Bones of Empire Read Online Free Page A

on a table and took the chair across from Usurlus. He had already consumed two glasses of wine and was determined not to backslide where his drinking problem was concerned, so he answered accordingly. “No, sire, thank you.”
    â€œSo,” Usurlus said lazily, “did you enjoy dinner?”
    â€œYes, sire,” Cato replied. “I did.”
    â€œYou’re a terrible liar,” Usurlus observed as he took a sip of his drink. “And I’m an expert where lies are concerned. You hated it, didn’t you?”
    There was a pause as Cato nodded reluctantly. “Sir, yes, sir.”
    â€œAnd your responses to my little game? Were any of them truthful?”
    â€œYes, sire. When you said, ‘music,’ Citizen Tersus felt a sense of foreboding. His wife plays the harp.”
    Usurlus chuckled. “In other words, he likes harp music as much as you like dinner parties.”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    At that point there was movement beyond a half-opened door followed by the sound of a woman’s voice. “I’m going to take a bath,” she announced. “Are you coming?”
    Cato thought the voice was familiar. Was it the widow? The one who had been sitting next to him during dinner? Yes, he thought it was.
    â€œThat sounds like fun,” Usurlus replied as he turned toward the bedroom. “Save some hot water for me!”
    Then, having turned to Cato, Usurlus was serious. “And when I said, ‘Vord,’ how did Citizen Skallos respond?”
    Suddenly Cato realized something that should have been apparent all along. Usurlus had been using him all right—but for a purpose other than entertainment. “Citizen Skallos felt a sense of eagerness, sire. . . . Verging on excitement.”
    â€œAnd the others?”
    â€œDread, sire.”
    â€œAnd for good reason,” Usurlus mused out loud. “You fought them—so you know. The Vords are warlike, their empire is still in the process of expanding, and we’re in their way. Emperor Emor is trying to negotiate with them, but they have taken control of two rim worlds and clearly have an appetite for more. I think Skallos is trying to cut a deal with them. An insurance policy if you will—just in case they win.”
    â€œSo what will you do?” Cato inquired.
    â€œI will give his name to Imperial Intelligence,” Usurlus answered, “and request that they keep an eye on him. We live in a complicated world, Cato—and there are very few people we can trust.”
    Cato sensed that the meeting was over. He stood, bent to retrieve his helmet, and was about to turn toward the door when Usurlus spoke again. “Give my regards to Alamy—and tell her that she’s doing a good job.”
    Most people of the Legate’s rank wouldn’t have known Alamy’s name, much less sent a message to her; but Usurlus wasn’t most people. And, come to that, what did the message mean? What “job” was Usurlus referring to? There was no way to know as Cato said, “Good night,” and withdrew. Would Alamy be interested in a bath? Cato hoped so—and went to find out.

The city of Imperialus, on the planet Corin
    The journey from Dantha to Corin was Alamy’s first trip on a spaceship, and as the Far Star was cleared to land in the city of Imperialus, she felt a tremendous sense of excitement. Because never, even in her wildest fantasies, had Alamy imagined that she would travel to another planet, much less the Uman Empire’s capital. Yet there she was, stretched out on an acceleration couch in the main lounge side by side with Cato, as the liner entered Corin’s gravity well and began to shake as she entered the upper atmosphere.
    There were hundreds of people around them, all staring up at the overhead, where the ship’s progress could be monitored via a dozen large screens. The center picture showed clouds, the partially obscured brown