Part 2 (1/2)
Stood out, child-sized, against the silver-studded black leather of Tano and Algini, who represented the power of the atevi head of state.
Stood out, in the many-b.u.t.toned and knee-length coat of court fas.h.i.+on, and in the distinctive white ribbon incorporated in his braid: the paidhi's color, the man of no house. Tabini had told him he should choose colors, as he had to have something recognizable for formal presentations; and Ilisidi herself had said white would do very well with his fair hair, show his independence from the black and red of the aiji's house - and offend no one.
He glowed, he was well aware, like a pale neon sign to any sniper in the recesses behind those floodlights.
But count on it: there'd been a thorough security search before he entered the building and one last night, a search not only by his security, with an interest in keeping him alive; but also by lord Geigi's, interested in keeping their lord alive and in keeping any of lord Geigi's enemies from embarra.s.sing him in an attack on the paidhi.
He knew for that reason that he was an inconvenience to the plant workers, who'd had to pa.s.s meticulous security to get to work this morning.
But the paidhi, personally sent by the aiji in Shejidan,was making a gesture of public support such as atevi politics absolutely demanded. The workers would see it. Atevi interested in Geigi's fortunes would witness another indication of Geigi's rescue from economic ruin and his subsequent rise to prominence and economic power in his region.
And standing where he was the paidhi only hoped all Geigi's people were loyal. Tano and Algini might well have been drinking antacids by the bottleful since he'd set down at the airport, and declared he'd sleep in Geigi's house, and now at the plant manager's urging he'd agreed to walk up on this exposed platform. Even they, however, had to admit that the odds of treachery from Geigi were practically nil and that the odds that Geigi would have loyalty from his own people were high. From the atevi point of view Geigi's numbers were still in active increase and therefore a problem in the atevi version of calculus.
Besides, no one had tried to file Intent on the paidhi's life in, oh, at least a month.
That was what the a.n.a.lysts in the aiji's court called acceptable risk acceptable risk in making this stop on his tour in the first place. The professionals guarding him while he was in the district making such spontaneous gestures he was sure had other words for it. in making this stop on his tour in the first place. The professionals guarding him while he was in the district making such spontaneous gestures he was sure had other words for it.
”Splendid effort,” he declared to lord Geigi. ”I'm truly amazed at the progress. I'm absolutely amazed. So will the aiji be.”
”Nand' Borujiri,” lord Geigi said, ”has worked very hard.”
”Nand' Borujiri.” He inclined his head to acknowledge that worthy gentleman, director of Patinandi Aeros.p.a.ce, who despite physical frailty had accompanied him up to the highest catwalk, followed by the lords of towns.h.i.+ps within lord Geigi's a.s.sociation in Sarini Province. ”I shall convey your recommendations to the aiji. Absolutely splendid organization. One would wish to render appreciation to all the persons responsible.”
”Nand' paidhi,” Borujiri said, moving slowly, not only because of age but also a long illness. ”My monument, this work. I am determined it will be that. I have dedicated a portion of my estate to the recreation of the workers who will ent.i.tle themselves in this effort. And such an effort our people have made!”
”Everything here is in s.h.i.+fts,” lord Geigi interposed. ”Nothing stops for night. And quality control, nand' paidhi, meticulous quality control.” A horn sounded several short bursts, a signal for attention; Bren and his trigger-ready security had been advised in advance, and lord Geigi rested hands on the catwalk rail looking out over the vast a.s.sembly area. ”Nadiin-ji! The paidhi commends your work and your diligence! Attention, if you please, to the paidhi-aiji!”
He grew used to such addresses. But reporters dogged him: there were reporters below who would carry what he said to the news services, reporters who, because of the major transportation lines, were in greater abundance here than in his last two, more rural, stops.
”Nadiin,” he called out to the upturned faces and himself leaned on the forbidden railing. ”You have exceeded ambitious expectations and set high standards, high high standards, in work on which brave atevi will rely for their lives in s.p.a.ce. But more than that - -” It was in truth a beautiful sight in front of him, those pieces. Though for the reporters' sakes, he tried to provide variety in his speeches and at the same time to keep them brief, he suddenly meant to say standards, in work on which brave atevi will rely for their lives in s.p.a.ce. But more than that - -” It was in truth a beautiful sight in front of him, those pieces. Though for the reporters' sakes, he tried to provide variety in his speeches and at the same time to keep them brief, he suddenly meant to say something something different than he'd said before on such tours. In the presence of old Borujiri and lord Geigi, in this first time that he could allow himself to believe there different than he'd said before on such tours. In the presence of old Borujiri and lord Geigi, in this first time that he could allow himself to believe there was was a s.p.a.cecraft, and in the enthusiasm of engineers and ordinary workers who had foregone vacations and ignored quitting times to advance the work - he felt his inspiration. a s.p.a.cecraft, and in the enthusiasm of engineers and ordinary workers who had foregone vacations and ignored quitting times to advance the work - he felt his inspiration.
