Divine Deception: The Will Traveller Chronicals (32 page)

“I don’t see how
he could accept you” Susan pointed out “He would nullify himself if
he did, unless you were willing to accept his self-ordained
relationship with you. He may well be Lady Ursula’s spy and could
even claim to be there on her behalf. In fact, he will most likely
try to disrupt or destroy the convention, if he can find a way to
do it” She warned me. Preparing to leave for Port Rualé the next
morning, after only my second night alone in my leather bound,
luxury compartment, I considered all I had learned in person and
been told. Thanks to Susan, I had an official and actual view of
the six States I had not visited, and, as importantly, those who
led them. Though usually glossed over in the official information,
Susan felt it relevant to point out that every one of the six had a
‘safety barrier’ around them.

In fact, only Arc
Island and Carabindy didn’t. Logically, the implication of needing
a two to three kilometre defoliated barrier, whether patrolled by
killer robots or human military personnel, was that someone needed
to be kept out, or was it in? Though all these men were soon to
face some very uncomfortable realities, Lord Denham was definitely
in for a very bad day if he chose to be Ursula’s representative. He
would end up getting exactly what Ursula or Edmond would, which was
not exactly what they would expect. I arrived an hour and a half
before Zoran’s T.T.V was due to arrive, in what was now very much
the Divine House of Red’s T.T.V.

My guardsmen, the
pilot and navigator, along, with many willing Arc Islander hands,
had also been busy in my short absence. Two metre high red roses,
the House of Red’s ensign, graced both sides of the sleek black
craft. Another was outside the main door and all the arrival
trappings were now bright red. A huge open parkland, almost in the
centre of Port Rualé’s city, had been converted into an elaborate
T.T.V. arrival terminal. The largest of the parking spots was
reserved for my T.T.V. It too was decorated, with real red roses.
My parking spot faced two identical, slightly smaller but still
impressive arrival areas, for the two T.T.V.s that were carrying
the New World’s leaders. Captain Millwell had come with me, but had
chosen to stay out of sight and make his own way to the
conference.

Governor Barry and
Co had proudly whisked me through the cheering crowd, to show me
the specially prepared conference centre. The Arc Island leader had
chosen to walk the half kilometre to the centre, firmly refusing my
offer of an escort.

“Don’t want people
thinking there is favouritism” Lord Robert, he had said earlier. He
got to the centre half an hour later. Governor Barry and his people
had pulled out all the stops, in order to make this conference
centre worthy of the historic role it was to play, in the future of
this planet. Styled like a royal chamber, with my red upholstered,
gold plated ‘throne’ at the head of a perfectly round,
magnificently carved marble table.

There was another,
almost as regal, chair to my right, for Zoran, and ten identical
chairs, equally spaced around the table in front of me. Behind each
of the ten chairs was a leather bound upright chair, with a small
writing table beside it. Barry had replaced the Supreme one huge
photo behind my chair with an equal sized one of me. I ordered that
they swap the portraits back.

“There may be no
members of the Supreme Family left, when all is done” I told him
sombrely, adding “And that includes me” Governor Barry was rather
taken aback by that remark.

“I thought you
were invincible Lord Robert” He asked worriedly.

“I have yet to
deal with the Supreme One himself Governor’ I replied
truthfully.

“Zoran said Lady
Ursula gives the orders as he’s senile” He said.

“True” I agreed
“But with the planet’s best technology at his disposal, I’m sure he
will be well protected” I told the port city’s leader confidently.
As he was the Governor of the host Nation, Governor Barry was to
sit in the first chair to my right. Captain Millwell opted to put
his name in the hat for the placement draw, and was to sit opposite
me, across the table. Brogan’s Parker drew first to my left and my
would-be relative Lord Denham was to sit to the right of Governor
Barry. Julie, who turned out to be the State’s chief administrator
and who had no idea that we had already met, chose the names from a
hat, at my request.

“It’s essential
that we practice what we preach right from the start” I told
Governors Barry and Millwell, just before we left to meet the two
T.T.Vs and some of the Heads of State for the first time.

