[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
with a touch. The glow of her short crystal sword flowed out like a rushing
river, wrapped around her. She closed her eyes and tilted her head back,
letting its warmth, its power, its song run through her. It was a familiar
song, yet wildly exotic each time she encountered it.
She clasped the jeweled hilt of the sword in both hands. The crystal s power
surged through her. She answered with her own. Felt Simon s shields close
around her. Nodded her thanks, even though they d done this many times before.
I m ready, My Lady.
She stepped out of her Self and took Simon s offered hand.
Page 159
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Mack spied Donata Rand standing in front of Hebbs s station in ops. Neither
woman looked particularly happy. Mack sympathized. He was still trying to
process everything Gillie d shown him, told him. He couldn t afford to delve
into his emotions until this latest crisis was under control.
But he did know that some of his current displeasure at Halbert and the prime
hostess s untimely arrival did, illogically, have Gillie s name on it.
Sometime during the early-morning hours, his heart and mind had begun to swap
theories. His professional understanding of her actions had taken to bickering
with his personal feelings for her as he tried to meld Gillie, the woman he
loved, with the Raheiran Captain Davr. And not everything melded to his
satisfaction. For that reason he let Rand handle Hebbs. He knew when he wasn t
at his best. And right now he wasn t.
Hebbs scrolled down the personnel roster on her screen. Sure, I can give you
live bodies, but not ones with Code-A security clearances. She glanced up at
Mack. If Fleet had been a little more aggressive in clearing my people, we
wouldn t be in this situation.
He had no argument. HQ hadn t been expedient in reviewing the files he d sent
to them three months ago. I should have pushed them more. I didn t. I know
that and accept the blame.
We had no idea, no warning, the prime hostess would travel without the usual
chancellery security team, Rand put in. She and Halbert have only the
senator s three personal bodyguards.
That doesn t mitigate the fact that HQ s had three months to clear Hebbs s
people and hasn t. Mack shook his head.
Whocan you give us? Rand leaned on the edge of Hebbs s console, frowned.
No one with your clearances. She squared her shoulders, as if bracing for a
fight.
Mack had no time to fight. He needed live bodies.
I m willing to waive that, he put in evenly. And was rewarded, finally,
with a lessening of tension around Hebbs s eyes. And a knowing perhaps for the
first time sympathetic nod. Regardless of the cause of this problem, it was in
both their best interests that it was cleared up now. Who can you give us
that, in your opinion, is best suited to this situation? I trust your guidance
here.
Hebbs nodded slowly. I ve got fifty-seven sec cops on station under Sergeant
Bridger s command. To be honest, they re more used to breaking up drunken
brawls than babysitting dignitaries. But there are eight, maybe ten, who I
think handle high-profiles well. That s what you ll need.
Ten plus fifteen of Rand s people with Code-A clearances might work, at least
to get them through the ceremonies in the shrine. He d considered calling
theVedritor in. Now he might not have to. Especially with the prime hostess on
station, he needed his best warship out there, watching. Ready.
Because Blass was on station too. He didn t know who else might be coming in
behind him.
Trans their files to my office, Rand said to Hebbs. Have them report to me
in a half hour.
Page 160
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
That s not enough time, Mack told Rand as they left ops. She followed him
through the flow of traffic, leaned on the railing of the atrium when he did.
They kept their voices low. The public corridors weren t the best place to
have these kinds of discussions, but Mack no longer trusted the confines of
his office. Or any office. And he no longer laid his suspicions on Hebbs. Not
since Gillie had told him about Rigo and Carrick Blass.
We don t have a choice in the matter, sir. She glanced at her watch. You
said you d fill me in on this new problem. It shouldn t take Hebbs more than
five minutes to get those files to me.
Mack nodded. Through Tobias, he d relayed only the barest of outlines to
Rand. A comm-set conversation was the least secure of all. I ll lay it out
quickly. You know Rigo s a risk, possibly Fav lhir. Last night Carrick Blass
arrived, quietly, to meet with him.
TheCarrick Blass? Rand raised one eyebrow. Left his sailing yachts and
posh parties to come here?
We have reason to believe he s Honora Trelmont s lover. Mack waited until
Rand s gape of surprise passed. Then hit her with the second fact. He s also
Fav lhir. A Melandan mage.
Blass? Her voice was a harsh rasp.
Confirmed.
By your Raheiran friend?
He nodded.
And you trust this person, this information
Completely.
You ve seen proof? Rand was not one to take anything on face value. She d
been in Fleet long enough to know leveling charges against a well-placed
higher-up could be a ticket to a dishonorable discharge.
Of Blass s love affair? No. But of my friend s identity? Would a Raheiran
crystalship be acceptable as proof?
Rand s mouth opened and closed again. Here? On Cirrus?
Don t go looking for it. You won t find it. It s cloaked, can change its
appearance.
Rand s fingers tightened on the railing. She stared at a flock of parrots
darting downlevel. Gods. Goddess. She turned back to him. That crystal
section. It must have come from . . . She stopped and made a dismissive
gesture with one hand. Sorry. I m not thinking straight. That section
couldn t have come from your friend s ship. It s from the Lady s.
Of course.
I d better go get those files. We ll handle this. Don t worry, sir. Rand
pushed herself away from the railing, headed down the corridor.
Mack watched her go without actually seeing her. His mind replayed her
comment and his automatic answer:
Page 161
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]