might have to disobey.”
Buskin frowned. “My sense, as well. I hope it’s not so.”
“It’s the second part that makes no sense to me, sir. Since Daughter is Queen, her husband, Jornell, is King.”
“Not so, Lieutenant. Jornell is dead.”
Krys sucked in a breath, her thoughts on the Queen. “She has a daughter, doesn’t she?”
“She does.”
Tarn frowned. “If we don’t have a king, who’s king is it? We’ve seen the word ‘dirt’ in several of your visions, Krys. It has always referred to a certain individual. We don’t know who he is. Could he be a king?”
Krys shook her head. “We don’t know anything about him. I’ve never sensed he was a king, but I suppose it’s possible. I have no idea what he’s crying about.”
“Nor do I,” Tarn replied. “The rest of the words are well understood by everyone in this room, but what battle, and what war? Is it our war, or is it this king’s war?” He looked to Buskin. “Any idea, sir?”
“No, but your reasoning is helpful. Seen through your eyes, I sense something strongly from the message, and I do believe it is a message.”
“I do, as well, sir, and the vision of a thousand ships is part of it. I believe there is a great battle in your future. I’m concerned about this king’s tears. When I look at the pattern of Krys’ visions, all of them have been of something that was yet to happen, but in every case of which I’m aware, they applied to our war against the Rebels and Chessori. I believe that whatever this king is crying about pertains to us, the Queen, and our own war. In this particular case, I sense a warning more than I sense a done deal.” He looked at Krys. “What is your sense, My Lady?”
“I, too, sense a warning. We’ve spoken of changing the outcome of visions, and this might be a case of doing just that. We were successful once.”
Tarn pursed his lips and nodded. Buskin sat down deep in thought. When he lifted his eyes to them, he said, “It appears, when taken as a whole, that I will have to make a choice, perhaps disobey an order, and if I choose wrong we’ll lose the war. Any idea when this will happen?”
Krys shook her head. “I do not sense imminence. I don’t mean to sound melodramatic, but it’s possible that the fate of the Empire rests on your shoulders.”
When Buskin’s squadron exited hyperspace, only a few civilian traders showed on the screens. Brodor lay some three weeks ahead. Admiral Buskin identified himself and was told to continue inbound but to expect visitors. A ship left the planet soon after. A week and a half later, it was inspected, then invited aboard. Buskin, Krys, and her three Protectors waited on the hangar deck as the ramp descended.
Three Great Cats padded down the ramp, Otis in the lead. Krys shrieked and ran to him, wrapping her arms around the fur of his neck. He suffered her ministrations, though he, too, seemed pleased. A look of sheer happiness filled her eyes as she stepped back from him.
“Welcome to Brodor, Krys,” he stated solemnly.
“It’s so good to see you, old friend.”
“It’s good to see you. I wish the circumstances were different. You are… older.”
“So are you. Is she here?”
“No.”
“I’ve never known you to be away from her.”
“I was wounded. I’m not yet back to my old self. Your brother is well, by the way.”
She grinned. “He’s a Knight now, isn’t he.”
Otis nodded. “He’s wearing Sir Jarl’s pins.”
“Oh, I wish I could have been there. It must have been special.”
“It was. Will you make the introductions?”
Buskin led the small delegation to his conference room. They got down to business immediately.
“I need more Great Cats, Sire,” Buskin began.
“I just arrived back on Brodor, only to find that you’ve absconded with quite a few of my brothers already. What, exactly, are you doing with them?”
“Training them on the net, Sire. They’re the only known tool we have against the Chessori.”
“I’ve been under the influence of this mind weapon many times. It’s not an easy thing to deal with. You expect them to fight and fly at the same time? Finesse is not possible while functioning under the strain of the mind weapon.”
Borg spoke. “I have fought and won in spite of it.”
“How many times, and against how many?”
“Once. We took out two Empire fighters crewed by Chessori. A bit of subterfuge helped, Sire. Kross, too, took out a Chessori trader while piloting a frigate. Sheeb did the shooting.”
Otis nodded. He turned back to Buskin. “How many do you need?”
“As many as you can send, Sire. So far I have twenty-three squadrons to man, and I expect more, many more.”
Otis looked from Buskin to Krys. “You’ve been busy, more busy than I knew. Does Chandrajuski know?”
Buskin answered. “If he doesn’t yet, he will soon. I recently spoke with Governor Veswicki. Chandrajuski can plan for a thousand ships at the rate we’re going.”
“A thousand!” Otis padded across the room, then turned back to Buskin. “The Queen has about 40 at the moment.”
Buskin’s eyebrows rose. “Perhaps I should go to her.”
Otis considered. “No, Veswicki will supply more, and she’s well hidden. I like your plan, and I like the idea of a reserve force. It’s going to take time to gather my brothers together and train them.”
“It is, Sire. I’d like to suggest that instead of sending Great Cats to me, send them after more Great Cats. Build a network, then deliver.”
Otis shook his head. “Had I known of your needs, it would already be in place. I’ll get started immediately.”
“Sire, I don’t necessarily need fully qualified Guardians. I need bodies that can function under the mind weapon. I’ll train anyone you send.”
“You’re running a school out there, wherever ‘there’ is?”
“I’m doing whatever it takes, Sire.”
“It takes a certain… hardness… to function against the scree. Our young ones might not be up to it. I’ll take it under consideration. What else is on your agenda?”
“That’s all I came here to do. We need to work out rendezvous points and passwords, that’s all.”
“It’s not all. There are other developments of which you should be aware. You must visit Chandrajuski personally, and perhaps the Queen, as well. A force the size of yours cannot hide out in obscurity forever – you should be part of whatever plans are being developed.”
He padded away from Buskin for a moment, then turned back to face him, peering hard into his eyes. “You bring great honor to your uniform, Admiral. Chandrajuski chose well. In the Queen’s name, I thank you for what you have done.” He sat, then looked at the two other Great Cats with him. When he turned back to Buskin, he said, “Work out the recruiting details with my men here. I need to spend some time with Krys. If you’ll excuse us, I’ll see you again before I leave.”
“Very well, Sire, and thank you. My plan won’t work without your brothers.”
“Actually, it might. If things go as planned, my men will be a temporary measure. Chandrajuski will explain.” He, Krys, and Tarn left.
“Will you join me on my ship?” Otis asked her.
“Will you join me on mine? I’d like my crew to meet you. None of them has ever met a Knight. They’ve had no proof of the Queen’s existence, only my words.”
“I’d be delighted, and they deserve proof. You and I will need some privacy.”
“I know. I hope you’ll include Tarn. He’s the Guide.”
