"No, I was told about him. He's an exception. The rest have minimal brain function. They're not aware of what happens to them."
Sabre snorted, and Atrashka cast him a nervous glance.
"Why should he be the only intelligent one?” Ravian asked. “Of all the tens of thousands you've produced over the years, why would the only one ever to possess intelligence be the one who gets free of cyber control through a freak accident? That's a hell of a coincidence."
"They do happen. I assure you, My Lord, the rest are deficient. They have underdeveloped brains. I can show you the proof."
"I'm sure you can trot out a tonne of manufactured evidence, and I find your lies most annoying."
"I..." Atrashka looked even more nervous. "What are you going to do?"
Ravian turned to Sabre. "You are silent. Have you nothing you wish to say to the head of Cybercorp?"
Sabre glanced at her, then approached Atrashka, who backed away until the cyber stopped.
"Why would I bother?" Sabre asked. "It would be a waste of breath. He knows what he's done, and insulting him would be like stepping on a worm, hardly satisfying at all. He's just a bureaucrat who tortures children and turns them into cyborgs. You're the one with the power to punish him. I could rip his arms off, but someone else would just replace him, and the atrocities would continue. I would rather not have met him at all. Now I'll have to have another shower."
Ravian chuckled. "You see, Atrashka, he's not only intelligent, he has more integrity than you'll ever be able to grasp. I have judged him, and found him to be not only worthy of saving from your enforcers, but of my employ. He now has my protection. My judgement extends to his companions. Tarl Averly's death sentence is rescinded. Kole Arvan and Tassin Alrade are pardoned. You will cease all attempts to capture them forthwith."
"But My Lord, Tarl Averly is a former technician. He knows our secrets, and is therefore a security risk. He could endanger the lives of high-ranking officials who enjoy cyber protection if he allied himself with criminals or assassins. He sabotaged a large number of artificial wombs and caused millions of credits worth of damage to our facility. He's guilty of -"
"I'm not interested in your judgements," Ravian said. "What he did was born out of disgust and disillusionment. He realised that what he was doing was wrong, which is more than you can say about yourself. His sentence is rescinded."
"Yes, My Lord."
Ravian held out her hand, and an aide placed a transparency in it, which she offered to Atrashka. "Your orders, Chief Executive."
Atrashka took the sheet and read it, his florid visage paling. "This is impossible, My Lord."
"How so?"
"There's no way to measure the pain cybers experience. As far as we know they feel nothing."
"They feel everything," Sabre said.
"Just because you did -"
"Do not return to that lie," Ravian said.
"My lord, we can't drug them while they're in training."
"You could stop the shock training," Sabre said.
"Then they'd be slower -"
"Then let them be slower."
Atrashka turned to Ravian. "My lord, if we have to cause the hosts no pain, we'd have to stop the sensory deprivation tanks as well, thereby allowing the hosts more perception, which would only increase their unhappiness."
"Unhappiness?" Sabre snorted. "Try misery. And the sensory deprivation tanks don't cause pain, just psychological trauma."
"You see? We don't know what causes them pain, My Lord."
"Why don't you put yourself through the training, then you'll find out first hand," Sabre suggested.
"Atrashka, you're just trying to find a way to make me change the order, and it's not going to work," Ravian said. "The order will stand. You will cause the cyber hosts no pain. One of my crew will supervise you."
"My lord, by doing this, you will force us to produce inferior cybers, who will be more vulnerable. They will die."
"Death is preferable," Sabre said.
"And you'll profit from it," Ravian added. "You'll have a larger market."
Sabre glanced at her. "Then they'll clone, torture and enslave more children."
Ravian nodded. "But they won't suffer as much, or for as long."
"Cold comfort."
"Indeed."
Atrashka rolled up the transparency. "May I ask a question, My Lord?"
Ravian inclined her head.
Atrashka turned to Sabre. "What happened to Previd Malatar?"
"I killed him."
