Disbelief showed on their faces, but the adult son of Admiral San Luis nodded grimly. You know its true, Mother. They lied to us all along.
With a growing sense of urgency, Cain led them all to the streets. Chairman Wenceslas used each of you as an expendable bargaining chip. Tell the world that he is not fit to lead us. Now go. You all of you are weapons that Freedoms Sword can use to unravel the Chairmans web.
Cains pulse raced with the awareness of what he had just done. However, to truly achieve critical mass, he needed a catalyst, a focal point. Fortunately, he knew exactly where to get that. It was in another holding cell.
During the past several days, Chairman Wenceslas had been too busy to plan an extravagant execution for Patrick Fitzpatrick and Zhett Kellum. The timing couldnt be better.
Cain slipped through the streets, hearing the loud shouts and buzzing sounds of twitchers as the increasingly overwhelmed cleanup crew tried to suppress the demonstrations. Good. Once Freedoms Sword began spreading the news from the released hostage families, there could be no stopping the tide.
IfKing Peter was willing to work with them. If Sarein could convince him.
Some protesters were camped out near the nondescript government building where Patrick and Zhett were being held. Though the Hansa guards refused to reveal the location of any particular prisoner, despite demands from the ever more vociferous dissidents, demonstrators staked out every possible holding center, hoping to catch a glimpse of their two heroes. Given enough dissenters, someone had been bound to get it right.
Sure that someone in the crowd would recognize him as the Deputy Chairman, Cain entered a building across the street, descended two floors underground, and took a dimly lit access tunnel across to the holding structure.
The tiled floor was white, the smooth walls painted cream, the ceilings an unbroken flow of phosphorescence. No shadows were allowed. The cleanup crew had filled all the available maximum-security detention centers weeks ago, and these holding cells had been designed for the temporary detention of disorderly people, drunks, or rowdies, not evil masterminds.
When Cain approached the two uniformed men at a reception desk, they came immediately to attention. I am here with orders to escort the two new prisoners, Patrick Fitzpatrick and Zhett Kellum, to an undisclosed location. The Chairman wants me to attend to this matter personally and without delay.
Trying to look official, the guards consulted their display screens. One of the men deferred to his larger companion, who nodded. Right this way, sir.
Patrick and Zhett were in adjacent cells. As Cain arrived, both of them jumped to their feet. Gazing dispassionately at them through the transparent barriers, he snapped to the accompanying guard, What are you waiting for? Open it.
Shouldnt I bring in an armed escort, sir? These are dangerous criminals.
These two are my problem. I have already arranged for everything I need. Release them into my custody.
Fitzpatrick looked defiantly at the deputy. I was wondering if youd come. Cant the Chairman do his own dirty work? Are you going to execute us out in the main square? Or are you going to take us to a dark room, put a bullet in our brains, then quietly dispose of the bodies?
Neither. Now, if you will come with me?
When the two emerged from their separate cells, they hugged each other and stood close together. Where are we going? Zhett asked.
For the guards benefit, Cain said, An agreement has been reached behind closed doors. Some people in the government still feel they owe something to your grandmother. That seemed to pacify Patrick. I will explain it all as we go. Now, follow me, please.
Patrick and Zhett glanced at each other, back at the empty cells, then hurried along. The disconcerted guard remained behind to seal the doors.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Cain whispered, Im releasing you. The Chairman is away, and we dont have much time. He explained what was happening; he asked the two of them to focus the demonstrations, build the uproar, and pave the way for King Peters return. He led them to a side door that exited to an alley. Duck into the crowds and make yourselves invisible. When the two hesitated, he planted his hand between Patricks shoulderblades and gave him a shove. Go!
They ran.
Once they were gone, Cain felt a heavy weight lifted from him, which was quickly replaced by a gnawing worry in his stomach. Now it was out of his hands. The rest was up to them, and to Sarein.
With forced casualness, he sauntered toward the reception desk on his way out the main door, only to find a livid Colonel Andez arguing with the cowed-looking guards. Cain hesitated for just a moment, then walked forward. He hadnt expected to be discovered quite so soon.
The uniformed men were greatly relieved to see him. When Andez turned, her face showed angry displeasure. What do you think youre doing, Deputy Cain?
He regarded the woman with an unsettling glare. And who are you to make demands of the Hansas deputy chairman?
She squirmed for just a moment, then lashed out. These men told me that youve removed Fitzpatrick and his Roamer whore from their cells. I want to see your authorization. Show me your orders from the Chairman.
My orders are not for you to approve.
But those two committed treason. Everyone heard it. Their guilt is without question.
No one can fault you for your zeal, Ms. Andez
ColonelAndez!
However, you forget your place. I am hereby putting you on notice.
Puttingme on notice? She stiffened, then faltered. I am only protecting the Hansa.
You would do well to remember that other people bear that responsibility as well. Cain left, while Andez continued to glower at him. He had no doubt that she would report the matter to Chairman Wenceslas as soon as he returned.
By then, though, it would be too late.
128
King Peter
As usual, Basil acted as if he owned the Spiral Arm. Peter watched the Chairmans shuttle approach theJupiter without a military escort, without bluster or threats. Ever since leaving the tense banquet in the Whisper Palace, he had been waiting for the other shoe to drop.Here it comes.
En route to the flagship, Basil had altered the plans, not surprisingly, to demonstrate that he was in control of the details. Instead of a showy banquet with media imagers, protocol escorts, and a large audience, he wanted a private audience with Peter. And he had declined to bring Rory with him.
No matter. Basil wasnt going to like what Peter showed him, no matter how it was served up.
Admiral Willis shook her head. Arriving in a little shuttle like that? He must be damned sure you wont shoot at him, sire.