Of Fire and Night - Kevin J. Anderson [175]
She shot a quick glance at Peter and Estarra while all attention was turned to the Prince. The two sat close together, clapping politely but without enthusiasm. Basil was obviously setting up for a clean transition of power.
Nodding to acknowledge the applause, Daniel appeared jittery. His clothes had been tailored to fit him perfectly, but he did not seem accustomed to wearing them. He blushed at the attention, and Sarein thought it added a perfect touch.
Daniel cleared his throat and thanked his supporters. "Every person on Earth knows that we must pull together if we are to survive. I'd like to offer my personal commendations to the research team working on the hydrogue derelict." He motioned toward a side table where the group of scientists seemed out of place, surprised by all the media imagers that turned toward them.
"Even without Dr. Swendsen, these researchers succeeded in activating the hydrogue engines. In several test flights they have demonstrated they can maneuver the derelict." He glanced down at his hand, as if looking for notes, then snapped his head up again, glanced at Peter, and turned abruptly away. "The team also managed to power up the transportal, even if they have not yet deciphered the hydrogue coordinate system. It is only a matter of time."
He looked as if he was finished, ready to sit down, but then remembered to add, "And how does this help us fight against them, you ask? Once we understand the engines, we can identify their vulnerabilities. But getting the hydrogue transportal working will be the best part. If we could open a transportal inside any of those warglobes, we could drop a big bomb right into their laps! We wouldn't even have to send EDF ships against them."
Good thing, since we don't have many ships left, Sarein thought.
After Daniel finished his speech to more applause, he sat down and called for the main course. Sarein remained puzzled. The news about the hydrogue derelict was interesting, but it didn't merit having the new Prince issue it in such a dramatic forum. Maybe it had been nothing more than a test to prove that the young man could follow instructions and do his duties.
While plates of food were distributed, the conversation hummed with both hope and skepticism over the promises from the Solar Navy. "The Ildirans will be like the cavalry . . . if they ever get here," said a florid-faced energy minister.
"It's only been five days," said the Hansa's transportation secretary around a mouthful of pheasant drizzled with savory sauce.
"Right, but he implied the hydrogue attack was imminent."
Sarein ate her food but did not taste it. Every time she glanced across the room at Estarra, she noted that Peter was holding his wife's hand. If Estarra's suspicions about the Chairman were true, then the King and Queen had good reason to be deeply worried. Now that Daniel had been reintroduced to the public, their time might be short indeed.
But what did they plan to do about it? What should she do about it? Despite her placid public face, Sarein's thoughts were in turmoil, her stomach knotted. Twice during the meal Mr. Pellidor came to whisper something in the Chairman's ear, before the expediter faded back to his own table.
Finally the dinner plates were cleared. Though he was not talkative, Basil seemed satisfied with the banquet. Servers came in with the dessert course, a sculpture made of whipped fruit that had more artistic merit than flavor. After everyone had complimented the elaborate confection, a compy strutted in with a special pot of cardamom coffee for Basil. Rich aromas wafted up from the pot with a sweet sharp bite of exotic spices. The compy poured a cup for the Chairman.
Sarein had never developed a taste for