Scattered Suns - Kevin J. Anderson [230]
With the reconversion of that warliner, the Mage-Imperator’s hold grew stronger still, and he concentrated on the next one. But there were so many!
He sensed Thor’h’s resistance, too strong, a diamond-hard barrier, and decided to confront his son’s vessel last. He wrestled with one warliner after another, and they fell like pieces in a child’s game, token after token.
With each battleship he restored, with each complement of Ildirans returned to his fold, his strength increased and the thism tightened. Eventually, Jora’h found he could continue the process without devoting his full concentration to it.
When Thor’h realized he was mysteriously losing ship after ship in his group, he responded with desperate violence. He took his own lead warliner, followed by two others; the three battleships broke away from the chaotic assemblage of vessels and hurtled directly toward the recaptured landing field, where Solar Navy crews were disposing of the shiing stockpiles. Four of the Adar’s ships pursued him, but Thor’h pulled ahead, flying so low he was in danger of crashing.
Zan’nh’s ground crews were unloading the last of the cargo ships; great piles of shiing dust burned in smoldering bonfires. With unbelievable malice, Thor’h dropped a load of explosive projectiles on the cargo ships and Solar Navy crews. In moments, the rebuilt landing field was an inferno. Vessel after vessel ignited and contributed to the blaze. Soldiers ran screaming as the march of flames consumed them.
Without slowing, Thor’h’s battleship shot like a comet past the three damaged Solar Navy warliners in the charred nialia fields, and dumped more explosives just to cause additional damage. Coming in hot behind him, Zan’nh fired at the Prime Designate’s ship, trying to bring it down. In spite of the damage to his engines and hull, Thor’h flew onward. His supply of artillery seemed inexhaustible.
On the ground, furiously trying to regain control of the remaining rebel ships, Jora’h opened his eyes and looked at the Dobro Designate. He had already seized most of the crews, though Thor’h’s warliner and two others continued their rampage.
“You are correct, Udru’h,” the Mage-Imperator finally said. “Too many Ildirans have already died. We cannot wait. I must excise this threat. Now.”
Still concentrating on the last three prodigal warliners, Jora’h carefully, and with great determination, walked along the uphill path toward the citadel palace, flanked by hundreds of armed guards. He signaled his brother to accompany him.
“We will go to their stronghold and break this siege.” Jora’h strode forward. “I am the rightful Mage-Imperator, and I require my Empire back.”
Chapter 117—SAREIN
After a roundabout journey that delivered a number of green priests and treelings to Hansa colonies, Sarein finally returned to Earth. It seemed as if she hadn’t been there in decades. She hoped Basil would be glad to have her back, even though events had not turned out exactly as he’d wanted. She looked forward to seeing him and realized she felt too thrilled, too giddy. Completely unprofessional. She didn’t want to earn his scorn. She would have to be careful.
When Sarein made her way to his penthouse offices at the top of the Hansa HQ pyramid, the Chairman was in a foul, almost violent mood.
Deputy Eldred Cain, flustered to the point of outright anxiety, backed out of the office door. He took one look at Sarein, and his expression shifted strangely. “You’re welcome to see the Chairman if you have good news. If something else has gone terribly wrong, however, I’d advise you to wait until a better time.”
Sarein hadn’t seen Basil in weeks. “I’ll take my chances.” She did not like to admit how much she had missed him—not just the lovemaking, but the conversations, the feeling