"Have you spoken to Teeg and Jett about this?"
"I have a meeting with them this afternoon. Want to go with me?"
"Sure."
"I was hoping you'd agree."
King's Palace, Cloudsong
Vik
Two of Devarr's guards troubled me. They watched me and the others, suspicion behind their eyes.
They'd been absent when Randl and the others visited the palace, and that also troubled me.
In fifteen years, I'd never used the medallion Zaria gave me. Focusing on the guards in question, who stood at the wide doorway to the throne room, I touched my chest, where the medallion lay beneath my shirt.
Randl, I sent, can you see these two through my eyes?
I see them, he responded immediately. They are allied with the dissenters, and have passed the information on the surrogate to their hidden colleagues.
Are they planning to strike in the King's absence? I asked.
Yes.
If they attempt a coup, Devarr will demand that you bring him back immediately, I said.
I know that. Look, why don't we be proactive in this? I'll come in tonight to meet with you—they're not planning anything for another two days. That gives us time to deal with this and keep Devarr where he is.
I sure hope you come up with a good plan, I informed Randl. I don't like the looks of this one bit.
Neither do I.
I'll keep you advised about our two friends, then, and see you tonight in my suite.
I'll be there.
Thanks.
BlackWing X, Captain's Cubby
Randl
"Please say you're joking," Travis moaned.
"They're planning a coup, and it will begin with their attack on the surrogate and her guards," I said. "Once the surrogate and heir are out of the way, they intend to take the palace and institute martial law. They know what happened with Kifirin fifteen years ago, so they'll drop out of the Campiaan Alliance right away, leaving Devarr without a throne."
"And the people aren't armed, so they can't fight back. The only thing we can do is pull Teeg in on this, and bring the ship Jett sent into play. How many are involved in this?" Travis asked.
"They have more than two thousand ready to go. They've spent the last few years making or hoarding what weapons they could—not all of that legally, as you can imagine."
"This alone will ensure that they stand trial," Trent observed.
"Do you think we can prevent the coup from happening by leveling weapons charges against them?" Travis turned to his brother.
"That's a question for Teeg, Jett and Wyatt, I think."
"I'll send mindspeech to Wyatt, and let you know what he says," Travis breathed a heavy sigh. "This certainly puts a crimp in all our plans."
"It'll be worse if Devarr doesn't attend Conclave, and far worse if this reinforces his isolationism," I said.
"True. Nothing about this is going to be easy."
"How do most of Devarr's subjects view their king?" Trent thought to ask.
"The majority enjoy their membership in the Alliance," I replied. "They have benefits now they never had before, and Cloudsong, under the partnership between King and Alliance, is thriving and more industry is being developed, along with crop exports and such. Merchants have a much larger market than they ever had before. The dissidents want things the way they used to be, when it was only them and nobody else."
"So, nobody who's forward-thinking in that bunch, then?" Travis frowned.
"They don't like the prospect of the influx of visitors, once the space station is completed," I explained. "They'll probably destroy that, too, if their coup is successful."
"Idiots," Trent rumbled.
"You called?" Wyatt appeared in the Captain's cubby.
"Yeah. Have a seat," Travis pointed to the empty chair beside mine. "We have a problem, and we need your help."
Chapter Seven
BlackWing X
Travis
"Let me get this straight—they're planning a coup with only two thousand or so?"
"They can take the palace with that number, and once they take that, the rest of Cloudsong won't know how to fight back." Randl shook his head. "Especially if they execute a few civilians who think to stand in their way."
"They're that vindictive and evil-minded?"
"I think their leaders are, and they've fanned the flames of fear and racism—once Cloudsong is opened to tourism and such. They believe others will arrive to take their jobs and farms. They haven't looked into the Alliance laws that protect the sovereignty of each planet." Randl shook his head.
"You saw all this from two guards?"
"I saw most of it, yes. I also saw their leaders. That's where the rest of my information came from." Randl offered his comp-vid to Wyatt.
"So, you have names." Wyatt took the comp-vid and began tapping the information.
"Not all of them, I didn't have time to research two thousand or more. What I have are the main components of this coup. If I had more time, you'd have the whole of it."
"Look, Dad, Jett and Kooper are having a meeting in half an hour. I'd like you to join us," Wyatt told Randl. "And Trent, if he can be spared," he added.
"I'll handle Captain's duties, and explain Randl's absence if necessary," I waved a hand. "Go now. Teeg should probably hear this first."
"He and Tybus are having a private lunch at the moment. I'm sure we can fit in."
"Good. Keep me updated. This is making me itch," I complained.
"That makes two of us," Wyatt declared. I watched as he folded Trent and Randl away, leaving me alone in the Captain's cubby.
"If it isn't one thing, it's four others," I mumbled and reached for my comp-vid. I could do research, too; I just wasn't as efficient at it as Randl was. Something else concerned me about this, too—Randl had received his information through Vik, and that puzzled me.
Founder's Palace, Campiaa
Randl
"I hear from Wyatt that trouble is brewing on Cloudsong," Teeg said the moment we sat at the table with his near-twin, Tybus.