Atrashka nodded. "As I suspected." He glanced at Ravian. "And you trust him?"
"I'm sure he had a very good reason."
Sabre said, "He was trying to kill Tassin."
Atrashka turned to Sabre again. "Of course. Quite understandable. But it's so easy for you, isn't it? How long before your abilities go to your head? What happens when you realise that no one can stop you from doing whatever you want?"
"I already know that."
"And how many people have you killed to get what you want?"
"I've only killed in self-defence, or to save my friends."
"Friends?" Atrashka snorted. "How can a cyborg have friends? You have no character, no social skills. How long before someone says the wrong thing and you snap their neck?"
"Like you're trying make me do now?"
Atrashka faced Ravian. "My lord, it's only a matter of time before he becomes dangerous. Right now he's uncertain and confused, enjoying his freedom and imagining that he has friends, but we know human nature. Sooner or later someone will hurt or betray him, and then he'll resort to what he knows best. He's a killing machine without any control. You can't unleash him on society. Do you know what he's capable of?"
Ravian nodded. "Indeed I do. I have tested him, and found that he would rather punch through a duronium wall than hurt someone to save his friends."
"And you think he's going to stay like that?"
"Yes."
"My lord -"
Ravian raised a hand. "Enough. My patience dwindles. No one questions the judgement of an Overlord."
"Of course, My Lord, forgive me. My concern for your safety and that of other innocents overwhelms me. Be careful, I beg you."
"You may leave."
The chief executive bowed and headed for the door, his back stiff with indignation. Sabre wondered why he had no great urge to snap his neck or rip his arms off.
Ravian asked, "Would you care to join me for a meal?"
Sabre rocked back on his heels in surprise at the unexpected invitation, and nodded without thinking.
"Good." Ravian stepped down from her dais and swept towards another door, clearly expecting him to follow.
In her quarters, she went into an adjoining room and emerged moments later clad in a sweeping crimson gown that shimmered with tiny diamonds. Sinking down on a couch, she patted the empty space beside her, and he sat down, keeping his distance. Again she surprised him by moving closer.
"How is your hand?"
He glanced down at it. "It's okay."
"I admire your self-restraint in regards to Atrashka. You must hate him very much."
"I suppose so."
"You're not sure?"
"I'd rather not discuss it."
She nodded. "Of course. What would you like to discuss?"
"My pay."
"There is no pay. You get whatever you want. A condo in Emprasarium? It's yours. A mansion on the shores of the Summer Sea on Farlight? It's yours. A dozen air-cars? A star ship? Just say the word."
He stared at her. "Anything?"
"Absolutely anything. My power is limitless."
"Lift the restrictions on Omega Five?"
She smiled. "Ah. I could arrange it, but that will require the agreement of at least three other Overlords. Are you sure Omega Five is ready?"
"As much as it will be in seven years’ time."
She tilted her head. "You want it for Tassin? Does she want it, too?"
"I think so."
"Perhaps you should ask her first."
He nodded. "Probably."
"Good. Let's eat."
Ravian gestured, and two crewmen entered with platters of finger food in the form of tiny sandwiches, pastries and sugared fruit, with bowls of sauce to accompany them, which they placed on the low table. The scent made Sabre’s mouth water. The crewmen left and returned several times, bringing more platters, along with decanters of wine, glasses and cutlery. When at last they withdrew, a feast covered the table.
Ravian smiled and gestured to it. "Help yourself."
Sabre filled his plate, and she did the same, selecting a few choice morsels.
"Why have you revealed yourself to me, but not my companions?" he asked.
She nibbled a pastry. "Had you proven yourself unworthy, you would have been executed. Since you passed the test, you're worthy of knowing and keeping my secret. I live a lonely existence. My only companions are my crew, and they're poor company, since they're trained from childhood to serve an Overlord. I would greatly enjoy a companion, and I thought you would make an interesting one."
