Keltan's Gambit: Chronicles of the Orion Spur Book 2

by Michael Formichelli

  Niu looked at her for a moment, then nodded. “Yes, someone does.”

  “Come on then, let’s get back to it.” Cygni put on her best smile.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Ikuzlu City, Kosfanter

  41:2:21 (J2400:3147)

  The ghostly image of Sophi hovered in the air before him. She was barely visible in the light of the noon-day sun, but the twist of her lips and the burning cold of her eyes held his rapt attention.

  “So, I have to find out major developments like this from Pasqualina now? Since when do you neglect to tell me father wants you to be the next Premier? Since when do you run off sailing without at least leaving a message for me? Cylus, you’ve been a total idiot. You don’t know anything. This is a disaster. Do you realize how much work this ruins? I told you to go to Anilon when you had the chance.” Sophi drew her shoulders up and clenched her fists, stiffening to such a degree she seemed to lift herself up on her toes. “Get over here as soon as you get back, Cy. Do this, and try not to screw anything else up. We can fix this, but I need you here at my side. No more screw-ups.”

  The image faded, allowing him to focus on the row of docks ahead of the Gambit’s bow. Spread around the curve of the atoll, they looked like long, gray fingers stretching out from the city’s shining crown of corporate towers. Tall yachts bobbed on the flux of the tide between them. Each flew the flag of a Corporate Barony, but not one flew that of the Confederation.

  Pasqualina walked up across the deck and stood at his side near the bow of the ship. They were under the city’s aegis now, which allowed the ship to drop its own without risk of exposing them to Kosfanter’s lethal, neon-saturated atmosphere. The city’s aegis filtered the deadly gas out of the air, but allowed the cold, briny wind to pass through and oscillate her golden curls gently across her face.

  “She got my message?”

  “Yes, she got it. She’s demanding I come and see her.” He shuddered. Sophi’s response was a recording, not a live transmission. Thinking of her cold eyes, so much like her father’s, sent a mortal chill through him.

  “I’ll go with you. You won’t have to do this alone.”

  She was encouraging him to make decisions for both of them from what drink they should have to what types of transport would be preferable on their secret mission to Calemni. That, along with the new growl his damaged larynx put in his voice, made him feel like an alien in his own skin. It was not a good feeling to have before confronting Sophi.

  “She’s furious,” he said. “She’s trying to hide it, but she’s terrible at concealing anger.”

  “Because Zalor chose to make you the next Premier? That’s curious, isn’t it? I thought her plan was to take Zalor down. That’s what she told me. Wouldn’t being Premier make that easier? You could veto his edicts and send them back to the Barony for re-voting.”

  “Wouldn’t the Barony just pass them again?” he asked.

  “Yes, but the fact that you, a respected and tragic figure in the eyes of the Confederation, would veto his measures could cast doubt on Zalor’s true motivations in the eyes of the public. It would make him look bad, maybe even cause a dip in his company’s value. If the Sovereign Council sided with you it might even stop his bills.”

  “So? He’d still own everything, including the government.”

  She nodded. “That’s true, but it would also show that you were standing up to him. Remember, your barony is the second largest in the Confederation. If people, the other barons included, saw you standing up to the Big Bad Wolf, it might sway both the Barony and the Sovereign Council to side with you over time. You could be the most powerful baron in the Confederation.”

  “If Zalor didn’t have me killed.”

  “He couldn’t if we did it right. If you do decide to do this we need to tie you very closely to Zalor’s own political fortunes—at least in the beginning. Over time, we start setting you up as an occasional dissenter, and later, an objector to his policies. He couldn’t take you out without damaging his own reputation. No one would work with him quite so willingly if he killed you after supporting your run to the seat of the Premier. By the time you two were at odds you would have your own power base among both the barons and the people. It’s risky, but it could work.”

  He stared at her. She was just as much of a schemer as Sophi. The thought was a disturbing one, but he needed her. With Sable missing she was his only ally, and he already decided to trust her.

  “I guess it could work.”

