Page 21 (1/2)

Now that’s quite an opening salvo I’d like to tell her to fuck off, but I count to five, e not to show my teeth, and come up with a diplomatic reply while Vel buys me time with his unnecessary restatement To inspire me, I remember Karl Fitzwilliam, the worst ambassador in the history of the universe

"I understand we must seem very different to you," I offer hat I think is admirable aplomb "That’s why this is such a valuable opportunity for both our peoples I hope we reaterand appreciation" I cap the shit with a deep wa

There, take that Though it feels hideously unnatural, I don’t lose my cool Don’t blow et out of here It’s only been a day, and I’rimspace With attitudes like hers, I think what I said is about as likely to happen ase takes tis me to h I do not like your people as a whole, I adies have proven sound and effective, winning support where I would have i a fe lesser species, I invited you to dine I believe we have so to discuss"

I must be careful not to show comprehension too soon, so I s spread fro with ruby red and glowing gold In the center, on each side, shines an enorenerally designed for threatening off intruders For pure and lovely exoticis that surpasses Otlili I pay only half attention as Vel ain

"Do we?" I ask

Slowly the Grand Ads She crosses the me her red-tipped claws I don’t need Vel to point out her rudeness In fact, froressive I find s

"Yes," she confirms "If you do not take your ship and depart within twenty-four hours, I cannot guarantee your safety"

CHAPTER 22

As conversational gao, that’s a hell of a way to start awarned or threatened, and she doesn’t give me an opportunity to inquire Instead, she summons an automated attendant the likes of which I’ve never seen It prepares the food inside what I’d call its chest cavity, then folds outward to acco up with a minimum of conversation

No wonder Tarn said there would be great interest in their droid technology This could make the kitchen-mate obsolete Of course, for humans to warm to the brand of tech, we’ll need to throw in a couple of chairs, but I can see the appeal overall Call the bot tothe sunset There will be a lot ofon the commercial applications, I taste bits of this and that I can’t recognize most of the dishes served in heavy sauce The food tastes strange and pungent, with a coppery cloy that reminds me of blood Flesh slips down my throat, slick and rubbery I don’t like it at all, and the silence isn’t helping

I suspect she re about what she’s said Her tactic works like a char over the possibilities while trying not to watch how the food she devours appears to still be squir because, a many other offensive habits, we’re also carrion eaters In our past, we’ve feasted on dead flesh, even if noe prefer synthetic proteins Vel’s people find that repugnant, as even now, they like their food fresh to the point of wiggling

Finally, the interminable luncheon ends, and Otlili seems ready to elaborate on her words But first I must thank her for the hospitality

"You have done us great honor, and we feel privileged to be in your coes this graciously, but that’s not why I’m here She can find someone to flatter her, probably much better than me, at any hour of the day She’s the most powerful person on Ithiss-Tor, after all

"You are to be coh I have been favorably impressed with you, ambassador, I cannot say ed My people would be irrevocably altered--lessened--should we coular contact with your kind I do not particularly wish any harm would befall you, but" She pauses delicately, the force of a thousand rivers powering words unspoken "This alliance will never coly recommend that you take your team and depart before the matter is put to a vote"

A threat then

"I regret that I am unable to comply with your recommendation"

I wish now that I hadn’t eaten at her table, but surely she wouldn’t poison ht have heeded her warning A ht seems a bit precipitous, and the Grand Administrator is not known for her iardsback, a dark infernal sea tee with her clever conspiracies "Not yet," she ansith the air of one ment "But you will"

That sounds like a proret e and dizzy, sick with too h the courtesies in departure I’ood, but if I bend too low, IWhat the hell did she serve , but it’s not like anyone would believein a bizarre array of inexplicable colors

Once we step into the lift, Vel takesme "At least you walked out on your oo feet"