Page 21 of Escape Velocity

Instead of objection, she asked, “If the station is outside Confederation control, who built it? How did it get here?”

“It was constructed about fifty years ago as part of a Federation plan to monitor Danalon communications. But the workers took it over, kicked the Feds out, and renamed it the SS Freedom.”

Amber tapped her knuckle against her lips. “Didn’t the . . . soldiers from the Federation have more firepower than a bunch of workmen?”

“Of course, but using it could have destroyed the station. They let it go, and maybe they decided that it could draw off bad actors.”

“Bad actors?”

“Criminals.”

She did not understand it all, but she got the idea.

“We need to talk about your story.”

“My story?”

“Yes. Why are you here and why do you need a new identity?”

“I suppose you are going to tell me.”

“Yeah. When Danalon was first colonized, some of the settlers saw the new planet as an opportunity to separate themselves from Confederation rule and form their own society. Not long after they landed, they stole some of the supplies earmarked for getting the city established and disappeared into the swamps east of the city. The Feds tried to round them up, but there were too many places to hide, and the government decided not to expend resources on the effort. Their descendants still live there, and they bring various goods downriver to the city when they want to trade for things they can’t make. They sell animal pelts. Exotic foods and plants. But not all of them love their primitive existence. From time to time, some of the swamp rats jump ship and join the general population.”

“I am supposed to be one of them?”

“I’m thinking your mother escaped from a bad relationship and brought her daughter to the city because she didn’t want you falling into the same life she was forced to live. That would explain why you don’t have any kind of standard education.”

She felt a surge of admiration for his cunning. “You are good at making up stories.”

He acknowledged the observation with a twisted smile and continued, “She got both of you into the system shortly after she arrived. That explains why you weren’t registered at birth, then had your information updated every five years.”

“Okay.”

“You can use the name we picked—Amber. But you need a last name.” He looked thoughtful. “How about Tradeau?”

“Why that?”

“It’s fairly common in that population. I think it wouldn’t draw any special attention to you.”

Again, she agreed because she must bow to his superior knowledge of this society.

“We can set a course for the station.”

She followed him to the control room where he took the driver’s chair and she resumed the secondary position, although she had no idea how to fly the craft.

“How long will it take to get there?” she asked.

“Only a couple of hours. I was already heading in the general direction of Danalon.”

“And I’m going there dressed like this?” she asked.

He glanced at her and pursed his lips. “You look a little rough. But that’s probably okay.”

She studied her clothing. “You’re saying women on the space station dress like men?”

“Some do. Others like to look feminine. But if you look like that, it should help keep the guys from bothering you—I hope,” he added under his breath. His gaze turned inward. “We should do more to make you unattractive. Too bad your breasts aren’t smaller.”

“Why should they be smaller?”

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