Imperial Tower a wide berth, knowing that anyone who violated the security zone around it was likely to be shot down. The cylindrical building was not only the governmentâs most important office complex but housed Emperor Emorâs living quarters as well.
From there the pilot had to thread her way between a succession of high-rise towers and cope with the heavy air traffic that was typical of the cityâs wheel-shaped corporate and governmental zones, before coming in for a landing on an artificial island at the very center of Lake Umanus.
Having been cleared to land, the pilot put the air car down on a pad, waited for her passengers to disembark, and immediately took off again. Only the Emperor, and Senators themselves, were allowed to park vehicles there.
A covered walkway led Usurlus and his bodyguards toward the building that loomed ahead. The dome-shaped roof was sheathed in real gold and supported by dozens of marble columns, one for each of the worlds that had banded together to form the Empire more than a thousand years before.
Usurlus was well-known within the Senate, and the assassination attempt was only hours old, so the Legate had to stop and chat with more than a dozen officials, politicians, and staff members before entering the rotunda.
The men had to pass through a security checkpoint, and the bodyguards were required to check their weapons. The next half hour was spent talking with various people in the high-ceilinged hallways, and while nothing specific was said, Usurlus got the feeling that his initial impression was correct: The overall situation had undergone a dramatic change of some sort. It seemed as though his contacts were nervous, unsure of themselves, and admittedly pensive though none could say why.
In an effort to find out what might account for the uncertainty, Usurlus made his way down two levels to the senatorial baths, where the man nicknamed âthe oracleâ was generally in residence between 1:00 and 2:00 PM.
Because Livius and Tupus werenât allowed to enter the dressing rooms or the baths, they had no choice but to make themselves comfortable in the staff lounge while Usurlus entered and went straight to his locker.
Ten minutes later, clad in nothing more than a white towel, Usurlus padded out onto the blue tiles that circled the pool. Both men and women were present, some of whom were nude, either because they wanted to be seen or didnât care.
Usurlus fell into the first category and, having let his towel drop, eased himself into the hot water. Then, once he was acclimated, Usurlus followed the poolâs curve back toward the grotto where Senator Paulis typically held court. Paulis was a big man, with a significant paunch and thighs like tree trunks. His entire body was covered with wiry black hair, and he sat with a towel across his lap.
Besides his ability to predict the political future, Paulis was a moderate, and therefore a man who was well positioned to communicate with both of the major political parties. As Usurlus arrived, Paulis was surrounded by a group of younger politicians, all hoping to hear one of his famous stories.
âLook what we have here!â Paulis proclaimed. âThe man we welcomed home with bullets instead of bouquets. I noticed that you donated ten thousand Imperials to help the families of those killed or injured in the attack. Well done, my boy. . . . You have the makings of a Senator.â
âThank you,â Usurlus said as he found the bottom with his feet. âItâs good to be back. . . . Even if my reception was less than friendly.â
Paulis turned his beady eyes toward his audience. âPerhaps you youngsters would be kind enough to give the Legate and me a moment alone. I sense heâs ready to share all of his secrets, which I will pass on to you the moment he leaves.â
That got a laugh, followed by a certain amount of splashing, as the Senatorâs admirers departed. A couple of
From there the pilot had to thread her way between a succession of high-rise towers and cope with the heavy air traffic that was typical of the cityâs wheel-shaped corporate and governmental zones, before coming in for a landing on an artificial island at the very center of Lake Umanus.
Having been cleared to land, the pilot put the air car down on a pad, waited for her passengers to disembark, and immediately took off again. Only the Emperor, and Senators themselves, were allowed to park vehicles there.
A covered walkway led Usurlus and his bodyguards toward the building that loomed ahead. The dome-shaped roof was sheathed in real gold and supported by dozens of marble columns, one for each of the worlds that had banded together to form the Empire more than a thousand years before.
Usurlus was well-known within the Senate, and the assassination attempt was only hours old, so the Legate had to stop and chat with more than a dozen officials, politicians, and staff members before entering the rotunda.
The men had to pass through a security checkpoint, and the bodyguards were required to check their weapons. The next half hour was spent talking with various people in the high-ceilinged hallways, and while nothing specific was said, Usurlus got the feeling that his initial impression was correct: The overall situation had undergone a dramatic change of some sort. It seemed as though his contacts were nervous, unsure of themselves, and admittedly pensive though none could say why.
In an effort to find out what might account for the uncertainty, Usurlus made his way down two levels to the senatorial baths, where the man nicknamed âthe oracleâ was generally in residence between 1:00 and 2:00 PM.
Because Livius and Tupus werenât allowed to enter the dressing rooms or the baths, they had no choice but to make themselves comfortable in the staff lounge while Usurlus entered and went straight to his locker.
Ten minutes later, clad in nothing more than a white towel, Usurlus padded out onto the blue tiles that circled the pool. Both men and women were present, some of whom were nude, either because they wanted to be seen or didnât care.
Usurlus fell into the first category and, having let his towel drop, eased himself into the hot water. Then, once he was acclimated, Usurlus followed the poolâs curve back toward the grotto where Senator Paulis typically held court. Paulis was a big man, with a significant paunch and thighs like tree trunks. His entire body was covered with wiry black hair, and he sat with a towel across his lap.
Besides his ability to predict the political future, Paulis was a moderate, and therefore a man who was well positioned to communicate with both of the major political parties. As Usurlus arrived, Paulis was surrounded by a group of younger politicians, all hoping to hear one of his famous stories.
âLook what we have here!â Paulis proclaimed. âThe man we welcomed home with bullets instead of bouquets. I noticed that you donated ten thousand Imperials to help the families of those killed or injured in the attack. Well done, my boy. . . . You have the makings of a Senator.â
âThank you,â Usurlus said as he found the bottom with his feet. âItâs good to be back. . . . Even if my reception was less than friendly.â
Paulis turned his beady eyes toward his audience. âPerhaps you youngsters would be kind enough to give the Legate and me a moment alone. I sense heâs ready to share all of his secrets, which I will pass on to you the moment he leaves.â
That got a laugh, followed by a certain amount of splashing, as the Senatorâs admirers departed. A couple of
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