that they killed the former ambassador’s mate and his child. And now they’ve killed the former ambassador when word got out that he was coming back to Gatifrey earlier than expected. They were hoping it might take us longer to find his replacement.”
“What? The ambassador is dead? But that’s awful.”
“Yes, it’s a terrible tragedy. Just before he was killed, there was word that Consort Ryan’s hijacked ship docked with another, larger ship outside Tygerian airspace before the explosion. The ship was traced back to Gatifrey. The ambassador was convinced his mate and child might still be alive and being held on Gatifrey. It just shows how long the reach of this organization is.”
“Is there a possibility that was true? Could they still be alive?”
“Anything is possible. But why? To use as some kind of leverage against the ambassador?”
“Maybe, Or maybe they really wanted Ryan and his child but took the ambassador’s family when they realized they’d missed their chance.” He shook his head. “Who the fuck are these people? What do they want?”
“To restart the war. Maybe. Or who really knows? Their crimes have been directed so far against the Axis, however, with Axis targets. Yet they don’t call attention to their crimes or brag about them. It could possibly be some arm of ARes, even though we thought we’d eliminated that threat. Or it could be entirely new—all we know is that it’s secretive, vicious, and apparently politically motivated, but even that isn’t for sure. They don’t advertise or brag about their murders, but they’ve been working with single-minded focus. We believe now that the rumors of the Tygerian boys being here on the planet may have been just that. Unfounded rumors and misinformation put out by the Assassin’s Order? to lure us here. The old Farlian trader, Jakkab Kallaf, has gone missing. Whether they retaliated against him, or he was some part of this, we don’t yet know.”
“But why would they want to lure the Tygerians here?”
Larz shrugged. “To kill us. Or to attract even bigger targets than an ambassador and a Tygerian colonel.”
“Like Ryan? And Mikos?”
“Exactly.”
“Do you suspect they’ve been…hurt in any way?”
Larz shook his head, his face gray with worry. “I don’t know, but we have to fear the worst.”
“Oh gods, Larz.”
“I have to find my brother and his consort. I spoke to my father before I left. Neither he nor my omak approved of my plan to take the ambassador’s place here.” He shrugged. “They made threats, but I’m the one who put you all here and got this plan in motion. And I wasn’t even speaking to my brother before he was taken by these people. I can’t—I won’t abandon him or any of you. It would be dishonorable and wrong. Janos agreed with me and so he came along.”
“What? Your mate Janos is here?”
“He’s on the ship that brought me, yes. He wouldn’t let me leave without him. My ship docked with Mikos’s, and they’re both in a wide orbit now around the planet. I gave the commandant the impression I might be leaving again soon, so the ship is still close by. We don’t know for sure about the young Tygerians either. There may be some truth to the rumors, and if there’s any possibility they’re here, I won’t leave without them, though I’m losing hope that they were ever here.”
“We’ve heard of the Tygerians,” Pax said. “Although I’ve never met anyone who actually saw them.”
Larz turned to Pax curiously. “And who is this gentleman, Kylon? You haven’t introduced us. Is this the pirate?”
Kylon smiled and nodded. “This is Selinias Pax, yes. Pax, this is His Royal Highness, Prince Larz, the Governor of Laltana.”
Pax gave him a small bow. “Your Highness.”
“Please don’t stand on ceremony, Pax. It’s very nice to meet you. My brother-in-law Rhaegar speaks highly of you.”
“He does?”
Larz smiled and turned back to Kylon. “I noticed Rasc Centarlo and his friend Setin. Centarlo looked upset about something. Is he all right?”
“He’s fine. I didn’t want him involved in these talks, and he’s angry with me.”
“But why not involve him? And why are you angry with him? Hasn’t he done what we asked him to? The reports we had on him and Setin didn’t show any problems.”
“Yes, he’s done well. Really good. There have been no problems with him. You misunderstand me—he’s upset with me. I just don’t want him involved in this too much for his own good. I don’t want him identified as one of the leaders.”
“Why not?”
“To protect