“Which we can’t,” Ludendorff said. “The Emperor has him locked up on the Throne World. However, you do you have a Long-Range Builder Communicator. You can speak to the Emperor about Strand.”
“The Lord High Admiral already tried that and failed to gain the Emperor’s help.”
“Of course, I know that,” Ludendorff said. “But Cook doesn’t have the inducements we do. I think if you speak to the Emperor—your second cousin—you might prevail upon him to question Strand for us.”
“They already have spoken to Strand about Meyers. He won’t budge, won’t help.”
“Of course, I already realize that, too,” Ludendorff said. “However, if you have the Emperor tell Strand, ‘Memnon Zees’—in the proper setting, of course—I believe you’ll find Strand eager to give us the knowledge concerning the mobile null region. The point is by having the Emperor tell Strand that, Strand will realize I know about the library planet, and if he doesn’t tell us what we want to know…we’ll raid the library planet ourselves. Strand won’t want us to do that.”
Maddox cocked his head, thinking through Ludendorff’s logic. “I don’t know, Professor. You’re attempting to be tricky through a convoluted mess. It’s an iffy proposition, as you should remember that we’re not only dealing through New Men but through the best of them. We’ll have to assume the Emperor will learn what Memnon Zees means, will learn about the library planet. I’m not crazy about handing the New Men ancient hidden secrets.”
“That’s not necessarily true,” Ludendorff said. “They’ll learn the phrase is a whip to drive Strand, but they won’t learn why, won’t necessarily learn about the library planet.”
“Don’t count on it. If the New Men acquire the hidden cache on this secret planet…that might mean trading one problem for another.”
“Well…there is the possibility that could happen, but I accept that. Remember, one is happening now and is a gun aimed at our collective heads. The other is a future possibility at most.”
“There is that,” Maddox said. “We’d have to word the question carefully, hoping the Emperor says it to Strand that way, and we’d have to word it so the Emperor gains the least information possible from us.”
“There you have it, my boy. I’ve done the heavy lifting as usual. I’ve given you the lead. Now, it’s up to you to use your signature lowbrow cunning to pry the data from our foe and into our hands.”
“How fortunate we are to sit the presence of your blazing intellect,” Maddox said. “It’s a mystery our minds aren’t burned to cinders just listening to you.”
“Your snide remarks are par for the course, as you speak more truly than you realize. Now, I’m tired, and I think I can finally catch some sleep.”
Maddox stood, staring at the Methuselah Man. “It is remarkable that you’ve stored such varied and vast amounts of information in your brain: several lifetimes of data.” The captain grinned. “Thank you, Professor. You’ve come through for us again. I appreciate it.”
Ludendorff scowled. “What’s the catch? Why don’t I hear any mockery in your praise?”
“Because there is no mockery,” Maddox said. “My praise is genuine.” He made an off-handed salute. “Get some sleep. I’ll see what I can do with this Memnon Zees code phrase.”
-34-
Maddox did his best thinking while hitting the heavy bag, taking a long hot shower or walking the corridors. Today, he moved quickly through the giant starship, his long strides eating up the distance. He debated ideas, stratagems and possibilities. Finally, he hit upon a plan, and he realized that legally, he should ask the Lord High Admiral’s permission to proceed first.
“Blood is thicker than water,” Maddox muttered under his breath.
It was odd how fate had intervened. The Emperor and Golden Ural were cousins. Maddox’s father and Golden Ural had been brothers. That meant he was related to the Emperor of the Throne World. Did that give him a right to make such a call without permission?
“It’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission,” Maddox said, a maxim that had proven itself many times over already. This was a crisis, one happening now. If anything ominous started later because of the call, he could deal with it later—he hoped.
With that settled, Maddox turned around, heading for the Long-Range Builder Communication Room. He might have asked the Lord High Admiral for permission if the Iron Lady was still in office. She had backed him many times—
Maddox scowled. He had to figure out a way to get her reinstated. Ludendorff had suffered mind manipulation, and no one was putting the Methuselah Man on ice. Mary O’Hara was a key asset. Star Watch needed her expertise.
