Noble Lies

by Gary Inbinder

Chapter 13
Chapter 14, part 1
Chapter 15
appear in this issue.

Chapter 14

part 2 of 2

“Pardon me, Excellency,” Zack responded, “would it be out of line to ask what trumps you are referring to?”

“Not at all, General. First, I doubt that Aurelia has yet told Ludwig about her origins. When, and how he learns the truth, might be critical to their relationship. A rift between them would weaken their alliance.” Looking at Berenice, Finn motioned for her to sit next to him on the couch, and then continued as she sat beside him. “Second, Berenice carries Ludwig’s child in her womb. That child may be the future ruler of the galaxy.”

At that moment, a servant came with a wine jug, poured three goblets, and then, upon a signal from Finn, left the jar and exited the garden.

After the servant left, Zack inquired, “Is there anything else, Excellency? After all, it’s almost time for the pre-election games.”

“Yes, of course, General. Plotinus Industries is putting together a very useful, docile imitation Ludwig to accompany my new Aurelia; they’ll attend me in my box at the games. The ignorant masses will cheer them as though they were the real thing.” Turning to Berenice, and patting her arm, Finn hastily added, “I’m afraid I stated that rather infelicitously, my dear. Of course, you are the real thing.”

Berenice smiled demurely, in response.

Zack raised his glass, and said, “As always, I’m your man, Excellency. I await further orders.”

The Consul proposed a toast, and the three drank to their future success while android musicians entered the peristyle, playing on cithara and pipes.

Aurelia came out of the safe house shower room clad in a brief white woolen bath towel, with a smaller towel wrapped turban-like around her head. Instead of her familiar, floral and citrus scent, she exuded the pungent odor of disinfectant. She walked barefoot, down a narrow, oak and pine-planked corridor to the small bedroom she and Ludwig shared, entering just as he was sitting on the edge of the bed, pulling on his trousers.

Ludwig rose to his feet, buckled his belt, and stared at Aurelia. Making a funny face, he exclaimed, “Phew... I assume delousing mission accomplished?”

Aurelia grinned, responding, “That’s not all.” Unwinding her turban, she revealed her stubbly, shaved head.

Ludwig walked over to her. Brushing his fingers across her close-cropped scalp, he observed, “Just like the first week of boot camp, Colonel.”

Smiling, Aurelia undid the bath towel, letting it fall to her feet. “There’s more,” she replied.

Ludwig gazed at her nude, hairless body. Holding her, he kissed her lips, while gently stroking her smooth, cleansed and powdered skin; her fresh scent gradually replaced the medicinal odor. “We have twenty minutes until dinner.”

Aurelia replied, “More than enough time for a thorough inspection, sir.”

Aurelia, Ludwig, Dax, and Cato’s agent Claudia, a combat android, sat at the main hall’s dining table. The lodge was located in the mountains, several miles north of the hilltop cabin where Ludwig had fought Charmaine and Consul Finn.

The construction and decor consisted of unpainted oak and pine, with rustic furniture, plank floors covered with woolen, geometrically patterned folk-art carpets, examples of local, village handicraft.

Hunting trophies, including heads of elk and bear, decorated the walls. A fire in a red brick and flagstone fireplace crackled and blazed, emitting comfortable warmth, and a tangy, smoky wood odor. Soft, artificial lighting simulated the dim yellow glow of candlelight, and oil lamps.

A damask tablecloth covered the plain oak table, set with fine china and silver service, with an artfully arranged, yellow, blue and green wildflower centerpiece. The men wore black dinner jackets, and the women dressed in semi-formal evening gowns. A pair of primitive, but efficient, robot-like androids, served a meal of freshly killed game and mountain trout, accompanied by excellent white and red wines from the lodge’s well-stocked cellar.

Enjoying his dinner, Dax commented, “I must say, Consul Cato sets a fine table.”

“Sure beats army chow,” Slim replied. “Almost makes you forget we’re in the middle of a civil war.”

“A covert civil war,” Aurelia interjected, “and one we can’t afford to lose.”

“True,” said Dax, as he savored his wine. “Mess this up, and we’re all dead.”

Claudia addressed Ludwig and Aurelia, who sat at the head of the table. “Lord Ludwig and Lady Aurelia, pleasant as this is, I’m afraid I must leave soon to report to Consul Cato. What, may I ask, are your plans?”

Ludwig responded, “I plan to defeat Consul Finn, before the elections. The games provide an opportunity to challenge him in public. We will denounce him before the Senate and the people; if necessary, we’ll kill him. Among other things, this will require turning the Republican Guard and the I.S.P. from Finn to our cause.”

