“Who will believe that?” Mavek was incredulous—such heinous subterfuge was hard for her to understand much less condone.
“Certainly no one with a firm grasp of the facts,” the Hrang answered. “However, for our own populace it will plant a seed of doubt. Where there is doubt on both sides it is always easier to believe your own is in the right. When the war is won and Alexander is gone then that is exactly the way history shall be written. The aggressive Terran’s executed captured Alliance troops. It will be just one of the many devious deeds of Alexander, and it will be believable. He has many Terran predecessors who were not so noble, even according to their own people. In retrospect Alexander will not be too difficult to vilify.”
“That is in retrospect, Ambassador She-Rok. I think Alexander may have something to say about the matter before all is said and done.”
“You are right, and that is the very prospect that spurs us to use the services of the vaunted Kempec Mystics,” She-Rok replied. He motioned to the two Kempec, who had been silent during the entire discussion and asked, “I assume that since you have brought the noble Mystics that you have agreed to our request for information?”
“I must reluctantly agree,” the Alliance Pro Consul told him. “My colleagues and I have spent some time going over the information you requested. Despite my desire for a peaceful settlement we have concluded, as have you, that the mere threat of Alexander’s conquest of the galaxy is so entrenched in our psyche that we cannot consider his actions in any other way. We are forced to war, whether our rational tells us it is the necessary course of action or not.”
“You continue to appear unconvinced, Pro Consul Mavek.”
“Not unconvinced of the necessity of our action, Ambassador, but unconvinced that this is the proper course and the morally correct course. The Kempec have been arbiters and liaisons for many generations. We have a strongly developed understanding of cultures, whether it be our own or another’s, to an as of yet unparallel degree. The Kempec have played a part in the peace of the last kicellia, and we are proud of that. Now I see us acting with panic, without so much as an attempt at dialogue with Alexander.”
“We have attempted dialogue with him constantly,” the Hrang reminded her.
“But did we tell him anything he wanted to hear?” she replied sternly. “All Alexander has really asked is for us to return his people, but we sidestep the issue with varying degrees of civility without attacking the root cause of our confrontation. There can be no success in that. There cannot be. Two parties will not agree when they cannot even converse upon a common issue. I lament we have not exhausted our possible diplomatic agenda. It is a regret I fear we shall all bear and the Kempec no less than the Golkos, the Hrang or the Seer’koh. While your people may play an active and aggressive role in this history, the Kempec will have used their special skills to supply you with the information you need to commit murder and assassination. That is a long fall for a Kempec, Ambassador, and the repercussions are far from palatable.”
“Come now, Pro Consul Mavek, certainly the present death of Alexander will not only prove noteworthy but highly profitable to all involved,” She-Rok told her, his thin lips curling in what might have been a smile.
“Assassination is a vocation we would just as soon not be involved in,” the Kempec reiterated, adding, “and if I may say so it is a dangerous expansion from the espionage of the Hrang. I once thought your people possessed too ingrained a dread for physical violence to stoop to assassination. Tell me, how is it you were able to convince your disciples to make that leap of moral faith from the precipice of intelligence gathering to the abyss of murder?”
“Actually, Pro Consul Mavek the Hrang have not had to make such a leap of faith, with all of its traditional as well as practical difficulties,” She-Rok told her, settling somewhat more comfortably into his chair. At the Kempec’s questioning glance he amplified his answer. “The Hrang are a passive race, much as yourselves, though in this instance we see such a large threat to our own sovereignty that we are roused to great, though not unique, effort. We use our skills at espionage for our protection and even that of our neighbors. Though these acts are certainly violations of interstellar laws and courtesy we’ve never violated the passivity of our central goal: knowledge. The dire needs of the moment do nothing to change that, Ambassador, and truth to tell it would be unwise to change our policy. The Hrang have no skill in killing either by sabotage or physical means. We lack the aggression of the Golkos, or the philosophy of the Chem to act upon such thoughts. There are, in fact, precious few of us who may even entertain the thought of assassination, much less take any active part in it. It is not in our nature.”
