Earth Awakens (The First Formic War 3)

Father thanked them for coming. Maxwell whisked Father away. Lem followed, and once the three of them were back in Father's office, Ukko began cleaning the makeup off his face.

"You've been choreographing this from the beginning," said Lem. "You knew the drones wouldn't work. Yet you sent them anyway to demonstrate to Earth that you were committed to the cause."

"I wanted them to work, Lem."

"Of course you did. If they worked, you'd become an instant hero. But if they failed, there was still much to gain. You would show Earth that you were willing to sacrifice your fortune to protect Earth. You'd still be a hero in a sense. And you sent the drones when you did because you couldn't have Victor and Imala succeed. You couldn't let me have the victory. That would throw your plans all out of whack."

"You did have the victory in the end, son."

"Yes, but only after you had showed the world you would do anything to protect us." Lem laughed. It was all so clear now. "Benyawe was right, you don't make mistakes. In fact, as soon as the drones failed, you changed your strategy to ensure that I would win. You told me about El Cavador, for example. You showed me Project Parallax because you knew I needed Victor to get a strike team inside the ship. And you knew that with information about his mother's whereabouts, I could reenlist him in my effort."

"We didn't know Victor was still alive at the time," said Father.

"You did. Somehow you knew."

"I'm flattered you think I have superhuman powers, Lem."

"And Ketkar. He helped Mazer and Wit in India and now he's Polemarch. There's a coincidence. What was it, Father? You and he strike a deal? He helps you orchestrate the alliance with China and India and you ensure his appointment as Polemarch."

Father went to the bar and began pouring two drinks.

"Then there's the vid of me," said Lem. "All the hidden cameras. You did it to increase your appeal. Now the world will see you as the father of a war hero. Or, if I died romantically in battle, you'd be the father of a fallen war hero, which might be better. You'd get the sympathy vote. Either way you win."

"Or here's a possibility," said Father. "I wanted my son to have a future leading this company. And by making that vid, I made it impossible for the board to disapprove of you." He handed Lem one of the drinks. "I'm offering you a future, Lem. Take it or leave it."

"Don't act like you're giving me a choice, Father."

Ukko grinned, clinked his glass against Lem's, and took a swallow. "Wonderful. I'll take that as a yes."

CHAPTER 26

Kim

Mazer took a civilian flight to Auckland, rented a car, and drove south to Papakura. It felt good to be on solid ground again. He had been ordered to report to base immediately, but he drove to Kim's office instead. He told the receptionist in the lobby that he was here to see Dr. Kim Arnsbrach.

"Is she expecting you?"

"No, ma'am."

"Who shall I say is visiting?"

"Tell her I'm a friend of Bingwen's."

The receptionist delivered the message, and a moment later Kim stepped off the elevator. She looked the same. Her hair was up in the back with her stylus stuck through it, holding it in place. He had sent her a brief text from Luna to let her know he was alive and well and soon coming back to New Zealand. But he hadn't called ahead today to tell her he was coming.

"I know I should have called first," he said. "But I was worried you might not want to see me."

"Why wouldn't I want to see you?"

He suddenly felt awkward. "Because of how things ended last time. You were angry."

"I was a lot of emotions. Anger might have been one of them. I'm also a big girl, Mazer. I cooled off. Life goes on. Isn't that what you wanted? For me to go on."

This wasn't going well. Five seconds in, and it was already awkward again.

"Sorry," she said. "That sounded snippy. I'm happy you're here. I'm just surprised is all." She examined his face. "You've lost weight. Your cheeks are sunken."

"It's been a rough few months."