This is a fan translation of Emperors of Illusions (Императоры иллюзий) by the Russian science fiction and fantasy author Sergei Lukyanenko. The novel is a sequel to Lukyanenko's Line of Dreams (Линия грёз) novel and can be considered a fan fiction of the original Master of Orion game.

Chapter 10

"To be honest, I don't care who we have to kill," Kay said. Without stopping putting jam on his toast, Tommy threw him a sideways glance, "I do."

"I understand. But it's much harder to get to van Curtis than to the Emperor. So you can relax."

The boy hemmed and shrugged. Then he asked, "Is there really no other choice?"

"Apparently not. The Alkari thought that your dad's plans were real enough. He really is capable sending a portion of humanity into other universes. It'll be the end of Gray… but the Empire will be gone too. The Alkari also thinks that Gray can be destroyed."

"I believe that," Tommy poured himself a cup of coffee. He looked out the wide window that covered the entire wall of the small dining room. It was overcast and quiet outside, since Jienakhans typically woke up late.

"If you were Curtis Sr., would you cancel your Line of Dreams plans after Gray's death?"

"I wouldn't have started them in the first place. I'd get the hell out," Tommy smiled, momentarily turning into a fashion model. "Screw it all."

Dutch was silent. It was as if Tommy didn't even remember their conversation the night before. And wasn't surprised by anything anymore.

"You know, sometimes you remind me of Silicoids with your calm."

"Why not Klackons?"

"That's a misconception. They're actually very emotional… it's just that their emotions are hard to understand."

"You should know. Your own reactions aren't particularly normal."

Dutch suppressed a desire to slap the boy. This style of conversation between them had started too long ago to change it now. He'd been even glad at first, when the kid's inner fear gave way to indifferent sarcasm.

But now it was too late.

"Do you understand what I just said?"

"That you want to whack the Emperor. But I thought you've always wanted that."

"Now I'm going to act."

"Are you going to storm the palace?"

"No. Prostration is in a month."

Tommy reached for a napkin. He noted, "I think the Emperor was killed, like, five times. Do you want to be the sixth guy to forget about aTan?'

"I always remember it, kid. That's my problem, like you told me once. Right?"

"Yep," Tommy rose. "Your coffee's gotten cold. Can I go?"

"We're leaving tomorrow… for Tauri or Endoria, I'm not sure yet. Are you with me?"

"Of course. Can I connect to the game network? It's the quarterfinal of the Sovereigns in VR today."

"Damn it…" Kay stood, grabbing Tommy by the arm. "Is running around electronic mazes more important than life to you?"

"One has no bearing on the other…"

"Tommy, even saying what we've just talked about is punishable by death. That's it, we're dead men walking now! Do you understand? We have no chance, absolutely none! I just don't see another choice for me but to try. I've always fought for humanity, even if it doesn't like me much. But you don't have to get involved, you can even go back to Curtis, he'll forgive you. But you agree to die… and then leave to wave around a sword in a nonexistent world! What's wrong with you, Tommy?"

The boy shrugged. Dutch suddenly felt himself old, very old, for the first time in half a century. An ancient idiot, who knew how to kill and speak the languages of alien races. And who didn't understand a single person, a kid, with whom he was planning on dying.

"Dutch, I just like to play games. That's all. What am I supposed to do, sit and worry about Gray's guards whacking us?"

Tommy was looking at Kay, who suddenly recognized Arthur in his face. For a moment, they became alike not merely in appearance: the boy he'd taken to Grail, and the boy who'd killed Kay on Kailis.

"Go…" Dutch let him go. "Fight. I need to pay a visit to a few people and renew our access codes… By the way, do you want me to explain to you why those people on the orbital bases aren't allowed to play games?"

"Yeah."

"Like I said, any game can be won."

"So?" a plaintive childlike note appeared in Tommy's voice.

"What do you do when you get shot down or sliced up in a game?"

"Reload and start over."

"Exactly. You get used to it quickly. You start to believe that death is reversible…"

"But it is."

"…and you can always begin again. Instead of fury, you have excitement. Instead of hatred, there's ambition. Instead of fear, there's offense. You can be an ace in the best piloting simulator, but will crash the ship during your first landing attempt. You can be a sniper even better than the Mrrshans, but you won't be able to hit someone even with a smart gun. No professional plays games."

"Then I'm an amateur…"

"Tommy, your t-shirt says that death is the big game. That's not true. Life is the big game. Tell me, what's going to happen if I go into VR with you, into that frigging maze with monsters?"

"Professionals are not allowed," Tommy answered quickly.

"Exactly. Not because I'd get first place, too much is unknown to me in there. But I'd ruin your game. I'd start living there. But life is such a messy thing that all those slithering, fire-breathing monsters, which you excitedly tell me about every morning, will seem kind and cute to you in comparison. Go. Play. But remember, you can't beat every game… Damn, this was probably left over from Artie. An endless aTan. But he did finally realize…"

Kay left quickly, without giving Tommy an opportunity to answer.