Empire of the One (Wine of the Gods Book 14)

by Pam Uphoff

  "So we wound up with a God of War, and one of Peace. Mercy, Art, Logic, Chance, Health, Fertility, Virtue and Vice. And so on.

  "Those are the old gods we swear by. They swear like twenty-second century Americans. I picked it up from them."

  Urfa rocked back on his heels. "Are you implying they are still alive?"

  "Yes. They have the best versions of the long life genes. Most of them are still alive." He'd been bending and stretching as he chattered. "Dang. Kidneys and bladder, reporting for duty." He levered himself out of bed and tottered stiffly into the privy. After a long stretch of curses and various organic sounds, he staggered back to bed.

  "So, why don't you tell me about the Department of Interdimensional Security and Cooperation."

  A quick flash of teeth. "Ah. Met the D-cops, have you? To be honest? I don't know. They gave us a few pointers, a beacon so we could locate you regularly, and wished us well keeping the peace. I got the impression they were too busy to have much time for us." He gave Urfa his best innocent look.

  Urfa sighed. "And you expect me to believe you? This time?"

  "Well, I could say it was Psy-ops, a complete fake to give our side the appearance of more weight."

  "Endi!" Urfa's exasperation leaked. "You are an enemy spy. I can have you shot."

  "Yes. But then who will you get to carry diplomatic messages? Your world invaded mine, got cozy with one country so you could attack and take all the other countries. Probably would have killed a couple million people. Then you got diverted off to attack Earth, knowing if it worked, you'd kill millions, and if it backfired the Earth would attack us instead of you, again probably killing millions. Then you came back and attacked us again, killed sixty-seven of my fellow magicians and troopers. And all you want to do is repeat until you win. Are you people rabid? Did your genetic engineering get stuck on aggression and never reset?" Endi hitched himself up taller. "I came here to find out what the hell sort of blood thirsty techno-barbarians were attacking my people. I found perfectly nice individuals, but this utterly poisonous attitude toward the outside."

  His eyes flashed, there was a definite snap of anger in his voice. "Why? Why did you attack us in the first place? Why not, once you were cozy with the Amma, just set up trade? Explain your bloodthirsty aggression to me."

  "There is only the One. The One is over everything."

  "Religion. God save me! Go away and search your soul, Urfa." He sounded suddenly tired, and flopped back in the bed.

  "No. It's not really religion anymore. But we Oners are tied to it, part of it."

  "The collective subconscious does not recognize national borders, Urfa. And while I have limited experience, I really doubt it crosses dimensions."

  "The One . . . has a very low tolerance for outsiders."

  "Collective paranoia? I'd guess, from my admittedly limited time here, that close to a quarter of all Oners are pretty tolerant, even when they're snobby about it."

  "I'll ponder that thought." But Urfa only went as far as the door, to admit a phalanx of medical people.

  "Oh, my fan club!" Endi held out his arm to the nurse armed with the plastic sleeve.

  "No, your fan club is outside. News cams and teenage girls holding vigils." Urfa informed him.

  Endi closed his eyes. "What? You haven't told them I'm a big bad spy?"

  "No. We're keeping as much as we can under wraps. You turned out to be amazingly popular. And unpopular. There are, at last count, nineteen men suing the government for access to you, for the purpose of challenging you to a duel. Something about their wives being pregnant, and the resulting loss of status. Eight Councilmen have resigned and the infighting at the Ministry of War is getting nasty."

  Endi failed to repress a grin.

  "Did you deliberately target the War Party and the warmongers at the Ministry?"

  "Yes."

  "Goodness. A one syllable answer, and no doubt about it."

  "Well, if you lot would stop with the Genghis Khan impersonation, we could open diplomatic relations, get a bit of trade going and so forth. Maybe we could all actually, you know, act in a friendly civilized fashion."

  "We'll fight over resources, sooner or later."

