time." Mnro almost sounded like the confident person Ramadhal knew. "I assume you have a full spectrum of devices measuring our biological parameters as we speak?"
"It's rather important that I have some confidence in the data I collect from you."
"All you have to know is how to ask the right questions and your lie detectors will verify the answers."
"A harsh way to put it, but true. I apologize for it but how else can a simple Essiin protect himself from Earthian subterfuge? Especially when Earthians don't always realize on a conscious level when they stray from the truth. You must know how devious the Earthian mind is."
"Yes, it's a terrible struggle against a pernicious affliction. Which Essiin do you mean? You're not simple and you're not Essiin."
Not Essiin? Ramadhal wondered, trying to see the evidence that Mnro saw. He was afraid to scrutinize the Navy Commander too obviously.
"You have another child?" Etrhnk queried, ignoring Mnro's assertion.
"Yes. He used to be a Navy officer. I've lost touch with him."
"There's no record of your being a mother. Would he be your biological son?"
"Yes. I'm his real mother."
"Why did you disconnect yourself from him?"
"How could he live his own life, tied to me?"
"What is his name?"
"Direk."
"An old traditional Essiin name."
"He's only one-fourth Essiin, but very much the Essiin ice cube."
"I see we have a Captain Direk." Etrhnk had obviously consulted his shiplink. "A senior scientist."
A picture of a light-skinned Earthian Navy officer appeared next to the moon's image on the wall of the room.
"That's him," Mnro said, frowning after suppressing a possible shock of recognition. Ramadhal could see a resemblance between Mnro and this pale man's image.
"I've heard of this officer," Etrhnk stated. "Fascinating, to learn that he's your son and is also part Essiin. Would that mean his father is half Essiin?"
"And half Earthian."
"Who was your husband?"
"I don't remember."
Etrhnk leaned back and remained quiet for several moments, as though waiting for Mnro to change her answer, but also apparently contemplating data that flowed into his brain by shiplink. He turned unexpectedly and focused on Ramadhal. "Doctor Ramadhal, you seem perplexed. Why is that?"
Ramadhal looked at Mnro who merely smiled sadly at him. "She told me on the way here - for the first time - that she once had a husband but didn't know who he was."
"I beg your pardon," Etrhnk said to Mnro. "I've asked all the questions as if this was an interrogation. It seems you're not the only one suffering memory problems. You know Admiral Demba, don't you? If Pan is connected to Demba and you're connected to him, you might also be connected to Demba."
"Logical," Mnro admitted.
"Was she Ruby Reed?" Etrhnk asked.
"Who?"
"Let me show you Demba's image."
The entire view on the wall was replaced by a gray field with an official Navy portrait of Admiral Fidelity Demba centered in it. Mnro made a show of studying the image impassively. She shook her head.
"You don't recognize her?"
"I can't tell you."
"She is important to you," Etrhnk stated.
Aylis Mnro would not respond to the Navy Commander's statement. Ramadhal could sense the truth of it. He was certain Etrhnk had ample telemetric evidence to gain the same conclusion. Ramadhal had no idea who Admiral Demba was, but he was sure she was extremely important to Mnro. He was always attuned to her moods, and this Aylis Mnro reacted identically, even through the uncharacteristic layer of fear.
"Come with me," Etrhnk said, rising from the meeting-room table and moving toward the wall that displayed the image of Fidelity Demba. "I have another picture of her."
Etrhnk paused and gestured for his guests to walk ahead of him. Part of his arm was passed through the image, showing there was no wall at the plane of the image.
Stepping through the image into a lower illumination, Ramadhal and Mnro immediately saw the portrait resting on an easel and were arrested by it. Mnro released a choked-off gasp. It was an astounding portrait of a beautiful African woman! It was hard to believe it was the same Navy admiral, but it was. There was paint on the easel, as though it was used in painting the portrait.
"Bad things have happened recently on Earth," Etrhnk said. "I took this from the residence of Rafael de LaGuardia, to save it, while the structure was burning."
Mnro continued to drink in the magic of the oil portrait. Neither she nor Ramadhal could even respond to the disturbing news of a fire.
"Would you like to have the painting?" Etrhnk inquired.
The offer was unexpected, even shocking. Mnro couldn't reply or wouldn't reply. Ramadhal knew she had to want it; therefore, so did Etrhnk. His query must have been used to verify his assessment of the relationship between Mnro and Demba. Ramadhal now knew Fidelity Demba was extremely important to Mnro; therefore, so did Etrhnk.
