Part 33 (1/2)
”They certainly are building a great fleet Sire, on a planet they call 'Algon',” Hanlon stated crisply, and almost gave a yell of glee as, the emperor's mind fleetingly called up a picture--distorted as though it had only been described to him--of one of the Greenies. He hurriedly continued punching. ”I know His Highness was the guiding mind behind that, for I was supposed to be working for him, and I've just come back from four months there.”
The emperor started to deny it, but Admiral Hawarden stepped closer to the desk and fixed the monarch with a stern eye.
”We don't wish to be discourteous or insolent, Sire, but we know that you do know something about this. Wait, please,” he held up his hand as the emperor opened his mouth, so apparently about to demand an apology for the _lese majeste_ of calling him a liar. ”We do not believe you were doing this of your own accord, nor that you initiated the conspiracy. But we do feel positive you know something about it. And for the peace of the Federation we must have every possible sc.r.a.p of information you can give us.”
The emperor became gradually less antagonistic, and as his face flushed his eyes became pleading.
”I ... I ...”, he struggled to go on, then realizing that something was holding him back, changed the subject slightly. ”I hope, gentlemen, you will forgive me. I don't know what has come over me these past years.
I think you know, Hawarden, that I was always heartily in favor of the Federation, and did all I could to make it a force for peace throughout the System. I know only too well how inter-planetary war would wreck all our economies, and I do not want that. But I seem to have ... changed ... these last years ... and I didn't want to!” It was almost a sob.
The admiral, as man to man, went quickly around the desk and laid his hand comfortingly on the imperial shoulder. ”We all felt that, Sire. You were far too great a ruler to have changed so radically. It puzzled and saddened us all, but now I believe we can begin to see the reason--and it doesn't harm you in our estimation now that we realize you couldn't help it.”
The emperor raised puzzled eyes. ”What do you mean by that?”
”May I answer that, Sire?” Hanlon stepped forward. ”We know now that Gorth Bohr wasn't human--he was an alien from ...”
”An ... alien?” the emperor quavered.
”Yes, Sire, definitely. We do not yet know where he came from originally, but we do know he had considerable more--or different--mental powers in some ways, than most humans. You are under some sort of a compulsion or hypnosis that prevents your speaking out.
The fact that your health failed and your body deteriorated so rapidly proves it was against your desires.”
The emperor was startled by that, and his body shook as with a palsy. He repeated his query, dully, ”An alien?”
Hanlon and Hawarden nodded silently. After a moment Hanlon took a deep breath and dared the question: ”May we have permission to search Bohr's quarters and offices to see what evidence we can find that will perhaps tell us more about his projects?”
His Majesty straightened with decision, and years seemed to drop from his face and figure. ”You certainly may, I'll give orders at once, and you can send in as many of your experts as you desire. I can sense the need for speed.”
Hanlon bowed his thanks, and the admiral voiced his. ”That is very gracious, Sire. The Corps thanks you.”
The emperor was gaining strength and his old shrewdness by the moment.
”What about that fleet you say is being built on ... on some other planet?”
Hanlon noticed that hesitation and guessed the reason. But for the moment he let it lie, and answered the question. ”It is not yet a serious menace, Sire, but will be shortly if not taken into the Corps'
hands.”
Admiral Hawarden explained further that the grand fleet was being a.s.sembled, and would cope with the problem within days.
”Good. Good. Call on us for whatever a.s.sistance we can give.”
They talked over many details for some time, then the admiral rose as though to take his leave.
But Hanlon wasn't yet ready. He wanted to pick up that matter he had let lie some minutes ago. He stepped up to the desk and looked straight into the imperial eyes.
”Sire, please think hard with all your will. I believe you know more about Bohr's plans, but that the knowledge was hypnotically sealed in your sub-conscious. Bohr had that power, we know. Please try to break that seal. Bohr is dead now--his _compulsion_ can no longer bind you!”
The emperor seemed doubtful, but at Hanlon's continued, a.s.sured insistence, finally agreed to try. He concentrated for long, long, agonizing minutes. Great beads of sweat stood out on his white, strained face, and his hands clenched into tight b.a.l.l.s.