«She was right, though, wasn't she? You two were made for each other.»

«Yes, damn her, she was right. But that guilt always made me wonder.»

• • •

It was called the Torreya Memorial Clinic, a mansion sitting astride the foothills above Kariwak. Long since converted from a private residence, its main wings provided free health care for the city's poor. Of course, such charity was expensive, so the foundation which ran it also provided first-class treatment for those who could afford it. As well as standard medical facilities there was an excellent rejuvenation centre, and for those who wished to give their offspring the best start in life, a geneering department.

Eason waited for Dr Kengai to complete his credit checks, remembering the last time he was in an office, facing down agent Tenvis. The doctor had a much better view over Kariwak than the old Kulu Embassy provided. Although the city was much the same size as it had been a century ago, he was disappointed to see the number of skyscrapers that had sprung up. The sequoias were still there along the central boulevard, and prospering, tall green spires waving gently high above the clutter of white buildings.

«Your financial status appears quite impeccable, Mr Eason,» Dr Kengai said happily.

Eason grinned back with equal sincerity. «Thank you. And you'll have no trouble providing the service I want?»

«A parthenogenetic clone is a relatively straightforward procedure. It poses no difficulty.»

«Good.» He unclipped the silver chain around his neck, and handed over the locket. «Is there sufficient genetic material here?»

Dr Kengai removed the tuft of gold-auburn hair it contained. «You could reproduce several million of her from this.» He teased a single strand loose, and returned the locket.

«I only want one,» Eason said.

«I understand you don't intend to raise the girl yourself?»

«That is correct. I'm going to be away travelling again for a few more years, my ride isn't quite finished.»

«Unfortunately, we do have to reassure ourselves that the child will have a viable home to go to once she is removed from the exowomb. The clinic is not in the business of producing orphans.»

«Don't worry. My lawyer is currently seeking a suitable set of foster parents. A trust fund will pay for her to be brought up out in the archipelago for seventeen years.»

«Then what will happen to her?»

«I'll come back, and she'll marry me. That's when she loves me, you see.»

Timeline

2550 - Mars declared habitable by terraforming office.

2580 - Dorado asteroids discovered around Tunja, claimed by both Garissa and Omuta.

2581 - Omutan mercenary fleet drops twelve antimatter planet-busters on Garissa, planet rendered uninhabitable. Confederation imposes thirty-year sanction against Omuta, prohibiting any interstellar trade or transport. Blockade enforced by Confederation Navy.

2582 - Colony established on Lalonde.

Sonora Asteroid, 2586

Escape Route

Marcus Calvert glanced at the figures displayed on the account block, and tried not to make his relief too obvious. The young waitress wasn't so diplomatic when she read the amount he'd shunted over from his Jovian Bank credit disk and saw he hadn't included a tip. She turned briskly and headed back to the Lomaz bar, heels clicking their disapproval on the metal decking.