Page 11 of Accounting for Taste

“Did Nebel make your implant?”

“No.This was made by...I don’t know.It was improvised.Is Jasmine there?”

“I will tell her.Will you come to Aten?I am sure she would love to see you.”

“When she confirms that she will, I will ask for leave from my world.”

“Who is your Hmrain?”

“The planet owner is Wenvari.”

“You aren’t in a relationship?”

“No.I have not even met him or her.”

“Wait, so you have just been running the colony?”

“Since the day I arrived, with occasional days off.”

“Wow.Okay.I will get Ra to force Wenvari to let you visit.”

“I will send a request to travel there.I have no means of travel, though.”

The gold woman paused and smiled.“We have visitors on the way.They are passing through your system.They will bring you.It is a Zell warship.”

“I see.I have sent the request for a month off for travel and visiting family.”

“I will tell Jasmine that you are coming, and Ra will make the arrangements for your travel.”

“Why would the eldest Hmrain make the effort?”

“Because he likes to keep me happy, and bringing families together makes me happy.”

“I will not be staying.I do not belong on a colony world.”

“Fine, but you will come for a visit?”

“I will.”

“You seem very calm for someone who just got connected with a long-lost relative.”

“I am always calm.The sheet metal cut through my emotional centre.This is me now.”

The woman gasped.“No way.”

“Way.What is your name, by the way?”She already had it on her internal screen, but she liked people to tell her what they thought she should hear.

“Harwin, Queen of Aten, Consort of Ra.Best friend of Kris, Consort of Essan.”

“Ah.Well, I am Reem, Comptroller of Wenavik.”

“Pleased to meet you, Reem.What kind of terminal are you using?”

“My head.You can see me talking because I put a mirror on my desk, so you are seeing what I am seeing.”

“Holy, so you are a walking com.”

“When I want to be.I have filed my request for a month off, the beginning to coincide with the arrival of the Zell ship.”

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