The Insurrection

Fio

"No, Mister Sanders? Then what is?" "She also," Sanders said simply, "had a very lively sense of humor." "Well, Lad," Tatiana raised her glass to Ladislaus as Prometheus' drives hurled the liner outward, "God knows how, but you did it. Even when I thought we'd never make it, you always hung on and kicked us in the backside till we made it work." She shook her head wryly, and Ladislaus smiled at her gently, leaning back in his chair and savoring the sensation of completion. It was not an unalloyed pleasure, but it was a vast relief.

"They're throwing a party in the Captain's Ballroom, Lad," Tatiana said wi

"Sort of a rehearsal for the victo ball. Why don't you come?"

"No, lass." Ladilaus shook his head. "It's tired I am. I'll be staying here, I'm thinking. Here with my thoughts." "All right, Lad." She accepted defeat and pecked him lightly on the cheek. "Get some rest -comy've earned it." She started for the door then paused, looking back.

Ladislaus waved his hand above the lighting control, dimming the cabin to comfortable twilight, and pulled a battered tri-di from his pocket. The fiat representation was less perfect than a holo cube, but there was no mistaking the very young red-haired woman who stood laughing on the deck of a sloop with an equally young Ladislaus. He studied the print for long, silent moments, his smile bittersweet, then shook his head.

"Aye, Tatiana, I did it," he whispered, and lifted the tri-di until the faint light fell on Fio

Jason sat beside her, beaming at their guest with a smile Magda knew was far more inebriated than he was as the tiny, immaculately-uniformed woman raised the glass in shaky fingers and studied it owlishly.

"I," Fleet Admiral Li Hah, Second Space Lord of the Terran Republic's Admiralty, said with great precision, "am drunk.

I have never been drunk before." "I know." Magda watched her drain the glass.

As soon as Hah set it down, she filled it again.

"I think you pla

"Hush, Ham" Magda said. "Why would I do a thing like that?" "Because," Han said carefully, "you think it's a good idea." She hiccuped solemnly. "You think I've been holding things inside too long, don't you--was she paused and gripped the edge of the table, eyes widening as her chair moved beneath her his-commy round-eyed friend?" "Maybe, Han." "Well, it happens," Han said very slowly, "that you're quite perceptive for a round-eye." Her expression remained relaxed, but a large tear welled in each eye, sparkling on her lashes. "Have been holding it in," she went on vaguely. "Been holding it in ever since Cimmaron, I think." She blinked at her friends through her tears, and her face began to crumple at last.

She drew a deep breath. "All those peopledead. But not me. Fu

"They're all dead, but I'm alive. Me, the silly bitch who got them all killed. All. those... people.. "her voice broke in a sob of pain. "Chang. Chung-hui. All of them.., because I couldn't do my job..." "Han, Hah!" Magda hurried around the table and put her free arm around the slim shoulders, cradling the weeping woman against her. "fhat's not true! You know it isn'fi" "It stsi" Han wailed, her voice desolate as the deeps between the stars.

"It isn't," Magda repeated gently, "but you had to say it. You had to to et it out and face it so you can go on with your life. Remember them, Han, but don't let the pddast keep you from reaching out to the future." "What future?" Han demanded bitterly. "There isn't any future!" "Of course there is!" Magda laughed softly and pushed her daughter into her friend's arms. Han's grip tightened instinctively, and she blinked down into the small face. Dark eyes stared back up at her, and she smiled tremulously. "You see, Han?" Magda asked gently. "lhere's always a future, isn't there?" "Yes," Han whispered, hugging her goddaughter tightly.

For Sonja Desai it was something more--coma farewell visit to the only three men in the Rim who knew she had a heart. She was returning to the Federation.

"Yes," she'd confirmed, seeing their thunlerstruck faces. "The Federation--and this Terran-Orion "Pan-Sentient Union"--recognizes all the field promotions conferred out here, and they say they want me." Her expression had turned uncharacteristically gentle. She'd actually smiled slightly. "And I've gotten homesick for Nova Terra. Besides--was she'd broken off and waved one hand in a curiously vulnerable little gesture. Now her eyes met Sandoval's, and he, for once, knew when no words were needed.

The air in the chamber deep below the Prescott City Medical Center was so cold it seemed brittle. A thin film of frost covered the enclosed, coffin-like tank in the center of the room with its attendant machinery. The door slid open, and Miriam Ortega entered, heavily cloaked against the. chill she did not feel. She walked to the tank, andfora long, long time stood motionless and unspeaking, her breath white puffs of condensation in the air. After a moment, the tears no one had been allowed to see began finding their way down her cheeks, very slowly in the cold. But the silent communion was unbroken. Finally, she extended a slightly trembling right hand and gently touched the cover of the tank with her fingertips. Only then did she draw a shaken breath and speak in a very quiet, steady voice. "Ian, this morning I gaveled to order the constitutional convention of the Rim Federation, Forgive me." She withdrew her hand slowly, leaving five streaks in the rime. Tiny drops trickled slowly down them, glittering like tears in the cold, still air. After a moment, she took another deep breath, squared her shoulders, turned, and to eft the chamber.

By the time the door closed, silently condensing moisture had already begun to cover the tiny streaks.

The End

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