Read Online Cluster Command: Crisis of Empire II by David Drake, W. C. Dietz - Free Book Online

district glittering in the sun, while all around suburbs gave way to lush farmland.
    Suddenly they rounded a corner and drove into a paved courtyard. There was another vehicle, a civilian roadster, and beyond that a sprawling villa.
    As Knox cut power and put the car down, a human servant hurried out to greet them. In spite of his white house coat, Merikur recognized him immediately: Kevin Matsumoto, a member of the Elite Guard. Merikur started to say something, but a tiny shake of Matsumoto’s head stopped him.
    Matsumoto had read somewhere that Orientals were once considered inscrutable; he was doing his best to live up to that reputation. Apparently there was more to this than met the eye.
    “Right this way, Sir. Sergeant Knox, if you’ll wait here for a moment, someone will be along with refreshments.” Knox looked to Merikur for instructions.
    Merikur shrugged. “Beats me, Sergeant. If I’m not back in an hour, hose the place down with the twin .50s and send for reinforcements. In the meantime, have a good lunch.”
    Knox laughed. “Yes, Sir!”
    Merikur followed Matsumoto through a well-kept garden and into the villa. Inside, everything was cool stucco and comfortable furniture. Vases of fresh flowers complimented the nicely executed landscapes which decorated the walls.
    Stepping out onto the veranda, Merikur was greeted by a Cernian, also a member of the Elite Guard, and Bethany, stunning in slacks and a loose blouse. God, she was beautiful. She smiled, and despite himself his pulse began to quicken. “Welcome home, General. Can you join me for lunch?”
    For a moment, he stood there like a foolish schoolboy filled with confusing thoughts and emotions. Finally, he managed to smile and stutter a reply. “Thank you, Bethany. I’d enjoy that.”
    Was that relief in her eyes? He thought so but couldn’t be sure. Moments later, he found himself seated at a linen-covered table, sipping cool wine, and enjoying the sound of her voice. Another servant materialized, a Cernian, and after some brief instructions from Bethany disappeared into the kitchen. “I wasn’t sure if you’d come, so lunch won’t be ready for a few minutes.”
    Merikur smiled, searching her face for signs of the grief and anger which he’d always seen there before. He thought he detected a reserve, a barrier deep in her eyes, but all other signs of her previous distress had disappeared. “That’s fine. It feels good to get away from the office. This villa is absolutely beautiful. Whose is it?”
    Bethany smiled. “Ours if you want it. We’ve got to live somewhere and I thought you might like something a little more elaborate than the room next to your office.”
    The room next to his office? How did she know about that? “It’s wonderful,” he said looking around in awe. “Can I, we, afford it?”
    She laughed. “You really don’t know, do you? As it happens, cluster commanders rate pretty good quarters—and while you obviously haven’t given it any thought, your wife is quite wealthy.”
    Merikur hadn’t thought about it, but he realized she was right. His new rank plus allowances meant he was quite well off. And while of course she was wealthy, he hadn’t considered that either . . .
    He laughed self-consciously. “I’m afraid you’re right. The, ah, the new job keeps me pretty busy.”
    Suddenly anxious not to break the mood he said, “The villa is absolutely wonderful. How did you find it?”
    She leaned over to pour him some more wine, and he caught the scent of her, the faintest hint of feminine muskiness mixed with some subtle perfume. The effect brought catnip to his mind. He found his eyes drawn down the curve of her cheek to the fullness of her lips
    “It was quite easy actually. When the new governor is your uncle and the planet’s ranking military officer is your husband, real estate agents line up to assist you.”
    He laughed and took a sip of wine.
    “Anson?”
    Merikur mentally sat up and took notice. To