Scattered Suns - Kevin J. Anderson [224]
Peter was in too far to stop now. “Have you seen what he’s done to Daniel? He keeps the Prince drugged into a stupor, strapped to a bed. And now, for no reason other than because he’s annoyed, Basil demands that Estarra kill our baby. I can’t simply stand by and accept it.”
“I don’t dare take sides in a personal vendetta between you and the Chairman, Peter.”
“This isn’t about a personal vendetta. This is about my baby—and about a man who has too much power and is out of control. Basil is like a rabid dog. He can’t even see the irreparable damage he’s causing.”
Peter looked up, his blue eyes clear in the shadowy confines of the storage room. “Next time I speak in public, I’m going to announce that Queen Estarra is about to bear a royal heir. Maybe I can shout it before the Chairman cuts off my microphone. Once the people know, Basil wouldn’t dare do anything about it.”
“Oh, he’d probably still dare,” Cain said. “And that’s a very dangerous course of action. Given the circumstances, I doubt he’ll let you appear in public until the abortion has been performed. The Chairman will probably act tomorrow or the next day anyway.”
Cain moved to another sculpture, a small figurine of a unicorn, as if he were a man perusing a gift shop. “I don’t disagree with you, Peter. The Chairman is very wrong in this, and perhaps in many of the other things you cite. However, it would be wisest if the news about Estarra’s blessed condition were leaked to certain media contacts right away. Rumors would spread swiftly, and people would believe them, of course. They want to believe. And once their hopes have been aroused, as you suggest, Basil isn’t likely to dash them, just out of spite. Especially if you weren’t responsible for the leak.” He paused and pursed his lips, as if wondering whether to believe his own statement.
Peter leaned closer, intent. “Can you do that? Leak the news?”
“Of course I can do it...but will I choose to? I’m not entirely convinced this is the wisest course of action for myself.” He lifted an eggshell-thin porcelain vase with a fluted opening adorned with gold leaf. He mused, “A bit too ornate, but it does have a certain fragile magnificence. It evokes grace, streamlined movement.” He upended the vase and several dead spiders tumbled out.
Peter’s stomach knotted. He waited, fearing he had made a terrible mistake.
Finally, drawing a deep breath, Cain set the vase down and boldly drew a conclusion. “So you want to ask me how to get rid of Chairman Wenceslas. That is your ultimate desire, isn’t it, Peter?”
The King swallowed, surprised the man would be so blunt. He chose his answer carefully. “Given Basil’s recent actions, I have no doubt that it would be for the good of the Hansa.”
“Ah, for the good of the Hansa...” Cain hesitated. “Still, I’ve watched and listened to you for years, and I believe you really mean that. Though this is certain to cause me a great deal of trouble, I have to admit that you’re probably right.”
Chapter 114—RLINDA KETT
After the clumsy rabble-rousers captured the Voracious Curiosity above the Plumas moon, Rlinda and BeBob sat in mutual misery inside the cockpit. They had risked everything to get away from the EDF, only to fall into another trap. A stupid one! While Rlinda ground her teeth together, cutting off useless curses, BeBob grumbled. Cold and helpless, they hung in space.
Fifteen Roamers from the water mines boarded the cargo ship as if they owned it. Looking at the strangers invading her craft and deciding whether or not to fight, Rlinda figured she might be able to take out two or three of them; BeBob might account for one, provided his opponent was small and didn’t struggle too much.
A well-dressed man who had introduced himself as Denn Peroni came to the pilot deck, grinning as if he had landed a bigger fish than he’d expected to.