  She shrugged. “If you decide to go that way. Take your time thinking about this. We’ve got a long road ahead of us.”

  He nodded, watching the sunlight make the silver-blond of her tightly curled tresses sparkle.

  The Keltan’s Gambit pulled into its birth, sliding between the two docks like a blade. Ben was ready with their bags when they made their way to the ramp to disembark. The way his artificial servant was looking at him drew Cylus up short.

  “What is it?”

  Ben gestured with his chin to a limousine at the end of the Keltan dock. Leaning against its glossy-black hood was an Isinari with a high crest and red eyes that reminded Cylus of Sophi’s personal assistant.

  “Oh. She sent someone to collect me.” He frowned.

  “It would seem so, sir. Would you like me to get rid of her?”

  “No, Ben, that’s all right. Niu is here, and we as might as well take advantage.” He looked over at Pasqualina and received a nod in response.

  “Very good, sir. I’ll have the air-car’s autopilot take the bags back to the tower, but I best accompany you just in case.”

  Cylus looked at him, feeling his neck tighten. “Yes, just in case. I agree.”

  The lift felt cramped with the four of them in it. Pasqualina stood on Cylus’ right, and Ben was on his left. He didn’t want to chance a repeat experience of what happened at the Palace of the Just, so he intended to keep Ben close no matter what. Sophi’s assistant, Clearach’Kul’tearae, signaled the lift car to take them up just as before, but this time there were no words exchanged.

  The doors slid open and the sound of the fountains spilled into his ears. Damp air caressed his face as Haem Kul’tearae led the way and bowed a high-ridged head to niur baroness.

  “You brought an entourage,” Sophi said from behind her wide desk.

  “Sister!” A smile appeared on Pasqualina’s face. She moved forward, swaying her hips in an exaggerated motion he hadn’t seen her use since the Queen Gaia. Her purple-and-red dress was slit up both sides and swayed wildly about her legs.

  “I wasn’t expecting you.” Sophi stood at her half-sister’s approach and they exchanged kisses on both cheeks. No warmth touched her eyes.

  “Why let him get lost on the way over?” Pasqualina’s voice was nasal. He forgot that it could sound like that. The tone she used since they returned to Kosfanter was feminine, thick, and strong, not this flippant annoying sound that just came from her mouth. Her disguise was perfect. He never would have guessed her to be the sharp-minded person she really was.

  “Indeed. Thank you for bringing this latest development to my attention, Pas. No doubt Cy would have cowered in his bed for weeks before thinking to mention it.” Sophi sent an acid look his way.

  “What are sisters for?”

  “You changed your hair,” Sophi cocked an eyebrow. “And your eyes.”

  “Now that our secret is out, why hide? Besides, won’t it irk father when he sees me?”

  “I suppose, but he won’t be seeing you for a long time. Father left for Helix seven days ago. The first message from his personal space station arrived yesterday. I took the liberty of having Elthroa serve as your messaging service.”

  “What?” Cylus’ mouth hung open.

  “I don’t want you troubled with trivial matters. It was the logical thing to do. Besides, this way you can’t misjudge anything vital.” Sophi glowered.

  “Anything vital? You don’t have the authority to do that.” Cylus frowned.


  “You gave me the authority.”

  “As long as I’m not on Kosfanter. I’m here, in case you didn’t notice.” He trembled, though he couldn’t tell if it was from fear, anger, or both. Sophi’s look of indignation reminded him to be nervous about leaving her alone in the capital.

  “You weren’t here when the issue came up. You can’t run off for days on end without letting me know. This is a lethal game we’re playing.”

  He felt like he was breathing fire. “How could I forget? Do you hear the popping in my voice, Sophi? I had Zalor’s fucking bartender almost choke the life from me! Don’t lecture me on how lethal this fucking game is!”

  “I assumed you were sick. What happened?” Sophi said, her tone softening.

  “You don’t care.” He flared his nostrils.

  “I assure you, I do. Tell me, Cy, what happened?” She moved over to him and looked up with soft, blue eyes.

