Chapter Two

 

President Atrashka looked up from the multitude of vidrecords and data wands strewn across his polished ebony desk as his assistant burst into his office, flapping his hands.

"Sir! Sir, there's a..." The gangly, balding man gulped, looking hunted.

"A what?" Atrashka demanded. "Spit it out, man, I hate guessing games."

"A..." The assistant tapped a keypad on the Myon Two president's desk. The vidscreen on the far wall came to life, and an announcer spoke in a rapid, alarmed tone. The image that appeared was of a colossal blood-red ship going into orbit over Myon Two's pearly globe, other ships darting away from it.

The assistant waved at the screen. "An Overlord, Sir."

Atrashka stared at it, his stomach clenched. "The Red Death. Oh, god, what has some fool done to piss off Overlord Fairen now?"

"It's the Scorpion Lord, sir, the same one who -"

"I know. Dammit! Get my best suit, hurry!"

The man ran to the walk-in vry wood wardrobe and rummaged in it as Atrashka stripped off his shirt, listening to the announcer.

"...Just seven months ago, the Scorpion Lord threatened to destroy Myon Two if his friend was not found. Now he's back, and speculation is rife as to his reasons this time. Most feel that the Cyber Centre is to blame, and are calling for an investigation into the goings on there. President Atrashka will be summoned to face Overlord Fairen momentarily, we expect, and once more will have to endure the wrath of the most feared Overlord of all, known as the Red Death..."

Atrashka switched the screen off. His assistant hurried over, clutching a clean white shirt, blue and gold-striped tie and dark blue suit, which Atrashka snatched from him and pulled on.

 

****

 

Fairen gazed at the pale planet, his brow furrowed. Ships fled from orbits nearby, moving into space to wait. They were forbidden to leave the vicinity while an Overlord was there, but clearly wished to put as much distance between themselves and the Scorpion Ship as they could. Any ship attempting to leave would be destroyed, and they knew it.

"Fear," Fairen murmured. "That's how we rule. Look at them, scuttling like rats from a light, riddled with guilt. I despise them more and more."

"Only the guilty fear you. The Thaytans love you."

"True. Thaytans are good people, contented and peaceful, artistic and gentle. But if they transgressed and were punished, they would fear us too."

"Then they would have reason to, and good people don't commit crimes."

Fairen sighed, nodding. "My visit to Thayta was the first time an Overlord has gone there."

"Then you shouldn't feel bad that Myon Two fears you. They brought it on themselves."

"A few of them."

"Then they must police their people better."

Fairen pulled a face and turned away. "People are devious. Shrain, summon President Atrashka, Cyber Host Research Department Head Jorran, and Host Researcher Rond."

Shrain nodded, tapping his com-link. "At once, My Lord."

"Send for the enforcer commanders, and Sabre's companions."

"Yes, My Lord."

Fairen stepped onto the shallow dais and pulled on his veiled hood. Adjusting the voice distorter in front of his mouth, he sat on his gold-ornamented onyx throne. Sabre went over to stand next to the dais, glancing at Vorn, who stood in the shadows behind Fairen. The four pedestal-mounted torches around the dais burst into flame and the floating globes and curtain back lighting dimmed, increasing the echoing chamber’s sinister air.

Atrashka arrived first; the guards marched him in and made him stand on one side of the room, where he fidgeted, tugged at his collar and sweated. When the six enforcer commanders were brought in, Atrashka stared at them with wide, horrified eyes. Kole and the two techs entered next. They approached Sabre, eyeing the Myonars. Finally Jorran and Rond arrived, looking dishevelled and scared. They were brought to stand before Fairen, and bowed low, their eyes darting. Jorran spotted Sabre and gaped at him.

Fairen sat motionless for a full two minutes, giving everyone ample time to absorb the enormity of their crimes and contemplate the possible consequences. Jorran gulped and sweated, Rond cast pleading looks at Estrelle and Martis. Atrashka looked sick and the enforcers stood rigid, their eyes glazed.

Fairen raised his head. "Judgement."

