the underground. The war is over; they'd call it murder, and no one would speak for you. They'd hang you as a common killer.'
'Let them try,' said Finlay. 'Evie, how could you keep something like this from me? We swore we'd have no secrets between us. How could you not tell me something as important as this? Didn't you trust me?'
'Oh, you're a fine one to talk about keeping secrets, Finlay Campbell! Are you ever going to tell Julian Skye the truth? That the man he admires so much is the same Masked Gladiator who killed his brother, Auric?'
'That's different!' said Finlay. And then he stopped, hearing a strained noise behind him. He looked around, and there, standing in the open doorway, was Julian Skye. The young esper's face was bone white, but his dark eyes were fixed steadily on Finlay's.
'Julian…'
'You should have told me, Finlay. When we first met, you should have told me. How could you do such a thing?'
'I killed a lot of people in the Arena,' said Finlay. 'While I was the second Masked Gladiator. Auric was just one of them. I never knew he was your brother till after we'd become friends. And I never told you then because I knew how much it would hurt you.'
'And the Masked Gladiator I killed during the rebellion?'
'That was Georg McCrackin, the first man to wear the mask. He was my teacher. I inherited the role from him.'
'So I killed an innocent man.'
'He stood with the Empress! He would never have surrendered. He would have killed you.'
'An innocent man. You bloody bastard. Did you think it was funny? Did you have a good laugh at the brother of the man you murdered trotting at your heels like a puppy?'
'No, Julian! It was never like that!'
'I'm going away for a while. I don't want you to call me. I'll contact you when I've decided what I'm going to do. When I've decided whether or not I'm going to kill you.'
He turned and left, and Finlay wanted to run after him but didn't. There was nothing he could say now that wouldn't just make things worse. He stood silently in the middle of his room, in the ruins of his world. In the space of a few minutes he'd lost his friend and perhaps his love, the only things that really mattered to him. He wanted to go out and kill Gregor, and seek solace in slaughter, but he couldn't. Not now, with so many matters left unresolved. So he went back to the bed, sat down beside the sobbing Evangeline, and took her in his arms and comforted her as best he could.
And let the bloody red rage simmer in his heart.
In the best suite that the best hotel in the Parade of the Endless had to offer, BB Chojiro reclined peacefully on the huge bed while Cardinal Brendan brought her up to date on the latest news. BB enjoyed a little luxury now and again, and saw no point in denying herself just to save her Clan a few pennies. Besides, the people she had to deal with expected to see and meet her in the same kind of surroundings they enjoyed. It was necessary they perceive her as at least their equal, or they wouldn't strike deals with her. She realized Brendan had stopped talking, and turned her head lazily on the pillow to look at him.
'Yes? Is there a problem?'
'No. I was just wondering… how did you get to be the official spokesperson for Blue Block? I'd never even heard of you before the rebellion.'
BB Chojiro smiled. 'I am spokesperson because Blue Block wants it that way. Which is really all you need to know. But, vanity, vanity, thy name is woman, so it pleases me to inform you that I am the end result of extensive planning and programming, designed for just this task. I am the voice of Blue Block. My thoughts are those that Blue Block gave me.'
'But then… how much of you is left?' said Brendan. 'I mean, the real you. The original BB Chojiro?'
'Ah,' said BB. 'You'd be surprised. Let's just say, more than you'd think. But it doesn't matter. Their interests are mine and vice versa.'
'But why…'
'Did they choose me, out of all the subjects at their command? They've never told me. Genetics, presumably. They had my parents killed when I was very young, and took me away from my Clan so that I would have no ties or loyalties to anyone but them. I never knew a Family, or what it could be, so I can't honestly say I lost anything. Blue Block is my father and mother, and all my brothers and sisters too. They made me what I am today.'
'And who are They?' said Brendan. 'I've only ever been on the edges. The mysteries are closed to me. Who is this They that runs everything?'
'Ah,' said BB, smiling up at the ceiling. 'Wouldn't you like to know?'
Cardinal Brendan sighed quietly. He should have known better than to expect a straight answer from BB Chojiro. 'So, where are we going next?' he asked, moving on to the safer ground of the day's business. 'We've been through everyone on my list, but you had me leave the rest of the evening free.'
'So I did,' said BB. 'I'm not exactly sure what's going to happen now. Several trains of events have been set in motion. The only certainty is that somewhen this evening, several important members of Blue Block will be journeying here to discuss forming an alliance with Jack Random.'
'What? You have got to be kidding! What could he possibly have in common with us?'
'Simple. He's a Chojiro.'
Brendan just stared at her for a moment. 'Jack Random is a
'You didn't really think his name was Random, did you? His mother was a part of my Clan. His father was no one important. What matters is that Jack has blood connections to a major Family, at a time when he feels more isolated than at any other time in his life. And however far we stray, Family is still Family. If we could persuade him to join with us, the legendary professional rebel and hero, the man who made the deal with Blue Block…'
'It's risky,' said Brendan. 'Too risky. He may be politically isolated at the moment, but he's still a man of power and influence. And on top of all that, he's one of the Maze people. Whatever they are.'
'They are the future,' said BB. 'Whoever controls them, or can remove them from the playing field, will control the fate of Humanity. However, the Maze people may be powerful, but they all have their weaknesses. Jack Random will succumb to the comforts of Family, of belonging. Ruby Journey needs action, and a direction if not a cause; she's incapable of running her own life, and needs to feel needed. Owen Deathstalker and Hazel d'Ark… are a problem. Together they are greater than the sum of their parts, so it is in our best interests to separate them. Turn them against each other, setting his idealism against her practicality, and they might well destroy each other.'
'Whatever happens, we have to prevent the forthcoming marriage between Owen and Constance Wolfe,' said Brendan. 'Owen as Emperor, even just a constitutional Emperor, is unthinkable.'
'Not necessarily,' said BB, stretching lazily. 'If we can't destroy him, we can always manipulate him. More important, we have to remove Finlay Campbell from the board. It's vital that Robert be installed unopposed as the Campbell.'
'I've set things in motion,' said Brendan. 'All we have to do is wait. But I don't see that Robert's going to be any improvement as the Campbell. The word is he has no love for aristocrats in general, and Blue Block in particular.'
'But he was Blue Block for a time, and once you are ours, you are ours forever. When the time comes, he'll do the right thing. He won't be able to help himself.'
The viewscreen on the wall chimed politely, and Brendan went to answer it. Julian Skye's gaunt face appeared on the screen, and BB quickly lay down again, to ensure Julian couldn't see her. He looked tired, and his eyes were suspiciously puffy as he glared out of the screen at Brendan.
'I want to speak to BB. Now.'
'I'm sorry, Julian. She doesn't want to talk to you. Not until you've proved your love and your loyalty to her.'
'I can deliver Finlay Campbell. If that's what she wants.'
'That's… good news, Julian. I'm sure BB will be very glad to hear that. How soon…'
'Very soon. But I'll only deliver him to BB. In person.'
'I'm sure that can be arranged. Contact me again when you're ready to make delivery, and I'll give you a time and place. BB will be there, waiting for you.'
