Chapter Five

Lordmind Estoor stormed into the communications room, pushing past an acolyte who was almost bowled over by the large build of the leading Mind of the moon. He walked directly up to the Techmind that was stationed there and leaned over his shoulder, staring into a monitor, which displayed the words ‘idling’. He grabbed the Techmind by the shoulder and jabbed his finger at the screen.

“How long has it been like that?”

The Techmind, surprised by the sudden appearance of the Lordmind, checked the chronometer on the control desk. “Nearly four hours, Lordmind.”

“How long does it take? The Prime Lord definitely received our signal, yes?”

“Yes, Lordmind, we had confirmation of receipt directly after the transmission.”

Estoor pushed himself away from the Techmind who was forced forward in his seat, trying to keep his mind clear of the dislike he was feeling so that the Lordmind could not detect his feelings towards him. The Lordmind just paced the room and glowered.

The Prime Lord has been informed of Baron Familee’s uncooperative actions, he thought to himself. Why is it taking so long for him to make a reply?

Cheifmind Posht had returned on a transport that morning after being deposited in Fedarn space by one of the Familee’s own Starships. Posht had reported directly to the Lordmind, allowing Estoor entry into his mind to see the details of the confrontation himself. Estoor was amazed at how blatant the Baron Familee was in his rejection of the Minds and, if his words could be interpreted in such a way, his treasonous remarks concerning the Prime Lord. Surely the Prime Lord would aid him in extracting the child?

“Keep me informed. I want to be called the second the Prime Lord calls.”

Estoor turned to leave, and as soon as he did the ‘idling’ message on the monitor changed to ‘incoming’ with a bleep. After a few flashes of information the screen slowly started to show an image of a throne.

Estoor grinned, a visage which some considered more foreboding than his scowl. At last!

The throne was huge, with a gigantic reflective disc hanging behind it with the emblem of the Ki-Ki Sector etched into it’s surface, depicting all the planets in a roughly triangular formation, with the point of the triangle pointing down at a star. The actual seat of the throne was large enough to sit three, but it was covered with pillows placed so that only one could be seated there. It was covered in jewels and carvings denoting all the line of Kreaiden who had sat there.

Estoor waited patiently.

The figure entering the picture was old but still highly mobile. The white uniform he wore was cut by the most expensive and talented tailors, perfectly fitting and complementing his body. As he slowly sat, the features of the man came into view. He had a bald head, but hair still slightly grew over the temples. An obviously dyed beard ran from one ear to the other, but there was no hair growing below the nose. His expression was of one with troubled thoughts.

Lordmind Estoor stared at the face of the Prime Lord of the Ki-Ki Sector, Paol Kreaiden.

“Prime Lord,” said the Lordmind, his voice deep and grave. “Thank you for calling me at this late hour.”

Prime Lord Kreaiden just sighed. “I prefer talking to you on the communicator. I hate having voices in my head. And as for returning your call, Estoor, I was hardly at liberty to leave it until morning.”

After a long pause, Estoor ushered the Techmind out of the room and took the vacant seat. “Prime Lord, have you reviewed the information I sent you?”

“I have. I have to say, I am most disturbed. You could almost call Baron Familee’s remarks treasonous.”

“My thoughts exactly, Prime Lord. What little regard the Baron has for...”

The Prime Lord held up a hand to cut the Lordmind off. “I said almost call them treasonous. The fact is, he has said nothing that could incriminate himself. He was just talking as a worried father. And you know that Mind testimony is inadmissible.”

Under the table Estoor clenched his fist. The situation was falling out of control. He had to salvage something or all his efforts to obtain the child would be for nothing.

“And what about his unwillingness to hand over the child? She is obviously of some value, if the deaths of two Minds are anything to go by.”

“Yes, I agree, his dismissal of your requirements were quite bold. But remember, Estoor, the child is my granddaughter. I would not see her harmed or mishandled in any way.”

Estoor thought quickly. “You read on the report that some of my Techminds are concerned about the second transmission during the accident in the enhancers? The bright white one on the bottom left hand of the picture.”

“I know which one you refer to, Estoor. Cheifmind Vasquid’s theory of either a powerful Mind interceding or a new pattern of thinking was quite entertaining. He seems to think there are other beings out there who have the talent and are encroaching on our territory. There are no other interplanetary organisations with anything close to the Minds. As I said, it was entertaining.”

Estoor nodded. “I have had a long talk with Cheifmind Vasquid and he has agreed not to pursue that particular line of investigation. Now, back to the matter at hand. That transmission was powerful and, as you saw in the visual reports of the accidents, very deadly. This child is our only way to find out what that signal was. She is our only path of enquiry.”

