Pipo clenched her fists. "I said shut up, Bingwen."
"You must give him back the map," said Bingwen. "Then he will think Ju-long is not interested. He will not come anymore."
Pipo hit him. A swat on the arm, the face, the back, the head, anywhere her flying hands could reach him.
The colonel pulled them apart and pushed Pipo away, who had started crying.
"You'll ruin it!" she screamed to Bingwen. "You'll ruin everything!" She turned and ran away.
The colonel grabbed Bingwen by the collar. "What does this man look like?"
Bingwen cowered slightly, afraid. "All Anglos look alike to me, sir. I would know him on sight, but I don't know how to describe him. A soldier, strong, short hair. When he comes next, I'll make note of his features."
The colonel considered a moment then opened the passenger door. "Get in."
Bingwen's eyes widened. "But ... where are we going?"
"I said get in." The colonel grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and forced him inside.
They drove through two security checkpoints and down several side tunnels. None of the guards stopped them.
The colonel parked and led Bingwen through a series of secure doors, holding tightly to Bingwen's collar as if he feared Bingwen would run away. They barged into a large briefing room where Mazer and the MOPs and a half dozen senior Chinese officers were gathered around a holotable filled with schematics and maps and images. The room fell silent. Everyone turned to Bingwen and the colonel.
"Point to him!" said the colonel. "Point to the man!"
Bingwen looked at all of their faces. He met Mazer's eyes and gave him the subtlest of nods, hoping Mazer would understand.
"Well?" said the colonel. "Who was it?"
A Chinese soldier without any rank on his jumpsuit stepped forward. "Colonel Chua. To what do we owe this unexpected visit?"
The colonel grabbed the back of Bingwen's collar again. "Major Shenzu sir, you will pardon the interruption, but you have a security breach that must be resolved. One of these Anglos has been sneaking into the civilian barracks and cavorting with a woman."
Shenzu frowned. "That is a serious accusation, Colonel. I'm assuming you have proof of this?"
The colonel pushed Bingwen forward. "Point to him, boy."
Bingwen walked up to Mazer, took the holopad from his knapsack, and gave it to him. "This is yours, Captain Rackham. I stole it from your pack before you went off to destroy the lander. It was wrong of me. I am sorry."
Mazer took the device and examined it. "Yes. I was wondering what had happened to this. You shouldn't have taken this, Bingwen."
Bingwen hung his head, ashamed. "I know. I beg your pardon."
Colonel Chua came forward, confused, furious. "What is the meaning of this? Is this the man or not? Speak, boy. Did this man come to your sister?"
Bingwen turned to him and bowed. "Forgive me, sir. I do not have a sister. I deceived you so that you would bring me here and allow me to return this stolen property. These men are honorable. They would never do what I suggested. I am yours to punish as you deem appropriate." He held out his hands.
The colonel looked ready to hit him.
"Colonel," said Mazer. "Perhaps you will allow me to punish the boy. His behavior is inexcusable, and since I'm the reason why he's here, I feel as if I am responsible. These lies he has told threaten the alliance that MOPs and China share. And he should have known what a foolish thing it was to say." He looked angrily at Bingwen, and Bingwen knew it wasn't an act.
"There was a little girl who lied as well," said the colonel. "What of her? Who will punish her?"
Mazer bowed. "You are just and thorough, Colonel. Please, allow us to remove this burden from you. We will find the girl as well. You have far more weighty and important matters to address than the petty pranks of ungrateful children."
The colonel nodded. "Ungrateful indeed." He shook a finger at Bingwen. "Is this how you thank us? We give you shelter, food, medicine, and you mock us."
Bingwen almost laughed. The man was talking as if he had rescued Bingwen from the clutches of a Formic. Yet Bingwen had a sneaking suspicion that were it up to the colonel, all the refugees would be turned away.