Read Online Saturn by Ben Bova - Free Book Online

who had cost her her children and grandchildren, a bitterness that had led her to homicide. She had allowed her knowledge of nanotechnology to be used to sabotage a spacecraft, which caused the death of industrialist Dan Randolph.
    The government of Selene locked her out of her own nanotech lab. She fled to the mining station on Ceres, in the Asteroid Belt, where she remained for many years, serving as a medical doctor and eventually as a member of Ceres's governing board. Penance. She helped to build the miners' community at Ceres, and she had refused to do any nanotech work since fleeing from Selene.
    Am I being foolish? she now asked herself. Should I apply for a slot on the Saturn expedition? Would they take me if I did apply?
    Staring at Pancho's engrossed image frozen on her wallscreen, Cardenas decided to try. It's time to begin a new life in a new world, she thought. Time for a new start.
     
     
    The cafeteria was a strange place to hold such a sensitive meeting, Eberly thought. Yet, on the other hand, the clattering, bustling cafeteria was one of the few places in the habitat that would be virtually impossible to bug with listening devices. Too much background noise, too many people moving about.
    "I understand that you are from Rwanda," Eberly said pleasantly, as he picked at the salad on the table before him.
    "Col. Kananga was a high official in the national police force," said Morgenthau, whose plate bore an arrangement of fresh fruit slices.
    "So I gathered from your dossier," Eberly said, with a smile. "It's unfortunate that you were asked to leave the country."
    If the barb hurt Kananga, the tall, lean Rwandan gave no indication of it. He said merely, "I was asked to clear up a difficult situation, and once I did so, I was rewarded with a choice between a public trial for police brutality or permanent exile."
    Eberly pursed his lips sympathetically. "Politicians," he murmured.
    "Yes," said Kananga, his voice like the rumble of a lion. "Politicians."
    Morgenthau forced a smile. "Col. Kananga is interested in working with us, Malcolm."
    "Good," said Eberly, without taking his eyes from the Rwandan's dark, impassive face. "You could be useful in the government we will set up once we arrive at Saturn."
    "I would expect to keep my position as chief of security," Kananga said flatly.
    "I don't see why you shouldn't," Eberly replied. Then he added, "If you can follow my orders absolutely and without fail."
    Kananga allowed the trace of a smile to curl his lips slightly. "I know how to follow orders."
    "Good. If you are loyal to me, I will be loyal to you. You'll find me a trustworthy leader. I won't turn on you for doing your job."
    The Rwandan's smile broadened enough to show some teeth. "Even if I am ... eh, zealous, let us say, in carrying out your orders?"
    "Zeal is no sin," Morgenthau said, "when you're doing God's work."
    Eberly said, "Just follow my orders, do your work well, and you won't have to worry about being shipped back to Rwanda once we've arrived at Saturn."
    Kananga nodded wordlessly.
    When she received Cardenas's request, Holly raced from her desk to find Eberly. He was in the office complex's cafeteria, sitting with Morgenthau and a lean, skeletally thin man whose complexion was darker than her own, the nearly purple black of the true African. They were deep in an intense discussion, their heads leaning forward like conspirators.
    Holly scurried up to their table and stood at Eberly's elbow. None of them paid any attention to her. They continued to talk in hushed, confidential tones, too low for Holly to hear their words over the clatter and conversations that clanged off the bare walls of the busy cafeteria.
    She waited several moments, fidgeting impatiently, then broke into their tête-à-tête with, "Excuse me! Malcolm, I hate to interrupt but — "
    Eberly looked up sharply at her, clear displeasure in his piercing eyes.
    "I'm sorry, Malcolm, but it's important."
    He took a breath, then said,