Perfect World Somewhere

Chapter 22

It stormed the next morning, leaving a muggy gray blanket of clouds.

Lily and Daddy ate a hastened breakfast, served by domestic robots. A squadron of troopers and drivers arrived soon after, and accompanied them to Polneitenzal.

The tiled entrance corridor stretched on forever. Daddy's footsteps matched time with her own against the barren marble floor.

Her breath quickened. It was time to face the worst.

The hearing chamber consumed all warmth in its vastness. The council, the chairman, and the remote attendees watched her with morose anticipation.

Hir Thulsbek loomed in his flowing black trench coat, resting one imperious hand upon the desk.

A young man and a boy waited in restraints at the end of the row—Clarence and Ben.

Fru Haeveka was nowhere to be seen, though Daddy's warden slouched nearby.

The harsh strike of the chairman's gavel echoed. "The session resumes now."

Hir Thulsbek took charge. "Esteemed Chairman, ladies and gentlemen of the council, we've captured two more of the offenders. Some of their comrades have eluded us, but the search continues."

"Very good," said the chairman. "You may begin the interrogation."

They called Ben first.

He still wore his medic uniform, though he was missing the mask and cap. His tousled hair suggested he'd been through a struggle, or a strong wind. Regardless, his aquiline profile was proud.

"Civilian, state your full name and age," Hir Thulsbek said.

"Benjamin Edmund Keene. Twenty-eight years old."

"And your profession?"

"Medic." Ben's words were terse, bordering on insolence.

"I've been told that you're Pruessian. Are you not Venyamin Schnegiryov, born in Knultenstad province?"

"Yes, sir."

The room was silent.

"Your parents were killed in an accident, twenty years ago," Hir Thulsbek said. "Is this correct?"

"It wasn't an accident."

Hir Thulsbek gasped, in mock surprise. "It wasn't, and I believe you know why."

"My family was defecting to the space colonies, and our shuttle was shot down by our own countrymen. It was an assassination, ordered by Hir Kaezer himself, then reported as an accident to the public."

Hir Thulsbek clucked his tongue, and shook his head. "What a shameful lie. A pity you've only been told what those swine in the colonies want you to hear."

Ben clenched his fists, but remained silent.

"Your parents, specifically your mother, were known dissidents. Your mother was a talented artist, who designed many popular images for the great leader. I always wondered why she turned against us, as she had much potential. She published a series of treasonous media. When ordered to appear before the council, she fled to the colonies instead. At least, she tried. You know the laws and punishments as well as any of us, Hir Schnegiryov."

"Please address me as Mr. Keene, my proper name," Ben said. "My birth parents raised me with true Pruessian values. Not the slavery of the Kaezer, nor the prejudices of those who rule the colonies. It's all madness, and it's time to end it."

"You confess so easily? Such a cooperative personality may help you, when you face the great leader. He'll decide your fate, not I." Hir Thulsbek ended the interrogation with a flick of his fingers.