Earth Awakens (The First Formic War) by Orson Scott Card, Aaron Johnston Read Free Book Online Page B

woman’s voice said. “You do not have access privileges.”
    Of course I don’t. Father’s security restrictions on me saw to that.
    “Access the meeting schedule for Simona Moratti,” he said.
    “I’m sorry. You do not have access privileges.”
    He exhaled. This wasn’t going to work. The answer was there in front of him; he just couldn’t reach it.
    “Computer, check dinner reservations throughout Imbrium in the name of Ukko Jukes.” He doubted the company’s data system could access every restaurant in the city, but he knew the company had relationships with the finer establishments, the kind of places Father would go. He had seen Simona make reservations with her holopad.
    “No matches found,” said the computer.
    “What about reservations in the name of Simona Moratti?”
    “No matches found.”
    Again, another strike out. There had to be another way.
    “Computer, can you access the security cameras throughout headquarters?”
    “Affirmative.”
    “Can you identify the location of a specific employee?”
    “Only if the employee’s face is currently within view. Otherwise I can only approximate a location based on the last recorded sighting or based on the last use of the employee’s proximity chip.”
    “Can you identify the location of my father Ukko Jukes?”
    “Affirmative.”
    “Where he is?”
    “You do not have clearance for that information.”
    Lem swore. “Override clearance restriction.”
    “Permission denied.”
    Lem was ready to hit the dash when he remembered that he did have clearance. He had purchased it. “Computer, how are you identifying me right now?”
    “Voice recognition. Lem Jukes. Executive Director of Mining Innovation, Kuiper Belt Division.”
    “Cancel voice recognition. Identify me based on my proximity chip only.”
    “Done. May I be of further assistance?”
    “Give me the current location of Ukko Jukes?”
    “Ukko Jukes is in the executive dining room, C Gate access, room 1345.”
    Lem changed course and accelerated toward C Gate. He arrived moments later, parked the skimmer, and took back passages toward the dining room. Knowing Simona, she would have taken every precaution. If she had alerted the secretaries at Father’s office, she had likely sent similar warnings to Father’s security detail. Keep your eyes open for Lem. If he shows up, politely deny him access.
    Or, knowing Simona’s dark mood at the moment, maybe she had ordered them not to be polite. Either way, Lem wasn’t going through the front door.
    The staff entrance was at the back of the kitchen, accessible via a side corridor off the main tunnel. A crowd of chefs in stiff white uniforms looked up from their work when Lem entered. Lem smiled and sidled past them, heading for the double doors that led to the dining room. No one spoke or tried to stop him.
    The company had spared no expense on the dining room, a lavishly decorated space with a vaulted ceiling and chandeliers. There were over a dozen tables, but only one of them was occupied. Father sat across from a woman in conservative business attire. Lem didn’t recognize her, but he knew at once that she was here on business and not as Father’s date. Father would never pursue a woman so close to his own age and with such plain features.
    Lem squared his shoulders, buttoned his suit coat, and approached them, smiling pleasantly. “Father, I’m so glad I found you. Could you and I speak in private for a moment regarding a most urgent matter?”
    The surprise on Father’s face was replaced with a forced smile of barely contained fury. “Lem. This is very unexpected.”
    Lem turned to the woman. She had a pin of the American flag on the lapel of her jacket. A politician most likely, though Lem had no idea who. A congresswoman, perhaps. Or someone from the current administration. Why was Father meeting with the Americans?
    He extended a hand. “Lem Jukes.”
    She took his hand, showing no signs of irritation. “Margaret Hopkins.