Delores Doherty was glad when the clock showed that it was 6.00 p.m. on Friday. Her day had been busy, consisting mainly of the final preparation of the report on the suitability of the late Sandra Benes' new history for use in schools (positive); the tracking down of copies of that history which had gone missing when in transit to Ceres 2 (eventually found); and the preparation of her Head of Section's latest submission to the Constitutional Committee. Even though Michel, as he always did, gave her full credit for her contributions, and even though the 'History of the Alphan People from Breakaway to Loki, 1999-2009' was destined to become a classic, Delores was tired and needed a change of scene. Luckily, she had arranged to have dinner with Sal Verdeschi, who was always interesting company. He had had no plans, as his girlfriend Fatuma Ofori, one of the Library Assistants, had gone off early to the ninth birthday party of her niece, Buffy Castellano. Michel would also be there, as Buffy was his granddaughter.

A message light blinked on the lower left-hand corner of her slate. She saved the document she was on (one of Michel's grand projects, a National Archives that would not be built for years, as it needed resources calculated to give the Commander a heart attack!) and called up the two listed messages. First was Manesh Chakraborty, the Sub-Librarian, announcing that the library was closed; second was Salvatore's smiling face, demanding to know what was taking her so long. She turned off her slate, folded up its stand and its keyboard, and packed it up.

Sal was waiting for her at the entrance, as she said goodbye to Manesh and the other staff. His arms were full of books - including, she noticed, his father's contribution to the history - and his best smile was on his face. He's getting more like his father, Delores thought, as he kissed her on the cheek.

"Hello, Delores! How was your day?"

"Busy. I'll tell you all about it. Where will we go?"

"The Black Sun?" Sal named the cafeteria on the other side of the recreation area. He was, Delores thought, on his best behaviour, as he thought the place rather staid; but she would not have gone anywhere near the Catacombs tonight.

"That suits me." The two friends made their way to the cafeteria, negotiating their way through the trees, plants, fountains, and tables. After both had chosen what they wanted to eat and drink, got their identities checked, and chosen a vacant table, Sal launched into what he believed Delores thought was the latest gossip.

"You know that Hester and Michael have broken up?" he said.

"Yes, Hester told me. She also said that he was homosexual and in love with you." It wasn't all that she told Delores, but the latter was keeping that secret, and kept her voice matter of fact. Sal also didn't know that Hester was sitting at a nearby table with two other teachers.

Sal looked a little deflated. "I should've remembered that you're her friend. I suppose she told you that he's gone to Ceres II."

Delores nodded. "Poor Michael." Her thoughts went back to the death of his parents ten years ago, and how she and his other classmates did their best to comfort him. "I'm thinking of how it was when his mam and dad died, a poor reward for what they went through on the journey."

"I forgot that you and your family were living at Dover that year. My parents told me about it, and I went to the funeral, but I was only nine and didn't really understand. I didn't even know you existed."

Both said nothing for a moment, then Sal changed what was a painful subject. "What does the report say about Sahn's history?"

Delores knew that Sahn's death had left Sal without any apparent sense of purpose. He had found a new mentor, but had let his apprenticeship in the communications section lapse, and appeared to do little except what related to art. She had got him to design covers for the history and other new acquisitions, which he had done well, and Alex Koenig had got him to look at the secondary school. Despite this, there had been grumblings about his 'anti-social' behaviour from many, including Jean-Paul, Michel's eldest son.

Where she was sitting she was able to look at Hester, who was staring at the back of Sal's head. She noticed Delores noticing, winked, then turned back to talk to her friends.

I hope you know what you're doing, Delores thought. It was all she could do to stop herself grinning. But what fun it'll be if he does fall for her! Delores was not surprised at Hester's determination; while she was not as clever as others in school, she made up in her thoroughness and determination to learn subjects. Seduction was obviously the current subject she was trying to master.

"The history? The report is very positive. It says that it's an acceptable task for the older kids from twelve on, and we can produce simpler versions for the younger ones. It's a great book, and a fitting legacy for Sahn to leave behind." She raised her glass of wine. "To Sahn."

"To Sahn." They clinked glasses and drank. "I asked you before," said Sal, "but how was she like to work with, from the point of view of the research you and the others did for her?"

"Kind and very encouraging. She wanted to complete it before she died; so she was grateful for our help. We could see that she was in pain, but she never complained to us about it. Her flesh was weak, but her spirit was quite willing. You must have seen that yourself; you saw her more often than I did." Delores wondered why he was asking her that question. Her death has affected him more than I thought.

