They sat on the banks of Menynder's desolate pond. The old Tork was silent as Sten painted the bleak future facing the Altaics.
"You're at one of those moments in history," Sten said, "when disaster and opportunity are equal options. What happens next is your choice."
"Not mine," Menynder said. "Choices are made by people with hope. Right now, I have about as much hope for my people as I have of ever catching a clottin' fish in this pond.'' He gestured at the dead waters.
"Someone will replace Iskra," Sten said. "Chances are, all you'll do is trade one despot for another. Why leave it to chance?"
"Because no single person can successfully lead the Altaics," Menynder said. "In case you haven't noticed, none of us are very clottin' easy to get along with."
"I've noticed," Sten said dryly.
"In fact, we're rotten at it. We'd as soon as kill each other as breathe. So the top man is top killer. By definition... It's the way our stupid system works. The biggest and baddest tribe kicks drakh out of everybody else as often as possible. Which is how it stays big and bad."
"I was going to suggest something else," Sten said. "I was going to suggest putting together some kind of coalition government."
Menynder snorted. "Coalition? On the Altaics? Not clottin' likely.''
"You almost put one together before," Sten said flatly.
Menynder's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
Sten didn't bother with being casual. "The infamous dinner with the old Khaqan," he said. "I've never believed that story."
"What do you believe?" Menynder's voice was cold.
"I think the Khaqan was never invited at all," Sten said. "He wouldn't sit down with a bunch of Suzdal, Bogazi, and Torks. Much less eat with them.
"I think you... General Douw... Youtang and Diatry... had no idea he was even going to show up. In fact, I think you were all sitting together in that room trying to figure out how to get rid of him. And you are the only being in this cluster capable of hammering together a plot involving all representative species."
Sten gave a chilly smile. "If that's true," he said, "it only follows that you are also the only being capable of putting together the kind of coalition government I have in mind."
Menynder was silent. Sten's praise also included accusation.
"What I can't figure out," Sten said, "was how you killed the old bastard."
"I didn't," Menynder said. A beat. Then, "We didn't."
Sten shrugged. "It doesn't matter to me one way or the other."
"You'd have a murderer as a ruler?"
Sten looked at him. "Name one who isn't."
Menynder thought awhile. Finally, he said, "What if I don't go along with your idea? Will you just let it rest?"
Sten gave him a hard look. "Not this time."
"So I really don't have a choice," Menynder said.
"Maybe not. But it'll work a whole lot better if you believe you have a choice."
"Then I'd better say yes, real clottin' fast," Menynder said.
"That's the way I see it," Sten said.
"Menynder again," the Eternal Emperor snapped. "Why do you keep bringing up his name?"
"Because, sir, he's the best being for the job," Sten said.
The Eternal Emperor fish-eyed him. "Is that an 'I told you so,' Sten? Are you saying I screwed up by picking Professor Iskra?"
"It's not my place to judge your decisions, sir."
"Why do I keep hearing reprimands in your voice?" the Emperor said.
"Professor Iskra was the best choice from a poor lot, sir," Mahoney broke in. "Anyone can see that. Which is why, sir, I think Sten's idea now has merit."
"Committees make rotten law," the Emperor said. "They always have. They always will Before you know it, every committee member has his own agenda, based on pure ego. Consensus becomes a joke. Paid for by power or money or lust or all of the above."
The Emperor drained his drink. His holographic image gestured across millions of light-years for Mahoney and Sten to do the same. "Clot a bunch of rule by committee," he said. But his mood had changed.
Glasses were emptied and refilled. Sten started to speak, but Mahoney tipped him the wink, so he buttoned his lip and let Mahoney grab the ball and run.
"I couldn't agree with you more, sir," Ian said. "Government by committee tends to be bloody useless. But, in this case, sir, might it not be a temporary solution? In fact, might it not eventually lead to a permanent one?''
"Explain," the Emperor ordered.
"The act of putting together a coalition," Mahoney said, "might also have the side benefit of calming things down. Putting a lid on the violence."
"I can track that logic," the Emperor said. "Go ahead."
"So, what if we give the coalition a time frame, sir? Such and such must be accomplished in such and such time. After that, the coalition ceases to exist. Automatically.''
"Some kind of sundown law," the Emperor said.
"Exactly," Mahoney said. "The committee must be replaced by a more stable system by the date you mandate."
The Emperor thought. Then he said, "All right. You win. Put it into motion."
"Thank you, sir," Sten said, hiding the relief in his voice. "One other thing..."
The Emperor waved this down. "Yeah. I know. You need some kind of dramatic gesture that says I am going along with this coalition idea."
"Yessir," Sten said.
"How about a royal audience? Get Menynder and the others to Prime. I'll make a fuss over them in court. Bless their holy mission of peace, and all that rot. Send them back heroes. Will that do?"
"It'll do just fine, sir," Sten said.
The Emperor reached for the button that chopped the connection. He paused. "This had better work," he snapped. Then his image was gone.
Sten turned to Mahoney. "Ian... I owe you real clottin' big."
Mahoney laughed. "Put it on the tab, lad. Put it on the tab."
"This is Connee George reporting live from Soward Spaceport. The delegation from the Altaic Cluster is due to land at any moment, gentlebeings. And look at that welcoming party waiting for them on the landing pad, Tohm!"
"A big Prime World welcome it is, Connee. My goodness. What an historic moment! I'm sure our viewers are glued to their livies, waiting to get an exclusive KRCAX Prime look at this distinguished delegation. I wonder what's going through our viewers' minds, now, Connee."
"Probably the same as me, Tohm. Which is-wow! What a story!"
"Indeed it is, Connee. Indeed it is... uh... Give us some of your thoughts on this...uh...historic... uh...moment, Connee."
"Well, the official release from the Emperor's press office tells us that on board are four beings bound for destiny. A destiny of peace. But, the release doesn't tell us the whole story, Tohm."
"No, it doesn't... uh... does it?"
"Excuse me, Tohm, while I see if Captain P'wers can put us in a little closer. Can you get in over to the left of the landing pad, Gary?"
"I'll try, Connee. But the traffic is pretty fierce and the tower is giving us a hard way to go."
"Just doing their jobs, I'm sure, Gary. And what a job that is!"
"Right, Connee... Okay... Hold on... Geesh, where'd that lighter come from?"
"Probably our competition, Gary. Ha-ha. Forgive my gloat, Tohm, but I'm sure the viewers at home will understand."
"Absolutely, Connee. They know that's why we're the number one news team on Prime. KRCAX Prime, Connee."
"It sure is, Tohm. Now, look at that view!"
"Sure is impressive. Good work, Captain P'wers!"
"Thanks, Tohm. Clot! Get outta my sky you bas—"
"Watch it, Gary. Kiddies at home. Ha-ha... Now that we've got an exclusive view for our exclusive live coverage, Connee, why don't you finish that rundown."