Victory Conditions by Elizabeth Moon Page A

going to bed.”
    “No…when I metabolized the drug—”
    “Can you explain how you did that?” Stella had heard Toby’s first version, given to the medics who’d examined him, but it didn’t make sense to her.
    “Not…really. I mean, I can recite the chemistry for you, but you said you didn’t know much chemistry. But what it amounted to was I found a way to convert the drug to increased alertness and strength.”
    “I had no idea that implant had so much functionality,” Stella said.
    “It kind of surprised me,” Toby said. His face shifted into the concentrated, thoughtful look Stella had come to recognize. “You know…there ought to be a way to miniaturize ansible function enough to link it to the skullphone…the problem would be the power draw, but if you could hook it into a power source…”
    Stella opened her mouth and shut it again. It had to be a healthy sign that he was having ideas, but she was not ready to deal with yet another technological outburst. “That’s nice,” she said finally. “You can work on that after you deal with your schoolwork.”
    “Schoolwork? I’m just missing tomorrow…”
    “No. You and Zori both, by order of Station Security, are not returning to class until they’re certain you’ll be safe. I’ll contact the school, have them send over your assignments.”
    “At least we’ll be together,” Toby said, brightening.
    “Toby, I need to talk to you about her—”
    His jaw hardened. “I’m not going to stay away—”
    “Don’t be silly,” Stella said. “No one’s asking you to stay away from your own home. If she’s staying here, of course you’ll see her all the time. No, this is to help her.” Stella outlined the problem as she saw it, ending with, “She’s a Cascadian; she can’t blow up about it. She can’t yell or use bad language without violating her sense of morality. And that very sense of being a good person is under attack because of her father.”
    “So…what should I do?”
    “You said she was more relaxed around you—that she dared to use a few bad words—”
    “Yes…”
    “Just be the young man she loves and trusts—keep letting her know you respect her. And if she blows up, try not to be too shocked at what comes out.”
    “Oh. All right, I can do that.”
    “I know, Toby. You put up with me when I was so upset after finding out about Osman—so I know you will be what she needs right now.”
    “You’re tired,” Toby said, looking at her.
    “Yes, I am.”
    “I should go to bed. I should at least go in my room and be quiet.” That courtesy, after what he had been through, almost brought tears to her eyes. He was so damned decent, and she had almost lost him.
    “If you can,” Stella said, fighting for calmness. “But if you want to stay up—you’re right, I must go, because there’s a government agency that wants my brain awake in the morning.”
    “C’mon, Rascal,” Toby said; the dog butted its head into his chest. “See you in the morning, Stella.”
    He hadn’t called her cousin, or aunt…well, it wasn’t the right time to call him on manners. “Sleep well,” she said.
    The call came halfway through breakfast the next morning; Toby had wakened early and hungry, and Stella had set him to cooking eggs. Anyone, she’d told him, could cook eggs. Stella answered, one hand full of plates.
    “I’m so sorry,” the same man said. “I didn’t know, last night—I’ve been given all the details now—”
    “I quite understand,” Stella said. To Toby she said, “They’re done when the whites go opaque, Toby.”
    “You’re cooking breakfast?”
    “My ward is cooking breakfast. I’m setting the table. Don’t let it bother you.”
    “Er…right. The Minister wanted me to set up a call today, if possible at 1400, and give you a briefing databurst first. Can you answer now on that, or should I call later, at your office?”
    “No, this is fine.” Stella felt a certain wicked glee at his