Horizon Storms - Kevin J. Anderson [115]
Udru’h‘s surprise appeared genuine. “I would never dream of questioning your orders, Liege. But I hope you will consider carefully before making irrevocable changes.”
Jora’h brooded. Daro’h glanced at the two brothers, far out of his depth. The Mage-Imperator wished he could simply release all the human breeding prisoners and return them to the Terran Hanseatic League. None of them had ever seen Earth, probably knew very little about it, but they were descendants of once-hopeful colonists. They deserved better than…Dobro.
For nearly two centuries the Ildirans had kept this lie from the Hansa. Jora’h knew that if he revealed the terrible secret now, it could spell a diplomatic disaster, even trigger a war with the human race. And though the Ildiran Solar Navy was older and more powerful than the Earth Defense Forces, Jora’h did not underestimate the innovative abilities of the brash humans.
“Udru’h, we may not have any choice, despite my personal reservations. Do you truly believe my daughter has the innate potential to resolve this conflict with the hydrogues? The Klikiss robots have failed us, and I now suspect that they may choose to become our enemies.”
The news angered the Dobro Designate. “If the Klikiss robots have failed us…or refused to mediate, then we have no choice but to send Osira’h as an intermediary to the hydrogues.”
“Since my daughter is to be the hope of the Ildiran Empire,” Jora’h said with a resigned sigh, “then it is doubly important that I meet her.”
Udru’h smiled. “Ah, now you see, Liege.”
Yes, he saw. But how he hated what he would be forced to do here on Dobro in order to save the Empire.
Chapter 57—SULLIVAN GOLD
Ready for the tense meeting that could well decide their survival, Sullivan Gold stood on the deck of his cloud harvester, wearing his best clothes. As for any formal business meeting, he had shaved, trimmed his hair, freshened his breath, and mentally prepared for this encounter. He wished Lydia could be there to straighten his collar and give him the final okay on his appearance.
Kolker told him he looked fine.
The green priest had already sent several messages and updates to his colleagues on the telink network, and they eagerly waited for news to relay to the Hansa. Nahton in the WhisperPalace had informed the King and the Chairman, but despite their tension and attention, Sullivan was on his own. The EDF could never send military aid here swiftly enough, nor would they want to risk a direct clash with the Solar Navy. No doubt the Earth government would not respond at all until they saw how he handled the situation.
Sullivan cleared his throat, hoping he wouldn’t need to call in the cavalry. It was so embarrassing to need to be rescued.
A colorfully plated Ildiran shuttle emerged from the looming flagship warliner and made its way ponderously over to them. Sullivan dried his sweaty palms on the fabric of his warm jacket. “Here we go, Kolker. It’s all up to us. A chance to make a good first impression on our unexpected neighbors.”
Distracted, the green priest removed his fingers from his ever-present treeling. “Sorry, Sullivan, what was that? I was concentrating on telink, telling everybody what was happening here.”
“I thought you already did that.”
“I was explaining that nothing new had occurred. Your Chairman is also listening eagerly.”
Sullivan sighed. “Until now, life aboard our cloud-harvesting station was routine enough to allow for superfluous conversations, but not anymore. I need your full attention until this is resolved, Kolker. We can save our memoirs for later.”
The green priest’s abashed smile disarmed Sullivan’s annoyance. “I will limit my communications…to the essentials.”
Eventually, almost fifteen minutes earlier than scheduled—on purpose?—the Adar’s shuttle approached. The Ildiran vessel passed through the cloud harvester’s atmosphere-condensing field joined by a flurry of strong breezes, followed a stream of bright guidance lights to an appropriate landing pad, and set down. Sullivan’s face was flushed, his cheeks burning in the brisk air.