Givon looked around at the glass enclosure. “Most impressive,” he murmured. He glanced at Kardal. “Do you plan to sedate me?”
Kardal ignored the humor in the other man’s voice along with the question. “The doors are released by a combination of thumbprint and retinal scan.”
He touched the security pad and stared into the scanner. Seconds later the inner doors opened and they stepped into the heart of the operation.
Television screens lined one entire wall of the huge room. Remote cameras sent back views of every oil pump in both El Bahar and Bahania, except those within twenty miles of the main cities.
“All the information gathered is collected here,” Kardal said, walking over to a row of monitors opposite the television screens. “We regulate oil flow, check for any potential safety problems with the equipment and notify the nearest crew if something breaks. Over here—” he led the way to a different cluster of monitor screens “—we use infrared to find trespassers. And of course the remote cameras provide us with the majority of our information.”
Givon crossed to those screens and watched a group of nomads seen on one television. They rode camels and appeared not to notice the large oil pump behind them.
“Internal security?” he asked.
Kardal nodded. “They patrol the desert regularly. We also have helicopter patrols, but it’s not enough. The area is too large and those who wish to make trouble are growing more sophisticated. The technology which aids us, assists them as well.”
Givon circled the room, pausing to speak with several technicians. Kardal stayed still, watching his father, wishing the visit would end quickly. He didn’t like being uncomfortable, but that was how he felt around King Givon. If they weren’t discussing matters of mutual political and economic interest, he didn’t know what to say.
His father was not as he had expected. Kardal hadn’t realized he even had expectations until they were not met. He’d thought Givon would be more arrogant and brusque. Instead he found the king to be a thoughtful man who didn’t pontificate or insist his opinion be the only one.
He wore western-style dress rather than traditional robes. He could have been a visiting executive rather than a reigning monarch.
Givon returned to his side and smiled. “You are doing an extraordinary job. Your unique blending of traditional methods with new technology has given your security an edge.”
Kardal led them out of the security monitoring station and into one of the conference rooms. Unlike the ones by the old throne room, this space was completely modern and impersonal.
“The City of Thieves receives a percentage of the oil profits from both your country and Bahania. In return we provide security for the oil fields. It is to our advantage that there is no trouble, or any delays in production.”
Givon took a seat on the far side of the table. “I agree, but there are degrees of excellence. You aim for the top.”
Kardal settled in the chair opposite his father. Was that pride in Givon’s voice? Kardal felt both pleased and annoyed.
“You have a natural affinity for leadership,” Givon continued.
“I suppose you want to take credit for that,” Kardal growled before he could stop himself.
“Your grandfather raised you and you are now your own man. I think any praise should be shared equally between you and him.” Givon paused, then pressed his hands on the table. “Whatever you might have inherited from me could have easily come to nothing. So no, I do not believe I am entitled to take credit for your success. I will admit to feeling some sense of pride, however misplaced. That is a father’s right. Even a father who has done as badly as me.”
Kardal didn’t know how to answer that. He wanted to storm out of the conference room and not have this conversation, however he didn’t think he would. He and Givon had been heading toward this moment ever since Cala had issued the invitation to the king.
There was a pitcher of water in the center of the table, along with several glasses. Givon turned one of them right-side up and poured the water. He took a sip.
“I should have come sooner,” he said, studying Kardal.
“Why? What would have changed?”
Givon shrugged. “Perhaps nothing. Perhaps everything. We will never know.”
“You wouldn’t have received any better security service.”
Givon set the glass on the table. “This is not about your work, Kardal. It is about you and I. However much you do not wish us to discuss these matters, we must. I can tell you that I have learned over my life that some things can be delayed, but few can be escaped entirely. I don’t blame you for being angry with me.”