The voice distorter made his tone low and menacing, and the word boomed around the room, jerking everyone's attention to him. Atrashka closed his eyes, looking ready to pass out. Jorran shifted as if he wanted to bolt. Fairen waved a hand in a slow, graceful gesture, and Sabre smiled, admiring the boy's poise and sense of the theatrical.

"You are here for judgement," Fairen said. "You have transgressed against me. The penalty is death. The most senior enforcer commander may approach."

A silver-haired, distinguished-looking man stepped forward and bowed. "My Lord."

"Who ordered you to hunt the cyber you were told was stolen?"

"Department Head Jorran, My Lord."

"The same man who stands before me now?"

"Yes, My Lord."

Fairen waved a hand. "Step back." He turned his head. "President Atrashka, approach."

Atrashka tottered closer with jerky steps, his face stiff, and bowed. "My Lord."

Fairen stood up and wandered to the edge of the dais. "You fear me."

"Last time, you threatened to destroy Myon Two."

"I did. I may do so again, if it pleases me. You object?"

"No, My Lord."

Fairen tilted his head. "I am an Overlord, Atrashka. Has that fact escaped you?"

"No, My Lord."

"Yet it seems to have eluded some of your minions. Did I, or did I not, forbid you to hunt the former cyber known as Sabre?"

"You did, My Lord, and I swear -"

Fairen raised a hand. "Do not swear. Your minions disobeyed me. Sabre was captured and taken to your laboratories, right here on Myon Two. Right under your nose. You were unaware?"

"I was, absolutely!"

"You are a pathetic excuse for a president, Atrashka . You are a puppet. You speak the truth because you are woefully ignorant, which is the way those who engineered this betrayal want you. You will resign."

Atrashka nodded, sagging. "Gladly, My Lord."

"Step back."

Atrashka retreated to his place beside the enforcers, mopped his brow and shook with relief. Fairen turned to Rond, who stiffened as if someone had stuck a red-hot poker up his backside, his eyes wide.

"Host Researcher Rond Delra," Fairen murmured. "What do you do in your laboratory?"

"I - we study cyber hosts. Try to improve them."

"What does this entail?"

"Finding ways to immunise them to all drugs, poisons and diseases, researching new drugs to enhance their abilities -"

"Intriguing." Fairen tilted his head. "Do you work for Jorran Parmal?"

"Yes, My Lord."

"And did he intend to use drugs to damage Sabre's brain?"

Rond nodded. "Yes, My Lord."

"And how did you feel about this?"

"I - I hated it, My Lord. It-it was wrong."

Fairen stepped closer, bowing his head, then nodded. "The truth. So, given the chance, you would have helped Sabre to escape?"

"Yes My Lord! I - They didn't ask for my help."

Fairen turned away. "Release him."

The guards ushered Rond, who almost wept with relief, out, and the doors shut behind him. Fairen wandered past the throne and made a complete circuit of the dais before he stopped in front of Jorran.

"Host Research Department Head Jorran Parmal."

Jorran looked up, blinking. "Yes, My Lord."

"Did you intend to cause damage to Sabre's brain?"

Jorran glanced at the cyber. "Yes, but I... He was dangerous, My Lord. He killed two of my fellow scientists. One was the head of the department before -"

"Is that supposed to be an excuse, or a good reason?"

"A good reason, I thought."

"You thought,” Fairen said. “You knew he was fully aware, and free of cyber control. That was why he was able to defend himself when you tortured him, not so?"

"Yes, but he was not supposed to be. His control unit is defective, so he couldn't be returned to cyber control."

Fairen cocked his head. "Spare me your reasoning. Did you know that Sabre is my friend, and under my protection?"

"No, My Lord."

"So, you care nothing for the suffering of another human being."

"He's a cyber host, My Lord."

"And what does that make him, in your eyes?" Fairen asked.

"A clone. He's not supposed to be able to think. He's a device."

"Yet he can think, and feel. What is he?"

"A cyber host."

"What is a cyber host?"

Jorran gulped. "A clone."

"Now we are going around in circles. What is a clone, Jorran, and don't tell me a cyber host."