Maddox shook his head: one problem at a time.
Several minutes later, he entered the special chamber, closing the hatch behind him. Even though his stomach seethed, he went to the couch and sat down, facing the bulky communicator on the table. He hesitated, frowning. Was this really the right thing to do?
“Oh, hell,” Maddox said, picking up the microphone. Yet, even still, he paused, finding himself staring at the device. Was he trading one problem for another? “How can I know?” he whispered.
“Know what, sir?”
Maddox gave a start as Galyan appeared. He refrained from scowling or reprimanding the holoimage. Instead, he waited.
“You have several unspoken questions,” Galyan said. “At least, that is what my psychological profile on you is suggesting.”
“I see. Well, why don’t you answer them?”
“I hope I did the right thing, sir. You did not tell me not to follow you. Thus, yes, I heard what the professor told you in his science laboratory.”
“And?”
“I have detected hesitation on your part. That leads me to believe that you know that per orders you are to call the Lord High Admiral for permission to call the Emperor.”
“What else?”
“In my opinion—another of your unasked questions—you should follow the chain of command this time.”
“Hmm….”
“My last answer is this, sir. The reason is that whatever happens, you do not want to carry the blame, as there are already strong forces in Star Watch that dearly desire your absence or death. The HMD proves my thought, as does the former Political Intelligence Division. They are presently in retreat, but I do not think that will always be the case.”
“He who dares, wins,” Maddox said.
“He who dares enough eventually loses a few contests,” Galyan said. “That is when it is wiser to have backup and contingency plans.”
Maddox leaned back and stared up at the ceiling. “Right,” he said, leaning forward and manipulating the bulky device. He pressed send, waiting until a light blinked green. “This is Captain Maddox speaking. I’m urgently requesting to speak to the Lord High Admiral, as I need him to make a policy decision. Yes…yes, I’ll wait.”
Maddox turned to Galyan, “Cook had better give me permission.”
“For both our sakes, I hope he does, sir.”
Maddox nodded, waiting for the Lord High Admiral.
***
Twenty-three minutes later, Maddox cut the connection with the Lord High Admiral. The old man had given his reluctant consent to the idea. It was a go.
“Do you not feel better, sir, for having asked permission?” Galyan asked.
“Not really,” Maddox said.
“You enjoy racing ahead on your own volition?”
“Would I have done it so often if that wasn’t the case?”
“Noted,” Galyan said. “May I stay for the call?”
“Yes,” Maddox said, as he reset the coordinates. He sipped from a bottle of water, rinsed his mouth and picked up the microphone, making the call to the Emperor of the Throne World.
A New Man answered, listening to Maddox’s request. “You are presumptuous,” the New Man said curtly. “I am terminating the connection—”
“I also have a long-range com-link to Golden Ural,” Maddox said.
There was a moment’s hesitation until the New Man asked, “Why should that concern me?”
“Golden Ural is my uncle.”
“That is an unsubstantiated slur.”
“I am the son of Ural’s brother.”
“He has more than ten brothers. To which do you refer?”
It occurred to Maddox that he hadn’t learned his father’s name. What a strange oversight. “My father married Sandra O’Hara.”
There was silence on the other end, but the connection still held.
“Do you hear me?” Maddox asked.
There was no answer.
Maddox glanced at Galyan.
“Perhaps he went to get the Emperor,” Galyan suggested.
Maddox snorted softly. That made the most sense. The arrogant New Man hadn’t told him to wait; he’d simply left.
Fifteen minutes later, there was noise from the comm device, and a regal, proud New Man said, “This is the Emperor.”
“This is Captain Maddox, Your Majesty. Thank you for talking the call.”
“What do you want with me?”
