“You will not,” the old man snapped. Cesca rapidly saw how the discussion would degenerate. EA came to Bram’s bed and straightened his blankets, but he slapped away the compy’s ministrations.

“Someone has to fight the enemies that murdered my brother.” Tasia drew a deep breath. Cesca knew the girl was brash and impetuous, but very talented.

“Cool down, Tasia,” Jess said quietly. “Your duty is to the family, and we need you here.”

“No you don’t. I haven’t done anything important with the waterworks in years. My uncles handle all the business that you don’t take care of yourself.” Tasia continued in a more reasonable tone. “Shizz, Dad, you know how versatile I am. I’m a crack pilot, and I can fix and fly plenty of ship models. The Eddies would take me in a second, maybe even put me on the fast track to being an officer.”

“And they’d never release you in a million years,” Bram said, his voice raspy. “Now stop this foolishness.”

Cesca remembered a few arguments with her own father when he’d left her on Rendezvous, and she knew that old Bram was taking exactly the wrong approach with his daughter. When younger, Cesca had been forced to travel around on the Peroni clan’s trading ships for years before her father finally installed her on Rendezvous to study under Jhy Okiah. Cesca had resented it at first, but soon grew to realize that her father was right.

Tasia, though, would not come to that realization any time soon … and Cesca wasn’t sure that Bram’s position was correct, even so. The Roamers had always considered diverse competence to be a valuable commodity. Tasia was bright and had studied well. Her many skills would have made the girl a sought-after marriage prospect, a strong addition to any clan. Those qualities would make her even more valuable to the Earth Defense Forces.

“You don’t owe any loyalty to Earth, Tasia, and you know the Eddies have no love for Roamers,” Cesca said. “Don’t forget, one of their patrols captured and killed Rand Sorengaard.”

“Rand Sorengaard was a pirate,” Tasia said. “I don’t care if he was your cousin. He murdered people and he stole ships. Don’t make him out to be some great Roamer hero.”

When Jess spoke, Cesca could hear anger in his voice. “Tasia, look at Dad. He’s in no shape to handle the water operations.”

“I’m fine,” the old man snapped.

“No, you’re not,” Cesca and Jess said in comical unison.

“You’re my little sister. I’ve already lost Ross, and I don’t want to lose you, too.”

“Would it be better to lose the war? Those crystal ships struck down Ross’s skymine and a Goose research station with no warning and no mercy. They don’t care about our squabbles.”