behavior.
"What did you think of the meeting?" he asked.
"They will never agree to more talks."
"I could order them to do it." He didn't need all of them, just one of his joint commanders, Corbal, and the Intelligence and Foreign Affairs Ministers. And Tarquine, of course.
"Without their cooperation," she said, "the negotiations would be a disaster."
He knew it was true. "The Skolians probably won't agree anyway."
Tarquine drew him to a stop. "If you try to catch stardust, you will die from a lack of air."
"I won't give up."
"Then look to the Diamonds."
His brow furrowed. "The Aristo caste? Or the rocks?"
"Aristo." Her eyes glinted. "They failed in their attempt to dominate the Ivory export corporations, so they will be looking for new ventures. Perhaps even among the Skolians? Just think what a huge, untapped market our enemies offer."
He raised an eyebrow at her. "No doubt that market could benefit the Finance Ministry as well."
"Perhaps."
He knew she had probably figured out many paths to profit, like a fractal that became ever more intricate the more closely one looked at it. "I don't suppose you have an idea how to interest the Diamonds in supporting us."
She started walking with him again. "I'll think on it."
That certainly didn't reassure him. Whenever she turned her prodigious talents to solving a problem, he never knew whether to be grateful or terrified.
VI
A Court Of Rubies
The world Metropoli boasted the largest starport in all of the Skolian Imperialate, teeming with people and vehicles. Kelric's small scout ship went unnoticed in all the tumult, especially with his stratospheric clearances, which invoked veils of security most people had no idea existed.
He dulled the metallic sheen of his skin and hair so he appeared more his age. Then he donned clothes that made him look overweight. His passenger, Jeremiah Coltman, watched him with puzzlement, but he didn't push the matter. He would figure out the truth soon enough. Kelric avoided news broadcasts when he could, but his likeness was out there on the meshes. If Jeremiah worked at it, he could identify his rescuer.
They walked to the gate where Jeremiah would board a transport to Earth. The youth was wearing a blue pullover and "jeans" interwoven with mesh threads. He had purchased them at a store that sold Allied imports. Several women gave him appreciative glances, but no one otherwise paid attention to them. It amused Kelric that he could so easily hide in plain sight.
At the gate, Jeremiah offered his hand. "Thank you for everything."
When Kelric hesitated, Bolt prompted him. Put your hand in his and move it up and down.
Oh. That's right. He clasped Jeremiah's hand and shook until Jeremiah winced. Embarrassed, Kelric let go. He sometimes forgot to moderate his strength.
"You're sure you have enough funds?" he asked.
"You've been incredibly generous," Jeremiah said. "You must let me pay you back."
"It's nothing." Kelric didn't know the value of what he had given Jeremiah. He could multiply the amount by a million and it would still be insignificant to his estate. At least, that would be true for one hundred and eight more days. He had to decide what to do, or he would soon be penniless and officially dead.
A female voice spoke from the air. "Mister Coltman, please board the shuttle. We are ready to leave."
Jeremiah swung his new smart-pack over his shoulder and smiled at Kelric. "Good-bye. And good luck."
Kelric inclined his head. "You also."
After Jeremiah boarded, Kelric stood at a window-wall and watched the shuttle take off. Good-bye, he thought, to Jeremiah and to Quis.
But an idea was lurking in his mind. It had hidden in his subconscious, and now it crept into his thoughts like mist, blurring the outlines of his reality.
Had the time come to stop hiding Coba?
When Kelric visited the world Parthonia, to attend Assembly sessions in person, he stayed at the Sunrise Palace. It was
"What did you think of the meeting?" he asked.
"They will never agree to more talks."
"I could order them to do it." He didn't need all of them, just one of his joint commanders, Corbal, and the Intelligence and Foreign Affairs Ministers. And Tarquine, of course.
"Without their cooperation," she said, "the negotiations would be a disaster."
He knew it was true. "The Skolians probably won't agree anyway."
Tarquine drew him to a stop. "If you try to catch stardust, you will die from a lack of air."
"I won't give up."
"Then look to the Diamonds."
His brow furrowed. "The Aristo caste? Or the rocks?"
"Aristo." Her eyes glinted. "They failed in their attempt to dominate the Ivory export corporations, so they will be looking for new ventures. Perhaps even among the Skolians? Just think what a huge, untapped market our enemies offer."
He raised an eyebrow at her. "No doubt that market could benefit the Finance Ministry as well."
"Perhaps."
He knew she had probably figured out many paths to profit, like a fractal that became ever more intricate the more closely one looked at it. "I don't suppose you have an idea how to interest the Diamonds in supporting us."
She started walking with him again. "I'll think on it."
That certainly didn't reassure him. Whenever she turned her prodigious talents to solving a problem, he never knew whether to be grateful or terrified.
VI
A Court Of Rubies
The world Metropoli boasted the largest starport in all of the Skolian Imperialate, teeming with people and vehicles. Kelric's small scout ship went unnoticed in all the tumult, especially with his stratospheric clearances, which invoked veils of security most people had no idea existed.
He dulled the metallic sheen of his skin and hair so he appeared more his age. Then he donned clothes that made him look overweight. His passenger, Jeremiah Coltman, watched him with puzzlement, but he didn't push the matter. He would figure out the truth soon enough. Kelric avoided news broadcasts when he could, but his likeness was out there on the meshes. If Jeremiah worked at it, he could identify his rescuer.
They walked to the gate where Jeremiah would board a transport to Earth. The youth was wearing a blue pullover and "jeans" interwoven with mesh threads. He had purchased them at a store that sold Allied imports. Several women gave him appreciative glances, but no one otherwise paid attention to them. It amused Kelric that he could so easily hide in plain sight.
At the gate, Jeremiah offered his hand. "Thank you for everything."
When Kelric hesitated, Bolt prompted him. Put your hand in his and move it up and down.
Oh. That's right. He clasped Jeremiah's hand and shook until Jeremiah winced. Embarrassed, Kelric let go. He sometimes forgot to moderate his strength.
"You're sure you have enough funds?" he asked.
"You've been incredibly generous," Jeremiah said. "You must let me pay you back."
"It's nothing." Kelric didn't know the value of what he had given Jeremiah. He could multiply the amount by a million and it would still be insignificant to his estate. At least, that would be true for one hundred and eight more days. He had to decide what to do, or he would soon be penniless and officially dead.
A female voice spoke from the air. "Mister Coltman, please board the shuttle. We are ready to leave."
Jeremiah swung his new smart-pack over his shoulder and smiled at Kelric. "Good-bye. And good luck."
Kelric inclined his head. "You also."
After Jeremiah boarded, Kelric stood at a window-wall and watched the shuttle take off. Good-bye, he thought, to Jeremiah and to Quis.
But an idea was lurking in his mind. It had hidden in his subconscious, and now it crept into his thoughts like mist, blurring the outlines of his reality.
Had the time come to stop hiding Coba?
When Kelric visited the world Parthonia, to attend Assembly sessions in person, he stayed at the Sunrise Palace. It was
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