She went on, smiling at the memories. "Besides, the interviewing of all the original Alphans was something Michel always had in mind, as well as getting them to write their memoirs. For future generations of course; but he could only deal with a few people at the beginning. When our generation began growing up, he had plenty of slave labour. The history helped us a lot, as a lot of people wanted to be sure their contributions were recorded for posterity."

Sal nodded. "At least she accomplished something when she died." His voice was a little gloomy. "I remember when you came to interview my parents." It had been five years ago, not long before his father's death. He smiled weakly. "A lot's happened since then. You're now a woman and I'm a man."

Smarmy git. Delores had it confirmed why, though she liked Sal, she wasn't as interested in him as other women of her generation. He was good-looking and intelligent, but emotionally immature, not to mention still affected by the deaths of his father and Sahn. Is he good enough for you, Hester? Never mind; he'll be your problem, not mine. Time to deflate him a little, though.

"Sal, you're forgetting that I was a grown woman at the time. Come on, most women of our generation got married at around that age, some earlier, and the kids came along soon after." Like him a little earlier, she changed the subject. "You've probably found out that the Commander agreed to raise the minimum school leaving age to fourteen. Isn't that great news?"

Sal nodded. "I heard, and it is good news. Many of our generation left school too early, without their minds being opened to the things they could achieve or even think about." The tone in his voice grew bitter.

Delores was also bitter. "Yes, we're the lucky ones. Many of us are a lost generation, content to accept what they're told, unaware of what they could really do. Perhaps that's why we put up with each other." Both smiled at this. "At least the next generation, including my nieces and nephews, will have a proper education." A hardness entered her eyes.

Sal knew what she was talking about. The first generation teachers tended to get nervous when her name was mentioned. "None of the first generation had any experience in teaching a bunch of kids; they had to learn as they went along. We were a difficult bunch." He began to smile then stopped.

"You're remembering the bullying? Because of your mam being a Psychon?"

"Yes." There was pain, humiliation and anger in Sal's eyes. No wonder he and Maya are so close; after Tony's death, all they have is each other. She remembered the stories told by Michel about Maya's treatment when she came to Alpha, particularly the Nazi stuff.

"It's funny. You got picked on because of your mixed birth; yet I didn't have a problem, despite my mixed birth. If Mam and Dad had married a hundred years ago, I'd have been treated the same way, and my brothers and Ling Ling. And look at the next generation, Kevin and Sarah's kids! Not just Hiberno-Chinese, but Jewish as well! We're all humans now, which means that you and your mam are our only visible racial minority." She decided to lighten things up. "Of course, on Earth, some countries called those not its citizens 'aliens'." They both laughed.

"I wish they saw the aliens our parents had to fight!" Sal's remark led to them laughing again. The conversation at nearby tables stopped, people wondering what was so funny.

Delores put her left hand on his. "Try not to worry about that. If you have kids, and if they have brown streaks, it'll just be seen as a family trait, as normal as my slant eyes."

"We needed that; the conversation was getting a little depressing." Sal certainly looked better. Their thoughts went back to their food, and conversation stopped for a while, then turned to the remains of the omelettes and chips they had been eating. While the chips would have been recognisable to an Earthman of 1999, he would have regarded the 'omelette' as somewhat dark in appearance with a strange texture and taste.

"My father always called it an incredible invention: an omelette you could make without breaking eggs-"

"-because it doesn't have any." Delores finished Sal's sentence; it was an old joke among the original Alphans. "Yes; if Mam and Dad didn't go on about the food and drink, it was the lack of new Earth entertainment. I'm sure you remember discussions about whether George Lucas ever completed the entire Star Wars cycle. I think those two things affected our parents' generation more than all the aliens they encountered."

"My father did go on about such things, though not as much as others, because Mama didn't behave that way about Psychon." Sal was no longer bitter or cynical, but wistful.

"Let's be fair to them; they say that our diet is healthier, with no dead animal flesh, we're healthier than most Earth people. You got those stories too, about how so many on Earth died of starvation, while others stuffed themselves, yet they worshipped skinny people. Madness!"

Sal's smile grew a little mischievous. "Like that skinny singer your father named you after?"

Delores' smile grew broader. "I'll have you know, Sal, that Delores O'Riordan was petite, not skinny. I'm certainly not!" This was quite true. Delores was of medium height, though her hands and feet, while perfectly formed, were large for a woman of her size. While she had inherited her mother's Chinese features, her father's prominent Irish nose was also her inheritance. Though not attractive in the conventional sense, she knew that she was a striking woman, this owing as much to her personality as to her looks.

