charges.
“My men didn’t find that, obviously.”
“Obviously.”
“Protector Redruth is very particular about those whom he allows to carry weapons,” Celidon said. “But since you’ll almost certainly be invited to join our government, there should be no problem. Thank you for your honesty.”
Yoshitaro held out his hands. “I haven’t forgotten whom I work for.”
“Good,” Celidon said. “I’ll have the louts who failed to find that weapon punished. One thing I might suggest. Don’t carry any weapons, not even a knife, into the Protector’s presence. He becomes … nervous.”
“Thank you for the warning.”
Celidon went to a sideboard, slid it open.
“A drink?”
“Whatever you’re having.”
“This is a triple-herbed tea,” Celidon said, pouring two glasses from a metal pot. “I find it improves my thinking.” He handed one glass to Yoshitaro.
“You’ve certainly served the Protector … and his worlds … well, over the years.”
“And I’ve been rewarded,” Yoshitaro said.
“Your payment awaits you on Larix, in our most secure repository,” Celidon said. He sipped, looked at Njangu curiously. “You must have taken up your … craft at an early age. I wasn’t expecting someone as young as you appear.”
“Unfortunately, I’m somewhat older than I look,” Yoshitaro replied smoothly.
Celidon waited for details, then realized none would be forthcoming.
“I decided to come along on the pickup,” he said, “because I thought you and I should have a chance to talk before Protector Redruth greeted you.”
Njangu put on an interested expression, stayed silent.
“I’m sure you’re aware that autocrats are, with reason, very suspicious of their secret agents, particularly those who’re executives.”
“Of course.”
“You might be interested in knowing that I not only hold the post of Commander of the Armed Forces but, as of six months gone, head of the Protector’s intelligence apparat as well. The latter is a position I despise, and hold only through necessity.
“The man who held that assignment before me fancied himself an expert on Machiavellianism. I’ve noticed those who loudly pride themselves as intriguers generally end up with a puzzled expression and several inches of steel between their own sixth and seventh ribs, but that’s as may be.
“This wight decided he would play politics with Protector Redruth against me. Why, I have no idea, for I’m quite busy and content with my regular duties and had no designs on him or his station.
“At any event, he became a bit of a threat, and it became necessary for me to … deal with him. So now his duties are included in mine, and he is ashes in the wind.
“I’ll explain how that pertains to you. I rather assume protector Redruth will offer you a post within the government, probably with the rank of
Leiter
. He’ll want you to be his special advisor on the Cumbrian matter, and, if you serve well, you’ll be promoted.
“It’s not inconceivable you could end up as head of all security services, replacing me. At present, I would neither object nor recommend you for that rank.
“But if it happens, I’d suggest you remember what happened to that other man, who thought himself devious, and restrict any ambitions you might have beyond that.”
Celidon smiled coldly. “We’ll be arriving off Larix in two more jumps. One of my staff will escort you to more comfortable quarters, and you have the freedom of the ship.
“Welcome to Larix and Kura, Ab Yohns.”
Yoshitaro got up, bowed, and followed the woman out of the compartment.
Stupid bastard
, he thought.
Telling me those who loudly proclaim their sneakiness always get sneaked on, and then doing the same thing himself. As if I hadn’t been around enough fools and their cliques back home that I had to deal with when they got big eyes on me or my people
.
But still, I’d best be careful
.
CHAPTER
6
Lari/Larix Prime
A lim with military insignia
“My men didn’t find that, obviously.”
“Obviously.”
“Protector Redruth is very particular about those whom he allows to carry weapons,” Celidon said. “But since you’ll almost certainly be invited to join our government, there should be no problem. Thank you for your honesty.”
Yoshitaro held out his hands. “I haven’t forgotten whom I work for.”
“Good,” Celidon said. “I’ll have the louts who failed to find that weapon punished. One thing I might suggest. Don’t carry any weapons, not even a knife, into the Protector’s presence. He becomes … nervous.”
“Thank you for the warning.”
Celidon went to a sideboard, slid it open.
“A drink?”
“Whatever you’re having.”
“This is a triple-herbed tea,” Celidon said, pouring two glasses from a metal pot. “I find it improves my thinking.” He handed one glass to Yoshitaro.
“You’ve certainly served the Protector … and his worlds … well, over the years.”
“And I’ve been rewarded,” Yoshitaro said.
“Your payment awaits you on Larix, in our most secure repository,” Celidon said. He sipped, looked at Njangu curiously. “You must have taken up your … craft at an early age. I wasn’t expecting someone as young as you appear.”
“Unfortunately, I’m somewhat older than I look,” Yoshitaro replied smoothly.
Celidon waited for details, then realized none would be forthcoming.
“I decided to come along on the pickup,” he said, “because I thought you and I should have a chance to talk before Protector Redruth greeted you.”
Njangu put on an interested expression, stayed silent.
“I’m sure you’re aware that autocrats are, with reason, very suspicious of their secret agents, particularly those who’re executives.”
“Of course.”
“You might be interested in knowing that I not only hold the post of Commander of the Armed Forces but, as of six months gone, head of the Protector’s intelligence apparat as well. The latter is a position I despise, and hold only through necessity.
“The man who held that assignment before me fancied himself an expert on Machiavellianism. I’ve noticed those who loudly pride themselves as intriguers generally end up with a puzzled expression and several inches of steel between their own sixth and seventh ribs, but that’s as may be.
“This wight decided he would play politics with Protector Redruth against me. Why, I have no idea, for I’m quite busy and content with my regular duties and had no designs on him or his station.
“At any event, he became a bit of a threat, and it became necessary for me to … deal with him. So now his duties are included in mine, and he is ashes in the wind.
“I’ll explain how that pertains to you. I rather assume protector Redruth will offer you a post within the government, probably with the rank of
Leiter
. He’ll want you to be his special advisor on the Cumbrian matter, and, if you serve well, you’ll be promoted.
“It’s not inconceivable you could end up as head of all security services, replacing me. At present, I would neither object nor recommend you for that rank.
“But if it happens, I’d suggest you remember what happened to that other man, who thought himself devious, and restrict any ambitions you might have beyond that.”
Celidon smiled coldly. “We’ll be arriving off Larix in two more jumps. One of my staff will escort you to more comfortable quarters, and you have the freedom of the ship.
“Welcome to Larix and Kura, Ab Yohns.”
Yoshitaro got up, bowed, and followed the woman out of the compartment.
Stupid bastard
, he thought.
Telling me those who loudly proclaim their sneakiness always get sneaked on, and then doing the same thing himself. As if I hadn’t been around enough fools and their cliques back home that I had to deal with when they got big eyes on me or my people
.
But still, I’d best be careful
.
CHAPTER
6
Lari/Larix Prime
A lim with military insignia
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