Planet Wrecker

-16-

Several hours later, Circe entered her quarters on the Thaliana. It was a spacious room, decorated with silk and works of Jovian art. She instructed the pack-leader of her myrmidons to allow no entry into her chamber until further notice. Then she retreated to her communication’s net, attempting a laser lightguide link with the Chief Strategist. After a brief delay, a link was established. Circe thereupon put on a neural-helmet and reclined in her com-bed.

***

CIRCE: The barbarian is clever and less direct than I had anticipated. He swallowed his anger and attempted subterfuge.

TAN: Kluge is quick-witted. Do not underestimate him.

CIRCE: He has defeated cyborgs on more than two occasions. That implies fighting prowess of an unusual degree. I view him as a killer virus.

TAN: That is an apt analogy. The virus in his instance is not direct, but rather the ideas he propagates.

CIRCE: My myrmidons are immune to such ideas.

TAN: The barbarian lacks Jovian mores. If he believes himself threatened, he will kill the myrmidons without hesitation.

CIRCE: Whatever he is, he is male.

TAN: That is why I sent you. Hmm. I could almost pity him.

CIRCE: You say he has a lover.

TAN: Her name is Nadia Pravda. She escaped from the Sun-Works Factory. I believe he has taken to calling her his wife.

CIRCE: They are married?

TAN: I believe he preformed the rite himself.

CIRCE: This is interesting. Where?

TAN: I do not know. Is it important?

CIRCE: As I’m sure you’re aware, I have perfected the Cleopatra grip. He is a fighting male, filled with testosterone, and I have already initiated a strong response in him. Among my myrmidons, I find that is an irresistible combination.

TAN: You…engage in liaisons with your myrmidons?

CIRCE: Like many of the martial arts, the Cleopatra grip demands constant practice in order to maintain a high level of competency. It also reinforces their loyalty to me.

TAN: But with an animal….

CIRCE: They are theoretically human. They have a heightened musculature, vigorous responses and a therapeutic effect upon me.

TAN: Doesn’t it produce emotionalism in you?

CIRCE: We are philosophers, and we have learned to subdue the proto-urges. During the act, I redirect the pleasure sensations and practice isometric exercises. It helps me maintain perfect body tone.

TAN: You risk become a sensualist.

CIRCE: The bodily arts demand risk. Yet you have a point. I believe some of my practices have delayed my ascension into the highest ranks.

TAN: Hmm, undoubtedly. On a tangential note, I wish you to realize that this will be a difficult assignment. Despite his barbarism, Kluge has accurately stated the situation. His ship contains the worst dissenters and agitators.

CIRCE: My own reading of the data has led me to a similar conclusion. I therefore suggest a redirection of effort. As the meteor-ship heads for Mars, send a flock of ship-killing missiles after it.

TAN: That is a logical thought. I have considered it for some time. Three factors have rendered it moot. One, Jovians hostile to the Dictates might well witness the meteor-ship’s destruction and correctly conclude I ordered the act. Two, Marten Kluge is a dangerous man. He might discover a way to thwart the flock of ship-killers. Who knows what his response would be after that? Three, our Solar System faces a hideous threat in the form of the cyborgs. We need every warship possible. Therefore, it is illogical to destroy the meteor-ship.

CIRCE: Kill Marten Kluge.

TAN: Again, that would be a difficult act.

CIRCE: My myrmidons could easily achieve it.

TAN: Difficult to achieve successfully in the dark, I mean. As an official act, it would be simplicity itself. But that would harm my Chief Strategist position and force my political enemies to unite against me. No. You are my answer, Circe. You must practice the Cleopatra grip on him and control the barbarian through your sexuality.

CIRCE: His…wife might already have a fierce grip on him. I note they practice the olden custom. That implies she has some form of dominance over him. Why otherwise would he agree to such an antiquated practice?

TAN: That is beyond my area of expertise.

CIRCE: To achieve your mandate, I may have to eliminate her.

TAN: Do what is necessary to gain control of Marten Kluge. The mission is too important to leave to random factors. He is a barbarian and therefore unaware of our philosophic ruthlessness and purity. We seek to achieve the highest good for the greatest number. Nothing will be allowed to stand in our way.

CIRCE: I consider him little more than an intelligent barbarian.

TAN: I caution you against underestimating him.

CIRCE: Noted.

TAN: I feel I must also warn you against letting him or anyone else aboard the vessel knowing about your liaisons among the myrmidons.

CIRCE: Perceptions are critical. I am aware of that.

TAN: Hmm, yes. I do not mean to imply that you do not. As a side note, this taking of a wife…I find that troubling.

CIRCE: Wife or not, I shall subdue him. He is only a man after all. What about the cyborg?

TAN: When the time comes, kill it. No one will mourn its loss. In this purpose, I am determined: the eradication of the cyborg infestation. With their passing, the Dictates will flourish, in time, throughout the entire Solar System.

CIRCE: Long live the Dictates.

TAN: May they guide us forever. Chief Strategist Tan signing off.