"Jacqueline Lichtenberg - Dushau Trilogy 01 - Dushau" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lichtenberg Jacqueline)

"Indeed. Arlai, can you subordinate to Kitholpen?"

"Assuredly." Arlai's image was replaced by another Dushau, paler indigo, with a higher bridge to his nose
than Krinata had ever seen on a Dushau.

"Your pardon," requested the new Sentient, whom Krinata assumed ran the Dushau embassy. The
screen broke up, hissed alarmingly, then settled into a reddish image of Trinarvil.

"Secure," announced Jindigar.

"Secure," agreed Trinarvil. "NowтАФ"

"Where were you this afternoon?" asked Jindigar.

"Consultation with home. For months, there have been rumors. Yesterday, word came of the first
anti-Dushau riot. You haven't heard?"

Seum and Dinai were obviously shocked, but Jindigar said calmly, "So soon. Shocking how quickly
Ephemerals turn.тАЭ

The conversation was in the modern Dushauni Krinata had studied, but she often lost the sense. She
concentrated, intending to look up later what she missed now.

"It's only in the outlying districts so far, but it seems imperial agitators are behind it, as usual. Blaming the
food shortages at space bases on us, accusing us of emptying the throne and then manipulating the
government to our own profit. All vague enough to stimulate imagination, evading challenges for proof.
The pattern, though, is clear."

"The next step may be already at hand," said Jindigar sadly. "Open indictment by the Imperial Court."
"Rantan laid the groundwork for that yesterday," the ambassador agreed, "addressing Parliament,
obliquely hinting that Oliat teams could be withholding information on planets with agricultural or mining
potential. He implied that since most of us expect to live through the next galactic civilization, we might
hold back information that would buy us high places in that government. With our lifespan, he said, we've
no reason to abhor the starvation of Ephemerals that collapse of the Allegiancy would bring. In fact, the
end of the Empire would be to our advantage since it would hasten the New Age which we could
engineer any way we chose, since we know where the richest planets are hidden."

"The man's insane," judged Seum.

"Probably," allowed Dinai. "But his logic will appeal."

"Today," said Jindigar, "he was probing for concrete evidence. He asked about Raichmat. And I believe
he sent someone to question Fedeewarn while he kept us busy. I saw dismay on his face when
Kamminth and Lelwatha collapsed. He didn't intend that. Advisors or no, he didn't believe the nature of
the Oliat."

"Arlai told me your story. He lifted recordings of the entire grisly episode, even the questioning in the
imperial private chambers. They don't make them like Arlai anymore."