CHAPTER FOURTEEN

''Y'r mug's screw't up like a basset, young Sten. And Ah dinna ken y'r worry," Alex said.

"Th' hae no choice in th' matter. 'Tis th' Emperor's command."

"That doesn't make it any easier," Sten said.

"I agree with Alex," Cind said, a Bhor fascist at heart. "I know you don't like just flat out announcing to these people their fate has been determined. A new leader is on the way and they'll just have to like it or choke on it. But I don't see any way to sugarcoat it.

Those are the facts, and they'll just have to live with them."

"It wasn't sugarcoating I was looking for," Sten said.

"Make up your mind fast, lad," Alex said. "Our friendly four will be here any minute."

"Here's how I see it," Sten said. "When Dr. Iskra arrives—and I still don't know exactly when he is going to arrive, damn it—anyway, when he arrives and takes command, things can go into the drakh in a hurry. What if everyone tells the Emperor to put his new fearless leader where the sun is mortified to go?"

"The Emperor would crush them," Cind said flatly.

"Probably," Sten said. "Still. Beings have done stranger things. Up to and including mass suicide. I guess they don't quite believe it will really happen to them."

Sten reflected on the millions of dead and the awful destruction the Tahn had caused themselves.

"I want to do this right," he said. "Otherwise, we'll end up with a six-way civil war on our hands. I want the Emperor's choice to stick. Make them worry about refusing to go along with Dr. Iskra."

Cind didn't get it. "If they're all that crazy—and from what I've seen, all the species in this Sarla-forsaken cluster are certifiably insane—wouldn't worry just aggravate the problem?"

Alex was thoughtful. "Nae's' fast, lass. Our Sten i' sharpenin' his Mantis wits." He turned to Sten. "C'd we no make't personal, lad? Fear alone c'n make a man braw. But, add guilt t' fear and y' oft find a lurkin' coward."

Sten looked up at Alex. And the light bulb dawned. "Why kiss me, Dr. Rykor," he laughed.

"Ah'm no so blubbery," Alex sniffed.

But Sten wasn't paying any attention. He was hastily drawing up a game plan. Just as the outline took shape, the com line buzzed.

It was time.

"Before we begin, Sr. Ambassador," General Douw said, "the four of us would like to express our—" The silver-haired Jochian glanced nervously around the sterile room Sten had chosen for the meeting. "—our appreciation for your… ahem… hospitality."

Sten ostentatiously glanced at the time display ticking away on the far wall. It was the only decoration. "My pleasure," he said, sounding bored. He drummed his fingers on the table.

"We know you're a busy man, Sr. Sten," Menynder said, peering at him amiably through his antique spectacles. "So, as soon as we got word you wanted to see us, we got together to hammer out a little presentation."

"Oh?" was all Sten said.

"We're extremely proud of this effort," the general broke in. "In fact, I personally view this as an historic moment.'' He pushed over a sheaf of documents. "Herewith is our plan for a new government. All four of us have signed on. I think you'll be impressed with our efforts."

"Must only clear with home worlds,'' Diatry, the Bogazi leader, said.

"I can guarantee the Suzdal," Youtang barked.

Sten frowned at the documents and prodded at them with a suspicious finger.

"Something wrong?" Menynder asked. The old Tork's alarm bells were going off.

They had ting-a-linged a bit when he had walked into this white-on-white room. It was decidedly unfriendly. Reminded him of an interrogation room. He also noted the walls were thick enough to be scream-proof. The only furniture was the long, bare table they were seated at. And five hard chairs.

"Are you sure you want to give this to me?" Sten asked, poking at the offending documents.

"Of course we're sure," General Douw said. "This is the blueprint, I tell you, the blueprint of our future."

Sten just stared at him.

The general got a little panicky under the stare. He turned to Menynder. "That's what you said, isn't it?"

"Quiet, General," Menynder warned.

"Why should I be quiet? We're here to air our views, correct? To be firm, but fair.

We agreed, right?"

"You talk, talk, talk," Diatry said, picking up which way the wind was blowing. And it was definitely smelling.

