Chapter 91-OSIRA'H.

Although she had been bred and trained for this, events swept up on Osira'h like a foaming wall of angry water bursting from behind a dam. Despite her reservations, she quickly became consumed with her own circumstances. The die was cast, and she would finish what she had been trained to do.

While Yazra'h finalized all the details and dealt with the human and Ildiran refugees, Osira'h meditated to sharpen her mental abilities and prepare for her destiny. If she performed her task successfully, there would be no further Ildiran victims in this war. But if she failed, she herself would become the next casualty. Then all of the secrets would die with her.

One of the warliners turned about with the rescued skyminers and headed back to Ildira. The six remaining vessels would be sufficient to deliver Osira'h's encounter chamber into the deep clouds. The number of Solar Navy battleships did not matter: Everything now depended on one little girl alone.

At last, after Yazra'h said a quiet and touching farewell, Osira'h was ready to go.

Gauzy chemical clouds enfolded her as she sat inside the crystalline bubble, now entirely cut off from the warliners and the reassuring company of her sister.

At Qronha 3, the ships had found dissipating signs of smoke, the remnants of the one-sided battle. By now, the wreckage of the human and Ildiran complexes had plunged deep to the equilibrium limits, and the hydrogues had returned to their lair. Osira'h would have to go find them.

Reinforced with the toughest polymers and alloy frameworks, her chamber had no engines, no weapons-those things would be irrelevant when she finally met the hydrogues. Orbiting so high above Qronha 3, the warliners could never retrieve her now. If she did not succeed in her mission, the loss of her life would be the least of all the grim consequences. As she descended, Osira'h knew her fate was in the hands of the hydrogues.

She would serve in the same role as the Klikiss robots had once acted-before the robots broke all ties with the Ildiran Empire at Hrel-oro. As a bridge between two completely alien species, she had to open a line of communication with the enemy, convince them to listen to the Mage-Imperator. What concessions was her father willing to make? What unconscionable bargains?

Her ship fell like a stone, and Osira'h clung to her padded crash seat, concentrating, sending out a mental message to augment the signal from her transmitting system. She needed needed the hydrogues to come to her. She hoped the aliens would be curious enough to come and inspect her, rather than destroy the encounter chamber outright. the hydrogues to come to her. She hoped the aliens would be curious enough to come and inspect her, rather than destroy the encounter chamber outright.

The crystal walls glowed from friction as gas molecules scraped against the smooth sides. The vessel had been built to withstand these horrific conditions. Around her, the atmosphere thickened.

Osira'h tried harder, forcing her thoughts outward, as she had done many times in practice sessions on Dobro. She closed her eyes against the distracting colors and chimera shapes of the storms. She gripped tightly with her small hands and continued to send out her thoughts. I have a job to do. I have a job to do.

She didn't know what this task would cost her. Before, when she'd been innocent and gullible, she had been willing to pay any price to make Designate Udru'h and the Mage-Imperator proud. She had wanted to do anything to make her mentor happy. But with visions of her mother in her head, she was not as sure. Osira'h was no longer convinced that the secret-filled Ildiran Empire deserved such a sacrifice from her.

As her crystal bubble continued downward, she saw movement in the thickening vapors around her, which resolved into the smooth diamond hulls of warglobes. Blue lightning crackled from their pyramidal protrusions.

Osira'h held on, energetically sending her thoughts. I must speak with you. I represent your former allies. We want to end this war between our races.

The warglobes drifted next to her, accompanying her crystal bubble. Without warning, she was thrown to one side with an abrupt jerk as the hydrogue vessels captured her with an invisible beam. She sensed no returning thoughts, no acknowledgment.

Unhurried, the warglobes dragged her bubble like a fish in a net. Osira'h lost track of time and distance. All the while, she continued sending her message. With widening eyes and increasing awe, she saw an enormous complex of faceted globes that formed an immense citysphere. The hydrogue metropolis was full of alien angles and curves that joined in unorthodox directions. It was like a magical structure from the stories she had absorbed from her mother's thoughts, the lost city of Atlantis or a fabled fairy kingdom.

The girl did not allow herself to be fooled. The hydrogues were not ethereal or benevolent fantasy creatures. They were deadly enemies who had already proved their thirst for utter destruction.

The warglobes pulled her encounter bubble through a membrane in the citysphere wall. Osira'h let her thoughts resonate outward in an uninterrupted silent shout. Peering through the transparent wall, she waited.

