As she did, someone announced, “Board Supervisor Kalico Aguila.”

The men, women, and children rose respectfully to their feet; many stood with lowered eyes and their hands held before them. All were silent, unmoving. The solemnity was only marred by one of the infants who made a “whaaaaa” sound.

The gesture of respect took Kalico by surprise. It amused her that she’d been on Donovan for so long that a display of Corporate protocol seemed alien. Made her uneasy.

But then, the Maritime Unit had only been in Port Authority for a few days before flying out to the Pod. Hardly enough time for the corrosive libertarian ethic of the place to dissolve their lifelong training. In addition, while they’d been in PA, they’d been boarded in the Corporate Mine barracks; their exposure to the rowdy locals had been limited and supervised.

“Thank you,” Kalico strode across to the head table where Hailwood and Shinwua stood to either side. “Please, be seated.”

As they lowered themselves into chairs, the parents shushed the children, tried to explain that they couldn’t talk, Kalico took her place. Standing behind the table—Hailwood and Shinwua seated themselves at either side—she said, “I apologize for taking so long to make the journey out here. Events on the mainland precluded any opportunity to get away.”

“We’ve heard,” Hailwood said soberly. “At least what we could garner through chatter on the radio. It is especially welcoming that you survived the Unreconciled. Had they all perished, none of us would have shed a tear. Nice to have you back in one piece from the forest and the man-eaters. Your safety was paramount in our thoughts.”

Good, the woman had recovered her poise.

“That’s Donovan for you,” she said wryly. “But I do thank you for your kind wishes.”

Kalico gestured to indicate the surrounding room. “You have done wonders here. I sincerely appreciate the hard work and dedication. The Pod is a remarkable piece of equipment, and it’s a delight to walk down a hallway again where all the lights work. After my last years at Corporate Mine, and your long confinement aboard Ashanti, we can all rejoice in the words ‘clean’ and ‘functional’ coming together in the same sentence.”

She got laughter out of that. Could read their skepticism.

“Seriously, it’s nice to step back into the twenty-second century. Take good care of this place. It may be all that you’ve got for a long time to come.”