"A copy of a man who died a long time ago."

"A man."

"He's a clone of a man."

Fairen said, "The only difference between him and you is that you are the result of the combination of two people's DNA, while he is a copy of one person's DNA. But in your mind, he's inferior, merely a biological tool to be used by a machine."

"Yes, My Lord."

"Do you know that all cyber hosts are aware?"

Jorran nodded. "Yes, My Lord. But I just do my job. I didn't invent them."

"But you feel no pity for them. No guilt for their suffering."

"I need my job."

Fairen turned away, shaking his head. "Give me the name of the man who ordered you to experiment on Sabre."

"Department Head Parvan Vorgid, on Bental Seven."

Fairen addressed the air. "Bring me this man." He faced Jorran. "Give me the names of the men who captured Sabre on Omega Five."

"I don't know. Parvan would know, maybe."

"Who is Parvan's superior?"

"Cybercorp Head Prello Jardon."

Fairen addressed the air again. "Bring me this man also, and find out the names of the men who were sent to Omega Five. I want them too." The young Overlord looked down at Jorran. "You will be judged."

"My Lord, what have I done wrong? I only do as I'm told. I didn't know he was your friend. He was dangerous! I wanted to ensure the safety of my personnel, and he would have felt no more pain."

"So, it was mercy that made you plan to cause him brain damage?"

"Yes, My Lord."

Sabre snorted, and Fairen swung around. "Sabre. What have you to say?"

The cyber glared at Jorran. "He didn't care if I suffered. I was an annoyance. He wanted to save himself the cost of the security necessary to keep me subdued."

Fairen nodded. "I know. While Jorran has been very careful so far to stick to the truth, and he tried to hide it well, that last answer was a lie." He faced Jorran again. "You cannot lie to an Overlord. You should know that."

"I have been made to feel nothing for them, My Lord. How can I do my job if I pity them?"

"Then you should have found a better job."

Fairen tugged off his right glove and placed it on the throne as the tension rose and Jorran gulped. Fairen walked to the edge of the dias and stretched out his hand towards the Cybercorp department head, who closed his eyes and screwed up his face. The young Overlord stood motionless for only a moment before lowering his hand and rubbing it on his robe.

"You have a mind like a sewer; full of hatred, ambition and malevolence. Touching it makes me feel unclean. I judge you to be guilty."

Jorran sagged, bowed his head and snivelled.

Fairen turned away. "Sabre will choose your punishment."

The cyber looked up. "I choose death."

"Death is the only choice, but how?"

"Let his crime decide his punishment."

Fairen nodded, looking down at Jorran again. "You will be taken from here and burnt with a flamethrower for six minutes, then your mind will be destroyed with drugs. Then you will be put to death."

Jorran sobbed as guards dragged him away, shaking his head in desperate denial. Everyone knew, however, that there was no hope of reprieve from an Overlord’s condemnation. As the door shut behind them, Fairen addressed the air.

"Where are Parvan and Prello?"

"They will be here in eight days, My Lord," Shrain's voice replied.

Fairen sighed, making the veils that hid his face billow. "Very well. We will reconvene in eight days. Accommodate our guests."

The Overlord strode out through the door that led to his private rooms. When Sabre followed, he found the boy leaning against the drinks counter, rubbing his face.

"Are you okay?" Sabre asked.

Fairen shook his head. "His mind was like a foetid pit."

Sabre put his arm around the boy’s shoulders, and Fairen sagged against him with a sigh. After a minute he pulled away, and Sabre ruffled his hair.

"Better?"

"Yes."

"Did you have to judge him?"

"To condemn him, yes."

Sabre poured a thick drink and handed it to Fairen. "Who will carry out Jorran's execution?"

"I have executioners, unless you want to do it?"

"No."

"I didn't think so." Fairen went to the couch and flopped into it. "Now we have to wait. I hope no more emergencies come up."

"Me too. Kole's leaving for Omega Five soon. Any reason why he shouldn't?"

"No, he can go." Fairen sipped his drink. "Are you going to look after the two techs?"