Claudia looked directly at Ludwig, asking, “You believe you can do that, my Lord?”

“Yes, I can, with the help of Consul Cato and those sitting at this table. We have one month until the pre-election games. Aurelia, Slim, and Dax will use their influence and contacts to undermine Zack’s authority, bringing the Guard and the I.S.P. into our camp. In the meantime I’ll meet with Consul Cato in the alternate world; I believe I now have the ability to enter the castle, heal Cato’s wound, and learn the secret of the spear.”

For a moment, the other members of the dinner party, with the exception of Aurelia, contemplated Ludwig with a mixture of awe and disbelief. Aurelia smiled, placing her hand on Ludwig’s shoulder. Gazing into his eyes, for a moment, she then turned to the others, and declared, “Of course we can do it.”

“If you’ll excuse me,” Claudia said, “I’m leaving now, to make my report. Please use the lodge for as long as you need it. The androids are reliable, and the area is as secure as we can make it.”

Ludwig smiled and got up from the table to bid Claudia farewell. Taking the android by the hand, he said, “Tell your master I’ll see him soon.”

“I’ll tell him, my lord.” Bowing first to Ludwig and Aurelia, and then to the others, Claudia left the lodge. They watched from the doorway as she boarded a small one-seat hover car and took off over the mountain peaks, climbing into the clear, starry sky.

Later that evening Ludwig and Aurelia went for a walk. Slim and Dax, who were becoming chummy, remained by the fireplace drinking Andromedan brandy, smoking cigars, and telling each other war stories. The mountain air was crisp, clean and invigorating. Ludwig and Aurelia dressed appropriately in sweaters, overcoats, fur-lined caps and gloves, and waterproof hiking books.

They walked toward the summit of a sled run; looking downhill, they viewed the entire length of the evergreen lined slope. The snow-blanketed valley below sparkled in the moonlight like burnished silver.

Occasionally, a mild wind gust blew across the ridgeline, spattering their ruddy cheeks with fine, moist powder. Above them, a pale, pockmarked three-quarter moon glowed, and a deep purple panoramic sky spread over the horizon replete with glittering white stars.

Placing his arm around Aurelia’s waist, Ludwig pointed to Algol, saying, “It seems so peaceful, yet even now our comrades are fighting and dying on its planets and moons.”

Looking at the swirling Andromeda Nebula, Aurelia asked, “Do you think peace is possible?”

“Yes, Aurelia, we’ll have a treaty, if the Algolians are reasonable. It’s a major part of Cato’s policy, but I’ll never be party to a dishonorable peace.”

Aurelia turned to gaze upward at Ludwig’s resolute face, thinking, He’s a future Emperor, after all. Resting silently in his arms, Aurelia struggled with a problem she’d avoided ever since she and Ludwig first met. Eventually, without facing him, she spoke: “Luddy, there’s something you must know about Berenice, and me.”

Barely distracted from his stargazing, Ludwig mumbled, “Hmm; what is it?”

Aurelia answered quietly, “First, tell me that you love me.”

Ludwig turned and lifted her face so he could look into her eyes; he saw an ominous frown. “Of course I love you. Tell me what’s troubling you. We mustn’t keep secrets from one another.”

Aurelia whispered, “Berenice and I are like sisters.”

Irritated by her evasive response, Ludwig sputtered, “Like sisters? What’s that supposed to mean?”

Bowing her head, Aurelia confessed, “We’re both androids.” She paused for a moment, and then continued, “I’m so sorry, Luddy.”

Recoiling in shock, he stepped back a pace.

Aurelia pleaded, “Forgive me, Luddy; please, forgive me.”

Stunned, he stared without saying a word; after a moment, he approached her. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he tenderly pulled her into his arms, saying, “Aurelia, I still love you. I want you to be my wife, and the mother of our children. I’m not certain what power makes us what we are. As far as I’m concerned, you’re human, just as Bambi was human when she took the spear that was meant for me.”

Looking directly into his eyes, she exclaimed, “You mean that, Luddy? You forgive me?”

Smiling reassuringly, he replied, “Of course, I forgive you, if there’s anything to forgive. I’ve encountered a force greater than any science known to your father or Plotinus Industries. I know the difference between the real and the false, and between truth and a lie. You have a human heart and a human soul, and they didn’t come from a laboratory or a factory. That’s all that matters to me.”

Aurelia remained silent, resting her head on Ludwig’s chest, as he turned to gaze upward at the stars. They stood together, for several minutes; then, hand in hand, they walked back to the lodge, through the soft evening shadows, and bright, crunching snow.

Proceed to Chapter 15...