The Devil's Heart - Carmen Carter [63]
“No,” the master said with an enigmatic smile, “you have acted just as we expected. Thus, as a penalty for your transgressions against the Faithful, we claim possession of the fruit which was born of our knowledge.”
“So, you are turning my own troops against me.” Akhanatos finally fathomed the bitter depths of his gullibility. First they had led him into ruinous debt; now they were taking away the means for recouping his fortunes in war; and finally they would grind his kingdom into dust with his own weapons.
To the king’s surprise, Kierad@an shook his head. “Jakat is no traitor, and we have no interest in taking your territory from you. Instead, the admiral is preparing to pursue a mission of our choosing. If you are still here upon the fleet’s return, we will meet again to discuss the terms of its future use.”
“If I am still …” The question faded as Akhanatos answered it for himself.
Of course, once Roshamel learned of the fleet’s departure, he would attack while Akhanatos was vulnerable. Both of their ground troops were roughly equivalent in strength, which meant any victory would be hard won. The surviving kingdom would be forced to deal with the unDiWahn from a position of weakness.
“I can still best you in this game.” Akhanatos sneered in the master’s face to show his disdain for the order’s devious political strategies.
“Be forewarned. If I make peace with Roshamel, both our kingdoms will thrive.”
“We would applaud such a rational action, King Akhanatos,” said Kierad@an. “May your opponents always match you in wisdom.”
After honoring the king with a low bow of respect, the unDiWahn emissary turned and swept out of the chamber.
To Kanda Jiak’s relief, Davenport Terminal was smaller than Starbase 75 and far less crowded. After winding his way out of the docking bays, he found that a single dome contained all the passenger operations.
Stepping up to a ticket counter, the Iconian shoved his identity chip into a scan slot. “I’d like to purchase a one-way passage to DiWahn.”
“DiWahn!” The Benzite clerk uttered a barking laugh. He ejected the chip and shoved it back at Jiak. “Out of the question. Even under the best of circumstances, DiWahn is off-limits to unauthorized Federation citizens.
The entire planet is politically unstable.”
“But I—” “And the best of circumstances no longer exist,” said the clerk. He sniffed loudly, inhaling the vapors of the atmospheric inhaler suspended under his chin.
“But I—” “All traffic into and out of the system has been suspended indefinitely. If we had a diplomatic relationship with the planet, which we do not, it would have been severed this morning.”
“This morning?” asked Jiak, dismayed to have missed his opportunity by such a slim margin.
“What happened this morning?”
“That is none of your concern,” snapped the Benzite. He waved aside the vapors from his face and peered at the young man’s face. “According to your bio credentials, you are a resident of Redifer III … but you bear a passing resemblance to a DiWahn native.”
“I do?” cried Jiak. In his excitement, he paid no attention to the figure that had moved up beside him.
“Yes, quite a resemblance,” repeated the clerk, and Jiak belatedly recognized the man’s suspicion.
“It’s just a coincidence,” said Del sternly.
The freighter captain shoved herself between Jiak and the counter. “Come on, Kanda. You’ve overstayed your welcome. This clerk has other customers in need of his attention.”
“Indeed I do!” said the Benzite. Like most of his race, he disliked having his bureaucratic routine disrupted.
Del clamped her hand around Jiak’s upper arm and jerked him away.
“Let me go.” She had no business trailing after him, thought Jiak angrily. He was not some orphaned child in need of a guardian angel. “I can take care of myself.”
“Quiet down,” the captain muttered under her breath, “or you’ll end up in a detention cell.”
Her warning stopped him from crying out again, but he still struggled against her iron grip. Not that it did him any good. Del had