The Hero Strikes Back by Moira J. Moore Read Free Book Online Page B

unaware of the tension that had developed in the Stall. I was glad to see the older Source, which was unusual for me. I didn’t like La Monte. He was a decent enough sort, and a good responsible Source, but he thought age should buy him not only respect but reverence. I didn’t do reverence. However, his arrival meant we could get this meeting started, and the sooner it started, the sooner it would be over and the sooner I could go somewhere more comfortable.
    â€œChris!” Wilberforce gushed, exactly as he had with Karish. He liked to watch all avenues. La Monte was a force to be reckoned with because of his age, Karish because of his fame. Not that Wilberforce thought either of them could actually do anything for him, advance his own reputation or anything like that. I got the feeling he was just one of those people who felt compelled to abase themselves before those they perceived as their superiors.
    â€œFranklin,” said La Monte. I didn’t think the older Source felt any special glow as a result of Wilberforce’s solicitude. He merely thought it was his due.
    â€œDid we miss anything?” Hammad asked, stamping his feet and scattering snow everywhere.
    â€œWe would never start without Chris,” Wilberforce assured him. “After all, he’s the reason we’re here.”
    â€œAll right then,” said La Monte, clapping his hands together. “Shintaro, can I assume Dunleavy’s been keeping you apprised of the situation here?”
    I felt Karish tense beside me. “Are you implying Lee might be dilatory in her responsibilities?” he asked testily.
    La Monte’s eyebrows rose in surprise. An emotion I had to admit to sharing. Where had that come from? “Of course not, Shintaro. It was primarily a sort of introduction to the meeting.”
    â€œPlease consider the introduction made.”
    Strange. It wasn’t like Karish to be rude.
    La Monte hesitated, probably recovering from the shock of being shown such disrespect. Then he said, “Just so we’re all clear, I’ll remind everyone that High Scape is suffering from highly unseasonable weather—”
    Garrighan snickered.
    â€œâ€”as well as a complete lack of natural events, which has been lasting for the past several months.”
    â€œExcuse me?” I asked.
    The others looked at me with confusion. “You know that,” said Riley.
    â€œHow could I possibly? I haven’t been on the roster for months.”
    â€œWe’ve been talking about it at the house,” Riley protested.
    â€œYou know Dunleavy,” Garrighan commented. “If you’re not talking to her, she’s not listening.”
    Prat.
    â€œThere have been no events for the past several months,” Sabatos told me with mock solemnity.
    â€œI got that. Thanks.” Quite a change from the year before, when High Scape was known as one of the most volatile sites in the world, and I could expect a few events on every watch.
    â€œAnd this requires a meeting, why?” Garrighan asked, sounding bored. “I’m particularly interested in the location, when the house would be warmer and handier.”
    â€œI want no one to overhear us. No one will come out here.”
    Zaire. I hadn’t been aware La Monte had been inflicted with melodrama.
    â€œThe regulars expect us to do something about the weather. They think we are neglecting our duty.”
    How unfortunate for them. I think I should be the next Empress. How unfortunate for me.
    â€œThere’s nothing we can do about the weather,” said Riley, stating the bloody obvious, but apparently it was necessary under the circumstances.
    â€œThe regulars don’t understand that,” said La Monte. I shifted my shoulders. There was that particular patronizing tone in his voice that was just . . . aggravating.
    Garrighan tsked with impatience. “There’s nothing we can do about that,