by Jo Zebedee
Nina came up beside them. “Is that a Roamer ship? It’s bigger than I expected….” She jerked her head. “Come on. According to the pilot, security takes ages. He said I should have brought an overnight bag for it.”
He noticed, almost hidden by her calm eyes, the slightest tightening of her jaw. She’d worked in the palace for years – he wasn’t the only one who remembered the old Abendau, where the wrong word could get you killed, or worse. She jerked her head, keeping him moving, always moving, never stopping.
This time, Sam did the pulling as Cai held back, trying to look at the ship again. Would Kare be able to swing Cai a look inside? It would be worth asking. He rounded the corner into the security hall with its banks of scanners, and sighed. Nina was right: it was going to be a long afternoon, and a longer night, when he’d have to face what he’d been running from for far too long.
CHAPTER FOUR
Farran stepped off the gangway into the docking bay. Standing a few feet away, the New Empire’s head of Intelligence was instantly recognisable, his dress uniform making Farran feel shoddy in his own rumpled pilot’s suit. He squared his shoulders – he was a pilot, for space’s sake, a flying suit was his uniform – and stepped forwards, hand outstretched. “General le Payne?”
Le Payne took his hand and gave a quirked smile. “Ambassador Sil-Farran.”
“Farran, please. We Roamers prefer informality.”
“Lichio, then.” He didn’t sound surprised; it seemed Farran wasn’t the only person who’d done his research. “I’ve arranged a room within the port annex. It means you don’t have to undergo the full compound security.”
“Thank you.” Farran followed le Payne through the bay. A security team kept pace, but at a distance. He stopped at the sight of the long bank of scanners ahead.
The other man smiled apologetically. “You might want to trust me on this, the compound is much worse. I’ll have you through in a few minutes, although you’ll need to leave any weapons here.”
“I carry no weapons.” Farran wasn’t fooled by the discreet security. There’d be an outer perimeter in place, at the very least. The Emperor might like to keep security around him to a minimum, particularly in the compound, but it would be in place, nonetheless. That had been confirmed by his intelligence.
“Good, we’ll be even quicker.”
Farran walked through the scanner, waiting as the screen brought up his weight, accompanied by an amber light. He glared at the light. Too much time piloting and maybe, just maybe, a bit of middle-age spread may well have taken him to the top of his parameters.
A needle pricked his finger and he waited for his genetic makeup to be confirmed, then an eye scanner dropped down. He stared into it until his retinal patterns were recorded. A moment later, the scanning bank went green and the laser bar lifted, allowing him to follow Lichio down a functional corridor. The other man’s back was straight as he walked, nothing in his demeanour hinting at the ordeal he’d endured at the Empress’ hands. A hard man to read, it seemed.
“Here we are.” Lichio pushed a door open, ushering Farran into a small meeting room, past a pair of guards. Muted shades of olive and cream gave a restful feel, but he didn’t allow it to lull him into relaxation.
Lichio gestured at a woman sitting behind the only desk. “Ambassador Farran; my sister, President le Payne.”
She stood, her blue eyes widened in welcome. She looked too young to be leader of the Abendauii Senate, but hers was the true power in Abendau and growing more with each bit of legislature the Emperor ceded to the Senate. Whatever was the truth of it – whether she or the Emperor held Abendau – it wouldn’t do to underestimate her. It had taken four years of negotiation to get to this meeting, and he wasn’t about to blow it now.
She reached forwards and shook his hand, her grip almost as firm as her brother’s. “Call me Sonly.” She smiled, her eyes meeting his, and he could see why she was in the position she held: she was so disarming. “Sit down, please. May I order some refreshments for you?”
“I’m fine.” He sat opposite. Lichio dropped easily into the seat next to her, stretching his legs out in a casual pose, but his eyes were sharp, missing nothing.
“The Emperor isn’t here?” asked Farran. His disappointment drifted up the mesh.
“He has other engagements,” Sonly said.
A lie. He knew exactly what the Emperor had planned today, and the function he was speaking at wasn’t for a number of hours.
“A pity.” Disappointment filled the hive of thoughts. “My Queen asked that I speak directly to him.”
