Lost heir, p.38
Lost Heir, page 38
Gail just nodded. “Go on.”
“I could say I shot her because she threatened to have me raped and joked about it.” Maeve’s hands began to move in her lap.
Gail nodded again. “Another excellent reason, which would be completely acceptable.”
Maeve’s hands twisted together, hard. “But really, it happened by accident. When she shot, it startled me and I fired back. Regardless, I should have shot her anyway. Everything we stand for, she is against. To her, laws are something to bind others and destroy them. If I had left her alive, she might have stopped Dr. Jacques from accomplishing anything at all because she would have used his decency against him. No law exists back there except what we brought with us.” Maeve paused, suddenly unsure of her reasons, before asking, “Shouldn’t I have shot her? Isn’t that what the Imperial Creed means?”
Gail smiled. “You did the right thing, and you’re correct as to what the Creed stands for. I am glad that you’ve thought it through. If you were again faced with the choice and chose to kill her, your motivations would still be in keeping with the Creed. Regardless, we wouldn’t have left her behind. Alive. I am very proud of you, Maeve. You did everything you needed to do to keep yourself and others safe until help arrived. Your quick thinking with opening the com and sending the alert made all the difference.” She smiled again. “So, let’s talk about my research.”
Maeve wondered why she suddenly felt so light. On Alpine, she had directly taken another human life for the second time in her life but, unlike killing the assassin who had shot her father, this time it had been tearing her up inside. Strangely, the fact that she had fired accidentally seemed to make it worse in her mind. Gail approving of her actions, as well as her motives, made all the difference. Her hands stilled and she sat forward to listen.
“I confirmed my suspicions as to why Admiral Davies assigned Priscilla Jenks to watch over you, or more accurately, why you were with her. I do have a question, however. Admiral Davies didn’t assign you, Priscilla, and the others to Bring It, so how exactly did you end up there?”
Maeve hesitated, then answered, “We posed as a communications intelligence unit based at Camp Y, but attached to Home Fleet, not the base. That way no one ever bothered us. Captain Pogue needed a team that did what we were supposed to do, and I understand Camp Y didn’t want to give up one of their own units, so they pointed Pogue at us. His XO, Paul Bhat, showed up in the middle of the night and told Priscilla that, whether we liked it not, we were going with him immediately. He then dragged us off. The admiral couldn’t be reached—he was off-planet—and using the archeon net to contact him might have blown our cover, so two hours later we were on Bring It headed toward Sector Thirteen.”
Gail sighed. “I thought as much. Priscilla would never have blown her cover on a mission. With protecting you being her top priority, she probably didn’t see any other alternative, so she went along with Bhat shanghaiing all of you rather than trying to find a creative way to avoid going. She remained your proctor until she died.”
Maeve’s brain became a jumble of conflicting emotions, memories, and thoughts. She struggled to keep all of that from her face.
Gail sat silently for a minute. Quietly, she started again, “As the only available female proctor, I have been assigned to you. Several years ago, I had an heir. Just like Priscilla with you, I protected her during the early days after the coup but, unlike your situation, my heir died. I’ll tell you about her someday, perhaps. But now we have some critical business to take care of for the empire.” Gail’s eyes became bright, alive, as she sat up straighter. Maeve felt completely unsure of what might come next.
“Maeve, you have a critical decision to make. You are an heir, but one who has not yet begun the Test of Heirs. Hugh has begun the test, but what you do not know is that if Hugh fails, he must die.”
The statement shocked her; she had never heard of anything so barbaric. Hugh had agreed to this? He must be dumber than he looked. And Gail seemed to be offering her the same thing.
“The reason it’s an all-or-nothing proposition is that the empire can’t afford to have competing emperors. Also, any heir who is taking the test when a new emperor completes all the steps necessary to rule, dies. Normally heirs proceed alone. However, as at the time of Charles Roland, any heir who is qualified must go forward in any manner available if the empire is to be saved. I would normally wait until Hugh succeeds, or fails, to ask you, because of that, but the empire is running out of time.”
