Let's Make a Deal (Bob and Nikki Book 11), стр. 50
Natti answered, “Your Majesty, he depends a great deal on bots to do things such as that. The bots that had been spaced were brought back to operating condition by the bots already in his service, and together they brought the fleet into flyable condition.”
“I see. Might I ask why he provided you with an escort, to come see me?”
“He felt, as did I, that whoever spread the rumor that I was dead might want to make sure it was true, before I delivered my report, Your Majesty.” Since the bot we were getting our feed from was focused on what the Emperor and the Ambassador had to say, we didn’t see the cause of the commotion at first. Soon enough, we saw an Admiral falling, after being stunned again. Then we saw the daggers sticking out of the chests of the people we had been listening to. Dixie examined the knives, and administered antidote. She then applied bandages to the entry wounds. The Emperor roused first. He asked, “What happened?”
The Marine who had spoken before said, “Your Majesty, one of your Admirals awakened, and apparently thought you had heard too much. He threw a poisoned dagger at you.”
“Did he miss? How am I still alive?”
Dixie said, “I have some experience with your people’s poisons, Your Majesty. I gave you an antidote.”
He studied on that for a minute. “You, who work for Commodore Wilson, saved the life of the Emperor of Oak?”
“I did. I’m sure you’re recording these proceedings, if you want to confirm what I have said.”
“That won’t be necessary. Thank you for my life. What are you called?”
“My name is Dixie, Your Majesty.”
“Would you consider a job as my personal physician?”
“Sorry, but no. The Commodore is the best Boss in the galaxy. Thanks, anyway.”
“You don’t even want to hear about the job?”
“Not really, but if you insist, I will listen.”
Natti roused about then. He said, “Your Majesty, the Commodore’s bots are some of the most loyal people I have ever seen. Were I you, I wouldn’t waste my time.”
“I see. How is it that Dixie here has so much experience with our poisons?”
Dixie said, “Those throwing knives your people like to conceal in their cheeks don’t show up on our scanners. I had to take care of the Commodore when he was hit with one. Since then, I have studied everything I can find on your poisons, so that I will be ready when it happens again.”
“Pardon my ignorance, but why do you say when, and not if?”
“Our company motto, Your Majesty. Murphy is our shepherd. It means we should expect the worst, so that when things come out better than that, we are pleasantly surprised. Besides that, I doubt that the Commodore is going to quit challenging your people to outrageous fights to try and get their attention.”
“Outrageous fights?”
“The fight where he got nicked was four-on-one. He offered the fellow a choice between one-on-one, and he could keep his weapons, or four-on-one, no weapons. Apparently, he didn’t think the hideout in his cheek counted.”
“That is a breech of honor. Do you happen to know the name of the man who committed it?”
“I do not. The Commodore might have some record, but as I recall, he just wanted him off his ship.”
Natti said, “I’m sure we can find out his name for you, Majesty. Knowing the Commodore, however, it might cost us the formula for the ceramic in those hideaway knives. He seemed very interested in them.”
“I’m not sure I understand, Ambassador. He wants the formula to make the knife that nearly took his life?”
“Very much so, Majesty. The fact that it is so hard for his scanners to detect impressed him highly. I’m sure he has some of his crew trying to duplicate it as we speak. If we don’t sell him our recipe soon, he will be selling us his improved version in a month or two.”
“You mean to say his crew can figure it out that quickly?”
“One of his armorers worked from a captured example of our sidearm, and developed it into a carbine with improved capabilities, in under a month. One thing I have learned in my dealings with them, is not to bet against Bob’s Saucer Repair. They are a group of very capable, very motivated individuals.”
“You sound almost as if you would rather work for them, than me.”
“The Commodore has offered me that very thing on several occasions. I can’t say it doesn’t appeal to me, but I remain loyal to Your Majesty.”
“Why is that?”
“I see good things happening in the Empire, and I want to be a part of them. If I go to work for Bob, I personally would be better off, but by remaining Ambassador, I can help the Empire take advantage of the new state of affairs in the galaxy, and help the entire Empire.”
“Why do you think the Empire needs your help?”
“Without a voice of restraint, the Admirals will continue their campaign to try and destroy Bob’s Saucer Repair. Bob is a patient man, but sooner or later, he will have enough of their nonsense, and conquer us. He doesn’t want that, I don’t want that, and I’m sure Your Majesty has no interest in running a puppet government, having to clear every decision with Bob.”
“You’re that confident this Bob you speak of can defeat our Navy?”
“He’s beaten everything the Admirals have thrown at him, and he hasn’t even quit trying to keep our people alive, yet. If he were to decide it no longer suited his purposes to play nice, our fleet would cease to exist in short order.”
“I still don’t understand. If his ships are so capable, why hasn’t he already conquered us?”
“He doesn’t have any interest in trying to administer an Empire of Squirrels. He