Chung Kuo - The Marriage Of The Living Dark Part 14

Whatever it was he'd expected, it had not been that

Their faces ... He shivered, remembering his first sight of one of the border guards. The face had been rebuilt, the nose removed, the cheek bones restructured to house a fine-mesh metallic filter. The mouth and throat had also been refashioned, two thick ridges of new muscle surrounding the neck, sothat at first sight it had seemed as though the man had been decapitated and a new, non-human head set upon his shoulders.

It was a blunted, dehumanised face, more mechanical in its appearance than any machine he had ever seen, yet human, for all that Yes, and it had made him re-evaluate what he'd seen. The trays, for instance. The trays weren't a response to the threat from the south. They feared something, that much was certain, but it wasn't the Southern Alliance. No. It was something much closer to home; something they feared so intensely they would mutilate themselves to defend against it.

Li Yuan blinked, unable to see just what was missing.

I haven't all the pieces. Not yet, anyway. But they're scared. That I do know.

"Chay Sha?"

He turned. "Ah, Captain Zelic. I wondered where you had got to."

Zelic stared at him, bemused. "I don't understand, Chay Sha. Why are you here?

The banquet does not begin for another hour."

"So I thought Yet the Governor requested that we attend at once, and so here we are."

"But this is ..."

"An insult?" Li Yuan smiled. "Oh, I have suffered worse, Captain Zelic. Far worse."

"Do you wish me to speak with the Governor, Chay Sha?" Li Yuan smiled faintly. "Your concern is gratifying, Captain, but no. I have grown quite used to waiting these past few years. Besides, does it matter where I wait, in our rooms or here? Here, at least, I can study this magnificent example of your new art" Zelic made a small sound of disgust Li Yuan raised an eyebrow, then turned to contemplate the canvas.

"You do not like it, Captain?"

"Do you, Chay Sha?"

'The figures are a little... chunky, perhaps. And the colours a touch crude. But there's vigour there, neh? A ... vitality."

164.

SIEGE MENTALITY.

Zelic lowered his voice. "Forgive me for saying so, Chay Sha, but I think the painting slinks."

"Oh, I would not go that far. It is far from subtle, I admit, but then a new culture must seek new forms. Must experiment It would not do for you Americans to imitate, would it now?"

Zelic laughed. "I'll bow to your superior wisdom, Chay Sha."

"And to my far greater wealth of experience, neh, Captain?" Zelic gave a little bow, like a swordsman acknowledging another's skill with the blade. Then, "And how was your visit, Chay Sha?" "My visit?" Li Yuan considered a moment, then. "It was... most interesting, Captain Zelic, seeing the blunt face of frontier life." "The blunt face ...?"

Li Yuan's eyes flicked up toward the watching camera; a movement Zelic saw and understood at once.

"No matter," Li Yuan continued, his eyes meeting Zelic's for a moment longer than normal; conveying to him that this was something they would talk of later on. "Now tell me the latest news from Boston. Does the war go well?"

Harding closed the door firmly behind him, then came back, taking a seat across from his two white-haired visitors. Shelves of ancient leather-bound books surrounded them on three sides, while to Harding's left was a long window from which a clear view of the bay could be had.

"Well?" Stewart asked without preamble. "Is it true?" "Is what true?" Harding asked, wondering how much he could trust either of them, and deciding immediately that it wasn't worth the risk. "That we've been soundly beaten by the Californians," Warner said, leaning toward him.

"If s nonsense," Harding answered, sitting back. "Just mischievous scaremongering, put about by our enemies to try to undermine the king." "But I heard ..."Harding's voice cut through Stewart's, loud and authoritative.

"I repeat. All is well. The campaign in the West proceeds according to plan. News comes in daily of fresh conquests." "And the satellite blackout?" Warner said, his eyes half-lidded with suspicion. "Are you being straight with us, Jim? I've heard all kinds of things today. Some of it quite outrageous. Why, I'd even heard that Egan had sacked you!"

"Sacked me?" Harding began to laugh. "Why, I've heard some things in my time, but ..." Again he laughed; a soft, amused laughter that encouraged the others to join in after a moment.

"I guess we heard wrong," Stewart said, wiping his eyes, then glancing at his brother-in-law and shrugging.

