Outliers of Tirano

  -4-

  Kuinsi's Chamber

  Arvor Castel

  Planet Tirano

  I returned to my chamber before meeting Admiral Kiptani. When I entered my chamber I crossed the room to look out my chamber's dormer window and to reflect on all that had happened. Against the blackness of the night sky I stared at the three translucent meteoroid rings that form the Encircling Belts. Each ring alone would have been a beautiful sight, but the variegation created by the combination of the scarlet, cerulean, and golden amber rings resulted in one of the galaxy's natural wonders.

  But the Belts represented more than a natural wonder. Thanks to the maser blasters seeded in them, the Belts also provided an impenetrable barrier. Unless Belts Control Headquarters transmitted the codes that deactivated the masers and created a flight path through the Belts, any object that tried to penetrate the space around Tirano would be obliterated. All of the current turmoil evidenced Zhun'Mar's wisdom in spending most of the defense budget of the past two deka-loops to seed the Belts. Without that barrier, cluster-bomb raiders could wreak havoc on Tirano as Radani raiders had on Phargon during the Radani War. Unfortunately, many of the current sihlcon chips were near the end of their lifespan and some of the chips had already crashed

  My com-link buzzed. Because only a few people I trusted could access my com-link, I reached to my ear and activated my comm-mic and holo projector.

  The holo of a stout female in a long flowered dress appeared. "Hello, Lani," I said. I quickly glanced around to see if the chamber was clean. "Everything's perfect as always. How many times do I have to tell you don't need to call to check every time you clean."

  "Oh, Master Kuinsi." Lani giggled, and I smiled. Even though Lani was old enough to be gray-haired, she still had the giggle of a school girl. "I need be extra careful now so that the chamber of a Royal Council member and the Associate Lord Chancellor is spotless. Who knows when some dignitary will visit? I don't want anyone to think I not be good housekeeper."

  My jaw dropped. Lani always knows the latest Castel rumors, but how could she possibly know this. I hadn't been out of the meeting for more than ten centi, and no public announcement of my appointment had even been discussed.

  My shock must have shown because she giggled again and then spoke. "Do you really think I have spent so many loops working in the Castel and wouldn't know something so big. Bye." She disconnected.

  I couldn't help but chuckle. Lani called her rumor mill the KaNoa wireless, and at times it seemed more informed than the official Castel sources. KaNoa workers were so ubiquitous in the Castel that I, like most, didn't even notice their comings and goings. I hadn't even paid attention to the two KaNoa who entered the Royal Council Chamber after the meeting, and I'm sure Count Rohfek, Admiral Kiptani, and Lydmila didn't either. The KaNoa could easily have listened to what they discussed.

  As a Council member, I decided I should tap Lani for more information from the KaNoa wireless. Even if some of the rumors were false, like my being the murderer, it could be beneficial to be aware of the rumors and to be able to counteract them when necessary.

  I leaned my forehead against the window's cool glass. I'd always assumed that when Sini became Queen I'd be appointed to the Council, but not like this. I took a deep breath. But it had happened, like this. I vowed not to do anything in the next few spins that would embarrass Sini or give Lydmila any basis to undermine me, such as making Admiral Kiptani wait for me while I wallowed in self-pity.