Imperial Night by Eric Thomson

Author:Eric Thomson
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781989314265
Published: 2020-08-21T21:31:38+00:00

— 26 —

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“For someone who runs an entire religious order as Summus Abbatissa, you don’t seem any different. No special robes or brooches?” Morane held out his hands to greet Gwenneth as she stepped out of her aircar.

“We don’t do ostentatious, and my status is essentially unchanged since my flock is no bigger than it was before today’s assembly.” She gave him a radiant smile. “I can thank you for the result, however.”

“Not me, but Sun Tzu.” Morane led her up the steps and into the house. “Give me your bag and head for the solarium. Emma is making us celebratory gin and tonics.”

When he, Reyes, and Gwenneth were sitting in their usual chairs, glass in hand, facing a Vanquish Bay shimmering under the setting sun, the latter said, “You know this isn’t over by a long shot.”

“I’d be a fool if I thought otherwise, but you drained the antimatter from Loxias’ hyperdrives. He expected a show of stubborn defiance. Instead, you agreed and amplified, letting him coast with no way of boosting his cause. I’m sure Loxias lost more than a few supporters the moment you laid out your proposals.”

“No doubt. But he’ll get them back once they realize I won’t be attending weekly cabinet meetings or visiting Government House regularly.”

A mysterious smile softened Morane’s craggy features.

“I think we can arrange things and make you appear like an honored friend of the powerful and sit at their tables without actually having you interfere in secular governance.”

“I should mislead the Brethren?”

“Would it be misleading if you attended the president’s weekly cabinet breakfast once a month? We invite community leaders regularly. The only reason you’ve never attended is because you never accepted the invitation.”

“I was making a point.” Gwenneth gave Morane a mildly exasperated glare. “Render unto Caesar and all that.”

“Don’t I know it. My attempts at enticing you out of the abbey over the years were for naught.” He gave her an annoyed glare of his own. “Just play along. I know you can do that. From now on, you’ll be the honored guest every last Thursday of the month. Enjoy the meal, chat with the secretaries. Exchange suspicious looks with Brigid DeCarde. Have fun. The food is pretty good too. Then go home knowing Loxias and his crew saw nothing more than their abbess breaking bread with the most powerful in the republic. There’s no misleading if they believe what they want. Simply say that whatever you heard came under the banner of cabinet confidence and keep silent.”

Gwenneth took a sip of her drink, eyes on the bay’s dark waters, then said, “Very well. I can play that game in the interests of keeping the peace.”

“Excellent. Expect a formal invitation by the end of the week.”

“Thank you, Jonas. Though I think Loxias will eventually see through the ploy when he notices nothing much has changed in the way we interact with the government.”

“It’s called buying time so you can figure out another way of bleeding off your friars’ excess energy and ambition.

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