“You seem easily convinced of the necessity of Alexander’s death, Ambassador She-Rok. I wonder how you can relate that to your Hrang proclivity for passive espionage. Are we talking of assassination or aren’t we?”
“We are indeed, Kavel Mavek. Fear is a great driver of deeds, and this crisis is an event we have not faced as a people, or as a galaxy, since the coming out of the Chem.”
“You confuse me, Ambassador,” the Kempec admitted. “I assumed we were talking of the desperate scenario of a Hrang spy being used as an assassin. Am I therefore mistaken? Certainly no other race can hope to impersonate a Terran? Or have you found one of Nazeera of Chem’s entourage to turn against his sovereign?”
“Nothing so bold, Pro Consul,” She-Rok told her, spreading the stubby claws of his plump hands wide. “For espionage on Terra it is quite logical to use a Hrang, but for killing a Terran who better to use than another Terran?”
CHAPTER 11
“You cannot be serious?” the Pro Consul was astounded.
“Don’t be so surprised, Mavek, Terrans are remarkably driven by personal gain, and Alexander has made himself some bitter enemies,” the Hrang told her. He was silent for a moment, as if deciding exactly what to tell her. At length he said, “When the roundup of the Hrang spies was accomplished not all of my people were turned over to the authorities. A small number, unimportant in itself, were secreted in safety by a group of Terrans who, apparently, had dealings with the Scythians before the rise of Alexander, and who expected to profit from the eventual normalization of relations between the Galactic cultures. It’s the age old philosophy of the Terrans come to the forefront: power. With their ties to the Scythians, who held the technology they needed, they were set to be the ruling block of Terra. But then Alexander came onto the scene and circumvented them completely. Alexander’s rise to dominance was a surprise not only to the Scythians, but to these Terrans. Now they find themselves outside the circles of power they expected to one day control, and they want back in.”
“And they are willing to sacrifice their Overlord to this end?” Mavek could not bring herself to believe such a thing. “Certainly that is not consistent with Terran behavior as we have seen it thus far.”
“It is, of course, difficult at best to draw conclusions with our normal desire of certainty where Terrans are concerned, Ambassador, but you said yourself that if analogies are to be drawn we should draw them with the Chem.” The Hrang reminded her. “It is not so long ago that Bureel of Chem betrayed his own wife and House in the quest for power. If a Chem may fall so low, can it be so inconceivable for a Terran to betray his ruler? The Terran history we know of is rife with violent betrayals. Look to Alexander’s own past life memories: he slew a kinsman to gain his crown.”
“Very well, you’ve made your point, She-Rok,” Mavek said testily. “However, I still do not understand what they hope to gain by this endeavor. Can they mobilize the Terran military, which is unimpeachably loyal to Alexander, and fight this war? Do they have his generalship or his political savvy? We’ve been played by Alexander wonderfully well, Ambassador. Do they feel they can do better?”
“It is impossible to say, Madame Pro Consul,” She-Rok admitted. “I think I would put the dilemma another way, at least in their minds. First, their lust for power blinds them
somewhat to the difficulties of their situation. I sincerely believe the main crux of their idea is to remove Alexander, fill the void of power quickly and then deal with the galactic situation as best they may. They probably intend to come to terms with us, which may be a mistaken assumption. Second, they do not have the faith in Alexander’s invincibility that you do, Ambassador. They see this galactic war as unwinnable. I believe they wish to stop it before it consumes their civilization entirely.”
“Meaning they would make whatever peace they could which would preserve their power, even at the lessening of the present Terran Empire?”
“Quite likely,” She-Rok told her.
Mavek thought for a moment. “The idea has advantages, as unlikely as it may seem. I can see no greater harm in pursuing it, so long as it is the Terrans who take the risk and we cover our tracks carefully. I warn you, however, the entire concept of assassination, beyond the moral abhorrence it bears, may have significantly different ramifications than either you or I can conceive She-Rok.”
