Steven Gordon 3: The Modloch Empire (29 page)

The Emperor rubbed his hands together
in glee. ‘I think we have done well. Let us hope that Kelly is man
enough to take some of the sharp edges off the bitch.’

The two laughed together easily, ‘Well
it won’t happen tonight if I know Jane. Kelly has his work cut out
for him. Still a work in progress.’ He looked round. ‘It would seem
they aren’t the only ones enjoying themselves.’

The Emperor followed suit. ‘Yes, our
fellow rulers do seem to be relaxing a bit more. Our initial talks
went well.’

‘
Glad to hear
it.’

‘
I think some want to
make a precondition.’

‘
On what
point?’

‘
That Humans will not
be able to take or hold planets at this side of the barrier. If
they help take a world then their reward would be something
different from the usual.’

‘
Ah yes! If a
coalition of forces take a planet or home world under direction of
the federation, then that world or worlds shall be divided up
equally, or in proportion to the number of their forces
involved.’

‘
Yes that’s it
exactly.’

‘
I see. They have
reservations about us spreading across the galaxy.’

‘
More or less. I am
sure attitudes will change as the years pass. I suppose that is in
your own hands. Do you think your people will have a problem with
that?’

The King shook his head. ‘I can’t see
it being a problem. In all the discussions we have held, it isn’t a
subject that has ever come up.’

The Emperor smiled. ‘That is good to
hear. It would be handy to know before tomorrow afternoon when we
meet again.’

‘
Are you giving them
time to get round their hangovers?’

‘
They are going to
need it.’

The two laughed hard.

Behind the scenes the jocks were
screaming in laughter at the banter between Charlie and the Bear.
They were getting ready to go. Most of the entertainers had already
left. Charlie could have got Babes to simply beam him aboard but he
was enjoying the company and had decided to hang around with the
guys for as long as he could.

He wasn’t aware of Rannalld’s presence
until he was grabbed by the neck from behind. It was a fierce grip
meant to incapacitate.

Rannalld’s world suddenly turned upside
down, and he was dealt a disabling blow to his midsection. When his
senses returned he felt the cold kiss of steel at his throat and an
ice cold pair of eyes staring down at him.

‘
You had better have
a damn good reason for grabbing me like that laddie, or I am going
to fix you permanently to the floor.’

Charlie had no idea who Rannalld was,
but the Bear did. ‘Murison,’ he hissed, ‘let him up!’

‘
Back off Bear, this
is not your problem.’

‘
It will be
everyone’s problem if you kill him.’

Charlie turned his eyes back to
Rannalld. ‘Who the hell are you?’

‘
Grand Marshall
Rannalld. Imperial Modloch Forces. Brother of the great
Emperor.’

‘
What the hell do you
want with me?’

‘
I wish to talk to
you.’

‘
Oh really? Is that
how you go about talking to someone in your forces? Grabbing them
by the neck?’

Rannalld hesitated, ‘No...’

‘
Didn’t think so. Is
it how you think you should begin a conversation with a
Human?’

Rannalld sighed, ‘no.’

‘
You had better damn
well explain yourself then.’

Rannalld felt his anger rise. ‘I am a
Grand Marshall, how dare you treat me so?’

‘
You are a Grand
Marshall of nothing to me. You’re not even in my army.’

The truth of his words began to sink
into Rannalld. He had an ally though. ‘Murison, for God’s sake man.
Let him up, that is an order.’

Charlie leaned over slightly. ‘Now him
I have to listen to, so you listen very carefully to me. I will
sheath my sword and let you up. If you make one more aggressive
move towards me though I will cut you into a half dozen pieces
before you can blink. Am I making myself clear?’

‘
Perfectly.’

Charlie took a few steps back
accompanied by a click as the sword was returned to its scabbard.
Rannalld blinked. It was as though the sword had simply vanished.
Rannalld realised as he got up slowly that the man had the ability
to carry out the threat, and was no doubt still angry enough to
mean it.

‘
What is this all
about sir?’ De Beer asked.

‘
It is
personal.’

His eyes snapped to Charlie. ‘What the
hell have you done Murison?’

‘
Buggered if I
know.’

‘
I have been informed
that this man has had private audiences with my brother, the
Emperor, without any of his guards being present. I wish to know if
this is true.’

‘
Mind yer own damn
business.’

‘
Murison,’ The Bear
growled, ‘he is a senior officer, I don’t give a shit whose army he
is in.’

Charlie snarled at him but backed down.
‘With all due respect to your rank, I gave my word of honour to the
Emperor that I would never discuss anything he said with anyone
else. I will not break my word. If he wished to discuss it with
you, I am sure he would have done so by now. If you have any more
questions sir, I respectfully suggest that you speak to him
directly.’

Rannalld found he was breathing hard.
He was going to get nowhere with this man and he knew it. ‘Then I
will do that.’

‘
One more thing sir.’
Charlie took a threatening step forward. ‘I know you Modloch Royals
have a fondness for killing and torturing anyone that you think has
slighted you or made you lose face. If you come after me, I will
kill you, regardless of who your brother is. Am I making myself
understood?’

‘
Perfectly.’

‘
Good day
sir.’

Rannalld stormed off. He heard the
officer reprimand his subordinate soundly to a wall of silence.
When he was out of sight and sound, he stopped to compose himself
for a minute. He rubbed the spot where Charlie’s elbow had crashed
into his stomach. It still hurt like hell. He still didn’t know how
Charlie had done it, or where the sword had come from. He was sure
they had all been lying on a table a few feet away. Charlie’s last
words had chilled him. There was only one member of the family who
was permitted to torture someone. There were very strict protocols
that none dared breach, including himself. By Charlie’s own words,
he had pointed a finger straight at the Emperor himself. This could
only mean that the two had a run in somewhere. Rannalld felt shamed
and angry, but more than that he felt intrigued. When the time was
right he would confront his brother.