The Prime Lord rubbed his chin gently in thought, looking at Estoor with narrowed eyes. “Is this a secure channel?”

“Yes, Prime Lord.”

“Then listen. I cannot actively get involved with the Baron’s decision to hold back his child from indoctrination into the Minds. He has a lot of friends in the Ki-Ki Sector, and if I took action against him, I would be leaving myself wide open to criticism. I also don't want to be thought of as being uncaring, tearing my own grandchild from my daughter’s breast.”

Another pause. Estoor wondered what the Prime Lord was thinking, and wished he were within range to try and probe his mind and gather his intentions. He hated this long-range communication fiasco. Touching minds was a much more natural way for him to communicate, and he always felt embarrassed using his natural voice.

“Estoor, if we obtain this child, what would we gain?”

“I could not answer that until I have the child, Prime Lord. But I know one thing; this child was involved with the death of two Minds, and, intentional or otherwise, her involvement makes her a danger to the stability of the Ki-Ki Sector. Her power makes her raw and untrained. If she one day mastered these powers, she would be an invaluable asset to House Familee’s future within the sector. With the blood of Kreaiden in her veins, it may also make her eligible to the throne. Imagine a Mind, possibly the most powerful Mind ever, on the throne of Fedarn, with the flag of Familee flying behind her. I’d say that the Baron has had plenty of time to think that over.”

The next pause was a long one, with the Prime Lord shifting uncomfortably in his seat. “I admit, those thoughts have spun through my head,” he said. “It is a... worrying prospect.”

“First your daughter marries a dissident against your wishes and then bears a talented child who could one day sit on the throne.” Estoor stopped himself. He wasn’t in range of the Prime Lord to implant one of his ‘suggestions’ using his talent, and he worried over overstepping the mark. He waited for a response.

The Prime Lord made no sign of disagreement or outrage over his remarks. He just clenched his teeth and thought. Then he leaned forward in his seat, keeping his voice low.

“I have a contact on Chinngard who works in the palace of House Familee,” said the Prime Lord, his face hard and cold. Obviously, Estoor’s words had made quite an impact. “I will not divulge the name of this contact yet, but I will inform her, via your enhancers, of the entire situation and ask them to monitor the child. At the earliest possible moment I will instruct the contact to act. Inform your Mind on Chinngard to send daily reports from the contact to you directly, and then report to me. Do not inform anyone of this, Estoor, or I will have the Mindmoon stripped of its authority and the Minds disgraced.”

Estoor swallowed his anger. The Prime Lord was covering all angles, and, as usual, reinforcing loyalty with a threat. “How do you intend to remove the child? Vanishing children are not the norm within the secure palace of a House.”

“For now we will concern ourselves with the first few weeks of the child. We will worry about extraction later. Who do you have on Chinngard?”

“Mind Hillit, inexperienced in the use of an enhancer, but stupid enough, and spineless enough, to do exactly what I tell him. I can count on his silence.”

“Excellent. I will arrange for the scribing of the message to my contact and you will have it transmitted within the hour. Remember, Estoor, we did not have this conversation. None of this is taking place. Remember also, that I am acting out of the concern of the security of the Ki-Ki Sector and the possible threat this child may bear.”

You can use whatever justification you like, Prime Lord, Estoor thought. You just can’t resist having a stab back at Baron Familee for taking your daughter. “As you wish, Prime Lord.”

“Goodnight, Estoor.”

The screen went blank, and then the message ‘disconnect’ appeared, followed by the words ‘idling’. Estoor stood and chuckled in the back of his throat, letting the sound fill his head and the room.

Yes! With the unofficial support of the Prime Lord and the chance to blame any failings on someone else should the other systems find out about what was happening, Estoor felt quite pleased with himself. He swung around to face the window, where the moon was dark and the planet Fedarn shining brightly above the horizon was just a curved slash in the darkness. He looked at the planet long and hard, wondering what the Prime Lord was doing at that moment, regretting his decisions or making fresh plans?

What exactly do I intend to do with the child when I have her? Estoor thought. I have to find out the secret of her power, but how? If I am to be the most powerful Mind who ever lived, if I am someday going to be regarded as an equal to the Jedi Knights, then I must have that child. If I can figure out how she can tap so much talent, the Minds will be able to tap even more power and their influence will grow within the Ki-Ki Sector. The Minds are far superior to the rest of the sector, but we are regarded as an evil necessity. That will change!

Estoor walked to the exit, squeezing through the door before it was fully opened. He passed the Techmind who was waiting to be re-admitted to his room without a word, and walked quickly to enhancer three, the repaired enhancer three, to inform his messenger to contact Mind Hillit on Chinngard immediately, and tell him to prepare for a mission briefing.