Divine Deception: The Will Traveller Chronicals by Robert James

voice
added. It was the Captain of our T.T.V. I thanked him and, once
extricated from the perfectly shaped arms and legs of Susan Proust,
got up, got dressed and joined Zoran, who was sipping from a
steaming mug in the passenger cabin.
    One of the newly
promoted guardsmen scurried off to get me a hot drink and I sat
down opposite the obviously well rested old man.
    “I don’t think the
Patriarchs are in the habit of turning up unannounced Sire” He
smiled as he waited for me to respond.
    “Then we had best
let them know Zoran” I replied grinning.
    “Alpine Grand
operator Sir” The navigator reported, handing the mic to the
Captain.
    “Captain Logan,
Supreme House T.T.V. Dash P four on our way in” He reported, in the
approved manner.
    “Copy that
Captain, Welcome to Alpine Grand” Returned the operator “Do you
have cargo? Any personnel? We don’t have any schedule….” She asked,
clearly puzzled.
    “I have Lord
Robert and his entourage aboard; we are in transit to Carabindy
Province” The captain cut in. There was silence for a moment, then,
a now-excited operator asked us to allow at least thirty minutes
before arriving, so an appropriate reception could be organized. I
shook my head when the pilot looked up, seeking instructions. Just
then, a newly awakened and still slightly dishevelled Susan arrived
at the cockpit door.
    “Tell her to put
Mr Jones or Miss Watson on the line” She told him
    “Yes Ma’am” He
replied, passing it on. In just a minute a prim female voice
answered
    “Miss Watson
here”.
    “Hello Ruth, its
Susan, from Centropolis” Susan told her amicably.
    “Lord Robert wants
this kept quiet alright?”Susan explained.
    Fifteen minutes
later, we were cruising along the ground with two of their T.T.V’s
and a dozen air cycle police as escorts. I could see the quite
impressive city in the distance, as we pulled into a stately walled
guest house type mansion, complete with statues and gardens and a
circular front drive. Very similar to the one we had visited on the
way out of Centropolis. That already seemed so long ago. My eight
guardsmen formed a passage for us across the transom and down the
four steps; another dozen or so State Guardsmen extended the
passage all the way to the welcoming committee. There were six of
them. I lead the way with Zoran and Susan behind. Staying
absolutely silent, we made our way to the obviously nervous
group.
    For some moments,
there seemed to considerable awkwardness, and then I remembered
that I had to speak first.
    “I am most pleased
to be with you” I told the assembled group.
    “Lord Robert, our
honour far exceeds our surprise at such good fortune” The obvious
leader, a tall, late fortyish, athletic looking man said, though he
was not used to humility. Susan introduced. “Lord Robert this is
Governor Lucas and this is Miss Ruth Watson” She introduced the man
and an attractive woman, not unlike Susan but blonde and a little
thinner. She did a little curtsy thing. The Governor, like the
other four men kept his head bowed except for a brief look up to
say “I am honoured Lord Robert” He and his party froze, when I
walked over and offered him my hand.
    “And honour is
what you deserve, for governing this prosperous State so well
Governor Lucas” I told him. Much to his amazement, I reached out
and took his hand. Finally, he looked into my face.
    “Lord Robert” He
seemed almost in tears “You do me such an honour, no amount of
dedication and hard work could deserve” He let me grip his limp
hand as he spoke.
    “It is one thing
for a Patriarch to decide” I told him and the assembled party “But
such decisions cannot become reality simply by that decision alone.
To be materialised they must have the will, the strength and the
courage of men such as your Governor Lucas” I added, watching his
back visibly straighten, while his grip on my hand firmed.
    After
introductions without handshakes, to the other four, we went into
the