Of Fire and Night - Kevin J. Anderson [188]
The Ildiran commander was surprisingly evasive. "Perhaps later, General. For now we prefer our privacy."
"Uh, sure." As soon as he switched off the communication line, the General frowned. "Anybody else get the impression that was one of those invitations where ‘later' actually means never?"
His new executive officer, Kosevic, nodded. Kosevic was a thin man with short bronze hair and eyes set just a little too wide. "Certainly sounded that way to me, General."
For this all-important defense, the General had hoped to use his former adjutant, Patrick Fitzpatrick III. In spite of that distressing confrontation during the young man's recent welcome-home party, Lanyan had requested his assignment to the Goliath, but Fitzpatrick was conveniently nowhere to be found. Lanyan suspected the kid's grandmother had something to do with that. Maybe Fitzpatrick needed to have the silver spoon taken from his mouth and shoved somewhere else. . . .
For the moment, though, Lanyan kept puzzling over the Adar's reply. "If the Ildirans would send seven hundred warships to help us against the drogues, why be paranoid about letting us go aboard? Is he hiding something?"
The exec was equally troubled. "And I'm wondering how in the world Ildirans know the schedule of a hydrogue assault fleet. What sort of intelligence and espionage techniques do they have?"
Lanyan heaved a long sigh. "We'll leave it for now. The last thing in the world I want to do is stir up trouble with our new best friends."
109
CHAIRMAN BASIL WENCESLAS
Basil stood with his face close to the angled glass and looked out into the falling night. He stared at the firefly lights of small commercial transport vehicles racing across the dark skies. Seen from atop the Hansa HQ, the Palace District was a magnificent sight. Though the Ildiran Solar Navy had come through with their promises, Basil was too preoccupied to feel any great relief.
Peter tried to kill me!
Orange flames curled from the cupolas and towers of the Whisper Palace, each torch symbolizing a world that had once signed the Hansa charter. It was all a sham. After the withdrawal of EDF protection, how many of those planets still felt any loyalty to Earth? The hydrogues would no doubt come and extinguish the rest of the torches. Peter had caused this all to spin out of control.
The self-important bastard tried to kill me!
Reflected against the darkening window, Basil's face looked gaunt and drawn. He had been endlessly weary and agitated, struggling with so many burdens, trying to solve each crisis faster than a new one could occur. He would have to order his medical specialists to give him better stimulants. Though he wasn't yet scheduled for another rejuvenation treatment, he would feel more alert, refreshed, and competent if he underwent the procedure. He couldn't recall the last time he had even allowed himself the release of sex with Sarein. Now he had assigned her a much more difficult task--dealing with her sister the Queen. . . .
They tried to poison me, and now Pellidor is dead!
Deputy Cain seemed anxious. "Nahton insists he has an important report for King Peter. He's been trying to deliver an urgent message since yesterday. Maybe we should hear what he has to say."
"He was already informed to give his message to me, or give it to no one. The green priest needs to be reminded who's in charge."
Cain looked deeply displeased. "That's exactly it, sir. He's decided to say nothing. We're in the dark. I feel strongly that it's a tactical error to cut ourselves off from vital intelligence. We should make an exception in this case."
"That green priest can communicate everywhere, instantly, via telink. Should I give Peter a chance to secretly slip a message to the whole Spiral Arm? I don't think so." Basil fumed. "We cannot allow Nahton to keep his delusions that the King actually matters. Peter's reign is finished. Permanently." Basil turned from the window to stare at the pale deputy. "He