Faunic looked on in horror.
Delmis furrowed his brows as if angry, and then bellowed out a laugh. "Fangule, I like it. Perhaps you are right, Faunic. Maybe I could use one of these personal entertainment slaves."
"I will be on the hunt for one for you personally. As I indicated, I would like mine back if possible."
"We'll see when the time comes. For now, your time is up. Send me a list of available arenas and available dates for a traveling show. I'll get back to you within a week with our first effort."
Faunic stood, looking back at Dester. "You stay here for now. Do everything for Master Delmis that you would have done for me. He is your new temporary owner."
Dester looked at the two-hundred-kilogram alien standing in front of Faunic. "You're leaving me with that freak? What if he eats me?"
Delmis roared in laughter. "Don't worry, slave. I've had Human before. Too gamey for my taste. And you look to be old. Probably too tough as well."
"I'll show you how tough I am when I punch your little beady teeth into the back of your head."
Delmis grinned. "Faunic, really. This is too much. I have a dinner party this evening. I can't wait to bring him out to insult my guests."
Dester looked at his former owner. "You… loser. Hit the trails. Master Delmis has business to deal with."
Faunic bowed as he left the room.
Jim stood from polishing a floor when Faunic walked up the ramp. "Master, what happened to Dester?"
"I was bullied out of him by Master Delmis, that's what."
"Bullied, Master?"
"What? Are all you Humans talking now?"
"We've always talked, Master. You just never listened."
Faunic scowled. "Stick with your floor polishing, slave. You do not have the wit of my Dester."
"My apologies, Master."
"You see? Right there Dester would have added an insult. I miss him already."
Faunic gave Jim a good whack with his open palm before pointing back at the floors. "Stick with what you are good at. I otherwise have no use for you."
"Why don't you go shove yourself out of an airlock?"
"Hmm, no. The humor seems too forced."
Faunic moved on to his chambers. Jim looked down at his camera and shrugged.
The next week saw Dester Marr tearing it up in the upper circles of the Talion District. Delmis took him everywhere. Dester obliged by insulting every alien he came in contact with. Shocked faces were followed by disbelief and then acceptance. Slave sellers were now receiving orders for "funny" or "smartass" Humans. Neither of which they had available.
Unfortunately, as a direct consequence of the entertainment value Dester had brought to his new master, no business was being conducted. No information was being gained.
Back on Yore, Master Aurin was scrambling to undo the failings of the businesses under his care. A new, more spacious and comfortable hover-taxi was hitting the markets under a manufacturing deal between Hallik and Snooka, coupled with a media campaign by Thelm. Tamia had been recalled from Masterette Thock and inserted on the Aurin shuttle as a personal slave to the governor. Her antics, while appreciated by others, were failing to cheer up an ever frustrated Aurin.
"Master, I believe the blue tunic with the yellow sash to be a strong beacon of your command."
"How is this going to change any dynamic? My businesses are crumbling. I'm about to lose the governorship."
"Which is why you must project power and resolve, Master. It's why the people have had respect for you for so long."
"Blue and yellow? Isn't that the colors the sleggs are wearing in this weekend’s games?"
"It is. And by showing that you have no fear, you will only gain respect."
"Hmm, I don't know that I like having a slave who reasons."
"I apologize, Master. My only desire is to serve you in the best capacity I can."
"And I wish you'd quit making fun of my business associates. I know they are laughing on the outside, but I'm almost certain some are offended. It makes me seem both crass and arrogant that I would allow a slave to say such."
"Sometimes following a trend can be helpful, Master. It lets others know you are in touch with the people you're governing."
Aurin scowled as the blue tunic was buttoned up the front. "I was never fond of this color. I'm not fond of it now."
"You are the governor of Betuaon, Master. It's true that some business dealings of late have gone bad. It happens from time to time, but showing yourself as weak and fearful only feeds the narrative of your adversaries... that it may be time for a new governor."
