After I’ve gotten Eliza to bed, I step out into the darkness and stare at the sky. More streaks of fire rage silently as the battle overhead drones on.
Etch walks by. “Good evening Amy. Enjoying the starlight tonight?”
“Etch, how long do you expect them to keep fighting?”
“Perhaps a month.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“No, I am not Amy Marksman. Both sides of the conflict have considerable resources and will not stop until the other is defeated. Gorian’s message brought the war’s front to earth’s doorstep. Before this is ended, earth’s orbit will be littered with thousands of destroyed ships.”
“You knew this would happen?”
“Of course. I have seen wars many times. They must burn hot before the flames are extinguished.”
“Why aren’t the forces coming down here to fight?”
“Foremost, it is fear of the weapon that destroyed civilization on earth so many years ago. Also, it makes no tactical sense to put your troops on the ground when they are vulnerable to fire overhead. The victors will arrive with time as they become confident that the threat on the surface is gone. I recommend that you continue your studies with Fromer and enjoy your time with Eliza. When the winning faction arrives, peace will most certainly vanish.”
“Fromer, do you really think the terrorist weapon is gone?”
“I do not know.”
Almost a month to the day I conversed with Fromer, the explosions in the sky stop. I am sipping tea and watching Eliza sleep when Magarat steps in quietly. “Amy, you really need to go outside and see this. They’ve returned.”
Lights again dot the surface of the new moon. Theo rushes to me and holds my hand tightly. “I guess this means we’ll be getting visitors soon Sprouter my love?”
I tighten my grip and lead him inside.
Gorian appears early the next morning. “The message’s arrived. She shows us script on her tablet screen. We are to meet the Phobos at these coordinates in an hour. I guess the Institute prevailed.”
We’ve long known that Etch, Grey, Bets, Ricard, and me would make first contact with the winning side. Etch savors the opportunity to face the Phobos and likely Leo, its pilot, during our negotiations.
The Fuerst drops down next to the battle-scarred Institute vessel. It’s suffered far more damage since its fight with us in the asteroid belt. Leo emerges from the Phobos with three others. Etch embraces him warmly. “Hello, Leo my old friend. We meet on much better terms now.”
“Hello, Etch.” Leo’s a tall, angular man with dark features and a well-groomed beard. He smirks at us. “Let me introduce my distinguished companions, all from respected families within the Institute.”
Grey interrupts. “I know them all already.” He nods at a pale man with white hair and a terrible slouch. “Hello, Vincent. He comes from the Wilcoxin clan. Last I heard he was governing some province on mars.”
Vincent smiles, “We wondered what happened to you Grey. Good to see you well. I am now Prime Prefect of the solar government. You can feel safe with us. No need to hide anymore.”
Grey hugs the woman next to Vincent. “This is an old, old friend of my family and a distinguished diplomat. Aunt Vanne, meet my friends and welcome to the land of my exile.”
Vanne looks genuinely concerned for Grey. “We were worried sick about you after the accident at the Platform. You’re so gaunt now. What can you possibly be eating down here?”
I wonder why she mentions this place called the Platform and not the planet C9. I wonder whether she knows the truth about Grey’s disappearance.
Sighing, Grey introduces the third member of the group, a beautiful young woman with striking red hair and dark blue eyes. “This is Amanda Fuerst, direct descendent of the founding leader of the Institute and a key representative of the familial foundation. As you noticed, Etch’s ship is named after her clan.”
She looks at Grey a bit too long and his face flushes. I can tell there’s a history between the two of them. “Hello, Grey. I haven’t seen you since graduation. We have much to discuss about this anomaly on the planet. It looks promising for all of us.”
We leave the ships and walk to the great hall of the village. Amanda, Vanne, and Vincent are mesmerized by their surroundings — this is the first time they’ve visited the true home of their species. Leo and Etch chat energetically, as if they never fought in their lives. They’re telling stories of battle with the FRT forces.
Seated at the table, I consider our guests. Vanne is clearly in charge of the discourse, although Amanda is the source of power in the group. I have yet to gain an accurate measure of Vincent — he seems to be inflated with a lot of heat and very little substance. I suppose Leo has returned to his ship.
Grey starts bluntly. “So, the Institute won?”
Amanda blinks. “Yes Grey, we won, at great cost. There are bits of resistance from the FRT, but they will be mopped up with time. Order has been restored to the alliance, thankfully.”
We sit in silence for some time, waiting for the next move. Vanne speaks. “On behalf of the Institute and allied governments, we want to assure you that we have peaceful intentions and seek your cooperation.”
It is going to be a long day.
At dinner, we talk of Institute politics and the status of Grey’s relatives. Strangely, the Institute delegation has no interest in us natives. Neither Ricard nor I have garnered much attention from the visitors. For the first time in my life, I feel as if I’m a stranger in my own world.
Grey sips brandy while our guests pick at their food.
“So, what do you really know about the circumstances leading to our disappearance?” Grey puts his hand on Gorian’s hand. Amanda stares at her.
Vanne considers Vincent and Amanda for a moment. “This, of course, is in all confidence. We know about the incident on the terraforming planet called C9. Enough information was provided to show that there was no accident on the Platform outpost as the official records suggest. Rather, you and your crew were thought lost when the planet dropped into a singularity created by the vessel Raven on the surface.”
“Thankfully, you survived.” Amanda smiles tepidly.
“We also know that some interesting activity occurred on C9 prior to your disappearance.” Vincent finally speaks. “It was consistent with sealed research findings we had in the Institute database, much of it generated by your father, Grey. He knew that he was creating a portal on the planet, placing all of us at great risk.”
Grey shakes his head. “My father was indeed trying to create a portal on C9 and he succeeded. I reject, however, the idea that he meant harm.”
Amanda sips her wine. “I knew your dad well, Grey. I agree.”
He relaxes while Gorian bristles.
Vanne regards Grey critically. “Regardless of intent, the portal opened and important technology, created by your father but ultimately belonging to the Institute, fell into the hands of an unknown species. If we understand correctly, this threat almost destroyed this town and the entire western half of the continent.”
I stand, stretching my arms and back. “Well, I am tired. We can revisit these issues tomorrow when we’ve rested.”
After our guests have retired, I eagerly return to the house to find Eliza, Theo, and Magarat waiting for me. Eliza jumps into my arms, which makes the frustrating day melt away.
“How’d it go?” Theo’s trying to seem nonchalant.
“These people spend all their time talking about nothing. Grey tells me that this is diplomacy, where the one side tries to talk the other side into submission. Somehow, this is supposed to get them what they want.”
“So, they haven’t told you they want to use the lake?”