to know. We have been all through your mind, such as it is. And even with our most advanced tools, any mind can withhold a few tiny secrets, if it is effectively conditioned. We need you to lower your guard completely, so we can see.^
^And you’ll let me live?^
Agilia let slip a haughty chuckle. ^Of course not! But you will die without pain, in a deep sleep.^
^And if I don’t?^
^Denged will tell you what he knows, then you will die quickly. And you will die living in torment, a final parting gift from the TELREC.^
Nemosini spat at her, and it hit her left eye, thick and yellow. Nemosini laughed as Agilia wiped it off.
^Tell her.^
Denged knelt at a safe distance. Nemosini could feel him connect to her mind.
^Your daughter, Jaylind, gave us all we needed.^
As he cast the words, she could see the images as recorded by Anies of Jay in the basement, nest the words exchanged by herself and Themis.
She reeled from the shock. ^It can’t be. No . . . no! Not my Jay!^
Nemosini screamed and wailed as Denged watched her, expressionless, probing into her mind, finally seeing those hidden places, and finding little of value. He kept casting images to her, of Jay and Anies together, of them watching as Kleder died, as they went through the burning remains of the cell. Nemosini moaned and wailed, falling to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. Agilia walked over to her, lifting Nemosini’s head by her hair.
^I am going to give a virt-life of this to the families of every child you and your people killed,^ she cast triumphantly. ^To the wife of every husband you slaughtered on the cast-net. To the husband of every woman you murdered on the cast-net. To the sons and daughters of mothers and fathers you senselessly butchered for spectacle sake. And they will thank me, and no matter what happens, they will always believe that we, the TELREC, are doing what’s right.^ Agilia pushed her head back to the floor. ^Kill her, Denged. Then meet me in Control Room thirty-four.^
^Yes Agilia,^ cast Denged with a low bow. He advanced on Nemosini as Agilia left, and knelt down in front of her.
She slowly raised her head, breathing hard, her head throbbing with pain. ^So how does it end, TELREC? A knife, a laser? Ripping my mind to shreds?^ Nemosini coughed, and let out a long sigh. ^Just do it, and get it over with.^
Denged cradled her head, wiping her tears, and mucous, with the cuff of his uniform. She couldn’t believe it, but she saw compassion in his eyes. He held her head in both his hands, and before he twisted it, breaking her neck, quickly ending her life, he spoke to her four last words.
“Your children still live.”
Agilia sat with Qergien and Raent in control room Thirty-Four, in anticipation of Denged. He was summoned to Malhrer not only to deal with Nemosini, but to also be thanked personally by the Monitors for the destruction of the Iganinagi.
^I am disturbed, Agilia.^ Qergien ventured, cautiously.
^How so?^
Though he was a Monitor, Qergien was fully aware he was still quite new, and Agilia had much power and influence with Mal. He was never one to take chances with those of authority—Agilia learned that from a quick scan of his personnel file. She learned that while he had confidence in himself, he had little in other people, and as such rarely trusted those in authority to understand his doubts or appreciate chances he might take. So he always followed protocol, always did merely what was expected of him, nothing more. Agilia remembered Ollapa’s words as she nest Qergien’s personnel file.
He asked me why I was chosen to be Monitor, why Raent and Qergien were. After looking at his file, I understand less about his selection than any other Monitor in history. Qergien sat up straighter, the tension building on his face.
^I came through the ranks, Agilia. I worked alongside Listras for quite a while, and heard much of Rhonva. They were agents of strength and character, and though completely loyal to the TELREC, they possessed a moral nature underneath. These agents now with power—Denged, Gilc and Errece, have no moral character. They appear to be sociopaths, unfazed by the atrocities they commit, unperturbed by the numbers of people they kill. Though Gilc has some of the same capabilities Listras had—excelling at strategy, and possessing an extremely strong mind, she is perverted, reveling in senseless violence and delighting in torture and murder. Errece is only a TELREC because of the viciousness within her; born of the abuse she suffered as a child on the streets of Novan. They seem to be nothing more than animals, slaughtering their prey with a senseless viciousness, and it is more animals like those that Denged selected to be his Maenids. Though we have tolerated their actions for the past ten cas, and they have purged the planet of dangerous rebel elements, it has come time to disband them, to dissolve the Maenids. These cannot be the ones to usher in a new age with the Cuhli-pra; these cannot be the people we want to lead our race into the future.^
^At least they have a spark about them,^ cast Agilia, growing annoyed. ^Denged has never been one to do only the least expected of him. He may be an extreme, but he is a necessary one. What do you think, Raent?^
Though Raent was also new, she had taken to her position with relish, questioning Agilia’s decisions often, almost to the point of insubordination. Agilia found herself more on the defensive in her debates with Raent, and had been considering ways to reign in Raent’s disposition.
