Free Lady Lure by Flora Speer

be a blessing to me,” Rolli
said.
    “But not to Perri.” Halvo did not pause to
question such a peculiar statement from an emotionless robot. He
was too busy trying to think of a way out of a seemingly impossible
situation. Rolli appeared to be the only hope left, and Halvo was
determined to convince the robot to act. “Perri is young and
deserves to live. As far as I can tell, her biggest crime is trying
to save her ungrateful fiance. What Perri did to me, she did at the
Chief Hierarch’s behest.”
    “Elyr is not worthy of her,” Rolli said. “Not
worthy at all.”
    “Then do something to help her,” Halvo said,
“because it is clear to me that Elyr won’t.”
    Meanwhile, Perri was still dealing with Elyr
and the Chief Hierarch.
    “You are to stay on the Space Dragon until you receive official permission to land,” the Chief Hierarch
repeated in response to Pern’s continued insistence that she wanted
to meet with Elyr in person.
    From the bewildered look in Pern’s eyes,
Halvo could tell that she suspected what was going on, though he
thought she was not ready yet to admit out loud that she was the
victim of a treacherous plot. Halvo decided it was time for him to
take control of the conversation.
    “Why don’t you tell us exactly what you have
planned for me once I reach the surface of Regula?” Halvo asked,
turning back to face the two men on the viewscreen. “Don’t you
think Perri has the right to know the full extent of your
machinations? After all, it won’t make any difference how much
information she has. She can’t stop you now, can she? Speaking for
myself, I would like to know which of the possible scenarios I set
out for her is the correct one.”
    “Admiral, the personnel shuttle should be in
position for docking with the Space Dragon within ten
seconds,” the Chief Hierarch said, his disregard for Halvo’s
questions providing the final proof Halvo needed about his
conclusions on the Hierarch’s plans. “I advise you to disembark
promptly.”
    “What if I don’t want to leave?” In the Chief
Hierarch’s last remark, Halvo had discovered the opportunity he
sought. It had been a long time since he had participated in such a
dangerous game. A part of him that he had believed permanently laid
to rest was beginning to awaken again. Danger or no, Halvo was
enjoying himself. He just hoped he could avoid a sudden bout of
dizziness until the confrontation with the Chief Hierarch was
finished. And he sent a fervent prayer to each of the ancient gods
of Demaria that Rolli’s programmed instructions to protect Perri at
all costs would not fail.
    “Regulan personnel shuttle to starboard,
requesting permission to dock,” Rolli reported from a position near
the ship’s control panel.
    “Permission granted,” Elyr said, apparently
speaking at the same time to both the Space Dragon and the
shuttle.
    “Belay that order!” Risking vertigo, Halvo
turned to look into Rolli’s constantly blinking twin blue lights
that took the place of eyes. “Rolli, you have about ten seconds to
unscramble your circuitry and do the right thing. After that, it
will be too late for all of us. Especially for Perri.”
    “Elyr, please,” Perri cried to the uncaring
face on the viewscreen. “I have done my best to help you. Now tell
me the truth. Elyr, what is happening?”
    The viewscreen went blank.
    “Rolli,” Perri cried, “get the picture
back.”
    “No,” Rolli said. “I need the power for
Starthruster.”
    “You mustn’t! We can’t run away. Not now, not
when Elyr is free.” Perri’s green eyes were swimming with tears,
and she sounded more and more desperate with every word. It was
clear to Halvo that she was trying to convince herself of the truth
of what she was saying. “Our mission is a success, Rolli. You and I
together have saved Elyr from the death sentence. It is a time of
rejoicing for us and for all the Amalini Kin.”
    “Elyr was never charged with any crime,”
Halvo said.