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Then he lifted the car and pointed it toward the clanhome. Steve was on his own now, totally out of contact, and Hovan found himself suddenly apprehensive. N'derybach weren't the only dangers in Homeworld's wilderness. So this was Homeworld's wilderness. Tarlac watched Hovan's car disappear, then checked out his surroundings to see what he'd have to work with.
"A bad misunderstanding. It won't be easy, but it should be possible to end it without you surrendering, and you should be able to keep the worlds you still have." Hovan nodded again, somberly. "Should it become necessary, Steve, I will do as you wish. When I have completed my duties as a sponsor, I will carry your message."
"It best for you is, after the medicine you took. Then, if you ready are, the Supreme and First Speaker will you receive." "Okay, I'll give it a try. That's one meeting I'm really looking forward to." On the way to the dining room, Tarlac had his first experience with the casual nudity Hovan had told him was an option in-clan.
The water was good, clear and cold, and Hovan had assured him of its purity. None of the Traiti worlds had any pollution worth mentioning; Traiti technology was roughly equivalent to the Empire's, but had been achieved far more slowly, and the by-products had never been allowed to get out of control. Refreshed, Tarlac surveyed his problems.
At any rate, it had seemed appropriate to join the centers of spiritual and temporal power. Their escort ushered them into the large open double office shared by the Supreme and the First Speaker; both rulers were waiting for them. They greeted Hovan first, his due as a Cor'naya, and Tarlac used that brief time to study them.
Food ready for you is, then I must your education begin. Much there is you have to learn, before you the Ordeal begin." "Such as?" Tarlac asked. Maybe he'd finally find out what he'd gotten himself into. "Forestcraft, of course, and " Hovan broke off. "By the Lords! I never did you tell, even of the parts I now can. I must your pardon ask."
"The Emperor would like to see you, sir. I'm to escort you to his office." Hovan nodded, careful not to smile at the woman's expression. It would only make her obvious apprehension worse. But, once they were out of the morgue and seated in one of the small null-grav cars that served as interior transport, he did say, "I will not bite you, you know." "I . . ." The Marine hesitated. "No, sir.
"Telling us even that would little difference make," Hovan said quietly. "You know not how close you to victory are. In less than another year, there will no more Traiti be." The Ranger stopped where he was, deeply shocked. "Hovan, what are you saying? The Empire isn't out to commit genocide! We don't kill non-combatants on purpose!" "No such thing as noncombatants is.
Hovan did leave him time to study the first-contact tape and read the daily news summaries the Supreme had delivered as promised. Neither brought any surprises, though he paid close attention to the tape, trying to find some way the war could have been avoided. Doing so wouldn't solve this situation, but it might help prevent another first-contact disaster. He didn't find anything.
"I am prepared," Tarlac replied. Hovan and Yarra moved to stand at either end of the altar while the First Speaker took a small gold cup from its center and extended it, in both hands, to the Ranger. Tarlac accepted the cup, raised it in salute to the Lords, and drank, almost nauseated by the syrupy, too-sweet liquid.
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