Mike grinned. “Tell the old tyrant,” he said firmly, “that I’ll be along as soon as the Security Officer is through with me.”
Nariaki’s expression didn’t change. “You’re through now, Commander, and—”
“Tell that imitation Apollo to hop it over here fast!” said Quill sharply. “I’ll give him a lesson in tyranny.”
There was a click as the intercom shut off.
Nariaki looked at Mike the Angel and shook his head slowly. “Either you’re working your way toward a court-martial or else you know where Black Bart has the body buried.”
“I should,” said Mike cryptically. “I helped him bury it. How do I get to His Despotic Majesty’s realm?”
Nariaki considered. “It’ll take you five or six minutes. Take the tubeway to Stage Twelve. Go up the stairway to the surface and take the first corridor to the left. That’ll take you to the loading dock for that stage. It’s an open foyer like the one at the landing field, so you’ll have to put your parka back on. Go down the stairs on the other side, and you’ll be in Area K. One of the guards will tell you where to go from there. Of course, you could go by tube, but it would take longer because of the by-pass.”
“Good enough. I’ll take the short cut. See you. And thanks.”