At last, quicksilver shapes formed themselves into humanoid bodies. Five of the flowing hydrogues approached her, each one identical, each costumed like the Roamer victim it had copied before. As part of her intensive training, Osira'h had reviewed every scrap of information known about the enemy, including images from the Whisper Palace on Earth.

The weight of responsibility pressed around her, like the incredible force of the surrounding atmosphere. She leaned forward against the protective crystal barrier. The hydrogue figures stood shimmering before her. It was time to open negotiations.

Chapter 92-RLINDA KETT.

As luck would have it, the Moon base alarm sounded even before the Curiosity Curiosity cleared the top of the crater wall. Below them, the cleared the top of the crater wall. Below them, the Blind Faith Blind Faith was still cycling through engine warm-up. BeBob looked sick in the copilot's seat beside Rlinda, drowning in reality. He glanced worriedly at his ship. was still cycling through engine warm-up. BeBob looked sick in the copilot's seat beside Rlinda, drowning in reality. He glanced worriedly at his ship.

"We'd better get moving," she said. Without her usual double-checks, Rlinda soared away from the Moon's gravity field. She slapped the panel with the flat of her hand and tried to squeeze out more acceleration. On the screen, blips indicated swarms of fast Remoras coming in from perimeter patrols.

"The Curiosity Curiosity was never designed to be taken into battle, you know," she told him. "Brace yourself." was never designed to be taken into battle, you know," she told him. "Brace yourself."

"Who said anything about battle?" BeBob's voice cracked. "How about we don't let them catch up with us in the first place?"

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."

Roaring in closer, the squadron commander transmitted in a voice that sounded like fingernails on a chalkboard, "You are ordered to stand down and return to the Moon base."

Rlinda signaled back, "This isn't a military ship, mister. You don't have any authority to give me orders."

"Well, those hot jazers give them some provisional authority-"

"Quiet, BeBob." She opened a general channel without video. "Excuse me, but I was told told to leave, and in no uncertain terms. Make up your minds." to leave, and in no uncertain terms. Make up your minds."

"We believe you are holding the fugitive Captain Roberts. We have orders not to let him escape. Return to the base or we will open fire."

As the Moon dwindled behind them, the Blind Faith Blind Faith finally lifted off from the crater, accelerating at reckless velocity low to the lunar surface, trying unsuccessfully to remain below radar scans. finally lifted off from the crater, accelerating at reckless velocity low to the lunar surface, trying unsuccessfully to remain below radar scans.

"Go, Davlin," Rlinda said through clenched teeth.

BeBob knotted his fingers together, glancing at their screens and then out the front windowport. "Just so long as he's careful with my ship. I don't think even high-risk insurance covers damage incurred while fleeing from authorities."

"Better check your policy, BeBob. But not right now, okay?"

"Just thinking ahead."

Seeing the second ship appear, the Remora squadron split up, half of the fast fighter ships swooping off to intercept the Blind Faith Blind Faith. "That's Roberts's ship," said the squadron commander. "The Voracious Curiosity Voracious Curiosity is just a decoy." is just a decoy."

"I guess a bait and switch is just too much for their imaginations." Rlinda grinned.

"Don't celebrate yet, Rlinda-half of them are still on our tail."

"That's better than having all of them after us." She continued on her erratic trajectory, throwing the two of them from side to side faster than the stabilizers could compensate. "BeBob, set a course out of this system. How soon can we engage the Ildiran stardrive and leave the EDF ships in our exhaust?"

"Umm...no sooner than they can."

Before the Remoras could intercept the second fleeing ship, the Blind Faith Blind Faith shot out into open space. Its engines were powered beyond their maximums, the exhaust cowlings glowing cherry red from unmitigated thrust. shot out into open space. Its engines were powered beyond their maximums, the exhaust cowlings glowing cherry red from unmitigated thrust.

Over an open channel came a wavering staticky image, supposedly transmitted from the cockpit of BeBob's ship, no doubt distorted by the huge power expenditure of its flight. The screen showed the visage of Branson Roberts himself. "You have no right to chase me," the mock BeBob said. "I've been unfairly charged and convicted by a kangaroo court. You're hunting an innocent man."

"Hey! How did Davlin doctor that up so fast?"

Rlinda smiled. "Probably part of his training as a specialist in obscure details."

"Does my voice really sound like that? High and squeaky?"

Rlinda turned her big brown eyes to him. "If you were really in the Faith Faith 's cockpit right now, you'd sound a lot squeakier." 's cockpit right now, you'd sound a lot squeakier."

