Lina sighed. “I just don’t want to believe she would do that.”
“Dorsky agreed to sign the treasury over to you. He intends to tell Zalor you forced him,” Meia continued. “And there was a great deal of discussion about Shiragawa. Apparently Baroness Sophiathena Cronus already owns it?”
“If my friend is truly dead, then yes, she does.”
“She’s assumed control,” Meia continued. “She has someone named Einaga running things in her stead.”
“And there’s one more thing,” she messaged him, with a quick glance at Lina. “It’s about what Ben asked me to look into. We’re tracking members of Cygni Aragón’s cell of Gaians—Iapetus is, I mean. He encountered an Isinari and a Volgoth in the tunnels beneath the club and was able to tag them with tracking nanos undetected. I might know where your target is soon.”
“You’ve done very well, Meia. I thank you.” He took a deep breath. “I see our trust in you was well placed. You deserve much more than just revenge on those who have wronged you. I won’t forget your service to this House.”
“Thank you,” she said. “But all I want now is vengeance for me and my murdered crew mates.”
“I see you are a woman of simple tastes,” Lina said.
Cylus waved his hand. “You were once an heiress. You can have the barony you were promised one day.”
“That was a long time ago. It’s gone.” Meia’s voice sounded thick.
“Zalor took away your birthright, but maybe I can help you restore it in some fashion. It won’t be the first time I made someone a baron.”
She made an odd expression with her face, twisting her lips around each other before she responded. “Thank you, but I don’t know that I want that anymore.”
“I told you.” Lina did when they first discussed it, but he wasn’t going to let that stop him from giving Meia what she deserved.
“We’ll review what you’ve sent, and I’ll be in touch. It’s late, why don’t you go get some rest.”
“Thank you, sir.” She bowed her head, turned on her heel, and headed for the door.
Ben watched her go with his pinhole eyes.
“What happens after she has what she wants?” Lina asked. “Are you serious about making her a baroness? We haven’t known her long.”
He shrugged but was curious why Lina would care whether or not another minor baron joined the fold. Meia would, at least, be a useful one.
“She’s earned it, and it’s an extra vote for us in the Barony. We’ll think on it later. In the meantime, I need to contact Aurora.”
“We might think about calling the Praetor first,” Ben said.
“Of course, you’re right. Dorsky is going down for this.”
“Best review the evidence first; make sure it is what we need. Then—” Ben stopped speaking. “I’ve received a landing request, master.”
“At this hour? It’s coming up on midnight.” He scowled.
“It is from Baroness Cronus,” Ben responded. “The pale one.”
“She has the gall to come here?” Rage boiled in his blood.
“Apparently so, my lord,” Ben said in his ever-calm tone.
“What could she possibly want after plotting to kill off her own family and betray you?” Lina looked alarmed.
“That bitch,” Cylus trembled. “I don’t suppose she could have an accident now?”
“It would be highly suspicious, my lord,” Ben said.
“I see your point. Deny her landing clearance. Send her away.”
“Might I make a suggestion?” Ben asked.
“I don’t want to deal with her now. Send her away.”
“We are contacting the Praetor anyway, perhaps we could hold her here until Praetor-Prime Augusta arrives? We can ensure she does not get away as the Gaians did, my lord.”
He opened his mouth to deny the request, but something stopped him.
“I see your point. Fine. Let her land.”
“Cy?” Lina gave him a shocked look. “You’re not seriously going to engage with that horrible woman, are you?”
“Your sister needs to be caught, and she’s incredibly wily. I think Ben’s right, we need to distract her long enough for the Praetor to get here. It won’t take long.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“I’ll do it alone, then. Let her land.”
“As my lord wishes.” Ben nodded.
“I’ll say it again, this is a bad idea.” Lina rolled her eyes. “I’m tired. Let me know how it turns out. I’ll see you in bed.”
“Good night, love,” he said with more of an edge than he wanted.
She flinched and left the room.
Ben turned his eyes to look at him. “Is all well, master?”
“Yes. No—Well, it will be if Meia’s able to find that Gaian savage we saw at Solahab and get rid of him.”
“Are you certain that is wise? It may lead to many questions. Do you think she would kill for you, master?”
It was a good question. He wasn’t at all certain. She was proving herself a very effective agent and a powerful ally, but her ties to him were not yet so substantial that he could trust her this far. He was about to confess this to Ben when his thoughts were interrupted by the door chiming a third time.
“Let her in,” he said.
Sophi’s hood was thrust back, her braids swayed in the air behind her when she entered the room. “Cy, I’ve got to tell you what just happened. Dorsky’s gone mad—”
“And taken you up on your suggestion to murder your mother and aunt?”
His words brought her to a stop three steps from him. The library door shut behind her and Ben took up a guard position before it.
“Interesting.” Her cold, blue eyes searched his. All traces of her former urgency were gone. “How did you find out?”
“How could you, Sophi? She’s your mother.”
“I rushed right over here to tell you.” She folded her arms before her chest.
