"Unfortunately, Governor, I communicated your request to the Relicans, and animals are not included in the evacuation," said Tierney, wishing she could stop answering her phone.

"I know," she said, "it is a great loss, and heartbreaking to have to leave behind the rich biodiversity that exists on Earth. But Lota is also home to a wide variety of plants and animals, and we do have a gene bank and a seed bank that will be transferred into the Relican storage cells."

She lay her head down on her desk and dreamed of hanging up. "No, the gene bank is closed. We aren't taking any more samples. I can only suggest packing a photograph of your dog and taking some video to remember him by -- her, of course, her. Sorry."

Her cell phone alarm went off, and she made sure the governor heard it before saying, "I'm sorry, but I have an appointment that I cannot be late for."

Finally off the phone, Tierney wolfed down her breakfast as she hurried to the Situation Room. Jonas and Caleb, already there, stopped talking and scowled at her when she entered, but before either of them could say anything, one of the screens flashed on. Commander Corwin's stony face appeared, and she forced herself not to look away.

Last night had been a disaster. Whatever she had thought being at her apartment might lead to, it definitely wasn't him asking her to be his mate. As if she would just give up her life and become his concubine. The thought of it still infuriated her, although part of her regretted the way things had turned out. That moment in the cafeteria, the kindness he'd shown in saving her sister -- there had seemed to be a real connection between them. But he'd only wanted her body, just like most of the men she dated.

The commander greeted them. "Vice President Grant, Mr. Spade, Miss Dawson."

Was it her imagination, or was there a chill in his voice when he said her name?

"Good morning, Commander," said Caleb, beaming. "So glad to see you again."

"Are you ready to convey to the cart?" asked the commander.

"All three of us are here," said the Vice President.

"Has the President already conveyed?" asked Tierney.

Commander Corwin's cold eyes flickered her way. "She will arrive shortly after you." Addressing Caleb once again, he said, "You will convey to our ship, but only momentarily. You will not materialize fully until you reach the cart."

"Understood, Commander," said the Vice President.

Jonas had snuck over to stand behind Tierney. Leaning forward to whisper in her ear, he said, "Just imagine: if I stick my dick in your ass right now, I'd be fucking you all the way through space." He pressed against her, proving that he was ready to test out his theory.

Jerking her elbow back, she jabbed him in the stomach. He doubled over, drawing the attention of the others.

"Jonas? You ready?" asked Caleb.

Straightening up, but holding a hand over his side, he moved back beside the Vice President. "Yes, Sir."

As her body began to pull apart, Tierney glanced back at Commander Corwin. His eyes met hers, but then the screen went black.

* * *

Tausson arrived just after the American delegation, which was only one of the countries he was meeting to inspect the cart. Tausson was also providing a tour to the same Minister of National Defense who had visited the Irral during first contact, Jing Zhou, and one of her staff, as well as Mr. Neville Quandry, England's Foreign Secretary. Mr. Quandry was also accompanied by Director General Emily Sherwood, a wiry woman with white hair who glared at Tausson as soon as he materialized. First Arrat, as well as Chief Raleth and other senior Relican officers were on other parts of the cart with more world leaders, making sure that all parties were confident in the proposed accommodations.

As soon as Tausson materialized, Minister Zhou pointed at him, crying, "There he is! He is a murderer, and should not be allowed near humans!"

He had been afraid of this. After learning of the accidental death of the human, Chief Raleth almost didn't let him perform the tour, pending his performance review. Tausson had actually been okay with that decision, since it meant he wouldn't have to be near Tierney, but First Arrat had come to his defense, not knowing his true feelings, and the Chief had relented.

Tausson started to speak, but was surprised to hear Tierney's voice instead.

"That was an accident," she said, stepping forward. "Self-defense."

Even though Tausson was still bitter about her reaction last night, he couldn't help being struck by how beautiful she was in her shimmering blouse, and a skirt that hugged her curves. Her long hair was up again, as it always was for others, and he remembered how sweet it had smelled in her apartment last night, after her shower.

"That's no excuse!" shouted Minister Zhou. "He's supposed to be helping us, not killing us!"

"I agree," said Secretary Quandry. "I'm not comfortable with a murderer for a tour guide."

"He's not killing us now, is he?" Vice President Grant chimed in, wearing his faint smile, as always. "Look, if he wanted to hurt us, he could have -- many, many times. I'm sure his superiors are looking into the issue, as are the local Chicago authorities. If wrongdoing is found, there will be consequences."