“Although I’ve
much to be grateful for, to both of you, let me thank you now” I
told the two leaders, as we walked to the arrival zone “For,
henceforth, I am beholden no one, if my chair is to be truly
without favour” I continued, adding “I hope you understand”.

“That is how it
should be Lord Robert” Captain Millwell agreed.

“Of course, of
course” Enthused Governor Barry, as he led the way, but I sensed
some disappointment. Our Captain was to get here less than an hour
after Zoran, so it was decided we would stay at the terminal till
they had arrived. It might also afford the chance for a brief chat
with the three new leaders. We arrived to find tens of thousands of
people filling every inch of available space in the huge concreted
plaza surrounding it.

They hung out of
every window, of every building that faced the spectacular
terminal. With only one limousine in the state, Governor Barry’s,
it was now my transport, while the two Governors shared an almost
as large, open topped sedan. Eight other, slightly smaller,
open-topped sedans awaited the other eight Governors. Our arrival
generated an ear-splitting roar of approval, which only abated when
Zoran’s T.T.V. appeared high over head, and silently began to
descend into the first parking space. I chose to stand on the
raised transom of my T.T.V, as the identical craft settled and the
door lifted up. Zoran came out and the Governors of Arc Island and
Port Rualé walked quickly over to meet our guests.

As they arrived
and climbed the three steps to Zoran’s arrival Dias, a tall,
leathery man, in his forties emerged behind the old man.

“Governor Rand of
the State of Badang” Zoran introduced the man to the two Governors
and the crowd, from the amplified Dias. There was applause, he
waved and re-entered Zoran’s T.T.V. Next came a short, slightly fat
jovial man in his late forties.

“Governor Cabot of
the State of Mantray” Introduced Zoran. Again the crowd applauded
politely. The last to come out was a ramrod straight, tall and
handsome man in his late twenties. His military uniform, adorned
with much bold braid and many medals, certainly served to give him
a strong authoritative image.

“Colonel Colloway
of the State of Colloway” Zoran introduced, to a somewhat more
enthusiastic reception, such is the power of youth, good looks and
a uniform.

After the Colonel
had acknowledged the crowd and gone back in, I decided to give the
crowd a thrill, while providing myself with an appropriately
powerful introduction. Red kaftan fluttering in the light breeze, I
flew across the hundred or so metres, to Zoran’s T.T.V. The crowd
loved it and showed their appreciation with another near deafening
roar. The wonderful old man only let his eyes show his personal
pleasure at seeing me, he bowed formally and led the way back into
the T.T.V’s cabin. The three leaders stood as I entered, only young
Colloway stepped forward with his hand out, as they all said “Lord
Robert”, almost in unison. I took the young Governor’s hand and
shook it firmly, then invited them all to sit back down. I sat down
as well. Zoran had most eloquently explained the current Supreme
House situation and played them my speech from Arc Island.

He had also
briefed them thoroughly about events on our journey right up to
Lord Elton’s attempt to murder me again, which ended in his death.
Cabot and the young Colonel, who was the eldest grandson of the
State’s founder, were both concerned, but willing to listen.
Governor Rand, with his tenacious hold on power relying upon the
worst kind of colonial racism, was not interested in what Lord
Robert’s opinions were, until I actually was the Supreme One he had
said. Governor Rand came only to ‘find out what the hell is going
on’ so, predictably, although as respectful as the other two, it
was he who began a day of questions, and more questions.

“May I
respectfully ask Lord Robert for an explanation of the terrible
events which Zoran has told us of?” He asked, but the look in his
eyes did not match his deferential tone.

“Governor Rand” I
began “The Supreme Family is much like any family, except that,
because of Grandfather’s extraordinary powers and skills, our
family now absolutely controls the whole New World. Absolute power
is fertile ground for absolute corruption...”

“Surely you’re not
saying the Supreme One’s will is corrupt Lord Robert?” Rand
interrupted, he was quite sure that I would now retreat from that
statement, but he was wrong.

“You have not even
heard the Supreme One’s will, in well over a decade Governor Rand”
I replied coldly “None of you have” I continued, then looked at all
three. They remained silent.