Aurin growled and pushed Tamia away. "Enough. It's time to go. Bring the sash. You can place it on me on the way there."
"Very well. What is this event we're attending?"
"This is the annual election of the governor. I've managed to stave off Thelm by a quarter percentage point, which is adequate to gain me another year as governor. That should be sufficient time to reverse this disastrous trend."
"I have full confidence you will make that happen, Master. What initiatives are you taking?"
"There will be a 2 percent increase in vegetable pricing from my farms, and a new larger and even more luxurious hover-taxi from my factories. And I have word of traveling games becoming popular. It gives the people variety. I'll be instituting a mix of those across my arenas over the coming months. The variety allows a price premium to the normal viewings, and the people seem to be accepting of that in other states."
Bersa smiled. "She walks him right into giving up his strategies. Within a month, those will all be failing."
Hallik sat beside her on a couch in the lounge on Beta Station. "Everything hinges on tonight's vote, Bersa. If we've managed to sway enough support to Thelm's side, we might just be rid of Aurin. We can't afford to have him standing in our way for another year."
"With the information Tamia is providing, I don't see how we can lose."
"We can lose because Thelm has not yet surpassed him. I don't like being dependent on chance, Bersa. We should have locked up the governorship by now. I fear we may be moving too slow with our efforts."
A comm came in to Hallik. "Master, there has been another sighting of the mystery ship. This time at DAO2456. Our passive sensor there recorded the ship landing, and a pair of Humans walking into the food hut."
Bersa stood. "Humans? With a ship?"
Hallik waved his hand with a lack of concern. "They may just be slaves of whoever is planting that virus." Hallik spoke into his comm. "Were you able to stop the farmers before they got back from the fields?"
"No, Master. It's too early to tell, but they did all consume the food before our team arrived. We have what remains. But the entire village has been fed."
"Keep them quarantined. We can't allow this to spread, or even for word to get out. If it is an outbreak, move them all to the mountain facility. I'll be by tomorrow to discuss what we'll do from there."
The comm closed.
"Humans, Master? Are you certain they are not acting on their own? Our team can pilot a shuttle, so it is possible."
Hallik shook his head. "You are ignoring the most obvious possibility, Bersa."
"What would that be, Master?"
"I'm certain you heard the rumors about a small contingent of Humans who escaped the empire when they were first overthrown."
"What intelligence officer wouldn't know that? You don't believe that is what we're dealing with here, do you?"
"Very doubtful, but possible."
"There hasn't been a report about them in more than a century. Last I knew, they were rumored to have either died off or moved out further away into the stars."
"Again, all we have is rumors, Bersa. If they did travel out to the stars, who's to say they haven't come back? And who's to say this virus isn't their doing?"
"This is troubling. How would you stop such an attack when you can barely detect their ship?"
"We have just detected their ship, B
ersa. The question is what do we do from here?"
"We capture them."
"You believe they possess only a single ship? That would seem rather naive. What if they have a hundred such ships?"
"Then capture them all, Master."
"I don't believe we have the means to do so."
"No, we don't. But this is something bigger than our attempt to take the governorship. We should notify the district authorities."
Hallik smirked. "And have them send their people down here to snoop? No thank you. We have to handle this on our own, Bersa. Remember, a master is already dead, and another a convicted and terminated conspirator. They will be livid if they discover neither incident was reported."
Hallik stood.
Bersa asked, "Where are you going?"
"To vote for a new governor. Let's hope this all goes our way."
Chapter 27
* * *
Hallik sat in a box seat that had been leased by Thelm. Five of the eight masters of Betuaon now had Human slaves following them around. The main arena in the capital city was jam-packed with dignitaries and wealthy business owners. Nearly forty thousand had earned the right to vote on the new governor.
