Part 5 (1/2)

'Very efficient,' said Peri. 'Does your Supremo often entertain female guests?'

Vidal gave her a shocked look and ignored the question.

'Drinks and other refreshments are available in the bedside cabinet,' he said stiffly. 'I will return to fetch you in due course.'

He bowed and left.

Peri went into the bathroom where a wall-length mirror confirmed her worst fears. Fiddling with unfamiliar controls, she managed to fill the bath with warm, scented water and enjoyed a long luxurious soak. Wrapped in a long silk robe, she explored the bedroom and found that it held a selection of clothes in every imaginable style.

The Supremo, she thought, had things very wel organised.

When Ensign Vidal returned he found Peri stretched out on a divan, sipping a gla.s.s of green Arcturan wine. She wore a white silk gown with matching bolero jacket, and her hair was brushed smoothly back, secured in a chignon with a black velvet ribbon.

Ensign Vidal surveyed her with approval. 'Better. Much better. Now, come with me.'

It occurred to Peri that he showed none of the reverence accorded her by High Commander Aril. But then, as the Supremo's aide, he was close to the source of ultimate power.

As he led her along luxuriously carpeted corridors, Vidal said, 'The Supremo's conference is over-running a little, but we hope that it will soon draw to an end. Then he will see you.'

Feeling suddenly stroppy, Peri came to a halt. 'Look, if the conference isn't over yet, why don't I wait in comfort in the guest suite? Then you can fetch me when the Supremo's free?'

Ensign Vidal stopped as well, looking at her in blank incomprehension.

'But then the Supremo would have to wait!'

Which was clearly unthinkable.

Vidal continued along the corridor. Mutinously, Peri followed. He led her, by a circuitous route, to a small door at the end of a narrow corridor. The door was guarded by two Ogron sentries armed with the usual ma.s.sive blaster-rifles. At the sight of Ensign Vidal they came clumsily to attention, making a rudimentary attempt at presenting arms.

Vidal looked at them and sighed. The door opened and he ushered Peri into a brightly lit dressing-room.

'Why the Supremo insists on using those clumsy apes when every sentient life form in the galaxy would be proud to serve in his personal bodyguard ' muttered Vidal. He broke off, realising perhaps, thought Peri, that he had come perilously close to criticising the Supremo.

He indicated a small open door on the far side of the little room. Putting his lips to her ear he whispered, 'We are at the rear of the conference chamber. Look through that door and you will see him!'

Peri went over to the door and looked out. It was like being backstage in the biggest theatre in the world.

She was standing directly behind a lean, medium-sized, black-uniformed figure on a raised podium. (So much for her military giant, thought Peri.) The uniform was both simple and ornate with gold epaulettes and gold braid at collar and cuffs.

Beyond was an enormous circular chamber, about the size of a baseball stadium. Row upon row of tiered seats rose into the distance. The seats were occupied by an amazingly diverse crowd of uniformed officers. Every sentient species in the galaxy seemed to be represented. Draconians, Sontarans and Ogrons, like the ones she'd already met, predominated, but there were many other species Peri was unable to identify, together with an amazing variety of humans and humanoids.

The whole extraordinary a.s.sembly was dominated by the black-clad figure of the Supremo. He was speaking in a voice Peri found at once familiar and strange.

It was a quiet, calm voice, yet it crackled with authority.

Every word, every syllable was icily distinct. The vast, interspecies audience listened in utter silence.

'So, to conclude,' said the Supremo. 'The next stage of our plan is complete. The planet of Sylvana has been wrested from the enemy's grasp.'

A cheer erupted from the audience.

The Supremo held up his hand, and absolute silence fell once more.

'Do not be too quick to congratulate yourselves. Parts of the operation ran smoothly. Others were little more than a total shambles, succeeding only because the enemy exceeded us in inefficiency. We were lucky. We cannot depend on luck.' He paused. 'The problem, as always, lies in faulty interspecies cooperation and communication. Let me remind you, I hope for the last time, that you are no longer Draconians, Sontarans, Cybermen or anything else. Until this conflict is concluded, and the enemy finally defeated, you are all soldiers of the Alliance.

After that, you can return to cutting each other's throats with my good will.' With terrifying suddenness, his voice rose to an angry shout. 'By the beard of Ra.s.silon! If you cannot do better than this, I'll pack you all off home and defeat the enemy with an army of Ogrons. They, at least, know how to obey orders.'

A stunned silence fell. Peri saw a group of Ogrons in the front row beaming and slapping each other on the back.

She turned to Vidal who was standing close behind her. 'Not entering any popularity contests, is he?'

'Don't you believe it,' whispered Vidal. 'The more he abuses them, the more they love him. That was the stick. Now comes the carrot.'

'However, gentlemen,' said the Supremo. 'Despite your occasional failings and because of your courage, hard work and military skill victory is ours! I congratulate you and I thank you.'

There was another moment of silence as the audience took in what he had said. Then they came to their feet with a roar of 'Supremo! Supremo! Supremo!' that shook the hall.

The Supremo nodded briefly, then turned and strode from the podium.

Vidal ran to a closet, emerging with a silken robe.

Peri stepped back as the Supremo marched into the dressing room, ripping open the high collar of his jacket. It had, Peri could see now, a gold 'S' embroidered over the heart. He stopped dead at the sight of Peri.

Vidal came forward with the robe. The Supremo took it from him and waved him towards the door.

Vidal bowed and retreated.

Peri stared in fascination at the man before her, so familiar and yet so utterly different. In the harsh glare of the dressing-room lighting, the body was stiff and erect, the face harsh and closed. The fair hair was clipped short, the skin seemed darker, the eyes were burning with energy.

'h.e.l.lo, Peri,' said the Supremo. 'Nice to see you again.'

'h.e.l.lo, Doctor,' said Perpugilliam Brown.

Book II

Hospice.

One standard galactic year earlier

Chapter One.