PERSEUS:  "Accession" part 3
Copyright (c) 1991 Larry Mann, Ryan Mathews

[Cut to the spaceport, where the Shrike is being loaded into one of
Kanaan's cruisers.  Perhaps you could draw Michael's view, from inside
the Shrike.]

			MICHAEL (CAPTION)
And so I agreed to tag along as Lord Kanaan Aikata attempted an
overthrow of the Soronian Emperor, Nadar IV.  What else could I do?  I
was dead anyway if they lost, since the damaged Shrike couldn't
possibly make it back to the Co-Op on the fuel it had without stopping
several times in what would become very hostile Imperial space.

[On board the Shrike:]

			RASTAAN
I will be accompanying you on the journey, Mr. Perseus.  If you don't
mind, that is.

			MICHAEL
I don't mind.  And it's "Michael", OK?  No one calls me "Perseus".  It
isn't even really my last name.

			RASTAAN
Very well, Michael.

			MICHAEL
Hey, Rastaan, last time we met, seven years ago at that festival, you
were travelling with this human esper-sorceress, Althia.  Are you
still--

			RASTAAN
No.  Althia and I went our separate ways a few years ago.  I'm
Lord Aikata's primary aide now.  Why do you ask?

			MICHAEL
No reason.

			RASTAAN (smiling)
You had a crush on her, didn't you?

			MICHAEL
HEY!!

			RASTAAN
I'm just giving you an example of how weak your mental shields are.
You can't possibly come with us to Sciranas if everyone can read your
mind.  Here, I'd like you to wear this.
	[He produces the psi-crystal.]
It's a "psi-crystal".  It produces an artificial shield of mental
static.

			MICHAEL
This looks ridiculous.

			RASTAAN
I know.  And it will be obvious to everyone that you're hiding
something, but it's better than letting you be an open book.  There is
an alternative.

			MICHAEL
Which is?

			RASTAAN
It will take nearly a day for us to reach Sciranas.  Why don't you let
me give you a quick lesson?

[The following lengthy caption is spread over frames illustrating what
is being said.]

			MICHAEL (CAPTION)
Aikata's plan to overthrow Nadar was very simple.  The Soronian Empire
was divided into 12 regions, each of which was ruled by a regional
lord, each with his own military.  One of these lords was Nadar IV,
who, as Emperor, ruled the Direct Imperial Territories as well, with
their additional military.  The only way to have any chance at all of
directly overthrowing the Empire was for all the other lords to unite
against him.  And that's what was about to happen.

Nadar had consolidated his power over the years by separating the
territories of friendly lords with those of hostile lords.  In this
way, the lords were kept feuding with each other rather than with him.

For nearly ten years, Aikata had been playing diplomat, patching up
the relations of lords who had been feuding for generations.  In
return for helping to negotiate peace, Aikata asked for two things,
participation in his plan to unseat Nadar, and the outward appearance
of continued hostilities.

At the time I came into the picture, Aikata had secured the alliance
of seven of his fellow lords and pledges of non-interference from the
other three.  The attack was to begin soon, as all the lords returned
to Sciranas for the annual Festival of Renewal.  It was also a time
for the lords to be reunited with their families, who had to live on
Sciranas as an incentive against rebellion.

[Cut to outside in the Aikata estate, where Sahra and Kamu greet
Kanaan, Rastaan, and Michael.]

			KANAAN
<Sahra, Kamu, I'd like you to meet Michael, a friend of mine.>

			SAHRA
<Your presence is an honor.>

			MICHAEL
<I am honored to be present.>

			KAMU
<You're...a human...>

			SAHRA
<Kamu!  That isn't polite!>
	[To Michael:]
<I must apologize, she's never seen a human before.>

			MICHAEL
<That okay.  Am sorry, my Soronian clumsy.>

			KAMU
I can speak in human!  I have been taking lessons!

			MICHAEL
You speak very well, Kamu.

			KAMU [sensing something mentally]
<OH!  Mira's coming!  Please, mother, may I go?>

			KANAAN
<Mira?>

			SAHRA
<A new friend of Kamu's.  I don't know if I like her, Kanaan.  She's
too wild.  She wants to take Kamu to a dancing club!  Is that anyway
for the daughter of a lord to behave?>

			KANAAN
<If she is a lady Kamu's age, then yes.  You may go, Kamu.>

			KAMU
<Father, do you mean it?  Oh, father, thank you!>
	[She gives him a big hug, then flies off.]

			SAHRA
<Kanaan...>

			KANAAN
<There's nothing wrong with her having a little harmless fun, Sahra.
And I think that we should encourage to spend time away from the
estate.>

[Cut to Kanaan planning with his allies.  Michael is present, wearing
the psi-crystal.  They surround a table on which is an (electronic?)
map of Sciranas.  NOTE: Larry, you haven't named any other lords yet.
Rather than name them myself, and risk a "non-Soronian" feel, I will
use keys like <lord1> instead, and you can come up with names
yourself.]
			MICHAEL (CAPTION)
That evening, Kanaan and his allies planned their strategy.  The other
lords objected to my presence at first, but assented once Kanaan
assured them I was in his custody, and provided I wore the psi-
crystal.  I have never felt more powerful thought shields.  It was
like I was mentally blind.

			<lord1>
<Lord Aikata, I see no fault with the main points of your plan.
However, these attacks *must* be pinpoint!  My wife and infant son are
down there.>

			KANAAN
<Of course, Lord <lord1>.  I have a wife and daughter myself.  This is
one reason I have appointed Lord <lord2> to lead the naval strike.>

			<lord2>
<If you're referring to my experience, having the largest space fleet
in the Empire save for that of Nadar, I agree.  It will be my task to
destroy the defense satellites, then prevent Nadar's orbital guard
from firing on our estates.>

			KANAAN
<Are there any other questions?>

			Lord 3
<Only one.  Should the coup succeed, which of us is to be Emperor?  I
have no desire to trade Nadar's tyranny for decades of civil war.>

			KANAAN
<Since we all seem to agree that Nadar is not to remain alive, I
propose we swear our loyalty to the man who takes his life.  Agreed?>

			All Lords
<Agreed.>

			KANAAN
<Then let us retire to our estates and rest.  For in a matter of days
a new era begins!!>