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Redemption
Redemption
Redemption
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Redemption

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The Empire is disintegrating, leaving all civilization on the brink of collapse. Roland sends Dace to Linas-Drias as his ambassador, to try to salvage what she can. But things are worse than anyone suspected. Not even Dace can save the Emperor from the mysterious Ice Queen and her plotting.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherJaleta Clegg
Release dateJun 10, 2014
ISBN9781310226649
Redemption
Author

Jaleta Clegg

I love telling stories ranging from epic space opera to silly horror to anything in between. I've had numerous stories published in anthologies and magazines. Find all the details of my space opera series at http://www.altairanempire.comFor the latest updates on my stories, check out my webpage at http://www.jaletac.comMy current day job involves teaching kids to play the piano. I also love piecing quilts together, crocheting tiny animals, and watching lots of bad 80s movies.

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    Redemption - Jaleta Clegg

    Chapter 1

    The air of eons breathed through the red stone halls though they had been carved less than a year earlier. Ti'uro hurried towards the door at the far end, the patter of her feet the only sound. Windows, tinted to reduce the ultraviolet glare, painted rectangles of light across her path. Her silver hair blazed in the light as she passed, light and dark, shadow and sunlight. Her robe whispered around her.

    She reached the door at the end then paused. She opened one hand. A tiny butterfly crafted of silver wire and thinly sliced, translucent stone in pale blue lay crushed and broken in her hand. She had made them at one time, dabbling in jewelry while she waited for destiny to find her. The butterfly had once danced on the slightest breeze. The stones were shattered, the wires twisted. She closed her fist around the fragile creation, wanting to protect what was already broken. It was much too late. She pushed the door open.

    It swung silently. The room beyond was large, a living cavern of stone shaped and smoothed and tamed into living quarters. The room was mostly bare, still unfinished. The only seating was a gathering of gray cushions in the center of the echoing room. Light came from a single pale white globe suspended overhead.

    You have come. The voice was a dry whisper in her mind. It tasted of the woman who rested in the nest of cushions, tiny and frail and delicate but stronger than the gale force winds and heat-driven storms that threatened their hidden caverns.

    I have come, Rulo'ina. Ti'uro ducked her head and folded her hands in the gesture of submission and respect that was expected of one of her standing in the Hrissia'noru.

    Rulo'ina sat like a statue on her cushion, back ramrod straight, ancient hands folded loosely in her lap. Only her eyes moved, bright and hard and cold as diamonds as they studied the younger woman. Ti'uro kept her head down, watching with her other senses. She was shrua'zhri, a telepath, a weak one. She could only listen to the older woman's mind. It was like a calm lake reflecting the faint ripples of Ti'uro's worries.

    Your thoughts are troubled, Rulo'ina said, her voice cracked with age. Sit, child.

    Ti'uro scurried across the floor. Rulo'ina spoke aloud, as she would to one too young to control her mind and thoughts, too undisciplined to keep her powers from broadcasting to all. She knelt on a cushion and touched her forehead to the floor.

    I have seen a vision, Ti'uro said, raising her head. Every night for the past week. She closed her hand around the butterfly, feeling the broken jewelry against her skin.

    Rulo'ina cocked her head to the side, her eyes brightly silver in the dim room. Ti'uro felt power brush through her consciousness.

    The gift of foreseeing is a false gift, a trick of the mind. Fortunetelling is best left to the Gypsies. The sneer in Rulo'ina's voice left no doubt of her opinion of such uses of the mind powers. Visions are not to be trusted.

    It was not forbidden, Ti'uro protested. It was tl'iru, the gift of farseeing.

    Rulo'ina raised one thin eyebrow. You are just now manifesting this power?

    Ti'uro shook her head, helpless to explain.

    Rulo'ina sniffed dismissively. And what have you seen in vision? The fate of the Hrissia'noru? The next leader of our people?

    Ti'uro opened her hand and studied the broken butterfly. I have seen the one who walks in darkness and light, lies and truth, half of each and yet belonging to neither.