"I see that you got your dad's account out." She indicated the slim volume. "You could've asked for your own copy; we did make the offer to the children of those involved."

"I wasn't interested at the time." Delores nodded in understanding. "I guess I got curious about my father's childhood and youth, the different upbringing he had compared to mine, like all our parents. He talked to me a lot about his childhood in Florence; but I've forgotten much of it. I'm hoping that the account will help jog my memory."

The pain and regret at his father's loss was manifest in his voice. Time to change the subject a little, thought Delores. "Sal, is there any chance, later on of course, that you could talk to your mam about her writing something on Psychon and her life there? She told us everything about what happened to her on Alpha, but nothing before. As far as we know, she's the last of her people. If she dies without doing anything, even her memories of Psychon will be lost."

"I know what you mean, I really do, but if she won't do it for Michel, who was so good to her, I don't think she'll do it for me. She said very little about Psychon, even when I was a kid. I certainly don't remember any stories." Damn, thought Delores. At least it was worth a try. After she had interviewed Tony and Maya, Michel had come to try and persuade the latter to do something about Psychon; but he was met with a flat, though polite refusal, softened by Maya lending her Psychon dress to the Library. This had added to Michel's private frustration at his lack of success. He spent a lot of time looking at the dress, as Delores had done, wondering what Psychon was like. Even trying to get Commander Koenig to do some persuading was a failure. That said, Michel told Delores that he fully understood Maya's reasons.

"I'm sorry for bringing it up. Michel asked me to ask you, but I understand if you don't want to do it." Time to really change the subject. "I'm going to tell you something about me only a few people know about at the moment."

Sal raised his eyebrows; he was both interested and amused. "You've a sex life that's even wilder than mine, or you want to assassinate the Commander?"

Delores laughed a little. "You're nearly right. I do want to replace John Koenig...with myself. I want to be the second Commander of Alpha."

Sal was at a loss for words, the first time Delores had seen him this way. He could be uncommunicative, but that was when he didn't want to say anything. This time, he did not know what to say. He sat back, letting his brain grasp the concept of a Commander other than John Koenig. "You want to be the Commander?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Why not? Someone has to succeed him, almost obviously one of the second generation, and why shouldn't it be me?" Delores tried to sound as if it was the most normal thing a young Alphan would want to do.

"A librarian wearing the black sleeve," said Sal, half to himself. "Well, why not? Have you figured out your election strategy yet?"

"Partly. It's quite simple. I plan to build up enough support so as to be in a good position to succeed once Koenig goes."

Sal was intrigued. "How long have you thought about this?"

"Since I became Librarian, two years ago. Michel congratulated me, saying that he always knew that I'd work my way as far as I wanted, even to Commander. From then on, I had dreams; but I've decided that I don't just want them to remain dreams." She paused. "What do you think?"

"Stranger things have happened," Sal replied. "Who would've thought that my parents would've married and produced me? And what about Emma Koenig and Alan Carter?" He smiled. "Go for it." Good. Now was the time to ask him.

"Will you help me?"

"Is that why we had dinner?"

"One of the reasons." I won't mention anything about Hester until much later, and only if something happens. "Sal, we like each other because we're different. We've talked about this before. Both of us are dissatisfied with how things are at present. I know that you're not interested in political office, but I feel you'd support someone who is."

There was a long pause. Sal laughed a little. "I'm a little hooked," he replied. "What did you have in mind for me?"

"I was thinking that designing posters and campaign slogans would be obvious for your artistic talents." Now was the time to add a little well-deserved flattery. "But that's not all. I need people who can see things differently, who can give me different advice. So, you'll be my adviser, leaning towards the artistic end of things, but I'll listen to your advice on other matters."

Sal eyes looked far away, as if he was calculating all that he had heard. "I need to know more," he said. "For example, when will the election happen? Koenig is an old man; he could die tomorrow. Also, who will be our opposition?"

Good questions, and he's already sounding as if he wants to take part.

"Two good questions. First, you're right that Koenig could go anytime. As you said, he could die or retire tomorrow; but I don't believe that anyone else has thought about replacing him, which gives us a head start over anyone else, apart from his two eldest children."

Sal nodded. "Sounds reasonable."

"Second, regarding the opposition, the main opponents will be Alex or Emma. Richard only wants to succeed his mother, not his father, so he's out, unless some accident kills the first two; and the grandchildren will be too young." Delores had been pointing to two fingers of her left hand; the palms of both her hands were shown to Sal. "How does that sound?"

