Titan Encounter Read Online Free Page A

almost collided. Mara’s
gaze locked on the picture. “Look at the medallion around his neck.”
    “So?” Justin asked.
    Mara pointed to the
picture, then to the medal around Naomi’s neck.
    Justin’s eyes
narrowed as he looked between the two. The medallion that hung from the collar
of the man was similar to the one that hung around the neck of Naomi. Both were
gold and etched with two intersecting arcs. The ends of the lines on the right
side extended beyond the meeting point and created the simple outline of a fish
in profile.   
    Both Mara and Justin
stared at her and the object that hung from her neck. 
    Naomi clutched the
medal. “It was my father’s. He gave it to me.” She stepped back and released it
between her breasts. “I did not steal it.”
    “No,” Justin said,
waving a hand. “I didn’t think you did. I don’t even know who this man is.”
    “Strange
coincidence, that’s for sure,” Mara added.
    He nodded. “Do you
know anything about it?”
    She shook her head.
“It is just a trinket.” Stepping back again, she turned to the table. “The food
looks lovely.”
    “Yes.” Justin’s
thoughts still lingered on the medallion, but he tried to smile politely. “You should
recognize several of the items. These,” he said pointing to a dish of mixed
vegetables,” are terra-form varieties from Earth
    “I recognize peas
and corn, but I’m not from Earth.”
    Justin’s eyebrow
rose slightly. “Oh?”
    “No, Epsilon. My
family is from Epsilon,” she said as they sat around the table. 
     *              
*  
            *
    “That was the best
meal I’ve had in many days,” Naomi said, looking at Justin. “Did you cook it?”
    “No,” he started
clearing the table, “Mara is the brighter cook.”
     As Justin
returned with a strawberry cake for dessert, Mara asked the first substantive
question of the evening, “Why were you traveling outside of the Empire?”
    “My father was on
his way to Gatewai . I just went along.”
    “Really?” Justin’s eyes
widened in surprise, “Your father was going out beyond the CFS?”
    She nodded.
    “Does that ancient
jump-gate work?” Justin asked as he sat.
    Mara shook her head.
“No, I don’t think so…”
    Turning to Naomi
Justin asked, “But someone is expecting you there?”
    “They were expecting
my father.” She squirmed a bit in her seat. “But I don’t know who they were.”
    Mara swallowed a
bite of cake then asked. “What kind of business was your father in?”
    “Terraforming.” She smiled. “He was
a freelance engineer.”
    “You must have been
very proud of him.”
    “I thought they had
given up terraforming that system.” He turned to Naomi. “Your father…what did
you say his name was?”
    “Ah,
Saul, Dr. Carl Saul.”
    “Oh?” He rubbed his
chin.
    “Have you heard of
him?” Mara asked.
    Justin shook his
head slowly. “No.”
     “It was a
small consulting business,” Naomi added.
    Justin stood and
collected the plates from the table, balancing them on his arm like a
waiter.  Still leaning over the table he said, “Your father must have
business associates back in the empire, have you been able to contact any of
them?”
    Her eyes slid down.
“Not yet.”
    Mara frowned. “I’m
sure you will soon, but you’re welcome to stay here as long…”
    Naomi shook her
head. “As soon as I have the money and can make the arrangements I would like
to leave.” She bit her lip. “That did not come out right.” Her eyes darted
between them. “You have both been very kind, but I really cannot stay here.”
    “Of course,” Mara
said. “We understand, but until you can return home, do let us know if you need
anything. I’m sure Justin or I can help.”
    Naomi fumbled with
her fork. “Thank you for the meal, but it is late. I should go.”
    Mara stood, “Come
on.” Reaching out, she took her arm. “I’ll walk with you back to your
quarters.”  As they walked toward the