Sacred Trust by Roxanne Barbour Page B

tell us the truth. How did you get in?”
    â€œThe whole thing is stupid. Why would a museum be off limits to the general population? And to top it off, they had a restricted room within the museum. How bizarre is that?” I tried again for distraction.
    â€œYour pass card,” interrupted Tata, looking at his mother. She didn’t seem surprised. “Investigating Nara’s ruins. Start Museum Spaceflight. Found locked room; ruins on door. Ejected museum.” Tata’s face changed to a greener color, and the heat rose in my cheeks.
    After a moment, Ambassador Tata said, “Show ruins again.” Tata gave his com to her.
    She looked at the screen and made a motion with her hands. “Yes, restricted.” My father focused on the Arandi ambassador during these exchanges.
    â€œIn the interests of good relations, perhaps you could tell me what’s going on. We can have our conversation in private, if you wish,” said Dad.
    Ambassador Tata replied, “Make call.” The rest of us waited in silence while she withdrew to another room.
    Upon her return, the ambassador said, “No discussion. Off limits.”
    Dad straightened his spine and clenched his hands. “Ambassador and offspring, Nara and I will take our leave. Thank you for your hospitality.”
    Both ambassadors gave a short bow. Their actions pointedly excluded Tata and me.
    Eonus and I glanced at each other. We knew we were in big trouble, but such was the lot of a teenager.
    Dad and I didn’t talk on the way home, although a thousand questions swirled in my thoughts. I needed to receive my reprimand first, and shortly I did.
    â€œDo you understand how you’ve compromised my position?” he asked. “I’m the human ambassador to Arandis. I—actually we—are being closely watched by all Arandi. You need to think clearly before you take any actions.”
    â€œDon’t you think we should find out what the Arandi are hiding?” I asked. The ruins compounded my curiosity about Arandi culture and history.
    Dad rubbed his forehead. “Nara, stop.”
    â€œOkay, I apologize. I promise I’ll be extremely careful in the future, although I do want to know everything I can about Arandis.”
    â€œI know, and I have something in the works that will help you, but I can’t explain yet. Now let’s have some dinner,” said my father.
    Later, alone in my room—Dad had disappeared to some function or other—I received a call from Tata.
    Tata said, “Museum Spaceflight?” by way of greeting.
    â€œYou want to go to the Museum of Spaceflight again? I thought we were in enough trouble already.” Tata surprised me. Up until now, he’d been the conservative offspring of an ambassador.
    â€œSecond pass card.” Tata pointed his com at a familiar object.
    â€œNo, I can’t go. We’re not supposed to.” I started to breathe a little quicker.
    â€œNeed to know ruins.”
    What a dilemma he’d handed me. I desperately wanted to know about the ruins. The back of my mind pinged, but I ignored the twitch my body gave me. “Okay, I’ll meet you there. Do you know how to get into the locked room?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhen do you want to go?” My stomach churned.
    â€œNow.”
    â€œWhy?” I started to sound like Tata.
    â€œNo one museum.”
    Probably true, since the day had almost ended. Against my misgivings, I agreed to meet him.
    Not a soul appeared as we entered the museum and then the locked room. Not large, the area consisted of table displays and wall diagrams.
    While Tata methodically read every word he found, I encountered difficulty. Although my upgraded com would decipher Arandi writing, the process took considerable time, and my impatience grew.
    â€œTata, what have you found? Tell me something.” I wanted to scream.
    He turned his head towards me—he’d forgotten my presence.