After a handful of presentations, celebratory games were held down on the arena floor. At the conclusion of one such traveling game, Aurin made his presence known. Jeering followed him out to the podium that jutted over the floor, forty meters in the air. The onlookers took in the revolting sight of his blue tunic and yellow sash, colors generally only worn by sleggs.
Aurin spoke. "My citizens… citizens of Betuaon State, we have had another auspicious year under my continued strong leadership. Wages have increased, as has accrued time off. I'm here today to announce a new state-wide holiday."
Hallik grumbled. "Why didn't we have word of this? He's buying votes. This is an outrage."
The announcement drew a growing applause, followed by cheers. A twenty-meter-tall banner of Aurin unfurled behind him.
"I know there have been many rumors about my financial demise. I am here to tell you they are false. On this day, our day of voting for a new governor, I still maintain a wealth lead over my opponent." Aurin pointed to a box seat in the stands. "My opponent, Master Thelm of the House of Thelm."
Sporadic jeers and boos followed.
"I am here to say the losses I suffered have shown up as gains for Master Thelm. I will be calling for an investigation into these dealings by my district associate, Masterette Thock, fifth in line for the governorship of all Talion." Murmurs of shock rolled through the crowd as a polite applause was returned.
Thelm joined Hallik. "What is happening? What is he doing?"
"He's putting an end to your run for governorship. My guess is the next words out of his mouth will be about the Wilcer conspiracy."
"My Betuaon Citizens, I am here to tell you about another conspiracy. As you all know, Masterette Wilcer was tried, convicted, and terminated. What you didn't know was all of the evidence against her was presented to me by Master Thelm. I now believe his witness to be false."
Thelm began to shake. "What's he doing? That is a lie? Wilcer was conspiring against him."
Hallik said, "Did he mention the extra holiday to you?"
"Yes, he did. But what does that have to do with this conspiracy?"
"You made no attempt to block the holiday, did you?"
"Why would I?"
"Because it's against the laws of the state, and has to be verbally approved by five of the eight masters. You gave your approval, so there must be three others. With that vote, he knew he could buy the vote of the public. What he also knew was that you would soon overtake his wealth. I'm betting your business affairs manager has already had a half-dozen calls wanting to end any number of contracts. Aurin is planning to take you down."
"How do we stop this?"
"As long as he's alive and out there turning the crowd, we can't. You need to go around and demand an audience. Deny these rumors and tell the truth. That should neutralize whatever he says until an investigation can be done."
A comm came in from Bersa. "A comm just came in from Martin. He has been pulled. Thock is completely unaware of any conspiracy. Aurin is using this to sway the upcoming vote."
Hallik nodded. "Thank you, Bersa."
Hallik turned. "Master Thelm, I have a plan. We turn Aurin's plan against him."
"How?"
"You go out and say that Master Delmis, third in line for the Talion District, has also been notified, and that the conspiracy is not of your doing, but Aurin's, in a criminal attempt to keep the governorship."
"I've never spoken with Master Delmis."
"Doesn't matter. All that matters here today is this vote. If Aurin wins, you lose no matter what. He will have control of the state resources, including the state intelligence service. They will see to it you are tried, convicted, and terminated. If we win, we control the game, and we can have the same done to Aurin."
"This is far more than I was prepared to deal with today, Master Hallik."
Jamus asked, "Are you not a strong, and wise, and brilliant leader? Are you not an adept decision maker? Do you not treat everyone fairly?"
"Well… yes. I suppose I am all those things."
"Then the people of Betuaon State need you—no, they deserve you. Follow the astute advice of Master Hallik. Go up on that podium and defend your name."
"Do you truly think that to be best, Jamus?"
"You are my master. How could I not?"
Thelm stood. Escorted by his personal slave, he made his way around to the doorway leading out to the podium walkway.
Tamia was waiting as her master secured his vote. "This is messed up. I had no hint of any of this coming. He hasn't mentioned it to anyone, at least not while I was present."
Thelm shook his head. "I can't go out there. He is the governor. It's his word against mine. He knows everything I know."
