Slave Empire - Prophecy

Chapter Eleven

  In his apartment, the Shrike faced a space line screen and activated it with a flick of his thoughts. The wafer-thin crystal that stood on a graceful wand of pale green quartz filled with the chubby, cheerful face of his most trusted friend and second-in-command. The man’s brown eyes twinkled and his grin revealed square white teeth.

  “Well, it’s good to see you. Where are you?”

  “Ironia. I have the bait, Vidan. Set up the meeting.”

  Vidan sobered. “You’re sure he’ll go for it?”

  “I’m sure. She’s perfect. I paid a hundred thousand for her on Gergonia.”

  Vidan puckered his lips in a silent whistle. “She must be perfect. I’ll contact Urquat.”

  “Make sure he knows the deal. Jamdar must bring two hundred low-grade slaves, rejects, cripples, burnouts, I don’t care, but he must meet Urquat in person. Find out where and when, then contact me.”

  “You sure Urquat can be trusted?”

  “He knows what will happen to him if he betrays me, and he’s being paid handsomely for the cover, so why would he betray me?”

  Vidan shook his head. “Okay, but I’ll need something to whet Jamdar’s appetite. He’ll want to see the goods.”

  “I’ll transmit a holoimage.”

  “Right.”

  The Shrike turned away as the screen cleared and retracted into its slot.