Facsimile Read Free Page B

will happen. Best to be prepared.”
    “Chickens too,” I say brightly, then stare at the vegetables on my plate. Stupid comment. Typical. When I get excited I tend to jabber.
    “Really?” Dace’s tone makes me lift my head and look at him. “But you don’t let them mingle with the native animals, do you?”
    Grandfather snorts. “Aren’t any. Well, none of any consequence. Insects of some kind, a few lizard-like things. Nothing else we’ve ever found. Doubt Eco will offer you much to study, Dace.” He takes the vegetable platter from my grandmother and sets it on the table. “But no, we don’t let our livestock mingle with the native environment. That’s why we have the domes.”
    “Yeah, I saw those.” Dace taps his fork against his plate. “I’d like to go out and take a look, though, all the same.” His eyes meet mine. He does have beautiful eyes. I can just imagine Emie’s reaction. Perhaps I’d better warn Dace about Kam’s territorial nature.
    “As a matter of fact, I have a proposition for you—well, for anyone in your colony who might be interested.” Patel leans back in his chair, flexing his muscled arms.
    “Oh, and what might that be?” My mother stirs the food around on her plate. In my head I urge her to eat, but I know she’ll only take a few bites.
    “Well, I obviously need a few parts to repair my ship. Thought you might have something lying about that I could use. I’m willing to barter some of my cargo—and I also need a favor.”
    Grandmother eyes the captain with what I’ve always termed her interrogator look. “What kind of favor?”
    “Nothing extreme, or illegal.” Patel turns to my mother on those last words and grins with very white teeth.
    My mother smiles in return. “Well, that doesn’t sound like much fun.”
    I peek at Dace from under my lowered eyelids. He’s shoveling food into his mouth, studiously ignoring the adults.
    “Just what is this favor?” my father asks, as he chops his vegetables into tiny pieces.
    “I need someone familiar with Eco to escort Dacian around the planet. Not the whole place, of course. I know that’s impossible. But show him around the nearby area and keep him safe while he conducts a bit of research.”
    “And what are you willing to exchange for this favor?” Dad lays down his knife. “It could be dangerous, you know. We don’t like anyone wandering too far afield. Things happen.”
    He glances at my mother, whose smile has evaporated. Mom’s parents were geologists who died before I was born. Also a geologist, Mom rarely uses her training, preferring to solve disputes as part of the colony’s governing council.
    “I could make it worth someone’s while,” says Patel, scooping up the last remnants of sweet potato with a piece of flatbread.
    “How so?” My mother toys with her silver bracelet. I remember when Dad traded a fan motor off one of the abandoned terraforming machines for that piece of jewelry. It was a gift for one of their anniversaries.
    “At the end of the run. Headed back to Earth once we get repairs made. Have a bit of room on the ship, and enough provisions with some of your produce loaded onto the Ada. Could take a few people back with us.” He glances around the room, his eyes taking in our bleak, cramped living quarters. “If anyone’s interested.”
    I catch his eye and stare into his strong-featured face. Perhaps he can read the naked desire in my eyes. Perhaps everyone can. “How many people?”
    “Oh, four or five.”
    “And you just need someone to act as a guide for Dace?” I catch a glimpse of my grandfather’s disapproving gaze.
    “That’s it. Of course, I want to offer this opportunity to the entire colony, you understand. But I’m thinking perhaps a young person would be best. Someone around Dacian’s age.”
    Dace looks up from his plate and stares at his uncle. The pout is back.
    “That’d be perfect,” I say, as my father’s foot presses over mine. “I can tell the