The Lucifer Manifesto (Chapter Four)

 

It was only two days before the grand speech was to be and the five of them were having a final conference before the party on Lanonandek began the two day journey to Satania. Asimov was unable to join the rest of the council so he did his part via real time video transmission. Pan was with him in the background yet still clearly on screen. Hardly able to sit still, she awaited the sight of the man who had stirred her great-great-great-grandfather so. Other than that, the other four, Lucifer, Kalm, Calagastia, and Dalagastia, sat at the other four chairs of the table (the floating video monitor got it's own seat).

 

Meanwhile, at least three-fifths of the Conclave's attendees had arrived in the Satania Inner System. Intellectual conversation in anticipation of the Conclave spilled into the numerous coffeehouses and tea parlors surrounding the great Sea of Glass, many of which had been established for the purpose of entertaining the annual attendees. Most of them were closed all year but the month of the conference. Dormia made about a third of it's yearly exporting revenue during this time of year.

 

Also, for the only time of the year, makeshift shops sprang up on the unfounded Sea of Glass. Nothing had ever been built on it in part because of the difficulty of setting a proper foundation on its flat crystal surface. Most of the reason, however, was the uniqueness of the fascinating natural treasure. Just as it's name implied, the Sea of Glass was a flat surface of crystal about a mile thick. Though beautiful, the Sea of Glass was a mournful spectacle for, though it was clear, if you was to look down into it all you would see was an abyssal pit of shadow over dark bedrock.

 

The conclave itself had begun as a festival of sorts for the pleasure the Satania Inner System, and, over time had grown into a celebration all of Diiltae recognized. From it's humble beginnings it had grown a reputation for intellectual speeches that were the pinnacle of the philosophical thought of the time. This was to the disapproval of The Theocracy, of course, which believed all philosophical and intellectual thought should concern spirituality.

 

Other than celebrated intellectual minds, the Conclave drew the presence of the ten Planetary Princes of the system and much of their royal families, as had become custom. Also, many of the other Planetary Princes of Diiltae made an appearance, whether it be out of political nicety, curiosity, desire to keep up with their peers, or genuine interest. In general, it was a meeting place for people of importance and wealth.

 

Earlier that day, Pan's aunt and one of her uncles had died in a mysterious mechanical explosion that had claimed the lives of an entire restaurant. There was a good bit of public mourning, especially in highly religious circles (which there were very few of on Satania), though an outside observer would have a hard time seeing this through the excitement of the nearing Conclave. In some circles, sabotage was suspected, as, in this day and age, mechanical failures were fairly uncommon, and outright explosions, especially ones with the magnitude required to clear an entire restaurant, were especially rare.

 

“I'm sorry I couldn't be there in person,” Prince Asimov began out of courtesy, “but with the Conclave nearing there is much for a Prince to do here on Satania. And it would look bad, as well as unwelcomely curious, for me to leave now.” He didn't mention the two death, with their mysterious circumstances, as he didn't think they had much bearing on the discussion at hand. Shifting his attention to her, he introduced his descendant, Pan, to the rest of the men.

 

“It is our collective pleasure to meet you, Pan.” Lucifer said, replying to the Prince's introduction. “On to business. Has my stage been set, Darling?”

 

Pan looked curiously at Lucifer through the screen, fascinated by him, yet almost disgusted by the way he seemed to radiate power like a fire radiated heat. She was the only person she knew of to call him Darling, and even she didn't do it directly. Who was this man to know him better than his own family, she asked herself.

 

“Yes, the main stage has been set in preparation for the approaching Conclave. You are welcome to use it any time you wish in the next week, and I have also done you the favor of reserving you a place and time for a second presentation during the Conclave itself.”

 

Calagastia grunted in disapproval, he had developed a track record of being against such flashier moves. Conversely, Asimov, with his abundant fearlessness, had been pushing more and more for bolder moves as the time for action drew nearer.

 

“Unfortunately Calagastia, I agree with Asimov here. We would be all-in by that point and it would give us a great head start in converting the rest of Diiltae. Also, it may serve to head off a little of the invading Theocrats, to have allies between us and them.”

 

Dalagastia had been full of fresh ideas lately. They seemed to be her way of combatting the stress of managing her small army. “I think it might be wise to make some sort of document for the Conclave. A leaflet, or a downloadable manifesto-type thing for people to walk away with and perhaps spread afterwards. And, I know I've heard of speeches being recast over system radio; we could do that as well.”

 

“Those are excellent ideas Dalagastia.” Asimov said, following the beaming of Lucifer's aura, which seemed to be understood as praise. “I will do my best to try to arrange it, as well as video coverage, which could easily be made viewable and downloadable.”

 

Kalm remained quiet, as was usual, but he seemed detached, as if his mind was elsewhere. Pan, too, was quiet, though more out of ignorance and interest in the conversation than inattention.

 

 

. . . . .

 

 

 

 

It was still in the royal house of Satania on the night before Lucifer's council would arrive. Pan attempted to make as little noise as possible as she crept slowly through the lower floors of the expansive house that she had lived in since birth. She kept her noises minimal, though not for fear of alerting an attendant or the capable ears of Prince Asimov. Instead, she was hoping not to wake the multitudes of children that lived in the house. It was their waking noise that would give away her absence from the house, as many of the lazier royal house guests relied on her almost entirely when it came to dealing with the children.

