Previews of Episode V: Technical Difficulties

Preview 1

The large observation screen in front of him flickered and then a dark figure appeared. He was only five foot eight. The young man was only sixteen years old in magician years. His eyes glared a deep red and his blonde, ringlet hair fell upon his ears and forehead. He wore a completely black robe and, on his neck, were two triangles crisscrossing each other—the symbol of Darkness.

“What is it, Visus?” the Darkness Magician asked.

“The Congressional Assembly has been eliminated, my Lord. We can continue our plans without interference from them,” Emperor Visus said.

The Magician smiled. “Good.”

The Emperor said in a panicking voice, “Those representatives you warned us about are not at all what you thought they were,” the Emperor said.

The Magician shifted in his chair. Magic moved about his fingers. “Explain.”

The Emperor continued. “They are magicians! If the Committee learns of our actions, it could stop our operations easily! What should we do? I cannot fight magicians.”

The Magician’s evil smile vanished from his dark face. “This is unexpected. I never would have assumed that the Committee would become involved in this conflict this early. No matter. Continue the invasion as planned.”

“And the magicians?” the Emperor asked.

The Magician’s smile returned. “Eradicate them.”

Preview 2

Hamor shook his head in disappointment. “That is a pity. I was sure that would force the Confederation to stop that blockade, but now it seems it has made it worse.”

“Why don’t we plea it before the Council?” Kida asked. “I’m sure they can change the Confederation’s actions rather quickly.”

A murmur filled the small audience chamber in agreement to the Queen’s idea.

Hamor shook his head in doubtful hopes. “I’m afraid, your Majesty, that the Council is not what is used to be. Arofax did not uphold good leadership, which caused the power of the Universal Council and the Overseer to drop dramatically. Many of those representatives have become corrupt and should not be trusted.”

“What other choice do we have?” Kida asked.

Hamor sighed. “Perhaps we could plea our case to the Universal Committee of Magicians. They still have power in their positions and most continue to work for good and prosperity for all.”

“The Committee only meets once a month,” Jude added.

“I cannot wait another six weeks for the Committee to make a decision,” Kida rejected.

Hamor smiled and sat down on an adjacent chair. “There is…one more choice, your Majesty.”

“What?”

“You could…perform a vote of no justice in the Council—which simply states that you do not feel that the Council is doing its duty and, if the elders of Committee agree with you, some things will be changed,” Hamor suggested.

Kida’s face grew confused. “I have never heard of that vote before.”

“That is because, your Majesty, no one has ever mustered enough courage to do so. No previous people, in your case, had the audacity to vote that. It could cause chaos in the Council if it is not reorganized correctly,” Hamor explained.

“What kind of changes?” Jude asked suspiciously.

Hamor looked at Jude. She felt invaded by this strange man. She closed her eyes and shifted herself in her chair.

“The major change will be the impeachment of most of the representatives in the Council, which requires many planets and galaxies to cast a new vote to have representation in the Council. That is the most important change. The Overseer becomes emergency ruler of the Council until such elections take place.” Hamor paused and studied the expressions on his listener’s faces. “That way, your Majesty, the Overseer himself will be able to command the Robotic Confederation to leave Modius at once or pay the consequences.”

“But that doesn’t sound like democracy to me,” Glorita commented aloud.

Hamor answered, “Neither is what is happening now. No one can agree on anything. The last time someone like your Queen came to the Council for help, it turned out that he was killed before he could wait out the four-month period for the Council to decide!”

Hamor paused after his outburst and could see that he had really gotten through to them. “Quite frankly, your Majesty, we only have two choices. Either you could wait for the Council to make its decision or you could vote for no justice in the Council. I cannot vote for you—the Constitution of the Council forbids it. ‘Only a commoner in the Universal Realm may cast a vote before the Council. If the Overseer allows it, then the vote is legal,’” Hamor quoted. Then he said, “This is your decision and yours alone.”

He stood and headed toward the door. “Please contact me when you have made your decision. I will be in my office.”

Hamor turned and pressed a button. The black doors slid open and the Overseer left the Modiuns to ponder what they should do.

“It’s up to you, your Highness. What do you think is best for Modius?” Glorita asked.

Kida thought for a moment. Finally, she said, “I do not want to cause disruption among the universe. I will go along with the Council but if I do not see improvement, I will vote for no justice in the Universal Council.”