Authors: Lisanne Norman
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Jiosha caught sight of the distinctive red- and purple-edged overrobe of the Clan Lord outside the room the two young Humans were in and hurried over to talk to him.
"Clan Lord," she said, dipping her head in respect. "I must talk to you."
Konis excused himself from the crewmale he'd been talking to and, taking her gently by the shoulder, led her down the corridor to L'Seuli's office.
"Were we right?" she asked.
"Perhaps," he said. "I do know the Commander is now capable of receiving telepathically. He isn't one of the gene-altered Brothers, that I do know, so it would seem unlikely that he'd develop a Leska Link to a Human, but stranger things have happened, as we all know. I'm going to give him my psi damper bracelet. I can get another, but I feel it's imperative he wear one from now on. L'Seuli and you, too. I'll see we have some sent out to you at Haven."
"Thank you, Master Konis. What about you, though? Surely your need is just as great?"
Konis smiled. "No, I'm more than able to block any but the most determined attempt to read me against my will, Jiosha, and I'd notice any such attempt. The Touibans have miniaturized the device now to the point it can be inserted into any wrist comm. I've always meant to have mine done, just to be rid of the need to wear two, only I've never gotten around to it. This will be an incentive."
"If you're sure, Master Konis. And thank you, the personal dampers will be most useful, I'm sure. What do you plan to do with Alex and Kai?"
"I'm granting them Residence, but in view of your fears, I think it advisable that both they and he stay at Stronghold for the next few weeks. If nothing happens within that time, then likely it won't. Has he touched her, do you know? Touch seems to be the trigger."
"Not that I know of, but he was alone with her in the mess."
"The best thing we can do is let nature take its own course. I'll speak to Father Lijou about this personally so he can be alert for anything happening. You and L'Seuli just put your minds at rest that the matter is well in hand and head out to Haven to take up your new posts. You'll have problems enough of your own, I'm sure."
"Thank you, Master Konis. I'm sure you're right and there's nothing to worry about," she said, relieved.
Prime world, Zhal-Oeshi, 10th day (August)
"General. Nice to see you back from the dark reaches of space," said Q'akuh, opening the door to him. "Was it a good trip?"
Several answers sprang to his mind but he satisfied himself with saying, "Yes."
"I must admit I was surprised not to be taken with you," Q'akuh said, gesturing to him to enter.
"Well, it was you or one of my favorite young females, Q'akuh," he said lazily, looking round the small lounge as he entered. Two males, both vaguely familiar. "Hardly a difficult choice." Zayshul had suggested he take at least one of his camp followers with them and pay some attention to her to stave off suspicion. Now he recognized the wisdom of her advice, though at the time he'd balked at any action that suggested he had an unbridled sexual appetite.
Q'akuh laughed politely. "Then I can't in fairness complain. Sit down, General. A glass of wine perhaps? This is Zhayan, Director of Sciences in the City, and Director Zsiyuk, in charge of shipping contracts. They've been anxious to meet you for some time, but unfortunately your aide said your calendar was full. Under the circumstances, I hope you don't mind me inviting them here today."
The room was small, with three doors leading off it, one in each wall. Furnishings were basic, nowhere near the level of comfort he'd had even in his single quarters. Predictably, there were no windows. It was the apartment of a minor courtier, such as he'd stayed in when summoned to the Court by his Emperor.
He chose a seat with a view of the door, set to one side of where Q'akuh's guests were sitting.
"Of course he minds," said Zsiyuk in his gravelly voice. "If he's anything like me, he can't abide all the claw sharpening that goes on behind the scenes to get anything done around here! Well, we aren't here to ask you to get concessions for us at Court, Kezule."
"I'm sure you aren't, Director," said Kezule, accepting the glass Q'akuh held out to him.
"You're an old-fashioned type, like myself, aren't you, General?" continued the elderly male. "Things were simpler in your day. You needed ships, you ordered 'em. None of this bureaucracy with its advisory committees and budget priorities!"
"Quite so," murmured Kezule, tongue flicking out, apparently to test the wine before sipping it. He smelled nothing from Zsiyuk, a hint of apprehension from the scientist, and fear from Q'akuh, roughly what he'd expected. "However, we had the revenue from three colonies and at least four slave worlds to play with. A far cry from now."