    Spoken like a true seer. Riddles and veiled references to vague happenings. You spent too much time among humans, Ti'uro.

    Ti'uro bit her lip in an effort to keep her anger under control. She had to convince Rulo'ina, or go quietly mad. Her visions spoke of truth greater than the Hrissia'noru, truth that would involve everyone and everything.

    Rulo'ina adjusted a ring on one hand. The dull gray stone set in the intricate setting looked like a common pebble. Speak to me of your vision, she commanded.

    Ti'uro linked her fingers to keep the still. I saw Linas-Drias in ruins. I saw ships destroying whole worlds. I felt the cry of the people dying. I saw the death of civilization.

    Not ours, Rulo'ina said coldly. This is of no concern to us. We are cut off from their petty disputes. You exaggerate, child.

    Ti'uro shook her head, her silver hair floating like a cloud of light. It will destroy us as well, Mother. She used the term of deepest affection and respect.

    Do you think to flatter me into accepting your false dreams? We have nothing to do with those of the Empire. The Hrissia'noru will not be their tools. Never again. We have chosen isolation out of necessity. Have you forgotten Jericho?

    Ti'uro flinched. She, more than any of the others, had touched the horrors involved in the destruction of their colony on Jericho.

    Rulo'ina leaned forward and laid one age-wrinkled hand on Ti'uro's cheek. Child, we have left all of that behind. We have severed all ties. Because we must for our own protection. And theirs. Her hand dropped back to her lap. Your mentor, Myria'ssima of the house of Yllissirua, was a good woman. But she was also gravely misguided. It is better for us to walk alone. We cannot be part of their society.

    You did not always believe that, Ti'uro said. You sent Mart'ilyn among them.

    He was sent to atone for his crimes.

    You used him.

    We punished him.

    And what of the others who were involved? What of their suffering? They committed no crime. Ti'uro clenched her fists. The butterfly shattered beyond recognition. What of Dace? she whispered.

    We offered her full fellowship. She refused.

    You offered to make her into something she would never recognize. You offered to take away her soul and remake it in your own image.

    We offered to help her control her gifts. Rulo'ina's voice snapped like a whip.

    Ti'uro shook her head. She is the one who walks the edge of the balance. She will bring light, or she will bring darkness. She holds destruction in one hand and life in the other. Her choice could unmake the universe if she chooses. She is the one foretold in every prophecy made by every religion in the galaxy.

    And when did you become a mystic? Rulo'ina asked, voice dripping with sarcasm.

    You do not wish to believe in any power but your own, Ti'uro snapped back. I have felt the powers of the Gypsies. Some of them can truly foretell the future. They are afraid of Dace, of what they see when they look in her soul.

    And what would you do with this fear, with your vision, Ti'uro? Rulo'ina's hand twitched in her lap. The gray stone caught the light and blazed with blue light.

    Ti'uro bowed her head. I do not know. I only see her holding life and death. She balances on the edge, unable to choose. I am afraid the choice will be made for her.

    Ti'uro waited in silence. Time passed, unnoticed and unmarked. The air was still, thick with the smell of stone. She felt minds brush past her, touching Rulo'ina, communicating. Her senses quivered with the force. They kept her shut out. She was very alone as she waited.

    Your visions disturb our peace, Rulo'ina said, breaking the silence of the air but not of the mind.

    I am drawn to her, Rulo'ina. I am bonded to her in some way I cannot understand. I feel her pain.

    It is a bond of your own forging. You can sever it if you desire it strongly enough. Rulo'ina studied Ti'uro's bent head. It will destroy you and yet you cling to it. You must choose to let go, child. Choose to release yourself.

    Ti'uro opened her hand. Bits of twisted metal and shattered stone fell across her lap. She shook her head. I can never be free, because I will always know. Even if you take my memories of her, I will still feel her in my heart.

    Then you must go, Rulo'ina said simply.