Jamus replied, "He doesn't know about Master Delmis."
"That's because Master Delmis knows nothing of any of this."
"It doesn't matter. He will know. And if Thock has a deal with Aurin, we will make certain we have one with Delmis."
Thelm let out a long breath. "I'm sorry, Jamus. I'm not cut out for this type of confrontation. I cannot give a speech without having a prompter and having practiced it. Especially not something of this import."
Tamia stared down the walkway with a scowl. "He wins and this is all over."
Jamus asked, "How do we stop it?"
Tamia gave him a quick hug. "We all knew we might have to one day make sacrifices, right?"
"What are you planning?"
Thelm looked at his slave. "What is she referring to?"
Jamus shrugged. "Not sure."
Tamia turned and sprinted toward her new master. Jamus wanted to run after her, but knew he would not have the time to catch her. As Aurin continued to make his accusations, she reached the podium, pulled him to the side, and flung him over the edge of the walk.
The startled governor made a grab, getting one hand on the steel rail that ran the length of the overwalk.
Aurin yelled, "What are you doing?"
Tamia leaned over him as she pried at his fingers. "I'm freeing all Humans."
"I demand you pull me back up!"
Tamia grinned as she released a second finger. "Sorry, Governor. You're wearing blue and yellow. That's the color of a slegg. You belong down there on that floor."
A hushed murmur fell over the crowd as his last finger was plucked free. The brightly dressed governor of Betuaon State fell forty meters to the gaming floor below, impaling on a fence post as he landed, his body twisted and broken.
Tamia stared back down the walkway at Jamus as a half-dozen guards forced their way around him. As they closed on her location, her grin turned to an expression of having to accept the inevitable. She turned and stepped up to the podium.
"Should I jump?"
The murmurs of the crowd changed t
o applause, which then turned to cheers, and then chants of "Jump! Jump! Jump!"
Tamia lowered her shoulder as if to run toward the approaching guards, freezing them in their tracks. She again turned, this time running and hopping up onto the steel rail in front of the podium. The crowd worked themselves into a frenzy as she pumped her fist into the air.
They chanted "Jump! Jump! Jump!"
Hallik came to a stop behind Jamus and Thelm. "Master Thelm, this is your opportunity. Take it."
"Take what?"
Tamia glanced back down the walkway.
"Go out there. Encourage her to jump. Give the crowd what they want. You will be cheered and the governorship will be yours."
"What? Take favor of this tragedy?"
"The only tragedy here is you not wanting to take advantage. Don't you see, if you end this, you take control of any investigation. Aurin's conspiracy will come back to implicate Aurin, which it should. You know the truth. You see what's happening here before you. Get out there and take control. Be the governor!"
Jamus nodded. "He's right. You are brilliant and you are deserving. The people want you. You only need show leadership for a moment."
Hallik said, "Walk out. Gesture for her to jump. I'll follow and make sure the crowd is turned in the right direction. Go! Call the guards back."
Thelm took a deep breath. Walking down the ramp, he gestured for the guards to leave the walkway. Seconds later, he was standing at the podium as Tamia rammed her fist into the air in sync with the callings of the crowd.
Thelm leaned close to the mic. "Jump."
Tamia nodded, turned to face the crowd, and then dove. Her body hit the arena floor and the crowd screamed out in elation. Jamus closed his eyes in reflective thought as Hallik made his way out to the podium. Thelm stepped to the side.
Hallik cleared his throat. "Citizens of Betuaon State, I hope you have enjoyed today's thrilling and memorable entertainment. After a consultation with governor Aurin this morning, a consultation in which he was confronted with the facts of his own conspiracy to terminate Masterette Wilcer, it was decided that he would go out in just the way you witnessed. He would set the tone, and his personal slave would end it. I have to say, the rail hanging by him certainly added drama, don't you think?"
FREEDOM Legends Page 24