Once Rannalld was out of earshot the
Bear stopped shouting at Charlie. ‘What the hell was that all
about?’

Charlie scanned the area for any sign
that Rannalld could overhear him. ‘At that last ball, the king
asked me to show up the Modloch Emperor. I stopped one of his
guards removing one of those fancy swords they carry. I got a wee
bit carried away and gobbed off. The Emperor didna like that very
much so tried to have me tortured and executed. It was my own fault
so please, say nothing. Anyway, I’m still here and I put a dozen of
his guards in hospital. I got the drop on them basically and held a
gun to the Emperor’s head.’

‘
That’s a bad, bad
situation Charlie.’

‘
Certainly was, aye.
It was what I said that had done the damage. Or maybe the tone in
which I had said it. I offered to fight his men to prove that I had
actually been... ach, what the hell’s the word?’

‘
Genuine?’ Bear
offered.

‘
Aye something like
that. No having a go or just being a prick.’

‘
Genuine,’ The Bear
sighed.

‘
Anyway, after I
leathered his men there was no one left to pour his bloody tea when
it arrived, so I did it for him. That more than anything else
seemed to prove to him that I was actually being truthful and
respectful. Now he is always popping over when he is in the
vicinity. He thinks if he studies me he can get a better handle on
the Human race.’

‘
Does he know about
your special abilities?’

‘
Oh hell no. He
thinks all Humans are supermen.’

The Bear patted him on the back. ‘Maybe
better that way for just now. What is it you are actually doing
these days? Still guarding Captain Gordon?’

‘
No. At the moment
I’m working with Kelly, the World War Two vet.’

‘
Heard about that.
Try and keep your head down alright?’

‘
I am seriously
trying to sir. Shit keeps happening to me though.’

CHAPTER 35

The party had been a great success. The
Emperor was immensely pleased with himself. The Human drink had
flowed and the nobles had began to relax. Many had brought their
wives and it wasn’t long before they tried the dance steps. Lady
Jane had become an impromptu teacher. The wives, knowing she was
with the royal party, had approached her for instruction. It wasn’t
long before his own wife had persuaded him to have a try. All in
all he had enjoyed the dancing immensely. His wife was happy, the
wives of his guests were happy, so they too would be happy.

He was sitting checking the monthly
profits from his savannah grass sales; they too were making him
happy. Not only had the Humans added immense wealth to his Empire,
they had also added to the flavour of life.

His servant arrived with tea, grass
biscuits and a bowl of pickled walnuts. ‘The Grand Marshal is here
to see you sire. Will I show him in?’

The Emperor glanced at the tray. ‘Well
you have already brought an extra cup.’

The servant left; Rannalld marched in
and saluted. ‘sire.’

‘
Stop strutting about
Rannalld and pour the tea.’

Rannalld smiled and relaxed, ‘Are we to
be informal today sire?’

‘
You have been
sticking your nose in my business Rannalld, would you rather this
be a formal meeting?’

Rannalld immediately tensed and decided
to pour the tea. When they were comfortable the Emperor took a sip
of tea, ‘I hear you almost got yourself pinned to the floor last
night.’

‘
I should have known
that you would find out. I’m sorry. I heard that you were having
private audiences with a Human without guards being present. I was
concerned for your welfare and safety.’

‘
So instead of coming
to see me directly, you thought that you would challenge the Human
instead.’

‘
I thought it more
expedient. He was nearer at hand.’

‘
So how did that turn
out for you?’

‘
It didn’t, as you
well know.’

‘
The man you
challenged is a stone-hearted killer Rannalld, you are very lucky
to be alive. Can you imagine the problems that would have caused me
and these negotiations?’

‘
I did not think it
through properly.’

‘
Not good enough
Rannalld, not for my brother, nor for the grand commander of my
army. You acted with emotion, you acted without finding out the
facts. I understand your concern was my safety, and that’s the only
thing that is saving your life now. If it had been anyone else I
would have had them executed. This business with the Humans is far
too important to have it ruined by a random act of stupidity.’ He
pushed the bowl of walnuts across to him and Rannalld popped a few
into his mouth.

Rannalld munched away for a moment.
‘These nuts are truly glorious.’

‘
I had them analysed
and tested. Just a few of those nuts contains five times the
nutrition a half bale of grass does.’

‘
That is
astounding.’

‘
More so when you
realize they are completely harmless to our race.’ He pushed the
plate across. ‘Try one of these biscuits.’

‘
Not really in the
mood for dried grass biscuits, Darrick. Since when did you start
eating them?’

‘
I
insist.’

Rannalld hesitated then took a biscuit.
One mouthful was all it took to change his mind. ‘Oh wow! Where did
these come from?’

‘
What is our biggest
logistical nightmare for any operation Rannalld?’

‘
Food.’

‘
Did you know that
Human infantry men often carry up to five days worth of rations
when they are on operations, mainly in places where they can’t be
provisioned easily?’

‘
Seriously?’

‘
That biscuit you are
eating is made up from Human fruit, nuts and grass. One of those
has three times the nutritional value of a normal meal.’

Rannalld munched away. ‘I doubt if they
would make you feel full.’

‘
Is that
important?’

‘
Not really. Hardship
is a soldier’s burden to bear. What else am I tasting here? It’s
sweet.’

‘
Something called
honey.’

Rannalld took a sip of tea. ‘Wow! I can
quite literally feel that kick in.’

‘
Good, isn’t
it?’

‘
Very.’