Raul turned Jessica to him. “I still think it’s my duty to stand up for the Republic,” he told her, “but I have to admit, I don’t want this as much as I once would have.”

“I’ll feel better knowing that some of the luster has worn off the dream. Maybe you will stay safer that way.” She hesitated, then, “I don’t know how much stock I’m putting into the Republic yet, Raul, but I’ve definitely decided to stand for Achernar. You can do the same, only more so, as a Knight.”

He remembered another of her old arguments. “In my duties, I might be called away from Achernar.”

“It might be good for me to not see your face some times.” Jessica smiled. “So long as you come back.”

“I think this is a yes,” Raul said. “I accept, Lady.”

“Then I commend Achernar into your hands,” she told him. “It may take some time to pass your Knighthood through proper channels, but I’ll get something to your world governor on the next possible JumpShip. In the meantime, maintain the Blackout—this charade of a Blackout—while I see how things develop on Ronel. And do your level best to prepare for anything.”

Raul couldn’t help smiling at the suggestion—at once sobering and amusing. “I’ll learn quickly,” he promised her.

“That is good,” Lady Janella Lakewood said. “Because I’m not certain how much time The Republic has.”