Scattered Suns - Kevin J. Anderson [133]
Rusa’h’s converted lens kithmen had been sent to newly conquered Dzelluria to guide the populace after their conversion. Though the Ildirans there had already been prepared with massive doses of shiing and drawn into the corrupted mental web, the lens kithmen reinforced the rebellion. They spread the heretical word about how Jora’h had poisoned his father, how he had blatantly broken with tradition by stepping out of the chrysalis chair, by appointing his daughter as his private guard, by stripping his eldest noble-born son of his title. The self-proclaimed Imperator Rusa’h was not only brainwashing his new converts, but rewriting history to justify his actions. No doubt, he would be willing to revise portions of the Saga of Seven Suns to reflect reality as he wanted it remembered.
Now the screens in the flagship’s command nucleus showed the jeweled tiara of stars in the Horizon Cluster, and nearby Alturas. Zan’nh had never been to this minor planet, whose name was barely even mentioned in the Saga. After today, he hoped Alturas would not become known for a tragedy worthy of inclusion in the Ildiran epic.
Thor’h instructed the communications officer to begin transmitting their ultimatum. “I am your Prime Designate, serving the true Imperator Rusa’h. We invite the Alturas Designate and his Designate-in-waiting to join us.”
A long silence followed his message, enough that Thor’h began to scowl.
After the execution of Pery’h, the hijacking of a maniple of warliners, and the attack on Dzelluria, word must have traveled, at least to the nearby systems in the Horizon Cluster. Rusa’h could not snare all Ildirans so easily or efficiently.
Zan’nh looked at his overconfident brother. “Do you believe the Alturas Designate hasn’t heard about your insurrection?”
“It is not insurrection, it is enlightenment,” Thor’h said in a clipped voice, then stepped into the transmission field again. “Imperator Rusa’h will gladly embrace you, if you join his benevolent rule.”
Now the Alturas Designate’s face appeared on the screens, showing familiar features that revealed him to be a brother of Jora’h and Rusa’h. “We choose not to participate in your rebellion. Please depart from our system. You are not welcome here. Alturas remains loyal to the Mage-Imperator.”
Thor’h looked as if he had swallowed a morsel of rotten fruit. Zan’nh felt stronger again just to be so close to another world that shared the uncorrupted thism. He narrowed his eyes at his brother. “There, you have your answer. Shall we turn the maniple about now and go back to Hyrillka?”
“Surely he can see all of our warliners? How does the Alturas Designate plan to keep us from our holy mission?” Angered, Thor’h gestured to the station operators. “Power up all attack weapons. Kinetic missiles and high-energy cutting beams.”
As the forty-six warliners closed in, their scanners detected launch traces from the spaceports dotted around Alturas. “Several vessels rising toward us, Prime Designate. Military models—cutters, streamers, and one warliner.”
“He means to attack us?” Thor’h chuckled.
Adar Zan’nh felt anger coil like a venomous serpent in his stomach. His mind, revived by the Alturas thism, felt sharp and steady.
As soon as the local ships rose toward the approaching maniple, the Alturas Designate transmitted again. “We are prepared to defend ourselves, Prime Designate. Take your warliners and depart immediately.”
Thor’h gave a pleased smile. “Imperator Rusa’h will gladly add your warships to our fleet. We will do our best not to damage them irreparably, but such efforts cannot be guaranteed if you insist on defying us.” He turned his derision toward Zan’nh. “A pathetically small fleet to stand against a maniple of warliners!”
The Adar admired their bravery. “They are willing to die to resist you. They may destroy some of your rebels before they are all killed.”
Thor’h dismissed him. “The Alturas Designate is bluffing. He knows I am aboard. Would they dare fire upon their own Prime Designate? His threat has no teeth.” Choosing the least significant targets,