The Alembic Plot: A Terran Empire novel

  16a. Shayan

  Shannon's stomach churned in sick disgust, and he found it hard to keepfrom vomiting. He'd known that she'd be given a dozen helpers roughlyequivalent to his doubles, so he hadn't been surprised when she, asacting Protector, was helped to set her seal on the first two, or whenthey passed it along to others. He hadn't even needed to eavesdrop;that was such a potent use of power it was impossible for anyone withthe slightest degree of sensitivity to miss.

  So, unfortunately, was the revolting spectacle going on in HarmonyLodge. It was positively obscene! He'd done humanity a favor, lettingit couple without real involvement being necessary; why couldn't theAdversary have left it at that until after the decision point?

  It did have one advantage, he conceded grudgingly, an advantage he wasastonished the Adversary would yield--though since this wasn't truly aconflict, perhaps the advantage was also illusory. When they werebroadcasting those repulsive emotions to each other and at him, theywere also broadcasting information--especially in the throes of unity.For the first time since he'd decided it was no longer safe toeavesdrop, he knew Cortin's thoughts and intentions--and knew them morethoroughly than if he'd managed to plant a spy in her private office.

  Shannon sighed in relief as the broadcast stopped. He'd have to findsome way to screen those emotions, without losing the informationcarried with them. Damn the weaknesses of human bodies! In one of hisown forms, or able to use his powers, he wouldn't be affected soseverely--if he were affected at all. The obvious way to avoid theworst of her excesses was to have sex himself, properly isolated fromhis partner's feelings; was there anyone here who could serve thepurpose?

  Too bad he'd had to leave Victor on St. Michael, but his aide wasneeded to deal with the Brothers there while he set up the Dmitrianoperation that, if the crucial decision was made incorrectly, wouldtrigger a Systems-wide conflict.

  And Sara was too valuable to get involved in the conflict, even somarginally. Drugs, then--they were no more acceptable for his image,but they didn't require a partner, and he should have no troublegetting some from the pharmacy unobserved.

  Damn, she was starting again! Degas this time, with Illyanov at herother breast eager for a chance at her--information or not, if she wasgoing to keep this up, he had to find shielding! Worse, there wasanother couple starting at it, broadcasting less strongly but no lesssickeningly--that unspeakable Piety and a big black she thought of asTiny. Cursing in an effort to keep his mind clear, he hurriedly lefthis office to get the drugs he needed.

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