“Hello,” Diltan greeted her. “Don’t you look lovely. Downright presentable, in fact.” He gave her a wink.
“I have my moments. Don’t tell anyone or I’ll pull your tongue out,” Cissy agreed with her more familiar challenging grin. Then her face softened again, giving him a look of concern. “Tough day at the office, huh?”
Behind her, Diltan saw the other women of the Imperial Family huddled with the Imperial Clan. Clajak had his arm around Imperial Mother Tara while Jessica held her hand. Tara’s face looked strained, but she seemed to be holding together pretty well considering her lover had been taken out under guard.
Diltan drew a heavy breath and returned his attention to Cissy. “A very trying day. I did not expect Imperial Father Yuder to be led out under arrest.”
“No one did, from what I understood was to happen. He was supposed to invoke counsel like Dramok Rajhir did. We had no idea he would announce his guilt.”
Diltan wondered if the Imperial Clan would take offense if he pulled Cissy into his arms to offer comfort ... and perhaps receive a little comfort in return. Then he decided he didn’t care. He put his handheld in his lap and reached for her hands. She came to him willingly, smiling a little. He tugged her down to sit next to him. She felt right with her body next to his, a perfect fit with his arm around her soft, warm frame.
Diltan said, “It seems Yuder is determined to keep everyone else out of trouble at the expense of his own freedom. Typical protective Nobek. I guess if you think about the kind of emperor he was, it shouldn’t surprise any of us that he’d do such a thing.”
He looked again at Tara. Jessica’s mother was a tiny thing, not substantial in the least. Yet she stood straight with her shoulders back, looking as unassailable as a Nobek.
“How does she do that? How can she be so calm when her mate’s future is in jeopardy?”
Cissy looked at her family. “Auntie Tara? We could all learn a thing or two from her. She’s quiet and sweet, but she’s the strongest person you can imagine. Jessica says she makes the Temple of Life priests look like nervous wrecks.”
Diltan chuckled. “If only we all possessed such grace.”
Cissy snuggled, peering up at him with those amazing blue-green eyes. Cool-colored eyes that still evoked fire. “Are you going to be all right?”
Diltan’s heart warmed. His rebellious little rascal, this scalawag who he would have turned his back on only days ago, was so much more than he’d credited her for. It made him feel good to be the focus of her concerns. He caressed her cheek, hoping she could see how she touched him.
He murmured, “I’ll be fine now that I know it matters to you.”
They stared into each other’s eyes, the moment perfect as unspoken emotion passed between them. It was an instant in which talking of what they felt would have detracted from it. It was beyond mere words.
This is the one. It’s not a matter of how she will appear to others when she is at my side. It’s not a matter of being the perfect mate for official appearances. Cissy fits me. I think she fits Rolat and Wal too. Even when we rub wrong against each other, it’s still right. Our moments of friction will only mold us more firmly together.
The realization was sudden. It should have been shocking. Yet it was not.
Diltan had just decided he was ready to call it a day, to play ‘hooky’ as Cissy called it so he could spend more time with her, when Maf’s aide Dramok Sitrel appeared before them.
The sharp-featured man looked from Diltan to Cissy and back before speaking. “Please excuse the interruption, Councilman Diltan. Councilman Maf requests your presence for an immediate personal meeting. He is most eager to get to work on readying for the indictment vote.”
A wave of disgust boiled in Diltan’s gut. Maf had kept himself restrained during the council meeting. Now that the report was public, it appeared he would proceed with unseemly haste. Damn it, he could have waited at least a day to hear from the rest of the council before rushing headlong into stirring up more anger.
Yet Maf was the head of the Ethics Committee, and he was well within his rights to begin proceedings. Diltan had no choice but to do his job. Again.
Without bothering to address the waiting Sitrel, Diltan stood. He felt incomplete without Cissy molded to his side, almost bereft. He wondered if she felt the same.
He bowed to her. “My apologies for having to leave you much too soon, Matara.”