He smiled in reply. "You've thought this out." There was a note of admiration in his voice.

Delores shrugged. "I wouldn't have asked you otherwise. The fact that Koenig's children will be the obvious opponents will help, because we can accuse the family of trying to establish a hereditary monarchy. Koenig's denied that he's a monarch, but that's what he is, like Augustus."

"I know what you mean, but there's something else you need if you want to be Commander." Sal looked a little embarrassed, but Delores knew what he meant. "Isn't it usual for political leaders to have a family?"

"I know, I need to be a responsible wife and mother." This was nearly snorted out. She looked down at her plate, then back at Sal. "Just because I don't have a man doesn't mean that I wouldn't want to marry and have kids. I was too interested in my books to bother about getting a husband. Anyway, I feel that most of our generation spend too much time looking for marriage partners. I wonder if many of them are truly in love with their eventual spouses." She knew that she was sounding sad. "I wouldn't bother with anyone unless I really loved him." Her laugh meant to be sarcastic but sounded sad. "Maybe I'll be married with a family when the time comes, maybe not; but I would never do anything like that for a black sleeve."

Sal looked impressed by her obvious sincerity. "I really hope you find someone you love, Delores." His sincerity she found heart-warming. Now I know why he's so attractive to some women. She had to push the issue, but not too hard.

"Does that mean you'll help?"

"I'll think about it, Delores, I promise. Whatever I decide, I'll let you know."

That was all I could expect, she thought. He's had enough to bother with at the moment, but I thought it might help take his mind off things. Sal made a move to get up and leave.

"Are you going anywhere?"

Sal looked a little gloomy. "No. Fatuma said that she'll be late, I don't want to go to the Catacombs at the moment, and with Michael gone I don't know what to do."

He did look like the boy she first saw. Now that his mam's living with him, his sex life must be very cramped, Delores thought. Of course, he'll be glad of any legitimate excuse to stay out late. Now was the time.

"Look, Sal, why don't you come with me later to see the second Austin Powers movie? We've all seen it before, but it's funny and I can forget about becoming Commander for a while."

Sal's face was transformed. His voice took on the appropriate accent as he declaimed: "Do I make you horny, baby?"

"Oh behave! I'll that that as a yes. Shall we meet at the auditorium at a quarter to eight?"

"I'll be there." Sal did look happy.

Time to go. "Goodbye till then." Delores picked up her slate and books, and began to walk away, with a backward wave.

"Delores?" His voice made her stop and turn around.

"Thanks for dinner. I won't forget it in a hurry, all about your plans to take over Alpha."

"That's okay. Just let me know if you're interested in being part of them. 'Bye"

She finally walked away. Her flat was not far, and she quickly set up her slate, her fingers nearly slipping off the keys as she typed out Hester's address. She burst out with her news as soon as the latter's face appeared.

"I talked to Sal, and he'll be coming to the movie at eight. It's time for you to make your first step." I nearly said 'make your first move'. Be careful, Delores, or you'll put her off completely.

"Wish me luck, Delores." Her voice was low. Delores saw that she was at home. Ready to get dressed up.

"All the luck I have." Delores kept her voice in a reassuring tone. "Just promise me something."

"What?"

"You'll be gentle with him."

"Gentle?" Hester was now smiling. "We are talking about Salvatore Verdeschi?"

"The very man. Just remember one thing: Sal's not as grown up as he likes to think he is."

"True!" Both were laughing. Hester had a distant look in her eyes, obviously thinking of her unfolding strategy.

"I'll do it. Go gently on him I mean." Delores knew that Hester meant it.

"Good."

Words then poured out of Hester. "Thanks for listening to me about Sal, Delores, and for not laughing at me. Like Mama, you understood. Whatever happens, I won't forget this."

"Thanks, and goodbye until later."

"'Bye."

As Hester's face faded from the slate, Delores hoped that she would be successful. Quite apart from Hester being her friend, Delores had wanted to imitate, if only once, the matchmaking ancestors on both sides of her family. She looked around for a novel she had recently borrowed, one that she had frequently read and loved, and looked at the first paragraph of the first chapter:

"EMMA WOODHOUSE, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her."

Delores knew that she would have a lot to distress and vex her, particularly if she wanted to become Commander; but that could wait for an evening of watching Dr. Evil trying to take over the world, and (from a discreet distance) Hester trying to take over Sal's heart.