The Phoenix Fallacy_Book III_Magnus

by Jon Sourbeer,

  The daedulus that had followed the pair started to sweep and mop the stone floor of the library, skirting the rich carpets that took up the center of the room.

  Natalie looked up, “One moment.”

  The maids paused at the door. “Yes, my lady?” they chorused. Natalie glanced at the fat little daedulus, “Aubrey, send that thing away, please. That is all.”

  The blond maid curtsied and left the room. Aubrey, the shorter maid, nodded and clapped her hands twice. The daedulus stopped its simultaneous sweep and mop, and came to wait at her feet. Aubrey looked at the fat little device and pointed out the door, "Next room." The machine immediately turned and exited into the hallway, whirring happily along to its next task. Aubrey followed it to the door and shut it, but remained in the room.

  “I wish Agathon wouldn’t use those as spies, this floor could certainly use a cleaning," Natalie lamented, eyeing the stone. “Aubrey would you make sure that it comes back when we are done here?"

  “I could always clean it myself, Miss,” Aubrey said.

  Natalie smiled, "That would be far too much a waste of your time and talents."

  Norm shook his head, “I mean this as the greatest of compliments, Aubrey, but I can hardly believe you are such an excellent spy.”

  “That is why I am so successful,” Aubrey replied sweetly. She performed a few quick cartwheels across the room, grabbed a stick of celery from the silver trays and popped up in front of Norm, jabbing it at him. “No one ever suspects!” she laughed.

  Norm took a step back, and put his hands up in defense, “I give up!”

  She gave him a quick peck on the cheek, “You need to work on your compliments.”

  Norm touched his cheek, giving her a faint smile as he glanced at Natalie, “But what are we going to do about Rassan?”

  Natalie shook her head, "I’m not sure. He has numerous connections and the backing of the Overlords right now. We can’t allow him to go through with his plan, but we can’t simply remove him either.”

  “Do you really believe his plan could work?” Norm asked, “Removing the Executors is a bold move, even for him. Granted, the uncertainty of the times has put the Executors in an uncomfortable position, but still…”

  Natalie was pensive, “It just seems too uncertain - but he is nothing if not bold. No doubt that is why he recruited Burke. Burke can bring the S.T.s and Inferni over to his side. Still, if they succeed…” she shot Norm an apprehensive look.

  Norm shook his head, “We have to present this to Magnus. He needs to know.”

  “Unfortunately, Magnus already called forth the meeting. To back out now would lose a great deal of face with both the Executors and the Overlords, and we can afford neither. But perhaps we can use this to jar the Executors into action and finally stop this stupid game of cat and mouse," she said, snatching the isotope drive from the screen, “I hope his day is going well, because it’s about to get worse.”

  Norm chuckled as he walked towards the door, “At least seeing you will help brighten it a bit for him.”

  She smiled warmly, and Norm felt lighter just looking at her. “Norm, you always say the sweetest—” she stopped, a hand on her stomach.

  “Something wrong?” Norm asked with concern.

  Natalie shook her head and continued out the door, "It's nothing. Nothing to be concerned about.”

  As they left, the little daedulus whirred its way happily back into the room.

  Chapter 23: Cracks

  Magnus revealed little as he listened to the recording, although a hint of anger shone in his eyes. He sat behind his oaken desk, Norm and Natalie stood watching him nervously from across the wooden expanse. The clock ticked ever so slowly.

  "Most disturbing," Magnus breathed at the end.

  “But perhaps both a burden and a boon," Natalie responded.

  “Do you have more than one copy of this?” Magnus asked.

  “Yes,” Natalie nodded, “I made a second right after I listened to it. It’s in Norm’s safe.”

  Magnus nodded, “Good. But you don’t have anything to be concerned about.”

  “What?” Natalie exclaimed, “Did you see what I just showed you?”

  “Rassan is well under control. I am not worried about him,” Magnus said sternly, leaning forward.

  Norm was taken aback. He had never heard Magnus speak to Natalie like that. But Magnus did suddenly sound like his old self again.

