This is a fan translation of Line of Dreams (Линия грёз) by the Russian science fiction and fantasy author Sergei Lukyanenko. The novel can be considered a fan fiction of the original Master of Orion game.
Chapter 2
Cities on Tauri were small and traditional. Kay spent several hours in a quiet café, which he had liked many years before. It hadn't changed at all. They still served excellent coffee, magnificent grilled chicken, and two dozen kinds of fruit ice cream. Kay even thought he recognized several frequent customers.
Then he got two first-class tickets to Kailis. He didn't need to portray a miserly merchant at the moment. All he had left to do was buy a Convoy for Arthur; Kay didn't like the idea of the boy being unarmed.
"You're in big trouble," Isabella said. "You were harboring dangerous criminals."
"And you have violated private property boundaries, girl," Henrietta informed her coldly.
"I'm no younger than you, bitch!" Kal exploded.
"But the age hasn't made you any smarter."
Isabella and Mohammadi exchanged glances.
"What about the kitty?" Kal asked insinuatingly. "That black kitty, who likes to watch educational programs?"
"You're talking nonsense," the old woman replied dryly.
"Really? What if I asked the Meklar to find the cat? And dissect it, so that we can see its brain?"
"You dirty vile bitch! Chasing after kids and animals isn't very brave!"
"T/san!"
"No need." Henrietta's voice quivered. "I withdraw my complaint."
Kal looked over her subordinates triumphantly. Kadar was smiling humbly. Louis, who was holding Arthur's motionless body, nodded approvingly.
"Where's Kay Ovald?" Isabella turned to the old woman again.
Henrietta said nothing.
"Well, that just won't do."
"He's in the city. I don't know when he'll be back." The old woman looked away.
Kal didn't spend a long time thinking, "We're leaving. We don't need Kay as much… he got lucky."
"Isabella!" Louis was the only one unhappy with her decision. "It's just a few hours… it won't change a thing… we have to finish the operation!"
Kal had been preparing to snub her presumptuous assistant, when she had an excellent thought.
"Maybe you're right. Ahar and Kadar! You'll wait for Kay Ovald. Take him alive; if you can't, then dead."
Bulrathi's face didn't show any emotion. Kadar seemed surprised.
"This is your chance to redeem yourself," Kal informed him graciously. "Ahar will monitor your actions, he's in charge."
Bulrathi hadn't been able to keep himself from smiling with pleasure. During the Tukai Conflict, where Kadar had distinguished himself, his race sustained terrible losses. The moment of triumph was as sweet as a chunk of rotten meat.
"We'll wait aboard the ship for one standard day," Kal stated, leaving. She hadn't even dignified the old woman with a glance; she had no interest in someone else's pride. The others followed her out.
As they were passing the stunned Rachelle, who was covered in busily moving ants, Marjan said, "Is it really worth the risk? Unlike Kay Ovald, Kay Altos is a professional."
"Kadar isn't worth much. But the Bulrathi can handle… Kay Ovald."
Marjan stopped, "We need to move the girl farther from the house…"
"They can do it themselves," Kal replied in a voice that didn't abide questioning. It was time to reduce the number of assistants.
A hundred meters farther, they came out to the line of Lemak's marines, who had surrounded the house. The marines were also a problem, but Isabella preferred not to think about that just yet.
They waited silently: Ahar by the window, Henrietta in her chair, and Kadar pacing the room nervously.
"Hey, you, coward!" the old woman called suddenly.
Kadar turned to her, furious, "Who are you calling a coward?"
"The one who answered. You're a coward and a loser. Kay will kill you soon, prepare yourself."
Ahar emitted a grunting sound. Without looking away from the window, he asked, "What about me, old woman?"
"Not you," Henrietta answered serenely.
