Starfall: A Starstruck Novel (40 page)

“Has someone actually hassled you guys already?” I asked indignantly.

“Only a few nasty emails,” she assured me. “Nothing threatening. Of course, this is an extremely minor matter compared to the, ah, other one. We just thought you should be aware, in case it should escalate.”

When Kyna joined us a moment later, I figured it was a good idea to let her know about that stupid article, too, as well as those emails Dr. Stuart had just mentioned.
 

Rather to my surprise, she just waved a hand dismissively. “Consider the source. I always expected Gordon Nolan to do something underhanded. I’m relieved it turned out to be so relatively innocuous. Unless name calling progresses to physical threats, I recommend you keep your focus on the more pressing matter of the Grentl for now. We’ll deal with any personal or political fallout from malicious gossip later, if necessary.”

In other words, if it still mattered by next week.
 

Realizing she was right, I turned my attention to the two slices of leftover pizza Dr. Stuart had just set in front of me.

*
   
*
   
*

“I’m still not certain telling
all
of our people is the best course.” Malcolm frowned worriedly at Kyna. “You’ve said yourself, many times, how crucially important it is that we keep them from learning about the Grentl’s existence and their continued ties to Nuath. If it would have caused panic before, why should you think it won’t now?”

Kyna had begun the meeting with an overview of what she and the other Scientists had learned and the very preliminary conclusions they’d drawn. Now she reiterated the most pertinent one.

“Don’t you understand? Within a day or two, our people will realize something is out there anyway. Personally, I would far rather tell them the truth than placate them with some elaborate lie that will make them less inclined to take necessary precautions. Once they are made to understand the nature of the threat, I believe our people can be trusted to take appropriate action to safeguard themselves and perhaps the
Duchas
around them, as well.”

“Kyna is right.” Mr. Stuart spoke more forcefully than he’d yet done at a Council meeting. “Already I’m picking up chatter between three or four of the most extensive Earth-based telescope arrays, which means we also need to bring a few
Duchas
space programs into the loop on this, along with the heads of state already discussed.”

Connor looked anxiously from one to the other. “But there’s still a chance a solution will be found, isn’t there?”

“We’ve already begun running simulations,” Kyna assured him, though I could tell she considered a solution unlikely. “Meanwhile, it’s essential that nations, cities and individuals around the globe do whatever is possible in advance to minimize the potential devastation. With enough cooperation, we may be able to keep casualties far lower than they would otherwise be.”

Mr. Stuart nodded. “If critical systems can be taken offline and power grids shut down before the EMP, that would decrease our recovery time substantially. But convincing so many municipalities, even whole countries, to take such drastic steps will require a higher degree of candor than we have been in the habit of practicing.”

“Are you suggesting we inform the
Duchas
at large about our existence?” Breann was clearly aghast. “We’d risk having our people put in containment camps…or worse.”

“No, no,” Kyna quickly replied. “The common folk are by no means ready for such information. Our hope is to convince those leaders who already know about us to spread word of a fictitious impending solar storm so appropriate measures can be taken for the safety of their people. And ours.”

Though it was obvious the Royals still had reservations, none voiced further objections.
 

“That’s settled, then,” Kyna said with grim satisfaction. “Our next order of business is to decide which details will be shared, both in the announcement to our own people—which I recommend the Sovereign read aloud—and with the
Duchas
heads of state.”
 

By the end of the meeting, we’d hammered out a draft statement for me to read, as well as a few crucial bullet points I’d need to share with the various heads of state via video-conferencing.

“Are you sure Kyna wouldn’t be a better person to talk to them?” I squirmed at the thought of looking stupid in front of the most important people on the planet. “I mean, I’m just sixteen. What if they don’t take me seriously?”

Kyna smiled understandingly—which made her look surprisingly attractive for her age. “I will introduce you, and will be on hand, Excellency, but you are our Sovereign and the spokesperson for our people. Trust me, the recommendations will have more weight coming from you.”
 