"You did indeed," Harding said, standing, smiling down at them. "Now if you would forgive me, gentlemen, but I've a great deal to do before the banquet tonight" Stewart had got to his feet "Banquet?"

"You've not heard?" Harding looked from one to the other, as if deeply surprised, then. "Why, gentlemen, if you would be my guests?" "Why, now, that would be most kind of you, Jim," Warner said, taking hold of Harding's hand as he lifted his huge bulk up out of the chair. "But could I ask the reason for this banquet?"

Harding grinned, then, in a conspiratorial tone, said, "It was to be a surprise. But as you're such close and trusted friends, let me tell you now. It seems we've won a victory. A great victory."

The old men's eyes lit up. "In the West?"

Harding nodded. "But not a word, eh? The king himself wishes to announce the news. There's to be a special broadcast" "A victory ..." Stewart looked to his half-brother and grinned, showing tiny yellow teeth in sunken gums. "At last, a victory!" "Yes, yes ... now if you would leave me, gentlemen ..."

"Of course," Warner murmured. "You must have much to organise..." "Indeed. My servants will collect you at eight""That is most kind," Stewart said, bowing his head, unable to stop grinning now that his fears had been put to rest "We shall not forget such kindness ..." "No. Of course," Harding said, stepping to the door and opening it for them.

"Until later, then."

Harding stood in the great hallway of his mansion, watching the servant bolt the great outer doors, then turned. He took two steps then stopped, noticing Horton in the doorway to his study.

"Have they gone?"

Harding smiled wearily. "Yes, thank the G.o.ds."

"You should have told them the truth."

Harding considered that a moment, then shook his head. "No. As it is, they'll serve us well enough. Two looser tongues couldn't be bought in the whole of Boston. If they're convinced, then so will all the other old fools. Trust me. Their t.i.ttle-tattle will buy us valuable time." Horton frowned. 'Time? I don't understand. Surely we want Egan to fall? And the sooner the better."

"We do. But do you want to inherit a bankrupt and defeated state?"

Horton laughed. "Have we any choice?"

"Maybe." Harding took a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Horton.

Horton read it, then looked up, wide-eyed. "Is this genuine?"

"As far as I can make out."

Horton whistled. "I was surprised enough when Egan reinstated you. But tfits!" Again he laughed. Then, handing the paper back to Harding, "Do you think we can trust the man?"

"I don't know. Maybe not. But if s worth a try, neh?" Horton considered a moment, then nodded, a cold, unhealthy smile coming to his features. "DeVore, eh? Just think of it! An alliance with DeVore!" "Yes," Harding said, keeping the doubt he felt from showing in his eyes. "Who would have thought it?"

The young man's body had a perfect roseate tinge. Lying there, naked on the operating table, it had the look of something G.o.dlike. Blond-haired and handsome of face, broad of chest and thick of arm, it seemed a veritable Son of Adam. Looking down at it from the observation platform, Charles Bernadini, Senior Technician on the Project, felt an overwhelming sense of pride and achievement For so long this had been merely a dream, frustratingly close and yet always, ultimately, unattainable. They had suffered so many failures, so many setbacks. Until now.

"Look at it!" he said to his a.s.sistant, who stood beside him at the rail. "We've done it! This time we've really, finally done it!" Wiley laughed. "Not quite, Charles. Lefs see how the transfer goes before we break out the champagne."

"A formality," Bernadini answered his old friend, turning to him and smiling.

"We've done the transfer a hundred times."

"On psychotics and murderers, yes. But this is Old Man Egan. One glitch and we'll aO. be experiment fodder."

Bernadini laughed. "You worry too much, Dan. The G.o.ds are with us. I mean, just look at it! The perfect host That1 s always been our trouble until now. I hate to admit it, Dan, but this Han biotechnology is a d.a.m.n sight more advanced than anything we managed to come up with!"

Wiley nodded, but his expression was suddenly more sober. "I agree," he said quietly, "but don't let Old Man Egan hear you say it As far as he's aware we've done all this from scratch. If he got word that we'd plundered Gang techniques, he'd go up the wall."

"You think so?" Again Bernadini pointed to the sleeping figure. "Myself I think he'd have advocated anything that could get him out of that d.a.m.n spider's body and into that1" "Maybe," Wiley said. "But I'd not be too forthcoming with the information if I were you."

