Let's Make a Deal (Bob and Nikki Book 11), стр. 48
I replied, “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Saucy said, “Incoming transmission, Boss.”
“Main screen. Let’s see what they have to say.”
A flashily dressed Squirrel with an obviously high opinion of himself appeared. He said, “His Imperial Majesty is giving you the opportunity to surrender your ships, and enter his service.”
“You seem to be out of touch with current events. Most of your fleet is under my control, and we have just demonstrated our pilots are superior to yours. If any surrendering is to be done, I believe it should be you, surrendering to us.”
He sputtered. “The Emperor will not bow to such as you, monkey!”
“That’s fine, so long as he doesn’t expect me to bow to him.” I’m not sure what the emotions that ran across his face meant, but I’m pretty sure I hadn’t said what he thought I should have. I was lost for what to say next, so I was relieved when Natti spoke up. “Good grief, Crikki. Did you really expect that to work? Haven’t you read any of my reports?”
“Ambassador Dressi? I was told you had been killed by the monkey!”
“No, we have been trying to work out some trade agreements. I’m sure he’s been frustrated enough to want to kill me a time or two, but he is yet to act on it.” It was beginning to become clear to me that the Emperor had people between him and the real world who thought the Empire would be better off going to war with us. They had apparently blocked access to the Ambassador’s reports, and spread the word that I had killed him. I wished I was sure that direct access to the Emperor would give us success in trying to make peace, but it had to be better than what we had been doing. Crikki said, “The Admirals told the Emperor you were dead. He came to avenge you.”
I said, “Sounds like it is time for you to have an audience with the Emperor, Ambassador.”
Crikki said, “The Admirals will surely kill you if you try that, Ambassador.”
I said, “It’s been pleasant talking with you, Crikki. The grown-ups have things to talk about now.” I motioned for Saucy to cut the connection. Natti said, “He’s a little twit, but he does have power, Bob. You’ll pay for that.”
“Be that as it may, he wasn’t contributing to the conversation any more. You need to talk to the Emperor, face to face. You need some guards to make sure you survive the experience. Is that the situation as you see it?”
“It is, Bob. What are you thinking?”
“Giving you an escort, Ambassador.” I turned to Saucy. “Connect me to whoever is in charge of the Puller, please.”
“Yes, Boss. Captain AA-235, at your service.”
“Do you have a full complement?”
“Yes, Boss. The Marines Captain Mason brought back are aboard. What can we do for you today?”
“Ambassador Dressi needs to go talk to his Emperor, on that big barge that jumped in. There are people aboard it who would rather he didn’t do that, so he needs an escort. Do you suppose your boys could take care of that for me?”
“They’ve been wondering how long it would be before they had to board it, ever since it jumped in. They’re psyched to see what it looks like inside.”
“You understand that we need to keep the body count as low as possible, right?”
“I do. You understand that they probably saved stunner resistant types for the Emperor’s guard, don’t you?”
“I am aware. Do your best, I’m sure it will be good enough.”
“We need to come to the Gene Cernan to pick the Ambassador up, correct?”
“Yes. I’ll have a medic accompany him, with antidotes to all of their poisons that we know about. They seem to be fond of poison.”
“I am aware, the Marines on your ship advised me. I also know about their nasty little throwing knives that don’t show on the scanner.”
“Sounds like you have a good idea what you are up against. Fly safe.”
“And you, Boss.” I looked at Saucy. “Dixie, please.”
“Yes, Boss? Did you stub your toe?”
“No, I need you on a mission. Report to the landing bay, with all the antidotes to Squirrel poisons that you know of. You’re going to be escorting the Ambassador, on the way to his audience with the Emperor.”
“On it, Boss.”
“Later.”
Natti asked, “Let me see if I have this straight. Your Marines are going to take me to see the Emperor?”
“Do you know another way to get there, without dying on the way?”
“No, I don’t suppose I do.” I asked, “Nikki, would you be so kind as to help the Ambassador get to the Puller?”
“Sure, Caveman.”
“Thanks. Cross your fingers.”
“I will. Do you think this will work?”
“If you have a better idea, now would be the time.”
“Sorry, but I don’t.”
“Me either.” They headed for the landing bay. Snappi followed along. As soon as the door closed behind them, Willum’s voice came over the speaker. “Safe to talk now, Boss?”
“Safe as it’s going to get. What do you have?”
“So many things. Those fighters the Emperor’s yacht launched? None of them have weapons. It looks like they took them out, so they would be able to handle more impressively. The yacht itself has no weapons of any consequence, and the complement is really rather small for such a large craft.”
“I like what I’m hearing. I just sent the Puller to board them, and escort the Ambassador to see the Emperor.”
“I’m afraid you may have some disappointed Marines, Bob. They’ll have hardly anyone to fight on the way.”
“As long as he gets where he’s going, I’m a happy camper. Anything else I need to