When Cain approached the two uniformed men at a reception desk, they came immediately to attention. “I am here with orders to escort the two new prisoners, Patrick Fitzpatrick and Zhett Kellum, to an undisclosed location. The Chairman wants me to attend to this matter personally and without delay.”

Trying to look official, the guards consulted their display screens. One of the men deferred to his larger companion, who nodded. “Right this way, sir.”

Patrick and Zhett were in adjacent cells. As Cain arrived, both of them jumped to their feet. Gazing dispassionately at them through the transparent barriers, he snapped to the accompanying guard, “What are you waiting for? Open it.”

“Shouldn’t I bring in an armed escort, sir? These are dangerous criminals.”

“These two are my problem. I have already arranged for everything I need. Release them into my custody.”

Fitzpatrick looked defiantly at the deputy. “I was wondering if you’d come. Can’t the Chairman do his own dirty work? Are you going to execute us out in the main square? Or are you going to take us to a dark room, put a bullet in our brains, then quietly dispose of the bodies?”

“Neither. Now, if you will come with me?”

When the two emerged from their separate cells, they hugged each other and stood close together. “Where are we going?” Zhett asked.

For the guard’s benefit, Cain said, “An agreement has been reached behind closed doors. Some people in the government still feel they owe something to your grandmother.” That seemed to pacify Patrick. “I will explain it all as we go. Now, follow me, please.”

Patrick and Zhett glanced at each other, back at the empty cells, then hurried along. The disconcerted guard remained behind to seal the doors.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Cain whispered, “I’m releasing you. The Chairman is away, and we don’t have much time.” He explained what was happening; he asked the two of them to focus the demonstrations, build the uproar, and pave the way for King Peter’s return. He led them to a side door that exited to an alley. “Duck into the crowds and make yourselves invisible.” When the two hesitated, he planted his hand between Patrick’s shoulderblades and gave him a shove. “Go!”

They ran.

Once they were gone, Cain felt a heavy weight lifted from him, which was quickly replaced by a gnawing worry in his stomach. Now it was out of his hands. The rest was up to them, and to Sarein.

With forced casualness, he sauntered toward the reception desk on his way out the main door, only to find a livid Colonel Andez arguing with the cowed-looking guards. Cain hesitated for just a moment, then walked forward. He hadn’t expected to be discovered quite so soon.

The uniformed men were greatly relieved to see him. When Andez turned, her face showed angry displeasure. “What do you think you’re doing, Deputy Cain?”

He regarded the woman with an unsettling glare. “And who are you to make demands of the Hansa’s deputy chairman?”

She squirmed for just a moment, then lashed out. “These men told me that you’ve removed Fitzpatrick and his Roamer whore from their cells. I want to see your authorization. Show me your orders from the Chairman.”

“My orders are not for you to approve.”

“But those two committed treason. Everyone heard it. Their guilt is without question.”

“No one can fault you for your zeal, Ms. Andez — ”

“ColonelAndez!”

“However, you forget your place. I am hereby putting you on notice.”

“Puttingme on notice?” She stiffened, then faltered. “I am only protecting the Hansa.”

“You would do well to remember that other people bear that responsibility as well.” Cain left, while Andez continued to glower at him. He had no doubt that she would report the matter to Chairman Wenceslas as soon as he returned.

By then, though, it would be too late.

128

King Peter

As usual, Basil acted as if he owned the Spiral Arm. Peter watched the Chairman’s shuttle approach theJupiter without a military escort, without bluster or threats. Ever since leaving the tense banquet in the Whisper Palace, he had been waiting for the other shoe to drop.Here it comes.

En route to the flagship, Basil had altered the plans, not surprisingly, to demonstrate that he was in control of the details. Instead of a showy banquet with media imagers, protocol escorts, and a large audience, he wanted a private audience with Peter. And he had declined to bring Rory with him.

No matter. Basil wasn’t going to like what Peter showed him, no matter how it was served up.

Admiral Willis shook her head. “Arriving in a little shuttle like that? He must be damned sure you won’t shoot at him, sire.”

“And we won’t. He knows that.”

Estarra had joined the King to watch the diplomatic craft make its way from General Brindle’s Juggernaut over to theirs. The Chairman intended to dock aboard theJupiter in half an hour — significantly earlier than their agreed-upon time — and expected to be received without delay.

“Basil can rattle his saber all he wants, but it’s just empty noise. He doesn’t know that his bargaining chip has no value.” Peter took Estarra’s arm in his. “Admiral, we won’t be needing our scheduled banquet after all. Can you provide a secure conference room? Nothing fancy — in fact, make it pointedlynot fancy.”

“We’ve got plenty of empty rooms. There’s even the brig if you like.” Two of the bridge officers let out snickers, which they quickly covered.

“I’d prefer something closer to the shuttle deck. Let’s not keep the Chairman here any longer than is absolutely necessary, regardless of what he’s got to say.”

Willis selected a small mess hall just down the corridor from the bay where the shuttle would be landing. Accompanied by OX, Peter and Estarra went to the room, where crewmen were rapidly cleaning and straightening up as best they could.

“Please escort the Chairman here as soon as he disembarks,” Peter said. “I have no idea what sort of staff he’ll bring along, but I want at least one guard for each of his. At a minimum, two Confederation soldiers to be stationed outside this door.”

A few minutes later, an impatient-looking Basil Wenceslas was shown into the mess hall. He hadn’t bothered to bring a single guard or adviser.

Arrogant indeed,Peter thought.

Or he wanted the discussions to be completely private.

Though Basil maintained a businesslike demeanor, Peter knew the man well enough to detect subtle changes in his mannerisms. The Chairman seemed a bit ragged around the edges, even stressed. He frowned with disapproval at their surroundings. “A lunchroom? That’s how you receive me?”