But Douw was still on his self-destructive course. "I'm not going to take all the blame," he whined. "It's not my fault! Sr. Ambassador, please…"

"You want to remove these?" Sten asked, shifting to a gentle tone and pushing the documents back toward the general. "I'll pretend I never saw them."

"Sure. No trouble. Lot of drakh, anyway," Douw babbled, hauling the sheaf of papers back.

"What is your pleasure, Sr. Ambassador?" Menynder said. "How can we make your mission easier?"

"Two things. The first is a mere matter of curiosity. The Eternal Emperor's curiosity, I might add."

"Which is?" Menynder asked.

"The dinner party you had for the Khaqan. On that tragic night."

Stone silence in the room. Gotcha, Sten thought. He let the silence lay there for a long time.

"You four were among those in attendance, correct?'' he asked at last.

"Uh…well… I arrived awfully late," General Douw said.

"Then you were there," Sten said. A statement.

"Certainly, I was. Nothing suspicious about that, is there?"

"Who said anything about suspicion?" Sten asked. He gave Douw a quizzical "Why are you acting so guilty?" look.

"Quite right," Douw said. "I mean, you didn't. I mean—"

"Yes, Sr. Sten. We were all in attendance," Menynder broke in.

"Odd," Sten said.

"Friendly gathering only," Diatry said. "Is strange to have friendly gathering only where you come from?"

Sten ignored this. "And the Khaqan gave no sign he was ill?" he asked. "A little pale and weak, perhaps? Or… maybe a show of temper?''

"Why'd he be angry?" Youtang yapped. "It was merely a social evening."

"I think he very happy before he die," Diatry said. "Not angry. Tell big joke. We laugh. Ha. Ha. Then he die. We all very sad this happen. Cry boo hoo."

Sten shifted course again. "I've gone through his appointments calendar," he said.

"And the dinner wasn't listed."

"It was, uh, a last-minute thing," Menynder said quickly.

"I guess that explains that little mystery, then," Sten said.

"That's what was bothering you?" Menynder asked. "The appointments calendar?"

"Not me," Sten said. "The Eternal Emperor. Remember?"

"Yes. Of course," Menynder said. He took his glasses off and wiped them with the kerchief from his pocket. "Any other little mysteries we can clear up?"

"No. I don't think so. Oh. Yes. One more thing. The place where this famous dinner occurred? Who'd it belong to?''

"A friend of mine," Menynder said. "The Khaqan wanted privacy. I arranged it."

"In a Tork neighborhood?" Sten asked.

"Why not?"

Sten stared at Menynder. He let that stare linger until Menynder began to sweat.

Then he moved his gaze from face to face, studying each being closely. He wound up the tension until it was a supertight ball of kinetic energy just waiting to be released.

Then he let it go. "Why not, indeed," Sten said.

He pretended not to notice as four very worried beings whooshed out air.

"Now, for the main reason I've called you all together," Sten said.

Douw, Menynder, and the two others bent close to hear Sten's words. He had their complete attention.

"After careful study and long consideration, the Emperor has found a solution to your dilemma. And I think you will all agree it's pure genius on his part."

"I'm quite sure it is," Douw said, not giving a damn at that second.

Menynder was wiping sweat from his brow while Diatry and Youtang were busy mentally ticking off the sins Sten had failed to sniff out.

"Gentlebeings," Sten said, "I'm pleased to announce the Emperor has handpicked the being who will lead you into a new era of good fortune…

"His name, gentlebeings, is Iskra. Dr. Iskra." Sten looked mildly around the room.

His game plan had worked. There was not the slightest sign of objection.

"Good choice," Menynder said. "In fact, I remember his name being mentioned the night of that dinner we were discussing earlier. Isn't that so, General Douw?"

Douw shuddered. That clottin' dinner again! "Yes, quite so. And, we're honored the Emperor took a personal interest in our small affairs."

"When is he expected?" Menynder wanted to know.

At that moment, a big ship smashed overhead and plunged for the spaceport. The crack of a shattered sound barrier rocked the embassy. Oh, clot, Sten thought. Just in time. He continued, however, without missing a beat.

"As we speak, gentlebeings. As we speak."