Shadows of Golstar (75 page)

Owens
remembered that he had tried sixteen key combinations before he had been
knocked out. He realized if he could pick up where he had left off in
passageway, he could probably recite three or four more numerical key sequences
before his watchers became suspicious. He could possibly stretch that number if
he could establish a behavior pattern that would justify his speaking the
numbers out loud. He could start talking to himself, perhaps shouting insults
from time to time at his unseen watchers. Yeah, that might work.

He
had seen enough strange characters while on the police force, suspects that
would yell obscenities and mumble nonsensical words. He remembered that those
tasked with monitoring such individuals often became inured to the babblings
and sometimes even turned down the sound pick-ups. It was worth a try. He stood
up abruptly and started to pace. He did this for about five minutes then
stopped and looked up at the dome angrily. He said, “What are you looking at,
assholes?”  

It
had been three days since Sharné had returned to full consciousness. She had
spent most of her time in contemplation, alternating between persistent worry
over Owens and a growing hatred towards her father. She sat on the edge of her
bed with her father’s betrayal plaguing her thoughts. She was still grappling
with the knowledge he had killed her mother. It seemed impossible, yet he had
freely admitted his hand in her mother’s demise. It had unexpectedly reopened a
wound she had thought healed long ago. With the harsh revelation of her father’s
devastating admission, she found herself once again mourning the loss her
mother. It was as if the intervening years had never happened. Torn between the
renewed anguish arising from her mother’s murder and the hatred she felt for
her father, she could only sit powerlessly and ponder what her life might have
been like had her mother lived.

As
usual, one thought led to another and still thinking of what might have been.
She wondered what her mother would have thought of Owens. Would she have rejected
him outright as an enemy of the People? Or might she have seen the inner
strength of character as her daughter had? Would she have taken the time to
know him better? She sighed. What was the point of these what-ifs? Her mother
was long dead, a victim of her father’s madness.

A
discreet knock on the door interrupted her dark ruminations. She cleared her
expression, looked toward the door and said, “Come in.”

Minister
Joselé entered the room. “I just came by to look in on you. How are you
feeling, child?”

“Much
better,” she lied. She gave Lauren a small smile. It
was
good to see
her.

“I am
most happy to hear that. With all of your recent adventures, it is a wonder you
have retained your, your...”

“Sanity?”

“I
was thinking of the word poise, but I suppose sanity would do as well,” Lauren
smiled back. “In fact, my own sanity was sorely tested by that damnable young
man from Confederated Planets. I was only exposed to him for a short while, but
that was sufficient for two lifetimes. I cannot begin to imagine how you
endured his disturbing presence for so long. Being confined with him during
your daring escape from the doomed
Light Saber
must have been almost
unendurable.”

“I
admit it was difficult at times. However, I took solace in the fact it was my
duty, or so I was led to believe.”

“Well,
duty or not, it still had to have been most trying. Nor can I imagine the added
trepidation you must have felt when you were taken hostage by the very man you
had protected.” The minister shook her head. “Your strength and perseverance
are to be admired.

Sharné
knew she had to be careful in her response. She bowed her head, sighed and
inserted a tone of mild disgust in her voice, “It was quite… harrowing in both
situations. I had not the choice in the latter, but my role aboard the
Light
Saber
was… my duty to…” She hesitated, pretending to struggle for her
composure, seemingly at a loss for words.

“It
is alright, Sharné. You need not say anything further. We understand you were
acting under the orders of your father. You cannot be held responsible for his
mental aberrations nor for his errors in judgment. He was, after all, the Grand
Patriarch. His word was law. We know you had no true choice in the matter. The
acting Grand Patriarch knows better than I what you were obligated to do for
your father.”

“The
acting Grand Patriarch?”

“Yes,
your uncle has assumed the role. So, you can see how your part in your father’s
misguided plan has already been absolved.”

She
was not surprised the Guardian of the Way had taken her father’s place. She
looked up, “Thank you.”

