Звездопад / Starfall: Глава 24

Chapter 24

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 17:46

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Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 17:46

It was the same again. The glittering enfilades of the palace halls, the Emperor's aide-de-camp with a perpetually tired face, the luxurious and empty waiting room, the only difference - this time, he was alone. The princess must have learned about his forthcoming visit to the palace and contacted him by comm, and literally drowning him in her holoscreen charm, asked: "Wouldn't the Luminous Prince be offended if a certain Niazur could not accompany him to the palace, as she was very busy taking command of the Imperial Intelligence.

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 17:52

Of course, he assured her he wouldn't take offense, but only if he was compensated for the missed opportunity to spend time with such an enchanting creature as "a certain Niazur."

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 17:53

// "The usual nonsense, anyway."

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 17:53

In fact, during their conversation, he had been trying to think of a way to warn Artala that Non-Taer could be monstrously dangerous but hadn't come up with anything:

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 17:55

// "No matter what you say, that would require an explanation, and I can't give one." Alex sighed mirthfully, settling into the waiting room. "At least not in a way that wouldn't screw me or Taer in the process."

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 17:56

He was still berating himself for his lack of foresight.

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 17:56

// "I should have thought of something to let you know." But in the end, all he could manage was a clumsy, "Be careful." Which didn't help at all.

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 17:57

About twenty minutes later, after a polite knock, the Emperor's aide-de-camp peeked into the room:

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 17:57

"Your Lordship, the Emperor is ready to see you. Please follow me." He waited at Alex's door and led him along the familiar route.

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:00

As in the first time, the audience took place in the same strange office with low ceilings and a green sphere occupying a noticeable part of the room. After waiting at the door until he was announced, Alex entered next.

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:01

His Majesty sat at the head of a large oval table and did not rise to meet him this time. Next to him, on his left hand, a thin, middle-aged man sat at the table. On the table in front of him were several infoblocks and a glowing wall of holo screens that almost completely obscured him, preventing him from seeing his facial features.

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:15

// "Must be a secretary." - Alex decided, taking a glance around the office. Like the Emperor's adjutant, the stranger wore a black uniform with no insignia.

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:15

"I assume something is wrong, Lord Cassard?" The Emperor met him with a serious, even anxious look. "Something with the investigation? Do you need help?"

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:16

"Not help, but your approval, Your Majesty." Alex began his repeatedly rehearsed speech. "I know how a Prince Cassard should act in honor and justice, but I do not know how an ergo-seneschal of the empire should act. Therefore, Your Majesty, I seek your advice and approval."

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:17

"I don't understand you, Lord Cassard." The Emperor frowned. "Explain yourself."

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:17

"A few days ago, the first blade of my domain, Daim Diltar, was completely attacked. She was attempted to be kidnapped for unknown purposes. And I believe this was no random attack, Your Majesty. I think the attack on Diltar, the assassination of Baron Assaro, and the assassination attempt on me before the Onstum may all be connected events. Moreover, one of the attackers of Diltar, and possibly one of the organizers of the attack, was recently serving in a high-ranking position in the Imperial Security Service."

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:20

He paused, taking a breath and giving the emperor a chance to interject a word, but his majesty was silent, listening attentively to this speech, and Alex continued trying to sound as lofty and naive as possible:

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:21

"In such a situation, I, as the suzerain and patron of the Daim Diltar, cannot ignore the attack on my knight and the blade of my domain. Not only is it a crime, but the honor of the entire Cassard family is at stake. Using the power you have given me, I am going to begin searches of the Imperial Security Office in the capital city and, at the very least, interrogate the attacker's former superiors and subordinates."

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:23

Alex paused once more and continued in a calmer, even conciliatory tone.

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:23

"But I'm not sure that's a step the ergo seneschal of the Empire should take. So I've come to you for advice."

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:24

"That attacker, a former SS employee. What about him?" The Emperor asked with interest, completely unfazed by the speech. "Has he been arrested?"

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:25

"Unfortunately, no, Your Majesty," Alex admitted with annoyance. "He blew himself up with a plasma grenade. His identity and former duty station have been established from the tissue file."

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:26

"Is that so?" His majesty raised an eyebrow expressively. "And that's why you want to arrange searches and interrogations of the SS?"