Below them a technician came into the operating room and, looking up at the pair in the observation gallery, gave a thumbs-up signal."Okay. Let's go down," Bernadini said. "If s time we made the transfer."

The body woke. Its eyes flicked open. For a moment it simply stared. Then, with a jerky little movement, it sat up. It blinked, then blinked again. Slowly it raised a hand up to its face, staring at it, studying it, flexing the fingers like a young child playing with a new toy.

It laughed. An old man's laugh; a mixture of surprise and understanding. Then, turning its head jerkily, it looked about it, taking in the details of the room. A sterile, undecorated room, the walls a pristine white, the floor a stippled cream.

Its gaze travelled upward, then stopped, meeting the eyes of the figure behind the gla.s.s of the observation balcony.

"Welcome back, Mister Egan," the stranger said, and smiled broadly. "I'm delighted to say that everything went perfectly." Egan made to answer, but the sounds that emerged formed a slurred, incoherent groan.

"Take it slowly," the stranger said rea.s.suringly. "At first you'll have to think each word clearly, individually, before you form it The vocal cords haven't been used much, you understand. We can't exercise them like we do the other muscles. If 11 be a while before it comes automatically."

Egan listened, then gave a peremptory nod.

"I... wa-an ..."

He swallowed, the slightest flicker of pain crossing his face. Then he pointed down at the unmistakable erection he now sported. Up on the balcony, Bernadini smiled then turned and spoke to Wiley, who sat behind him in the shadows, watching the brain traces on the bank of monitors. "Dan. Get Mister Egan a woman."

Wiley looked up, shocked by the suggestion. "Are you sure? I mean, what if he's not ready for it?"

Bernadini looked back, seeing how Egan sat there, staring in clear awe at the fierce, proud stalk he had inherited, and chuckled to himself.'1 don't know about you, Dan, but after thirty years stuck in a block of plastic, I know I'd be ready for it!"

"So tell me, Li Yuan, how did you feel when Old Man Egan had your boy's b.a.l.l.s cut off? Must have been some d.a.m.n shock, nek?'

The speaker was a big, balding man with a p.r.o.nounced southern drawl and a lazy, mocking manner. He had been goading Li Yuan all evening, offering minor insults which the Tang had overlooked, but this was different - this was a direct slur upon his manhood.

As the laughter died, Li Yuan stood, staring coldly at the big man. "Forgive me, Shih Tanner," he began, as if responding to some far more innocuous query, "but it surely helps if you have b.a.l.l.s to begin with?" The man's smug, mocking smile flickered, then died. "I beg your pardon ..." he began, but Li Yuan was not finished.

'The fact that you feel you can discuss such matters openly shows not only how ignorant and ill-mannered you are, but also how totally unaware you are of the pitiful sight you make."

"Now look here, Mister Li..."

Li Yuan laughed; a cold, imperious laughter that seemed to chill the room. "Look where? At you, Shih Tanner? At the great pile of lard that dares to call itself a man? At the obese nothingness that occupies the chair in which you sit? Why, I would as soon contemplate a plate of steaming t.u.r.ds as look at you overlong." There was a hiss of indrawn breath. The banquet room was suddenly deathly silent In that silence, the big man's chair sc.r.a.ped back. "Now thafs just too d.a.m.n much! If you think..."

But Li Yuan had pushed his own chair back, quietly, delicately, with a fighter's sure touch, and had stepped around the table, slowly approaching Tanner. One or two of the other guests went to intercede, but others pulled them back. This was interesting. This was . .. fun.SIEGE MENTALITY A body's length from Tanner, Li Yuan stopped, two guests and the width of a table between them. Though he had pushed back his chair, Tanner had yet to get to his feet He leaned forward, his plump hands gripping the edge of the table, his eyes wide with anger.

"Why, you jumped-up little c.h.i.n.k!"

But as Tanner tried to rise, Li Yuan jumped up, onto the table, scattering gla.s.ses and dishes, and, balancing himself carefully in the crane stance, placed his foot - toes pointed - in the centre of Tanner's chest There were gasps of disbelief. "Good G.o.d!" someone cried from close by. "The c.h.i.n.k's gone raving mad!"

