Shiva in Steel by Fred Saberhagen

Author:Fred Saberhagen [Saberhagen, Fred]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Science Fiction, Fiction, General
ISBN: 9780812571127
Publisher: Tor Science Fiction
Published: 1999-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

Page 91

TWELVE

Among Commander Normandy's skills were those of a capable and veteran pilot, and every now and then she found herself being tempted by the idea of turning command of the base over to Lieutenant Colonel Khodark and joining Murat and his people in their mission, as unlikely as their success must be.

She could argue with herself that if any such desperate scheme was going to be attempted, then it was her duty, as the ranking officer on the scene, to do everything in her power to make it work. For a short time, she even considered trying out that argument on Sadie. But ultimately she simply put it out of her mind. There was one unanswerable objection: She could not possibly abdicate her responsibility as base commander. Particularly not on this base.

Meanwhile, Harry Silver experienced another interesting encounter in the mess hall. This time it was the Emperor Julius who, carrying his own tray, stopped to inquire whether the seat across from Harry was taken. The room was more crowded than usual, and somehow the emperor seemed to have become accidentally separated from his usual entourage.

Or maybe-Harry couldn't tell-this time it was by deliberate choice that Julius wasn't sitting with his own people.

"No, it's not taken. Help yourself." Harry was aware that many eyes were turned in their direction, though he kept his own gaze fixed on the man across from him. None of the regular occupants of the base were quite sure what to make of either the emperor or Harry Silver. .

"Mr. Harry Silver, I believe."

"That's right. And you must be the ruler of the Galaxy. Or am I thinking of some other galaxy?"

That didn't seem to make a dent. "Are you engaged in business, Mr. Silver?"

"Interstellar trade."

"Oh? What sort?" Julius sounded genuinely curious, in a friendly way. He took a mouthful from his tray and seemed to savor it.

"Mineral rights and related matters," Harry amplified, squinting across the table. After a pause, he added:

"I understand that you're in government."

The dark eyes probed him lightly, confidently. "I do my best to serve my people."

" Your people, eh?"

"So I call those who have chosen freely to give me their loyalty. As I give them mine. What are your loyalties, Mr. Silver?" The question was not loud, but it carried a charge of electricity.

A sharp retort leaped up in Harry's mind, but then he didn't use it. Damn it, there was something about the man on the other side of the table that suggested that he had the best, the noblest, of reasons for everything he said, everything he did. That good old Julius was Harry Silver's best friend-or would be if he were given half a chance. More than that. That if nature and destiny were allowed to take their proper Page 92

course, then soon the great devotion that they must share, an allegiance to some marvelous, idealistic cause, would bind the two of them inseparably together.

When the emperor spoke again, the momentary sharpness was gone from his voice.

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