Storm Force: Book Three of the Last Legion Series by Chris Bunch Page B

mission?”
    “The agent said one of the men said something to his fellow about ‘putting in a wrecking crew,’ which I’d guess means they’ll be putting in some sort of a sabotage force,” Yoshitaro said.
    Redruth’s mouth worked. “We’ll be ready,” he said firmly. “We’ll stop them offworld as we did the last time, and this time destroy their ship or ships.”
    “Good,” Njangu said. “My theory is the failure of your response to destroy the Cumbrians last time led to my exposure.”
    “That intercept team has already been punished for its slipshod work,” Redruth said. “Forget about what happened.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “You’ve done extraordinarily good work for me over the years,” Redruth said. “You were rewarded for your success, not punished for failure. Now, do you wish further … rewards?”
    His eyes held on Yoshitaro, evaluating.
    Njangu didn’t feel he had any choice. “Of course, sir. I assume I’ll continue to be compensated as in the past.”
    “You shall. The first reward will be your immediate promotion to the rank of
Leiter
.
    “What I wish you to do is help me evaluate Cumbrian designs on Larix and Kura and, within the next E-year, assist with intelligence missions to Cumbre, preparing for the inevitable invasion.”
    Njangu nodded.
    “When I attack, you’ll be part of my staff, and, after victory, I’ll find a high place for you in Cumbre’s puppet government. You’ll have more than enough of a chance to replace whatever you lost when you were driven away. In humiliation as well as material goods.”
    Njangu let an evil smile come and go.
    “In addition, you can help me here, now, since you think like a Cumbrian.”
    Yoshitaro heard alarm bells.
    “I need to know my weaknesses. How could Cumbrian spies, assassins, or saboteurs infiltrate Larix? I want you to tour the worlds of Larix, then, later, Kura, and with your fresh eyes, look for weakness. Maintain as low a profile as possible.
    “Anything you discover should be reported directly to me. I shall punish the lazy and unwary, reward the wary and strong.”
    “Yes, sir,” Njangu said. “What about Celidon? He told me he was head of intelligence. I certainly don’t want there to be any misunderstandings.”
    “If there are,” Redruth said firmly, “I shall deal with the problem. Celidon will be informed of what he needs to know by me. I am still the master of Larix and Kura.”
    He stood. Yoshitaro, realizing the audience was over, stood and made an awkward attempt at a salute, like a civilian would attempt.
    “In the future,” Redruth said, “there’ll be great rewards, even greater when, as is inevitable, I expand my empire, first to include Cumbre, then back into what used to be the Confederation. There are millions of worlds trapped in the chains of anarchy, and it’s the duty of Larix and Kura to free them.
    “Great, great rewards.
    “But for those who fail, or think they can serve their own masters, even greater penalties!”
    • • •
    Redruth’s majordomo escorted Yoshitaro to a different exit, where another of the military lims waited.
    “The driver knows where to take you,” he said, and saluted.
    Yoshitaro got in the lifter, found Celidon waiting.
    “Was your meeting with the Protector … interesting,
Leiter?
”
    “It was.”
    “Remembering what I told you aboard ship, is there anything you wish to share with me, say, about what your tasks will be?”
    Yoshitaro grinned. “How many rooms in the Protector’s palace do you monitor?”
    Celidon looked mildly astonished, then laughed hard.
    “Good, Yohns. Very good indeed. You are very adept at your analyses. I think that our relationship, assuming neither of us relaxes nor becomes arrogant, might be mutually profitable.”
    • • •
    Njangu’s city quarters were the three top floors in one of the half-block-long megaliths. He tried counting rooms, got three different figures depending on which elevator he used, and gave