe that would please him a great deal,” Neeva said. “Some of us who spend much time off-world learning and bringing back technologies and trade items need to spend more time at home for a while, as we recover. This Harakamian is a genius at making holograms. Perhaps he could be persuaded to produce some hologramatic learning programs for the various guilds?”
Liriili gave Acorna a guilty, but still slightly frosty smile. “Perhaps. Perhaps Khornya would care to discuss it with him on our behalf? Now that she has spent time among us, in my estimation she is ready to assume her own mantle as videShaanye.”
“Perhaps,” Neeva said.
“But surely she will want to stay home and rest for a time, too,” Grandam said. At that moment, Acorna looked across the field and saw Maati walking slowly toward them, alone. Acorna fought her way through the crowd to the comscreen and hailed the ConSor.
“There you are, Acorna. If you can tear yourself away from that mob down there, you might want to join me and Aari and the cat again. The board here is lit up like a pinball machine all of a sudden. We have us some serious salvage opportunities and they won’t wait forever. Stay there or come along. What’s your pleasure?”
Acorna, Grandam, and Neeva exchanged looks and thoughts. They were her people, it was true, but so were Uncle Hafiz, Rafik, Gil, Calum, the Kendoros, and so many others.
On the comscreen, over Decker’s shoulder, she saw Aari’s face, regrets and sorrow mixing with anticipation of rejection and-just a little-hope.
Grandam’s eyes twinkled. Acorna turned back to the Condor and then swung back toface Liriili again. “I’m honored by the ambassadorship, of course, but for right now, there is still something I must try to”-she glanced once more at the comscreen, the cat’s impatiently flicking tail, Becker’s welcoming expression and most of all, Aari, and said aloud, in answer to Becker-“salvage.”
End of Acorna’s People