"You were so sure I would accept your employ?"
"No. Had you refused, I would still have had a few days before you left."
"And how did you know I would keep your secret?"
She smiled, dimples appearing in her cheeks. "You're an unusual man, but you're not the first to know my secret. Rumours abound about the true identity of all the Overlords, but few are believed. Fairen, for instance, is reputed to be a mutant with horns and a tail. You see, Overlords die like anyone else, but they are replaced by the apprentices they have trained, without changing their names. Overlord Ravian has been around for almost a thousand years, but I'm not that old. I have been Overlord Ravian for only seven years. In fact, I was apprenticed to Fairen, who was aged and ailing. But Ravian became ill suddenly, and he had no apprentice. So I replaced him, and Fairen took on a new apprentice, who had to replace him rather sooner than usual."
She picked up her glass and sipped the ruby wine in it. "So, I ask that you don't reveal my true identity, but if you do, it's not so serious. Few would believe that Overlord Ravian, the feared Spider Lord, is a mere girl. The original Ravian was the Spider Lord, back in the days when the Overlords had to inspire fear to be obeyed, rather than use force, since their ships were not as powerful as ours."
"I see." Sabre sampled another dish, finding them all equally delicious. "Is one of the Overlords your leader?"
"No, we're all equal."
"Don't you ever have disputes?"
"Of course. Then we vote."
"So you're always in contact with the others?"
She popped a sugar-frosted fruit into her mouth. "No, but we have a private frequency, should we need to contact the others."
"Who else knows how to contact an Overlord?"
"Planetary leaders."
"Like Atrashka."
Ravian sipped her wine and helped herself to a creamy pudding. "You think Atrashka will lodge a protest with another Overlord?"
"Is there one who likes to keep cybers?"
"Ramadaus."
"Could he revoke your order?"
She shook her head. "Then all the Overlords would have to vote."
"Why are we going to Myon Two?"
"I like to enforce my orders with a personal appearance. It tends to ensure that I'm obeyed." She paused, eyeing him. "You have a lot of questions. Am I permitted a few?"
"Of course." He looked away. "I'm sorry."
"No, don't be sorry. I find your curiosity endearing. Most would not dare, which is why they make poor companions. Occasionally I choose to entertain an interesting young man, usually a celebrity of some sort, but often they are tongue-tied in my presence, which is boring."
"Then you shouldn't tell them who you are."
"Indeed." She laughed. "A good idea. Now, about my questions. I would like to know what you're capable of. I am curious."
He frowned, putting down his plate. "Ask Atrashka for a brochure."
"I've offended you."
"My oddities offend me."
"Your abilities should be a source of great pride."
"I thought you learnt about cybers."
She nodded. "A little. Some of what I learnt is hard to believe, however."
"So you'd like a demonstration."
"Would you mind?"
"Yes."
"I see." She nibbled the cream pudding. "What is it about being super human that offends you?"
"The freak aspect."
"I don't consider you a freak."
"I do."
"That's sad."
He poured himself a glass of fruit juice. "My life is sad."
"Until you were freed, yes, but now you have all the advantages without the disadvantages."
"You think so? What about being unable to go out in public without people thinking I'm a machine? Or having to fight my way free of cyber control almost every time I fall unconscious?"
"Better than being its slave for the rest of your life."
Sabre sipped the juice, finding it sweet. "There is that."
"Why do you concentrate on the bad aspects of what you are, instead of enjoying the good things about it?"
"Such as?"
"Your amazing abilities, of course, but also your friends, and a beautiful girl who cares about you."
He gazed into his glass. "Who'll probably be killed because of me."
"And that's why you're trying so hard not to have feelings, isn't it?"
"No. I'm not equipped to deal with emotions. Not yet, anyway. And I'd rather not discuss them."
"As you wish." Ravian refilled her glass, then glanced up as a crewman entered and bowed.
"My lord, Overlord Ramadaus wishes to speak to you."
