"Right, Tohm. Well, in the wake of the tragic death of Professor Iskra, the Eternal Emperor has come up with what most authorities agree is a sheer masterstroke of a plan to solve the troubles of the vital Altaic Cluster.
"On board that ship are the beings who will lead their region into a new era of peace. Heading the distinguished delegation is one Sr. Menynder. And his fellow Torks are one thousand percent behind this effort, Tohm."
"As they should be, Connee. Now, tell us about the... uh...others. A pretty distinguished group, themselves, right, Connee?"
"Right, Tohm... The Suzdal are lead by Youtang, one of the most able diplomats in the Altaic Cluster. On the Bogazi side is a being of equal importance, Diatry. Last, but certainly not least, is Sr. Gray—the leader of the all-important Jochi population."
"Great rundown, Connee. Now, tell our viewers what festivities lie ahead for these... uh... distinguished... uh... delegates."
"Well, you can be sure, Tohm, that Prime Worlders are not going to stint on our famous hospitality. First, there's the big welcoming at Soward."
"Excuse me, Connee, but I want to remind the viewers that we'll be covering that live. As soon as the delegates land."
"Go ahead, Tohm."
"Uh... I just did, Connee. Ha-ha."
"Ha-ha. Okay. After that, the Eternal Emperor has scheduled a big public celebration at the palace. Which we shall also be covering."
"Exclusively, Connee. Live and exclusive."
"Right, Tohm. Following the celebration, there's a big royal ball set for tonight. Then-"
"Sorry to interrupt, Connee, but the tower reports the ship is coming in."
"Don't be sorry, Gary, you're just doing your job. Ha-ha. Now, let's see how close we can get. We'll give our viewers a real KRCAX Prime look at things."
"Tower's gonna be mad."
"Don't worry, Captain P'wers. They're all pretty good sports in the tower. Besides, they're just-"
"I know, Connee... doing their jobs."
Menynder peered at the ship's vidscreen as the spaceport rushed up at them. He grudgingly admitted to himself that he was excited.
As excited as a kid, you dumb old Tork. But what harm is there? Let's be honest. You've never been anywhere in your life. And now you're actually going to get to see Prime World. Which has to be every being's dream since... since clottin' forever.
Menynder chuckled to himself and glanced over at the other members of his party. Damned if they weren't as excited as he was. He noted that Youtang's sharp grin had a silly pup tilt to it. And Diatry's beak was wide open, looking at all the marvels of Prime. He couldn't see the Jochi, Gray. But he heard him sniggering.
Knock it off, Menynder. There is serious business ahead. Yeah. Sure. But just for now, can't I be a kid again? I mean, I gonna meet the clottin' Eternal Emperor. At a big clottin' for-real castle. Maybe even shake the Emperor's hand. Damn. Damn. Damn. If Momma could see me now.
Menynder saw a gravlighter darting across the screen. The sign on the side read: KRCAX Prime. Some kind of livie news crew, he assumed. He idly wondered if the lighter captain might be cutting it a little too close. Nah. These were the best of the best, weren't they? A by-God news crew from by-God Prime World. Absolute pros. He was sure.
But-oh, my clot. It was still coming! Hey... What's going on?
"Look out!" Gray screamed. "We're gonna-"
Menynder had an instant to feel the jolt and see the screen go from white to black to collapse. And then he felt the great heavy hand smashing into his back. Heard the crack of his seat giving away.
And then Menynder was ramming forward. The far cabin wall rushing at him.
He heard screamsscreamsscreams. And he thought... Aw, drakh!
"This is KBSNQ, reporting live from Soward Spaceport. For those viewers joining us late-there's been a terrible tragedy here at Prime World's main spaceport.
"A delegation of high-level beings from the Altaic Cluster-arriving here for crucial peace talks with the Eternal Emperor-has collided in midair with a lighter carrying a local news team.
"All beings aboard both craft are believed dead. Imperial investigators are at the site now. The Eternal Emperor has ordered all flags lowered to half-mast for a one-week period of mourning.
"We now return to our regular programming. Be assured we will interrupt if further developments warrant. This is Pyt'r Jynnings reporting live for KBNSQ. You give us twenty-two minutes... and we'll give you the Empire."
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Sten sat brooding at the dark skyline of Rurik. The only light showing was the faint, far-off glow of the eternal flame burning in the Square of the Khaqans. All was silent... waiting.
He felt Cind's hand touch his arm. "Menynder was our last hope," he said.
"I know."
"I talked him into going. All he wanted to do was sit by that damned dead pond. In peace."
"I know that, too."
"He was a crooked old dog. But—clot. I liked him."
Her answer was a tighter grip.
"I haven't the faintest idea what to do next," Sten said.
"Maybe... the Emperor will think of something."
"Right."
"Mahoney, then."
"He's as lost as I am. Right now, he's battening down the hatches. Getting ready."
"You think it's going to be that bad?"
"Yeah. Real bad."
"But it wasn't anybody's fault. Except maybe that damned news crew. It was an accident, for clot's sake."
"That's not what they think." He pointed out at the silent city. "They think it was a plot. That the Emperor lured Menynder and the others to their deaths."
"That's ridiculous. Why would he?"
"They don't need a reason," Sten said. "They just need someone to blame. We screwed up last. So we're it."
Cind shivered. Sten put an arm around her. "Thanks," he said.
"What for?"
"For being here... with me... That's all."
She snuggled into the arm. "You just try to chase me off," she said. "You just try."
Even in his gloom, Sten was comforted. He leaned back and pulled Cind closer to him.
They sat there until dawn. The sun came up huge and red and angry.
A few minutes later, they heard the first gunfire.
"W hae snipers 'n rioters 'n looters, oh my," Kilgour said. "Which is noo ver' good. But it's noo ver' bad, either."
"What could be worse?" Sten asked.
"Ah'm feared w' hae thae comin' up, lad."
"Which is?"
"A braw clottin' absence a' army."
"Come to think of it, I haven't seen any Jochi troops about, either. But I thought that was good news. Go ahead. Tell me different. I'm getting used to this depression. I'll probably miss it when it's gone."
"I's th' puir bein's here thae's turned matters topsy-turvy i' y'r wee nog," Alex said. "Bleak's happy. An' joy i' bleak. Afflicted by their clottin' weather, puir things. Eat hate 'n ill will wi' breakfast haggis."
"Thanks for reminding me about stuffed sheep's stomach, Kilgour. Yum yum. I feel much better, now."
"Ah'm rejoicin t't' be lookin't oot frae y', lad."
"Tell me about the army."
"Absence of army, son."
"Yeah, that."
"Well, i' ain't clottin' there, aye? Nary a trooper or trooper's whore t' be glimt i' Rurik. Had m' frick 'n fracks up f'r hours, snoopit an' poopit aboot. Zed th' barracks.
Zed th' ossifers' and noncompoops' mess."
"Where the clot did they get off to?''
"Braw question. So Ah query't an em'nent silvery-haired fox."