Luna: Wolf Moon by Ian McDonald

Author:Ian McDonald
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates

7: LIBRA – SCORPIO 2105

The Eagle of the Moon serves exceeding good Martinis but Ariel leaves hers untouched on the polished stone table on the edge of the drop.

‘I thought it was always Martini hour in some quadra,’ the Eagle says.

‘I don’t have the taste for it this morning.’

They sit facing each other across the small stone table beneath the sculptured canopy of the Orange Pavilion, on the very edge of the stupendous vault of Antares Hub. Late traffic hums across the bridges and crosswalks, up and down the cable ways, bobbing through the air. The sunline deepens to evening, the street lights blink on as the daylight recedes along the sun lines to the furthest ends of the quadra’s prospekts. It was morning the last time Ariel sat here, in this belvedere, by this stupendous vista. The last time she sat in this Eyrie, the Eagle of the Moon had commanded a dynastic marriage. Corta and Mackenzie. Lucasinho and Denny. The bergamots on the ornamental trees still bear traces of silver paint from the wedding decorations.

‘I’m owed an explanation, Jonathon.’

‘The board was about to table a motion of no confidence. I forestalled that.’

‘You took them hostage.’

‘I arrested them.’

‘Our legal system has no process of arrest. You kidnapped them and you’re holding them hostage. Where are they?’

‘They’re under guard in their apartments. I’ve taken the precaution of dialling down their breathing. It works wonders with compliance.’

‘There is nothing in the LDC articles of incorporation that permits you to abduct and hold the board of the Lunar Development Corporation.’

‘This is the moon, Ariel. We do what we like.’

‘Do you want me to quit, Jonathon? I will if you shit me. There are eight thousand writs out there and I’m the only thing between them and you.’

‘I was tipped off that the board would try and remove me from office at that meeting.’

‘Vidhya Rao.’

‘E predicted the attempted No Confidence motion. The board’s move to unseat me was orchestrated from Earth. The terrestrial nation states are moving against me.’

‘Why did you contract me, Jonathon?’

‘Vidhya Rao’s machines make guesses through finding patterns, often indiscernible to humans. E tracked the financial flows back through a bewildering array of shell companies to sovereign wealth funds. At the centre is someone you know well. Your brother.’

Ariel tucks her Oscar de la Renta clutch bag under her arm and turns her chair away.

‘Fantasy, Jonathon. Paranoia. I’m out. This contract is terminated. I no longer represent you.’

Jonathon Kayode reaches across the table to seize Ariel’s wrist; a swift move for a big man.

‘Lucas survived the Suns’ assassination attempt, escaped the moon and found refuge with VTO.’

‘Let me go, Jonathon.’ She meets Jonathon Kayode’s eyes. The grip on her wrist releases. The Eagle is also a strong man; his fingers have left pale imprints on her brown skin. ‘You hired me as a shield.’

‘Yes.’

‘Fuck you, Jonathon.’

‘Yes. So will you walk?’

Ariel eyes the Martini. Cold and potent and holy. She lifts the glass from the table and takes a sip. Sanity, certainty.

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