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Jakkin nodded. Go on.
So I came looking for you because I knew you were a friend of Akki s. : But
it was Akki who sent the note, said Jakkin.
What note? Akki looked puzzled. The only note I sent was to Golden through
Three. It was all I
dared.
The note about needing me. About my being a man.
I sent nothing of the kind.
They both turned to Golden, who shrugged and looked slightly embarrassed.
Yes, I made that up, he said. I knew that only a call from Akki would bring
you into the game.
Jakkin s hands balled into fists. How did you know about Akki and me?
Akki put her hand lightly on his arm. Don t be angry. I told him, a long time
ago, when I ran away and was lonely and hurt and he and Henkky were my only
friends.
Jakkin covered her hand with his and said nothing, but he suddenly remembered
the doctor s phrase:
He uses people.
As if reading his mind, Golden spoke urgently. Yes, I used both of you-but
for a cause.
Some cause, Jakkin said, that lets us walk into danger with our eyes shut,
that lets us bring a bomb into a building to kill innocent people and
dragons.
Golden shook his head. Don t play the martyr, Jakkin; don t take the
responsibility for that destruction on yoursell The explosive power of any
bomb you could carry is not enough to bring a building the size of
Rokk Major down. There must have been several bombs planted around the Pit,
all timed to go off. You two were merely the scapegoats. Already a guard
remembered you coming in with the case, a guard who conveniently escaped the
blast. Everyone is happy enough to let the two of you take the blame, though I
expect that once they realize you weren t caught in the explosion, both
wardens and rebels will come looking for you.
Jakkin broke in, But if you thought we were dead, how come you re here? And
how did you get here so fast?
I hoped that one of you might have escaped and would head here first. And
being an offworlder, even such a one as I, occasionally has advantages, he
said, his smile twisting bitterly. There s a copter stationed at The Rokk,
and since I know how to fly it, I borrowed it from the Federation.
Borrowed? Akki asked.
Well, took!
Henkky was right, Jakkin said. You belong to the Federation. You use
people-and then throw them
away.
Of course I used you. I ve already admitted that. Because the Federation
can t officially mix into a planet s internal politics. If I hadn t used you,
this entire world would already be bathed in blood,
Golden said.
Jakkin turned away angrily and stared into the hearth.
Like the blood of my father and the blood of the punters at the Pit and the
dragons and Three. Doesn t their blood count? shouted Akki.
Jakkin scarcely heard her. All he could think of was how easily he had been
manipulated-by Golden, the steward, Sarkkhan, Henkky. If things were really
fair, he, not Sarkkhan, would be lying buried in the ruins of the Pit. He
turned back and asked quietly, And was the rebellion the Federation s idea
from the start?
Don t be a child, said Golden. This rebellion arose because most of the
men-and women-on this world are no better than slaves. The Federation didn t
start it.
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Akki, still furious, broke in. The Federation started it two hundred years
ago when it sent prisoners here.
Suddenly Jakkin felt a roar in his head. It translated into a bleak, jagged
dunescape of blacks and browns. He stood up and touched his head, frowning a
bit. Akki, he said.
I hear it, too, she answered.
Hear what? asked Golden.
It s all dark and muddy. So angry. So afraid. Akki went to the window and
looked out. There are trucks out there I don t recognize. And men who aren t
nursery bonders. She touched the bag at her neck. Not rebels either, I
wager.
Golden walked to her side and looked out. His voice was steady. Well, they re
here a full day sooner than I had expected. We have no more time. As your
bonders like to say, dragon time is now! I
recognize those men. They re wardens, the special anti-rebel squad. The
leader, the one gesturing with his hand, that s Captain Kkalkkay. He s an old
friend of mine. A senator as well. He s often hinted that he suspected my
sympathies lay& elsewhere. But before today he had no proof. Just finding me
here with you will be proof enough. He s already found the copter. Look-there
are guards around it.
Jakkin joined them at the window. Who s the bonder, the one pointing up
here? asked Golden.
Effikkin, said Jakkin, without surprise. My bonder. He laughed without
humor. He respects authority.
Kkalkkay has plenty of that, Golden said. And it looks as if he has
convinced your bonder that you re a rebel and therefore against authority.
I m not a rebel, but I don t think I m particularly for authority.
Golden laughed humorlessly. This is a fine time to try to make that
distinction, because it looks as if your friend is betraying us to my friend.
Is there a back door out of here?
Do we need to run? asked Jakkin. Can t we just explain?
Don t be thick, Jakkin, Akki said. Explain what? That we didn t really know
about the bombs-except for the one in the case, which wasn t really ours
anyway? That we were forced to bring it in?
I expect Kkalkkay doesn t care.
I expect you re right, said Golden. He has to bring in a bomber. And any
bomber will do for now, just so the public is satisfied that something s being
done. Now about that back door. : This way, said
Akki, starting toward a short hall.
I m not running anymore, said Jakkin. I finally figured it out-this is
where I ve been running to.
What do places matter? asked Golden, grabbing his hand and jerking him
along.
Jakkin yanked back, and the two scuffled briefly. Akki put her hand on the
door handle and was about to open it when it was flung outward. Standing
there, red tears following familiar tracks down his cheeks, was Likkam. Akki
gasped and cried out a warning.
Jakkin ran over and pushed her aside. He stared at Likkam. I thought you d
given up weed, old man.
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