Page 12 of Accounting for Taste

“You don’t want to stay here on Aten?Ra can arrange it.”

“I have made a home of sorts here.It is now my world.I know the people, the infrastructure, and where to find my favourite meals.That is all I can imagine for now.”

Her internal screen lit up.“I have been granted my leave.I will be ready when the warship arrives.”

“It will be there in two days.”

“I should bring Jasmine a gift.”

“You have time to shop.”

“Yes.Thank you.I...oh...Wenvari is asking for a meeting.”

Harwin smiled.“Then, go and take the meeting.”

“I have to check a map.I don’t know where he is.”

“So, you have never met him.”

“No.I got my assignment and got to work.This is the first I have heard from him.”She looked at herself.“I will see you soon, I suppose.”

Harwin grinned.“I will let Jasmine know you are coming.Do you mind if we run some tests on you?”

“As long as the result doesn’t diminish my operating ability, that will be fine.”

“Nice.Okay, I will see you in a week or so.”

“That fast?”

“Zell’s people are annoying, but his ships are fast.Really fast.”

“Why annoying?”

“They don’t display affection or show interest in anything but art, science, or Zell.”

“Oh.That is probably unpleasant for anyone new.”

“His consort thinks so.He’s coming around, but it is a process.” Harwin nodded.“Right.I will talk to you when you are on the ship.If I can manage it, Jasmine will be with me.”

“That will be nice.”

“May we access your medical records?”

“Of course.The scan with the metal through my skull is fascinating.”She twitched the corners of her mouth.She sent the data packet to Aten.

“Oh, wow.There it is.Oh, my god.” Harwin stared at her second screen.

“Yeah.Very photogenic.I have to go speak to the overlord.This is strange.It is the first time he has asked to see me.”

“It is because Ra contacted him.Sorry.”

“See you soon.”She disconnected the call and got up after seeking the map to the overlord’s quarters.She broke through a few firewalls, but she found it and walked out of her office and into the hallway.Reem looked left and right, and then she located the lift.She walked to the lift and pressed her hand on the panel.The doors opened.She entered, and the doors closed behind her.She pressed her hand to the interior panel, and the unit began to rise.It knew where she was going.

She remained still as the lift continued to climb, and when it was near the highest level, it slowed, and the doors opened when it stopped.

Reem walked forward and looked around.The air was rich and warm.She smelled trees and flowers, soil and sunlight.She sighed.It smelled like home.

She walked the path that led through an arboretum worth of plants and trees until the light dazzled her and an arched window let the suns sparkle into the space where there was a central desk and the room was filled with work benches and plants.The Hmrain had a green thumb.

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