Northern California Views

“So, you have heard.” This more of a statement than a question from Junior Domina Chohoa Awda as she entered Domina Alia Lahidan’s chambers. She strode with obvious confidence: erect, athletic, a proud Shrike. The room she entered was massive, a large area with high ceilings, but set in an intimate way with conversational furniture groupings around the center and alcoves off the main room. High windows opened out to the expansive gray-green gardens. One could at once feel both the real closeness inherent in a private conversation and the massive power that Lahidan commanded.

“Mmmm,” Lahidan responded without emotion. Placebo, her male slave, was in the process of giving her a thorough massage in the alcove set for that purpose. She was enjoying it, yet not enjoying it. Much was on her mind.

As Awda approached her alcove, Lahidan kicked Placebo sharply in the stomach. He stood up, forced his arms to his side and gave a slight bow. Without a word he turned and promptly exited toward the slave chambers.

Awda watched him leave with admiration. “I do like your technique of leaving them naked. That one is a pleasure to view.”

“Mmmm,” Lahidan repeated as she sat up to face her friend. “I like to have them hanging around.” She laughed at her own wit.

“Doesn’t say much, does he?”

“I had his tongue torn out. He chattered too much. But he does have very good hands.”

Lahidan turned grave. “So” She was now sharp, commanding. “I have heard the initial reports, but I need the details. Do the humans know? Have they learned too soon of what we intend?” She looked straight at her junior officer. “If so, we will have to make adjustments.” Even though Awda was her friend, there was a subtle menace in her tone. Lahidan was used to command—and to results.

“They don’t know anything.” Awda remained confident. She knew that with Lahidan she need only be precise and respectful. “They do have cloids and a few adepts on their side. So, they probably sense something is brewing; but before they figure out what is happening, it will be over.”

“So what do we have now?” Lahidan stood and opened her towel, using it to rub in the oils on her arms and torso that had not yet fully absorbed from Placebo’s attentions. Awda smiled to herself and admired her, too. Lahidan was a fine looking woman.

“Four points,” Awda continued crisply, now the total intelligence professional. “First, as you know, our clinical test proved successful with the state they call Trilar. Their so-called surprise war against Id was almost too easy. We can control their thinking and direct a desired outcome almost at will.”

“You did that through the Illians, yes?” Awda nodded as Lahidan finished with the towel and set it neatly folded on the massage table. However, Lahidan was not entirely satisified: “But the Trilarians are a silicon-based life form,” she stated. “Is that not so? They are easier to control than most non-humans, and even the carbon-based humans.”

“Of course, but the concept is still proved,” Awda reassured her. “And, yes, our vehicle was the Illians. They have a primitive form of cloid capabilities, although they have not evolved any far-talker or even adept capabilities. They are easily influenced by us and actually are unaware of what we are doing. They hold a certain presence in their state that makes Trilar nicely vulnerable. That in turn makes them very good channels for our purpose.”

“Yes,” Lahidan reflected. She knew much of this already. It was the implications that concerned her. She stepped to the window and studied the view beyond. Placebo had relaxed her limbs well, and she absently stretched them as she thought. Finally: “And the second point?”

“That is the second point. The war with Id initially isolated Trilar completely, but humans are a curious species. They like to make money.”

Both Lahidan and Awda burst out laughing at that. Human greed and larceny were well-known failings, and constituted the key human vulnerability. It was that vulnerability the Shrike would now exploit to finally destroy the Human Expanse.

Awda moved to stand next to Lahidan and watched with her out the window. The red sun was just setting, enhancing the gray shadows and colors in the garden before them. It was a nice view, she reflected. Lahidan remained silent, thinking. At length, Awda continued: “The Trilarians as a group are now considered a pariah, primarily because they have proved to be so unpredictable. However, immediately after Trilar’s catastrophic defeat by Id and its coalition, guess what? Trilar was offered billions of credits in a variety of trade deals from a number of the human powers, even former enemies.”

Lahidan chuckled again, partly to herself. “I noticed that. Even Greyeye is nicely distracted.”

There were some memories in Lahidan’s reflection that Awda could not fully read. “Indeed,” Awda agreed. “Anything to keep increasing their wealth.” There was distaste in her tone.

“So.” It was not a question. Lahidan was serious again. She returned to and slipped back onto her massage table, leaning on her elbow and eyeing Awda directly. She did not bother to cover herself.

Awda continued staring out the window a moment, but answered with precision. “So, the effect has been that Trilarians generally and Illians in particular are now traveling all over the Human Expanse—and in increasing numbers.” She turned back toward Lahidan. “That is exactly as we had planned. We can reflect our control through these Illians whereever they may be, even relaying controls Illian to Illian without them even being aware. As a result we now are in an excellent position to prepare for the final phase.”

“Already?” Lahidan was not so sure.

“Yes, or nearly so. But, more importantly, to point three. H. T. Mergatroid was at Id during the war, as you know. And he was instrumental in the Trilar defeat, even though Id’s defenses were seriously damaged. However, it is also clear that he could not keep us from controlling the outcome. In fact, what is significant is that he showed no signs of even being aware of our involvement, which proves a very pleasant surprise and an obvious advantage for us. But …”

“But … ?”