 “No
Sharné, thank
you
. Thanks to your resourcefulness, you kept Janus Owens
alive and as a result, that act has turned out to be a greater service to
Golstar than what I had first believed. I am loath to say it, but the
unfortunate consequences of your father’s plan have set certain wheels in
motion that will now force us to see it to its end.”

“I
thought you and a majority of the Assembly were against using any outside means
to solve Golstar’s internal problems.”

“I am
still. Forgive me, I understand he is your father and at one time my friend,
but it must be said. With his unseemly actions, it is highly likely Golstar
will soon be invaded by Confederated Planets once again and I fear we may have
little time before that confrontation. And so, for the sake of our survival we
now have no choice but to utilize the man from Confederated Planets as your
father had originally intended. By providing his part of the key, he will help
us regain our former greatness and enable us to repel the unwanted intrusion by
our old enemy.”

 Bowing
her head again, Sharné said, “I am very sorry for what my father has brought
upon us. The truth of your words cannot offend me.”

“Sharné,
you of all people have nothing to apologize for. It is all thanks to you that
we will once again have the advanced technology to defend ourselves from the
enemy. By your acts of bravery, the People will be led back into the warming
Light of the Way.”

“The Founder
protects his children,” Sharné said softly.

Lauren
nodded, “And his children protect his legacy. And I believe we should thank the
Founder that for you at least, the worst is over.”

“Yes,
thank the Founder,” Sharné agreed while thinking otherwise.

“Your
physician has just informed me that you have made unexpectedly good progress in
your recovery. She said you will soon be able to resume a portion of your
duties, if you so desire. But given all that has happened, it is understandable
if you wish more time to recover.”

She
looked the minister in the eyes and said, “No, I believe the sooner I can
return to normalcy, the better. In fact, I believe I am ready to resume all my
duties immediately, or at least as many as the doctor will allow.”

“Wonderful,”
Lauren smiled warmly. “I should have expected no less from you.”

Sharné
mind raced at this unexpected opportunity. She said, “Thank you, and may I ask
a favor?

“Certainly
Sharné, you may ask anything that is within my power to grant.”

“Thank
you. As my first official act, I would like to be briefed on where we are in
reacquiring access to the Primes.” She dared not ask about Owens directly. She
hoped a briefing would tell her what she needed to know. She rushed on, “I
understand I have not been exposed to the requisite indoctrination, but I hope
the merit of my contributions will allow me to take some part in this, the most
significant event since the Founding.”

Lauren
smiled, “Bless you. I am sure the acting Grand Patriarch will allow you to
continue to play an active role. To fulfill your destiny, I agree you should be
privy to all information related to this most crucial period of time in our
grand history. After all, once your neglected education has been remedied, you
will assume your role as the Grand Matriarch.”

Sharné
managed to hide her dismay. With all that had happened, it had quite slipped
her mind that she was next in line to assume Golstar’s mantel of power. She
could not think of anything intelligent to say in reply, so she simply nodded,
fighting to keep the sudden feeling of nausea at bay. After a moment, she
decided to change the subject.

“What
of my father’s condition? I was provided the reason for his removal from
office. Given his actions of late, it was easy for me to see, if not fully understand,
he was not in a normal state of mind. Has any progress been made in his
treatment?”

Lauren’s
demeanor seemed to stiffen. “Your father is receiving psychotropic treatments,
but I am sorry to say that little progress has been made to date. He has proven
to be highly resistant to the medications. As the Grand Patriarch, he received
conditioning treatments to protect against chemical coercion. As his body does
not make the distinction between beneficial and harmful substances, it may be
some time before an effective treatment can be found.”

Sharné’s
eyes narrowed, “Then he has not divulged the numerical key sequence.” It was a
statement, not a question.

The
minister paled at these words. She seemed search for an answer.

“It
is alright, Lauren. My father told me of the key when I met with him and the
Outsider.” She saw the minister’s shock seemed to fade a little. “He made a
point of telling us only he knew the secret.”

