Free Nomad by William Alexander

scientists. We act on what we know, and always know we might be wrong. I still need to try again, just as soon as Barnacle recovers from the last time. The ship is willing. The pilot is willing and even more eager. Test pilots are the same in any species, I guess. They love to strap themselves into something that might explode, just to do what no one’s ever done before.”
    â€œA family of scientists?” Gabe asked. “So you do have family back home?”
    â€œNo,” Nadia said. That word was a key, and she used it to lock all the doors and windows of herself.
    Gabe quickly changed the subject back again. “So we need to accomplish various things that no one has ever done. Okay. Sure. How can I help?”
    Nadia smiled wide. “You are an ambassador. You can play along. Others are likely to scorn a secret hope. Others would be quick to say ‘No, that’s just stupid.’ But ambassadors can run with unfamiliar games. Ambassadors know how to play.”
    Gabe let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. For the very first time since his very first Embassy visit, Gabriel Sandro Fuentes didn’t feel like an outsider. “So what’s the next part of the game plan?”
    â€œWe may yet learn how to travel through the lanes,” said Kaen. “If we can do that, we can outrun the Outlast. We can negate their advantage. Maybe we can find a way to slow that advantage or remove it entirely. Other civilizations have studied the lanes—Sapi’s people most of all.”
    â€œSapi lives on the other side of the galaxy,” Gabe said. “The Outlast frontier hasn’t moved nearly that far.”
    â€œThey don’t study Machinae to defend themselves from the Outlast,” said Kaen. “They study the lanes and the Machinae because they’re curious. But her people will also have to worry about the Outlast eventually .”
    â€œOkay,” Gabe said. “So you’re going to talk to Sapi, and I can help by asking around and finding other ambassadors who might know about the lanes.”
    â€œNo,” Kaen said. “You can help by coming with me and keeping quiet. Meet me at the lakeshore. Don’t speak to anyone else before you find me there.”
    Gabe understood. He felt like an outsider again.
    â€œThe captains think I might do something stupid and dangerous,” he said. “They told you to watch me in the Chancery.”
    â€œYes,” said Kaen.
    Silence. Nadia broke it with a yawn. “I’m not sure what sort of sleep cycle you’ve got yourselves on, but it’s bedtime for me.”
    â€œI’m a little bit exhausted,” Gabe admitted.
    â€œI’m not,” said Kaen, “but this is a good time for an Embassy visit.”
    â€œThen off to the dorm rooms we go.” Nadia stood. “I’ll lead the way. I need the practice.”
    Gabe woke up the Envoy, who scootched groggily alongside. They all followed Nadia as she made clicking noises to navigate windowless hallways and passages.
    She brought them to a small room with polished metal furniture and narrow sleeping nooks set into the walls—efficient storage shelves for sleeping people. TheEnvoy ignored the nooks, rolled into a corner, and stayed there. Chocolate sloshed sleepily inside it. Kaen chose a nook near the ceiling and climbed in.
    â€œThis is your room too?” Gabe asked.
    â€œIt is now,” she said. “Doesn’t matter. They’re mostly alike. And as current ambassadors—plus one former ambassador—we don’t have to share rooms with any other academy students. Meet me at the Chancery lakeshore. Don’t talk to anyone else.”
    â€œI heard you the first time.” He tried to keep his voice neutral, but resentment still crept in.
    Kaen didn’t answer. She already slept.
    â€œThat was quick,” Gabe said quietly.
    Nadia sat in one of the metal chairs and took off her