campaign would not hurt the zealots since they didn't give a damn about demons' newspapers anyway.
The local Earthmen took a counsel and came to the conclusion that there was no chance these halfwits would win the election. So, let the liberal newspapers idolize the new heroes. Why should they bother exposing them? It would only be bad publicity for the new IPOs.
As the elections were approaching, the fund index grew like bamboo, since fund indexes in developing countries always grow before the elections. To scream about the party of the people's freedom under these conditions meant killing your own profit. A considerable part of the paper and speculation profits, obtained by the Earthmen financiers and manufacturers, was donated to Shavash's election campaign. They and their wallets just loved this future country's leader. Their enthusiasm for donations was based on the solid and persuading results of the sociological studies predicting Shavash's victory.
What the financiers didn't know was that these studies were paid for by Shavash. It is much easier to buy two hundred sociologists than to buy fifty million of voters.
The elections caused certain problems, however, to Assalah Company. Ashinik occasionally appeared on the pages of the Galaxy newspapers. While his general comments towards Earthmen were restrained, he used Terence Bemish as an example to explain the peculiarities of the corruption in the Empire. Mostly, he commented on the abuses of Assalah customs and unabashed insider trading in Bemish's funds.
It wasn't particularly beneficial for the company's quotes and their growth lagged noticeably behind the general fund index.
But the worst for Bemish was that, due to the elections, Kissur and Shavash — two people that meant a lot for the planet and quite a bit for Bemish personally — quarreled. Their breach started almost unnoticeably, at the moment when Kissur declared openly that he was against all the elections. Shavash had opposite views. When the sovereign declared in Shavash's face that he would never appoint him as a first minister, Shavash realized that he would be able to become a first minister only by people's volition.
Practically immediately, in a great hurry, Shavash channeled all his power and money into a huge political campaign and into the creation of his own party. Shavash's methods were as primordial as they were effective. The doors to the vice-prefect's manor stood wide open for the poor — they could get there free soup and pies day and night.
The minimal wage law was under consideration at that time. The first minister Yanik insisted on a fifty isheviks minimal wage while Shavash suggested eighty. Yanik won. Then, the vice-prefect Shavash declared that he would pay the difference to the workers in the capital drawing a salary of less than eighty isheviks.
Two assassination attempts were made at Shavash's life. It's hard to say whether or not they were real but Shavash clearly gained from them. He became the only man opposing the zealots for both foreign investors and well-intentioned people.
While Kissur and Shavash could live in peace at the Emperor's court, the fallout between became inevitable once the latter emerged as the head of Weian Democratic Alliance party since the former considered democracy to be an ultimate stupidity that Weia needed just as much as somebody would need a fur hat amidst a hot summer.
The final quarrel happened at a party in one of Shavash's country houses. Bemish attended it — he needed to meet some officials from Chakhar and hand a check for the election campaign to Shavash.
They were all drunk; Kissur was somewhat more sober while Shavash was boozed up completely. Shavash reclined on a sofa with one of his slaves sitting on his knees. The slave was a cute fourteen-year-old boy and nobody had any doubts about the precise nature of his relationship with Shavash. The boy was kissing his master's fingers and picking bits off his plate and finally the time arrived when the future prime minister, the light and hope of the people, the enemy of inflation and the paragon of virtue started walking towards an exit pushing the boy in front of him and looking horny. Two or three supplicants had been circling around Shavash hoping to discuss some important matters; they jumped out of his way not willing to distract the vice minister away from his modest boy. At that point, Kissur appeared in front of Shavash.
'Shavash,' an Empire's ex-first minister said, 'are you really going to Lannakh tomorrow?'
A meeting of three provinces was taking place in Lannakh with feasts for the chosen and pies for everybody.
'Yes.'
'I beseech you not to go there.'
Shavash smiled confounded.
'I can't, Kissur. The people are waiting for me there.'
'I beseech you, Shavash, don't do it. I ask you in the name of our friendship. It's not befitting for a Weian official to ape these stupid Earthmen and to take part in the elections.'
Shavash giggled drunkenly.
'Is it your personal request?'
'No, I speak on the other's behalf.'
Kissur didn't say 'other person's'. He never called the Emperor Varnazd a man. The Emperor was always a god in his eyes.
'Is he, in whose name you speak, afraid of me winning the elections?'
'You are not worthy of heading the country.'
Everybody was listening to this dialog breathlessly; soon afterwards, it was to acquire the most fantastic details added to it. Both Kissur and Shavash were boozed up to the hilt and what a sober man has on his mind, a drunkard has on his tongue…
Shavash laughed.
'What would you offer me instead, Kissur?'
'Anything you wish. You wanted Iman. (The sovereign gave to Kissur a lot of land in the oil-rich areas of Iman). Would you like me to cut Yadan down?'
Shavash giggled louder. He swayed and grabbed Kissur's shoulder to avoid falling. Then, he missed a step and dropped on his knees. His lips touched Kissur's hand.
'Kissur… Give me Idari and I won't participate in the elections.'
Everybody froze not comprehending yet what was happening. Kissur was the first one to react. His hands were next to Shavash's face, they suddenly locked together on their own and Kissur hit Shavash with his locked hands in the chin.
The vice minister sailed in a long arch through the air and landed with his back on the banquet table. Sauces and appetizers flew to the sides and priceless fifth dynasty china plates were smashed.
Kissur grabbed the object that was closest to him and it was a tall five candle chandelier in the shape of a burning rose on a bronze rod and rushed at Shavash roaring wildly. At this point, Bemish and Shavash's guards tackled him and if it had not been for them, Kissur would have certainly slaughtered the welcoming host. As it was, he had to limit himself to killing one guard and leaving another one disabled.
The next day Bemish came to Kissur's manor to beg forgiveness. Green with hangover, Kissur lay in a wide bed with a broken hand in a sling. Bemish had broken this hand yesterday.
Kissur's brother, Ashidan, and Khanadar the Dried Date sat at Kissur's feet and they weren't particularly welcoming towards Bemish.
'Son of a bitch,' Kissur said out of his pillows. 'I'll kill him anyway.'
He meant Shavash.
'You were drunk,' Bemish objected, 'You will still make peace.'
Kissur laughed hoarsely.
'Don't be an idiot, Kissur! Shavash is just a horny goat. He almost took Inis away from me! He sleeps with the wives of all his employees!'
'Exactly. He sleeps with everything that has a hole between its legs whether this hole is in the front or in the back, he never leaves the pubs, he drags his brat even to the negotiations with Galactic Bank and he dares to ask me to give him my wife!'
The elections for the first Weian parliament took place on the fifth of Shuyun, July, 17th by the interplanetary calendar. The overwhelming majority of the electorate — 67.5 % — voted for the party of the
