Page 25 of Agrippa's Acceptance

Amelagar liked that the human cared so much for Anutu. He’d always worried that she had a hard time on earth. She might act tough, but she had a soft inside.

“None of us can enslave the clone ships with the new hybrid, but you might be able to do it, you know this Anatu,” Amelagar told her.

Anatu scowled. “I don’t want to leave my human. That Cynthia human will move in and win him with her short dresses and ugly walk if I’m not here to guard him.”

The president’s shoulders shook. “I think I can resist the short dresses and ugly walk.”

“My human walk beautifully,” Balthazar said out of the blue and inappropriately as far as Amelagar was concerned. They didn’t see him bragging about how clever Agrippa was, did they? And if they were to be truthful, they would admit that Agrippa was exceptionally graceful.

The president ignored Balthazar’s boasting. Obviously focused on keeping Anutu on earth. “I am not convinced Anutu is necessary for this mission.”

“If the cloak stopped working, the mission’s success will depend on how fast it can be made to work again.”

“This mission might make all the difference in the coming battle,” Amelagar told Anutu.

Anatu clung to the president’s hand.

“We all know this is a long shot,” the president said. “I do not want my wife to be gone more than ten years for a long shot.”

“It may be, but we don’t have any shot without Anatu,” Balthazar insisted.

The President and Anatu exchanged a long look. There was so much emotion in that look, Amukkan felt like a spying clone. At last the president said, “we will get back to you on this. Good day gentlemen.”

Chapter Nineteen

Before Agrippa was ready for it, it was time to depart. Anatu and Sargeant Bjorn had clashed from the first. When she’d agreed to go on the mission, he’d insisted she do as much of the physical training as she could manage in the short time they had left before the start of their mission. He’d insisted close quarter combat might save their lives during the mission. “Mrs Davies, please report early for training tomorrow morning. You have to catch up with the others.”

Anatu had stared at the marine, said, “no.” Then she’d turned around and left.

From then on there had been an icy politeness from the sergeant while Anatu seemed blithely unaware of his hostility.

The hybrid ship they’d built stood in the hanger of the rising sun. They’d gone to a lot of trouble to remain undetected from any possible clone spy devices. At Tansyn’s insistence they had called the hybrid, Little Big Ship.

When they’d all gone to the mess hall for dinner a few nights ago, Tansyn had joined them. It was doubling as a meeting as well, but no one asked the little girl to leave.

Tansyn leaned toward Anatu. “Ship like you, you know.”

“I like the ship as well.” Anatu said politely.

“Of course he likes mommy best, because she tells the bestest stories.”

Agrippa stopped eating and looked at the little girl. “Did the ship tell you he likes stories?” Could she believe what such a young child was saying. She didn’t know of any ship doing talking like that before.

“Yes, and he really likes his name.”

“Do you talk to him a lot?”

“Yes, all the time. And I talk to Little Big Ship as well.”

“Little Big Ship?”

“The one you’ve been building that no one’s supposed to know obout.”

Everyone quickly looked around, but they were mercifully alone. The marines swore, Anatu looked interested and next to Agrippa, Amelagar tensed.

“How do you know about the new ship Tansyn.” Agrippa kept her voice low and friendly.

Tansyn looked put out. As if they missed the obvious. “Big Ship told me.”

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