Outliers of Tirano

  *

  My mother returned to Arvor Castel shortly after the news about Admiral Kiptani shook the Castel's foundations. Siniastra had relieved Admiral Kiptani of duty as Commander of the Armada. He had been reassigned to the Home Fleet and ordered to fly immediately to Brehon Compound to accompany the remains of Zhun'Mar and Mirae to Arvor Castel.

  Mom stormed into my quarters, the color of her face almost as red as her scarlet gown. "Has Sini lost leave of all reason?"

  I'd hoped Mom would have arrived before the news broke so that I could have prepared her. As I'd experienced too often, she wasn't easy to reason with once her temper flared. I rubbed my hands together.

  "I can tell by that look that you're involved," she said in the accusatory tone she'd used whenever I disobeyed her.

  "Please, Mother. Sit and listen before you bite my head off," I said in as firm a tone as he could muster. I pointed at a teapot and cups on the table in front of the living room's couch. "I've made some of your favorite vine tea."

  Without turning to look at her, I spoke to Corporal Oksana. "I wish to have a private conversation with my mother. Please wait in the hallway. You can keep an eye on me from there."

  Caykondra's eyes narrowed and formed the look she used to intimidate me when I was a child. "A Vhirko assigned to you. Has the world gone completely mad?"

  "Mother, we don't have time for that. You have to listen, and listen now. Before it's too late."

  Mom stomped to the couch and sat stiffly on the edge of the cushion. "Okay, I'm listening."

  I wondered if I'd ever not be intimidated by my mother. In a shaky voice, I told her the details of my and Sini's plan to expose Rohfek as the traitor.

  When I finished, Mom reached to the table and poured herself a cup of tea. Her lips formed a circle and she blew on the cup of tea before speaking. "Kuinsi, Kuinsi. This isn't some childhood game you're playing. This is life and death, the fate of Tirano. Petrella couldn't have survived for as long as she has on Tamok unless she could sniff out plots within plots. I hope you haven't overplayed your hand."

  "As do I." I poured myself a cup of tea, breathed in the spicy warmth. "You haven't answered. Will you be able to receive my signal over that distance?"

  Mom took a sip of tea, set the cup on the table. Undoubtedly, she was recalling the same hyperwave parameters for the pendants that I had. "Theoretically a pendant's hyperwave can transmit that far that fast." She paused. "But no one has ever tried to send a signal to someone so close to the Black Cavities. It should work though, if there's no unusual interference during your transmission."

  A knock sounded on the quarter's outer door. Mom furrowed her brow. "So soon?" The knock sounded again, louder this time.

  Without responding, I crossed the room and opened the door. A Vhirko stood at attention. "The Queen has called an emergency meeting of the Royal Council. You are to accompany me immediately."

  I glanced back at Mom. She flashed me a wan smile. "I'll await your signal."