Discussion
: MAIN STORY: The Alembic Plot
The rest of the Family had waited supper, except for the children,
who'd already finished and, to Cortin's relief, gone back to their
floor. She and Odeon showered and got back into uniform while Sara
told the rest about their brief communication with Shayan.
There was little conversation during the meal, though Cortin did
comment that she'd expected him to make contact again as soon as her
subjec
"He says there isn't that much of a rush," Odeon reported. "He also
wants 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 a
meeting 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 get
dressed, and he'll join us himself when we're in the common-room and
ready for him."
* * * * *
The reunited Family had spent a few minutes celebrating, then Cortin
had ordered refreshments set up in the common-room. When that was done
and the servants had left, the Family pulled chairs into a circle and
seated themselves. Moments later, with no fanfare, the empty spot was
occupied 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 it
over with."
The Pope held up both hands, shaking his head. "This is a simple
discussion, Colonel, not the decision point. You must have realized
that for yourself, to have accepted the alliance and this meeting."
Cortin sighed. "It could've been a ruse. I was almost hoping so, just
to finish the matter."
"No ruse," Lucius assured her. "My motives must remain my own, but it
is in my self-interest to support the Strike Forces and the Families,
as well as promoting devotion to both Jeshua and the Protector. For
that reason, and that reason alone, you may count on my unstinting
support for . . . I would estimate the next couple of years, perhaps
more."
"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 that
evidence and your claim that your support is due to your own
self-interest, I'll accept it as real. What about the Brotherhood?"
"I have ordered it disbanded and recommended the members repent their
sins and return to the Church." Lucius paused, smiling again. "Don't
expect much from either order or recommendation, however; I recruited
among, and accepted only, the most disaffected of those susceptible to
the idea of becoming terrorists. I can think of only one major error
in that selection process, and he is presently a member of your team
and Family."
"Me, right?" Degas said.
"Yes. I would tend to believe, now, that I was under outside influence
when I selected you--but I doubt very much any of my other selectees
have 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 personas
ordered the Brotherhood disbanded? And what reason did you give?"
"Shannon gave the order, of course, as you'll see in the news. That is
the only one with any chance of influencing them, though as I said, the
results will be minimal. 'Peace and Justice' may be their slogan, but
it is not their true desire, and it is extremely difficult to lead such
men where they do not wish to go. As for the reason--Lawrence Shannon
seldom gives reasons, but I did say the Brotherhood had outlived its
usefulness."
"That's easy enough to understand. What about Shannon himself?"
"Good question. I'm sure, given what I observed today, that your
choice would be for him to repent and surrender?"
Cortin nodded. "It would, but considering Shannon's true identity, I'd
say that's not likely."
"Correct, since I have no intention of repenting, and you wouldn't
cooperate in such a pretense. He can simply disappear, or I can
arrange 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 the
disappearance."
"So be it; Lawrence Shannon no longer exists. Nor do the compulsions
he imposed, to prevent Brothers from seeking the Sacraments. Some of
the lesser members will take advantage of that, though I doubt any of
the 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 not
include my own repentance." He paused, studying the scar-faced man.
"Has it occurred to you, Captain Odeon, that I may be too set in my
ways to change, particularly in such a basic way?"
"It hadn't, and I don't believe it for a minute." Odeon returned the
other's scrutiny. "I told Colonel Cortin once that not even you are
beyond redemption, and what you're doing now just reinforces that
conviction. It may take something drastic to convince you, but I'm
positive enough that I'm going to add it to my Mass intentions from now
on."
Lucius was silent for almost a full minute, then he nodded, once. "I
can hardly tell you not to, Captain, though after what I did to you, I
would expect you to hate and curse me instead."
"I hate what you've done, but I keep remembering that you were once one
of the greatest princes of Heaven, and I'd like to see you back in that
position."
"We shall see." Lucius made an abrupt gesture with his hand, then
turned his attention back to Cortin. "Would you care to concelebrate
Mass with me Sunday, Excellency, then be present for my announcement of
these policies?"
Cortin thought about that, then said, "What do you think, Captain
Odeon? Would that be appropriate for the Protector's Herald?"
Lucius frowned, sent Odeon a thought. *She is still unaware of her
true 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 remain
ignorant, now that she is being hailed and worshipped as Protector?
Although it is small as yet in her case, that worship does generate
energy, and it is focused on her; she will soon begin to feel and
manipulate it, whether she recognizes it or not. I suppose trying to
protect her as you are doing is praiseworthy, but I question both its
wisdom 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 a
disservice, 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 his
neck. "And there's no way to break it easy--"
"I am the Protector, then," Cortin said flatly. "When that man called
me that yesterday, I had the oddest feeling . . . tried to tell myself
it was only because he believed it, but . . ."
"Acting, but yeah. He says you're going to start feeling the worship
directed at you soon."
"I already have, I think. The other part of what made me think he was
right. Sort of a cross between extra energy and feeling like I've
eaten too much." Cortin smiled at him. "Keeping it from me this long
was a favor, Mike--and now, telling me that I'm only Acting is a
definite relief. I can handle it for awhile, knowing I won't have to
do it forever." She turned to the Pope. "How long, and who's the real
one?"
"Less than six months, and I do not know. If I did, I am certain I
would not be allowed to tell you." He gave her a thin smile. "Despite
my powers, I do operate under constraints; only the Creator is
all-powerful, and I, like you, am one of the created."
Cortin chuckled. "Less than six months I can handle, and I'm sure I'll
know the real one when He or She appears."
"At the proper time, if not immediately. In the meantime, can you
answer 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 if
Lieutenant Chang were to offer the Communion of Promise afterward."
"I would be pleased to do so," Chang said. "Does your change of heart
include reparations for the damage you did to Colonel Cortin?"
"I hadn't considered that, but I suppose it should include correcting
the damage, though I will not modify the added sensitivity you gave
her; that is the best I can do in the way of reparations." He paused
for a few seconds. "There, done. I can do nothing about your
fertility, Colonel; that, if it is done at all, will be up to the true
Protector."
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, you
supporting the Families and promoting devotion to the Protector . . . I
wouldn't have believed any of it a day ago. Everything coming together
so well, and so suddenly--a much better ending than I'd dared hope for."
"Ending, Colonel?" Lucius shook his head, his expression grim. "An
end to this phase, perhaps, and some time to prepare for the next--but
this phase has been nothing but a preliminary. We have not yet even
reached the decision point--which will, by the way, not be the sort of
confrontation you fear; no one will come to harm there. The decision
made at that point will be the true beginning, and the best-case
outcome will be a war more destructive of life than any so far in this
universe's history."
More
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