  "Urfa, there are thousands of completely uninhabited worlds out there. Possibly millions. Are you really so undeveloped that you need slave labor? Really? Or is it your religious crusade? Spread the One by murder and rape across the multi-verse. How . . . inspiring. No wonder you chose the Auralian's for your allies on my World. All the perverts hanging together."

  "Do I have to remind you of the children you've engendered on other men's wives?"

  "You speak of the women as if they are property, too. Rather than people with their own unalienable rights including not being owned by anyone. If they wanted to chase me for months until I decided it was politically useful to be caught, as humans, possessed of free will, they can do that. Mind you, they and their husbands obviously need to discuss where their mutual expectations of married life went astray." Endi shook his head. "Well, I guess I'll have to heal fast. I don't have to actually kill those fellows, right? Just humiliate them further?"

  "They are all experts with the rapier."

  "Remember? Medieval culture? I don't have to keep on pretending I can't collect power. I'll slaughter the poor little hobbyists. Or not, to maintain my Good Guy image. I think I’ll just thrash them."

  "Promise?"

  Urfa and Endi both looked at the door. The President lounged through, big men in Black Horse Company uniforms slipping in behind him, and standing poised to leap between Endi and the President at a second's notice.

  "I came to thank you."

  Endi grinned lopsidedly. "I appreciate that. Much nicer than what my boss will have to say, should I ever see him again."

  "Ah. I suppose an intact spy cell is worth more than my life."

  "Well, no, but that won't save me a dressing down. Just the opportunity to carry on a conversation and suggest diplomacy and peaceful interactions and so forth at this level of the government is worth more than a mere spy cell. But the Colonel really hates it when I don't check with him first."

  That got a snort out of Urfa.

  "Your people sent me, and the Prime Councilor, letters. They listed our transgressions and suggested trying diplomacy before making it necessary for them to retaliate. They threatened to open a permanent gate between us and Earth."

  Endi raised his eyebrows. "Oh, nasty. That wasn't even on our list of options, last time I checked in. I wonder who thought of it?"

  "We've had reports of an area of your World with a number of gates of a new type. We assumed Earth created them."

  "Right. On a World where they have little presence, no control, no guards. Good Grief. You had Hoon milking that young lord's clique, not to mention a marvelous sample of government and mercantile organizations, for information. You've got a post head in Karista, and roving info teams. And you think you've somehow missed the Earth taking control? You need to dump your assumptions about my people, and think long and hard about how you are going to proceed."

  "Threatening us won't help."

  "Nothing else has either. Send some diplomats openly. It is time for an embassy. Talk. You might find us quite friendly. Good trading partners."

  Orde sighed. "Yes. We'll try talking. I've been suggesting such to the Council."

  "Good. I hate to think that unthinking reflexes saved a life that I'd regret."

  "Not going to take credit for deliberately saving me? And Paer, she was in the line of fire as well. In fact, one reason I'm here is to be able to assure my daughter that you really are alive. She keeps flipping back and forth between being furious with you, and scared for you."

  Endi relaxed a bit and let a smile escape. "Tell her that when I return with my horse she'll never see another blue. Oops. Green. Damn cultural differences. If you need messages run, there is probably a colleague of mine within telepathy range who can carry messages to my government. I can't tell
right now with this glop in my blood."

  President Orde Withione sighed and looked down at him. "We will consider your legal status . . . soon."

  "Huh. And here I thought I'd have to make a spectacular escape armed only with this fetching, but rather breezy gown." Endi shook his head in mock amazement.

  "Endi . . . What is your real name?"

  "Xen Wolfson. Xenotime if we're being formal. It's a mineral. Yttrium phosphate or some such. Rare and valuable, I'm sure. I don't think I've ever actually seen any."

  "You've told us a great deal. Why?"

  "Because I prefer peace to war. Because I'll keep trying for peace, with the One World and with Earth, until I have to start killing people. The more you know about us, the harder it will be for you to not see us as people. To treat us like inconvenient animals, to be kicked aside. Do you even see how foul your behavior is? Or has this vaunted high tech society rediscovered the barbarian in its soul and degenerated into a blood crazed killing machine?"