Lauren
sighed. With regret in her voice, she said, “Then in answer to your question,
no, he has not revealed the numerical code sequence, nor have we been able
locate it on our own.”

“Then,
can I assume that a mind probe will be utilized if he continues to resist?”

“Sharné,
I…”

Sharné
waved away the beginning of Lauren’s explanation. “As much as it pains me, the
People’s welfare must take precedence. Do what you must. If my father was in
his right mind, he would agree.” She paused, “But then again, I suppose if he
was in his right mind, he would simply provide you the numerical code sequence.”
She looked at the minister’s shocked face. “As I said, my father briefed Owens
and me about how access to the Primes would be regained, so I well understand
we must regain that part of the key at all costs. Without it, the Outsider can
be of no use.”

“Of
course, but still I am sorry to be the bringer of such unfortunate tidings.”

Sharné
shook her head, “Though I am aggrieved by what must be done to my father, I
take some solace in that it will benefit the People. As the Founder said, it is
the eternal balance between the Light and the darkness that must be
maintained,” she almost choked on the words. “The key will provide the means to
do so.”

 Lauren
did not appear to notice Sharné’s momentary discomfort. “Truly,” she said. “You
will make a fine Grand Matriarch.”

● ● ●

Owens
was getting tired of maintaining the pretence. He kept up his deranged act for
three days. Between the periods of frantic exercising, pacing, mutterings and
sporadic bouts of irrational shouting at the monitor, he hoped that his watchers
were getting fed up with his antics. In any case, he was ready to try reciting
the numerical sequences. His anticipation was interrupted by the door opening.

A
uniformed guard entered and motioned with a weapon, “Step back.”

Owens
grinned, “Oh. You're back again? You’re a big man with that gun in your hand.
Why don’t you drop it, and then we’ll see who steps back.”

The
guard’s face flushed in anger. “If you want to eat, step back.”

Owens
raised his hands in mock surrender, “Gee, why didn’t you just say so? You know
I can’t resist Golstar cuisine.” He stepped back against the far wall and
another guard brought in a tray of food, placed it on the table and rapidly
retreated, the gun-toting guard following him out. The heavy door slammed shut.

Owens
walked over to the table and looked up at the monitor dome. Rubbing his hands
together in exaggerated anticipation he said, “Ooh, this looks good.” He
abruptly grabbed a bowl of food and hurled it at the dome. It exploded in a
shower of plastic and vegetables. “I just thought I’d share.” He beamed a wide
idiotic smile and then sat down and began to eat the remainder of the meal. He
had to admit to himself that the food wasn’t bad.

When
he was finished, he picked up the tray and placed on the floor, near the door.
He straightened and looking back up at the dome, he shouted, “One-two-three,
why in the hell are you looking at me?” He began to pace back and forth,
muttering, “What to do, what to do?” After a while, he suddenly stopped. “A
game, I’ll play a game; that's what I’ll do.” He immediately began to leap in
the air, pretending to catch an imaginary ball, careful to use as little
strength as possible. He didn’t want them to know his true physical condition,
which was surprisingly good. The constant pacing and seemingly random fits of
violent exercise helped to maintain much of his muscle tone.

As he
moved to catch a ball again, he glanced at his wrist-comp. Its power and
transmit indicators were still lit, had been since he had first put it on. Hec
had been monitoring his verbal antics from the beginning. By now, he was sure
Hec understood his strategy. “Throw me the ball,” he muttered, and made motions
of receiving a football. The ancient Earth-game was still a favorite back home.
He looked up at the silver dome and stuck out his tongue. He turned back and
bent at the knees, crouching as if quarterbacking a team. He called out the
next code sequence, finishing with a “Hike.”

As he
drew back and made arm-throwing motions, he looked again at his wrist comp. It
winked twice. Damn, still no luck. He tried two more sequences with the same
negative result before he decided to quit, for the time being. He abruptly
stopped the imaginary game and stood motionless for a few minutes. He cocked
his head as if listening to something and then just as suddenly, he resumed his
pacing.