“Lady Ursula
passes on His will right?” I confirmed and the three men nodded “He
is totally senile” I told them flatly “He wouldn’t know if you grew
wheat in Badang or herded cattle. In fact I doubt that he’s even
aware of what Aklodyte is!” I went on, adding “All of you have been
controlled by Lady Ursula and her sons”.

“But a woman
cannot be the Supreme One” Colonel Colloway exclaimed “Why didn’t
Lord Peter..?” I held up my hand.

“I was murdered
several years ago, by Lord Edmond and Lord Elton, at Lady Ursula’s
behest” I told them, making all three really confused, but I
continued “When Lady Margaret killed Lord Peter accidentally, while
she was trying to kill me yet again, and ended up being crushed to
death, Lady Ursula knew she couldn’t control me as she had my older
Brother, so she decided I had to die, again” I went on with my
explanation, but I don’t think it helped much.

“Pray tell Lord
Robert, why was it that Lady Margaret also wanted to kill you,
again” Governor Rand asked, thoroughly confused and yet extremely
curious.

“Because she found
out why I had been sent back, after being killed the first time” I
replied, inviting the next question.

“Lord Robert, this
is all most confusing” Governor Cabot said. “Can you tell us why
you have been sent back?” He asked politely.

I looked into each
one’s eyes for just a second then began answering, in an even and
very matter-of-fact voice.

“I am returned to
create this conference and to implement its will”.

“I am sent to
eliminate the injustices and untruths that the New World is built
upon” I continued “When the will of the people on this planet is
known, so it will be done” I told the three leaders.

“And what if the
planet votes to end the Supreme One’s rule?” Colonel Colloway asked
dryly, not expecting the reply he got.

“Then it shall be
so” I replied, fixing my eyes on the young leader.

“And then you take
over as the new Supreme One right?” He asked cynically, but I shook
my head still looking at him curiously.

“Do you not know
how to govern Colloway yourself Colonel?” I asked the young
leader.

“Of course I do”
He protested “My late father has trained me since childhood”.

“Then why do you
need to be told what to do?” I asked him.

“I don’t Lord
Robert” He replied thoughtfully, looking right back at me “But that
is how it has always been hasn’t it?” He added..

“What if Lady
Margaret and the Supreme One choose not to surrender all their
authority Lord Robert?” Badang’s tall, rugged leader was trying to
provoke an inflammatory answer.

“Their will is of
no concern to me Governor Rand” I replied.

“You would remove
them?” Governor Rand asked, as I had known he would. I nodded “By
force?” He finally challenged, clearly, he now expected me to start
backpedalling.

“If my Father and
Sister choose not to obey the will of the planet’s people” I
replied coldly “I will end their ability to disobey it. As to how,
that’s really up to them” I ended flatly.

“Lord Robert” The
young Colonel spoke thoughtfully “May we know who sent you back
from the dead?” He asked quietly “By what power do you return to
life to accomplish all this that you speak of?” He queried, but I
didn’t get a chance to answer, because, from the noise outside, it
was clear that the second T.T.V was arriving. The three got up as I
went to leave them.

“Perhaps that will
become clear at this conference Colonel Colloway” I told him, as I
left them and returned to my T.T.V. This time, the three leaders
did see me fly, the first time they had all been inside. Perhaps
that might give some emphasis to my earlier words, I thought, as I
glided across the park, earning lots of “oohs” “aahs” and wild
applause from the enormous crowd that had gathered to witness
history being made.

Zoran took to the
landing stage again and introduced

“Governor Ballon
of the State of Astoria” They all applauded, he waved back smiling.
A pleasant looking forty something, he turned and went back inside.
Then came General Marsoni of Sentoria and Governor Lucas of Alpine
Grand looking very studious. After both had been applauded and gone
back into Zoran’s T.T.V., a very large man, both in height and
weight, with the face of a bully, was introduced as Governor Parker
of the State of Brogan. Not pleased by his unenthusiastic
reception, Governor Parker turned without waving and went back into
the T.T.V. Like dear Susan, fate had left the ‘best’ till last, as
my would-be Supreme relative emerged.