Звезда Пандоры

“It will give me access to all navy intelligence information on the case. I can see what they’re doing but they won’t know I’m looking over their shoulder. That way I can stay one step ahead of them.”

“Just wait on, here,” Justine protested. “Who are you trying to catch?”

“Ultimately the Starflyer. But to do that I will need Johansson. He is the only expert we have on it.” Paula glanced at Gore. “Unless I go to Far Away.”

“Out of the question,” Gore shot back. “I told you. You’re too valuable to go off chasing around an unknown countryside full of guerrillas. Besides, you’re not geared up for that kind of operation. Your public profile is too high, we need to keep you out of sight behind a desk. Now that I know what’s actually been going on around here we can send some covert agents from our family security teams to take a damn close look at both factions on Far Away. I want to know exactly what the fuck’s been happening out there.”

“Very well,” Justine said. “I’ll have Thompson’s office arrange your clearance. You should be able to start tomorrow.” It wasn’t that she agreed with her father; she simply couldn’t see any other way to proceed for now.

Morton would have liked the party, Mellanie knew. It was full of players that were in a league far above any he’d moved among on Oaktier. Even that airhead Murielle had more money in her trust fund than Morton’s beloved Gansu Construction was capitalized at. He would have been dealing from the moment they arrived until the cateringbots started clearing up in the wee small hours.

She was entranced by the Tulip Mansion. That much wealth and antiquity and style in one package was overwhelming to a girl from Darklake City. Growing up in such an environment would leave anyone with real confidence and poise. A childhood spent here must have been magnificent. She could see groups of children running about across the grounds, carefree and happy as they played simple timeless games of catch and chase. Her blank smile concealed her envy.

Looking around at the beautiful people as they chatted in groups on the lawn, she still felt she was living in someone else’s TSI biogdrama. She knew how to move with them, how to laugh at their inane jokes. When to smile knowingly as they gossiped. The names of wines and food, how to pronounce them correctly. Art was still difficult for her, the Grand Families and Intersolar Dynasties seemed to have an encyclopedic history of art available at a genetic level; but her e-butler kept the files on quick recall.

“Ah, there’s Campbell Sheldon,” Alessandra said. Her hand waved discreetly toward one of the marquees. “See him?”

Mellanie turned slowly, scanning the group standing around the marquee, framed by one of the giant flower arrangements. Her virtual vision displayed the file picture of Sheldon, and she matched it with the real man. “Got him.”

“Campbell is your fuck tonight. He was their family’s chief negotiator when the navy was put together; so he’ll have access to the stats. How are the construction schedules holding up, what’s the true budget overspend. You know what we need.”

Mellanie said nothing.

Alessandra gave her a disapproving look. “You’re not going soft on me, are you? There are about a billion other girls who would like to take your place.”

“I know. But he’s a Sheldon, he’s not going to give me figures on stuff like that. He’s not dumb.”

“Of course not. He knows who you are and why you’re sucking his dick. That’s the point, he won’t give you figures, but he’ll show us the direction to take. They’re all at war with each other, young Mellanie; all struggling for dominance, and information is their weapon. If one of his rivals is screwing up, you’ll be told.”

Mellanie gave the group a second look. It was half past six, she’d had too many cocktails and too many vacuous conversations where every sentence began and ended with “darling.” There were lights on inside the marquees, and paths across the lawns were glowing blue as if they were phosphorescent streams. “Why do they have marquees? This place must have force fields. They’ll turn them on if it starts raining.”

“I’m sure they will,” Alessandra said in an annoyed tone.

“So if we’re not going to get wet, why put up marquees?”

“Go ask Campbell. The Sheldons are all technology bores, I’m sure he’ll love explaining it all to you.”

“Do you like anybody?”

“I like you.” Alessandra leaned forward and gave her a firm kiss. Mellanie was slow to respond.

“Don’t be such a bitch,” Alessandra complained.

Mellanie glared at her through the alcohol buzz; then she blinked, peering across the darkling grounds. “That’s Myo.”

“Paula Myo?” Alessandra couldn’t keep the twang of interest out of her voice.

“Yes.”

“Curious.” She kept facing Mellanie. “Who’s she with?”

“A nobody. Security man.” Mellanie was quite pleased she could tell.

“So she’s dealing with the Burnellis.”

“Let me have it.”

“You’ve got to stop obsessing on the woman.”

“It’s a good story, and you know it. I’ll fuck whoever you want, but give it to me.”