Sabre poured himself a fruit juice and sat on the settee opposite. "I don't know. I really could do without the aggravation, but they did save me."

"Yes. A hard choice. Send them away, and live with the guilt if they're killed, or protect them and suffer the consequences."

"Yeah, I guess I'll have to look after them. Tarl will be pissed off."

Fairen chuckled. "He won't have you all to himself anymore, and you'll have three cyber techs to look after you."

"Oh, I don't think Martis and Estrelle will go out of their way to look after me. They're good people, but... apart from getting me off Myon Two, they haven't helped much since."

The young Overlord looked thoughtful. "They're shallow people, spurred into action by great suffering, but I suspect a large part of their reason for saving you was that they were the ones who would have had to torture you, and they didn't want to do that."

"You're the empath, you should know."

"I'm guessing. I haven't judged them," Fairen said.

"You could keep them here; see if they can find a way to free Vorn."

"You're just trying to fob them off, and it won't work. My people assure me that they've thought of everything, and they're good at what they do. No, they're your responsibility, not mine."

"Estrelle would give her left arm to marry an Overlord."

Fairen reddened. "I'm not looking for a wife, especially one who's ten years older than me."

"She's pretty, though, and you need company."

"Not hers."

"You don't even know her."

Fairen shook his head. "Nor do I want to."

 

****

 

Sabre gazed out of the screens at the glowing, pearly orb of Myon Two. Kole had left seven days ago for Omega Five, a journey that would take him ten days. The cyber had spent the time mostly with Fairen, sparring in the exercise room, talking, playing VR games and watching vidimages. Fortunately, no other emergencies had arisen to force Fairen to leave. Sabre had enjoyed the relaxation, and Fairen had enjoyed the company, but worry about Tassin gnawed at Sabre. He wished there was a quicker way to send her a message so she would stop worrying about him.

Once again they waited for more prisoners to arrive, everyone assembled in their positions around the Scorpion Ship's command centre. Fairen remained in his private rooms, and would join them when the prisoners arrived. The transport ship had docked with Scorpio a few minutes earlier, and footsteps came from the door. Fairen's guards marched twelve men in and stopped them some distance from the dias. A minute later, the four torches around the pedestal burst into flame, the lighting dimmed, and Fairen entered and settled upon his throne. He sat immobile for several long, tense minutes while the silence stretched and Sabre swore he could hear the sweat trickling down the Myonars. Fairen raised a hand and beckoned.

"Host Research Department Head Parvan Vorgid, approach." His deep, distorted voice reverberated around the room.

Parvan shuffled forward and bowed. "My Lord."

Fairen pointed at the ten tough looking enforcers who had accompanied Parvan and Prello. "Are these the men you sent to Omega Five to abduct the former cyber known as Sabre?"

"Yes, My Lord."

"Who told you to send them?"

"Cybercorp Head Prello Gardan, My Lord."

Fairen beckoned to the portly, middle-aged man. "Prello Gardan, approach."

Prello obeyed, his florid face tense. "My Lord."

"Who told you to capture the free cyber?"

"I don't know, My Lord."

Fairen cocked his head. "How can you not know?"

"I received a message, coded as a Myon Two management order, but there was no name on it. It was marked top secret."

"The order came from Myon Two, then?"

"All orders come from Myon Two, My Lord."

Fairen nodded. "Of course they do. My patience grows thin, it really does. All this cloak and dagger foolishness. I want to know who ordered the capture of the free cyber."

"I don't know My Lord, I swear."

The young Overlord gazed at Prello, or at least faced him, since no one could see his eyes, and tapped on the arm of his massive chair. "I tell you what, Prello. I'm not going to judge you now. I'm tired of touching filthy minds. You will find out who sent you that message and bring me his name. You have two months. If you fail, you will be judged. Step back."

Prello bowed and retreated, looking relieved.

Fairen rose, tugging off his left glove. "Parvan, I will judge you now."

"I was just following orders, My Lord!"

"I don't care. I'm tired of excuses, reasons and subterfuges. I will summarily judge and execute all who were involved. If you have the name of the one who gave Prello his order, I will delay judgement."

