‘It is, of course, the Emperor’s city,’ corrected La-Ver-Di-Arussah.
‘I thought it belonged to the humans now?’ replied Wa-Ka-Mo-Do.
‘Then obey their orders, as the Emperor commanded.’
‘I told you, the Emperor has issued new orders.’
‘So you said. Ka-Lo-Re-Harballah,’ she turned to face the young robot, ‘go and bring confirmation from the radio room.’
‘You dare to question my authority, La-Ver-Di-Arussah?’
‘No, Honoured Commander, but confirmation is appropriate in these circumstances.’
‘Sadly, that will not be possible. The radio is destroyed.’
La-Ver-Di-Arussah gazed at him, and he could feel the surge of the current through her body even from here. She was angry.
‘How did that happen?’
‘Go-Ver-Dosai lies dead amongst the debris. He did not like the Emperor’s words.’
He felt such shame. He hadn’t lied as such, but what he had implied was not the truth.
‘You’re saying that Go-Ver-Dosai destroyed the radio?’
La-Ver-Di-Arussah stared at him. He knew that she was wondering whether or not to challenge him, here and now. Even the humans felt it. They were listening to the exchange in silence, their wet eyes wide.
‘Ka-Lo-Re-Harballah,’ ordered La-Ver-Di-Arussah. ‘Go and see what must be done. Find out how long it will be until the radio is repaired.’
‘Ka-Lo-Re-Harballah is under my command,’ warned Wa-Ka-Mo-Do.
‘It was a reasonable request, Hounoured Commander.’
It was. He directed Ka-Lo-Re-Harballah to go.
‘And so, Honoured Commander,’ pressed La-Ver-Di-Arussah. ‘What of the robots who approach this square? Shall we open fire?’
‘Not yet. Order the robots to disperse. Tell them that I am controlling this city now, and that there may be another attack tonight.’
Captain Littler stepped forward.
‘And that’s why, Honoured Commander, it is of the utmost importance that the guns are set up in the Copper Master’s house!’
‘Then set them up,’ said La-Ver-Di-Arussah.
Wa-Ka-Mo-Do drew his sword.
‘You undermine my authority for the last time, La-Ver-Di-Arussah. I challenge you to a duel.’
‘What? Here in the middle of preparations for battle?’ She laughed. ‘You are being ridiculous, Wa-Ka-Mo-Do.’
‘Fight, or I will cut you down where you stand.’
Rachael ducked under her father’s arm and ran forward from the group of humans. She paused just short of where Wa-Ka-Mo-Do stood, his sword gleaming sharp, La-Ver-Di-Arussah looking up at him, taunting him.
‘Stop this!’ she called. ‘This is so stupid!’
‘Stand back, Rachael,’ said Wa-Ka-Mo-Do, voice low.
‘Rachael, get back here!’
The young woman rounded on her father, face red.
‘You’re going to get them all killed! Don’t you care?’
At a nod from her father, one of the humans dressed in green stepped forward to pull Rachael back.
‘You get a soldier to do your dirty work now?’ she said in tones of disgust. ‘Wa-Ka-Mo-Do,’ she called, turning those blue eyes upon him. ‘Stop her! You’ve got to listen to me!’
Slowly, Wa-Ka-Mo-Do resheathed his sword, and he saw the humans relax a little. Then he held up a hand. He flexed the blades at the ends of his fingers. The green human saw them, looked to Rachael’s father for instructions.
‘Let her speak,’ commanded Wa-Ka-Mo-Do.
‘Would the Emperor be pleased that you threaten his guests?’
‘Be quiet, La-Ver-Di-Arussah!’
Rachael’s face had changed colour, became chalk white, and again Wa-Ka-Mo-Do recognized something in common with her. They were both at the edge of something. Wa-Ka-Mo-Do had just crossed a boundary, Rachael was about to.
‘Speak, Rachael,’ said Wa-Ka-Mo-Do. And Rachael took a deep breath and did just that.
‘It’s the people here, Wa-Ka-Mo-Do,’ she began. ‘The people of -- --. Don’t you see, that they’re just – --.
There are -- -- --.’ She gradually became aware that her words were not being translated, and she pulled the headset from her head and rounded on her father.
‘SSSSSSSWWWW WWSSSWSDSDD,’ she shouted at him. ‘OOO SSSSS SSKKSKKSWWWSSKKS.’
Her father recoiled at her words.
‘You can’t have it,’ he said.
‘SSSKKK SSSKKK WWWWWKKKW.’
‘What they do is nothing to do with us!’
‘WWKKK SSKKKS SSSSSWWWKKK.’