Deathstalker 04 - Deathstalker Honor

and cold in their graves while that bastard Finlay goes on untouched. There is no God.”
    Robert turned and smiled at Adrienne Campbell. “Then why did you marry him?” “It was an arranged marriage, as well you know. My father arranged it. He never liked me. I’d divorce Finlay in a moment if
    it wasn’t for the children. I don’t suppose you could arrange a nice, quiet assassination for me, could you, dear? It would solve so many problems.”
    “Don’t tempt me,” said Robert. “Besides, who could we send against him? Owen Deathstalker? Kid Death?”
    “Don’t tempt me,” said Adrienne. “No, let him live. If only because his death would upset Evangeline so much. I’m very fond of Evangeline, except for her appalling taste in men…” They grinned at each other.
    Adrienne Campbell had a sharp, fiercely determined face under a mop of curly golden hair that was the only angelic thing about her. Regarded by all as the most ferocious intriguer in current politics, and the most dangerous, Adrienne had few real friends, and so many enemies there was a waiting list to join.
    Hardworking, frighteningly intelligent, and too damned honest for her own good, while not actually elected to any official position, Adrienne represented a number of very influential pressure groups, and could be relied on to have an acerbic opinion about absolutely anything. “So, how are you settling in as Captain?” said Adrienne. “Slow but steady. It helps that the crew are familiar with my record, and know I earned my position through my abilities rather than my sudden fame. It’s been quite a jump from Navigation officer to Captain, but it’s not like I’m taking anyone else’s place. The Fleet’s desperately short of experienced officers. If only we were short of enemies…” “Now, don’t you start,” said Adrienne firmly. “I hear that every day in Parliament. There just isn’t the money or the resources at present to build the Fleet up to what it used to be. The factories are running twenty-four-hour shifts just to produce the ships we need to keep supplies moving between the worlds, and people starving now have to take preference over possible future threats. The rebellion was long past necessary, but sometimes I can’t help thinking we could have timed it better.”
    “It’s the birth of a new order,” said Robert. “And birth is always painful.” Adrienne sniffed. “Don’t you quote propaganda to me, boy. I helped write most of it. Oh, hell, look who’s coming over. As if I didn’t have enough problems.” Robert looked around and hid a wince as he saw Finlay and Evangeline approaching. Evangeline looked friendly, and Finlay was doing his best. Robert sensed Adrienne seething at his elbow, and leaned down to murmur in her ear. “Take it easy. It won’t kill you to be nice to him.”
    “Want to bet? Still, you and he should meet, Robert. I know you don’t care much for each other, but you are Family. That still means something, even in these confused days.”
    “He ran away from the Family to join the rebels when the Clan needed him the most, leaving me to take over as the Campbell. A privilege I never expected and had no experience in.”
    “He had no choice. He had to follow his heart, and go where Evangeline went.” She snorted suddenly.
    “I can’t believe I’m actually defending him. Even if he did save my life once. Look, he never wanted to be the Campbell. He knew he’d make a mess of it. You were much better suited to the job. You’ve kept the Family alive when Finlay would have had them go down with all guns blazing. Accept what happened and move on. Try to mend some fences. These days we all need all the friends we can get.”
    The four came together in a small space that seemed to open up around them. Everyone in the vicinity recognized a potential flashpoint when they saw one forming, and prefered to put a little distance between them and whatever unpleasantness might occur. If only so they wouldn’t get blood on their best clothes.
    Evangeline and Adrienne greeted each other cheerfully, with much clasping of hands and kissing of cheeks. Adrienne had never begrudged Finlay his mistresses, not as long as he continued to turn a blind eye to her many amours, and had been delighted when he finally chose someone she could approve of.
    The two women had developed strong links during their shared time in the underground, and discussed Finlay scandalously behind his back. Finlay