Captivate (Manipulate, Book 2)

Chapter 30

“He sure is taking his time," Sam said, pushing his glasses up his nose. “It’s been more than twenty minutes.”

He and Nat and Basher waited in an alcove off the central shipping cavern, waiting for Senator Fontley to come down the elevator from his ship. Many ship berths had private lobbies and waiting areas, but the Human Coalition Committee didn’t have that kind of money to throw around. Senator Fontley had arrived in a small Spo ship with only his pilot.

Sam had confirmed the time they would be there to escort him to the embassy, but the Senator hadn’t made an appearance yet.

“He probably enjoys making us wait,” Sam added.

“Maybe he’s just reluctant to get off,” Nat said.

They’d heard through other channels that the Senator had expressed grave concerns about this trip and undoubtedly would have shoved it off onto someone else if he could have done so while avoiding political suicide. He was one of the most popular committee members on Earth… but if he appeared too afraid of aliens to represent humanity out in the galaxy, he would rapidly lose that popularity.

Finally the elevator descended and Fontley stepped out.

His face looked as camera-ready as Sam remembered, as if he’d just stepped away from his job as a news anchor.

He looked around quickly, and Sam wondered if he was looking for Shara, whom he despised. Sam and Nat had tactfully sent her away for a time, for just that reason. Basher hadn’t been sorry to see her go either. She was safely on a trip to visit the cadet facilities on the Spo planet and Sam envied her.

He tried unsuccessfully to inject welcome into his voice. “Senator Fontley, welcome to Selta.” He held out his hand and Fontley shook it perfunctorily. He was affable during his introduction to Basher and greeted Nat more warmly than he had treated her before, but his manner toward Sam was as cool as ever.

“Can I speak to Sam for a moment alone?” he asked. “Just give us a few moments.”

After Basher and Nat awkwardly retreated from the alcove, Fontley turned to him. “I would like to get a few things clear before we get to the embassy.”

“Of course.” Sam was pretty sure he knew what was coming.

“Now that I am here, I am the ranking representative of humanity. I expect you to behave with all respect and compliance during my stay.”

Sam’s jaw clenched. “That’s fair enough.”

“I am serious, young man. You have attained your position of authority through the merest chance, and I will not tolerate any disobedience. If I am not much mistaken, the treaty you so rashly thrust us into is on the brink of dissolution. If you attempt to undermine my decisions upon this point, I will have you sent to the penal colony on the moon until Earth is more stable.”

Sam raised his eyebrows. “I hardly think you will unilaterally be allowed to send me to prison, but,” he raised his hand as Fontley began to speak, “I understand what you’re saying. I will not attempt to undermine you during the remainder of the investigation and negotiations.”

***

Akemi could hear the words, and she could see Senator Fontley’s strained neck and bulging eyes from Sam’s point of view. Sam was taller than the senator, and Akemi was sure the smaller man resented the heck out of that, in addition to the other reasons he’d taken Sam in violent dislike.

Akemi thought Sam had answered him with great restraint so far, but the Senator clearly disagreed. He went off about his authority over Sam.

Sam’s temperature (which Akemi recorded through the glasses) was rising. “I won’t try to undermine you,” Sam said again, “but I do know a lot more about the Merith and the Spo than you do. You might think about that.”