  “You call that,” her voice was high as she pointed at the recording, “under control?”

  “Rassan’s treachery will finally allow us to get back into the position we rightly deserve,” Magnus breathed.

  “You knew!” Natalie exclaimed.

  “I was aware that Rassan could not be fully trusted,” Magnus said carefully, “And that Burke has always been ambitious.”

  “But what about this? What are we going to do?” Norm asked.

  “Nothing,” Magnus said simply, leaning back in his chair.

  “What do you mean, nothing?” Natalie asked skeptically, “This traitor is threatening to throw Titan into chaos, and we are going to do nothing?” she exclaimed.

  “Correct,” Magnus said, “Nothing.”

  “But we have proof of Rassan’s treachery!”

  “We cannot act on this,” Magnus tossed the recorder to the side, he stared hard at Natalie, “You know full well there isn’t enough here to prove Rassan’s guilt. Not with the quality of the file. Not with our standing. We will be in a much better position once Rassan makes his move. Whichever side wins, as long as we can stay out of the crossfire, we will be better off.”

  “But that puts everyone at risk! We don’t know what will happen! We may even lose some of the Executors,” Natalie replied, opening her arms in protest.

  “And if we act now, there will be doubts. We see a man and a Trooper. We have a vague plot with no recognizable voices or names. It will look as though we are desperate – eager to get the Executor’s approval. It will weaken us.”

  “But doing nothing? We are talking about people’s lives!” Natalie shook her head, and moved around the desk, towards Magnus.

  “Yes, ours!” Magnus slammed the desk.

  Natalie darted forward, grabbing Magnus’ outstretched hand. “Magnus, please—we have enough – we can raise suspicion, prevent bloodshed. This is happening too quickly to sit on.”

  “No. To warn them would be too risky. And I need you to believe that I will do what is best for us,” Magnus said.

  Natalie lowered her voice, sinking to her knees, “I know you are trying to, Magnus, but sometimes, you have to make sacrifices to do what is right.”

  “I am.”

  Natalie shook her head as she stood up, “I want no part of this.”

  Magnus studied her for a moment, “Do not interfere, my dear. In fact, I would ask you to avoid the council altogether.”

  “We shall see,” Natalie said, and she stormed from the room, slamming the door behind her.

  Magnus' eyes followed her as she left, and he stared after her for a few moments before speaking to Norm, “Make sure she doesn’t try anything drastic.”

  Norm did not respond, but asked instead, “Are you certain, Magnus? Is it really worth the risk?"

  Magnus stared at Norm with a thoughtful expression, “Sometimes I wonder about you Norm.”

  Norm wasn’t sure what to make of it, and said, "The old Magnus never would have stood by and watched this unfold. He would have taken action.”

  Magnus eyes shifted, reflecting something Norm couldn’t quite grasp – disappointment? But whatever it was quickly vanished and Magnus’s expression turned colder.

  “The old Magnus?” he asked dangerously.

  Norm felt compelled to escape the chill, but paused at the door, “I hope you know what you are doing.”

  “I hope you come around.” Magnus said in a strangely threatening tone.

  “I suppose that is all we can do,” Norm answered solemnly, opening the door a
nd stepping out.

  Magnus looked down at his desk, already moving on to the next order of business, "That is why you will never be an Executor." Norm lowered his head, and closed the door.

  Chapter 24: Setting the Board

  Norm returned to the library to find the beautiful blond maid just leaving. He avoided looking at her as she passed and closed the door. Natalie was already in an intense discussion with Aubrey. Behind them, bright sunlight beamed through the grand windows, giving the pair halos.

  Norm shook his head as he approached, “I don’t know if I believe Magnus’ plan.”

  Natalie cocked her head at Norm, “—will work?”

  “Yes,” Norm replied. Natalie shook her head, as if considering a troubling thought.

  “What can we do about it though?” he asked.

  “We can make our own preparations,” Natalie replied firmly.