Ravian's brows drew together. "Permit him."
The crewman withdrew, and Sabre wondered if he should leave as well. Ravian rose and walked over to a pale circle on the floor, and a beam of light shot down, encasing her in a pillar of soft luminescence. A second pool of light formed on another circle on the floor two metres away, growing in brilliance until if became a golden shaft. A figure appeared within it; a tall, sharp-featured man with black hair and eyes, clad in a dark blue suit of impeccable cut and fit, its flared sleeves trimmed with gold. A high, gold-ornamented collar hid his neck, and serpentine patterns extended from it onto his chest.
"Ravian." He spoke in a soft, cultured voice.
"Greetings, Ramadaus."
"Chief Executive Atrashka has contacted me with an extraordinary tale."
"How bothersome of him. I shall confiscate his transmitter."
"Too late. Is it true?"
"I have ordered the cessation of the torture of cyber hosts, yes."
Ramadaus cocked his head. "You see fit to intervene in such a petty matter?"
"Yes. Do you also?"
"I'm disturbed by it. Suffering is rife in the universe. Surely this is beneath an Overlord’s notice?"
"Evidently it's not beneath yours."
Ramadaus spread his hands. "I enjoy the service of several cybers."
"And you would not wish the new models to be inferior."
"Precisely."
"I enjoy the company of a free cyber, and the tale he tells is enough to curdle your porridge."
"You champion the cause of one man?"
She smiled. "No. His suffering is ended, but that of his many brothers is not. Yet."
"You are young. This is a mistake. Rescind the order."
"No."
A short, brittle silence fell, and Ramadaus sighed. "I will meet this free cyber and hear his tale."
"I have already judged him."
"This is too petty a matter to put to the vote."
"Then leave it," Ravian said. "There are many more important matters that require our time and attention."
"You are intervening in something that does not require change."
Ravian
shook her head. "In my opinion, it does."
"I will meet this free cyber."
"You are biased by your liking for cybers. That, in itself, is unseemly for an Overlord. We are opposed to slavery in all its forms."
"Cyber-bio combat units are machines."
"So Myon Two would have us believe," she said. "But it's a lie."
"I will see for myself. We will meet."
"As you wish."
Ramadaus faded. The lights winked out, and Ravian returned to the couch to sink down beside Sabre.
"You're going to hand me over to him?" he asked.
"No. You will meet him here."
"How long before he gets here?"
She shrugged, selecting a pastry. "About an hour."
"Have two Overlords ever fought?"
Ravian giggled. "No."
Chapter Six
It seemed a lot less than an hour later when a gleaming ship shimmered into being in the circular screens of the chamber where Ravian conducted her interviews. Ramadaus' ship was shaped like a moth with skeletal wings made of gleaming gold and silver shafts that curved inwards like Ravian's Spider Ship's legs, the ends tipped with powerful weapons. Ramadaus' ship was just as immense, but far more beautiful, patterned with swirling gold and silver striations. The thousands of tiny, twinkling lights on its ovoid hull gave an idea of its size, and the two black domes on its bow were, he assumed, gigantic tinted portals.
Ravian gazed at it. "The original Ramadaus was a woman, hence the ship," she explained.
"So the designs remain the same, for the purpose of continuity, to give the illusion that Overlords live forever."
She nodded. "Exactly."
The silken curtains at the side of the chamber parted to admit a tall, veiled figure clad in a sweeping black garb identical to the one Ravian had worn earlier. Ravian turned to face Ramadaus, and Sabre assumed a guard stance beside her from force of habit. Ramadaus’ head turned briefly towards Sabre as he crossed the room to stop a short distance from her dais. Ravian stepped down and met him on the same level, a slight, inscrutable smile curving her lips.
"You reveal yourself to him?" Ramadaus demanded.
"As I choose. He has seen you, too."
"That was not my choice."
The Cyber Chronicles 05: Overlord Page 6
