Untitled - Chapter 16 - The Emperor - Seg.4

{segment 4 of chapter 16 - Logan}1

When I reach the black table, I notice that everyone in the room is examining me closely. The Emperor in particular is frowning over searching eyes. His clothing is particularly gaudy today; he seems to be wrapped entirely in gold and royal blue that makes his lined face look even duller. “Welcome, Logan,” he says finally. “State your business.”2

The sides of my mouth twitch into a slight smile. “Your Highness, and honourable government members: I have discovered something important about the identity of Avalia, the Insider a reliable spy found on the Outside recently.” I distinctly hear a sharp intake of breath from more than one person at the desk, but I don’t take my eyes away from the Emperor. They know exactly who I’m talking about. “I have more than one piece of evidence that shows Avalia’s lineage to be noble,” I continue. “In fact, there is no doubt that she is the one true heir to the Insider throne.”3

Satisfied with the flicker of reaction I see behind the Emperor’s cold eyes, I address the entire assembly. “Do you dispute this? Do you want me to waste time proving to you what I’m saying?”4

Silence fills the room. Surely they expected that someone would find out eventually? They must have considered the possibility, but perhaps they were so arrogant that deep down they still thought the secret was safe. The Emperor draws himself up regally. “How did you come to find this information, Logan?” he asks quietly. Dangerously. His advisers may not have been prepared, but he certainly was. “Well, Logan?” he raises an eyebrow. “No answer? There’s no need for one. The only way you could have found this information was if you somehow managed to hack the government system, which we all know is a serious offence. Treason, among other things.” 5

His advisors seem to brighten at this, as if he’s found an excuse for them. He simply watches me, eyes flashing with contempt, as if to say, ‘I’ve won. Try and stop me.’ This is exactly what I intend to do. “Your Highness,” I say, drawing out the name mockingly. “What you say is true, but it wasn’t treason that drove me to seek answers. It was my loyalty to the City that forced me into finding out about Avalia’s complicated past, though I shouldn’t have had to do so.”6

“That wasn’t the question,” he replies. “The fact is that we know how you, or Torus, came upon this confidential government information. The freelance Detective Hils hacked the system before being killed by a Retaliation, but before we got to the crime scene, there’s evidence that the video cameras in her building were hacked. Someone used her as a scapegoat, and the way this someone covered his tracks was a signature mark of Torus the terrorist. You’ve been in contact with him from the very beginning, am I correct?” The Emperor smiles.7

“All you have is a theory of my guilt,” I say, narrowing my eyes. “I’m innocent, and there’s no way for you to condemn me.”8

“I am the Emperor,” he firmly states. “You’d be foolish to forget.”9

I’ve walked into a trap. No. This bastard has managed to twist it around for the last time. “You’d be foolish to forget what we’re really discussing here,” I snap. “I shouldn’t have had to go against the government for the truth.” I can’t stay on the defence or I’ll never get anywhere. I have to attack so that they’re forced to retreat. “You know… I believe it would look very bad to the public if all this time you had been an illicit Emperor,” I assert. “Come to think of it, it would also be disastrous if it was somehow leaked to the public that Avalia’s life had been threatened when you found out she was here. A mech was interfered with and it would be no guess to say that Winston, the previous Head Mech Specialist was responsible for such illegal alterations. Perhaps if—”10

“Rumours!” I look over to see Winston’s chair pushed back behind him as he stands abruptly. “No one would believe such filth!”11

“A rumour is enough,” I say quietly. “Once the seed is planted, the roots take hold.”12

The large man’s face reddens in his rage. He jabs a stubby finger at me. “You’re a bastard! You’re too young and arrogant to have a position of power; I’ve always known that and now—”13

The Emperor slams his hands down on the table. “Be quiet, Winston, I never gave you permission to speak.” The man’s face pales from red to a pinkish white. Wordlessly, he pulls his chair beneath him again and keeps his eyes on the table before him. The Emperor takes a calming breath and interlaces his fingers. “You’ve given us something to consider, Logan. Leave us for a moment while we discuss our course of action. It goes without saying that you shouldn’t mention this to anyone still, too. My plans are not the only ones that will need revising if the variables change.” He smirks wryly.14

I shake my head. “There should be no contemplation. It’s obvious that Avalia is the rightful Empress and there’s only one thing to do. Step down, Duvavi, and let her take her correct place in society.”15

His jaw tightens at the sound of his informal name. No doubt he hasn’t been addressed that way in… eighteen years. “I will do no such thing. Leave us.”16

“You have no rightful authority over me.”17

“I am the Emperor whether you like it or not.”18

“Step down, Duvavi.”19

“I will do no such thing!” he growls.20

The moment he raises his voice, a tide of others join his. A chubby woman shouts, “She’s an Outsider!” and everyone else agrees. “She’s a savage! Raised by those who are barely human! She’s completely incapable of leading the city!”21

Before I have a chance to deliver the final part of my argument, Duvavi slips a hand under his desk and presses a button. The door I came through bursts open and the two black clad guards have their guns ready. At the same time, the walls behind the desk open up to admit two streams of mechs that have their guns trained on me as they march around the room against the walls until I’m completely surrounded. The mechs in front of the window cast uniform shadows on the polished black floor. 22

The Emperor slowly pushes his seat back and stands. “This man has made an attempt on my life.” The two human guards frown slightly but they don’t lower their weapons. Duvavi serenely raises his hand. “Kill him.”23