Noble Lies by Gary Inbinder	Table of Contents Synopsis Chapter 21, part 3 Chapter 22, part 1; part 2 appear in this issue.
Chapter 21 part 4 of 4

Finally, after two hours of combat, whether from frustration, fury, or fatigue, Finn cast his spear at Ludwig. The shaft flew like Jupiter’s thunderbolt burning an orange trail through the storm-darkened sky and then landed harmlessly in Ludwig’s outstretched left hand.

Ludwig held the two spears up to the heavens, his eyes glowing like blue flames. He struck Finn down with the force of his telekinetic energy, leaving his enemy bleeding and unconscious on the sandy shoreline.

Ludwig flew to the prostrate Finn. Triumphant, he stood over his defeated enemy and held the two spears crossed at the axis, as in the device on the Aureus.

The storm ceased, the winds calmed, the rainy sky became clear and bright with the light of an aureate Algol. As he held the crossed spears in the direction of the star, Ludwig thought he saw the cup and hovering bird appear through a break in the clouds. The vision lasted only an instant; drifting clouds covered Algol’s rays.

Ludwig held the Aureus, knelt by Finn’s side and placed the coin on the ex-Consul’s bleeding lips. Finn’s ashen face glowed; he shuddered and then opened his eyes.

Looking up at the victor, Finn asked, “Why don’t you kill me?”

“I’ve won, Finn; I don’t need to kill you.” Offering his hand, Ludwig helped his adversary to his feet. Steadying Finn with his arm on his shoulder, Ludwig said, “Good-bye, Excellency, take pleasure in your retirement. Someday I’ll come to visit under more normal circumstances.”

Saved from the brink of death by his enemy, Finn scowled, pushed Ludwig’s hand away and snarled, “Don’t hurry back on my account.” As Ludwig dematerialized, Finn added, “Enjoy your Empire while you can.”

Ludwig transported to the passageway in the Temple of Vesta. Consulting his map, he located the hidden niche. He pulled down the sconce on the opposite wall, opened the receptacle and then removed the iron box, replacing the ring and the map. After closing the vault, he materialized in his building’s basement without returning the true Spear of Fate to the Temple crypt. He entered the camouflaged portal of his secret chamber, unlocked the concealed wall safe and deposited the two spears in the golden rack. He then left the basement and took his personal elevator up twenty-one floors to the penthouse.

As he exited the elevator, Ludwig noticed Sejanus at a nearby guard station. After greeting his servant, Ludwig asked, “Has Lady Aurelia returned?”

“Yes, my lord. She came back from Queen Artemisia’s penthouse about two hours ago, at 0300 and went directly to your private quarters.”

After thanking Sejanus and reminding him that a more detailed report concerning Aurelia’s activities would be required that evening, Ludwig went to his bedroom. He removed his boots and then carefully opened the door, trying to make as little noise as possible. He walked into the pitch-dark room, enabling his night vision after stumbling over one of Aurelia’s carelessly discarded high-heeled pumps.

Stretched out on top of the bedcovers, an inebriated Aurelia lay half-asleep and semi-clad in silk camisole and underpants. Hearing Ludwig trip over her shoe, she mumbled, “Who’s there?”

Ludwig walked to the bed, sat by her side and said, “It’s me.”

Gazing at him with bleary eyes, she asked, “Where’ve you been?”

“I’m sorry about yesterday morning. Please go back to sleep; I’ll tell you everything later.”

Shaking her head, rubbing her eyes and propping herself up on an elbow to get a better look at him, Aurelia demanded, “No, Luddy, tell me now.”

“Are you sure? You look like you’re loaded.”

“I am loaded; I’ve got a headache, too. It’s your fault for not trusting me.”

Massaging her temples, he said, “I didn’t know ’droids got headaches.”

“That feels good,” she sighed, “but you’re still in trouble.”

“Alright, just relax. I went to see your father.”

Pushing his hands away, Aurelia sat up and hissed, “What did you say?”

Remaining calm, Ludwig replied, “As you know, I exiled your father to Algol 2. I want to keep him alive and content, because he has information that can be helpful to us.”

“Don’t you think that’s dangerous, Luddy?”