While the people of Campiaa and the Campiaan Alliance would never know there were two who ruled their Alliance, I would never have difficulty sorting one from the other.
"A planned coup," I acknowledged. "I have the information from two palace guards, who are secretly aligned with the dissidents."
"You have names of the leaders of this operation?" Tybus asked. Wyatt handed his comp-vid to Tybus, so he could see the names and information I'd found.
"What do you think?" Teeg asked Tybus.
"I think Jett needs to see this, and perhaps we should consider the arrests of all those in charge of this rebellion," Tybus handed the comp-vid to Teeg. "It shouldn't be hard to do—there are less than a hundred we'll have to arrest initially, and then work on taking the others later—after we've announced on all the news programs that more dissidents are being sought."
"I've been thinking about how Devarr will react," I said. "I think he needs to be a part of this, so he'll know first and foremost that his safety and his position on the throne are our priority, where Cloudsong is concerned."
"Not a bad thought," Tybus said after thinking about my words for a few moments. "It's no secret to us how paranoid he could become, since he was an isolationist on Carek Prime, and it took us more than seven years to convince him that joining the Campiaan Alliance was in his best interest."
"Most of Cloudsong's residents like the benefits of being Alliance members," I said.
"But there are always troublemakers," Teeg agreed. "Wyatt, take Astralan and Stellan with you when you go back to BlackWing X. That will provide a legitimate method of getting Devarr from the ship to Campiaa, so we can talk with him. Randl, I want you in these conversations with Devarr. Travis tells me you've developed a rapport with him."
"I just did my job," I said.
"Then keep doing your job. This could turn into a delicate situation, as you likely alread
y know."
"It could, Founder," I agreed.
"You know to call me Teeg," he grinned.
"Of course, Teeg."
"While you're here, I'd like you to attend the meeting I'm having with Kooper and Jett, in case they have questions about the dissidents on Cloudsong."
"I'll be happy to stay for that."
"Good. Are you hungry? I'll have three more places set if you are."
That's how Trent, Wyatt and I came to have an unplanned meal with Teeg San Gerxon and Tybus, his co-ruling doppelganger.
Founder's Palace, Campiaa
Winkler
Kooper hid his surprise at finding Randl and Trent in Teeg's study when we arrived. Something was up; that went without saying.
"Well, it looks like something's going on with Cloudsong, unless I miss my guess," Jett's deep voice announced shortly after his arrival. He'd been surprised at the extra people he found at the meeting, just as Kooper and I were.
"Unless we do something to stop it, there's a coup planned during Devarr's absence," Teeg said.
"What's the plan, then?" Jett took a seat and waited for Teeg's thoughts on the matter. Kooper nodded to two chairs close together; he and I sat down to hear what Teeg had to say.
"We have a list of the leaders in this mess. The plan is to arrest them first, and make it public that we're hunting the rest."
"At that point, they'll be too scared to stick their noses out their front door—or they should be," Wyatt added.
"Don't forget they're armed," Randl spoke up.
"Yeah. That's something to consider," Kooper drawled.
"How are they armed?" Teeg turned to Randl.
"A lot of homemade weapons—some stolen or acquired illegally."
"Homemade? By whom?" Jett asked.
"I need to hold one or two to give you an idea—it wasn't any of the leaders, so it must be some of their underlings."
"Shall we lay plans to get Randl what he needs, then?" Jett asked.
"Yes," Teeg agreed.
"There's something I'd like to present while Randl is still here," Kooper held up a hand.
"What's that?"
Instead of watching Teeg, I watched Randl. He was drinking in Kooper's information more quickly than he could drink water.
"The logging industries are having a conference here, which coincides with the first five days of Conclave," Kooper replied to Teeg's question. "Now, I don't have to tell you what kinds of problems that could present, do I?"
"Perhaps we didn't scrutinize them well enough before," Teeg growled. "Fucking hell."
"Is there a way to get a list of attendees for their conference?" Randl asked.
"I'll get one, if I have to choke it out of somebody," Teeg promised. "Give me until tomorrow, and you should have it then. Wyatt, make sure that happens."
"I will," Wyatt said.
"Now, back to handling Devarr and company, as we deal with unhappy subjects who want to throw a coup at the palace while their king is away," Teeg said.
BlackWing X
Randl
It was decided that Astralan and Stellan, two of Teeg's four warlock guards, would arrive aboard ship the following morning with Wyatt, who'd inform Devarr of what the plans were to protect Cloudsong.
I was grateful for the delay—I needed rest, so blade practice with Travis and Trent had to be put off.
Meditation, on the other hand, was a welcome respite, because it enabled me to slip sideways into sleep.
Avii Castle, Le-Ath Veronis
Sabrina
My headache worsened as I stared at the melted mess that used to be the latest version of my design. Bel Erland, Lissa's grandson and Quin's warlock mate, shook his head at the mess covering my worktable.
I'd built a working model of our scanner, and it had performed well enough. When Bel arrived to miniaturize it, we discovered that the power source I'd used was far too strong for the tinier version.
It had zapped, fried itself and then melted in front of me.
"I'm too tired to curse, as much as I want to," I confessed.