“Sir, I have discovered evidence of a dangerous mobile null region. It is in the possession of Lisa Meyers.”
“Golden Ural says otherwise.”
Maddox glanced at Galyan before saying, “Perhaps I was slightly inaccurate. I mean, it is in the possession of her people, who act at her bidding.”
There was no comment.
Maddox cleared his throat. “Meyers’ people have used the mobile null region to launch asteroids at a populated planet. Those asteroids smashed the world, killing everyone.”
“That is a potent weapon,” the Emperor said. “I can understand why you fear it. What does that have to do with me?”
“It might be a threat to you too. Professor Ludendorff has uncovered ancient data, a memory, to be precise. He believes that Methuselah Man Strand stole ancient Builder knowledge from him in their early days under the aliens. Some of this data included knowledge about the mobile null region.”
“Captain Maddox, you are near to a New Man in ability. Golden Ural has spoken of how you absorbed the spiritual energy of a slain Erill. Because you are like unto one of us, and lay claim through the blood, I have listened to you. If, however, you expect me to be your errand boy, I will officially challenge you to a duel with swords and kill you on the field of honor.”
“Your Majesty, I have no desire to demean—to attempt to demean you in any fashion. I freely offer you advantageous information, requesting that you consider our plight. Lisa Meyers desires to slay all those with human DNA. I am attempting to give you knowledge concerning the mobile null region and how to reach it.”
“Clever,” the Emperor said. “Eventually, she or her people might turn this…thing against the Throne World. It would be good to know how to reach it. Very well, I concede your point. How can I learn about the mobile null region?”
“Strand once stole from Ludendorff. He gained this through an alien device, referring to it as the Memnon Zees.”
“That’s it?” the Emperor asked after Maddox fell silent.
“No, Your Majesty. There is considerably more. However, Professor Ludendorff holds that knowledge, and he will not part with it, not even to me.”
“Wring it out of him.”
“I might well do that, Your Majesty. At the moment, I am attempting to use him as a willing ally.”
“Methuselah Men are notorious liars and schemers, Captain. They know nothing about honor. Do you understand honor?”
“I do indeed,” Maddox said.
“Have you lied to me in any way?”
“I have not, Majesty.”
There was silence from the other end.
Maddox waited, wondering if he should have told the full truth in this.
Finally, “I’m not sure I believe you,” the Emperor said.
“I’m sorry to hear that, Your Majesty.”
“Nevertheless, I will have Ural speak to Strand. Perhaps something will come from the conversation. Perhaps I will even deign to relay that data to you. I will first have to consider the advantages and disadvantages of doing so.”
“Sire, I would add one thing.”
“Would you indeed?” the Emperor asked.
“Honor is a noble concept,” Maddox said. “We are related to each other and—”
“I would prefer that you not remind me of that indignity.”
Maddox reconsidered. “I’ve changed my mind, Majesty. I will not add anything more. Thank you for listening to me.”
A sigh came from the other end. “You are a sly rascal, Captain Maddox. I almost approve of you—as a rascal, nothing more, you understand.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Let us see what Strand has to say. Until then, do not call me again.”
With that, the connection ended.
Maddox hung up the microphone and found that his armpits were slick with sweat. He picked up the water bottle, finishing it, wondering what he’d just set in motion.
-35-
Golden Ural had returned to the Throne World since leaving Tortuga and answered his cousin’s summons to the palace. There, the tallest of the New Men leaders listened to the Emperor relate his call with Captain Maddox.
“What do you make of it?” the Emperor asked.
They sat at a round table on a green lawn, with a large table umbrella providing shade from the glorious Sun. The lawn was vast, with masterful marble statues of New Men in striking poses at one edge and a line of tall green and orange trees at the other. A marble and mirrored palace glittered in the distance, while a bevy of the Emperor’s concubines played croquet in the opposite direction near a smooth lake beyond. The concubines wore long finery, white gloves and grand hats, whispering and giggling among themselves, enjoying the game.