Mnro eventually responded in a shaky voice. "It isn't yours to keep or to give. It must be an original!"
Ramadhal could only stand and stare at the painting. He had viewed the most famous of the artist's works often enough to have accepted the high opinions of the art critics on faith. He had always felt they were compelling images but Ramadhal thought he lacked the sensitivity and fine-arts education to enjoy their full effect. This painting, however, pushed through his protective ignorance to play a crashing chord on his emotions. Whoever the dark lady in the canvas was, he wanted to know her! Perhaps it was the situation in which he viewed it, which - until now - seemed not as dire as Mnro predicted. Only now did Ramadhal begin to sense the power of the forces at work. Why would Admiral Etrhnk present them to this stolen masterpiece? What had happened to Rafael and his subject? Did Etrhnk mention a fire? How would Doctor Mnro be affected by this development? Ramadhal didn't like the way Etrhnk looked at Mnro. Ramadhal desperately wanted to protect her.
"Where is she now?" Mnro asked, sounding miserable at revealing her concern for the African woman.
Admiral Etrhnk moved to stand behind the portrait on the easel. "I don't know," he answered.
He and Mnro looked at each other for a long moment from opposite sides of the portrait. Ramadhal hated this. Each such visual drinking of Mnro's lovely visage by Etrhnk seemed to subtract from Ramadhal's well-earned share of her life. He was losing her. He had already lost her, one of her. Which one?
"How can you not know?" Mnro demanded. Ramadhal could hear desperation in her voice.
"I share your concern for her." Etrhnk convinced neither of them of his concern. He had no emotions.
"What do you want?" Mnro asked tiredly: a way of acknowledging Etrhnk's dominance.
"What do you want?" he countered.
"I want my friend!"
"You've known her a long time?"
"Forever."
"Friendship aside, why do you want her?"
"I know you are not blind to emotions!" Mnro declared. Then she seemed seized again by inward forces, her blue eyes losing focus. Neither Ramadhal nor Etrhnk moved, frozen with anticipation for what stirred within Mnro's mind. Finally, Ramadhal could see Mnro's face signal that she had made an important decision.
"She's leaving Union space on an exploration mission," Mnro stated.
"If she reappears, should I remove her from the mission?" Etrhnk asked, almost making it a request for Mnro's permission. Almost.
Mnro took a very deep breath. "I want to go with her."
Ramadhal was shocked. Was this why she had announced her retirement from the Mnro Clinics? He couldn't believe Mnro would put herself aboard a Navy mission. He couldn't believe Etrhnk would allow it.
"Why?" Etrhnk asked.
She turned to Ramadhal as she spoke to Etrhnk. Ramadhal watched the signs of strong emotions play upon her youthful face and in her ancient eyes.
"I've lived a long time, Ad
miral. I've existed a long time. I'm ready for something new. And I'm ready to resume an old friendship I had forgot I had."
"With a woman who must be a stranger to you by now?" Etrhnk asked.
Mnro stared longingly at the painting. "Yes, we all change over time, but she and I share a history that will never be forgotten. And I believe our most important traits will make us friends again."
"How did you know her?" Etrhnk asked, and asked more. "What was she like? What did she do?" Ramadhal saw that Etrhnk was abnormally interested in his female admiral. Ramadhal certainly was interested in her.
"I'm sorry," Mnro said, "but I won't tell you about her."
"Why not?" Etrhnk asked.
"I don't trust my memories. I don't trust myself. I make decisions at times when I don't know enough to be certain of consequences."
"Yet you have decided to abandon your life's work," Etrhnk said, "for the sake of this ancient friendship, and for passage on a dangerous journey."
"If you won't put me on the Freedom, I'll try to meet up with her on her outbound course."
"What of the Mnro Clinics?" he asked.
"Doctor Ramadhal should assume my duties, if he will." She turned back to Ramadhal, smiling sadly at the surprise she saw on his face.
You can't leave me! Ramadhal wanted to shout; but, looking again at the marvelous portrait of Fidelity Demba, he thought he could appreciate Mnro's motivation. He knew Rafael de LaGuardia. He knew the artist was dying of aging and had abandoned his art for many years. He knew that for Rafael to paint such a glorious portrait at this stage of his life must require potent inspiration - perhaps from Fidelity Demba. Demba could easily be worth the importance Mnro gave her. Assume Mnro's duties? How could he