Crisis Of Empire - Crown Of Empire Part 19

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."

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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.

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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?"

"Somewhere you'll be safe."

They were headed out of the city again. Look- ing for her precious drop point, Wiley a.s.sumed.

He was beginning to have suspicions about this woman.

After several minutes, they approached a group of buildings. A little shanty town, Wiley saw, built around a factory. Nika landed the air- car in one of the narrow streets. As she hustled him out the starboard hatch, two men slid in the port side.

"Valet parking," commented Wiley, looking back over his shoulder. 'Very nice."

Nika tugged on his arm. She led Wiley toward one of the tumbledown shops. NORF'S BAR AND GRILL, read the sign. "Oh, good," said Wiley. "I was starting to get the munchies."

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Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

The hostess approached them on tiny cloven hooves. Her slim legs disappeared up under a tight sidrt. "Dinner or drinks?" she asked.

"Both," replied Wiley

"We're meeting someone," added Nika. "A party of six; tile name is Jones."

"Right this way. please." Wiley watched the hostess as she led them toward the back. Maybe if he hadn't blown off so many boring political dinners, he'd know what species she was.

She showed them to a small private dining room. The table was indeed set for six, but no one else was in the room. When the hostess had shut tiie door behind them, Nika went to the far wall, muttering under her breath.

"Come on, Wiley," she called.

"What about dinner?" he demanded. "I'm hungry."

A section of wall slid aside.

"Later. We have to keep moving."

Wiley shook his head and followed her. Would the surprises never end?

They stepped into a dropshaft, the wall closing as they fell.

Falling through the dim light of the dropshaft, Wiley tried to count the floors. Not a chance. A long way, he could figure that much out.

Then Nika grabbed him and they stopped,

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stepping out to a security station. Behind two panels ofglastic, underneath cameras and guns, sat a live human guard. Wiley thought he recog- nized the black uniform.

"You're Kona Tatsu," he whispered.