^I feel we let them have too much free reign.^ Raent cast firmly, acting always as a military commander. ^They torture and kill at will, innocent and guilty alike, so long as their objective is accomplished. Soon the Novan populace will awaken to their actions, and could be moved to open revolt. I am also concerned of the lack of input from Mal concerning them.^
Agilia thought for a moment, giving the illusion she was actually considering their viewpoints.
^This is a private matter, under our control,^ cast Agilia. ^Mal will not be informed. So long as we are careful in the treatment of the Cuhli-pra, Mal is not concerned. He has stated to me our boundaries in this matter. As for the immorality of Denged’s actions, and those of his Maenids, we are approaching a time when much of the Novan population will be purged. Before or after the Ascension makes no difference. Over the millennia, Mal has massaged the population pattern of the planet, segregating those who will survive from those who will not. Most on Core and Foundation will not. That is where Denged and his Maenids function most, in areas that are immaterial to our needs.^
^Why Core and Foundation?^ asked Raent.
^They have become the motor of the Novan engine. As our people evolve, we will no longer need that motor. We will need the best genetic material our people have to offer. The most intelligent, the most creative, those with obedience and loyalty in their genetic makeup. Those have been fashioned into the makeup of Topside. Those on Core and Foundation would also pose the greatest threat to the stability of the planet.^
Qergien and Raent thought on her words for a short while.
^Are either of you uncomfortable with these plans?^ asked Agilia.
^Of course I am!^ slammed Raent as she shifted forward in her seat, becoming heated. ^These are our people, not Rell. They have a right to benefit from the Ascension like those on Topside. What right do we have to decide who will enjoy the future, and who will be casualties of its conception?^
^How naive you are, Raent.^ Agilia lashed out at her joyfully, her thoughts filled with venom and disgust. ^If Mal didn’t command your promotion to this post, I would dismiss you immediately. We are TELREC. We have the right, for the people have given us the right. They surrendered their future to us seven thousand cas ago. All that matters is the evolution of our people. We will not litter that future landscape with fools and genetic waste. Those that leave this world, to go out into the universe, must be the very best, the greatest beings these globes have ever seen!^
^You were among the military,^ continued Agilia, ^you know the necessity of hierarchy, of segregating those that can from those that can’t. The catalyst will catapult our people into the universe
itself, to conquer and rule. Where do you think the souman sewage on Core and Foundation will fit in to that plan? Nowhere, as they would merely slow the strong and be a burden. Do you understand?^
^Yes. I apologize for my doubt.^ Agilia ruefully concealed a smile, as she could tell how difficult it was for Raent to cast those words. They all received a cast. ^Denged is outside.^
^Let him in.^
Denged entered with Gilc and Errece close behind, his billowing sienna robes in stark contrast to the lean efficiency of Gilc and Errece. There was a stillness for a few moments, as Denged stood in front of the Monitors, expressionless. Gilc and Errece scanned the room, as if they were continually hunting. They appeared almost as tall as Denged, yet stooped over a little, as if they were perpetually crouched to pounce. Agilia scrutinized Denged, an agent whose life had taken many unfortunate twists and turns.
Ahh, Denged. How much you have been through? We have spent much time rehabilitating you, after your experience with Nahlai those may cas ago. She truly destroyed a part of you, took a large portion of your soul. What do these Maenids, as you call them, represent to you? Are they reminders of what a woman did to you? Is it representative of the viciousness you attribute to women, how effective they can be at destroying a man? Or is it because you were seduced, you feel any man can be seduced, and