She sighed, making him think that perhaps she did miss him a little. “Some days just don’t seem to end, do they?”
Diltan smiled at her. “I hope to see you later?”
“I think I can squeeze you into my packed schedule tonight.” She winked at him and looked him up and down, not caring that Sitrel hovered close enough to see her bold appraisal.
Her obvious lechery made Diltan want to laugh. Instead he reciprocated, bending down to brush his lips against hers. “Until then, my lovely.”
Diltan straightened, not missing the mischievous twinkle in Cissy’s eyes before he turned away. He passed by Sitrel without a glance. He felt mean satisfaction that Sitrel was surprised enough to have to hurry to catch up.
Chapter 19
Diltan allowed Sitrel to precede him into Maf’s office. Despite what was coming, the Dramok felt pretty good at the moment. Cissy’s support made him feel like he could take on just about anything, including Maf’s newfound fanaticism.
Don’t get too cocky, he warned himself as he crossed through the doorway into Maf’s private chambers. Being high on affection will not do anything to fix this situation.
Maf sat behind his desk, muttering instructions to his computer. He turned from whatever task he performed as soon as Diltan stepped in.
He beamed at his visitor. “Good, wonderful, I am glad you were available right away, Diltan. There is no time to waste on this matter. As chairman of the Ethics Committee, it falls to me to lead the investigation.”
Diltan dipped a little bow and felt some of his euphoria drain away. “Of course.”
Maf waved his withered arm. “Oh, my apologies. I forget myself. Please sit down.”
“I need to stretch my legs after council meeting, but thank you.” Diltan remained standing before Maf’s desk.
The other man caught the coolness in his tone. He exchanged a wary glance with the silent Sitrel, who stood unobtrusively to one side.
Maf smiled again, though with far less wattage than before. His tone remained friendly. “As you prefer. I must have the entirety of Zarl’s records at my disposal. Will you give them to me?”
“Of course. Now that I have made the official report, the records are now a matter of public record. As of ten minutes ago, my computer loaded them onto the mainframe. Everyone has access.”
Maf gave him a conciliatory look. “I detect grave concern in your voice, my friend. I realize we are treading on very shaky ground—”
Diltan interrupted him. “Do you, Maf? Do you understand just how shaky the ground is right now?”
Maf settled back in his hover chair, wincing a little. “The former emperors lied. Over half the council benefitted from that lie. Most of our governing body was party to it. They aided and abetted the abductions of nearly 2000 women, which resulted in war, which resulted in an entire planet’s destruction. The Earther species is almost as endangered as ours because of this injustice.”
Diltan felt the twinge of desperation returning. “I have no argument with you there. It is plain that at least Imperial Father Yuder has many questions to answer. However, I’m not so certain as to the culpability of our fellow councilmen in the affair. I think it is a mistake to try to indict every one of them. Beyond that, I’m asking you to also note the bigger picture.”
Maf looked at him as if he’d gone mad. “The bigger picture? What could be more important than genocide?”
Diltan planted his palms on Maf’s desk and leaned closer to his colleague. “What about a second genocide? There are extremists out there who have been wai
ting for something like this to happen so they can tear the Empire apart. You have to know this will divide Kalquor. It may mean those who have opposed the Basma’s revolt will now flock to his banner and challenge our way of life.”
Maf sighed, his thin face settling into lines of regret. “Of course I realize how polarizing the issue could be. That’s why it is so important to get to the full truth of it. The Empire is built on a policy of no secrets from its people. Without it, we set ourselves up as despots, playing the common people like puppets.”
“If not fed to the public in a cautious manner, this scandal has the potential to blow up in all of our faces. We could have civil war if it is not handled right. Those who are adamantly opposed to the Earther Mataras will use this to further their agenda,” Diltan pointed out.
“I oppose the Earther Mataras,” Maf said.
“To the point of desiring bloodshed? Of shattering Kalquor?”
Maf shifted in his seat, trying to find a comfortable posture. He grimaced, and Diltan wondered if the man wasn’t above using his infirmities to elicit sympathy.
