Power Play - Anne McCaffrey [12]
Very shortly Yana discovered that things weren’t what they appeared to be on Gal Three. Residence permits, in the form of metal bracelets “to be worn at all times,” said Rentnor firmly, were immediately clamped around each wrist.
“Don’t even take them off when you shower,” Marmion added, taking hers from Rentnor and noting that Sally was already wearing one. “Loss can cause the most remarkable problems in getting about the facility.”
“You wouldn’t believe!” Bailey said, rolling his eyes and grinning at Bunny and Diego.
The last member of the welcoming committee wore an official-looking outfit, tailored to his spare figure, with collar tabs Yana didn’t recognize but which were sufficiently intricate enough to denote high rank. He was swarthy, with a close-shaven pate of black hair and an oddly asymmetrical countenance which made his large nose seem to divide the disparate sides. His black eyes were patient, and he had a slight lift to one corner of a wide mouth. Like a well-trained, or very polite, official, he waited until the initial exchange of introductions, news, and urgent messages had been accomplished before he stepped forward to take and kiss the hand Marmion held out to him.
“Oh, Commander, how good of you to take the time,” Marmion said, and then introduced Commander Nal an Hon. “I’ve told my friends to be very careful of their ID bracelets.”
“Indeed, a caution worth repeating frequently,” he said. Then he turned to the newcomers. “While the bracelets will admit you to every level but Nadir and Zenith, you would be wise not to explore, or you might find yourself missing a hand.”
Bunny gasped and protectively clasped her braceleted hand to her chest.
“Now, Nal, I won’t have you frightening my young friends simply because they’re dirtfoots,” Marmion said with a little reassuring laugh.
“It’s because they’re dirtfoots that I do,” he said with no apology, and caught Yana’s gaze, nodding to mean that his warning was for her as well. Yana raised an eyebrow at him. And to think that six months ago, she might have said something similarly preposterous to someone like herself, she thought.
“Having said that, I would be happy to escort your friends into Zenith Ring for the Tour.”
“How kind of you, Nal. When we’ve had time to settle in, I’ll take you up on that offer.” Marmion twinkled flirtatiously at the commander.
“Then I shall await your call, madame,” he said. With a courteous bow, he withdrew.
“And you will tell me what that was all about, won’t you, Rentnor, Cynthia?” Marmion demanded in an undertone, without a single sparkle of amusement.
“Hmmm. But it will take an hour or so, Marmie,” Cynthia said. “Meanwhile, let’s get to your suite.” She gave a little convulsive shudder. “It’s so open out here.”
Bailey and his cousin Charmion immediately moved to bracket Diego and Bunny. “We’ll lead on, Aunt Marmie,” Bailey said.
Yana had Sally on one side and Millard on the other, while Rentnor and Cynthia partnered Marmion as they made their way out of the docking bay. When the lock doors closed with a satisfactory clank, Cynthia uttered a little sigh of relief.
“Agoraphobic?” Yana asked Sally.
“Definitely. Her launch only has a viewscreen in the pilot’s compartment,” Sally said. “It can take you like that, you know.”
“I thank the stars that I don’t,” Yana replied. “You’ve been well, Millard?”
“Tolerably, thank you, Colonel Maddock-Shongili.”
“I’ve been Yana to you before, Millard,” Yana said repressively.
“I’m practicing, Yana,” Millard said with a mischievous grin that seemed out of place on his serious face.
“For what?”
“For making it very plain to even casual observers”—Millard paused significantly—“that you are not just a transient or insignificant dirtfooter!”
“Oh?” Yana asked, amused that he, too, had noticed. “And what do you suppose gives