  “I tried to refuse to run for Premier,” he whispered. For a moment he felt the stony hands of the artificial at his throat again. The anger drained from him.

  Her eyes traced up and down his body. She put a hand on his forearm. “And?”

  “And?” He twitched.

  “And that’s it?” She put on a look of concern he could almost believe.

  “Do I have to spell it out for you? He’s going to kill me if I don’t comply.”

  “He can’t.”

  “He made it pretty clear that he can.” Cylus shook his head.

  “But he’d lose your fortune to Aurora. He wouldn’t risk that.” Her voice sounded almost like she was cooing.

  “Maybe he’s got another way at it?” Pasqualina drew both of their attention.

  “I don’t think so. He wouldn’t chance killing Hephestia and my mother just to put Olivaar in line for Cy’s fortune unless it was a last resort. It would draw Abyssian attention, and he’s got enough of that as it is with Yoji. Father can’t control Daedalus, but he can manipulate Cylus.” She firmed her grip on him.

  “Really?” He saw the subtle shift in Sophi’s body language. She sounded certain about her statement, but a slight waver in her balance, and a twitch in her face told him that they had stumbled across something she hadn’t thought of before. He hoped she was right about Daedalus. The machine-entity might be the only thing keeping him alive.

  “The Cronus sisters would be very difficult targets, and killing them would bring too much suspicion on him in the Barony,” Sophi said.

  “He killed Yoji,” Cylus stated.

  She put her gaze on him, but instead of being cold and dissecting as it usually was, there was a gleam of unease in them. How could she not have thought of this?

  “That he did,” she said after a long pause. She let go of his arm. “I’ll look into this, but I’m a bit busy at the moment. Father’s been making more moves in systems with these Cephalon Spheres. I managed to infiltrate some with our personnel, but he’s up to something more than this transit network.”

  At a nod from niur boss, Haem Kul’tearae stepped forward. “Baron Revenant is putting heavy levels of military-grade security around his new offices. Although generally hidden from the public, these forces include high output energy weaponry and war machinery like combat robots and shell troopers.”

  “What? Is he expecting the Broghites to try and take these worlds?” He frowned.

  “Only some of the planets he’s doing this on are near the Broghite Front. Some of them are quite remote from it. He’s up to something else. The point is that I’m busy with this,” Sophi said.

  “I can see that.” He gave Pasqualina a quick glance hoping she would pick up on the hint. He didn’t want to chance an implant transmission. Sophi might be able to intercept it.

  “Don’t worry about us if you’re so busy, Soph’. I think I’ve finally talked Cy into going home,” she said.

  “Is that right?” Again, Sophi’s eyebrow cocked upward.

  Pasqualina nodded. “I’ll have him out of your pretty hair in the next few days. I’m looking forward to visiting that fabulous garden of his.”

  Sophi narrowed her eyes, sweeping them over him.

  He inhaled. “That’s right. Zalor’s latest mistreatment of me was too much. He won’t need me around until next year anyway.”

  “You still want revenge for your family, don’t you?” Her expression did not change.

  “Of course, but I’m starting to realize that I was right about the reason I asked you to be in charge. I’m not cut out for this. I don’t have what it takes to get revenge. We haven’t heard back from the Praetor, and I’m just not going to get the proof I need to pin the murders on Zalor Revenant, am I? You could though, and I should just stay out of your way.” He wondered if that was convincing enough. The sound of despair in his voice was real, he just hoped that she didn’t pick up on any undertones of deception that might have snuck in.

  “You were just upset about me taking charge.” Sophi held his gaze with her own as if she could read his mind through his eyes. The sound of the fountain gurgled loud in his ears.

  “That’s because I’m still here, and we agreed I would be in charge while I was. Now I’m leaving and deferring to your wiser council. You are the better baron for this. I’ve come to realize I just can’t handle it. I want to go home.” He let his real desire to do so come through, even though he knew he wouldn’t be keeping his word.