 

Just as she became close to the rear of the great kitchen she heard the gentle whoosh of the lift that went directly into it. If she was to move fast now she risked noise that would definitely spell her doom. Instead, she continued to move silently with one eye on the door of the lift. Nearly at the door at the back of the kitchen, she watched as her younger sister trudged sleepily toward the refrigerator, almost as if she was sleepwalking. Shiiae could have easily called an attendant from bed as they were constantly awake in the house so that they could receive service at any time of day. That just wouldn't be Shiiae, thought Pan. Her sister had an independent streak in her a mile wide and was, on top of that, too proud to accept any kind of service. This had an uncanny way of making people who met her, and didn't refuse the attendant's service, direly uncomfortable. Pan was glad that, between herself and Shiiae, Satania would very likely have a Princess for the first time in well over two centuries.

 

“Be careful.” Yawned Shiiae, her head deep in the refrigerator. Pan smiled and quickly left, hoping Shiiae wouldn't be awake enough to remember her leaving.

 

Pan had been meeting Theodor for well over a month now, thought she always met him in secret, like she was doing tonight. She had been careful not to mention him to anyone in her life, save Shiiae (doesn't every girl with a secret lover need a confidant?). She knew that Asimov wouldn't approve of her meeting a Theocrat born out of system even though, until recently, she had never heard him say anything directly disparaging about The Theocracy.

 

Yet, despite this taboo, she felt that she was falling in love with the slightly older man.

 

The cafe in central Satania commons was nearly empty when she entered it, but there he was, sitting close to the back, sipping what was likely to be warmed mineral water, in his subtle way. He barely glanced up when she entered, but when his eyes met hers they filled with the restrained excitement she had come to love. She walked directly to him, ignoring the electronic registry and the chatty wait-staff.

 

“I heard about your aunt and uncle, bless them; are you alright tonight?” His face was expressionless as was usual for him, but his last few words seemed to be dipped in concern.

 

“Yes, I suppose you get used to seeing people come and go, living in such a large, clustered family.” Her face, which usually had emotion enough for both of them, was oddly free of sadness.

 

“Do you not mourn for their unascended souls?”

 

“To the casual observer, their deaths are the same as any.” She quipped, hoping to liven him up a bit. From the corner of her eye she saw an exasperated waitress approaching the table.

 

“How can you say that? Their souls being damned to a realm of Godlessness.” He looked both shocked and, surprisingly, curious.

 

“What would you like to drink, Miss...” The waitress scanned her electronic pad. “I'm sorry, I don't seem to have your name.”

 

“I didn't sign in.” Answered Pan in a way that said very clearly, “don't ask.”

 

“Well,” the waitress said with a sigh, “what are you having?”

 

“Dusk coffee, extra sweet.” Pan answered in an impersonal sort of way that seemed to make the waitress shuffle off even faster than she normally would.

 

Theodor made a noise on disproval. As a Theocrat of high rank he had a number of abstinences and seemed to think that anyone who didn't was somehow imperfect. Yet, he had asked her to a cafe with a number of specialty coffees. Indeed, he was a man of mystery.

 

“I suppose,” Theodor started slowly, “that with only two people between you and the throne now you might put off ascension for your people.” It was almost a question. Theodor had a subtle way of probing for information, but Pan didn't feel like answering him. Actually, she didn't really know the answer herself.

 

“I've never understood why you higher Theocrat's seem to take so long to ascend. For example, you're twenty-six, you could've ascended for three long years now. Why haven't you?”

 

“Is it not the greatest abstinence to deny one's self the nearness of the Universal Father?” He had that slight paradoxical look on his face, as if he was satisfied at having said something he thought was profound. “Besides, I must risk eternal damnation to heard God's sheep to the Paradise Hub.”

 

“So, it would be a holy sacrifice for me to remain to lead my people?”

 

“If you were to do so by the hand of the Universal Father.”

 

“What about your hand?” She asked, teasingly, as she reached for the rough, yet gentle, hand by the steaming mineral water. He nearly jerked away when she touched him, as if reflex.

 

The waitress placed the coffee in front of her, as if taking pleasure in disrupting the somewhat touching scene. Then, as quickly as she came, she left, no doubt smiling to herself.

 

“Why do you drink that, and so late?” He asked, as if coffee genuinely concerned him.

 

“Maybe I want my energy for you.” She said, gently pulling her fingers over his hand and towards her waiting coffee. He got that clearly uncomfortable looked he always seemed to get when she hinted at sex.

 

With a slight quiver in his voice, he changed the subject. “How are things at the House Satania with the retched Conclave on it's way?”

 

“Very interesting. Father seems to be meeting with a heretic leader who plans to speak at the Conclave.”

 

“I told you the damned thing was immoral.”

 

“Ah, but listen to this, he claims to have been to the Paradise Hub, and returned!” She delighted in bothering him so, it got him all riled up, with might suit her purposes well.

 

“Ridiculous, but what more would you expect from a damned heretic, may his soul rot and leave him as he sleeps.”

 

“But Darling Father seems to believe him. In fact, he seems to be backing him with an army, or what army he can raise.”

 

“Clearly, age has him at last, we were not meant to live so long.” To this he added darkly, “something must be done. He no longer has the mandate of God to rule.”

 

“Hmm, that seems to agree with what he's saying.” Theodor shot her a peculiar look, waiting for more. “He thinks The Theocracy is making an attempt to subvert power from the Planetary Princes.”

 

“Any power we are given comes directly from the Universal Father himself. And logically it is only a matter of time before the Princes begin to become Theocrats. There is surely no plot to overthrow them, at least not on our part.” Theodor grimaced. Pan thought it was because of all that had just been said and in some ways she was right.

 

Theodor knew he would have to do even more penance on top of the mass he already owed because of his newest lie. My crimes are justified, he told himself in the back of his mind, I am doing the work of the Universal Father.