Shayban’s lips pressed together in disapproval.
“I understand that I’m asking for a great deal,” Casmir said, “and it would be unwise for you to give resources to a random stranger who wandered onto your station.”
“And out of my detention center.”
“Yes. What could I do for you in exchange for the time and resources?”
“Am I correct in assuming that you don’t have access to a bank account that can transfer cost plus ten percent to me?”
“I do not have access to a bank account with money sufficient to buy more than a twelve-pack of fizzop and a pizza. A small pizza.”
“If that’s true, your government doesn’t pay its civilian advisors sufficiently.”
“Tell me about it. For reasons I haven’t figured out, Kim gets paid, and I don’t.” Casmir extended a hand toward her. She was watching this exchange without commenting.
“She’s prettier than you,” Shayban observed.
“Is that the reason? Huh.”
“It could be that I haven’t made a habit of irking my superiors or the king.” Kim sighed. “Until recently.”
Shayban rubbed his chin. “I confess that my eagerness to have a robot like yours makes me want to work with you, Professor, but my business acumen points out that I would be foolish to give away what I’m going to guess is the equivalent of millions of dollars in the highest-grade metals and materials. Especially when I will receive only one robot worth a fraction of the cost of all of those materials.”
“I am worth far more than my constituent parts,” Zee said.
“Even so…” Shayban looked from Casmir to Zee and back.
He looked thoughtful and shrewd, not flummoxed, and Casmir suspected he’d already come up with a solution he would find acceptable. Casmir didn’t know if he could find it acceptable. What if, out of some spite from the father of a wronged daughter, he ordered Casmir to build his army and then deploy it against Jorg?
“I will agree to give you the space, time, and resources you need to build one hundred and one crushers,” Shayban said, “if you agree to take this army to Prince Dubashi’s moon base and use it to take it over and kill him.”
Kill? Why did everybody want Casmir to kill people?
“I’m not a murderer, Sultan. Nor can I build crushers that will murder people for me.” Casmir was already haunted by the knowledge that the crushers he’d helped create for the military were being used to invade stations in other systems—or had been. He had no idea where they were now. Had they been brought back to System Lion in time to help? Or did Jager have them holding some random station in a system that wasn’t in position to help the Kingdom?
“Then promise to capture Dubashi and bring him back to me, where I can arrange to have a piano fall on him.” Shayban glanced at Zee. “Or perhaps a very heavy couch.”
Casmir grimaced. His stomach writhed at the idea of kidnapping someone, knowing the end result would be his death, but this Prince Dubashi, whom he’d never met, had been trying to kill him for months. All because he had been cloned from Admiral Mikita and, Casmir assumed, Dubashi feared he would turn into some brilliant military tactician who would serve Jager and stop the prince from achieving his goal of taking over System Lion. How Dubashi had even learned about him, Casmir didn’t know. Had former chief superintendent Bernard been the one to blab? How had it even come up?
“Stopping Dubashi could stop the war,” Kim observed quietly from his side.
Yes, there was that too. Stopping the war mattered a lot more than the bounty the prince had put on Casmir’s head.
“Can we just imprison him without dropping anything death-manufacturing on his head? Or without shooting him outright?” Casmir smiled hopefully at Shayban. “I understand that he’s made himself an enemy of the Kingdom and of you, Sultan, but I’m more a fan of rehabilitating people than arranging their murders.”
“Dubashi is more than two hundred years old, thanks to all the age-reversing technology in the galaxy,” Shayban said. “I doubt his senescent brain would be pliable to rehabilitation, even if he wished it. However, if you want me to say I’ll put him in a cell instead of killing him, I’d be willing to let you believe that.”
Casmir snorted. Given how easy it was to break out of the sultan’s cells, maybe it was best that Casmir didn’t believe Shayban would stick Dubashi in one.
“May I have a moment to discuss your proposition with my friend?” Casmir gestured at Kim. “Even if I agree to making a kidnapping attempt, I need to think about how we could get to his base and get in.”
