Crisis Of Empire - Crown Of Empire Part 18

Kitchley turned to Jessine, his slanted tiger's eyes sharp. "Before the escort arrives, I must ask you an impolite question."

*Tes?" Jessine said.

"Where does Damien Ver stand in this? Have

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you made him promises?" The last was said gen- tly but it was still an accusation.

Jessine colored. "Not the kind you're imply- ing," she told him in sudden anger. "He has never said or done anything that led me to believe that he had other ambitions."

"I ask because," Kitchley persisted, "it would be possible for him to find a husband for you, one of excellent birth who would be willing to let Ver rule through him, one who would accept the same terms that Cowper Bouriere did in his marriage to you, and that would serve his pur- pose very well. He is used to working out of sight. With your support, Ver would be able to lead the Pact."

"It's not like that," said Jessine, denying her own doubts. One of the reasons she was so attracted to Ver was that he was a man of pur- pose and determination; but what if his determination was greater than he had admitted to her?

"It is not that he is not capable," Kitchley said, "but it would not be accepted, not at this time. If the Governors were being more reasonable, I would advise just such an arrangement, but in these times, more visible solutions are neces- sary."

This was more than she could handle. "How

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can you say this to me?" Jessine demanded. "You know me, Kitchley. You and I have been friends.

I trust you."

"And I you, but if there are questions, I must be prepared to answer them," Kitchley said rea- sonably. He gave Jessine one last, long stare.

"You are telling me the truth, aren't you? This isn't the work of the Kona Tatsu and Damien Ver?"

"If it is, he has betrayed all of us." She said it coldly, but it struck the deeper and more pain- fully for that.

There was a disturbance outside the barrier and the Magdarite bustled into Kitchiey's s.p.a.ce.

"Hie escort has arrived. Your Remarkableness."

"Excellent." Kitchley gestured Jessine to leave the cubicle before him. They pa.s.sed the railgun emplacements and joined a squad of well-armed Daphneans. They hurried through the corridors to the staircase, heading for the roof.

Jessine frowned at Kitchley. "Is there a com- munication center at your compound in Horizon Park?"

"Of course, and a staff to tend to it. You will not be cut off from the world just because you are protected." He put his long, narrow hand on her shoulder again. "Rest a.s.sured, you will be all right"

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'Thank you," she said.

Kitchley indicated the aircar. "Come. I have done everything I can here. We must continue our efforts at Horizon Park."

"Then we will," said Ereley, the leader of the escort, starting toward the aircar where the other Daphneans waited.

Kitchley hesitated. "I will be with you directly.

Climb aboard, Ereley. There's a message I have to send to your friend, Madame, if he can receive it. He will want to know where you are."

"Yes, Madame," said Ereley. "Let me help you get aboard."

"All right," said Jessine, glancing back toward Kitchley, "Hurry up."

"Of course, Madame," came the m.u.f.fled reply.

Ereley was aboard and the aircar throbbed into life. He looked around at the men with him, then nodded to the driver. "We're ready."

Jessine, who was just buckling herself into the harness, stared over at him. "Wait! I see Kitchley coming."

"So he is," said Ereley. And with that, he swung his Kanovsky around and blasted Kitchley with a burst of metal-piercing shots. Kitchley staggered, then appeared to drop into pieces, his lower body almost entirely severed from the

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upper. Bright orange Daphnean blood foun- tained into the consoles and communications equipment.

If it had been possible Jessine would have risen. But the harness held her down and the air- car was already starting to move through the concealed port, the sounds of its engines cover- ing her rising scream-

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Chapter 6.

They dropped out of the night like wounded owls and jolted into the ground. Wiley, more dazed than Nika, fell flat on his back. The world was wobbling. It was different from his usual post-party wobble, and he didn't like it. Espe- cially since the post had cut the party so short.

"We've got to get out of here," Nika said as she

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gathered the chute together and looked around for a place to hide it.

"I like it here," mumbled Wiley. "It's so... so...

it's flat. It's not moving." His head ached, his back ached, his ankles ached. In fact, there was no part of him that wasn't sore in some way. He groaned as he sat up. "So whats going on, anyway?"

"It's complicated," she said. 'We have to get out of here. They could be looking for us."