Crisis Of Empire - Crown Of Empire Part 22

107.

Chelsea Quinn Jarbro

Besides," he added, a little bitterly, "who ever looks at a fancy boy's face anyhow?"

Tira gave him a sharp look. "Fancy boy?"

Chaney handed her a black blouse and red vest. "Sclerida doesn't keep these clothes for himself."

'Then..."

"Just get dressed."

Tira ducked into the dressing alcove and changed quickly. Her leggings were tight, and the short britehes she wore above them were not much looser. There was a long red vest edged in embroi- dery which she wore over a matching black lace s.h.i.+rt with awide full collar that concealed the rise of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. The only pair of boots she could find that fit her were ankle-height and golden. The pants had no pockets, but she was able to tuck her reticule into a blousy sleeve and one more weapon, retrieved from the guards, into her waistband, under the vest. She stuffed her own clothes into a hamper shaped like an um and stepped back into the room. "Will it work?"

"You'll have to tie your hair back and change your make-up, but I can't see why anyone would suspect. I won't let them get close enough to check anything important." He did his best to laugh, and she dutifully tried to copy him. "What do you think?"

108.

"I think we'd better get the guns, and then get out of here." Chaney's nervousness had returned full force.

"All right," said Tira. "It would have been nice to have a bath," she said wistfully.

"And a good meal and someone to clean up after," appended Chaney. "Maybe when all this is over. In the meantime, do something about your hair and face so we can get out of here."

She nodded, picked up her reticule, then sought out one of the mirrors. "Make-up?" she inquired as she surveyed the vast array of daubs and powders before her.

"Fancyboys usually wear stylized cosmetics.

Soft mouths, sloe eyes. Tira, surely you've seen the look at the Palace."

She nodded. "All right. I'll see what I can do."

She cleaned her face, then selected four tints to use on her skin. She made her eyebrows straighter, her lashes longer, and her mouth rounder, "Is this what you had in mind?"

Chaney was unnerved at how boyish yet pretty she looked. He rocked back on his heels. "Per- fect! No one will notice your face."

"Splendid," responded Tira wryly.

Chaney blushed. "Of course. I didn't mean..."

"Don't worry about it. I just wish you could see me when I haven't been running for my life all

109.

Chdsea Quinn Yarfcro

day and dressed in a woman's clothes," said lira lightly as she moved toward the door.

"Uh ... I guess we should look for an aircar.

Remember," he added, "walk very close to me, and when there are others around, hold my hand."

She looked startled. "Is that what's expected?"

"Yes." Chaney joined Tira at the door. He opened it and went out into the hall as if he had every right to be there, signaling at once for lira to come after him. "We're going to take the dropshaft up to ground level. Try not to stare.

I'm sorry. I'm really not sure what to do any- more. I thought you'd be safe here."

"Me, too." She bit her lip.

They kept moving. Climbing two sets of mar- ble stairs brought them to a small door that gave out directly onto the landing field.

"Someone's landing, someone very impor- tant," said Chaney, He drew Tira close to him, draping his arm over her shoulder. She let him.

"You see the tower? They're doing flag displays."

"They did that for my father," said Tu-a softly.

"Don't think about that now," said Chaney, "You'll need to do it later, but not now."

She nodded and leaned her head against his shoulder. "I know it's going to catch up with me. I can feel it waiting to happen."

110.

"Hang on a little longer," Chaney encouraged her, "It's hard when you lose your father. I know."

"You lost yours?" she asked.

"Yeah. I lost him." His voice went sharp, then softened again. '"When this is over, there'll be time. I... I'll be there. If you want."

She looked up at him. "I want, I think."

Kissing her was not part of his strategy, but it was suddenly the only thing worth doing. As he wrapped his arms around her, he felt the weapon tucked into her waistband at the small of her back. For some reason he could not identify, it made him hold her more tightly, and to deepen their kiss.

She gazed at him as he slowly released her.

He put one finger to her lips; his feelings were in such disorder that he could not speak. He made himself take her hand and walk a little fur- ther.

They looked out over the airfield. There were a dozen armed aircars hovering over its expanse.

Electromagnetic defensive screens s.h.i.+mmered in the early morning light.

"a.s.sault boats, three of them," said Chaney, pointing into the distance. 'The lead has the Admirals flashes on it." He took her hand again.

"Let's go. If we can get to an aircar we can slip out when the Admiral's boat comes in."

Ill

Chefsea Quifin farbro

As they came into the landing area, lira asked, "What about the s.h.i.+elds?"

They re down for the landing. We have to get out before they close back up." He led the way through the corridor, not quite running. They rounded the first corner and found the first bay empty. "Keep going," he urged Tu-a as they rushed on.

In the second bay there was a military aircar, a Sprinter 377, ready and waiting.