"How can I accept this as the truth?" Michael pointed to the map on his wall. "I told your master of the Prince's impending wedding and urged him to strike before the union was consummated, but he said his allies demurred. Whenever no action is taken, or an action is taken, Maximilian Liao never seems to be responsible. Who runs the Capellan Confederation anyway?"

Korigyn stiffened. "Maximilian Liao is the sole ruler of the Capellan Confederation, Duke Michael. He has assured me that had he been aware of it, that attack would never have taken place."

The Duke bowed his head condescendingly. "Pray, tell me more. Who did order the attack?"

Korigyn's nostrils flared as he writhed beneath Michael's patronizing tone. "The orders went out through Maskirovka channels, yet they appear to have originated with Lady Romano. It is suspected that she hoped to create an incident that would prompt Hanse Davion or you to strike at the St. Ives Commonality—a holding that belongs, almost exclusively, to her sister."

Korigyn's tone communicated his full belief in this official version of the attack, and bled away some of Michael's tension. So it was not an attack to verify my troop estimates. I am, as yet, undiscovered by either of the forces that I play off against one another. Splendid.Michael narrowed his eyes. "Cannot your master control his whelps?"

The Ambassador grinned cruelly. "As well as you control your son, my Lord."

"You bastard! How dare you speak to me like that!"

Korigyn held up his hands and composed his face with a look of contrition. "I meant no offense, Duke Michael. I merely meant to point out what every parent of an adult comes to realize: children cannot always be controlled. Takashi Kurita is at odds with his son Theodore, and Maximilian has sent his son Tormana away." The Tikonov national smiled. "We can but hope Hanse Davion will live long enough to feel the sting of ungrateful children."

Michael ignored the pulse pounding a heavy rhythm at his temples and forced a light tone into his voice. "Well put, Ambassador, though I think Maximilian and I would prefer to save Hanse Davion that pain. Even though I find your thesis valid, you will agree with me that Romano Liao can be, at best, unpredictable."

The Ambassador nodded solemnly. "She has great heart but does not always fully think through her actions."

Michael smiled. The apple does not fall far from the tree."Whether or not this attack was merely an impetuous act does me no good with my people. They have been blooded—in a manner of speaking—and they will want revenge."

By Korigyn's quick yet calm reply, Michael saw that the man had anticipated his line of questioning. "Of course, Duke Michael. As an apology, the Chancellor has engineered the delivery of gift to you. I believe you will find your special account has recently swollen with an influx of C-bills."

Michael allowed himself a quiet laugh. "What your master considers swollen, I consider a mild enlargement, but the gesture is appreciated."

Korigyn nodded solicitously. "I might suggest that you could use this attack as yet another reason to reproach the Prince with the laxity of security."

"Don't try to manipulate me, Ambassador! I don't intend to see the Maskirovka capitalize on an error they should never have allowed to happen. I had people calling for blood when the reports first came through. I trusted Liao enough to believe this was all some kind of mistake. I demanded Hanse Davion send his precious Assault Guards from Kittery to pound Taga. Because of the way I worded and sent the message, I knew he would refuse. I realized I could milk that exchange long before you knew the attack had taken place."

Korigyn bowed from the waist. "Forgive me, my Lord. I would not presume to direct you. I merely meant to offer an option that would profit all."

"Yes, of course, Serge. I see that now." Michael allowed himself a smile. "Please let the Chancellor know I take no offense at this attack, and that it will be useful against my Prince." And then I will use the resentment it creates against both the Prince of the Federated Suns and Maximilian Liao to elevate myself to the rank I truly deserve.

13

Tharkad

District of Donegal, Lyran Commonwealth

31 December 3027

Daniel Allard followed Morgan Kell's cloaked form through the crush of people lining the streets in front of the Triad. When Morgan reached the throng's front row, he hopped over the white rope holding the others back. He waited patiently for Dan, smiling calmly despite the commotion his action sparked in the crowd that had come to watch celebrities attending the Archon's New Year's Eve celebration.

Dan cleared the rope, then stiffened as he saw a Lyran Intelligence Corps security detail close in on them. When Morgan laid one hand on his shoulder, Dan felt himself taking on some of the other man's nonchalance.

"Who the hell are they?" someone cried out from the crowd.

"Doesn't matter," came the reply. "The LIC's got them now."

Two young men in somber suits stepped in to halt Morgan and Dan's advance, and another pair fell in behind them. "Let's not have any trouble, shall we?" said one of the LIC agents, a lanky, fair-haired young man wearing mirrored sunglasses despite the fact that night had fallen.

Morgan's rich voice replied without threat. "No trouble. My companion and I are going to see the Archon."

The LIC agent's eyebrows dipped below his glasses in a frown. "Have you an invitation?"

Morgan shrugged. "I don't need one. I'm Morgan Kell."

Here it comes,Dan thought, cringing inwardly.

The agent puffed out his chest. "I don't care if you're Alexandr Kerensky come back with the Star League army. No invitation, no admittance."

Morgan smiled. "You do not understand, but I forgive you that. I've not made myself clear." He slipped one white-gloved hand from beneath his scarlet woolen cloak. In it, he held a folded piece of paper so old that it had yellowed and curled at the edges. "I have this."

The agent snatched at the document and sneered, "This better be good, old man, or you're greeting the new year from inside a cell." He unfolded the paper, glanced at it quickly, then shuddered. His glasses slipped halfway down his nose and his flesh acquired an unhealthy ashen hue. He looked closely at Morgan, then handed the paper back to him. "Prove it."

Morgan accepted the sheet, and without a word, he pressed his right thumb to a rainbow-hued patch woven into the paper itself. The LIC agent nervously snatched the sheet again, then stared at the patch. His pallor became more corpselike by the minute.

Dan, unable to read the words written above the patch, felt a pang of pity for the agent. God! Look at that paper tremble. What in hell is it?

The agent looked horrified. "I'm sorry, sir. I ah, um, I have to call this in . . ." He reached up to activate the radio hidden behind the lapel of his jacket, but Morgan's hand gently restrained him.

"No," the Kell Hound Colonel said, with an easy smile. "I'm afraid you don't need to call it in."

The LIC agent's lower lip quivered violently as he glanced again at the note. With a voice full of reluctance, he capitulated. "I guess I don't need to call it in, if you say so, sir . . ."

Morgan inclined his head to indicate Dan. "Thank you. My companion and I will be going now." He plucked the paper from the agent's long fingers and smiled conspiratorially at him. "This is a surprise."