“They’re sure in a hurry to get out of here,” Captain Roberts said. “With good reason, I suppose.”

When the two swarmships veered off toward the robot ships, Robb realized that the breedex must have discovered the Chairman’s bargain with Sirix. “That’ll make the bugs really unhappy.” Countless component vessels were already shooting energy weapons at the fleeing robots, but Robb couldn’t say he was sorry.

More important, the other nine swarmships were still headed toward Earth. Smaller craft began to split off and bombard the ship-repair docks around the planet. “Should we open fire?” Queen Estarra asked. “Do we have enough combined weapons to damage those alien clusters?”

Robb knew how difficult the swarmships had been to fight at Pym, and this insect force was hundreds of times larger. “It would be like pricking an elephant with a needle.”

“But we have a lot of needles, don’t we?” Captain Kett said. “We’ll fly theBlind Faith out there to take potshots, if it will do any good.”

“I’ll thank you not to go volunteering my ship,” Roberts said. “You already crashed your own.”

The EDF battle group, though, did not show restraint. Robb’s father ordered a barrage to delay the giant clustered vessels before they could take up their positions above the Earth. Each blast destroyed at least one component ship, but there were millions. Robb directed his ships to help his father. The concentrated shots peeled off the clusters’ external components, but all signs of damage were simply absorbed and erased.

Swifter, smaller human vessels passed the swarmships and turned about to form a crowded defensive line, theJupiter next to theGoliath. It seemed an impossible stance, but they did it nevertheless.

Robb swallowed hard and sat straighter in his command chair. “It’s showtime.”

The nine swarmships closed around Earth — and then stopped in front of the blockade of EDF and Confederation vessels. They just hung there.

144

Admiral Sheila Willis

Though no one had asked him to, King Rory stepped away from the massive throne and now sat on the stone steps of the dais, looking pale. In a way, he seemed almost relieved.

Admiral Willis’s troops had secured the throne room, and Peter was clearly in charge. Within the first twenty minutes, she set up holo-imagers and newsnet recorders, then transmitted a live feed of King Peter on his throne. He hoped it would quell some of the riots.

“People of the Hansa, I am ready to resume my responsibilities as your King. Chairman Wenceslas has been relieved of his duties, and Rory has surrendered the throne. The Confederation and I will do everything in our power to repair the recent damage to Earth, unify humanity, ensure the rights of every citizen, and strengthen the human race.”

Outside in the streets, the demonstrations had grown in size and fervor, swelling with a giddy, celebratory mood despite the looming Klikiss threat.

Shortly after they had solidified their hold on the Whisper Palace, Deputy Cain reappeared. Even with the Hansa, and perhaps the human race itself, on the verge of total destruction, he looked as if this were any other day and he was simply attending a conference. Willis told her guards to let the man pass, and Cain approached the throne with a polite bow. “King Peter, I’m pleased to see I could count on you. Sarein obviously delivered our message. She is safe?”

Peter nodded. “She’s with Queen Estarra up on the flagship. I’m grateful for what you did. You took quite a risk.”

“It was necessary. The worst I’d anticipated for today was being murdered by the Chairman becausee Sarein and I undermined his authority. Unfortunately, the arrival of the Klikiss demonstrates that there are even worse things. Our priorities have obviously changed. We’ll have to adapt our approach to finishing this.”

Patrick and Zhett, having seen the Confederation Manta hovering in the Palace District, also arrived to offer their assistance. Peter welcomed them. “I’m relieved to see you safe, and free, Mr. Fitzpatrick. You cleared the way for my return, just as I had hoped your grandmother would.”

Patrick smiled. “As you can see on the newsnets, you have a lot of support on Earth, sire. It’s good to have you back.”

Willis was obviously pleased to see him. “You always did excel in causing trouble, Mr. Fitzpatrick. Glad to see you using your talents in a productive way.”

Patrick straightened. “News has already spread of King Peter’s return, but I’d like to broadcast my own message from here. Freedom’s Sword is waiting for confirmation — they’ll believe this isn’t one of the Chairman’s tricks if it comes from me.”

Deputy Cain nodded politely. “The central communications nexus is located on a sublevel of the Whisper Palace. If you transmit from there, using the governmental overrides, everyone on the planet will hear your broadcast.”

“I can assist you in accessing it,” OX said.

Willis dispatched five soldiers to escort the Teacher compy, Patrick, and Zhett to the comm center. Their exuberant message went out on every public channel, where it was seen by the people glued to their update screens for news about the Klikiss invasion. The Chairman didn’t have a ghost of a chance of wrangling his way back into power.

Just then, Robb Brindle called on the emergency channel, “Admiral! Is the King’s position secure? The Klikiss are on their way! We can’t stop them.” Images played across the small communications unit showing the monstrous swarmships charging toward Earth. “We sure could use some help up here — every Manta counts.”

Peter wasted no time. “Return to your ship, Admiral. Go defend Earth.”

“I can’t leave you here unprotected, sire! What if the Chairman tries to pull something?”

The King frowned. “Admiral, if the Klikiss get through, there will be no one left to protect. Leave a dozen soldiers behind with me, but take your Manta and go! I’m counting on you to protect Queen Estarra.”

Willis raced out of the throne room, yelling into the comm unit, “Prepare for immediate liftoff! Our day’s not over yet — not by a long shot.”

145

Adar Zan’nh

Shielded by gauzy cocoons of wental water, the Solar Navy warliners raced toward Ildira. Adar Zan’nh was ready to take back his world. At last, he had the weapons he needed to battle the faeros.

All of his surviving warliners flew in perfect formation, and the Confederation ships traveling with them were loaded with cylinders of frozen wental water. Those ice projectiles had destroyed the fireballs far more effectively than his sacrifice of whole warliners had, and now the Solar Navy also had hundreds of the artillery shells. Numerous water-encapsulated treelings from Theroc flitted like small pearls around the wental sphere flown by Jess and Cesca.