“You rushed here to blame Dorsky for what you did so I wouldn’t know it was you.”
“Before anything happens? So, you have time to react and get them out of danger? I’m hurt, Cy. Do you think, knowing me as you do, that I would make such a big mistake and sabotage my own plan?”
“What is your plan, Sophi?” He glared at her as her words sank into his head. Perhaps she wanted him to think that it didn’t make sense in order to complete her cover up? Still, as she just pointed out, if she knew he would foil the plot why was she here?
Sophi looked down at the table and grabbed one of the two glasses of wine. She took a long sip from it and swirled it around her mouth before swallowing.
“What do you think my plan is?”
“I’m not going to play your game. It’s past midnight, and I’m tired.”
The hint of a smile played across her face. It infuriated him.
“I’m here at great personal risk. I played Dorsky into letting me into his little coterie of traitors, but he’s not a total fool. Still, I came here.”
“You want a medal?”
“I want you to know what chances I’m taking in bringing you this information. I want you to appreciate me.”
“Like you appreciate me? If that’s the case, I can have Ben stomp on your chest a few times.”
“Cy, you and I both know that’s unfair.”
“To me? Yes, it is. I should have him tear your heart out instead.”
“Grow up and stop being upset about things you cannot change. We both agreed you needed to betroth Pasqualina in order to get us on this side of the political line. It didn’t seem to bother you nearly as much while I was still sleeping with you behind her back.” She cocked an eyebrow at him.
“And what good has this betrothal done for us?” He was so sick of her games, of her constant manipulation. He was determined to beat her this time.
“I thought you were happy. Appearances can be deceiving, I suppose. Well, let’s see. You’re the Speaker and abou
t to be Premier. You’re about to foil Zalor’s plan and be in a position to avenge your family. Should I apologize for your success?”
He opened and closed his mouth twice.
“I know you’re tired, but the end is finally in sight. You just have to hang on and be strong a little while longer. I know I’ve treated you poorly, and I know you may no longer want me, but it’s going to be worth it in the end. You’ll see.”
“Worth it for who?” he said, but even he could hear the fire fading from his voice.
“For you, Cylus. It’s all been for you. One day you’ll realize that. I’ll even be available for you again.”
“Don’t patronize me.”
“Fine. What I’ve done has been for you and for me. Once you’re Premier and Zalor is defeated, you will give me what I really want. I’ll be the baroness of Cosmos Corp as I deserve, and you will have my support because it will be in my interest to do so.”
“Will it be? You already have Elthroa and Shiragawa.”
“Yes, my holdings have increased—but it will.” She took a step towards him. “I will need you to give me legitimacy, to show your support so the other barons don’t try to tear me down. You will need me, too. I will be the fly on the wall of your enemies. I will guard you from the threats you can’t see, and all because I will need you.”
“Right.” He narrowed his eyes. “And even supposing I believe you, what happens when you don’t need me anymore? You already control two powerful baronies.”
“You won’t have to find out if you make sure I always need you.” She took another step. She was within arm’s reach now. He could smell her perfume. It was something sweet yet sharp at the same time. The undertones hinted at something that might taste incredibly bitter if he licked her skin.
“Maybe I just don’t want to play this game. I don’t need you, Sophi. I’m in position to take the seat of the Premier, and not because of you.”
She cocked her head to the side. “Because I never helped you. I never got you out of your depression and off Anilon.”
“Sable did that.” It wasn’t entirely true. She played a big role and she knew it. “So what?”
“I got you together with Pasqualina. You wouldn’t know her strength, you wouldn’t have discovered your own without that.”
“So what?” he said again.
“And without me, you wouldn’t know that Dorsky is planning on using his Gaian pets to murder my mother.”
“Without you he wouldn’t be trying.” Cylus felt his nostrils flare.
“Because of me, you have the opportunity to have him arrested for attempted murder. That makes you the acting Premier, by the way.”
“I don’t need you. I’m going to have him arrested for that anyway. The Praetor will know what was said at the meeting.”
“And he will say he was in the process of exposing radical terrorists that were dangerous to the Confederation. He’ll throw them all under the autobus. Maybe he gets out of it without being Premier anymore, or maybe nothing happens to him because Daedalus knows the people of the Confederation cannot see a Praetor removing a Premier at will. I know it seems like you have him dead to rights, but Dorsky became Premier by exposing his predecessor as the head of a massive embezzlement scheme that touched both the treasury and many of the personal bank accounts of top barons.”
“I remember. Premier Caraway is still serving out his life sentence on a penal colony.”
“Premier Caraway did no such thing. Dorsky made it all up, but he knew which people to press into his service and which to bribe. A man like that doesn’t go down for just talking about murder.” Sophi cocked her eyebrow.
He felt his mouth go dry.
“But he will go down for being caught actually trying to carry it out. He will go down for being exposed as the man who destroyed the Gaian Biodome and murdered two of his political opponents in an alleged taxi accident.”
“What? No one would believe that. The Gaians tried to murder him.”
