27
Governor Tony Smith stepped out of the shuttle, accompanied by a phalanx of Planet Dweller soldiers and a woman in a rich red dress that Scout recognized at once.
“Rona,” Scout said. “I never thought I’d see you here.”
“Scout Shannon,” Rona said with a smile. “I am Bo Tajaki’s envoy to this world. I’ll be working with the governor and upper management in orbit to facilitate the changeover.”
“So the court case is done?” Emilie asked.
“Indeed. Bo Tajaki is now ward of your world. You will no longer be isolated from the rest of the galaxy,” she said.
“And the tensions here?” Geeta asked. “The war?”
“The governor and the upper management in orbit have already declared armistice. We just need to speak to one more person . . .”
“Me,” Malcolm said, stepping forward to extend a hand. “M
