And as I said them something clicked inside my head and I understood them. My entire melt-down last night had been because I had assumed Dad would bla...e me for the nightmare. How crushingly stupid. I’m usually so good at understanding other people. Why do I always get it so wrong when it’s about me? I hate being so stupid.I sighed and said the words again.“Your nightmares are not my fault.”This time I meant them.Dad nodded and thought for a moment. Then he nodded again.“Is that why you ran away. "I am not k**ding. And you know I am not." he says in reply."My husband keeps a gun. I could just shoot your nasty little ass." she hisses."Wow. Never heard you talk like that Mrs. M. Mr. M was accused of selling secrets and was just cleared yesterday. Do you really want the police out here again?" he sounds smug. In control.He pretty much is. She is stalling trying to find some way out. "Let me recap. The secrets your hubby was accused of selling were in fact given up by you. You met a man in. The Diamond Ball is is like no other target to anyone wishing the Union harm as all the important leaders are in one spot. It is tempting and attracts more crooks, assassins and terrorists than any other event, but these are specialists and they do this sort of thing for a long time and today the first Narth that joined the PSI Corps team are here as well.”“So what are we going to do?” Mao asked.“Nothing much actually, we are part of the visible security. Meaning we stalk around outside a. They will never be our allies. Kill the Romans too. You said yourself once that you could never trust them." The last was said with a yawn."They may make good slaves, but I think they may provide some pleasant entertainment or some money if they are ransomed." I would like to see you flog them. Flog them to death, father. They... deserve... it..."The boy was going to sleep as I seemed inclined to do, but I fought to stay awake. There was too much to learn to let some sleeping potion take over.I.