Mirage

Epilogue

Record module CF-942 attach log sequencing file "Zealots Inc." running virtual conference Maui Overlook fill visual fill audio status on This will be our last meeting under these circumstances," the thick man with amber-tinged white hair announced. Only three others sat around the table. "I'm arranging for another medium, which I will let you all know about in due course. Circumstances have forced me to remove myself from easy access. However, I think we can agree that, in spite of a wrinkle or two we didn't foresee, things have worked out neatly."

"A wrinkle or two? We damn near started a war."

"But we didn't, did we? We aren't at war. Yet. The conference ended without a treaty, the Aurorans have been thoroughly compromised, and in six months we can resume traffic with even less interference than we had before now that Risher is out of the way. I already have commitments from two Settler colonies for new bases."

"What about Eliton? He's fighting a losing battle."

"In your opinion. I think he'll manage to win reelection. Taprin is just not as good a campaigner."

"But he's untainted. We might do better to back him. Those files that agent spilled into the public database on his past associations with Mikels and Golner are doing a lot of damage. Even if he wins he may be a spent force."

The chairman considered that for a time, then nodded. "You have a point. Let's see how the numbers fallout for a time. If it turns out that people believe all that data, then maybe we should switch to Taprin. Of course, there was that matter of his relationship with that Auroran ambassador."

"It's over. He stood on principle, she left him. I have that on very good authority."

"Usable."

"What do we do about the Aurorans now?"

"That's up to the Fifty Worlds. Our friend Ambassador Chassik is making tremendous political capital out of their apparent indiscretions. The damage is done, we just have to wait and see how much. Once Solaria displaces Aurora as de facto head of the Spacer Worlds, then business will be even better. Agreed?"

The three attendees nodded.

"It has been an interesting campaign," the chairman said. "We won most of what we wanted. No robotic inspections of Earth transports, no lowering of tariffs here or among the Spacer Worlds, although the easement among the Settler worlds might do some small damage to our prof its. However, that should be offset by the tighter controls that Solaria will propose once they assume the dominant role among the Fifty Worlds. All in all, a good year's work. You should all congratulate yourselves. You did very well."

"It cost you quite a bit."

"Yes, well… I always did consider emigrating." He paused for a time to let them all think about that. "Anything else?"

"What about Alda? Are we going to leave him in prison?"

"Alda won't spent any time in prison, I assure you. The charges are circumstantial, the evidence corrupted. This will cost him a little out of pocket, that's all."

"And Looms?"

"Yes, well, we missed that one, didn't we? A pity he won't even be charged. But maybe next time." Again, a pause. "No further business? Good. In that case, I'll be in touch some time in the next ten months with the new arrangements for our meetings. Be careful to purge your files of any hint of this place. Thank you all. I'll look forward to our next talk."

One by one the attendees winked out. The chairman went to the transparency and gazed out at the simulation. The ocean, the waterfall, the trees, the beauty. He wondered if where he was going would have anything to compare.

Well, if it did not, then he would simply have to build it. What else was money and power for?

"Flesh, not steel?"

The chairman turned to find a ghostly form standing behind him. He was only mildly surprised.

"I didn't expect you to chance coming back here," he said.

"The meeting's over? I missed it?"

"It's allover."

"No, I don't think so. You'll resume in some other medium. I just wanted to say good-bye. I couldn't have done this without your help."

"No, you couldn't. But then we've been dependent on each other, haven't we?"

"I wondered if you noticed. "

"I never get overconfident. "

"Good."

"Will you be all right? Will you win?"

"I think so. The fight will do me good, but…"

"Well, then. Good luck to you."

"And to you. See you around."

The ghost faded. The chairman scowled. That should not have been possible. It was just as well he was closing this place down. Holes must have developed.

"Recording complete?" he asked.

"Recording complete. Decoding routines in place, descrambler active."

The chairman sighed, gave the place a last look.

"Transfer all relevant data to hard copy and disassemble construct."

Bit by bit, Maui disappeared. The chairman did not stay for the end of the destruction.