“Knowing that, Maeve uch Robert, are you willing take the Test of Heirs? If you decide to take the test, there is something Ward and I need to talk about with you and Hugh together. There is a way to go forward where neither of you dies, but for now, you need to know that death is a very real possibility. To pass the test, you will need to show good character in extreme circumstances, just like Hugh did aboard Bring It and on Alpine yesterday. To proceed is your choice, and yours alone. You can take as long as you like to decide; we can even continue this another time.”
Maeve’s brain froze. Why did everyone around her have to die for the empire? Strangely, that question relaxed her as she thought about her mother and father willingly serving the empire. They had believed it worth the price. So had Priscilla and Qi Mai Ling. The empire wasn’t perfect, but it tried to stop animals in human form like Pogue and Wally Welks and Zilda Wilniak from running wild. That by itself might be enough to justify the sacrifice Gail was asking her to make. As for Hugh, he had agreed. How could she do less?
“I don’t need any more time. Yes, I’ll take the test,” Maeve said quietly. A fiery resolve welled up in her, confirming her decision.
Not commenting on her declaration, Gail simply nodded and brought out a curiously made bag, just like the one Priscilla had shown her that last day. Maeve tried to focus on it but again couldn’t tell what to make of it. Quietly, almost in a whisper, Maeve said in wonder, “That’s exactly like the bag Priscilla showed me the day she died.”
Gail’s eyebrows raised. “What happened?”
Maeve teared up. “She pulled it out and had me repeat the Imperial Creed.”
Gail appeared to hold her breath as she asked, “And then what happened?”
Maeve shrugged. “I felt something odd, but then she ordered the bag to self-destruct. I never saw her alive again.”
Gail seemed to relax slightly and nodded, as if to herself, before focusing on Maeve again. Speaking formally to her, Gail began, “Maeve uch Robert, please stand.” For the first time since she had come into Gail’s quarters, Maeve noticed the imperial flag now hung on the wall behind Gail. It hadn’t been up other times when Maeve had visited this cabin. Her apprehension increased. Coming to attention, she waited.
“Maeve uch Robert, being an heir in the line of succession to the Throne of Constantine, Core Empire, you are about to embark upon the Test of Heirs. The purpose of the test is to determine whether you are worthy to occupy the Throne of Constantine, to carry the Galactic Starburst, and to rule the Core Empire. Before I give you more information, I must insist that you promise to keep everything that is about to happen confidential.”
Maeve wondered why Gail would even ask her, but she gave the obvious answer, “Yes, of course.”
Gail flashed a brief smile of satisfaction. “Good. The Galactic Starburst is a representation of the galaxy seen from above and worn over the left breast. It will allow you to disable or destroy imperial ships and facilities that are in rebellion. If you choose to go forward, your options will be to succeed, be cleansed of the nanites, or die. As for cleansing the nanites, there is no way currently available in the empire to cleanse you, something you should know before proceeding. So, really, your options are succeed or die. Do you willingly agree to take the Test of Heirs?”
Maeve had no idea what the proper words were, so she simply said, “Yes?”
Gail nodded her acceptance. “To pass the test, you must prove your worthiness and understanding of what it means to rule. Recite the Imperial Creed.”
Maeve momentarily froze. The Imperial Creed? She had joined in saying it just a few hours ago, searing its principles, if not its words, once more on her mind and soul. Even so, because reciting it had been bad for your health on Bring It, she didn’t know if she had it perfectly memorized. How about the short version? Concentrating, she hesitantly answered, “Protection, Integrity, Judgment, Justice, Sacrifice, Virtue, To the Death?”
Gail imperceptibly shook her head before setting the bag on the desk. The sack spread itself open as Maeve watched, revealing fantastic beauty. Seven exquisite, breathtaking gems lay jumbled together. She couldn’t tear her gaze away from them. She drank them in, marveling in the depth and richness of each one. Maeve finally felt Gail’s eyes on her and realized that Gail had been waiting patiently while Maeve’s emotions surged through her.