A blurry spot appeared nearby, and Tausson said, "That should be President Freeland arriving." Addressing the group, and hoping for one final out, he said, "I am willing to step aside and let someone else conduct your tour, if the majority of you wish it. Once President Freeland materializes, you may vote, and let me know the outcome. I will follow your decision."

He noticed Mr. Spade whispering something to Tierney, and pushed down a spark of jealousy at his nearness to her. Whatever Mr. Spade said, she didn't appreciate it and frowned at him, moving away to stand closer to the President's slowly defining shape. Mr. Spade continued to leer at her, before noticing Tausson watching him. He smiled and went back to the Vice President's side.

As soon as the President completed her conveyance, Tierney explained the situation, and the group of humans voted privately. President Freeland walked over to him and told him their decision.

"It was a three-to-five split, but we've voted to allow you to continue in your capacity as guide. However," she continued, preventing his reply, "I also am very disturbed by the tragedy in Chicago. Miss Dawson has made it clear to me that in her judgment you were acting in good faith, but we have enough boiling in our pot here to throw a Relican-caused death in the mix. After this inspection, I am putting in a formal request that you be removed from any direct interaction with humanity."

Tausson tried to hide his relief, saying simply, "I understand."

The President appeared relieved also. She stepped back and said, "Shall we begin?"

He walked them through the dwellings they had customized to meet human requirements. Every four humans would be assigned to one structure measuring exactly 40-square-feet, complete with beds and nutrient storage.

"The vessel has been calibrated to resemble Earth as much as possible," he explained, motioning to the green grass at their feet, and the blue sky that even had drifting white clouds. "The atmosphere is a precise match to your own, and there will even be minor weather patterns -- though nothing harmful, just rain, wind, clouds, and similar mild fluctuations."

As they walked around, they discussed the preparations of Lota. Predetermined groups of both humans and Relicans would be selected to convey directly to the replacement planet and construct the infrastructure needed to support the incoming population. Soon, however, conversation inevitably returned to the matter at hand.

"What do we do for light, once we move away from the sun?" asked Secretary Quandry.

"There is an artificial light source that will mimic the sun," answered Tausson.

"How will we know we're safe?" asked the Secretary's companion, Director General Sherwood, who had continued to glower at him throughout the inspection.

"While the Relican Squad can provide some resources upon request, we prefer to leave matters of security up to you."

"Not from us," she sneered, "from you. How do we know you won't come for us in our sleep? Or at any moment, for that matter? How do we know the food you give us isn't poisoned?"

Tausson was glad to see he wasn't the only one who seemed surprised by her hostility. All of the Americans, and even Secretary Quandry appeared taken aback.

"Director General Sherwood, the Relican Squad is here to assist, not conquest," Tausson replied. "We have no interest in causing your people any harm -- quite the opposite."

"Tell that to the man you murdered," she snapped.

"How about we take a few minutes to explore by ourselves," suggested President Freeland. "If we have any questions, we can let the commander know?"

He nodded, grateful for the reprieve. With a final scowl, the Director General went into one of the buildings, and the rest of the group split apart, leaving him alone in the long grassy row between dwellings.

Although he tried not to, he found himself watching Tierney. She was speaking with the President, walking around the community and gesturing to the surroundings with an impressed expression, and was pleased by her reaction. From the moment they had detected the asteroid and projected its collision with Earth, his team had begun working with the cart engineers to replicate the planet's environment to the nearest detail. From the artificial soil to the breeze blowing through the counterfeit trees, he and his team had sought to produce the most realistic replica of the human experience that they could. There could be no reason for the humans to balk at living here for the six-month journey to Lota, no reason to stall and put themselves in danger. Tausson was determined to avoid the mistakes of his past, to prove that the mission of the Relican Squad was not an impossible one. Everything had to be perfect if they were going to save humanity.

Judging from the bright smile that flashed across Tierney's face, he had succeeded.

"Don't get any ideas."

Mr. Spade had come up beside him without his noticing, and was now following Tausson's gaze to watch Tierney as well. Tausson quickly turned his back on her.

"Regarding what, Mr. Spade?" he asked.

"Call me Jonas," he said, then nodded back in Tierney's direction. Tausson felt a stab of jealousy at the possessiveness in the man's face. "Regarding her."

