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 3

Dutch was quickly digging through the wardrobe. There was a lot of clothing in it… he wondered why a lonely old woman, whose husband didn't appear to ever come home, would keep such a collection. Suits, coveralls, tunics, dresses, of every size and style.

He found a light-colored sporty suit that was almost his size, a blue shirt, and a short white tie with the tiny logo of the Bodyguard League. Kay had no intention of hiding his profession, so the tie seemed appropriate. Tommy selected a black jumpsuit, as if to contrast him. Dutch didn't care. The past, as imperceptible as the Alkari "probabilities", was coming alive around him.

"This is where we dragged Arthur after the compensator. He was unconscious, so I put him in bed… in that room. I was telling something to Henrietta and her husband. A funny old guy… I think he couldn't wait to get back to the weather control center, to his computers. He was a gamer, like you."

"Uh-huh," Tommy turned in front of the mirror, examining himself meticulously. He smoothed out his wet hair and started rolling up the jumpsuit's sleeves. It was probably some youthful fashion.

"This is probably where they took him…" Kay looked around the room, as if expecting to find traces of the old struggle. "That late Bulrathi and the mechanist…"

"He was taken by the Meklar," Tommy said. "Not here, in the room where he stayed. Arthur told me, on the way to Grail."

Kay fell silent, tying the tie around his neck. He moved Tommy away from the mirror.

"You look good enough to get married," Tommy informed him. "Just a little makeup and you'll be perfect."

"You keep talking."

"Come on, Kay. I say it with love."

"A Meklar loved the rain… Have you figured out how to speak with Colonel Kahowski?"

"Honestly?"

"Completely. You can't trick someone like that."

"What about the girl?"

"Don't know yet…" Kay glanced at Tommy. "But don't even think about hurting her. She was my partner, even if it was just for one fight."

"I wasn't going to…"

"And don't. Let's go."

They found no one downstairs. But the door into the dining room was ajar, and they could hear sounds coming from it.

"I guess we're going to have breakfast," Tommy said with satisfaction.

"Lunch. We should switch to local time."

Compared to the living room, which had wooden walls and handcrafted furniture, the dining room had a dissonant look. It seemed as if this part of the house was successfully imitating a warship's ambiance: dimly-gray plastic walls, anatomical chairs, and a table covered in ceramic film. Only the chair, in which Wanda sat, was the same as in the living room: a velour-upholstered monstrosity, which could fit two people comfortably.

"A longing for my youth, Kay," the old woman said, catching his gaze. "It's normal for veterans… some even use old corvettes as their homes."

"So you've made do with just the dining room."

"Cooking is a woman's job, isn't it? Cooking, cybercenter, and companionship – the three C's for which they kept us in the fleet."

"And did they manage to keep you there?" Kay sat at the table, lowered his hand to the controls, and adjusted the shape of the chair. He winkled at Rachelle, who was bustling at the oven, and she hastily turned away.

"Of course not… Quit trying to be smart, girl! This oven has a very poor selection of dishes. Turn on ration number seven; it should satisfy two men completely."

Dutch chuckled, "Seven? The Emperor's birthday?"

"Or the start of a combat operation. What ship did you use to get here, Kay?"

"Ours. It's in orbit, we landed in a shuttle. Not enough money for a passenger flight."

Kahowski shook her head, either sympathetically or disapprovingly.

"Kay, you disappoint me. A professional of your level can't earn enough for tickets?"

"The work on Jienakh is too dirty for me. And I typically end up wanting to shoot my own client."

Rachelle started taking plates out of the oven. The delicate china seemed incongruous with the barrack-like furnishings.

"This is where I went against my memories," Wanda was clearly sensing their mood. "What can you do, I like fine china… Rachelle, there's wine in the living room minibar. Bring Night of Desires… a frivolous name, but such palate…"

"Does the Colonel always order you around like that?" Dutch asked as Rachelle started to leave. She stopped and smiled so joyfully that Kay wanted to look away.

"No, just today—"

"My God, just go! Stop staring at the old scoundrel!" the old woman shouted in a high pitch. Rachelle fluttered out of the dining room.

"Why did you expose me to her?" Wanda asked, instantly changing her tone. Tommy, who was standing at the corner of the table, shuddered.

There was death in Fiscalocci-Kahowski's voice.

"We're going to need people, Colonel," Kay replied calmly. "Rachelle is a capable girl, she'll do. She should know everything."

"What do you mean, everything? Why will we need her? Are you deciding something for me, Altos?.. damn it… Dutch!"

"I just have no doubt about what you're going to decide," Kay said peaceably. "And Rachelle is a very clever girl, and in good shape, as far as I can tell…"

"You're a bastard! That girl has had a crush on you for the last four years! And don't tell me that you can't see that… shit! You're trying to get her involved in your damned games? Is there anything human left in you?"

"Shit," Kay replied, lifting his gaze.

Kahowski was silent for a moment. Then she burst into a high-pitched, choking laughter.

"Dutch… son of a bitch… I can barely move, and you're making me laugh… I'm about to fall apart…"

"Madam Colonel, I have no intention of involving the girl in anything," Kay said quietly. "But I want her to hear everything, even as an arbiter."

"Rachelle?" Wanda laughed again, but quieter this time. "If you tell her that you're planning on assassinating the Emperor during the Prostration, then she'll agree to reload the guns…"

Tommy, who'd already gotten relaxed and gotten bored, snorted and tried to hide a smile. Kahowski glanced at him, and her face grew hard.

"I think others will be reloading the guns," Kay shrugged. "Are you telling me you won't be able to find me some cannon fodder, Colonel?"