Of Fire and Night - Kevin J. Anderson [159]
In the background, Peter could hear gasps and groans of dismay. Conscious of the observers, the King wondered if they should meet in private, but to an Ildiran, the leader was the leader, and everyone else was beneath him. Speaking to King Peter, the Adar assumed he was addressing the Hansa's only important representative; everyone else in earshot was superfluous. Peter also realized that if he moved this meeting into the Whisper Palace, Basil would take control of it.
Peter stared into the military commander's reflective eyes. "And how does the Mage-Imperator know what the hydrogues intend to do?"
Zan'nh looked evasive, as if he hadn't expected such a question. "He does not explain himself to me. I simply follow my father's orders." Then he returned to what sounded like a well-rehearsed speech. "I bring you a message of hope as well. Because humans have long been our friends and allies, the Solar Navy offers to station a full cohort of warliners--three hundred and forty-three armed battleships--here in your home solar system. We will stand with you when the hydrogues come."
Although the Adar looked entirely sincere, Peter could hardly believe what he was hearing. In the tiny microphone implanted in the King's ear, Chairman Wenceslas snapped, "Agree to it! Agree!" But he didn't need Basil to tell him what to do.
Peter could not help but wonder, however, why the Adar looked so uncomfortable. Was the Ildiran commander hiding something? Would the Hansa have to pay an unpleasant price later for the Solar Navy's assistance? "What do you require of us in exchange for this aid? You would not risk so many ships simply for the sake of friendship."
"Is friendship not payment enough?" The alien commander's expression was unreadable. "Would you not remember our assistance if we ever asked anything of you?"
That was exactly what worried King Peter. How would this come back to haunt them? However, if a hydrogue invasion force was on its way, he didn't see that the Hansa had any real choice. Hundreds of Ildiran warliners might make all the difference.
He nodded warmly. "For the safety of our people, of course we welcome Ildiran aid. Your assistance could not have come at a more opportune moment. How imminent is this invasion?"
"Very soon." The Adar was all business. "There is barely enough time to prepare."
94
SAREIN
Hansa duties and meetings kept Sarein so busy that she didn't really notice how long it had been since she'd spoken with her sister. But as she watched Peter and Estarra meet with Adar Zan'nh, she began to wonder if the Chairman might subtly be arranging things that way. Keeping them apart.
After the Ildiran commander promised to deliver hundreds of warliners as soon as they could be consolidated, he departed in his flagship. The great vessel rose into the sky like a gigantic fighting fish. Their purpose served, the King and Queen were whisked back to the royal quarters under an escort that looked suspiciously like prison guards.
So Sarein went out of her way to see Estarra. Wearing her Theron ambassador's robe, she stopped at the doorway to the royal apartments.
"That's strictly against the Chairman's orders," Captain McCammon said, then he smiled thinly. "However, I don't see any harm in letting you two go to the Queen's conservatory. She enjoys that place."
Indeed, Estarra was thrilled. At six months, with her pregnancy clearly showing, she covered her curved abdomen with loose cocoon-weave scarves and a skirt. She easily kept up with Sarein's strides as they walked through the private greenhouse, escorted by three royal guards. Estarra was happy to be among the plants again, sniffing the exhibits of lush flowers, bushes, and herbs.
But the armed men hovered too