Dragon's Honor - Kij Johnson [8]
“Why not?” Gar asked, squeezing onto the command mound. Kakkh could not blame him; Gar was younger than Kakkh, and less patient with the annoying foibles of mere mammals. “Why not just fight him now?”
The human’s eyes widened in shock. “That would be quite impossible,” he protested, clearly scandalized. “The wedding has been scheduled for a year. It must take precedence over any formal challenge.”
“I see,” Gar said. “A duel is inappropriate, but an assassination is acceptable.”
“That is completely different,” the man said with some hauteur.
Enough of this, Kakkh thought. It was important for the young to be exposed to the weaknesses of other species, but he could not risk antagonizing their human pawn so close to the fruition of their schemes. The human’s foolish assistance could spare the G’kkau considerable effort and casualties during the coming invasion. He hissed softly at Gar, who slithered away from the mound.
“Just so the Dragon dies before the wedding,” Kakkh said. “As you have kindly informed us, the Dragon Empire’s treaty with that decadent Federation will be final after the ceremony. That cannot happen.” Kakkh swung his head from side to side, releasing a weary sigh. “It still amazes me that your ruler, once so wise and respected, would even acknowledge the existence of such barbarians.”
“It scarcely seems possible,” the human agreed, “but the Dragon is old and soft.”
“He must be,” Kakkh said, “to consider such an alliance. The honor and invincibility of the Dragon Empire is known throughout the universe. Why sully your magnificence by consorting with these foreign devils?”
“I understand and enter entirely into your sentiments in this matter,” the human said. “Why, already one of their starships has violated our sacred borders. They orbit over Pai even now.”
“The Enterprise?” Kakkh hissed sharply. As far as he knew, Picard’s ship was the only Federation vessel in this sector, but he wouldn’t put it past Starfleet to sneak in another ship under some transparent pretext.
The human snorted. “How should I know? The names of their ships are incomprehensible to me. Unlike The Heavenly Dream of the Crimson Dragon’s Eternal Life, my own royal yacht.”
A familiar throbbing grew stronger in Kakkh’s forebrain. This human’s persistent idiocy made his head hurt. He had to impress upon the Pai the necessity of his murderous mission. “The Enterprise cannot act before the treaty is signed. Kill the Dragon and you will preserve the sacred honor of your Empire. Your courageous blow will be remembered for all eternity.”
“Oh, yes,” the human said. Naked greed and ambition shone in his face.
“Do your duty, Dragon-to-Be,” Kakkh coaxed. “Bring honor to your descendants for a thousand generations.”
“For my sons,” the human agreed readily, “and the sons of my sons.” The human appeared convinced, at least for a moment. Then, to Kakkh’s dismay as he watched, doubt overtook enthusiasm upon the human’s pale, scaleless visage. His eyes shifted back and forth, as if suddenly fearful of observation. “I hope I do right to trust you,” he said hesitantly. “Please do not be offended if I express certain reservations. You cannot deny that, even more so than the outsiders from the Federation, you are very different from us.”
Kakkh drew himself up regally. “Are we not the dragons of your ancient lore?” he asked. “Are we not the very symbols of your Empire’s honor?”
“I do not mean to impugn your honor, friend dragon,” the human insisted. “I have no doubt that you are noble creatures, and have naught but the Empire’s best interests at heart. It is merely that we have enjoyed the comfort of our solitude for so long that is difficult to reach beyond our own realm even to such venerable allies as yourselves.”
“We have no desire to disturb your sacred traditions,” Kakkh assured him. “Fear instead the wiles of the Federation, and strike now before they corrupt your Empire