(eng) Mike Shepherd - Kris Longknife 14 by Bold (retail)

Author:Bold (retail) [Bold (retail)]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

38

The short walk down two decks was not without its comments.

“You have done magnificent things with Smart Metal,” the Emperor said as he eyed the statues and paintings that surrounded them as they crossed from one wide staircase to the next.

“This is Marine country, isn’t it, Jack?” Kris said.

“Yes. Each Marine has his or her own stateroom. There’s a movie stadium, bowling alley, rifle range, and exercise room that would beat any health club from here to Earth, with a three-kilometer track that circles the hull.”

“You let your Marines live in such splendor,” Harry marveled. “The commander of my Imperial Guard is always after me to provide better quarters and places the troops can relax and be entertained. Please don’t give him any idea what you’ve done.”

“Certainly not, Your Imperial Majesty.”

They passed four Marines, rifles at present arms. Two were women with sharpshooter’s badges.

“I keep forgetting,” the Empress said. “You Longknifes give your women a free rein to attempt any job that they think they might succeed at.”

“Yes, Your Imperial Highness,” Kris said, wishing things were half as good in Wardhaven space as the Peterwalds gave them credit for.

“Do you aspire to the kingship?” was said evenly, with a slight rise of an exquisitely made-up eye.

Kris paused as if to give that question serious thought.

Hell no, I don’t want the job.

But she answered the Empress with a vague, “I haven’t actually read the final signed version of the Constitution. I’ve been rather busy elsewhere, you know.”

That got a nod from both of the Imperials.

“But I understand that when Grampa Ray’s twenty-five years as King are up, we Longknifes are barred from all political offices, including the purple.”

“I find that hard to believe,” Harry said.

“But I heard that was the intent,” Kris answered.

The Empress said nothing, but for a moment she lost the placid face she wore. What flitted across her face left Kris uneasy at best. Scared at the worst.

And on those thoughts, they were down the stairs.

Someone had been making improvements since Kris was last here. Candelabras and chandeliers now gave the rooms a soft glow, reflected back by the mirrors. The circular bar in the center of the Grand Salon looked like it was made of marble with a bronze rail for the feet. Behind the bar were more mirrors, pictures of nudes, or arrangements of bottles.

Classy.

Each of the divided spaces had a different motif. One was red and gold, another blue and silver. The room Nelly directed them to was a cold and severe white. Lush white carpet, white, patterned wallpaper, stark white cloisonné tables and chairs. Here, the mirrors were edged in chrome.

The tables and chairs had been arranged loosely in a square around four large, comfortable armchairs. They alone added color: two were red, the other two blue.

THE RED ARE FOR THE IMPERIALS.

Kris ushered the Emperor and Empress to their chairs. Their lackeys immediately jumped to assure that their raiment was arranged properly, and they were totally comfortable.

Two drinks, identical to the ones ordered in Kris’s quarters, immediately appeared out of the chairs’ arms.

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