Dark Matters_ Shadow of Heaven (Book 3) - Christie Golden [54]
But there were others to whom loyalty was a much more personal thing. They followed Jekri, and continued to follow her even as they watched her carefully orchestrated downfall. Lhiau's trumped-up charges had been seen by everyone for what they were. But few had dared protest, because the unspoken message was This can happen to you.
Among those few were some stalwart souls aboard the Tektral who, like Verrak, had pretended to cooperate but who were all the while still Jekri's people. Verrak, who had captained the vessel until such time as a new chairman could be officially appointed, had known whom to trust, and when he had given them the word they had risen up against their enemies and retaken the ship. There was no brig aboard this vessel, but a small cargo bay was now crammed full of so-called Imperial loyalists. When Verrak had given her a list of all those who had turned against her, Jekri's heart had ached. Among their number were some that she might have called Mends, if the chairman of the Tal Shiar could be permitted to have something as intimate as a friendship.
Those who had chosen Jekri and her struggle against Lhiau were permitted to join the crew of the Para'tar. Jekri graciously welcomed everyone individually, thanking them personally and assuring them of eventual victory.
"What do you wish to do with the loyalists?" Verrak asked. Jekri had opened her mouth to reply when Idran interrupted.
"Leave them on the Tektral," he said bluntly. "Destroy it. That is what we do to traitors."
Once, and not that long ago, Jekri would have been the one to issue that order. Now, she realized she did not want to execute over thirty people with the single push of a button.
'They do not yet understand," she said to Idran. 'Take them prisoner. Your brig will certainly accommodate them. Besides, I do not want to see my ship destroyed."
"If we win, the Empress will give you a better ship- a dozen, probably, if you like. If we lose, you will have no need of a vessel, no matter where you go. They are traitors as far as we are concerned, and that is what happens to traitors."
The image of Dammik, of young Tarya, appeared in Jekri's mind. Neither of them would have approved of this. It was not necessary. It would have been had they been forced to simply leave the loyalists in charge of the Tektral. But there was a place to keep them until this was settled one way or another. She simply couldn't shake the feeling that this was wrong.
"No," Jekri said firmly. "We will take them with us. You are operating on faith, old friend, and for that I am more grateful than you can know. Verrak knows Lhiau, knows what he has done. These people were not permitted aboard the Talvath, they do not yet appreciate the danger. I will not have their blood on my hands if it is not necessary."
Idran lifted a slanted eyebrow. "Perhaps Verrak was wrong," he mused. "Perhaps they did break you hi prison. You've gone soft, Jekri."
Before Idran could even blink, Jekri had drawn her weapon and shoved it under the old warrior's chin. "Soft? I? I do not think so, considering who has the weapon and who has the weapon at his throat. You said this ship and her crew were mine to command when you beamed me on board. Are you going back on your word?"
"No," said Idran, carefully. "The ship is yours, Chairman."
"I told you, I do not have that title." Jekri resheathed her weapon and Idran's hand went to his neck, as if to make certain it was still whole. "You may call me the Little Dagger." Once, the name had been shameful to own. Now she claimed it proudly, more honored by that title than that of chairman. "Beam them info your brig, and let us make all haste to the rendezvous point.