Revising Plans
Three men read the report from Luna that scrolled across the screen. The news could have been better.
"So she sends her favorite lapdog on an errand." Kingsley Thorn grumbled. He had hoped for more spectacular results despite his experience. "And stays in her palace, lording over us all."
"It was a long shot in the first place Kingsley." Tobias pointed out. "I'm more worried that Thaumaturge Aimery will see through our trap when he arrives."
"Oh, I'm sure he see's through it now." David said. "He'll suspect a rouse, that much I'm certain, how much more I don't know. Not that it will help him much. His trip will only delay our plans, but it may allow us time to firm up our preparations." He pause for a moment in thought. "It may be a boon..."
"Boon?" Tobias mused. "How is it a boon if he already suspects a trap. He'll be on the lookout and might stumble on the truth."
"Yes." David agreed. Tobias was right. Of course the only answer to the problem was one he wish he could avoid. "I guess I'll have to ask her for another favor."
"I thought she was done with favors for you?" Kingsley questioned pointedly.
"She is, but Tobias might be able to appeal to her human nature."
"Oh no!" Tobias resisted. "Why me?"
"She likes you." David said.
"Ha! Only because she hates you and can't stand Kingsley." Tobias returned. "What could I say that would get her to listen?"
"Promise her a ship. There is a rather shiny one headed her way now." David indicated. Tobias rolled his eyes. "I'm serious. It wouldn't work coming from me, but you..."
"What about the Queen?" Kingsley asked gruffly. "I thought your little stunt was suppose to anger her enough to storm the Galilean Moons."
"It was, but as Tobias said that was a lot to expect for one attempt." David replied. He pulled up his portscreen and began to input code. "Fortunately, I have a number of little bugs to stir the queen to action."
"Bugs?" Kingsley arched his eyebrow, puzzled. His cousin chuckled at the expression, it turned Kingsley's normally stern face goofy, if only a little.
"You remember I arranged to get the software upgrades for the Artemisia Palace communication system, especially the intercom and screens? A waste of time you called it I believe." David pointed out.
"Well it is! What can you do with that?" Kingsley cried. "Buzz and blind her to death?"
"No, something more subtle." Tobias interceded as he looked at the inputs David was making. "You're going to place hidden messages in the feeds that only she will be able to see and hear! Brilliant, but how are you going to tell where she is and make the appropriate visual and audio alignments to her perception alone?"
"A number of ways," David said, "Her schedule, the proximity sensors in rooms, some of the palace staff...I have all I need to make the queen think of nothing more than the Jovian system. She'll be gone soon enough. Now let's talk about our preparations for when she leaves..."