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:27

"Yes, Your Majesty." Alex nodded, and froze, inwardly shrinking, waiting for the emperor's reaction.

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:28

What he was proposing was obviously insolence, stupid and disproportionate. But he didn't expect to be allowed to do it, and most of the preparation for the visit had been devoted to finding something to say for himself without looking like a complete idiot who could even think of such nonsense.

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:29

No, that's not what he was counting on. He had counted on signaling, on signaling a threat, on tensing the conspirators, on depriving them of the luxury of quietly planning their next move. After all, the investigation into Taer's kidnapping was real, initiated by all the rules, on behalf of Prince Cassard as suzerain of Daim Diltar.

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:30

// "And I may be denied search and interrogation. But information about this request will inevitably leak out...". - Alex, who took care of the leaks himself, thought contentedly. - "The same Pell as my 'mentor' can't unknow about it. They'll realize that they've made a mess, and they'll have to scramble. Clean up the mess at the SS..."

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:34

"Good." Suddenly, the Emperor nodded. "Go ahead. You need not doubt yourself so much. You are in your right. The case you are describing is the prerogative of the Ergo-Seneschal. It's up to you to decide what to do, even if it's about the SS. The head of any service can only be interested in clearing or confirming the good name of his department. I'm sure Lord Quezox will understand and cooperate fully when the circumstances become known to him."

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:38

"I..." Alex almost started to make a prepared excuse, but despite the shock, he stopped in time. "I'm very grateful for your support, your majesty."

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:38

The Emperor only waved it away in response:

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 17:58

"How is it going with Lady Pell, by the way?" Involved, he asked, casually changing the subject, and you could tell by the look on the Emperor's face that this was far more interesting than possible searches and interrogations by the Imperial Security Service. "I hope you're not quarreling?"

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:39

"No, Your Majesty." Without hesitation, Alex lied. "We have a very predictable relationship. Lady Pell helps me quite a lot with matters of protocol."

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:40

"Very good." The Emperor blossomed into a smile. "I never cease to be delighted by your friendship. Eh..." He dreamily raised his eyes to the ceiling. "If only all the clans could forget old quarrels like this... But I will not detain you with my sentiments, Lord Cassard. I am sure you have much to do now."

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:42

"Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you." He thanked her awkwardly and said goodbye, heading for the exit.

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:42

When the door closed behind him and the adjutant, the holo-screen covering the "secretary" immediately disappeared, and his majesty reached for his cigarette case:

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:43

"I haven't seen a man so desperate to be rejected in a long time." The "secretary" broke the silence after they had both lit a cigarette. "And actually, you're being a little hard on him, your majesty." He added with an ironic reproach in his voice. "Just like that, siccing on Quezox... Morir is a mean man."

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:44

The emperor shrugged his shoulders with an indifferent look.

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:45

"That Lord Cassard, or whoever he is, seems to care nothing... Maybe he can handle Quezox. What do you think, Aith?"

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:46

Aith only grimaced in response, making it clear that he was not at all thrilled with what was happening:

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:54

"It's up to you, but I wouldn't risk it like that." He shook his head. "One of them could do something really stupid before their time."

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:55

"Or maybe that's even better?" With a sly squint, the emperor asked. "Nonsense will look more natural..."

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:56

The interlocutor did not answer, waving his hand at the emperor. He leaned back in his chair, letting out a gray jet of cigarette smoke into the ceiling.

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 17:59

* * *

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 17:58

Alex was walking backward on full automatic, trying to digest what had happened:

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:56

// "Do I really have to search the SS now? But how? By whom?". -He was increasingly floored by the realization that he had just, himself, created a huge pile of problems for free. - "What was I even thinking?"

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:57

Finally, the door of his waiting room closed behind him. He could catch his breath.

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:57

"How'd it go?" There was a familiar voice.

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:58

The first blade of his domain, in a snow-white and immaculate uniform, was sitting at the snack table, putting her foot on her leg and scribbling something with a black marker stylus in a small notebook. "I hope all is well?" She asked, putting the notepad aside and looking at Alex with concern. "You look confused."

Camrad_RIP 03.09.23 в 18:59