  Her face relaxed. “You are, of course, correct. Trust me, Cy. I will get you the proof you need and find vengeance for us all. You’re making the right decision. My messaging service will stay in place for Keltan Securities.”

  “I know,” he said. For the second time in a long time, he felt good about a decision.

  “Well, I guess that’s it then.” Pasqualina sighed and kissed Sophi on the cheek.

  An odd look came across her face. “Cy, would you like a personal assistant for the estate on Anilon? Perhaps, someone to keep you updated on what’s going on?”

  “Why? Between Ben and Pas, I think I’ll be fine.” He crinkled his brow, a spike of ice stabbed at his gut.

  “I assure you, Baroness, I am more than capable of handling all my master’s needs. I do not wish to sound prideful, but I can handle many more simultaneous functions than any biological. You will have my other iterations at your disposal here on Kosfanter,” Ben said, meaning the other artificial servant bodies he had throughout Keltan Tower.

  “You’re right, never mind. Good journeys to you both. I’ll see you when you return for the election.” Sophi kissed him on the cheek and touched his face with gentle fingers.

  “See you then,” he said.

  Pasqualina kissed her again.

  “Haem Kul’tearae, stay behind please. I’m sure our guests can find their way out. I need your help with something,” Sophi said when they reached the lift.

  The Isinari nodded and moved to niur baroness’ desk.

  Cylus gave Pasqualina a look, but she subtlety shook her head while staring at the lift doors.

  He wondered how suspicious Sophi was of them. Calling her assistant over at the last minute could be innocent, or it could mean he hadn’t been as good at concealing his intentions as he hoped. Maybe she was onto them, or maybe he was just being paranoid. Either way, it felt good to know something she didn’t. After how she acted since this whole mess began, it was good to do something without her.

  Only time would tell if it would work.

  “Did I do all right?” he asked once they were safely in his air-limousine, kilometers away from the Elthroa Staffing Corporation.

  “You did well.” Pasqualina’s voice returned to a more intelligent tone. She stroked her belt and her dress changed colors from purple and red to brown and white.

  His heart thumped hard in his chest and he couldn’t get the grin off of his face. They just pulled off lying to Sophi. It was the most exciting thing he’d done in ten years, and being truthful with himself, it felt good to get her back for hurting him.
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br />   “Do you think we fooled her?”

  Pasqualina nodded. “Probably, but we didn’t need to completely trick her. As long as she doesn’t figure out what we’re doing before we do it, we’ll be okay. Her hand in your com-net is a problem, but we can overcome it. Cy, could you ask Ben to take us to the Interstellar Bazaar please?”

  “What? Why?”

  “I have the sudden urge to buy a Cleebian handbag.” She winked.

  “Huh?”

  “I’m joking. You ordered me to find a way to get to Calemni for us. I have contacts that will arrange things, but since we can’t use comms now, we have to see them in person. We’ve set things in motion, and I thought it best not to waste time.”

  “Oh, of course.” Ben, take us to the Bazaar, he transmitted.

  “Right away, master.” Ben responded. The limo turned in the direction of the Market District.

  “When we get there, follow my lead.”

  “What part of the market are we going to?” Cylus asked.

  “Please, don’t worry about it. I’ll handle everything,” she said.

  He had never been to the Interstellar Bazaar. During the handful of times he’d been to Kosfanter before his family’s death he never had time or occasion to go. He knew it was a sprawling, open-air market straddling the streets between the main residential sectors and warehouse districts. He knew it was a popular tourist destination, and that one could buy anything from every corner of the Confederation and beyond within its stalls. All of that information he got from the Bazaar’s official Cyberweb node. It occurred to him, as the limo swept through the canyon between the towering buildings, that what he knew probably wasn’t even a tenth of the truth.

  “Master, might I suggest that you exercise extreme caution? The Bazaar is known for its criminal element,” Ben said down the link.

  I shall. Thank you.

  “Put us down at Xizu and Tenth,” Pasqualina said aloud.

  “Master?” Ben messaged.