Page 46 of A World Enough

“Would you like two rooms or…”

Brogan was surprised when Camber jumped in quickly. “Could we have adjoining rooms? So we can work on the map reading?”

“Of course. You can have my best suite, and feel free to order food and drinks from room service. You must be starving,” Ziggy said.

“Thank you, Zig. Could I have one more thing? Could you give us access to an RR room? I promised Brogan’s wolf a run outside.”

Ziggy stood up and theatrically kissed Camber’s hand. “You shall have my best room, with RR room attached.”

Brogan didn’t know what that meant, but Camber seemed happy. “Thank you, Ziggy,” Brogan said.

“I ask only one thing. That you both join me for dinner tomorrow night.”

“Ziggy, I’ve nothing like that to wear,” Camber said.

“Don’t worry. I’ll send some clothes up to you. I have your sizes from the scan we took as you arrived,” Ziggy said.

Camber stood on her tiptoes and kissed Ziggy’s cheek.

“On you go,” Ziggy said. “You’re to sleep and recharge. Our security is second to none. I’ll let you know if anyone comes through, looking for you.”

“Thanks again,” Brogan said.

Ziggy walked back to her office. Her most trusted member of staff, Rayne, was waiting for her in the corridor. Rayne had been with her from almost the beginning. They kept her counsel and helped everything in this business run smoothly.

Rayne presented as dark grey skinned and hairless. They had gifts that made Ziggy’s life so much easier, and helped the business run like clockwork, while Ziggy dealt with front of house.

“This was unexpected,” Rayne said.

Ziggy held her hand to the security pad that locked her office door. There was no simple retina scan like at the hotel room doors. More than once, people had tried to get into her private space, and it was too easy for an expert to have a scan of her eye to get in.

Instead she had programmable matter embedded within her that connected her to her security systems. “I have to play this carefully, or I could have a full scale war on my moon.”

“What do you need from me?” Rayne said.

“Eyes and ears everywhere. The security teams need to be around every corner. All ships scanned, plus try to scan for skin on the ships.”

The door slid open, and she walked in. Rayne followed her.

“I’ve invited them for dinner and games tomorrow night. I need them to be comfortable, and relaxed, and ready for anything.”

“What are you going to do?” Rayne said.

“Protect this moon and the people that rely on it.” Ziggy looked up at Rayne and said seriously, “You understand what I’m saying, Rayne?”

They nodded and left.

The walls of the office were brushed silver, which enhanced the look of the garish neon sign on the back wall saying Ziggy’s Place.

Ziggy touched a security sensor under her metal desk, and the wall with the sign disappeared, revealing a corridor hewn out of the moon rock. She entered the corridor, pressed another sensor, and the wall reappeared, leaving anyone who entered her office to find it empty.

She walked further into the rock corridor, and it led to a room. In it were walls covered in weapons and one computer table. Ziggy sat down and her fingers danced over the programmable matter screen.

Eventually a voice said, “Report.”

Ziggy took a breath and said, “I have her. I have the Map Keeper.”

When Camber and Brogan got into the elevator to go to their rooms, Camber couldn’t hold her guilt in any longer.