The Alembic Plot: A Terran Empire novel

by Ann Wilson

  25. Discussion

  The rest of the Family had waited supper, except for the children,who'd already finished and, to Cortin's relief, gone back to theirfloor. She and Odeon showered and got back into uniform while Saratold the rest about their brief communication with Shayan.

  There was little conversation during the meal, though Cortin didcomment that she'd expected him to make contact again as soon as hersubject died.

  "He says there isn't that much of a rush," Odeon reported. "He alsowants to know how you'd prefer the discussion to take place: phone,mind-touch, or in person. He's offering to heal Chuck and Tony, too,then bring them home, to seal the alliance."

  "An offer I'll definitely accept," Cortin said. "And I'd prefer ameeting in person, if he can get here without frightening the servants."

  "He says he can. Tony and Chuck will be here as soon as they getdressed, and he'll join us himself when we're in the common-room andready for him."

  * * * * *

  The reunited Family had spent a few minutes celebrating, then Cortinhad ordered refreshments set up in the common-room. When that was doneand the servants had left, the Family pulled chairs into a circle andseated themselves. Moments later, with no fanfare, the empty spot wasoccupied by what looked like a slim elderly man in a white cassock.

  "Shayan," Cortin said, keeping her voice level.

  "I prefer Lucius, if you don't mind."

  "Lucius, then. I knew I'd have to face you eventually; let's get itover with."

  The Pope held up both hands, shaking his head. "This is a simplediscussion, Colonel, not the decision point. You must have realizedthat for yourself, to have accepted the alliance and this meeting."

  Cortin sighed. "It could've been a ruse. I was almost hoping so, justto finish the matter."

  "No ruse," Lucius assured her. "My motives must remain my own, but itis in my self-interest to support the Strike Forces and the Families,as well as promoting devotion to both Jeshua and the Protector. Forthat reason, and that reason alone, you may count on my unstintingsupport for . . . I would estimate the next couple of years, perhapsmore."

  "Why should I believe you?"

  "Because of your truthsense." Lucius smiled briefly. "I like you,Colonel Cortin."

  "Which is a flat lie." Cortin nodded. "All right, between thatevidence and your claim that your support is due to your ownself-interest, I'll accept it as real. What about the Brotherhood?"

  "I have ordered it disbanded and recommended the members repent theirsins and return to the Church." Lucius paused, smiling again. "Don'texpect much from either order or recommendation, however; I recruitedamong, and accepted only, the most disaffected of those susceptible tothe idea of becoming terrorists. I can think of only one major errorin that selection process, and he is presently a member of your teamand Family."

  "Me, right?" Degas said.

  "Yes. I would tend to believe, now, that I was under outside influencewhen I selected you--but I doubt very much any of my other selecteeshave your characteristics."

  "Considering the ones I met, I'd tend to agree," Degas said.

  "To get back to the subject," Cortin said, "which of your personasordered the Brotherhood disbanded? And what reason did you give?"

  "Shannon gave the order, of course, as you'll see in the news. That isthe only one with any chance of influencing them, though as I said, theresults will be minimal. 'Peace and Justice' may be their slogan, butit is not their true desire, and it is extremely difficult to lead suchmen where they do not wish to go. As for the reason--Lawrence Shannonseldom gives reasons, but I did say the Brotherhood had outlived itsusefulness."

  "That's easy enough to understand. What about Shannon himself?"

  "Good question. I'm sure, given what I observed today, that yourchoice would be for him to repent and surrender?"

  Cortin nodded. "It would, but considering Shannon's true identity, I'dsay that's not likely."

  "Correct, since I have no intention of repenting, and you wouldn'tcooperate in such a pretense. He can simply disappear, or I canarrange the murder or suicide of one of my doubles, to provide a body."

  "Which wouldn't give the victim even a minimal chance of repentance."Cortin shook her head. "Of those options, I'd prefer thedisappearance."

  "So be it; Lawrence Shannon no longer exists. Nor do the compulsionshe imposed, to prevent Brothers from seeking the Sacraments. Some ofthe lesser members will take advantage of that, though I doubt any ofthe leadership will do so."

  "Which you regret, even though you won't do it yourself," Odeon said."That doesn't make a whole lot of sense."

  "To you, perhaps. I am doing what I see as necessary, which does notinclude my own repentance." He paused, studying the scar-faced man."Has it occurred to you, Captain Odeon, that I may be too set in myways to change, particularly in such a basic way?"