“Indeed Madame Pro Consul you sound strangely vague, certainly nothing unsatisfactory could come about from the death of Alexander?”
“Nothing beyond the hints of our mystic science, She-Rok,” Mavek told him in a troubled voice. “I am a politician, and a practical woman. Though I give great credence to what the Mystics say I am pragmatic enough to know that actions can be turned to make predictions come true, or prove to be false if the listener misunderstands what they are being told. Even so, were I to be forced to hazard a choice at this moment, of entirely my own volition, I would stop this adventure. I can give you no determinate reason other than my instincts. I have trusted them in the past, however, and I am inclined to do so now. I congratulate you on your excellent scheme of using Terrans and not Galactics as assassins, but I would stop even that if I could.”
“Are you then withdrawing your support for our cause?” She-Rok asked pointedly.
The Pro Consul waved aside his fears. “The decision was not mine to make. We have an obligation in this crisis and we shall fulfill it. My debating this subject will not change it so let’s leave my doubts behind and get on with it. You have requested that the Kempec Mystics ascertain some possible moments in the course of future events when Alexander’s person might be accurately predicted in time, place and circumstance. I believe we have the information you requested, but again I warn you, the results are not absolute and they are somewhat disturbing.”
The Hrang simply nodded, and he and his companions turned their attention to the two Mystics. The Mystics were clad in similar garments of silver grey, and they gazed at the Hrangs with impassive expressions. The shorter and heavier of the two wore a small badge on her shoulder, and it was she who addressed the Hrang delegation.
“As you may know, Ambassadors, the art of prediction of future events is a delicate balance between the science of statistical probability, and intuitive foresight. We allow science to channel our minds in the general directions future events will take, and when we focus on individuals, especially ones with Alexander’s power to affect events, we can surmise images of future possibilities. Mind you, these are possibilities only, and even the possession of such knowledge can alter them or undo them; but we are able to assign specifics to the images with degrees of probable occurrence. It is an art fraught with inexactness, especially considering the data we begin with; however, the results often belie the formative data. In the case of Alexander our task was not so difficult. The Galactics view Alexander in a very rigid set of parameters based on a small amount of information. There are the factors of his expected behavior based on Galactic legend, and his observed behavior based upon actual observation. We can therefore clearly perceive the resultant Alliance reactions. That is why it was our advice to pursue a substantially more belligerent role than would normally be acceptable for the Kempec. It would be impossible to alter our perception of Alexander on such a level that he could be dealt with diplomatically, at least at this point in history. We are therefore forced onto a dangerous road of confrontation.”
“My reverent Mystic you have a firm grasp of what is obvious to us all, may I trouble you to reveal the predictions for which we came?” the Hrang interrupted rudely.
The Kempec failed to show any irritation in the Hrang’s manner, but said, “Ambassador, it is imperative that you understand fully just how interrelated the actions, perceptions, and suspicions of Alexander and the Galactic people are. One drives the other. You cannot separate them. That is one reason we are able to give you any information at all, and also why the outcome is so vague and dangerous, even if you are successful.”
“You mean a great danger will be removed with the death of Alexander, I assume,” the Hrang asked.
“No, Ambassador, I can by no means be certain of that,” the Mystic told him emphatically, “in fact the majority of the scenarios we have come across which occur after the death of Alexander are extraordinarily grim, for all of us.”
“Then you foresee our success?” The Hrang exclaimed, ignoring the severity of the Mystic’s warning.
The Mystic sighed with impatience, recalling that she was dealing with a being without the capability of four dimensional thought. Finally she said, “I am not saying that either, Ambassador. We have witnessed several future paths for the Galactics which occur in the near future, to be more specific within the next ten sidereal decants. Most of those future histories have Alexander present in them, some, a very few, occur after his assassination. None of the future histories we have witnessed which do not include Alexander of Terra give us any cause for confidence. They include, in their particulars, destruction and chaos on a massive scale throughout the known galaxy. It appears to be an upheaval of the social fabric of all of all cultures not seen since the Chem expansions of the past. If you are looking for a return to the status quo I do not think you shall find it with the death of Alexander.”
