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scapegoats. I don’t think anyone is intent on actually destroying our camp—no one here is liked , but we’re not hated like the clones.”
    â€œSpares.” Heat rose behind Elissa’s eyes, momentarily erasing the fear.
    This time Miguel did throw her a glance. “Do I look like I have time to argue semantics? Whatever you and she are, you’re hated. And you’re in danger.”
    Calling them clones isn’t just semantics! If everyone keeps calling them clones then everyone keeps seeing them as nonhuman and when people attack them it won’t be a big deal because it won’t matter like the way an attack against ordinary people matters. It does matter. It matters what you call them.
    â€œYou must have some SFI craft here, though?” Cadan said. “When I was last here, we had flyers, and small amphibious craft for practicing air/space maneuvers. They weren’t cleared out at the takeover?”
    â€œNo. IPL requisitioned most of the pilots, but only to fly large craft, not the little two-mans. They’re still here.”
    â€œFueled?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œIPL took the pilots. Do you have anyone who can pilot them, then?”
    â€œTen qualified pilots—they arrived well after the takeover, and IPL haven’t come back yet to recruit more. And yes, Captain, we’re not completely inept. We’ve been using them to defend the base as best we can. They’ll be suiting up now.”
    â€œAny cadets? Once they’re past their first year, they’ll be good enough to defend the base. I can vouch for that, if you need—”
    â€œNo.” Miguel’s voice sounded wry. “Trust me, we can’t afford to fetishize rank right now—we’d use them if we had them. All the SFI personnel here are mostly maintenance—it’s pure luck we’ve ended up with any pilots at all.” His mouth twisted. “We have a hundred people who can fix the ships, just hardly anyone who can fly them.”
    â€œThe ships, are they armed? Last time we were using blanks.”
    â€œWe fixed that, first thing. We’ve got real firepower.”
    â€œOkay. I can take one ship. If you’d introduce me to the pilot in charge, he can get me up to speed on his defense plan?”
    Miguel stared at Cadan. “You’re staying? You’re joining our defense crew?”
    â€œWell, not permanently. But yes. We brought this trouble on you. I can’t offer to evacuate you all—well, at least not until I’ve spoken to IPL—but I can help you defend against any attack that follows us.”
    Miguel stared at him a moment longer. “Okay. I get you. I’ll take you to the docking bays.”
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œ You’re thanking me ? ” There was dry amusement in Miguel’s voice. “And what about those kids? Was getting them caught up in this part of your plan?”
    Next to Elissa, Lin quivered, indignant. “We’re not kids. And we can help —”
    â€œNo,” said Cadan.
    â€œI can! I don’t want to go in the shelters—”
    â€œYou’re not. The base shelters are good, but I defy any air- or ground-based attack to get through the Phoenix ’s defenses.” His glance swept from Lin over Elissa and the rest of the crew. “You—all of you—you’re getting back on board now.”
    It was his crisis-management voice, one of automatic command, and Elissa responded to it, turning back toward the Phoenix , fear making her cold all over again, a little clumsy, her feet numb enough that they didn’t seem to be quite connecting with the ground.
    All around her, the crew were doing the same, albeit a whole lot more smoothly. If I end up staying with the ship as long as some of them have trained, will I ever learn to be that calm in the face of danger— more danger, yet again?
    She forced her breathing to slow down. A