David Weber & John Ringo - 04 by We Few

Author:We Few
Language: eng
Format: epub

“Okay,” Catrone said when he and Roger were back in the meeting room. Despreaux, Kosutic, and

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Marinau were going over weaponry, while Rosenberg was doing an in initial survey of the stingships and shuttles. “We need to get one thing out of the way.”

“What?”

“No matter what, we’re not going to oppose you, and we’re not going to burn you,” Catrone said. “But there are still some elements that don’t think too highly of Prince Roger MacClintock.”

“I’m not surprised,” Roger said evenly. “I was my own worst enemy.”

“They do, however, support Alexandra ,” Catrone continued, shaking his head. “Which could create a not-so-tiny problem, since when we take the Palace, you’re going to be in control.”

“Not if the Association is against me,” Roger pointed out.

“We don’t want a factional fight in the Palace itself,” Catrone said tightly. “That would be the worst of all possible outcomes. But—get it straight. We’re not fighting for Prince Roger; we’re fighting for Empress Alexandra.”

“I understand. There’s just one problem.”

“Your mother may not be fully functional,” Catrone said. “Mentally.”

“Correct.” Roger considered his next words carefully. “Again,” he said, “we have . . . reports which indicate that. The people who provided the analysis in those reports believe there will be significant impairment. Look, Tom, I don’t want the Throne. What sort of lunatic would want it in a situation like this one? But from all reports, Mother isn’t going to be sufficiently functional to continue as Empress.”

“We don’t know that,” Catrone argued mulishly, his face set. “All we have are rumors and fifth-hand information. Your mother is a very strong woman.”

Roger leaned back and cocked his head to the side, examining the old soldier as if he’d never seen him before.

“You love her,” the prince said.

“What?” Catrone snapped, and glared at him. “What does that have to do with it? She’s my Empress. I was sworn to protect her before you were a gleam in New Madrid’s eye. I was Silver’s battalion sergeant major when she was Heir Primus . Of course I love her! She’s my Empress, you young idiot!”

“No.” Roger leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table, and stared Catrone in the eye. “Being in that pressure cooker taught me more than just how to swing a sword, Tomcat. It made me a pretty fair judge of human nature, too. And I mean you love her. Not as a primary, not as the Empress—as a woman. Tell me I lie.”

Catrone leaned back and crossed his own arms. He looked away from Roger’s modded brown eyes, then looked back.

“What if I do?” he asked. “What business is that of yours?”

“Just this.” Roger leaned back in turn. “Which do you love more—her, or the Empire?” He watched the

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sergeant major’s face for a moment, then nodded. “Ah, there’s the rub, isn’t it? If it comes down to a choice between Alexandra MacClintock and the Empire, can you decide?”

“That’s hypothetical,” Catrone argued. “And it’s impossible to judge—”

“It’s an important hypothetical,” Roger interrupted.

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