Revolution's Shore by Kate Elliott

rendezvous with the Boukephalos at oh-eight-oh, fleet time.”
    â€œ Boukephalos —that’s Jehane’s ship?”
    Kyosti chuckled. “I wonder what he’ll come up with next,” he murmured. “You’re to go alone.”
    â€œI expected that.” Lily considered Bach thoughtfully, whistled. You will remain here and let no one but our people enter this cabin. You can control the lock?
    Affirmative, patroness. I will voice code it to thy specifications.
    â€œGood. Be very cautious, Bach. You’re my—”
    â€œAce?” suggested Kyosti.
    Bach responded with a rippling arpeggio.
    Lily merely rubbed her face with her palms. “Hoy. Where’s the washing cubicle?”
    â€œDown the hall.”
    She gave a last tug to her sleeves. “What time it is? And where’s the mess? And everyone else?”
    He swung off the low bunk and stood up, the light tips of his hair almost brushing the ceiling. “In the mess. I told them I’d get you there by oh-six-thirty.”
    She checked her wrist-com and grinned. “Bless the Void. I have time for a shower. Meet me there.”
    Jenny had assembled everyone at a long table in the far corner of the mess hall, isolated from the other diners by several empty tables. Lily had some trouble counting, however, as she came up to the table: it was almost full. Jenny sat with Gregori and Lia; on the other side of the table sat the brilliant Ridani contingent, Pinto, Paisley, and Rainbow, taking strength in numbers, with the Mule sitting stiffly beside Paisley. But there were two more—
    â€œFinch! What are you doing here?” With some surprise she greeted his sister, Swann. “I’m glad to see you got off okay. Your mother?”
    Finch, looking mutinous, did not reply immediately, but cast a pointed and hostile glance at the three Ridanis. “ She said,” he nodded toward Jenny, “that they were meant to be here, but I can’t believe you’d have us sit down to table with tattoos.”
    â€œFinch,” whispered Swann, looking embarrassed.
    Paisley regarded Finch with interest, but Pinto and Rainbow had, as if allied, fixed stares of equal contempt on Finch’s angry face.
    â€œHoy.” Rather than sitting down, Lily leaned her hands on the table and forced Finch to meet her gaze. “I never took you for a bigot, Finch. I thought you were above that.”
    â€œIt’s got nothing to do with bigotry,” began Finch. “The fact is, it’s well known the kind of foul diseases—”
    Pinto started up out of his chair and grabbed across the table for Finch’s shirt.
    Finch jerked back, banging his chair on the chair behind him. “Is this another one of your lovers?” he asked sarcastically, out of range.
    â€œPinto, sit down,” snapped Lily. “Finch, shut up. Hoy.” She regarded the two men with disgust, but after a few long moments during which the other diners in the cafeteria whispered and glanced around and subsided back to their meals, both men did as they were told.
    â€œWhere’s Hawk?” asked Jenny in a low voice before an uncomfortable silence could grow.
    â€œHe’s supposed to be here.” Lily glanced toward the door, then at Finch, who was too busy glaring at Pinto to be aware of this exchange. “Keep an eye out for me, Jenny.”
    Jenny nodded with quick understanding and shifted her chair just enough to give her a good view of the door.
    â€œI don’t have much time,” said Lily, “so I’m going to make this short.” She paused to survey the group, waiting until all of them watched her attentively, even Pinto, who nevertheless lapsed at frequent intervals with quick, bitter glances at Finch.
    Lily let her gaze settle first on Swann. “Your mother?” she repeated.
    â€œIn Hospital ,” Swann began.
    â€œWe came with her,” interrupted Finch. “We can’t go