"The President?" asked Tausson, hoping he was misunderstanding.

"No," he said with a short laugh. "Tierney. Miss Dawson. I saw you staring. I get it, though, it's hard not to."

Jonas was making no attempt to hide his stare, and Tausson's jealousy began to morph into a possessiveness of his own. He was about to walk away, when Jonas continued.

"It's no use, though," he said. "They're only interested in each other."

Tausson glanced back at the two women. Tierney had her back to them, gesticulating as if she were speaking, and the President was hidden on the other side of her. President Freeland's hands appeared on Tierney's arms, rubbing up and down.

"Can't keep their hands off each other," said Jonas. "They'll disappear into one of these houses and have a quickie any time now. Oh -- couldn't have timed it better myself."

President Freeland and Tierney were indeed going into the nearest dwelling. The President's arm was around Tierney's shoulders, and as Tierney preceded her through the door, the President's hand slid down and rested on the small of her back. As the door closed behind them, Tausson had never felt so deceived.

"They are both gay?" he asked, looking to Jonas for confirmation.

Still watching the door, he replied, "Big time. Yeah, Tierney fooled me for a while. We were together for some time before I realized she was just using me as some kind of curiosity while she and Nelle screwed behind my back."

The image of the two gay women he'd seen on the sightscreen appeared in his mind, but this time it was President Freeland and Tierney, rubbing and fondling each other. Could it be true? Could that be why Tierney had rejected his offer to be his Asteroid Mate?

Tausson had suspected Jonas of being duplicitous with the Asteroid Mate questionnaire, but perhaps he had been blinded by his desire for Tierney. She had been behaving as if she wanted Tausson as a mate, as if she felt the same pull to him as he did to her, but had it all been an act? Was she just trying to keep him distracted for some reason? If Jonas were to be believed, then she had a history of deception.

Tausson needed to find out. He needed to know what was happening behind that door. Without a second glance at Jonas, he marched down the lane.

He was still a few feet from the door when a loud explosion made him spin around. One of the dwellings had burst into flame, and black smoke rose into the sky. Director General Sherwood's flaming body was flung through the door and onto the ground. She screamed as she flailed about, trying to put out the fire.

"Engineering, transmit!" he shouted into his sleeve, racing over to the burning building.

"Squad, Commander Corwin," came the reply. "We detected an incendiary event near your location. Can you confirm?"

"Confirmed. Dwelling number 41. We have a human victim who is suffering burns. Send medics immediately."

Commander Corwin ran up beside the wailing Director General. Most of the flames had already been snuffed out by her movements, and he aimed his stunner at those few spots still smoldering, planning on freezing them.

"No!" the woman shrieked, seeing him standing over her. "Get away! You did this!"

"I? How could I have done this?"

A buzzing sound told Tausson that a vacuum cone was being established around the dwelling. Soon the flames would be extinguished due to lack of oxygen.

Minister Zhou moved to stand between him and the woman. "You wanted to silence her!" she cried. "She didn't trust you, and you sought to silence her dissent!"

"No!" he shouted.

Tierney and President Freeland came running over at the same time that the medics materialized.

"What happened?" asked the President.

Tausson wanted to ask the same question. Tierney's face was flushed, and he doubted it was because of her sprint.

The Director General was screaming at the Relican medics to stay away, but Secretary Quandry convinced her to let them tend to her injuries. Soon she was completely repaired, although still accusing the Relicans of trying to murder her.

Another form began to appear in the air, and as the particles began to focus around a red center, Tausson knew who it was.

"Chief Raleth," Tausson greeted as soon as he had completed conveying.

The Chief took a quick survey of the situation and said, "Commander, you are relieved of duty."

Although it wasn't entirely unexpected, the immediacy of the verdict caught Tausson off guard.

"Sir?" he asked, his spinning mind unable to provide more.

"You heard me," Chief Raleth snapped. "Return to the Irral and inform First Arrat that she is in command of this mission pending further notice."

He could do nothing but accept the decision. If he wanted to contest it, now -- in front of the humans -- was not the time to do so.

"Squad, Chief," he said, giving a slight bow. He entered the coordinates of the Irral into his mechasuit, grateful to escape the angry eyes around him.

As his body began to break apart, he realized he would probably never see Tierney again. He tried to shift his gaze to look at her, but it was too late.