The Emperor was tall, although not as tall as his cousin Ural, and was known as the greatest duelist among them. He wore a hat today, shading his long golden face.
“Maddox is cautious,” Ural said. “He doesn’t want to tell us too much.”
“The captain claimed their Methuselah Man would not release more information.”
“That could be true.”
“Would Maddox dare lie to me?” the Emperor asked.
“Without a moment’s hesitation,” Ural said.
The Emperor grunted. “He said he told the truth.”
“Maddox is like us, Sire. He adheres to his own code of ethics and cares little if others approve of it or not. He is driven to excellence, as we have learned in the past.”
The Emperor poured himself a goblet of red wine harvested from his vineyards. He swirled the goblet and sipped, savoring the taste. “Strand is clever and dangerous even for us. Why would he tell you anything?”
“He’s been a prisoner for years already,” Ural said. “Perhaps it has worn down his resolve and made him more amiable.”
“I have seen no evidence of this.”
Ural gazed at the distant lake, making sure that he did not stare at his cousin’s concubines. It would be a grave breach of protocol to evince even the slightest desire or lust for the Emperor’s women. They were, of course, extraordinarily beautiful and vital. He wouldn’t mind—
Ural moved his head, finding the Emperor staring at him.
“They’re lovely, aren’t they?” the Emperor asked.
“Who is that, Sire?”
The Emperor chuckled, but there was a menacing note in it. “Have a care, cousin. I am still the Emperor.”
“Of that I am quite aware.”
“Is Maddox?”
“Sire?”
“Could Maddox conceive of the idea of attempting to usurp my throne?”
Ural raised his eyebrows. “I have not seen nor heard anything to indicate that. I would like to add that you have my utter backing, Sire.”
The Emperor dipped his head before turning his chair to watch his ladies playing croquet. “I need some relaxation,” he said, st
anding. “I believe I’ll join them…for a frolic.”
Golden Ural had stood when the Emperor did. “Do I have your permission to go ahead with the inquest, Sire?”
The Emperor tossed his hat onto the table and began to unbutton his shirt. “What’s that?”
“With Strand, Sire, may I question him on the matter?”
The Emperor shrugged off his shirt, laying it on the table. He was lean, golden and muscular. He removed his boots, placing them near the chair and unbuckled his belt next. “Yes, speak to Strand. See what you can discover.”
“Good day then, Sire.”
“Good day, Golden Ural,” the Emperor said, removing his pants and briefs, tossing them onto the table. He strode onto the lawn, heading for his bevy of concubines to have a frolic, as he termed it.
Golden Ural studiously headed in the other direction, believing it would be a breach of protocol to observe his naked cousin break into a run to join the ladies at their game. The Emperor had begun stretching Throne World customs lately…and Ural was not sure why. Had a feeling of unbridled power begun to creep into his cousin’s thinking, and had that begun the slightest unhinging of the Emperor’s behavior?
To ask the question was to have the answer. Ural hurried away, wondering which would be worse for the Throne World: an uninhibited Emperor, or Strand becoming the Throne World’s councilor. Both were potential problems. He couldn’t do anything about the Emperor at the moment. So, determining how to handle this inquiry with Strand was his next issue.
-36-
Golden Ural stepped alone into the prison chamber, the heavy hatch closing behind him. He’d divested himself of all weapons and devices on the off chance Strand had manufactured a new marvel that could overwhelm him.
The Methuselah Man had once ruled the Throne World and the New Men. Unseating Strand had proven difficult. Strand and Ludendorff had started the colony world over a hundred years ago, believing the modified and improved humans would help greater humanity in times of peril. The New Men—seeing themselves as better, smarter, stronger and wiser than the masses of humanity—had decided they should rule instead of serve. That idea hadn’t changed. The timing of it had, though. Star Watch was too strong for now and the Throne World not yet as powerful as it was going to be.
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