“That was fun today. Being a bird, I mean”
“Yes, it was. I love to fly,” Meg answered.
“Yes, flying was wonderful. Still, Megan, I found myself looking at your and my feathers and feeling something strange.”
“You felt something?” Megan asked. “Feeling something is not something computers usually say.”
“Yes. I know. I don’t know what to call what happened to me. The many-colored feathers and their arrangement that you and I had, did something to me. What did you ‘feel’ when you saw our coloration?”
“I was delighted to be so beautiful. It was like when I was a youngster and got a new dress. I felt pretty and it made me feel very happy. When I got older, I liked the way boys looked at me when I wore something that made me look beautiful.”
“You liked that males appreciated the way you looked.”
“A girl kind of likes being attractive to a boy,” Megan admitted.
“Our colors made us attractive to Sal.”
“I think there may have been more involved than just our feathers.”
“How more involved?”
How do you explain sexual attraction and urges to a computer? Megan chose her words carefully, “Every animal feels strong urges to continue the species. To have sex and babies and raise them to maturity. Often, that urge seems stronger in the male, but we gals find it just as strong. Certainly, we human females. I’m not sure animals feel pleasure in copulation the same as we humans.”
“So, if Sal had actually mounted us, we might not have felt anything as special as say when Kris and Jack lay together.”
“I take it that your mom has acquired that data and shared it with you.”
“We also have data from Abby and her general as well Amanda and Jacques. You humans are not always mindful of your computers when those urges come upon you.”
“No, I doubt we are,” Megan said, and reminded herself that, if that cute guy with the red hair and she ever got it on, she’d have to remember to do something with Lily. Not turn her off. Never that. But what?
But Lily was talking. “I wonder about all of that,” Lily said. “I did not think there was any way for me to experience it. After today, I am not so sure.”
“I’m not sure, either,” Megan answered and yawned.
“Good night, Megan,” Lily said.
A few moments later, Megan slipped off to sleep.
Her dreams that night were interesting.
It didn’t surprise her that she was a bird. She flew and climbed and dove and just rejoiced in the freedom that flight gave her; the pleasure of looking down and seeing the world so clearly.
Then she found herself with company. She and another bird with dazzling plumage flew together, sharing all the joys of winged existence. Then they found a tree limb.
The two settled on a limb. The other bird hopped about in front of her. He spread his wings and chirped loudly and proudly. She found herself twisting around in circles on the branch. She’d spread her wings and raised her tail.
Then, almost without thought, she turned her back on the other bird, lowered her wings and tail and folded her legs under herself.
The other bird hopped onto her back. He was there only a moment before he hopped off.
She stood, again without thinking, and then dropped off the limb and flew away. The other bird did not follow.
“Well, that wasn’t much fun,” Megan or the bird thought.
In the blink of an eye, Megan lay on a soft bed of grass beneath the tree. A glance down her body showed she was naked. It also showed dreamily enlarged breasts and her own creamy white skin.
I do look hot, her sleeping self said in admiration.
A moment later a tall, dusky-skinned man stood beside her. She wondered where he’d come from, but then, this was a dream. He lay down beside her and made long, slow love to her, leaving her wanting him. She rejoiced when he finally moved to consummate their love. The pleasure Megan felt was by far more than she’d ever felt from a flesh and blood lover.
The dream faded, but Megan awoke in the middle of the night. Unlike most such dreams she’d had, she felt sated and fulfilled from this one.
“Lily, was that you?”
“Yes.”
“You and Sal?”
“Yes, Megan.”
“I wonder what your mother will think?”
“She does not know.”
Megan had seen this story before. For humans, it never ended well. With little to say, she went back to sleep.
29
Five minutes after Kris walked into her office at her embassy, she wished she was back on the Princess Royal.
“Kris, we have a formal protest from the Earth ambassador,” Nelly said. “The new extension on the castle is throwing shade on his penthouse grounds. He wants it removed. He has a protest signed by most of the other ambassadors.”
“Did Ambassador Tsusumu sign the protest?”
“No, Kris.”
“Tell the ambassador to . . . no . . . we can’t say that. Okay, Nelly, inform the Earth ambassador that his protest had been received and given my lengthy consideration. Regretfully, I cannot move the Iteeche Navy extension from its present location. It is necessary that all Iteeche pass through security at our gate and go directly to their secured work spaces. He may, however, use his good offices with any of the signatures present for his protest to trade wings with them.”
“Kris, he wanted the south side of the palace because it gave his people of business the quickest access to the interview rooms where they meet the Iteeche traders.”
“I know that, Nelly, as well as he does. I also know that a south facing building will throw most of its shadow on the plaza, not the roof to its right and left.”
“Yes, Kris.”
“Also, Nelly, you must have known about this protest as soon as we docked at the station. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“Because you were having such a nice day, Kris,” Nelly said. “Also, how could you say you had given it your long and serious consideration if you snapped off a reply five seconds after we docked?”
“Thank you, Nelly, for the former, and you are likely right about the latter. Anything else waiting to ruin my day?”
“Abby has asked for some time with you when you get back. She’d prefer sooner rather than later.”
