Untitled - Chapter 17 - The Rightful Heir - Seg.1

{segment 1 of chapter 17 - Logan}1

Without my thinking, the mech language pours from my mouth in a babble of metallic sounds. The robots hesitate, but I’m not sure if I can convince them not to follow a direct order from the Emperor. They could stop listening at any time and I desperately try to persuade them not to kill me. 2

In a language that is not a language they reply, 'Why should we take your orders over the Emperor’s?' 3

They want me to convince them? This is the first time a robot has asked me a question. They usually either do as I say or don’t. The Emperor must have equal influence as an order in their own dialect. 'Humans lie,' I tell them. 'I am innocent. Humans lie.'4

'You are human,' they reply, raising their guns once more.5

'You should verify this,' I quickly insist. Sixty monitors scan me at once and the mechs run through their data files in an attempt to identify me. I know they won’t find any answers, but they’ll at least know that I’m not human.6

'Humankind is the only race that lies,' they finally conclude. 'You speak the truth.' In an instant they switch their aim as one to the Emperor. He freezes and turns his furious eyes to me. 7

“What did you do?” he demands. “Tell me what you did!” Neither the advisors nor the two men standing at the door know which of us to stare at. I’ve given myself away now; rumours will spread that I can talk to mechs. I wouldn’t have died if they had shot me, but my body would be useless, and I would rather my ability to speak the robot language be known than the fact that I can’t die.8

The mechs await my order. I consider this new situation and factor it into my plan. 'Keep your guns on him, but don’t shoot.'9

“What did you tell them?” Duvavi demands. “What are you?”10

“I’m a Head Mech Specialist with a strange talent,” I tell him, knowing with inward amusement that what I’ve said is completely true. “You needn’t look so shocked,” I tell everyone. “And I won’t order them to kill you, Duvavi; I just want you to listen to my proposal.” No one seems convinced. I turn to look at the two stunned guards at the door. “The Emperor won’t want you to eavesdrop. I’ll send the mechs away; you’re no longer needed.” Surprisingly, they’re quite happy to leave once I actually do send the mechs away. Obediently, the robots march back out through the openings in the wall behind the black desk. I’m alone with the government once more.11

The Emperor slowly eases himself into his seat without taking his eyes off of me. He’s thoroughly shaken by what just happened, but already he’s regaining his confidence now that there are no guns aimed at him. As if I couldn’t kill him in less than a second anyway. Frowning, I shake the thought out of my head. What kind of thought is that? I don’t want to kill anyone.12

“You… you really are in league with the terrorist, aren’t you?” he murmurs.13

I sigh deeply. “No, I am not. You tried to kill me; you can’t expect me not to defend myself. But I’m loyal to the City, as I’ve always been. Now listen to my proposal.” No one argues. Winston even nods meekly. Who are these humble people? “Try to gather yourselves,” I say fruitlessly. “Now listen carefully.14

“You say that Avalia is unfit to be an Empress. You say she has too much Outsider in her to understand the needs of Insiders. Well, think of it this way: A dim-witted leader is a leader that can be controlled. What does it matter if Duvavi steps down? He can become Avalia’s chief advisor or something. The only thing he’ll lose is the title and the extravagant clothing. You can’t keep this girl from her rights, but you can keep the same control of the City that you always have. Duvavi can still have his power, but she’ll be Empress.”15

For a minute I wonder if the government is too shocked to understand what I’ve said. The Emperor breaks the silence. “That idea is preposterous! The public will never accept and Outsider as their Empress.”16

“But she’s not an Outsider, now is she?” I point out. “If it’s such a problem, we can always cover up the fact that she was raised by Outsiders. You don’t seem to have a problem with keeping secrets,” I say wryly.17

“Even if the public did accept her,” Duvavi grumbles, “they don’t know what’s best for them. That’s why we’re here to govern them. Having that savage on the throne is simply an abomination.”18

“For the last time, she’s not an Outsider,” I say.19

“You know,” a man who is normally silent at the meetings mutters, “Logan may have a good idea here.” His polished metal teeth flash in the light as he speaks. “This primitive girl will be easy to control.”20

It takes a moment for the others to agree. 21

“He’s right.”22

“We’d make all the decisions.”23

“She could be a figurehead; just a pretty face to put on the coins.”24

“She needn’t be a problem.”25

As if seeing the crown being pulled from his grasp then and there, the Emperor immediately protests. “Are you all mad? She’s an Outsider!”26

“But she’s not an Outsider,” Winston frowns. “Not really.”27

“And even if she were, what would it matter?” another man asks, throwing up his hands. “I can’t believe I never saw it. We have a puppet!”28

“To do with as we will,” adds Winston.29

“Everyone will trust the goodwill of a sweet young woman,” the man with the metal teeth grins. “No one will question her judgement.”30

Duvavi leaps to his feet again. “The savage is not sweet!”31

“Then we’ll make it look like she is.”32

“You can’t dress a pig like a fairy and expect anyone to believe it,” he snarls. “You’re all idiots! Idiots! Listen to me—”33

“Be quiet, Duvavi, no one asked your opinion,” the metal teeth grin. I watch in amazement as everyone else tells him to be quiet as well, as if they all wanted a turn. His face reddens faster than Winston’s ever could and his eyes search their faces furiously, pausing on mine. “You,” he glares at me. “I knew I should never have given you that job; you’re an arrogant child! How dare you force this mutiny upon me? How dare you? I’ll kill you for this, you—”34

“Silence, Duvavi!” Winston insists. “We must plan how to introduce this girl to the public. I propose we tell them...”35

I close the heavy doors softly behind me. I can hardly believe what just happened. Letting out a deep breath, I realise how exhausting that meeting was. How long was I in there discussing their plan with them while Duvavi plotted all the different ways I could be killed under his breath? Hours. Garn and Avi will be waiting for my phone call telling them to run or celebrate. I’m not really sure how happy Avi will be when she hears the news though. But it’s her duty; her rightful place in society. It’s what she was born to do.36

Pulling my earpiece out of my pocket, I realise that the two door guards are staring at me. I’m not sure what to tell them, so instead I bow. Everyone enjoys flattery. “Thankyou for being so calm in such an… unusual situation. How did you know I was innocent?”37

The left one shrugs his heavy shoulders. “We know you, and we know the Emperor. To be honest, we kind of expected something to happen. Two emergency meetings in a row usually means the person’s up to something,” he grins.38

“We’ll keep your secret,” the other quickly adds.39

This makes me thoughtful. “Thankyou, but I’m not sure if the other witnesses will do the same. You never know.” With a quick nod to them, I go to the lift and put my earpiece in.40

“Avalia. I’m glad you waited.”41