Although she hadn't invited him, Tausson followed Miss Dawson as she marched out of the cafeteria and down the hall. His better sense told him to stay put, that the more time he spent with this woman meant a greater chance of losing control like he nearly had a moment ago, but like a Relican homa chasing flame, he couldn't resist her.

He'd known this would be an issue, and had privately asked Carterra to go in his stead, although he didn't say why. She had insisted -- rightly -- that as the highest ranking Relican available, he had an obligation to work in person with his counterpart on Earth as a sign of respect. According to the Culture Report, the United States was considered the most powerful country. The rest of the world's leaders were meeting virtually with a number of Relican representatives, including Carterra, Rasmus, and Elic.

Tausson would have been pleased to work with President Freeland, to get a better sense of whether she was a good candidate for him, but when they spoke last night she had said she would be traveling to quell the doubts of her people -- a noble thing for a leader to do, but that left him forced to spend hours in the company of Miss Dawson.

But even as he resigned himself to his fate, he couldn't help the thrill he had felt at the thought of seeing her again. Even now, moments after he had nearly endangered their mission by touching his flesh to hers, he still couldn't help imagining bending her over that couch in her office and finding relief. Luckily, the mechasuits had built-in shields for sensitive body parts to protect them during sparring, so no one was aware of how swollen his seed organ was. If they had known -- if Miss Dawson knew -- how much she affected him, he doubted he would be allowed anywhere near her.

Heads peered over cubicles as they passed through an open area with several desks towards Mr. Spade's office. The door was closed, but Miss Dawson didn't hesitate thrusting it open. The Vice President's Chief of Staff hardly flinched as she slammed the document on his desk.

"What the hell is this?!" she hissed, surprisingly quiet for how furious she clearly was.

Mr. Spade's amused expression didn't waver. With a nod to Tausson, he greeted them both. "Commander Corwin, Miss Dawson."

She spun around, surprised Tausson was still behind her. Her fierceness dimmed only a little, however, and he was reminded of when she was on the Irral, in the conference room, and how breathtaking she had been when she was upset. Her full lips pursed as she stared at him, apparently considering whether to continue her assault in front of the Relican delegate.

"What's this?" Mr. Spade asked, picking up the papers she'd brought. He obviously didn't have a problem with bickering in front of Tausson.

With narrowed eyes, Miss Dawson whirled back on Mr. Spade. "As if you don't know. This was sent to you! And how the hell did you get put in charge of the volunteers?"

"The Vice President wanted his best man on the job, although..." His face assumed a troubled look as he stood and slowly came around his desk to them. "... I'm afraid our President is a little too focused on this, and that she's confused her own personal fantasies with reality."

Even Tausson couldn't miss the flicker of victory in Mr. Spade's eyes as he handed the papers to him. Miss Dawson tried to object, but stopped short of snatching them out of Tausson's hand.

"Jonas!" she cried. "This is not the time for distracting lies. We need to be united!"

As they argued, Tausson looked at the papers Mr. Spade had given him. Scrolling his arm over them, his mechasuit translated and projected the words for him to read in Relican. The document appeared to be correspondence sent from President Freeland to Mr. Spade, with the subject heading, "Asteroid Mate Q&A."

1. Age, measurements, exercise habits, diet, health history
2. Sexual history, including # of partners and sexual preference
3. Ranking of preferred sexual positions
4. Willingness to try new sexual positions
5. Preferred duration of sexual intercourse
6. Average # of orgasms during sex
7. Willingness to have sex with multiple partners -- either one-on-one or at the same time...

The list went on, with a total of thirteen questions about the volunteers' preferences regarding a number of scenarios including visual stimuli, stimulative objects, and voyeurism.

Tausson was appalled. None of this had anything to do with what the volunteers would be doing. Breeding was a simple, straightforward act, with none of the trappings that these humans seemed to be obsessed with. Perhaps the President wouldn't make a good candidate after all. The more Tausson learned about this species, the more he wondered at their being classified advanced enough to warrant relocation.

Miss Dawson and Mr. Spade were still quarreling.

"As if these women aren't already being degraded enough," she said, "you want to put something like this in front of them? It's outrageous."

"I agree," said Mr. Spade. "President Freeland has really overstepped her bounds here."

Miss Dawson began to say something, but Tausson spoke first. "This is unacceptable." Both humans looked at him -- Miss Dawson with fear, Mr. Spade with conceit.

"We have no need of knowing any of this information," he continued. "I don't pretend to understand all of this, but it is clear based on your reactions that it could be considered offensive, and we have no wish to insult any of your people -- particularly potential Asteroid Mates. The women who wish to become Asteroid Mates are to be treated with only the utmost respect, and we will do everything we can to ensure their comfort and security."

He glanced again at the document, then handed it back to Mr. Spade. "If this is how your President views her own people, as objects of lust to be leered at -- then perhaps she is not the leader we believed her to be."

"No, Commander Corwin --" began Miss Dawson, but Mr. Spade cut her off.

"I agree completely, Commander. Vice President Grant has been working tirelessly for years to cover up for the President and her sexual obsession, hoping to keep our country united, but this will be her undoing."

"What?" asked Miss Dawson, her eyes bright with horror. "Jonas, what have you done?"

Mr. Spade flipped his TV screen on to show the news broadcast. An image of the President's letter was being shown, with commentators discussing its lewd and perverted nature.

"Commander," Miss Dawson said, stepping between him and the screen, "this is a fabrication. I swear, President Freeland is not the source of this disgusting list. She would never subject anyone -- male or female -- to such degradation. This is an attempt to undermine her authority so the Vice President can assume control."

He believed her. How could he not? The sincerity in her luminous eyes was unmistakable, while the conniving of Mr. Spade was equally obvious. However, as much as he wanted to knock the smug smile off of the man's face, he couldn't get in the middle of this domestic squabble.

"The identity of your country's ruler is up to your people. I will continue to coordinate America's evacuation with you for as long as President Freeland is leader."

It was now Mr. Spade's turn to fume, while relief flooded Miss Dawson's face.

"Thank you," she said.

"However, that cannot be allowed to continue," he said, pointing at the correspondence and the TV screen. "The women of your world must be assured that this list does not represent the needs or desires of the Relican people."

"Of cour--"

A panicked cry from the main office space cut off Miss Dawson's reply. The three of them rushed out to see everyone running over to the windows.

"What's going on?" Miss Dawson asked the closest human.

"An eclipse!" the man said, chasing the crowd.

"Well don't look directly at it!" she warned. "Wouldn't we have heard about it before now?"

As she spoke, the sunlight that had been streaming through the windows dimmed. She looked up at Tausson, and he had to fight the urge to hold her close, to rid the fear from her eyes.

She began to make her way through, and he followed. The sea of people parted for them, although Tausson thought it was as much to get away from him as it was out of respect for Miss Dawson. Her warm body pressed against his side in the tight crowd as she gave no more than a quick glance outside. Her eyes locked on his, and he realized he'd been staring, but found that he couldn't look away.

"That's not just a regular eclipse," she said. It wasn't a question, but Tausson understood what she was asking.

The people around them fell silent, awaiting his response.

"No." Maybe it was the darkness, or the anxiety of those around him, but Tausson felt an ominous dread settle over him as he spoke. "That is the Relican fleet."