"So the people of Talamein ended up in this—this Lupus Cluster." the Emperor said.
He smiled to himself, remembering that when he had picked out the system for the young fanatics, a court wag had translated it "The Wolf Worlds." How appropriate, he thought, thinking of the attack on his Mantis team.
"Then, following them, it seems as if every renegade, degenerate, and bandit warlord in their sector headed for the Lupus Cluster and sanctuary because they, of course, were True Believers in the Faith of Talamein all along."
"Tell me more," the Emperor said. "I'm morbidly fascinated on how much worse things can be."
Things were, indeed, much worse.
About 150 years before, the Faith of Talamein itself had split, conveniently ending with the Talamein A people on one side of the roughly double-crescent-shaped cluster, the Talamein B fanatics on the other.
Talamein A had the "True Prophet," the man who claimed the most direct descent from Talamein himself. But this "original" faith deteriorated into opulence, schismatic politics and a succession of less-than-prescient Prophets. This not only split the faithful, but the real power came to rest with a merchant council.
The council was made up of most of the baronial trading families, who were more than willing to provide leadership in the confusion. Each family, of course, secretly felt that the council was only temporary, until it managed to seize full power for itself.
So this "True Prophet" of Talamein A was indeed a figurehead, but was also the only thing keeping one crescent of the Lupus Cluster from absolute anarchy.
On the other side were the "renegades" of Talamein B, who had vowed a return to the purity of their original warrior faith. Purists need proctors, so the "False" Prophet of Talamein B had created a ruling class of warrior-priests. Black-uniformed, they publicly eschewed worldly goods though their bleak fortresses were known to "store" many "for the common good." Such were the Jannisars. The Jann had needed barely one generation to become the rulers of the people of Talamein B.
"So on one side," the Emperor said, "we have these merchant princes. The top man is..."
"A rogue named Parral. He currently heads the council."
"His Prophet is?"
"Theodomir. When he was young he massacred a few lots of disbelievers then settled down to his real interests, which seem to be bribes, antiquarian art. and the martyrs of the faith. Sanctus—the homeworld and the capital—is sometimes called the City of Tombs."
"Who's the Jannisars' Prophet?"
"A killer named Ingild. Among other things, my agents report, he's addicted to narcotics."
The Emperor put both hands to his temples and rubbed slowly, thinking.
"Our analysis—"
"Enough, Colonel Mahoney," and suddenly the Eternal Emperor was cold sober and his voice shifted into the metallic command tone.
"Here is your analysis." he said. "First, there is no way to mine this X-mineral without the word getting out. Second, when word does seep out, all those rich-miners-to-be will move straight through the Lupus Cluster. Third, either the merchants will turn privateer or the Jann will become bandits. Fourth, there will be a monstrous slaughter of those rushing to the gold fields. Open the scotch. Colonel."
Mahoney passed the Emperor the bottle.
"Fifth, the bloodbath will force me to send in the Guard— to keep the spaceways open and all that drivel. Sixth, it will be interpreted as the Eternal Emperor's violating his most sacred word and supressing a religion. Here, have a drink.
"Sixth—no, I did that. Seventh, before word of this discovery gets out, the entire Lupus Cluster must be under the control of one entity. By the way, does Theodomir the Vacillating have much longer to go?"
"He's probably got another one hundred years under him, boss," Mahoney said. "His main heir's named Mathias. About thirty years old. Thinks religion and politics don't mix. Unmarried. Lives a pure life. Thinks the faith of Talamein is sacred."
"Uh-oh," the Emperor murmured.
"Nope. He thinks the faith of Talamein is for the vastnesses—he did say that, 'cause I can't pronounce that word— and so he's got a small troop of young men. They spend their time in manly sports, hunting animals, fasting, retreats, and so forth."
"Mmm." The Emperor was deep in thought again.
"What's the problem, boss?"
"I can't remember whether I was on seven or eight."
"Eight. I think. Can I have the bottle?"
"Royalty has its privileges," the Eternal Emperor said, swallowing twice before he handed the jug to Mahoney.
"Eighth, we want the cluster controlled by one entity, but one that's... amenable to reason. Which means he'll listen to me without my having to send in the Guard. Nine, these Jannisars are impossible. No way am I going to be able to keep a bunch of thug priests under control."
"Uh, you're saying you want ol' Theo to come out on top?"
"Not at all. I want somebody on his side to come out winners."
"Anybody in particular?"
The Emperor shrugged. "Hell if I care. You pick a winner, Colonel."
Mahoney felt himself sobering up. "Obviously this is to be a deniable operation?"
"Brilliant. Colonel. Of course I don't want the hand of the Emperor to be seen meddling in a cluster's private politics."
Mahoney chose to ignore the sarcasm. "That means Mantis."
"By the way," the Emperor said, neatly plucking the bottle from between Mahoney's feet. "That team that took the samples?"
"Yessir. Team Thirteen. Lieutenant Sten commanding."
"Sten?"
"He's handled some difficult assignments for us in the past, sir."
"Give him a couple of medals, or something," the Emperor said.
"Or something," Mahoney said.
"Any decision. Colonel?" the Emperor asked. "Before we get thoroughly drunk—which Mantis unit do you intend to use?"
Mahoney took the bottle back and drained it. Oddly, when he was drinking or angry, he spoke with the faint whisper of what used to be called a brogue. "Could I be troublin' you for some of your 'shine, Emperor? And in answerin' your question, indeed, I think I have just the lad in mind."
CHAPTER EIGHT
IT TOOK A while for Sten to hunt down the rest of his team members to let them know he was being detached. They'd scattered across the Guard's Intoxication and Intercourse world as completely as they could.
Bet, true to their agreement, had gone her own way— picking up a hunting guide and disappearing into the outback with Hugin and Munin. Sten had given her the message briefly, over a com in Mantis voice-code, then gotten clear. He wasn't sure he was that sophisticated yet.
Ida had been easy; she'd been comfortably ensconced in a casino, trying to see if her beat-the-game system would bankrupt the casino before the officials threw her out.
Doc had disappeared into the wilds of the recworld's only university and was finally located growling contentedly at anthropology fiches in the media center. Before him was a flask of Stralbo blood-milk drink that he'd conned a slightly revolted Guard tech to put together for him.
Detached service wasn't unusual for Mantis soldiers. But this was the first time it had happened to Team 13 and to Sten. But the Emperor orders, and man can but obey.
Sten was feeling a little homesick-in-advance and he was puzzled about how one man could accomplish what Mahoney had ordered. Meanwhile he was scouring bibshops. He knew he would find Kilgour in one of them.
He heard Alex before he saw him. as the voice boomed out the screen opening of the shop. "So the adj'tant sae 'Sah,' an' dispatchit thae best Brit sol'jer. who fixit his bay'nit..."