"Can I help in any way? Maybe testify about what a good man you are? I could be a-what do they call it?-a character witness."

"He's a character, all right," Rlinda said. "But this military tribunal doesn't play by the rules we know. They're only interested in a particular result, and you can be sure they'll get it."

"I feel like a feather in the backdraft from a starship engine," Roberts said. "Why don't they wait until Admiral Stromo gets back with his report? Once they understand the real emergency, they'll have better things to do."

"I'm really sorry," Orli said again.

"Don't you worry, young lady." Rlinda patted her on the shoulder. "Everything will be all right."

Captain Roberts sat up. "Don't lie to the girl, Rlinda. She's already been through a lot."

Rlinda maintained her stoic smile as she urged Orli off. "It's time for the young lady to go catch her shuttle, BeBob. You and I still have plenty of strategy to discuss."

Chapter 82-RLINDA KETT.

Less than four days after Branson Roberts's arrest, a rushed board of inquiry convened behind closed doors. Rlinda threatened to handcuff herself to BeBob if they didn't let her into the room with him. Shouldering guards out of her way, she marched into the windowless underground chamber.

BeBob walked toward his seat looking defeated and resigned to his fate. She nudged him in the ribs, and he stood up straighter.

His assigned legal counsel was sitting at the defense table. The man had met briefly with BeBob twice, mainly to review facts given to him by the EDF. According to Lanyan's administrative memo, there wasn't much need for an actual "trial" because no one disputed the facts of the case.

Rlinda, naturally, disagreed.

She gave the nominal EDF legal counsel no more than a glance as she stepped forward to face Lanyan and two lower-ranking officers. They all wore immaculate uniforms, though there would be no media coverage, yet.

Lanyan frowned. "Ms. Kett, you were not invited to these proceedings."

"I will be acting as the advocate for Captain Branson Roberts." She glared over at the preoccupied military representative. "And a hell of a lot better one than your sock puppet over there. At least I've listened listened to the accused. One would assume that's step one in a defense strategy." to the accused. One would assume that's step one in a defense strategy."

The legal counsel bridled. The two officers at the table chuckled until Lanyan glared at them, and they resumed their professional demeanor.

"This is merely a preliminary hearing, Ms. Kett," Lanyan said.

"That's Captain Captain Kett." Rlinda walked to the front of the room. "General, let me remind you of the things Kett." Rlinda walked to the front of the room. "General, let me remind you of the things Captain Captain Roberts has done for the Hansa. You yourself stuck this man on a fishhook and used him as bait to capture the Roamer pirate Rand Sorengaard. Remember that? He risked his life for you." Roberts has done for the Hansa. You yourself stuck this man on a fishhook and used him as bait to capture the Roamer pirate Rand Sorengaard. Remember that? He risked his life for you."

Lanyan was not ruffled. "You and Captain Roberts benefited from the end of the Sorengaard matter as much as anyone else. Seriously, he can't expect to receive clemency because of something that happened eight years ago."

Without slowing down, Rlinda summarized how most of their private commercial ships had been confiscated and converted to EDF use, how BeBob had been forced to perform dangerous reconnaissance missions against his will, and how, with the blessing of Chairman Wenceslas himself, BeBob had served the Klikiss colonization initiative by shuttling supplies and materials to new settlements, which was how he had discovered the massacre on Corribus.

Out of desperation, Rlinda had again tried to goad the Chairman into taking executive action in BeBob's case. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, the man would no longer take her calls. BeBob was on his own.

Lanyan was losing patience. "Your reminiscences are irrelevant, Ms. Kett. The incontrovertible fact is that Captain Roberts and his ship were conscripted into vital service for the EDF, and he is therefore under the jurisdiction of military law. He deserted his duties and hid from justice for years. We are at war. We cannot tolerate such behavior from a pilot in the Earth Defense Forces."

One of the other officers added, "More than a hundred deserters like him have abandoned their posts, and as a result our military effectiveness has diminished. We have no option but to make an example of Captain Roberts."

