34

“Congratulations are in order,” Patriarch Rewynn said, beaming and grasping Foss’ hand as he entered the priest’s office. “A resounding victory.”

“It is a big step forward,” Foss agreed. “The committee seat has gained us a huge amount of credibility with voters.”

“And with simple citizens, looking for succor in their dark and troubled lives,” Rewynn told him, as the two men sat down. “Church enrollment is up over the last few days, and we’ve already reversed revenue declines from the past few months.”

“Excellent,” Foss said. “Perhaps we’ll be lucky enough to achieve Simi’s vision in our own lifetimes, after all.”

The old priest grunted. “That will take a lot of work. But it feels closer than ever. The tide is turning inexorably in our favor. Though the loss of Exor Davy was a setback.”

“Yes, his arrest was quite a shock. How did they get inside our operation?”

“We’re still investigating. It looks like they may have put pressure on an acolyte close to Davy,” Rewynn suggested.

“He’ll be punished severely, of course,” Foss said, frowning.

“The acolyte? Of course. If he survives his interrogation.”

“This district attorney – Hawken, I think is his name. He’s intent on exposing more of our secrets. He promised more arrests, Thomis.”

Rewynn held up a hand. “The Church is aware. Let the lawyer squawk on TV all he likes. But we know to be vigilant, now – we know we’re at war. And we’re not going to remain on the defensive much longer.”

“Good,” Foss grunted.

“It seems our list of enemies is growing. First 621, now this Hawken character.”

“I take it as a sign that we’re doing something right,” Foss agreed. “I would prefer it if 621 were dead already, though.”

“He admitted to Delacourt’s murder,” Rewynn pointed out.

“I know, I saw the news. But the trial’s not over yet ….”

“Gaspar, relax,” Rewynn soothed the senator. “He’ll be convicted, and get the death penalty. Our legal counsel says it’s nearly a certainty.”

“And if he’s released? Will we be able to kill him then, after we failed twice already?”

Rewynn snorted. “Have you seen how the press has vilified him? We won’t even have to bother. If he’s acquitted, the courthouse will be surrounded by an irate mob. They’ll tear him limb-from-limb. Regardless of the trial’s outcome, by this time next week, we’ll no longer need to trouble ourselves over him.”

“By Simi Quorn, I hope so,” Foss said. He played with his tie idly. “There’s another matter I wanted to discuss with you.”

“Oh?”

“It’s related, actually. The leverage I used to obtain Senator Lask’s seat: I discovered that he had sponsored a black operation. The Intelligence Committee is using Janus Group assets to conduct spy missions in the Territories, to assess military threats to the Federacy.”

Rewynn shook his head slowly. “Devious, but very risky, given public sentiment these days. And yet another example of how corrupt our government has become without proper leaders in place.”

“The team is led by a woman,” Foss continued. “So I have doubts about how effective they will be. But it irks me that the government is still reliant on such thugs to protect it. I was tempted to simply take the evidence public, and force the whole committee to resign.”

“You still could,” Rewynn pointed out.

Foss considered this in silence for a time. “Mm,” he mused. “I suppose I could. It might be the catalyst we need.”

“Does the government really need this team of spies to protect itself?” Rewynn asked.

“I believe it might,” Foss told him. “According to the reports, Jokuan is a very real threat. They’re preparing for war, though their target is uncertain.”

“Surely a single planet can’t threaten the Federacy?” Rewynn scoffed.

“The Federacy is actually quite vulnerable,” Foss told him. “We would likely defeat an invasion, eventually, but the Jokuans have the advantage of speed and surprise. It would take the Federacy some time to respond.”

Rewynn sat back in his chair, steepling his fingers under his chin. “You could expose the rest of the Intelligence Committee, though I’m sure that would have some negative consequences for you and the party. But perhaps there’s another course of action to consider.”

“What would that be?” Foss asked.

“Give the Jokuans the location of these Guild agents.”

Foss raised his eyebrows. “Interesting. That would certainly rid us of the spies.”

“It would mean the end of this unethical operation, yes,” Rewynn agreed. “And the Jokuans would be indebted to you. And very, very angry at the Federacy.”

“True,” Foss affirmed.

“They’ll want revenge. That might be the spark that ignites the final conflict Simi Quorn prophesied. He foresaw an army spreading his lifewater across the galaxy.”

Foss sat forward in his chair. “But I thought that army would be a Federacy one, under NeoPuritan control.”

“That’s one interpretation,” Rewynn said. “But remember also: ‘For you will find allies in your crusade …,’ ” Rewynn quoted.

“‘… in the unlikeliest of places,’ ” Foss finished, rubbing his chin. “Indeed. It is just as Simi Quorn predicted. The Jokuans have their own objectives, though – they might thank us for alerting them to the spies, but they won’t fight for the Church. Their aim is to steal assets from other planets.”

“Then they will start with the richest planets, which are also the most corrupt,” Rewynn pointed out.

A smile spread slowly across Foss’ face. “So they will. The very planets where our crusade is most needed. But we still wouldn’t be able to control the Jokuans.”

“No,” Rewynn agreed. “We simply unleash them. The Jokuans will cleanse the galaxy for us, rooting out the rich and corrupt … and where they go, we will bring salvation and enlightenment in their wake.”