It didn’t matter. Diltan had made a massive error, and he had to warn the Imperial Clan of what was about to happen. If anyone wanted to call him out for letting Clajak know ahead of time what was coming, let them. The welfare of the Empire came first ... an Empire beneath which the foundations might soon shake and crack.
It’s a good thing I no longer want so much to curry the Royals’ favor, because they will not be happy with me now. But how was I to know what Maf’s agenda was? He always seemed so fair-minded, even though he opposed us breeding with the Earthers. Surely I wasn’t the only one to be fooled into thinking he could be objective about the matter!
The ancestors were smiling on him for a change. Diltan had just pushed his way to the receptionist’s desk when Empress Jessica emerged from Clajak’s inner chamber. She was a pretty little thing with straight chestnut hair lying like a sheet over the shoulders of her imperial purple robe. However, discounting her for her size was always a huge mistake. Of all the Imperial Clan, it was Jessica who would invite a fight before even her temperamental Dramok.
Her bright blue eyes lit on Diltan, and she gave him a look of mock horror. “Uh-oh. What did we do now, Councilman?”
Then Clajak himself leaned out of the doorway to grin at Diltan. His eyes matched his official purple robe. “I don’t remember seeing you on my itinerary.”
Diltan bowed to them, as did the rest of the people waiting. “I’m not scheduled for an appointment, my emperor. I apologize for my presumption, but something of great importance has come up.” He looked around at the faces of the others, noting equal measures of dark, impatient looks and curiosity. He turned back to the emperor and empress and beseeched, “I am terribly sorry, but the matter I bring to you can’t wait. I must speak to at least one of you.”
The desperation in his expression and tone were enough to convince Clajak and Jessica. The Dramok emperor nodded. “You are not a man to seek an immediate audience without just cause, Diltan. Come in.” To his receptionist he said, “Tell Korkla to join us please.”
Diltan wove through the others to enter Clajak’s inner chambers behind him and Jessica. The empress’ light floral perfume was a sweet trail to follow, but it did nothing to calm Diltan’s nerves. He barely noticed the luxurious appointments of the room, the well-wrought desk, chairs, and cushions making no impression on him at all. His hectic gaze skimmed over the fine art and statues that decorated the room. He paced as Clajak sat on his desk and Jessica perched very un-Empress-like on the edge of the finely carved surface. They watched him with concern as he tried to order his thoughts.
How was he going to break the news to Clajak about what his fathers had done? And how could he tell him that the Empire itself might teeter on the brink of disaster?
Dramok Korkla, Clajak’s aide of many years, entered the room. The sharp-featured man, as efficient and pleasant as Diltan had ever met, gave him a cursory smile before addressing Clajak. “You called for me, my emperor?”
Clajak nodded and waved Korkla to one of the hover chairs floating before the desk. “Councilman Diltan says he has something important to tell us. I assumed I would need you in on this.”
“Good to see you, Councilman.” Having acknowledged his employer and the empress, Korkla bowed to Diltan before taking his handheld computer from a pouch on his belt. He sat and readied to make notes.
“What’s wrong, Diltan?” Jessica prodded.
He took a deep breath. “My empress, my emperor, I was selected to go over Imperial Father Zarl’s records.”
Clajak’s eyes flashed with interest. “Yes, I am aware of that.”
“I found something. Something ... troublesome. Something the then-emperor kept secret.”
Clajak’s brows drew down a little. “With our code of transparency? That doesn’t sound like my father.”
“He had good reason to keep this quiet.” Diltan swallowed. “This matter I’ve uncovered – it made me fear for the Empire’s stability should it become known. I consulted with Councilman Maf because I needed guidance.”
Korkla nodded approvingly. “Maf is well regarded, smart. It was wise for you to have done so.”
At least Diltan could claim he wasn’t the only one who had thought that way. Korkla was known as a good judge of character.