The assigned legal counsel showed no inclination to speak up. Sitting at the table, BeBob decided to talk for himself. "But...but you blackmailed me into flying missions for you! You sent me out as cannon fodder. Look what happened to me at Dasra! The hydrogues almost destroyed my ship."

Lanyan's face became very cold. "Don't you dare complain to us about Dasra. Because of our incomplete incomplete information there, because you didn't finish information there, because you didn't finish your your job, a military survey team and a tactical squadron consisting of more than three hundred personnel were completely wiped out at Dasra." job, a military survey team and a tactical squadron consisting of more than three hundred personnel were completely wiped out at Dasra."

BeBob lowered his head. "Okay, maybe that wasn't the best example-"

"I'm not sure we need to hear any more." Lanyan's voice held a note of smugness.

Rlinda wondered how hard she'd have to smack the EDF legal counsel to get him to do his job. Frustrated, she stepped forward again. "Does the phrase kangaroo court mean any-"

Lanyan slapped his hand down on the table. "The basic facts are clear and uncontested. Even Captain Roberts does not deny them." He lifted a hand to tick the points off on his fingers. "He was legally conscripted into the Earth Defense Forces. His ship was legally reassigned to serve the EDF. Captain Roberts was allowed to keep flying solely on the condition that he would devote his time to authorized scout missions. Instead, he simply flew off and never came back." His piercing gaze nailed BeBob. "Do you deny any of this?"

"I came back. I'm here now, aren't I?"

Rlinda turned back to the defense table. "Don't say anything, BeBob." She snapped at the legal counsel, "Isn't that what you're you're supposed to advise him?" supposed to advise him?"

The man looked at BeBob without expression. "I thought he could figure that much out for himself."

Lanyan prepared to leave. "I don't see any point in continuing this nonsense today. Admiral Stromo is arriving with his report from Corribus, and I need to speak to him as soon as possible. We can reconvene tomorrow to wrap up anything else, but clearly there's sufficient evidence to proceed with a formal court-martial." He glanced at the other two officers, who nodded.

The General's expression was full of disgust for BeBob. "Once we go public, the Hansa media will paint you as the slime-dripper you really are. I doubt you'll get a lot of sympathy. Chairman Wenceslas has already granted approval for us to seek the death penalty if you're found guilty of desertion. He agrees with the need to crack down on people like you."

BeBob's eyes went wide. "Death penalty?"

Rlinda put her hands on her hips but bit back an outcry. At the table, the legal counsel simply nodded solemnly. "Desertion in a time of war is an offense punishable by death. Has been for centuries."

Lanyan continued in a threatening tone, "However, your past examples of service may be considered mitigating details, along with your rescue of the two survivors from Corribus. Depending on public reaction during the court-martial, King Peter might commute your sentence to permanent penal servitude on an industrial planet." The General smiled. "If he feels generous."

Chapter 83-DOBRO DESIGNATE UDRU'H.

In order to save his planet from destruction, the Dobro Designate had promised to deliver his answer to Hyrillka in person. Now, like sand slipping through his fingers, time had run out.

Udru'h had to face his rebellious brother alone and do his part; the Mage-Imperator could not assist him in this. Rusa'h had already murdered his legitimate Designate-in-waiting and apparently at least two of Pery'h's brothers; he was not likely to respond well to defiance. Therefore, Udru'h had to formulate his response very carefully. He would lie, he would remain firm...and he would find a way to survive. He always did.

En route to the Horizon Cluster, he kept to himself, brooding about what he had agreed to do. Udru'h knew what the Mage-Imperator expected of him. As he approached Hyrillka, the Designate felt as if he were falling off a cliff. The decision was made: He could not rescind it.

As the transport craft approached Hyrillka, several warliners swept out of orbit and surrounded it like a pack of voracious predators hungry for fresh meat. Annoyed, Udru'h went to the pilot deck and sent the message himself. He didn't want any of his twenty-one Ildiran companions to participate in this matter at all. "What is this unnecessary show of force? Allow my ship through. My brother is expecting me."