“Maeve uch Robert, the seven gems you see before you represent the test. The gems themselves have no real power but are impregnated with nanites that will become part of you until the day you die. As you pass each portion of the test, you will receive the gem it represents with its nanites. After today, only you and I may ever handle the gems again. Any other person will die. Do you understand this restriction?”
Maeve whispered, “Yes.”
Gail went on, “These nanogems are integral to the functioning of the Imperial Galactic Starburst. Remember that the coup destroyed Emperor Cyrus’ starburst, so a new one must be created for the gems and their nanites to plug into. The nanites on the gems of an emperor or empress activate the starburst and remain alive only until the moment of that individual’s death, at which time they turn to slag. They are buried with the dead ruler and replaced on the starburst by the nanogems of the new monarch. However, the nanites cannot be fully awakened until after the gems are earned, so they can be placed in their proper places by you, and you alone. Once they are placed, the starburst will become deadly to any other person who attempts to wield it. Pick up the purple amethyst.”
As if in a trance, she reached out with her left hand. She cradled the clear, light-purple stone in her palm, gazing at it before closing her hand upon it. A tingling warmth immediately enveloped her palm before running deep into her hand and arm. It seemed to project a shield of safety around her, repelling all ills.
Gail spoke firmly, a voice of deep understanding, “Now that you hold the amethyst, no one except you can handle it and live. The nanites will protect you and keep you safe, helping to heal you if you are injured or sick. Now, holding the gem in your left hand before you, repeat after me: I will provide protection to the weak as well as to every citizen.”
Maeve stuttered as she started, helped by Gail, “I will provide protection to the weak as well as to every citizen.”
“Replace the gem back on the cloth and take the topaz with your right hand.”
Reluctantly, she let go of the purple gem, the shade of lilacs, one of her favorite flowers. Warmth filled her heart even as she did. Sighing, she forced her hand open, lovingly placing the amethyst back onto the table. Immediately, she picked up the topaz. The same amazing warmth filled her hands and arms.
“Holding the gem before you, repeat after me: My word is unquestioned because integrity is the bedrock of my being.”
Confidently now, Maeve recited, “My word is unquestioned because integrity is the bedrock of my being.” She saw a golden blaze erupt through her fingers, the topaz sealing her promise.
“Every citizen, every person in the galaxy must be able to believe that if you promise protection, you will protect. If you promise destruction, you will destroy. Every word you say must be true. Place the gem back on the cloth and take the sapphire with your other hand.”
She now understood why Hugh said what he did back there. Eagerly, she replaced the golden stone and picked up the rich, royal blue sapphire. Disappointingly, she felt nothing special.
“Taking the stone, touch it between your eyes, repeating after me: I seek always to exercise true judgment in all of my acts.”
Carefully placing the stone between her eyes, she felt sudden coolness spread through her forehead, behind her eyes, all the way to her ears. Her thoughts suddenly had a crystalline clarity she had never felt before. Clearly, she responded, “I seek always to exercise true judgment in all of my acts.”
“Clearness of sight, depth of understanding, true hearing, all are required in order to act well. Wisdom is more important than learning. Place the gem back on the cloth and take the emerald with your right hand.”
Slowly, she lowered her sapphire to the cloth, eyes lost in its brilliant, blue depths as she did. It belonged to her; she knew it. She placed the sapphire with the topaz and amethyst, taking the emerald with her empty hand.
“Taking the stone, touch it briefly to your lips, then repeat after me: I will administer justice that is stern, fair, and impartial, fearing no man’s censure, taking no man’s gift.”
She rather feared justice. Pogue had made a point of calling all the punishments he had administered just. Slowly, she touched it to her lips for a moment. Again, nothing, but this time she felt relieved. “I will administer justice that is stern, fair, and impartial, fearing no man’s censure, taking no man’s gift.”
“Doing what is right is more difficult than knowing what’s right. You will often not know if you have acted correctly, possibly not until well after the fact. You must have a deep, securely anchored sense of right to judge in the face of dissent and criticism. Be firm, be fair, be consistent. Place the gem back on the cloth and take the ruby with your left hand.”