Shayban blinked. “Do you not have the use of Jorg’s ships?”
“Uh, probably not. We’re really more… independent operatives.”
Kim’s eyebrows twitched, but she didn’t point out that she was independently fleeing from Jorg currently.
“I see.” Shayban waved toward an empty corner behind an assembly line. “Do consult, but don’t take too long. It’s getting late.” He yawned for emphasis and walked up to Zee and asked him what his core mission was and how he felt about being someone’s bodyguard.
Casmir was tempted to wait to hear the answer, but he didn’t want to irritate Shayban and lose his opportunity by dawdling.
“What do you think?” Casmir asked Kim when they were alone.
“You don’t already have a scheme worked out?”
“Well, I thought after Rache kidnapped you, I would stay here for a few weeks to work on this, but it sounds like I’ll also need a ride to this moon base as soon as I can get some crushers made. I could ask Bonita, but she may have already arranged a new cargo, and the Stellar Dragon isn’t a warship, nor does it have a slydar hull for sneaking into enemy territory. Rache’s Fedallah would be ideal. Do you think he would kidnap both of us? And take us along to his meeting? How willing are you to rub his head again to warm him up to the idea?”
Kim rolled her eyes. “I knew you had a scheme. And I’m not.”
“Not what? Willing to rub his head? Are you sure? He probably likes it. I’d like it if…” Casmir trailed off, reminding himself that he hadn’t yet asked Oku for that coffee date—or seen her for weeks—so he shouldn’t voice confessions regarding shared rubbing.
“I’m not willing to rub his head to get what you want.”
“I said what we want. We’re a team, Kim. Didn’t you know? I thought that was implied when you agreed to share a bathroom with me.”
Kim lifted a hand. “I’m willing to concede that capturing this Dubashi could be integral in stopping the war at home and keeping him from sending more assassins after you, and both would be good things, but I’m not using my body or anything else to manipulate Rache. If you can talk him into helping, fine, but are you really contemplating taking on Dubashi and his entire base by yourself?”
“Zee would be with me, and whatever other crushers I have time to build.” Which might not be many, Casmir admitted. How far away was Rache now? “Asger might help, too, but… I’d be reluctant to pull him in on my scheme, as you call it. Thus far, knowing me hasn’t been good for his career.”
“Shocking.”
Casmir opened his mouth for an indignant reply, but Kim lifted her palm and continued on.
“Even if Rache was willing to take you, I doubt he’d help you with Dubashi. He wants to get a contract with the man.” Kim curled a lip. “You’d have to convince Rache that you’re not working against him.”
“That would be challenging. It would be easier if he was a little duller.”
“Would it? Then you’d be duller too.”
“I don’t think intelligence is entirely genetic.”
“Well, he’s not dull. And you’re not qualified to infiltrate enemy bases.”
“And yet, it’s been my new part-time job of late. Maybe it’s the kind of thing where on-the-job training is sufficient.”
“I’m afraid you’ll get yourself killed. I can help you, but it’s not as if I have any great abilities that qualify
me for taking over bases either. I’m not… I’m not even sure why I’m still out here.” Kim bent forward and gripped her knees, staring bleakly at nuts and bits of wire on the floor—or maybe not seeing any of it.
“Are you all right? Do you need coffee?” Casmir patted her on the shoulder, though only briefly, since he didn’t know if she would appreciate the physical offer of comfort.
“Dear cosmos, yes.”
“You should stay with Rache. I’ll handle Dubashi. It’s not like I would put on combat armor and confront him with my physical might. I haven’t met a network yet that I couldn’t get into. Dubashi’s may be challenging since he’s an astroshaman, but I’m sure I can do it.”
Kim stared up at him. “He’s a what?”
“Oh, I’ll decant that all for you later. I had a chat with Kyla Moonrazor. She might give me more information if I tell her I’m planning to kidnap Dubashi. Or have couches fall on him. She says she doesn’t like him.”
