Miles Errant - Lois McMaster Bujold [232]
I'm right with you, Baron, Mark thought.
Thorne piped up in Mark's ear, ("He's talking about his half-brother, Baron Ryoval of House Ryoval. The original axis of this vendetta was between Fell and Ryoval. Bharaputra got dragged in later.")
I know who Ryoval is, Mark wanted to snap, but could not.
"In fact," Baron Fell went on, "my brother will be quite excited to learn you are here. After you so reduced his resources on your last visit, he is alas limited to small-scale attacks. But I suggest you watch your back."
"Oh? Do Ryoval's agents operate so freely on Fell Station?" Mark purred.
Thorne approved, ("Good one! Just like Miles.")
Fell stiffened. "Hardly."
Thorne whispered, ("Yes, remind him you helped him with his brother.")
What the hell had Miles done here, four years ago? "Baron. I helped you with your brother. You help me with mine, and we can call it square."
"Hardly that. The apples of discord you threw among us on your last departure took far too much time to sort out. Still . . . it's true you dealt Ry a better blow that I could have." Was there a tiny glint of approval in Fell's eye? He rubbed his round chin. "Therefore, I will give you one day to complete your business and depart."
"You'll act as go-between?"
"The better to keep an eye on both parties, yes."
Mark explained the Dendarii's best guess as to the approximate location of the cryo-chamber, and gave its description and serial numbers. "Tell the Bharaputrans, we think it may have been hidden or disguised in some way. Please emphasize, we wish it returned in good condition. And their Baron will be too."
("Good,") Bothari-Jesek encouraged. ("Let 'em know it's too valuable to destroy, without letting 'em guess they could hold us up for more ransom.")
Fell's lips thinned. "Admiral, you are an acute man, but I don't think you altogether understand how we do things on Jackson's Whole."
"But you do, Baron. That's why we'd like to have you on our side."
"I am not on your side. That is perhaps the first thing you don't understand."
Mark nodded, slowly; Miles would have, he thought. Fell's attitude was strange. Faintly hostile. Yet he acts as if he respects me.
No. He respected Miles. Hell. "Your neutrality is all I ask."
Fell shot him a narrow glance from under his white eyebrows. "What about the other clones?"
"What about them?"
"House Bharaputra will be inquiring."
"They do not enter into this transaction. Vasa Luigi's life should be sufficient and more."
"Yes, the trade seems uneven. What is so valuable about your late clone?"
Three voices chorused in his ear, ("Brother!") Mark yanked the ear-bug out and slapped it to the counter beside the vid plate. Quinn nearly choked.
"I cannot trade back fractions of Baron Bharaputra," snapped Mark. "Tempted as I am to start doing so."
Baron Fell raised a placating plump palm. "Calm, Admiral. I doubt it will be necessary to go so far."
"I hope not." Mark trembled. "It'd be a shame if I had to send him back without his brain. Like the clones."
Baron Fell apparently read the absolute personal sincerity of his threat, for he opened both palms. "I'll see what I can do, Admiral."
"Thank you," whispered Mark.
The Baron nodded; his image dissolved. By some trick of the holovid or the stimulant, Fell's eyes seemed to linger for one last unsettling stare. Mark sat frozen for several seconds till he was certain they were gone.
"Huh," said Bothari-Jesek, sounding surprised. "You did that rather well."
He did not bother to answer that one.
"Interesting," said Thorne. "Why didn't Fell ask for a fee or a cut?"
"Dare we trust him?" asked Bothari-Jesek.
"Not trust, exactly." Quinn ran the edge of her index finger along her white teeth, nibbling. "But we must have Fell's cooperation to exit jumppoint Five. We dare not offend him, not for any money. I thought he would be more pleased with our bite out of Bharaputra, but the strategic situation seems to have changed since your last visit here, Bel."
Thorne sighed agreement.
Quinn continued, "I want you to see what you can find