  “But Magnus said—”

  Natalie raised a hand, stopping Norm, “Magnus does not control me, and I will not sacrifice the Executors. I will not condone bloodshed. Are you or are you not an Overlord of Titan now?”

  Norm nodded slowly.

  “Gather your S.T. units,” she commanded.

  Norm lowered his head and shook it to clear his thoughts – he had no idea what to do. Believe Magnus or… He looked up. Natalie stood right there, and she put a hand on his shoulder, “Norm, now is not the time for uncertainty. Now is the time to do what you think is right.” Natalie’s deep brown eyes were begging him to help her, to make things right. He nodded. She smiled, “Good. The council meeting is in two days. We don’t have much time. Once you have selected your men, talk to Aubrey. She will tell you where to take them. We are going to ensure that this does not become a massacre, and there is much work to do.”

  Norm turned to leave, but Natalie stopped him, “Norm, wait.” He turned expectantly.

  “I meant to give this to you earlier, but forgot with all that has happened today,” she walked over to a small wooden box on the table and opened it carefully. Norm followed, standing beside her – red velvet cloth covered something inside. “You’ve been such a good friend to me over the last few years, and the last few months I’ve seen less and less of Magnus. And yet, after all this time and trial, you have never wavered.” She pulled back the cloth to reveal a silver pistol. “It’s the least I could do. I noticed how jealously you eye Magnus’ own.”

  “It’s beautiful,” Norm said, holding the light weapon in wonder. Red enamel filled the engraving of an open eye and shield upon the handle.

  Natalie smiled, “It’s dipped in an Immutium bath, to ensure it never rusts, but I’ve lightened it by removing the excess framing. With the Immutium that weapon will be nigh indestructible. The red is for courage, and the eye in the shield,” she smiled, “represents a man who will always be there to protect and watch over those he loves.”

  Norm nodded dumbly, still awestruck, “I don’t know what to say…”

  “Don’t worry, it wasn’t an entirely selfless act. Working on it reminded me of home, of the way things used to be…” her voice trailed off. Norm looked up to see her eyes red.

  “Natalie,” Norm began.

  “It’s not important,” she said stoically, “I just hope that you like it.”

  He clutched the weapon to his chest, “I’ll treasure it.”

  ***

  Norm motioned to the group around Valhalla’s Beacon. His eyes were very red. “As you can imagine, I saw little of Natalie, Magnus, or Aubrey over the next couple of days. There was little time to gather the meager resources we had available, and less time to plan.”

  “What did you do?” Keats asked.

  Norm sighed, “The best we could. We gathered a few platoons of trustworthy troopers, and formulated a working strategy, but all too soon, the day of the council meeting arrived.”

  ***

  Norm watched Commander Burke’s Troopers with narrowed eyes. They waved the incoming Overlords through their checkpoint with hardly a pat or a glance.

  The crystalline keep of the council chambers was a fusion of technology and natural beauty. Bright skylights of transpicuoum were fused within blocks green and brown, veins of jade and crystal inlaid across the outside walls. Behind those walls lay the halls of the Executors and, deep in the center, the inner sanctum where the council meeting would occur. The plan Natalie, Aubrey and himself had concocted had a number of holes in it, but it had been best they could come up with on short notice.

  As was appropriate for a gathering of Overlords and Executors, Norm wore a formal light green military jacket with gold fourragères. A white shirt and matching pants and boots completed the outfit. His Titan Overlord insignias, a roaring earthen giant of jade, gold and emeralds glinted brightly on the high neck.

  Natalie was stunning in a long flowing gown of dark green and silver. It exposed her shoulders, but wrapped the rest of her body, all the way up to her neck. It was the perfect fusion of elegance and beauty with the refinement expected of an Executor’s spouse. Aubrey attended her, wearing the simple white smock of a serving girl, albeit with stitched Green Titans.

  Norm and Magnus alone would be able to enter the innermost chamber. Natalie and Aubrey had no authority there. Aubrey, at least, would be in the servants’ wing, where she could be signaled at moment’s notice. Natalie was responsible for smuggling in the chaff grenades and weapons that Norm and Aubrey would take. Although she had little political power, as an Executor’s wife, she could pass through security without a glance. Once inside the main chamber building, Natalie would have to wait outside the inner sanctum, in the halls surrounding them.

