Part 19 (1/2)

Wiley sighed as he stared at the empty street.

”All right. Where do we go now?”

”We need transportation. Look around for something that has good speed and handling. I don't want to blunder around up there.” She stretched a little, then regarded him with exag- gerated patience. 'Well? Do you think you can manage to get up now?”

Wiley pushed himself to his feet. He felt slightly dizzy. Functional, though, if someone else did the thinking.

”You look awful,” said Nika. ”Let's get going.

We need an aircar, now.”

Wiley shrugged and fell in beside her, though it was an effort to match her long, steady stride.

”If that's what you want, that's what we'll do.”

She glanced at him. ”You're going to have to leam to be more a.s.sertive than that if you intend to run the Pact.”

95.

Chelsea Quinn farbro

They had gone some distance when Wiley spotted a Kahna Starcruiser. It was driven by a stem-faced man with military bearing whose pa.s.senger was a Zambretic merchant in full regalia.

”Pretty. Should I stick out my thumb?” Wiley asked. Nika murmured something he couldn't hear.

In a moment, the Starcruiser had come to a halt before them. The chauffeur was punching uselessly at his controls and his pa.s.senger was blue with indignation.

Nika stepped up to the car as the door opened.

”Out,” she said. The chauffeur looked at her, then at his pa.s.senger. A weapon appeared in the woman's hand. ”Now,” she added. The chauffeur rose from his seat. The merchant began to blus- ter. Nika raised her weapon hand and Wiley stepped forward hastily.

”Please,” he said. ”I realize this is a great inconvenience, but there has been an emer- gency, and I am required at the Palace at once. I regret that we must deprive you of the aircar, but you may reclaim it at the Palace in the next twenty-four hours. You will be compensated for our use and any disadvantage this causes you.”

The chauffeur clearly recognized Wiley. He turned to the owner of the aircar. ”He's right, sir.

96.

We must cooperate. But you will be rewarded for your service.”

”We do not permit such abuses on Zambra,”

said the merchant. He got down from the aircar in a huff and refused to be impressed by the dip- lomatic thanks Wiley extended to him before climbing into the Starcruiser.

”So what official business are we on, anyway?

Who are you?” Wileys head hurt-

”At the moment, I'm your bodyguard. Strap in.”

Wiley strapped in. ”Where are we going now?”