BeBob slumped back in his copilot chair.

As Davlin pulled farther away from the pursuing squadron, two more Remoras broke off from the Curiosity Curiosity and joined the primary hunt. and joined the primary hunt.

But several EDF fighters stuck close as Rlinda flew the Voracious Curiosity Voracious Curiosity on an erratic course to climb out of the solar system. The short-range fighters didn't have as much fuel as her ship did, but they had greater speed. They could close around the on an erratic course to climb out of the solar system. The short-range fighters didn't have as much fuel as her ship did, but they had greater speed. They could close around the Curiosity Curiosity long before she could outrun them. long before she could outrun them.

Rlinda and BeBob worked together in the cockpit like two components of a precision machine. It was just like old times.

The Blind Faith Blind Faith sent another transmission, and BeBob's simulated face was even more desperate than before. He looked like a man capable of anything. "You leave Rlinda alone! The sent another transmission, and BeBob's simulated face was even more desperate than before. He looked like a man capable of anything. "You leave Rlinda alone! The Curiosity Curiosity has nothing to do with me." has nothing to do with me."

BeBob looked over at her. "Does he really think that'll work?"

She rested her chin on her knuckles for a moment. "Davlin wouldn't rely on anything quite so simplistic. The question is, what's he really up to?"

They watched the drama play out far below. The Remoras closed in like a pack of wolves, but the Blind Faith Blind Faith surprised them all by looping around in such a high-G reversal that it should have smashed any living pilot into jelly, or at least knocked him unconscious. Somehow, though, Davlin continued to fly his ship in the opposite direction. The surprised them all by looping around in such a high-G reversal that it should have smashed any living pilot into jelly, or at least knocked him unconscious. Somehow, though, Davlin continued to fly his ship in the opposite direction. The Faith Faith careened directly toward the pursuing EDF ships. It was obviously a suicide run-or at least intended to look like one. careened directly toward the pursuing EDF ships. It was obviously a suicide run-or at least intended to look like one.

"He's playing a game of chicken with my ship!"

As the cargo ship roared toward the cluster of EDF fighters, the Remoras scattered. They opened fire on the ship's engines, trying to cripple it, but the Faith Faith flew too fast, and their shots did only minimal damage, scoring the hull. The reckless vessel continued to accelerate, and its engines roared scarlet. flew too fast, and their shots did only minimal damage, scoring the hull. The reckless vessel continued to accelerate, and its engines roared scarlet.

The Blind Faith Blind Faith did not deviate in its course, but plowed into their grouping like an out-of-control pulse-racer slamming into a stadium full of spectators. The EDF ships scrambled to avoid collision. did not deviate in its course, but plowed into their grouping like an out-of-control pulse-racer slamming into a stadium full of spectators. The EDF ships scrambled to avoid collision.

Then, immediately after it had passed through the flurry of Remoras, the Blind Faith Blind Faith exploded. Its engine casings burst open, reactor exhaust flamed out and split the vessel. Shrapnel sprayed in a spherical cloud, peppering several fast fighters that were too close. The EDF attack ships spun out of control, calling for emergency reinforcement and rescue vessels. exploded. Its engine casings burst open, reactor exhaust flamed out and split the vessel. Shrapnel sprayed in a spherical cloud, peppering several fast fighters that were too close. The EDF attack ships spun out of control, calling for emergency reinforcement and rescue vessels.

Rlinda stared in awe and disbelief. "Davlin, what did you do that for?"

BeBob blinked his big sad eyes at her. "My ship..."

Fighting to concentrate, Rlinda looked at the tactical screens that showed space around them. "Thanks to that explosion, we've doubled our lead. It's time to take advantage of the distraction." Her heart felt heavy, but she couldn't believe Davlin had given his life to save them. It just didn't sound like him.

By now, all the Remoras had turned about, racing up above the planetary orbits. The closest group of fighters accelerated again, anxious to end the chase.

"Sore losers," BeBob said, still numb with shock.

"Five minutes and I'll jump us with the stardrive. Right now, go down to the cargo bay. There's a few dozen loose crates and tanks."

BeBob ran out of the cockpit, already knowing what she meant to do. As the seconds ticked by and the Remoras came closer, she looked at the cargo bay imagers to see BeBob shoving crates, pallets, tanks, and spare parts into the middle of the cargo bay floor. Her ship's engines were hot and on the brink of overloading. She didn't want to end up like the Blind Faith. Blind Faith.

