Demands of Honor by Kevin Ryan Page B

this emergency meeting,” Adon said, keeping his voice as even as he could.
    â€œAdon, what are you really doing? What is really going on here?” Bethe wasn’t the only one who had noticed Adon and his group outside. Villagers were peeking out from their homes. They all knew something was happening.
    â€œTell everyone to wait until I get back. I will explain then,” Adon said.
    Bethe nodded and seemed to accept that, for which Adon was grateful. If they were lucky, Adon and his small circle would take care of Gurn and his men quickly and quietly. Then, when the crisis had passed, he could reveal all.
    Heading for the meeting place, Adon felt his blood burning. Before the night was over, he would know the truth and he would have his revenge. But before they were halfway there, Adon heard someone approaching from behind. It was Bethe. When she was close enough, she said, “The villagers await your return and your news. You must know, they will follow the son of Gorath wherever his path leads.”
    Looking down, Adon saw that Bethe was wearing a
mek’leth
of her own. He shook his head. “What are you doing?”
    â€œI am following the son of Gorath wherever—”
    He shook his head. “Return to the village.”
    â€œNo,” she said evenly.
    â€œI thought you would follow me,” Adon said, frustration in his voice.
    â€œI serve your interests, not your will,” Bethe said pleasantly.
    â€œThere is a difference?”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œA small one I think.” Adon looked at the path ahead and realized that he had no time to argue with Bethe. In fact, he had a much larger battle to fight. And while he would have preferred to have her out of danger, he did need the help. He shrugged and continued toward the clan meeting place.
    His blood began to call out a warning, and Adon walked faster, then trotted, then ran. The group burst into the meeting pit to see the surprised faces of clan leaders and their seconds. Most surprised was Gurn, who had a dozen men around him—all of them, Adon noted, armed with Orion pistols and swords.
    â€œYoung Adon, what are you doing here?” Gurn’s voice was even, almost pleasant, and it took every bit of strength Adon possessed not to race forward and strike down his father’s murderer. The guards would not allow it. It was not fear for himself that stopped him, but fear that he would fail. Adon vowed that he would have his revenge, even if it could not be at this moment.
    â€œWhy are you calling a meeting of the clans?” Adon asked, ignoring Gurn’s question. Then Adon noticed that at four points surrounding the pit green-skin flying craft were hovering in the air. Father had taught Adon to pilot those craft, which were flying platforms with room for a single standing pilot with a large cannon mounted in the front. Gorath and Uncle had taken some of the craft from the Orions and used them in the battle to save the planet.
    Now, four of Gurn’s clan were standing on the vehicles that watched the skies, pointing out toward the surrounding woods. Adon noted with distaste that the pilots were wearing the Orion armored suits and helmets that covered their faces completely.
    â€œYou wear pistols and bring those green-skin weapons to our meeting place?” Adon did not bother to try to hide the challenge in his voice.
    â€œI have just told the great leaders of our people that we are in grave danger. I would have summoned you, but I knew you were standing vigil with your father,” Gurn said, his voice and face losing none of their false pleasantness.
    â€œI serve my father’s clan, and if there is a grave danger, I will help deal with it,” Adon said.
    â€œVery well. Before your father died, we were discussing an offer by the Klingons to talk with them and seek their further help and protection.”
    â€œYou would talk to the ones who tried to destroy us and the world