    Ti'uro bowed her forehead to the floor in acknowledgment. She rose slowly, stooped under the weight of her decision. They withdrew from her, the Hrissia'noru, her people, their minds retreating, their bonds snapping one by one. She shuffled from the room, her head bowed. There would be no return for her. She would walk alone. It was her destiny, her choice, her ties that forced her into exile.

    The fragments of the butterfly glittered on the floor behind her. Rulo'ina fingered one, touching the twist of metal gently. Ti'uro glanced over her shoulder as she opened the silent door to watch.

    It is necessary, the voices whispered. She must go. She must preserve the balance. Ti'uro is no more.

    The formal words echoed harshly in Ti'uro's mind.

    Rulo'ina lifted the twist of silver metal, cradling it in her palm. Go in peace, daughter, she said. Find the light.

    Ti'uro closed her eyes and saw in her mind the woman that held the universe unknowingly in her hands. She shared her vision one last time, offering it to those with the power to read her thoughts.

    Rulo'ina let the fragment of silver drop from her hand.

    Ti'uro let the door close behind her, silent on its hinges. It was done, for good or ill. It was too late to change the events set in motion.

    Chapter 2

    I woke suddenly from a very deep sleep, my heart pounding. I froze, trying to make sense of the unfamiliar surroundings. Something was not right. I lay very still, only my eyes moving. I was on my side, facing into the dark room.

    The only light came from two very small, very dim lights set low to the floor. They threw strange shadows from the upholstered chairs around a low table. A message plate glowed dimly next to what had to be a door. I didn't dare turn my head far enough to find out.

    The room was an ell shape. The bed was in the short leg. The door was at the end of the longer leg. The only sound was a slight shushing from a ventilation system. Part of me insisted I was on a ship but I couldn't hear an engine. If I was on a ship, it was a huge one. Maybe it was a station.

    I couldn't clearly remember where I'd last been. All I knew was that I was in a strange room and something had startled me awake. Most of the last few times I'd woken up in strange circumstances it wasn't a good experience. It usually meant someone was going to beat me or abuse me soon. I wasn't wearing force cuffs. That might be a good sign.

    Someone sighed behind me. Every muscle in my body went rigid. What was going on? Who was in the bed with me? I held my breath, my heart pounding in my ears as I strained to hear more movement.

    I lifted up on my forearms, easing myself to shift my head to the other side. I wasn't wearing much under the light blanket. I lay on my belly, staring into the dark and trying to figure out where I was. I was shaking, I was so afraid.

    I squinted in the dark, trying to make sense of the shape beside me. I couldn't see more than a large, vague blob that could have been just about anyone.

    I put my head back down on the pillow and worked my hand underneath. No weapon, nothing but smooth sheets. I stared at the shape next to me, my heart pounding as I struggled to shove the blind panic away.

    The grew lighter. I must have triggered some auto circuit. The strips on the walls were slowly brightening. I kept staring at the dark shape in the bed, waiting impatiently for the light to build.

    It was a man. He had his back to me. He wasn't wearing much either. He shifted restlessly on the mattress. I tensed my muscles, ready to scramble out of the bed and run for the door if needed.

    He rolled onto his back and squinted at me. I went limp with relief. It was Tayvis.

    Memory of the last few days returned. It still took me a minute to realize why he was in the bed with me. Then my face burned as I blushed. We'd been married yesterday. Remembering what had happened afterward, I blushed even more.

    What time is it? He yawned widely.

    I don't know. I lay on my belly, very self conscious, glad that it was so dim in the room.

    As if it matters. He rolled onto his side and grinned lazily.

    Probably time for my meds, I said.

    I inched away from him. I wanted to climb out of the bed but I couldn't figure out how to do it without showing off how little clothing I had on. He wrapped his arm around me and pulled me back into the bed, up against him. He was warm. I was still chilled from my fear earlier. I sighed and relaxed.

