A Forest of Stars - Kevin J. Anderson [242]
The Teacher compy continued. “One other puzzling detail. The systemic design of the plasma-ignition device carries certain readily identifiable signature spikes in the molecular composition. This type of munition is unmistakably of Roamer manufacture. Its configuration precisely matches some items recovered from Rand Sorengaard’s pirate ships, which were commandeered by the EDF six years ago.”
“Roamers?” Estarra said. “My brother is scheduled to marry the Speaker in a few months. Why would they have a grudge against us?”
“It’s not the Roamers,” Peter said. “It’s the Hansa, but they’re using identifiable Roamer technology so they can arrest some poor trader as a scapegoat.” He turned to OX. “Has the Hansa or the EDF taken unusual action or impounded any Roamer vessels recently?”
OX paused a moment as he scanned current-events records in his database. “Yes, a Roamer trading vessel is being held at the moonbase after delivering supplies to Earth. The captain is Denn Peroni.”
Estarra interrupted. “He’s the father of Reynald’s fiancée!”
“He’s also an important Roamer clan leader,” Peter said. “What were the charges?”
“Unclear,” OX said. “Apparently there were some temporary irregularities in his paperwork and in the shipment he delivered. But I have studied the documents myself and I see nothing unusual about them.”
“Damn. So they’re holding him until after our ‘tragic accident.’ Then they’ll find evidence and charge him. No doubt he’ll be inadvertently ‘killed while attempting to escape.’ ” Peter clenched his jaw, shaking his head as anger swelled within him. “I know exactly how Basil thinks about solving problems.”
Estarra couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “So the Hansa will use this supposed assassination attempt as an excuse to declare war on the Roamers and take their ekti and other supplies, won’t they? What will that do to poor Reynald and his betrothal to the Speaker?”
“There are consequences everywhere we turn.” Peter nodded. “By going after the Roamers, Basil’s picking an enemy he thinks he can easily defeat—since he’s making no progress against the hydrogues. It’s the same reason he had to be so tough on Yreka—do you think that little colony could possibly have been worth fighting for?”
“We have to warn Cesca’s father,” Estarra said. “We need to get him free. There’s no telling what’ll happen if—”
“Careful.” Peter raised his hand. “One step at a time. I do still have some influence as King, remember? I can issue a royal pardon.” He pondered, then smiled. “Yes, I can announce that ‘in a new spirit of openness’—Basil’s not the only one who can say those words!—my wife wishes to have more friendly ties with the Roamers, who will become part of her extended family on Theroc. I’ll say there’s no need for bureaucratic harassment of honest Roamer traders such as Denn Peroni.
“We’ll issue the pardon simultaneously with our honeymoon cruise, when no one will be watching closely. In fact”—he turned to the Teacher compy—“OX, I want you to deliver it personally. No one will question your motives.”
Estarra pointed her finger at the old compy. “But Peroni’s got to leave as fast as possible, as soon as they release him.”
“I can certainly see to that, Queen Estarra,” OX said.
Peter gained control of his expression by taking several deep breaths. He held Estarra close. “We’ve been down here long enough. We have to go out and face the gathered people. Smiling. Can you wear a poker face, make sure no one knows we suspect a thing?”
“When I am with my loving new husband, I can show delight in all things,” Estarra said. “Should we confront Chairman Wenceslas in private with what we’ve learned? He can’t get away with attempts on our lives, can he? The people would tear him limb from limb.”
Peter’s eyes narrowed with a calculating gleam. “No, for now you and I should just go on our wondrous floating parade exactly as planned. Let’s see how Basil reacts. I want to look him in the eye afterward, once his plan has failed.” Impulsively, he kissed her long and deeply, then broke away. “From now on, though, it’ll be war between