Nikko was already sprinting toward his ship, and the other water bearers did the same.
126
Sarein
She and Cain formulated their plans, timing everything carefully. They waited for a blustering Basil to fly off to his closed-door meeting on the Confederation flagship; once he had left Earth for the full diplomatic process, they would have less than two days to hamstring the Hansa government.
Before he departed, though, Basil came to her quarters again, looking tense and harried. Fortunately, he did not have sex on his mind; he needed something else. Soon well celebrate, Sarein. Everything will be back in order. Once I manage to make Peter recognize his untenable position, the Hansa will run smoothly again. The Chairman made no secret of the ultimatum he had issued; he was quite smug about Peters long-lost brother Rory as his trump card. He expected Peter to quickly bow to his wishes.
Basil stood so close that it felt awkwardly intimate. The warmth of his breath sent a chill down her spine. I wanted to reassure you. He touched her shoulder. When I come back from this trip, Im going to need your help much more often. He traced his fingertip along her chin, up to her high cheekbone. Ive been cold to you, I know. Distracted. But I need you by me.
Sareins mind was a whirlwind of clashing thoughts. Did he really remember some hint of emotion toward her? Or was this just another kind of manipulation? She couldnt forget the damning set of surveillance images he had hidden under her pillow, a clear warning that he knew she had done things for which he could easily execute her. She blinked as a strange thought crossed her mind. What if Basil had meant the gesture not as a threat, but as afavor, to prove that he knew of her indiscretions and yet was willing to forgive her?
Basil smiled as if an idea had just occurred to him, but Sarein was sure he had planned it carefully. While I am gone, I want you to move your possessions into my private quarters underground. Stay there with me, safe in the bunker. Well be together every day.
Though alarmed by the idea, she found herself nodding with feigned enthusiasm. nothing to provoke him, nothing to raise his suspicions. She wanted nothing more than to leave immediately. I cant wait was all she said.
Good. Ill look forward to seeing you when I return. He seemed convinced by her performance.
Goodbye, Basil.
He went to the door, hesitated briefly. For one horrified instant, Sarein thought he was going to come back to kiss her. but then he hurried off, leaving her frozen in place.
Yes, it was time to move. No regrets.
127
Deputy Chairman Eldred Cain
As soon as the Chairmans ship left the Palace District spaceport, Deputy Cain got to work. He had a great deal to accomplish in a short time.
Cain would have preferred to have Sarein at his side, along with Captain McCammon and a mob of shouting protesters all claiming to belong to Freedoms Sword. But in a sense, solo action was more liberating, now that the Chairman was gone. Cain was free to act without coordinating with others and without the fear of risking anyone elses life. The responsibility was his and his alone. He found it more efficient.
Admiral Diente was already dead, having tried his best to meet the Chairmans unreasonable expectations. Cain saw no reason why the Admirals family should remain under house arrest except for the fact that the Hansa wouldnt want them out in public where they could talk. Still held in their special detention apartments, they hadnt even been informed of his death; Basil claimed that it kept the family more tractable. Once Dientes wife and children discovered the truth, though, Cain was certain they would have plenty to say.
At the apartment complex, he easily bluffed his way past the guards. Their detention order is rescinded. He showed them an official-looking Hansa document. In all the turmoil on Earth, no one had bothered with the hostage family in some time. The guards shrugged.
Inside, when Cain opened the doorway of the secure apartment and looked at the shocked and haunted faces of the wife, the daughters, the son, he realized he wasnt the best person to pass along the heartbreaking news; he had never been particularly good at warmth and compassion. He saw the four of them staring at him.
Are you here to let us out? the wife asked. He chided himself for not having bothered to familiarize himself with her name. Do you have news?
He stated what he needed to say. I regret to inform you that Admiral Esteban Diente has been killed on a mission to the Klikiss. It. happened some weeks ago, but the Chairman has kept the information from you.
The wife began sobbing, as if she had been expecting the announcement as soon as Cain arrived. The teenaged girl and the twelve-year-old boy gasped and shouted in disbelief; the younger daughter didnt understand what was going on.
Cain faltered, then continued. All along, you were being held here under false pretenses. Chairman Wenceslas kept you hostage so that Admiral Diente could not refuse his orders. He used you to guarantee your husbands loyalty to the Hansa.
No, no, no, the wife cried.
The Chairman does not know I am doing this, he said. I am here to release you.
Release us? the boy blurted. Where are we supposed to go?
The older daughter simply blinked. She seemed to be the only one truly paying attention. We werehostages?
He tried to usher them toward the door he had just unlocked. Ive made arrangements, but you must leave before Chairman Wenceslas returns. Things will go badly once he discovers you are no longer in custody. Im sending you to a group called Freedoms Sword. Theyre gaining followers everywhere. You can stay with them, at least until its safe. Theyre expecting you. Tell them your story, and they will let everyone on Earth know exactly what the Chairman did to you, and to your husband.
No, no, no, the wife said. Cain doubted she knew what she was saying.
Now he wished he had brought Sarein with him; surely she would have been better at this. Come with me.
By now, the Chairman had been gone less than an hour.
In the same building, he found the families of Admirals Pike and San Luis, also taken hostage as threats to hang over the two military commanders. Releasing the families, he gave them instructions on how to get in touch with the two officers.
The Admirals are in the EDF crews helping to protect Earth from lunar fragments. Tell them you are free and safe. Only when they know you are no longer in jeopardy can each man follow his conscience, instead of obeying illegal orders in order to protect you. Cain decided it was best not to tell Pikes wife that her husband had been ordered to assassinate the former Chairman.