“You talk to her?”
“Not willingly. She thanked me for turning off the security defenses on the gate pieces.”
Kim kept staring at him. Casmir rubbed his nose, half-worried he had boogers dangling.
“Casmir,” Kim finally said. “Why is it that you’re capable of winning over our enemies, but all you’ve done is irk the royals and ambassadors who have the power to have your family incarcerated and you hanged?”
“Technically, it’s only one ambassador. And one royal. Jorg hasn’t met me in person yet. He may find me delightful.”
“I doubt it.”
“I find your lack of faith… possibly justified. If I do better with enemies, maybe I should try to woo Dubashi. How do two-hundred-year-old princes feel about gifts of underwear? For that matter, I’m still looking for a gift for Rache. What says thank-you-for-the-immune-system-booster and wouldn’t-you-prefer-to-infiltrate-Dubashi’s-base-with-me-instead-of-working-for-him?”
“I don’t think it’s been invented yet.”
“No? The gift industry is failing to meet demand. Disappointing.”
Kim straightened. “Can you send the crushers you make in without going in yourself? Rache isn’t going to give up his vengeance quest for you, and I think even if you get Asger’s help, you’ll be in over your head.”
“I suppose that’s possible.”
Casmir couldn’t imagine sending in robots without being there himself, but Kim was right to worry, and he wouldn’t worry her further by insisting he would go along, not yet. First, he had to build his army. And make sure he could get a ride with Rache. He also felt compelled to try talking Rache out of working against the Kingdom.
“We’ll figure it out.” Casmir nodded at Kim. “I’ll tell Shayban we agree to his terms. And that you need access to that mushroom lab so you can pretend to be working on Jorg’s project when you’re kidnapped.” He pointed at her. “I haven’t forgotten about your scheme. Don’t worry.”
“I’m so heartened.”
Oku sat in the front seat of the auto-bus she’d called for, using her royal security code to override citywide orders for all transportation services to be deactivated until the bombing ended. Rain pounded on the roof, and she glanced out the dark windows often, worried she would spot enemy spacecraft in the dark night sky.
“Almost there,” she murmured, not expecting anyone to hear her over the conversations filling the back of the bus. Casmir’s parents’ closest forty friends and family were back there.
Chasca, who was sitting between her legs, swished her tail across the floor.
“You sound worried, Your Highness,” Maddie said from the seat next to her.
“The news is sporadic and not as revealing as you would hope.” Oku waved at her chip. She’d been watching news updates as they drove. “I’m worried we’ll be caught unaware when a bomb drops on our heads. And I’m worried they won’t open the doors of the Citadel for us.”
“Which one is more of a fear?”
“The latter.” Oku also worried that they would open the doors, and she would have to face her father. But she imagined Casmir, whenever he was able to return to Odin, being grateful to learn his family had been safe during the bombings, and decided it would be worth the lecture. She’d also stopped and picked up Kim Sato’s surprised relatives. Their home had been damaged, and they’d been taking refuge in the family dojo. Fortunately, a neighbor had directed Oku to the right spot, so it hadn’t taken long to gather them up.
With no other traffic, they made quick time to Basilisk Citadel, though they had to take a few alternative routes, since intersections and streets had been turned into craters. Oku still couldn’t believe this was happening here in her home city. With the rainy darkness pressing against them and fog creeping in from the ocean, it all felt surreal.
An android in a Kingdom Guard uniform strode out of the small gate station and toward the bus. Oku hopped out so he could identify her.
Soft rain dampened her cheeks as she waited for him to study her, scan her chip, and look at the passengers inside the bus. Would he allow everyone in or check them against the list of those who had been invited to the Citadel?
A spaceship rumbled through the sky overhead. One of theirs? Or one belonging to the enemy?
The android glanced up at its passage, then issued a command to open the doors. “You are expected, Princess Oku.”