It didn’t calm his despair. “No, Dramok Korkla. It was a horrific mistake, because Maf will now make the matter public no matter how damaging it may be to Kalquor. The man was downright gleeful to have this evidence! His joy over the trouble that it will cause was obscene!” Diltan appealed to the two royals in the room. “I swear to you that I had no idea how much he loathed the secrecy of the Matara abductions. I would have come to you first had I suspected.”
Clajak stared at Diltan, his expression thunderstruck. He rose up from his seat. In a voice hushed with shock, he said, “My father Zarl made mention of the initial kidnappings of Earther women? He knew who was behind them?”
“He implicated himself as the main instigator. He also implicated the rest of your fathers.”
Clajak sat back down heavily, as if his legs had gone out from under him. “How bad is it, Diltan?”
Diltan took a small amount of comfort in the level of Clajak’s stunned response. It was obvious that the current Dramok emperor had no connection with the abductions. The face framed by its waves of smoky steel-colored hair had drained of all color. The present Imperial Clan could at least claim they had nothing to do with the kidnappings that had led to the war.
Jessica and Korkla looked almost as shocked. Their mouths hung open. Silence reigned in the room.
Diltan swallowed. It took all his strength to answer his monarch. “The situation is the worst possible, my emperor. Zarl specifically wrote the order to carry out clinical tests on an Earther woman for purposes of breeding. He also ordered that if the results of those tests were positive, the abductions of between 1500 to 2000 Earther women would be carried out. It was an action that led to hostilities between Earth and Kalquor, which culminated in the destruction of Earth.”
For several moments, no one spoke. It was Empress Jessica who drew herself up, standing up as tall as her petite frame allowed. “Councilman Maf wishes to pursue litigation?”
Diltan nodded. “I am sure of it, my empress. He will call the Ethics Committee together to discuss the necessity of such action.” He raked fingers through his hair, the enormity of the situation pressing ever harder on him. “The only thing that kept the Galactic Council of Planets from indicting Kalquor for the destruction of Earth was that no one knew precisely who was behind those abductions.”
Korkla pursed his lips. “Zarl is out of the reach of justice. If he did not name Tidro and Yuder specifically as accomplices, they may still face an inquiry. However, with no proof and no witnesses, there is no reason to believe they are in danger of being held responsible.”
Jessica’s glare was stormy. “They will still have to face questions ... or at least Yuder will. Father Tidro is several weeks away in seclusion.” She shook her head. “Zarl gave the order! Most suspected Haven’s Governor Ospar, who was our ambassador to the Galactic Council at the time. Councilman Rajhir too, since it was his clan who claimed the first Earther Matara, Amelia Ryan.”
Korkla added, “Since so many councilmen clanned those first Mataras, a huge government cover-up was alleged by those opposed.”
Jessica sounded bitter as she said, “I love Ospar like a brother, but I always thought he was devious enough to pull a stunt like that.”
Diltan nodded. “Dramoks Ospar and Rajhir may very well have had a hand in the abductions. Zarl’s communications were coded to keep the recipient of his orders concealed, but they traced as going off-planet. As the ambassador to the Galactic Council, Ospar would be the most likely candidate. He is known to have ways of making things happen outside of proper channels. Since Councilman Rajhir’s clan had a hand in testing the first Earther Matara for breeding compatibility, it is highly likely he was in on the conspiracy.�
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Korkla looked at Clajak, horror filling his expression. “Rajhir is your cousin, a direct link to the Imperial bloodline. The ramifications are huge if it comes out he knew Zarl made the order.”
“That’s not the worst of it,” Diltan muttered. “I have no doubt that even if Imperial Fathers Tidro and Yuder are innocent of any wrongdoing, Maf will demand they be interrogated. At the very least, the Galactic Council will demand we surrender your fathers to them for investigation, my emperor.”
In a voice that suggested she had plunged into a nightmare, Jessica said, “The rebellion will use this to gain followers. The Basma could get enough traction to challenge us directly. It is a danger to the Empire.”
Clajak stood. His face worked, but Diltan couldn’t tell if the emperor was terrified or furious at that moment.
His fists clenched, Clajak came around the desk and headed for the door. Staring after him, Jessica called, “Where are you going, Clajak?”
