Chapter 14: Unexpected Company — Part 6

“Pearl is safe and recovering.” Orchid said, when it was apparent that Chen would not speak again.

“She had a lover, a girl some couple of years younger than her.” Chen said, sounding far more concerned than he should. “The girl made her happy.”

“The girl was kidnapped.” Orchid said.

Chen looked around cautiously, sensing something nobody else could. “News of the attack was all over the galactic press, but no word of the kidnapping.”

“Kidnappings.” Orchid corrected. “Every child in the manor.”

“How are you holding up?” He directed this question to Jun.

“I didn’t know you cared.” Jun said heatedly.

“Of course I care. I was worried for you. Now I’m doubly worried for your son.”

“He’s taken far from me, Master Chen.” Jun said, forcing back tears.

“And yours?” Chen asked of Orchid, genuinely concerned.

“I have no children, Master Chen.” Orchid replied. “They got Nikkei’s girl, Joanie’s boy, Jun’s boy, and Sissy.”

Chen remained quiet for a moment longer. “As Jun and Pearl are suffering, I feel it more a duty than an obligation to offer what few resources I have at my disposal. But I promise you for the duration of this emergency, that all of them are yours to command.”

Quet’s unexpected arrival brought a lapse in time, consciousness rushing through a snap in pace. He wore the robes of a messenger, his eyes sparkling and his face treated with makeup so he would look perfect in almost any lighting. Spunky rose from its work, Glyph at its side, their weapons charged. Each targeted Quet’s head and limbs, and each took notice of his bender, fully disarmed and unshielded. The two were ready to tear him to pieces at a moment’s notice. Quet’s bender dropped behind his shoulder, part in fear, partly because Quet had ordered it to be as unthreatening as possible. The last time the bender in question got in a fight with Spunky, it had been blown almost completely apart. Jun instinctively shifted her weight, calculating the position that would allow her to protect Orchid should Quet move in to kill. The man, who would be spared no love by anybody in the room, coolly asserted his presence by stepping within arm’s reach of Orchid. Orchid, for her part, kept her hand on a screwdriver set at her side, ready to strike at a moment’s notice. Such was Quet’s influence on most people who had dealings with him in the past. Quet completely ignored Chen, Jun, and the banders, his focus on Orchid.

“Before you consider me in violation of the precious treaty your mother forced me to sign, realize that I arrive without weapons, guards, or intent to harm. My bander stands down as well. I came because I know you already consider me a suspect in this matter, and I assure you that I am not.”

“I don’t know why, but I find myself hating you.” Chen said, the hair on his neck and arms rising.

“Of course you do. I’ve killed you so many times you can’t even remember who and what you really are. I’ll have time to kill you again, should we ever come to blows, but right now you are an asset to those who have somehow inspired concern in me. I am trying to keep Sholm from war with Earth.” Quet said.

“Master Yoshi and Jake the Butcher, one of whom entered into your employ, and the latter of whom was rotting in one of your prisons, spearheaded an assault on my mansion, using strategies and tactics common to Sholm initiatives masterminded by you in a previous war with Mauve. Why should I believe for an instant that you aren’t in some way responsible for this organized attack?” Orchid said quietly.

“Because I came here unarmed in respect of a treaty I signed over three thousand years ago. Yoshi stole a garrison of biodroids and busted Jake out of jail. Together the two of them discharged a nuclear device in the core of Center City, killing millions.” Quet, his expression pale, with barely controlled rage, continued to explain the situation to Orchid, as if explaining to a child something very simple to apprise. “If I had not been careful to check all the facts, I would have thought Earth or Zon had attacked us, just as you are now suspicious that I have performed a classic leverage strike on your mansion. Jake works for Yoshi now, and given the damage done to my planet, I will do whatever I can to kill both of them.” Quet paused, turned away from Orchid and her friends. “Don’t think my coming here changes anything between us. I am protecting my interests, nothing more.” Quet’s lustful eyes interrogated Pearl, who had, in response to both Quet and Chen being in one room, been drawn instinctively to them.