Maf said, “Grave crimes have been committed against the Empire and Earth. Those who carried out those crimes must answer for it.”
“Even at the expense of the Empire?” Diltan stood up and paced before the desk. “I do not support whitewashing this crime of abduction. I can accept the Imperial Fathers must answer for what happened. But to drag every single clan into the court that claimed one of those first Earthers? Three men to each clan; that’s over 5,000 men. As you pointed out, over half the current council is involved. The council itself would crumble, putting our government at risk.”
“They have knowingly blocked our investigations into the matter before. Gamas and Efo admitted they knew Ospar was part of it. They are guilty of obstruction at the very least. They must pay the price.”
Diltan wheeled to face him. “And what of the innocents who will pay alongside them? What happens to the Mataras and children of those clans, Maf?”
“They receive long-awaited justice for being brought here against their will. At least, that’s how I see it.” Maf gazed at him with kindness, though the light in his eyes was too bright to carry it off. “Diltan, you make good points. Don’t think I haven’t heard and considered every single word you’ve spoken. The truth is, it’s out of our hands. Demands from the public for trials of everyone involved are already flooding the offices. The people of the Empire demand this be settled. They scream for it. Have you looked outside?”
Diltan blinked at him. Had trouble started already? “No, I haven’t checked to see how the people are reacting.”
Maf cocked an eyebrow at him. “You should. Minutes after you revealed the contents of Zarl’s records, Global Security officers were called in to surround the Government and Royal Houses to keep the crowds at bay. They are talking about bringing in stun devices if the numbers don’t disperse.”
Diltan stared at him in horror. The situation was devolving faster than even he had anticipated.
Maf nodded. “It has already begun, my friend. Now it is up to us who uphold honor and Empire to do our jobs, no matter how unpleasant they may be.”
Diltan choked, “You are one of our more respected leaders. Your voice is as revered as the Head Councilman’s. Will you do nothing to try to calm the situation?”
Maf shrugged. “That is not my problem. Only the truth is.”
His face was serene. Serene except for the hard-bright glaze of the crusader in the man’s eyes.
* * * *
After his meeting with Maf, Diltan made his way to the Imperial level of the Government House. Most of the councilmen had gotten wind of the crowds outside and had left the cliff building. Diltan was grateful no one was around to see him board the in-house transport that took him to the highest level. If it got out that he was visiting the Imperial Clan so soon after revealing Zarl’s records, rumors of conspiracy would fly.
I do plan to conspire with the Imperial Clan, up to a point, he admitted to himself as the transport moved beneath his feet. What else can I do? Maf will let Kalquor suffer in his mania. He does not see that the Empire itself might fall ... or he does not care.
Diltan was beginning to believe the latter possibility was the true one. Maf would let Kalquor rip itself apart in order to get rid of the Earther Mataras and those who had clanned them.
The transport’s door opened, bringing him face to face with half a dozen Royal Guards, their percussion blasters drawn. One snarled, “Halt. The Imperial Clan will see no one.”
Another guard wearing a captain’s insignia holstered his weapon and motioned for his squad to follow suit. “This man is authorized for limited access. You’re on the list of approved visitors, Councilman Diltan. You may check in with Emperor Clajak’s secretary. Do not go anywhere else.”
Diltan offered him a bow. “Thank you, Captain.”
He hurried down the corridor, his heart thumping fast. “Nothing like having half a dozen Nobeks pointing blasters at a man to raise the pulse,” he muttered under his breath. He should have known security would be on high alert given the situation. It amazed him that he’d been given access at all.
He stepped into Clajak’s outer chambers. The room was empty but for the harassed secretary sitting in the midst of continuously beeping com signals.
The secretary nodded to him. “They hoped you’d come, Councilman, but didn’t dare send for you for fear it would look improper. Let me tell them you’re here.”
Diltan digested that the Imperial Clan wanted to see him as the other man disappeared into the private office. He wondered why. Before he could puzzle it out, the secretary came back and waved him towards the inner chamber. “Please go in, Councilman.”