“His agents are Gaians. He staged the attempted murder to make himself look clean. Once that comes out no one on this planet or any other will back him. I will have proof when the time is right.”
Again Cylus’ mouth worked without sound. At length he found his voice. “You’re diabolical.”
“And I’m on your side. I’m sure you’ll want to keep it that way.”
He felt his eyes widen. He turned towards the window to hide his reaction. He knew what she was doing. She was saving herself, but he also knew she was right. He forgot about Premier Caraway a long time ago. Dorsky wasn’t the pushover he appeared to be, and he just backed the man into a corner. Thinking about it put a bolt of ice through his gut. He needed allies, and though Lina was in many ways the source of his strength and a strong ally herself, Sophi had her outdone in the type of skills that were required to survive as Premier. She was right. He needed her. He hated it, but he did.
“Fine, you win. I have a condition, though.”
“Oh?”
“Do you know the Gaian that escaped? Biren Euphrati?”
“I know of him,” she said.
“Will he be involved in this operation of Dorsky’s?”
“I would think so. He’s the muscle of Cygni’s group,” she said.
“Can you make sure he doesn’t get away?”
Sophi scrutinized his face for several long moments, then her eyes lit up. “Interesting.”
“I don’t care if you find it interesting. Can you do it?”
“I think if the right things are said to the Praetor, maybe it can happen that way.”
“Tell me the right things, and I’ll tell the Praetor you came here to expose Dorsky when she arrives.” And then Lina will be all mine again.
“We have a deal.” Sophi nodded.
Behind her, Ben gave him a nod.
Chapter Nine
Ol’Lekhura, Deep Space
J2400:3288
The outside of the massive vessel reminded Nero of a child’s construction set, but the inside made him feel like he was in an ant colony. The world ship was a series of environmentally controlled habitat pods linked by a network of pressurized tubes. For someone used to the concepts in human ship design it was beyond surreal.
As expected, the Relaen were quite at home in their environment. The reason for their hand-feet and the proportions of their arms and legs became apparent almost as soon as Nero and the others exited the Katozi Slynn and started moving through the ship. Members of Sorina’s species walked, crawled, and bounced over the floors, walls, and ceiling in the low gravity. At times they looked like strange beasts with their braided hair undulating behind them as they used all four hands to move swiftly down exposed pipes and pre-made handholds. At other times they bore a close resemblance to the wild primates of Earth as they stood tall with their lower hands grasping pipes and grates to hold them at angles to the floor. It was a strange experience to see them in their natural habitat, and he was surprised at how comforted he was when he realized he wasn’t the only one traveling on the deck.
In the dim light, moving through the ozone laced air beneath the crawling Relaen, were a host of sentient beings new to his eyes. Some had hair down their spines, some had eyes all over their heads, and there was a reptilian-like species with what appeared to be veined marble for skin. Most of them had either breathing membranes or respiratory apparatus on their persons.
Where do they all come from? he transmitted. Sorina lead the way through the crowds. It was difficult to hear over the noise of a thousand conversations, even with her voice in his head.
“Our home world is many thousands of light-years away. We picked up more than a few travelers in our wanderings. One can almost tell the path through the galaxy a world-ship took by what species are on board.”
Fascinating, Prospero said. I wonder where some of these species originate? What makes them want to stay here? Will they ever see their homes again?
“For most of them this is thei
r home,” she answered. “Our world ships have wandered the stars for generations. Most of the beings you see here were born on this ship as were their parents, grand parents, and great-grand parents. They have known no other life.”
Nero blinked looking around at the collage of features with a bad tingle in his gut. It was easy to see that the beings here were comfortable with the life they knew. For them traveling the stars was who they were. It was evident in the way they moved, in the relaxed gazes they gave each other as they interacted. Most planet-bound people had an anxious look about them when they traveled the stars.
He was amazed, but it was apparent that Rune was positively bowled over with excitement. Trailing behind them with Athame, his head never stopped moving and sounds of delight escaped from his lips.
“That is a Madaezryn,” Athame answered his wide stare at one of the marbled skin reptilians with a large frill connecting the top of its head to its shoulders.
“And that?” Rune asked with a gesture to a hunched humanoid with iridescent spots in its black fur.
“A Naeri,” Athame responded patiently. She continued to explain the names of the species they passed as they traveled through the ship. She never seemed to be at a loss.
Daedalus has cataloged all known species, Prospero explained in response to Nero’s unasked question.
How come you aren’t explaining what these beings are to me? he asked.
You usually tell me to shut up 2.7 seconds after I begin. I have decided to spare us both the waste of time. Listen to Athame if you are curious.
He was about to make a snippy comeback but collided with a hairless, red-eyed man in a gray jumpsuit as they rounded a corner. His momentum carried him forward into the outer wall and he rebounded out of control.
“Sorry, sorry,” he muttered, grabbing the nearest handhold. The heat of embarrassment burned his cheeks. “I’m not used to the gravity here yet.”
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