Part 31 (2/2)

Roz's eyes snapped open. She'd almost fallen asleep. 'What?'

'They wanted me. Instead, they killed Leabie's children.'

'That can't be right,' said Roz. 'That doesn't make sense.'

'And what am I going to do about it?' said the Doctor. 'What am I going to do?'

'Nothing,' said Roz. 'You're wrong. This wasn't about you.

This was an attack on the family. No, you are are going to do something.' going to do something.'

'What am I going to do?' said the Doctor.

'You're going to help me find out who was behind this.'

224.

Meanwhile Mont Blanc, Europe, 17 July 2982 Duke Geoffrey Armand looked up at the Alps. Naked of trees, naked of snow. Barren. Waiting for the time when the pines would once again march up the valleys and the winters would be soft and white. Waiting the way he was waiting.

Armand was tall and handsome, very aristocratic-looking, dark-skinned and curly-haired, and it wasn't a bepple. He came from some of the best stock. The High Sheriff had come from his family for three generations.

He had walked five kilometres along the valley floor, beside a crisp and freezing stream. His estate was a ten-kilometre-wide strip of preserved land, although some of the mountains had needed repairs after a local war in 2547. It was a shame the water wasn't safe to drink. He sat down on a rock, wiping the sweat from his brow.

In the distance, his personal home was a vast structure, built into the side of a mountain. A beautiful wooden structure that looked out over the valley. The bulk of the house was inside the mountain, including the family archives and a survival unit that could handle a nuclear strike.

His harem were fighting again. He'd left the servants with strict instructions to prevent any physical violence, and walked out of the house, not even telling security where he was going.

225.

You'd think they'd show him a little respect. He kept them in luxury they could go wherever they liked, do whatever they wanted. They didn't even have to sleep with him. You'd think they'd listen when he shouted at them to shut up. Maybe they'd show him a little more respect. Soon. When his plans came to fruition.

His personal secretary would be in a complete flap by now; Armand had given him the slip. After an hour's walking, he was reasonably sure he wasn't being followed. There'd be a search party soon, though.

He got up again, stretching, noticing the ache in his thighs, just over each knee. He really ought to get more exercise.

'Greetings Duke Geoffrey Howard Armand of Europe, Lord High Sheriff of Earth,' said a dozen voices.

Armand looked around. There was a woman standing not ten feet away. She had delicate cheekbones and large, dark eyes, but he could see trained muscles under the sleeves of her white jacket. Her face was utterly blank.

'I speak for the Brotherhood,' said the woman. He could hear one voice twelve voices a hundred voices echoes at the edge of his consciousness.

'For the Grandmaster,' he said.

'Yes. I have been sent to inform you. The attack was partly successful but the objective was not achieved. Further plans are in progress.'

'Not achieved!' Armand stood up, poking his finger into the woman's face. As he'd expected, she didn't react. 'Not achieved!

Do you realize how much danger we're in because you bungled that attack! I want full details sent to me immediately.'

'That will be done when the situation becomes clear,' said the woman.

'We should attack,' said Armand. 'An outright attack while they're at they're weakest. The Council are in turmoil. Walid and Leabie are hurt even if they're not dead. It's time I did something positive.'

The woman held up a hand. 'The war must remain in the shadows for now, Duke Geoffrey Armand of Europe.'

226.

'When do I get a say in this?' said Armand. 'When do all the promises come true? I've helped you from day one when is it my turn?'

'You are the channel through which our plans flow, just as I am the channel through which the leaders.h.i.+p speaks. When you are Emperor you will speak for us.'

'When I'm the Emperor,' said Armand.

'Yes.'

'And when will that be? How close is it, now?'

'Very close. There will be further information and instructions soon. Return to your house. Wait for our messages.'

Armand sighed. 'All right. You know what you're doing. All right.'

He turned to go back. 'Wait a minute,' he said. 'What about '

But she'd gone. He looked around. Teleportation? Telepathic invisibility? 'Ah, cruk it,' he said.

He headed back for the house. The first thing he was going to do when he was the Emperor was get himself a new harem.

227.

4.

Europe Kuleya had been watching them for half an hour. Either they hadn't noticed her, or they were very, very good at not letting on they knew they were under surveillance. But then, a fourteen-year-old girl by herself, trying on hats, doesn't look that strange or threatening. Which was, of course, the whole reason to give her the mission in the first place.

She'd picked up some bits and pieces from the two humans'

surface thoughts. The shopping trip was a deliberate attempt to attract attention. A desperate last bid, thought Kuleya. She hadn't dared to probe further, in case she alerted them.

The three of them had gone to ground after the attack on Kibero. Some very serious searching had been done, but they'd been almost invisible for a month. Traces here and there suggested they were investigating the boss. Which was as it should be. But the fact they hadn't taken any action suggested they weren't getting very far with the search. Which was as it should be.

And then, one hour ago, Roz Forrester had used her newly created family credit account to buy a jacket.

Kuleya had started her search in the tailor's, following the faint trace of memories through the crowds and shops, each brain softly being asked, Have you seen these people? Have you seen these people? It hadn't taken long. It hadn't taken long.

228.

Now she had to decide between acting right away and waiting, making doubly sure they weren't aware of her presence. Of course, the longer she waited, the greater the chance of discovery.

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