Page 33 of Advance and Retreat
“Hey, it never even came up on my sensors...or as your people say, on my radar,” Imon assured her.“You’re far more than a baby creator.”
“My tests would help you verify your qualifications to the selection committee,” Feru insisted.“You’re smart as hell, Toni.You’d be of use to the expedition, your ability to provide children aside.”
“But people are trying to kill my sister.I can’t go now.”As their faces fell at her assertion, she realized she was as disappointed as they were.
It made her realize that until the assassination attempt on Stacy, Toni had been eager to take a chance on the Coydidak.It had felt like the new beginning her soul had cried out for.Losing the opportunity left a void in her gut.
Losing the chance to really get to know Clan Imon was forfeiting a greater possibility than she’d anticipated.
I can’t leave Stacy.Not now.Sticking close was just as imperative.
Swallowing her disappointment, Toni reached for the little opportunity she could see.“Would you still give me those aptitude tests, Feru?Just because I can’t strike out for unexplored realms doesn’t mean I can’t find a better direction to travel here on familiar ground.”
He smiled and took her hand.He kissed it.“Of course.I’d be glad to.”
* * * *
Kalquor
“What percentage of actual involvement would you say you had in the development, research, and implementation of the Lorenz Long-Distance Com System?”
Laughter didn’t glare, but she did fix a level stare at the Kalquorian wearing the unfriendly expression.What was it with the Nobeks she was forced to talk to?Were they all assholes, or was she simply unlucky?
Her voice as direct as her gaze, she repeated the statements she’d already spoken at least half a dozen times during her interview.“I conceived the initial design on my own.Except for a very few minor enhancements perfected by my team, who were under my direction, it’s entirely my project.I supervised all aspects of its growth from concept to final execution.It bears my name, Nobek Signis, a rather strong hint of my input.”When the jerk continued to stare unimpressed, she allowed the slightest of snarls to invade her voice.“A conservative...veryconservative...percentage of my involvement would be ninety percent.”
She’d had all the answers to the questions the Coydidak leaders had thrown at her during the interview in a nondescript conference room located in a lower floor of Kalquor’s Government House.Dramok Rorix and Nobek Signis...especially Signis...had been obvious in their attempts to trip her up by asking insanely difficult questions.They might have rattled her had she not practically lived in the design lab, especially during the year after her father had died and she’d depended on her work to keep from shaking to pieces.
As it was, she knew the LLDC system as well as her own reflection.Better, in fact.She had no clue how many millimeters separated her eyes or the specific components making up her skin’s atomic cell structure.She kneweverythingabout her namesake com system.
It had been obvious from the outset Rorix and Signis were resistant to having her on the mission.She had no idea why, but her guess was stupid male misogyny.Fortunately or not, she’d been born and raised on Mercy, a bastion of bigotry against women.She was more than adept at holding her own against the fragile male egos that quaked when a competent female showed up to challenge them.Whether it took knocking them down or outlasting them, she’d managed to remove the obstacles thrown in her path.
Outlasting this pair wasn’t an option, however.The expedition would set off in a matter of weeks, and Laughter had to be aboard it.She was forced to bulldoze them using her impeccable credentials, to the point of minimizing her excellent team’s work on the LLDC.It sucked to do so.She held her fellow engineers in the highest regard.
She’d made some headway with Rorix.It was obvious she’d impressed him despite his issues in having her as the Coydidak’s long-distance com systems officer.
The third man sitting across from her at the large conference table posed no problem.Imdiko Negal was the sole source of warmth of the trio conducting the interview.His function as a member of the Coydidak was head of their finances.She had no idea why he was involved in the hiring process.The Kalquorian Empire was supplying the LLDC system free of charge and fronting the funds Laughter would receive as a member of the mission as long as spending money was necessary,
Negal’s questions had been of a more familiar nature as he’d leaned toward her wearing his friendly expression.He’d queried her about her hobbies, if any friends or family were also applying to join the expedition, and if she felt endangered by going to unknown and potentially hostile territory.He was perhaps too familiar, also inquiring about any relationships she’d had and her thoughts on how Earthers were regarded as rather repressed.
“I ask since the rest of us tend to be quite casual when it comes to our...social encounters,” he’d added, smirking.
“I’m not a prude, but I’m not as casual perhaps you’re used to,” Laughter had shot back.“I prefer to be impressed, and my standards are exceptionally high.”
She was grateful she hadn’t worn anything lowcut in an attempt to disarm them.She’d believed this would be the one time her intellect could stand on its own.Not only was she happy to fend off the Imdiko’s overt interest, but it was clear Rorix and Signis would have assumed she was using her body to gain an edge.
Negal hadn’t lost any of his warmth in the wake of her rebuke.In fact, his demeanor revealed his interest had sharpened.Nonetheless, he hadn’t spoken again.
On the heels of her assessment of her input on the LLDC system, Signis frowned at his computer.Laughter had the feeling he’d have preferred to aim his grouchy mug at her.
All she’d seen from the Nobek was coldness.A part of her, the miniscule piece not wishing for a baseball bat to knock the bigotry out of his head and make room for sense, ruminated on how stupidly handsome he was and wondered what his smile would look like.
They’re all handsome, the bastards.This is probably karma punishing me for the habit of using my figure to distract the assholes who have the power.The idea amused her.
She wasn’t amused when Signis finally eyed her again, his strong features composed.“Thank you for coming in, Matara Lorenz.We’ll let you know our decision in a day or two.”
She blinked at him, momentarily stupefied.Sure, she’d known he and Rorix were searching for any reason to reject her, but she hadn’t given them any.Of that, she was certain.
“Excuse me?Who could possibly be a better choice for this mission than the person who actually designed the LLDC system?”she demanded.