”More than that, nadiin-nai, high standards in a work unprecedented in the history of the world. Plates of steel may make a sailing s.h.i.+p. But when it takes to the waves, when hands at work make that s.h.i.+p a living creature, then it binds all that s.h.i.+p's makers and all who ever sail aboard that s.h.i.+p in an a.s.sociation that reaches to every sh.o.r.e that s.h.i.+p touches. Your hands and your efforts are building a s.h.i.+p to carry the hopes of all the world, nadiin! The work of your hands, the vision of your director, the wisdom of your lords, and the courage of atevi who will ride this s.h.i.+p will reach out to new things in the heavens, and draw the heavens and all their possibilities into your arms. The aiji in Shejidan will receive my report of you as extraordinary and dedicated workers, and I do not doubt you will remain in his mind at the next seasonal audience, at which lord Geigi and nand' Borujiri inform me and permit me to inform you they will sponsor a representative from each s.h.i.+ft at their own expense. My congratulations, nadiin, I need not offer you! You have distinguished yourselves and brought credit to your province, your district, your endeavor! Hundreds of years from now atevi will tell the story, how willing hands and the skill of such builders carried atevi into s.p.a.ce on their own terms and in their own right!”
He expected nothing but the polite attention atevi paid a speaker, followed by the formal, measured applause.
”Nand' paidhi!” he heard instead, and then a shouting from throughout the facility. ”Nand' Bren!”
That less than formal t.i.tle had gotten started in the less reputable press. He blushed and waved, and stepped away from the rail, at which point Tano and Algini closed between him and the crowd, a living wall. less than formal t.i.tle had gotten started in the less reputable press. He blushed and waved, and stepped away from the rail, at which point Tano and Algini closed between him and the crowd, a living wall.
”Nand' paidhi,” lord Geigi said, and wished him with a gesture to go down.
”A wonderful expression.” Nand' Borujiri was clearly moved. ”I shall have it engraved, nand' paidhi. A marvelous gift!”
”You are very kind, nand' director.”
”A pa.s.sionate speech,” lord Geigi said, and kept close by him as they descended. ”If the aiji can spare you, nadi, please please accept my personal hospitality and extend your visit to a few days at Dalaigi, at a far slower pace, in, I a.s.sure you, the most wonderful climate in the country. The yellowtail will not wait. The paperwork will always be there. And if you provide my cook the fish and a day to prepare it, nand' paidhi, I do a.s.sure you the result will be an exquisite, very pa.s.sionate offering. He so approves your taste in your brief experience of his art last evening.” accept my personal hospitality and extend your visit to a few days at Dalaigi, at a far slower pace, in, I a.s.sure you, the most wonderful climate in the country. The yellowtail will not wait. The paperwork will always be there. And if you provide my cook the fish and a day to prepare it, nand' paidhi, I do a.s.sure you the result will be an exquisite, very pa.s.sionate offering. He so approves your taste in your brief experience of his art last evening.”
It was partly, he was sure, formality and a desire not to have Borujiri suggest the same; it was likely, also, a truly honest offer, repeated, now, and he understood from Algini that the cook was extremely pleased in his requests for a local specialty last evening. The man was an excellent cook: Geigi's relations.h.i.+p with food was unabashed and the cuisine of the household was deservedly renowned.
He was weakening. He was about to request his security to inquire of his office whether he could possibly manage one more day.
But he felt a sharp vibration from his pocket-com as they started down the third tier of steps, and that flutter signaled him his security was wanting his attention or advising him to the negative - the latter, he decided, when Tano cast him a direct look and no encouraging if the paidhi would prefer if the paidhi would prefer regarding that invitation to a change in flight schedules and a return to the lord's residence. regarding that invitation to a change in flight schedules and a return to the lord's residence.
”I fear, nandi,” Bren sighed, ”that my schedule back in the capital precludes it.” He had no warning in that small vibration of imminent danger. He took it for his staff's warning against lingering in public view or a simple advis.e.m.e.nt he was, with more urgency than anyone had yet communicated to him, expected elsewhere. ”But if the invitation were extended again through your kindness, perhaps for some other seasonal game, I would be more than pleased, nand' Geigi, very truthfully.”
G.o.d, he wanted wanted that holiday, and he that holiday, and he liked-liked-liked liked-liked-liked lord Geigi against all common sense governing use of that deceptive and deadly word, and he lord Geigi against all common sense governing use of that deceptive and deadly word, and he didn't didn't want to hear from his security that lord Geigi had changed sides again. want to hear from his security that lord Geigi had changed sides again.
He set foot on the floor of the a.s.sembly area and the battalion of reporters tried to reach him. But the frontal a.s.sault of cameras failed to breach his security, as Tano and Algini directed him and his entire party aside through the plant manager's office and up against the earnest good wishes of a woman who, like Borujiri, saw fortune and good repute in his visit.