  "You're not perfect!"

  "No. Far from it, but we have grown beyond acquisitive warfare, and resort to violence only when we must. How about you? Ready to stop claiming ownership by right of discovery when there are people already there? Ready to try trade instead of bald faced theft? Going to start treating the natives as equals under the law? But then you might have to face up to the situation here in your own Empire, especially your home world. Murder for political purposes?" Endi shook his head. "Urfa never answered a question of mine. Are the One the descendants of genetically engineered exiles from Earth? Is that why there is this extreme divide in your nation?"

  "We are all part native, now. The Prophets came from somewhere else. I found your history lesson interesting. It explains why the Prophets were marooned here."

  Xen nodded. "When the gods escaped, the gate couldn't be re-established. And whatever explorer group your prophets were, had no skill at genetic engineering and couldn't give power to the natives that way. Probably tried to discourage relationships outside the group of engineered newcomers and their descendants as well, after a certain point. Didn't work, although it slowed the spread of the genes. But I expect that in another thousand years you'll all be of the One. You might want to consider the precepts of equality before you find something else to be prejudiced about. So. How'd the vote go on the war bill, eh?"

  "It was returned to committee, after both the Council and I received those missives from your government. Thank you for your advice."

  "Mr. President, I do see the problems you face. Our own experiences with Earth have been just as negative as our interactions with you. We've been reading up on your history, we know they attacked you on sight, that you have legitimate grievances. But your fight is with Earth. Not us. When you consider how to deal with the Earth, leave us out of it.

  "Do not use my World as an intermediate battlefield. Do not think you can conquer us and take our knowledge, our land or our lives. That is a serious warning, Mr. President. You have invaded us once. We stopped you dead in less than a day, scrambling up a defense from whoever was close and handy. You have a single opportunity left to use diplomacy instead of violence, then we will come for you. We know where you are. And we can get here at will."

  "I see. I'll ponder that threat. Good day." He turned and left the room, big men following.

  Urfa shook his head. "Aren't you just the diplomat. I'll leave you to the doctors, for now." But he didn't go any further than the guard post outside the door. He watched the camera shots, listened in.

  Endi eyed the collection of new medical personnel. "Wouldn't this be more pleasant if I showered first?"

  They disagreed, and examined his spine, questioned him about healing techniques.

  "Sorry, you'll have to take the nasty stuff out of my system before I can show you anything." He talked anyway, about the theories behind some of the simpler spells. "I suspect it's not dissimilar to your micro manufacturing spells. Not that I've had the time to look into them."

  They went away, dissatisfied. One of Urfa's men remained to assist. "So you don't fall and hurt yourself," he said.

  ***

  The hot water felt wonderful. And he could see the bubble on his wrist.

  ::Q?::

  A faint thought, high and squeaky. ::Quiet. I'm here. I've detoxified you, but don't use any magic, or pull noticeable amounts of power. Luckily for them, none of them are wanting to shoot you. Yet. ::

  :: Been hanging around, have you? :: He closed his eyes and suddenly spotted the huge bubble engulfing the room and extending further. His little sister had moved in and made herself at home.

  :: I got to Government House too late for the fighting, but I've been poking things into place and redosing you with wine ever since. And keeping an eye on those so-called doctors. :: Her tone slid into exasperation. :: You were being so careful to not do anything blatantly not within their abilities that I didn't just bubble you and haul you home to Lady Gisele. Well, I would have if the doctors hadn't been doing all the right things. Last word I got is that the King wants you to stick around as long as possible. Both to collect info and give them a person to talk to, for diplomacy. ::

  :: I always wanted to be a diplomatic courier. ::

  :: Well, for now you'd better let me run the messages. ::

  :: Right.:: He winced away from knowing . . . had to know. :: What about Rael?::

  Her mental voice softened. :: I don't know. She's not here, but the injured were spread out over several hospitals. They haven't listed the names of the security people who were killed. I'm wondering if that is to keep you ignorant. I have spotted Xiat and Izzo in the Palace. ::

  He leaned his head against the wall.