"The golden age of our Empire," agreed Zsiyuk, taking a sip from his glass of spirits. "We should be working toward reestablishing that Empire, Kezule, don't you think?"
"We don't need the territory from what I've seen of your population, Director. Females were larger in our time, the higher castes capable of laying two, occasionally even three eggs a season. Yours manage only one in that time."
"Expansion is easy," said Zhayan. "We breed our own people the way we breed the M'zullians."
"I'm aware of that," said Kezule dryly.
"Disgraceful business, that," said Zsiyuk, shaking his head. "No way to treat a member of the royal family like yourself. One could almost call it a betrayal."
"I'm none too pleased," he admitted, taking another sip from his glass.
"I hear you'll be training the new officers along with the M'zullian batch. Where're they going to end up?"
"The Emperor's personal guard, of course, then the Palace guard and other posts as the need arises. They'll be a great improvement over the implant volunteers."
Zsiyuk sighed. "I said they'd be squandered, didn't I?" he said to Zhayan. "What I could do with a hundred Warriors all loyal to me!"
"Eighty," Kezule corrected. "Twenty are females for breeding. What would you do with the officers, Zsiyuk?"
"Use 'em to mount an offensive against M'zull and J'kirtikk," he said promptly. "You were on the
Kz'adul.
I presume you've seen its offensive capabilities. We should be launching a preemptive strike against them now, while they're quiet. We don't need ground troops, just blast 'em from space and the air!"
"The
Kz'adul
's a science ship, Zsiyuk, not a warship," Kezule pointed out.
"A few weeks in my yards and we can convert her. They'd never even see us coming with our chameleon shields!"
"Your Emperor thinks otherwise," said Kezule quietly. "Emperor Q'emgo'h,
may his name be revered for all time,
valued his Warriors. Through us, he controlled his Empire with claws of steel. Your Emperor is content with his one world and making treaties to keep the others at bay."
Zsiyuk lifted his chin a fraction. "Do I detect a hint of criticism of— our Emperor?"
Kezule shrugged, sipping his drink. "Interpret it how you wish, Zsiyuk. It came as a shock to find I was a member of an extinct caste in this time, and that despite your authorities trying to breed more Warriors, they've no intention of utilizing their skills efficiently."
"What if you were given that chance, Kezule? Would you take it?"
"The likelihood of that happening is small."
"Would you take it?" insisted Zsiyuk.
Kezule leaned forward and put his glass back on the table. "You're asking me to commit treason, Zsiyuk," he said. "Why should I want to do that? Emperor Cheu'ko'h has been generous to me, welcoming me into his family, giving me a commission that at least utilizes some of my talents. For all I know you could be agents of the Enforcers, testing my loyalty."
"We take as many risks approaching you, General," said Zhayan quietly. "You could report us just as easily."
"I didn't invite this conversation, or this meeting. I've no wish to be associated with a small fanatical group of activists who have more ideas than resources."
"We're not without resources, General," said Zsiyuk. "You want ships, I can give them to you. Zhayan and another colleague of ours can provide medical support, including breeding any number of Warriors to your specifications— we have techniques not used by the City Medical authorities. Believe me, we have resources, including funding."
Kezule got to his feet. "I don't think so. You've not convinced me that the risks are worthwhile. There's still the matter of your Emperor. Even if an unauthorized campaign led by me against M'zull and J'kirtikk was successful, I'd still have gone against the wishes of the Emperor and would face treason charges."
"General, we're not suggesting an unauthorized campaign against our old colonies," said Zsiyuk. "We're asking you to head a coup against Emperor Cheu'ko'h. You are in a unique position, General: you're a blood relative of the last royal family, you have the Emperor's trust, and you're training a large number of Warriors who are your own offspring. You can train them to be utterly loyal to you."
"You expect me to stage a coup with only ninety-five Warriors? They may be adult in years, but they've little experience of the world!"
"Not just with them. I told you, we have other resources, Workers from outside the City, genetically enhanced to be aggressive. The current Palace guard and the Emperor's own security people are all implants— they can be disabled within seconds. You'd have no opposition worth considering."
"How can they be disabled?" he asked disbelievingly.
"By remotes," said Zhayan. "They control the level of various hormones in their systems. Send the right signal and the guards will drop where they stand and remain there till reactivated or until the designated period of unconsciousness has expired."
