Part 10 (2/2)

They entered the main chamber-and Jod'e's breath hissed in with shock. A monster stood there.

Lysander blinked and reconsidered. Monster? That was a Hectare! It stood somewhat above the height of a human being, with monstrous multifaceted eyes at the top, many stout little caterpillar feet at the base, and a hairlike greenish mantle covering much of the torso. A perfect specimen of its species. He, Lysander, had become so acclimatized to the human state that he had seen the creature through human perception.

It was probably well that he had done so, for his muted reaction would have been noted. A Hectare saw everything in its vicinity; that was the ability of the eyes. Each facet was individually lensed and controlled, an entire separate eye, and any several could focus on a particular object and perceive it with complete acuity. He had reacted normally, and so had not given himself away. For it was as important that the local Hectare not know his nature and mission as that the natives not know. That way, nothing could give him away.

The man stepped forward. He wore a headdress that looked like nothing so much as a squirming ma.s.s of little tentacles. ”Serfs, meet your master,” he said. ”This is the representative of the Hectare, whose private ident.i.ty is irrelevant for you. You will henceforth obey any creature of this type as you would a Citizen, implicitly. However, the Hectare will normally work through intermediaries such as myself, identified by Hectare caps, whom you will also obey without question. Early examples will be made of any who cause difficulty.”

He frowned. ”Indeed, the two of you, together with an errant unicorn, did cause minor mischief. The male is desired by one of our collaborators, and the female aided him in an attempted break. Examples shall therefore be made of you-but not unpleasant ones, for you. Each of you shall become the love slave of a collaborator. Do you find that appealing?”

There was no answer. Tan made a signal, and rays lanced down to sting both Lysander's and Jod'e's bare feet. Both jumped back with exclamations of pain.

”When questioned, you will answer,” Tan said.

”I find that appalling,” Lysander said quickly. His mind was racing. If Tan had the same power of the Evil Eye that Tania had, that meant he could look into the face of a person and compel that person to do anything he wished. Lysander was probably proof against such suasion, because he had been well prepared as a counter resistance agent, but if he showed that, Tan would know his nature, and his secret would be compromised. He had to avoid Tan's effort.

”So do I,” Jod'e said.

Tan looked at her, his eyes narrowing appreciatively. ”You have the vamp aspect, and you are extremely comely. You could have an excellent situation, if you cared to serve the Hectare.”

”I am loyal to the old order,” she said.

”And you, Lysander,” Tan said. ”You are an expert games-man, and you have training in computer feedback circuitry. You too could have an excellent situation.”

”I prefer not,” Lysander said.

”The two of you are lovers?”

”Yes,” Lysander answered. They had not actually made love, but they would have soon enough, and wanted to. The cell's spy lens would have recorded their start in that direction, before Alyc interrupted it.

”Let me make something plain to you both. The Hectare power is absolute. It will remain here indefinitely, until the planet has been exploited to the point that it is no longer worthwhile. You can not change that. But you can affect your own lives. If you join the Hectare, and give loyal service, you will be rewarded with an excellent life. If you do not, you will serve the Hectare anyway, but your position will be less advantageous for yourselves. You may make your choice now.”

Both shook their heads no.

”You are lovers,” Tan said. ”Agree to serve, and you may remain so. You will work together, and your free time will be your own. You will work in your specialties, and not be asked to do anything against your consciences. This is a good offer.”

Lysander looked at Jod'e. ”I think you should accept. I believe it is as he says.”

She turned to him. ”Are you going to accept?”

”No.”

”Then I could not be your lover, because they would not grant you your wish.”

”This is true,” Tan said. ”The reward for the cooperation of the two of you is yourselves. If one does not join, you will have lovers, but not each other.”

”I did not intend to accept anyway,” Jod'e said. ”The most I could agree to is not to work against the bug-eyes if I am released. But I would never collaborate with them against the true culture of this world.”

”There will be a penalty for the pejorative term,” Tan said.

”Then I might as well make it clear that they will always be bug-eyed monsters to me. BEMs, exactly as in the old stories.”

The Hectare made no reaction.

”This has gone far enough,” Tan said. ”Your penalty for failing to cooperate is to be compelled to be the love slave of a collaborator, as I mentioned before. Your penalty for the cra.s.s remark is to become my personal love slave. Does this appeal to you?”

”The prospect revolts me,” she said.

Tan's aspect changed subtly. Lysander realized that the man had s.h.i.+fted to his Phaze ident.i.ty. ”Do thou look at me, vamp.”

She turned her face away from him.

A stun beam came down from the ceiling, evidently set at partial intensity. Jod'e slumped but did not fall.

Tan reached out and turned her head toward him. She was unable to resist. He stared into her eyes. ”Thou dost be mine,” he murmured.

The beam shut off. Jod'e recovered. ”Aye,” she said.

”Thou mayst kiss me.”

Lysander had expected either extreme reluctance, or a carefully faked effort. He was dismayed at what actually happened.

Jod'e flung her arms around Tan and kissed him pa.s.sionately. ”O thank thee, beloved!” she breathed.

Tan did not respond in kind. ”Now kiss Lysander,” he said.

Jod'e froze. Then her head turned toward Lysander. ”Needs must I?”

”I wish to demonstrate that thy orientation be completely changed. Kiss him.”

She grimaced. ”An I must, I must,” she said with resignation. ”I hate him not, but it be thee, sir, I long for.” She stepped up to Lysander and kissed him fleetingly on the cheek.

”That be not sufficient,” Tan said sternly. ”Yield to him.” He looked directly at Lysander, and his eyes seemed huge. ”And thou, Lysan-I compel thee not, yet. But take her in thine arms and do with her as thou wouldst. Make her respond to thee.”

It was a challenge Lysander was glad to accept. He enfolded Jod'e and held her close for the kiss.

Her body was stiff, and her lips mushy. Either she was a consummate actress, or she had no interest in his attention. She gave him no private signal. She merely tolerated his touch. As soon as he released her, she stepped back toward Tan, her stiffness fading.

”She be thine no longer,” Tan said to Lysander. ”I can use my power but once on a gi'en person, but it be permanent. I would spare myself the effort on thee. Thou hast lost thy love, but canst still achieve a worthwhile position an thou accept allegiance now.”

Lysander was impressed. He didn't think Jod'e was pretending. But his mission prevented him from collaborating with the puppet government the Hectare was setting up. ”No.”

”Then needs must I prepare thee for Alyc, as she asked,” Tan said. ”Face me.”

Lysander had delayed as long as he could. He had to act. He turned his face slowly toward Tan-then leaped for the Hectare.

He pa.s.sed right through the creature-as he had expected. It was a holo image, not a physical presence. The Hectare were careful about personal exposure; only when they were quite sure of their company did they risk it.

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