handsomely compensated for your trouble.”
Tamas’ relaxed attitude was making Connor increasingly nervous. This wasn’t the reaction of a man who had just had his hoped dashed. The attempt at bribery just confirmed his suspicions.
Connor reached for the com link behind his ear, to call the Apollo to abandon this assignment. He’d fetch Chesara back from the party, and they’d head back to the ship to sort out this diplomatic mess before going any further. When he pressed the button just under the skin, he didn’t get the expected connection pulse.
Tamas was smiling coldly. “Just because our society prefers not to use such invasive technology, doesn’t mean that all of us are ignorant about it, or that we don’t know how to use or circumvent it. This room is shielded from such devices as your com implant.”
Connor stood and made for the door. If he could reach the Apollo by using the planetary communication system located somewhere in the Embassy, the situation would be quickly resolved without a significant diplomatic incident. Failing that, he’d use the shuttle to hunt Tenset down, whether he knew about his uncle’s scheme or not and retrieve Chesara.
“Guards,” Tamas called out in a leisurely fashion.
The two guards that appeared in the doorway were dressed in green, military style uniforms. Both were holding Federation standard issue beam weapons.
Connor tucked and rolled as two stun blasts flew over his head. He came up in front of the guards and punched one squarely on the nose. The other charged him with a roar; his momentum carried them both down to the floor. Connor made sure he rolled backwards when he hit, throwing the guard over his head to crash into the desk. Coming quickly to his feet he looked over to see Tamas holding another weapon pointed directly at his face. The weapon remained aimed at him as the two guards regained their feet. The one he’d punched wiped at his bleeding nose.
Tamas indicated the chair Connor had recently occupied with a wave of the weapon. Connor righted the chair that’d been knocked over, before sitting back down. The bleeding guard stood by the door, the other moved to stand behind Connor’s chair.
Tamas smiled. “Please don’t distress yourself my dear Mr. Temple. I’m sure we can conclude our business without any more unpleasantness. Have some more wine.”
When Connor didn’t pick up the proffered glass, Tamas sighed slightly. “I must admit that I’m a little disappointed that you are apparently unique amongst the Federation officials, in that you haven’t jumped at the offer of a bribe. Still, it makes negotiations far more interesting, don’t you think?” He smiled as if they were at a normal social gathering.
Connor merely looked at him; it was obviously up to Tamas to make the next move.
“Shall I explain your position first?” Tamas enquired most politely.
Connor remained silent.
“You are stranded on a hostile world, separated from your charge and unable to contact assistance. Any help you are expecting from the ship in orbit will not be forthcoming.” Tama checked his ornate clockwork wristwatch, before giving Connor another cold smile.
“As of half an hour ago, Kalzir has been placed under strict quarantine due to the Hespian plague, or at least that’s what has been communicated to your vessel. In case you are unfamiliar with the incubation period of that nasty little disease, quarantine will last for precisely one year after the last case is diagnosed, and we only plan on having a handful of cases. As the hybrid can’t heal herself, she’d be a quarantine risk too so she’s as planet bound as the rest of us.”
The satisfaction in his pompous voice grated on every nerve Connor had, but he successfully kept the fact that he knew the scenario wouldn’t work to himself. The plan was well thought out, and two years ago, it would probably have been successful.
Tamas was correct in his assertion that in cases such as
Tamas’ relaxed attitude was making Connor increasingly nervous. This wasn’t the reaction of a man who had just had his hoped dashed. The attempt at bribery just confirmed his suspicions.
Connor reached for the com link behind his ear, to call the Apollo to abandon this assignment. He’d fetch Chesara back from the party, and they’d head back to the ship to sort out this diplomatic mess before going any further. When he pressed the button just under the skin, he didn’t get the expected connection pulse.
Tamas was smiling coldly. “Just because our society prefers not to use such invasive technology, doesn’t mean that all of us are ignorant about it, or that we don’t know how to use or circumvent it. This room is shielded from such devices as your com implant.”
Connor stood and made for the door. If he could reach the Apollo by using the planetary communication system located somewhere in the Embassy, the situation would be quickly resolved without a significant diplomatic incident. Failing that, he’d use the shuttle to hunt Tenset down, whether he knew about his uncle’s scheme or not and retrieve Chesara.
“Guards,” Tamas called out in a leisurely fashion.
The two guards that appeared in the doorway were dressed in green, military style uniforms. Both were holding Federation standard issue beam weapons.
Connor tucked and rolled as two stun blasts flew over his head. He came up in front of the guards and punched one squarely on the nose. The other charged him with a roar; his momentum carried them both down to the floor. Connor made sure he rolled backwards when he hit, throwing the guard over his head to crash into the desk. Coming quickly to his feet he looked over to see Tamas holding another weapon pointed directly at his face. The weapon remained aimed at him as the two guards regained their feet. The one he’d punched wiped at his bleeding nose.
Tamas indicated the chair Connor had recently occupied with a wave of the weapon. Connor righted the chair that’d been knocked over, before sitting back down. The bleeding guard stood by the door, the other moved to stand behind Connor’s chair.
Tamas smiled. “Please don’t distress yourself my dear Mr. Temple. I’m sure we can conclude our business without any more unpleasantness. Have some more wine.”
When Connor didn’t pick up the proffered glass, Tamas sighed slightly. “I must admit that I’m a little disappointed that you are apparently unique amongst the Federation officials, in that you haven’t jumped at the offer of a bribe. Still, it makes negotiations far more interesting, don’t you think?” He smiled as if they were at a normal social gathering.
Connor merely looked at him; it was obviously up to Tamas to make the next move.
“Shall I explain your position first?” Tamas enquired most politely.
Connor remained silent.
“You are stranded on a hostile world, separated from your charge and unable to contact assistance. Any help you are expecting from the ship in orbit will not be forthcoming.” Tama checked his ornate clockwork wristwatch, before giving Connor another cold smile.
“As of half an hour ago, Kalzir has been placed under strict quarantine due to the Hespian plague, or at least that’s what has been communicated to your vessel. In case you are unfamiliar with the incubation period of that nasty little disease, quarantine will last for precisely one year after the last case is diagnosed, and we only plan on having a handful of cases. As the hybrid can’t heal herself, she’d be a quarantine risk too so she’s as planet bound as the rest of us.”
The satisfaction in his pompous voice grated on every nerve Connor had, but he successfully kept the fact that he knew the scenario wouldn’t work to himself. The plan was well thought out, and two years ago, it would probably have been successful.
Tamas was correct in his assertion that in cases such as
Similar Books
