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

The first interrogation was just for show. The investigator was diligently trying to seem impassive, and Kay and Tommy did the same. Standard questions about their origins, and mostly honest answers. Kay Dutch from Shedar II, Tommy Arano from Kailis, why not? More comprehensive questions about the "crime against Humanity": a detailed tale about involving Wanda Kahowski in making an attempt on the Emperor, motivated by personal dislike, the blackmail and threats against Rachelle Haney…

The time for truth would come later, Kay knew that. Pumped full of drugs and subjected to the "third degree", he'd tell them everything. He would give up Seiker and describe the way to Grail. He would speak of God and fate, of what Curtis was giving to humanity… He would speak the truth, but they wouldn't believe him.

The first interrogation only served one purpose: to expose lies in their statements and to find sufficient cause to employ torture. Kay could have discoursed that the Terran moon was made of green cheese or shouted out the multiplication tables, and they still would have found sufficient cause.

They were led away from the investigator, who had earned his honest pay. Based on the distant hum of the generators, the ship had already made the jump… probably not for Tauri, though; the Emperor had already resumed the Prostration, and the next destination on the list was Gorra. It was a sad irony, for they were being taken to a place they'd managed to flee.

"Are we going to be fed?" Kay inquired on the way. The escorts didn't reply, as it wasn't a part of their task. Lemak had assigned real professionals to this duty.

Of course, they wouldn't go hungry. When the clock on the cell wall showed 1900 ship's time, a tiny opening in the wall of the cell spat out two plastic-wrapped rations.

"Eat well," Dutch advised Tommy. "You won't have an appetite in the morning."

When seeing his uncomprehending expression, he explained, "They're going to interrogate us tonight. It will be more serious. So gather your strength… enjoy your meal."

Arthur Curtis stood in front of the officer in charge of the brig. His face seemed familiar, but Arthur couldn't remember how. The elderly fleet security major felt the same… but he also couldn't connect the boy who had been in custody at Dogar's orbital base and the young captain with the Emperor's special authority.

"Here is Lemak's permission. What else do you need?"

"The prisoners are extremely dangerous, Captain… I'll assign you some guards."

"My personal bodyguard is enough."

The Major glanced at the mechanist. She looked impressive… no matter how dangerous Dutch was.

"All right. They're under constant surveillance, so help will come if necessary."

By the time Arthur and his bodyguard had entered the cell, the Major was already sitting in front of the screen. He needed a moment to gauge the reaction of the prisoners and a little longer to ignore the difference in clothing and compare the faces of Arthur and Tommy.

"Shit… they're twins!"

Immensely pleased by his observation, he bored into the screen with his eyes.

Kay Dutch was looking at Arthur.

Four years, a scary time for a teenager. Curtis Jr. hadn't changed for the better.

Perhaps he was still tougher than Tommy. And he wore the uniform of an Imperial captain with the elegance few could match.

But Kay was staring into Arthur's eyes.

Into the fear and pain that lay very close, under the angry pride of the heir to the aTan empire.

"What has happened to you, Artie," he whispered, rising.

There was a blur of motion, and the mechanist woman with the silver face stood between them.

"Don't move, Kay," she warned coldly.

It was unlikely that anything else could have surprised Dutch that much. The world had long ago stopped being a collection of prepared truths for a boy born for the quiet work of a brilliant translator.

Mohammadi in the role of Arthur's bodyguard, his own role, was an incomprehensible event.

"Arthur!" Tommy's voice brought him back from his momentary shock. The young man jumped to his feet and moved towards Curtis Jr., only to be stopped, just like Kay, by the mechanist's warning movement.

"Step aside, Marjan," Kay said, looking at Arthur. "Your concern is sometimes obsessive and excessive."

The mechanist took a step back.

"Artie!"

Curtis Jr.'s eyes shot up in a painfully familiar manner.

"Are you all right?"

"I am… Sir Kay. I can't say the same about you. Hi."

"It's been a bad year. Hi."

Tommy's hand reached out towards Arthur. Curtis Jr. shook it, smiling to that half of him that had learned about the world in the slums of Kailis.

"The Emperor asked me to find you, Kay."

"I've figured that out," Dutch said slowly. "In order to intercept us, they had to know our course… and me."

"I couldn't help it."

"No need to explain yourself, Artie. I'm still happy to see you."

Mohammadi twitched, momentarily losing her likeness to a living statue.

"I'm afraid this isn't going to last long, Kay."

"I thought that the Emperor would want to see his failed killers."

"Yeah, so does he."

"Shegal?"

Arthur nodded.

"He's very much like your father," Dutch said. Arthur looked at Kay in confusion. "Also Lady Luck's favorite. God's too. Although on a different plane."

"Never known you to flatter your enemies," Mohammadi exclaimed suddenly. "Is Dutch now afraid of death?"

"You should really dismiss your guard," Kay said with a tone of disgust. "Did you understand me, Artie?"

"I think so."

"Give him to me," the mechanist said sharply. "Give him to me when his times comes."

"Would you like me to rip your other ear off?" Kay inquired.

Marjan jerked towards him, but Arthur stepped in front of her, blocking Dutch. He spoke coldly, "You forget yourself."

The mechanist stopped. Arthur turned to Dutch again.

"I can't stay here long. If you want to ask me for something, do it now."

"A pair of blasters and heavy powered armor."

Arthur returned his smile.

"Do you really think that's going to be enough?"

"I'm used to content with little."

"I'll have them bring you some wine. That's also a nice little thing."

Kay nodded.

"Then answer one more question for me, Artie. How did you live all these years?"

"All right."

"What happened to you, my boy?"

Curtis Jr. turned to Kay. He studied him for several brief seconds. Those moments had probably told him something very important.

"I saw the sky, Kay."

Mohammadi placed a hand on his shoulder, "We have to go."

"I'd like that too, Artie," Kay said, ignoring the mechanist.

"Be happy that you didn't reach it, Kay…" Marjan was almost pushing Arthur towards the exit, but he kept on talking. "You got lucky, Kay! Lucky! Goodbye, Tommy!"

The wall parted and then closed shut, leaving the two of them alone.

"Bitch…" Kay whispered. "Silver bitch… I'm such an idiot…"

"What's wrong with him, Kay?" Tommy had to shout to get a reaction out of Kay.

"He saw the sky, Tommy."

"I don't understand!"

"Arthur went through the Door along with your father. But why did we decide that he would see the same thing?!"

"What did he see, Dutch?" Tommy asked after a pause.

"I'm scared to even think about it."