Clajak whirled to face his mate. His words slurred because his fangs had descended, he snarled, “To find my father Yuder. He has much to explain.”
With that, he left the room in a swirl of purple robes. Jessica chased after him, calling over her shoulder, “Korkla, we’d better get Bevau and Egilka. Send them straight to the Imperial Fathers’ suite.”
The aide was already clicking for a frequency on Clajak’s desk com. Diltan watched him, his soul feeling helpless.
* * * *
Nobek Yuder stood on his home’s balcony, facing into the wind. It whipped his long, steel-colored hair back from his face, streaming like banners behind him. It reminded him of the night his Dramok died. Storm clouds scudded across the horizon in ominous warning, threatening to eclipse the day. The sea crashed as passionately as it had the night he had talked his Imdiko into leaving Kalquor, sending off his last surviving clanmate.
At least the weather had warmed. Yuder was almost too hot. His solid black formsuit left his muscled arms bare, but he was starting to sweat. Nevertheless, he still missed the weight of his old Global Security uniform with its armored padding.
It was hard to be retired, though Global Security still consulted him on matters important to the home world’s safety. The Imperial Clan also asked for his input, but that happened less and less as they grew comfortable with their roles as rulers. Yuder had his lover Tara, and every moment with her felt like being reborn. Still, it was hard for a Nobek to no longer be in the middle of activity.
I am losing my purpose in life, he thought with uncharacteristic sadness. I am getting old and useless.
Yuder heard the door to his home open. It wasn’t necessary to respond to the instinctive need to find out who had come in and be ready to defend his clan if required. Zarl was dead. Tidro was safe elsewhere. Tara was doing volunteer work at the hospital. Besides, his contingent of Royal Guards only let certain people enter the home without first clearing it with Yuder.
Safe and useless, he thought. Then he heard the thudding footsteps, the kind of purposeful stomping approach that always heralded the arrival of an angry Clajak.
Yuder wondered if the moment he’d dreaded had arrived. He hoped so. Secrecy had never sat well with the warrior. Being emperor had afforded him many opportunities to exercise his need for justice and action, but the tradeoffs had barely been worth the challenges. Zarl had been so much better with the intrigues that came with the throne.
He turned as his son burst out upon the balcony, the purple robes of his office billowing in the fierce wind. Without preamble, Clajak yelled, “Zarl gave the order for the Earther abductions. You and Tidro supported this?”
Tension bled out of Yuder’s body at the accusation. At last, the worst decision he’d ever made had been discovered. The secret was out, at least to Clajak. His guilt in the matter could at last be made right.
Yuder dipped his head in a slow nod. “We did, my emperor. How far has the information spread?”
Clajak stared at him. Now that he had confirmation, his sometimes violent temper eased. It was yet another sign of his maturity, that Clajak had at last become the man Yuder had hoped he would. He could perhaps become known as the Empire’s greatest emperor ... if his fathers’ mistakes didn’t derail that. If Clajak didn’t try to protect them in misguided familial loyalty.
The younger man’s fists clenched. “Councilman Diltan didn’t know what to do with the information, so he consulted with Dramok Maf.”
Yuder’s eyes narrowed. “Then it will become public knowledge that we gave the order. Maf is head of the Ethics Committee and dedicated to absolute truth.”
Clajak’s voice rose again. “Do you know what this will do to the Empire?”
Yuder nodded. “The Basma’s rebellion will gain support. It was our shortsightedness that didn’t see the revolt coming. We didn’t realize there would be so many who preferred our extinction to mating with the Earthers.”
Clajak whirled to pace back and forth. His robes snapped in the wind, expressing the passion he fought to not give vent to. “It’s not just that. You went behind the backs of the people! You opened the way to war, which led to Earth’s destruction!”
“I cannot refute that. I do not refute it. I accept full responsibility.”
Clajak stopped in front of him. He was bigger than Yuder and stronger. Yuder had seen Clajak kill another man when Jessica had been threatened. He was still nowhere near as dangerous as Yuder. However, had his son raised his hand, the elder man would not have defended himself. His wrongs were overdue to be paid.
