[Black Fleet Crisis(99)

And it would also require that someone go before and prepare the way. For during its time as trustee of Koornacht Cluster, the Empire had allowed some immigrant colonies, encouraged others, and created still others for its own purposes. When the Empire. left Koornacht, the Yevetha were no longer alone.

The transfer

betweenAramadia and

the eight-kilometer-long

Star DestroyerPride of Yevetha took place at a reridezvous point deep in the heart of the Koornacht Cluster, far from any prying eyes. Three trips by the thrustship’s ferry were required to complete the transfer of the viceroy. In the first trip his darna and breeding mates came across. The second brought his personal staff, including first attach Eri Palle. The final run delivered the honor guard, Nil Spaar himself, and Vor Duull, Ararnadia’s proctor of information science. Vor Duull’s inclusion was a reward for his work during the successful Coruscant mission.

They were met by Dar Bille, who had been Nil Spaar’s loyal second since long before the day of retribution.

Now primate ofPride of Yevetha , he had directed the training of the other primates as each former Imperial warship had joined the growing Black Fleet.

“Etaias, ” Dar Bille said, adding the salute of obeisance to the honorific. It was more than was called for by the difference in their standing, and drove the lower-ranking officers behind him to a similar excess; each dropped to one knee and bowed his head.

“Noreti, ” Nil Spaar said warmly. “This was unnecessary, but it pleases me. Eri, see that everyone finds his quarters. Dar, lead me to the bridge. Is the fleet ready? “

“This way, Viceroy. The fleet is well ready. ButGlorycould not be launched in time to join us, ” Dar Bille said, knowing that Nil Spaar would not be surprised by that news. Glorywas the vessel the Imperials had called EX-F, and its curious propulsion system, unlike that in any other starship, had been an ongoing vexation.

As he followed Dar Bille into the corridor, Nil Spaar let his fingertips graze across the bare necks of the kneeling officers as he passed them. The touch symbolized his acceptance of the offer of their lives, and freed them to rise. “And the others? ” he asked.

“After the last combat trial, I made the decision that the crew ofBlessingswas not ready. But that will not hinder us on this mission. “

“I presume the primate earned the expected reward for his failure. “

“He did, at my hand, and his second as well. “

“Excellent, ” said Nil Spaar. “It doesn’t do for those who serve in the lesser posts to think that the knife will cut only the throat of authority. “

“The new primate ofBlessingsexpects another combat trial when we return. Perhaps you would like to witness it. “

“Perhaps, ” Nil Spaar said as they reached the bridge. “For now, my mind is full of the work ahead of us. And of memories. It seems a right thing to me that you should be the primate of my flagship today. Do you remember theBeauty , and the day we discovered the first nest of the vermin? “

The little starshipBeauty , a former Imperial corvette, had carried Nil Spaar to the far reaches of the Cluster and beyond. That long scouting mission had opened his eyes to the true challenge ahead and had given purpose to everything he had done since. He had taken the measure of the All and understood its meaning, taken the measure of their enemies and understood their threat, and had come home to N’zoth to make himself viceroy.

“Of course, etaias. And here we are again, together on the bridge of a fine ship. Soon we will again look down undetected on the nests of the vermin-but this time they will know that we were there. ” He looked past Nil Spaar to the proctor of information. “Lilatb-what news do you have of the New Republic’s Fifth Fleet? “

“Primate, our shadow reports the fleet has disappeared from Hatawa. Our contacts on Coruscant tell us that it has been recalled. “

Nil Spaar bowed his head and breathed relief.

“Then it will be done. I am vindicated. “

Dar Bille turned a proud and joyful face toward Nil Spaar. “On your orders, Viceroy. “

“I wish to speak to all our vessels. “

Turning quickly toward the proctor of communications, Dar Bille arranged the necessary connections and announced the viceroy to the crews of the twenty five warships secreted in twos and threes across the Cluster.

“Remember that we are the blessed, born of the light of the All, ” Nil Spaar told them. “All beauty belongs to us. All that we see in our skies was meant for our children. It was not meant for the creatures that creep in from the darkness beyond. Their presence alone fouls the light and defaces the beauty of the All.