    Until he started kissing my neck. It tickled and felt strange at the same time it felt very good. I rolled onto my back and kissed him back.

    The door chime sounded. I shifted away from him.

    Don't answer it, he warned.

    Tayvis, I protested when he wouldn't let me go.

    The door chimed again. He tugged at me, trying to pull me back down onto the bed.

    They'll go away if you ignore them, he said.

    The door chimed again. It sounded urgent. I pulled at his hand, trying to move it.

    I'm just going to answer long enough to tell them to go away, I said.

    You're running away from me, still, he said as I slipped out of the bed. You'd better put some clothes on first.

    The only thing I had to wear in the room was my wedding dress and there was no way I was putting that back on. It completely covered one of the chairs, drifting around it like a cloud of white lacy fluff. Tayvis was grinning. I was blushing again. But I couldn't help smiling back.

    I grabbed the top sheet on the bed and jerked it free then wrapped it around myself.

    You'd better put something on, I teased him, before I open the door.

    It was still chiming. Someone was pounding on the door now.

    The ship had better be about to crash, Tayvis muttered as he pulled on his pants.

    I palmed the lock and let the door slide open, planting myself in the open doorway. Will stood on the other side, his hand raised to knock. He looked me up and down.

    Fetching, he said. I'll have to remember bedsheets. Although that blue isn't quite your color.

    You'd better have a good reason for being here, I said.

    He grinned. Much as I'd enjoy you trying to beat me while wearing that sheet, I do have a request.

    The answer is no, Tayvis said behind me. He leaned against the doorframe. I leaned against him.

    I haven't asked yet, Will said.

    The answer is still no. Go away. Tayvis reached for the door plate.

    Roland wants to talk with you, Will said, his face serious now. He said it to me, not Tayvis.

    He can wait, Tayvis said. His hand hovered over the door plate. I caught his wrist, stopping him. Don't, Dace.

    What about? I demanded of Will.

    Will shook his head. Not here. He wants to see you in the conference room on deck fifteen, next to his offices.

    I caught the unspoken message. I was sure his conference room was secure against every snooping device ever invented.

    No, Tayvis repeated.

    One hour, I said. I let go of Tayvis' hand. He slammed it against the door plate. The door slid shut on Will's face.

    What do you think you're doing? Tayvis said to me. You're through, Dace. No more of their games.

    His arm trapped me in the space next to the closed door. He leaned to the other side, blocking me in.

    Look who's talking?

    He'd worked for Lowell for years. He'd worked for Roland and Will and the Federation for a while, too.

    You're going to tell him no? Tayvis asked.

    I'm going to listen to what he has to say and offer my opinion, then I'm going to tell him no. Except not in such nice words.

    I watched him slowly smile. He dropped his arm, sliding it around my waist instead.

    Whatever he wants, it has to be important, I said. Will knows he was risking his neck disturbing us.

    You're going to say no. Don't even consider anything else.

    What are you going to do to me if I do? I leaned against him.

    I'll have to use methods of persuasion that I know you have a hard time resisting.

    You're going to interrogate me? I teased. I ran my finger over his chin.

    If you want me to. His hands were starting to wander.

    After I take my meds, I said as I stepped away from him.

    He let me go. I held the sheet around me as I fished one-handed through the box the medics had made certain was in the room. I found the ones I was looking for then retreated into the bathroom.

    I peeled off the old patches and stuck on the new ones. I held the handful of supplements and pills in my hand as I filled a glass with water. I hated taking them. I hated being dependent on medication, but I had no alternative. I'd been addicted to a nasty variant of dreamdust, not by my choice. The withdrawal should have killed me, but it hadn't. It left me with seizures caused by nerve damage. I had tumors riddling my body. My immune system wasn't working. My whole body was screwed up, working only because of the meds I took morning, noon, and night. The medics promised me the treatments were showing good results but it was too early to be too optimistic. Maybe in a year I'd only be on three or four instead of over twenty. Maybe in a year I'd be dead.

