Seven of Nine - Christie Golden [49]
'I 54
Xanarit gathered himself and opened his mouth to address the lengthy list of pressing issues. Beytek interrupted him before he could utter a single syllable.
"Have you implemented my orders from our last meeting, Xanarit? Has security been doubled on all of the waystations?"
Xanarit kept an expression of placid stupidity on his face. "Not quite doubled, 0 Great One, but we have increased the amount of-" "Are your mathematics so poor that you do not understand when your god says doubled?" Angrily, Beytek picked up the bowl of fruits and hurled it down at Xanarit's head. The chief advisor barely leaped out of the way in time to avoid serious injury. The bowl had been carved from stone.
Xanarit was more annoyed than fearful. This flinging of items at his head was becoming a habit with the Emperor.
"Had I merely wanted an increase, I would have said so. When I say doubled, I mean twice as many as before!"
Something is bothering him, thought Xanarit, suddenly on the alert.
Anything that bothered the Emperor could only be good news to his chief advisor. For an instant, Xanarit wondered if Beytek was merely baiting him. He immediately dismissed the idea.
Beytek was not capable of such subtlety. Had their plot been discovered, the guards would already have marched in and arrested them.
They were safe, at least thus far. Something else-someone else, perhaps-had thwarted the Emperor, and Xanarit had a hunch he knew what-who-that was. Hope flickered inside him.
"As my lord demands," he replied, keeping his eyes lowered. "The orders are in place. It is only that it takes time to bring the people to the planets, 0 Great One." he answer seemed to mollify Beytek. He grunted and scratched himself with a long black claw. "As long as they will be in place before Tribute."
"Most assuredly."
"Are my orders regarding Tribute being followed, or are you indulging in more creative mathematics?"
Xanarit nodded to Mintik, who rose. "I have been appointed to handle Tribute, 0 Great One. I am pleased to report that all is going as well as even Your Most Excellent Worthiness could wish. Every channel has been used to promote Tribute. We have contacted every planet in the Empire and they have all agreed to feature the vidfeed of the event as it unfolds. Many planets have moved to make Tribute a holiday on their worlds, as we have here on Lhiaari. All eyes will be upon you, 0 Great One, at the hour of your highest honor-when all worlds pay Tribute to Emperor Beytek Nak-Sur the Seventh!"
Beytek looked both surprised and pleased. He settled back on his cushion and his eyesacs inflated with self-satisfaction. "You all would do well to emulate Mintik. Keep pleasing me as you do, Mintik, and you may someday soon answer to Leader, not Second."
"An honor that His Most Eminent Worthiness will see fit to bestow when and if it pleases him," murmured Mintik.
"This will be a most remarkable Tribute this year," Beytek continued.
"Such recognition. Such honor. I cannot tell you how I am looking forward to it."
Xanarit regarded his leader with a face that revealed nothing.
Nor can I, Beytek, he thought, nor can L
"Do You KNow WHAT TIME it IS?" DEMANDED THE Doctor as he materialized.
He immediately answered his own question. "It's 03:27!" He yawned and rubbed his eyes.
Seven frowned. "Doctor, you are a hologram. You do not require sleep.
"True," he admitted. "Just practicing. It makes me appear more human to the rest of the crew. Now, what can I do for you. ..." He hesitated. This was becoming annoying.
"I am Seven of Nine," she stated. "Annika Hansen has-has gone."
"Ah. That does put an end to the nomenclature issue. You're late. You were supposed to report here directly after your meal." He caught sight of a small pouch fastened to her waist by a theng.