Then, to all of us, “Clearly, this needs to take place as quickly as possible. I doubt we’ll be able to arrange any video calls with leaders before midday tomorrow, but we shouldn’t delay longer than that. Excellency, can you arrange to be here at that time?”

“Well, I have school, and tomorrow’s that Government field trip…”
 

Mrs. O spoke up. “If we can somehow arrange for the Sovereign to appear to leave with the group while actually remaining behind, she would have all of tomorrow afternoon to devote to these calls and to record the statement she’s agreed to make to our people.”
 

“We’ll arrange it.” Kyna didn’t say how, but I had no doubt she’d manage it.
 

The meeting adjourned a few minutes later. When Rigel kissed me good night, he did his best to calm my worries—about everything.
 

Let’s just focus on making sure we’re still here and functioning come Saturday…and enjoy every minute we have together between now and then.

I promised to do my best on both fronts.

*
   
*
   
*

During the drive back, I still sensed lingering resentment from Mrs. O’Gara underneath the worry we all shared. I wanted to say something, try again to explain, but I didn’t think it would do any good. While she might claim to understand, I wasn’t sure she’d ever forgive me for what I’d done to her son.

Even if it wasn’t exactly my fault, I couldn’t really blame her.

Then she surprised me by saying, “Excellency, Sean requested that if the meeting adjourned in time, I bring you by our house briefly before you go home. Would you mind terribly?”

“Uh, no, I guess not. Why?”

“He said he’d like to talk to you, but that it shouldn’t take long.”

Great. I already had all that ridiculous Homecoming stuff and a stupid gossip column to worry about on top of the Grentl. I
so
didn’t need Sean trying one more time to talk me out of being with Rigel. But I might as well get it over with.

“Sure, that’ll be fine.”

Like yesterday after school, Sean was already waiting on the porch. When his mother and I joined him there, he said, “You go on in, Mum. I’ll talk to M out here.”

“Very well.” If anything, the resentment I felt from her increased. As she went inside and closed the door, I braced myself.

“Your mom said you wanted to talk to me?”

Sean nodded, his expression unreadable, his feelings a jumble of sadness, determination and…relief? “I do. Can we sit down?” He indicated the porch swing.

Still trying to decipher what I was sensing, I cautiously sat next to him. “What?”

“I think Mum knows what I’m going to say and she doesn’t agree. So I wanted to do it out here. M, I get it. I finally do get it.”

“Get it?” Now I was even more confused. “Get what?”

“You and Rigel. Your bond and…and everything. I saw what happened last night—how you were starting to lose it, using the Grentl device, and how that changed when he touched you. It was…amazing. For almost a year I’ve been fighting it, trying to convince myself it was just a crush or some temporary genetic anomaly, but I…I know now it’s not. What you two have is real. And important. And I don’t want to get in the way of it. Not anymore.”

“Sean, I—” I began, but he shook his head.

“No. Don’t apologize. Not again, not now. I’m the one who needs to say I’m sorry, for doubting you all this time—or trying to, even when I knew, deep down, your bond with Rigel was real. Sure, I had Nuathan tradition on my side, but that doesn’t excuse how I acted—to either of you. I just wanted you to know I’m taking myself out of it.”

Now I was alarmed. “Out of it? What do you mean?”

“Nothing drastic.” He managed a twisted smile. “I’m not leaving Jewel or anything, not yet. Probably not before I graduate, unless we all—” He broke off, but I knew what he’d been about to say.

“The Scientists are doing all they can and we’re going to get as many people as possible, all over the world, to take precautions, just in case.” I tried to sound more reassuring than I felt.

He nodded. “If anyone can stop them, you can. With Rigel. I just meant that I plan to back off, try to move on. Maybe ask other girls out, not that there are any other
Echtran
girls in Jewel right now. But…I don’t want you worrying about me anymore. I know you have been, and the last thing I want is to be a distraction right now.”

I swallowed, trying to dislodge the sudden lump in my throat. “Thank you, Sean. I’ve always liked you, you know. It’s just—”

“I know. It’s not the same. It can’t ever be the same. Like I said, I get it now.” He stood, making the swing rock. “I’ll go get Mum to drive you home, since your aunt will expect that.”