  Oh Spikey, I hope you're in a hospital somewhere, and that you understand why I can't allow myself to show that I care, that I am vulnerable. I'm sorry. Because I do care. Please be mad, not hurt.

  Not dead.

  Chapter Forty-one

  Paris, European Region

  20 Hija 1396 yp

  Izzo set the final list on Acting Regional Analyst Agra's desk.

  "The eight main conspirators. General Akja, dead. Subminister Ydqe, dead. Director Orku, dead. Former Regional Analyst Uzga, under arrest. Minister of Agriculture Opri, hospitalized and under arrest. Minister of Audits Ihle, dead. Councilman Wsde, under arrest. Subminister Arlw, hospitalized and under arrest.

  "Knowledgeable assistants. Regional Analyst Arna, under arrest. Former Subdirector Ylro, arrest warrant issued. Council Aide Idru, arrest warrant issued. Retired Councilman Ahvi, under arrest. Urna, under arrest.

  "Blind errand runners. Subdirector Efge, under arrest. Yhgi, under arrest. Subminister Axti, under arrest. Of the low level triggermen, we have five colonial Natives and eight Oners taken alive, or to be honest, who caught the non-lethal spells Endi was throwing around."

  Agra sighed, looking down at the list. "I knew they were all running around playing the Game. I never thought it would come down to actual violence, let alone a brutal assassination. Makes me wonder why I wanted this job."

  Izzo nodded agreement. "I kept looking for a position out on one of the colonies. Finally got desperate enough to apply here." He fished out a toothpick, caught Agra's aggrieved wince and hastily shoved it back in his pocket. "Hate to say it, but this still beats another six months in the Precog and Divinations Lab."

  "You think that was bad? The President has requested the One read all the people involved in this tangle." His gaze dropped to the list. "The only upside is that we really will know who's guilty. Before we behead them."

  ***

  Urfa looked at the three priests. Eunuchs, of course. Weathered, aged and beardless, voices soft and high pitched.

  Relentless and unavoidable glows.

  "It is Our understanding that Endi Dewulfe can be moved. The One will examine him in Makkah." The one in the middle spoke.

  Urfa was in the middle of organizing transport of the prisoners to Makkah. He’d sent the remains
of his in-group and everyone in Interior who’d gathered data, out earlier today, to set the ground for the trial. Just getting tickets was proving difficult. In an interesting move he hadn’t expected, a lot the people on the edge of the investigation were making the haj to Makkah, to prove their innocence. Voluntarily.

  And now Endi.

  Urfa nodded, reluctantly. "He is dangerous, and . . . possibly healed more than we can determine. The doctors report that his rate of Methalformaline absorption is extremely high. That it has probably been sporadically ineffective."

  "Good. The One will want to examine him unimpeded." The one on the left. Not that it mattered. These priests had been part of the One for so long that they’d lost most of their sense of self to the Greater Mind.

  Urfa got up and escorted them to Endi himself.

  A mixed group of intelligence people and diplomats were talking to Endi while the medics did their usual. They were rather polite, no doubt an effect of having watched the assassination recordings from all angles, multiple times. Not your ordinary Native. One damned hero, even if he is a spy. And One damned dangerous. They broke off as they recognized the presence of the One in the persons of the three priests. Endi eyed them uncertainly.

  "We are holding a Grand Trial by the One in Makkah. You are summoned."

  "Right. I need a shower, food, and clothing, more or less in that order."

  Urfa winced. No one negotiated with the One.

  Urfa met the eyes of the doctor in charge. "Does he need a medical escort? No? Good. Endi. The One is the supreme power, the final judge. Be very, very well behaved and you might survive the interview."

  That got a raised eyebrow. Then Endi rolled out of bed and walked into the bathroom. Urfa ducked out to the guard station that was disturbing the whole wing of the hospital. "I need civilian clothing as close to Endi’s size as possible."