He'd known how the guards were controlled but this was the first he'd heard of how they could be disabled. What bothered him most about their plan was that it could succeed.
"You're hesitating, General," said Zsiyuk, putting down his now empty glass and getting to his feet. "Good. I wouldn't want you to make your decision in haste. Perhaps it would help if you visited the Directorate headquarters, saw for yourself what we're doing and the resources you will have at your command. Q'akuh, would you take the General's jacket, please? Bring him one which will attract less attention when you take him to our medical facility."
This was going too fast. Collecting information was one thing, getting into this even deeper was not at all what he had in mind.
"I don't think so, Director Zsiyuk," he said as Q'akuh went over to one of the three interior doors. "I've heard enough today to make me prefer to think this over before I get involved any further with you."
"Afraid you don't have a choice, Kezule. Unless you do, your young wife will have a tragic accident when she goes into premature labor in the next few minutes," said Zsiyuk, clasping his hands behind his back. "Perhaps you'd like to give her a call right now and assure her you'll be back in a couple of hours when you've seen to some urgent business."
Kezule stared unblinkingly at him for a moment, then slowly began to unbutton his uniform jacket, keeping his face expressionless. Inside, he was seething. These were not the amateurs he'd assumed them to be. He'd not make that mistake again. While every instinct was telling him to destroy them here and now, he knew that wouldn't help Zayshul.
Shola, Nezule Estate, the same day
He stood beside Kaid on the edge of the parking area, watching Carrie's aircar landing. Prince Zsurtul had invited her to the meal he was planning for them and she'd surprised him by accepting. It had been at least three weeks since he'd last seen her— he barely remembered her visit when he was ill.
"Stop worrying," said Kaid, glancing at him. "She's only come because it's an excuse to see you."
The aircar door opened, relieving him of the need to find a reply. When Carrie appeared, he saw she was carrying Kashini. The cub let out an excited high-pitched mewl as she saw him and started struggling with her mother.
Automatically, he moved forward to help her but Carrie was already bending down to deposit their daughter on the ground. Stumbling a little, Kashini ran toward him, chattering loudly. Crouching down on one knee, he waited for the small cannonball to reach him.
"Da-Da!" she shrieked, throwing herself at him and trying to scramble up his leg to wrap her arms around him. "Da-Da! 'Shini miss you!"
He scooped her up and stood, holding her tightly as Carrie came over. "She's talking," he said lamely.
"Never stops," grinned Carrie, reaching out to touch his cheek. "I wanted you to hear her for yourself. I've missed you."
Kashini squirmed round in his arms and squeaked loudly with pleasure in his ear. "Mama and Da-da both!"
He winced, flattening that ear as he put an arm around Carrie's shoulder to draw her close, only to discover her belly got in the way.
Embarrassed, she would have pulled back but he leaned closer, resting his cheek briefly against hers. "It's good to see you," he said, letting his tongue gently flick over her cheek. "How long now?"
"Only ten weeks," she said, glancing behind him to Kaid as he let her go.
"Kaida-da!" Again Kashini started squirming and wriggling, trying to get down. This time, Kusac grabbed her more firmly and turned to Kaid.
"I think she wants to see you now," he said, ruffling his daughter's curls before passing her over. The slight look of panic that crossed Kaid's face made him smile.
"Hello, Kashini," Kaid said. "We weren't expecting you tonight."
" 'Shini come too," she said, giving him a cuddle which he dutifully returned. "Down now," she said imperiously.
"Only if you hold Mama's hand," he said, stroking her cheek.
"No, Da-da's hand."
Kaid bent down to set her on the ground beside her father.
She reached up, slipping her small hand into his and began tugging him toward the entrance.
"She knows what she wants," said Kaid, grinning at them as he greeted Carrie and took her bag.
"Why did you bring her?" Kusac asked as they walked into the building. "It isn't really a suitable occasion."
"She was missing you so much," said Carrie, "And, of course, she knew where I was coming. How could I say no?"
As he glanced down at her, Kashini looked up, amber eyes widening as she smiled happily. His apprehension vanished at his daughter's obvious pleasure to be with him.
"I see what you mean," he said, tightening his hand round Kashini's. He looked back at Carrie and smiled. "She'll break hearts one day, just like her mother."