“Why don’t you outline your terms? I’ll ensure it gets discussed in full with him,” Sonly said.
The mesh clamoured to keep going. This was the nearest the Roamers had got to Karlyn. If the le Paynes supported their proposal, the Emperor might listen.
“You know why I’m here,” he said. “Our Queen invites him to our planet to meet her. She has a gift from the Roamers.”
“And if he does?” asked Lichio, his eyes fixed on Farran.
“Then we, the Roamers, will give our fealty to him.”
It was a strong opening offer. The Roamers had never given their fealty to the Empress, nor negotiated with her. They existed outside normal planetary laws, nomads who drifted from planet to planet, abiding by local customs but recognising no authority other than their own. Their mesh allowed them to retain their contact and community, and their knowledge of space – and their discretion – meant their high fees were invariably met.
Sonly set her hands, palms up, on the table, the gesture indicating truth. Farran struggled not to smile; she was far too able a politician to be believed.
“We would be honoured to have the Roamer people as part of the empire,” she said. “But we need more information about the gift and why you will only allow the Emperor to receive it.”
“I can’t; our custom forbids me. The gift is a personal boon to the Emperor. In receiving it from our Queen, he will honour the Roamer customs and ensure the fealty of all. We guarantee his safety.”
Behind him, the door opened and steady footsteps crossed the room. Lichio looked up at the newcomer, but Farran continued to focus on Sonly, willing her to see how important this was. Convince her, and she’d convince the Emperor.
“Ambassador Farran, I believe.” The voice was measured and firm, and Farran’s breath quickened as he realised who it must be. The buzz in his head intensified as the news spread through the Roamer network, mind to mind. More joined the mesh. It became fuller than he’d ever known it to be, and he had to push it away. Quiet.
A tall, white-haired man perched on the end of the table. If Farran had to guess, he’d say he was aged in his fifties, but he knew he was actually in his mid-thirties. He wasn’t in a formal uniform, but instead a pair of military-style trousers and a high-collared, lightweight jumper. As Farran had been told, his eyes were a startling green.
“Emperor.” Farran’s throat constricted with nerves. The mesh fell silent, all minds watching.
“Kare,” the Emperor said, his voice low, unforced. “I know the Roamer ways.”
“Kare seems wrong.” Impossible, actually.
“Emperor Kare; does that seem better?”
“Emperor Kare, sir.”
A ghost of a smile and a slight nod accepted the compromise. “You requested to meet with me?”
The clamour of minds began, reminding him what he was to ask for. Enough! He needed to think.
“Emperor Kare, my Queen wishes to meet you before she passes to the next world.”
“Why?” asked Kare, and if Lichio’s eyes demanded the truth, if Sonly’s reputation had won his respect, this man commanded utter obedience. The mesh grew quiet as he assessed Karlyn – Kare, if it must be insisted on – against their expectations; he wasn’t found wanting.
“She has a gift.”
“Which is?”
“Only she can reveal it,�
� stammered Farran. He couldn’t remember being so nervous before, especially around a non-psycher.
Kare glanced at Sonly and then back to Farran, his eyes impossible to read. “And in exchange I have your fealty?”
“Yes, we will recognise your authority over any other.”
“Even your Queen’s?”
Farran hesitated, and the mesh grew tense. A pulse came from the centre: a confirmation, and he nodded. “Even our Queen.”
Kare gave a long look which Farran fought not to squirm under. After a moment, the Emperor relaxed and smiled.
“Tell your Queen I accept,” he said. “General le Payne will confirm the arrangements for my security.”
Farran cleared his throat, and Kare raised an eyebrow.
“There is one small proviso,” said Farran. The mesh tensed, rigid with concern.
“Go on,” Kare said.
“You can bring security as far as our planet, but once there, you must come alone.”
“No,” Lichio said flatly. Kare glanced at him, and Lichio gave a firm shake of his head. “That’s not going to happen.”
“I cannot agree that, Farran. It won’t be negotiable,” Kare said.
The mesh thudded with concern, panicked.
