Mark Tiedemann: Chimera

"In view of the circumstances," Setaris said finally, "I cannot in good conscience overlook the potential culpability in this matter on the part of Ambassador Chassik. Therefore, as head of the joint legation of the Fifty Worlds on Earth, I revoke his ambassadorial authority pending a hearing to review charges of abuse of office and negligence. Such hearing will be held on Aurora at a date to be determined by the Auroran legislature. Until then, Ambassador Chassik is remanded to house arrest, and his duties shall be assumed by another mission to be chosen by mutual agreement of this body."

Chassik looked up. "You 're making a vast mistake, Sen. "

"Possibly," Setaris said. "But a vastly smaller one than I would be making were I to allow you to continue as ambassador. Any questions?" She surveyed the table. "Good. This meeting is adjourned."

Ariel gratefully pushed away from the table and stood.

Chassik met her at the door and blocked her way.

"And, indeed, we have not finished, Ambassador," he said.

Ariel glanced at the two security guards flanking him. They stepped closer. Chassik glared at them, then left the room.

"He'll probably be recalled," Setaris said.

Ariel turned.

"I'll see to it he leaves before you do," Setaris continued. "I apologize, Ariel. I know you wanted to remain on Earth, but…"

"But I'm much more valuable where I can be kept an eye on," Ariel said. "I understand."

"Ariel, I actually envy you leaving so soon. I don't imagine that we'll have a mission here for much longer. Once the Terran senate finishes casting us in the role of the devil for having spawned a new menace, we'll be asked to leave. If war actually breaks out…well, I don't look forward to leaving under those conditions. "

"Why would Earth make war on us? It was a Settler ship that fired on a Spacer ship."

"Prejudice. We'll be assuming control of the blockade, Earth will feel some perverse sympathy for the Settlers that we are then blockading, and the situation will degenerate from there." Setaris shrugged. "I may be too cynical, though. Perhaps none of this will actually happen. If not, perhaps you can return. "

Ariel could think of no response. She wanted to go back to her apartment and have a drink.

Or go see Coren.

Which would be more dangerous right now? she wondered.

"We can talk again before you leave, " Setaris said. "Arrangements need to be made and so forth. Till then, as a favor to me-be careful."

As she watched Setaris walk away, Ariel thought, I'm not happy about leaving Earth, but it will be a relief to get away from her. Rega Looms finished the meeting and sat behind his desk, eyes closed, trying to find the satisfaction he once enjoyed from business well-concluded. Nothing. After a time, he sighed and wondered if anything, ever again, would give him any joy.

Melodramatic thought…

He poured himself a glass of brandy and drank it slowly. When it was finished, he left the office and ascended to his private chambers.

On the desk in his residential office lay the draft of his next sermon. He was alone now-wife dead, both children dead. He had nothing left but his company and his church. Politics was over for him, at least as a personal activity.

He toyed with the ancient pen he always used to hand write these pieces, but, looking down the lines of neatly calligraphed words, he could think of nothing more to add just now.

The world was ending and he had said everything…

Looms shook his head. Ridiculous. Still, he felt that way often. What if, tomorrow, time stopped and the end came? Would he have done all he needed to do?

Some things he no longer could finish.

There were words he had needed to say to Nyom…

He walked into his bedroom.

Someone sat on the edge of the bed. A large man, dressed darkly, bare head bowed.

"Who are you?" Looms asked automatically. He thought of the gun in his nightstand.

The man raised his head. The room's lighting played off of pale skin, rough, scarred complexion, and large eyes that seemed somehow artificial. He grinned.

"Hello, Daddy," said Gamelin. "So nice to see you after all these years.,.."