"I have a little formality to attend to first," he announced, his standard English nearly perfect and free of the tendency of putting a hissing s on soft ending words and hard k's on most others, "then we'll have a chance to talk later," and his disarming informality caused several of the press to laugh.
Behind him came yet more Kilrathi, these in the more formal garb of high officers and they filed silently past the cameras and lined up behind Jukaga. Jason noticed that there was only one Kilrathi photographer recording the scene as compared to the swarm of reporters from the Confederation side.
"We have reached agreement then?" Jukaga asked standing by the other side of the table opposite Rodham.
The president smiled, nodded, and pointed at the formal documents set in the middle of the table.
Without hesitating Jukaga took up a pen, signed the documents, and then slid them back to Rodham, who signed it as well. The two shook and Jukaga turned and looked back at the press.
"Friends, this armistice is but a start. Let us truly come to realize that the universe is big enough for both of us and that a permanent peace can be arrived at. These proceedings are now ended."
A cheer erupted and Tolwyn, shaking his head, looked back at Jason.
"He certainly knows his Earth history with that closing line. Let's hope it isn't prophetic as to who the ultimate winner is."
Jason wanted to ask him to explain the reference but decided to let it pass.
The crowd started to break apart into smaller groups many heading for the refreshments arrayed along a side wall. Jason followed in Tolwyn's wake and noticed a Kilrathi officer coming up to them.
"You are Tolwyn? ' the Kilrathi asked.
"Yes."
"I am Tukarg. I was in command of the carrier Gi'karga in what you call the Third Enigma Campaign. I wished to tell you your counterstrike was masterful."
Taken off guard Tolwyn said nothing.
"I also understand you commanded the opening of the recent action at Munro."
Tolwyn still remained silent. From behind Tukarg another Kilrathi appeared and Jason was surprised to see that it was the Baron.
He was not as tall as most Kilrathi and could even be called slight by their standards, though that was still powerful when compared to a human. His coat was a smooth golden red, and from what little Jason knew of Kilrathi blood lines, the coloring was a mark of the most noble breeding. His eyes were dark, almost coal black, but as he approached a flash of reflected light made them appear to glow for an instant with the color of fire.
"A nice quote of MacArthur," Tolwyn said as Jukaga approached. "Did it have some hidden meaning?"
Jukaga laughed softly.
"Maybe a bad choice on my part; I didn't want to imply that it was you surrendering to us."
"I understand you've read a lot of our literature.
Jukaga smiled.
"A hobby I've found fascinating. Your Chaucer's tales are much the same as our own Backrka's 'Tomes of Sivar,' about a group of pilgrims traveling to a holy shrine.
Tolwyn smiled.
"A nice choice of English works to study," Tolwyn said.
"Ah yes, you were born near Canterbury."
"However, the pilgrimage to the tomb of Thomas Becket had slightly different rituals than the blood feast of Sivar," Tolwyn replied.
"Different people, different customs, as they say, but nevertheless I do enjoy your literature."
"You've spent time then studying me?" Tolwyn asked.
"You were an adversary. I heard you led the first wave at Vukar Tag, of course I would want to know more of you."
"So you read Chaucer, is that it?"
Jukaga laughed
"Amongst others."
"And who are some of the others?" Tolwyn asked quietly.
Jukaga smiled.
"Political, intellectual writers."
"Such as Machiavelli, Sun Tzu," Tolwyn ventured, "or perhaps some pages from the writings of Mao or General Giap and his writings on how to weaken an opponent through means other than war; or perhaps a little Clausewitz or the Alpha Centurian theorist Vitivius the Younger."
"Why those in particular? Is this a recommended reading list?"
"No," Tolwyn said quietly, "just speculation."
"Ah, another mistrustful military man," Jukaga replied his voice pitched a little louder so that the press who had gathered at the edge of the group could hear better.
"Your assumption, not mine," Tolwyn replied softly.
"Yet another prophet of doom that peace will never work," and he paused for a second, noticing that several reporters and cameramen were jockeying into position to catch the encounter.
"Admiral, aren't we late for our dinner appointment?" Jason said, coming up behind Tolwyn, lying like mad, but unable to think of a better excuse to extract his commander.
"Don't forget, Geoffrey . . ." and Jukaga paused, "May I call you that? '
"My friends do," Tolwyn replied coldly.
"All right, then Admiral. Let me remind you that we Kilrathi have suffered just as much in this unfortunate war. We have lost millions as well. I've heard you people talk about atrocities, but we have suffered them too."
He looked over at Jason and smiled again.
"Though there were some of your warriors who did fight with honor and tried to protect our innocent women and children, even if they were furballs as you so ineloquently put it."
Jason felt uncomfortable by his attention but looked back at him, saying nothing.
Jukaga hesitated for a moment as if not wishing to say something.
"Speaking of atrocities," Tukarg, standing behind Jukaga, interjected.
"Let it drop, it's over," Jukaga replied
Tukarg shook his head
"I had clan blood on that ship," Tukarg said coldly and he turned to look at the press.
We have intelligence information that your Admiral Tolwyn launched an attack against one of our ships after he had already received the report that a preliminary armistice agreement had been reached and that all offensive action was to cease. Such an act is a war crime."
"An honest mistake," Jukaga said as if almost apologizing for Tukarg. "And besides," he said with a forced laugh, "now you've gone and revealed that we had cracked their latest fleet code.
"I'm sorry this has come up," Jukaga continued, "but perhaps there should be an investigation to clear your name."
"There's no need for an investigation," Tolwyn said quietly
"Oh, then of course you are innocent."
"No, quite the contrary," Tolwyn replied, "I did it because it was my duty. Now if you'll excuse me."
He nodded curtly and turned away.
The press swarmed after him shouting questions, shouldering Jason and Ian out of the way.
"Nicely done," Jason said coldly, looking straight at Jukaga.
For a brief instant he felt as if he could almost sense the contempt and then the smile returned.
"I didn't want it to happen. I know how a warriors blood can get up. It was unfortunate but such incidents happen in war. It was best to leave it forgotten now that it is over."
"But of course," Jason said coldly.
"You were the one who raided our home world, weren't you?"
"First to Kilrah," Jason said quietly, repeating what was now the slogan of his ship.
Again there seemed to be that flash.
"Masterful; I studied it intently afterwards."
"I just bet you did," Ian replied.
"Perhaps we'll talk again someday," Jukaga said stiffly and turning he walked off, the smile returning as he waved to the cameras.
"Come on," Jason said angrily, looking over at Hunter, "let's get out of here, I need to find a bathroom."
Jukaga turned back and watched Tolwyn disappear from view, surrounded by a horde of press shouting questions. Tolwyn's actions had caught him by surprise. It was a convenient way of removing one of the finest fleet admirals of the Confederation and to discredit the fleet as well. And yet it struck him as strange that Tolwyn would allow his passion to get the better of him. It did not fit the pattern at all of a man he had studied so intently. He found that he almost felt sorry for him. How easily he had been destroyed, not in battle, but by a ruse. The ever eager reporters of the Confederation, who would now destroy a man that the best fleet officers of the Empire found to be unbeatable.