problem, Earl, one they solved in their own way. To be known as the Original Residents was a contradiction if they bought the world from others so they changed the name. A new world and so new settlers. No contradiction.'
'And the others?'
'Those here before?' She shook her head. 'Who knows? They couldn't make a go of it and were happy to sell.'
With guns to help them make up their minds, threats added to bribery or it could have been a plain, simple massacre. Such things had been common in the past-had the name been changed to dilute the guilt?
Even if they had been allowed to leave peacefully it didn't help. How to follow them? Where to go? And if they had left anything of value behind them it must have long since been sold or broken for basic worth. And nothing would have been able to exist in the hills.
'So they had an entire world,' mused Fiona. 'A whole damned planet to call their own. One to hold and share out and play with just as they liked. One to keep all to themselves just as we keep it now. Just as we share it now. Hoarding it, you might say. But what makes you so interested in a name?' She frowned when he told her. 'Earth? You're looking for Earth!'
She could have heard something, learned something-the chance had to be taken. A hope which died as she laughed.
'Earl, you're joking or crazy! The place doesn't exist. If it did it would be listed in the almanacs and navigation tables. With enough money you could hire a ship or buy a passage. It's a myth, I tell you. A legend!'
It was real and Dumarest knew it. He had been born on Earth, had left it as a boy, had spent years now searching for the way back. A way lost as he had traveled deeper into the galaxy, the very name a subject for amusement. Yet the planet was there, waiting for him and, one day, he would find it.
The soft voice said, 'Maximus, Cyber Zao asks for audience.'
The man could wait! Leaning back in his chair Rham Kalova scowled at the dancing lights on the relay and felt anger at the interruption. The plan needed careful preparation; every diversity and potential fluctuation had to be assessed before the first attack was undertaken. A diversion, he'd decided, one to forestall potential defenses, allow him to move in subtle ways and then, at the last, to win him the prize.
He'd have Fiona Velen groveling at his feet before it was over!
'Maximus?' The soft voice held a note of interrogation and he realized he hadn't answered the original announcement. For a moment he was tempted to vocalize his immediate reaction then thought better of it. Not that he needed Zao-for once he would act on his own, yet to insult the cyber would be to act with stupidity.
He said, temporizing, 'I am engaged. Ask him to have patience and wait.'
'For how long, Maximus?'
An hour? Two? How to tell how long it would take?
'I will summon him later.' He looked again at the screen, frowned as again the voice broke his concentration, 'What is it now?'
'Cyber Zao asks that you be notified that he will be unavailable for three hours, Maximus.'
A snub and later he would decide what to do about it but for now let the man think he had asserted his authority.
'In three hours, then.'
'Yes, Maximus.'
Again he concentrated on the pattern of lights. All was relatively calm; only slight activity from a few minor holders maneuvering for advantage, as was to be expected. The large holders were quiescent, probably studying the situation and waiting for an opportunity. Arment would need to consolidate his recent gains and Helm must realize how dangerous it was to expand too fast. Bulem was easy meat and could be vanquished at a touch but would that be to his benefit? Reed held a flexible position and Lynne Oldrant's aspirations were obvious.
A pact? The woman was ambitious and noted for her greed. As was Myra Lancing. A moment and he had passed on to study other facts, other possibilities. The screen of lights changed as he moved to a closer study of any other variables. The weed in the installation held by Chargel- would that affect the value of Lobel's holding? Would the man again come to another's rescue? A possibility to be negated and for long minutes Kalova searched for a way to combat the event should it threaten. Time which joined that already wasted.
Again the soft voice broke his concentration. 'Maximus. Cyber Zao has arrived.'
So soon? Kalova blinked as he turned his head from the dancing, hypnotic glow of the lights. Should he send the man away or yield and allow him to enter? To work alone or to ask for aid?
Alone, he decided. His would be the labor and his the reward all the more sweet for having been gained by his own skill. A sweetness strengthened by another's respect and regard.
'Maximus?'
'Have him enter.'
He chose to ignore the man, concentrating again on the signals, assessing streaming facts and feeling himself expand with recaptured ability.
'My lord?' Zao stepped to where Kalova was sitting. 'You know that the woman Fiona Velen has taken Dumarest to her house? The prediction that they are now lovers is of the order of ninety-nine percent.'
'An advantage, Cyber.' Kalova looked at the tall, robed figure. 'One I recognized as soon as the information was received. Let her use him; once she tires of her new toy she will be eager to sell.'
The assessment of an amateur but Zao made no comment.
'Not that I will wait,' snapped Kalova. 'My plans are being formulated at this very moment. Pressure on Reed and Traske so as to apply a pincer movement on the holdings adjacent to those held by Barracola. The result will be a flurry between Judd, Vanderburg and Prador. While attention is diverted I will snap up Bulem and force the woman to sell in order to protect her eastern holdings. A good plan, you agree?'
A complicated one and it would not work as intended- Zao could tell it at a glance. Kalova was too blinded by his anger toward the woman to be able to assess clearly the situation. He ignored factors which had to be taken into account in his determination to ruin Fiona Velen who had dared to defy him. A weakness and one he failed to recognize. The fact alone proclaimed his failing abilities as did his insistence on working alone.
Megalomania, now clearly obvious, a disease which threatened the stability of Sacaweena.
'Well?' Kalova was impatient. 'Your comments?'
'I would advise a delay, my lord. Nothing is to be gained by undue haste.'
'You talk of delay? What of the punishment you wish to inflict on Dumarest?'
'You confuse determination with revenge, my lord. Haste can lead to error and confusion. The delay I speak of is a matter of a few days. Time to wait until the situation is more favorable.'
'You doubt my plan, is that it?'
'My lord-what if it should fail?'
'It will not fail!' Kalova's hands were quivering with rage, an anger reflected in his eyes, the savage compression of his lips. Abruptly he rose to pace the floor with quick, impatient strides. 'I am the Maximus,' he snapped. 'I am that because I won the majority holding years ago. The skill which served me then is still with me. You have helped, Cyber, that I agree, but this is one thing I will do alone. That bitch will have cause to regret her contempt!'
'Even so, my lord, I-'
'No!' Kalova was curt in his interruption. 'I will hear no more. Why did you want to see me?'
'A matter of your authorization on this order.' Zao produced it. 'For the. guards at the field,' he explained. 'Under no circumstances must Dumarest be permitted to leave this world without your approval.'
An irksome formality and already he had given the instructions but the fierce pride of the Orres demanded such rituals. Each held complete autonomy over his holdings; to violate their rights would be to risk losing all.
'Here!' Kalova threw back the signed order. 'Your man is trapped-I trust the Cyclan will be grateful for my cooperation.'
Risan was busy when Zao returned to his quarters, a sheaf of papers strewn on the desk before him, the compact keyboard of a computer at his side. On a relay the dancing lights flashed and glowed with shifting color, each change bringing action, fingers tapping the keys, checking, moving again.
As he went to rise Zao said, 'Continue.'
He took a place behind the acolyte, watching, making his own assessments. For some it was necessary to isolate each facet, to evaluate it, to fit it into an overall pattern. One which changed under the impact of newly
