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He looked back at her but didn’t maintain eye contact. “I refused to take out a target.”
“What target?” Ranvir demanded, his blaster still aimed at Ganesha.
Ganesha’s gaze bore into Ranvir’s as he responded. “One who Shui was certain would cause the entire populace of Kirs to rise up in outrage against the rebels when it became known they were responsible.”
“There’s no one with that much influence,” Tane immediately denied, but Ranvir’s eyes widened when Ganesha’s gaze returned to Taly.
“There is,” Ganesha refuted, “and if you’d listened to all the transmissions we’ve received, you’d realize Shui is already spreading rumors that she’s been abducted.”
“She?” Tane frowned at that.
“Oh, my Gods!” Vujcec’s eyes widened, and he jumped to his feet and looked at Taly. “It’syou!”
“What?” Taly’s gaze flew from Vujcec to Ganesha in confused disbelief. “Me? Why?”
“For the reason, I just stated,” Ganesha told her. “Not only are you the daughter of a Supreme Judge who supports Shui, many consider you a member of their own family, having watched you grow up. You are considered Kirs’ greatest treasure, with supporters who outnumber Shui’s. Your death, at rebel hands, would shift support to the emperor.”
A stunned silence filled the bridge after Ganesha finished.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Taly just stared at Ganesha in disbelief. He hadn’t just said what she thought he’d said.
Had he?
Shui couldn’t have been targeting her for assassination.
It made no sense. Sure, she knew she was popular. Yes, many considered her ‘family’ because of the Worlds competition. Still, to have her murdered. Just to advance his own position and sick agenda?
“When?” she whispered, wondering how long she’d lived on borrowed time.
“Last month while on Bionus,” he told her bluntly.
“The tour I postponed after overhearing my parents discussing what Shui was planning,” she whispered.
“Yes. Shui felt it would change the minds of those reluctant to invade Bionus.”
“Bastard.” Taly could totally see Shui doing that. She lifted her chin, challenging him, “So you didn’t refuse to murder me. You just never had the opportunity. Are you going to complete your mission now?”
The corners of Ganesha’s mouth curved up slightly. He’d never understood why others found her so fascinating, even after watching her vids. Yes, her songs were always filled with emotion and conveyed the hopes and dreams of many in their world. Cyborgs weren’t supposed to have feelings. They especially weren’t supposed to be ruled by them. It’s why the Cyborg Elite was created in the first place. So problems didn’t arise as they did in the ‘regular’ military.
He’d been shocked when he realizedshewas the one savinghim. Unintentional, though it might be. She’d saved him, and he never forgot a debt. He was breaking every code painfully drilled into him to answer her truthfully.
“No. I failed in my mission when I refused to kill you two weeks ago while you were at the hospital.”
“What?!” Taly’s mind whirled, and her eyes widened when she realized when that was. “I was visiting theChildren’s Hospital!”
Ganesha nodded. “Yes. My orders were to blow up the building while you were inside.”
“You obviously refused,” Ranvir said, lowering his blaster so he could pull a shocked Taly into his arms. If it hadn’t been for this cyborg, this assassin, he never would have found his cymar.
“No,” Ganesha gave him an unfathomable look. “If I had, Shui would have sent someone else. I simply failed to complete my mission.”
“Which is why you were branded a rebel,” Vujcec whispered, and Ganesha nodded, acknowledging his reasoning.
“Why didn’t you?” Taly asked from the safety of Ranvir’s arms. “Kill me, that is. I’m nobody to you.”
“Correct,” he agreed, “but you aren’t to those children. Even a cyborg trained to be an assassin knows children are the ones we were created to protect.”
