Killashandra

“Your incorruptible dedication to your Guild.”

“What!” Killashandra’s irritation rekindled. “Of all the – ”

Trag held up his hand, a gleam in his eye that suggested to Killashandra that he was enjoying her discomfiture. Firmly she controlled herself. It didn’t help to notice, out of the corner of her eye, that Lars was struggling to suppress his own amusement.

“Coming as I do from Guildmaster Lanzecki’s office, I am,” Trag paused unexpectedly, shooting a glance at Killashandra which she could only interpret as sly, “above reproach. I am also male. Apparently the Elders trust few women in any but the most traditional or subordinate capacities. I assured them that not only were you Guildmaster Lanzecki’s first choice for such a delicate and crucial installation, but you were mine as well.”

Killashandra sniffed but gave him a long hard look, to remind him exactly why Killashandra Ree had been Trag’s first choice.

“Your praise, Guildmember, is only surpassed by your concern for the welfare of the Guild,” she said demurely.

“In a matter affecting the Guild reputation, I am, too? incorruptible,” Trag replied, neatly parrying her thrust.

“So tomorrow are Lars and I permitted to continue with the Festival organ?” Trag nodded. “And you will reorganize the second instrument?”

“In the best interests of the guiding precepts of the Federated Sentient Planets Council, yes, I certainly shall. Otherwise I assure you that these Elders would not receive unreimbursed and gratuitous services from the Heptite Guild.”

“Bravo!” Lars called.

“Their greed blinds them,” Trag said. “So, following a recent example, we shall take the opportunity that is presented,” he added, nodding toward Lars who returned the compliment. “Basically they have trite minds. Security, pride, and sex! Imagine! Inflicting such prurience on tonight’s audience.”

Killashandra regarded Trag with mild astonishment. The man was positively garrulous, volunteering comments not to mention uncontracted services. Or was he simply responding to the backlash of that maladroit rendition of the Bolero? She’d have thought Trag made of sterner stuff, especially since he’d been forewarned of the subliminals.

“Oh, that’s a common diet for the Conservatory,” Lars said. “For the masses, they have other themes, sometimes so indigestible I wonder how they can be swallowed, even conditionally. Mainlanders are often subjected to a spectrum ranging from xenophobia,” Lars began ticking the subjects off on his fingers, “a fear of races in their own territories, to claustrophobia to nip any budding interest in space-faring, to fear of disobedience, fear and disgust of acts that are ‘u

“Then,” and Lars was really warming to his subject, “the tourists get a different menu: love of the simple life, very little eroticism – which would follow, wouldn’t it? All sorts of nebulous goodnesses to be obtained by staying on here. Immense credit balances are constantly flashed luringly at the most bizarre moments. Naturally the disadvantages aren’t mentioned at all.”

“No lecture on Full Disclosure?” Killashandra shot Trag a glance but he ignored her.

“Have you a reliable contact in the Conservatory, Lars?” Trag asked him.

“I wouldn’t dare contact any of them after tonight’s subliminal messages. I could try the marketplace – ”

Trag shook his head. “It was politic to agree with Ampris and Torkes that you, Killashandra, have undoubtedly fallen under this young man’s insidious spell.” He raised his hand at Killashandra’s guffaw. “Neither of you are to be allowed to leave the Conservatory without escort. For your safety, of course, Killashandra.”

“Of course!”

“What works in your favor, though, in this infatuation – ”

“Trag!”

“I’m not Ballyblind, Killashandra,” Trag said in a stern voice, “and, if the Elders consider you two self-absorbed to the exclusion of other, more treacherous activities, it is a safeguard, however tenuous. At least while we are still on Optheria.” Trag turned to Lars. “Once we leave, Lars Dahl, you are in grave jeopardy.”

Lars nodded and, when Killashandra closed her fingers about his, he smiled down at her. “All I need is a half-day’s start on any pursuit; no one will ever find me in the islands.”

Trag managed to look skeptical without changing a muscle in his face. “Not this time, I think. This time the islanders are to be disciplined to a final and total obedience to the Optherian Council.”

“They have to catch us first,” Lars said calmly, although anger flared in his eyes and his fingers tightened on Killashandra’s. In an abrupt change he shrugged. “The threat of wholesale reprisal is scarcely new.”

“Trag has that warrant . . .” Killashandra suggested but caught the obstinate set of Lars’s face.

“May I remind you, Killashandra,” Trag said, “that a Federated Council warrant is not a writ one exercises with impunity. If I am forced to use it, Lars, and whoever else it includes, would be charged with your abduction and subject to the authority of the FSP Council.”

“If I don’t press charges, once they’re off Optheria – ”

“If you perjure yourself in a Council Court, Killashandra Ree, not even the Heptite Guild can rescue you from the consequences.”

“I repeat, and listen to me this time.” Lars interrupted firmly, jiggling Killashandra’s arm for her attention, “I only need a head start and there isn’t a captain on this planet who could catch me. Look, Trag, it’s not your affair, but if you’re willing to disorganize the Conservatory projector, would you consider doing others? There are quite a few two-manual organs on the Mainland. To have two sabotaged will already be a considerable boon, but the more Mainlanders who are freed from subliminal manipulation, the more chance we’d all have of surviving until the Federated Council moves.

“The Elders can blandly puff on about disciplining islanders, but first they have to jizz enough Mainlanders up to the point of a punitive action. Mainlanders are a passive bunch, after so many years of the pap they’ve been subjected to.” He gri

“Now,” and Lars leaned forward urgently, “you and Killa have to make a report to the Federated Council? Well, I would find it hard to believe that any Council acts fast. Right?”

Trag nodded. “Speed is determined by the physical threat to the planet involved.”

“Not to the population?” Killashandra asked, surprised at Trag’s emphasis.

Trag shook his heavy head. “Populations are easy to produce, but habitable planets are relatively scarce.” He indicated that Lars should continue.

“So, your report will be considered, deliberated upon, and then?”

“It may indeed take time, Lars Dahl, but the Federated Council has outlawed the use of subliminal conditioning. There is absolutely no question in my mind that action will be taken against the Optherian Elders. A government which must resort to such means to maintain domestic satisfaction has lost the right to govern. Its Charter will be revoked.”

“There’s no danger that you and Killashandra will be restrained from leaving?” Lars asked abruptly.

“Why should we be? Can they have any suspicion that someone knows that they maintain control by illicit means?”

“Comgail did,” Killashandra said, “even if he was killed before he could pass on the information. Whoever killed the man must wonder if Comgail had accomplices.”