Maeve traded the stones and looked up at Gail.
“Taking the stone, touch it to your heart, repeating after me: I fear no sacrifice necessary to uphold my oath. I will carry every burden of my office, whatever the price.”
Suddenly, the stone seemed to burn her to the very core, searing her heart. Focusing on Gail as tears blurred her vision, she wondered if she had done something wrong. Should it hurt this much? Tears burned down her cheeks, but she forced herself to say, in spite of the pain, “I fear no-no,” she stuttered, “sacrifice necessary to uphold my oath. I will carry every burden of my office, whatever the price.” As she finished speaking, the stone ceased to burn, a strange sensation replacing the pain, one of being able to accomplish whatever she set out to do.
“All burdens exact a price. Know this as you take up this test. They also grant great strength. Place the gem back on the cloth and take the diamond with both of your hands.”
Hastily, she put down the ruby and picked up the diamond, a glory of a stone filled with hints of the entire rainbow. Its faceted surface drew her in, filling her with wonder. She felt like singing or flying just holding it.
“Holding the stone, cup it out in front of you, repeating after me: Perfect virtue is unattainable, but I will seek it as my goal in all I do.”
Maeve almost couldn’t concentrate on the oath. Gail had called it a stone, but she didn’t know! Holding it, warmth radiated through her. It was no simple, cold rock, but powerful, its strength filling the center of her being. It would never be just a stone to her. As she thought that, bottomless sorrow that she would never be perfectly worthy of this virtue gem, swept through her. But I will try! “Perfect virtue is unattainable, but I will seek it as my goal in all I do.”
“Virtue brings both deep temporary sadness and overwhelming joy. Whether fearing the sadness or choosing wrongly, either will deny you the joy that knows no description. Place the gem back on the cloth and take the onyx with your right hand.”
Maeve hesitantly reached out. Some stones had been friendly, others not so much. The onyx appeared forbidding and cold to her, but she forced herself to pick it up.
“Taking the stone, hold it in front of you as a sword haft, then repeat after me: I will fulfill my oath to the citizens of the empire to the death. So help me God.”
“I will fulfill my oath to the citizens of the empire to the death. So help me God.” Maeve felt nothing but certainty. She and the gems had promised each other and both would keep their promises. A vagrant thought intruded: Hugh must have made the same oath; no wonder he acted so seriously. A flicker of compassion for him overcame her.
“Place the gem back on the cloth.”
Maeve released the onyx, following which, the cloth quickly folded itself back into a bag. Suddenly, for a moment, joy drowned her, a depth of feeling that had been gaining strength throughout the oath, an elation amplified and reflected from someone nearby. Gail, perhaps? She didn’t think so. Maeve watched as Gail continued, untouched by the emotions swirling in the room. Can’t she feel what’s going on? She saw Gail smiling and happy, but that didn’t reflect the way Maeve’s heart pounded at this moment.
Gail put the bag away. “Do not seek the stones until and unless I release them back to you. They will kill you if you do. Do you understand?”
“I understand,” Maeve answered softly. Hesitantly, she asked, “Is the men’s oath the same?”
Gail smiled a little. “Similar. Very similar. But being men, it has to be different. After all, men are different, aren’t they?”
Maeve smiled back, crookedly. “Aren’t they just!” Gail chuckled, which made Maeve laugh, and then both were laughing.
Gail pointed to the chair. “Sit.” Maeve did and Gail went on. “One more thing. We’re going to tell Hugh you took the oath. If you both live to complete the test, you will have a choice to make at that point. We will discuss that choice when he and Ward arrive. So, if you understand what I have said to this point, please stand again.”
Maeve wondered, a little resentfully, what kind of promise she now had to make. Must she agree to let Hugh win if they both passed the test? Gail brought out the bag again. This threw her off-balance. What now? “Hold out your hand. The heir sacrifices her all for others.” The ruby rose through the bag. Maeve didn’t want to take it. Sacrifice cost her too much!