A septar in the lead battleship answered. "My orders are to take you aboard this warliner to wait for the arrival of Imperator Rusa'h."

"Am I not welcome in his court on Hyrillka?"

"You are welcome aboard this warliner. Those were my instructions." Then he added chillingly, "This maniple has just reconvened from Alturas and Shonor, both of which have joined our holy cause. Our ships are prepared for immediate departure to Dobro-should we be needed there."

Udru'h drew a deep breath, driving back his alarm. "Very well, then. I will be pleased to await my brother on your ship."

Once aboard, Designate Udru'h was brought forward like a piece of property. The rebellious Solar Navy officers looked at him as if questioning his loyalty-a good question, actually. These soldiers were completely detached from any thism thism he could sense, making them oddly opaque in his mind. he could sense, making them oddly opaque in his mind.

The soldiers led him to a sealed room, opened the hatch, and ushered him into the chamber. "While you wait for the Imperator, discuss your situation with him him. He can explain the consequences of failing to cooperate."

Ignoring the brainwashed guards as they sealed the door, Udru'h saw a defiant but impotent Adar Zan'nh. The commander sat in his rumpled uniform, a prisoner, disheveled but not obviously mistreated. His reddened eyes had a wildness to them, and he seemed to be slowly losing his struggle against isolation. Udru'h could certainly understand the engulfing emptiness and silence; already it echoed around him here, but because of his solo trips to the captive green priest Nira on her isolated island, the Dobro Designate had a little more practice.

Seeing him, the Adar's eyes narrowed with deep suspicion, as if he suspected a trick. Udru'h and his nephew locked gazes, each assessing the other, and finally the Dobro Designate said, "No, I have not agreed to join them yet-if that is your question."

The Adar did not relax, taking fast and shallow breaths. "And I should believe this?"

"I am your uncle. Would you not know through the thism thism if I am lying?" if I am lying?"

Zan'nh's eyes flashed with caged anger; emotions seethed close to the surface, barely in control. "Never before did I suspect that a Designate could lie to me or deceive his Mage-Imperator-yet Rusa'h has done so. I do not know what to believe."

Udru'h remained standing inside the cell, not certain how closely they were being watched. "In fact, I have given them no answer at all."

"You would even consider betraying your Mage-Imperator?" Zan'nh looked indignant, a cornered animal ready to attack any convenient target. "By merely thinking that, you have already committed treason."

Udru'h was unruffled. "Prime Designate Thor'h lectured me at great length when he threatened Dobro with one of the warliners that you you surrendered to them, Adar." He scowled. "Thor'h was very earnest, if not entirely convincing." surrendered to them, Adar." He scowled. "Thor'h was very earnest, if not entirely convincing."

Zan'nh looked away, clearly ashamed about what had befallen his maniple. "After briefly imprisoning me on the surface, they forced me aboard what was once my own flagship. I had to watch as the mad Designate attacked other Ildiran colonies and commanded the murder of his own brothers and nephews."

"And what about your crew?"

Zan'nh's gaze snapped back up. "They have all been manipulated through the use of shiing. They are no longer responsible for their own minds."

"Apparently neither you nor I are susceptible to such straightforward persuasion. We must join Rusa'h willingly."

"That will never happen-at least not on my part." The Adar studied Udru'h's eyes when he was slow to give a similar assurance of his own.

Finally the cell door opened, and Solar Navy guards came for the Dobro Designate. "Imperator Rusa'h requests your presence in the command nucleus," said the lead guard.

Zan'nh looked with disappointment instead of obvious anger at these soldiers who had once been his loyal crew. Udru'h followed his escort without glancing back at the Adar as the cell door closed...

In the command nucleus, the Dobro Designate was amazed at the change in his rebellious brother. Formerly soft and hedonistic, Rusa'h was now hardened and wore the trappings of a Mage-Imperator. Lens kithmen and pleasure mates surrounded his ornate facsimile chrysalis chair.