“You may bring a small security detail with you,” Farran said. “But you must meet our Queen alone.”
Lichio’s face remained closed and hostile.
“I can’t offer any more,” pleaded Farran. “Our Queen doesn’t meet with outsiders; it’s an honour that she has asked to. Just as your people are concerned for your safety, Emperor, we’re concerned for hers. I cannot let your escort go into her chamber, any more than General le Payne can let you go to our planet alone.”
“I understand,” said Kare. He looked at his hands for a moment, and Farran noticed they were clawed and bent out of shape. One was missing a little finger. A moment later, Kare looked up. “Still, I can’t agree. I don’t know where your planet is, I don’t know what the gift is. But… I’m sympathetic.” He gave a ghost of a smile. “I know the Roamers better than most – I spent time living in space as a child. My father was a Controller.”
Farran nodded; he knew. Everyone knew of Ealyn Varnon. “A great one,” he said. “I wish I could have seen him fly.”
Kare nodded. “He would have enjoyed meeting you. He respected the Roamers.” He got up from the table. “Talk to your people, come back with more assurances, and I will consider it.”
“Emperor, our Queen is very ill. It is urgent.”
“Then talk to your people quickly, Ambassador.” He gave a quick smile. “Your ship is fabulous, by the way.”
Farran returned the smile through his disappointment; few people failed to comment on it. “Thank you.”
Kare left and there was silence, as if the vitality in the room had left with him. The mesh clamoured for him to check again and be sure.
“That was without his powers?” Farran said.
The two le Paynes exchanged a glance and smiled.
“Powers aren’t everything,” said Sonly.
“So it seems,” said Farran. “I’d like to thank you, on behalf of my people, for arranging this meeting.”
Lichio shrugged. “Thank Sonly. And then consider what it’ll cost you.”
Sonly opened the folder in front of her. “Some things we’d like your people to consider…”
Her smile was that of a cat with its prey. Farran met her unwavering eyes and hid a sigh. It was going to be a long negotiation, and all for nothing; he’d failed in the one thing he’d been sent to achieve. The mesh, the Roamers – everything – had depended on the success of his mission.
“Please, go on,” he said. “We’d be interested in knowing what the empire can offer us.”
He listened as Sonly outlined the education programmes that would bring the Roamers into line with the wider empire, how she’d been rolling it out through many of the middle-zone planets who’d found alignment to be useful.
His Queen drew his attention away: she had new orders. He took them in, all the time watching Sonly with sadness. He hadn’t wanted it to be this way, but the Queen demanded her prize and the Roamer had to deliver it.
CHAPTER FIVE
Cai was more spring than boy, Sam decided. He wished he’d a quarter of his son’s energy; an hour in the security hall hadn’t made a dent in his enthusiasm.
“You’ll sleep tonight.” He grabbed Cai and set him on the platform of the retina scanner. “Actually, we both will….”
Cai hopped, making the machine judder. Sam gripped his shoulders. “You need to stay still, Cai.”
The child did, held it for a moment, and moved just at the wrong moment. The machine buzzed. The soldier operating it didn’t smile.
Sam put his hands on Cai’s shoulders again. “Sorry. Come on, Cai, let’s nail it, eh?”
“You must be tired.” The voice was familiar, not harsh Abendauii, but flatter, more polished. Unmistakable. It cut through Sam, more than he’d anticipated, and his throat tightened. There was nowhere else to hide.
Cai gave a little gasp and stopped wriggling. “Dad, is it…?”
“Shh, it’s fine.” Sam turned to see Kare take the baby from Nina, letting her gather her bags, and give a nod to the soldier at the scanner. His own security guards stepped back but remained on alert, their focus on the Emperor at all times. The force field lifted, allowing Sam to take Cai’s hand and pass through.
“Visiting you is an ordeal,” Sam said. He should say something else, something to bridge the gap of years, but the words wouldn’t come. He doubted there were any words. Instead, he found himself falling into doctor-mode, as if that would make things easier. Kare looked better than expected. Tired, but Kare never slept much, and too thin, but not as haunted as Sam had feared.
