Free Offspring by Steven Harper Page B

formality.
    “Did a bloke named Tel Brace contact you?” he asked. “From Lightspeed Games?”
    “Yeah, a few days ago. I was going to call you about it, but I got busy. I laughed my ass off over the hologram.”
    “Is the hologram in the room with you?” Kendi asked.
    “Nope.”
    “Good. Listen—don’t agree to anything quite yet.”
    “Why not? I could use the money, Kendi. My stipend doesn’t go as far as it used to these days, if you know what I mean.”
    Kendi knew what she meant. Gretchen had been Silenced during the Despair. It flashed across Kendi’s mind to offer her some money to tide her over, an idea he just as quickly discarded. Such an offer would only transform Gretchen from a proud woman into an angry one.
    “Just hold off a few more days,” Kendi said instead. “It’ll be worth your while, I promise.”
    Gretchen eyed him suspiciously from the viewscreen. “All right,” she said at last. “A few more days. And you owe me dinner. One just like Ara used to buy.”
    “Done,” Kendi grinned. “I’ll catch you later, then.”
    They signed off. Kendi retrieved the Ben hologram, sat down at his desk, and searched his computer for a single sound file. He activated it, and the soft sound of a computer alert chimed through the room.
    “Father Kendi,” Kendi said, pretending to answer a call that came in over his earpiece instead of on the viewscreen. He paused. “Hey, love. Yeah, I’ll probably be home early. Look, I’m glad you called. I’ve been looking at the cost of adding a nursery, and I’m thinking we should accept that offer from Lightspeed Games. It’ll more than pay for the new room, and they’ll get us the money quick. Heaven knows we need the cash. Yeah. Okay, I’ll see you in a while.”
    He tapped his earpiece again, this time for real. “Tel Brace.”
    Brace came on almost immediately. Kendi could have called him on the viewscreen, but he didn’t feel like seeing the man’s grinning face.
    “What can I do for you, Father?” Brace asked in Kendi’s ear, and Kendi imagined him rubbing his hands together in anticipation of a multi-million freemark contract.
    “Mr. Brace, I’ve given your offer considerable thought, and I’d like to discuss it in more detail. Could we meet in my office at, say, two o’clock?”
    “Let me check my appointments.” Brace made a small clucking noise with his tongue. “I’m afraid two doesn’t work for me. Three?”
    “Three is fine,” Kendi agreed. “I’ll see you then.”
    Kendi disconnected and gave Brace a few more flim-flam points for controlling the time of the meeting and thereby reducing Kendi from autocrat to supplicant. The extra hour was supposed to give Kendi time to worry something had gone wrong with the deal.
    A knock sounded at the door and Kendi shouted permission to enter. A man and a woman came in. The woman was possessed of a head-turning beauty, with fine features and wide, dark eyes. The man bore a strong resemblance to Kendi. His body was a little thicker and gray streaked his hair, but anyone seeing them together would have known they were related. Keith and Martina Weaver, Kendi’s older brother and younger sister.
    “Keith needs a change of scene,” Martina announced, “so we’re kidnapping you for an early lunch.”
    “I don’t need a change of scene,” Keith muttered. “I’m fine.”
    “People who sit around in dark rooms all day don’t get to say they’re fine,” Martina said firmly. “I’ve lived on Bellerophon for three weeks now, and I’ve yet to have eaten in a Ched-Balaar restaurant. How about you show us one, Kendi?”
    “Sure.” Kendi pushed the Ben hologram into a drawer. “I know just the place.”
    Martina linked arms with Keith and all but dragged him out of Kendi’s office. Kendi followed, watching Keith’s slumping posture from behind. Kendi pursed his lips. He didn’t like this development with Keith. Kendi, Ben, and a team of Children had yanked Keith and Martina