When Rusa'h stared at him, the Dobro Designate used all the skill he had practiced to shield his thoughts, in case this oddly changed brother could detect anything. Did the broken thism thism blind both of them to each other? The mad Designate's voice was calm and reasonable. "You have come here as you promised." blind both of them to each other? The mad Designate's voice was calm and reasonable. "You have come here as you promised."

"You had no reason to doubt me. I am true to my word."

"But are you compliant as well? You have always been scornful of our weak brother. Have you decided to join my pure view of the Lightsource? Our cause will be much stronger with you as an ally, Udru'h."

Unperturbed, the Dobro Designate studied his work-roughened hands. "And where is this purity of which you speak, brother? If your path is based on an accurate reading of the soul-threads, why must you kill so many innocent Ildirans?"

"I kill no one unless it is necessary."

"Oh? Again, I ask-if you have absolute proof, why should anyone resist? If you mean to convince me, you must make a more compelling case than this."

The brainwashed officers glowered at the Dobro Designate, but Rusa'h focused his complete attention on him. "Will I be required to kill you as well?"

Udru'h gave an impatient wave. "Why do you jump headlong to conclusions? If your revelations are not strong enough to stand up to a few simple questions, then I have no choice but to doubt you even further." He walked casually around the facsimile chrysalis chair as if the two of them were discussing nothing more consequential than clothing styles. "You ask me to make a monumental choice-to betray the Mage-Imperator and help you shake apart the Ildiran Empire. Please indulge me while I wrestle with my doubts!"

The fierce pleasure mates and iron-faced lens kithmen huddled close to the rebellious Designate, looking coldly at Udru'h, who responded with an equally icy stare.

With supreme contentment, Rusa'h finally said, "I have complete proof, but you are incapable of seeing it until you become part of the new pure thism thism."

Udru'h snorted. "That is a fool's bargain, as you well know."

Bridge personnel and guard kithmen came forward. Rusa'h held up a hand, struggling to control his anger. "Prepare the maniple for departure to Dobro, where we will impose our new enlightened rule upon the people. It is a pity you would not cooperate, Udru'h."

The Dobro Designate gave a long-suffering sigh. "Again, you make a great many assumptions, Rusa'h. I never refused to cooperate with you. In fact, I gave you no clear answer at all-I simply raised a few logical questions." Udru'h leaned against the edge of the chrysalis chair. "Go ahead, take me back to Dobro. It seems I have no choice but to join you. But you will not need to send the full maniple against my small colony. You must have other uses for so many ships?"

Still somewhat dubious, Rusa'h pursed his lips. "True, Thor'h needs the rest of these warliners against other intractable splinter colonies. We must move swiftly." He pointed a finger, making sure his threat was clear. "You will have time en route to consider the extent of your cooperation. Upon reaching Dobro, if you waver in your resolve, then even one warliner is enough to destroy your colony."

Udru'h smiled. "Oh, I would never waver in my resolve."

Chapter 84-SULLIVAN GOLD.

Of the cloud harvester's fourteen escape modules, only one was lost as it struggled to get away. Unable to gain sufficient altitude and velocity when it ejected from the structure, the emergency vessel tumbled back into the zone where the hydrogues continued their onslaught. The hapless module scraped the side of a cracked ekti tank, causing further damage. While the skyminer evacuees called frantically for help, the ekti container erupted. Sullivan could do nothing to assist them...

Debris from the mangled cloud harvester fell like ashes in the wide-open sky. Moving away at best speed, Sullivan grimly tried to contact the Ildiran skyfactory. His crew was not enthusiastic about remaining near the hydrogues any longer than necessary.

Tabitha insisted, "Look, Sullivan, I know you've got a good heart, but we can't can't go back there. We won't survive." go back there. We won't survive."

"I see no reason to provoke the drogues," cried one of the shift supervisors.

"The hydrogues wrecked our cloud harvester," Sullivan pointed out, "but they've left our evacuation modules alone."

"So far. This isn't really a ship...it's just a box that moves." This isn't really a ship...it's just a box that moves."