Displaced

Chapter 85

Blake set a timer for fifty-five minutes in his suit as his people walked out of the meeting room in Crirada. Quickly the Many transporter and Simona made their way to the rooms given to them for the duration and Blake got down to business.

"Pack up everything you need to take with you that can be taken in time. I will fetch my sensor skitter and have it board with you. I want you, the Many, our stuff, and that Arlette woman on board with at least twenty minutes to spare. I'm going to fake a run north, to make it look like the Eterian leaders are running away to Kutrad, then we'll turn towards the west and come down on them from their northern side. I trust that you can handle the loading process yourself?"

"You may rely on me, my Lord," Simona replied in her standard enthusiastic and confident manner.

However, Blake caught a hint of reluctance in her that she quickly hid behind her normal demeanor. "Is something wrong?" he asked his minion.

"Of course not!" came the reply.

Blake didn't buy it. "Simona, you're one of my top subordinates. It's important that we keep a clear channel of communication between us, so don't hide your reservations from me, especially not now when they might matter."

"It... it is of no importance, my Lord."

"Stop it. Today is a busy day, so just say it and we can move on."

"...it feels wrong to allow that woman aboard the Flying Toaster, my Lord," she finally admitted, glancing away and avoiding looking his way. "The ship is Otharian. She does not belong there. Her presence will sully it."

Now Blake understood. He should have realized it on his own. A dislike and distrust of outsiders ran through most every Otharian, but Simona was easily the most fervent of his subordinates. He didn't blame her, after what she'd been through as a child growing up near the Eterian border and living through raids and abuse of the Eterians. The Flying Toaster was special. It was something that only he, and by extension Otharia, could do. He should have realized that others would view it as hallowed ground of sorts and that they wouldn't want to share. He even shared those feelings a little, like a man overly protective of his new sports car, he wasn't willing to let just anybody ride. Still, it was too late for objections in this case.

"I understand your misgivings, but it's too late for them this time," he informed her. "We need her for part of the plan."

"Do you truly believe that her ruse will help?" Simona asked skeptically.

"Ehhhh, probably not that much, but it's worth it even if it just makes our odds two percent better, wouldn't you agree? It's not like it really costs us anything more than mild inconvenience." Blake didn't mention that certain other residents of his fortress also desired that the Arlette woman be kept out of harm's way and had been very annoying about it. "You don't have to be a gracious host. Just let her aboard and then kick her out when the fighting is over."

Simona bowed. "As you wish, my Lord."

Blake cut the transmission with a quick wave to Agrits and walked out. Quickly he headed back towards his personal chambers, but a familiar face poked through the exit before he could leave the House of Manys.

"Oh hey, are you done already?" she asked. "I was hoping to talk to my friend if I could."

"You're too late. She's already off doing whatever she needs to do."

"Oh..." came the disappointed reply.

"Don't worry, she'll be up in the zeppelin the whole time. Nothing is going to happen to her," Blake said before Sofie starting getting all nervous and badgering him about something.