"He sounds as paranoid as we are," said Petra.
"Same enemy," said Ambul. "So, Bean, sir, you sent for me, and here I am. Need a witness for your wedding? Or an adult to sign permission forms for you?"
"What I need," said Bean, "is a secure base of operations, independent of any nation or bloc or alliance."
"I suggest you find a nice asteroid somewhere," said Ambul. "The world is pretty well divvied up these days."
"I need people I can trust absolutely," said Bean. "Because at any time we may find ourselves fighting against the Hegemony."
Ambul looked at him in surprise. "I thought you were commander of Peter Wiggin's little army."
"I was. Now I don't even command a decent hand of pinochle," said Bean.
"He does have a first-rate executive officer," said Petra. "Me."
&nbs
p; "Ah," said Ambul. "Now I understand why you called on me. You two officers need somebody who'll salute you."
Bean sighed. "I'd appoint you king of Caledonia if I could, but the only position I can actually offer anybody is friend. And I'm a dangerous friend to have, these days."
"So the rumors are true," said Ambul. Petra figured it was about time he put together the information he was gleaning from this conversation. "Achilles is with the Hegemony."
"Peter hoisted him out of China, on his way to prison camp," said Bean.
"Got to give the Chinese credit, they're no eemos, they knew when to get rid of him."
"Not really," said Petra. "They were only sending him into internal exile, and in a low-security caravan at that. Practically invited rescue."
"And you wouldn't do it?" asked Ambul. "That's how you got fired?"
"No," said Bean. "Wiggin pulled me off the mission at the last minute. Gave sealed orders to Suriyawong and didn't tell me what they were till he had already left. Whereupon I resigned and went into hiding."
"Taking your girltoy with you," said Ambul.
"Actually, Peter sent me along to keep him under very close surveillance," said Petra.
"You seem to be the right person for the job," said Ambul.
"She's not that good," said Bean. "I've come close to noticing her several times."
"So," said Ambul. "Suri went ahead and hoisted Achilles out of China."
"Of all the missions to execute flawlessly," said Bean, "Suri had to pick that one."
"I, on the other hand," said Ambul, "was never one to obey an order if I thought it was stupid."
"That's why I want you to join my completely hopeless operation," said Bean. "If you get killed, I'll know it's your own fault, and not because you were obeying my orders."
"I'll need fedda," said Ambul. "My family isn't rich. And technically I'm still a kid. Speaking of which, how the hell did you get so much taller than me?"
"Steroids," said Bean.
"And I stretch him on a rack every night," said Petra.
"For his own good, I'm sure," said Ambul.
"My mother told me," said Petra, "that Bean is the kind of boy who has to grow on you."