“No, he’s under control; especially so, after my visit. I challenged him to a duel with spears, the spears that appear on the Aureus.”

After sitting quietly for a moment, Aurelia muttered, “I think I’m sober now. I hope you have a good explanation for risking everything we have on some testosterone based ritual.”

Losing patience, Ludwig snapped, “Please listen to what I have to say before you sarcastically mischaracterize my actions.”

Aurelia responded by staring at him in silence.

After regaining his composure, Ludwig continued, “According to legend, the person who gains possession of the Spear of Fate will rule the world. I suspected that the spear your father used in the Coliseum was not the original that wounded Cato. He confirmed my suspicion, saying that Cato had the original, keeping it hidden in the Temple of Vesta.

“I found what I believed to be the true spear and replaced it with a copy. I took the Spear of Fate along with your father’s replica to Algol 2. The challenge had nothing to do with male hormones; it was a test to determine the truth of the legend.”

“Since you appear to be alive,” Aurelia interjected, “I’ll assume you won.”

“Yes, I won the duel and I spared your father’s life; but there’s more. I gave him a choice of weapons, and he chose the spear I took from the Temple of Vesta. He lost the duel with what was supposed to be the true Spear of Fate.”

Shaking her head, Aurelia commented, “Sorry Luddy, my head’s clear, but I’m still confused.”

“Aurelia, I think both spears are modern, hi-tech copies; I’m going to have them tested by Dr. Agrippa at Plotinus. What’s more, I don’t think Cato has told me everything he knows about the legend and my parents. I want the truth, and I need your help.”

Aurelia stared at him for a moment, and then she smiled, took his hand and replied, “I’m sorry I snapped at you and for the way I’ve behaved. Of course I’ll help you.”

Seeds of doubt about Aurelia’s fidelity, sown in Ludwig’s mind by Finn’s insinuations, drifted away without taking root. He kissed her gently and whispered, “Please be careful when you’re with Artemisia; everything she hears goes directly back to Cato.”

Taking him into her arms, she replied, “Artemisia adores you; she has nothing but good things to say. As for Cato, everyone believes he loves you like his own son.”

“Please, Aurelia,” he cautioned, “when you’re with those people you have to think like Colonel Finn of the I.S.P.; don’t ever let your guard down.” Stroking her fragrant, black hair, he added, “Artemisia got you drunk; do you remember saying anything about my secret mission?”

“It was just ‘girl talk.’ I told her you suddenly took off on a business trip without telling me the details. She said it was nothing and that I should forget it. I’m sorry, Luddy, that was all there was to it.”

“Is there anything else about your visit I should know?”

“No, it was all idle gossip and chat about the wedding, the coronation, and Alexandra Dax. With the publicity we’ve given her, she’s letting us have our pick of her collection, gratis.” Closing her eyes for a moment, she added, “Cato came to visit for an hour or two. It wasn’t much, just talk about the upcoming ceremonies.”

“You were gone a very long time.”

“I was upset, Luddy. Artemisia kept me entertained, and I drank too much. We ate dinner and then I went to bed for a while before coming home.”

Ludwig smiled and replied, “It sounds harmless enough. They’ll have their suspicions about my ‘business trip,’ but let’s not worry about it. Do you want to go back to sleep now or do you feel awake enough for some breakfast? I’m starving.”

“Breakfast sounds lovely, but how about a nice shower first?”

Getting up from the bed, Ludwig answered, “There’s nothing I’d like better.” Holding out his hand, he helped Aurelia up and then lifted her into his arms. She laughed as he carried her to the bathroom.

Following breakfast, Ludwig went to his study and called Dr. Agrippa on a secure videophone line.

“Hello, Agrippa, this is Ludwig.”

“Yes, my lord. How may I help you?”

“I want you to run tests on an object similar to the one you recently made for me. Can you bring the necessary equipment with you?”

“Of course, my lord, when do you want me to come?”

“As soon as possible.”

After checking his schedule, Agrippa replied, “Would two hours from now be convenient?”