“Apparently entirely necessary.” Kare shifted a laser-pen in his shirt pocket away from Dareen’s grasping hands. “Lichio was subjected to it once – he forgot his pass. I watched from the observation level. It was the best entertainment in years.” He smiled, a little wickedly. “It’s good to see you.” His smile fell away and he gave a long blink, as if he, too, was buying time to find the words. “More than good. It’s been too long.”
A sharp tug on his trouser leg brought Sam’s attention back to Cai, ducked behind him. He jerked his head at Kare. Nina, watching, held the same concern in her eyes as Sam felt.
“Your baby’s lovely, Sam, but who’s that behind you?” Kare handed Dareen to Sam and crouched. Cai shrank away.
“This is Cai,” Sam said. His son had never been so quiet.
“Hi, Cai, it’s nice to meet you,” said Kare. Gone was the reserve around Sam. Cai’s grip on Sam lessened and he relaxed a little; Kare had always been good with kids. Cai moved forwards, and said something in a shy whisper.
Kare laughed. “Sure.” He pulled the high neck of his jumper down, displaying the angry scar encircling his neck. Sam closed his eyes in horror as his son reached to touch it and whispered something else.
“Impressive?” Kare said. “Maybe. But you don’t want one; it really hurt. My daughter, Kerra, is looking forward to seeing you – we don’t get many kids here.” He glanced up at Nina. “She’ll help with the baby if you want to go to Abendau in the evening. Her governess will be on duty, too, if needed.”
“That would be nice, thank you,” Nina said, her voice cool. “And Sonly, will she be here?”
“Probably not. She tends to stay in the palace. Tonight’s a one-off for an event.” Kare stood, his jumper still pulled down.
“Kare, I’m sorry,” said Sam. “I had no idea he’d ask.”
Kare waved the apology away. “Sam,” he said, “all this…” He glanced at his guards. “Rigmarole... it gets in the way. I’d have done exactly the same when I was Cai’s age – what child wouldn’t?” He shrugged slightly. “It’s generally the first thing I’m asked about on school visits. Most of the
teachers look like you just did, come to think of it.” He started walking towards the exit door. “Come on.”
“Our bags?” asked Sam.
“Will be taken to the guest accommodation.”
“Where is Sonly?”
The slightest of winces was the only sign of discomfort, quickly replaced by a bland mask. “I left her in the middle of negotiating with the Roamers– ”
“I saw the ship,” said Cai, his voice still a whisper.
“Did you get to touch the decals?” asked Kare, and Cai nodded. “Amazing, isn’t it? I’d like one of those, you know. Maybe I should ask for one?”
“Could I fly in it?” asked Cai, his voice a little louder. “Would they allow me in the control room?”
“I’ll ask – if I ever get one.” Kare looked back at Sam. “Lichio is fussing about security for tonight’s event. Honestly, sometimes he makes Silom look lax.” His jaw tensed and his eyes darkened. Then, as quickly as it had come, the shadow was gone.
“We received the events schedule,” said Sam, filling the awkward gap. “Cai’s looking forward to the final night and the fireworks.”
“I’ll get you somewhere to see them from,” Kare said. Cai had, Sam noticed, started to hop again. “My apartment at the palace has a balcony with the good view over Abendau. I don’t intend to be at the celebrations. That’s one thing I have insisted on.”
Cai’s mouth fell open at the offer, and Sam nudged him. Be cool, he mouthed, and Cai nodded.
“We have to join Sonly to go over the plans for the night,” said Kare. “Then you can get settled in. There’s not much to do here, but there is a games room Cai might like. And the offer stands; if you prefer, you can stay at the palace.”
“I’ll pass,” said Sam. “You’re not the only one who has memories of the place.”
He glanced at Kare again, took in the casual showing of his scar, the easy way he was chatting to Cai, and for a moment he was sure he’d been wrong, and everything was fine. Then he looked a little closer, saw the tight line of Kare’s jaw, the watchfulness in his eyes. He was faking, Sam was sure of it. He met Nina’s eyes, and the shiver of a chill ran through him; as ever, in Abendau, things weren’t as they seemed.
