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 8

Far from Gorra, outside the sensor range of the orbital bases, a former Imperial destroyer, and now the pleasure yacht of the Mother of the Family, heaved to.

Lyka Seiker and Kay Dutch were standing in front of the navigation screen. Dutch was calculating the course himself… and Lyka had decided not to offer the services of her own navigator.

"We'll need refueling," Dutch said. "Either on Rukh or on Fieras."

"I doubt the Imperial enclave is safer than Rukh," Seiker noted. "More likely, with a probability of sixty-five percent—"

"Forget your calculations, Lyka. Lemak is leading the pursuit, right?"

"According to the Emperor's address, yes."

"He has old scores to settle with the Mrrshans. He won't go to Fieras."

"Perhaps. But ISS offices in enclaves are always more wary of transit ships…"

"I'll decide on the way, Lyka."

Seiker accepted that.

"Have you thought about identification?"

"Yes. Any name, about forty years of age, working as a traveling salesman, selling farm equipment. No need for plastic surgery, gel masks will do fine. Tommy will be my apprentice, it's a common practice in small companies. Kailis citizenship, since both of us are familiar with that planet."

"Keep in mind that I won't be able to provide a foundation for the papers. Any serious background check will expose the fake."

"I understand. But I don't need more than a day for refueling."

"I'd say six hours… unless you have plans to taste new wines in bars."

"A traveling salesman who wishes to leave Fieras during the wine bottling period is going to look suspicious. Trust me, their spaceports are packed to capacity right now. Their ISS has plenty to do. They won't be able to check anything in a day, even if they wanted to."

"Up to you…" Seiker fell silent. "I would like to give you a good ship, like this one, for example. But the only thing they'll never be able to identify is a Grasshopper."

Dutch nodded. Hundreds of thousands of small Grasshopper-class boats were being produced on dozens of planets. Meant for in-system flights, they nevertheless came equipped with a hyperdrive… with enough fuel for a single jump. Once, the Empire had fully endorsed their production, since it was believed that, in case of war, the population would be able to evacuate to nearby worlds without help. Now, in the time of peace and human military strength, there was no need for that. But the ships were still being produced. They were very cheap, surprisingly reliable, and many small businesses used them as company cars for the rank-and-file employees.

"Specify Julianna as the final destination," Kay asked. "Fieras will be a logical refueling point, since ships flying to Grail may already be under surveillance."

"So Fieras then," Lyka shook her head. "I don't like that idea, Kay."

"Then just pretend that I'd like to have a glass of nice wine before the end."

"It's your path, Kay. All right."

She flicked the console's power switch, not bothering to save the plotted course. There had to be no trace of the calculations left in the computer.

"Why is it I'm helping you again, Dutch?"

"For humanity's sake."

"No. Just like you're not going to Grail for humanity's sake."

"An interesting idea," Kay lifted his gaze. "Why then?"

Seiker just smiled and shook her head.

The prison cell seemed comfortable. Rachelle wasn't happy about that, since the nearly domestic surroundings only served to underscore the importance of her imprisonment.

A detective was speaking to her for the second time that day. Rachelle caught herself feeling almost glad at his arrival and got angry.

His polite tone and gentle mannerisms were a trap. Everything was a trap. The half-open window of the cell, beyond which she could see a garden (except that a wind was incapable of punching through the force field barrier), the expensive furniture, the nice TV screen, which was showing the same subject being discussed on every news program, all this was a trap.

"We do understand what happened," the detective said. He was dressed as a civilian, young (at least his appearance was), and extremely charming. "Two bad people set you up. Used you… well, used your sister. And then cast you aside and fled the planet."

Rachelle was silent.

"Mrs. Fiscalocci is dead," the detective went on thoughtfully. "Do you think she was pressured by Kay?"

"No."

The detective perked up.

"You can help us understand what happened, young lady. You're a victim too, and the court will keep that in mind. Do you understand?"

"No. You won't understand."

"Why not? I want to help you, Rachelle. We all want to help you. Tauri is shocked by what happened…"

Rachelle merely smiled, turning to the screen. On it, Oleg Sinitsyn, the famous reporter of the planetary channel, was barely able to restrain himself, "These days, the word 'Tauri' is on the lips of everyone in the galaxy. The sinister attempt on the Emperor, successfully averted by the ISS, has become the most fashionable news of the season. Each day, three tourist liners are heading our way. Hotel owners are seriously considering raising their rates and building additional wings…"

The detective grimaced. His handsome face immediately lost its luster.

"Young lady, I can only ask you for your help… do you understand?"

Rachelle nodded.

"But everything changes. There's no statute of limitations on this. You're going to be sixteen soon, when you will get all the rights of a citizen… and all the responsibilities. Your birthday might end up being a very sad one."

"You wouldn't understand… well, you wouldn't believe me."

"Why not?"

"Do you love me?" Rachelle answered with a question.

The detective choked, "Well, you know… In as much as a man must love his neighbor."

"No, that's not it at all," Rachelle said seriously. "Do you see? Not that at all. You can only believe someone if you love them."

"Well then, I'll try to love you," the detective gave her a weak smile.

"You can't," Rachelle shook her head. "You're on duty."

"You're going to have a very sad birthday," the detective said after a pause.