“That will be a future of our making, and therefore preventable,” the Hrang told the Mystic. “The cultures of the known galaxy have dealt with these situations before, and successfully. There is certain to be a period of war and chaos as the Terrans attempt to avenge Alexander’s death; and I do not expect the Chem to condone the act. That is, however, the price to pay for sovereignty. We, the ancient cultures of the galaxy, have worked these things out before, and we will do so again.”
The Kempec shook her head. “You are mistaken, Ambassador, for the chaos comes from without the known cultures, inclusive of Terrans. Where, who, or how I cannot tell you, but were I to hazard a guess, and this is a personal observation, I would say that the great tragedy that occurs to our civilizations after Alexander’s death occurs because Alexander was not there to meet it.”
“Are you trying to convince us not to attempt to assassinate Alexander?” The Hrang asked angrily.
To this retort the Kempec actually smiled, “Unfortunately Ambassador that would not be possible. Even were I to convince you of the danger of the act you could not convince the Golkos or the Seer’koh, and they would force you to carry through with the attempt. Your psychosis concerning Alexander has reached the stage of desperation, so whatever we say will not matter. You will attempt to assassinate Alexander, and that attempt will play its own role in history. Therefore, the Mystics must play their part.
“There are three occurrences which we can foresee, Ambassador. The initial occurrence will be on Terra, three Terran decurns from now. It will take place upon the western balcony of Alexander’s house. We are not privy to the name-places in our visions, only images. So exactly where this occurs on Terra is somewhat of a mystery as we are not familiar with the planet. We have, however, compared our mental images with star charts for time, and geographic scans for place. We are certain to a fifty percent probability of the place and we will supply the charts to your operatives. It is up to them to detail the actual spot. The second event will take place five decurns from now, upon Alexander’s flagship. The third will take place
roughly three decants from now when Alexander is on Golkos.”
“Alexander on Golkos; you mean as a prisoner?” She-Rok sat very upright in surprise.
“As a conqueror,” the Mystic corrected the Hrang.
“I told you the results were disquieting,” Kvel Mavek told the Hrang.
“Are there no acceptable outcomes to your predictions?” The Hrang asked vehemently.
“The latter was by far the most acceptable in our minds,” the Mystic told the Ambassadors.
The Hrang’s each flushed reddish ochre with anger and without another word they stormed out of the room. The Kempec’s glanced at each other in mixed amusement and pathos. The Pro Consul shrugged and commented, “I suppose I couldn’t expect it to go any better. Yet there it is. I fear Kempec is caught in the web of this tragedy to the end. No one seems to have viable solutions, and I find even myself being blown this way and that by the tumult. We pursue a path driven by emotionalism; and Kempec, our own rational, logical Kempec is caught in the tidal wave of galactic paranoia. We can blame the Golkos or the Seer’koh all we wish for our troubles, but the reality of the situation is that in our desperation we have allied ourselves to this Golkos murder of Terrans. Our ancient culture is stained with a crime we neither committed nor had knowledge of. Yet out of fear for this Terran conqueror, this Alexander, we shall brand ourselves in our complicity with the most infamous act of our recent history. How easy it is too look back and criticize our missteps. If it were not for the unwarranted execution of the captured Terrans we could accede to the Terran Overlord’s demand and return our prisoners. It would be a pledge of faith and friendship, even as Alexander himself ceded captured territories on the Scythia-Chem frontier to Chem as a token of good will. The Chem now live in peace with Alexander, while we fear his justifiable wrath. This is the future we have built for ourselves.”
Alexander Galaxus: The Complete Alexander Galaxus Trilogy Page 63