Clajak did not make any attempt to attack. “What was found in Zarl’s records ... is that why Tidro left?”
Now came the hard part, the part where Yuder would ask Clajak to behave almost as unethically as he had. The Nobek had no choice, however. He had to protect what was left of his clan.
Yuder said, “Your Imdiko father has spent these last years caring for Zarl to the detriment of his own well-being. Tidro is old and broken, Clajak. If Zarl did not mention him by name in those records, then I refute he knew anything of the matter. You must let me assume full guilt.”
Clajak’s expression betrayed only a moment’s pain before he asked, “What of our cousin Rajhir? Matara Amelia was the woman tested, the woman he took as his clanmate. What about Dramok Ospar who was our ambassador to the Galactic Council then? If Rajhir was part of this, then so was he. You can’t tell me that conniving creature isn’t in this as deep as you.”
Yuder closed his eyes. “Ospar has always acted in the best interests of the Empire. His methods, like ours, may not have always been the most principled, but you know his heart lies with our well-being.”
Clajak continued on as if he hadn’t spoken. “What of over half the Royal Council which benefitted by gaining Earther mates from the mass kidnappings you ordered? Over half! This will shake the very foundation of our realm!”
Yuder sighed. “Ospar is the only one I know for certain was aware the order came from the Crown. He was bound to act under our authority and cannot be blamed. As for the rest, I’m not sure if Rajhir and the others knew who was ultimately behind the abductions. They have always sworn they didn’t.”
Clajak’s gaze was dark, his fury regaining strength. “I think it’s time we found out.”
Yuder wanted to warn Clajak from looking under every single stone for fear of what he might find. How many had been fully aware of who ordered the mass kidnappings? Had Zarl or Tidro confided in anyone beyond their clan and Ospar? Had Ospar spoken to anyone on the matter? There was no telling who would be dragged out into the light now that the matter had been discovered.
Yuder also had no doubt Councilman Maf would chase every lead down, determined to flush the conspirators out. The man presented himself as fair-minded, but he had long been quietly among those who voiced objections against interbreeding with Earthers. Maf had been among the first to insist those behind the abductions be brought forward.
Yuder thought, Ancestors help us if it went beyond my
clan and Ospar. There will be no end to the outrage. The Empire might well burn before it is over. I must find a way to keep that from happening, even if it means sacrificing myself.
He bowed his head. “My emperor, I will cooperate in every way possible for the good of the Empire and its continuance.”
Chapter 12
Diltan was only too happy to get home at the end of the day. He knew nothing more of the drama unfolding now that he’d revealed Zarl’s secrets to Maf and the Imperial Clan. The Government House was rife with rumors what with Maf closing his chamber doors for most of the day and the Imperial Clan first dashing throughout the halls and then making themselves unavailable as well. When it became known that visits from Diltan to those people had preceded these strange goings-on, he’d been forced to close his doors and ignore coms. He’d even avoided Oiteil. He did not want to discuss the brewing trouble with anyone anymore.
He kept himself busy by continuing to peruse Zarl’s documents, hoping to find evidence that would keep the matter contained to the former Imperial Clan and show the Royal Council was untainted by the controversy. He ended his day disappointed even though he’d stayed an hour later than usual to avoid his fellow councilmen.
Entering his home at last, Diltan wasted no time in searching out his clanmates. He needed the friendly faces of those who cared about him.
He found them in the common room, with Wal snuggled against Rolat on the lounger. The pair were having small glasses of bohut and sharing a plate of bite-sized wisba-coated ronka. Apparently they’d been content with conversing since none of the entertainment, music, or gaming systems were running. They smiled at him as he entered.
Wal pulled free of Rolat’s encircling arm, sitting up. “Welcome home, my Dramok. Would you care for a drink?”
“Please. Thank you, Wal.” Diltan let his legs fold beneath him, collapsing rather than settling onto a seat cushion at Rolat’s feet. He leaned against his Nobek’s legs, closed his eyes, and made his mind go blank.
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