Scattered Suns - Kevin J. Anderson [93]
The younger man paced the floor, frowning, his eyes confused and hurt, but he heard the wisdom in his mentor’s voice.
Within an hour, the threatening warliner dispatched a shuttle, which carried the Dobro Designate up into the maw of the ship. Udru’h rode in silence, studying the seven clearly brainwashed soldier kithmen, all of whom wore Solar Navy uniforms. How had Rusa’h managed to capture so many warliners? If Adar Zan’nh was being held hostage, was he being converted as well?
He sifted through his thoughts, trying to formulate a strategy. He doubted the revolt could ever succeed, but if he saw indications of unexpected strength from the Hyrillka Designate, perhaps it would be best to keep his loyalties vague, just in case. He would wait and hear what the rebels had to offer.
Clinging to the key fact Thor’h had unwittingly let slip—that a Designate’s cooperation could not be forced—Udru’h stepped out of the shuttle when it landed, and straightened his uniform shirt. He had little use for formal attire or fine designs, but knowing how much Thor’h enjoyed pomp and ceremony, he had intentionally worn formal dress. More soldiers ushered him up to the command nucleus. There on the dais that had been reserved for the Adar, Thor’h stood preening himself.
Udru’h stepped casually close to his lanky nephew. “A rebellion against the Empire does not seem to be a wise course of action. Perhaps you had best explain yourself?”
Thor’h quickly and passionately repeated what Rusa’h claimed to have seen in visions during his sub-thism sleep. “We are not rising up against the Ildiran Empire—only against the Mage-Imperator, whose leadership is deeply flawed.”
“Your father.”
“You know he is weak. Imperator Rusa’h will be a stronger ruler.”
Udru’h shrugged. “That may be so, but whatever his flaws, Jora’h is the rightful Mage-Imperator.”
“Is he?” The Prime Designate produced a stack of diamondfilm documents that displayed detailed scientific results. “The previous Mage-Imperator died suddenly and unexpectedly at the height of this crisis. We were able to obtain a cellular sample from the handler kithmen who prepared Cyroc’h’s body. This tissue analysis proves that the Mage-Imperator died from a massive dose of poison. Jora’h then eagerly ascended to become our leader.”
Udru’h glanced curiously at the diamondfilm sheets as Thor’h continued: “Mere moments after Cyroc’h’s death, his loyal bodyguard Bron’n was found dead, his crystal spear thrust through his heart. Jora’h was the only person present. You may draw only one conclusion from this.”
Even the Dobro Designate could not believe these implications. “This is...astounding. Are you saying that Jora’h murdered our father in order to become Mage-Imperator?”
Thor’h nodded toward the diamondfilm sheets. “The evidence states as much. We have already brought Hyrillka and Dzelluria into our fold, and now we wish Dobro to join this uprising. It is a revolution, for Rusa’h has seen the truth. Jora’h is fundamentally corrupted. Therefore he cannot accurately read the thism.”
Udru’h crossed his arms over his uniformed chest again. “How can I be certain that Rusa’h’s visions are not delusions caused by his injuries? That seems a more likely explanation.”
Thor’h was growing more and more upset with his uncle’s continued questions and skepticism. The Solar Navy soldiers in the command nucleus glowered at him. Udru’h knew full well these people were willing to murder him if it seemed that Designate-in-waiting Daro’h might be easier to break.
Finally, Thor’h relaxed. “Imperator Rusa’h said that you would ask such a question. Therefore, he gave me proof to demonstrate that he knows how to follow the soul-threads to the wisdom of the Lightsource.”
“Parlor tricks will not convince