    Tayvis had married me anyway. He knew the odds I faced and he still married me. I knew that if the worst happened, he'd be there, holding my hand until the very end.

    It had to have been fate intervening. We should have ever even met, let alone fall in love. Not that it had been easy. Five years of nothing but trouble and misunderstandings hadn't managed to destroy us. Nothing would now.

    I had to believe that. I had to trust that. I didn't think I could face life without him. Not ever again. I thought I'd lost him twice before and it had almost killed me both times. No matter what we might face, I had to believe we would face it together.

    But we'd been married less than a day and already there was a wedge between us. Whatever Roland wanted to talk about, it had to be serious. I couldn't just turn my back on him, either. If I had to choose between Tayvis and whatever Will wanted, there wasn't a choice.

    The bathroom door slid open. I swallowed the last of my pills.

    We could call him up and tell him we'll talk in three or four days, Tayvis suggested.

    He'll just keep pounding on the door.

    True. Tayvis sighed. Then I guess I'd better get dressed.

    I did tell him an hour. I smiled shyly at him in the mirror.

    He smiled back. I can think of a few things to do.

    So can I, I answered.

    Chapter 3

    It was more than an hour before we were finally dressed. I didn't have to wear the wedding dress. Jasyn had made sure my things were moved into the room while I was busy having a nervous breakdown before the wedding.

    They should have been on my ship, the Phoenix Rising, but it was still in drydock, in vacuum, waiting for a new engine. I didn't mind. This room was much bigger than my cabin on the Phoenix, and provided a lot more privacy.

    We were on board the Starfire Breeze, a huge luxury cruise ship, the biggest ever built. The crew of the ship had packed up their families and anyone else who wanted to come and taken the ship out to the Federation, defecting from the crumbling Empire. Roland, the president of the Federation, had been delighted with his new toy. He'd turned it into a traveling capital. Most of the government of the Federation was on the ship. As far as I could tell, Willet Smythe was Roland's chief assistant and advisor.

    Will had left one of his people in the hall, waiting impatiently for us to finally emerge from our room. The man straightened when we finally opened the door. He took off up the corridor in a hurry.

    I linked my arm through Tayvis' and strolled. I wasn't going to hurry. If they wanted to talk to me badly enough to interrupt my honeymoon, they could wait on my time schedule.

    I enjoyed the ship. I loved to walk through the huge atrium full of plants, an entire forest complete with a river and animals and birds. We didn't go through it this time. The man took us straight to one of the priority service lifts. He tapped his foot impatiently as it took us through the back reaches of the ship to the level he wanted. I leaned against Tayvis. He put his arm around me.

    This way, the man said when the lift finally stopped. He marched into the unmarked service passage.

    We followed, a lot more slowly with less marching. The man opened a door that I swear was labeled as the ship's laundry.

    Inside was a conference room. The walls were thick. The carpet underfoot was thin and worn. The table was scratched, but the chairs looked comfortable if well used. This wasn't the conference room Roland kept for impressing people, this was the one he actually used. The table held stacks of paper along with a dozen or so handcomps and datapads.

    Roland was on the other side of the room, deep in conversation with a woman I didn't know. Will was busy at the table, talking over papers with three other people. The only one in the room I didn't see busy was Lowell. Somehow I wasn't surprised to see him there.

    Lowell, Grant Lowell of the Patrol High Command, had been a demon in my life. He'd also been a father figure, without me realizing it. My real father, Darus Venn, came into my life later. In many ways, Lowell was the one I'd turned to. I trusted him. I knew him. I hadn't really hated him in years. To be honest, I loved him.

    He was eating a sticky bun. He waved at the table behind him. You'd better eat while you still have a chance. You should have locked your door and ignored them.

    That's what I said, Tayvis answered.

    Lowell raised one eyebrow. I would have placed bets on it being the other way round.

    The best way to get rid of Will is to listen to him, I said. And then tell him no as bluntly as possible.

