Last Night on Union Station by E. M. Foner

Author:E. M. Foner [Foner, E. M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Foner Books
Published: 2019-02-03T05:00:00+00:00

Twelve

“You must have started practicing again,” Ailia complimented Samuel after their first dance. “The last time we visited together I thought your hologram was going to step on my toes.”

“It’s my co-op job. The ambassador makes me dance with all of the unescorted Vergallian women who come to embassy dinners. My starting times for work are all over the place since our clocks don’t match, but she usually doesn’t even want me coming in until mid-afternoon on their time.”

“Most formal balls in the Empire don’t begin until long after the farmers are in bed. Vergallian royalty are expected to keep late hours. Shall we try a new ballroom piece?”

Samuel nodded in the direction of the supposed robot toy supplied by Jeeves which made their cross-galactic visits possible. He stepped towards her hologram and assumed the classic starting position. The modified magnetic flight suits from the Physics Ride they both wore provided tactile feedback that made the holograms feel real.

“Yellow Star Memories,” the princess announced. Music swelled from their quantum-coupled bots, and for the next eight minutes, the pair traced the complicated figures of the dance, Samuel in his bedroom, and Ailia hundreds of light years away in her study.

“How did I do?”

“You really have returned to form. I can’t say I blame Vivian for losing interest in Vergallian dancing after the way you were treated at the competitions, but it would be a shame to give it up altogether after you’re married.”

“We went to a party last cycle and I caught her doing the steps a few times,” Samuel said. “I think when she’s a bit older she’ll miss it enough to start again.”

“In the meantime, we can thank my father’s cousin for paying you to practice,” Ailia teased him.

“Ambassador Aainda treats me really well and my mom says she’s been helping EarthCent on the sly. It’s too bad they can’t visit you without risking political consequences. I thought I understood how complicated your situation was, but you’ve been holding back on me,” Samuel added in an accusatory tone.

“I didn’t want you to worry for no reason. Baylit has proved more than equal to foiling the plots contrived by the Imperial faction.” Ailia gave a wry smile and let out a sigh. “I just wish I could see my cousins. My half-sister is the only member of the family I’ve ever met.”

“Do you want me to introduce you to Aabina?”

“It’s too risky. Somebody might see her going into your house.”

“But she’s already here,” Samuel said. “My mom found out that speech writing is part of Vergallian royal training and she didn’t want Aabina helping her at the embassy because she’s afraid it’s bugged.”

“Your old ice harvester is more secure than the embassy?”

“I think Jeeves cheats and takes care of it for us. He’s over here all the time, and the dogs have a nose for surveillance technology as well.”

From his guard position sprawled in the doorway, Beowulf nodded his agreement.

“If your mother won’t mind your stealing her ghostwriter for a few minutes, I’d love to meet Aabina.

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