"That's enough junk, BeBob. Thirty seconds and I'm ready. Get your butt up here."

BeBob was already pulling himself through the cockpit door. He slammed himself into the seat and buckled the crash restraints. As the Remoras got closer, a flurry of jazer potshots spangled past them.

"Dumping the cargo bay." Without draining the atmosphere, she opened the hatches, vomiting a blast of rapidly expanding air and sparkling debris that flew out in a smokescreen.

The unexpected debris acted like a field of land mines, and the Remoras hammered into it. The pursuing ships spun out of control; one suffered severe wing damage. Rlinda didn't particularly want to destroy EDF soldiers who were just trying to do their jobs-but BeBob's life was at stake.

She couldn't stick around to see how it all turned out. She activated the Ildiran stardrive and lurched out of the solar system, hoping to stay one step ahead of General Lanyan's angry pursuers.

Chapter 93-KING PETER.

On the day after Daniel's contrite speech, Basil stood at the doorway of the Royal Wing wearing a cool smile. "Come with me, Peter. This is something you need to see. Consider it part of your continuing education." Franz Pellidor stood beside him like a well-dressed thug, ready if the King resisted.

Peter frowned at the implied threat. "I prefer OX's instructional methods. He's programmed to be a teacher, and he has more memories than he can hold in his head. That counts for a lot of experience, in my book."

"Since OX allowed Prince Daniel to escape, I have doubts about his abilities as an instructor. This will help you learn about political realities...and consequences." The Chairman walked briskly down the hall, his dress shoes clicking on the polished stone tiles. He had no doubt that the King would follow.

With another frown, Peter left his private chambers and walked beside Mr. Pellidor. He didn't even dignify the broad-shouldered man with a glance.

They passed down empty halls and staircases and finally reached a lower-level infirmary chamber that smelled of disinfectants, sterile metal, and chemicals. There, on a hospital bed in the center of the room, lay the pale young Prince Daniel. The boy appeared to be in a coma, hooked up to medical diagnostics. Intravenous lines ran from his arms. His chubby cheeks looked sunken, though Peter had seen him only yesterday.

"What happened? Was there an accident?"

"Oh, no accident-I assure you this was entirely intentional." Basil stepped forward to touch the intravenous tubes, then leaned over to stare at the false Prince's closed translucent eyelids. The boy didn't move or twitch.

"After Daniel's foolish escapade, the Hansa committee met in an emergency session. We decided unanimously that we can no longer take the risk of further episodes of gross misbehavior. Therefore, we have drugged him. We will keep him in this comatose state, where I can be certain he is under control." He fixed his gray eyes on Peter. "Too many mistakes have been made recently, and I will no longer tolerate it. and I will no longer tolerate it."

Peter remained silent, letting the long moment draw itself out; it was a technique Basil himself had taught him. He knew exactly how dangerous the Chairman was. Finally, he said, "So why not just kill him?"

"Because he makes a better example this way, don't you think? I suppose we could always awaken him if it becomes necessary. You see, we could easily do this to you." Basil straightened and took a step away from the motionless Prince. He asked in a light conversational tone, "Now then, why didn't you tell me Queen Estarra is pregnant? I've known since last Wednesday, but you must have known for at least a month."

A current of ice water washed down Peter's spine. He controlled his expression, refused to blurt out a denial. The Chairman wouldn't have brought up the subject unless he had proof. Peter knew he would do better to see where Basil was going with this.

The Chairman paced the floor of the infirmary room. "The King and Queen are always monitored, Peter. We've taken several samples and verified our results. My first inkling came when you both were with me aboard the ship to Ildira. Nuances, slight differences in behavior. You didn't think I was paying attention...but I always pay attention. We followed up with further tests obtained from your royal quarters."

Peter remained silent. His mouth was dry, and his skin crawled with the reminder that even in their most private moments the Hansa was spying on them, sampling cells scraped from the royal bedsheets, monitoring Estarra's menstrual cycle, probably even culling urine samples from the Palace's plumbing. He found it repulsive.

Basil stepped close to him, very close. Peter had grown taller over the years, but the Chairman still seemed to regard him as little more than a street urchin. "We can't allow this, you know."

Trying to be strong, desperately wishing he had sent Estarra to Theroc before anyone had a chance to find out, Peter said, "You're missing a key advantage, Basil. Imagine the excellent public relations we can get. The people will love it."

The Chairman didn't budge. "You miss the fundamental problem here. I I didn't give you permission." didn't give you permission."