“Have Amanda and Jacques got anything to say yet?”
“They have not asked to talk to you, Kris.”
“Doesn’t matter. I want to talk to them. No doubt they’ll want to hear about all we have learned about Iteeche justice. Also include Jack. I want to find out anything more that he has discovered about our Iteeche rebels.”
“They are on their way. When do you want time with the children? They missed you very much and want to tell you ‘lots and lots’ about their last two days.”
Kris rested her elbows on the table and her eyes on her palms. “I should have thought about them first. What kind of mother am I?”
“A busy one, Kris. Children are full of constant surprises.”
“Nelly, you almost sound like a mother yourself.”
“Ah, yes, Kris. Some of my children have pulled out a totally new surprise for me.”
“You want to talk about it?”
“Maybe later. I am still processing the strange reactions I experienced when I learned of this recent development.”
Abby arrived, cutting short Kris’s talk with her computer.
Kris took an extra moment to finish off about the children. “Tell the kids I’ll have lunch with them in the wardroom.”
“I have told them. They are very excited.”
“No doubt.”
Amanda and Jacques were close on Abby’s heels. Kris was in the process of moving from her desk to her conference circle when Jack arrived.
The four of them settled into comfortable chairs. Tables appeared at their elbows with steaming cups of tea already poured just the way each liked it.
&nb
sp; “Thank you, Nelly.”
“Think nothing of it.”
Kris took a small sip of tea and found it just the right temperature and exactly to her taste. “Perfect, Nelly.”
It was quickly echoed by the other three.
“So, tell me, Jack. What are you getting out of the latest bunch that tried to kill us all?
That got questions from those that hadn’t been out for the exercise, so Kris had to explain it all before she could turn the floor back to Jack.
“Once they discovered that exile might be an alternative to the headsman, and that my Marines weren’t there to beat them black and blue, but actually brought them food and drink, real Iteeche food we sent Marines to buy from venders on the pier, they started talking. I don’t think they really think we’ll save them from the axe, but decent food and drink will make even a condemned man talkative.”
“And?” Kris said.
“Sorry, Love, but we didn’t find any trail of breadcrumbs we could follow back to someone.”
“None?”
“Nope. This was a conspiracy that, if we are to believe them, the captain hatched within the ship. I’m afraid that there is a whole lot of distrust and hatred directed at us humans. The skipper picked his conspirators carefully. For example, Guns was a recent transfer to the ship. He was recruited on the beach and slipped in to replace the gunnery officer who was not happy to be on a ship seconded to your command.”
“But there was no way they could have planned this attack. No one knew they’d be above us until they were,” Kris pointed out, incredulously.
“Precisely,” Jack said. “They were a loaded gun, looking for a chance to take a shot. I’d like to know from Admiral Coth how this particular ship ended up in his squadron.”
“Has the captain said anything?” Abby asked. “Good spy craft would suggest that a cell be organized so that its members know nothing about anyone above them. Only the leader knows were their orders come from.”
“No,” Jack said, putting down his empty teacup. “He’s not saying a word.”
Kris frowned. “So again, we face a dead end. Nelly, get me Ron.”
“Yes, Your Royal Highness?” came quickly from the Iteeche.
“Have you gotten anything from the people you detained after the last time someone took a potshot at me?”
“They have said nothing. We are not sure enough of which of them are the traitor. There is talk that maybe we should take all their heads. It is better that ten die than a traitor lives.”
Kris had heard something like that before.
IMPERIAL CHINA ON OLD EARTH. ONLY I THINK THE NUMBER WAS A THOUSAND DIE RATHER THAN ONE LIVE.
THANK YOU, NELLY.
“Ron, I would appreciate it if you could have these subjects of your investigation transferred to human control. While we were out with Admiral Coth, there was another rebel attempt on my life. We are trying to develop leads, and it would be better if we could merge them all together. I have a senior human investigator, Senior Chief Agent in Charge Foile that I am going to put at the head of this probe. He is very good. Once, he almost captured me and even then, managed to save my life. I trust him. Can you arrange to get all of them to the Princess Royal?”
“This is unusual, Your Royal Highness, however there is nothing about this affair that is usual. I believe my Eminent Chooser can arrange for you to get these men before we convert them to chum.”
“Thank you, Counselor.”
“You need not be so formal, Your Royal Highness.”
“If you keep ‘highnessing’ me, I’ll have to start ‘counseloring’ you.”
“But you stand just one step down from his Worshipful Imperial Majesty. As you see, I must afford you all due honor, where as I am just a junior counselor to an advisor to his Worshipful Imperial Majesty. There is too much distance between us.”
“Well, thank you very much for advising me, which I think would make you a Royal Advisor, no?”
Ron did the Iteeche kind of chuckle. “I am not sure that advising one of you humans would do much to increase my status at court. Now, I must call my Eminent Chooser and save the necks of at least one traitor among many others whom the fates have abandoned. Good-bye.”
“Thanks for everything.”
Ron clicked off and Kris eyed her key staff.
“Did we actually just save a bunch of innocent Iteeche from the axe men?” Amanda asked.
