Page 67 (2/2)

"It seems you’ve been outustus stands "Tomorrow, Praetor Licenus will take con’s fleet on a chase, while I take a sates to the Gas Giants With theo with you, e!" Kavax booms His fox jumps off his lap at the noise to tremble under the table

"No"

Kavax’s face falls "No? But, Nero … the defenses there--battle stations, destroyers, torchShips--they will shred any force of corvettes you bring" His large hands gesture iet who I austus waves the apology away and turns to Mustang "Daughter, you will take what elements of the fleet you need to execute the second portion of Darrow’s plan"

Watching Pliny now is like watching a child try to hold on to a handful of sand He doesn’t understand the course things have taken But he’s not fool enough to rass like the snake he is

The ArchGovernor turns to me "Darrohat did you say to me before you shed Cassius’s blood?"

"I said that you should be King of Mars"

"My friends" Augustus sets his thin hands down on the table, fingers rigid "Darrow has demonstrated powers none of you possess He predicts what I want I want to be king Make ustus He wants a private word

Mustang brushes close toplayfully

"Nice speech," I mutter

"Nice plan"

She squeezes ustus observes He gestures me to close the door I sit near him The hard lines of his face deepen as he stares into my eyes From a distance, the lines are invisible But this close, they are the things thater The nation before it finds a place on your tongue" He steeples his fingers, exa the manicured cuticles "The question is simple, and you will answer it: Are you a demokrat?"

I had not expected this I try not to look around nervously

"No, e I am no demokrat"`

"Not a Reformer? Not someone ants to alter our Compact to create a anized properly now," I say, pausing, "except for a few notable exceptions"