  "It hadn't, and I don't believe it for a minute." Odeon returned theother's scrutiny. "I told Colonel Cortin once that not even you arebeyond redemption, and what you're doing now just reinforces thatconviction. It may take something drastic to convince you, but I'mpositive enough that I'm going to add it to my Mass intentions from nowon."

  Lucius was silent for almost a full minute, then he nodded, once. "Ican hardly tell you not to, Captain, though after what I did to you, Iwould expect you to hate and curse me instead."

  "I hate what you've done, but I keep remembering that you were once oneof the greatest princes of Heaven, and I'd like to see you back in thatposition."

  "We shall see." Lucius made an abrupt gesture with his hand, thenturned his attention back to Cortin. "Would you care to concelebrateMass with me Sunday, Excellency, then be present for my announcement ofthese policies?"

  Cortin thought about that, then said, "What do you think, CaptainOdeon? Would that be appropriate for the Protector's Herald?"

  Lucius frowned, sent Odeon a thought. *She is still unaware of hertrue status?*

  *Yes. Jeshua said she'd be happier not knowing, and I agree.*

  *Happier, perhaps, but what makes you think she will be able to remainignorant, now that she is being hailed and worshipped as Protector?Although it is small as yet in her case, that worship does generateenergy, and it is focused on her; she will soon begin to feel andmanipulate it, whether she recognizes it or not. I suppose trying toprotect her as you are doing is praiseworthy, but I question both itswisdom and its fairness.*

  *Umm. I don't like it, but you may have a point.*

  *I do indeed. Will you tell her, or shall I?*

  *I'll do it, since you don't seem to be leaving me much of a choice.*Odeon looked around at the Family, then concentrated on its head."Joanie . . . I've just been told I've--we've all--been doing you adisservice, thinking it was a favor."

  Cortin frowned. "What are you talking about?"

  "Michael--" Chang said cautioningly.

  "If I don't tell her, he will." Odeon sighed, rubbed the back of hisneck. "And there's no way to break it easy--"

  "I am the Protector, then," Cortin said flatly. "When that man calledme that yesterday, I had the oddest feeling . . . tried to tell myselfit was only because he believed it, but . . ."

  "Acting, but yeah. He says you're going to start feeling the worshipdirected at you soon."

  "I already have, I think. The other part of what made me think he wasright. Sort of a cross between extra energy and feeling like I'veeaten too much." Cortin smiled at him. "Keeping it from me this longwas a favor, Mike--and now, telling me that I'm only Acting is adefinite relief. I can handle it for awhile, knowing I won't have todo it forever." She turned to the Pope. "How long, and who's the realone?"

  "Less than six months, and I do not know. If I did, I am certain Iwould not be allowed to tell you." He gave her a thin smile. "Despitemy powers, I do operate under constraints; only the Creator isall-powerful, and I, like you, am one of the created."

  Cortin chuckled. "Less than
six months I can handle, and I'm sure I'llknow the real one when He or She appears."

  "At the proper time, if not immediately. In the meantime, can youanswer my question?"

  "Mike?"

  "I don't see any harm," Odeon said.

  "I'll do it, then. Provided Mike and Dave are also concelebrants."

  "That would be even better," Lucius agreed. "It would also be well ifLieutenant Chang were to offer the Communion of Promise afterward."

  "I would be pleased to do so," Chang said. "Does your change of heartinclude reparations for the damage you did to Colonel Cortin?"

  "I hadn't considered that, but I suppose it should include correctingthe damage, though I will not modify the added sensitivity you gaveher; that is the best I can do in the way of reparations." He pausedfor a few seconds. "There, done. I can do nothing about yourfertility, Colonel; that, if it is done at all, will be up to the trueProtector."

  Cortin smiled. "I never thought I'd be saying this, but thank you.This whole thing is a great relief to me--the real Protector coming,the Brotherhood ordered disbanded even if most of it won't obey, yousupporting the Families and promoting devotion to the Protector . . . Iwouldn't have believed any of it a day ago. Everything coming togetherso well, and so suddenly--a much better ending than I'd dared hope for."

  "Ending, Colonel?" Lucius shook his head, his expression grim. "Anend to this phase, perhaps, and some time to prepare for the next--butthis phase has been nothing but a preliminary. We have not yet evenreached the decision point--which will, by the way, not be the sort ofconfrontation you fear; no one will come to harm there. The decisionmade at that point will be the true beginning, and the best-caseoutcome will be a war more destructive of life than any so far in thisuniverse's history."