Scattered Suns - Kevin J. Anderson [66]
Peter continued, “We must fight them, but we cannot fight them alone. The Ildirans feel the same. Your Queen and I return to Earth after securing bonds of friendship and mutual aid with our friends.”
The protocol minister, under strict instructions from Chairman Wenceslas, had them record the speech three times, splicing the best parts together into one perfect presentation.
Unhurried, the diplomatic transport was met high above the city by a ponderous and ornate royal dirigible. After Peter and Estarra transferred over in a connecting tube, the diplomatic craft flew away, no longer needed. The huge airship was slow and ceremonial, perfect for ensuring that the King and Queen were seen by as many people as possible.
The royal dirigible was accompanied by fast-flying escort ships that flitted like bees around a pollen-laden flower. By the time the royal dirigible came low over the Palace District, the recorded speech was ready for release. The smooth fabric sides of the enormous zeppelin shimmered, and the sideskins projected the video on adaptive films so that the faces of the King and Queen filled the sides of the huge airship.
“The alliance between Ildirans and the Hansa remains strong,” Peter’s voice boomed.
While the recording played, he and Estarra stood below in the tiny ceremonial gondola, as if they were delivering the words in real time. From such a distance, the actual figures of the King and Queen were tiny, but they did what was expected of them. Even from such a great height they could hear the murmur of the crowd, the loud cheering of thousands of citizens. Their recorded words simultaneously echoed from speaker stands all across the plaza and up and down the streets.
And for a few moments at least, Peter and Estarra were unmonitored and alone. They could finally talk, quickly and quietly, as the thunderously loud words throbbed around them.
Estarra clutched her husband’s hand. “I don’t think he noticed anything out of the ordinary. We must have slipped a few times, but the Chairman showed no reaction. Our secret is safe.”
“With Basil you never can tell.” Peter’s face remained concerned. “It’s only a matter of time, though. We’re just postponing the inevitable. Soon there’ll be indications of your pregnancy that even he can’t miss.”
Her voice sounded painfully innocent. “If we can keep it secret long enough, the decision will be made for him. Another month maybe, and then it’ll be too late for the Chairman to do anything.”
Peter shook his head. “I wouldn’t count on that. He may insist on getting rid of the baby despite the risk to you, just because...”
Estarra’s eyes welled up with tears. “I don’t understand, Peter. Why would he want that? What does it gain him?”
“It would be out of spite, not logic. We defied him, and he can’t allow us to have that kind of freedom. He’ll never tolerate such a blatant challenge to his authority.”
“But it was an accident! I never even intended to get pregnant.”
“Basil won’t see it that way. He’s got to be in control, and if we’re loose cannons, he must put us in our place.” Then Peter frowned, calculating. “Unless he realizes that our child would be an excellent way of controlling us. A pawn.”
Estarra looked at him in alarm. “All the Chairman has to do is threaten our baby, and we’ll have no choice but to listen.”
Meanwhile the images of their faces delivered strong and optimistic messages about human and Ildiran solidarity against the hydrogues.
He remembered when Basil had used Estarra herself as similar leverage, threatening his beautiful young Queen if Peter didn’t do as he was told. “As a last resort, we may have to make Basil see that advantage. It could be our only chance to keep the baby alive.”
The Queen leaned against him, groaning. “Maybe we should just tell him and hope for the best.”
“Hope for the best?” He stroked her cheek, sharing a bittersweet smile. “We can do better than that.”
The dirigible circled the enormous Whisper Palace three times. In a well-rehearsed parade, royal guards flanked the elliptical landing area