“That’s perfect; and make sure you aren’t followed.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Dr. Agrippa, the newly appointed Chairman of Plotinus Industries, arrived at ten-thirty a.m. in a nondescript hover car, parking near the building’s alleyway entrance. Agrippa was a short, pale, man of about sixty, with close-cropped white hair and beard, dressed in a well tailored, expensive, but very plain brown suit and carrying his equipment in a security-locked steel case with retractable wheels.

As he shook the Doctor’s hand upon greeting him, Ludwig felt Agrippa’s clammy palm and observed his twitching left eyebrow. Ludwig escorted the Doctor through a back entrance hallway to the private elevator. Exiting the elevator in the basement, Ludwig led Agrippa to the secret chamber, retrieved the spears from the safe and placed them on a table for inspection.

Agrippa asked if he could smoke; Ludwig handed him an ashtray. The Doctor retrieved a silver cigarette case and lighter from his pocket, lit up and began chain-smoking, frequently stamping out butts and re-lighting with nicotine stained fingers.

Agrippa opened the steel case, removed his equipment and began a careful examination of both spears. The Doctor worked non-stop for about one half-hour. Upon completion of his tests, he opined, “These two spears are identical, my lord. Dr. Plotinus made them both, no more than thirty years ago. They’re a breakthrough achievement in micro-robotic nanotechnology.”

“Do you have any personal knowledge about the origin and manufacture of these objects?

“No, my lord, I’m afraid I don’t.”

“Do you think there would be records concerning the spears in the Plotinus archives?”

“That’s possible, my lord. Do you want me to check?”

“Please do, Doctor, and remember, this is top secret, highest priority; I’ll be most grateful for your assistance.”

Shortly before dinner, at seven-thirty p.m., Ludwig took an urgent, secure call in his study.

“Hello, Dr. Agrippa, do you have the information I requested?”

Appearing distracted on the videophone, Agrippa removed a cigarette from his mouth and replied, “Yes, my lord. There’s a top-secret file, I’m the only one at Plotinus with access. There was very little recorded except for a date of transaction and a reference; the objects were ordered by your father, Field Marshal Karl Magnus.”

Ludwig asked for the date; the Doctor responded with the day following Ludwig’s date of birth. Ludwig thanked Agrippa, hung up the line and then joined Aurelia for dinner in the garden.

Following a pleasant meal, Ludwig asked, “How about watching an interactive holographic film in the entertainment room?”

“That would be fun,” Aurelia replied, “especially when accompanied by some fine Denebian cognac.”

“Do you have any suggestions for the movie?”

Laughing, Aurelia replied, “As a matter of fact, I do: ‘The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire’.”

“Sounds delightful and very à propos; set it up and I’ll join you shortly.”

After Aurelia left the peristyle, Ludwig rang for Sejanus with a message to meet him immediately. Ludwig got up from the dinner table, walked to his study, sat behind his desk and lit a cigar. A few minutes later, Sejanus knocked on the door.

“Come in, Sejanus.”

The cyborg walked to the middle of the room, bowed and remained at attention.

After placing his cigar in an ashtray, Ludwig ordered, “Stand at ease and report.”

“My lord, Lady Aurelia spent most of yesterday at Queen Artemisia’s residence, from the time she left the penthouse at eleven thirty a.m. until three this morning.”

“Were there any visitors while she was with Artemisia?”

“One visitor, my lord: the Pontifex Maximus.”

“I see. And how long was Cato there?”

“He was with Lady Aurelia and Queen Artemisia approximately two hours, my lord, from one-thirty in the afternoon until three-thirty.”

“Was there anything unusual about their conversation?”

“Nothing, my lord: just talk about your upcoming wedding and coronation.”

“Anything else about the visit that I should know?”

“Nothing of note, my lord; I can have our agent provide a complete transcript for your review.”

“Thank you, Sejanus, that won’t be necessary. You may go now.”

The cyborg bowed and left the room. Ludwig retrieved his cigar from the ashtray and took a puff while contemplating the statues of the Caesars.

Still smoking his Churchill cigar, he left the study to join Aurelia for a three and one half hour hi-tech historical epic made bearable with Denebian brandy and fast-forwards to the orgy and battle scenes.

Proceed to Chapter 22, part 1...

Copyright © 2007 by Gary Inbinder