Raske said, “You once told me you admired the Lady Ilmika. How would you like to have her?”
“What do you mean?” Two Hawks said. He was not sure that Raske was not trying to trap him, although he did not know how an interest in her could do it.
“Don’t you know what’s happened to her?”
Two Hawks shook his head.
“I don’t suppose anybody told you. She’s in disgrace; she’s in prison. The Kassandras himself offered her her freedom if she would renounce Blodland for allegiance to Perkunisha. The stupid bitch slapped his face! Can you imagine that? Struck the Kassandras in the face and before the entire court! It’s a wonder she wasn’t executed on the spot! Believe me, His Majesty was angry enough to do it.
“But his wife pleaded for the girl, and the Kassandras merely had her imprisoned. He couldn’t stand being humiliated, however, so he’s been thinking of some suitable punishment for her.”
Raske grinned and continued, “I remembered how you said she was so beautiful, but you’d never be able to touch her. So, my red-skinned friend, just to show what a high regard I have for you, and also how I take care of my own, I’ve arranged for you to have your heart’s desire. I spoke to the Kassandras this morning, and he was delighted. He believes my plan will provide the abasement and the hurt she deserves. And you’ll be benefited. I wish I were in your shoes. I’d love to have her for myself. Only I wouldn’t dare. The Kassandras’ daughter isn’t very liberal minded.”
“Are you serious?” Two Hawks said.
Raske laughed and said, “The Lady Ilmika, niece to the Milka (king) of Blodland and grandniece to the Kassandras, is yours! She’s to be your slave! You have carte blanche with her. I. . . What’s the matter, Zwei Habichten? I thought you’d be delighted. Or are you...?”
“Overwhelmed is the word,” Two Hawks said. “Only... Never mind. What happens to her if I don’t accept her?”
“Not accept? You must be out of your mind! Selig! If you are so insane to reject my offer—well, I don’t know. I heard that Ilmika could be placed in solitary until she dies. Or perhaps sent to a military brothel, although I don’t really think the Kassandras would do that to his grandniece. Who knows? Who cares?”
Two Hawks should not have cared. But he did. Without considering the realities and logic of his situation, he knew he had to take Ilmika in as his slave. This was the only way to save her. Her presence would complicate the escape plan. The Blodlandish agents would be furious. Or would they? She was the daughter of a noble and niece to the ruler of their country. Why wouldn’t they be glad to include her?
He said, “O.K. Send her over.”
Raske clapped him on the shoulder and winked. “Tell me how it works out, heh?”
Two Hawks wanted to hit him but forced himself to unclench his fists and to smile.
“I might do that.”
Raske said that they had had enough fun; they must get back to work. Two Hawks would have to handle the aviation school today. Raske had to attend a conference with the head of Ordnance.
“He’s the most reactionary and stupid man I ever met.” Raske said. “I designed a clip-loaded carbine which will give the infantryman ten times the firepower he now has. Do you think that pighead will accept it? No, he says the common soldier will misuse it; he’ll spray the bullets instead of taking careful aim. The carbine will waste ammunition.
“However, that isn’t his only reason for not wanting my carbine! Did you know that the gatling gun crews are all officers? No noncoms or privates are allowed to handle a gatling except in extreme emergencies. This ridiculous rule is based on what happened 30 years ago. When Perkunisha was defeated, part of the army and a great number of workers, serfs, and slaves revolted. The uprising was stamped out, but ever since then the aristocracy has made sure the commoner doesn’t get his hands on powerful weapons. The rule might have been necessary at one time, but now it’s absurd! The swine!”
Two Hawks waited until an hour before dusk to begin the initial stage of his plan. Raske was not likely to come to the field at this late hour, so Two Hawks felt safe. On the pretext that one of the planes had a motor that sounded peculiar, he grounded the plane. Then, as if the thought had suddenly come to him, he announced that he wanted to try an experiment. While some mechanics were trying to locate the source of the “funny noise”, others were welding attachements to two gasoline tanks. These, Two Hawks explained, were to be installed on the underside of the wings. The tanks were fitted to the mounting apparatus for the rockets. Hoses were connected to the tanks and run up to the motor’s gasoline intake. He supervised the installation of necessary valves. By then, those working on the motor said that they could not locate the supposed trouble. Two Hawks told them to forget about it; he might have been mistaken. He climbed into the cockpit and restarted the motor. The main gas tanks had been drained until they were almost empty. Two Hawks let the motor run for several minutes before turning on the valve to the auxiliary tanks. The motor continued to turn over without a single miss during the switchover.
It was midnight by then. Two Hawks ordered the auxiliaries disconnected and removed. He had the tanks carried back to the hangar rear, where they would be out of Raske’s sight. On the way back to the apartment in Berlin, he explained what he had done to Kwasind.
“I want you to get hold of your contact and find out what he intends to do. Tell him the plans have been changed. No, better still, have him talk directly to me. I have to explain in detail what’s needed.”
Kwasind protested that the Blodlandish would refuse. It was too dangerous to contact Two Hawks personally.
“Tell him if he doesn’t, the whole thing’s off. Now, when can I meet him?”
“Early tomorrow morning. Before you leave for the airfield,” Kwasind said.
When they walked into their suite, they found two soldiers with Ilmika Thorrsstein. She sat on a sofa, her hands folded on her lap, her back straight, her face haughty. Despite her dignity, she looked washed out. The coil of long blonde hair on top of her head was loose, with strands of straying hair, and she wore no makeup. Moreover, she wore a loose-fitting blouse and skirt of cheap dyed cotton, a slave girl’s garments.
When she saw Two Hawks enter, her eyes widened and her lips parted. Evidently she had not been told whose apartment this was. Perhaps, she did not know what her lot was to be.
Two Hawks dismissed the soldiers.
She spoke first. “What am I doing here?”
Two Hawks told her bluntly. She took the news without flinching.
“You must be tired and hungry,” Two Hawks said. “Kwasind, bring her some food and wine.”
“And then?” she said. She gazed steadily at him. He grinned at her until she flushed.
“Not what you think,” he said. “I don’t want a woman who doesn’t desire me. I won’t force you.”
She looked at the two Kinnukinuk girls, who had just come out of the kitchen.
“What about them?”
“They’re slaves. They won’t be staying tonight. You can sleep in their room. What’s more, you can lock the door on the inside.”
Suddenly, tears ran down her cheeks. Her lips quivered. She rose to her feet and then began to sob loudly. He put his arm around her shoulders and pressed her face against his chest. She cried violently for a few minutes before drawing away from him. He gave her a handkerchief to dry her tears. Kwasind appeared and said that her supper was ready in her room. Ilmika, without a word, followed Kwasind.