Shadow On The Road Ahead

He leaned on his ebony cane and closed his eyes. It had taken two weeks to move his household here, to take over for Mao Dourai. Dourai had been their observer on Kuran for many years, but now that Kuran was becoming more important as a port of call for an area of space rich with opportunity, the rulers of the Blue Dragon Tong had decided to establish a full presence on the colony. That meant sending one of their own to Kuran to oversee operations.

Mao Xai Jan had been chosen due to his youth and his success in opening up Khalis and the Khephren to trade deals with the Blue Dragons.

It hadn?t taken as much of a miracle as the others imagined, Mao mused. Alien governments were more amenable to working with a "criminal society" than Earth colonies were, especially when the Khephren system of organized crime was so similar to our own. Ten years of peace, thanks to me.

He sighed and looked at the movers. The last of his things from Khalis would be unloaded soon and the true work would commence.

A white cane tapped the side of the bench Mao was sitting on. His wizened eyes looked up and saw a man with bronze skin and white hair, dressed immaculately in a white suit. He balanced on a narrow white cane he held in a black-gloved hand.

"I think we may have to prepare for open hostility," Toriares said. "I went to see Marasi, try to find a way to avoid it, but she's adamant, Mao. She's been here since the end of the Rigellian War and built a tight syndicate. She's not going to give up without a fight."

"She has a small number of soldiers at her command," Mao said. "But open warfare will do us no good. A long protracted battle in the streets between the Blue Dragons and her gang won't build any bridges. In fact, it will close all the doors we need opened. The Jade Tigers may believe in violence to achieve their aims, but we do not. Not if we can?t help it."

"What do you want done?" Toriares said.

"Nothing, yet," Mao said. "This isn?t the time for rash action, or any action at all. We're not in place yet and Marasi's no doubt gathering her forces to prepare for hostilities. We'd be stacking the deck against ourselves."

Toriares nodded. He agreed, but he didn?t say anything. It'll buy me some time, he thought. Maybe time to persuade Marasi there's another solution . . .

"I must contemplate this matter more before a decision can be made," Mao said. "You will be busy with other matters."

"Other matters?"

"A man has come to see us, seeking employment much like yours," Mao said. "We need all the help we can get, so I've arranged for you to meet him. Test him, take his measure, and report to me."

"Isn?t there someone else who could -- "

Mao smiled. "It's past time you took a second," he said. "This isn't Khalis, Toriares. We're not running a minimal operation with the Khephren's arms around us anymore. You're First Assassin now, as I am in command of this sector. As I took you under my wing so must you take someone under your wing."

Toriares looked away. "I haven?t forgotten what you did for me in Khalis, Mao," he said. "You got me off the streets, gave me my name and my life. You even helped me find my sister. I owe you everything. But . . .are you sure I'm teacher material?"

Mao smiled, leaning on his cane. "I wasn't at first," he said, standing up and placing a hand on Toriares' shoulder. "But I grew into it, as will you."