Charlie slowly holstered the weapon, but his hand continued to hover over it.
Martin opened his palms. “Correct. I sat in that room next to my former body for hours, waiting for you.”
“You knew I’d run. You planned on me being a coward.” Jason despised how easily he’d been manipulated. It embarrassed him to know his uncle considered him craven and gutless.
“We planned on you leaving the palace on vacation, not the damned planet. Your father pushed up the timetable when he asked me to go to Renick.” Martin’s voice came out harsh and annoyed but then it softened. “Jason, we needed time to get rid of your father without either of you using the Mirre on me while I was in this body. Our plans were rushed in the end.”
Jason pinched the bridge of his nose as if the squeezing would relieve his pounding headache. “But I did link to you.”
“Yes. We estimated it to be a fifty-fifty chance you’d come in person versus using the Mirre. There was someone watching my room, so if you showed up without warning, I’d know it wasn’t real.”
“And the note guaranteed I’d want to talk to you.”
“I’d hoped you trust me and just go. But yes, we prepared for the possibility.”
“What about the investigation? Your autopsy?”
“As I said, I’ve been making plans with some of the company’s doctors. They did the autopsy inhouse. They shoved a cadaver’s brain inside my old skull before putting it in the room.”
A twisted plan. “How…” The words stuck in Jason’s mouth, and he took a few calming breaths. “How can I trust you after this? You manipulated me.” Jason had spent weeks in anguish crying over the wrong death.
Martin had also sacrificed for him. The man could’ve lived another century in his former body. Now he was doomed to lose his mind.
“That choice is entirely up to you.” A pitying smile formed across Martin’s face. A face which looked like the Emperor. “You have decisions to make. Even more now that you’ve taken Alexandria under your wing. If you like, you can denounce me, expose the plot, and have us executed.” He allowed the idea to hang in the air for a moment. “Or I can step down right now and live out my days on the Western Estate. You can even accept my original offer. I lead Rhime in your father’s place until you feel ready. My mind hasn’t broken yet. There’s still time.” He watched Jason consider the options for a moment. “What is your pleasure, Emperor?” The title came out slow along with a grin.
“Please don’t call me that. Not from you. Never from you.” He couldn’t stand it if Martin started treating him like some unholy god. “You killed my father. You killed your Emperor.”
“Your father had already murdered dozens of innocent people with his own hands and kept it covered up. More people using the command of his voice. Possibly, you were next. Something had to be done, and I didn’t want you involved.”
Jason sagged in the chair. “Do you have any idea how many people are ready to murder you? Your people weren’t the only group planning a revolt.” They were just the first to succeed.
One edge of Martin’s mouth curved up. “I dare say there’s more than you know. If we don’t turn some of your father’s recent social and taxation policies around fast, we could be headed for a planetary revolt.”
“This all too big for me to decide right now.” Publicly denouncing Martin and the rest of the conspirators was out of the question. Jason would be lost trying to lead on his own, and those doctors were needed for the Herodians. He didn’t have the fortitude to order mass executions in any case. Jason refused to begin his reign in an ocean of blood.
The man stared at the robot. The robot stared at the man. Jason tilted his head. “What’s it like?”
“What?”
“That body. What’s it feel like inside there?”
The End
Shabin- The Reluctant Prince of Rhime Page 27