Free Ambasadora (Book 1 of Ambasadora) by Heidi Ruby Miller

around to using it all of these years? Or even within the months
since I got here?”
    Sean jumped in again. “What
about all the rerouting? We’re expected to change all of our schedules to
accommodate her shopping trips and parties.”
    “That’s not true.”
    “So, we’re not
rerouting?” Sean asked.
    Sean was shrewd. He knew the
answer already because he had confronted David about that very issue yesterday.
Now, he wanted the rest of the passengers to hear it.
    “We’re tweaking the schedule
like we would for any of the rest of you, and not for shopping trips. She’s
new. We can be a little accommodating.”
    Sean was relentless. “And
what about the next passenger they saddle us with? Because you know this is
just the beginning unless we show the Embassy we can’t accommodate any
more bodies on board. And, why would Prollixer want the Bard to carry a
diplomat anyway? Doesn’t make sense.” Sean’s features softened when
Solimar Robbins came through the door next to him and placed her palm against
his chest in greeting.
    The mocha-skinned woman looked
every centimeter an Upper female in her navy, shape-hugging dress. She paused
in front of Sean, while he returned her greeting with a kiss to her forehead.
For someone who was supposedly so anti-establishment, the mech tech still followed
the dictates of polite society, even in the heat of an argument.
    An argument that was a waste
of time . David ran his hand over his face.
    Sean, paranoid doser that he was,
acted as though the ambasadora’s presence was a personal affront to him, so had
asked these questions on a daily basis since word came down from the Embassy
last month. Now he wanted one more open forum.
    To keep that from happening,
David said the same thing he had before. “It doesn’t matter why .
The Embassy owns the Bard . They say so, we do so.”
    “Then Sean’s right?”
Geir asked, before taking a forkful of the casserole he and Mari had whipped up
for lunch.
    “About what?” David
asked.
    “That the Embassy can force
anyone or anything on us at any time and we have no say about it,” Sean
said. “How can that be okay with you?”
    David looked around for support.
Nothing. Just a bunch of metal utensils dinging against finely crafted
dinnerware.
    “It’s a simple
concept,” he said to no one in particular. “Yet, I’m the only one
getting it.”
    Apparently not caring about why was blasphemy to a group of scientists. He would be glad to get off this frigid
ship and visit the Hub today.
    “I’d like to think of this
as an opportunity.” Kenon Brudger spoke up.
    David was pleasantly surprised;
the foppish geological observer disagreed with David almost as often as Sean
did.
    “Finally a man of
reason,” David said.
    Mari sniffed.
    “Opportunity for you to snag
a new amour, you mean,” Sean said.
    “If she finds me appealing,
I would welcome her,” Kenon said.
    “Right into your bed.”
Geir slapped Kenon on the back, nearly sending the slight-framed man sliding
out of his chair.
    As Kenon complained of a bruised
shoulder and indigestion, Sean slammed his palms on the table. Dishes jumped up
and landed with a crash.
    David’s hands balled into fists.
    “Easy, Sean. I feel like you
do,” Mari said. She reached a hand out and touched his arm. David didn’t
like it, but he kept his calm. He believed Sean when he said he and Mari were
only friends, but they had a history together that needled at David.
    “Can’t the rest of you see
it’s just a way for the Embassy to control our independent operations
here?” Sean asked.
    Geir laughed and wrapped a dark
arm around Sean’s shoulders. “That’s our Sean. Always thinking too
much.”
    “Always paranoid,”
David said.
    “Some of you aren’t thinking
enough.” Sean pushed off the dining table. “Kenon, transport leaves
in three minutes, with or without you.”
    Part of David wanted to follow
Sean out of the room and settle this once and for all, but mostly he was