"I don't know, My Lord, but I've done nothing wrong!"

"Did you know Sabre was my friend?"

Parvan gulped, shaking his head. "I... I heard rumours, but nothing definite, and I couldn't disobey!"

"A lie. You knew, and you disobeyed me, which carries the penalty of death. You would have done far better to have resigned when you received that order, but you carried it out, and, in so doing, condemned yourself. But you thought you could get away with it, didn't you? Someone told you how to remove an Overlord's bracelet. Who was it?"

"Prello, My Lord."

"And someone told Prello, whose name Prello will discover, or share your fate. Did you really think you could abduct and torture an Overlord's friend, and get away with it? Just how arrogant has Myon Two become?"

Parvan bowed his head, wringing his hands. "We thought, without the bracelet -"

"He could not summon me to his aid, I know. You thought Jorran would destroy his mind and silence him forever, or put him back under cyber control. You all plotted against me!" Fairen's voice rose to a shout. He stalked along the edge of the dias, and his voice dropped to a soft, dangerous tone, taking on a rasping edge that made even Sabre's hair bristle.

"I am the Scorpion Lord. Your planet is at my mercy. No one defies an Overlord. And you... are a fool."

Fairen stopped in front of Parvan and stretched out his hand, snatching it back quickly. "I judge you to be guilty. Execute him."

Sabre jumped as a bolt of blue light shot from the ceiling, burnt through the top of Parvan's head and emerged from his groin to vanish into the floor. Parvan stood for moment, his eyes wide and mouth agape, then crumpled. Four guards came forward, picked up the corpse and bore it away. Fairen beckoned to the ten enforcers, who gaped at him.

"One of you approach, I care not which. I will judge you all."

The men surged back as soldiers stepped from the shadows to seize one of them. They brought him to the dias and forced him to his knees. He begged for mercy, but Fairen spread his hand towards him, then lowered it.

"I judge you to be guilty. Execute him."

The laser beam shot through the top of the man's head, and the soldiers carried his corpse away as it slumped. Two more of Fairen’s men hauled another enforcer from the group and forced him to his knees in front of the dais. Fairen raised his hand, then lowered it.

"I judge you to be guilty. Execute him."

A beam of hot blue light ended the third man's life, and the soldiers removed his corpse. Sabre looked away as six more men perished in an identical fashion. The judgements and executions seemed too quick to be true justice, and he wondered if Fairen was so angry that he was condemning the men out of hand. The last man was brought forward, a terrified youth who struggled and wailed as the others had done. The guards made him kneel, and Fairen stretched out his hand. He hesitated, stepped closer to the sobbing young man, and then lowered his hand.

"Who are you?"

The youth looked up, tears running down his cheeks. "I wasn't even there! I'm the cook's assistant on Bental Seven, I swear!"

Fairen nodded, pulling his glove back on. "I judge you to be innocent. Release him. Find me the real tenth man."

The weeping youth collapsed as the guards let him go. Fairen strode to the side door and vanished through it. Everyone stood frozen in stunned silence that only the terrified assistant cook’s soft sobs broke.

Sabre found Fairen in his private sitting room, leaning on the drinks counter with his hood gripped in one fist. The boy glanced around, looking pale and shaken. Sabre approached and hugged him, patting his back. Fairen clung to him, fighting to stifle the sobs that racked him.

"Cry, Emrin," Sabre murmured. "There's no shame in it. On the first day I got free of cyber control, and opened my eyes to see the world clearly for the first time, I wept."

Fairen sobbed against his chest while Sabre rubbed his back. He marvelled at the sensitive nature of this youth who judged men and condemned them with utter certainty of their guilt. Fairen released Sabre and swung away, rubbing his face. Sabre poured drinks from the omnipresent pitcher, discovering it to be a warm, milky concoction this time. He took a cup to Fairen, who sat on the couch, his head bowed.

Sabre held out the cup. "Are you okay now?"

The young Overlord raised his head and nodded, took the cup and gulped the thick drink. "I've never judged so many men."

"That was tough, I could tell."

"They were all guilty, except the cook's assistant."

