“Ah,” Shig continued to smile benevolently, his squash still extended. “Alas, in Port Authority, no gain or obligation is implied. To offer a gift to a guest upon arrival is merely considered courtesy. The roots of the gesture are old, dating back to the origins of human society and symbolic of the establishment of goodwill. Much as I bid you welcome, and hope that your stay in Port Authority is enjoyable.”

“I don’t think enjoyment is on the IG’s list of pursuits here,” Talina announced.

Kalico added, “May I present Talina Perez? Tal takes care of security at Port Authority.”

“Pleasure,” Tal told him. If she was bothered by the sudden stares, the fixed attention of the Four, or even the quiver of Soukup’s lips when he really fixed on her face and eyes, she didn’t let it show past a slight narrowing of her large eyes.

“While you are with us,” Shig said matter-of-factly, “we will be delighted to answer any of your questions to the best of our ability. While Port Authority is an independent community . . .”

Kalico lost the rest when the military channel on her earpiece announced, “Supervisor? Abu Sassi, ma’am. We just had a fight with quetzals.”

“Where are you, Corporal?” Kalico bent her head, raising a hand to her earbud to hear better.

“Bout three klicks out, west of the aircar field. Damnest thing. Six of them. Hit us from front and rear. But for the armor? They’d have killed us all.”

“Which way are they headed?”

“Right toward town, ma’am. And moving like a chamois riding a rocket.”

“Roger that.”

Kalico ignored the rapt attention the IG and the Four fixed on her as she switched frequencies. “Two Spot? Quetzal alert. Six of them, three klicks west of the aircar field. Alert the farms. Prepare for a lockdown.”

“Got it!”

Even as he said it, the sirens went off. The people waiting at the gate to see the newcomers broke like scarlet fliers as they left at a run.

Talina headed for the shuttle where a crewman was standing in the open hatch, calling, “Either dust off and head for orbit, or get off, lock up, and get inside the gate! Quetzal alert!”

Kalico growled a curse under her breath. Shot Soukup a disgusted squint, and said, “Welcome to Donovan. Now, get your asses inside the wire. Now, people, move!”

Chapter 24

  24  

Falise took one last look around. Her crates, personal effects, and possessions had all been packed and sent to the shuttle while she had been in the Crew Mess eating her last meal aboard. Hard to believe, but these featureless walls had imprisoned her for the last nineteen months. The cabin almost looked spacious now that it was down to bare sialon and the built-in bed.