"What sort of power source can you use for something that small—that will still make it effective?" Bel asked.
"That's the problem," I rubbed my forehead. "It requires sufficient power to run the scanner at a cellular level, and something this small may not handle that load. Ever. I have no idea how to fix this in so little time."
"Don't give up," Bel encouraged. "We need this. Gran and Dad say so."
"I'll keep working on it," I said, although that was the last thing I wanted to do at that moment. What I really wanted was to crawl in bed and sleep for two days.
"I see it didn't make it through the surge of power," Karzac appeared in the lab and studied the melted puddle on my work table.
"Yeah."
"I will heal your headache and have food brought," Karzac said. "Then we will begin again."
BlackWing X
Travis
"While you believe this to be your worst fears come to life," Randl soothed Devarr, "Consider this—before you joined the Campiaan Alliance, you'd be forced to deal with this on your own. The guards we placed in your palace uncovered the plot quickly, and notified CSD Director Riffler. We now have a plan in place to take the leaders of this attempted coup before they can act, and eliminate the threat against you, your throne and your child. That's one of the benefits the Alliance offers—military assistance when it's needed."
Devarr, still in shock at the news we'd delivered during a breakfast meeting, jerked his head from Randl to Wyatt and the warlocks and back again.
"Will this force you're providing be sufficient?" Devarr's voice cracked.
"Yes. We have another ship on standby, too, if those troops are required. This will be as bloodless as possible, and these prisoners can be held at a holding facility on another world, if that will ease your worries."
"Yes. Keep them as far away from Cloudsong as possible. My child is of the utmost importance, you understand."
"I do," Wyatt dipped his head. "My father says that he stands with you in that sentiment."
"Do you think that they would have still attacked, had we stayed home?" Hulce asked.
Randl drew in a breath before answering. "Prince Hulce," he said, "had you stayed at home, their plan was to kill you, the King and the child, too, in their desire to remove Cloudsong from the Alliance. Most of your subjects like their Alliance citizenship and the benefits it provides. These dissidents fail to understand the full scope of their actions."
I watched as Hulce's fingers gripped Devarr's. It hadn't mattered whether they remained on Cloudsong or not. While Randl was reluctant to reveal this truth to both, it had become necessary.
"Hulce and I wish to be there when the leaders are captured and brought to the palace—before they are transported elsewhere," Devarr stated. "I want to see them, so their image will be in my memory from now on."
"If that is what you wish," Wyatt agreed. "I'll provide a special detail to protect you and the Prince, in addition to those who guard the surrogate while the raid is happening."
"Who will guard us?" Hulce asked.
"I will be with you, and will ensure the ability of those sent to protect you," Randl offered. Hulce blinked for a moment before nodding his agreement.
If it were just him, he'd want to be in the middle of this, Randl informed me in mindspeech. The child changes the equation.
Understood, I replied.
Captain Lenk should be included in his guards.
I'll see to it.
What should we do about the palace guards who are involved in the coup?
Trent and I wouldn't mind a little exercise. Dori can take the conn while we're away.
Randl
Hulce and Devarr were dressed in more practical clothing when we gathered for transport to Cloudsong. Teeg's warlocks were ready and waiting for Wyatt's permission. Lenk, dressed in his work uniform, was also ready to go.
The other passengers
would remain aboard ship; none except the senior Council member were aware of the mission. He could be trusted, and I told Devarr so.
"You're going with us?" Hulce asked when Travis and Trent, dressed in black leathers and two blades strapped across their backs, joined our party.
"We're part of your personal guard, King Devarr," Trent bowed properly to Devarr.
"Black leathers. That means you are proficient with your blades," Devarr sighed.
"Yes."
"I hope they're not needed."
"As do we."
"Ready?" Wyatt asked.
"Yes," Devarr replied. The warlocks transported us to Cloudsong.
Founder's Palace, Campiaa
Kooper Griff
"Did you suspect something like this on Cloudsong? Is that why you requested BlackWing X for that world?" I'd joined Teeg for an early breakfast.
"I was concerned we'd meet with some difficulty getting Devarr off the planet—it was hard enough convincing him last time," Teeg replied. "I had no idea he'd found a surrogate for his heir, though, and that complicated matters this time. He wasn't aware that the dissidents had carried their takeover plans this far, either."
"And neither were you," I pointed out.
"Neither was I. I can't say how happy I am that Randl came back when he did. Without him, we'd be neck-deep in big trouble right now."
"We could still be neck-deep in big trouble with the Prophet," I reminded him. "We don't have any idea what he has planned, and I'll be honest, I have people watching graveyards everywhere. We don't need another army of the dead marching down the streets of this city."
"Mom says to stay the hell away from misting inside their heads to blow them apart," Teeg admitted.
He seldom referred to his mother, Queen Lissa, with anyone, although I knew who his mother was. Every citizen of the Campiaan Alliance thought he was an orphan, who'd wrestled the worlds of the Campiaan Alliance away from the criminals who ran them and formed a viable Alliance from a group of mostly lawless planets.
MindMage: BlackWing Pirates, Book 2 Page 9