She smiled saucily at him and stepped around the desk before running hands over his chest. "I had a terribly trying time out there, Tybalt. I'm horny as hell. Maybe I shouldn't have brought the Seddi thing in here so soon. I thought maybe it would, shall we say, warm you to the occasion." "Always the cunning one, my hot pet?"
She leaned her head down to spill waves of silky black — acyoss his chair. He traced fingers across her muscular thigh as the desire ignited by Fera's sensuality grew.
"Always. Would you have me any other way?"
"No. I suppose not. You keep my respect that way. Now do you want to tell me what the hell is happening on Targa?"
"We need Sinklar Fist," she told him flatly. "He took the entire planet-and pacified it. He made Rysta's heroes look like blathering idiots and killed half of them. I might add that he's about to break Staffa. Such talent is worthy of a Lordship, don't you-think?"
Tybalt studied her coldly. "We did some checking. He's the brat child of Seddi assassins-like your delightful Arta Fera. He was raised as a ward of the state. Where did his parents come from? Originally Targa, we think. Beyond that, we know nothing. The Judicial Magistrate who convicted his parents placed Fist, as an infant, in a state institution for unparented children. After that his record contains one example of precocity after another until last year. Would you make a guess on how your Sinklar Fist placed in the national educational placement exams?"
Ily pursed her lips. "Top ten percent?"
"Number three." Tybalt enjoyed her startled expression. "That score is his 'official' placement. I turned some of your people loose on the investigation. Fist actually scored first. The other two, uh, scholars, seem to have gotten their scores for political reasons. You know, the usual, currying favor for some patron with a bright child-the normal graft of running a government like ours."
She began chewing her thumb. "I don't understand. He should have automatically been accepted at the university. How did he ever-"
"Exactly." Tybalt whirled in his chair, grabbing a stylus from his desk. "Someone-and we have no data on who paid a substantial fee to a personnel officer in the military conscription office. Your Sinklar was drafted as a private and went off to war. Made the first Targan drop. You know what that means?"
"Should have been instant blaster fodder." She nodded. You have no clue as to who his mysterious benefactors or enemies are?"
"None." Tybalt enjoyed the expression of concern on her face. Damn, why couldn't the rest of his Ministers be as J)right and motivated? "You see the problem here?"
Preoccupied, she nodded. "Yes. And it leaves me in a
cold rage. Someone had him spotted. Who? How come we never knew about Sinklar
Fist? How many more geniuses like him are being weeded out of our service? Who's behind it… and why?" Her eyes had narrowed to slits. "I don't like unknown factions stepping on my turf, Tybalt. I will get to the bottom of this. "
"I'm glad you're back Tybalt smiled, watching her lithe body. "For more than one reason."
"You will make Fist a Lord?"
"We can hush up the fact that his parents were Seddi assassins. Incidentally, he went to see them. The Judicial Magistrate who handled the case has since been… retired for his indiscretions. Fist actually went to view the bodies. Does that suggest anything to you? Are you sure where his heart is in this fight against the Seddi?"
Ily's hard squint left no doubt. "His hatred for the Seddi is well founded-and I have no doubt that it's authentic. I knew about his parents, of course. I checked on that first thing. That failed attempt on your life might have been the greatest blessing that ever happened to you. It kept Fist out of Seddi hands."
"Are you sure? Maybe his escape on Targa wasn't as miraculous as you think?"
"Trust me, I've seen his eyes, watched his expression. I've seen the spot where he blew the Seddi army into plasma. Were he Seddi, we wouldn't own Targa now. Does he get his Lordship?"
"He's without background! How long has it been since a Tybalt elevated a… a nameless, classless…. My God, Ily! He's an assassin whore's refuse. If that should come out in the end? The scandal would-"
"Garbage!" She laughed, trilling tones leaving him off balance.
"What did you say?"
"Garbage! Besides, who would dare insult a man who will have just ripped Sassa to shreds and who controls an army that worships him?"
"That's another potential sore spot. 11y, I just have my-" "We need to have Sinklar Fist placed in charge of the Regan military forces. You realize that, don't you? With him, Sassa will be a simple nut to crack."
"And the Companions?"
Ily's eyes blazed with satisfaction. "Sinklar will work his magic again, Lord Emperor. Without Staffa, they won't be ready for Fist's brilliance. I've seen him. He's incredible! He'll have the Itreatic Asteroids before Skyla Lyma can twist her hair into a braid."
"And if I say yes to all this?"
"Oh, I don't think there's an if in the equation. You know we need him. just like I do. I sent you the tapes, you watched him maul Rysta's Divisions."
Tybalt flushed with excitement. "I really have missed you, Ily. No one else provides the stimulation you do." He stood as her sensual eyes searched his, a hidden smile on her lips that hinted of… triumph? Tybalt pulled her to him, kissing her hungrily.
"Any other pressing business Lord Emperor?" she asked as she ran her fingers over the fabric covering his rising penis.
"Let's see," he offered huskily, bending down to unfasten her cloak. Even as he stripped her and lowered her to the thickly carpeted floor, the memory of the Seddi woman burned in the back of his mind.
"Greetings, Staffa kar Therma," Sinklar Fist's voice sounded haggard over the comm wire.
Staffa's heart beat faster. Did he dare admit that Fist had identified him? A cold chill ran down his back. Rega would throw all of its might against the Seddi now. Ily would see to that — anything to cover her tracks. And even if he could get word to Tybalt, what would the Imperial Seventh think? The Lord Commander fighting alongside the Seddi?
Staffa steeled himself, thoroughly aware he might have just condemned the Seddi. He glanced quickly around the rock warren of the improvised ops room.
"Congratulations," Staffa answered, keeping his voice even and pleasant.
"I would have taken great pleasure in destroying you, Star Butcher. I regret, however, that the job has been taken out of my hands. You have only a few hours left. I've been ordered to withdraw. Orbital bombardment will complete
the destruction of Makarta." A pause. Then: "I'm sorry. Those are Tybalt's orders. You can still surrender yourselves."
Staffa stared woodenly. Defeat had filled Fist's voice. / wish I could see you, Fist. I wish I could stare into your eyes — the window of your soul — and see what manner of man you are.
"And your six hundred men and women bottled up on Level ive? You will doom
them, too?"
Fist sounded as if a part of his soul had sickened. "The Emperor so orders. I… cannot save them. I tried."
"Human life, Sinklar, is a cheap thing at best. You'll learn. I've stood in your shoes many many times. I sorrow for the people I destroyed." He paused. "I even sorrow for a golden locket that will be buried in these caverns with us. It should be out in the worlds of men, a thing of beauty to be admired. What sorts are we that we destroy creations— knowledge?"
"Maybe we're truly damned as the Etarians believe. The Rotted Gods are loose — and their breath pervades the universe. Existence is suffering, Star Butcher. Pain, misery, and injustice are our legacy. Power is the only reality."