Ship Show: A Humorous Space Opera (Reassembly Book 3) by C.P. James
Author:C.P. James [James, C.P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-03-15T16:00:00+00:00
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
THE NO IN KEYNOTE
The so-called Grand Salon was an enormous stadium hanging off the back of the convention center. Not as big as the one on Zorr where they watched Sumbakh, but large enough to hold a hundred thousand attendees with room to spare. Voprot found a section nearby for oversized species, which, ominously, hosted a handful of Gundrun military brass. Doc and Parmhar were seated in front of him, Oz, and Denk.
A square stage sat in the middle of the floor under colorful hovering lights. Black steps came up through a hole in the middle, and a projection of âIASS 2427â drifted lazily back and forth.
Parmhar still didnât have his funding. Heâd been crestfallen to learn of Geddy and Ozâs unproductive evening but held out hope that Tatiana would come through before the show was over.
The previous night ended with Geddy and Oz helping Tati back to her suite at the Baroness, a luxurious property adjoining the convention center. Her drunkenness wasnât an act, but her willingness to end the night early certainly was. They left her on the bed, promising to return shortly, but she passed out immediately.
They hadnât seen Rader at the keynote, but you couldnât have picked out anyone in a venue this large unless they were nearby. Oz clearly wasnât ready to talk about him yet, and the only information Geddy gleaned from him was that the keynote was somehow significant. Otherwise, theyâd still be in bed.
âWhat did he say to you, exactly?â Oz asked.
âHe said, âSee you at the keynote, brother. Itâs really happening.ââ
"What's 'it?' What do they have to do with the keynote?â
âI have no idea. Whatâd he say to you? More to the point, what did you say to him?â
She tilted her head, an irritated look crossing her face. âWhy?â
âWhy? Because heâs a freaking â¦â he lowered his voice, âyou-know-what.â
âHe doesnât know anything about our mission if thatâs what you mean. We swapped a few stories. It wasnât a big deal.â
Before Geddy could read anything into that, the house lights dimmed, and a spotlight picked up a sharp-dressed Zihnian as he ascended through the hole in floor of the square platform.
A booming announcerâs voice came through the PA. âPlease welcome the president of the Intergalactic Association of Ship Suppliers, Meihen Soupadou!â
The small manâs ash-gray skin popped against his blue uniform, presumably the sort that IASS leadership wore around the office. He acknowledged the welcoming applause.
âGreetings, attendees, and thank you. Before we begin, Iâve been asked to make a brief announcement. A gray Nichuan light transport, transponder number 892373Q, has exploded.â
A four-armed Nichuan sprung from his seat on the floor and limped hurriedly down the aisle toward the exit, drawing sniggers from the crowd as Soupadou continued.
âWelcome to IASS 2427!â He gestured grandly about him as the auditorium filled with applause. âOn behalf of the association board of trustees, thank you for coming.
âI know youâre anxious to hear our top-secret keynote speaker, but first, one of our members has asked for a few minutes of your time to make an important announcement.
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