Of Fire and Night - Kevin J. Anderson [112]
"He knows he should have listened to you about the risks of the Soldier compies. Everyone can see that."
"Will it make him contrite, or even more stubborn? I fear the latter. We should work together. He doesn't have to like me, but he does need me."
"Maybe you should bring the first olive branch--or treeling frond." Estarra had hugged him, and he could feel the swell of her pregnancy. He had kissed her on the forehead. Please, Basil--see your way clear to saving humanity from this disaster.
Now when the lift door opened to the penthouse offices, Pellidor blocked the way. The guard captain frowned at the Chairman's personal expediter. "The King is here to see Chairman Wenceslas. Move aside."
Pellidor ignored the three guards, gave Peter a withering glance. "The Chairman is busy at the moment with his deputy."
McCammon was unimpressed. "Is he? His King is more important than his deputy. Now stand aside."
Pellidor was taken aback. Royal guards never behaved this way. Peter took advantage of the hesitation to slip into the room as if he belonged there. He did not want McCammon and Pellidor to waste time in a pissing contest.
Inside his spacious office, Basil was pacing with his back to the door. Peter could see him staring through the expansive windows as if imagining a shattered skyline, a ruined city, a scene of Armageddon. He heard Deputy Cain reading aloud from a report from his focus groups. Peter hesitated, for a moment feeling small and young again, a street scamp rescued from poverty and obscurity and then groomed to be a King, but always under Basil's thumb. I have grown beyond that. He needs me . . . but does he know it?
Finally Basil pretended to notice the King, though Peter was sure he had been aware of him for some moments. "What is it? We're very busy here."
The captain of the guard burst out, "Mr. Chairman, the King wishes to speak with you." Though Peter was already in the room, McCammon stood at the door chest to chest with Pellidor, as if they were about to come to blows.
"I don't have time for this right now."
Peter stepped forward. "Now is exactly the time, Basil. We need to bury the hatchet and work together for the good of the human race." He avoided the gaze of the deputy, who had secretly aided them by spreading rumors of Estarra's "blessed pregnancy" before Basil could send in his abortion doctors. Fortunately, the Chairman still hadn't figured out how that news had leaked.
Basil's expression hardened. He was clever enough to be careful. "Mr. Pellidor, please escort Captain McCammon outside so the King and I can have a private conversation. A brief one."
Satisfied that he had done his duty, the guard captain withdrew. Cain sat down, quietly watching.
When they were in private, Basil's voice slashed Peter like a razor. "Stop playing these games, Peter! Strut around and pretend to be important in your own quarters if it amuses you, but don't do it here."
Peter took a deep breath, forcing calm. "I did not come here to argue with you. Look around you, and decide what's really in the best interests of the Hansa and the human race." He moved even closer to the dapper Chairman. "Listen to me, Basil. The Hansa needs a Chairman, and it needs me as King."
Peter's heart sank as he saw Basil immediately turn stony. "I need a King. Not necessarily you."
"You took great pains to show me how you keep Prince Daniel locked in a coma where he can cause no trouble. If that's your only alternative, then, yes, the King does have to be me."
"I always have other options. Some of them would surprise you, I think."
"What do you mean by that?"
"You'd better pray you never find out. Time and again, you have proved you are not fit for your role." Basil crossed his arms over his chest; it seemed a petulant, rather than a decisive, gesture. "I've decided to have you confined to the Royal Wing