Ganoosh was fairly purring to himself. “How wonderful! How marvelous! Why, just think, if you had a Linyaari medic among you, or someone who possessed the power of their
orns, you could instantly heal your wounded and send the same People back into battle after battle. Your troops would be Poetically immortal.”
Hmrnmm, yes …and so would these poor souls you would bring to me for reeducation. Frankly, some of the jobs that used to employ children will be a bit riskier for adults. There could be increased on-the-job injuries. How wonderful again, if we were to have such healing power to keep our workers whole and productive.”
“As far as I know, Lady Acorna’s people don’t hire out for such things though, Count. I think you’re barking up the wrong tree there.”
“Perhaps no one has made them the right offer?” “They’re,” the general spat, “pacifists. Wouldn’t even fight to save their own planet from these big bug things we destroyed to liberate Rushima. They’re plenty scared of them though.”
“Hmmm-do these bug creatures have any allies, I wonder?”
“I’m told the only use they have for allies is at meal times.” “And perhaps it wouldn’t be necessary to have an actual member of this alien race to which the girl belongs to work the wonders. If the power is all in the horn, all one would need is the horn.”
“Yeah, but where would you get one of those?” Ganoosh smiled. “I’m a resourceful man. And I do appreciate our little chat, General. Think about what I’ve said. See if you can come up with a proposal, a bid, for a solution to these little problems. And I will continue to research this matter.”
“I’ll do that, Count. But-uh-please, if you don’t mind, utilize the code we set up for the last job I did for you after this. Nadhari is rather softhearted and sentimental about her former alliances. I wouldn’t want to upset her “
“I understand perfectly. General. Good day, and er, victory and glory to your armies.”
“The same to you. Count.”
Hafiz Harakamian, eh? There was an interesting footnote or two on his dealings in Manjari’s files. For instance, there was the first wife, whose death Manjari had helped fake when the lady, unfulfilled by her marriage to her inattentive and unappreciative spouse, had wished to return to the spotlight she had only begun to occupy in the recreational sex industry that was one of the pillars of Manjari’s empire. That wife, as her beauty waned, had retired into a profitable position as Didi of a house of pleasure. She was a particular favorite of Manjari as she had also divulged a great deal of information about her former spouse and his enterprises, associates, and most helpfully, the layout and security system of his compound on Laboue.
The poor girl had been languishing in prison with the other Didis at the behest of her former husband’s ward. Ganoosh clicked his tongue. How sad. How very sad. Fortunately, he, Count Edacki Ganoosh, would be able to effect a happy endingHe lay back on his couch, his hands steepled over his
abdomen and his face wearing a smile of satisfaction. Family reunions were so touching. He must arrange for one between this poor, ill-rewarded servant and her bereaved husband, who, unfortunately for the lady, had recently remarried.
The information she had provided Manjari over the years would prove useful in effecting the reunion as the proper surprise that made such occasions so memorable.
And of course, she should have a wedding present. Ganoosh picked up the piece of horn and fondled it, imagining he could feel its much-vaunted healing and purifying energy coursing through his being. Couldn’t have that now, could he? Being purified was the last thing he wanted. Picking up a heavy crystal ornament, he smashed the horn to powder. There now. That was a start. He kept a bit for himself-the aphrodisiac powers might work as well powdered as whole, and were far easier to slip into some victim’s beverage that way. He himself, of course, needed no such stimulant. Bringing out the baser emotional and physical responses in others served him very well in that regard.