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 4

Lemak poured himself some gin. Then he downed it in one go.

"What can you tell me, Arthur?"

"Nothing, Admiral," Curtis Jr. looked paler than usual, but his voice remained firm. "All the explanations will be given to the Emperor."

Vyacheslav Shegal, who was sitting nearby, did not take part in the conversation. In his opinion, Arthur was a tougher nut to crack than Tommy. But he was also the better candidate for the role of the new master of aTan.

"That young man is your exact copy. The genetic analysis is not yet finished, but I'm certain of the results."

"Yes. He's my copy."

"Smart ass," Lemak couldn't stop himself from feeling a sense of pleasure. "So who did my people interrogate, him or you?"

"Me."

"Well, I guess we're going to restore the balance."

"As the Emperor's representative—"

"I don't give a shit about your authority!" Lemak went right up to him, happy to be feeling confident again. "Your clone, or whoever he is, took part in the attempt on Gray! You're under suspicion, understand?"

"You bet."

"I'll squeeze the truth out of them during the jump…" Lemak smiled. "And I'll find out if I should start on you as well."

"Just try it!" Arthur exclaimed furiously. "You use aTan quite often, don't you, Admiral!?"

"Precisely, kid!"

"Gentlemen, gentlemen!" Shegal waved his arms without rising from the couch. "Calm down! Both of you are wrong. Arthur hasn't been accused of anything yet, and it's not in the traditions of aTan to reproach its clients…"

Both the Admiral and Arthur fell silent.

"Karl, will you allow me to speak with Arthur alone?"

Lemak nodded reluctantly.

"Thank you, Admiral. Fifteen minutes, no more."

The Admiral pointedly looked at the clock, "I'm going to take a walk to the officers' bar, Vyacheslav. I could use a few more drinks."

After Lemak's departure, Shegal's gaze switched to Mohammadi, who was standing motionless against a wall.

"What about our honorable mechanist? Is she higher than the Admiral? Does she wish to be present at our conversation?"

"Bodyguards have the right to be present during any conversation!"

"Arthur, I want to speak with you alone. Tell her to leave… no, wait."

With an unhurried, bored gesture, Shegal rose and went up to Marjan.

"All right, I have a suggestion. Young lady, you're going to join your old friend."

Mohammadi was silent.

"I don't like servants who are far too loyal," Shegal went on dryly. "Hand over your sidearm and go. I'm rescinding your right to carry a weapon."

"Marjan, obey him," Arthur said with some difficulty. The mechanist threw a disdainful glance in his direction. She unstrapped the holster from her belt and dropped it to the floor.

"Your nerves aren't made of steel… unlike your flesh," Shegal noted.

Without saying a word, Mohammadi left.

"You have strange tastes, kid," Shegal kicked the holster under the table. "I understand those who like to be protected… like your father. But those who like to be an appendage to their own security… Do you recognize me, at least?"

"Layon," Arthur said, not looking at Shegal. "You left through aTan back then."

"Precisely. Life is strange that way, people meet in the most unexpected places. Thanks for aTan, by the way."

"Use it in good health."

"By the way, do you know the technical details of aTan systems? Think about it, while I pour us some drinks."

"I do," Arthur sat behind the desk, in Lemak's chair. "Everyone wants aTan from me."

"Everyone wants power and safety. You possess their symbol. Oh, we can speak freely here. I have a screening device."

"What should we speak about?"

"Kid, I have genuine fondness for you," Shegal placed a glass in front of him, right on a sheet of paper with unfinished text. "You did very well on Layon. You know how to put people in their place… although something isn't right with the mechanist. But you have special reasons for that, right?" he winked.

"Right."

"All right, we're well on the way to a friendly conversation. Arthur, how do you feel about your father's Line of Dreams project?"

"It's a waste of time and effort."

"I would use stronger terms, Arthur. It's the death of the Empire."

"You should talk to Kay about that. He has the same opinion."

"The same opinion, but not the same methods. Your former friend thought he could kill the old Emperor and calm van Curtis down. To give him a chance to rule and to feel responsible for humanity. But your father isn't going to stop, is he? The Line of Dreams has become his new favorite toy."

"So you want to eliminate my dad."

"Honestly? Yes. I could engage in a long and complicated conversation, push you towards this idea… but why? I have other options now."

Arthur took a sip of wine from the glass.

"Well then. First, kid, you can make the aTan systems work. I'm certain that anyone with Curtis's DNA can become that missing piece that any imitator lacks."

Curtis Jr. threw Shegal a sideways glance.

"Second, you've grown up. But you're never going to achieve anything. Your father is immortal, so you're an eternal prince."

"You really are a lot like Kay."

"Third, it'd not necessary to kill van Curtis, if you wish to keep your hands clean. A comfortable but reliable exile is not the worst fate in our imperfect world. As an option, we can force him to use his own toy, the Line of Dreams. Let him be happy there, while you are happy here. The Emperor is satisfied with the status quo and the special status of the aTan Corporation. Be on top, and don't try to shake the world."

"The world is shaken by those who have been trampled into dirt. Those atop Olympus can only throw bolts of lightning."

"Don't try to change the subject. Fourth, if what I've just said doesn't work for you, you can share your father's fate."

"What about immortality?"

"It's very simple. Dutch's strange little friend, whose origins our brave Admiral wishes to figure out so much. He's a criminal. He knows he's doomed. But the Emperor might pardon him and even lift him up to take control of aTan. Do you think he's going to refuse?"

Arthur shook his head.

"Excellent. Now, since you know the options and have heard all the pros, you can tell me the cons."

"I agree."

Shegal's glass froze halfway to his lips.

"I accept your offer," Arthur repeated. "aTan will remain operational, the Line of Dreams will be destroyed, and my father will be exiled."

"Well… it's an excellent and quick choice," Shegal gave a forced laugh.

"But I have one condition."

"Go ahead."

"Kay Dutch and Tommy must be eliminated."

Shegal stared at Arthur with the squeamish curiosity of someone who had just seen a snake shed its skin for the first time.

"This condition is non-negotiable."

"Okay. I assume Dutch doesn't have aTan these days?"

"I assume so."

"What about Tommy?"

"It's impossible to shut off his aTan without shutting off mine. But you don't have to worry about that, Shegal."

Arthur leaned back in the chair, made himself comfortable, then grabbed the glass roughly, splashing the wine on Lemak's papers.

"You see, Clinch Commander, I, of course, know how to kill immortals."