In the vicinity of the commercial spaceport, Peter watched small private flyers dash out of the way. At any other time, their arrival would have been challenged by a major military response, but all of the EDF ships were deployed in a cordon facing the eleven swarmships.
The local Hansa security troops were swamped with increasingly vehement demonstrations across the Palace District across the planet, in fact. As Sarein had promised, Patrick Fitzpatrick and Zhett Kellum continuously rallied them with new broadcasts enumerating Basils transgressions. And Chairman Wenceslas wasnt around to issue any orders. King Rory was noticeably silent.
One neat, clean victory coming right up, sire. Willis brought the Manta down, ignoring the objections of the spaceport authority. I am escorting the rightful King back to the Whisper Palace, after all. I dont need to say please and thank-you. Still, Ill try not to flatten too many of your rejoicing subjects. The cruiser moved slowly enough so that other ships could get out of her way.
With OX at his side, alert for any opportunity to assist, Peter and his team prepared to disembark. Two hundred battle-ready soldiers had volunteered for this mission. When he reached the launching bay, he raised his voice to address the troops. There will be some resistance. A few of those who stand against us will be genuinely loyal to Chairman Wenceslas, but most others have been misled. Use stun gas and twitchers I want no casualties unless we have absolutely no other choice. He squared his shoulders. But be cautious. I doubt the Chairman has given similar orders of restraint.
The soldiers in the swift assault group climbed into seventeen troop skimmers, and Peter joined Admiral Willis in the first transport. When the Mantas bay doors opened, all of the craft dropped out at the same time, descended beneath the hovering cruiser, then struck out on a direct flight path for the Whisper Palace. He had left here in the middle of the night; now he was coming back in broad daylight as it should be.
Throngs of demonstrators crowded plazas, filled alleys. There were fires and banners. In many areas the overwhelmed Hansa guards did not even try to keep them in check. Peter hoped he could reassure the mobs and impose order before they set fire to the Hansa HQ.
The troop skimmers landed in a cluster just in front of the Whisper Palace, arriving faster than the Hansa guards could respond to intercept them. The skimmer hatches hummed open simultaneously, and Confederation soldiers spilled out.
Willis and OX stopped protectively beside Peter as he paused to look up at the many-towered structure of the Palace. For the first time, he saw how ostentatious the enormous structure seemed, too cold and elaborate. Not like Theroc. And neither his family nor the Confederation could be truly safe until Peter closed the book on the dark days of the Hansa.
Lets go finish this.
At his command, the assault troops raced up the broad stone staircase. Before his soldiers could reach the towering arches of the grand entrance, though, the glass-inset doors swung open. Colonel Andez and twenty of her fellow storm troopers stood with their weapons drawn deadly projectile weapons, not stunners. We have a warrant for your arrest.
Willis pushed forward. We dont recognize the validity of any Hansa order.
From the middle of the stairs, Peter shouted up at them. I am the rightful King, and the Whisper Palace is mine. The people are calling for change. The Chairmans time is finished, and so is yours. You cant stop this uprising by standing in my way.
Forthright and angry, Andez thrust up her chin and sneered. You come slinking back while the Chairman is bravely facing the Klikiss. You are an opportunist, a coward, and an outlaw.
Peters overwhelming number of troops held out their stunners and moved up the stairs. Though not cowed into submission, Andez visibly panicked. Take them out! Shoot the King.
The astonishing order caused her troops to hesitate, but Peters soldiers did not. With a buzzing crackle, twitcher beams engulfed Andez and her guards. The cleanup crew folded to the ground, a crowd of jittering arms and legs strewn across the grand foyer.
I can see why the Chairman likes her, Willis said. Shes as boneheaded as he is.
Peter nodded to the Confederation soldiers. Good work.
Willis issued orders for Andez and her companions to be disarmed, put in restraints, and locked into one of the meeting rooms just off the grand foyer. That should hold them for now. We can deal with them once weve secured control.
As the fallen guards were taken away, Peter gestured for the others to follow him. Now we go inside to the throne room.
Shall I take the lead, King Peter? OX asked. If we encounter additional resistance, I can draw fire, and I am expendable.
He turned to the Teacher compy, thinking of everything OX had done for him, the sacrifices he had made. The compy had voluntarily deleted all of his memory and history his very essence just to save Peter and Estarra. You arenot expendable. He looked at his troops. I dont intend to lose anybody. He passed deeper into the familiar passageways with his team pressing around him. Willis dispatched separate squads to adjacent halls and wings to secure the Whisper Palace, but Peter headed directly for the throne room.
When they marched into the spectacular chamber, Peter found King Rory sitting on the throne, dwarfed by the massive chair. He was alone in the big room. The boy stood indignantly when he saw them swarming toward him. Guards! Help!
Peter walked up the stairs to the throne and stood directly before the boy king. You have nothing to fear from us, Rory.
The boy looked uncertain. Colonel Andez ordered me to come here after the Chairman went to the swarmship. She said I had to sit in my place as the Hansas King. but theres no one else around. The deputys gone. I know Captain McCammon is dead, but where are the rest of the royal guards? Ive heard explosions outside. The demonstrators are bound to come into the Whisper Palace!
Admiral Willis gestured, and the guards fanned out to protect the other entrances to the throne room. This chamber is secure, King Peter.
You dont need to worry about the protesters, Peter said to Rory. In fact, I might be the only one who can save your life. He spoke with genuine compassion. Ill keep you safe from the Chairman, too. I know what he did to you, because he did the same thing to me.
143
Robb Brindle
The gigantic alien vessels shimmered and pulsed, like several huge beating hearts formed of countless individual specks. Sarein and Estarra waited with Robb on the bridge, all of them trying to hide their anxiety. Captains Kett and Roberts sat unobtrusively at two empty stations. Nobody spoke.