The Orphaned Worlds Read Online Free PDF Page B

who shot down two Brolturan interceptors with an Earthsphere shuttle.’
    ‘You know about that?’ Greg said.
    Silveira nodded. ‘Indeed – Barbour is something of an underground hero on Earth, and an openly celebrated one on the Vox Humana colonies. Did you know him?’
    ‘No, but my uncle was with him aboard that shuttle.’
    Vashutkin leaned forward, suddenly animated. ‘Black Theo, yes? Major Karlsson, Viktor Ingram’s right-hand man!’ He uttered a low whistle. ‘Was he killed too?’
    ‘Not entirely sure,’ Greg said, trying to ignore the hollowness in his chest. ‘There was a report from Pilipoint Station that a lifepod ejected from the shuttle before it engaged the interceptors. Maybe he was in it, I don’t know.’
    ‘What about the moon Nivyesta?’ Silveira said. ‘What do you think is happening up there?’
    Up there . Over the last few weeks Greg had largely succeeded in avoiding any brooding over the fate of those closest to him. Catriona and Uncle Theo were missing, that’s all, and no presumptions of mortality were going to take root in his thoughts.
    ‘The Brolturans cut all communication with Nivyesta, so we’ve no’ had any direct contact with the folk there,’ he said. ‘There’s plenty of rumours, though – Alexander has probably told you a few – but without another source that’s all they are.’
    Silveira nodded. ‘And what about Earthsphere Ambassador Robert Horst? Our politivores have been riding endless waves of speculation since he supposedly vanished on the very day that the Hegemony envoy accused him of being behind the assassination of Reskothyr the first Brolturan ambassador. Mr Vashutkin says he wouldn’t be surprised if he had been responsible – what do you say?’
    Greg ran his fingers through his hair and rubbed at an ache in his neck. More like what should I not say? Och well, half a truth is better than nae truth at all!
    ‘Horst had nothing to do with that assassination,’ he said. ‘I’ve seen a cam-vid that proves that it was Ezgara commandos who were responsible, and they take their orders from the Hegemony envoy, Utavess Kuros. As for Horst’s whereabouts, that is a mystery.’ He sighed. ‘What I’m about to tell you is gonnae sound far-fetched but hear me out. My uncle, Theo Karlsson, knew that airborne Brolturan guards were coming to get Ambassador Horst, who was visiting Gangradur Falls at the time. He got the ambassador away by zeplin to Giant’s Shoulder where I was working …’ He went on to relate how they had taken refuge in a hidden chamber within the promontory while Brolturan troops swept the area. He made no mention of the warpwell or its true function. Instead he told them that their presence had triggered an ancient, automated matter transporter which by chance snatched the ambassador away to … well, to somewhere else.
    Silveira was frowning, while Vashutkin had chuckled at first and was now leaning back, watching him closely.
    ‘I do not recall any reports of such discoveries on Giant’s Shoulder,’ Vashutkin said.
    ‘It only came to light in the days before the crisis,’ Greg said. ‘I realise that you only have my word for this … well, mine and that of my companions here.’ He indicated the Firmanov brothers.
    Vashutkin sat straighter and stared over at Nikolai. ‘Is this true? Is that what you saw?’
    Nikolai was unruffled. ‘Yes, sir. It happened just as Mr Cameron described.’
    ‘Exactly as he said,’ added Alexei.
    Greg smiled. ‘In fact, that ancient device is probably the reason for the Hegemony’s interest in Darien – why d’ye think they dug a big access tunnel into the core of Giant’s Shoulder?’
    Now Silveira looked uncertain, half-convinced. ‘As a technology, matter transportation has never worked consistently but you say that this device accomplished it.’
    ‘There’s no knowing that Ambassador Horst survived the process,’ Greg added.
    Silveira frowned, directing his gaze over Greg’s