Read Resolution for Free Online Page B

looked at Strostiv.
     
    ‘What do you want?’ he said.
     
    ‘To help.’ Strostiv spread his hands. ‘Only to help, my Lord.’
     
    ~ * ~
     
    6

    NULAPEIRON AD 3423

     
     
    Two hours later, Tom and Strostiv stood on a rough stone balcony overlooking a quadrangle which was decorated with purple and scarlet moss. Below them, on the hexagonal flagstones, stood a dozen-strong team of techs and engineers. A pair of utilitarian mesodrones hovered a metre above the ground.
     
    Elva was briefing the technicians as though they were commandos going on a raid.
     
    ‘You ... Harm, is it? Good. Your team consists of Alen, Xindor and Frayne.’ She pointed to them in turn. ‘You’ll take that drone.’
     
    ‘Ma’am.’
     
    ‘The preliminary analysis is your job. I’ll want a rundown of whatever additional gear we need. Debriefing at Snapdragon Hour, on the dot.’
     
    ‘Yes, ma’am.’ And, to his team: ‘OK. We’re moving.’
     
    As they left, Elva addressed the others. She had met them minutes ago; already, she knew their names. ‘You’re with me. First stop is the scanner workshop, and I’ll need your recommendations, Sharlyn,’ she said to a heavy, strong-looking woman who bowed. ‘No need to go for the most expensive gear, people, but no skimping either. All right?’
     
    ‘No problem.’
     
    ‘Right. Let’s get on it’
     
    As they left, Elva made a small nod towards the balcony, not looking up at Tom. Then they trailed out, and were gone.
     
    ‘Good luck,’ Tom murmured.
     
    Strostiv frowned. ‘Is everything all right, my Lord?’
     
    ‘What do you mean?’
     
    ‘Lady Corcorigan didn’t wave goodbye, so I... I beg your pardon, sir. Not my business.’
     
    ‘No offence taken,’ said Tom. ‘Military officers don’t make emotional farewells; not in front of the troops.’
     
    ‘But they’re not—’
     
    ‘—soldiers, right. With Elva in charge, they might as well be.’
     
    Strostiv said nothing for a moment, then: ‘You’re proud of her, aren’t you?’
     
    ‘Oh, yes. Are you married, Strostiv?’
     
    ‘No. A long time ago, nearly ... But it doesn’t matter.’
     
    As he turned to go, Tom reached out and touched Strostiv’s sleeve. ‘It’s not the done thing to talk in these terms,’ Tom told him, ‘but you know, love is the only thing that matters. What else makes life worthwhile?’
     
    Old sorrow darkened Strostiv’s eyes.
     
    ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘You’re right.’
     
    Tom left it at that. He followed, as Strostiv walked back to the inner chamber and sat down at the purple table.
     

     
    Strostiv had asked that Tom remain behind, while Elva began the task of evaluating the ruined Jack’s situation. As their talk proceeded along the minutiae of restoring the Collegium to its pre-war condition, Tom began to grow impatient. Just what was it the man wanted?
     
    Then Strostiv said: ‘I’ve a technical expert called Zilwen who would love to talk to you, my Lord. We’ll meet back here in an hour, if that’s all right’
     
    ‘Um ... OK. If I’ve an hour to kill, I might as well follow Elva and offer my—’
     
    ‘If you like, of course. But I thought that you might want’ - Strostiv gestured; antique bronze doors swung open at the chamber’s far end - ‘to meet up with an old friend.’
     
    The antechamber beyond was in shadow. A narrow, cloaked figure stood in the gloom.
     
    Corduven?
     
    Then the man moved forward into the light, his oriental Zhongguo Ren features lighting up in a broad smile. ‘Tom, old man. Fancy seeing you here.’
     
    ‘Zhao-ji!’ Tom had seen him at the wedding, but there had been so little time to talk.
     
    They embraced, pounding each other’s backs, then stepped away.
     
    ‘I guess,’ said Tom slowly, ‘I’ve always known you must have dealings here.’
     
    More than once, he had come across glowing sapphire fluid which was somehow linked to Oracular (and possibly Seers’) abilities; and there were