Thousands of solemn faces stared up at Faure. He kept his own face blank, suppressing the smile that wanted to break out at the thought of having the world's media focused on him. By his express order, this funeral service was being beamed to Moonbase, too.

Leaning on the teak podium, he began, "The cause of peace has seen many heroes, many men and women who have given their lives. Captain Jagath Munasinghe has joined their illustrious ranks…"

Before long, Faure was virtually snarling, "And why has this brilliant young officer met such an untimely death? Because a handful of renegades at Moonbase refuse to accept international law. Scientists and corporation billionaires want to live beyond the law in their secret base on the Moon. Captain Munasinghe was killed trying to enforce the law which they resist. They killed him,"

Doug watched Faure's performance from the bunk in his quarters, where his digital clock read 6:28 a.m. Even before Faure had completed his diatribe, Doug pressed the keypad at his bedside that activated the phone.

He started to ask for Jinny Anson, but heard himself say instead, "Edith Elgin, please."

He muted Faure's image on the smart wall. Edith's voice came through, but no picture.

"This is Edith Elgin," she said, as clearly as if she were signing off on a news report. At least I didn't wake her up, Doug thought.

"Doug Stavenger," said Doug. "Are you watching the funeral services?"

"Sure am. Faure's working himself to a stroke, looks like."

"He's blaming us for that Peacekeeper's death."

"What'd you expect? Munasinghe's handed him a great public relations club and Faure's going to beat you with it as hard as he can."

Feeling frustrated that he couldn't see her, Doug asked, "Well, what can we do about it?"

Edith immediately replied, "I've got the whole thing on a pair of chips."

"What?"

"I've checked both my cameras. They show what really happened."

Doug's surge of hope dampened quickly. "But the media have been ignoring us. Would they play your chips?"

Edith laughed. "Does a chimp eat bananas?"

"No, really," he said,'the media all seem to be on Faure's side."

Her voice grew more serious. "I'll take care of that."

"Can you?"

"If I can't, nobody can."

Despite himself, Doug had to smile at her self-confidence. Or was it just plain ego?

"Are you really a billionaire?" Edith asked.

"Me?"

"Faure said you're a billionaire. Is that true?"

With a puzzled blink, Doug replied, "I don't know. Maybe. I guess my mother is, certainly."

"Say, have you heard anything from her? Your mother, I mean?"

"No."

"Doesn't that worry you?"

Doug leaned back against his pillows. Suddenly he felt very tired of it all. "You know," he said to Edith, "I haven't even had the time to worry about her. But now that you mention it, yeah, I had thought she would've called by now."