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 9
Vyacheslav Shegal was in uniform, which was a rare occasion. The guards escorted him into the inner courtyard of the Presidential Palace, overgrown with blossoming cherry trees. It was quiet there, and a sweet smell permeated the air. The Emperor was sitting on a mossy granite boulder next to a small pond.
"Oh, I see you're ready to report in all due form…" Gray looked at Shegal good-naturedly. "Relax…"
"Emperor, I am pleased to see you in good health."
"Forget it, Slavik. Just another foolish attempt to kill me; it's not a reason to talk."
Shegal nodded.
"Where did you fly in from?"
"Endoria, my Emperor. There was no particular reason where to infiltrate… so I chose your home planet."
"Thank you," Gray lowered his hand into a box sitting on the ground. He took out a handful of bright colorful flakes and threw them into the water. "So then, in just two weeks, you have managed to infiltrate aTan and discover Curtis's plans?"
"I have, my Emperor."
"Incredible. So what will you tell me about 'The Line of Dreams'?" Gray turned, staring at Vyacheslav with a smile.
Perhaps for the first time in a century, the Emperor saw his best operative at a loss.
"My Emperor…"
"Report."
Shegal was silent for a moment, as if adjusting his prepared report to account for the fact that Gray already knew about "The Line of Dreams".
"Curtis van Curtis has gotten his hands on a new technology called 'The Line of Dreams'. This device…" Shegal broke off, "is a reality variator."
Gray frowned.
"There is an infinite number of realities," Shegal went on. "Starting with those where the differences from our world are minimal, and ending with the universes where humanity has never encountered aliens… or has been conquered during the Vague War. The Line of Dreams scans the client's mind and determines the reality that corresponds to all his desires, even those that are secret and unconscious. Then the person is transported to that world."
"This is insane," Gray said abruptly.
"It's real."
"What does Curtis want with such a device? Is he not happy in our world? Does he want to leave it?"
"He will take humans out of it. Whomever he can."
Gray stood. He kicked the box with fish food, causing a rainbow of colorful flakes to scatter into the pond.
"That bastard," Gray said quietly.
"We need to stop him, Emperor."
"How, Slavik?" The Emperor went up to the Clinch Commander. "Do you know how to kill an immortal?"
"We need to destroy all the aTan facilities. Declare immortality illegal. Emperor, you have the power to do that."
"I…" Gray frowned. His voice shook when he spoke next. "This world is mine…"
"Emperor?"
"I will order…" Gray rubbed his temples. "Slavik, no one will obey me. Do you understand? I've played the game of the separation of powers, of the balance of power for too long. The Empire doesn't survive because of its unity, it survives because of its diversity. My power is not based on fear, but on the mutual benefit of rulers at various levels. Imagine me ordering hundred-year-old officers, who had gone through two or three aTans, to destroy Curtis's company. What's going to happen?"
Shegal lowered his eyes.
"A rebellion," Gray said evenly. "Curtis doesn't have power, he has much more than that. Invulnerability. He's hated by crowds incapable of earning enough money for immortality, his prices are cursed by aTan users. But any soldier who enlists into the military in the hopes of making enough money for eternal life is more likely to tear my throat out than allow even a single hair to fall off Curtis's head."
"The Empire will die," Shegal whispered.
"Yes, unless Curtis changes his mind."
They were silent for a long time. Then Gray glanced at his watch.
"Curtis van Curtis has a press conference tonight. I assume he is going to announce his plans."
"My Emperor, Shield is at your disposal."
"The press conference has already started. No need to hurry now. I'll try to find you a different use…" Gray fell silent. "Commander Shegal, do you know the details of the failed attempt?"
"Only what is available on the official channels."
"An agent of influence tried to manipulate my psyche, trying to convince me that this entire world is a figment of my imagination. A dream come alive. Very reminiscent of 'The Line of Dreams', isn't it?"
Their eyes met.
"Curtis?" Shegal half-asked and half-stated.
"I don't know. But I want to. I don't believe in coincidences."
"If Curtis is the one behind the attempt, then we have a chance to discredit him."
"Find out. Admiral Lemak is leading the pursuit. His ships have already jumped, but you can catch up to them."
"Very well, Emperor."
"Your authority will supersede Lemak's. It seems we're not dealing with a mere terrorist."
"Has his name been uncovered?"
"Kay Dutch, evacuated from Shedar when he was little. He usually uses the last names Altos or Ovald… but his first name stays the same."
"I know Kay Ovald. Both of us were in the Darlok prison."
Gray burst out in a choking, coughing laugh.
"Everyone, everyone knows Kay… He was the bodyguard of Curtis's son. He kicked Lemak in the butt by rescuing Arthur Curtis, who'd been imprisoned on his base station. An interesting individual."
"The boy who was with him in the Darlok prison was Arthur Curtis?"
"Looks like it. How did they get out?"
"I don't know. I left through aTan, while he stayed behind to cover me. Half an hour later, the planet was attacked by the Silicoids."
"Find him, Shegal."
The Clinch Commander nodded.
"Wait. One more thing… Arthur Curtis is with Lemak. I've made him my envoy. Bring them both. Arthur can, most likely, control aTan systems. If he's ambitious enough… does it really matter which Curtis gives us immortality?"
"Van Curtis made a mistake by having children," Shegal nodded. "But will Arthur agree to take his father's place?"
"He won't have a choice," Gray chuckled. "Not if you bring him along with Kay."