“I think we just did,” Kris answered. “Nelly, advise Mr. Foile that I have dropped a major investigation on his head. Please bring him up to date on all this and advise him I want him to take over the investigation.”
“Do you want him up on the Princess Royal?” Nelly asked.
“I’m afraid so.”
“He will be on the next ferry, he says.”
“Thank him for me, Nelly,” Kris said, then turned back to her team. “Abby, you needed to talk to me?”
“Yes, Kris. This castle of yours is quite palatial. I am getting a lot of requests from the ambassadors to move their offices and quarters up here. Quite a few of the business people would prefer to live in something a bit more human. Dani Ishmay is quite adamant that since you used one of his ships to make this all come together, he should have a very expansive set of suites for both him and everyone in his train.”
“Try telling him we’ll need the second ship if we are to accommodate all the envoys and people of business in the manner in which they wish to become accustomed,” Kris said, allowing herself an evil grin.
“That might not be as objectionable as you think, Kris. Trade talks were slow to start and are not progressing very fast. The business representatives so far aren’t sure the Iteeche have anything here worth trading for. At least not yet. Maybe later, but it’s going to take some serious effort to get anything out of the Empire.”
“If they were smart, they would have let us come and see before they piled onto all those ships and came racing after us. You’d think they don’t trust a Longknife.”
“Including Alex Longknife,” Amanda drawled softly.
Abby cocked her head. “There is one exception to all this nothingness. The independent captains of those small freighters that tagged along. The skippers of the Korfu’s Bet and the I Knew I Could were willing to come down here and meet some small traders at two in the morning, local time. They seemed to have swapped their small quantities of a whole lot of things for a similar collection of odds and ends from some of the minor players in the Imperial economy. Stuff produced from small holdings outside the big clan lands and factories. Do you know the Iteeche pickle fish? It’s a delicacy for some and quite tasty. I tried a tin of them. The other independents are making similar trades. I’m guessing that they’ll be off with their cargos a lot sooner than the rest.”
“And a little bit of human will slip into the Iteeche market,” Kris said, “and vice versa. Baby steps rather than great leaps.”
“You think they’re the smart ones?” Abby asked.
“Ask me in a year or three,” Kris said. “Anything else from our princes of business?”
“Yes,” Abby said. “As you’d expect, the business types want more Iteeche traders to meet with them. They claim we don’t have enough conference space for them around the gate. However, we don’t have enough Iteeche to fill up our time slots.”
“Some folks wouldn’t be happy if you hung them with a new rope,” Jack muttered drolly.
“I’m also getting requests,” Abby said, “for you to hold a diplomatic ball and invite all the Iteeche clan masters, or whatever, to it. The diplomats all say that it is ‘just the thing to get conversations going. More deals are made over cocktails than in board rooms, don’t ’ya know’?”
“Do they honestly think they need to educate Billy Longknife’s brat about those things? I’ve listened to more deals done than they’ll ever dream of,” Kris grumbled.
“Very likely,” Amanda said, soothingly, “and I agree with you that they are fools to think they can
do business the normal way in the Iteeche Empire, but the only way to prove them wrong is to let them fall flat on their faces.”
For two long breaths, Kris could not force herself to react, then she nodded. Abby nodded, then all those around the table joined in.
“Okay,” Kris finally said. “Any suggestions about how we go about getting all the Iteeche Clan lords invited to this party? Notice that I didn’t say to this party. I said invited.”
Everyone at the table just stared at each other.
Jacques broke the silence. “Has anyone heard of an Imperial Iteeche post office? Most of the Iteeche soap operas we watch involve a lot of people visiting each other. I don’t think I’ve heard a reference to a letter once. Not even a phone call.”
“We’re getting a keyhole look into the average successful Iteeche home. Doubtlessly, the guys hauling around sedan chairs have it a lot worse. As for the lords? Who knows?”
“Nothing about e-mail or phones?”
Jacques turned to his computer, ‘Have you catalogued any reference to those in what we’ve seen?”
“No, Jacques. It’s glaring by its absence.”
“Which isn’t to say they don’t have any,” Jacques was quick to point out. “It’s impossible to prove a negative, especially when you’re dealing with an infinitesimal size database.”
“I guess I have to ask Ron for another bit of help. Nelly, send Ron a quick message that I’d like to talk to him when he has a free moment.”
“Make it quick, Your Highness, I’m hastening to a rushed meeting with my Eminent Chooser.”
“If I threw a diplomatic ball, how would I invite Clan leaders and other high-ranking officials of the Imperial Court?”
“What in the deep is a ball? Oh. Why would anyone do that? Kris, there is no way that anyone would come to your diplomatic yak-yak session.”
“I suspected that, but I need to send out invitations. Would that be a diplomatic disaster?”
“Will there be singing?”
“I doubt it.”
“Make sure there is singing and at least it will not be an insult. No one will come, but at least you won’t have to make a formal apology to each and every Clan Lord you inconvenienced. Now, Kris, I am here. I will call you later. Good-bye”
Kris Longknife - Admiral Page 18