"It's enough now. I don't care about the rest of them."

Fairen sighed, clasping the cup. "The tenth man is the ringleader, I could tell. They all knew it, and they tricked me. None of them knew his real name, but I sensed it."

"It doesn't matter."

"I thought the last man would be the one I was looking for, but he was the only innocent."

"But how did they know he would be the last to be judged?"

Fairen shrugged. "They didn't, but neither did I. I would still have executed them all. They couldn't tell me his name."

"Well, I think you scared the shit out of everyone, including me."

"You?" Fairen chuckled. "How did I do that?"

"That voice you used, the lasers, the things you said... terrifying."

"It's supposed to be. The bodies of those men will be returned to their families, with a written judgement attached. Everyone will know the Scorpion Lord judged and executed them. I believe it is considered a monumental disgrace."

Sabre nodded. "I didn't realise they were executed right in front of you."

"Summary executions always are. Scorpio does it. There's no pain, no blood, no emotions… other than fear, of course."

"But it was still tough on you."

"Yes." Fairen looked down. "I'm angry too. I demanded the vidrecords of your torture, and watched them just before I judged those men."

Sabre groaned, rubbing his face. "Why did you do that?"

"I wanted to see for myself. It made me ill, and angry. I don't understand why you're not angry too."

"I am. I just... I guess I'm so used to being angry about what was done to me, but unable to do anything about it, I just learnt to keep it inside."

"That must be even worse, to be so angry, yet helpless."

The cyber nodded. "I also lack the ability as yet to feel properly, I think. Anger I've always known, but not the freedom to vent it, so I suppressed it."

"Would it have helped if I had let you kill them?"

"God, no. I hate killing."

Fairen nodded. "I sense that about you too. Strange, for a..."

"Killing machine."

"Warrior."

Sabre snorted. "I never wanted to be a warrior."

"And I never wanted to be an Overlord."

"Yet here we are."

Fairen nodded again. "The enforcer commanders are blameless, but I'll judge them if you want me to, otherwise I'll release them."

"If they're blameless, there's no point in judging them. But there are other ways in which to make Myon Two pay. There are not enough Overlords to police this galaxy, as you said. What if you confiscate, or appropriate some of their ships, and use them to help you? If you'd sent battle cruisers to Thayta and Permon instead of going there yourself, they could have dealt with the Corsairs."

The Overlord smiled, shaking his head. "Normal ships would have taken many hours, even days, to reach those planets on the Rim, and by that time the Thaytans and the Permonites would have been wiped out. And small ships cannot be fitted with translocation generators. One of my generators is bigger than all six of those enforcer ships I captured put together."

"Station ships in trouble areas..."

"Those two planets are a hundred and eighty-three light years apart."

Sabre said, "You could build more Overlord ships, and give them to trustworthy men, who could use them in conflicts like those. There was no need for an Overlord, no one was judged."

"Those were strange occurrences. Corsairs rarely attack human worlds. Usually conflicts are between humans, and an Overlord is needed."

The cyber sipped his drink, frowning. "Then perhaps a small fleet of battle cruisers would be useful to an Overlord. You could easily carry them in this ship."

"They would be vulnerable, as this ship is not. If one of them was destroyed, it would compromise an Overlord's power. People would know that an Overlord could be hurt, some of his ships destroyed. No, we must be swift, mysterious and invulnerable, our justice incontrovertible and our ships omnipotent. While we settle many conflicts, the fear of us prevents many more from ever starting. No one wants to draw the attention of an Overlord, and we ensure that it remains like that.

"As my friend, you've become used to my company, and you know me for what I truly am. But for those who have never met an Overlord, we're terrifying, mysterious beings who rule with an iron fist, and for most of those who have met one, we're even more frightening."

Sabre frowned at his drink. "Yeah, you're right."

"I appreciate your wish to ease my burden. The best way you could help us is to find young empaths for us to train. Then perhaps we could build more ships and make our lives easier."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Fairen raised his head and addressed the air. "Shrain, release the enforcer commanders, and send Atrashka and Prello back to Myon Two."