Dark Matters_ Shadow of Heaven (Book 3) - Christie Golden [79]
He would miss the Empress, he had to admit, but not that much. She stood, arms folded across her chest, clad in the red that became her so well, proud eyes fastened on the screen.
Suddenly the screen blipped. Lhiau frowned. The face of Stahl, commander of the invasion fleet, filled the screen of the throne room.
"Empress, I have dire news to report. The Talvath is gone. It opened a wormhole and disappeared. Four of our warbirds gave chase-"
"What?" shrieked the Empress. Veins stood out on her lovely, long neck. Lhiau, too, was shocked. What had happened? Without the Talvath to open dozens of wormholes, each one spewing forth dark matter into this universe, the balance might not be tipped far enough quickly enough. He knew, of course, that
Tialin was busily about the task of trying to stop him. Every moment mat passed gave her another chance to do so.
Stahl looked wretched. "There was a transfer of personnel right before it happened. It appeared to be authorized, but now we realize that the code was falsified."
"Kaleh," snarled Lhiau. He was beside himself with fury. Curse the damned Oath! Without it, it would have been child's play to make the little chairman's heart burst with a single thought But no, he had to waste precious time in falsifying charges, planting suspicion in the Empress's mind. Thank goodness the Praetor had obviously wanted no trouble.
The news had come a few hours earlier of Kaleh's escape. No one knew where she was. He had let it go, thinking there couldn't possibly be enough time for her to thwart him. But now, now...!
The Empress turned to him. "You think so?"
He nodded angrily, his thoughts racing. How to salvage this?
With a visible effort, the Empress calmed herself, though her eyes still blazed and her mouth was tight with anger. "You said four ships followed the Talvath?"
"Yes, Excellency," said Stahl. "Their commanders are most trustworthy. They will force the science vessel to return."
"I hope for your sake you are right," snapped the Empress. "Stand down and await my next orders. We cannot proceed without the Talvath. A delay will not make much difference, though I confess I am eager for battle."
"As am I, Excellency," said Stahl.
Lhiau couldn't believe what he was hearing. He had to think fast. Delay would give Tialin the upper hand. The Romulan fleet had to strike now, had to operate their cloaks, had to fire and be destroyed and spread more dark matter into this universe before it was too late.
"Excellency," he said, hastening to the Empress and placing his hands on her shoulders. "You do not need the Talvath. Your mighty fleet will overwhelm the Federation without it."
She turned to him, the full force of her anger brushing aside the subtle tendrils of his telepathy. "Of course we need the Talvath! Do not underestimate the power of the Federation and its allies. Unless we strike with an unexpected, crushing blow at the outset, we have no chance. The Federation will recover and come after us with their full amassed forces. The Empire will be crippled and perhaps even defeated. We must see Earth and Vulcan destroyed before anything else, and the wormholes are the key to that!"
He nuzzled her neck, in the fashion he knew she liked. "You underestimate your might, Great Leader. The Romulans will crush the Federation-"
She shrugged him off. He was utterly shocked.
"I will and have sent soldiers to die, but never for a worthless cause," she snapped. "A few hours, a day, what difference does waiting make?" She turned again to Commander Stahl. "You will await my command to attack. We will wait for the return of the Talvath. If it does not return," she added, turning to Lhiau, "then I am certain that our good friend Ambassador Lhiau will give us another device for another ship. Dismissed."
Lhiau gaped, then grew angry