    Lowell grinned. It's nice to know you haven't really changed, Dace.

    What's good? I asked.

    Try the fruit pastries, over there. He pointed at one tray on the table.

    I picked up one filled with a red jelly. It was good. Tayvis helped himself to something that looked like a miniature pie. We stood by the table and ate and watched the others. We were being ignored, for now. I wondered why.

    Who are they waiting for? Tayvis asked.

    I could have kicked myself. It was obvious we weren't the only late ones to Roland's party. Lowell shrugged.

    No one told me, he said.

    And it's killing you not being in the loop, Tayvis said.

    No, I'm rather enjoying being able to just eat my pastry in peace, Lowell said. I don't miss it. Only sometimes at night, when I can't sleep.

    You think about all the power you lost? Tayvis prodded.

    I think about the people I destroyed. It's probably why I can't sleep. I did what I felt I had to, though.

    You did what you believed was necessary, I said. At least you believed in higher principles.

    I think my hearing is going, Tayvis muttered. Did I hear you justify him?

    Get over it, Tayvis. I did. But I smiled when I said it. Grant is a nice guy, once you get to know him.

    Even if I didn't get you a wedding present? Lowell asked me.

    I'll beat something out of you later, I said.

    Maybe little button covers for your controls on your ship, Lowell suggested. I laughed.

    He can't buy you an engine, Will said, breaking into our conversation, Roland's already got that covered.

    And he should, I said. After he ordered it shot out in the first place.

    They weren't listening to reason, Dace, Will said.

    They would have if you'd given them a chance, I answered.

    Not with you, Tayvis, and Clark on the surface of that planet, Will said. Jasyn wasn't listening to anyone by then.

    If you're waiting for thanks you're going to have to wait a long time, I said. I believe the phrase is when Hades freezes over.

    After we saved your life? And your ship?

    Is this what you dragged us out here for? Tayvis asked impatiently. Pick a fight with him later, Dace. I'll hold him down while you beat him up.

    I don't need your help for that, Tayvis.

    Why are you so angry at me? Will watched me warily.

    What do you want from me, Will? I asked.

    He didn't answer. He tapped his earpiece and spoke to it instead. Bay four. Yes, meet me in the hall there. I'll be down as soon as I can. He tapped the earpiece again. Excuse me, he said. He was already thinking about a different problem. He turned away, shuffling through the papers on the table before leaving the room.

    All this just to feed us and fight with you? Tayvis mused. Something's not right. I'm going to go find out what.

    He crossed the room to talk to Roland, leaving me standing alone with Lowell near the food. I set my half eaten pastry aside. I wasn't very hungry.

    You know something, Lowell. Tell me what's going on.

    He squirmed with guilt. I've been trying to talk them out of it. They wouldn't listen. I at least got them to agree to ask before arranging everything.

    Ask what? I turned to face him. Every instinct I had was telling me to run away as fast as I could. I ignored it. Running away wasn't going to solve anything. It never had.

    There's a delegation from Cygnus on its way here, he said, avoiding the answer. Things are going to get sticky. Cygnus wants to dictate terms to the Federation. Roland isn't going to take it nicely.

    He's going to grin at them and twist them around to his way of thinking without them realizing it. That isn't why I'm here.

    No, it isn't, but you could help with that. It's bound to be safer.

    Than what?

    Lowell stared into his cup, swirling the dregs as if there were answers written in the bottom of it.

    It's that bad? From the look in his eyes, it was even worse than I suspected.

    Will has a proposal for you, he said.

    He's too late. Tayvis asked first.

    He stood still, studying my face. He smiled finally, but it didn't touch his eyes. That explains a lot. I thought you were a bit too prickly around him. He looked across the room, checking on Tayvis. From the intensity of his conversation with Roland, I guessed he wasn't going to be coming back across the room for a while.

    You don't want him to hear this, I said.

    He won't even listen before saying no.

    So they picked you to ask me? What makes you think I'm going to listen?