A forcefield winked out. The android waved for her to get back into the bus and continue inside.
Relieved, Oku rode inside with the others, trying to keep her chin up and display a calm facade so none of her guests would worry. But that facade threatened to crumble when, as soon as they parked among some other vehicles inside, her father appeared, striding toward the bus with Finn and two inky black crushers.
Oku gaped at them.
Casmir had mentioned that he’d worked with the military more than a year earlier to make the first crushers, but she’d never seen any of them except for his, and only on a video. Zee hadn’t been with him the two times they’d met in person.
Though she wanted to hide under one of the bus seats, Oku knew she had to fight for these people’s right to stay here. She’d invited them. If her father turned them away, what would they think of her? For some reason, the idea of Casmir’s parents being disappointed in her, or believing her some powerless pawn who couldn’t make decisions for herself, stung.
Something thwapped her leg. Chasca’s tail. She looked up at Oku with hopeful brown eyes. She wanted to go out and explore.
“Stay here for a minute.” Oku held up an open palm for her stay command. “I’ll see if there are any bushes out there for you.”
The tail drooped in disappointment at the delay. Oku made sure to close the door of the auto-bus when she got out.
“Father,” she greeted, the lights along the rampart in her eyes as she faced him, rain pattering onto the bubble of the forcefield far overhead. That same forcefield would prevent bombs from reaching the Citadel.
Oku glanced at Finn—he wore a smug smirk rather than a concerned where-have-you-been expression, and she wondered if he’d let Father know she’d sneaked out of the castle. The crushers remained a few steps back. Were they her father’s new bodyguards?
“What is that?” Father pointed at the bus.
The occupants hadn’t yet tried to get off. Several faces old and young were pressed against the windows, watching the exchange.
“I brought some people here for safety,” Oku said. “There’s plenty of room. I know there is.”
“Some people? What people? There’s a list of those who are invited to come during emergencies. Random citizens off the street are not on the list. It’s the senators, our family and staff, and the best and brightest in the city, those who are too valuable of resources to lose to chance.”
Was that how he saw people? That only the best and brightest had value? Oku shouldn’t have been surprised. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t grown up in the castle and seen her father frequently. But he
was usually subtler with his prejudices, less likely to show them. The fact that he was being so blunt was a testament to his anger and maybe the lateness of the hour. Was he angry because she’d sneaked out and he’d been worried? Or simply that she’d presumed to disobey orders?
“These are the family and friends of some of those best and brightest,” Oku said. “I went and got them as a favor.”
“To whom?” Her father crossed his arms over his chest.
Her mother’s warning popped into her mind, that she shouldn’t indicate she had any link to or interest in Casmir. But it was too late. If Oku didn’t answer and find a way to get her father to accept this, these people would be turned away.
“Casmir Dabrowski and Kim Sato.”
Oku expected exasperation or for her father not to remember who they were and to be puzzled. But he stared at her without reacting at all. Finn was the one who looked puzzled.
A couple of servants showed up, perhaps thinking they would be asked to lead the newcomers to rooms, but they waited, watching her father.
“You’ve met them?” Father finally asked.
“Yes. Casmir, I’ve met twice in person. Kim once, just for a minute. But I knew they wanted to make sure their families were safe, since they aren’t here themselves to help.”
“What do you mean in person?” His eyes narrowed, and Oku sensed the disapproval her mother had predicted. “You’ve spent time with him aside from exchanging messages?”
Ah, he knew about the videos and text exchanges?
Barking came from behind Oku, and she jumped, her response forgotten. Chasca had nosed the door open and slipped out of the auto-bus. She was staring at the crushers, the short gray fur on her back bristling as she barked uproariously.
Oku lunged and caught her by the collar before she decided to attack. Horrific images flashed in her mind as she imagined the killer robots knocking Chasca into a wall.
Planet Killer (Star Kingdom Book 6) Page 18
