• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

Stars’ End, or at least the tower’s outer sheath, was molecularly bonded armor, of a single piece. That made it one of the most expensive buildings—no, he corrected himself, the most expensive building—Han had ever seen. Enhancing the molecular bonding of dense metals was a costly process, and doing it on this scale was something he’d simply never heard of.

Inside the tower, they passed down a long, broad corridor to the central axis, which was a service core that also housed elevator banks. They were hurried along, with little chance to gawk, but they did see techs, Authority execs, and Espos coming and going. Stars’ End itself didn’t appear to be particularly well manned, which didn’t jell with the theory that it was a prison.

They entered an elevator with the major and a few of his men and were whisked upward in a high-speed ride. When the elevator opened and they trailed the major out, they found themselves standing beneath the stars, which shone so brightly and were packed so tightly overhead that they seemed more like a mist of light.

Then Han realized they were on top of Stars’ End, which was covered with a dome of transparisteel. There was an apron of bright flooring by the elevators. Beyond that began a small glen, complete with miniature streamlet, and flowers and vegetation from many worlds, landscaped down to the last bud and leaf. He could hear the sounds of birds and small animals, the hum of pollinating insects, all of which were confined to the roof garden, he assumed, by partition fields. The glen was cleverly lit by miniature sun-globes of various colors.

Footsteps to their right made them turn. A man came around the curve of the tower’s service core, a tall, handsome patriarch of a man. He wore superbly cut uppermost-exec’s attire—a cutaway coat, formal vest, pleated shirt and meticulously creased trousers, set off by a jaunty red cravat. His smile was hearty and convincing, his hair white and full, his hands clean and soft, his nails manicured and lacquered. Han instantly wanted to bop him in the skull and dump him down the elevator shaft.

The man’s voice was sure and melodious. “Welcome to Stars’ End, Madam Atuarre. I am Hirken, Vice-President Hirken, of the Corporate Sector Authority. Alas, you come unheralded, or I’d have greeted you with greater pomp.”

Atuarre feigned distress. “Oh, honorable sir, what shall I say? We were contacted by the Guild and asked to serve as a replacement act, at the last moment, as it were. But I was told the Secretary in charge of scheduling, Hokkor Long, would make all arrangements.”

Viceprex Hirken smiled, a charming drawing back of red lips from chalk-white teeth. Han thought how useful that smile and smooth voice must be in Authority board sessions. “Totally unimportant,” the Viceprex announced. “Your appearance is thus an unexpected pleasure.”

“Why, how gracious of you! Never fear, my kind Viceprex; we’ll distract you from the problems and pressures of your high office!” To herself, though, Atuarre swore Trianii vengeance: If you’ve hurt my mate, I vow I’ll see your living heart in my hand!

Han observed that Hirken wore, at his belt, a small, flat instrument, a master-control unit. He assumed that the man liked to keep close watch on everything in Stars’ End; the unit gave him total control of his domain.

“I have gathered some of the most prestigious entertainers in this part of our galaxy,” Atuarre continued. “Pakka here is a premier acrobat, and I myself, in addition to being mistress of ceremonies, perform the traditional music and ritual dance of my people. And here stands our handsome Master Marksman, peerless expert with firearms, to amaze you, worshipful Viceprex, with his trick shooting.”

There was a whistling laugh and a jeering: “Trick shooting of what? Of his mouth, as appears likely?”

The speaker appeared behind Viceprex Hirken. He was a reptilian creature, slender and quick of movement. Viceprex Hirken chided the humanoid gently. “There, there, Uul; these good folks have come a long way to relieve our tedium.” He turned