    Because you trust me. And you know how I feel about involving you in anything.

    You gave me a different line before. Wasn't it your idea to get me into the Patrol and undercover, working for you?

    And I told you I regretted even thinking that way. He sighed and set his cup aside. I wouldn't think of it now, but what Roland is proposing makes sense.

    I thought Will was the one proposing to me.

    Don't make it harder, Dace. Just listen.

    This wasn't the Lowell I knew. He wasn't self assured, oozing conviction of his place. He looked tired and beaten. And frightened. I wasn't going to like what he was about to say.

    I don't know how much you've kept up with the news lately, he said. The Empire has pretty much fractured apart. There are only seventeen worlds still in the Empire. Most of the rest have been taken over openly by the syndicates. You can imagine what life is like on those worlds now. Some were luckier. Those with enough firepower stayed independent, but they can't hold out long on their own.

    I know the situation.

    Not all of it. Will received word from one of his agents as soon as we shifted into Tebros system. The Emperor is dead. Max the fourteenth is set to be crowned in three weeks.

    Max may not want the throne, but he'll be fair.

    Lowell shook his head. The last few edicts issued by the late Emperor made no sense politically. He made a lot of enemies in a very short time. Max issued his first edict shortly after news of the Emperor's death was released. He declared Gypsies enemies of the state. He issued the order to shoot to kill to the Patrol.

    I sucked in a breath. This was bad, very bad. Any ship or crew could be persecuted simply for having any kind of connection with the Gypsies. Since they controlled almost all of the shipping and trade, things were going to get very ugly very fast.

    I suspect Max isn't himself, Lowell said. Rumor has it that a woman is advising him. Witch is the term I heard used. She has some kind of hold over him. No one quite knows who she is.

    Scholar was trying to find her, wasn't he? He wasn't there for me, at all.

    Yes, he was. He was supposed to find out who wanted you dead and stop them.

    But that was mostly Vance's mother… I let my voice trail off. She'd been a villain, true, but she wasn't the real villain now that I thought about it. There had to be someone else, someone with a lot more ambition and a lot more hate. Vance's mother was in it for the political bragging rights. She'd lost, because of me. Vance had set me up to take the fall for him. He couldn't turn in his own mother so he'd used me.

    She wasn't ever the real threat, Lowell confirmed my suspicions. I tried tracing this mystery woman with no luck. She's on Linas-Drias. She's real. And she's dangerous.

    So you're sending me to Linas-Drias to stop her? Not in a million years, Lowell.

    I put Will's information with mine and came to some very disturbing conclusions, he continued as if he hadn't heard me. She's behind the syndicates, all of them. And now she has the throne almost in her hands. She'll have full control over the Patrol. Most of the ships haven't defected with their systems. Most of them pulled back to the bases on the Inner Worlds, those that are still under the Emperor's control. She's got a fleet of over a thousand ships and the crews to man them. There are still several hundred thousand ground troops on those planets. She has no morals.

    I went cold, shivering inside. With a ruthless leader, one who didn't care what casualties she inflicted, that many ships and men could potentially wipe out most of civilization. If she wanted, she could send all of humanity back into the dark ages of pre-spaceflight. If Roland moved his forces to stop her, it would be full war. Entire planets would die, burned off by the fighting, left as radioactive lumps orbiting their suns, too poisoned to support any life. The syndicates wouldn't hesitate to carve out their share. There wouldn't be anywhere left that was safe.

    What do you want me to do? I asked.

    Someone has to stop her, or at least curb her influence. You know Max. You had a connection with him that maybe you can re-establish. You have influence with those who still hold power in the Empire. You can stop this. Roland will give you the full backing of the Federation. You go as Ambassador to the Empire.

    And do what, exactly? Find this woman and shoot her?

    If that's what it takes. She knows you, we've been able to learn that much from Will's informants. She'll move against you if you show up. If we can goad her into something premature, it will tip her hand and might give us a chance.

    So I'm bait?

