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 5

Sayelah was sitting, pressing himself tightly against Jaires. To humans, if they accidentally peered into the Mrrshan common room, it would have looked like an intimate encounter between mating partners. But the excitement gripping the male and the male-prime had nothing to do with sex.

"It will be unpleasant if you are mistaken, Sayelah."

"I accept your rebuke, Jaires. But imagine the benefits of success."

Jaires produced a wheezing sound. No matter what the female rulers of the Territories ended up doing with the captured terrorists, either turning them over to humans or using them in their own political games, the two brave Mrrshan men would receive great honors.

"If there is a mistake, Sayelah?"

"We will do everything carefully, Jaires."

The male Mrrshan was a little fond of Sayelah. Perhaps, if both of them rose in status, he would choose him as his steady mating partner…

"I agree with you…" Jaires bit Sayelah's ear lightly. "You are cunning and smart."

Sayelah bared his teeth in a smile. He turned his head, releasing him from the inappropriate caress.

"But they are dangerous, Jaires. Remember."

"I always remember that," Jaires bit Sayelah once more. This time, the latter responded with a low approving purr.

"We will be free to choose our partners," Jaires went on. Spoken by a male three ranks above Sayelah, it was a flattering promise indeed.

"Thank you, Jaires…" Sayelah slid his hand along the wall that was doing a good job imitating the compacted soil of a burrow home. "I will be pleased by your attention."

The floor was covered in rugs, if the skins of some small critters sewn into a banner could be called that. Jassan and Kay lay on them, while Tommy preferred to remain crouched. Mrrshan etiquette was far too complex for him to risk doing something without a hint from Kay.

The wine had been brought in huge glass jugs. The sparkling blue liquid was warm, and the smell of alcohol wafted through the room. Small pieces of spicy dried meat on a platter served as snacks.

"I fermented the wine myself," Jassan said. "I knew that my friend would return one day."

Taking a gulp straight from the jug, Kay nodded.

"Excellent wine. Do you still own vineyards at the equator?"

"I do, my friend."

"Does animal smuggling bring you profit?"

"Very little, Kay. I am thinking about getting into slave trade."

"A profitable business."

"It is difficult. My age is great, Kay…"

"Have you not earned aTan?"

"Unfortunately not, Kay. I think that, if I were to hand you over to the rulers of the Territories, I would get that right. A little poison in your wine, and you would become weak, killer."

"Well then, we always have to sacrifice something."

"Unfortunately, yes… Be strong and happy, Kay…"

Dutch and Jassan exchanged their unfinished jugs.

"Do you believe in God?" Kay inquired.

"You know that we are atheists, my young friend."

"You're atheists? How interesting," Dutch sipped the wine, then sharply handed it to Jassan's son, who was standing motionless in the corner. "Warm it up… I discovered that God does indeed exist."

"That is your God," Jassan noted.

"Yes, that is true…" Kay laughed. "You have no idea how right you are. But it is unfortunate that you do not believe in God."

"You would do well to consult the Alkari about that."

"I have already done that. By the way, Jassan, all of Alkari space will soon vanish from our reality. They are leaving the universe."

"This is good information," the Mrrshan's cheeks puffed, his eyes narrowed, glinting in the gloom. "It may give me the right to aTan."

"I am pleased."

"To your health, Kay."

Tommy, who was slowly sipping on his wine, had already stopped being surprised by anything. Even fear had left him. Jassan was probably not going to betray them… in any case, the first glass of wine had dampened his concerns. Young blue Mrrshan wine was a strange beverage. It gave one ease of mind, euphoria, and simultaneously wound the body as tightly as a steel spring. The visit to Fieras now looked like an excellent idea, and the overgrown fox named Jassan seemed to be a wise and noble being.

"Jassan…" Tommy began.

Kay and the Mrrshan turned to him.

"Are there other humans as close to the Mrrshans as Dutch?"

"No," Jassan replied firmly. "Would you like to know why, my friend's semmato?"

"Yes…"

"He is not trying to love us. He is simply trying to understand. No one needs alien love, not humans, not Bulrathi, and not Mrrshans. Understanding, that is what is lacking in the world. Understanding and the desire to understand. I have lived among humans for many years, entertained them, risked my life, all in my desire to understand… Have I answered?"

Tommy nodded.

"He is not as well-mannered as he ought to be," Kay said, patting the Mrrshan on the shoulder. "But he is good. He has a chance."

"The youth has grown worse everywhere, both in the Empire and in the Territories," the Mrrshan produced a very human sigh. "So you do not need help?"

"No. Just wine and conversation, while my ship is being refueled. Then I will go to see God."

"Well then, good luck in your search for the nonexistent. Wine, mesmato!"

The silent Mrrshan youth served them new jugs.