”Nand' paidhi!” She bowed, and proffered a card with a ribbon, white, for the paidhi, a card which the thoughtful staff had handed out to certain key people. There was the smell of heated wax, a wax-jack waiting in the office for that operation, and immediately lord Geigi and nand' Borujiri, and a number of other officials came pouring through the door with the news services clamoring outside.
He signed and affixed his seal in wax to cards which would make a proud display on a wall somewhere for not only this generation, but subsequent ones, while his security fumed and clearly wished a quick exit. But there were moments at which haste seemed to create worse problems than apparent lack of it; and they hadn't yet flung him to the floor and drawn guns, so he supposed it wasn't critical.
”The car is waiting, nand' paidhi,” Tano said, the moment the last card was stamped.
Escape lay out the door: the news services hadn't yet out-flanked them. Algini went out first, surveying the Guild-provided car which procedure had dictated would never leave the personal surveillance of the paidhi's own security. Tano held the door for him, a living s.h.i.+eld against what he had no idea.
For two seconds in that position they were without any locals at all in earshot. ”Lord Saigimi is dead,” Tano said to him, low and urgently. ”Unknown who did it.”
So that that was the emergency. Bren took in his breath, and in the next firing of a neuron thought it likely that lord Geigi, stalled on the other side of the same door, was getting exactly the same news from was the emergency. Bren took in his breath, and in the next firing of a neuron thought it likely that lord Geigi, stalled on the other side of the same door, was getting exactly the same news from his his security. security.
The lord of the Tasigin Marid, the circle of seacoast at the bottom of the peninsula, was dead, not not of natural causes. of natural causes.
The lord of the Tasigin Marid, an Edi, was the one interest in the peninsula most violently opposed to the s.p.a.ce program. When Geigi had sided with the s.p.a.ce program, and when Deana Hanks had provided the bombsh.e.l.l that weakened him politically, lord Saigimi had immediately insisted that lord Geigi pay his personal debts in oil investment in full, which lord Saigimi expected would ruin lord Geigi and force him from power in Dalaigi.
That had not not been the case, thanks to Grigiji the astronomer. been the case, thanks to Grigiji the astronomer.
Geigi came out the door, sober, dead sober in the manner of an ateva when expression might offend someone. Not displeased by the news, Bren would wager. Possibly - the thought hit him like a thunderbolt - Geigi was even directly involved in the a.s.sa.s.sination.
No. Geigi wouldn't wouldn't. Surely not. Not with the aiji's representative literally under his roof and apt by that to be thought a.s.sociated with the event.
”News,” Bren said, resolved on his own instant judgment to ignore suspicion and treat the man as a cohort - as in the following instant he asked himself was Tabini Tabini involved - while Tabini's representative was a guest under lord Geigi's roof. ”Nandi, lord Saigimi has just been a.s.sa.s.sinated. I'm immediately concerned for your safety; and I involved - while Tabini's representative was a guest under lord Geigi's roof. ”Nandi, lord Saigimi has just been a.s.sa.s.sinated. I'm immediately concerned for your safety; and I must must make my flight on schedule. I fear events have left me no choice but to attend to business, and place myself where I can interpret to the s.h.i.+p in case make my flight on schedule. I fear events have left me no choice but to attend to business, and place myself where I can interpret to the s.h.i.+p in case they they have questions. But will you honor me and ride to the airport with me, in my car?” have questions. But will you honor me and ride to the airport with me, in my car?”
Geigi's face bore that slight pallor that an ateva could achieve. Indeed, perhaps Geigi - not involved, and fearing he might be blamed - had been about to cancel the proposed fis.h.i.+ng trip as inappropriate under the circ.u.mstances, and to offer the use of his his car for security reasons. car for security reasons.
He had, however, just placed the shoe on the other foot.
Offered the man dessert, as the atevi saying went. Meaning the next dish after after the fatal revelation at dinner. the fatal revelation at dinner.
”Nand' paidhi,” Geigi said with a decisive nod of his head, ”I shall gladly ride with you, and be honored by your company.”
It also was, most definitely, a commitment mutually to be seen in such company: Geigi was casting his lot with the aiji in Shejidan, in case the neighbor lords of the interlaced peninsular a.s.sociation should think of annoying the aiji by striking at the aiji's prize piece in this province.
Geigi walked with him down the concrete path to the car, a quiet progress of themselves and their respective security personnel. ”Do,” Bren said, almost embarra.s.sed to say, ”look to nand' Borujiri's safety as well, Tano-ji.”
”We have pa.s.sed that advice to building security,” Tano said as they approached the cars, the centermost of which was his, with others close about it. Tano would in no wise leave him. And somehow Tano had advised building security indeed, probably through Geigi's security, Gesirimu, while he was signing cards, without him ever noticing. That That was how they'd forestalled the news services getting to the outside door. was how they'd forestalled the news services getting to the outside door.