  Natalie would lead Norm’s troops herself, while Aubrey would act as a liaison and support for Norm should things look like they were about to turn ugly within the inner chamber. As a servant, she could be summoned to the inner chambers, but undue attention was hardly good for any of them.

  Norm had a copy of the recording, and could play it to stall and raise suspicion. When the time came, Natalie would drop chaff inside the halls to disorient any guards and throw out a flare to signal Norm’s men. Outside the council halls, several spotters had been positioned by Natalie, Norm, and Aubrey, ready to relay the message to the three platoons of loyal S.T.s Norm had waiting. They would surprise the council room and stop any coup with a show of force. They had no contingency and no backup.

  Norm sighed and spoke softly to Natalie and Aubrey, “Are we ready?”

  Aubrey curtsied, “Absolutely, Overlord Walden.”

  He turned to Natalie, “And you?”

  Natalie smiled, flashing several grenades and pistols from underneath her flowing gown, “For war.”

  Norm was about to respond, but was distracted by Executor Ascendant Agathon, who swept by them, followed by a rather large entourage. The whole group was waved through without a glance.

  Norm followed the Executor with his eyes as he passed through the voluminous S.T.s, “Do you think Magnus was able to bring Burke to heel?”

  Natalie shook her head, “I don’t know, but it certainly doesn’t seem that way— where is he?”

  Norm looked around and said with some surprise, “Has he still not arrived?” Magnus was supposed to escort Natalie into the hall nearly half-an-hour ago. But the three had seen no trace of him, and had been unable to raise him with a communicator. Norm glanced at Natalie. She was biting her lip and fiddling with her locket again, so he added, “No doubt he is waiting for a dramatic entrance. You shouldn’t worry.”

  Norm felt little conviction in his words, but there was little they could do at this point – to leave would raise questions. Aubrey smiled at his reassurance, and he felt slightly better. But Natalie, however, only nodded absently.

  "Is something else wrong?" Norm asked.

  Natalie shook her head, “I’m not sure. Something doesn't add up."

  Norm lowered his voice and joked, “You mean more than just an attempted coup?"

  Natalie gave him a s
erious look, “Yes.”

  Norm was slightly abashed, “What then?”

  “I really don’t know. Something,” she said uncertainly, “Just be on your guard.”

  “Well, thank you for making me feel so much better,” Norm said irritably.

  Her face hardened, and she said, “Let’s go.”

  Norm was surprised, “We can wait a little longer, there is still some time before—”

  “No,” Natalie said firmly, “let’s go in now.”

  Norm wasn’t sure what to make of it, but he simply agreed, and they walked to the checkpoint in silence.

  “Welcome, Overlord Walden, Lady Delecroix,” a Trooper bowed to them, opening up his visor to reveal a kindly face with rounded cheeks, “Please step here for your search.”

  Norm felt a pit form in his stomach, and Natalie asked, “Pardon me?”

  “Your search, milady.”

  Natalie bristled, “This is highly unusual.”

  The trooper was surprisingly kind and articulate, “I’m sorry, milady. I have explicit orders to search both of you.”

  “From who?” Natalie asked dangerously.

  “Why,” the Trooper paused, “Commandant Novus Burke, milady.”

  Natalie and Norm looked at each other grimly. Natalie shook her head, “Burke has no authority over me.”

  “But, milady, these orders came straight from the Executors!”

  “Really?” Natalie asked skeptically, “I doubt that, but if you like, you can search me and I can tell my husband what a thorough job you performed.”

  The trooper stepped back and raised his hands in protest, “No, no – I’m sorry milady,” he stammered, “There must be some mistake. Please go right on through.”

  Natalie puffed herself up a bit, and nodded regally to the Trooper, “Wise move.”

  The Trooper turned to Norm and Aubrey, “I’m afraid I still have to search you and your servant, Overlord.”