    You'll have every support we can give. Roland will send you with a full squad of marines if you want them.

    I had to think. I took my time fixing myself a cup of the hot drink.

    Lowell was right. I was the only one who could possibly pull this off. The alternative was full war. And what better bait in the trap than someone who had already landed on her scans? She knew me. Scholar had hunted her. I owed it to him to finish the job.

    Is Iniuri still Speaker? I asked, stirring my drink and watching the steam curl from the surface.

    Last we heard, he still was. There was a lot of argument about his replacement. They haven't made a decision yet.

    She'll move against him next. I sipped the liquid. It tasted bitter despite the sugar I'd added. Unless I show up and give her a better target.

    Then you'll do it? He looked sick.

    Only on my terms. I'm taking the Phoenix with no more than three crew. I have final say over who goes. And Tayvis doesn't know the real plan. He'll never let me go if he knows I'm being set out as bait.

    What are you thinking? You run at the first sign of trouble.

    It didn't work on Serrimonia, it won't work now. I have to let her think she's caught me and neutralized the threat. I looked up at him. It gives you and Roland the excuse to invade.

    And if you take Jasyn with you, the Gypsies will follow her, Lowell said.

    And Tayvis can bring in most of what's left of the Patrol. I'm sure he'll do it, given the right motivation.

    She might just kill you, Dace.

    Last I checked, the medics don't think I'm going to live more than another year anyway. It really doesn't matter. One life for the rest. Wasn't that your justification?

    And I've regretted it. Don't do this, Dace. Tell them no.

    And watch her destroy everyone? You convinced me it's necessary. Don't try to talk me out of it now. I tried to smile. Lowell winced. Just have the troops standing by, ready to move.

    Tell them no, Dace, Lowell begged. You've done enough. Live what's left of your life in peace.

    I shook my head. You just convinced me it isn't going to happen that way. No one's going to have any peace if we don't stop the mystery woman. Don't say anything else, Lowell.

    Tayvis was watching me across the room. He shifted his look to Lowell. His face went still as stone, a sure sign he was upset. He turned his glare on Roland.

    The bustling of Will's assistants paused. The constant background noise faded.

    Whatever you want the answer is no, Tayvis said loudly, each word dropping into the silence, angry and clipped.

    I'm going, I said. I caught his eye across the room. We're going, I corrected myself.

    What did you tell her, Lowell? What lies this time? Tayvis snapped.

    Will's assistants watched us as if they expected an attack any second. I was half afraid they were not going to be disappointed.

    No lies, Tayvis, I answered. Only the truth. And they're right. I have to go. I am uniquely qualified to serve as the Federation's ambassador to the Empire.

    What? He turned on Roland. I thought you wanted her here, with Jasyn, writing up trade regulations.

    Oops, I said. But I didn't regret spilling the secret. I did regret having to accept the job. I wanted nothing more than to fly my ship away, find a good trade route, and never get closer to politics than I had to. I never wanted to be more than a merchant captain. I only wanted freedom.

    Tayvis, Roland said, hear us out. I assume Grant has explained our situation to Dace.

    What situation? Tayvis took a step towards me. Just tell them no, Dace, so we can leave. He searched my face.

    I looked down into the half empty cup in my hand. Let Lowell try to explain. Or Roland. Anyone but me. I couldn't lie to him. I couldn't tell him the half truths that he might accept.

    The Empire is falling apart, Lowell said. The syndicates are taking over territory openly. We can't allow them to gain such a large power base.

    So you're sending Dace to negotiate? Tayvis sounded as skeptical as I felt about that point. I tended to leave planets in flames, despite my best intentions not to.

    We have to send a representative to the coronation ceremony, Roland added. Since Dace knows the new Emperor personally, we felt it was only right to send her.

    Throw him a curve he wasn't expecting, I thought sourly. They were masters at this game.

    What did they threaten to make you agree to this nonsense? Tayvis asked me.

    "No threats, only the truth. Lowell told

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