Diltan did so, discovering that not only was the entire Imperial Clan waiting for him, but Clajak’s aide Korkla and Bevau’s aide Dramok Erybet also crowded into the room. It looked like a war council.
Diltan bowed to the six people. “My emperors, my empress.”
Looking calmer than when he’d last seen him, Clajak gave him a slight smile. “Hello again, Diltan. I take it you have some news?”
Diltan nodded. “Councilman Maf called me into his chambers after the meeting. He demands all of Zarl’s records for purposes of building a case of indictment against Imperial Fathers Yuder, Tidro, and most of the Royal Council.”
Emperor Egilka’s sharp face showed no surprise. “As is proper, given his position. Those are now available to him anyway. We saw the documents have been loaded into the mainframe.”
“Yes my emperor. However, I am concerned about his haste in the matter. He is not willing to let this initial trouble pass and the dust to settle. In fact, I believe calm is the last thing Maf desires. I detected an anticipation that borders on enthusiasm to find and convict all involved in the first abductions. He would accuse most of the council itself.”
Korkla gave Clajak a worried glance. “That’s an overreaching way to behave.”
Clajak blew out a gust of air. “I knew Maf was against the mixing of Earthers and Kalquorians for the purpose of re-populating Kalquor, as at least a quarter of the Royal Council is.”
Bevau said, “That number has probably grown since the meeting.”
“I agree. My father admitting his guilt has only worsened the situation.” Clajak asked, “Diltan, I know your concern is for the Empire more than for us. I still wish to know how much can we trust you personally?”
Diltan debated that for a few moments, but he’d already been over the matter in his head for some time. He said, “You must not ask me to lie in order to spare Imperial Father Yuder, my emperor. Nor Imperial Father Tidro, Councilman Rajhir, and Governor Ospar, if it comes to it. My creed is for honor. Yet before that, I would do what I must to preserve the Empire and its people, whether Kalquorian or Earther.”
“What do you think that means, exactly?”
“In this particular situation? I am certain that bringing up on charges tho
se councilmen who are clanned to the first Earther Mataras will harm the Empire. I think it may even feed the Basma’s revolt, threatening a real split.”
“What are your specific worries on that account?”
Diltan didn’t mince words. “Maf is proposing a witch hunt. It will begin with the Royal Council. Once such a thing gets started, it can be damned hard to rein it in. What of the Earthers that came to us after the first Mataras? Will their clans be suspected of kidnapping? Will they be dragged into court to defend their families?”
Jessica frowned. “Earth’s history was full of such things. It starts with one small group being accused or discriminated against, and then it grows until entire communities are under siege. Neighbor turns on neighbor, family against family in such cases.”
Bevau’s aide spoke up. His delicate features made him almost as pretty as a female, but Dramok Erybet was known as a fierce fighter. He’d once been a commander in the almost exclusively Nobek-populated ground army. “We are on a precipice that I have seen before. The first rocks have tumbled down the hill; it will not take much to become an avalanche. Anyone disaffected will flock to the Basma’s banner now.”
Clajak’s gaze on Diltan was steady. “I will not ask you to lie and destroy your honor, Diltan. However, you are already compromised in a fashion what with your suit for our cousin Matara Cecilia.”
Diltan’s mouth went dry. Surely no one would ask him to give up pursuing his potential Matara? Or would Maf, with his dislike of Earthers and desire to make someone pay, insist on it?
Clajak continued. “All I ask is whatever help you can offer that does not interfere with your ethics.”
“Such as?” Diltan’s mind was still reeling over the idea that he might be told to have nothing more to do with Cissy.
“The Honorable Wal is your clanmate. You could give us some insight into how a judge might handle the matter.” Clajak’s face darkened. “I cannot protect my father Yuder, but he swears Tidro knew nothing of the plan to kidnap Earther women. If my Imdiko father can be spared this horror, I wish it.”
Alien Indiscretions Page 31
