Page 45 of House Divided
“Ah,” said General Marwan, scrolling the map to reveal the western coast. The planetary capitol showed as a large blue dot. “That’s where we believe both Branko and Rachel Gentry are holed up—in the Pleasure House headquarters. The building complex has sealed itself off. We hold the airport, seaport, and spaceport; they’ve got nothing except the HQ complex itself. They’ve sent a warning message saying that anyone who tries to enter will be met with lethal force and have refused all communication since then.”
“Hm,” mused Madeline, “I wonder if they’ll reply to me.”
“Worth a try,” nodded Enoch. “At least it will establish whether or not our pair of villains are actually there.”
Marwan nodded. “Open channel,” she told an aide. Enoch moved back out of the viewscreen’s range. Madeline looked at him quizzically.
“They still have no idea who I am,” he reminded her quietly. “No point in handing them a propaganda victory, telling the galaxy that the Pilgrim of Hate is helping you.”
Madeline frowned. “I hate that name. I wish there was something we could do to change that.” Enoch shrugged.
“They’re responding,” announced Marwan. “Up on screen in five seconds.”
Madeline composed herself and faced the screen. A moment later, it came to life, showing the sneering features of Rachel Gentry. Silvery-gray hair that came down to frame a face that was elegant, if severe. Eyes that were diamond hard, with no sympathy whatsoever. Completely unruffled, as if she had just come from a board meeting.
“Madeline,” began Rachel. “I’m sorry you haven’t had time to make yourself presentable,” she said with mock sympathy.
“I wouldn’t worry about it,” replied Madeline sweetly. “I’ve been too busy winning the war to bother with my makeup.”
“If you say so, dear,” replied Rachel. “And yet, I’m still here, in what used to be your office.”
“It’s the last place you have left, Rachel, and you know it,” said Madeline. “There doesn’t have to be any more bloodshed. We can come to terms.”
“You’ve always been soft, little Miss Marx,” sneered Rachel. “That’s how this all happened. What kind of terms could you possibly have to offer?”
Madeline was careful not to let her smile show. For all of Rachel Gentry’s tough talk, the woman had lost and clearly knew it. She was willing to negotiate.
“You’ve lost, Rachel,” she said. “I can get you and Branko off the planet, and you can choose exile. No charges, no courts, as long as you leave with no more trouble. One ship, whatever you can carry, and off to whatever bolt-hole you think best.”
Rachel Gentry’s eyes glittered with contempt. “That would make it so easy for you, wouldn’t it?”
“This is the only offer you’re going to get, Rachel.”
“Good. I’m already bored.” The screen went blank.
Madeline narrowed her eyes. Something felt off. “This is strange,” she offered slowly. “Rachel isn’t a ‘go down with the ship’ kind of person. She must think that she still has a card to play.”
“That’s worrisome,” observed Enoch. “Does she expect some kind of help from off-planet?”
Marwan frowned. “Local systems have been treating this as a strictly planetary dispute,” she said. “If Gentry and Branko are looking for help, it must be coming from somewhere further away. Unless she’s bluffing.”
Madeline shook her head. “That’s not how she plays the game. I’ve never known her to bluff, not even on something small.”
“Excuse me, General,” announced one of the command staff. “We have another comms request, coming from House HQ.”
Marwan smiled. “Gentry’s coming to her senses. Now she wants to talk terms. Accept the comms call.”
“Putting it on screen, ma’am,” replied the aide.
Madeline sat back in surprise as she looked at the on-screen face of Marc Duchesne, her intelligence expert and old friend.
“Marc, thank heavens you’re alive!” she cried. “Where are you? Are you all right?”
Marc looked tired. His face had several days’ worth of stubble, and there were bags under his eyes. “I am well,ma’amselle,” he announced, in contradiction of his appearance. “I never left the capitol. I have been here, working to understand the exact nature of the threat against us. I must tell you that unless you recapture the House within the next twenty-four hours, we will be lost.”
