Part 24 (1/2)

”And my part?” asked Jessine.

”Your part will be to many Governor Merikur.

With your support, he can take the Secretariat.

The Pact will continue, but will change, begin to grow again, as it has not for centuries.”

”And if I choose not to support him?”

”Madame, I'd prefer not to discuss that possi- bility. After all, you are a sensible woman. Surely you understand that the Pact cannot survive much longer if it continues to abuse more than ninety percent of its population.”

”Perhaps.”

The driver of the aircar stopped chanting long enough to call out, ”There is a fix being taken on us. Someone is tracking where we go.”

”Who?” Ereley demanded, motioning to the others to chant more softly.

”I don't know. But the warning light came on

118.

just now. Someone wants to know where we are.” The driver pointed to the light on die front panel. ”What do you want me to do?

”Keep a watch on it, and set our scanners to trace it back to its origin. I want to know if the tracker is moving or stationary.” He cursed roundly in Daphnean, then abruptly became nonchalant. ”It isn't that important, after all. If they know where we are, so much the better. It will help them realize how serious we are. We know how strong our position is. And it's stronger than any of you Senatorials think.”

”How do you mean that?” asked Jessine, still unable to believe him.

”We have access to Kitchle/s estate at Hori- zon Park, of course, and that means we can fight off attacks with a small force. 1*11 say this for Kitchley - he made a fortress of his estate. I doubt the Secretarial Palace was as well-armed as Kitchley's retreat. Well, it has to be now, doesn't it?” His amus.e.m.e.nt was emphatic and he stared at Jessine, challenging her to correct him or become angry.

'They will find you, Ereley. And when they do, no matter who is in power, they will take me back.” Jessine masked the fear welling in her.

She would not give them the pleasure of know- ing how badly they frightened her. As she moved

119.

Chelsea Quznn Yarbro

in her seat she felt her locket move under her s.h.i.+rt.

They were nearing the first boundaries of Horizon Park now, and two skirmisher aircars came up, demanding to know who was in the air- car and where it was bound. ”If you are not authorized, turn back or we will be forced to shoot you down,” said die nearer skirmisher.

”Under-Clerk Ereley, for Appointments Clerk Kitchley to Kitchleys estate, the Orchid,” he said, motioning the others to silence while the identification process was completed. ”Escorting Madame Bouriere.” He glared at her, daring her to contradict him.

”Voiceprint checks,” said the skirmisher. ”But we regret we do not have full release from Appointments Clerk Kitchley. The first signal was sent, but not the second.”

Ereley stared out at the skirmishers. ”What do you mean?” he asked.

The other Daphneans were instantly somber, and the driver looked anxiously from one skir- misher to the other.

There must be a second release, which has not yet arrived.” The skirmisher said. ”We must request you land and wait until clearance is given ”

”But,” said Ereley, trying not to sound desper- ate, ”We have Madame Bouriere with us. We are

120.

under orders to take her to the Orchid. We must have clearance at once.”