Li Yuan stared down at his shocked adversary, a mocking smile on his own lips now.

"You want to fight me, fat man?"

There was a low murmur from all sides, but still no one made to intercede. What would Tanner do?

Tanner grunted, then made to s.n.a.t.c.h Li Yuan's foot away, but Li Yuan withdrew it quickly, delicately, then flicked it out again, giving Tanner's chest the tiniest of touches.

"You're f.u.c.king insane!" Tanner mumbled, clearly put out by this new situatioa All of the bl.u.s.ter had gone from him. But there were others who were not so in awe of Li Yuan. One -younger than Tanner and far fitter - now made a grab for Li Yuan, lunging across the table at him ...

And went down, groaning loudly, his nose broken, blood spattering his white silk tunic.

"Enough!" Governor Rogers shouted, standing up. Li Yuan turned to look at Rogers. Behind the Governor a huge viewing screen was showing muted scenes of the latest victory against the Calif ornians, but no one was watching the screen. All eyes were on Rogers now, wondering what would happen next.

The Governor's face was dark with anger, his eyes protruding from his face. "For G.o.d's sake, Mister Li! Return to your place!"

"Tell Shih Tanner to apologise," Li Yuan said, staring back at Rogers defiantly. "Tell him, or I'll kick his lungs out through the back of his ribcage!""Li Yuan!" Rogers yelled, close to apoplexy now. "If you don't desist, I'll have my guards arrest you!"

But Li Yuan seemed not to hear him. He looked down at Tanner, glaring now.

"Apologise, you bloated bag of s.h.i.t, or I'll crack your ugly face in two!"

That did it With a furious gesture, Rogers signalled to his guards to intervene. As they began to squeeze their way between the tables, Zelic got up from his seat and hurried to the door.

Li Yuan, meanwhile, had slowly lifted his foot until it hovered before the mesmerised Tanner's face. "Apologise," he said once more, his voice almost gentle now.

"You mad f.u.c.kin' Chinaman," Tanner murmured. "You can go to f.u.c.kin' h.e.l.l!" The sudden crack surprised them all. Tanner sat there a moment, his eyes glazed, blood gouting from his nose and mouth, then slowly he toppled backward, dragging down two other guests as he went Pandemonium broke out There were screams from the female guests, angry shouts from the men. Some tried to get at Li Yuan but most hurried to get away, pushing in the way of the guards. One young guard did squeeze through, and found himself face to face with Li Yuan, but a sharp blow to the abdomen doubled him up. At the onset of trouble, Chang had positioned himself as close as he dared to his master, but in the first few seconds of the fight, someone had broken a chair over his head. The rest of the Han party sat where they'd been placed, looking on in astonishment as their Master went berserk. "Aiyal" Fei Yen continually shrieked, her hands folded before her face. "Aiyal" Li Yuan was backing away now, his feet clearing plates and dishes from the table as he went, his body crouched, his hands circling in the air before him. But he was surrounded now. A circle of eight men slowly closed in on him. "Li Yuan!" Rogers barked, coming up behind one of those eight. "Surrender now or face the consequences."

"Consequences?" Li Yuan laughed. "As Tanner said. Go to h.e.l.l."SIEGE MENTALITY Rogers bridled, angered by the continued defiance of the man. "You have killed a man, Li Yuan, and, honoured guest or no, you are not above our laws." "Your laws!" Li Yuan's laughter was scathing. "I've read your laws! They would make an honest man weep!"

Rogers swallowed angrily, but before he could say another word, Chang, who had hauled himself back onto his feet, called out to Li Yuan. "Master! You must do as the great man says. They will not hurt you. Remember whose protection you travel under."

"Protection?" Rogers shook his head. "You seriously think Egan will protect you when he hears what you did here tonight?"

Li Yuan gave a tiny shrug. "Maybe I choose not to let another fight my battles anymore. Maybe I have had enough of insults, of being treated like a dog by lesser men - hsiao jen -like you, Mister Rogers." He paused, then nodded slowly to himself, as if something had been settled at that moment "And maybe it is better to die an honest death than to live on one's knees."

"Fine words, Mister Li," Rogers answered, "but you'll be rotting in my cells before nightfall."