Transformation Space - Marianne de Pierres [17]
He stole a glance at her face.
Her expression didn’t change. ‘And that would mean?’
He felt relief and disappointment. What had he hoped for? Jealousy? Possessiveness?
Fariss saw his expression and laughed. ‘My rules are simple, pretty one. When I want your attention, I get it. And don’t you ever lie to me. Lying gets people dead.’ She poked him with her toe. ‘Got it?’
He nodded slowly. ‘So you don’t mind that I’m married.’
She shrugged and pressed her foot against his groin. ‘Nope. Do what you have to do, Thales. If it gets to the stage where we need to be exclusive, you’ll know.’ She grinned, and her face lit with magnificent energy. ‘I’ll make sure you do.’
Mixed reactions caught him again. He didn’t know how he felt about his wife any more, yet he knew he didn’t want to share Fariss with anyone. ‘Does the same apply for me?’
His question threw her off balance for the merest blink. Then she laughed again. ‘Make your own rules, but be sure to tell me what they are. I’d like to know when I’m breaking them.’
He smiled at her. ‘I have to go to the buccal and talk to Rene. I’ll come back here then.’
Fariss pushed him playfully off the bunk. ‘Hurry up. I’ll be waiting.’
Mira Fedor was in Primo vein when he reached the buccal. ‘Give Insignia the contact protocols,’ she instructed.
The pair sat in silence while the biozoon attempted to make contact with Rene Mianos.
‘Would you prefer privacy?’ Mira asked eventually.
Thales hesitated. ‘Perhaps, at the end. If you would be so kind.’
‘Of course. Insignia tells me that Rene Mianos has accepted your ’cast request.’
Thales sat straighter and touched his scarred face. Would his wife even recognise him? ‘Visual display, please.’
The space above Primo resolved into the head and shoulders of a beautiful but languid woman.
‘Rene?’
She stared so long at him without recognition that Thales feared she would cancel the ’cast.
‘Rene, it’s Thales.’
‘You don’t look much like my husband,’ she said carefully. Quietly. ‘How would I know it’s you?’
‘So much has happened to me since I left Scolar. I would be pleased to tell you all of it, if you were disposed to meet me. But first, I have a matter of urgency. I’m travelling with a woman who has gone into premature labour and needs urgent medical attention.’
Rene seemed distant. ‘Even if you are my husband, why would you come to me with such a problem? Take the woman to a medic. Is the child yours?’
‘No.’ He struggled to keep the agitation from his voice. This subdued almost dull woman was not his sharp-minded wife. ‘Her circumstance … her condition … is complex and unusual. I believe she needs to go to the Mount Clement clinic.’
Rene frowned as if the conversation was an effort. ‘But the clinic is for specialised genetic research. It is not an antenatal facility.’
‘I know, Rene. You did some of your post-doctoral research there. You told me that they can accelerate cell growth. I believe they are the only ones who can save this woman’s baby.’
His knowledge of her past seemed to make her more alert. ‘Thales? Is it really you?’ The clarity of Insignia’s ’cast-imaging showed that her lips trembled.
Tears burned the back of his eyes. ‘Yes, dearest. Did you not see me speak at the summit meeting on Intel?’
‘I – I’ve been on retreat. I’ve heard things about the Post-Species and Consilience. But so much is rumour. The Sophos have instructed us not to heed the farcasts.’
‘Rene, please watch the feeds from the summit meeting. Verify that I spoke to the assembled leaders, including your father. We believe that a Post-Species invasion of OLOSS territories is imminent. Scolar must disengage its shift spheres soon or face annihilation. I must speak to the Sophos.’
She frowned. ‘But they will arrest you if you land.’
‘Will you help me convince them to give me an audience?’
Her pale fingers strayed to her lips