“Okay. You’re…you’re a really good person, Sean. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise.”

“Hey, if my Sovereign says so, it must be true. G’night, M.” His parting smile was sad, but there was also strength behind it, and that strength reassured me. He was going to be okay, even if it took a while.

At school the next day, the candidates for Homecoming Court were included in the morning announcements and campaigning began in earnest.

“C’mon, M,” Bri chided me at lunch. “Deb and I are working our butts off trying to get you elected to Homecoming Court and you act like you don’t even care!”

I wrenched my thoughts away from the intimidating prospect of talking to a bunch of world leaders this afternoon. Homecoming Court was such a minor matter compared to everything else going on this week, I really
couldn’t
bring myself to care. But I couldn’t tell Bri that.
 

“Sorry. I’ll do more tomorrow—if only to keep Trina off that float with Rigel.”
 

“Exactly! The main point is to make sure
she
doesn’t get it this year.” Bri’s serious expression suggested a life-or-death issue. “If we can even split her vote so Rosa Garcia wins, I’ll be happy.”
 

“Yeah, me, too.” Rosa was captain of the girls’ volleyball team and both popular and pretty. And way nicer than Trina.

You might as well humor them,
Rigel thought to me.
It gives them something harmless to focus on and they’re having fun.
He didn’t add that they might only have two more days left for fun, but I knew he was thinking it. Just like I was.
 

So I reluctantly let Bri and Deb drag me around the cafeteria while they talked me up as the best choice to represent the junior class. At least I looked my best, since with Molly’s guidance I’d worn an outfit appropriate for both school and my on-camera appearances later. She’d even done my makeup in the bathroom before classes started.

“It’s too bad you have that dentist appointment today, right when both Government classes are going to Indianapolis,” Deb said worriedly when we returned to our table. “You know Trina will use the whole bus ride to schmooze people into voting for her.”

Bri made a rude sound. “We can out-schmooze Trina any day. You’ll help, won’t you, Rigel? And Molly, get Sean on board, too. He’s probably going to be elected Homecoming King so his support will count double!”

I’d told Rigel about my conversation with Sean last night, and he was as relieved as I was that Sean finally seemed willing to move on. Maybe even more relieved.

Bri and Deb strategized how to use this afternoon’s four-hour field trip to my advantage while I went back to mentally phrasing what I’d say to people like the U.S. Secretary of State and the Chancellor of Germany.

When the bell rang, Rigel and Molly hung back for a moment as the rest of the Government students headed to the waiting bus.
 

“You going to be okay?” Rigel asked. “If you want, I can—”

“No, it’s fine. Kyna will be there, and your dad. Besides, we don’t have an excuse for you to miss the trip.” I turned to Molly then. “I feel really bad making you do all the work on this Government project. I’m totally not pulling my weight.”

Molly grinned at me. “It’s no biggie. Really. How about we divide up the work this way: I’ll finish the project and you save the world. Deal?”

I couldn’t help but laugh, despite the looming threat. “Deal.”

The two of them hurried off then to catch the bus to Indy while I went to the front office, where Kyna and Cormac had already cleared me for my fictitious dental appointment. I signed myself out, then met Kyna at the curb so she could drive me to Rigel’s house. Before pulling away, she handed me a tablet.
 

“Van Stuart and I finalized the statement you’ll be recording for broadcast via MARSTAR and the Nuathan networks. You can personalize it if you wish, but it’s fairly straightforward, worded with an eye to minimizing panic.”

I scanned the text. The statement was brief but stilted. As we drove, I edited it slightly, hoping a more casual delivery might make it a little less scary. When we reached the Stuarts’ house, I handed the tablet back to Kyna for approval.

“Ah, yes. That does sound more like you. Well done. Let’s get this out of the way first, before this afternoon’s video conference.”

Mr. Stuart was waiting for us inside. “Everything is still set up for you in my office.” The main emotion I sensed from him was determination, with just a touch of nervousness. Way less nervousness than I was feeling myself.